4.7 Simple Relocation

Once more, University awaits. Hamilton is the first Slender to go to Uni.

Ham aspires to get a Communications degree to aid in his LTW, but like Otto he’s found loopholes to actual studying. As as schmoozer he’s pretty good at sucking up to his professor.

Instead of studying, I have him work on his Science skill until he’s near the top of the Nerd social network. Of course, there are always other things to do at University.

Sims were never really smart.

…What’s Jeffrey Dean doing here? I quite honestly have his grave in the family inventory!

Epilogue: One Last Song

Oct21

3.31 The Unfortunate End of Ottoline Slender

Oct21

That evening, Otto returns to the park with Hamilton in tow.

‘I’m telling you, Ham, I saw death eye-to-eye and lived to tell the tale!’ Otto exclaimed. She’s already described in detail what had happened. ‘It was tripped up!’

‘You sure you didn’t imagine it?’

‘Imagine it? Imagine it?! Would I make up a story like that? The way I hear it, your great-grandfather was in league with him or something like that.’

‘Was he really?’

‘Well, I don’t know the full story to be honest. Dad was pretty tight-lipped about his parents. Who knows? Anyways, if you don’t believe me, I’ll prove it!’

‘Mom – .’

‘I know what you’re going to say! It’s dumb playing around with death! You sound just like your brother!’

‘Are you kidding? Go for it!’

Otto was beyond thrilled. ‘You asked for it.’

‘Citizens of Lucky Palms! I come to you to protest the atrocities of DEATH! Why do we all have to die, anyways? Wouldn’t living forever be a lot more fun? And what’s with that Grim Reaper joker?! Why’s he wearing that hood? What’s he hiding?!’

Otto continued ranting along these lines for a good while.

‘Nothing happened,’ Otto remarked to Ham after she was done.

‘That’s a shame,’ Ham sighed. ‘I would’ve liked to meet Grim, myself.’

‘Well, at least I knew he was exaggerating about that warning.’

‘What warning?’

‘Well, he said that if he caught me ranting again, there would be troub…Uh oh.’

‘TELL ALGERNON…I HATE HIS GUTS!’

And she died.

‘MOM!’ Hamilton wailed.

From the abyss, the Grim Reaper emerged, lightly brushing off smoke.

‘Two reapings in one day!’ he exclaimed. ‘What’s this town coming…rats.’

‘This again?!’ Grim groaned.

‘What did I tell you about ranting?’ Grim scolded.

‘Come on, Grim, be cool!’

‘Your grandfather’s definitely going to be hearing about this!’

‘But I – !’ Otto started.

‘No,’ said Grim.

‘But – .’

‘No.’

‘Can’t you just – !’

‘No.’

‘You used to be cool, man!’ the Otto-ghost grumbled.

‘Get in the grave.’

With that, Otto passed on.

Otto died at Level 9 in the Music career and as a human. Ironically, she was the first member of her generation to pass. Algernon was still very much alive and kicking (and a Super Villain), while Jessamine and Jackson had already aged into Elders with a loving family around them. Although she died young, she died in a true Rebel fashion.

3.30 Tempting Fate

Oct21

So I had Otto ranting with her megaphone at the park when this happened.

Whoops!

Grim emerged from the void with a magnificent bang.

‘What a beautiful day for a reaping!’ he exclaimed joyfully. ‘Why I could just – !’

‘Oh, rats. Not another Slender!’

‘

‘That was awesome!’ Otto cheered.

Grim had another opinion of the situation.

‘Otto, Otto, Otto, have you learned nothing from the jelly bean incident?! You’re worse than your grandparents!’

‘Well, don’t just stand there! What do you have to say for yourself!’

Grim sighed. ‘Look, I give everyone who does this a second chance, and you’re getting off easy because you were saying some pretty nasty things about Death back there!’

‘Don’t let me catch you doing this again! Why, your grandfather is going to go into spasms when he hears about this! He’ll be laughing his head off at how a Slender bested death!’

Otto beamed at her freshly formed flesh.

‘Dude, you rock!’ she said. ‘Don’t let anyone tell you you look weird in that cloak!’

Grim grumbled incoherently. ‘As I said, you get one chance to shut your mouth about death. If I catch you doing this again, I’m not going to let you off so easy! Are we clear?’

‘Transparently,’ Otto grinned.

When Grim was gone, the smile didn’t leave her fate. She had an idea.

3.28 To Cure All Ailments

Oct20

‘Can you do it?’ Otto asked.

‘That I can,’ Hugh announced. He eyed her carefully. ‘But I want to make sure that you’re sure about this.’

Otto sighed. ‘You sound just like my cousin. Look, I’m sure. I’m more than sure. My kids are teenagers now and I haven’t aged a day since they were born. I’ve never been so sure about anything in my life!’

‘I’m just sensing that this decision doesn’t sit well with everyone,’ Hugh continued.

‘They’ll thank me later,’ said Otto. ‘I’ll take the responsibility, Hugh. You just make the potion.’

With that, Hugh sets to work creating a Potent Cure Elixir.

And he succeeds.

Otto decides that she must first test it out to ensure its success. She wanted nothing more than to be rid of the burden of extended life. With memories of her now-deceased family members flashing before her eyes, she slams the potion at her feet and allows the purple smoke to envelop her.

‘I don’t feel much different,’ Otto remarked. But when she looked in the mirror, she noticed that her wings were gone.

Feeling renewed by its success, she summons her three sons. Their eyes widened with disbelief as they noticed that she was no longer a fairy, but they recovered quickly, particulary Hamilton – who hadn’t yet forgotten their conversation in Azure.

‘You’re crazy,’ Ham exclaimed. ‘Look, Mom, if you want to be a stupid Normal Sim – .’

‘I resent that,’ Hadrian said from the sidelines.

‘ – then that’s your problem, but I’m not going to have anything to do with it!’

‘I’ve already made it clear that this is a family choice,’ said Otto.

‘A FAMILY choice?!’ Ham shouted. ‘You made this decision all on your own, like it’s only YOUR choice that matters!’

‘Ham, you’ll thank me later,’ said Otto. ‘I’ve wanted nothing but the best for my kids and being a fairy isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Besides, I’ve hardly ever seen you use your powers, anyways! I don’t even see Haji bothering with them!’

‘The powers aren’t the point! It’s the life I want!’

Otto frowned. ‘Alright, Ham.’

‘I didn’t want to do it this way but you’re leaving me no choice.’

Ham blinked as the smoke started to clear. ‘What…what did you do?!’

‘Stopped you from doing something dumb,’ said Otto.

‘I can’t believe you did that!’ Ham shouted. He immediately stormed out of the basement and slammed the door behind him.

‘…Shouldn’t you go after him?’ Hadrian asked, looking at his mother carefully.

‘He needs to cool off,’ said Otto. ‘Haji, come here.’

Haji obediently stepped forwards. ‘What’s that for, Mum?’

‘For turning you into a normal Sim.’

Haji shrugged. He was too young to really know the difference and even smiled as the purple mist floated up.

When it cleared, he was normal.

‘How do you feel?’ Hadrian asked both of them.

‘I guess “normal”,’ replied Otto.

‘Did you really have to cure Ham when he didn’t want to be cured?’

‘He’ll understand later, hopefully when he’s had time to cool off.’

Hadrian frowned skeptically.

Otto didn’t notice, though. She pulled her youngest son close and the tense feeling inside sagged with relief. They were normal.

3.21 Daddy

May4

Things quickly get back to normal in Lucky Palms. To mark her graduation ,Otto goes out and gets inked like a true rebel.

Nerd Hugh, in the meantime, continues with the noble pursuit of SCIENCE.

While Rupee gains the aggressive trait.

Of course, what better way to mark her return home and a new job than by throwing a party? Her neighbours are happy to oblige to her invitation to dance the night away.

Among the invitees is Jeffrey Dean, an acquaintance Otto made in college. He’s not too shabby looking, so I subtly nudge her to plant one on him.

My Simself promptly ruins the moment.

Fortunately, though, Jeffrey here becomes a Love Interest and moves in. What with the household getting a bit larger, it’s time to move to a new homestead. For Otto I’m thinking something ultra-modern.