look how they shine

* collected gameplay and mini-stories from the Akiyama/McCarthy families

Fall 2088. Vale Akiyama is 28, Vicky Garth is 24. Blossom McCarthy is 29, George is 34, Abe is nearly 2. And welcome baby Abigail.

content warnings: childbirth, and... menstrual blood, I guess?

previously: Vale and Vicky get engaged // Blossom is the golden child in this family




🎶 Look at the stars

Look how they shine for you 🎶

—

In September, Vale and Vicky finished the last tour stop of their whirlwind musical summer. Being home again now, they were quite happy to settle into a cocoon of warmth and rest while they daydreamed of what might come next for them.

As for their wedding, they were both in agreement about one thing—it would be intimate but lavish. And if they kept the invite list small, they could spring for a destination wedding. Think of a swanky hotel on a tropical island, a long flight to somewhere they’ve never been before, sparkling waters and sandy beaches.

But that was all just talk for now, so they let the talk be as fantastical as they wished. No date set, no deposits paid. They’ve been too busy and too tired to make anything official. For now, they’re just enjoying their engagement and their raging musical success.

postcards from grad school

September, October 2088. Justin Nova is 28, Calvin Banks is 21, Amy Jones is 22, Natalia Deppiesse is 23, Andre Sylvester is 23. Cynthia Kim is 52. Selena Sosa is 25. April Hutchins is 25, Beau Jackson is 24.

#1: welcome to grad school

Grad school is happening at Magnolia Graduate College. 

Leading our group is Dr. Heather Thompson, Dean of Students. She specializes in biology. (Hi, Ingrid’s mom!)

Our students this year: 

Andre, Calvin, and Steven are all working on their medical degrees. 

The others are non-medical graduate programs. Justin (architecture), Amy (nursing), and Natty, (teaching).

graduation 2088

June 2088. 

This evening is presented by April Harris, Education Minister. 

AH: “Welcome, friends, family, and esteemed graduates! Tonight we gather in San Catalina, California, to congratulate our graduating class of 2088! This year’s graduating class was brimming with talent, but one student inched out ahead with her dedication to service and community as Class President and National Merit Kindness Ambassador. Please enjoy a speech by this year’s valedictorian, Delphie Deppiesse, from Fort Palms High School.”

thank you, part 1

November 2087. Blossom McCarthy is 28, George is 33, Abe is 9 months. Vicky Garth is 23. Amy Jones is 21, Blair is 20. Nobuo Akiyama is 55, Mayumi is 53, Vale is 27. 

previously: the dirty French song // what would you do with it if it happened?

Thanksgiving for the McCarthy and Akiyama families was a cheerful time. This was Blossom’s first year hosting the holiday as a mother—baby Abe’s first Thanksgiving. They couldn’t be more thankful. Both sides of the family were expected in full attendance. The feast would be delicious. Blossom’s mother was the star chef today, although Vicky and Amy helped, too. Blossom wasn’t much of a cook, so she put herself in charge of refilling drinks and lifting spirits. 

This blend of blood-family and friend-family had grown together so beautifully. Blossom's parents loved George and his siblings. The McCarthy clan all adored Blossom's parents and even her unruly little brother, Vale. In-laws became friends. Friends became family.  

And there were three vegetarians in one family, so it was decidedly a convincing tofu roast on their menu. The meat-eaters didn't dare complain. 

The day couldn’t have been more perfect. 

postcards from the winning team

November 2086.

#1: strong enough to put hair on your chest


Nathan Lind was in Catalina this month for business, so he popped in to visit his sister and the kids. After much begging and pleading, and pleading and begging, Aurora finally agreed to let him take Zach to the Humor & Hijinks convention. She had worried it was too late on a school night and too adult for a little boy.

"Can I have some?" Zach pointed toward a glowing purple fountain.

"I think this is juice," Nate said. "Pretty sure, but you never know. Hey, how old are you now? Ten?"

"Almost nine," Zach said.

"Close enough!"

Amy & Blair: the honeymoon

June 2086. Amy and Blair Jones are 19.



Honeymoon breakfast is served.

Amy & Blair: the wedding

June 2086. Amy Jones and Blair Schehl are 19.

wedding song: "You Make It Real," by James Morrison

Drown #12: hand in my pocket, part 1

May 2086. Stephanie Nova and Justin Kim are 26. Willow and Lily are 4. Keri Riley is 25. 

Soundtrack, "Hand in my Pocket," by Alanis Morissette


Spring rushed into the countryside, bringing with it a lush green breath of fresh air. By May, in rural and forested areas, some occasional air pockets had been measured at fifteen percent oxygen. For the first time since Reclamation Day, the EPA lifted the air quality alert from Hazardous to Extreme Caution for certain zones and climates, and in Stephanie's particular corner of northern Michigan, they were rated simply Caution.

hi ho, hi ho: Steffie's first day working at Coolidge House

February 2086. 


Off to work she goes.

In game, Stephanie is working in the part-time manual labor career. That career actually pays a TON of money. Like nearly $50-something an hour at entry level which is much higher than most of the adult entry-level careers, so I'm rather restrictive about who can enter that career. But Stephanie's quarterly wages will be deducted from Sharon's business account, and she did say that she paid well! Mostly I liked the hours, weekend mornings, so that Justin can stay home with the girls.

Amy

Amy Faye Jones

story tag
simblr tag

age: 20
born: August 26, 2066—Virgo

toddler trait: inquisitive
child aspiration: mental, achieved
aspiration 1: knowledge, nerd brain
aspiration 2: family, successful lineage
traits: old fashioned, quick learner, bookworm, cheerful, mentally gifted (nurturing)
MBTI:

religion:
politics:

loves:
hates:

education:
- Potomac Medical College, Pre-Med/Nursing
- Lakeside Heights High School, class of 2084
career:
- Savasana Cafe, staff, part-time
career history:
- nanny, Thompson family, 2083-2084
- paper girl, 2080-2082
skilled at:
-

wanted to be when she was a child: a mommy

orientation: straight
IFS: 3

romance:
- Blair Jones, together February 2083, married June 2086
romantic history:
- none

parents: Harvey and Alma Jones
siblings: Aldous Jones
children: none
grandchildren:
friendships:
enemies:

DNA: skin shade #4 // hair, dark brown // eyes, dark gray // adult height, 5'7"
weight: +24.5
fitness: -8.2

health history:

legal history:

—