Showing posts with label Helen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Helen. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Downloads-Sims- Buck and Helen Sixkiller


Since I am officially unable to use my wonderful founders in my legacy any longer I am releasing them into the wild. So here they are, my beautiful Helen, and my beloved Buck.


Helen is one tough cookie. She's a little hard nosed and doesn't take a lot of crap.




However, she loves to dish the crap out. lol.

Helen was actually the 7th generation born out of my attempt at a Nothing Is Free Challenge. I only say attempt, because though I did build the world up, it essploded after ghost Cyrus tried to use the subway on his way home from the Spooky Day festivities at the festival lot. But anyhow... Back to Helen.

She's sometimes a little short-sighted, and in general a rather selfish woman. She doesn't usually get mad, but when she does watch out! Her somewhat acid tongue is known to leave a mark.

And though I talk a little tough about her, I do still love her. So if you download her to use, please be kind of nice to her. And if you use her in your story (or in your background) I'd love to know! Leave me a link in the comments and I'll even comment back!

Her Traits are: Disciplined, Flirty, Neat, Genius, and Technophobe
Her Favorites are: Pop Music, Hamburgers, and Black
And her Sign: Sagittarius

She requires Generations to look as shown.
CC required to make Helen look right:
Brows by Simmiller: http://www.modthesims.info/download.php?t=442949

Lips by Sleepy Genius- RomanticRose: http://linna.modthesims.info/download.php?t=481902

And her infamous Purple "Pajamas" from the EA store are here













And then we come to my dearest Buck. I adore my Buck. His death was the first time I've ever cried when a sim died. So I'm begging you, if you download him, please be nice to him. I messed with him enough in my story.
Buck was the oldest of three kids who grew up in Appaloosa Plains on a farm I imported in. Ha! As the oldest he was given a traditional family name that had been passed down for many generations. His father expected him to live up to such a name and be a real "Man's man," if you will. But Buck is kind and gentle, caring and sweet, and very very cowardly. He's a wonderful caretaker and a fantastic father. But don't be fooled! If you mess with his family, you mess with him and run the risk of seeing his temper and rage explode as did poor Trenton who had no idea why the random man was beating him up. Ha!
So if you end up using him in your story, or if you even just stick him in your background because he and Helen make pretty babies (really. I'd love to show you all some other spawn of theirs from a different world/save ) I'd love to know. Leave me a link in the comments and I'll even comment back!

Buck's Traits are: Coward, Disciplined, Hopeless Romantic, Loves the Outdoors, and Hydrophobic
His Favorites are: Pop Music, Mac and Cheese, and Lilac
And his sign is: Gemini

He needs Late Night and High End Loft Stuff to appear exactly as shown along. You'll also need to download his hair "AlfredAskew's Backswept Short Curly Hair Converted" by TumTum Simiolino from here:  http://mybluebookblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/alfredaskews-backswept-short-curly-hair.html


Edited to Add: As per the suggestion by my darling Gemma, I'd forgotten this. Both Helen and Buck (And really, all my sims that feature in the story except Iggy who uses an E-Skin) need THIS skin to look right.

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Chapter 2.25- Dam Burst




          “Daddy!” Ignacio paused almost imperceptibly as he finished washing the breakfast dishes. Buck did not call the house phone when he wanted to talk, he called Layla’s cell phone. “How are you this morning?”

          His Mami had said she’d be by to assist with Tiburcia today, and Buck was calling early on the house phone. What was going on?






          “Yeeeeee-aaaah,” Ignacio could hear her smile slipping. Arden was due at any time now, and Helen had not recovered from the incident before Arden’s baby shower. Arden had insisted a couch needed to be moved at that very moment, that it couldn’t wait for Buck or Galen to get home. Two broken vertebra, and a pulled muscle were all Helen gained from giving in. Since then, she’d been in and out of the hospital in pain and with various infections.






          “Last night?” Reaching to turn off the taps, Igancio prepared for the worst. “Why didn’t anyone call me last night then?”

          They must have taken Helen back to the hospital last night then. Every time she went back Layla had a harder time staying away. Ignacio wasn’t sure she would be able to keep her promise to her folks much longer.






          “Yeah,” turning around Ignacio stood waiting for the report. “Yeah. I’m so sorry Daddy. Really sorry. I wish I could have been there.”

          ‘Could have been there,’ that was past tense. He stood pondering the meaning for a moment, only coming around as he heard the click of the handset being hung on the cradle. He’d missed whatever else she’d said. But if he’d expected her to turn ready to tell him everything, he was wrong. She stood silently with her head bowed for a moment before turning.






          “Hey,” trying to appear as if he hadn’t been eavesdropping. “Hey what’s up? Who was that?”

          Only she didn’t answer him. She gave him a deep searching look that lasted ages and made him feel naked. It was a look he’d never expected to see from her, and he was almost wary of her in that moment.






          Unable to take it any longer, he broke the silence. “Layla, what’s wrong? What’s going on?”

          Still, she was silent. Only blinking, only breathing.

          Deciding to drop his feigned ignorance, Ignacio tried again to get her to speak.

          “Is your mom okay? What did your dad say?”






          And the dam burst. Flinging herself at him, she clung on shaking the both of them with the force of her sobs.

          “Hey, hey-hey,” he’d finally managed to get his balance and quickly reached around to quaking back. “Hey, what’s happened? Will she be okay?”

          “No,” Layla’s voice was low, and caught on the single word. “She’s gone.”






          “Oh,” he said. What more was there to say?

          “Daddy-” She choked. “Daddy said- said she’d been really bad for about a week and wouldn’t let them tell Fay or I and- and-now. And now. Oh-”

          Tightening his grip he pressed his lips into her hair. He didn’t mind his wet shoulder. And he couldn’t let her grieve alone.


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          The bookcase did it. She didn’t know why. Didn’t care to know why, really. All that morning, almost everything she’d looked at had caused a flood of tears to begin again. It had happened when she’d looked at the gems, the wildflowers, the refrigerator, the washing machine. Then she’d feel stupid for crying over inanimate objects, or the memories they only somewhat evoked, shake herself out of it and move on.






          Unless, of course, Ignacio happened to be nearby and heard her grief. Then he’d spin her around and comfort her until she was in control of herself once again.

          The household had been somber the entire morning. Tibi had kept as quiet as possible sensing the atmosphere. She wasn’t afraid of Layla or her grief, she simply did as children in such situations do. They attempt to be as good as possible in order to make someone who is sad happier.






          After lunch the routine was abruptly changed when Sabria walked in as Ignacio went to cuddle her once again.

          “You need to grieve,” she said, not even bothering to offer a greeting, taking Layla from Ignacio. “It’s healthy. She’s your mother, no matter how close or not the two of you have been.”






          Looking up, Layla was surprised to see that Sabria was the one there. When had she come in?

          “She was your mother, dear,” Sabria continued, hands still chafing Layla’s arms. “It’s only natural.”

          “Oh,” said Layla. “Yeah. She was my mother. I do love her. Did. Did love her.”

          “You do. You do love her,” Sabria quickly answered. “She’s still here. Our loved ones never really leave us. We just can’t see them with our eyes, or hold them in our arms.”






          Ignacio went to snuggle Tibi who was quietly fussing at a toy that didn’t want to work the way she wanted it to. If he couldn’t snuggle Layla at least he could snuggle his daughter. He watched as his mother continued to offer comfort to Layla making particular note that Sabria’s hands never left Layla’s skin.

          Finally, Sabria left Layla to look out the window and walked toward her son and granddaughter.






          “She values her solitude,” Sabria spoke looking at Tiburcia. “And grief is disturbing to my little Tibi. She could use some fresh air. We’ll go to the park. Layla will stay behind.”

          “Are you sure that is a good idea?” Ignacio asked.

          “I can promise you she will be fine,” she said. “I think she might even use our absence to go and tell her brother of their mother’s death. For now, we will go to the park. Or- the library. Yes. We’ll go to the library. It might rain.”






          Fifteen minutes later Layla stood amidst the scattered toys on the floor Tibi had left behind. Normally, the solitude was something Layla not only sought, but revered. And with her heavy heart she should have welcomed being alone in her home. However, this time, she couldn’t rejoice in the sacred space she had made for herself in this home.






          As if on cue the doorbell rang. Of course it would ring right as she thought she needed company.

          Hoping it might be Nalleli coming over for a visit she turned to the door. Spying what looked like rain she decided to grab an umbrella. (Because it rains on covered porches in Sim Land.)






          Steeping onto her porch brought a startling surprise. A stranger stood there under her own umbrella. Well, maybe not a complete stranger. She’d seen the woman around town, though they’d never been introduced.

          “Can I help you,” Layla sighed the words rather than asked them. She was far too weary for making acquaintances today.






          “Why yes,” she replied, folding her umbrella as though intending to stay. “Yes, you can help me. I’d like to see my daughter please.”

          “Your daughter?”

          “Yes, my daughter. The little girl in the custody of her father who, as rumor has it, lives here now? I usually call her Tibi, though Ignacio might just call her Tiburcia since he’s the one who named her,” She spoke in a sugary sweet voice as though she wanted to conceal the bite of her words.






          “She’s not here right now,” Layla answered warily. “And unless Ignacio were here also, I wouldn’t let you in to see her.”

          The woman looked surprised, and was quiet for a moment. Layla took the opportunity to dig through her memories trying to remember when she’d heard this woman’s name mentioned. What was it?






          “Well,” The woman’s tone had become pleading, almost whiney. “This is probably for the best then. I don’t have the money for the support payment this month.”

          The change in the woman’s tone brought the recollection of where Layla had heard this woman’s name before. She’d been at the consignment shop where Layla sold her finds the first day she’d been in town. Mathew had called her Melly.






          “So,” Melly continued. “So if you could just maybe talk Ignacio into letting this month’s payment slide, that would be wonderful. As soon as I get the payments for my other kids' dads in I’ll get it to him. But, four kids at home, single mom? I don’t usually have that much to spare.”

          It was nearly enough to touch Layla’s heart. Only she knew better. Though she’d only heard snips and bits of the gossip about her, the grains of truth Layla could pick out were that all of her children had a different father. That she’d successfully ruined at least two marriages in town, and that the best place to find her, (if one were so inclined,) was at the smoky little bar on the outskirts of town where she spent her money most nights buying drinks to any man who would give her half a minute of attention.






          “I wouldn’t know what Ignacio would think about that, you’ll have to ask him, not me,” Layla wasn’t sure what she was getting at, but she did know that it wasn’t her place to make such a decision.

          “Well, I know Matthew says you’re a regular. And I’ve seen you in and out over there several times. Surely with your combined finances…” Melly’s voice trailed off hopefully.






          “Alright,” Layla finally was able to take in what she wanted. Melly wanted Layla to act as a barrier between Ignacio and her so she could let her parental duties slide. “Alright, for starters: Our finances are not combined currently. He has his, I have mine. And after what you’ve just hinted at, perhaps it ought to stay that way. Secondly, when I say you’d better talk to Ignacio, you’d better talk to Ignacio. I will not be your messenger boy. Got it?”






          Narrowing her eyes, Melly stepped back as Layla lifted her chin in defiance. Layla wasn’t about to let this harpy get to her. She’d agreed to have little Tiburcia (she’d never be able to call her Tibi again even if Ignacio and Sabria could) in her home and damn it if she wouldn’t make sure things stayed that way. Maybe she didn’t have room in her house for her, but that would change. And soon. And damn it if she wouldn’t buy the biggest house she could afford just so this woman wouldn’t get a dime of her money.






          Without another word Melly turned and stalked off in a huff.

          Watching her as she left Layla was hit with a single thought. This woman, no matter how horrid she is, is a mother. And Layla had just lost hers. The common parent between her and Cyrus and Phedra was gone. And then came the realization that getting a hold of Phedra would take another day or so, so Phedra can’t have told Cyrus about Helen. Cyrus didn’t know. She’d have to go tell him. At least they would still have each other to lean on.




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Phew. Alrighty. So if that’s choppy or odd sounding I’m coming off of a week’s worth of illness and guests in my home and my brain is mush. Half the time I’d type a word and look at it and go “no… No that’s not right. That’s not even close to right. Like ‘door’. No lie. I typed in Wall for Door. Then for Window? Curtains. Nope. Not right. So I’m blaming anything odd or off in this one to Mushy Brain Syndrome. 

Melly Pelly has a really strong, fake, affected drawl when she’s talking sugary. I could Not get that typed in and reading right so I gave up after nearly bringing myself to tears over it. Just pretend it’s there. And I love that she autonomously begged Layla for money. I officially love her since she played along so nicely. Also, on the lines of Melly Pelly and her gaggle of kids- Tibi and Sally’s (now husband in game) boyfriend Ottawa Fox are half siblings. While playing AP before I’d moved Layla and co. over I had teen pregnancy on without having a single teen in town pop up preggers. The second Melly Pelly aged up she popped up pregnant by Choctaw Fox, who was Melly’s older sister Penny’s boyfriend at that time. (Penny moved on to Angelo Martingale, while Melly moved on to many more men.) I’m not making her sluttiness up, she must have gotten it from her father- Kanoa Parrot. The second she gave birth to Tiburcia I turned off her ability to get pregnant again as she’s got 5 kids currently. Ignacio broke up with Melly almost immediately after I got the pregnancy notification. They dated for like 5 sim hours. Thank you SP for getting something wonderfully right for once. 

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Chapter 2.19-Time is Always Precious



          “You’ve been avoiding me, Ignacio,” her voice was just a little husky, but her tones were musical and her eyes were captivating.

          Ignacio shook his head, rolling his eyes again.

          “I know you. And I know how you are. You are avoiding me.”

          “Look, in order to continue to do business with Matthew I had to promise that I would not bring drama into his store,” he said. “This is not the time nor the place.”




          “Are you planning to be home early enough to actually speak to me?”

          Ignacio turned his head, pouting a little.

          “See? This is why I’m here. You’re purposely keeping away from me and I’m determined to find out why,” she said.




          “Look,” he finally said. “Look, I have no idea why you would think I am avoiding you. Considering we all live in the same house and I have been home more than is normal the past few days I am not entirely sure staying away from you is even possible. Besides, with what you know, I couldn’ run away if I tried.”

          “You may sit at my table and eat my food, but you are not present all the same,” she shot back. “Even Tibi has noticed that you’re just not there.”




          He threw her the dirtiest look he could muster. That was a low blow. A flash of lightning from the raging storm outside illuminated his face momentarily making him look angry indeed.

          “If Tibi has ‘noticed’ anything, or said anything about me, it is because you put her up to it,” he said, narrowing his eyes. “Tibi gets just as much of my time and attention as she did when I still worked for Ned and I’d know if she was not acting normally toward me.”

          The woman pouted, clearly put out that he wasn’t allowing her arguments to get to him.

          “You don’t even let me touch you when you are home!” she pled.




          “Just give me a hug,” she changed her demeanor to sweet and happy in a moment. “Just one hug. Or shake my hand! If you’re really not avoiding me then let my see for myself.”

          Ignacio covered his face with a hand, shaking his head.

          “No,” he said flatly, letting his hand fall back by his side. “I value my privacy, thank you.”

          “It’s not like it would hurt you,” she continued to plead.

          “It would hurt me plenty and you know it,” he shot back.




          Dropping her act, she stood firmly upright, looking squarely at him in silence for a moment. Behind her, Matthew reappeared at the register looking at the pair furtively.

          “Well then,” she said. “Will you be home tonight at least? You know our time is always precious.”

          “I was home last night.”

          “That isn’t an answer.”

          “I do not know. I have another stop after I finish here. Depending on how well that errand goes will determine when I will be home for the night,” he said wearily.




          “Well, then,” she smiled. “I guess that’s a start.”




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          “Daddy?” She’d gone out to get the morning mail the next day thankful the heavy rain of last night had finally stopped.

“How are you?” She’d just shoved the few bills back into the box when her phone rang.




“I was swimming the other day. That's why I didn’t call when I usually do.” Normally it was her mother who called so hearing from Buck was a treat.

“Yes, I know how to swim. Just because you don’t like water doesn’t mean I don’t.” Her dad had been heavily on her mind that day. She’d almost laughed aloud thinking of the expression he’d have on his face if he could see her splashing around the little fish pond with Ignacio.

She paced a step or two nearer Ignacio’s house half hoping he’d come out and she could hand the phone to him and ‘introduce him’ to her parents. But he didn’t, so she turned and walked nearer the mailbox again, looking out over the mountains.







          “Did you guys hear from Phedra?” Phedra had been keeping in touch this time to Layla’s delight. Though communications was about to get more spotty with her as the research team she was with wound down their preparations ready to get to work at last.

          “Yeah, she’s beyond excited about that.” Phedra had told Buck and Helen that Layla had a boyfriend. Thankfully, she hadn’t given them any further information. So Layla would only have to explain the painfully embarrassing situation if Trigger or Estella told them as well as gave a name, something Layla rather doubted.




          “How’s Arden?” she asked, brushing a leaf off of her mailbox. Arden was finally expecting and Galen was thrilled. Helen and Buck were beside themselves with joy. This would be the first grandchild they would be able to hold. They didn’t know that Henry wasn’t with Phedra and George.

          “Why did she even try to do that?” Well, that wasn’t the answer she’d been anticipating.




          “Is Mom okay then?” Stupid Arden and her stupid ideas. Helen had better be alright. Galen should have stepped in and put a stop to that particular scheme his wife had cooked up.

          “Uh huh,” Layla listened intently. Suddenly she wished she were inside so the stupid birds wouldn’t be singing their stupid songs.




          “Do you want me to come home and take care of her?” ‘And beat some sense into Arden’s thick skull?’ She added in her head. Arden could use a good dose of common sense in Layla’s opinion.

          “Yes, I know what I promised Mom before I left, but-” Damn it. Trust Mom to make sure that Dad knew all about that.




          “I don’t care if it’s just a pinched nerve in her back! You just said she could hardly get out of bed, or walk! It’s not like I’ve got anything important going on and-” Dammitdammitdammit. She could take better care of her mother than Arden or her Daddy. Buck was even older than mom and couldn't help her get up an down as easily as Layla could.




          “You promise?” An in-home nurse was better than nothing. Still, Layla could do it for free and save them the expense.

          “Yeah, just let me know when she’s awake again and I’ll gladly call her to cheer her up. I’ll send some flowers or something too. Too bad you’re not closer. I’d get Aunt Estella to organize a few drop ins.”




          “Oh, wow, Dad. You have no idea how these people are.”

          “Ok, yeah I guess you do since you grew up here. Haha.” Layla chuckled. “I still kind of forget that this is home for you a lot more than Lucky Palms ever was.”

          “Maybe because you never talked about it.”




          “Yeah, just don’t hurt yourself trying to take care of Mom please.” She turned back to face the house next door.

          Why didn’t Ignacio come out?

          “I miss you, too. Yeah. Love you, Bye.”

          She really needed him right about now.


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          The day turned hazy as the temperatures climbed and Layla again found herself without the energy to do anything other than brood as afternoon rolled around. Taking a book out to her little backyard she planted herself on the bench and tried to focus on the words.

          It didn’t work.




          “Hey! You didn’ answer your phone,” Ignacio slid into the backyard with his usual quiet approach. “I called to see if you wanted to get some lunch.”

          Not in the mood to respond Layla pretended as if that particular page was quite engrossing. In reality, she wasn't sure she even remembered the title of the book.




          He stood for a moment studying her, waiting for her to respond. When she didn’t he rolled his shoulders.

          “Oh, something’s wrong, huh?”

          She still didn’t respond. He should have been home when she needed him. And that sounded childish to her and made her pout even more.




          He sat next to her, waiting for her to finally decide to talk to him.

          “My sister in law is an idiot,” Layla tucked the book away. But she still didn’t want to look at him.

          “I am assuming this is your other brother’s wife,” a smile teased his lips. “Because Miss Olivia is anything but an idiot. Sometimes a little flighty, but she is very much in possession of all her faculties.”




          Unable to resist she turned to look at him finally, a half smile making a grudging appearance.

          “You wanna laugh,” he said.

          Her grin grew fractionally.




          “You know it was a pretty poor attempt at wit and it makes you want to smile.”

          At last, she rolled her eyes and chuckled.

          “Fine, you’re right. Olivia isn’t the problem.”

          “I knew it. Now tell me what is.”




          So Layla told him about her mother being hurt and that she had promised before moving out here that she wouldn’t go home if she heard either of her parents weren’t doing well.

          It was nice to really be able to get it all off her chest without being contradicted or interrupted. Ignacio listened attentively, only offering words of comfort when she left him an opening. And before she knew it she’d managed to play the subject out and talk herself into being reasonable.



          When she’d entirely wound down Ignacio slid over, putting his arm around her shoulders.

          “It will be alright,” he soothed. “Really. She will get better and you can go to visit and not break your promise. Then you can see for yourself just how things are and you can be easy again. And when you are satisfied you will return here and the two of us can have a wonderful reunion.”

          “That’s a pretty good plan,” she said. “I might do just that. Especially that reunion part. Maybe we could practice how that might go.”

          “Mmmmm! They do say that practice makes perfect.”




            “Well, now,” a voice sounded from behind Ignacio. “Isn’t this cozy?”



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Alright, I got the notification that Helen isn’t long for the world. Then Layla inherited her camera, a film strip of Helen and Buck, and a plate of rotten pancakes. (Not cool EA) So I figured I’d set it up a little. Very obliging of Buck to call for that purpose.

Next time! We will learn who she is Next Time!