One day by the sea

Moonglow sat staring out over the sea and giggling to herself as if someone were telling her jokes only she could understand. Ann smiled at the young girl. Moonglow often sat laughing at things that only she could see. She was truly a magical child.





Ann bent down to dig in the dirt. She was looking for a particular piece of sea glass that was to be dropped into a new beauty potion she was cooking up. The baby's laugher rang through the air. Ann could tell she hadn't moved from her spot.

The sand moved easily beneath her fingers until her fingernails scrapped along the wet bottom layer. The sand became more difficult to move then, and Ann had to work to dig deep. The piece of glass she needed was just under her fingertips. Ann stopped. Something was wrong.

The absence of Moonglow's laughter left a void that stopped Ann's heart.

Ann turned to see the baby was crawling recklessly towards the sea as if she were expecting arms to envelope her.


Ann's feet stumbled through the sand too slowly to reach the baby in time. The waves lapped at her hands and feet, sucking at the sand beneath. Ann flung herself at Moonglow, grabbing her with both hands and lifting her high from the water.

As it slowly dawned on Moonglow that something frightful had happened, the baby began to cry in Ann's arms. The unthinkable had almost happened. Ann had almost lost her first true heir to the sea which had helped name her.


Ann knew then that she could stay no longer. There was something afoot, something that Ann could not sense herself because her own innate magical ability was weak.

She had to find them a new home in a place no one would find them.

*****************************

And here's the kick off for the next season (Summer 3)!

This promises to be the oddest season yet.

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The Sea Speaks

Ann Mellon walked down to the ocean with a precious package in her arms.



The light of the full moon shone down on the pale sand as the dark water of the sea gently rolled back and forth. Unlike other sims, the darkness of night did not frighten Ann. It was a time for great power if one knew how to wield it. And if one had the strength of blood required, miraculous things could happen.

Most people feared the night, but Ann refused to be afraid. Now was the time for a new beginning.




Ann held the baby before her to look into it's eyes as she explained, "Tonight we give you a new powerful name."

Ann listened to the sound of the waves splashing against the shore as the fine cold mist spritzed Ann and the baby in her arms. The ocean seemed to suck at the air, gathering its breath to speak to her. "Moon...." It gasped. "Moon... glow... Moon... glow..."

The sound was so gentle and soft that the words bounced around inside her head before the name came to her. It certainly was magic, but it was not the sort of magic she could control.

Ann held the baby before her again to look into her deep blue eyes. Perhaps she was the one calling the magic of the night to the two lone figures. It was as if they stood at the edge of the world, and the young baby were the one with the key into the next world.

"Oh my little heir, you are powerful indeed. The sea has named you after the night it seems. Moonglow. Yes, that is perfect, I think."

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What happened to Green? Part 4

There was a knock on the door and Green poked his head in. He had the classic puppy dog eyes as he looked at her. In a way it made her uneasy.


"I think I love you," he said softly.

Amanda put up a hand and laughed nervously as Ann snickered. "I told you to use friendship. Was your aim off or what?" Green seemed to pay her no mind and only stood there, waiting for Amanda to make a move.

When Amanda caressed his cheek, he shuddered at her touch as if he was working to fight back the urge to pounce her right there in front of his mother. "Well, Green. What made you change your mind?"

Green stepped close to her, his blue eyes in a slight haze. For one so slight, he was very strong and secure in his romancing ability, as if he had often swept female sims off their feet on a whim. He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her in for a kiss she could not resist. "Oh," was all she could say after he let her go.

Their romance moved quickly, and before he left for school again he had asked her to marry him right on the front lawn.

Green stayed at school until the day his father passed. After that day, something in Ann seemed to snap, and she pressed harder for the wedding and made Amanda promise a girl. A girl that she insisted would be especially for Ann. Amanda couldn't help but to feel a bit uncomfortable at Ann's urging, but to her credit she hid it very well.

Amanda found herself slightly worrying that her first child might not be a girl. How would her mother in law react? It already seemed that Ann had split at the seams, part of her had gone with Alec. The part that was left secretly frightened Amanda. But it was not something she could admit to Green without possibly telling him the complete truth which she was sure would break the spell that she had placed over him.

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What happened to Green? Part 3

With Green gone, Ann took Amanda out of the dinning room and to the near by game room to give her a special gift. "I had hoped it would not come to this."

"What is this?" Amanda held in her hands a small black and white doll with pins for hair.





"I call it Mr. Mickles. Do you like Green? Tell me what you think."

Amanda thought about her answer while examining Mr. Mickles. "Well, he is cute. I don't know much else because he don't seem to want to say much else. Talking with him before lunch was rather impossibe."

"This will change that. Take a pin from the head, think about Green, and stick the side labeled friendship."

Amanda held the doll in her hands, closely examining its body. There were different words in different sections, each mapped out clearly. She noticed that right next to the section that said "friendship" lay a section labeled "romance." What if Amanda stuck a pin there? She didn't really believe anything would happen. Where ever did Ann find such a thing anyway? Perhaps Ann planned to use the doll as a psychological device to get Amanda to try talking to Green again.

Still, Amanda would give almost anything to be successful. She refused to allow Green Mellon to reject her. As she held in her mind the image of Green, she pulled a pin out of the head. The doll glowed red and gave off a very small amount of heat as if it were alive. The pin was stuck a little past the side that said friendship. Amanda felt a small jolt, then the doll went cold as it had been when she first picked it up.



Had anything happened? Amanda wondered how long it would take to find out.

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What happened to Green? Part 2

A few phases ago, during the college break:

Lunch was indeed an odd affair. Amanda sat down to a fancy plate with a greasy grilled cheese sandwich resting on top.





Ann smiled, "Caliburst," she motioned to the servo, "is very fond of grilled cheese. I will say that no one makes grilled cheese like he does."

Green laughed. "Haha, I've missed these, Caliburst." Caliburst chirped happily at the compliments.

Ann had Amanda sit across from Green so that Amanda could have a good look at him. She eyed him up and down, taking in his blue eyes and his mussy black hair. He was rather cute, although he had an odd yet familiar aroma around him. Amanda hadn't been able to get close enough to smell him properly, but she was rather sure it was the smell of ground coffee beans.

"So, Green," Ann smiled politely, "tell us more about Uni. How's it going out there?"

Green glared at his mother as he responded with only one syllable. "Fine."

Ann turned to Amanda and said, "You know, Green has been without a girlfriend now for two phases."


Amanda turned to Ann, "Really? I can't believe someone so handsome would not have a girlfriend." She doubted compliments would work on him. Certainly something seemed off. But Amanda had never been one to give up until the prize was won. And if it wasn't worth keeping, she could always get rid of it.

Green sat still, glowering in his seat. "Listen, I'm going to see what Dad is up to and check out the rest of the house." He got up, leaving a disgusting half eaten grilled cheese sandwich on the delicate plate that had been before him.

"Ok dear!" Ann smiled at him.

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What happened to Green? Part 1

Amanda lay awake with Green resting on her arm. He had been quite tipsy, so he had drifted off to sleep quickly. She hadn't even had time to remove her make up after the wedding. Green had lead her up to the bedroom with one clear intent.



She lay as still as possible as she thought back on the events that lead up to this moment. Amanda had met Ann purely on accident one day at Watermellon's, the restaurant which was owned by her other older son. She hadn't known what would follow. It was a fast friendship, and both women enjoyed sharing gossip about the sims around town.


Amanda could remember the fateful day Ann had called asking to come over. She said she had a "proposition" for her.



Once Ann was there, she was very direct. "I'm proposing a union between you and my son."

Amanda laughed in disbelief. "What?"



"If you marry my son, think of the possibilities. You'd be considered royalty-- we're the chosen line of the founder. We got the best spot on the hill. You'd get that entire house and the reputation."

Amanda had eyed Ann suspiciously. It sounded too easy. And why did Ann even need to find a mate for her son? He had to be hideous. "I'm sorry, but somehow I don't think I'm understanding. And all I have to do is marry your son Green? What do you get out of this deal?"

"Grandchildren that will carry on the line." Ann paused as if she were done, but she could see that Amanda was not rushing to accept. "Look, I do have one grandchild already thanks to my older son-- well possibly two, to be honest, but I want more. The first baby girl you have will be my gift."



"What if I don't have a girl?"

"Well, then, we will see."

Amanda's curiousty was peaked. She had noticed right away that Ann held a high standing in the new society of the city even more influential than the Mayor. "How do you propose we go about this exactly?"

"Green will be home in a few weeks on break from college. I would like you to come have lunch at our house and meet him. At the moment, he has no romantic prospects that I have heard of, and I am sure he will take a liking to you right away."

Amanda nodded; it couldn't hurt to try. "Sure. I'll at least meet him."

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Tierra de Legado, the promised land

Everyone decided that it was time to go. They had heard promise of a new and beautiful land full of bounty. Everyone that mattered took a vote and decided they should leave and go to the new land.

A captain, who happened to meet Ann Mellon on one of her many vacations, was commissioned to take everyone to the new land. Non-Person Class Sims (NPCS) were given the opportunity to come along if they so wished to help start a new land..

It was a long trip. They were supplied with food thanks to the Food from the Mellon Farm. Fresh meat, eggs, and fruits and veggies were at the disposal of Chef Water Mellon who some how managed to simultaneously cook for everyone and to keep an eye on the rations so that they only ran out of food at the very end of their trip.

At the very end of their trip, when hopelessness set in and food began to run out, they saw land in the distance. In their rush to get to land and find some food, the captain destroyed the ship along the rocks.

The ship smashed upon the coast still there years later

Everyone made it out alive, but from that point on they had to walk.

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Ann's vacation Last Day

These events take place before Tierra De Legado.



For her last part of her trip, Ann stayed at the Lakeview Hotel. It's another old house that has been converted into a charming "hotel."

The neat part is that is features a swimmable lake. Which can also be fished out of. (I believe this is another lot by V1nd1care over at MTS2.

On one of her calls home, Ann heard that strange things were going on back at home. Her oldest son told her about a witch who had been haunting his diner, making lightening, rain and cockroaches.

Something new to explore? Ann returned quickly.

Ann's shelf of treasures minus one

Something is missing from Ann's shelf of treasures... Ann went missing soon after for an entire day.

It took a while, but as soon as Ann saw the witch, she knew what to do.

Ann has her own powers of persuasion.

Ann is now a witch! She's working to be more Neutral than good or bad. Who knows what she could do with her powers. Only time will tell. (I don't see her dying any time soon!)






This was funny again. Anytime Ann talks to the males, she talks about Sofia. What is her obsession with the woman? She never gossips about her, Sofia seems to only come up in polite conversation. And this convo here is with a teen.

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Ann's trip day 4

These events take place before Tierra De Legado.




Ann woke up early on her 4th day. She had to take a trip to the middle of the island to visit the ruins after all.



Here lies the temple ruins. Ann arrived just as the sun was beginning to rise.

The ruins are a beautiful lot done by V1nd1care at MTS2. There are offering plates to the various elements (from Parsimonious.)

Traditionally, young newly weds will come to the temple to pray-- men to the earth god for kindness and females pay to the water goddess for cleanliness.


Ann of course prayed to the god of fire to stay outgoing.

This little boy had way too much fun with the air balloons; where were his parents?

Ann went next door after visiting the temple so she could get a bite to eat and a cheap aerial view of the island.



While there, Ann struck up a conversation with a nother traveller across the way. I didn't know a sim could do that! I suppose Ann's prayer to the god was heard. She managed to make a new friend while on vacation.

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Ann's vacation day 3

These events take place before Tierra De Legado.



The next place Ann stayed was at the Old Winery and Mill. Once again, another place that had been family owned and was converted into a hotel.

Once she checked in to her hotel, Ann went across the street to the Town Square to have a lovely lunch.



After lunch, Ann sat down at a small cafe and ordered her first Greek Coffee. (Which only looks a lot like what she calls espresso.

See Ann in the window?

Ann then walked over to a neighboring cafe and bar. She was still full from lunch, so she instead had herself a proper drink.


The lovely thing about this place though, is actually coming for a romantic dinner at night.

Ann was alone, and had no one to have a romantic dinner with, so she snapped a pic of this guy

Ann went back to her hotel and called her family. Once again she started talking about Sofia. I suppose of all the sims, Ann is onto Sofia. It wouldn't surprise me if she didn't trust her.


For an elder, Ann managed to pack a lot of stuff into one day! And she walked everywhere too. Puts me to shame.

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Ann's vacation to Lesvos Island

These events take place before Tierra De Legado.



Aerial view of Lesvos Island. Lesvos land was created by Patul @ MTS2

Inspired by Mama Mia, I've been working on putting together a Grecian inspired isle. It's not complete, but Ann insisted she be the first to visit.



Day 1 (in Ann's own words)

Here we have an over head view of my first stop. This is a picture of Greek City, which I managed to get on a helicopter tour around the island.

Greek City is a relatively newer, more contemporary city that is just beginning to get itself established. There have been houses there forever, but it seems people are wanting to dip their hand into the tourist trade.

The first place I stayed in was Villa Maria.


Villa Maria was meant to be someone's vacation home. The story the desk clerk told me is that the elderly parents left the home in the care of their children so they could travel the world. When they didn't return right away (just taking too long on vacation, I'm sure they're still alive out there somewhere traveling the world), their kids turned it into a hotel.

The view from Villa Maria

((I thought I should point out that most of the buildings in Greek City are created by Greeksim over at TSR. ))

Are you going to keep doing that? It's going to get old fast.

((Shut up Ann. It is my blog.))

ANY WAY, since most of the buildings had been houses in this section of the city, I found that the city was mainly full of hotels. The thing to do it seems is to hang around these previous homes. There aren't many bars or night clubs. And to encourage visitation, most of the hotels have an open kitchen. For a small amount of money, anyone is welcome to come and make a meal for themselves or for other patrons.

The place to hang out is the center of town, called Golden Isle, which was most likely the original center of this precious little town.



It has all sorts of shops, clothing and food, restaurants, a cafe, a bar, and even a swimming pool. And for those most brave, one can actually rent rooms for cheap (around $300 per night) and stay in the heart of all the action.

It was a little too busy for me though, so I did not choose that as my next destination.

Ann in the Aegean Sea.

My next destination was on the sea. A little home turned into a hotel. I took the room on top, a little tiny room with only a bed, a book case, and a chair. The little bathroom seemed like an extra thought. Was this even supposed to be a room?


I will say, I had some amazing view from this hotel on the beach.






There was a little problem... it began to rain in the morning, and I found out why my room was so cheap. It was leaking. So I once again had to pack up my things and move onto the next destination.





It was indeed fun to put together and lovely to explor with Ann. I have to make sure everything is working. The leaking roof waas a surprise to me, but it could have predated Seasons. It was an old house.



I personally thought this was funny. Ann started the topic about Sofia. Apparently, this traveller knows her full well. Oh my, Sofia Stratton is getting a reputation.

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