Intro story 3/3: The storm

Right after sunset the storm surprised them all, even the crew of the boat. The captain ordered them to enter the two lifeboats. The 4 married couples in one boat, and the crew of the boat and the TV show staff in the other boat. Few minutes later the main boat took in water, fell over to the side and sank. The group had brought only a very few belongings, it was getting real dark, and the wind increased. The promising honeymoon TV-show participation was suddenly replaced with the scene from a nightmare...

And so it did! The lifeboat tipped, all 8 fell into rough water. Some grabbed the life preservers, som grabbed each other. They all were in a hopeless situation.

And this is where the intro story ends, and the main project is about to start! You probably already guessed that at least some of them will survive the storm, so check back when the main story starts in two days!

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I really enjoyed seeing them onboard, even if it was just for the pictures :-)   Post a comment if you want to download the boat lot to explore it further, and I'll try to upload it somehow. It's created in a world as the only lot, and no more lots can be added because there is no land. So, not a world for playing long term. A bit limited, yes. But still fun, double yes!

More about the Blumingtons

Bianca and Bolan sure makes one interesting and perhaps cute couple. I think their photo session pretty much describes the impression I got from building their skills and relation.

Bianca is a mix of a very unsure and shy young woman, and a ultra cool urban artist who frequents the city's coffee shops and galleries. She is showing a variety on these photos, which I think makes her interesting. She is the most private and quiet of the 8 sims, and I'm curious to find out how she will handle a back-to-basic life. Will she appreciate getting away from everything or will she miss the possibility of hiding in the city?

Bolan is one of those sims I don't really understand. One moment he is a crazy guy who even seems a little evil minded. The next moment he is very romantic and can't think of anything but having a nice little family. Perhaps a conflicting personality, or maybe he just takes time to get his path right. I think his looks are interesting, and can't wait to see this couple's children.

More about the Yea-Lows

Yvonne and Yespar Yea-Low is probably the strangest couple. Tradition meets coolness. Well, on the photo session also Yvonne looked rather cool, but not really in a perfectly cool way. It's funny to see how she sort of takes control of the situation, pulls some faces for the photographer, then notices how Yespar seems to be pretty far off, and on the final photo her true person might "shine" through.

It's not that I think Yvonne is putting up a performance, it's the way she is. She is aware of her surroundings, and probably also her reputation, while her fresh husband seems to totally chill off.

Yespar, looks a bit too absent minded on the session. I don't think it's due to his glasses. While building up their skills and relation, he turned out to be a little crazy at times, playful and childish. Quite a contrast to his grumpy wife. On these photos he behaves like a statue. Perhaps it is some sort of a joke, and that he bursted out with laughter right after they left the studio?

Intro story 2/3: On the boat

So, our 4 couples are currently on the boat that will take them to the TV show location. The trip takes 3 days, meaning they get some time to relax - it's their honeymoon, after all!

None of the passangers knew what any old sailor could have told them; that screaming seabird in the distance was warning them about some very rough weather building up in the north!

More about the Greenchs

Greta and Gabriel Greench might be my favourite couple this far, I like their normality. But their photo session surprised me a little. They didn't seem to like it in the studio, and they didn't even behave accordingly to my expectations.

Their everyday mantra is something like "Mother Earth is good to all", including all sorts of equallity, fairness and harmony. Well, most of the time, anyway. But in studio Greta took on a rather grumpy attitude, which I hardly noticed while building her some skills. She seemed uncomfortable with it all. I think she was a little stressed about their wedding. Right before the wedding day she thought she was pregnant, and was afraid that anyone should notice before the wedding. It turned out to be false alarm, but it stressed her a lot. It's like she has lost something in their relation.

Gabriel on the other side acted more like normal, but he pulled up a rather strange expression, like if he too is drifting a bit apart - or is he just reacting to Greta suddenly making a certain distance? Or is it just the upcoming trip he would rather see cancelled? He seems to do a lot of thinking, and I wonder what he is thinking on the last photo.

More about the Redwards

While we wait for the 4 couples to arrive the destination for the TV show, I'll share their full photo series that were shot in a studio for this blog. Well, each full series counted about 25 pictures, I'll torture you with just 4 of those :-)

The interesting thing is that some of their traits show off pretty well during a long photo session. You can easily feel a certain vibe between the two sims, and you get a much stronger impression on their personalities from watching 4 pictures than just one.

Well, today it's Rita and Roger Redward. Roger is one active guy, but was surprisingly relaxed in the studio. He seemed to have full control, and even when his wife Rita pulled her snob-acting faces, Roger just smiled. I have not seen him arguing yet, he is the bossy type, but in the studio he looked very friendly - could it be that he just pretends? I'm curious now to see how he will go along with the 3 other couples. I'm pretty sure Rita will be friendly on the surface, but see herself as more important than the others - even in a back-to-basic world. In a couple more weeks we'll see :)

Intro story 1/3: At the Sim Nation Airport

You might like to read the introductions before you go on. Redwards - Greench - Yea-Low - Blumington

All 4 couples arrived Sim Nation Airport. Yvonne and Yespar showed up 90 minutes early, had a sandwich and coffee at the café, then joined the others right outside. The instruction was to wait for the TV crew outside the café near the entrance of the airport.

(Click pictures for better view)

 

They jumped into the two cars, bringing all their luggage, and drove off. The driver apologized they were behind schedule, and had to hurry to the harbour or MS Mathilda would leave without them. Greeting and information had to wait until they were safely onboard. Greta looked a bit paler than normal, while Rita was simply a bit upset about all the secrets. 

They arrived at the harbour, the boat was bigger than Yespar expected, and there was a captain and crew of 4 in addition to the TV staff. Roger even noticed a small sun deck. The weather was nice, and the sea was calm. As they left the harbour, the director finally took the time to gather them on deck, for greeting and info.

- Welcome on board and congratulation on your recent weddings! Welcome to a very exciting start of your marriages! We can't wait to get started with the production; The Last Couple Standing will contain lots of fun and challenges for all the next 4 weeks! We are heading for an exotic location that can only be reached by sea. We will be there in 3 days, and while on this boat, besides daily briefings at noon and common meals, you can spend most of the time like you want. At the destination you will stay at a rather nice hotel, and yes, there is even a swiming pool and a cool tiki bar at the hotel. I'm sure you will enjoy it, although there will be mostly work, work, and did I mention work? You will all get half a day off every now and then, but not necessarily together with your spouse - you will get a schedule once we get there. Now, please find your cabin, get comfy and we'll meet right here at 6 PM for dinner!

Most of them thought the concept sounded pretty okay, hopefully there would be some chances for the private sides of a honeymoon, too. Rita studied her new Trimalish parleur. Greta found that her hydrophobia wasn't too bad as long as she stayed in their cabin and the sea was calm. Yvonne did some polite smalltalk, then she sat down to read. The boat headed for open sea, and Bolan and Bianca were excited to be surrounded by water in all directions.

Introducing: The Blumingtons

Say a final hello - this time to the forth and last newly wed couple, Bianca and Bolan Blumington! Bolan convinced Bianca they should apply to participate on a reality show instead of a typical honeymoon, and she just giggled, agreed, and keep believing that it was all a set up by her fresh husband. They are both rather private, perhaps that brought them together. Bolan had a difficult childhood, causing a rather disturbed personality, while the slightly older Bianca spent a tough teenhood with the wrong friends.

They now live in a smaller flat in Chesterblock, which is a rather new SimCity suburb. They have considered moving to the countryside for more privacy, but they both concluded that no spot is more private than in the heart of a city. And the barista on the corner is a great place to have a break from everyday matters.

Bianca wish to open her own art gallery in Chesterblock. She did already paint a few, but with an PHOTOGRAPHER'S EYE her dream is all about photos. Being SHY helps her to focus on her projects, but she is also ABSENT MINDED, and it is hard to focus for very long. Her other traits are UNFLIRTY and OVER-EMOTIONAL.

Bolan just wants to have a small but happy family. Being FAMILY-ORIENTED he can't wait to have children. He is a HOPELESS ROMANTIC, and is EASILY IMPRESSED, also when it comes to Bianca's talent. He tries to encourrage her, but some times he forget all about her dreams. He is unemployed, and not really looking, but soon he will need to bring home the money. His other traits are CHILDISH and CLUMSY.

And here are some facts from their last day before the journey starts. Click for better version.

Introducing: The Yea-Lows

Say hi-ho to Yvonne & Yespar Yea-Low! They met at the library of Slemmon Heights, joined the same reading circles, and ended up marrying! They have now signed up to participate on a reality show on TV, it was actually a mistake, but Yespar thinks they will enjoy it. This couple is more or less about Yvonne, they have quite different personalities, and she always gets the last word, and the final laugh. They had a long debate before she finally accepted to take Yespar's familyname, instead of her maiden name, Jones - even if Yespar is the only one to bring on the Yea-Low name. She thought Yea-Low sounded too modern, and she never fancied his parents.

Yvonne is rather traditional, the only thing conflicting with her old fashionned attitude, is dreaming of becoming Slemmon Heights' first female Movie Composer. She is a VIRTUOSO, but never touched one instrument. Like Yespar she is a BOOKWORM, and she spends hours reading. She likes to stay at home, being a NEAT freak she must gain full control at all times. Her other traits are GRUMPY and NEUROTIC.

Yespar's greatest wish is to become a Writer. He didn't practice, but keeps forming new plots in his head. Being a BOOKWORM he is pretty sure he will manage to transform his ARTISTIC talent into writing. Perhaps he will be inspired after this trip? He is also CHILDISH, and never had a problem with fantasy. His other traits are DAREDEVIL and GENIUS.

Yvonne and Yespar are ready to travel with the TV crew. Last night they had a talk. Click picture for a better view!

Introducing: The Greenches

Say hello to Greta and Gabriel Greench! They reside in Goodville, in a small farm house they just bought. They are very close most of the time, sharing many interests such as environmental issues, health and food. And yes, they are newly wed! It's been true love ever since schooldays, so the wedding was very much expected. They won a participation on a new TV show being recorded far away, and even if they hardly watch TV they think it will work fine as a honeymoon.

Greta's biggest dream is to produce and build up her own collection of nectar. She never got started though, and they don't even grow grapes. She is a NATURAL COOK and she loves to learn about other nations' culinary traditions. She adores the early mornings in her kitchen, planning a new day. And she gladly helps tending the garden, but being HYDROPHOBIC she avoids the watering. Her other traits are   VEGETARIAN, TECHNOPHOBE and   NO SENSE OF HUMOR.

Gabriel's big goal in life is to run a huge farm. He is a GREEN THUMB and very ECO-FRIENDLY. He also loves Greta's cooking, and even if most of her meals are healthy, too much is still too much. He likes it when visitors stop by, and having a bunch of friends is important to him. Gabriel's other traits are COMMITMENT ISSUES, CHARISMATIC and ANGLER.

Below are a few tidbits from Greta and Gabriel's day before the journey. Click image for a readable version.

Introducing: The Redwards

Say hello to newly wed Roger and Rita Redward! They were planning a honeymoon trip around the world, but due to bad timing, they accepted to participate on a TV show being recorded on some excotic location instead. Roger is about to take over the family company, Redward Canes, Inc. in just 4 weeks.

Rita and Roger both descend from upper class SimCity families. Rita works as a sales person, selling cosmetics to the salon segment, while Roger has been working for his father selling canes for some years. Because they married, they will soon take over the old family mansion of Roger's parents.

Rita's greatest wish is to be Rich & Famous, and well - marrying into the Redward family certainly was a step in the right direction. She also has STAR QUALITY, making participation on a TV show very interesting, although she doesn't see room for celebrity stuff in her future as Mrs Redward. Her other traits are WORKAHOLIC, HOT-HEADED, SNOB and SCHMOOZER.

Roger's big wish is to become a Superstar Athlete. He is ADVENTUROUS, and would be excited for just any trip. He is also quite ATHLETIC and because most hotels offer gym facilities and some also a tennis court, he will be having a great time. He actually sees this more as some days off from work, than a honeymoon. His other traits are GREAT KISSER, DRAMATIC and AMBITIOUS.

Here's Rita and Roger on the day before the journey - please click the image for readable size.