picspam, bella's new house

So one day, I went and destroyed Bella's house, lol! Oh how she loathes me! Because the only other place I could fit her ever-expanding family is in the suburbs. She is SO not a suburban kind of lady. But I put them in Stoneview Court, which is a "gated community" - so that status should make her happy. And Cameron is happy because he's right across the street from Max. And the girls will have a nice sized yard to play in.

Of course, I had to start with her kitchen! :)

prequel stories #8: reconstructing the founders, part 2

In April of 2006, a group of young college graduates decided to start their brand new lives by settling in a once-quiet little town called Lakeside Heights. Until now, there has been little record of who these people were, apart from a few aged photos and the basic public record of their family tree. This effort is to reconstruct their lives as best we can, through their family who might remember them.

the great 2083 playdate

September 2083 - toddler playdate picspam!

This update is inspired by Emily Miller and Aaron Phoenix. You barely ever get to see them because of their parents' absolute lack of drama, so I figured they deserved a little picspam because they're just so CUTE!

If I were the kind of player that set up kids from the moment they're born, these two would SO be married already, lol!

making memories

August 2083 - Cameron Gibson is 32, Bella is 27.

* long, but mostly picture-heavy *

When Bella and Cameron step into their seaside bungalow on Twikki Island, they discover that it looks nothing like the pictures in the brochure. "Ugh, what a color," Bella says. "It's like vomit in here."

"I know," Cameron says. "A sea foam green would have been better, against a more calming shade of yellow, like wheat."

under the skin, revisited

Gameplay notes, extras, outtakes, and assorted goodies for the four part, "under the skin" story series.

under the skin, part 3

August 2083 - Cameron Gibson is 32, Bella Bradshaw is 27, Micah and Mariah Buchanan are 25, James Porter is 26.

* soundtrack: "The Blower's Daughter," by Damien Rice. Warnings: unapologetic cheese? It's a wedding, I'm allowed ;) *

Bella Bradshaw and Cameron Gibson are married on a sweltering day in August, in a garden ceremony at Riley Hall, hot enough even the flowers seem to sweat. Their wedding is elaborate, but appropriate for a rising young film star and Lake City's prettiest playboy socialite. The guests are adorned in shades of silver and scarlet, as per Bella's fancy. Delilah and Naomi don't exactly understand all the fuss, but they're happy enough to be held and cooed over, while their parents make funny gestures and faces at each other.

under the skin, part 2.5

August 2083 - Cameron Gibson is 32, April Hutchins is 20, James Porter is 26, Drew Bruty is 27, Bella Bradshaw is 27, Amelia Bradshaw is 28.

* soundtrack: "Reckoner," by Radiohead. Warnings: NSFW/kids *

Men are, by their nature, quite simple creatures. They like beer. They like women. But Cameron Gibson is not just any ordinary kind of man.

James, he's pretty ordinary. He'll drink cheap keg beer as long as it's free, and he certainly likes the sight of April.

Cameron, however, is not impressed with anything less than his usual rich and frothy imported ale. And April, sure, she cute, but next to Bella Bradshaw, a quickly rising young film star and the beautiful mother of his children, April is unfortunately just the average little college tart.

under the skin, part 2

August 2083 - Maxwell Shaw 37, Valerie is 42, Angelo is 13, Devon is 7. (Cecilia Dawson is 14, Cameron Gibson is 32, Bella Bradshaw is 27.)

* soundtrack: "Trouble," by Coldplay. Warnings: vulgarity? lol! You know, it is Max ;) *

Maxwell Shaw starts the day like any other man, though maybe a bit later. Valerie looks over him as she pulls back their sheets. He's almost peaceful, almost calm, with the covers pulled up to his chin and snoring lightly. But she knows better. He isn't peaceful in the least. Especially not lately. He confided in her about it, because this is about her now too. In truth, it always was. The closer he gets to the top, the more people there are just waiting to knock him back down.

happy birthday to you...

February 2083 - Welcome to Lakeside Heights: Naomi and Lillian!

Delilah Gibson contemplates a fat blue block with fierce attention at the precise moment she's about to become a big sister, wondering what are her parents going on about back there?

one day, like a light bulb...

December 2082 (mini-update) - Cameron Gibson is 31, Bella Bradshaw is 26.

*optional soundtrack: "It's You," by Pictures and Sound *

One day, like a light bulb, something finally flashes to clarity inside him. Cameron understands women?

No, probably not, but he does figure out a few things. Starting with this little pearl of wisdom he offers to a young friend. "No, kiddo," he says. "The girls don't like it when you pull their hair, I tried that once."

domestic bliss

August 2082 - Cameron Gibson is 31, Bella Bradshaw is 26, Delilah Gibson is 9 months. Last update, November 2080. *Optional soundtrack, "Sex and reruns," by Matt Duke*

*** This is long ;) ***

She missed a recording session because he wasn't home yet. She hates missing work! It's the one thing in the world she's ever been competent at, and not many people actually get this chance she's gotten and she's not going to blow it because he's a flake!

"Where were you?" she says, her voice calm and cold as he walks into the living room.

"Working," he says. "Is Lila in bed?"

"Of course she is. It's nine-freaking-thirty!"

happy birthday to you...

November 2081 - Welcome to Lakeside Heights: Aaron, Emily, Hunter, Flint, and Delilah!

Jack and Nessa Phoenix had a very romantic final date last month, while they waited for their son to make his much awaited appearance. And it's a good thing, because romance is going to be the last thing on their minds for a while!

the love shack

March 2081 - Maxwell Shaw is 34, Valerie is 39, Angelo is 10, Devon is 4. Last update, March 2080.

*** disclaimer: Your author and the residents of Lakeside Heights would like to express that the views and actions of Maxwell Shaw do not represent the views of the town in its entirety, and he shall be held responsible for his own shadiness. This post may not be suitable for the young, impressionable, or easily offended. Thank you, and enjoy! ;) ***

*** disclaimer #2: This is kind of long ***

Maybe this all starts with Bella Bradshaw. Maybe it's the flush in her cheeks and the way she shakes out her hair as she steps from that photo booth smelling of sweat and pure sex. Maxwell loves his wife - he and Valerie have a very special kind of connection, one that could never be replaced. But Bella Bradshaw is different. She is pure attraction and hormones. She is lust and flesh and so perfectly ripe he could just bite right into her.

She gives Maxwell an idea, and you can bet it isn't a wholesome one.

spring 2081, extras

Just a few extras to tide you all over until I can update again. I thought I would have time to finish one more update before we went on our little apartment-hunting vacation, but no dice. Hopefully I'll be able to work on another real update for you when we're back next weekend, before all the packing chaos begins!!!

And though I haven't had time to play much this week, I did manage to scrounge together enough old pictures for a prequel story. So assuming my hotel has internet access (and I think they usually do these days), I might be able to post that for you some time this week :)

So, in the meantime, springtime extras...

black sheep

November 2080 - Cameron Gibson is 29, Bella Bradshaw is 24. (Cody Bradshaw is 65, Kendal is 60.)

Bella Bradshaw and Cameron Gibson might possibly be the two hottest people alive... or at least they think so. Cameron is crazy about her, and has been for over three years now. He really hasn't even thought about another woman (or man, for that matter) since they got "serious." But this is Bella Bradshaw we're talking about. Cameron knows he's likely not the only man on her mind - but he also knows it's quite obvious who her favorite is.

the lofts, big fat chances

August 2079 - Paul Gallagher is 29, Cameron Gibson is 28, Charlotte Centowski is 25, Amelia Bradshaw is 24, Bella Bradshaw and Jeremiah Day are 23.

Bella and Amelia are actually getting along here in the lofts together. They're becoming almost something like friends. They never imagined the day would come, when Alon Hutchins had become inconsequential to them both, and long forgotten. We suppose that's part of growing up.