QUICK TUTORIAL:
HOW TO CLONE MODS IN SIMS 4 STUDIO
(So you don't overwrite my cc! (and then paywall it) )
Wanted to write a quick tutorial on how to selective clone a piece of cc. This is helpful if you're making versions of your own cc, and want to reference textures, or the whole item.
Take a copy of your file and paste it into the Mods folder located at:
C:\Users\YOUR COMPUTER\Documents\Sims 4 Studio
Then give S4S a good restart so it can load in the file!
Then go ahead and hit Selective Clone if it is a piece of Build Buy, and Create CAS Standalone if it is a CAS part.
Filter by Content: Custom, and search for the item you want to copy!
AND THE MOST IMPORTANT PART!
Make sure RENUMBER is checked in the pop up! Otherwise it will OVERRIDE THE ITEM YOU'RE CLONING IN THE CATALOG.
⭐: Also! If you're cloning something that you want to share textures between items, this is where you can CHECK All Swatches, and UNCHECK Textures.
If you're cloning CAS it's a little easier! You can shift click the item you want to clone to grab all the swatches at once.
⭐ IMPORTANT! If you want the item to stand on its own in other people's games, and not glitch out because they don't have the original file, make sure to go to Tools > Modding > Embed all Externally Referenced Resources ! (For CAS only!!)
Extra tip! If you want to re-instance your own file and fix your mistake, you can drop your mod in the S4S mods folder and reclone it in the way I showed above to give it it's own entry in the catalog without remaking it entirely.
I hope that helps! Don't paywall your learning process! :-)
"Dear readers,
Where do I even start? I know, I know - it's been such a long time since I last updated you, and so much has happened in the meantime. Five years full of moments, to be exact. I'll do my best to bring you up to speed."
Claudia comes over to the Lemon house to study after school, but it eventually leads to her and Gemma just laying on her bed, talking. Her vacation, what she missed… There's something else Claudia wants to talk to her about, but she knows it probably won't end well.
Neither of them seem to know who initiated the cuddling first, but it feels so natural.
Claudia: You're so lucky you have your own room. I sleep in the attic with Marina and the girl snores like a freaking lawnmower.
Gemma: Ha! I shared a room with Jaden as kids, it wasn't bad.
Claudia: Honestly, it's probably worse for Marina, considering I keep leaving my muddy boots by her bed. Pfft, last week, she threw them at my head and Trent made her deep clean the chicken coop as punishment.
Gemma: OMW! That's wild.
Claudia: Hey, Marina's a softie, but if you push her hard enough she goes loca! She'd bite me all the time as kids! I mean, she'd usually only do it if I hit her first but still. Siblings, y'know?
Gemma: I don't, really. We bicker but we've never bitten each other!
With a mischievous glint in her eye, Claudia takes Gemma's arm gently… until she nips at the soft part of her best friend's upper arm.
Gemma: ACK! HEY!
Claudia: Toughen up, Lemon! It builds character!
A giggle unexpectedly slips from Gemma. It doesn't feel that bad, but…
Claudia gets on her knees and proceeds to playfully smack Gemma, which the other girl feebly tries to block.
Gemma: Clauds! Haha, stop it!
Claudia: Say uncle!
Oh great, this is revenge for her tickling Claudia silly.
Gemma: Fiiiiine, uncle! You win!
The two fall back onto the bed, laughing like they don't have a care in the world.
Gemma: You are such a dork.
Claudia: Takes one to know one.
The playful side of Claudia, the sweet side, is one that not a lot of people get to see. It's an honor to be one of those people.
Gemma: So how'd you and Mal do on that science project? I bet Marina and I totally kicked your butts.
Instead of the usual snarky quip, Gemma is met with silence. Did something happen between her and Mal?
Claudia: Oh, um. Hey, listen, I wanted to talk to you about something.
Gemma listens intently as Claudia recaps everything that happened between her, Mal, and Malcolm Landgraab. The awkward dinner, the offer to have her take over Landgraab Interprises, the… the thing she'd have to do to accept this opportunity.
It's… It's nonsense.
Gemma: He wants you to marry Mal? Ew. I mean, no offense to Mal, but like… I knew his dad was evil, I didn't think he'd be insane too. You said no, right?
Claudia: Yes, but-
Gemma: You'd have to have no self respect to accept that!
Claudia: I mean…
Claudia: It would be good money. Great money. I want to run my own business anyway…
Wait, why is she defending this insanity?
Gemma: But it wouldn't be yours! You'd just be cleaning up Malcolm's messes after he retires. You… You can't seriously be considering this.
With a sigh deeper than Claudia thought was possible, she averts Gemma's gaze.
Claudia: I kind of have to consider it. Trent's working himself to the bone. If I did this. he could have his old life back. He could hang out with his old friends.
Gemma: The ones who ditched him?
Gemma: So you're going to enter a loveless marriage for money? You can't- we couldn't-
Claudia: Do you think I want this? I have to think about my family.
Gemma: Your family's doing great!
Claudia: Yeah, Trent's got no life, Rina and I have no college funds, we're doing dandy!
Gemma: This is ridiculous! You're throwing your life away so you can go back to being rich? You were miserable!
Claudia: My dad was the one who made it miserable!
Gemma: And you think having to deal with Malcolm will be any better?
Claudia: I'm willing to make that sacrifice!
Claudia: I watched my father get arrested, we lost everything that day. You have no idea what that's like!
Collecting herself, Gemma concedes.
Gemma: You're right, I don't. But that's not going to happen again.
Claudia: You don't know that! Anything could happen!
Claudia: It's my life! You don't get a say in this.
Gemma: Oh, so you came over her to cuddle and flirt, but you're going to run off to Mr. Moneybags and leave me in the dust now that you're done with me?
Claudia: No!
Gemma: That's what it feels like!
Claudia: No, that's not true! I care so, so much about you, Gemma. We… We could finally go out, I'd have time!
Gemma: I think your husband might have a problem with that.
Claudia: Come on, don't be like that! We could make it work, we-
Gemma: Oh yes, Claudia, I'd love to be your side piece for the rest of my life. It's not like I want a partner or a family, I exist solely to please you!
Claudia: Hey, that's not what I-
Gemma: If you want to throw your life away, go ahead, but I'm not gonna watch.
When Gemma tries to walk away, Claudia stops her in her tracks.
Claudia: Oh I'm SO sorry I don't have a nice, happy family with a big house and woohoock you money to throw around. An opportunity like this comes once in a lifetime, so EXCUSE ME for thinking about it a little!
Gemma: You seriously think Trent would be okay with this? No, you just want your shallow lifestyle back! Well, fine! Have fun at that big, tacky mansion, but don't expect me to come be your plaything! Now get out.
Claudia: Gem-
Gemma: GET OUT!
Claudia: Fine! Be that way! See if I care!
She very much does care, but she has her father's temper, so all she can see is red as she storms out.
All Gemma can see are the tears flooding her eyes.
Things had been too good. Of course they had to go all wrong.
On their last day of vacation, Ophelia and the kids explore Mua Pel'am. She has so many great memories of looking for seashells and swimming in the ocean with her gran. The kids are old enough to really appreciate the beauty of the island now.
Too bad it's looking kind of grimy.
Ophelia: Wow. It didn't used to be like this. All the debris, that gunk in the water…
Wren: We learned about stuff like this in class. Pollution's gotten really bad, especially in Sulani. I think that's why those algae blooms are growing all over the place.
Oh…
The kids go off to do some exploring of their own, while Ophelia hangs back and stares off into the horizon. The beauty of the islands clashes with the algae-infested waters on the shore.
This island was a safe space during a hard childhood. Seeing it like this breaks her heart.
Ophelia hears sand crunching under footsteps, assuming Xander got bored of fishing and came to find her, but another voice breaks the silence.
Liliana: It's a beautiful view, no?
Ophelia: Yeah. But the algae… It didn't used to be like this.
Liliana: I know all too well.
Ophelia turns to look at this woman, and something about her seems familiar.
Liliana: You probably don't remember me-
Ophelia: Wait, you… you asked me for an autograph, during my honeymoon. I played some music for you and the locals. I'm sorry, I'm drawing a blank.
After introducing herself, Liliana softly smirks.
Liliana: I can't believe you remember that.
Ophelia: It was right when my career was taking off. It was a real ego boost, to be honest.
Liliana: I still tell my kids about that… You seem down, what's wrong?
Ophelia: The pollution's gotten so bad. How did this happen?
Liliana: The reason it always happens. Some Sims are really careless when it comes to preserving the beauty of nature. As a conservationist, my team and I are doing everything we can, but it takes a lot of resources.
Ophelia: Do you need any volunteers? I'm going on hiatus, I'll have some free time.
Liliana: I appreciate the sentiment, but we have plenty of volunteers. What we really need is funding, but everyone forgets about the conservationist career so we get ignored by the government.
Oh. That's a lot harder to fix.
Liliana sees how hopeless Ophelia feels, and offers some advice.
Liliana: It makes me sad too. But what we can do is take that sadness, that anger, and use it to fight for the future. I want my kids to experience the Sulani I grew up with.
As Liliana says her goodbyes, Ophelia soaks everything in. She might have money, but not enough to fund what they need.
What she has plenty of is influence. People listen when she talks. Ophelia can't change the world by herself, but she can start the rallying cry.
While their mother has an epiphany, Wren leads her sisters up a hike to the top of the volcano.
Gemma: Are you sure that this is safe?
Wren: No!
Lulu: It'll be a good photo op, at least.
Once again, Lulu is absolutely right. Lookin' good, girlies!
Wren: See, we didn't die!
Gemma: Okay, fine, you were right. That was really cool.
Lulu: I know, think of the Simstagram engagement that pic will get!
Gemma: I was talking more about the wonders of nature, but you do you, Lu.
Jaden goes to see what they've been up to. When Gemma shows him the picture, he's a little bummed.
Jaden: Aww, why didn't you invite me?
Lulu: Sorry, bro, girls only! Pbbbt!
Being excluded from a girl's only thing shouldn't hurt his feelings, but it does. A lot, actually.
What's Xander been up to? Just catching an invasive fish to the Sulani ecosystem. Good for him!
After their vacation, life goes back to normal, or at least the Lemon family's version of normal, but Ophelia's ready to make a change, both in her life and the world.
Ophelia and Xander go for a walk around their neighborhood when Ophelia decides to tell Xander her plans.
Ophelia: I wanted fame when I was young because I equated it to love… But I don't need to perform to feel love anymore. I'm surrounded by love everyday. I want to leave a better world for our kids, for future generations. I'm going to use my platform to advocate for change.
Ophelia: I've gotten an offer to be a celebrity spokesperson for World United. I could use my influence to advocate for change, to make the world a better place. The pay is… a lot less, but we've got quite the nest egg, so we don't need to worry about that. Thoughts?
Xander: I think it sounds amazing.
When one chapter ends, a new one begins. Ophelia's got some time before Gemma takes her spot as heir when she ages up, but for now, she's going to make sure the world Gemma and her siblings will live in will be in good shape.
They hit the beach early the next morning, eager to get some fun and sun in. Lulu and Gemma gossip at the tiki bar while waiting for their mocktails, Ophelia and Xander unwind, and Wren doesn't feel like socializing right now so she goes for a swim.
Jaden wouldn't say he's pale, but he's certainly fair-skinned. Getting a little sun kissed might help with the issues he's been having with his appearance. Don't worry, he put on sunblock. No crispy redheads on my watch.
Gemma: Hey, is that Dorian, from school?
Lulu can't get a good look at him from where she's standing, but when she sees him run past, she can confirm it's him.
Lulu: Dorian! Couldn't get enough of me, huh?
Dorian: Oh, Lulu, hey! Your family's vacationing here too?
Dorian: You look really pretty with your hair like that.
Lulu: Aww, thank you, Dory!
Lulu might have taken advantage of Dorian a little bit when it came to getting him to do her Simlish homework for her, but he's sweet. Maybe hanging out with him today would be fun.
Oh. Uh. Wow.
I'm not sure I would call this "sun-kissed", Jaden. It looks like you and the sun got to third base.
After kicking the soccer ball around with Lulu for a bit, Dorian takes a break when he spots someone that… looks familiar.
Dorian: Wait, I know you. You're friends with Luna, aren't you? The Floater?
Lulu has told Wren about the cliques, guess Floaters are one of them.
Dorian: You don't want to be part of the Floaters.
Wren: Why not?
Dorian: They're so annoying! Luna and the other Floaters think they're above the other social groups. That's not how it works! Join the Artist's Collective instead.
Wren: I don't really care about these groups.
Dorian: It's just how high school works. You need to accept that or you're going to get eaten alive.
Wren: There are cowplants there?
Dorian: What? No, listen, I'm trying to help you out here. I would have killed for advice like this as a freshman.
Wren: I didn't ask though.
Wren: Why would I take your advice? You hate one of my best friends.
Dorian: I don't HATE her, I just… This is how the social hierarchy goes. Lulu barely pays attention to me, do you think she'll want her sister to be unpopular? I'm doing you a favor!
The implication that Lulu would like her less if she isn't popular is hurtful, even if Dorian thinks he's doing her a favor with this tough love act.
Wren: I don't care what you say, I'm not ditching my friends and joining your uppity clique!
Dorian: Don't say I didn't warn ya.
Unfortunately for Dorian, Lulu was right behind them and heard almost everything.
Lulu: DORIAN! How could you be so condescending and rude to my sister? Only I'M allowed to do that!
Dorian: I'm trying to help-
Lulu: I don't care, you're acting like a jerk!
Lulu: To think I was going to let you buy me a virgin mojito!
Dorian really was trying to help, even if he went about it the wrong way. In his efforts to score some points with Lulu by doing her sister a solid, he's probably ruined any shot he had with her. Sorry, bud.
Lulu: Get away from my sister! She's a weirdo but she's a thousand times cooler than you'll ever be! Go on, go!
Looks like Lulu's doing her own Simlish homework from now on. Whatever. She's not going to let someone talk down to Wren. She has it hard enough already.
Wren: Thanks for standing up for me. I'll try hard not to embarrass you at school. I know being popular is important to you.
Lulu: Come on, Wrennie, I'm not THAT shallow. You're gonna be just fine. Besides, we're rich. You're basically popular by default.
Aww, Lulu does have a heart! Alert the media!
Wren's just happy to have a great family that accepts her for who she is, quirks and all.
Today is Wren's birthday, which just so happens to be during Spring Break, so to make up for me not paying much attention to her lately, the Lemons go for a trip to their beach house.
Ophelia remembers the night when Wren was conceived here, and now she's going to be a teen…
As they head inside, Ophelia can't help but fuss over her last baby.
Ophelia: I'm gonna miss that sweet lil face!
Pinching her daughter's cheek, she ignores her whining.
Wren: Mooooom!
Xander: Deal with it, kid, you're always gonna be our little gummy bear.
Ophelia: Ready?
After they set out the cake they picked up on the way there, Lulu pulls out her phone to take a picture before Wren gets all spinny.
With an eager huff, Wren blows out her candles and officially enters her teen years.
Ophelia: Oh, I... I see you're still doing the emo thing. Wren: I told you it wasn't a phase! Fair enough. Now let's eat cake!
That's right, our little Wren is a teenager now. Can't wait for her first I'm Not Okay moodlet!
It's late but they manage to squeeze a little bit of vacation fun in before bedtime.
Their horde of teens might be tucked into bed, but that doesn't mean Ophelia and Xander can't have a little fun of their own.
The sights out their window are nowhere near as amazing to Xander as the sight before him. He doesn't know what he'd do without her.
Today, classes are cut short so the students can attend a college fair in the auditorium.
Gemma blathers on to Lulu about the importance of finding the right university for your academic needs, and shows her the research she'd done so far. Lulu's just happy to get out of class.
When Lulu walks in, she sees Todd sitting by himself, looking like a lost puppy without Mags. Screw those boring booths, let's see what the tea is!
Lulu: Todd, what's wrong? Where's Mags?
Todd: She took a half day.
She's pretty sure that just means Mags is ditching.
Lulu: Why the long face?
Todd: Hey, my face is normal length.
Lulu: That's not… Why do you look so sad?
Todd: Maggie wanted a latte with soymilk, so I got her one, and she was mad it had soymilk instead of oatmilk. She said I should have known she'd change her mind.
Todd: I try really hard to be a good boyfriend but I always make her mad.
Poor sweet, simple Todd. Lulu's not the best with comforting other people, but she's not a monster, the dude's on the brink of tears. She has to try.
Lulu: You seem like a great boyfriend.
Lulu: We both know Magnolia's… a lot, but I know she loves you, just in her own special way.
She wasn't expecting Todd to hug her, but she hugs back. I mean, friends can hug, right?
Gemma spots Lulu completely ignoring the fair for heterosexual nonsense and rolls her eyes.
Todd slides down to sit on the floor, for reasons unbeknownst to me, and looks up at Lulu with a look of… adoration? It's hard to tell.
Todd: Really? Sometimes I think she doesn't even like me.
Lulu: How could she not? You're a total catch!
Lulu: You're nice, you're funny, you're popular. Magnolia's lucky to have you.
Todd: Wow, you're really nice, Lulu.
Lulu: Unpopular opinion but okay.
Todd seems to appreciate getting a compliment for once. As much as she loves male attention, she hopes that didn't seem flirty.
Well, Damien sure sees it that way.
How dare she! He was maybe going to ask her out someday if he felt like it!
Noticing Damien seething, and seeing the cause, Aaron can't help but chuckle.
Claudia catches Gemma in the cafeteria before school, studying for their next exam.
Claudia: I studied that thing front to back last night. You're getting sloppy, Lemon.
Gemma: You think this is my first study sesh? Come on, Esposito, you know me better than that.
They haven't had a proper talk about what their relationship is as of now, so they're currently just best friends and academic rivals that kiss sometimes. Still, Gemma wants to have that talk, but she doesn't know how to approach it.
Gemma: How's the ranch?
Claudia: It's fine.
Gemma: Fine?
Claudia: Yeah.
Usually she'd go on about training Dahlia or complain about stepping in chicken poop all the time. There's something she's not telling her.
Gemma: Okay, what's really going on? You are not a woman of few words.
Claudia: Is that your way of saying I talk too much?
Gemma: That's my way of saying answer the question. Is everything okay?
Claudia: I…
The bell ringing interrupts them, and Claudia's never been more relieved in her life.
Claudia: Oop, time for class!
While this is going on, Lulu's been catching up with her friend Shea. Apparently she's started dating a new boy!
Lulu: Ooooh, gimme the deets! What's his name?
Shea: You probably know him. His name's Ashton.
Ashton? The boy that Lulu insulted the artistic ability of? Great.
Before heading to class fashionably late, Magnolia corners Damien to tell him what needs to happen.
Mags: Quit dragging your feet and ask Lulu out already.
Damien: What?
Mags: Did I stutter? She keeps talking to Todd and it's pissing me off.
Friend of the year over here.
Resisting the urge to tell her Lulu only talks to Todd because he's always near Mags and it'd be rude if she didn't, Damien shrugs.
Damien: I dunno, I've got a couple other girls I'm feeling out-
Mags: You're not going to do better than a legacy spare! Lock it in already.
Gemma is always so happy in class, I swear, if she wasn't a celebrity's kid, she would be getting shoved in lockers on the daily.
Claudia seems really distracted, that's not like her… Marina can tell something's wrong too, but can't get her to say what's worrying her so much.
When Claudia doesn't show up during lunch, Gemma knows she's avoiding them for some reason. Jaden and Marina don't know why, and Mal acted squirrely when she asked him. Did they have a fight over their science project?
Gemma finds Claudia in the gym, staring off into space.
Gemma: Hey.
Claudia:…Hey.
She's usually a pro at hiding her feelings, but it's taking all her energy to not completely melt down. She'd rather eat glass than marry into the Landgraab family (no offense, Mal), but giving her siblings their old life back is too good of a deal.
Knowing Claudia's not going to willingly tell her what the issue is, Gemma tries to pry.
Gemma: You barely took notes in class. That's not like you. If you don't tell me what's wrong, I can't help you.
Of course Gemma's butting in. Being nosy is half of her personality.
Claudia: This isn't something you can help me with, Lemon.
Gemma: You never know if you won't tell me.
Claudia: Trust me, I know.
While Gemma's family might be rich, they're not Landgraab rich. Besides, they've already helped her family out enough.
Claudia: I… I'm worried about Trent is all. He's always working. That dinner was the last time he left the lot for non-ranch related reasons in months.
Marrying into the Landgraabs would relieve him of that burden, but Claudia would have to sacrifice… everything.
The Espositos are a proud, but stubborn family. It was hard enough for her dad to convince Trent to accept his old nectar maker, she doubts he'd accept anything further.
Gemma: Well, there's got to be something we can do to help. I can come help on the ranch after work or chess.
Gemma brings Claudia in for a hug, which she reluctantly slumps into.
Claudia: I think he needs a lot more than that.
Gemma: I'm sure we can figure something out. Everything's going to be okay.
While Claudia usually loves to argue, she doesn't have the energy to say anything.
Not knowing what else to do, they stay like that for as long as possible.
Claudia has endured a lot of heartbreak in her short life, but the thought of what's going to happen between her and Gemma if she accepts Malcolm's offer is the hardest pill to swallow.
A small yet sweet set featuring a new functional vanity (Vintage Glamour required), a matching stool, and a cabinet for beauty trinkets. The set also includes a base game compatible version of the vanity that functions as a dresser.
That interaction certainly wasn't worth the free meal, even if it was amazing.
She should have known his intentions were bad. They always are with guys like him. Her dad taught her that. He just cares about the legacy of his business.
She slinks away from the mansion.
The mood isn't much better inside the mansion.
Mal: Look what you've done! Claudia's never going to speak to me again! I finally found some decent friends and you've totally ruined it!
Malcolm: What about those other friends of yours? Like the one with the… face.
Mal: I stopped hanging out with them forever ago. They only liked our money, not me!
Malcolm: Makes sense, that's the most likeable thing about you.
Mal: You-I-UGH!
Malcolm: Look, boy, your mother isn't here to coddle you, so let me be honest. You're a soft, weak little twerp, and you don't have what it takes to do what I do. You should be thanking me for trying to arrange a marriage, it's not like anyone's going to willingly deal with you.
Malcolm: Go to your room.
Mal: Dad-
Malcolm: I don't want to hear it. I've given you everything you could want and you're still an ungrateful brat. I regret giving you my name every day.
It's not the first time he's said something like that. It doesn't make it sting less.
Malcolm: Are you stupid? I said GO.
Giving his son a harsh shove, Malcolm sets him with a look that tells him there's more where that came from. He never lays his hands on his son when his wife is around, but she isn't.
Mal grits his teeth, but ultimately retreats to his room.
When Claudia gets home and finds her brother working in the rain to the brink of exhaustion, her heart breaks.
Trent's become such a workholic. He doesn't deserve this.
He's sacrificed so much for them. Maybe it's time for her to make a sacrifice.
Claudia and Mal are almost done with their project, so they work on the balcony outside Mal's room in the hopes that they won't be disturbed like last time. Mal's starting to get it now.
Claudia: Maybe there's hope for you yet.
Mal: You sure know how to flatter me, Clauds.
Mal's seemed stressed since she arrived.
Claudia: You doing okay, moneybags?
Mal: Yeah, it's just, my mom's out of town. Dad's way less… not evil when she's not around. He's a lot to put up with.
She doesn't envy him. At least on the living with a literally evil dad part.
The Landgraab's chef, Gavin, steps onto the balcony to talk to Mal.
Gavin: Hey kid, your dad wants you downstairs for dinner.
Mal: What? Why?
He usually didn't care if Mal ate separately when Morgan wasn't around.
Gavin: I don't know, I'm just the messenger.
Gavin: You must be Ms. Esposito. Mr. Landgraab has invited you to dinner as well.
Claudia: I-I don't know…
Honestly, she'd rather jump off the balcony than have another conversation with Malcolm, but-
Gavin: Tonight's meal is pufferfish nigiri.
Damn it, Claudia loves sushi.
Before they enter the dining room, Mal stops a hungry Claudia.
Mal: Look, I don't know what my dad's doing this for. This is your last chance to bail.
Claudia: I'm not gonna piss him off, then you'll have to deal with him. Besides, we don't get a lot of sushi in Chestnut Ridge.
They enter the dining room, some more reluctantly than others.
Malcolm: There you are, son. And Claudia, hello. Sit, eat.
Claudia doesn't have to be told twice!
Why is he being… kinda nice? No, this isn't good at all. Malcolm is only nice for his own benefit. What's his angle?
Claudia: Sorry, I just need to let my brother know I'm going to be home late.
Malcolm: Perfectly fine, wouldn't want Trent to worry.
She wonders how Malcolm knew Trent's name before remembering this guy was buddies with her dad.
Claudia isn't easily impressed, but WOW this pufferfish nigiri is good.
Claudia: This is amazing!
Malcolm: Gavin is an excellent chef, only the best for our guest.
Now he's complimenting Gavin? Malcolm's constantly berating him for there not being enough sparkles on the food.
For a second, Mal worries the pufferfish nigiri is a cover and his dad is trying to murder them both, but the quality is excellent, so he eats. If he were to refuse in front of his dad, he'd end up wishing he was dead after Malcolm's done with him.
Malcolm: You know, after our last… meeting, I looked into you a little bit, Claudia.
That's not creepy at all.
Malcolm: Student council, honor roll. You're quite an impressive young lady. Very determined to succeed.
Claudia: Uh, yep.
She's never felt so awkward in her life.
Malcolm: Let's cut to the chase. Claudia, I'm not getting any younger and, to be quite honest, my son doesn't have what it takes to take over the Landgraab empire.
Mal: What?
Malcolm: I need to know I'm leaving Landgraab Inc. in the hands of someone who's cut out for it.
Okay, that was the last thing Claudia expected to hear.
Claudia: I-I don't understand. You want ME to take over your company? I'm a teenager.
Malcolm: Oh, I won't retire for a while, my dear, but your family will be well taken-care of until you're ready to take the reigns.
Mal doesn't particularly WANT to take over his dad's company, it was just always kind of made clear that he would someday. What's with the change of heart?
No, there has to be a catch. There always is.
Malcolm: Of course, only a Landgraab can take the CEO spot, so you'll have to marry my son.
The casualty with how he said that almost makes Claudia think she misheard him, but no, he's being dead serious.
Mal: What?
Claudia: …what.
Claudia: You… You can't be serious.
Malcolm: My brother's the comedian, not me. Look, I'm handing you the opportunity of a lifetime on a silver platter. It'd be foolish not to take it.
Claudia: I can't marry Mal! I-I'm not even attracted to men!
Malcolm: I never said you have to like each other. My son's gay too.
Mal: Dad, I'm not gay, I'm bi.
Malcolm: Same difference.
Mal: It really isn't.
Claudia: This is INSANE!
Seeing her reaction, Malcolm takes this in and gives a calculated nod.
Malcolm: I see. I thought Juan raised a child that would do anything for her family, but I suppose I was wrong.
Before Claudia can spit back that that man didn't raise her at all, she can't help but ask…
Claudia: Wh-What do you mean?
Malcolm: Your poor brother is working his life away on that crummy little ranch and you're not even willing to do this one thing for him? You could go back to your old life, never having to lift a finger. Don't you want that for your family?
For once in his pitiful life, Mal can't take anymore of this and takes a stand against his father.
Mal: Dad, what the hell?! You're trying to bribe my friend into an arranged marriage with me? Have you lost your damn mind?!
Claudia: You're a real creep, Malcolm Landgraab. I hope you choke on that pufferfish!
Malcolm: You're throwing away the opportunity of a lifetime. Just think about it-
Claudia: No, screw you! I'm out of here!
As Claudia storms out of the room, Malcolm is a little too calm as he says one final thing.
Malcolm: When you come to your senses, you know where to find me.
She doesn't know what to say, so she's silent as she slams the front door.
When Ophelia reemerges and arrives at the Desert Bloom park, she spots Wren jumping off the monkey bars and running toward her.
Wren: Mom! Are you feeling better?
Ophelia: …Yeah, I am. Thanks, sweetheart.
Wren: I found something, come look!
Wren leads her mom to the outskirts of the park, pointing out a boarded up opening.
Surely, there must be rocks in there. With her level 10 handiness skill, she's about to find out. She hacks at the boards, knocking them to the ground and opening the entrance.
Wren: Whooooa, you did it. What's in there?
Ophelia: We're about to find out… after I make sure this place is safe. Wait for me here, Wren.
When she's confident they won't get squashed by a stalactite, Ophelia gestures for Wren to come join her. At first, it just looks like some abandoned mine, but as the mother and daughter journey further together, they come across something truly magnificent.
Wren: Whoooa.
The two keep looking around, discovering more and more by the second. The lake, the bats flying overhead, the crystal clusters. The Sylvan Glade was magical, but experiencing this with her little girl is something Ophelia will never forget.
Wren: So much treasure!
Their day started off rocky, no pun intended, but accomplishing this together makes all the stress worth it.
Unable to contain her pure joy, Ophelia lifts Wren up and spins her around, reveling in her daughter's delighted squeals.
Hopping on her bike, our girl rides through Willow Creek, reminiscing on her move there. She and Summer had a rocky start due to her lack of filter, but that grew to be something she loved.
Ophelia doesn't want to think about Summer right now. It hurts too much.
Well, she apparently can't stop, because Ophelia ends up at Summer's house, just a few streets over from the BFF house. She's only been over a couple of times, all off-screen. The guilt gnaws at her heartstrings, desperate to get her to fall apart.
Ophelia: I'm a bad friend.
Having a breakdown in front of the house of a mourning family isn't ideal, so Ophelia walks and walks and walks until she comes across an odd looking tree.
She recognizes this tree. When she, Summer and Libby would go on Hot Girl Walks, Summer always said it was weird, but cool.
Maybe that's why Ophelia notices how blurry the pixels are. Poor tree must need some water.
It's something to keep her mind off of things. Xander's probably getting Wren some lunch, so hopefully she can get back to them soon.
Ophelia: There you go, big fella. That probably feels good, right?
When the realization dawns on her that she's talking to a damn tree, Ophelia's mood worsens.
Ophelia: Summer's never going to see her family again and I'm wasting time doing this?
Before she even has a chance to register what's happening, the bark of the tree starts sliding away, forming an… opening? What is this?
Well, she's looking for adventure. Guess this as good a place as any to start.
Ophelia can't begin to describe whatever… plane she's in. The sky seems endless, the plants sparkle with an ethereal aura, and the only sounds are that of running water and Ophelia's footsteps on the grass.
Ophelia: Huh. It's bigger on the inside.
Her eyes are drawn to a gorgeous waterfall, which she spends what feels like eons taking in.
To think, this paradise was under her nose this whole time. Ophelia walked past that tree with her friends a ton… She has to tell them! Summer will-
Oh.
She can't tell Summer.
Ophelia will never get to talk to her friend ever again. Summer never got to see this place. She never will. Ophelia's cried plenty the past few weeks, but this is the hardest. It finally feels real.
It's not fair. It's not 𝙁𝘼𝙄𝙍!
With no tears left to cry, Ophelia remembers what Xander says and attempts to clear her head. It's a tragedy and she'll miss Summer for the rest of her life, but she wouldn't want her falling to pieces like this.
This is a perfect place for a moment of clarity.
Summer's gone, but the impact her friendship has had won't soon be forgotten.
Wherever Summer is, Ophelia hopes she remembers her too.
Wren's aging up soon, and Ophelia's going to get as much time with her baby in as possible. Time's arrow keeps moving forward, gotta make the most of it.
Wren's wanted to 'treasure hunt' more, but she needs help to find good stuff like crystals. Super Mom to the rescue!
Wren: Thanks for letting me take off school, Mom!
Ophelia: Hey, you only live once.
These two could use some quality time together. Wren's good at entertaining herself but being the youngest of four doesn't leave a lot of alone time with your parents.
Finding rocks to excavate is a lot less fruitful than Ophelia expected. They've only found two so far. This park is huge! Why aren't there more??
Ophelia's not about to let her baby down, but it feels like they're wasting precious time searching for these damn things.
Wren: Are you okay? Your face is all frowny.
Ophelia: We've only found two in this whole park! Why aren't more spawning?
Despite her difficulties reading faces, Wren can feel the obvious tension coming from her mom. She's having fun, why isn't Mom? Does she hate this?
Wren: We don't have to do this, we could do something else if you're not having fun.
Ophelia: Honey, of course I'm having fun.
Wren: You don't LOOK like you're having fun.
All she wants is to give her daughter a great day, but it's just going all wrong.
Xander's tagged along too, but he's spending his day off fishing. He's really gotten into it lately. Maybe it's just something dads automatically have to be interested in when they get to a certain age.
Ophelia: This is a total disaster. I've barely found any rocks. This was supposed to help me bond with Wren and do something adventurous but I keep circling the park and nothing! There's so much we need to do but-
Xander: It isn't a race. We have all day.
Ophelia: I-I just want to engage in one of Wren's special interests. I can't knit, she doesn't really like to sing or play any instruments, this is something I can do with her and she's probably disappointed!
Yeah, she's heartbroken.
He's not new here, he's not going to let her spiral.
Xander: Look, I think you need a second to clear your head. I'll take Wren to Desert Bloom, you can meet us there.
Ophelia: But-
Xander: 𝙊𝙥𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙖 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙚.
He can't use his Dad Voice on her, that's not allowed!
With a sigh, Ophelia surrenders.
Ophelia: Fine. I'll go for a bike ride.
Xander: Don't get stuck on some random spot and ride around in circles.
It's cruel of him to have her make a promise she can't keep.
Supernova Eyes are soft default replacement eyes that are evocative of my Clover Eyes for The Sims 4. To complement the defaults, I also created 4 new eye highlights that add extra depth.
4 new highlights (found in eye highlights category)
1 recolorable channel
Adjustable opacity
CTRL + click on the thumbnail if it's not generated (this is a Paralives bug)
*Log in to Steam or Paralives to view. Steam Workshop allows for easy downloading of mods and custom content for Paralives. It also enables creators to easily update any uploaded content, which in turn makes it easier for you to track the status of your mods. And, it's free!
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