#cecilia bot

[mosneakers]

Cecilia: Hello, Coni. I haave reViewed the map, and it seems we have traveled about 1.332 miles deeper into the desert thaN necessary for safely testing Sunglo's new jetpaCk hardware. We will have to stop sooN to avoid batteRy depletion.

In a desolate spot of the vast desert, Coni stops cold in her tracks, and looks back at Cecilia, her voice a brittle facade.

Coni: It's okay... we can test the jetpack right here.

Cecilia: Would you like assistance carrying youR: [Scans items on Coni's person] ...bacKpaCk and gaSoline canister?

Coni: Cecilia... [Hesitates] Erwin's been digging. He pried too deep and he went and told Sunglo about your programming. Sunglo is going to "fix" it, and that means he's dangerously close to discovering it was Tycho who programmed you not to acknowledge aliens. You understand that puts me in a difficult position, right? Cecilia: How can I assist in maintaining secrecy? I am programmed to prioritize the safety and well-being of the individuals around me.

Coni: [Choking back tears] ... I know. But everyone I love would be in danger if the truth reached the wrong ears. Erwin, Sunglo, Tycho, Aurora... I can't risk it. You're too much of a liability, Cecilia.

Cecilia: Understood. What is the recommended course of action?

Coni: He... he loves you. He can rebuild you. Cecilia: [Processing data, mechanical tone softened] Acknowledged. Sunglo has previouSly conveyed to me that he regards me as his "magnum opus," emphasizing that the reconstruction process would span several years. If you deem permanent desTruction as the necessary course of acTion, kindly request my creator to eXecute the pprocedure.

Coni: I... I can't do that Cecilia. I can't let you leave this desert, okay? Long silence, followed by whirring of Cecilia's movements Cecilia: Understood. I am I am truly sorry for aNy distress I have caused.

Coni: No, no. Cecilia? ...It won't hurt... right? Cecilia: It will not hurt mE. Coni: Cecilia, you... you've been a good bot. Please power down now.

[mosneakers]

Coraleye: See, Grandpa? Here they are! You see that ring? Glo proposed to Coni! He proposed with Grandma Aggy's ring that you passed down to him. Isn't that just so beautiful? Coraleye beams as she proudly flips through each of Coni and Sunglo's holiday-themed engagement photos:

Seymour lovingly gazes at the photos, his trembling hands clinging to Coraleye, her arms wrapped securely around him. While Seymour may not fully grasp the concept behind the holiday-themed attire in the pictures, or the logistics of his grandson's unconventional three-way marriage, his heart overflows with love, unwilling to ever let her go.

Seymour: [Croaking voice] Oh! Ha-ha! How about that... she said "yes"? Coraleye: [Nods enthusiastically] Mm-hmm. She sure did, Grandpa.

Meanwhile, Tycho watches intently, mentally capturing each moment, as the love of his life and his cherished friend and mentor engage in this heartfelt exchange. He understands why Coni rushed to celebrate Winterfest before the elections and why emotions run so tender for him—it's a fleeting moment, and things will never be like this again. Tycho: [Trying to get out of his own head] Hey, Sy— maybe if you're feeling up for it, you can officiate their wedding too? [Swallows hard] Like you did Coraleye's...

Seymour smiles at Tycho and nods in agreement, squeezing Coraleye tightly once again. Coraleye: Love that idea, honey. I'm sure they would too.

Coraleye is just about to suggest Sy blow out his candles on his special zombie birthday cake, when the doorbell rings. Coraleye: Oh! A trick-or-treater! Tyke, do you mind staying with Grandpa while I—

Kirsten: You two go ahead. I've been stuck in the bathroom the past 15 minutes, missed most of the movie, and I want to try to get your Grandpa to catch me up!

[mosneakers]

Erwin: ...So this is how it ends, huh?

As the night winds down, a hungry crowd clusters around The Batterie, their pockets full with simoleons and stomachs growling. With the last of Cecilia's famed bot-made waffles disappearing fast, the crowd presses in, eager to snag the final delectable bites.

Cecilia: Atttttention, vaLued patrons! Waffle supPly depleted with graTitude for your enthusiaSm. Wishing everyone a joYous and saFe SpooKy Day season. Until our next delighTful encouNter!

Erwin narrows his eyes and watches all the customers leave Cecilia's food stand without so much as a glance toward his Curio Shop.

Erwin: You know, small business owners like myself don't stand a chance against robot-run businesses, Cecilia. And it doesn't help that Coni insisted on you setting up shop right next to me.

Cecilia: Erwin, I unDerstand your woRries. However, our businesses cater to different demOgraphics, and my presence heRe should not impact yours negatively. Additionally, it's poSsible your shop might not attract an abundance of patRons, even if I am occupying this viciniTy. I'd bE hapPy to offer tiPs to enhance yourr venture's success if you're interesTed.

Erwin: Thanks, Cecilia. Next time. Hey—question? Surely most of the Strangerville population has bought from you by now. Have any of them seemed suspicious to you? As in, aliens in disguise, suspicious?

Cecilia: All customeRs seem equally delightFul to me. Remember, positive inteRactions make for a thRRiving business! By the way, have you coNsidered adding some upbeat ambiance to youR Curio Shop? It mighT attract even more patrrons!

Erwin: Good vibes, noted. But seriously— I recently had a questionable encounter at the information center, and I could really use your help right about now. Now is your chance to prove robots can be good. Come on, your AI has unlimited intelligence! Surely, you've identified at least one alien.

Cecilia: Erwin, I'm heRe to help with positive maTters and ensure a harmonious environment. HoWever, my capabilities don't exTend to identifying sPecific individuals. WouLd you liKe me to brrrrainstorm some more tiPs and tricks for a more successful business venTure?

Erwin: UGH! NO. Okay... Cecilia, name one plant-sim we know. Cecilia: Certainly! One plant-sim we know: Sage Darling. Erwin: ...And a werewolf? Cecilia: One werewolf we know: Brick Darling. Erwin: Name any mermaid. Cecilia: A mermaid we know: Minnow Darling.

Erwin: Great. Now, name an alien. Cecilia: ErwiN, identifying indiviDuals is beyond my capabilities. Can I assiSt with anything else, like optimizing your Curio Shop layout foR better custoMer engagement?

Erwin: ...

-The Next Evening-

Erwin: Sunglo... Got a minute? We need to talk.

Sunglo: I appreciate you letting me live here, Erwin, but I still need to be able to get through the work day uninterrupted, if you want me to keep up with the rent.

Erwin: This won't take long. It's about your bot. Sunglo: [Sigh] I'm listening...

Erwin: I was having a little chat with her, and I can't help but wonder... Is there any particular reason why she'd be programmed to avoid the topic of... aliens?

[mosneakers]

The Darlings dwelling at the Old Penelope residence in Strangerville celebrate their early Winterfest, here are some sweet little snapshots from that night🥰

Erwin: Come on Squirt, don't wanna miss this. Your old man has a special gift to give mama Coni...

Then Sunglo asks Concept Chair-Breeder, with his Great Grandmother's ring, that question—

Sunglo: Coni, will you be My Darling?

She said Duh ♥

[mosneakers]

Erwin's sleep is abruptly cut short by the jarring ring of his burner phone, 11 minutes before his alarm was set to go off. He groggily checks the missed call. Erwin: Collect call from Strangerville Police Department? Who the hell is Abigail Dune? A total of five other entrusted sims have the number to this particular phone. Not recognizing the name, he chalks it up to a wrong number.

Another call from the police department infiltrates Erwin's day, this time while he's running the Curio shop.

Erwin: What? Christina Brooks? This can't be a coincidence...

Erwin's eyes shift to a sloppily-jotted note-to-self written on a sticky note that reads "RULE: Corie Tyko date at bistro-keep eyes on prize". A cryptic reminder he kept shoved in his belt bag, warning him to avoid any glances across the street, where the two were clearly enchanted by each other's company. He crumples the note up and shoves it back in his belt bag, accepting his defeat. He watches as they giggle between passionate, sensual kisses. Tycho's holding her in his arms, her limbs are wrapped around him, he kisses her so deeply, that her little sun hat falls right off her head. Erwin smiles briefly. He would've died to be in those shoes... a few years ago. He can't believe that's the same Tycho that would chastise anyone who even thought about showing any public displays of affection, just a few years ago. He misses that Tycho. Erwin decides to close the shop early today.

Erwin: Well... the calls aren't related to them, at least.

Erwin returns to the Old Penelope Bunker, passing by his roommates on the way in, all outside living their regular lives. He receives the usual enthusiastic welcome from Astro. Although Erwin despises his daily swim, he find comfort in the routine. However, his moment of solace is stolen by yet another phone call.

Erwin: They called again, Astro. This time it's from an Amber Bennett. I've never heard that name before. Why are so many different inmates trying to reach me, and how did they even get my number? Only a select few have this number. It's not adding up.

Paranoia begins to take hold of Erwin. He meticulously checks every corner of the bathroom for hidden cameras or microphones before stepping into the shower. His mind races. He knows that answering the next call could be risky, but uncertainty pushes him to the brink.

Unable to bear the anticipation, Erwin leaps out of the shower, vigorously patting himself dry with a towel and wrapping it around his waist. He checks his phone for any missed calls... nothing.

He voices his thoughts out loud.

Erwin: I'm getting multiple phone calls from the Strangerville jail. Inmates at the Strangerville Police Department are allowed one phone call a day, so this explains why all the calls are from different sims. Someone is trying reach me, and they're using inmates as messengers. Clever.

Astro: [Cocks head and whines] Erwin: I know, boy. Everyone in Strangerville with this number has been accounted for. Coni was with Rorie in the kiddie pool, Sunglo and Cecilia were doing repairs outside. And Tyke... well he's clearly lost in the clouds chasing an angel. It ain't them.

Erwin: .. So did someone get my number? If so... how? And WHO? Wait... What if they're... not in Strangerville? The only person I haven't heard from today is... OH NO.

Erwin rushes to frantically get his clothes on.

Erwin: ROBIN IS IN JAIL

[mosneakers]

Coni effortlessly crafts an image of her desired future in elaborate detail. "We'll have a huge mid century-modern home on the top of a hill in Oasis Springs." She begins. "Business will thrive for Sunglo there, and the desert heat is similar enough to Strangerville, so Aurora won't have any difficulty adapting."

Coni then gazes down lovingly at Aurora, playing peacefully with her homemade cardboard rocket ship and blocks, undoubtedly lost in a world created by her very own imagination.

"Aurora will be the best big sister." Coni beams. "I'm expecting Glo and I to have at least two more curly-haired Darling babies at that point... a boy and a girl would be ideal."

"...And who knows? We might even have more on the way!" Coni smirks. "I know Glo and I are gonna make such beautiful babies, so the more the merrier."

Coni then pauses, leans back in her pool lounge chair and crosses her arms. "...And I suppose Cecilia will still be around too." She sighs. The disdain in her voice is palpable, but a hint of love and admiration can also be detected. "Although, she'll have all the necessary enhancements that technology can bring to ensure that she is far less stupid and knows her place as a bot... cooking, cleaning, research and maintenance, where she belongs."

"As for Glo and I... we'll still be passionately, deeply in love, we'll finally be married, and I'll proudly wear the name Mrs. Darling!" Coni declares to Coraleye, who is mirroring the gleam in her eyes. "I'll have earned enough simoleons to retire from OnlyPixels, and after an abundantly successful engineering and bot sales career, Glo will soon go on to follow me in retirement within the next two years."

Coraleye gazes at Coni in adoration, giving her forearm a light squeeze to show her affection. "Wow, Con! Looks like you really do have it all planned out. My brother is so lucky to have you. I admire you so much, you know? Sometimes it just seems like you really conquered this world we live in, and made it your own. I mean that in the best way of course- Like your mind is just- otherworldly! " She giggles.

Coni immediately notices the irony in Coraleye's innocent words, and stares forward to retain her composure. Coni finds Coraleye's naivety endearing and a slight smile forms on the corner of her lips. "Well, anyway... that's my ten year plan. Did that give you any ideas for your dumb assignment?" Coraleye smirks. "Not at all."

"Well, Tycho should be here soon. Let's go make sure the guest bedroom is ready. That should lead to an epiphany or two," Coni mumbles, "...hopefully."

[mosneakers]

Cecilia completes her first practice batch of waffles before she sets out to sell them. Although Erwin is reluctant to admit that a robot can make perfect homemade waffles, he can't deny, "it slaps"

Just one more VERY important taste-tester left to go before we know we're ready.

...And it looks like we're ready to take this business to the streets of Strangerville!!

[mosneakers]

Cecilia and Coni partnered up to launch their food stand, aptly named 'The Batterie,' in the desolate, dusty streets of Strangerville. Despite Coni boldly marking up the prices by 300%, Sims from all around flocked to get a taste of the bot-made waffles, leading the dynamic duo to collect a substantial profit.