Keith's quickly taken over my headspace and I'm so happy about it. I love how he's coming along so far and, ngl, love how he looks like white trash and cool breeze at the same time. (He's actually from NYC, but his Uncle, Mom's side, lived in Alabama and he visited every summer.)
Still feeling out his history and curse, but super content.
And yeah, I'm reposting Mable, so what? I love her.
On this day in 2015, I created a few random gameplay sims - Liam, Clarissa and their siblings without any idea what would ensue, originally without the intention to play a legacy with them, but eventually I got pretty attached and in the end decided to use Liam and Clary as founders for it. They became my very first sims legacy that spanned out for many generations (my legacy experience was very sparse at the time, I've only ever played a few 3-generation ones in ts2 as a preteen and didn't really classify them as legacies), and also the first legacy where I've tried some storytelling and became truly attached to the characters.
But they became so much more than just a sims legacy for me eventually. I technically finished the 10-generation run but there was so much to be said and explored - I was indeed rushing the original gameplay a bit for the 10-generation accomplishment and completed it in about a year and a half, but the real deep dive into these guys came later, especially with certain generations (6-7-8 I'm looking at you). So I couldn't stop thinking about them, expanding their stories, giving them makeovers and revamps, experimenting, trying different things, learning more about myself and the world through them. They helped me practice my storytelling and tremendously improve it over the years, and I value them so much for that.
I've had other legacies and stories that ended up becoming very dear to me, but the Fletchers have started it all and are the backbone of everything. These guys brought me so much joy and still continue doing so. Planning their stories over the years has been a highlight of my creative life, and I love how they grew together with me and will continue growing. I'm certain, at this point, they're with me for life and I don't think I will ever run out of the stories I tell about them and things to do with them.
Happy 10 years and here's to another 10 and more❤️
I have had wererat brainrot all weekend and I’m so excited for this. Excellent spooky lycanthrope shit. This started off just being self indulgent and now it’s full ‘this is a new project’ so hell yeah!
More info under the cut:
Keith Fletcher is a wererat. He was cursed to turn into a full rat when he pissed off the wrong person, but the curse went awry and he’s left just being a rodent-thrope.
Ever since the change, he’s been careful to make sure he doesn’t infect anyone else. He’s aware he’s Something, but he doesn’t know specifically what. If that something can spread, he refuses to subject anyone else to it.
Part of the reason is because the change has permanently altered his physical appearance as well as some of his personality. His eyes are more bulbous, he’s lost some of his teeth, and his ears are sharper. He’s lost some of his grip strength, so pickle jars are out of the question. He’s compelled to collect soft, cozy things and he’ll sometimes actually hold food in his mouth for ‘later’. He does not have cheek pouches and he finds this instinct particularly unpleasant.
The only pluses he’s directly aware of is that he has really good night vision, a VERY keen sense of smell, impressive speed and lightning fast reflexes. He uses all of the above to his advantage.
Since he’s a nomad, he usually stops in an area he likes for a few months at a time and gets a temp job there (always rural/low population). Usually at a mechanic or body shop. If he can’t get a gig there, he’ll settle for gas station attendant.
Mable, on the other hand, is a local at his most recent long-term stop in Alaska. It’s a small bay town that’s most easily accessible by a ferry. She’s lived there her whole life and while she loves where she lives, she’d like to see the rest of the world. She works at the town hall as a records custodian and front desk attendant and does a really good job.
Personally, she enjoys a lot of art and writing and she actually is semi successful authoring poetry, short stories and a few novels. However, she’s hesitant to go full time with it because of the pressure from her family to maintain a more stable form of employment. As much as she doesn’t hate her day job, it takes up a lot of her creative energy. She’s a daydreamer living in a small town without big dreams.
She takes a quick shine to Keith when he “loudly and unhappily” helps her change a tire when he has no reason to other than being nice. They flirt and his winging turns into compliments real fast, but when he comes onto her for a tryst, she shuts it down while still leaving the door open for something more. And god does he want to to explore that unknown for once.
They quickly get obsessed with each other after that, but both have their misgivings for different reasons.
Still need to come up with an overall plot, but having fun with them make goo-goo eyes at each other for now.
Meanwhile, Keith went to greet his favourite trainee, Nate, who was always excited to see the one person who truly treated him like a son of his own and cared about his future success.
"Hi coach!" Nate waved at him.
"Hey, Nate! Excited for today? How you doing?"
"I’ve had better days for sure, but honestly, football is a cure for everything," Nate smiled shyly.
"True! Someone gets me," Keith replied excitedly.
Usually, all the family members got along well enough with Nate whenever he’d pop up at their house. Jena would feed him, Kristen would ask him about his day, and Felicity would pretend not to care yet everyone could see she actually has a soft spot for him.
Yet Nate had his sights - and his heart - set on only one Fletcher, ironically the least available one.
"Uhh, coach… is Tobias home? I, uh… I borrowed a book from him, and I wanted to give it back…" Nate began babbling and seemingly lost track of it.
"Genuine question - since when does Tobias read books? Sometimes it feels like the only thing he can really focus on is his guitar."
"Uhhhhh… I…"
"Don’t worry about it, Nate, I’m messing with you," Keith smirked. "He’s not here right now, he went to play guitar at the park. But you know what? I think I can see a sly little someone who’s currently spying on you."
The training went on just as per usual.
"Okay, Nate, show me the best you’ve got!" Keith shouted from the goal.
"I won’t let you down, coach!"
"You could never let me down!"
Energized, Nate kicked the ball, hoping it would choose just the right trajectory.
"Caught it!" Keith announced.
"Aww, man!"
Every time Nate would fail to score, Keith could see how dissatisfied with himself he was. His one rule always was to give his mentee some positive reassurance to get him out of the self-critical mindset.
"There’s no time for disappointment, Nate!" Keith motivated him. "You’re talented and bright! Keep going!"
And he kept going.
"Woooo!" at last, Nate scored, and he wished someone was there to see it, as the goal was pretty impressive.
"That was a nice one!" Keith beamed. "I told you, Nate, you can do it! Someone I used to know used to always tell me one simple truth - never give up!"
Felicity kept staring out the window at Nate playing football with her dad with an unmoved expression on her face, and she didn’t even notice Kristen sneaking up.
"Nice view, Fel?"
"Just enjoying the sunny day without actually having to go into the sun."
"Sure, whatever you say," this time the usual roles have swapped, and Kristen was the one with a mischievous glee in her eyes.
"Where did you even come from? Or have you got no one to pester since Tobias went to the park?" Fel raised her eyebrow at her.
"Oh, did he?" Kristen perked up. "Oh, I can finally finish my homework! Later, sister. But, you know what? We’ll have to talk about that infatuation of yours at one point."
"I’m actively ignoring you!" Felicity barked.
Tobias would play for tips at the park sometimes, and even earn some extra money for snacks this way. It was always different for him than playing at home, however.
At home, he could always concentrate and write some new killer melodies that he would later use for his songs. Playing at the park was more about entertaining people.
Even though it was a Sunday evening, there was not many people here tonight - probably due to a big festival in town. It was quiet, and Tobias was indeed able to practice. Yet, his thoughts kept wandering elsewhere.
He was so lost in his worries and creative funk that he almost didn’t notice his mother walking up to him.
He knew Jena always tried to make all of her children’s passions and hobbies feel valid and important. She herself had a great love for baking and other types of cooking, but Tobias could see she didn’t let it consume her life, like Keith did with football.
Also, he thought, at the very least she never forced him to take baking classes and then, after his imminent failure, found herself a Nate who she’d happily teach how to bake on weekends.
"Mom? What are you doing here?" he asked, even though he already knew.
"Came to cheer for you," Jena smiled. "The girls told me you went to the park, so… you could use a fan here."
"Ehh… Thanks," Tobias gave a weak smile back.
"Wanna sit there and talk for a bit?" Jena asked. "You’ve practiced for hours today. It’s impressive. You’re so good at it."
"Sure, mom," Tobias just knew a heartfelt conversation would follow, but, if he was entirely honest to himself, he felt like he could use one.
"I can see you’re nervous about starting at a new school and joining a band," Jena said once they sat down on a nearby bench.
"Well… I am," Tobias admitted. "It would be my first experience playing in a proper band, too, not just messing around in my room and in front of Mr Keaton. I feel like… like the more I rehearse, the more in control I will feel. I’ll have to keep up with everyone, too."
"But you’re already great. That’s why Mr Keaton trusts you to be a part of the band. Tobias, I’m super happy and proud that you’ve mastered guitar and have such a great practice ethic. I’m sure it won’t have to be you keeping up with the other kids - you’ll be an example for them."
"I just don’t want people to hate me, or to drag them down. Like… like…" Tobias stumbled on his words a little, his heart suddenly heavy.
"Like when you used to play football?" his mother inferred.
"Yeah…"
"I feel like it’s still in the back of my head sometimes," Tobias said after a prolonged pause full of unspoken sentiments. "How terrible I was at it."
"You know it wasn’t for you, honey. It was what your dad wanted, but he later realised it wasn’t what you wanted. And you’re thriving at music."
"But there’s another thing, too. I know… I know it brings me more joy than anything in the world. And I’m fortunate to have found something that completes me. Some people never do. But I also feel like if I actually went against the current, against dad’s wishes… if I will never be his little footballer, will never be like Nate… I have to prove to him in particular that it wasn’t just a whim. That I’m actually good. No, more than good. Great. The greatest."
"Ah, sweetie…" Jena spoke softly. "I know Dad has trauma of his own. I know he doesn’t mean it like this. But… this is what I feared. I’ve told him before about how it could seem from your perspective."
"I feel so guilty thinking it, but it’s like… he’s replacing me. He’s replacing me with Nate. How could I even measure up?" now that Tobias had said that out loud, it suddenly became way too real. "He’ll never get me. Or be proud of me. Nate’s the son he always wanted. And I’m supposed to be understanding of his situation. He never got parental love. I don’t even hate him. I feel sympathetic. But I just… I just want Dad to be proud of me. I find myself chasing up his approval a lot, rehearsing so much just so he could see it’s serious for me. But I’ll just never be what he wanted me to be."
"… I love your Dad so much, and I know he thinks he’s doing the right thing with Nate, especially with how things are for him at home, but I see what you mean, Tobias," Jena admitted. "I think he just struggles to connect with you the way he can with a footballer, and it doesn’t necessarily mean he’s replacing you. But… there’s definitely a risk of it appearing so, and I’ve known it for a while. He still hasn’t completely come to terms with how his career ended, you know. It messed him up pretty badly. I was there to see it first-hand."
"I know… I know all of it. It’s silly… it’s not all about me…"
"It’s not silly, dear. You deserve to be seen, and loved, and to be proud of. For one, I’m proud of you and how far you’ve come. And I know your Dad is, too. All this stuff with him happened when you were still so little, and I don’t think he ever fully recovered. None of this your fault, it’s something out of your control. I know he isn’t deliberately thinking to neglect you. In a way, passing his knowledge and experience to Nate is like a solace to him. Maybe he sees himself in him. But it doesn’t in any way mean he loves you less."
"Come here, darling, let me give you a nice hug, god knows you need it," Jena firmly wrapped her arms around her son. "And for the record, I’m not just saying it because I’m your mom! I’m genuinely impressed! I could never learn to play guitar with such ease and confidence. It’s certainly not for everyone."
"Well, Mr Keaton is a great teacher," Tobias said, realising that with his mom he could sometimes be surprisingly modest and unlike the cocky self that jumped out around his siblings.
"It’s not all Mr Keaton, though. It’s you. Your natural talent. At your age, finding something you’re good at, and love, and want to do for the rest of your life, is a blessing."
"Well, I’m not as advanced in music as you think," Tobias replied, suddenly flashing a grin. "For one, to achieve their maximum potential, every rock musician needs a lover."
"Oh, baby!" Jena shook her head. "Somehow, I’m certain you won’t have any issues with finding love when the time comes. Look at you!"
"Now this is something you’re definitely saying just because you’re my mom. I don’t think anyone’s ever had a crush on me!"
"You can’t know that! And, by the way, it’s not just that. To tell you the truth, I see a lot of myself in you, and let’s face it, I’m a catch."
Tobias chuckled. So that's where he got it from, he thought. Definitely more than just his face features.
"But yeah, at your age I didn’t think I was a catch, either, but I aged like fine wine," Jena said playfully, but it was evident she believed it. "The night is still young, Tobias! What’s yours will be yours, and you will one day experience this feeling, I’m sure of it. Trust me, you and your romantic soul deserve it more than anyone."
"Thank you, mom."
He was feeling quite vulnerable and raw after a nice and productive conversation with his mother. If there was one person in the household who could always say the right thing to lift his spirits, it was her. He knew that everyone, including his dad and siblings, secretly wished to be such a gentle, yet strong and wise presence as her.
"… God, I want to be happy more than anything," he found himself saying before he even thought twice. "Just to be happy, nothing more. I don’t have any specific ambition or anything. I’ve known this since I was little. All I truly want is to travel and see the world with the people I love, and with someone who all my songs will be about, and to see where life takes us."
"You will," Jena patted his shoulder and smiled again, warmly and sweetly, as only she could. "I’m one hundred percent sure you have this in you, Tobias. You will always fight for what you want, and will never settle for less, and this will be exactly the type of people you’ll surround yourself with. Now, let’s go home before it gets cold, sweetie, and promise me you’ll go to school in bright spirits tomorrow and absolutely kill it at the band practice. Deal?"
*"Deal, mom."
***
A/N:
I love Nate so much! Surprisingly, him not being Tobias' spouse anymore elevated him. Like I think that after the band themselves, he's the second most prominent character of this generation in my head. I like his future connection with Felicity (I know I already spoiled the basics all over my blog, what can I say this story is about to span for years and I couldn't keep some things to myself, but if you know you know) and the place he ends up in, and also his personal worries. He's such an overthinker and a sweetheart with a gloomy side, to put it mildly because this description doesn't quite encapsulate him. I just love him and permanently want to give him a hug.
That reference to Chad✌️I don't think I have a Chad lore reference doc, but basically all you need to know is that every single one of my legacy generations has a football bro named Chad with various degrees of relevance to the main characters, and one of such Chads was a motivational speaker with a catchprase "Never Give Up" and similar that legit made a fortune off this. The Chad that is referenced by Keith is that Chad's grandson and Keith used to play on a team with him. Yup. ALSO the motivational speaker Chad happens to be Pippa's non-biological great-grandpa hahahaha. He may make an appearance someday but in different stories/gameplays, not in this one (he's pretty important in some, he's my and my creative partner's joint character and is prominent in our sister legacies), but I love me an easter egg.
Jena and Tobias basically had the exact same conversation as they did in the og legacy story! A lot of it was actually edited out on the blog but I kept some of the writing for myself to look back on and they basically have the same convo where he says he just wants to be happy and she tells him how much of a fighter he is, in roughly these exact words. It was intentional because I've always loved their bond. Here, I'll even show it:
Oh and I also must say, I love Jena. It's mostly in my head so far but I want to give her and Keith a long-overdue story. She's very caring but also way more than just a supportive motherly figure. She has been through her own fair share of struggles and family drama and finding her place under the sun. And I also like how in their parental life she and Keith aren't always perfect but they really try. Ahh there's a lot to say about her, but I'm so happy with how her development is going.
