Seagull Cottage - Ch 15: Gabriel's fate

[Year count 200]   Running a bed & breakfast means welcoming new guests, but it also will include lots of farewells. Not saying that Catherina and Alexander will miss Hank Hoonk that much, but today's breakfast was a lot more varied than those old waffles. At least he had taken them to the secret MSW garden, and he had hinted about seagull eggs to be harvested. He also told Catherina a few stories about her great auntie Gloria Moonster. They never got to see the Lady ghost, but maybe that was a good thing.



Hank Hoonk: That's all you'll get of me, ladies! Until next time!

Catherina: Fare well!

Burgina Kess: Bye Mr animal killer!

Hank Hoonk: Rrrrrrr!



Alexander: Ms Kess just left to town. Let's see what's on Gloria's mind today!

"I woke up in the middle of the night, the seagulls woke me and urged me to walk outside. I think I can still recognize the complaining Sonia Franken... she sounds awfully!"

Cathrina: Oh no... just like I thought...

Alexander: What?

"A horrible day! Our dear Gabriel was found dead in the garden! We thought he walked over to the Kraggers, but instead he had been playing in the garden. We are heart broken. He was transformed like the others, I never intended that! I wonder if I have misread the spell, I use feathers, they get their energy in the golden box under the full moon, they should only connect not transform, dammit! I have told our lodgers they can not expect any of our regular services for a day. Oh, dear Gabriel! I want to create a simple grave for you in the garden, the rock where you played next to the blue flowers. We are Pettontas after all."

Cathrina: Oh, he died? From what?

Alexander: Sniff, I was... hoping you would get to meet him, Cathy...

Cathrina: Next quote seems to be sometime later...

"Kitchen fire and clogged toilet in the red room! Ludwig had a busy day! I harvested the lettuces. Also potted the Petunia seedlings"

Alexander: I can't believe they lost him! And I still wonder if the MSW was involved.



Alexander: I'm not working today, I can help around more here at the cottage.

Cathrina: Great. I will need to visit the priest again, then the library.

Alexander: Look, there's the kockatoo again! Maybe I should buy a birds cage for it?

Cathrina: Sure. But first we'll go looking for seagull eggs.



Cathrina: Honestly, I had no idea we have this little dock!

Alexander: And a rowboat! I can go fishing, Tina Baby would love some fresh fish!



Cathrina: Look at them, Alex. There are so many of them... do you think what I thnk...

Alexander: What is that?

Cathrina: That those seagulls... used to be guests at Seagull Cottage! Before Gloria transformed them...

Alexander: You mean...?!

Cathrina: Could be... I wish there was someone we could ask. Do you think they hate us?

Alexander: Why? We never harmed them...and maybe they are just ordinary seagulls after all. I don't think birds can get that old anyway.

Cathrina: Okay, you are probably right. And I better be off visiting Priest Lavendula.



Priest Lavendula: Mrs Wooblershield, how are your energies today?

Cathrina: Uhm, fine, I guess...

Priest Lavendula: Green above red, but green cannot exist without red! Just remember that!

Cathrina: Uhm, okay? So, did you find anything?

Priest Lavendula: About Gloria Moonster? Well, she never was buried here, and there is no urn in our underground magazines.

Cathrina: Oh... how about Gabriel...? The boy, just about starting school?

Priest Lavendula: I did find the urn of Ludwig Hapster. He resided up at Seagull Cottage most of his life, and he died at Constant Hope Hospital. From old age.

Cathrina: How about Gabriel Hapster?

Priest Lavendula: I checked both Gabriel Hapster and Gabriel Moonster, but no.



Next Cathrina walked over to Elle's Library. It's a quick walk pass the old Brugster Tower, the Heisserclump Bakery on your right, Historical Museum and Townhall on your left, then the library. Head of the library, Rene Tackott, and his assistant, Anitra Seylouse, was expecting her.

Rene Tackott: I checked the archives, and I found something for you, Mrs Wooblershield.

Anitra Seylouse: While I, I was not even allowed to go inside that room, was I?

Rene Tackott: You know I'm the only one having access, Anitra.

Anitra Seylouse: And you know how much the Historical Society wants to have a look! After all we donated quite some time and funds for the historical tours project!

Rene Tackott: Hark. Yes, those historical tours are great, you really should join the next one, Mrs Wooblershield! Now, please follow me upstairs. Anitra, you can prepare my lunch, please!



Rene Tackott: Sorry about that, Anitra sometimes see her historical society's interests rather than our strict routines.

Cathrina: Uhm, okay. Ah, thank you, is all this stuff about Gloria Moonster?

Rene Tackott: Not really. You see, I gathered school lists from both our schools, but couldn't find the boy listed. You might like to double check. I did find some interesting notes from Galucca Post, our local newspaper... there seemed to be several... abductions at Moon District. Alien abductions, possibly. People disappeared for no good reason.

Cathrina: And what about the MSW?

Rene Tackott: Nothing about them! No!

Cathrina: Oh... well, thank you Mr Tackott, I'll have a look at this stuff.

Margreta Gripp: Cathrina, is that you? Hi!

Cathrina: Margretha, how cool!



Cathrina: So you still read up on the local history?

Margreta: Sure!

Cathrina: If I told you that... uhm, someone played on a rock, next to the blue flowers, we're Pettontas after all... would that mean anything to you?

Margreta: Ha, is this a riddle? As a matter of fact, that makes perfect sense to me! Blue flowers would match a Pettonta perfectly, because blue is their signature colour.

Cathrina: Oh?

Margreta: Now you got me curious, you'll need to tell me more!

Cathrina: Not now. Maybe you would like to stop by at Seagull Cottage some day!

Margreta: What? You reside at Seagull Cottage?! Really? Oh... nothing. Sure!



Cathrina: The flowers are lovely, Alex! Thank you!

Alexander: When Miss Kess leaves tomorrow, we will be all alone again. Doesn't that sound perfect?

Cathrina: Mmmmm.... Alex, if we ever have a son, do you think we could name him Gabriel?

Seagull Cottage - Ch 14: Ghost hunters

[Year count 200]  At this time Cathrina and Alexander Wooblershield have 2 lodgers, Hank Hoonk and Burgina Kess. This sunny morning Cathrina decided to serve the breakfast out in the garden. She did study some more recipes, and finally she succeeded!



Hank Hoonk: Miss Cathy, these waffles are perfect! Pure and magical, did you use eggs from the seagulls? We certainly need to get rid of a few of them!

Burgina Kess: Stop it, Mr Hoonk, you don't even deserve to eat those eggs.

Hank Hoonk: Ha, a stud like me not worthy of wild life food? Come on!

Cathrina: Mr. Hoonk, when will there be another full moon night? We have decided to join you.

Hank Hoonk: Ah, visiting the Lady Ghost? Great! Tonight, it'll be tonight, because I'm leaving town tomorrow!



A little later Cathrina walked down to the Church of Similius. She wanted to see the priest to find out more about Gloria's grave. Maybe the priest would hold information on her hubby and son, too.

Cathrina: Hello?



Priest Arthus Lavendula: Yes?

Cathrina: I'm searching information on my great aunt Gloria Moonster. She died recently, but I couldn't find her grave at the cemetery.

Priest Arthus Lavendula: Really? And may I ask who you are?

Cathrina: Oh, sorry. My name is Cathrina Wooblershield, born Horgan. My mom was born Moonster, and her mom again grew up in Galucca. I just inherited Gloria Moonster's cottage at the Moon District.

Priest Arthus Lavendula: Very well... Hmmm... I am sorry to inform you that... I don't recall having a funeral ceremony for Gloria Moonster...

Cathrina: Of course not, she... ah... sorry, nothing... I heard about the underground storage, would it be possible to know if her urn is stored there?



Priest Arthus Lavendula: That would be possible, yes. I am busy right now, but if you stop by at my office tomorrow at 10 AM, I'll be ready to help you.

Cathrina: And... would you also find information on her son and her husband, if she was married?

Priest Arthus Lavendula: Of course.



Cathrina: And I realized that Gloria probably never set foot in that church, so would she want to get buried there? No! I will go back tomorrow, then I'll go to the library again, too.

Alexander: So, you will be rather busy then... I'm eager to read another diary page...

"Ludwig turned elderly, too, but he didn't want a celebration. One of the lodgers, old Miss Lisa Hedgeboom in the blue room, sang a horrible song to him at breakfast. I could tell he was very annoyed, but well..."

Cathrina: No date, but they are both elderly, might be about 40 years ago then...

Alexander: Nothing about the boy? Gabriel's... disease?

"Ludwig is getting good at his painting! Today he made a lovely motive from the garden, and I'm glad I stopped him from bringing that one to the Artist Market. Lodger Cassandra Pleasant has ordered a portrait!"

Alexander: This is not the kind of info I was hoping for...

"I visited Old Town today, and I talked to an old sailor at the Boat Terminal. He had a lovely white cockatoo sitting on his shoulder. When I got back home, I discovered a few feathers from the bird had found its way into my purse! I know they were meant for Gabriel!"

Cathrina: Oh, all these feathers? I understand they are some ingredient and that she put them in the beds for some superstitious reason, but she seems totally obsessed with them! Did you read about the golden box, and full moon? I wonder if it's all a recipe from the Black Magica book?

Alexander: Did you find her magic book?

Cathrina: No, and there's really not that many places to look. I checked the study of course. I saw no other books in this house...

Alexander: And we cleaned all drawers and cupboards, too...



Cathrina: I think we should consider reopening the common room to the locals. It would do good for our business. What do you think?

Alexander: You mean without shining this place up?

Cathrina: Well, the locals are used to these walls, might be harder to get them back as paying guests if we change what they are used to overnight. We'll save up some money, and upgrade the room later, or little by little.

Alexander: Wouldn't we need some more info on how it was ran in the past?

Cathrina: I could call Emma Hydront, or even better, invite both Emma and Brad for dinner some day.

Hank Hoonk: So, Miss Cathy, will we be ready for tonight's adventure at 11 PM? Rrrrr...

Cathrina: Sure! We'll meet outside!



So, the night was starry and the full moon was glowing. They noticed Burgina Kess was flirting with Brad Kragger outside, Cathrina was a bit surprised but admitted it was none of her business.

Hank Hoonk: We're walking the track up the hill, I assume you already visited your neighbours up here. I know they are curious to know more about you two!

Alexander: They were not at home when we tried.

Cathrina: I got a kitten from some house up here...

Hank Hoonk: You might have observed my white boots. It's my theory that white boots will calm down the glowing Unicorn. And I see you chose white shoes, too, Miss Cathy, thanks for teaming up with me! Rrrrr...

Alexander: It's Mrs Wooblershield, mister...



Hank Hoonk: Here we are! It's a little dark for a guided tour, but this is the former secret location of MSW! I don't know much about their activities, just that they guarded some Unicorn relics. And, by chance I witnessed the Lady Ghost once! She scared my fellows, but not me of course. A woman never scared me, you know Miss... uhm...



Cathrina: So, what is that building?

Hank Hoonk: I think the MSW used to meet there, every full moon night. Nowadays this is just a garden. You can visit again during daylight, the outdoors is a jewel for garden hunters.

Alexander: Did you ever see the Unicorn here?

Hank Hoonk: Not really, but one time I could feel its energy. This is a well known energy field for Unicorns. Not saying the Unicorns themselves know about that fact yet, so in the meantime they can be found elsewhere. I'm heading to Al Simhara tomorrow.

Cathrina: Do you know the story of the Lady Ghost?



Hank Hoonk: Many years ago, when Galucca was still pretty young, the Lady was the first Unicorn relic guardian. She got enemies, and they threw her into that well over there, must have been, and she died. Now, let's sit down and wait. She might show herself to us. I think. If she still works, it's about 20 years since I saw her. I guess she was glad there was finally a real stud paying attention to her lifework! Lady, I'm back!

Gloomville Diaries - Gen 1 - Ch 17: A bigger family

Ochana was pregnant and too tired to sneak up all those stairs to the secret office in the attic. All she wanted was to get over with the upcoming birth.

[Year count 195]  It was already 10 years since Ochana won the Sims by Numbers Show that took place in this house. Since then she married Chad and they had twins - in the opposite order. And not the least, she was given the secret Mission by Alien Gleeson, who died shortly after. Ten years with the Mission, and not really having the feeling that she made any progress at all!

Well, she was introduced to Flock Hideaway and she did study the Rules & Directions many times. She also talked to several neighbours, and she finally discovered the hidden rom in their attic - the Secret Office.

Ochana knew that there was no point in focusing on the secret Mission until after this birth. All documents were up in the attic. She couldn't get up there these days without involving Chad.

So, their everyday life won! The family of four prepared to get another child. Edith and Miranda also required some attention, and it's been interesting to see how different they appear to be. While Edith (wearing the pink blouse) were most social, her twin sister Miranda kept some distance. Her toy Drago was the one she talked most to.

Ochana had of course been asking herself whether Edith or Miranda would be the next holder of the secret Mission. While Edith seemed effective and observant, like cleaning the dishes without even beeing asked, Miranda seemed to have the richest fantasy. But Ochana knew that also the next baby could be the better choice.

According to the directions Ochana would need to decide on the day when her oldest child reached Young Adult - still a long run!

Again, a moment when Edith would get a hug, but Miranda keeping distance. What could be running through that girl's mind?

Some time later, Ochana felt different.
- Are you fine, Ochana? Chad asked.

- You look tired, dear. How about a romantic comedy on TV?
He knew that Ochana loved those films.

- I'm fine, Chad... ouh...oh... baby's coming!

They hurried over to their bedroom where a crib was already prepared.

But one crib wasn't enough, Ochana gave birth to twins once again! WOWA! This time a girl and a boy, they were named Paula (after Chad's dad, Paul), and Pivian.

- Oh, Chad, we have 4 kids! How will this work out?
- I'll help, he said while cuddling Pivian. - We might need to start using the second floor though. Maybe Edith and Miranda can move up there?
- I need to rest for a while, can you look after them for an hour or two?

Ochana thought her plan was genious. With two babies in their bedroom, there was no way Chad would get a chance to walk up to look for her in the attic. This was a perfect chance for her to get away without causing any controvercy.

So, Ochana walked upstairs.

The secret office seemed bigger now that she had time to explore it. Ochana placed the 4 poisons on one of the shelves, somehow she felt it was a correct thing to do. The next poison was to Focus on the Mission. Then there was Energy, Inspiration and Confidence. She felt the time had come to move on, but first she would need to check some more of those books.

There was a pile of books right there on the desk. Whatever they contained she would need to find out.

- Oh, this looks like a diary! she thought. - Obviously written by a woman. Now let's see...

She sat down in the huge Super Sim armchair. The book contained some massive texts, but also pages with just very short quotes or thoughts.

Then she double checked the first pages again, and gasped.
- It's written by Aileen Gleeson!

Up to now Ochana had thought of Aileen as the one initiating the Show, handing over the Mission as part of the show award. And from the talk with neighbour Niels Grossing she also learned that Aileen had resided here at Glee Abode. But now Ochana got the sneaking new idea... the secret Mission! Of course Aileen had not just haded it over to Ochana as a winning thing, but she had been involved with the Mission! That's what this book was all about. And that was why Aileen had only visited Flock Hideaway once earlier - when she was receiving the secret Mission of course!

Ochana had just read a bit here and there, not really finding much useful information. Now she would need to read this book thoroughly over the next days, to understand the Mission more clearly. There had to be some more clues!
- Oh, Aileen, why didn't you just tell me that you had been through the 6 levels and 6 poisons yourself? That when you toasted to Confidence it was the last of your 6 poisons that you emptied! And why didn't you just tell me about this hidden office? It would have been so much easier!

Downstairs Edith and Miranda had returned from school, and they were both thrilled to find they had two new siblings waiting! Chad witnessed them for a while, then he wondered where Ochana could be.

- Girls, I think mom is sleeping somewher and that I should go wake her up. Can you watch Paula and Pivian?
- Sure, dad!
- Yes of course!

And then Chad walked off. After searching the rooms they used daily, he headed upstairs.

Gloomville Diaries - Gen 1 - Ch 16: Family life

Ochana finally found the Secret Office, and she was eager to explore it further. But well, for a reason she wasn't feeling top shape these days...

This morning Edith and Mirana left for school without eating much, but Ochana and Chad had lots of time to spend alone. Toasts, egg and bacon - and each other. Chad had been promoted, and now he would normally work nights. He was happy with the Entertainment career, although still working on the floor, it was a good way to meet lots of people. He is much more outgoing than Ochana.

- Here's a morning kiss for you, Chad!
- Oh, number five, I think! he laughed, but then he got serious.

- You are fantastic, Ochana, I'm so happy about everything we do! he said.
- Oh, Chad!

Ochana is romantic, but now that they already had the girls and were expecting a third child, most of the days were spent on daily chores. They still found time for small romantic moments, nearly every day.

- Oh, what a lovely day! Ochana moved slowly, the stomach had grown quite big lately. She had suggested for them to take a walk, and they both knew it wouldn't be far. Just a few steps, actually :)

- I really hope we can buy some chairs for the terrace, soon, she said. - The girls should spend more time outdoors!

They walked over to a public bench nearby.

- You know, I think we should plan a trip somewhere as soon as the baby is here! Maybe we could visit Ona Rosewood at Oasis Springs?
- Sure, why not? said Chad. - I hear they grow tomatoes at Oasis Springs, I wish we could grow them here, too, I'd love to eat fresh tomatoes!

- I'll check with Ona. I don't really know how big their house is, but hopefully we can stay a couple nights!
- How about going real far, like to another country, just you and me? Such a pity that none of our relatives live in this region, or they could look after the kids.

- Sounds great, dear. Sometime we'll do just that! But right now I don't think we could afford a real vacation. And first we'll welcome number three.
- Would you like more kids after that, Chad asked.
- Well, Ochana said. - Three is all that's required, so I'll be fine.
- Required? Chad asked. - I'm not pushing you, am I? I love the kids, but I never demanded a third child!

Well, of course Chad didn't know that Ochana referred to the Secret Mission's Rules & Directions. Ochana should better watch her words, thankfully he didn't ask again and they returned to the garden.

- What a mess, Chad sighed. He's a neat freak, and couldn't stand all those puddles in the garden.
- Just don't break that plant, Ochana warned. She had tried her best to improve some of the plants' quality, but couldn't tell for sure what plants she worked on. The garden work had to be paused until the birth. Weeding and watering, okay, but organizing, no.

- If only the girls were older, they could help gardening!

Ochana called Ona Rosewood. They were roommates at the Sims by Numbers Show where Ochana won and Ona came second. Ona married a guy at Oasis Springs, and it turned out they had two kids already.

- Sounds great, Ona! Listen, we discussed visiting Oasis Springs shortly, maybe we can stop by? Sure! Yes? His brother still occupies half the house? Oh, well, we could just stay for one day then, that would be fun too! After the birth, yes.

Edith and Miranda returned from school, and Chad decided to do push-ups in front of the TV.

- Dad, we already know you're a champion, you don't need to do that now...
Miranda, eating her dinner while watching TV, found it hard to focus on the TV show while her dad was teasing the floor like that.

Then Edith jumped up, she seems to be the most social of the two girls. She pulled out her cellphone and aimed for Ochana. - Cheese! said Edith.
- Oh, not now, said Ochana, knowing the girl was not taking her picture, but also knowing that Edith found it funny that she misunderstood the camera direction.

- Ha ha, it's not you, mom! I was taking our picture, me and dad! Ha ha!

Her twin sister Miranda was not as much amused. The same old joke, this happened last week, too - duh!

- Ha ha, Edith went on. - I'm sure that if anyone would ever care to take mom's photo, she would not even notice, she only notices if she is not on the photo!

Ochana had to laugh, but well, had Edith just been a tad sarcastic? Or was it pure randomness? Probably just hormones, Ochana thought to herself. Being social wasn't the best thing while carrying this huge stomach. What if they had twins again?

She wanted to sneak up to the Secret Office in the attic, but could she deal with all those stairs? Probably not. At least not without a lot of attention from Chad. She had to keep the office a secret, and admitted it would be smarter to wait.

A boring day? Not really, because she also enjoyed relaxing. And there was no better excuse for a nap on the bed.

Hopefully the baby would be there soon...