The Sweet-Lipped Escapades of Johan Bisou: Part Two

Since we last saw Johan, his career has really been taking off. He's been making waves through the fashion industry with his refreshing and bold ideas, earning him some promotions and setting him on the Trendsetter path, and as a means to boost his Writing skill for work, he now also has three published books under his belt: two style guides, and a romance novel about a flirty fashionisto who plays kiss-chase with everyone he meets. 

(Wherever did he get that idea from?)

His long hours spent at his laptop in the local coffee shop granted him the opportunity to snog the barista, Malcolm Landgrabb...

...but now, Johan has more prestigious paramours in mind. Thanks to his photographs and style columns flooding the tabloids, and his romance novel being nominated for an award, Johan has become a minor celebrity, and has the opportunity to go to Del Sol Valley and lock lips with some really big names.

Heck, Johan's even becoming known in the art world. He's sold a couple of his paintings to collectors.

(No accounting for taste, I guess.)

On the night of the awards ceremony, Johan sadly comes away empty-handed. However, at the after-party for the lesser-known nominees at a Del Sol Valley lounge, he wins himself some consultation prizes in the forms of kisses.

After being snubbed by anyone with a Fame level, he starts his night of partying by snogging the Mixologist, Julia Wright.

Next, he strikes up a chat with Allison Wahl, who happens to be a Fan of his novel. Soon, the pair are too busy using their lips for something else to keep on talking.

As the bell rings for last orders, the place is suddenly flooded by paparazzi - presumably stuffed with scandalous stories from the more renowned lounge across town, and now turning to the less famous revellers for table scraps. Johan seizes the chance to get his name in the papers, and after smooth-talking one of the charismatic cameramen, he scores himself a hat trick.

It's extremely late - or rather, early - by the time Johan stumbles back through his front door. As he snuggles down into his duvet to catch some shut-eye, a loud knock wakes him right back up. Mumbling various French curses, he staggers to the door and throws it open, and is greeted by the sharp-fanged smile of Lilith Vatore.

Normally, it's the vampire who seduces their victim, but Johan is no naive prey. Allowing Lilith to cross the threshold for some flirty conversation, she's soon sucking his face rather than his blood.

The morning brings about a change in Johan - but it's nothing to do with Lilith. His night hob-nobbing with the well-to-do has made him develop a quirk. He craves attention, and longs to be around celebrities. So, it's straight back to Del Sol Valley to get another fame fix.

Johan walks around the city streets in a haze, scanning every face he sees in the hope he'll recognise someone. Eventually, he comes across and butters up three different stars, leading to more lip-locks.

They are fellow author and B-lister Octavia Moon...

Comedian and Proper Celebrity, Brytani Cho...

... and bodybuilder and Rising Star, Kayla Fleming.

As he stands outside Del Sol Valley's hottest venue, frantically arguing/flirting with the bouncer to let him inside, one of the city's biggest names steps out - the musician Thorne Bailey.

Johan pesters him for an autograph, then goes on a charm offensive. With a crowd drawing around them, he convinces the beloved idol to give him a quick snog.

That evening, Johan celebrates his recent conquests with a slap-up meal at Magnolia Promenade's 5-star restaurant. By sweet-talking and smooching the hostess, Luna Villareal, he bags himself the best table in the joint.

When he brings Johan his roast chicken and vegetables, waiter Christopher Richards receives more than a tip for his great service.

As he clears his plate, Johan's eyes - not to mention the eyes of everybody else in the restaurant, staff included - are immediately drawn to the newest arrival. Judith Ward - actress and Global Superstar - has just entered, with a veritable entourage of paparazzi in tow.

Johan knows he may not get a chance like this again. After dodging various bodyguards, he introduces himself to Judith - who, as it turns out, read and enjoyed his award-nominated romance novel. Seizing this mutually-known topic of conversation as a starting point, he fuels up every charismatic cell in his body, and soon lures this superstar in for a smooch - the flashing cameras of the paparazzi and a amused bartender spurring him on.

Johan's Fame Level skyrockets. The next morning, his photo is splashed across the front page of almost all the tabloids, and he dominates the headlines. "GLOBAL SUPERSTAR AND HER PINK-HAIRED PARAMOUR". "ACTRESS SNOGGED IN PUBLIC BY SNAPPY DRESSER". 

Johan Bisou is quickly becoming the name on everybody's lips. 

With any luck, soon his own lips will be on them too.

Total kiss count so far: 24

Close Encounter Academy - The Pries Misadventures: Mini-Update (The Grand Unveiling)

Hi all ! Since none of Genesis' six beautiful children can pass for human without a disguise, it'll take some grinding and committed gameplay on my end to reach the opportunity to try for more. If not, my backup plan is to have an heir poll and move that particular goal ahead a generation. 

However, there is one goal I have managed to achieve... the building of the Close Encounter Academy! Now, I'm not a skilled builder in any way - the Gallery is this Simmer's best friend - but I tried my very best. The Pries family all got together for the grand unveiling.

______________________________________

As Genesis waits for her family to turn up, she grabs a drink from the snack bar. The entire building is two floors, and this bar forms part of a special waiting area for relatives on the bottom one. 

The Academy offers two medical bays where pollinated men can get check-ups, pre-natal classes and child delivery free of charge - thanks to a kind subsidy from the Curious Brothers Foundation. When a daddy's big day arrives, their supportive family members are provided for, too.

When the Pries clan arrive, Genesis' first port of call is the other room beside the refreshment bar. This is one of two lecture halls (an identical second one is on the floor above) which will soon host alien-related talks led by the brightest minds from both Foxbury and Britechester. 

Genesis decides to warm up the podium by sharing her story about the slaying of the Mother. Her familial audience tries their hardest to look riveted, although by now, they can mouth the words along with her.

Both floors also host a study room, each containing computers and a library of texts related to pollination, the history of Sixam, and the ongoing integration of Sixamian culture with traditional Sim lifestyle and values. Genesis had a hand in the resource selection, and Isaac is very impressed with her choices.

The second floor is mainly taken up by the invaluable Museum of Sixam, which houses collected relics from the planet. This is to help those of Sixamian descent see physical treasures from their culture and history, as well as to encourage education and tolerance between themselves and Sims of non-alien blood.

A set of stairs lead up to the rooftop, which houses a rocket-building zone. Here, weekly courses are run in rocket science, where participants can buy the materials and get the support needed to construct intergalactic vessels and check out Sixam for themselves.

However, it is here, behind these stairs, that we find the feature which matters the most to the family. Here, a permanent and secure display present visitors with a tendril from the Mother, a golden urn, and a plaque explaining the tale of whose remains it carries.

Here, at last, is the permanent resting place of Erwin Pries: a shrine built to him as they were built to the heroes of antiquity. 

The man who knew about the Mother before anyone else and tried to warn the town, enduring the shame they placed on him for it. The man whose bloodline produced the woman who defeated the monstrous plant. And of course, the man who, through his devotion to his own alien children, is a role model to all pollinated fathers-to-be.

Weeping, the silver-haired Isaac embraces Genesis tightly. 
He has never felt more proud to be a Pries.

________________________________

The total worth of the lot is 292,881 Simoleons, and is classed as a Library. If you want to take a tour for yourself, feel free to download it from the Gallery here.

(If the link fails, search for EA ID "bookloverblue" with the Maxis Curated option turned OFF.)

See you soon!

The Sweet-Lipped Escapades of Johan Bisou: Part One

Meet Johan Bisou.

Johan is a bachelor who recently arrived in Windenberg. He is a suave, fashionable fellow - couldn't you tell by his outfit? - who has just started a career in the fashion industry, hoping to become a Style Influencer and eventual Trendsetter. However, his work means very little to him compared to his real goal in life.

The thing Johan loves more than anything else in the world is kisses. Proudly pansexual, and not a fan of long-term commitments, even his very surname means "kiss". He doesn't discriminate: male, female, non-binary, young adults to elders, whatever your skin colour, occult or run-of-the-mill Sim... as long as you're fully grown and everything's consensual, he's ready and willing to lock lips with you.

For Boolprop.net's "Sweet Lips" Challenge, Johan's goal is to kiss as many Sims as he possibly can before the end of his life: incorporating as many different careers, NPCs and occult types as possible. He can never marry or have children, as such relationships will weigh him down and stop him seeking out smooches. Johan doesn't mind that - he prefers fashion to family anyway.

So, now that you've met our stylish snogger, let's get into his first week!

___________________________________________

Just as Johan is starting to unpack his moving boxes, he is interrupted by the doorbell. Normally, I'm the kind of player who tells the welcome wagon where to go, but not today. People mean potentially puckered lips. Soon, he and his new neighbours are sat together on the sofa, happily munching fruitcake.

Within minutes, he's putting the moves on Mila Munch - a Caterer in the Culinary career.

Johan doesn't care that he has an audience. Mila receives his first kiss - one out of what will hopefully be many.

Once the wagon has rolled out and Johan's got his house in order, he's ready to have some fun. He heads out to the local nightclub, Pan Discotheque Europa, so he can boogie down.

Before he even crosses the threshold, he catches the eye of the renowned Bella Goth - an Intelligence Researcher in the Secret Agent career. Following some flirty talk, he wins his second kiss of the day.

Time to head to the dancefloor! As he grooves to the latest tunes, Johan decides to request a song from the DJ, Teulia Faamoana. 

Clearly on a roll, Johan soon switches from song requests to small talk. Taking Teulia's hands, he lures her out from behind the booth - his confidence and Charisma skill growing by the second.

As well as getting his favourite tune played, Johan gets his third kiss.

Whilst busting a move, Johan accidentially bumps into Joaquin Le Chien (Open Mic Seeker, Entertainment Career). What starts out as a apology becomes an opportunity, as our hero seduces the club-hopper with sugary sweet words. Before he practically passes out from exhaustion (it now being the early hours of the next morning!), he has one more quick smooch, and then calls it a night.

___________________________________________

Exhausted after his romantic antics at the club, Johan is barely able to drag himself out of bed for his first day of work. After chugging coffee, he gets through it brilliantly - even earning a promotion - but the second he's home, he collapses in a heap by the front door.

I think he's earned a vacation day.

Johan decides to spend his day off checking out a local beauty spot - the Von Haunt Estate. After spending some time exploring the beautiful hedge maze, he comes across a rather unusual artist stood painting at an easel.

How are they unusual, you ask? Well - this artist is a ghost! Bernard, to be precise: a long-time resident of the estate.

The fact Bernard is a spirit doesn't bother Johan one bit. After complimenting his painting, he starts to chat him up: leading to a rather cool, ectoplasm-filled, and yet still pleasant, kiss.

Johan's timing is excellent. His visit coincides with a meeting of local garden and medieval attire enthusiasts, the Knights of the Hedge. After scooching on over to a chess table for a chat, he becomes well-acquainted with Jacques Villareal - an elder who holds the title of "The Brains" in the Boss branch of the Criminal career. 

After losing his third chess game in a row, Johan suggests to Jacques that they try tongue-wrestling instead. And yes, a kiss through a knight's visor still counts.

___________________________________________

Johan spends the remaining weekdays building up his writing skills and working as hard as he can: earning him his second promotion, but severely depleting his fun levels in the process. By Saturday morning, he's buzzing with energy, and finds himself on a big fitness kick - leading him to venture out to the local gym.

Despite the beautiful sea views from the treadmill, Johan's roving eye is constantly caught by the sculpted, toned bodies surrounding him. After roughly half an hour of running, he calls it quits, and goes on a kiss-chase instead.

Stood by the punching bags is the gym instructor, Brady Allison. Johan asks him for a one-on-one session: not to improve his boxing, but to get to know him better. After all, the last thing Johan wants is to be socked in the kisser: he needs his lips in perfect working order to pursue his life's mission! 

When Brady's pointers are returned with compliments, it's not too long before Johan proves that's he's a lover, not a fighter.

Johan concludes his gym trip with a quick go on the weights. He's not really trying to get buff, but when a handsome Locker Room Attendant (Athlete Career) called Paulo Rocco offers to spot him, how can he refuse? 

Of course, one thing leads to another!

After he hits the showers and heads for the exit, Johan crosses paths with Darrel Charm, and finds himself spellbound. Darrel is both an Office Assistant in the Business career and a Spellcaster. Stopping him for a conversation, our hero makes it very clear that he has charms of his very own!

On Sunday morning, Johan wakes up with aching muscles. (Watcher knows why - the only ones he's really worked out are the ones in his mouth!) With the bonuses from his recent promotions still in his bank account, he treats himself to a spa day.

The session starts brilliantly when his back rub from Massage Therapist Manuel Earl concludes with a smooch. (It was one that was mutually wanted, not a normal part of the service!)

Afterwards, Johan ventures into a yoga class. He pays close attention to the instructor, but it's not out of a passion for wellness. Rather, it's out of a passion for passion itself: he can't deny that she's attractive. 

Sadly, Kiara Fields only has a short amount of time between classes for flirty chat. Determined to lock lips with this charming woman, Johan winds up staying for several consecutive classes (at a cost of Watcher knows how many simoleons). Thankfully, after a ridiculous amount of downward-facing dogs, he wins Kiara over, and she gladly puckers up.

Maybe Johan's mouth isn't the only part of his body in need of tender loving care. Whilst he's no gym bunny, it is true that he types a lot for his job, which strains his fingers and wrists. Heading over to the reflexology room, he politely requests a hand massage from the attendant, Jaxon Hanna.

Starting off with a compliment about his gentle touch, Johan uses this rather intimate moment as a way to become more acquainted with silver fox Jaxon. By the time the massage is over, and the older gentleman is helping Johan up out of his chair, he is smitten, and winds up pulling the pink-haired paramour in for a snog.

So far, Johan has had a dozen kisses - more than some of my Sims have had in a lifetime - but he is still a young man with many years ahead of him. Tomorrow brings another week, and with it, many more mouths to smooch!

The Forgotten Hollow Tinies: FINALE - Happily Ever Afterlife

"Shall I believe

That unsubstantial death is amorous,

And that the lean abhorrèd monster keeps

Thee here in dark to be his paramour?"

- William Shakespeare, Romeo & Juliet, Act V Scene iii

____________________________

"Hello?

"Gregory?"

"Amelia?"

"Yes. I'm just calling you let you know that... I'm ready."

"Oh. You mean - ready to try for - ?"

"Yeah. I was thinking... tonight, if you're free?"

"All right. No time like the present, I guess? Should I bring anything?"

"No need - I'll cook. I'll see you around... 8?"

"Perfect. See you then."

Hanging up the phone, I allowed myself an excited giggle - my giddiness building and causing my hands to fumble as I prepared our dinner.

Usually, I thought nothing of my hookups, but this wasn't going to be just another casual fling. Gregory wanted to be with me forever, and his baby would grant me the freedom to pursue that beautiful dream. 8 'o clock couldn't come soon enough.

The eventual knock on the door had me racing towards it. After adjusting myself into the most alluring pose I could muster, I opened it, and was greeted by Gregory's grinning face.

"Hello, handsome," I purred.

"Hi, Amelia," Gregory stammered back. "You look... amazing. I really like that outfit."

"I look even better out of it. Come in - dinner's ready. Eat up. You're going to need energy, I promise you!"

Both of us were chuckling with anticipation as I led Gregory to the dining table. In our eagerness, I doubt either of us tasted the food before we swallowed it.

However, after I'd cleared the plates, it became apparent that the monumental significance of what we were about to do was affecting us both. We began to move more slowly: anxious about, yet also wanting to relish, what was ahead. I took a seat on the sofa, drawing deep breaths, whilst Gregory poured a couple of stiff drinks from the minibar, handing one over to me.

"Liquid courage?" I joked, evoking a low laugh from my suitor.

"Perhaps," he coincided. "You do know that... that I've never done this before, right?"

"Don't worry. I've more than enough experience for the both of us."

"But... what if I'm not as good as the others?"

"We love each other, Gregory. That means it'll be better than anything I've known before. I promise."

Smiling, Gregory raised his glass.

"A toast," he said. "To us, to our baby, and our future together."

Our glasses clinked together in a high beautiful note. I turned on the radio to play some slow, romantic tunes: helping to set the mood as Gregory sat beside me, the two of us sipping our drinks as we made romantic small talk.

Once his glass had been drained, Gregory shuffled his shoulders to the melody, until he could no longer resist its allure. Clambering to his feet, he took hold of my hands tenderly, and pulled me up into his warm embrace, whirling me around in a slow waltz. My heart, meanwhile, was dancing a fandango.

With our arms snaking around one another's bodies, I leaned forward to rest my head on my partner's shoulder. Gregory, however, wonderfully misread my signal, and moved his face to mirror mine - our lips locking together in the sweetest of meetings.

As my pulse quickened, my temperature rose - and with them, my longing. I deepened our kiss, as though I wanted to press our two bodies together into one: my nimble fingers already beginning to unbutton my lover's clothes as he pulled him towards the bedroom.

Despite his lack of experience, it was soon apparent how much Gregory wanted to please me as we tumbled together into my bed. I showed him how to make me feel wonderful, whilst learning with him how to do the same in return: the two of us bonding in a passionate union that put all of my previous trysts to shame.

After our perfect coupling reached its conclusion, we lay together in one another's arms: exhausted, but elated. Yet before I allowed myself to sink into a blissful slumber, I recalled the objective of the activity we had just so thoroughly enjoyed.

"Gregory?"

"Hmm?"

"I'm... I'm just going to go the bathroom. I'll be right back."

"All right."

"Don't... don't leave, OK?"

"I won't. I'm never going to leave you again."

He lay still under the sheets as I tiptoed away to the bathroom - scrambling in the medicine cupboard for a pregnancy test. Later, as I sat upon the porcelain throne, stick in hand, the minutes seemingly dragged on for hours... until finally, two blue lines came into view.

I had kept my promise.

I scurried back to the bedroom as quickly as my feet could carry me.

"Gregory?" I whispered - struggling not to cry out in happiness, for fear of waking the children. "Gregory, darling, I'm - "

I stumbled to a halt. My blood froze in my veins as I beheld my bed... empty and cold.

"Gregory?"

A sharp tapping on the window stirred me from my agonised thoughts. Turning, I found myself starring through the glass into the hood of the Grim Reaper. Before my eyes, the blackness within it grew greater and began to spread, enveloping everything around me...

_________________________________

As the haze cleared, I found myself redressed in my corseted finery and standing in the grounds of a large mansion: Gothic in style, and bizarrely beautiful in a dark, mysterious way. Before me, stood on an elevated podium, was the Reaper - but stranger still, leading up to him were all of my children, stood rigidly in two lines that formed a guard of honour. 

Several of my beloved darlings risked a small smile as they looked upon their mother's face: my own mouth curling into a delighted grin as tears rolled down my cheeks. It had felt like an eternity since I last seen and held so many of them. I had missed them so. However, neither they nor I dared to approach one another despite our longing to reunite, as we could all feel the Reaper's chilling, terrifying stare being cast over us.

"Come forth, Amelia Zara Livingstone," the cloaked figure commanded in a booming tone.

Suppressing my fear, I held my head high as I walked past my assembled brood: mounting the stairs carefully and standing before my ethereal master, looking deeply into his hood  once more in an attempt to somehow meet his cold yet unseen gaze.

"I bid you welcome to Mortis - the realm of the Reapers," he went on. 

"Am... am I dead?"

"Not at all. I have summoned your living body here of my own volition."

He stretched a skeletal hand over my gathered children.

"You have served me well, mortal. All of your children are, or are still destined to become, the finest of Reapers. And you are now, I believe, carrying the last of the promised?"

"Yes, my lord."

To my amazement, the Reaper sank to his knees before me - resting his head against my stomach, his fingers gently stroking the cloth of my dress.

"Ah, yes," he whispered. "I can sense it. A new and emerging life, its presence growing each day. It... it is a beautiful thing."

My confusion grew as I heard muffled sobs emerging from his hooded face. Then, in tones far more familiar to me, he spoke once more.

"I didn't think it was possible - and yet, here's the proof. Oh, Amelia... my Amelia... you have no idea how happy you've made me!"

I shuddered as he rose up and seized my hands in his own bony grip - but contrary to what I expected, I did not perish. Instead, his touch was warm and soothing, like that of an old friend.

"I will reward you, Amelia," he went on. "To start, your children are now free to live whatever lives they wish. Immortal lives, free from pain. I know how much they have suffered - how much they have sacrificed. I regret asking for them to be brought into existence purely to be my underlings. Henceforth, they will serve me in turn for only two weeks each year. Beyond that, their time is their own, and they can venture between the realms of the Reapers and the living souls as freely as they please."

I gasped in delight. The guilt of bearing and condemning so many children to a bleak fate had haunted me for years. I had learned to suppress it, to desperately try to ignore it for so long that my varied couplings had become almost mechanical, devoid of emotion. I did what needed to be done. Even the prospect of a happy life with Gregory wouldn't, I knew, erase those painful regrets. Now, at least, my children had freedom. The chance to do something else with their existence besides gather the souls of the dead.

"And as for you," my master continued, "I wish to offer you a choice. You can return to the land of the living, freed from your duty - your youth and beauty restored to the moment we first met, your children welcome to visit you whenever you wish, and a long and prosperous life without my presence until the day that you die. However, there is another option that I would far prefer you to take."

"And what is that?"

"Your youth, your beauty and your children restored, with the same freedom they have to pursue your own passions... but in an immortal life. One spent here, with me, in Mortis - forever by my side as my bride."

Dropping to his knees, he held up his hands, conjuring a ball of light between his fingertips. It faded away to reveal a beautiful glowing ring in the shape of a skull: the eye sockets filled with two diamonds that shined in a way I had never seen before.

It was indeed a very heartfelt proposal - one spoken in a caring tone, filled with passion. However, my thoughts turned to the man with whom I had shared a bed only minutes before. He was the man I wanted. I had already promised myself to him. And, as the Reaper knew only too well by now, I wasn't one who broke my promises.

"My lord," I replied anxiously, "I am humbled and flattered by what you have offered. But the truth is... I love someone else. A mortal man. It would be wrong for me to deny that."

"Oh... I see."

He sounded genuinely disappointed.

"But," I went on quickly, "there are millions of mortal women in the land of the living. Surely several of them could grow to love you. So please, tell me this. Aside from my fulfilled vow... what makes me different to any of them?"

He stood up, wrapping his arms around me - whirling me around in a slow waltz.

"Because, Amelia... you're the one who taught me what love was."

Leaning forward, he purred sweetly into my ear.

"You know me, Amelia. Search your heart. You know who I am."

As that familiar voice spoke, I realised that, yes - I did. Everything became clear in that moment. Reaching up to cup the hood of the Reaper's dark cloak with my palm - the closest I could get to caressing his cheek - my eyes widened in shock.

"Gregory?!"

He nodded.

"Yes."

It was him. That was his voice. There was no doubt about it.

"But... but how... ?"

"I first assumed a human form so I could check up on you," he explained. "To make sure you and the children had everything you needed... nothing more. But, as I got to know you as a friend - found myself defending you from the acid-filled words of Agatha Casper - my newfound humanity overtook me more and more. I learned to truly care for you... and soon, I fell in love with you. Hopelessly in love."

He sighed.

"At first, it frightened me. I didn't know I was capable of feeling such things. But the pleasure it brought me was unlike anything I'd ever known. I wouldn't give it up for anything. I knew I didn't want to lose you - either to a mortal man, or to death itself. The prospect of one day reaping your soul brought utter despair. That's why I want you to become immortal - for you, me and your children to dwell here together in Mortis. For all of us to be one big happy family, one that lasts for all time."

He turned his head away, sheepishly.

"I wanted to tell you before," he continued. "In all honesty... I thought my chosen human name, my initials, might give you a clue."

Gregory Ridley. G.R. Grim Reaper.

God, it all seemed so simple now!

"So... what do you say?" he rasped timidly. "Will... will you marry me? Become the queen of Reapers?"

I offered him my hand. As he slid the ring onto my finger, I beheld its otherworldly shine, and grinned. 

At long last, I had everything I wanted. My children, their freedom, and an everlasting future with the man I loved.

I really had been rewarded with eternity in Paradise.

"Just one thing, though," I added.

"Yes?"

"I call you "Gregory", not "Grim". And the "skeleton and cloak" form stays business only."

Laughing, he shifted himself back into that handsome human male I knew so well.

"As you wish, Mrs. Ridley."

_________________________________

The rising of the Mortis sun brought with it my wedding day, and my coronation. In a ceremony within the Gothic mansion, which I swiftly learned was to be our eternal residence, my new husband and I recited our vows in front of my many children - who, of course, were now Gregory's new stepchildren as well as his part-time workers. As he placed an ebony tiara on my head, he proclaimed me "Amelia Zara Ridley, immortal Lady Death - Mother of Reapers, and Queen of Passing Souls."

My children were free. Beside the fortnight they were each committed to assisting with the ferrying of souls in a given year (twenty-six doubled being fifty-two, which worked out perfectly), they could now spend their ageless existences doing whatever it was they wanted: whether it was studying various subjects...

Enhancing their mystical talents...

Pursuing their dream career...

Or even having a few little Reapers of their own.

As for myself, I was content to dwell in Mortis and care for my youngest children: the ones still unable to live by themselves in spite of their immortality. In between nappy changes and helping with homework (Gregory arranged for a special school bus to travel between the realms), I often spent time in the conservatory - working on my paintings as my husband attended to the needs to the newly dead.

Of course, he always came home in time for supper.

Strictly speaking, my mission wasn't yet complete. When we were wed, Gregory and I were still waiting for that final happy arrival: the child of his own he had so longed for. Having not known if he could even sire children in his human form, he was thrilled that he done so.

However, neither of us knew until that fateful day just how well he had done.

Z for Zoe and Zavier, who conclude our tale.

(Babies 26 and 27 - Zoe and Zavier Livingstone Ridley)

Needless to say, we couldn't have been happier.

And thus, I have reached the end of my mysterious tale. You mortals live with the knowledge that you could die at any moment, just as I once did. However, I implore you, have no fear. Instead, when you finally do come face-to-face with the Reaper, simply smile, and say this.

"Hey there... how are the kids?"

THE END

_______________________________

THE FORGOTTEN HOLLOW TINIES

by bookloverblue - inspired by Edward Gorey

A is for Adelaide, first of the lot 

B is for Benjamin, sweet little tot 

C is for Clara, so tender and mild 

D is for Dahlia, most precious child

E is for Einin, beauty and grace

F is for Freyja, with fairest of face

G is for Gabriel, angel on Earth

H is for Henry, bringer of mirth

I is for Ianto, so charming and smart

J is for Jules, with a love-laden heart

K is for Kirsten, sent from above

L is for Lucas, all lightness and love

M for Miranda, who brings us half-way

N is for Nero, all hail, Ave!

O is for Oscar, star that impresses

P is for Paige, so stop all the presses!

Q is for Quade, prince of the night

R for Rebecca, a radiant light

S for Sierra, sweet desert bloom

T is for Tae - and you'd better make room!

U is for Ursula, innocent queen

V is for Victor, with wisdom unseen

W for Waiola, rare island flower

X is for Xanthe, her charm is her power 

Y is for Yasmin, whose love shall prevail

Z for Zoe and Zavier, who conclude our tale.