Chapter 3.20: Should I Stay or Should I Go

Amira needs a nap after all that slip and slide fun. It's a good thing that Michael is asleep or he would spend the next several days crying over his long dead wife.

Knight plays around because he is young and adorable and he knows it.

Cameo is still gorgeous in her old age. Michael takes some time to commune with her and revel in their old age together. He idly wonders if he'll outlive her too.

All the pet love is cut short because the family finally has the funds for a trip!

Hello, FRANCE!

Not two seconds after they arrive, Brooke runs up to her parents.

"There's a community performance in the park today! Can we go?"

Not much of the community is there but then again it is mid day and most sims are probably at work.

The Daring Duo begin their set with little in the way of introduction. It doesn't matter though because Brooke is almost immediately captivated. She is drawn to the stage like a moth to flame.

Then there really is flame and Brooke explodes in cheers.

"They're beautiful, mama," she cries out as the performers twirl their flame batons.

"I want to be like them," Brooke whispers and tugs on Vera's sleeve. "When I'm older, this is what I'm going to do!"

Vera nods and smiles and gently pats Brooke's hand.

The family follows the show with a trip to Le Gallerie d'Art at Lindsay's insistence. It's barely been a full day and the family has hit all their desired hot spots.

"It's breathtaking," Lindsay says as she enters a display room.
"That's just a rock," Jude replies.

"Jeez, dad. It's an ancient sculpture. Don't you have any concept of culture?"

Jude smirks as Lindsay breezes past him to observe the art.

"I didn't realize rocks were art."
Lindsay sighs, exasperated, "You cannot be serious."
"Help me out here, Vera. Sculpture or rock?"

Lindsay looks at her expectantly.

"It's a sculpture, Jude," she says with a chuckle.

The rest of the afternoon is spent listening to Lindsay go on and on about the significance of each piece.

"Now, this one is definitely a rock," Jude says.
"Really, dad, it's a copper pot fragment. Are you even bothering to read the descriptions?"

"You should be able to appreciate this one, Jude," Vera says while pointing to a tall marble statue.

"A statue made out of a rock. Everything in this place is some form of rock."
"You're hopeless!" Lindsay whines.
"Art's just not my thing," Jude says, "but I love that you love it."

Lindsay cracks a smile.

Long museum tours mean Jude takes a nap as soon as they get back to the hotel. This couch is much comfier than it looks.

Michael spends the afternoon impressing the locals with tales of his grandchildren.

"This one is Michele, she's got a little tyke of her own. My great-grandson Errol."

Vera heads out to explore first thing the following morning. This mound looks suspicious and she digs around until she finds Dropa Stone relics.

"So you think you want to be a performer?" Michael asks.
"Grandpa, you've seen me. I was made for the stage!"
"Can't really argue with that," he concedes.

They roast vegetables over the fire for dinner. Delicious and very nutritious.

"I'm not tired!" Brooke says while ducking the pillow whizzing over her head.
"But. It's. Bed. Time!" Lindsay says, punctuating each word with a swat from her pillow.

Brooke ducks out of the way with ease.

"You go to bed then!"

Five minutes later and they are both fast asleep.

The following and last day finds the family visiting the local nectary. Vera enjoys the free samples.

Lindsay plays with the nectar machines. Conjured apples will be just as good in nectar as actual apples, right?

Michael pokes and prods the machines until he understands exactly how they work. It's not that difficult and soon he's working on an upgrade.

Jude plucks ripe fruit from all the plants and trees on the premises. He can't wait to get home and plant some of these in the back garden.

Making nectar! It comes out terrible but she's thrilled to have something to bring home with her.

"I'm going to be a star!" Brooke informs Jude.
"Yes, you are. If anyone can be a star it's you, darling."

Michael has run out of locals to impress with tales of his grandchildren. He takes to impressing them with his guitar skills.

One last trip to Le Gallerie d'Art for Lindsay. Pascal Morel watches her from afar.

"'Allo," he says. "I am Pascal."
"Um, hello," Lindsay replies.

The silence stretches and Lindsay shuffles from one foot to the other.

"Well it was nice to meet you," she says and starts to walk away.

"Wait!" he says. "You're stunning! More beautiful than any piece of art here. Please, stay with me for a while?"
"You think I'm beautiful?"

Pascal nods quickly and says, "No one can compare."

Lindsay blushes furiously.

"Wow."

"I don't want to leave," Lindsay admits. "I met someone amazing and going home is making me very sad."
"You can always write or call or come back to visit."
"It won't be the same," she sighs. "What am I supposed to do about Arthur?"
"You have so much time to decide what to do."

If anyone knows about time, it's Michael.

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I got no pictures of their return but this one. So funny!