Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Gen 4 Ch 3

Random rolls for Generation 5: Opal
2 parent family
3 children
Primary Career: Stylist
Secondary Career: Busker
Generational Goal: Fulfilled LTW's
Just for Fun: Random Traits


What a party for little Opal's birthday! All the relatives came. Even Rocky's Aunt Leah was there with her two grown daughters, Brandi and Arianna. Rocky was glad to see that Ruby made it, even though she elected to wear her ratty gym clothes.

It was hard to believe Opal would be starting school soon!

Opal seemed to hit it off right away with her great-auntie. She was fascinated by Leah's salon business. She had a million questions about hair styling and fashion.

Leah took her to visit the salon, and introduced her to to her assistant. Opal of course wanted to check out all the latest styling equipment.

"Give me a make-over, Auntie Leah!"

"What do you think?"
Opal posed in her new threads.
"Fantastic!"

"Thank you, Auntie! I wanna be a stylist just like you when I grow up!"

Meanwhile, Rocky had returned from the stadium with some fantastic news. He ran straight to Dayna and pulled her into a excited embrace.
"Guess what happened at practice today, love! I met with some scouts from the Bridgeport Bruins, one of the top teams in the league. They offered me a deal, starting center for their team! It'll be a huge bump in salary, but of course we'll have to move to Bridgeport. What do you think?"
Dayna was not quite as excited as Rocky, to put it mildly.
"I've never been outside of Twinbrook. What will I do there?" She whispered with an edge of fear in her voice.

Poor Dayna was still freaking out when Jasper stopped by to discuss the upcoming move with Rocky.
"I'd really like you guys to come with us, dad. You and Jada are getting on in years, and Day and I would like to help you out some when you need it. And maybe the change will be good for Ruby, too."

Day perked up immediately when Jasper agreed to accompany them. She was relieved she'd have someone to call on while Rocky and Opal were at work and school. It also helped when Rocky reminded her that her laptop would work just as well in Bridgeport as it did in Twinbrook!

The team realtor had found them a wonderful old brownstone just a few blocks from the stadium, right in the middle of downtown Bridgeport.  Jasper, Jada, Ruby and Andre settled into a small house on the hillside across the bridge.

On the first floor was a formal entertainment area and an office. Dayna was fascinated by the professional bar, and when she wasn't on her computer, she was downstairs mixing drinks.

The second floor contained the family living area, kitchen, and workout room. There were four bedrooms on the third floor, and an open stairwell connecting all three floors. There was even a roof access!

Opal was ecstatic the movers had found room in the tiny side yard for her swing set.

It was the first day for Rocky to report for practice at the huge Bridgeport Stadium. He was so nervous he almost had a panic attack at the front entrance.
"Come on, Rocky, you can do this. One foot in front of the other, inside the doors, into the locker room."
He knew he was talking to himself, and generating stares from passers-by, but hey, it worked, and once he found himself in the familiar surroundings of the locker room, he was ready to play.

The days flew by as they settled into city life, and before they knew it, it was time for Opal's thirteenth birthday. Rocky was becoming quite the celebrity as the team's star center. The guest list included some of Rocky's famous teammates, and Opal just about fainted when she saw Lola Belle, the pop star, walk through the door! For some reason Rocky decided not to wear his shirt, but no one seemed to mind. Fame does appear to have its little perks.

When it was time for Opal to blow out the candles, Jada and her parents cheered her on, but the rest of the guests seemed more interested in their drinks, or in staring at Lola. Opal didn't mind though, she was impressed that all those famous people showed up at all.

Opal contemplated taking a piece of cake, but Lola was so much more interesting.

"Um... do you think I could get your autograph?"
"Of course, dear, here you go."
"Eeee! thank you!" Opal didn't mean to squeal, it just came out that way. Lola didn't seem to mind, though.

Everyone was thrilled that Lola deigned to put on a small performance. While she played, Opal made the rounds with the other guests. 
"Are you really Richie Striker, the star forward? My dad talks about you all the time!"
"Are you really Rocky's daughter Opal? Your dad talks about you all the time!"
Opal was delighted to find out some of the guests were just as impressed with her as she was with them.

At the end of the evening as the guests were talking their leave, Rocky noticed a seedy little man with a camera standing outside the security gate.
"Who is that?" he asked Richie.
"Heh, the paparazzi found you already. Better get used to it. Just when you least expect it, they'll be there snapping photos, and the next day, your private business will be front page news."

Rocky filed that tidbit of information away for the time being, as Dayna called for him to join her in their brand new hot tub.
"Ah, this is the life!" he murmured. "Aren't you glad now that we moved?"

"Mmhmmm. Shall I show you just how glad I am?" Dayna replied with a wink. 

"......"

Friday, November 12, 2010

Gen 4 Ch 2

Dayna's pregnancy was an easy one, and as usual, she spent most of her time on her laptop. It made Rocky nervous, but she enjoyed the fireplace, and almost always had a roaring fire going.

Rocky had just walked in the door from practice, when Dayna went into labor.
"Eww, Rocky, you stink. Go take a shower quick before we go - don't worry, we have plenty of time. I'll just put the fire out quick while you wash."

Rocky had barely finished showering when he heard terrified screams coming from the living room, and the smoke alarm was blaring.
He quickly dialed the fire department.

He pulled out the fire extinguisher and yelled at Dayna to run, but Dayna didn't move. Shortly after, he heard a loud wail. What a time for Opal to pick to enter this world!

Now Dayna was running, and not a moment too soon.

Rocky had the fire nearly under control by the time the firefighters arrived.
"That was a close one, Mr. Moonstone. You need to be more careful with your fireplace!"
Rocky couldn't have agreed more.

"Oh, Dayna, I'm so glad you and Opal are alright. All I could think about was what happened to my mother just after Ruby and I were born. Listen, I really want to just take the fireplace out altogether, it's just unlucky to keep it, don't you think?"
Dayna was still trembling. "Whatever you want, Rocky."


They decided to redecorate while they were at it - no more red and black, now it was all Rocky and Dayna's favorite colors - Violet and Lavender.
"I love it! This is so great, isn't it Rocky?"

Rocky agreed.
"It's beautiful. You did great on the decorating sweetie. And now that we are all settled again, I have something to ask you..."

"Okay, hon, but wait just a sec, let me check the stove again."
Ever since the fire, Dayna had taken to checking the stove at least a dozen times a day.

She turned back to Rocky just in time to see him with a small box in his hand.

Rocky was so nervous he could barely get the words out.
"W-will you marry me?"

"Oh Rocky!"

"Of course I will!"

They were married in a private ceremony in the back yard.

"I love you so much, Day.. I never want to lose you."
"Oh, Rocky! I love you too."

Opal was growing like a weed, and such a friendly little girl - she never met anyone she didn't like. And Sinbad's genes were still showing through in that dark red hair.

Dayna was such a good mom, teaching Opal to walk and talk, even letting her push the keys on the computer, under strict supervision, of course.

Even Jada was smitten with little Opal, and offered to babysit every chance she could. Jada had never had any children of her own, but she took to being a grandma like a duck to water.

Even as Rocky's life was taking this turn for the better, Ruby seemed to be on a down-spiral. She was gaining quite the reputation in town, both for her odd behavior, and her revolving-door love life. Every week it seemed, Rocky would receive a call about her.
"Your sister is arguing with the movie posters again, can you convince her to leave? She's scaring away the customers!"

One day, after receiving a phone call that Ruby was swimming in the fountain at the park, he grabbed Opal and went to convince her to go home. There she was, in her swimsuit, talking to someone only she could see. And she was heavily pregnant...

Rocky was determined this time not to get caught up in her madness, especially since he had Opal there with him. So he diverted her attention by asking about the baby. She glanced back and forth secretively.
"Don't tell anyone, but I was abducted by aliens. I'm pretty sure they did this to me."
"You know, Ruby, why don't you come with me to dad and Jada's? You could stay there till the baby comes. Jada loves babies, I bet she'd be happy to help you with him."
"No!"

It took a lot of convincing, but in the end, Rocky got her to agree to at least come and talk to Jada.
"Of course, Ruby dear, you are always welcome here... Oh my, an alien baby? How interesting. Of course we would love for you and your baby to stay with us."
Jada seemed to know just what to say, and Ruby soon agreed to stay. Rocky breathed a sigh of relief as he returned home.

Jada called as soon as little Andre was born, and Rocky hurried over to visit. He was relieved to see that Andre was just a normal, beautiful baby, and not an alien at all.
"How's Ruby doing?"
"Oh, same old Ruby. You know, out to all hours of the night, a different guy every day. I'm so glad you brought her to us, Rocky. I'm not sure what would have become of little Andre without your dad and I taking charge of him."
Rocky snuggled his little nephew again, before taking his leave.
"Oh, I almost forgot! It's Opal's birthday tomorrow. Come to the party?"
"Of course, see you tomorrow then Rocky."