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This is a Rags to Riches Challenge, which is one of the many forum challenges that can be found over at the TSR forums. The rules to this particular challenge can be found here:
http://forums.thesimsresource.com/showthread.php?t=335936
The short version - take one sim, starting with nearly nothing, and build their cash on hand up to 100,000 in their lifetime, without using money cheats.
Note: This takes place in my legacy neighborhood, so those of you who read it might see a familiar face or two...
http://forums.thesimsresource.com/showthread.php?t=317732
And now, without further ado, on with the story.
http://forums.thesimsresource.com/showthread.php?t=335936
The short version - take one sim, starting with nearly nothing, and build their cash on hand up to 100,000 in their lifetime, without using money cheats.
Note: This takes place in my legacy neighborhood, so those of you who read it might see a familiar face or two...
http://forums.thesimsresource.com/showthread.php?t=317732
And now, without further ado, on with the story. If anyone had been around they would have seen the figure come hurtling out of the air... He landed hard, bouncing and rolling a couple of times before finally coming to a stop. The area was deserted, however, so no one saw the alien - for alien he was - land. Nor did anyone see him pick himself up, apparently none the worse for wear, from a fall that would kill a human. For the spacecraft he had fallen from was none too careful with him, and had barely dropped to two hundred feet from the ground before pitching him out. Why was he cast out? How would he survive? Who is he?
His name is Lhuwhon Yij Japak, and as for the rest, that is his tale to tell... I don't really remember a whole lot about my landing - it knocked the wind out of me, and rattled me around pretty thoroughly. It's a good thing this planet's gravity is lighter than my own, or I surely would have died. But thankfully I did not. I was battered by the fall, though, and managed only to briefly look at my surroundings before collapsing into exhausted slumber under some of the local large flora - trees, I believed they were called. In the morning I checked myself over - nothing worse than some bruises and scrapes - I would heal. I would imagine my captain had not expected me to survive. Well, I had...although if I did not acquire some of the necessities of life soon the environment would take care of what the fall had not. I had little of value...although perhaps my rank badge would be valuable. I seem to recall that the substances from which it was made were somewhat precious on this world. With that thought in mind I decided to find some human civilization Oddly enough, my presence went largely unnoticed when I arrived at a shopping center. I soon realized why - I was not the only non-human in the vicinity. I looked rather *more* human than some of the beings I saw, in point of fact. Our research had indicated that this world had more than one sentient species, and it seemed this was the case. I explained to the young clerk that I wished to sell my earring and enquired where I might find a shop that dealt in such items. He said that they did take some consignment pieces, but I would have to talk to the manager. I indicated that I would like to, and he went to get her. The elderly woman took my earring and looked it over with a practiced eye. She offered me $3,500 "Simoleans" for it, which I took to be the local currency. I asked what the price of a meal was, and she laughed. "You are from out in the back of beyond, aren't you, young Fey?"
I cautiously nodded, deducing that "Fey" were the non-humans, like the green woman that was walking by the counter.
"You can get a good meal for twenty simoleans. $3,500 will be enough to live on for some time, if you are careful. I like Fey - your worksmanship is usually exquisite, and this piece is no exception. I should be able to get $5,000 for this, possibly six," she said, and that decided me. If she would admit to six, she could likely get at least seven, and that meant she was indeed paying me a fair price. I was desperate, so I would take the money regardless, but I did not like the thought of being cheated.
"Thank you. Now, where might I find a clothing store, and a...survival supply store?"
$3500 After concluding my transaction with Mrs. Montoya, the jewelry store proprietress, I followed the directions she gave me first to the clothing store. I purchased a variety of clothing to better fit in with...well, not the humans, but I could easily become one of the "Fey", and then went to the survival supply store. I could not be sure which parts of the area were inhabited and which were not...so I chose to go back to where the ship had dropped me. There were trees there, and water. It would suffice. The first thing I did was step under the waterfall and wash. The water was like ice, which did nothing for my sore muscles, but it did feel good to get clean. I changed into some of the clothing I had purchased and then began setting up the survival gear I had purchased. I knew from study that most bodies of water had fish, and this one was no exception - I could see them in the water. They were, however, not inclined to take my bait. I had fortunately purchased some "trail food" to guard against this eventuality. I eventually gave up the fishing as a bad job, at least for the night, then went to sleep in the portable shelter - "tent" - after having some of the trail food. I was not replete, but at least I would not starve.
$2800 I emerged from the shelter the next morning somewhat sore - I wasn't completely healed, apparently, and hungry. I consumed some more of the trail food and then went seeking employement.
I could not find much, as I had no paperwork, no identity, but I eventually found work as a fish chummer on a fishing vessel. It was an unpleasant task, but it was employment. I used my first paycheck to purchase some books. Eventually I had earned enough to purchase the materials to build a small shelter and the means to store and prepare food. I was still sleeping in the tent, as I could not afford a bed, but it was a beginning. I had begun slowly making...well, not friends, precisely, but I was getting to know my co-workers. They all assumed I was Fey of some sort I had not seen before, and I let them all think that. The truth, I think, was more than they could accept. I had heard no reports of further abductions by my kind, so perhaps the incident had not been repeated.
$381 I worked all day, so most of the improvements to my small shelter happened at night. I had been purchasing books on survival and nutrition, and discovered that all the minerals I needed to maintain health were available on this world. I was relieved - it meant I could live a normal lifespan. Purchased food had the things I needed in smaller quantity than fresh, though, so I set out to learn how to garden. I had also discovered that there was a farmer's market on the island off the coast, and anyone could come sell their wares, especially Fey. I hoped that eventually I could sell some of my extra vegetables there.
$967 The garden grew, probably more despite my efforts than because of them. The resulting vegetables were nothing special, so I kept them in the cold storage I had purchased rather than selling them. At least I would be able to eat for some time, even if they provided me no money. Eventually my dwelling - hut, really - became more habitable. I scoured thrift stores and even the dump for anything I could use.
I was still a fish chummer...and I was getting heartily sick of it. Eventually I found another job at a construction site. Apparently all the time I had spent building my shelter was good for something.
$601 I ended up learning a great deal at my job, and improvements to my home speeded up dramatically. Well, sometimes. I kept finding other things to spend my money on. My best purchase, by far, was the bed. I cannot remember even the beds back on my home world being more comfortable than that bed was the first night I slept on it. I had been on the ground for months, and the bed was luxurious to me, although I would have scoffed at it back before I was exiled to this planet.
I sometimes wondered what the captain had written of me in his report. Nothing good, I was sure.
$273 The seasons turned, and my garden grew. I harvested some better produce and managed to sell it at the farmer's market on my day off. I spent some of the money on supplies to expand my garden - I was living mostly off my own produce, and if I wanted to have significant produce to sell, I had to expand.
I put in long hours on my garden, sometimes working well into the night. I did learn not to work when thunder rumbled across the sky - I had thought that the lightning would be most attracted to the tall trees on the other side of the property.
I was wrong. Work was providing me with a reasonably decent income as well, and so I decided to make my shack more habitable. It was perhaps my own weakness that decided what I was going to upgrade first...but that water was cold! It was a simple room - I was no plumber - but it was servicable, and the walls were brick. Of course, the rest of my hut still had thatch and withe construction, but at least I had a decent bathroom. I no longer had to get clean in that freezing waterfall, and I also no longer had to deal with a latrine-style toilet - bliss!
Building the bathroom took most of my funds, of course, but I was getting a steady paycheck, plus some more of my produce came ripe. So even after spending quite a bit of money on the bathroom, I still had quite a bit left over.
$2834 So I decided to upgrade the rest of my little shack. I found quite the deal on green paint and while linoleum, so soon I had a much more pleasing interior.
And then I spent the rest of the money on a computer and a desk to put it on, so I was, as the humans say, "flat broke" once again.
$26 All my work on my own home was helping me at work, too. My increasing aptitude was noticed, and I found myself promoted for Foreman. I was supervising the Fey crew, of course, as there was no guarantee a human would take orders from a "Fey", but that was fine. The Fey were generally better workers than the humans in any case. Some part of me noted that reaction and realized I was coming to think as a Fey...but that was the best fit for such as me in this world.
I used my Foreman's contacts, plus my salary and bonus, to upgrade my home again. This time the deals were to be had on laminate flooring and white paint, so that was what I used to decorate my kitchen. I had to admit it was more comfortable to cook in the larger space, even if I was out of money...again.
Of course, the down side to having more house is I now realized that I was lonely. When I had a one-room shack with a bathroom I filled the space. Now...well, I noticed being alone.
$152 So ends part one. You'll notice that Luhwon only has $152 at the moment, though, so he's nowhere near his goal. Will he find companionship or will he continue to go it alone? Only time will tell!
Thank you for reading. You cann't imagine how much it means to me knowing that people enjoy these little stories I do.
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30 Comment(s) posted so far
On Aug 19, 2008 wrote:
nice chapter
On Aug 19, 2008 kezsridg wrote:
Hello Deagh I'm following your story Sound Decision in the stories forum and I'm glad to see your writing here. I really like the beginning of this story, I wonder if Lhuwhon Yij Japak will find a fey on earth women to keep him company?
On Aug 19, 2008 lilyjul96 wrote:
I love it. Please do more!
On Aug 19, 2008 LaurieR wrote:
This is really cute! Now, I am going in search of the challenge. I LOVE challenges!
On Aug 19, 2008 qasert wrote:
On Aug 19, 2008 Alathiel wrote:
On Aug 19, 2008 whitmartinez wrote:
On Aug 19, 2008 mini me3393 wrote:
I love these stories! I can't wait to see what happens next.
On Aug 19, 2008 Alyssum_Candy wrote:
very interesting!
On Aug 19, 2008 SnowiJingleBells wrote:
On Aug 19, 2008 fizz bomb wrote:
Great start
can't wait for more
On Aug 19, 2008 jessicaciocler wrote:
On Aug 19, 2008 SuperStar94 wrote:
Wow! It's really good
On Aug 19, 2008 illloveherforever55 wrote:
very good so far
On Aug 19, 2008 TrailRunner782 wrote:
Great! I can't wait to read the rest!
Poor guy, I wonder why they threw him out of the ship??
On Aug 19, 2008 fieldhckylova25 wrote:
love it!! cant wait for the next part, your writing is good, very descriptive!
On Aug 20, 2008 wrote:
I like this story!
Hope you'll go on soon!
On Aug 20, 2008 finsgirlie wrote:
aw, hope he meets someone so he is not quite so lonely!! this is good so far...
On Aug 20, 2008 joey jo 14 wrote:
i love this story
On Aug 20, 2008 wickedgoddess_athena711 wrote:
Good luck for him! He's been promoted so hopefully he'll be able to earn more and find someone at work?? Or the green lady..hehehe
On Aug 20, 2008 candy820 wrote:
Great story.
On Aug 20, 2008 joker52455 wrote:
I really enjoyed this!
It's so cool how you manage to write a story based around your challenge instead of "this happened and that happened and now he has $100,000" 
On Aug 20, 2008 wrote:
Love your writing as always
On Aug 21, 2008 rockysgirl wrote:
awww yay!!!
I like it. I have a feeling I know why he was thrown from the ship but I'm not gonna say here incase I'm wrong 
Lovely writing as always, Deagh! 
Can't wait for more.
On Aug 22, 2008 lug12 wrote:
nice story.
On Sep 30, 2008 Illiana wrote:
Deagh...this is WONDERFUL! I love your use of an "alien" for this story, and the "Fey" situation gives a nice twist to it as well. Not just some sim working his way to the top, but an alien life form attempting to fit in to a new world and survive by its rules. Very interesting read! I, too, hope he finds someone to spend time with him.
Poor lonely thing. Great pics as well...not that I expected anything less. 
I just love your stories! (((Hugs!))) - Illiana
On Oct 25, 2008 capriMOM wrote:
I really enjoyed this story. I really want to see how he's going to make $100,000 in his lifetime. It should be interesting!
On Oct 27, 2008 AudreyMay wrote:
Great story! I read Part I and will continue tomorrow.
On Dec 6, 2008 wrote:
Finally got to this!!! It's been on my TO READ list for ages!!!!
I Love your stories, and I'm all excited you've put in in your main hood 
Off to read more!!!!
On Apr 1, 2009 Vanilla Sim wrote:
I'm so happy I started reading this...lovey first chapter. I can't wait to continue.