Meet Arthur, Arthur Atherton, on the greatest night of his life. It’s his fourth birthday, and he’s becoming a young adult. More importantly, he is finally coming into his inheritance, which just so happened to be everything.

And even more importantly, it’s also his biggest birthday party ever.

ExcitableVirtuosoStar qualityParty animalAmbitious

LTW:Lifestyle of the rich & famous

Even the butler, Geoffrey, has stopped cooking for a moment to join the celebrations, bringing the attendance up to a gargantuan two.

Two! Arthur’s best friend was there, of course, didn’t you see him? Look again.

There. Puzzle. The rag doll Arthur received as a baby, alive only in his imagination and his best friend all the same.

It isn’t exactly a competitive position. You see, the Atherton family isn’t your fairytale family. Arthur is one of six children, both parents still alive. Where are they then, you may ask?

Arthur, why don’t you do the honors?

Arthur: My brother, Larence Atherton, eldest child. He was hiding away reading, something he never did, in the butler’s quarters, someplace he never went– but that was the point of hiding I guess. Can’t blame him for not wanting to celebrate.

As eldest son, the inheritance should rightfully be his, but Father declared he wasn’t Suitable.

More on that later.

Arthur: Katharine Atherton, my older sister. Busy at the computer. If Father hadn’t drilled that work ethic into her, the military school he shipped her to certainly did. Ironically, named after Father’s favorite actress. Not the favorite daughter though.

Arthur: Tracy Atherton, Katharine’s twin, though she looks like mine. Favorite daughter, named after a role of that favorite actress’– so it works out. She was also at the computer during my birthday, writing. Unlike Kate, she likes to write, wants to be a famous authoress. Since she actually makes money, Father approves.

Arthur: My little sister, Diana. I don’t know her very well. She’s supposed to be away at Smugglesworth Prep, I have no idea what she’s doing home. Father doesn’t either, so he just ignores her. See that in the window? That’s Cosmo, Selene’s ragdoll. Selene was—is—my youngest sister, Diana’s twin. She went missing as a child, climbed into a taxi one day and we haven’t see her since.

Don’t climb into strange cars kids. Remember, stranger=danger!

Author’s Note: I really have no idea what the heck happened to Selene. The game ate her.

Arthur: Mom, Kate Atherton, nee Pistachio. She was in bed, fast asleep. Exhausted from laundry, no doubt, or painting. She does a lot of both.

See? Birthdays aren’t big in my family. We most work, we work hard, that’s the way Father runs things. He says we need to set down a grand Legacy or something… I don’t mind… I think…

Oh, and where was father?

Arthur: Here.

Actually, that little billboard is only his cover band.

Arthur: Father was here, at the stadium, where he is every night of the week. Father is a musician, a rock star. On a good night he plays three concerts back-to-back, when he plans ahead he can fit in four. He doesn’t come home until long after midnight, long after my birthday.

Arthur: But back to me!

Yes, back to Arthur.

Arthur: I feel the sparkles coming on!

Arthur: That glow is centered kinda low….

Arthur: Check out my YA smolder, Puzzle.

Butler Geoffrey, however, took one look at his new master and his mismatched shoes– and quit.

Party foul, Geoff.

Fix’d.

Arthur: Better now, Geoff?

Geoff, and I quote: “Good day, I said. Good day!”

Lame, Geoff. Lame.

Arthur: Really, man? Is it the necklace? It came with the shirt, I can’t get it off.

Geoffrey didn’t even bother to reply.

Don’t worry, Arthur. Father will buy you a new friend butler.

What’s this now? You’ve cheered up already, Arthur?

Ah, I see. It’s Puzzle’s birthday. You should be careful, Arthur. People will think you’re crazy…. and look how that’s worked for Larence…

Arthur doesn’t care. Puzzle is one of the few people who have always had time for him.

Puzzle: Sparkles!

Arthur: Man, you’re even taller than me now!

Arthur: Alright, Puz. Now that we’re both grown up, there are going to be some changes around here. For one, this house is getting a overhaul…

Arthur’s face flips from adorable to devious like a seesaw in a hurricane.

Aw, what’s wrong with the compound, Arthur?

Oh.

But wait, who’s this coming up the walk? Could it be--

Yes! It’s nearly dawn and here is Mathias Atherton, the true gen. 1 of the Atherton legacy, and hours late for his son’s birthday.

His story deserves to told too.

Mathias wasn’t always the foreboding patriarch his older children are familiar with. He was once a young man, with hopes and dreams just like them.

He wasn’t famous then, he didn’t come from money, he didn’t even have a that sort of innate nobility that YA novels say their characters have. He was just Mathias Atherton, one of millions, a model one dreamed of being an actor, one of billions.

And he wasn’t very smart.

His dreams brought him to Sunset Valley and cleaned out his bank account. Sunset Valley had no film industry. It didn’t even have modeling.

His “penthouse” turned out to be a one room hell with a murphy bed and a rancid smell from the toilet he took his meals on. The walls were bare, if they had wallpaper it would no doubt be peeling at the corners.

He spent a long time in that room in the early days, trying to figure out if there was more to life than being really, really, ridiculously good looking– and how he could make a living off of it.

He couldn’t think of anything.

But he decided he could at least put his ridiculously good looking looks up on a stage. Though Sunset Valley didn’t have anything in the way of acting, its music industry was strong.

He went out with the last of his simoleons and bought himself a guitar and from then on he spent his every free moment plucking away at it, teaching himself to play.

What he lacked in basic smarts and depth of personality, he made up with intuition. He was a virtuoso.

Times were hard then, and he ate sparingly, just well enough to keep himself going so he could practice, practice, practice, and find his way to the limelight.

The Atherton’s owe much to his single-mindedness.

He practiced constantly, rising quickly in the ranks, and pretending that he didn’t see the movie posters that plastered his workplace. That dream was impossible now, and now he had a new one.

With his focus on work, it was a wonder he met anyone, let alone married, but his high-life habits won out. He had hired a maid to look after him, a skill he never learned in the model dorms of Sim York.

Her name was Kate Pistachio and she had a soft spot for the domestically inept young musician. She picked up after him and put up with him.

She put up with him so well in fact that one day in the park….

Mathias asked if she would put up with him forever.

For once, his mind wasn’t on work.

It was genuinely one of the most fulfilling days of his life.

As was the day when they brought home Larence, his first child. Holding the babe for the first time, Mathias had an epiphany, it wasn’t all about himself and his fabulous bone structure. It was about family. The Family. He, even the baby, wouldn’t be around for ever, but the Atherton’s could and they could be great. They could be greater than all the Altos and Landgraabs and Goths of the world, families that spurned him even now for his background and occupations.

He would show them.

They, the Athertons, his Athertons, would show them all.

Unfortunately, this realization didn’t make him the most attentive of fathers. More than ever, Mathias spent most of his time away from home, working to feed his growing family, determined that they should have everything.

Kate, on the other hand, was a model mother to Larence, and then the twins Katharine and Tracy. Later would come Arthur and the twins girls, Diana and Selene. She loved them all.

Mathias’ constant work and really, really, ridiculous good looks slowly began to see pay off. Though he could still stand to eat a sandwich or five, Mathias shot up the charts. He made it to the stage as a veritable rock star not long after his second son’s birth. Seeing the movie posters at the theater didn’t bother him so much anymore.

His dream was bigger now.

Rock star though he was, it didn’t stop, couldn’t stop, there. Finally, he was in the limelight and he would make it so his family was too– and always would be.

Every day, he woke long before the rest of the household and went to sleep long after. Even after his fifth birthday when his youth– and his looks – began to fade.

He rarely saw the children he worked so hard for.

But he was aware of them. Very aware.

His greatest solace as he aged was his youngest son, Arthur. Though he hardly saw the boy, much less spoke to him, the child was practically a clone of him, a perfect combination of his and Kate’s best features. (So mostly his).

He was Mathias’ hope for the future and the legacy of the Atherton family.

AN: No idea where Arthur got those yellow/gold eyes from. His father’s are grey and Kate’s are PURPLE. Is anyone else getting yellow/brown eyes and green/brown hair with Kate?

Arthur, like most of the Atherton children, expect for the youngest twins, grew up poor. He was expected to make money as soon as he was old enough, and left find fun where he could. As the middle child, he still had an easier life than the older trio, Larence and the elder twins.

Larence grew up in a harder world, with a harder father. Where as Arthur was the child of Mathias the rockstar, Larence was the child of Mathias the stagehand, a distant man who worked every spare moment in order to get his break. He had even less time for his children then.

Then, Mathias was only ever on stage when the house lights were down and the set had to be moved. He had a long way to go before the spotlight shown on him, but he needed to get there, for himself, for his family.

It was a hard thing, especially for a boy like Larence, to understand. (More on that later).

Mathias Atherton, true founder of the Atherton Legacy. A man who spent all his life trying to become someone he thought worth being.

Growing up meant graduation and the Atherton family, for the first time ever, gathered together at the steps of city hall. Now that they’re all awake and (sort of) paying attention, here they are again:

Kate Atherton, green blazer, tired expression. Former maid, caring mother. Gossips whispered she was only with the musician for fame and fortune, but time and six children proved them wrong.

Katharine Atherton, second eldest. Spent her teenaged years in military school when the Atherton compound proved to be too small. Considering what happened to her brother who stayed, Kate counts

herself lucky.

Mathias Atherton. Patriarch. A man who wants what’s best for his family, no matter what. (No matter what they want)

Left to right: Larence Atherton (Eldest), Diana Atherton (Fifth), Tracy Atherton (Third).

Yes. That’s Larence, the eldest son, and he is batshit insane. Katharine thinks it was the pressure that broke him, Mathias thinks it’s genetics. Kate’s genetics.

Genetics could be the case. Diana here is just finishing up her own neurotic fit.

Larence, foaming: Hrrrnggnggghhhhhh– back spirit llamas! You shall not escape my body and infect the world—

Diana: *Dazed*

Larence: Back I say—

Tracy: Lar, pull it together.

Larence: Eheh, who me? I haven’t done anything.

Larence: Damn. She saw me battling the llamas…

Tracy: Why am I in this family…

Diana: *Dazed*

Looks-wise, Larence, Diana and Katharine take after Kate. Tracy and Arthur, after Mathias. I don’t know what happened. I didn’t notice Kate’s awkwardly square jaw until it came out in the children. (The girls mostly). The maid uniform masked it.

See? They’re like twins.

Only, Arthur has those strange golden eyes and his lips may be a bit Kate-ish.

Mathias and Kate don’t seem to be too concerned two of their children just had some kind of fit. Did they not notice them babbling and whimpering themselves the whole car ride over? The player did. The. Whole. Fricking. Car. Ride.

Note to all Sims 3 Players– Let your sims finish their insane and neurotic fits before they get into a car– or then won’t stop.

No. Larence isn’t about to pounce his sister. That’s just how he walks. Really.

Always.

Has it been mentioned that Larence sneaks everywhere? He does. EVERYWHERE.

I have no idea if it’s because he’s in the criminal career track, or if it was because he was grounded when he aged up or if it’s just because he’s totally insane. I like to think it’s the latter.

The only time he walks normally is when he goes up stairs. See? Look how nice and normal he looks now!

Annnnd…. Back to sneaking.

Kate: You look lovely, Tracy dear.

Tracy: Thanks, mom.

Larence: How ‘bout me, mom?

AN: Fff… Tracy, sometimes you slay me with your pretty pixels. Thanks for not taking after your mother.

Kate: I love you too, dear.

Larence: Awesome. Wait ‘till I tell the llamas…

It didn’t take long. Arthur graduated valedictorian and was voted most likely to– I forget…. be really, really, ridiculously good looking… (Probably fulfill his LTW, iirc.)

The graduation affected them all. Arthur was elated. Larence changed into his swim trunks. (He was mercifully wearing his everyday clothes earlier).

Tracy had a neurotic fit. Perhaps she’s feeling her age now that her little brother is a young adult? … Did I forget to mention that she’s also neurotic? She is. Brushes her teeth four times a day, that one. It’s how she keeps the pretty up.

Katharine, probably the most normal of the children, looks on impassively– and maybe wishes she was back at military school.

It must be something about graduations, because Larence had a fit too, his second of the day.

Larence: Erk– they’re back! No! I changed into my swimmies to hide from them. Back llamas! You shall not get my little brother on now of all days, when he steals my inheritance!

Arthur: Larence…

Larence: Hush, llamas, he speaks!

Arthur: …Do you have any idea why Father doesn’t want to put you in charge of all the money?

Larence: Eheh, nope?

Arthur: … Right… Me neither…

Larence: But if you find out, you tell me, got it?

Arthur: … Right.

Arthur wasted no time heading to the theater. His Father had already arranged for him to have a position.

Neopotism. Legacy. Same diff.

Meanwhile…

Back at the compound on the hill…

Changes were taking place!

The compound had begun renovations.

Where did the §0 wood floor go, Arthur? And the plain paneled walls? It’s all… palatial…

Arthur: That’s the idea.

Right, got it. You going along with your dad’s great legacy plan, I see. And what’s this? Why are you in the victory corner? Did you get a promotion?

Yes, apparently. One day on the job and he’s already promoted. That’s nepotism for you. … And the fact that the poor kid spent his whole life skilling and never trying out any of the cool, not skill giving toys “Generations” comes with.

That’s the victory corner. We’ll be seeing a lot of it. For some reason, all my sims beeline for that corner when they come home.

Other things were changing too.

Does that room look familiar? Does that girl look familiar? It’s the Landgraab mansion and that’s Abbie, one of the Landgraab girls. Nancy was compelled to have triplet girls after Malcolm.

She doesn’t seem to mind Larence’s Crazy. He doesn’t see to mind her face. Perfect.

Larence married and moved out the day after Arthur aged up. It was a marriage Mathias highly approved of. Abbie even took the Atherton name. Nancy was too dead to be furious and Malcolm was a push over.

What’s this!?

No. It’s not Tracy with contacts and a dye job, but it looks like Tracy with contacts and a dye job.

With Larence out of the house (you can see him just there on the right at his wedding ceremony) the game saw fit to return Selene. She appeared on the street– though not the same one she vanished on, and she was all grown up!

With Selene back, Cosmo was back too, and he sprang to life again and waltzed into the compound.

Katharine was the next to go. She married Billy Alto. The Altos had triplet boys to match the Landgraab girls. You can see he has his mother’s hair. Billy even took the Atherton name and hyphenated to Atherton-Alto. Mathias approved.

Approved, but didn’t care enough to come to the ceremony. Instead he stayed inside to supervise his sane son’s skilling.

In his athletic gear, he might as well be a drill instructor.

Arthur looks blissful though– and Tracy looks wistful. Poor authoress gets cabin fever sometimes.

Katharine doesn’t mind though. She has Billy’s attention and that’s what matters. I’ve never seen her look so happy.

…She doesn’t take after Mathias much.

Attention in this family is hard to come by. Birthdays and weddings frequently go unmarked.

Arthur: Don’t be sad, Tracy. Listen, I’m playing for you!

Tracy: …

Love: *Is in the air*

Arthur: *In the ZONE*

Tracy: …

No one came out to say goodbye, they’re waving at a closed door.

Billy: What have I married into?

Arthur looks so happy when he plays.

So. Happy.

Even if Mathias wasn’t so determined that his son follow his footsteps, I doubt Arthur would put down that guitar.

No so happy when he runs. Especially after he falls.

The compound is looking less like a compound these days.

A lot less.

But what’s this? It’s Dedric Wolff at the door for Tracy! You know what this means, don’t you Arthur?

Arthur: Never leave me, guitar.

Don’t worry Arther, it won’t. And neither will this chandelier that pushes in on so many shots.

Dedric and Tracy show some class and get into their formals for the wedding. You can’t see it, but Dedric has Thornton’s white-tipped hair. Dedric used to have a twin brother, but that brother died as a teen, starting some nasty rumors swirling regarding their child-disliking father.

But now isn’t the time for rumors.

Of all his siblings, Arthur was closest to Tracy. She was nearest to him in age and Katharine was sent off to boarding school. The two of them spent most of their non-skilling time together.

But Dedric was her highschool crush, the prom date she never gathered the courage to ask.

Another day full of change.

And another. The younger twins aged up and moved out. Selene turned up to be a slightly heavier set version of Tracy and Diana actually managed to dodge the ugly sick that’s been hanging over her head since toddler-hood. (Just as long as her hair hides her chunky Kate-cheekbones).

With the three eldest married and the two youngest moved out, Arthur was soon left with only his parents.

See Arthur? If you hadn’t spent so much on French paneling and marble tiles, you could get a bed of your own for the first time in your life.

He was happy enough though. Being head of house had it’s perks.

Lobster thermidor is actually his favorite. I’ve never had a sim autonomously choose that before. Thank god the butler can make it.

With her babies grown and moved, Kate began to wonder if they should do the same. A nice sea side cottage perhaps? A chateau in Champs les Sims? Arthur looks keen on having the home to himself.

Mathias doesn’t even dignify the question with a response.

No longer head of house, a duty he passed on to Arthur along with the control of funds, Mathias hasn’t had much to do but play chess and grow up his hair into a “distinguished mane.”

Really Mathias?

As for Arthur, he’s a stagehand now and his uniform doesn’t quite fit like the house he’s changing.

Arthur: I look like the help.

Mathias still does the occasional concert and Arthur always seems pleased to be working his father’s shows.

Mathias isn’t though. He wants his son on the stage center stage and in the spotlight.

Kate has been painting, the only profession she’s been able to maintain while raising three children, but what’s this piece she looks so proud of?

Kate: It’s a portrait of Mathias.

… No, Kate. No. Try again.

During his spare time, Mathias is back at the chessboard. He never learned to play chess, but that didn’t matter. It was the pieces that were useful to him. They helped him think, to organize, to plan…

His two queens were married off now, one to an Alto, one to a Wolff. The knight had a Landgraab… but who to pair with his king? Who should Arthur marry?