The Chang Legacy DynastyPrologue An Overture

Racial diversity, environmental responsibility, true love, noble composure, and getting stuck in Driftwood for ten generations. Seriously.

or

Hey, hey!

You guys might have heard of me before – then again, you mightn’t. I’m seenodumdums23, the same git who writes The Lords of the Isle, which is a pseudo-fantasy legacy complete with ridiculously overblown battles between good and evil. And now I present you all with The Chang Dynasty, a modern-day handicap-loaded, fun-minded legacy! So, does this mean I’m abandoning LOTI? Not yet, at any rate, as I have a chapter in the works. But why the new gig?

I’m gonna give an honest answer: I get a little bored with medieval fantasy sometimes. Reading about modern-day legacies like The Squeaky Clean Legacy (profbutters), The Bohemian Legacy (DocGirlP), The Morgan Legacy (fireflower314), and A Corporate Conspiracy (PetTech), among others, make me want to try one myself, too. And I’ll be even more honest: you might notice that I would try to begin in the same fashion as these good people write. Please believe me when I say that I am doing this not to ridicule nor to plagiarize, but rather, to find myself a good starting point to write a modern-day legacy, which is quite new to me. My sincerest apologies.

So why, then, read this new legacy by an inexperienced nutjob while there are many other newer, and probably better, stories being spawned in BoolProp every day? Beats me, really. But if you would take a chance, hey, who knows, this legacy just might give you something delightful. Maybe I could pull this thing off. Or, well, not. But we’ll see, shall we?

-Heinz

“From far and wide, Sims have been drawn to beautiful Belladonna Cove! Some are looking for a quiet place to settle down, others to tango with the hustle and bustle of the more exciting districts and a distinct few who have been drawn by rumors of mystical energies. Will they all be able to get along?”

-The Sims 2

Heheh, right.

Our legacy begins, as all legacies should, with a chopper and a big corporation. But this is not a story about the man in the chopper, just as much as it is not about the big corporation. This particular legacy isn’t even about metropolitan Belladona Cove, either — but I am getting ahead of myself. They all do serve a purpose, however. And their purpose is just that: to give our legacy a beginning.

Jasmine Marqueteer works as an Executive Assistant for the corporation, which we shall name Meridia Real Estates and Services Inc. Even though she is directly responsible only to the Business Tycoon, she only earns a measly 252 simoleons a day. Little does she know, though, that the Tycoon is more generous than he seems, and even as her husband Artie Marqueteer is nearing his goal of becoming a General, she, too, is poised to get promoted all the way into President of the Belladona Cove branch.

It all depends on one single thing now. And that is...

“Good evening. I have an appointment with... er... the ‘Officious Bureaucrat’. I think.”

Officious Bureaucrat, indeed, Jasmine thought, but keeping enough professional demeanor to keep her snickers to herself. Her boss did have some very weird quirks, after all. Such as continuing business and setting interviews way past ten. Even Artie thought he was very silly. And that was saying something. “Good evening. Yes, you are expected. Name, please,” she asked of the newcomer.

“Hyacinth Lyn Chang.”

“Ah. I understand you’ve submitted your bio-data to the... umm... Officious Bureaucrat... yes?”

“Yes, I have.”

Jasmine smiled. “Well, that cuts our mandatory post-interview interview time by half. Good. Your age?”

“Young Adult.”

“Aspiration and lifetime want?”

“Family. To reach Golden Anniversary.”

Tell me about your personality, please.”

“Seven-six-six-zero-six. Neat, somewhat Outgoing and Active, Serious, somewhat Nice.”

“Hmm. That seems to be in order,” Jasmine said, as if more to herself, even as she took notes beneath the cover of her counter. “So you are applying for a college assistance fund and a real estate title, correct?” she further inquired.

“...Yes,” the girl named Hyacinth Lyn answered. “Meridia Inc. does offer these services, right?”

The Executive Assistant nodded. “Oh, yes. However...”

Jasmine raised a finger and tapped momentarily on her lips. “It is already late in the evening, Hyacinth. The... Officious Bureaucrat... well, he is a very busy person. You couldn’t have picked a more taxing interview timeslot. So he asks me to ask you one question before officially admitting you to him. And here it is: what makes you worthy of our financial assistance?”

“That’s a fair question, actually,” Hyacinth said even as she considered her answer. “And I guess most guys would say that they’re hardworking or that they’re smart and that they’re good investments.” She laughed a little. “No, I don’t mean they’re wrong or anything,” she added, “but I’m not Fortune or Knowledge enough for these things.”

“Not a conventional starting point for selling yourself,” Jasmine pointed out. “Just so you know.”

“No, it isn’t,” Hyacinth sheepishly admitted. “But what I have to offer are my convictions. By carrying your name and standing up for cultural heritage, interracial harmony and environmental responsibility, then I’m going to be the perfect walking advertisement. And wouldn’t you want people to know that Meridia Inc. stands for all these?”

“...Well, personally... it’s a novel offer, I can say that.”

“Oh, and true love. There’s got to be true love involved.”

“True love?” Jasmine’s tone shot as high as her raised eyebrow.

“Yes. All three bolts of it. Or more.”

“Wow. Hmmm. Well.”

Taking a step out of the receptionist’s counter, Jasmine added, “I can get behind that.”

“Good job, Miss Chang. You’re qualified to proceed to the... hmm... you don’t mind if I simply call him the Boss, do you?”

“But his name,” Hyacinth replied uncertainly. “The calling card. Aren’t we supposed to call him the—”

“The Officious Bureaucrat? Yes, yes, but—” at this point Jasmine tightly clutched herself even as she waved her other arm in explanation “—this is just between you and me, okay?”

“Er... okay,” stammered Hyacinth.

“This is so that you would be well-prepared for the interview, you understand?” the Executive Assistant added. “Nothing more. I don’t mean anything else by saying this. Okay? Okay. Here goes.”

“The Boss is quite the... well he’s a slightly unstable fellow. Last year he thought that he was the ‘supreme creator’ of some far-away island still stuck in medieval times. Can you believe that?”

“No way!”

“Way. And now he’s going through his Everything is Illuminated phase. Just watched the movie, see. Kinda thinks of himself as Sammy Davis Junior, Junior. So don’t be surprised if his Simlish is... mangled.”

“So, there. You’re ready, I assume,” Jasmine said at last. “You are, right?”

“I think I’ll manage,” Hyacinth said.

“Good.” Then, walking her way towards the elevator right behind the desk, the Executive Assistant motioned for the applicant to follow. “Right this way, please.”

Later...

“Here is the applicant... sir,” Jasmine’s cool voice announced as she and Hyacinth ascended into the highest level of the Meridia Inc. HQ, which was the Business Tycoon’s office. Hyacinth noted that the room was in deep red, quite unlike the light blue of the lower levels and offices. And there, sitting on the ultramodern office desk, was...

“Please,” the man said in a faux-SimRussian accent. “Dub me the Officious Bureaucrat.”

“If I may ask,” a perplexed Hyacinth began just as the Executive Assistant (who was very much eager to disassociate herself with the scene) walked away, “but... why do you insist on being called like that? It sounds... you know...”

“But I am dubbed Officious Bureaucrat. See?” the Tycoon said matter-of-factly, holding up his ID. True enough, listed on his first name was ‘Officious’, and on his last name was ‘Bureaucrat’.

“O...kay...”

“OK, let’s commence with the introduction. Hello. My name is Officious Bureaucrat. How are you this day?”

“...Er... what? Sorry.”

“I am fine, thank you. Leniency, but isn’t the weather so premium today? Please, take a seat.”

“Okay.”

Seeing that the applicant was already seated, the Tycoon began his inquiries. “My first-rate Executive Assistant has given you the pre-interview interview, yes?”

“Yes. Miss Marqueteer had given me a bit of a talk,” Hyacinth confirmed.

“OK. And just so you know, she is a Mrs. Marqueteer. Inform to me about your plans.”

“As I’ve said earlier,” Hyacinth answered, “I would like to obtain your assistance in acquiring a house and lot of my own. To turn a new leaf, you know.”

“And what is your exchange value?”

“Er... I would carry the corporation’s name, if that’s what you mean. Promote your good name and all.”

“That is not so concrete-sounding. And what study do you intend to contract up in university?”

“Oh. I’m planning to take up Art.”

“Art?”

“Yes, sir. I have always loved culture, and I’d like to think I can further develop my artistic sensibilities.”

“Ah. I forget. You hail from an abnormally prodigious family with many currency, yes?”

Hyacinth did not know how to answer.

“OK. But Miss Chang, I regret to inform you that Grandfather informs me that this is not possible.”

“Wait... your... grandfather?”

“You are misunderstanding. What I mean to say is that our corporation is going to disseminate way too much currency for a case as flaccid yours, Miss Chang. I am going to have to send regrets to your proposal.”

“I... I don’t believe I get you, Mr. Officious Bureaucrat, sir.”

Sighing dramatically, the Tycoon said, “OK. Let me locate things this way. You are hailing from a supremely ennobling family. Your antecedents are more than capable of enrolling yourself into a premium university and disseminating enough currency to buy you a mansion in Belladonna Cove. See? You do not have things so so rigidly for yourself. So why are you asking us for succor? We could perform better by disseminating currency to poor orphans like the Newsons, yes?”

Hyacinth was silent for a while. However, at length, she answered with all the conviction she could muster. “I see what you mean, sir. Yes, I do come from an old rich family, and my parents could well send me into the best universities and give me all the money they could possibly want to give. But that’s the thing. They.”

She continued, “Mom and Dad have always wanted me to take up Economics, marry the son of a family friend, and, over time, manage our thriving business. For them, it’s what they want that counts. Not mine.”

“I am understanding. Please, do go on,” the Officious Bureaucrat said.

“But I don’t want those things,” Hyacinth went on. “I want to marry whoever I want, and what I want is to marry outside my circle. I want to marry someone different – maybe someone with a different hair color, or a different skin color, or a different Aspiration. I want to pursue a life of art and culture. I want to plant trees and grow flowers. I want to name my future children after flowers and trees and mountains and rivers. And I want to fall in love. Not just an arranged marriage, mind. I mean really, truly fall in love.”

“Meridia Inc. prides itself in making dreams their business, doesn’t it?”

“This is correct,” nodded the Tycoon.

“Then wouldn’t fulfilling my dreams be a perfect opportunity for your company? Then people would say, ‘Look at that girl! The corporation has helped her a lot. They’re such a nice bunch of people.’ And wouldn’t you want that?”

...

“OK. You got me.”

Hyacinth smiled widely. “Thank you, sir. Thank you,” she said.

“After all, the famous Shakespeare said, ‘We are such stuff as dreams are made on’. Then this must represent that we should help others manufacture their dreams come true so that they could manufacture themselves as well, yes?”

“Yes, sir. I think.”

“OK, then,” the Officious Bureaucrat said, opening his personal computer. He began typing quickly. “I will now perform a very rigid search for a proper plan for you.”

And it was a very rigid search, indeed.

Very rigid.

Extremely rigid.

“Aha! I got it! “ the Tycoon exclaimed at last, lifting his finger in triumph. Addressing the applicant once more, he said, “Miss Chang, I have now formulated a most ingenious plan for you. Would you like to perceive sound of it?” Without waiting for an answer, he went on, “OK. This is my superiorly exalted plan:”

“You will be attending university at Acaemie Le Tour, which is a very first-rate university. There you will study the course of Art, which I think is supremely premium. We in the corporation will be suspensefully anticipating your superior grades. I personally hope you will manufacture 4.0s all the way.”

“Of course, you might also be desirous of living a party life, which we all know must be very awesome because you will be in college, which is very awesome as well. But I am guessing that with your zero Playful points, you might not be very excited about awesome riotous college parties. But we are very certain that you will manufacture so so many friends, which is very premium.”

“And what happens after college?” Hyacinth asked.

“Good question,” the Officious Bureaucrat answered.

“The first-rate corporation chopper will pick you up and deliver you to your next destination.”

“Where? Belladonna Cove? Pleasantview? The corporation?”

“No. Into a Legacy Challenge. No, withdraw that thought. Into a Dynasty challenge.”

“Wait, what’s the difference?”

“The latter sounds much more ennobling and impressive, yes?”

“The first-rate corporation chopper will drop you off into Driftwood, about 50 kilometers from the awesome metropolitan Belladonna Cove. It is a very beautiful place, but very isolated.”

“So you’re going to maroon me into the boondocks?”

“Yes. Ever heard of the famous show, Survivor? It will be something like that.”

“Not to worry, though,” the businessman added, seeing the look forming on Hyacinth’s face. “The corporation will be coming into hands – to be helpful, see – in case something catastrophic happens. OK, so we will locate you into a premium 5x5 lot with all the empty space you can be desirous of. So you can plant your garden and so on and so on.”

“Yes, but...” Hyacinth, at a loss, spoke more to herself, “what’s a Legacy? Or a Dynasty? Whatever it is.”

“Oh, that is very simple. Babies.”

“And?”

“More babies.”

“...And?”

“MOAR babies. Times nine generations. In front of primetime TV.”

“So...” all the faux-SimRussian speech was already getting into Hyacinth’s nerves. “You’re going to work me to death in college, exile me into the wilderness, and make me spawn lots of babies for nine generations?”

“Live.”

“Oh, yes. On primetime.” The incredulous frown was evident in the applicant’s face. “Is this for real?”

“Well, as the famous Shakespeare said—”

“’We are such stuff as dreams are made on, yes, yes, I get it. And dreams come at a steep price.”

“What, you do not think all this is funny? No? OK, but this is my absolutely premium proposal. If you find it too rigid, then you are liberated to not contract it.”

Well, it’s this or a life of unfulfilled dreams, Hyacinth Lyn Chang told herself. “Fine, it’s a deal.”

“Fine.”

“Fine. Thank you.”

“Nooooo. Thank yooooou.”

...

...

“Mrs. Marqueteer.” It was the Officious Bureaucrat. Jasmine immediately turned to face her boss.

“Oh, good evening, sir. The interview’s done, I see,” she added.

“Yes. I’ve never granted a hearing to a more first-rate interviewee, methinks. And what may you be witnessing from over there?” he asked.

“Nothing, sir. Just admiring the lovely Belladonna Cove skyline.”

“Oh. So you think it is supremely premium, yes? Not quite like... well, our former environment, I mean.”

“Yes, well, but really, sir. Haven’t you had enough of your Alex-speak? You love the film and the book to pieces. We get it.”

The Officious Bureaucrat shrugged. “It gives me the funnies,” he said.

“Frankly, sir, it’s a little unnerving.”

“Oh, all right,” the Boss gave in, dropping his faux-SimRussian accent to reveal a normal Simlish tone. “If I’m going to have a serious talk with you, I might as well sound serious. You’ve done a greaaaaat job, Jasmine,” he began, his arms waving widely relative to the word ‘great’. “As the largest stockholder and chairman of the board, I’m going to push your name all the way into the Presidency.”

“You really are such a terrible joker, aren’t you,” Jasmine said, even though she could not help but laugh a little. “First it’s ‘Ruleroftheworld’. Then it’s ‘Officious Bureaucrat’. And now me a President! No wonder nobody’s taking you seriously.”

“I was being serious, Jasmine.”

“Oh. Wow. Well... er... thanks? And the catch?”

“I do have a big big big big big favor to ask,” the Officious Bureaucrat admitted.

“Name the terms.”

“Pack your bags, pack Artie up, and say bye-bye to Belladonna Cove. You’re going to Driftwood.”

“What? Are you out of your mind?” Jasmine snapped, a little too harshly. “Not just because I work for you does it mean that I’m as loose in the head as you are. Or... wait, scratch that—”

In an even tone, the other interjected, “You’ve been hanging with Jean Montaigne overmuch. Watch that sass.”

“Yes, but!” Jasmine’s tone was rising. “Artie and I have just moved into a nice apartment! We have all the amenities we’ve never had! Heck, we’re even bloody married here! And now you come waltzing in and you tell me to, hey, pack your bags and go into the no-man’s land! What the—!”

“You’re forgetting who’s who, Jasmine,” the Officious Bureaucrat said quietly. And then, in a different, but even more decidedly final tone, he added, “Please. Please understand.”

At that point Jasmine began walking away. “It’s not like we have a choice,” she sighed.

“Wait.”

Jasmine stopped.

“You and Artie — and Jean and her family — you all will keep an eye on her, will you?”

“Like I said, do I have a choice?” Jasmine repeated.

“Pretty much, no.”

to be continued...

Yes, my simself is living out his megalomaniacal complex! He’s always wondered how Rufus ShinRa of Final Fantasy 7 feels being in charge of a mega-conglomerate.

Also, his faux-Russian speech is courtesy of Jonathan Safran Foer’s Everything is Illuminated, adapted into film by Liev Schreiber in 2005. A good read and a good film. Supremely premium!

Pictures pertaining to the Legacy Challenge courtesy of ALT, Pleasantview, Belladonna Cove, and Lords of the Isle. Cecilia Goodytwoshoes comes from profbutters’ Squeaky Clean Legacy. Cecilia’s currently not in this Neighborhood.

Founder, Hyacinth Lyn Chang.

So yeah, she’s a little SimChinese — a homage to what Oriental blood I have whenever I recognize it. This is because she’s trying out a modified version of the Bon Voyage ‘Multi-Cultured’ handicap. We are marrying in Sims with different color and/or skintone from the heir.

Handicaps I’m taking up:

Middle of NowhereOne Way StreetNoble ComposureTrue LoveGreen ThumbModified Multi-Cultured:

The rules can be found here: http://www.forums.boolprop.com/viewtopic.php?f=163&t=12116

Oh, and just so you know, I’m using some of my own CAS Sims. If you’re tuning into LOTI, you’ll be finding some more familiar Sims around. You might even discover some of the seemingly intelligible stuff in LOTI, as Belladonna Cove is the home neighborhood of my AU Legacy Sims.

Yeah. Cheers!

I guess.