"What is it Aunt Ray," Emrys asked going over to her aunt's work desk.
"I was checking the Willow Creek announcements to see if there was any more news about the new lounge opening and I came across the opening announcement of the Skill Center."
"What's the Skill Center," Emrys asked looking over her aunts shoulder.
"The site says it's 'an open center for sims of all ages to come and explore skills and to study under the tutelage of experienced masters in a variety of skills'." Rachael read off the computer screen.
"Sounds like a library," Emrys said.
"That's right. They built it in place of the Library that was destroyed last year. Do you remember the pipes broke and water damaged all the books and computers. The owners tore down the old building and put up this one."
"You want to check it out?" Emrys asked.
"Well Saffron is more interested in science than literature or athletics like Lean and I," Aunt Ray turned to look at her. "She's been doing okay with her self study but she's getting to the point where she needs some direction from another sim. It sounds like this place has exactly that. Teachers for Saffron."
"When should we go check it out? Amy will certainly want to take classes if Saffron is."
"Welcome to The Skill Center," the sim behind the desk trilled as Emrys and Aunt Ray walked through the door. "How can I help you?"
"We have a meeting with Mariana Lopez."
"I'm Mariana, the director of The Skill Center. You would be Rachael and Emrys O'Malley."
"I'm Rachael this is my niece Emrys," she said shaking Mariana's hand.
"Hello," Emrys said taking her turn to shake hands.
"I would like to start your tour but our cooking class just finished their project of the day. Would you like to try the French Toast they made?"
"Sure," Aunt Ray said. She and Emrys followed Mariana down the hall to the kitchen.
"Here's our kitchen. As you can see it's fully stocked for two sims to practice cooking at the same time. We have special classes twice a day. One at breakfast for adults and one at dinner for the teens and adults who can't make a morning class."
"Here's a serving for each of you," she said passing a plate to Emrys and Rachael.
"It smells delicious," Aunt Ray said.
"This is our cafeteria. We have a bar for teens and adults to practice mixology."
"Why do you have a bar in a library?" Emrys asked.
"It's our philosophy that we provide an opportunity for hands on practice of skills in addition to the books and guides in the library. As we continue the tour you will see rooms dedicated to skills of various types."
"It will be interesting to see," Aunt Ray said finishing her plate of toast. They stood up and followed Mariana back to the stairs.
Mariana stopped at the bottom of the stairs. "Before we head upstairs I want to point out the back patio. We have chess tables for logic skill and a swimming pool for athletic skill. Across from the kitchen is the gym room with treadmills and workout machines."
At the top of the landing Mariana turned left. She gestured for Emrys and Rachael to look in the windows of the doors on either side of the hallway.
"Our music room with a piano, guitars, and violins for children, teens and adults. We have classes on weekends and twice during the school week. On the other side is our art room with easels and child drawing tables. Again classes are on weekends and once during the school week.
"Who do you have teaching?"
"We have volunteers from the community serve as teachers. It's great publicity since we have Centers through the Sim nation. We're actually looking for another teacher for our writers course," she said looking at Rachael.
Aunt Ray laughed, "I'd be delighted to help new writer's get a start."
"Excellent. We'll discuss class schedules later."
"We have science tables set up here on the landing. On the front balcony are carpenter tables and the back is set up with a microscope and pots for planting a garden.
"On this side of the floor we have our library with books on all topics of skills as well as literary works of fiction. Over here is our computer lab for practicing the programming and video gaming skills."
"And the next floor," Emrys asked looking at the stairs.
"Is currently under development. We've left it open for new skills that will be developed later. Although we are currently taking it under consideration to develop a play center for the children who come with their parents but right now it's not needed."
"If you'll follow me back down to my office," Mariana said leading the way downstairs and to the room behind the front desk.
"Well can I sign up any of your family for a membership today?"
"Yes my daughter Saffron will be taking the science classes." Aunt Ray said.
"Very good. Included in the membership is access to all the classes we host here so if she ever wants to take another class she is welcome to do so. Also, twenty-four hour access to the site for anyone that wants to practice at odd hours."
"My daughter will probably take the art or music classes then," Emrys said. "She'll want to follow Saffron here after school but she's not much into science."
"We'd be delighted to tutor your children," Mariana said. "Here are the papers to fill out. They need to be returned before your children begin classes but you can fill them out at home."
"Thanks," Emrys said taking the papers, "I have some work I need to do Aunt Ray so I'll leave you to talk about your classes."
"I'll see you back at the house."
"Thank you for the tour again."
Random Rambling
So I wanted to develop a skill center in my game and decided now was as good a time as any to introduce it into the story.
It's pretty interesting.
No comments:
Post a Comment