The thing was, they were coworkers with Piers and Bunter and went to work at the same time. Jamison--the guy in the ragged jeans--worked with Bunter (and if you can believe it, shares the Proper trait with him.) And Malcolm goes to work with Piers (and shares the Genius trait with him.) Notice that geeky outfit. Coincidence? I think not! These two wanted to muscle their way into the family!
Especially Malcolm. He sought out Laurie and tried to beat Bunter's time with her! And he was doing a good job of it since Laurie and Malcolm are compatible and share the Childish trait. ...Bunter does not like Malcolm.
Bunter: M'lord, maybe we should experiment on Mr Nair next. He's been making improper advances to Miss Melendez. His intentions could be, uh, criminal.
Piers: Bunter, YOU'VE been making advances toward Miss Melendez.
Bunter: My...discussions...with Miss Melendez have been strictly Proper. You did say to keep a close eye on her.
Piers: Not THAT close, Bunter. We do not want the subjects upset.
Bunter: I assure you, M'lord, Miss Melendez has been quite pleased with my company!
Putting Bunter's love life aside for now...I needed to figure out what to do with Jamison and Malcolm becoming active. I looked online and found a suggestion to split them off, then add them back as roommates. I tried that once with Jamison. (He was the first to make himself active.) Piers sent him off to a nearby empty house, called The Famine Revisited. Jamison looked horrified!
Jamison (gasping): Your Highness! Please! I promise I won't try to rise above my station again. Please let me come back!!
Piers: I'm not your highness, man! None of this class division rot. But we must insist on order during our research.
Jamison (rushing back to the manor): Thank you, Your Worship. I'll do my best.
Piers: And I'm not the Church, you twit!
But Jamison's best wasn't good enough. Both he and Malcolm added themselves again to the active family after the next work day. Bunter did the eviction honors this time.
Bunter: To the Famine Shanty with both you scoundrels!
Malcolm: Good god!
Jamison (heaving a deep sigh): Yah...I know. Wait to you see inside.
I felt sorry for the poor slobs, so I did a little renovating to make the place more livable. Then I thought about their jobs. These were part time positions created by NRaas Careers. Maybe the game was confused by the modded careers. I decided to try one more thing: give them EA jobs instead. They needed to work to pay rent, but the other roommates had EA careers and weren't causing problems. I put Malcolm in a full time Education position and made Jamison a Showtime Singer. We'll see how that goes.
Malcolm: Full time at the school?
Bunter: Are you complaining, Nair?
Malcom: Uh, no. Not at all. I'd love to teach the little kiddos.
Jamison: Yah, and I'll sing for my supper any day! I'm grateful for the Famine Shack upgrade, but well, you know, it's not the manor house!
During all this trouble, Piers started his next experiment on Leona, the Mean-Spirited one. Although to be honest, she hadn't caused any trouble so far. She spent most of her time on the computers.
Piers: Nevertheless, we do have our objectives here. Please take The Chair, Miss Strickland.
Leona: Will this hurt?
Piers: I shouldn't think so.
Leona: ...
Piers: How are you doing? Any discomfort?
Leona: A little light headed, but ok I guess.
Piers (examining the scan results): Hmm, an interesting array of traits. Several undeveloped abilities. Let's hope that removing the troubling trait will help you express yourself in healthier ways, Miss Strickland.
Leona: Ooww!
Piers: Now for a new trait to enhance the others.
Bunter: Might I suggest...
Piers: Are you hovering again, Bunter?
Bunter: I was merely going to say that the Excitable trait would preserve the lady's obvious passion while allowing for more rewarding responses.
Piers: Excitable it is then! An excellent observation, Bunter.
Bunter: We do aim to please, M'lord.
The new trait was locked into place, and Leona immediately started interacting more often with household members.
Mulder let himself be brushed.
And Clouseau wanted to play.
Leona also enjoyed a non-combative game of ping pong with Hera. Another test subject on her way to a successful rehabilitation!
To celebrate, Piers purchased a piano in honor of Leona's Virtuoso trait. He hoped her new Excitable personality would motivate her to tickle the ivories.
Bunter: Tickle the ivories? You do have a way with words, M'lord.
Bunter: Good morning, Leona. ...May I call you Leona?
Leona: Oh certainly!
Bunter: And how are you feeling after your session yesterday? I hope you're well.
Leona: I'm fine. Thank you.
Bunter: Then, when you've had your breakfast, maybe you'd honor me with a duet on the new piano. I also play the guitar, you know. Music is a passion with me.
Leona: How wonderful! That would be really fun.
