The Investigation: Part Three

 Picture day at Barbieville High.  

Gabriella: So then Charlotte tells my mom she's a bad sister!  Because she won't lie on the stand! 

Taylor: Will Charlotte leave town when this custody thing is over?  Please say yes. 

Gabriella: Probably not.  Mom thinks her real reason for coming back to town was revenge.  She wants to make this town pay for whatever she thinks it did to her.  

Phoebe: Looks good to me, but you're the photographer. 

Kenna: (to Samantha, who just sat for her photo) You can head back to class now.  Thank you.

Phoebe: Granger, Hermione. (looks towards the assembled students)  

Draco: She and her boyfriend are at home crying because his mommy died. 

Kevin: She's his stepsister, you moron, not his girlfriend. 

Ron: Losing your parent is horrible.  Of course they're sad. 

Draco: Oh, that's right!  You're an orphan, so you know all about what they're going through, don't you? Maybe you'll run over there after school and give them all hugs.  Have a giant pity party. 

Phoebe calls Alex Russo next, but Kenna turns to Draco. 

Kenna: Young man, your lack of sympathy is disgusting.  What I just overheard will be reported.  

Draco: Big deal.  

Kenna: Barbieville has some pretty strict anti-bullying policies.  I'm sure you just violated several. 

Draco starts to reply, but the intercom drowns him out.  He's being called to the office. 

Kevin: You know you're an ass when you get called to the office before they even know you did anything.

Draco: You look like a pimp. 

***** 

Mayor's office

Midge: It's the same person, I'm sure.  Both victims were hit at high speed by a large vehicle.  The same vehicle, or a very similar one.  Our second victim was thrown across the narrowest section of the inlet, from the park.  

Lynch: Your report gives a tentative make and model of the vehicle.  It's a very common vehicle.  

Rose-Grace: My family has three of them.  

Midge: Yes, but your vehicles don't match the paint transfer we found on the victims.  (weak smile) I think you're cleared. The question now is - Do we talk to the media again and how much do we tell them?  

Lynch: We don't want to create a panic. 

Rose-Grace: I'll put together a statement.  Dealing with the media and the public comes with being the mayor.

Midge: I'll practice my "no comment".  

Lynch: And my refusal to discuss an ongoing investigation. 

Creatable World Review

WARNING NUDE DOLLS

FLEE FOR THE HILLS

Thanks to eBay, I finally got one of the Creatable World dolls.  There is a lot of controversy over these dolls, mainly because people misunderstand Mattel's intent.  (I do have a more in-depth discussion of this on my other blog, Adventures In Freeloading.) They are devoid of what social scientists call gender coding. Most dolls are sexless because giving dolls genitals is frowned upon, but these are also devoid of things like make-up and secondary sex characteristics (breasts, body hair).  

Here we see CW with Stacie and Kevin. Stacie is pre-puberty and Kevin is either after or during, depending on who you ask. CW works well in the 1:6 scale universe as a child approaching puberty.  My plan is to make any CW dolls that move to Barbieville be boys, since boy children are hard to find.  Anakin has no feet and is badly discolored by age, so I'm eyeing a CW recast for that role.  

The big selling point to me, though, is the articulation.  CW not only has working knees and elbows, but wrists and ankles.  Y'all know how I am about knees and elbows. Stacie and Kevin have the standard five points (neck, shoulders, hips) and Stacie has click knees. The feet were showing when I took this photo, I swear! If I somehow end up with body donors (aka doubles), Stacie will gain some height and Kevin regress developmentally.

Kevin: Wait. What?!

The CW dolls come with a wardrobe (size depends on what kit you buy). Many of the items are unisex, but some are gender coded. Here Stacie models black shorts under what some people have called a dress. Those side slits go awfully high for a child's dress!  CW dolls have a larger head and feet, so the hat is big on her. The shoes fell right back off. 

Some of the clothes will fit dolls as big as a classic Barbie. It just depends on the body mold and the fashion's design.

CW dolls come with a long hair wig. It pops on over the rooted hair. Most reviewers haven't cared for the wigs because the wig cap is visible.  I didn't even take mine out of the baggie the seller shipped it in.  (This doll is gently used.  In fact, it looks to me like they bought the big kit and only kept certain clothing items.)

Nice denims. The pockets and cuffs on the jeans are real.

I'm so happy I got the shark shirt! (One of the others comes with a monkey shirt.) The black shirt and shorts are what the doll is wearing in the box. The tote bag is functional. You saw Stacie in the long shirt. The skirt in front center looks like coral. 

CORAL! Sorry, I was possessed by Rick Grimes for a second there. 

Anyway, I'm very happy with Creatable World. The doll is well articulated. The clothes and accessories are well made. I found a pair of aviator glasses while typing this. I suspect they belong in this review, but I could be wrong. I'm not the tidiest, ya know.

Zenobia's Least Professional Vlog Ever

It's moving day for Zenobia and Tris!

Zenobia: Hi, everyone! We're live!  You might be wondering why no vlogs recently and I'm finally here to explain.  I got a real job and a roomie, all in the same day.  This is my roomie, Tris Prior, and we're moving today. 

Tris: I grew up with the Pike twins and Whitney, who make up 3/4 of Sarcastic Fringehead, so we knew each other in passing, but wasn't until we both showed up at open interviews for Sunburst's new location that we really talked.  

Zenobia: Turns out we've got a lot in common.  We're both the black sheep of the family, for starters.  Tris got booted, but I left under my own accord.  She was couch surfing when we ran into each other at the interview and I offered her a permanent couch.

Tris (laughing): Which is going to be a pain to get into my bedroom!  But, hey, it's my bed.

Wilma climbs onto Zenobia's lap.

Wilma: I wanna be on TV again!  It's fun! 

Zenobia: I'm gonna make the crew cram into camera range and you can introduce everyone, Wilma.

Wilma: YAY! 

A lot of jostling later...  

Wilma: The standing up people are Nakoma, my granny Kyra, my auntie Wendy, Kevin, and Ricky.  The sitters are Finnick, Brent, my mommy Whitney, Four, and Tanner. Someday Nakoma and Finnck are gonna get married.  So are Brent and Grandma and Tanner and Mommy.  Oh, yeah, and Four's gonna marry Tris. 

Zenobia: The Smiths are still on the way here - we piled all the furniture into a rental van and John's driving it.  We'll drag them in front of the camera when they get here.

Ricky: I'm more concerned about when the pizza man gets here.  I'm starving after all this work.

Kevin (scoffs): Wilma's done more work than you. 

Four: Maybe not, but she's sure done less complaining.  

Zenobia: Surprise guests! Hi, guys. 

Ken: We saw John at the traffic light and volunteered to help.  

Zenobia: The more the merrier.  

Peeta: That's what John said!  

John (teasing): Sitting around jawing while there's work to be done.  

Zenobia: We were taking a break while waiting for the slowpoke furniture van.  I've ordered pizza and we're gonna eat before unloading the big stuff.  But first you have to say hi to my subscribers.

John: Hi, Zenobia's subscribers.

Zenobia bullies them into place and Wilma does her thing.

Wilma: John is my babysitter and he wants to get married to Nakoma's sister someday, but Pocahontas is mad at him.  I don't know why.  He's Kelly and Roxy's daddy, but their mommy is in Heaven. The big boys are Ken and Peeta.  They go to school with my mommy. 

John: Wilma, who told you I want to...  

Wilma: I gots eyeballs, dude. 

The doorbell rings and Zenobia ends the live feed with a hearty "More later!" 

Morning, Noon, and Night

Morning 

Taylor:  What's going on?  Why is Samantha crying?

Gabriella:  He's back.  I guess he got expelled again. 

Taylor: I can just imagine what he said to her.

Kevin: Actually, he's only spoken to one person since he got here, and it wasn't Samantha.

Samantha (crying): I thought she was my best friend.  How could she...

Alex: I don't know.  But don't let them see how upset you are.

Draco: I hope my parents find a new private school for me quickly.  I loathe having to associate with the likes of these people.

Charmaine: I know what you mean.  I wish my folks didn't insist on my attending public schools.  

Draco: I wonder about your parents, Charmaine, I really do. Are you certain they're as wealthy as they appear? 

*****

Noon

Fred: This is Silver Stream.  She's a mare.  That means girl horse.

Orlando and Samara: Ores!

Fred:  When you get big like me, you can ride her with a grown-up.  When you get big like Stacie, you can ride her all by yourself.

Pike: Fred, get down before you fall and spill the babies.  I've already got Dr. Potter here, I don't want to have to call an ambulance.

Fred (climbing down):  Are the doggy and kitty okay?

James: I can't say for sure until I run the blood tests, but they appear to be healthy.  You'll want to make an office appointment to get them fixed?

Fred: Why we gotta fix them if they're hell-fee? 

Pike:  I'll explain that later, Fred.  Say, James, I heard we might be neighbors soon. 

James: We're closing on a house right down the block.  Hope to be moved in by the wedding.  You've got an eighth grader and a third grader, don't you?  

Pike: Taylor's an eighth grader, but Stacie's in fourth grade.  You have kids that age? 

James (chuckles): Between the two of us, we have one of each sex in both grades.  She's got girls, I've got boys.  That's why we needed a bigger place - either of our two bedroom homes wasn't up to the job. 

Pike: Does she still think Rose-Grace is out to give the whole town to the amusement park?

James:  That's why we bought in your neighborhood.  It'll be the last one gobbled up. (Turns to Angus)  Now that I've dealt with the creatures that could have come into my office, it's your turn.

Pike: Hey, you were already scheduled for today.  I figured you'd offer to check them anyway.

James: Yeah, I probably would have. If all the blood tests are good, then they're going to need names.

Fred: I'm the boss of getting ideas.  You got any?

****

Night

Midna enters the data for today's business while Mariko and Whitney clean the diner for closing.

Mariko: Back of the house is done.  Once Whitney's done cleaning the tables, we can mop...

Someone knocks on the locked door.

Whitney: Jeez, people, we close at ten.  Read the sign!

Mariko: Oh, crap.  That's my aunt.  Something must have happened.

Midna:  Let her in.  I seriously doubt Nova Nakano is going to rob me.

Mariko:  What happened?  Are Dad and Mom okay? 

Nova: They're packing for the move.

Midna and Whitney:  MOVE?!  

Nova:  Don't worry, Mariko isn't going with them.  That's what I've come to tell her.  (To Mariko) Since you were so upset, your dad and I worked things out.  I'm moving into the house with you so you can stay here in Barbieville.  

Mariko:  Thank you!  Oh, Nova, you are the best aunt ever! 

Nova: Now, about that two week notice Mom told you to put in tonight... You can still do it if you want, but your new guardian is totally okay with you working as long as your grades don't suffer. 

Mariko: Why would I want to do that?  I love working here!

Nova: I figured as much.  I loved it, too, when I worked here. 

Mariko:  Wait, what? 

BMS Holiday Concert

Barbieville Middle School is having a Holiday Concert.  Pike and Mace bring Nikki and Taylor early, leaving Rose-Grace to herd the rest of the family.  Well, her and Candy...  

Mace: You brought the tank?  And where is your coat? 

Rose-Grace: You try to herd two teenage boys, two grown women, two children, and two babies into an SUV.  And I don't need a coat to walk from here to the school entrance.  

Mace: At least tell me it's in the tank in case you broke down or something.

Rose-Grace (annoyed): There are sleeping bags in the tank, remember?  

Esmeralda:  I do not envy you with that brood.  Ricky alone had me pulling my hair out!  

Four: Weren't you just saying you wished you had a daughter?

Esmeralda:  I do sometimes feel like I'm drowning in testosterone.  

Rose-Grace: Seeing girls through puberty isn't any easier.  That know-it-all stage?  Genderless.  

Esmeralda: Well, at least I've been through girl puberty.

Finnick:  Grandpa, what are you wearing?  

Mace: Fun.  Fun is what I'm wearing. 

Finnick: Dear God.  And my girlfriend is here.  Nakoma's actually going to see you. 

Ben: Thanks for saving me a seat, Mr. Montez.  

Joe: I keep telling you to call me Joe. 

Jenny: Mommy said you didn't never get to see Claudia sing before?  What kind of meanie bosses did you used to have?  

Ben: Sometimes bosses have to be mean.  Like tonight, it's mean to make your mommy work, right?  

Jenny: Well, that's because your boss's boss was a meanie and wouldn't let you close the store. 

Whitney: You know this entire mob is going to the diner afterwords.

Kyra: No.  I promised Wendy tonight was all about her.  She's feeling threatened by my relationship with Brent.  You don't get it because you had to grow up so much faster than she did.

Whitney: But if they need me...

Kyra: Whitney, do not make me be the bad guy here.  Just one night, okay?  

Nakoma: Hey, you made it.  Where's Anakin?

Pocahontas: At the Smith's.  

Nakoma: You're letting John babysit?  Where's my real sister?

Pocahontas: I'm letting Anakin spend the evening at his friend Roxy's house.  My history with Roxy's father has nothing to do with it.  

Taylor:  I'm so nervous!  What if a big Hollywood agent is in the audience?

Gabriella: What if Godzilla attacks during Jingle Bells? 

Taylor (laughing): You're such a brat.  

Claudia: It sucks that your mom had to miss the concert, Courtney.  Even Nikki's grandpa and kind of step mom managed to make it.

Courtney: No big deal, really.  She's been to every school thing for us.  Ben's lucky if he can make teacher conferences.

Nikki: Dad's on call just in case. 

Ricky: I still can't believe you didn't have my back when I said this concert was against our religion.

Kevin: I can't believe you're such a crybaby.  And a liar to boot!  

Ricky: He doesn't go to our church.  He wouldn't know.  

Wendy: Kevin did it last year.  I'm pretty sure the school knows what religion you guys are.  Or aren't.

Kevin: Exactly.  Thank you, Miss Darling.

Wendy (giggles): You're welcome, Mr. Eaton.  

Ricky: Whatever.  Why isn't your mom's boyfriend here tonight?  Did you get rid of him?

Wendy: He's at his sister's for Christmas.  (To Kevin)  He sent me a bunch of flowers tonight.  Wasn't that nice?  Especially after I've been so hateful to him.

Guinness leads the choir from the classroom to backstage.  Once he's sure they're all accounted for, he goes onstage and gets every one's attention.  

The eighth graders perform three songs:  Jingle Bells, Winter Wonderland, and The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.

The seventh graders sing Let It Snow, Sleigh Ride, and I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.

The entire ensemble then sings The Holly and The Ivy.  Those who do not wish to sing the religious verses are not required to do so.  Samantha, who is Jewish, then leads the rest in The Dreidel Song.  

Holiday Fashion Show

My dolls got all kinds of spoiled this Christmas.  Cleo De Nile and Lagoona Blue joined the party.  The Bags behind Cleo and Lagoona are full of things for dolls - mostly clothes.  The bag with the tree is for Barbieville citizens and the Santa bag is for Rusty.

Today we're focusing on the tree bag.  I'm not sure what I'll end up doing with Cleo and Lagoona.  They're my first Monster High gals,  as I'm not really a fan.  It is nice that I have a Cleo again.  I had a feline companion for almost 20 years named Cleo.  

Keep in mind, these clothes were removed from any packaging!  I had to conserve space as much as possible to fit all my gifts into my vehicle and then my apartment, since Santa delivers for me at a relative's.  Some were store bought.  Some looked to be from Etsy shops or EBay.  

This red purse and yellow watch were, I think, in the package with the Super Mario dress.  

The kitten came with a ball of yarn and a bag of food.  Puppy can hold the Frisbee in his mouth and has a bone-shaped chew toy.  Both came with removable collars and a food dish.  Max, Soot, and Ash are happy to have some new friends.

Four pair of shoes, two colors, all the same mold.  The ankle straps either made putting these on difficult or just broke.  I'm mad at them.

Two pair of purple clogs.  These stayed on surprisingly well, considering only the single strap help them in place.  

I've heard this style called mules.  Jointed knee dolls they slipped off of easily, but the click knee dolls had no trouble.  The different types of plastic?  

Pointed toes!  Something about these says "witch".  Also, kicking people gains a whole new level of pain infliction.  They stay on well and look cute in the process.

Now we're on to the fancy pairs with detailing.  Red studs, Red grapevines with a cluster of fruit, Blue roses (remind me to remove that extra bit of plastic before putting this pair away), and simple blue sneakers. My favorite here is the grapes, hands down.

The first pair here looks like the ruffled collar and buttons down the front of a Victorian dress.  The second reminds me of a curtain tie-back.  The third pair is stunning, and I heartily apologize for not being able to get a better picture.  Trust me, I tried!  They are translucent and look like liquid gold dripping off her ankles and heel.  

White sneakers, white studs on a wide ankle strap, and black studs.

Fine green chains.  Swans with stars for heels.  The boots remind me of Batman nemesis Poison Ivy.  A green pair of mules that don't want to stay on.

The first pair look like they're made from a purple toolbox, the truck-bed kind.  The center pair was almost impossible to get on the foot.  That third pair has heart shaped cut outs!  

Very Cupid-esque shoes.  The heel is an arrow and there are wings at the ankle.  The second pair has hearts along the front/top of the foot.  Both very cute.

Ballet slippers.  Nuff said.

First pair looks like drops of condensation on a cold drink.  Daisies on that second pair. Third pair has a nautical/mermaid vibe - scales and chains.  Simple wide straps on the fourth.

Ballet flats, sneakers, and a pair way too small for anyone.  I even tried them on Stacie! 

Guy shoes - high top sneakers, work boots, and regular sneakers.

All told, we're very happy with the shoes.  Only a few pairs that can't be used out of so many.  And I just love the details!  I just wish my close-ups had come out so y'all could see them!  

On to the clothing.  About time, right?  Especially considering how little time my dolls spend in shoes?

Four, Tanner, and Finnick are the most medium sized men I've got, so I chose them to model the few outfits I got for the guys.  These were all Mattel and I'm pretty sure I've paired them up right.  Four is rocking the lumberjack look.  Tanner flashes his abs in a bomber jacket and sweats.  Finnick looks preppy in a hoodie and faded jeans. 

They report these tops are slightly snug in the biceps, but otherwise quite comfy.  Bad news for the muscle men.  

The pants are another matter.  Four's sporting a quarter moon and Finnick has a full moon rising.  Tanner laughs at them both.  Kevin and Ricky steal Finnick's pants.  Four, who can at least move, flees the scene.  

On to the ladies.  Midna (who, remember, is named for a Legend of Zelda character) sports the Super Mario mini that I mentioned earlier.  PJ and Violet look ready for Ladies' Night.  Esmeralda is sporting a denim (yes, real denim) skirt.  

Here they show the difference in Velcro closures.  Esmeralda's dress might be better suited for a belly-button body. Violet's is straining a bit, but both PJ and Midna are secure.  This is a good indicator of variation in the mold of the dolls and the patterns of the clothes

Raven's ready to go motorcycle shopping (in a skirt?).  Batgirl's rocking separates - love the high waisted skirt.  Whitney is also in separates but she really wants Raven's jacket to complete the look. Too bad it's attached to the rest of Raven's outfit.  Mariko says her dress really needs to be a shirt.  She's no prude, but...  

Ready to hit the gym?  Rose-Grace, Tris, and Clara are wearing unitards.  Pocahontas and Kyra have separates.  They were gonna trade shirts but decided y'all needed to keep your eyeballs.

Let's go casual.  Zenobia's pantsuit is prone to wardrobe malfunctions if she isn't careful how she turns.  Nakoma, Candy, and Becky don't have those worries.  Loving the high waists! 

The extra separates. We already saw the unitard and Kyra's shorts.   Kyra's top is nice, but what is that thing around Rose-Grace's waist?  Maybe on a gal with slimmer hips, it could be a tutu?  Tag says Hairmonies.  Research will be done.  Because as it is... it's a very frilly belt.

Time for some glam!  Batgirl proves redheads can rock pink, Zenobia gets her peacock on, Tris sports an alternative to the LBD, and Candy hopes her top doesn't slip.  I am thrilled that the Liv body can wear that peacock dress.  It yelled "Zenobia" as soon as I saw it. 

Raven in another real denim skirt.  Mariko, PJ, and Becky ready to party.  Kyra?  Kyra, honey, what is up with that bow?   

And the last set of clothes... a whole passel of sundresses.  These shots show the fun designs, but also how well the dresses fit dolls of different body molds.  Rose-Grace thinks I put her in that dress because of the roses.  Really, it was the way that yellow pops against her skin tone.

Zenobia only took off the peacock dress because I offered her the blue and white.  These are so much fun, even just to look at.  

All told, I and the citizens of Barbieville are tickled pink (pun intended) by the vastly expanded wardrobe.  Kyra's already planning to wear the one she's modeling here to meet Brent's sister.