A Shadowed Legacy Chapter 2.5
Welcome back to A Shadowed Legacy! And welcome for the first time to A Shadowed Legacy on LiveJournal! Yup, I got incredibly sick of the in game camera, album, and the damned storytelling folder, so I'm jumping ship and moving over here :)
If you're just turning in you will almost definitely want to check out the previous chapters. They are posted on the exchange and link to them can be found at my thread over at Sims 2 Writers Guild.
Alright, moving on then, we - as in I - don't do recaps, so catch up and then come join us later :)
Many things have happened since we last some the Shadows and company. One of those things being Jessie giving birth!
"Oouuuuwwwwwww, why did we think this would be a good idea?" Jessie screamed.
Nick shrugged. "For progeny?"
"Not the response I wanted Nick!" Snapped Jessie.
Despite her bitching and moaning, she made it through the rather painless experience
And she gave birth to some rather adorable twinlets named Jake - after Jake from the Gunslinger novels, and Justice - because, well because the name Justice rocks.
Although Jessie wasn't the only one who was giving birth.
"Why did you never fully express how badly this hurts?" Nick cried, while grasping his huge belly.
"What? Oh I'm sorry, I can't hear you over our need for progeny."Jessie replied sarcastically.
Nick growled and glared at Jessie. "I hate you right now."
Jessie affected hurt and shock. "What? I didn't do this to you!"
Nick made it through and he, unfortunately, also had twins. He named them Eddie and Roland, both after Gunslinger characters. And there are no pictures because who cares about Nicks alien babiez? Not me.
And the twins decided it was time to leave for college.
"Do this quickly Honour, before Mom and Dad find out and try to stop us!" Gabe urged Honour.
"Jeeze dude, calm down, I'm going as fast as I can alright?"
Gabriel was decidely anxious to get going.
Gabe and Honour relaxed on the grass outside their dorm, happy to be in their new and much cooler outfits.
"This is it Honour. Total freedom. No Mom and Dad telling us what to do. We can go to bars, we can date as many girls as we like, we can party until all hours of the morning." He sighed contentedly. "Yup, this is going to be awesome." He propped himself up on one elbow and looked thoughtfully at Honour. "Hey, I know you like...swing both ways but you're not going to chase all the girls are ya?"
Honour laughed and shook her head. "I plan to have - unlike you - some standards, and not woohoo anything that walks."
Gabe laughed. "Awesome."
Calder also made his way over to college but he was a lot less happy about it than Gabe and Honour.
"I'm sorry," he remarks bitterly. "What is there to be happy about? Have you seen what I'm wearing?"
Mmm, yea it didn't escape me Brawny Man.
"Funny. Real funny."
Unfortunately, Calder was still taking the emo thing a bit far. He's turning quite pouty.
"I'm not pouty Vete. What do you expect? My twin brother betrayed me, and our family. I just, I can't understand why he would do that, I don't get how he could!"
Look, Cal, I can't explain Kuval's choice, but is it really surprising?
"It's not the surprising thing Vete. It's," Calder sighed and shook his head. "I just wish things weren't so hard. I wish life wasn't so painful sometimes."
Yea kid, we all wish that, but a life without any suffering or pain wouldn't be worth it.
Calder glanced up at me. "What are you talking about?"
Look kid, life isn't about getting good grades, or being happy. Life isn't about being easy. If it were, what would it mean? You think anyone would care, or remember a life that was just easy all the time? No. Because there is no point. Card suggested that you couldn't know you loved someone, really truly loved them, until you almost lost them. I'm not saying it's fair, but it's the crap that makes the good stuff good. Without, it would be pointless.
Calder frowns and considers this for a moment. "Do I have to like it?"
No. But you should appreciate it. Now seriously, get your shit together and go do something you love.
"Well, there is that new club downtown that has an open mic night tonight." He says hopefully.
There ya go! Go have fun kiddo!
"Honour, this club totally rocks! Why have we not come here before?" Gabe asked his twin excitedly.
Honour shrugged. "I don't really know. School work maybe? Some of us are trying to pass you know."
Gabe smiled sarcastically and laughed. "Har, har sis."
Neither really noticed as Calder - showered and dressed in actual clothes - stepped up on the stage and picked up the guitar. He tuned it unassumingly and slowly everyone turned to listen to the new act, expecting the worst. It was open mic night after all.
"Hey, doesn't that kid live in our dorm?" Honour asked.
Gabe shot a cursory glance at Calder then turned back to his sister. "Yea, he's that Shadow kid. Somehow, we went to school with his dad..." Gabriel continued talking but Honour stopped listening as Calder began to strum the first chords of the song. She knew the song instantly and her breath stopped. It was "Even if it Kills Me" by Motion City Soundtrack and one of her favorite songs.
Honour listened attentively as Calder played the song.
"I wonder if I’ll ever lose my mind
I tried hard for awhile
But then I kind of gave up
Winter is killer when the sun goes down
I’m really not as stubborn as I seem
Said the knuckle to the concrete
But I’m too tired to go to sleep tonight
And I’m too weak to follow dreams tonight
For the first time in a long time I can say
That I want to try to get better and
Overcome each moment
In my own way"
She knew the song instantly and her breath stopped. It was "Even if it Kills Me" by Motion City Soundtrack and one of her favorite songs.
She listened to Calder's soft melodic voice carrying the tune:
"I’m not saying that I’m giving up
I’m just trying not to think
As much as I used to
Cause never is a lonely little messed up word
Maybe I’ll get it right some day
For the first time in a long time I can say
That I want to try
I feel helpless for the most part
But I’m learning to open my eyes
And the sad truth of the matter is
I’ll never get over it
But I’m gonna try
To get better and overcome each moment
In my own way
I sure want to get back on track
And I’ll do whatever it takes
Even if it kills me"
And she was disappointed when he finished. As he strummed the last chords and smiled shyly to the crowd she jumped up out of her seat. She just had to talk to him.
She bounded up the steps and caught him as he was turning to leave. "Hi, I'm sorry, I know this is kinda weird but I just had to tell you, that is one of my favorite songs, and I thought you did a really great job." Honour rambled nervously.
Calder smiled. "Thanks. I really like it too. It's kinda," he blushed and shrugged. "Something I'm working on doing right now. Getting over shit."
Honour laughed. "Yea, I know how that goes."
The two smiled at each other, and then spent the rest of the night at a corner table talking and sharing stories.
At the end of the night as they were leaving Calder turned to Honour. "Hey, thanks for talking with me. I mean, Vete's great, but sometimes I just need another person to talk to. A person I can see and feel, you know?"
Honour nodded but didn't dare speak, out of fear of saying something stupid like "Will you let me have your babies?"
Calder smiled shyly brushed some lose hair out of her face. Her breath caught at his touch and before she knew it she was leaning in to kiss him.
Calder took her gently in his arms and kissed her softly. "Thanks again." He whispered and then walked off into the night.
Back at the legacy house, life was still progressing the way life will.
Kiandra was still a baby, although a very much adored and fawned over baby.
The girls were still..well...the girls. Alien in appearance and nature. Who loved to dance.
Although late at night, after everyone else had gone to bed they were sneaking out into the back yard for some questionable activities.
And the legacy house got a makeover! Well the outside did at least. And they also got a kitten, as the PIP shows. His name is Chuck, and he is cute.
Unfortunately, with old age Ti is becoming stranger and stranger.
"He's standing behind me with that damn rabbit isn't he?"
Yup.
"Amaya! Let Mr. BunBun talk to Kiandra."
Amaya rolls her eyes and ignores the crazy old man behind her.
Wise move Am, wise move.
See, point in case. He sits there, selling rotting lemonade, with the creepiest look on his face.
"Come buy our lemonade chillens, it's good for the stomach." Croaks Ti in a creepy Hannibal-esque voice.
"Wtf? I am so never working at this place again!"
Great, you guys have a lost a gardener! Are you happy Ti?
"*blink*"
This particular day Naida comes home looking rather pleased with herself, and this little piece of alien eye candy is the reason for that.
Although it seems he's got more looks than brains.
"Tra la la la, I love lemonade sold by creepy old man. La dee da dee da."
"You know you can't deny the glasses Jaime. Give in to my ultra hotness!' Naida croons.
"You know, I want to resist, but I just find myself inexplicably drawn to their glowing gigantic goodness."
Inexplicable? You can say inexplicable but don't know enough to stay away from the fuming lemonade? Greee-eeaaat.
"I knew you couldn't resist. Maybe later we can go to the couch and make-out!"
Despite Naida's bold claims about making out, these two have the most innocent relationship ever.
"Red-hands?"
Jamie smiles slyly. "Is that inneundo for something?"
Naida blinks. "Yea, red-hands. Do you wanna play?"
Jamie shrugs. "Okay."
Although she did manage to get her first kiss. It was everything she could have wanted it to be.
It had just started to rain and as they turned to go inside she leaned it and kissed him gently on the lips, with the rain falling on their heads. She swore little hearts went flying and knew hers was soaring.
Back at the University, other couples who had recently shared kisses were having awkward conversations.
"It doesn't have to mean anything Cal."
Calder rolled his eyes. "Yea, Honour, but I'm not one of those guys. I don't just kiss girls as some sort of conquest. A notch in my belt."
Honour shrugged. "Well, what does it mean?"
At that moment his computer, which had been softly playing music, landed on a song that aptly described their situation.
...My eyes go where I say so, but not always and not when you're around.
And my feet move where I tell them to, but not when they are chasing after you.
And now I just don't know what I should do.
I'm twisted all around like some cartoon
But I don't mind, no I don't mind.
Just stay close by, like all the time...*
Calder blushed and smiled wryly at Honour. She laughed and shrugged. "Your computer's got some great timing."
Calder laughed heartily. "Yea, I wish I was as romantic."
*I Don't Mind by Phantom Planet
Since Calder's computer decreed it, Honour and Calder decided they wouldn't fight their feelings.
However, they also decided they would not fight their feelings secretly.
"Well," Calder drawled after dinner. "I think I'm off to bed." He told his cousins and stood up from the table, leaving the kitchen without looking back.
A few moments later Honour followed him all the way upstairs and to his room.
Once in his room she laughed and kissed him. "You know, this whole secrecy is kinda fun."
Calder winked and kissed her nose. "Well then darling, let's never tell anyone."
Honour smiled and kissed him back.
Very little else was said for the rest of the night.
"Why is this kid at my baby girl's birthday party?"
Egan, come now, that's Jaime and he's Naida's boyfriend.
Egan shook his head. "Nope, not possible. Naida is, for now and ever, too young for boyfriends."
"Egan, stop your blathering and let me get to this cake already!"
Ember is still a total cake fiend.
"That's it Kia, just like Daddy. Blow out the candles now."
"Enough! Let us have CAKE!"
Notice Ti, still being weird and creepy. Gah, what happened to him?!
Unfortunately for Ember, Kia is glitched or something and needed another turn at the birthday cake.
"So I get stuck tossing the brat?"
Oh shush Nix, you love it and you know it.
"Uh no. Romance bitch, kids are an annoyance to be avoided. Naida's the family one."
Oh right. Well shush anyway and toss your sister before your grandmother devours this cake, candles and all.
"Wheee! Kia be fwying!"
Nix sniggered. "Hee, I see london, I see france..."
Shut it missy.
Also, Ember is apparently passing her disturbing love of cake on to her grandchildren.
"What can I say, cake is fantastical."
And here is Kia after her makeover.
"Oh Chuck, will yew be my woyal servent?"
Why are you looking for servants?
"Kia be a pwincess."
Have you been talking to your Aunty Van?
Kia blinks.
No then. Huh.
Princess my butt. Princess do not eat crayons.
"Pwincess Kia be hungwy. Pwincess Kia awso teach insubomiwate cwayon who boss."
**BACK TO UNI**
Honour isn't the only one of Jessie and Nick's kids who is getting some lovin'
"Murmphle*slurp*Mmmm"
...
Ew
Of course, Honour is being a little more - excuse the pun - honourable about it.
Gabe is, appaerntly, a total ho-bag.
The fruit of my virtual loins everyone. How marvelous.
"Screw this noise, I am so not sticking around to watch you mack on random women." Exclaims random dormie.
"Dammit! What the hell is with you two!? Can you not keep your hands to yourself for even five minutes?"
Yes, poor dormie chose to go to Cal's room (for why, I cannot answer) to escape one twin's romantic endeavours, only to walk in on the other one.
"Oh crap, please don't tell my brother!" Honour begged.
"Sure whatever, I'm outta here."
Random dormie was not true to her word.
"The legacy kid Honour? We went to school with his dad for pete's sake!"
Honour fidgeted with her hair nervously. "I really like him Gabe. Besides, it's not like you've been Mr. Pure and Clean."
Gabe shook his head. "It's different Honour. I can look after myself." Gabe's mouth dropped when he realised what he said, and when he saw the angry look on Honour's face. "That's not what I mean Honour. It's just, I have more experience here. He's your first boyfriend." Honour shrugged. "Are you woohoo-ing with him?"
Honour blushed deeply and shook her head emphatically. "No. We haven't uh, done...that yet."
Gabe sighed. "Well then, I guess if you're happy-"
"I am." Honour broke in before he could finish. And with that, Calder and Honour were officially a couple.
"PWINTHESSES THOULDN'T BE WOCKED IN CAGEZ!!!!!!" Screamed Kia almost hysterically.
"THOMEONE WET ME OOOOOOUUUUTTTT!!!11!!1!"
Naida, being a true family sim, came to the rescue.
"There, there little Kia. It's alright."
"Pwin.the.sses...thuh-thuh-thouldn't be woc-wocked i-in cag-ge-geths" Sobbed Kia.
Naida kissed her head and snuggled her close. "I know kiddo. There, does a cuddle make it better?"
"Yuh-yuh-yeth." Hiccuped a very traumitized toddler.
Of course, the trauma doesn't last long when it's been soothed away by your older, alien sister's cuddles of healing. And since everyone knows cuddles are meant to be shared, Kia "cuddles" Roscoe.
"Ack, let me go you vile child!"
"Oh cuddwy puppy. Pwinthess Kia wove you fowever!"
"Noooo!!!!!"
Methinks Roscoe doth protest too much. Since he then decided to share the love, and pass the cuddle train on to Chuck.
Who had no one to love.
Aww, poor Chuck.
"Okay, so you think a few more pink streaks will look good?"
Naida gives Nix the thumbs up. "Rockin'awesome sis."
Nixie takes a deep breath. "Okay, here goes then."
**30 MINUTES LATER**
"Eeeee" Naida gasped lightly and bit her lip.
"What? Does it look okay?" Nixie asks, getting worried.
"Uh, you should look in the mirror."
"Oh shit. I am so dead."
I feel less tense situations are in order. So what's up with Kia?
"Awre yew dithobeywing de Pwinthess Kia Mr. Bunny Head?"
"Dithobeedienthe be punithable by DEATH! Thay goodbye Mr. Bunny Head!"
Okay, hair disasters are better than maniacal toddlers with delusions of grandeur any day.
"Muh-muhm and Da-ad are so guh-guh-going to ki-ill me Naida!"
In the twins room Naida was trying to comfort a distraught and wailing Nix.
"No, come on Nix, it isn't that bad."
"Are you on crack?!"
"Uh, no, I don't think so."
"It was rhetorical doofus! How is this not bad?" Snapped Nixie.
"We can cover it up. Put a hat on or something."
"You think that'll work?"
"This is beyond phail sister. I am so screwed."
Naida stares at the floor and shoves her hands in her pockets. "Uh, maybe Dad won't notice. He and Mom are pretty busy with Kia."
This thought cheered Nix up considerably. It was logic she couldn't argue with. Kia was incredibly demanding.
So that night her and Naida resumed their strange late night activities.
"Do you think they'll come Naida?"
Naida shrugged. "It was in your dream." Naida paused and stared pointedly at her sister. "It was wasn't it?"
Nix shrugs uncomfortably. "Yea, I think so."
"You think so?"
"What? No, yes, it was in my dream!"
Naida stared at her sister for a moment longer then turns back to her telescope. Either Nix saw it or she didn't, there was no point in arguing with her.
Oh, and their brilliant plan to fool their parents about Nix's hair? So did not work.
Egan noticed her hair first thing in the morning, but decided to wait until later to say anything. So he set about his day teaching Kia all her necessary skills.
"Big Girls, go poop in the potty Kia."
"I am not a big gewrl Daddy. I am Pwinthess Kia, I go poop wherefer I want!"
"Well right now, you're going to want to poop in the bucket okay kiddo?"
Egan 1 Kia 0
"Come on Kia, come to Daddy."
"I hope yew know, Printhess Kia onwy come becauthe Pwinthess Kia wantth to come."
"Whatever you gotta tell yourself Kiandra Shadow. You're learning these skills."
Egan 2, Kia...well she's cute so she gets 3 bonus points. Look at that! It's Kia FTW!!
It is not a win for Nixie though. Immediately upon her arrival home from school Egan calls her and Naida into the living room
"Sit down Missy, you and I are going to have a talk about what's under that hat. And you-" he shouts, turning on Naida. "I assume you helped her with this?"
Naida gulps and rubs her neck nervously. "Yes."
Egan glares for a moment and then sighs. "Go to your room. I need to talk to your sister."
Naida nods and motions for Jaime to follow her so that Nix and Egan can be alone.
"Can you take the hat off Nix?" Egan asked calmly.
Nix sighed and reached up to pull off the hat.
Once in the room she shares with Nix, Naida slumped to the floor and leans against the wall. "I feel so bad Jaime. I should be in there getting yelled at with her."
Jaime smiles understandly and takes her hand, squeezing it gently. "I know what you mean, but there's nothing you can do about it now."
Naida smiles up at Jaime. He always knows how to make her feel better.
Egan groaned and stared at Nix's bright pink hair. "Can you fix it?"
Nix shrugged. "Not yet. I bleached it and so it won't really take any colour right now."
Egan sighed and looked at his daughter. She was growing up far too fast and he wasn't terribly happy about it, but he knew that he couldn't use that as an excuse to punish Nix. Especially when it was more funny that anything else.
Back in the girls' room Naida and Jaime had cuddled up on Naida's bed while they waited for Nix to come and tell them how much trouble she was in.
"Well, he's not going to kill me." Nix announced as she barged in the room, startling Naida and Jaime, who jumped up in the bed. "Although, if he comes in now he'll probably kill one, or both of you."
Naida blushed and climbed off the bed, and smoothed her skirt down. "We weren't doing anything. Sheesh." She grinned at her sister. "But hey, you're not in trouble!"
Nix laughed ruefully and returned her sister's grin. Naida did have a point.
Chuck grew up. He is not as adorable coloured as I had hoped. He does not look Theodore**-ish enough for my tastes.
**Theodore is my wonderful baby-cat
Ah there we go. Much better. Now he looks great.
Although he doesn't seem to agree
"Blehg, this is so disgustingly cute! *Bleeeh*"
"Do you know what day it is darling?"
"Day foh evewy wone to wowrthip Pwinthess Kia in all hewr gwowy?"
"Uh no, it's your birthday, but good guess."
"Mommy, you wook silly!"
"Yea, laugh it up kid, I'm doing this for you."
"What is this? Jeans? T-shirt? Unacceptable! Who is responsible for this mess? Heads must roll! 'Nay, heads will roll!"
"Chill out kid, you can just change later."
"Oh goodie! I'm so excited!" Kia laughed giddily. "Plus I'm big and can fully dominate people now! AND I'm cute!"
Beware world, Princess Kia has unleashed her full Princess fury on the world, and she won't back down for anyone.
Meanwhile.
"I know you're out there somewhere. Please, just come and talk to me! Explain why you sent me that dream, or if you even did!" Begged Nix. "Come on....please...?"
And that's where we'll leave off for now. Thanks to everyone at Sims 2 Writers Guild for making it an awesome place to hang out and get feedback. And thanks to the lovely ladies on the cover. Nicole (author of The Recessives Legacy), Jo (author of The Mobacy), Dez (author of The Pheonixphyre Legacy), Ashley (author of The Phobian Legacy) and TinaG (author of the Shadows Linger in Darkness series, a great non legacy read!) Also, a SUPER big thanks to Shannon, who was also pictured on the cover, but I forgot to thank earlier. So now she gets an extra spot. :) She writers Toubled Desire: A Legacy as well as The Port Legacy: Mother Nature's Mistake. Both great legacies and worth the read. :)
All of their stories can be found at the Sims 2 Writers Guild.
So until next time, happy simming!
