Chapter 50
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Chapter 50: The Storyteller
50th chapter! :D
Warnings: coarse language, kind-of-sort-of-teeny bit of violence :p
She stared with empty eyes at a point in front of her. Her lips puckered into a frown. Her cheeks tensed.
Despite the fact that the room was full of decorative objects, flowers, paintings, carefully chosen antique furniture, Clara knew that nothing here was real. Nothing here existed.
It was the illusion of comfort and familiarity they wanted to give her. The details were exquisite, all of it plucked from her memories.
All of this was just a familiar trick, the same she attempted on Willow a few nights ago. They thought she'd be more complacent and easier to break. But Clara knew all too well how this worked. All of this meant nothing to her, and whatever trial they had for her, she was not afraid.
The air shifted in front of her, the light gathering into a familiar shape. As it materialized in the dim glow of the fake candlelight, Clara knew that ironically enough, aside from herself, this was the only real element in this room.
The misty form of her dead mother floated closer until it stood in front of her. All it did was stare down at her with dead eyes.
"Pathetic." it hissed.
The word didn't physically harm her, but the effect might as well have.
Clara: You bitch. How dare you show up now! Were you waiting all along to see me fail?
She clawed at the ghost as if it were smoke she could wave away.
"We're not done here child. You've come too far."
Clara: You're all dead. Dead and dust. You're nothing to me now. Go away!
She pressed the balls of her hands tightly against her head to shut out the ghost's voice, screeching between her gritted teeth. One by one, the illusions peeled away.
They disappeared in a blink as she defied them all. Everything abandoned her.
Her scream sunk into the iron panelled walls, never to escape the empty room. If she were stronger, she could break this spell and escape.
"You were meant to be the Heir, remember that. You are descended from great witches and wizards. Willow Marlen is beneath you. Malcolm is beneath you." the ghost whispered. "Do not let them silence you."
Meadow sat in the park by the hospital, staring blankly towards the playground. It was still too cold for children to be out playing on them. Right now, only the slight breeze moved the swings and dead leaves and dirt deposited by the winter snow clung to the sets.
She could imagine Sage playing here. He'd have to be a little older, but she could see him never shying away from an adventure. Even if it was only on the jungle gym.
It was Linden's idea for her to come out here. But it didn't seem to be helping at all. The empty playground just made Meadow sad.
It would have been better if Rowan were here. If he just stayed a little longer. But she wasn't sure how she should be around him now.
He finally met their son. And he didn't run this time.
For a long time, he stood there, leaning over the crib, watching Sage sleep. She imagined he'd be willing him to get up, the same way he'd always manage to have people do things without him saying a word. His stare didn't break. She wondered if he could see the obvious resemblance Sage had to them both. She wondered if that was what he looking for.
Rowan: Alright kid. Only I get to sleep all day, so you better get up.
Meadow almost smiled as he reached down and touched him gently.
Meadow: The doctors aren't sure what it is. It could be a virus, or an injury. None of the tests came back with anything. For all they know...
Rowan: He's just fast asleep.
Meadow: I'm so sorry. I'm sorry I didn't tell you about him when I could have.
Rowan: It was never a good time, huh?
Meadow: No. I guess not. But he is yours.
Rowan: Yeah I didn't doubt it. He kinda looks like me.
Rowan: But he's got your eyes.
Meadow: Ro...
Rowan: I'm not going to tell you it's okay. We deal with the situation we've got.
Meadow: I'm just really scared right now.
Rowan: He's gonna get better, Meadow. You worry too much.
Meadow: And you never worry enough.
Linden knocked gently and entered.
Linden: Hey. Thought I'd tell you Mom and Dad are on the way.
Rowan: Okay. I gotta go.
Meadow: You have to go? Now?
Rowan: Yeah. I need to get someone who could help.
He tossed a glance at Linden and immediately Linden knew that he meant to find Willow. Linden cast back a look that told him to be careful. They've always been different, but the twins always knew what was on eachother's minds.
Rowan: You watch them.
Linden: Yeah. Of course.
Meadow: Ro.
Meadow: Sage is a lot like you, you know.
Rowan: You better hope he isn't.
She wasn't sure how long it's been since Rowan had gone. Linden did his best to console her, and finally all he could suggest was that she get out and take a walk. It was a warm enough day, and she needed the fresh air. She didn't want to leave Sage's side, but he reassured her that he'd stay with him. They both had their cellphones, he'd contact her if anything happened.
The doctors told her that Sage wasn't in immediate danger. He was being fed intravenously and there was still a chance he'd wake up on his own.
She hardly noticed as the old man wheeled up next to her.
Otto: Well hello there, Miss. Lovely day, isn't it?
She blinked and looked up at him. He was a small man, and bent over in his chair. She didn't know how he was able to wheel around on his own. He looked so frail.
He tried to move on past her, but it seemed that something got stuck and the wheel wouldn't move.
Otto: Blasted contraption. Can't even get decent wheel chairs for us. Eh. No matter, I don't want it anyway.
Meadow: Are you okay, sir?
Otto: My name is Sim, madame.
Otto: Otto K. Sim. The Great Prestidigitator! Maybe you've heard of me.
Meadow: I'm sorry... I don't think I have.
Otto: I've made the Sim Tower disappear back in my day. I've made doubters believe and awed entire cities.... Heheh, maybe that was before your time.
Otto: And it's too lovely a day for you to be sad, young miss. What will it take to see a smile?
Meadow: I'm sorry, I don't mean to be rude. If it's all the same to you, I'd rather be left alone right now.
Otto: I understand. But I have something for you that might cheer you up...
Otto: Hmmm drat... I'm sure it's around here somewhere...
He mumbled absently to himself as he felt around his sweater.
Otto: Ah! ... just one moment now...
Otto: One... two...
Otto: Three.
She couldn't help but to smile.
Otto: I had a feeling that you'd like pink.
Meadow: It's beautiful.
Otto: It's the least I can do. Just know you are in someone's thoughts. He loves you very much and is fighting for his life to return to you.
To return to me.
Meadow: How do you know...?
Meadow looked up. To her surprise, Mr. Sim was gone.
How could he have moved so quickly? Before she could get up and look for him, someone called her name.
"Meadow?"
She swallowed, her heart jumping just a little bit.
It was Elf and Colin.
Sage's grandparents.
Elf's voice was caught in her throat. She was trying to keep herself from crying.
Elf: He's so beautiful.
They stood there watching him. Linden looked up at Meadow, noticing that she was as stiff as a board right now. She was being a little defensive and he didn't blame her. She hadn't seen Elf and Colin in a very long time, and only in the context of being her ex-boyfriend's parents.
Now with Sage, she was essentially tied to the family for life.
It would take some getting used to on everyone's part. No one expected this. And no one wanted to see Sage hurt like this.
They asked all sorts of questions which Meadow answered briefly. She seemed nervous, uncertain of how to act around them. She was hesitant about answering personal questions. She stayed on her guard.
After some time, taking a silent cue from Elf, Linden and Colin left the room.
Elf: I want you to know that I'll do everything that I can to find out what's wrong with him. I'm not a doctor, but I do have connections.
Meadow: Thank you. All I want is for him to wake up and be okay.
Elf: We all want that.
Elf: Meadow, I know this may not be my business... but why didn't you tell us? About Sage?
Meadow: It's... it's really complicated.
Elf: I think I understand. But I wish it had been different. We would have been prepared to give you and Sage as much help as we could.
Meadow: With all due respect, Elf, Sage and I have been doing fine so far.
Elf: I didn't mean to imply that you hadn't. But with you in school, and working, it can't be all that easy...
Meadow: And because I've been so busy, you think I might have missed any warning signs that he'd get sick like this?
Elf: Meadow, I didn't say that. Sage is our grandson, we...
Meadow: Sage is first and foremost my son. Just because all of a sudden you show up in his life it doesn't mean he gets to be part of your family.
Meadow: Everything I do is for Sage. I've done everything I can to take care of him. I don't need Rowan or his family to take what we have away from us.
Elf: I don't ever intend to take Sage away from you. I just want to help.
Elf sighed and resigned, she began to walk away.
Elf: I know what it's like to have a child in danger. You're scared and stressed, and you're just lashing out. But for Sage's sake, we'll always be here if you need us.
Even as she yelled at Elf, Meadow knew she was only trying to convince herself that she did everything in her power to take care of Sage. Realizing that, all she could do was cry.
After a while, a nurse came by. Meadow couldn't bear to watch them do more tests to his small body. She left the room, hoping Linden and his parents were still around. At least she might have a chance to apologize.
She walked down the hall and stopped when she noticed that same old man from the park. He was sitting in a wheelchair at a window, reading a letter. A small stack of envelopes was on his lap.
She turned around, not really wanting to interact with him. She didn't have the energy to be polite to any more strangers.
Nurse: There you are, Mr. Sim. What are you doing on this floor?
Otto: Needed some peace, quiet and fresh air. And my room has a funny smell.
The old man stuffed the letter he was reading into one of the envelopes.
Nurse: This isn't your first time in a hospital is it? All the rooms smell funny. Come on, Otto, lets get you back.
Otto: I'll go back when I'm damn good and ready. Didn't know I was checking into a goddam prison.
Nurse: Now you're only grumpy because you didn't take your medication like you were supposed to.
Otto: Grumpy? I'll show you grumpy. I ain't taking any more of those goddam pills until you tell me what you're putting in them. I know my rights as a citizen of Sim Nation!
Otto: The only reason I'm here is because the system has the audacity to think I'm too incompetetent to be alone in my own goddam home. I tell you, my time'll come up whether I'm in a hospital or not. I'll meet the Grim Reaper one on one, and I'll gladly look that bastard in his face hole and tell him exactly what I think of all this death business.
Otto: But that day won't be anytime soon, if I can help it.
Nurse: Mr. Sim...
Meadow: Wait. I can help him get to his room.
Meadow: If that's okay?
Nurse: Ma'am, are you a relative of his?
Meadow: Um... Just a friend. I swear I'll get him there safely.
Otto: Rather have her then you.
The nurse sighed, exasperated.
Nurse: Okay. And only because we're understaffed and I have other people that actually want to be helped. I'll check on you in a few minutes.
Meadow knelt down to pick up the mail that fell off his lap.
Meadow: You shouldn't be so upset, Mr. Sim. They... they're just trying to help.
Otto: Pah! Doctors. Think they know everything when they couldn't tell you jack. Once diagnosed me with food poisoning. Turns out it was Montezuma's Revenge, but none of their fancy books and diplomas will tell them that! Damn that curse was potent...
Meadow: I have to believe they do their best. Here, you dropped your mail...
Otto: Useless bills and junk. Don't even know why they bothered delivering it all to me here.
With a graceful wave of his hand, the stack of letters exploded in a small ball of fire.
With the same flourish, he held up his hands, palms outward to show they were empty. There wasn't even a bit of singed paper anywhere.
Otto: Don't want 'em. Don't need 'em.
Meadow: I don't think you should be doing those kind of tricks indoors. Especially when we're standing right under a fire alarm.
Otto: A trick?! Charlatans on the street corners perform tricks. I'm a modern age wizard!
Otto: Did I tell you that I once made the Sim Tower disappear?
Meadow: Yes, you did. It must have been impressive.
Meadow walked with him down the hall and to the elevators which would take them to his floor. He absolutely refused to have anyone push him in a wheel chair. She understood his sense of pride, and she patiently kept his slow pace with him. At least he was nothing but entertaining. He'd ramble on about his past adventures, randomly throwing in complaints about the hospital staff and food, and in turn he'd listen sympathetically while she talked about Sage.
Once they arrived at his room, he nearly stumbled a few times. She did her best to keep him balanced until he found his way to his bed.
Meadow: I'll let the nurses know you're here now. Are you going to be alright?
Otto: I'll be better than ever now. It's been a very long time since I spent any kind of company with a pretty young lady.
Meadow grinned.
Meadow: Well. I have to get back to Sage now. I enjoyed the company too.
Otto: I hope your little fella pulls through. All my best to him.
Meadow: Thank you.
Otto: In my day, I used to be able to entertain children from all around. In my day I was quite the storyteller...
Meadow hesitated at the door.
Meadow: Mr. Sim? If you're free later and would like the company....
Meadow: I think my son would love to hear one of your stories.
She didn't know what she was expecting when she returned. Maybe he'd be awake, rocking back and forth in his crib, waiting for her with a big smile on his face. The nurses gave here a sympathetic look. She was barely listening as they told her that nothing had changed in his condition.
Meadow: Sometimes he wakes up. Just very briefly. Enough to open his eyes and see me. And then he goes back to sleep.
Linden: I remember days like that in college.
Meadow: It's funny. I didn't think it would take being in a hospital for us to see eachother again.
Linden: Hey now. I wasn't the one that just upped and left without saying a word.
Meadow: Well. Now you know why I did.
Linden: I just thought maybe we were better friends than that. But honestly? I don't think I blame you. Rowan's already enough to handle, a baby too?
Meadow: I... I might have been a little awful to your mother.
Linden: If you were, she didn't mention it. But you don't have to worry about her. Mom's the most easygoing sim ever. Where do you think I get it from?
Meadow: I just never thought... I did want to tell you all about Sage. But not like this. I wish Rowan were here.
Linden: You waiting for Rowan. That's nothing new.
Meadow: Linden...
He knew what she wanted to say. He didn't let her finish.
Linden: It'll be worth it this time. He'll never admit this to anyone, but he'll go through hell and high water for Sage.
Meadow: Where is he now?
Linden: He's finding someone who might be able to help. Like I said. Hell. High water.
Rowan: Fucking woods...
Rowan: I fucking hate trees.
He couldn't find her on campus. She wasn't in her scheduled classes. Not being one to just sit around and wait, he followed the empty road up into the woods, trying to retrace his steps from the night a vampire led him and Gabriel to his sister's new home.
The problem was that in the day, and without snow, everything looked different. He wasn't about to admit that he was lost in the god damn woods.
He could still see the road from here. He could go back... just go to Jasmine's.
He spun around. He thought he heard something.
It was just the wind. Or a bird. In any case, the quiet bugged him. Where the hell was Willow's house?
He heard another distinct rustling of underbrush behind him, followed by a snap of a twig. Definitely not the wind that time. He turned to face whatever it was.
But it was too late for him to act on it.
Before too long, Meadow had fallen asleep in the armchair in the room. Linden quietly left the room, knowing she had been probably staying awake enough for both herself and for Sage. He wouldn't go too far. He did tell Rowan he wouldn't leave. At least not until he got back.
She didn't know how long she had been asleep for. It was late in the afternoon when the door creaked open.
"Well. I see what the problem is here."
He spoke in hushed tones, not wanting to disturb Meadow.
Otto: Someone's been stealing your light. That's all.
Otto: Poor little fella. Must be so bored out of your mind, hmm? Trust me, my boy, I know the feeling all too well. How would you like to hear a story then?
Otto: Don't you worry, it won't be too long. Be done before dinner. And boy oh boy am I looking forward to that... heh, maybe you're too young to understand sarcasm. How about that story? I think I know which one you'd like to hear...
"Once upon a time..."
"There was a kingdom very far away. It always starts with a kingdom far away. Ever wonder why fairy tales don't happen in your own back yard?
"Anyway. There was a King. He was a good King and he ruled his land fairly. Everyone loved that guy."
"However, as it goes, it came time for the King to settle down and choose a Queen. All manners of women approached him. Who wouldn't like a rich, handsome and nice guy, am I right? Unfortunately for all those ladies, none of them seemed right for him and the King turned them down by scores. Wish I had that problem."
"Just as he was about to give up, three beautiful sisters showed up at his door."
"All of them were not just pretty to look at, but they were smart and intelligent. Successful in their own ways, whatever counts as success back then."
"The eldest was a songstress and she had a voice that could bring the sun. Everyone in that court fell in love with just her voice alone. However, as nice as she was, she was also shallow, vain and careless. As much as she made everyone around her happy, the King wanted someone who would be able to return his love as well. She was not capable of that. Folly of youth, I say."
"The second sister was something else entirely. She brought with her her own riches that almost compared to the King's. She was an intelligent and charismatic woman who you could spend hours listening to, hanging off her every word. But she was also cold and maybe too ambitious. The King saw right through her, noting all she wanted from him was power."
"He was pretty exasperated at this point. He wasn't even sure he should even bother entertaining the youngest. But patiently he did.
"She didn't offer songs, or strategies, like her elder two sisters. She didn't have the beauty of her eldest sister, and she didn't have the vision of the second-born. But she was wise in her own right and she knew how to cultivate the earth and weave fine cloth. She was a practical woman who would be at the King's side to get things taken care of. The perfect First Lady, as it were.
"Love works in strange and mysterious ways. Of all the women who offered their hand in marriage to the king, it was this one he fell head over heels, truly, madly, deeply in love with."
"And so it was decreed that these two young lovebirds would get married. The Kingdom was in celebration."
"It was a grand party that this Kingdom had never before experienced, and will never experience again. Even her eldest sister was ecstatic, and provided the music at the wedding, just for the happy couple. There wasn't anyone in the Kingdom who didn't want to see these two get married."
"Well. Except for one. Story wouldn't be much of a story if there wasn't any conflict, eh?"
"It turns out the second sister had more invested in the King than everyone thought. She didn't like losing out to her wimpy little sister, that's for sure. And it came as a huge surprise to everyone that she also turned out to be an Evil Sorceress. If you were wondering where she got all her money..."
"The Sorceress showed up at the wedding, and not only did she not bring a gift, she brought the worst thing anyone could bring to a wedding. She brought a Curse.
"The Curse was simple: When a child is born to them, the King will no longer know happiness. He will be miserable for the rest of his life."
Meadow stirred awake, the old man's story echoing gently in her head. She thought she had been dreaming...
She shifted quietly, not wanting to interrupt him.
"Of course, the King didn't want to believe the Sorceress, and this time he banished her from his kingdom. Upon pain of Death, which means it's pretty serious. But the youngest sister wasn't so sure.
"Still, by the following spring, despite knowing what the Curse was, the new Queen had a baby anyway. Simply because there was nothing she wanted more than a child of her own."
"For a little while they were all happy. The King was in love. Their new born daughter would be destined to be a heartbreaker. However, it was all not meant to be..."
"By the full moon after the birth of their child, the Queen became ill. And it was an illness no one had ever faced before. She lay sleeping for days, and would wake only a few minutes in the night. But she would say nothing and only look out the window before she fell back asleep."
"And the King dutifully cared for her as only a man who has given his heart to her would. The Witch's curse came to pass. He was miserable."
"Seasons passed and day by day, the King sat by her side. Now the Curse seemed simple enough... The King wouldn't be happy ever again. But believe me when I tell you it isn't all about him. An unhappy ruler can bring many consequences. Because of his depression, his kingdom began to deteriorate and despair. There was famine. There were uprisings. There were wars.
"In the face of this, not even the eldest sister's songs could cheer him up. The King grew thin, weak and old before his time."
"Finally, the Queen's sister could bear it no more. She told the King that she could save her sister, but there would be a dear price to pay."
"The King, in desperation, offered anything and everything he had if it would make his wife well again. The Songstress bowed and left the Kingdom, saying nothing more."
Meadow was sitting up in rapt attention now. He cast her a quick glance and a wink before he returned to his tale.
"The first thing big sister did was go to their other sister at her secret lair in the woods. She asked politely for the Sorceress to remove the Curse. Naturally, the Sorceress answered no.
"The Songstress asked again, and again it was no. She asked a third time and you guessed it. She was denied."
"However the Sorceress wasn't entirely without mercy. She at least told her older sister what needed to be done to heal their sibling. It would be difficult but she could do it."
"And that was the catch. The Sorceress, being evil and all that, didn't want to make it easy for her."
"Before the Songstress knew what was going on, the spell was cast..."
"... and before her eyes, her beauty and her youth crumbled away. She became a bent, old crone. Aching knees and all. For someone who had used her beauty to her advantage all her life, this was a crippling blow to her."
"As if in revenge, the land responded to the Songstress' pain. For you see, it wasn't just sims that loved her for her singing voice. When I said she could bring the sun, I meant it literally. Even the sun would come out and hear her sing.
"In retaliation for the curse the Sorceress inflicted, the land acted out against her."
"Slowly, painfully, she was transformed into a tree."
"It was tall and strong, but it would never grow green with leaves or bear fruit. It would stand for an eternity."
"The Eldest was saddened by all this. But for her young sister, she was determined to find what she needed to cure her."
"So the Crone travelled..."
"She travelled far to the west mountains, climbing to one of its highest peaks to fetch a flower that would only bloom in the thinnest of air, and in the most bitter weather conditions imaginable."
"She travelled to a firy cave in the south where she had to sing an ancient dragon to sleep...."
"... so she could gather her scales which fell on the stone around her."
"She travelled to the middle of the largest ocean until there was nothing else around her except sea, sky and the moon. There she sang a song so sad that the moon wept..."
"... and she collected it's pure tears in a crystal.
"Once she had all these, she began the long trek back to her sister's Kingdom."
"Years had passed and the Queen still slept. The King was frail and all hope had left him."
"When the Songstress appeared, she wasns't the pretty young thing that left his castle. She was now an old scary looking crone. The King did not believe who she claimed to be and turned her away.
"But the Songstress was determined, and would not leave."
"Sad and weary, she sat outside the castle doors and wept. As she cried, she sang a haunting song of her troubles. Of everything she ever loved and lost. And the door opened.
"The Little Princess was now a young child, with the beauty and wisdom of her mother. She heard the crone singing and remembered the voice from when she was a baby when the Songstress would often sing her lullabies. That beautiful voice was all she remembered of her Aunt."
"She brought the Crone inside much to her father's disdain and disgust."
"She begged and pleaded with her father to believe that the woman was her Aunt. Only because his daughter asked, did he finally allow the crone to visit the Queen."
"The Songstress took the snow flowers, the dragon's scales and the moon's tears and mashed them all into a potion. She waited until the Queen would wake in the night. When she did, she fed her the potion."
"And she awoke. Within days the illness completely passed and the Queen once again saw daylight."
"And best of all, she was finally reunited with the King."
"The Kingdom had hope once again. The King grew healthy and strong and the Queen stayed at his side for the remainder of his days.
"And they lived happily ever after."
Meadow: It's a little silly, don't you think?
Otto: Silly? What do you expect from a fairy tale?
Meadow: I suppose. I don't like telling stories about unrealistic expectations. A fairy godmother isn't going to come out of the woods and make everything all better.
Otto: You never know what lengths people will go to if they care about someone. It may in the end seem like magic.
Otto: You didn't like my story I take it?
Meadow: It was sweet. But it seems a little unfinished? It doesn't really say what happened to the eldest sister.
Otto: I ended it there for a reason.
Meadow: Why would you do that? I think I'd want to know what happened to the woman who saved everyone.
Otto: Well...
"I could tell you how the King never fully recovered from his years of depression and madness. How even though she just saved the life of his true love, that he was still horribly repulsed by her. I could tell you how every time he looked at her he was reminded of death and darkness. How he banished her without the Queen's knowledge, telling her she may never return."
"I could tell you how deeply offended the Songstress was by this and how right then and there, she decided on the King's payment for healing his wife. How she took something more precious than he'd ever imagined... his only child.
"You see, the Songstress never promised to break the Curse. She only said she would heal the Queen. The King never knew happiness for long and because of this, they never had any more children. His lineage ended, and the Kingdom fell into ruin. So the Curse remained."
"As for the Crone and the Princess, they were never seen in the Kingdom ever again."
Otto: I could tell you how the story was meant to be a cautionary tale of how everyone is inherently selfish and petty, no matter how "good" your deeds might be. And that there are consequences to every decision you make. But it wouldn't make for a fun story. I know something's bound to get lost in the retelling. But if you ask me...
Otto: ... I've always preferred happy endings.
Next » [ Chapter 51: Obscurity )
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Notes:
- Thank you tozx_ta for extracting the lute, and skellington7d for recolouring Meadow's hair for me.
- The exterior of the beautiful castle in the story is "Castle Ellesmere" by Darkraven at Plumb Bob Keep (you need to register)
- of course, there is more to the "fairy tale" ;)
- After 50 chapters, I could gush and gush about the support I've been getting from this community. All I can say right now is thank you so much for reading.*Hugs*. ^_^