Chapter 6

[simtopi]

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6: Tonight

This city by night was usually a fairly safe place for it's citizens. Crime was low, accidents hardly happened, people were able to walk to their homes at night in relative safety. The worst that can happen nightly involve having the police called to break up any number of student resident parties, or to bring home errant teenagers.

Once in a blue moon, there have been more serious occurences.


Accidental deaths by fires, drowning, electrocution. Most of the time, it was simply just an accident. Some deaths remain unexplained, such as the case of Yolanda Bedford six years earlier. The police didn't give any details into it.


It was just an "accidental" death. A previously unregistered medical condition that caught up to her in the dead of night in a neighbourhood across town from where she lived.


For an urban center, it was almost boring. One death and you'd think there was a killing spree.




For some, it was easy enough to believe that Yolanda's death was more significant than the police let on. That perhaps, the cause of death was external and more iniquitous than they lead the citizens to believe. And maybe her death was the only one reported.


Kimberly Cordial liked to think that she of all people would be safe here in her adopted town. None of it's citizens gave her any reason to believe otherwise. She could live life in normalcy.




After all, she didn't have much to fear. Vampires weren't supposed to exist.




If there was one stereotype about the female gender that Gabriel Markelly would fight to insist it was true is that they were always late for everything. It didn't matter what their personalities were, he has yet to meet a girl who was prompt.


Willow, however, wasn't too bad. After about twenty minutes, she showed up.


Willow: I'm sorry I'm late. I didn't know what to wear.
Gabriel: No... you look fine. I mean, you look good. Your hair is down.
Willow: Is it okay? Am I underdressed or something?


Gabriel: Really, you look fine.
He was a little surprised. She did clean up nicely and he would never have thought her the type to wear or even own a dress. It wasn't anything spectacular, it was just a lot more feminine than he expected from her.



Gabriel: Listen, slight change of plans. Cecilia had a bit of a fashion breakdown so they'll be late... as usual. Jasmine and Cecilia will meet up at the club so we're on our own for dinner. Is that cool?
Willow: Um... I guess...
Gabriel: You look like this is the most terrible thing that could happen to you.


Willow: I'm sorry, it's not you. I'm just not used to..
Gabriel: What, going out? Being social? It'll just be a quick dinner. I'm starved. Shall we?


Willow definitely felt more comfortable after they arrived at the restaurant. They went to the inexpensive bistro at the Upper Oliver Village, not far from where Denise would be performing.


Gabriel was nice... he liked to talk a lot, Willow noticed. But unable to find anything to say, she was just as happy listening him ramble about himself. She tried to hide her awkwardness by indulging in the wine that Gabriel ordered.


Gabriel: You can listen to me babble on all night about my boring life, but what about you?
Willow: What?


Gabriel: You, Miss Willow Marlen. Do you have a life?
Willow: Well of course I have a life. I... um..

She tried to resist saying that she liked to read about things like the effects of climate change on endangered marsupials, or the natural embalming processes of Peruvian mummies. She also didn't want to tell him that in her spare time, she practiced magic, studying spells in ancient Simlish from an old, magical book. So far she's created insects, and made her brother sick in an experiment gone wrong ... but she did it with magic.


Willow: I'm doing well in my classes.
Mistaking her reticence for shyness, Gabriel smiled broadly.
Gabriel: Well okay, let me get this started for you. I know you have two brothers. Rowan and the other one is..?
Willow: Linden.


Gabriel: Are you serious?
Willow: Why? What's wrong with Linden?
Gabriel: You're all named after trees?
Willow: Well. My mom's name is Elf. That should pretty much tell you everything you need to know about my family.


Gabriel: "Elf" Is that a nickname or something?
Willow: No, just Elf. I know it's weird to get used to. My Uncles are twins too. Their names are Peregrin and Kestrel. Uncle Peregrin married Aunt Jodie... who is Jasmine's dad's sister, and their kids.. who are also twins... are named Wren and Raven. See the trend?


Gabriel; I guess the natural progression of things will be to name your kids.. who'll no doubt be twins...after fruit.
Willow: Don't give me any ideas. I kinda like that.


Gabriel: I dunno, I guess I'm a bit of a traditionalist. I think I might die a brutal death at the hands of my son if I named him Raspberry or Eggplant.


Willow: I think I can get more creative than that. That is... if I have kids..
Gabriel: Oh you'll have kids. I'm sure there's a guy in your life right now who'll be the proud papa. Are you seeing anyone?


Willow: Well, no I'm not seeing anyone... sort of.
Gabriel: Sort of.
Willow: Do you know Adrian Duarte? I think we were kinda on a date the other day. Well, it was dinner and coffee.


Gabriel: Sounds like a date to me!
Willow: Well this is dinner.. and a show. Is this a date?


Gabriel: I guess so. I didn't know you get around.
Willow: What's that supposed to mean?
Gabriel: Never mind, bad joke. Sounds like this dude Adrian's a lucky guy.


Willow: I don't know, actually. We've known eachother forever and we haven't really gone much further than being friends. I don't think that's a bad thing.
Gabriel: It just sounds like you want to be more than friends. That's not a bad thing.
Willow: Because a guy and a girl can't just hang out and enjoy one another's company without underlying romantic tensions?
Gabriel: Well I guess all those chick flicks have been wrong all along. I should have known.
Willow: I'm not a fan of movies.


Willow: I don't know why I'm telling you any of this anyway.
Gabriel: Don't worry about it. Have more wine.


Cecilia: I'm nervous about seeing her, Jasmine.
Jasmine: Seeing Mom?
Cecilia: Who else?


Jasmine: Well we haven't seen her in practically a year.
Cecilia: It's weird. It sort of doesn't even feel like we're seeing her. It's like we're just here for some obscure relative.


Jasmine: I'm going to politely remind you that this was your idea. We could have just all sat down to dinner like regular people. You wanted to see her show.
Cecilia: I know. I figured a public place you wouldn't feel so obliged...
Jasmine: ...To be close? Yeah, I kinda know what you mean. Looks like Willow and Gabriel are here.


Jasmine: Finally guys, what took you so long.


Willow: We didn't take a cab. We walked here. But it wasn't that far. This neighbourhood is really cool. And this building is fantastic, it's so old. I bet it's about two hundred years old. I wonder who did all the restoration for it. Did you know there's a building down the street that's been under construction for years? And the lights, they're all solar powered but they're made to look like gas lamps. Isn't that neat?


Willow: Gabriel knows a lot about this stuff... but he would, his mom's an architect, right? That's what he told me. Oh I guess that would be your aunt. I don't think I've ever met her, but she sounds like a really nice person. Have you tried the cheesecake at the Generic Bistro at Upper Oliver Village? It's amazing! But I don't know if they make it with real cheese..
Jasmine: Willow are you okay?
Willow: Yeah, of course, why wouldn't I be? Is there something in my hair?
Jasmine: You're awfully... talkative tonight.



Jasmine: What is wrong with Willow?
Gabriel: What are you talking about, Willow's fine. She's actually pretty funny.



Jasmine: You've been buying her drinks haven't you?
Gabriel: Just a glass or two of wine at dinner. I swear, Jasmine.


Jasmine: Gabriel, she's smustling.


Gabriel: Okay, maybe it was more like three or four. Or five or six. I had no idea she was a lightweight.
Jasmine: She never drinks.


Willow: Hey check this out! The cheerleaders come around enough I've finally managed to figure out that whole cheer.


Gabriel: Heh.. right.. vo gerbits...maybe you need to sit down.

It was probably the most awkward way for Kestrel to reunite with his neice, but there she was... the shy little girl he once knew doing the school cheer in front of the entire bar.
.
Kestrel: Why do you suppose she needs to sit down. You guys look like you're having fun.


Willow: Oh my gosh, Uncle Kestrel! I didn't expect to see you here.
Kestrel: I didn't expect to see you here .. like this...
Willow: Are you playing tonight? I haven't seen you and Uncle Peregrin perform in years. That would be so cool. It's just like when we were kids again!


Kestrel: Well, I'm playing, just not that sort of music tonight. How much have you had to drink?
Willow: Why is everyone asking me that? Okay, I had a drink or two but that's not a bad thing. I feel fine. Good even.


Willow: Look, I can stay steady at least. I'm not that plastered!


Kestrel turned to Gabriel with a grin.

Kestrel: Hi, I don't think we've met. I'm Kestrel, Willow's Uncle.
Gabriel: Hi, Gabriel. Willow's roommate. Didn't think I'd run into Willow's relatives here, but hey, 'sup.
Kestrel: You know if she doesn't get home in one piece, I'm sending my sister over to you.
Gabriel: Dude, much respect and all that, but I don't know if I could be afraid of someone named "Elf".
Kestrel: I take it you've never met her.


Kestrel: Aaaand, hello. I don't think we've met.
Jasmine: Um... hi?


Kestrel: I hope you're enjoying your evening here so far? Maybe I can buy you a drink?
Jasmine: Uh, how about no.
Denise: Kestrel.


Denise: Can I introduce you to my daughter? Jasmine?
Kestrel: Jasmine...Oh. Hi.


It had been nearly a year since Cecilia or Jasmine had seen Denise last. Even then, it seemed like a brief visit and no real connections were made. Cecilia looked at her mom for the first time since growing up and moving to college.


Denise: I haven't seen you since you've become an adult. I'm sorry I missed your birthday.

Cecilia hugged her all the same. She was still her mother.
Denise: You look absolutely gorgeous.



Denise: You do too, Jasmine. I can't believe how grown up and beautiful you are.

She looked so much like her father, Denise wanted to say but she kept that to herself.


Jasmine: Thanks, Mom.
Jasmine wasn't used to Denise complimenting her like that.


Denise: I'm so happy to see you here. I've missed you two so much.
Jasmine: We... I missed you too, Mom.

Seeing her again actually did feel incredible. Denise always had a talent for making people feel comfortable around her.


Gabriel: Hey Aunt Denise, you're looking pretty hot.


Denise: Why, thank you Gabriel. And how many times do I have to tell you, you don't have to call me 'Aunt'. It makes me feel old. But look at you, you're all grown up and handsome!


Gabriel: Yeah I'm pretty awesome aren't I.


Willow: Aren't family reunions nice?
Cecilia: Seriously, how sauced are you?
Willow: You know, Cecilia, you could be such a little bitch, but I still like you.
Cecilia: Um. Thanks, I think.


Denise went up for her performance. The club wasn't as crowded as Jasmine had expected. Denise had spent a lot of time out of the limelight, she obviously wasn't as famous as she used to be. It didn't seem to matter. She was still flawless.


Her repertoire that night consisted of jazz classics, ballads and other musical number pieces. It was far different from the pop star music she used to play at the height of her career.






All in all, seeing her mother again wasn't as bad as Jasmine thought it would be. No big drama this time. She wondered if this was a good re-start for them. Maybe they could be a family again... if Denise stayed here long enough.


He remembered her. Barely, though.




It was strange how memory worked for him lately. Some days he could remember the smallest of details from decades ago. Other days he couldn't recall a face from the other week.


She was bright and warm, and there was the illusion of willingness and consent between them both.


But he was only getting used to living in illusions.


She had rushed off when the first camera flashes went off. As they crowded around her, he did what he did best and retreated into the shadows.


She won't even remember his name.


Are we done, Clara?


Not even close, honey. There's much more we need to do.


Three years later, he was here.


He had a different mission tonight.


He'd find himself in a different place, with a different woman, and different intentions.

"Miss Cordial?"


Miss Cordial: Who are you?
Wesley: That doesn't matter. I'm here for two reasons.


Wesley: You can cooperate, and all this will be over relatively painlessly.


She was quiet as she stared at him, studying him intently, seemingly amazed at the person she saw in front of her. Her breath recovered as she stepped forward calmly.

Miss Cordial: Co-operate? You break into my condo and you expect me to just stand here and let it happen?


Wesley: Don't make this more difficult than it has to be. I've been sent here because you have something I need.


Miss Cordial: What could you possibly need from me? Hmm, let me think about it a little... why must your kind always try to be so cryptic. It's not as ominous as you like to think.


Miss Cordial: If I were to take a stab in the dark, you want the Book. Is that right?


Wesley: Good guess. How about handing it to me now or...


Miss Cordial: Or what?


Miss Cordial: If you thought you were going to do this the easy way, I'm afraid to inform you that you are very much mistaken.


next » [ Chapter 7 : Villains ]