Chapter 15
Oct. 2nd, 2009 12:52 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
simtopi
Warnings: Coarse language. Bad photoshop.
Malcolm: We're getting closer, Clara.
Clara: Getting closer to what?
Malcolm: Either you enjoy playing dumb, or you haven't been paying attention to what we've been trying to achieve over the last decade.
Clara: I'm aware of our mission. But unfortunately you haven't been to forthcoming with status reports.
Malcolm: You'll have to forgive me for that. I have my reasons.
Clara: But Kimberly Cordial knew. You gave her more information than you've ever given me.
Malcolm: Kimberly had to know. And she was one of very few witches who did. She was vital to that girl's upbringing.
Clara: And now she's dead. How does that bode for the mission?
Malcolm: That is an interesting question, isn't it?
Clara: Isn't it too cold and wet for rooftop patios?
Malcolm: I didn't know the weather bothered you. This is perfect. It gives us plenty of privacy.
Clara: If you wanted privacy, you could have just stayed home.
Malcolm: I'm not that much of a homebody. I like being seen.
Clara: It goes against who we are. We're witches, Malcolm, we stay in the underground. It's how we've always been. But of course you're new at this you wouldn't know that would you?
Malcolm: Is this the old blood verses new blood rivalry all over again, Clara? I thought you would have gotten past that.
Clara: Yes, yes, you Malcolm Landgraab the Fourth, was selected as the leader of our Coven despite only having learned the trade at a late age, because it was believed you could bring something "dynamic fresh thinking" to our organization. As if we've gone corporate. I suppose next you'll want to advertise...
Malcolm: Our numbers are dwindling. Advertising wouldn't be such a bad idea. Dear, the Coven is like any other business organization. You can still stay true to the old traditions while exploring new directives.
Clara: This is where I'm unclear on a few things.
Clara: Your idea of "fresh thinking" so far has been to tout this Heir as the saviour of all of witchdom. This antiquated notion that something old can be brought back for our benefit goes against all this so called innovation you were promoted to bring us.
Malcolm: But you aren't aware of the fine details in my plan.
Clara: And I don't suppose I will be.
Malcolm: Why would I fill you in on those details, my dear? How do I know you're not already trying very actively to destroy the Heir. Possibly using enslaved living corpses?
Clara: Oh I knew it. "Just a nice brunch between friends", hmm Malcolm? Or an excuse to throw baseless accusations against me.
Clara: I've always been true to the Coven. Unlike you, it's been in my bloodline for hundreds of years. I don't need to sit here and take this shit.
Malcolm: Clara, spare me the false indignation.
Malcolm: And don't forget who I am.
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It hadn't taken long before Jasmine decided that she hated hospitals. Everytime she's been here in the past, she was reminded of it. Though luckily for her she never had to stay for too long, until last night.
She tried to sleep, but it was difficult to. There were too many noises distracting her. When she finally could get her eyelids to stay shut, all she saw behind closed lids was that creature. Festering, putrid skin, open sores, rasping breath. It was like a bad dream but the scratch on her face still burned with the memory of the creature's nails scraping her skin.
Another sudden memory came bulldozing through her mind... Willow screaming as something loped in front of her truck.
She gasped as she heard the door open. Her eyes flew open.
Adrian: Hey.
Adrian: I heard you might be cutting a few classes this morning. Thought I'd join you.
Jasmine: Oh sure, come visit when I look like ass why don't you.
Adrian: I've seen you look worse after a workout.
Adrian: Just thought I'd come by to see how you were doing.
Jasmine: I'm doing fine. Doctor says there's some bruising but they're keeping me here to make sure there's nothing wrong with my head. Trust me, I'd rather be in lecture hall right now than being a vegetable here.
Adrian: I wouldn't push it. It sounded like a bad crash.
Jasmine: Yeah right. A crash. How did you know I was here anyway?
Adrian: Word gets around. Apparently it was on the news and it was all over the dorm when I got up this morning.
Adrian: It's not everyday a friend of mine gets on the news.
Jasmine: Are you serious? That's so freaking embarassing.
Adrian: Hey, it'll be alright. People are just worried about you.
Jasmine: It's bullshit. And it only made it to the news because of my parents. That's all I need, fake sympathy from people I hardly know.
Adrian: Well, there's no fake sympathy here. It sucks to be stuck in the hospital, I'll sympathize with that. Just be glad you weren't hurt too badly.
Jasmine: I just want to get out of here and make sure Willow is okay.
Jasmine: You haven't heard from her, have you?
Adrian: No... why?
Because she might be zombie food right now, she thought frantically. But she closed her eyes and tried to calm herself. Maybe she made it to safety somehow.
Jasmine: Willow was with me last night, and last I remember she was in the truck when we crashed.
A look of concern came over Adrian's face. He turned away slightly.
Jasmine: Adrian, you gotta go find her.
Adrian: Did you tell anyone else?
Jasmine: I told my Dad and he supposedly told the police.
Adrian: So people are probably already looking for her.
Jasmine: No one's told me anything yet. But you don't understand...
Adrian: Hey don't get all worked up. Hearing Willow might be in trouble is pretty much scaring me right now too. But that doesn't mean I'm just going to run out on you right this second.
Jasmine: No, of course not. 'Cause hanging around with me in the hospital is so much fun.
Adrian: Yeah well, you're pretty charming when you're brain damaged.
She smiled earnestly at him. There was a brief but comfortable pause for a while as she tried to think of something to say. She wanted him to know how happy she was that he was here.
Jasmine: Thanks for visiting, Adrian.
Adrian: I wouldn't have stayed away.
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Gabriel slept like the dead with every intention of staying that way until he had to drag himself out of bed for class in the afternoon. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to ignore the way-too-early morning phone call from his uncle telling him that Jasmine was in an accident and asking if Willow was in her dorm. He had checked. She wasn't.
He didn't know what he was doing hanging around the hospital. He couldn't even begin to think where Willow would be. And oddly enough he still had no idea where Rowan lived so it wasn't like he could call him or show up there. He wondered if anyone had told the rest of her family yet.
Fortunately it wasn't a matter he'd have to worry about.
Ignoring Wesley's advice, Willow directed the cab that finally made it out to the old church to go straight to the hospital. If Jasmine was here she wanted to make sure she wasn't hurt. Willow didn't know what she would have done if Wesley hadn't been there to protect her. Jasmine didn't have the same assurances.
Willow: Gabriel!
Gabriel: Willow?!
Gabriel: Where have you been???
Willow: Is Jasmine here?
Gabriel: Yeah she's here. But what about you. You've been gone all night.
Willow: Never mind me, is Jasmine alright?
Gabriel: She's fine. She's just bored. But you... kind of look like shit. And what happened to your glasses?
She suddenly felt self conscious. She hadn't really thought about how she must look when she rushed here.
Willow: I lost them last night. I didn't think about it, I just came straight here... do I really look that bad?
Gabriel: Don't worry about it. What happened to you?
Willow: I just...
She looked up at Gabriel searching for something to say. She was abducted by the Secret Society, attacked by a zombie, rescued by a vampire, and woke up in an abandoned church. She didn't know if she could even believe herself.
Willow: I.. just wandered away...
Gabriel: What?
Willow: I can't explain it, it's just too crazy. You'd probably think I was insane anyway, but there are things out there that no one can explain and... and it all sort of just happened and I didn't mean to get Jasmine hurt... and I really don't want to get you involved in any of this...
Gabriel: Okay, okay, I don't understand anything you're talking about. What's important is that Jasmine's fine and so are you. She was really worried about you.
Gabriel: I was too.
Willow looked at Gabriel for a second. All the tension from last night spilled out of her and in that moment she just wanted something comforting, warm and safe.
Willow: Gabriel...
Willow: I know I haven't been that great to you lately...
Gabriel: Hooooo shit...
Willow: What is it? What's wrong?
Gabriel: Denise is here.
Willow: Jasmine's mom? What's wrong with that?
Gabriel stood there wondering what to do while Denise rushed into the closest open elevator. Before he decided, the elevator doors slid shut.
Gabriel: Nothing. But Clive's up there too. Things can get ugly.
Gabriel: Come on, we'll take the stairs.
Willow: Really? How bad could it be?
Gabriel: I don't know yet. But there's definitely potential for badness. Sorry, coming through.
Denise stepped off the elevator and took a deep breath. She knew it would be a matter of time until she had to see Clive again. She knew there was a good chance she'd see him here. But knowing that, she still came. All she wanted to do was see Jasmine.
She steeled herself and walked forward. Nothing he said could hurt her now.
Clive: What are you doing here?
Denise: I'm here to see my daughter.
Her heart was in her throat as she spoke. She hadn't seen him in so long. But nothing had changed and the anger on his face nearly broke her in two.
Clive: Wait a minute. I didn't even know you were back in town, and you just show up now?
Denise: Why wouldn't I show up? Isn't it nice that I had to find out that one of my daughters is in the hospital from the news.
Clive: You have no business being here.
Denise: You must be joking. Don't tell me you're not going to let me see her.
Clive: Turn around right now.
Denise: Don't be ridiculous, Jasmine is my daughter and I have every right to be here.
Clive: As far as I'm concerned, you're not a part of this family anymore.
Gabriel: That's not for you to say.
Gabriel: Denise is as much a part of this family as I am, Uncle Clive. You don't need to be such a dick about it.
Clive: This isn't any of your business, Gabe.
Gabriel: Oh sure it is. It's totally okay for the media to blow one little picture out of proportion so you can find some excuse to mess with my mom's feelings and for three years you've acted all sanctimonious about it. I've never said anything before, but I think you've been a bit of an asshole.
Willow watched it all quietly. Clive was angry... unnaturally angry. Clive was a friend of her mother's. She had known him all her life, and she knew that he had a temper. But she couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more here. Willow kept staring at Clive, suddenly drawn in by his movements. Without her glasses everyone sort of looked like a fuzzy blur. But Clive seemed perfectly clear.
Watching him, everything suddenly seemed to slow down and every person around her suddenly seemed to fade like ghosts. Only Clive was solid. But his form was surrounded by a bright red aura...
Willow suddenly realized what she was seeing. Clive was under a spell. And it was the reason why he was so angry. A spell??? Willow was both dumbfounded and curiously happy with her newfound ability. But she didn't know what she could do to help him.
Gabriel: As much as you hate to admit it, Jasmine's an adult now. She can make her own decisions about who gets to stay in her life and it's up to her to say if she wants to include Denise. And I think she does. Let my aunt pass.
Denise: Stop it now, please.
Denise's voice was soft but it cracked as she tried to hold back her tears.
Denise: Clive I'm going to see Jasmine. Thank you, Gabriel.
Without saying another word, Clive stormed off. Denise glanced back but kept walking. She wouldn't break down in front of anyone.
Willow: Gabriel, I have to get back to the dorm.
Gabriel: What? Right now?
Willow: Please tell Jasmine I'm okay and that I am really sorry, but I have to look something up. I don't think Clive is well at all.
Gabriel: Wait a minute, how do you know?
Willow: I just do. I'll talk to you later.
And she was gone again, just like that. Though he supposed that this was a whole lot better than having been shunned for the past week and a half. Still, this morning brought a lot more drama than he wanted to deal with.
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Clara: Malcolm what are you doing?
Clara: Put me down this minute!
Malcolm: I'm sure if you put your mind into it you can break the spell. I'm new to all of this remember?
Malcolm: I'm not the Head Warlock simply because of my keen business sense, Clara. It's not just the old families that care what becomes of our Coven.
Clara: Fine, I believe you, now stop this!
Clara: What are you... Where are you taking me???
Malcolm: And this is why rooftop patios can be so much fun.
Malcolm: You were one of my closest friends, Clara. You're almost like a daughter to me. But I won't let that get in the way if I think you've been hindering our objectives.
Clara: I haven't done anything against the Coven, Malcolm!
Malcolm: You didn't attempt to kill the Heir last night? For that matter, you have nothing to do with the death of Kimberly Cordial?
Clara: What? How can you think I had anything to do with that?! I did nothing! Put me down, Malcolm, please!
Malcolm: Your wish is granted.
Clara: Wait... no!!!
It was only a four story building, but the fall would have been potentially fatal. Because it wasn't a long drop, and panicked as she was already she couldn't cast the spell that would have saved her. She expected to hit the ground hard, but it was as if she hit an invisible net instead.
For a while he kept her suspended a foot or two above the pavement before he unceremoniously cut the magical strings that held her in place.
Clara: You asshole.
Malcolm: Fear tactics are so crude but they can be amusing. There are other ways I could have drawn the truth from you. You're lucky I'm not going down that route... for now.
Clara: This isn't helping you to endear yourself to me. If you thought I wasn't loyal before, you better watch your back now.
Malcolm: I'm not in the business of buying loyalty with friendship. The truth of the matter is that I'm much more powerful than you are despite my so-called weak ancestry. Your threats don't do anything for me. I don't intend to let our plans falter because you're having an ego crisis. If the Heir is harmed by you, I swear I will throw you to the wolves.
Malcolm: You and the rest of your "old blood" could have sat in your underground hovels, basking in misery and pride. But in a hundred years not one of you could find a suitable Heir. I did. She's the key to restoring us, Clara and you can't stop what's already in motion.
Malcolm: Kimberly's death was a setback, but she did her job. Willow Marlen has the Book and for all intents and purposes she's learned enough from it. Now she's ready for the second phase.
next » [ Chapter 16: revisited ]
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Notes:
*189 Geary Avenue Sidewalk Cafe by romagi@MTS
* once again, Mercy Hospital by sunni9676@MTS.
* the hospital lot is humungous. It's awesome, but it might be just too big for my game. There are a few scenes I wanted to fix up, but I dreaded the 15 minute load time just to get on that freaking lot. And in my game it's a community lot too. (Curse you Mrs. Crumplebottom!!!!) I don't know why I don't just make stage sets like any other sane person.
* a few shoutouts to a couple of peeps. You know who you are. ;)
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Date: 2009-10-02 06:33 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-03 12:33 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-02 07:23 pm (UTC)I loved how much we learned! Like, I am so curious now about what it means that Willow is the heir. What does Malcolm and the Coven want her to do? What is the book about? Yea, really excited to learn more there.
Also, uhm, I'm sure you can guess where this is going but: OMG *squeal* ZOMG ZOMG ZOMG!!!!!! *squeeeee*!!!!!!!!!!!!! Gabriel and Willow hugged and OMG IT WAS SO ADORABLE AND YAY I HEART THEM!!! TEAM GABRIEL FTW!!! *blush* Sorry, I'm done now.
Oh, I totally loved how Gabriel stood up for Denise. It was very sweet. *sigh* I love him way too much. OH! I also love that Adrian and Jasmine touched hands. I keep rooting for them, (and yes it is a secret ploy because if Adrian and Jasmine get together it frees up Willow and Gabriel...see my plan? Yes...awesome :D)
Oh yea, is that a robot I spy? Wonder what's going down there....hmmm
Anyway, awesome awesome AWESOME update. I loved it :)
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Date: 2009-10-03 12:37 am (UTC)I do think Gabriel and Willow are really cute together. We'll see what happens later down the line. As for Adrian and Jasmine, Jasmine definitely knows she likes Adrian, but I don't know where his head is at yet.
And it's not quite a robot, something close. It'll be a while before we get back to that.
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Date: 2009-10-02 07:29 pm (UTC)I really like this chapter, the drama in the hospital is well-handled and awesome.
It's a good tradition this, Friday night, a glass of wine and a chapter of SimTopi.
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Date: 2009-10-03 12:40 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-03 06:22 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-02 11:09 pm (UTC)Thanks for posting it, and I look forward to reading the next chapter!
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Date: 2009-10-03 12:42 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-03 02:23 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-04 03:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-03 11:13 pm (UTC)I can't even describe how great this story is! I love everything you've done with it. The character development is fantastic. They way you have everything intertwined is just phenomenal! I can't wait for the next chapter. :D
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Date: 2009-10-04 03:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-04 08:18 am (UTC)Finding this update quite possibly made my night. I'm so addicted to this story.
Malcolm's character is fiendishly delightful. The way he handles matters of the coven so business like is amusing and so typically Landgraab. He definitely needs to make many, many more appearances. Moar Malcolm!
Once again, I must touch on the matter of how splendid your photos are. My screens never turn out so spiffy.
Wonderful job. -gives cupcakes and various types of scrumptious candies- ♥
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Date: 2009-10-04 03:05 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-04 04:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-04 10:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-05 01:34 am (UTC)I just finished this entire series from start to finish. It took me only three days or so, because I literally could NOT stop reading. I would read this into the middle of the night until my eyes could not stay open. It's ADDICTING.
I'd like to say your pictures are AMAZING. How you get your sims to do such poses..I have no idea, but bravo. Really.
I love the plot. I find Adrian confusing though. Who does he like? Willow or Jasmine?! I am SO Team Gabriel though. I love him and I hope he gets Willow. But then there's Wesley...who I have a strange fascination for. He's awesome. AHH your story is just really amazing and I can't wait to read more. :D
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Date: 2009-10-05 02:27 am (UTC)Thank you for the comment about my pictures too. They are sometimes tricky, and I use a lot of pose boxes, OMSPs, and many cheat codes. But a lot of the time, I just sort of sit back, make the sims interact and then freeze when I see something I like.
Adrian is confusing because he's a guy and guys suck!!! No, I kid, but yes he may be a tiny bit conflicted though at this point I don't think he realizes he's attracted to Jasmine at all.
Thank you again. <3
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Date: 2009-10-05 05:50 am (UTC)Hear hear on the guy part. Adrian I just think is a little too dumb for his own good. GABRIEL FTW!
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Date: 2009-10-05 02:12 pm (UTC)Anyway, I've always thought Malcom looks really disturbing/repulsive/evil/pervertic but he won me over in this chapter. HE ROCKS!!! Woo~! But it seemed his has some feelings (non-romantic) for Clara and couldn't bear to let her die, even when he knew what she did. That makes you slightly uncool, Malcom. I expected better of you as head warlock. >(
Also, I am shocked to know that Clive is under a spell. He has always had a bad temper, so does that mean he has always been under the spell? Even before he met Clara? That's extremely creepy! To have been emotionally controlled all the while, I mean. :S But, a round of applause for Gabriel please! :D I thought that was a brave thing to do as Clive was his elder. ^^
And yay for Adrian and Jasmine! I loved their conversation a lot! :D
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Date: 2009-10-05 04:54 pm (UTC)Clive's been under that spell for a while... possibly since he and Denise had broken up. It'll be up to Willow to determine if she can help him.
Thank you for commenting! :D
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Date: 2009-10-05 08:56 pm (UTC)I have to say that I am really impressed and I'm now completely hooked. The whole concept of taking a single generation and turning their tale into a stand alone story is really a fascinating idea to me. Having not read any of the earlier stuff, I don't feel too lost at all. You've shown a deft hand at developing your characters with a minimum of text and some excellent images.
Speaking of the images, you really have some fantastic shots that are both creative and inspiring. The way you use unexpected animations for different things really sparks ideas for me and makes me want to get back into the game and try some new stuff for my own story. On top of that, your set decoration and design is fantastic, whether its stuff you've built yourself or other people's buildings, you always seem to have the perfect setting for the scene being shot. Whether it's the soccer game, the art studio, the rooftop café, or even an abandoned gas station in the middle of nowhere, it's perfect.
About the only complaint I have about your pictures is the occasional skillbob or personperson++ that sneaks in occasionally. I keep wanting to grab those pictures and photoshop those things out of them. :}
Pretty pictures don't make a story great, though, so I've got to comment on the story itself. I'm really intrigued about where you're going with the whole plot. The mix of inter-personal relationship stuff combined with the supernatural back story really has me hooked. This is the type of story that really gets me excited and interested – where you've got major machinations going on in the background that are completely intriguing, but we're still concerned about the emotions and feelings of the various characters. While I want to know what's going on with Willow being the heir, I also want to know who she's going to end up with romantically. And do I root for Adrian or Gabriel (or even Wesley)? And Rowan and Meadow's little side plot, wow. Speaking of, nice use of Maxis playables and townies. I love seeing how people make use of them or integrate them into their own stories.
Anyway, I've written a book here, but I wanted to tell you how much I've enjoyed your story. I've friended you, so I'll be jumping on the next update as soon as you put it up. :)
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Date: 2009-10-06 01:48 am (UTC)First of all, I am glad you've read the story and even happier that you enjoyed it. There was a point while I was playing Gen 2 where I aged up all the gen 3 toddlers in body shop and was inspired enough by their looks that I decided to put a more complicated story around them, particularly since TS3 was coming out at the time and I wasn't sure if I was going to play the legacy further. So I figured I'd let this generation "go out with a bang". I never thought the story would sort of keep growing as it had.
I'm glad you like the pictures. I take more time with the photography and composition than I actually do with the writing so it means a lot whenever someone comments on it. I absolutely know about the skillbobs, plumbBobs and the 'plus plus'. Normally I try to keep them out but sometimes I miss them and the shot would be too complicated to recreate so I'd leave it. I could probably hack them out, but I prefer not to because the story and gameplay is sort of intertwined to a point. And of course, I'm probably lazy. >_> For later chapters, I am more conscious of them. :) The thought bubbles I leave intentionally. I want them there sometimes just for the "picture tells a thousands words" aspect and it's very "simmish" of them.
Thank you again for writing all this. It's really interesting to know what others think of the story, and any ideas and critiques. And the general niceness of it all makes me feel justified in continuing all of this. New chapters of course are in the works and I really hope I can keep entertaining. :) :) :)
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Date: 2009-10-06 08:53 am (UTC)Your pictures are absolutely fabulous and really inspiring. I really want to know how you got that look on the banner at the top of the page. That's a fantastic picture.
Anyway, enough of my babbling. I love the story and can't wait for more. :)
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Date: 2009-10-08 05:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-08 11:42 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-11-06 10:19 am (UTC)Are we seeing a love triangle with Wesley/Willow/Gabriel? Hope to see more!
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Date: 2010-02-05 02:26 am (UTC)I'm glad you seem to be enjoying it so far! Happy reading! :D
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Date: 2010-05-10 06:45 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-04-03 02:42 am (UTC)Btw, Meadow Thayer! I love the girl.
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Date: 2011-04-03 03:53 am (UTC)Ning is so cute in my game. Meadow Thayer! <3