Chapter 21

[simtopi]

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21: Odds and Ends

Warnings: coarse language, adult situations, violence, not a continuation of chapter 20 (sorry)

8 hours earlier
 
"Rowan Marlen. How are you feeling?"
What a stupid question, he thought as he slowly opened his eyes.


Rowan: Pretty good Officer, how are you this lovely morning?
His voice was raspy. He sounded like he'd been drinking sand all morning. The policewoman smirked at his sarcasm.
Policewoman: Charges have been dropped. You're free to go. If you can come with me and we'll get all the paperwork sorted out for you.
Rowan: Delightful.


Some days Rowan hated being sober. He walked out of the police station, his head pounding. The morning light felt like it was burning his retinas. He could barely remember the events of the night before but his body certainly felt it. What they called "sleeping it off" in jail didn't do much to help him recover.


This sucked, he thought. Every inch of him felt bruised. What was he even fighting about last night? He briefly thought of paying a visit to Willow, wondering if she had managed to figure out that spell that could have made him better. As he managed to resist a wave of nausea, he remembered why he'd rather Willow kept away from him with that wand of hers. Still, visiting his sister wouldn't have been a bad idea. It beats being alone.


His thoughts were interrupted as a familiar voice he hadn't heard in months called out to him.
"Why did I figure you'd be here? Of all places."



Rowan: Oh fucking hell.
It was strange that he was thinking of one sibling only to have the other one just show up.


Linden: Didn't I tell you you were gonna get yourself arrested one day?

---

4 hours earlier


Jasmine looked down at the magazine she was reading, words swimming meaninglessly in front of her face. Even the weird obviously photoshopped pictures of mutant half-pig babies and alien autopsies couldn't hold her attention.
"Aliens are impregnating sim males to save their dying race and the government is covering it up." Who writes this shit? she thought as she turned the page.


The magazine was only there to make her look occupied. She hated not having anything else to do but wait as the mechanic looked over her truck. She couldn't help looking up over the pages at him. He seemed shorter than she remembered. Adrian had to be at least half a foot taller than he was.


Kyle looked up from his work and turned towards Jasmine waiting there. Jasmine looked up at him with an impatient expression as if to ask if he was done.


She couldn't believe he was still working here after all this time. Great Dane's autoshop in Bluewater Village was the only place she ever brought her truck in to get work done. Her dad insisted on picking up the tab for the repairs which she didn't mind at all. She knew he would have simply bought her a new car had she asked, but she also knew that this truck had sentimental value to him as well. It had been his primary source of transportation once.


Jasmine was a freshman when she first found this place a couple of years before. It was how she first met Kyle.


He was cute, she thought and he thought the same of her. Discussion about auto parts and related subjects managed to eventually switch to more personal things.


He was a little older than she was, had dropped out of college and was planning on working here until he could afford his own garage. All she told him was that she was a freshman. It was nice not having people know her because of who her parents were.

He told her he was closing the shop up for the night in a couple of hours. Jasmine offered to come by then to pick him up.


And she did. But they never ended up going anywhere else that night.


Kyle: So we got the engine and the front right head lights replaced. We also figured we'd replace the transmission filter and the fan motor. She's almost ready to go, we'll just do the complimentary oil change and tire rotation and all that and you could have her back. Just maybe another half hour or so.


Jasmine: Did you check the fuel filters and injectors too?
Kyle: Yes ma'am. Everything is clean and checks out. The engine probably had to be replaced anyway, but you're lucky your little accident didn't knock her out of commission outright.
Jasmine: Do I want to know what all this is going to come to?


Kyle: Well... put it this way. With all the work you got done on her over the years, you could have bought yourself a new car. I mean, why didn't you?


Jasmine: Well it wouldn't have been my Grandfather's truck, would it?
Kyle: I never figured you'd be the sentimental type.


He took a deep breath.
Kyle: By the way, it's really nice seeing you, Jasmine.
Jasmine: Yeah... same with you.

Really it wasn't. Things had been fun for a while, but nothing got anymore serious, even with her trying. She'd managed to avoid him most of the time over the years, only coming in when another mechanic was scheduled. All there was left right now was her truck and this overhanging sense of awkwardness. Not much different than any other guy she's dated in the past.
Kyle: So.. uh... you got any plans later...?
Jasmine: I'm busy.


Jasmine frowned as she walked off abruptly.
Jasmine: I'll be back when you're done.

There really wasn't anything wrong with him, she thought. He was a nice guy and it might have been fun to spend some time with someone again. If anything to get her mind off all the crap that's happened. But at this point, guys were the last thing she wanted to deal with. I don't need a relationship.


She had been by herself a lot lately. Most of it was spent in the dorm gym downstairs, taking out her usual stress and frustrations on the punching bag. The day before was no different.




Jasmine: So, what are you just going to hang out there and watch me work out?


Adrian: Sorry. Didn't mean to be creepy. I didn't think anyone was down here.
Jasmine: Oh, just me, as usual.


Adrian: You are down here a lot lately. Everything okay?
Jasmine: You know, I don't need a personal shrink. You don't need to ask me that everytime you think I'm in a bad mood.
Adrian: Is that all it is? A bad mood?


Jasmine: Why are you down here? Are you gonna work out or what?


Adrian: Well we haven't sparred in a bit. Why not?


Jasmine: Really? Sucker for punishment, are we?
Adrian: Punishment? Not this time, little girl.


Jasmine: "Little"? Is it gonna be like that then?


Adrian: Come on. We both could afford to let off some steam.


He was probably right. Though she didn't exactly want to tell him that he was one of the reasons why she was so frustrated. It wasn't exactly subtle how he moped around after he found out that Willow and Gabriel were together.


He didn't have to tell her. With the way he's been acting, things have been painfully clear. She would have had to been a complete idiot not to see it.


Adrian had feelings for Willow.


And she wasn't even thinking it was some mild crush or passing attraction. He might even be in love with her.




Adrian: Hey!
He dodged back, just as her knuckle grazed across his chin. She didn't even realize she had been aiming for his head.


Adrian: Careful. This is a friendly match, remember?


She didn't slow down.
Jasmine: What are you worried about? Getting hurt by this "little girl"?


He was on the defensive now as she came at him harder than she ever had before, spurred on by a week's worth of stress. She knew he liked to treat her a little more carefully than he let on, but she wasn't going to accept that from him this time.


For the next few minutes, he didn't return any of her jabs. He dodged and blocked each one quickly and she left him no quarter.




He was beginning to realize she was getting angrier but he wasn't taking the bait.


She knew he could probably knock her out. As easily as that zombie did.


She knew she wasn't as strong as she liked to think she was.


And in the end, that's what was probably bugging her most of all.




Adrian: Jasmine, stop.
Jasmine: Giving up, big guy?


She didn't relent. She moved in for another quick succession of punches. This time Adrian had enough.






Adrian: Are you going to calm down now?
She clenched her fists, testing Adrian's strength, but he had her pinned down tight. Her heart was still beating fast, pumping adrenaline through her, and all she could do now was stare up at him angrily. She clenched her teeth, her voice low as she spoke.
Jasmine: Get off of me.


Adrian: What's gotten into you? What the hell was that about?
She looked at him but didn't say anything.


Feeling humiliated, she just got up and walked away, leaving him confused.

---

She felt badly for how that fight had gone. She hadn't realized how easy it was for her to give in to her emotions and she ended up taking it all out on Adrian. She knew she screwed things up but it wasn't what she wanted to think about right now. Maybe she needed the walk around Bluewater Village to clear her head.


Jasmine didn't have to walk to far down the block until she found this weird little place. She wondered why she had never noticed it before. Wanda's Odds & Ends, the sign outside read. She felt compelled to go inside. Where else was she going to kill time?


It was a weird little shop and the sign didn't lie. The place was filled with odd items. Strange art sculptures, garden decorations, books, jewellry and even baked goods. It seemed like more of a collection of eclectic objects than a real store. There was a strong, sweet and floral scent of incense in the air along with the lingering scent of cookies and something else she couldn't quite identify.


Along one side of a store were shelves stocked with different shaped bottles filled with brightly coloured liquids and other questionable substances.


Love Potions...? Jasmine read, scratching her head quizzically.


Wanda: Yes. They work.
Jasmine: Excuse me?


Wanda: The love potions. You were looking at them. They do work.


Jasmine: Are you serious?


Wanda: Well, not all of us are naturally alluring. It can give you just that right boost if you know what I mean.


Wanda: Sometimes men just need to be knocked in the right direction. I think you know what I'm saying. Want me to bag that up for you?


Jasmine: I'm sorry I was just curious. I was just checking the place out.
Wanda: Of course take your time, hon. We're open all night.


Jasmine: All night? How do you afford to do that?
Wanda: Well, my clients are a little... particular. And they keep strange hours. They're not all tourists like yourself.
Jasmine: I'm not a tourist. I'm just looking.
Wanda: That makes you a tourist.


Jasmine: Okay whatever.
Wanda: Don't you "whatever" me, young lady. You do look like you're searching for something.


Wanda: But I don't know if my shop can help you with what you need to find.


Jasmine shook her head and wandered over to where there were three crystal balls displayed in the shop window.
Jasmine: I don't suppose those love potions can cure an "I irrationally hate my ex-wife" spell?
She was only musing to herself, but Wanda's eyebrow perked up, interested.


Wanda: An "anger" spell? Is that what you meant?
Jasmine: Never mind. I'm just babbling.
Wanda: Child, if there's an anger spell on someone you know, a love potion ain't gonna do the trick.


Jasmine: No shit.
She took a sidelong glance at the other woman. She felt a little sheepish but she had to ask.
Jasmine: I.. um... don't suppose you know what would?
Wanda: Its complicated. It'll depend on how the spell was cast. Sometimes, it's as simple as looking for a charmed object and then taking it away.

If Willow was right and her dad was under a spell... which Jasmine still thought was a ridiculous idea... but if he was and if it could be broken...


They were stupid ideas and it was Willow's fault she was even thinking of it. But before she could ask the shop owner anything else, the door chimes rang again.
Wren: Hey! Jasmine!
Jasmine: What the hell are you guys doing here?


Wren: Research. What are you doing here, Baird?
Wanda looked annoyed, and rightly so. Jasmine would be the first to admit that Wren and Raven were annoying. And weird.
Wanda: You know these kids?
Jasmine: Unfortunately. They're my cousins.
Wanda: I told them not to come around here.


Raven: School's out. We can do whatever we want, we're paying customers.
Jasmine: So you guys came all the way to Bluewater Village to go shopping?
Wren: I don't know why that's so hard to believe. We have bus passes. But you didn't answer the question.
Jasmine: Yeah. You're right, I didn't.


Wren: Listen, we know what you do here, Mrs. Tinker.
Raven: Yeah we know who your so called "customers" are. So if you don't want any trouble from us, just let us go about our business.


Wanda: Last time you were here, you harassed my customers to a point I almost had to get the cops on you. What were you thinking? Mrs. Jacquet is not an alien and now you got her son thinking she's trying to kill him. That poor boy...


Wren: Well if you'd just confess to being a major supplier of occult supplies to the dark underworld, maybe we'd be a little more lenient!
Jasmine: Guys...


Wanda: Lenient? And what do you suppose you're going to do with me if you do find out what I am?
Wren: We have our means. Don't say we didn't warn you.


Wanda: Ugh, I give up with you two. MELODY, your friends are here, deal with them for me, will you?


Melody: Come on guys. Do you only come here just to annoy my mom?


Wren: Hey it's not our fault she's involved with the dark underworld.
Jasmine: Could you shut up about that stuff.


Melody clicked her tongue.
Melody: Whatever. You guys are so weird. Wren, the book you wanted is in. It's on the shelf.


Wren: Thanks, Melody.




Raven: You know, for someone in league with the occult sims, Mrs. Tinker makes awesome cookies.
Wren: How many times have I told you not to eat those. They could be laced with weird stuff.
Raven: Maybe, but it hasn't done anything to me yet. Besides, check it out, this one looks like Santa.


Raven: What are you doing here anyway, Baird? You following us?
Jasmine: Actually I was here first.
Raven: That doesn't mean anything. You could have gotten here.. um preemptively or something.
Jasmine: You mean I was lying in wait for you guys? Really?


Raven: If there's one thing we've learned is that everything is possible. We're not as dumb as you think we are.
Jasmine: Oh I don't know about that.
Raven: Well, I haven't decided yet if you're one of them or not.
Jasmine: One of what?
Raven: You know... one of those occult sims. Maybe a witch.
Jasmine: You got the wrong cousin for that.


Raven: What's that supposed to mean?
Jasmine: Nothing. Hey listen. You want to put your awesome investigative abilities to the test, how about you do a favour for me?
Raven: We're listening.


Jasmine: You really want to do some good? My dad has a new girlfriend. Clara St. Julien. I think she's a gold digging tramp. Maybe you could find some dirt on her for me.
Raven: And why do you think we'd do that?
To sic her annoying cousins on her dad's creepy new girlfriend and possibly keep them out of trouble around here, Jasmine thought to herself.
Jasmine: To prove to me that you're not complete morons. Who knows, maybe you'll find out something nefarious about her. Maybe she's an alien or a witch or an alien-vampire-witch-robot or something.
Raven: You think so? Alien hybrids are serious business.


Jasmine: I will throw in a hundred simoleons if you can find something noteworthy. I'll even give you a ride home. Better than taking the bus, right?
Wren: This is obviously a ploy to keep us distracted, Raven.



Wren: The question is why? You think she's hiding something?
Raven: I was just thinking the same thing.
Jasmine: I could hear you guys.


Wren: I guess I don't mind taking some side projects for the money.
Raven: Throw in burgers and you got a deal.
Jasmine: Sure. Whatever, let's just get out of here.


Wanda: Good. Maybe it'll keep you out of my hair.
Wren: Oh we'll be back, Mrs. Tinker. Count on it. Can you be anymore slower, Melody???


Wren: Let's go Raven.
Raven: I guess we're gonna go, Melody. We'll see you at school.


Melody: Sure. Just stop telling people my mom's a witch, okay?


Raven: Okay... but only 'cause you asked. Uh... by the way, I like your shirt... the butterflies and stuff...
Melody: Oh... thanks Raven.
The stupid grin on both Raven and Melody's faces made Jasmine roll her eyes and sigh.  Teenagers.


Raven: Bye Melody.
Wren: Come on, Raven.


Jasmine started to follow her cousins out the door, glad she didn't have to pay for any broken or stolen items. Or get sued for lost business.
Wanda: By the way, honey. If you need any help with... spells and such, you can always drop by. Just don't bring your cousins around with you.


Jasmine looked back at Wanda a little suspiciously. She seemed to know a lot about this stuff, but it could be possible she was only trying to make a sale. Since learning about Willow, Jasmine didn't take anything for granted anymore. For all she knew, Wanda Tinker could be a witch as well. Nothing would surprise her.


Her truck should be just about done now. Just in time to grab burgers with Wren and Raven and bring them home. Strangely, she didn't feel bad about making them Clara's problem. She honestly doubted they could find anything on her. What's the worse they could do anyhow?

A cold breeze blew around her, making the sign of Wanda's Odds & Ends clank like a bell. It would be dark soon. Jasmine would feel safer if they hurried on their way.


next » [ Chapter 22: To Die For ]

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:
* sorry this doesn't continue the events of chapter 20. Some of this stuff I had meant to put in there but it just didn't seem to work. Willow and Jasmine will be back in the next chapter, for sure.
* It felt a little weird reintroducing Linden this late into the story and I had second thoughts about bringing him in. First of all, I totally think he's adorable and second of all, it just sort of didn't make sense to *not* have him around. He won't be a major character but he is a part of the family .
* I still did enjoy putting this one together. I will say that I'm really adoring Melody and Raven right now. :D  
* Thanks for reading and we'll see you in the next decade. :)

Comments

[dark-dwellersim.livejournal.com]

WOW! New characters... And AUTOMOTIVES.... Because that is like... my life... *ashamed* I'm a mechanic sooo yeah anyways enough babble. Jasmine gets more interesting with every chapter, it was nice to have one soley about her pretty much, and my next favorite characters, Wren and Raven. They're awesome.

And holy crapola did Linden ever look different. I'm so glad to see that Rowan was released from Jail and I've noticed a striking resembalance between Rowan and Wren.

In total... This was a great chapter and worth the wait, I can't wait to see the next chapter!

[simtopi]

Haha, I was thinking as I was writing that part in the autoshop that I just couldn't write any kind of nonsense down just in case there was an actual mechanic out there, so I had to do some research and try to remember what people say when I take my car in for tune ups and such. Feel free to correct me on any of those. :D

Yeah, I agree, Linden does sort of look different, but I figure like everyone else, he does change a bit when they grow up. Thanks Nicole, I'm glad you liked!

[jerzibot.livejournal.com]

It's interesting to have a chapter based around Jasmine. Being able to get inside her cranium and life once in a while is quite a delight.

Linden re-appeared! To be honest, I kind of forgot he existed. Whoops.

Another well-written chapter to devour. ♥

[collidingwithme.livejournal.com]

lol! Me too, I forgot Linden existed. :P

[simtopi]

Haha, yeah it's easy to forget that Rowan has a twin brother. But that's sort of why I wanted to bring him back. Family's really important to the Marlens and like I said it just didn't make sense to not have him around.

Thank you! :)

And OMG why aren't you advertising Desultory Tales???? It's so awesome!

[leapsbarnes.livejournal.com]

Well, now that my OTP Gabriel and Willow are together maybe I can focus my energies on Melody and Raven ;) lol. They are kinda adorable.

I really like Jasmine. She's a tough, hard chick who is totally not like that. I love that what she was most angry about was that she wasn't as strong as she thought. I can totally relate to that.

I have to admit, my favourite part of this chapter was totally Wanda Tinker with Wren and Raven. LOL! Oh that was funny, poor woman. I can just imagine them in there all the time, accusing her of witch craft, terrorizing customers, eating her cookies, hitting on her daughter, lol.

Rowan ♥ that's really all I have to say there. Rowan ♥ ;) ooft baby.

Awesome chapter as usual. I don't think I commented on the last one because I'm a failure at life, but rest assured...I loved it. :)

[simtopi]

haha, hi stranger, I totally understand how everything's hectic right now so you may not have the time, but it is nice to read your comments here again, I'll admit. :D Don't ever feel bad or obliged though. I'll always be around when you do feel like some light reading. And honestly I'm looking forward to your story updates too (new and old)^_^

Melody and Raven are really cute. I'll post outtakes in a little while to show everyone why I think they're cute. I don't know if I'll tell their story here, but I have been thinking of writing a Wren and Raven miniseries sometime in the near future which is why I wanted to introduce Melody now. Wanda will be back again here though.

And yeah, Rowan <3. I still love him. Really glad you liked!

[collidingwithme.livejournal.com]

Linden: Didn't I tell you you were gonna get yourself arrested one day?

I reeeeeally hate it when people go i-told-you-so when they don't even know half the story! (*bares teeth at Linden*) Was Linden waiting for Rowan to exit the police station (coz he was sitting there in the cover picture)? That makes him even more of a bastard. >:(

Seriously, you don't have to apologise for not continuing the story from where chapter 20 ended. It's your story to tell! X) And Jasmine's my favourite character of SimTopi, so it was great to get a chapter following her around! I'm actually glad that she vented her anger on Adrian. :P I think he deserves some knocks on the head. Too bad Jasmine wasn't his match.

And I can't believe the cheek Wren and Raven have! They're so annoying yet so cute, like those irritating boys in class who you don't want to stop bickering with, lol! I hope they dig up some real shit about Clara! ;)

[simtopi]

LOL Linden. I agree he is a little bit of a jerk. :D He was waiting at the police station for Rowan to get out, but we'll find out how he got there in the next chapter. No worries, nothing really awful though. I figure Rowan and Linden are like those siblings that always gets on eachother's nerves but they really do care for one another.

I felt like I had to apologize, maybe more to myself, because I really did want to tell what happened with Wesley, Willow and Samantha. But it just didn't make sense to me until I wrote what Jasmine and Rowan were up to all day and by the time I finished telling their story, the chapter was huge enough as it was. :p

And LOL, I love how you see Wren and Raven. I think you're right about them. :)

[shanno54.livejournal.com]

I went on my LJ friend page subconsciously hoping you had updated...but I didn't think it would happen because you had just updated. But oh well. YOU DID! And it made me happy.

I've kinda decided that I'm majorly hooked on this story. It's so damn good. I love all your characters and the pacing of your chapters. I liked this chapter but I admit, my favorite character is Wesley and Willow and they weren't here and it was saddening. BUT IT'S OKAY! I'm sure they'll be back.
I loved the sparring scene with Adrian and Jasmine. It really showed Jasmine's pent up frustration and even that sexual tension between them. And it was staged really well.

I'll be on the lookout for chapter 22. :D

[simtopi]

Aw thanks, I'm just glad you're enjoying it. Maybe I was getting all those psychic vibes to update from you. O_o :D

It sort of bugged me that Wesley and Willow weren't in this chapter and I tried, but it just didn't feel right and the chapter was too long as it was. And lol, sexual tension between Adrian and Jasmine indeed! Wonder what those kids will be up to. ;) I do like that they're sparring partners.

[orikes13.livejournal.com]

Oooh. I love seeing these updates in my friends list. I devour them up and want another one!

I loved the fight between Jasmine and Adrian. You could cut the sexual tension there with a knife. Is he as oblivious to her feelings as he seems? And for a tough girl, she's awfully vulnerable about her feelings.

The bit with the Tinkers was also interesting. It was a nice change seeing Melody as a nice kid. :)

[simtopi]

:D I was just posting ads when I got these comments. I'm really happy you like them. I'm not sure this was my favourite chapter to write to be honest, but it was kinda neat.

Adrian and Jasmine: there is something there definitely. Yes, he is pretty oblivious. Adrian may be a nice guy and he's a great athlete and stuff but I figure he's really not too bright. Particularly when it comes to emotional aspects.

I don't think I recall ever reading any stories with Melody as a character (other than background). Then again I tend to gravitate towards Strangetown/Pleasantview stories usually so I haven't encountered much else yet. My interpretation of her will probably be that she takes stuff a bit too seriously but she is nice. :) Thank you for reading! <3

[lotussims.wordpress.com (from livejournal.com)]

I'm so glad you tossed Linden into the mix. Just having him in the prologue and then nothing seemed a little disappointing to me.

Working in new characters is difficult! I think you did a pretty good job. It was a little choppy, but that's unavoidable sometimes. Every story has those transition and build-up chapters and the flow is usually a little off.

I admit I was a little shocked by Jasmine's fling with Kyle. I couldn't help but think "Jasmine, you naughty girl!" It probably wouldn't have seem so out-of-character (I use that loosely, I can't find the right phrase) if there was more development of their relationship, but I guess you're saving that for later.

P.S. Wren and Raven are awesome!

[simtopi]

Not having Linden in the story even as a background character was actually bothering me too. I know I haven't even mentioned him, so I'll rectify that and explain what he's been up to. Whether or not I decide to give him a larger role, is still up in the air.

Jasmine's fling was sort of actually part of a larger montage going over her past boyfriends. I guess I wanted to establish her casual attitude towards relationships (she is still a Pleasure sim) and how finding someone she feels she could actually connect with, although unrequited at this time, is significant for her. But yes, i'll probably go over that in a later chapter. We probably won't see much of Kyle again though.

I'm happy you reading and you know I really appreciate your honesty in your comments. :D Thanks so much!

[selenaq13.livejournal.com]

I thoroughly enjoyed this update. Especially Rowan with his sarcastic response "Delightful". I love the Tinker's store, I had been thinking of doing a supernatural store and there it was, ours, in all its splendid glory.

[simtopi]

Thanks! I'm so happy Rowan has fans. :) That store wasn't too difficult to build and I had originally intended it to be a toy shop (as per the Tinker's professions), but I decided my story needed a shop like this so that's what it turned into.

[artivity.livejournal.com]

I must admit, I was disappointed at first by the fact that I didn't get to see what happened to Wesley. But I don't entirely mind now that I've read the actual chapter.
I've sort of been a lurker but I must say I love the way you don't add a description to every measly detail.

Superb job so far! Keep it up :]

[simtopi]

Thank you, and welcome! I'm glad you liked it even if it didn't continue chapter 20. I did feel bad about that too.

I figure since I take a lot of screenshots, it'd be redundant to describe everything when a picture can do it all for me. That's what I love about sim stories. :)

[mimiwiggles.livejournal.com]

I read this a couple nights ago and just realized that I never left a comment!!!!! SORRY! I loved this chapter even if it wasn't a continuation of the last one (prolonged suspense...). I love Love LOVE Raven and Melody. She's so sweet and he's so... awkward. They're so cute together! I'm so glad you squeezed Linden into the story... I actually read the prolog after I read the first couple of chapters and it's been nagging at the back of my mind ever since (I kept going back and re-reading the pre-simtopi posts to see if I had missed something). I know this is just my opinion, but I think it'd be cool if you worked him in as at least a semi-important character even if he doesn't have a lot of screen time. Thanks for the update!!!!

oh ya and I can't believe I'll have to wait until NEXT YEAR to read the next post!!!! lol! But seriously waiting for new simtopi posts is a hundred times worse than waiting for the next glee episode!!!!

simTopi / chapter 21

[simtopi]

No worries about commenting on every post, I'm happy you're reading. Like I said this wasn't my favourite chapter but I did feel like I had to get this part out of the way before I went on with what happened with Wesley, Willow and Samantha. I'm actually glad now that I brought Linden back in. I've yet to see if he'll play a bigger role but I do know what he's going to do next. I was up late writing out chapter 22 so hopefully I can get it online for the usual self-imposed deadlines. Thanks for commenting. :)

[prettypalisades.livejournal.com]

Great chapter! You do a great job with posing the sims; I love Rowan's pic with his hand on the back of his neck... considering it's a Maxis game it's a pretty convincing hangover pose, ha.

The scene in the shop is really fun! As compelling as the plotline is it's always nice to add some levity to the story. Wanda looks familiar, is she a pixel trade sim?

[simtopi]

Thanks very much. Maxis animations can be extremely versatile... just have to find the right one, I think. :) I really enjoyed shooting the scene in the shop, it was fun. Wanda Tinker is a Maxis sims that came with OFB, along with her husband Stephen and daughter Melody.

[starling-1.livejournal.com]

Your pacing is fantastic, the way you mix up the intensity and the emotions, from Jasmine's ambivalence about Kyle, to the over the top encounter with Adrian, and then the strange, quiet, fascinating scene with Wanda.

I think it's good to reintroduce characters like Linden. It adds depth to the world you've created.

Wonderful, detailed shots, and your posing is very natural. Great work!

[simtopi]

Most of the time, I feel I need to improve on figuring out the pacing of the story. Even though I know the plotlines, I don't think I plan far enough ahead when I'm executing it. But learning along the way is neat. Thank you so much. :)

[potassiumer.livejournal.com]

Hey, I've been lurking a while, but I think this is my first post.

Very nice chapter, I love all the work you put into making your characters witty and engaging, even the minor ones. Especially Wren and Raven, as a teenager, I love how goofy you white teens, especially them two.

Jasmine is a fave as well. She seems like a very strong female character; strong without being pushy or bickery.

Kyle's cute too, but I guess its no surprise to you that I like Adrian better. :)

I look foreword to reading more.

[simtopi]

Well I'm glad you delurked, it's nice to know you're reading. :) I'm glad that all the characters' personalities are coming through for you, it's hard for me to sit back and look at my own work in that regards sometimes.

I like Adrian too. Kyle is around as a very minor character to help me with a bit of Jasmine's background.

Thanks for the comment, I really appreciate it!

[dgjamie.livejournal.com]

I've now gotten myself all caught up on this and I figured you last chapter would be as good a place as any to leave a comment, even if it is several weeks old.

I'm going to make my best effort to not sound like a gushing fangirl, but I promise nothing, because I absolutely LOVE this story. It's the sort of thing that comes along so rarely that just gets under my skin and makes me want more and more and more, which is why I try to pace myself, since once I catch up on things I just have to wait :) I read this at work to pass the time and actually found myself looking forwards to going to work (and being left alone by customers) so I could read the next installement! You literally had me bouncing around itching to read next chapter. My coworkers all think I'm completely nuts now.

From a less vague rambling point of view I absolutely love your pictures, apart from being beautifully crisp and atmospheric you do such a great job with angles and poses. And then there's the story itself. I really really can't wait to see how it plays out! Being more used to traditional narration in sims stories that goes "Blah blah" said Jane, "Blah blah" replied John. I'm still getting used to the way you write dialogue like a script, but I've realized that it's really great way of really making the photos the focal point of the story and making the story seem more like a graphic novel or TV show than a novel with illustrations.

I also really enjoy your characterization, Jasmine and Gabriel especially are favourites of mine, but I love seeing back stories slowly unfold for each individual character as the story goes on. You are absolutely brilliant at balancing out the time you spend with each character, introducing minor character, giving us a sense of them, and then not lingering over them unduly. I can't wait to see how all of these individual plot threads are going to tie together.

Basically I love everything about this story, the whole vibe of it is just great, the sets, and the visual feeling you've given it. And your staging as well is amazing! I'd love to see a behind the scenes from you, because some of the stuff, like Adrian pinning Jasmine to the ground, or the way you line up the witch's casting with the spells just blows me away (I was struggling with the later myself a few days ago actually :) )

Anyway, you officially have me hooked, I cannot wait for Chapter 22 :)

[simtopi]

Wow, I really appreciate this comment. Just the fact that you took the time to write all this out is really flattering. I'm really happy you enjoyed the story this much.

I still feel like there's a lot I'm learning along the way. A lot of my "tricks" I've picked up from other sim writers so I have to give them credit for how my story looks. :) I'm glad you pointed out the dialogue... I went back and forth on how to narrate this story, before deciding to stick to script style, and just for the reasons you mention. The other big reason I use it is because I'm not confident at all with my writing. I find it easier to tell the story with pics.

I don't know if I do anything differently than what other sim story tellers do. I do use a lot of pose boxes and animation hacks but if anyone has anything specific they want to know, I don't mind sharing.

You've timed this comment out nicely. Chapter 22 should be uploaded tonight. :D