Chapter 21
Dec. 29th, 2009 01:21 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
simtopi21: 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 ]
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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. :)
no subject
Date: 2009-12-31 04:04 pm (UTC)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
Date: 2009-12-31 04:56 pm (UTC)