chapter 23

[simtopi]

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23: Unwelcome

Warnings:  Coarse/mature language, some violence, adult situations, nudity (no "bits")

Cecilia stared at her own reflection in her mirror trying to find the person she was just a few years ago. Nothing in her face had changed. The reflection that looked back at her with dull glass eyes didn't seem like the same, bright and eager eyed young girl who had just wanted to get out and experience life on her own.

What did I do?


She knew she was making a mistake the moment she had taken his hand the night before. But how could she say no to him?


Then, she had thought of everything except for what seemed right. She wanted to impress her friends. She wanted to get back at her parents. She wanted to be able to just let go of herself. But maybe she did to a point where she had let it go too far.


She wanted to make him happy. But she didn't know if she could do the same for herself.


She didn't know if he cared that it was her first time. She didn't bother to tell him, either. He must have known to some extent how inexperienced she was. He was gentle, but demanding, almost aggressive. He knew what to do to make her cry out in pleasure, wanting more of his every touch. If she could just lose herself in the physicality of the experience and not think of it as anything more, it might have been perfect.


All her life, she had wanted the fairytale, the romance and adventure. She wanted her handsome Prince. And once here, it felt nothing like she dreamed. Maybe that was what she deserved for thinking that things would be easy. No happy endings, right?


She woke up alone in the strange bed in this large, and opulent room. His staff politely helped her with what she needed, then brought her home.


All day long she couldn't keep herself from thinking about it. She felt sick and weak. A moment of drunken impetuousness and now she felt like everything was spinning out of control.

And Malcolm's kiss wasn't the only one she couldn't keep out of her mind.




This would be the third time she had tried calling her sister that night. Each time, it would go to her message service.


Cecilia: Jasmine where are you? Listen, okay... I'm sorry I got mad at you the other day. But I think I really screwed up...


"I don't know. Just... please, I need to talk to someone right now. Call me back."


She started to cry as she put her cellphone away. Doubt and indecision weighed down on her and all she wanted to do was hide from everything. Where was Jasmine?

As that last thought crossed her mind, the room suddenly felt colder.
"Well? Was he worth it?"


Cecilia: What???
Cecilia looked up slowly, not knowing how to respond to the ethereal voice.
"Is he worth being a whore for?"


The ghost's words felt like a cold slap in the face. Cecilia felt her cheeks begin to warm as the initial fear she felt began to slowly be replaced with anger.
Cecilia: I'm so fucking sick of you.


She closed her eyes trying her best to will the ghost away as she got up and stormed out of her room.

---

Only Rowan seemed to recognize dark haired woman who had suddenly appeared before them. For moments, she stood there, her scarlet eyes moving quickly, carefully assessing the strangers that had entered her graveyard. Her eyes finally locked on Willow kneeling over an unconscious Wesley.


Sibyll: What have you done with him?
Her voice was sharp and accusing.
Willow: I haven't done anything to him. There was a spell cast... I didn't know what to do so I brought him here.
Sibyll: And all your friends as well, I see. I wasn't quite expecting company tonight.


Jasmine: What's wrong with you?
Rowan: Fuck, I don't feel so good.
Rowan didn't feel all that well before Willow managed to teleport them all the way across town. He felt exceptionally worse now, as if he was fighting to keep any energy he had and losing badly.


Linden on the other hand, was unable to fight it off.


Willow heard the dull thud behind her as her brother collapsed backwards. She gasped, almost completely forgetting about Sibyll.


At the same time, Rowan buckled to his knees as the pain in his head did it's best to render him completely helpless. He shrugged Jasmine off as she instinctively reached out to try and keep him steady.
Jasmine: Willow, this isn't right.
Rowan: No...shit.
He was barely able to talk.


Willow: Linden! Oh god, what did I do???
She had to leave Wesley as she ran over to Linden's side, terrified at what might have happened. She had never teleported other people before. She didn't know what sort of consequences or side effects any of this might have had. She didn't want to think that she had inadvertently hurt anyone.


Jasmine: Is he alright?
Willow: I don't know what's wrong with him! I've never done this before.


Jasmine: What, magically teleporting people through space and time? I'd have thought you'd be a natural at this.
Willow: Come on, Jasmine, I didn't know this would happen. Are you alright?
Jasmine: Yeah... I think so. At least I feel fine now.
Willow: Jasmine, don't look at me like that.


Jasmine: What the hell am I supposed to be thinking right now, Willow?


Sibyll: So you managed to teleport five people including yourself all the way across town, did you?
Willow: I only meant to bring me and Wesley here.
Sibyll: You mean to say you didn't intend to bring the other three?
She eyed over the young witch, her eyes narrowing in thought.


Willow: I thought I'd just be bringing Wesley somewhere safe.
Sibyll:You really should be careful of the spells you cast, love. Some of those have pretty awful consequences if you're not sure of what you're doing.
Willow: Who are you?
Sibyll walked over to where Rowan was still crouched low to the ground. She grinned knowingly.


Sibyll: One might say I'm a friend of your brother's. Hello, dear, it's a bit of a surprise meeting you again, I admit.


Rowan: How the fuck do you know I'm her brother???


Sibyll: I make it a priority to get to know the people who may or may not bring about the downfall of civilization as we know it.


Willow: What is that even supposed to mean? And what's wrong with my brothers?
Jasmine: And where the hell are we?


Sibyll turned to look at the girl quizzically. Was she really this ignorant? Is it possible that she didn't know who she was? She almost laughed at the thought of this entire situation. But at this point, Sibyll honestly did not know if her ignorance made her less dangerous. She seemed earnestly unaware of the spells she had cast.


Rowan rose up suddenly, ignoring his headache and how light headed he felt.
Rowan: I hate it when people are creepy.


Rowan: Now you're gonna tell us who the fuck you are or you're in for some hurt.
Sibyll only sighed.


She evaporated in mist as she transformed in Rowan's arms.


... and reappeared suddenly behind Jasmine.


Sibyll: Good try, but I am much better at this game than you are. Please remember that you people are the trespassers here.


Willow stood up quickly, Linden moaning as she clumsily rolled him off of her lap.
Willow: Stop it!


Jasmine: Lady, you picked the wrong chick to fuck with.
Willow: Don't you dare hurt her!


Quickly Willow summoned her wand, ready to cast a spell... anything to stop Sibyll from hurting her friend. She knew which spell she needed to use.


But nothing happened.


She felt the energy buzzing within her, but it felt locked under her skin, unable to channel itself through the wand. She couldn't call the magic. The spell couldn't cast.


Sibyll: You're all quite fortunate that I'm well fed tonight. No point in escalating this situation, I must say.


Jasmine whirled around furious and ready to fight. Rowan was instantly beside her. But Sibyll raised her hand.
Sibyll: Don't try it, dear.


Something about the tone of her voice, and the glare in her eyes suddenly made Jasmine hesitate. It was an odd sensation, almost like a cloud of fear creeping towards her. Slowly she stepped back.


Sibyll: I've been around quite a while, love. I'm all too familiar with your kind so I've taken some precautions. Your magic won't help you here.
Willow: What did you do?
Sibyll: Always with the questions. First, let me tend to Wesley. What happened to him?


Willow: It was another witch's spell. I don't know what it was.
Sibyll: Did the Coven do this to him?
Willow: I don't know... she said she was from the Circle. It's an organization...
Sibyll: Yes, I'm aware of what the Circle does. But what I don't know is what they could possibly want with Wesley.


She didn't know if she could say it. Linden was unconscious and Rowan and Jasmine were standing there watching her. Everything that happened earlier ran through her mind in an instant and she was beginning to doubt everything including the reasons why she was here. Sibyll was able to sense her apprehension and fears.
Sibyll: You think he did something truly unforgivable.
Willow spoke in a low voice, as if she was only talking to herself.
Willow: He killed someone... but I don't know why he did. I have to know...
Sibyll: Wesley is no doubt innocent of any of the crimes he's supposedly committed. Believe me, one way or another, he's innocent.


Gently, she lifted him up into her arms as easily as if he were a child. She carried him into the church.
Sibyll: There are few things in the world that will kill a vampire. This spell is one of them. But he's not dead yet. He needs rest. And blood.


There was an odd quiet for a long while. The autumn air was brisk and biting. Willow shivered as she tried to keep herself from looking directly at her brother and Jasmine. Rowan turned to her.
Rowan: You've gotta be fucking kidding me.


Rowan: Seriously Willow? Vampires?? You're fucking hanging out with vampires???


Willow: Listen, I don't know who that woman is.


Jasmine: And what about blondie? The one you were trying to help? He's a vampire too?


Willow looked down and fidgetted nervously. She didn't know what she could tell them.


Jasmine's lowered her voice, her face softening into a look of true concern.
Jasmine: Willow, when you told me they wanted to kill you... I had no idea how deep you were into all of this.


Rowan: What? Who wants to kill you???


Rowan: I don't know what's going on, or who these freaks are, but how the hell did you get yourself into this mess?
Jasmine: Can you calm down right now, you're stressing me out!


Rowan: I'm stressing you out? We're surrounded by vampires and you just told me that there are people out there that want to kill my little sister, so sorry that you gotta deal with me being just a little pissed off here.


Linden: Hey, just shut up, Rowan. You're giving me a headache.


Willow: Linden! Are you okay?
Linden: Yeah... I think so.


Linden: But did I hear her right? Vampires want to kill you?
Willow: No... not them. At least I don't think so. I don't know, it's hard to explain.


Linden: Well, can you explain how the hell you brought us here then?


Willow: Um...


Jasmine: Just tell him, Willow...
Rowan: Linden, she's a witch.


Jasmine: You know about her?
Rowan: Since when did you?


Linden: Really? You're a witch? Like broomsticks and cauldrons and stuff?
Willow: Well, I actually don't own any of those, but... yeah. I am. If it helps at all, I'm not very good at it.


Linden: And I'm the last to know?
Willow: Well, no. Not technically...


He closed his eyes and groaned.
Linden: I really should have stayed in Sunset Valley.


A few moments later, Sibyll emerged from the church alone. Quietly, she stood there staring at Willow with an indescribable expression on her face. Willow stood up slowly, turning to face her.


Willow: If Wesley needs blood... I guess I'll do it...


Rowan: No, Willow. No. I've put up with all this magic shit all this time, but I'm drawing the line here. We're going home.


Sibyll: I don't need a full body's worth. Willow won't be harmed much. And I'll be perfectly honest with you, if none of you volunteer, I'll find it elsewhere. I won't be able to guarantee anyone else's safety.


Willow: You will not hurt anyone tonight.
Sibyll: Then what will it be?
Rowan: The answer is "no".
Willow: Rowan!


Rowan: What the fuck, Willow? Do you really think I'm going to let you go through with this?


Linden: I'm going to have to agree with him, Willow. This is a bad idea. A really, really bad idea. I can't even begin to tell you what a phenomenally awful idea this is.
Willow: I get it, Linden.
Linden: Seriously, Willow. Really bad.


Willow looked at Rowan, knowing he and Linden were right and this would probably be the worst decision she'd ever make. She didn't know what Wesley had done, but his words kept echoing in her mind. "I was oathbound." If this was true, then there was a possibility that Wesley could be innocent as Sibyll had said.

Willow: Rowan, a long time ago when we were kids, I told you about a friend of mine. You didn't believe he existed. No one did. But he did and this is him. I mean...


"Who are you talking to, you little weirdo?"
"Just Mr. Wesley."
"Is that your bunny?"
"No, stupid. This is just a toy... Mr. Wesley is just a prince under a spell."
"Sure he is."


Willow: This is him, Rowan. This is Mr. Wesley. This is why I have to give him a chance.
Rowan took a deep breath trying his best to control his anger. He barely remembered Willow talking about her imaginary friend, but only now did he begin to connect everything that had happened when she was a child to everything that was going on now. If everyone believed her back then, would she even be in this situation now? All he ever wanted to do was to make sure she was okay. And he was doing a shitty job of it.
Rowan: I'm going with you then.


Sibyll: I don't think so, dear.


Rowan: You think I'm going to let her go in there with you alone? Fuck that!


Sibyll: Oh, as much as I hate to break up the family, the last thing I want are her siblings in my home with her.
Rowan: What's the big deal, what does it matter...?
Sibyll: It matters enough. You are bloodtied to her, and incredibly enough she managed to pull that extremely complicated spell out of her naive little brain using your lifeforce to feed her own magic. Now I said before, I've taken precautions, but Willow is a bit of a wild card. I'd rather not take my chances. Neither should you.


Rowan: I don't give a fuck what all that spell crap is, Willow isn't going in there alone.
Jasmine: I'll go with her.
Rowan: You??? Come on...
Jasmine: Rowan. I can kick your ass.
Rowan: Wanna prove it?


Sibyll: Her, I'll accept.
Jasmine: Great.
Linden: Guys? Hey by the way, I know I'm new here and all, but I'd like to reiterate my earlier stance. Bad. Idea.


Jasmine: Don't worry, I'll make sure Willow's okay. I promise.


Willow: It'll be fine. I'll be fine. I...
Willow reached into her jean pocket, and felt for the warm metal object that Wesley had given her the moment before Sibyll arrived. She took it out and held it to her chest.
Willow: I trust Wesley.


He had managed to gather whatever strength he had left to stay awake long enough to give it to her. Slowly his lips moved. Willow lowered herself to him so she could hear what he had to say.
"Tell...no one..."


The key glowed brightly as he pressed it into her palm.




Linden: I hope it's not just me, but don't you think this whole thing is just a little bit screwed up?
Rowan: I know.
Linden: So you're just gonna let them go in there...?
Rowan: I know, Linden.


Jasmine: It's not bad. Sort of has that dungeon-esque quality about it. You've been here before I take it?
Willow: Yeah... sort of.


Sibyll: I suppose Wesley failed to tell you that this was my home. Not really sure why you decided to come here then.
Willow: Let me see him.


Sibyll: Not so fast, dear. As I said, Wesley's resting and it wouldn't be a good idea to disturb him right now.
Willow: Can you at least tell me what you meant?


Willow: By all the stuff you said out there. How did you know Rowan and how do you know me? I don't understand all this about blood ties...
Sibyll: Really, in all of your reading you didn't once come across that particular bit of magic? I shouldn't be surprised, it is quite old. I suppose modern day witches don't look too fondly on using their own brethren as their own personal energy sources. It normally kills the non-witches in the family.
There was a sarcastic, bitter edge to Sibyll's voice.


Sibyll: Your brothers are quite lucky that you're incompetent.
Jasmine: I don't know if 'lucky' is the word I'd use.
Willow: How do you know so much about all of this? And why did you say what you said about me bringing down civilization?


Sibyll paused for a moment, the corners of her lips curling upwards slightly as she thought for a moment of the next words to say. She could tell this girl now if she wanted but she knew how dangerous it could be, particularly if she was untrained and unprepared.
Sibyll: Well, I tend to be melodramatic at times.


Jasmine: I'm thinking the last thing this situation needs is more melodrama.
Sibyll: I'll let you in on a bit of information. Not quite common knowledge, but the Coven are very aware of you. And since it's in my personal best interest to keep an eye on what the Coven does, I know of you too. And believe me, anything that the Coven takes interest in can't be good for everyone else in general.
Willow: I don't have anything to do with them.
Sibyll: You may not have a choice in that regard.


Willow: Do they have anything to do with the Circle...?
Jasmine: Circles? Covens? Um, what?
Willow: Yeah, I know.
Sibyll: The Coven have been around possibly as long as I have. Maybe longer. They've given themselves different names over the centuries depending on the vanity of whoever the Head Witch is at the time, but we all know them as the Coven. The Circle... what is it they call themselves? ... yes, of the Nine, are a more recent branch of witches. The original Nine members they are named for are long dead but their numbers have grown somewhat outside of this city. I'm not sure what their purpose is but it has something to do with countering whatever it is the Coven does.


Sibyll: They've been relatively harmless, nothing to take note of. Up until now.
Willow: And what does all this have to do with me?


Sibyll: I'm not the one to ask about the motives of the Coven. I don't tend to dabble in Witch politics. However, I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest that whatever brought Wesley to this situation had to do with you.

One name kept echoing through her mind, almost at the tip of her tongue to mention: Clara.
Sibyll: You are indeed important to them, love. But I'll decide what to do with you after you've made a few more decisions for yourself. I'm not completely heartless.


Willow: And what about Rowan?


Sibyll grinned as she walked over towards Willow, gently touching the young woman's cheek.
Sibyll: I was wrong, Willow, I can admit that. I thought removing him from this world would be a way to weaken you. But I can see quite clearly that after all this, you may not be what they're expecting. It's quite amusing, really.
Willow's shoulders tensed as her blood ran cold at Sibyll's admission.
Willow: I don't think it's amusing.
Sibyll: Not to worry. For now, you and your family is safe, at least from me. The absolute last thing I need is the wrath of the Coven on my head. Again.


Sibyll: Now for the matter at hand. Relax a while, dears. It'll make the bloodletting much less stressful.
Willow: Bloodletting? Wait... what?
Sibyll: Did you think Wesley was going to feed himself?


Sibyll left the room, leaving Jasmine and Willow alone in silence. Willow turned to Jasmine, unable to think of what to say.
Jasmine: So you're really going to go through with this? Do you trust that woman ... vampire... whatever..?
Willow: Of course I don't. God, I don't know anymore.
Jasmine: We could bolt right now, you know.
Willow: If I leave she'll just find someone else.
Jasmine: Does it have to be your problem?
Willow: I can't let her do that! And...
She wanted to help Wesley.



Willow: He was the one that rescued me last week, Jasmine. He was the one that brought me here, and told me that you were in the hospital. I didn't want you or Rowan or Linden or anyone to get involved in this. The last thing I wanted to see was anyone hurt because of me.
Jasmine: Willow, I don't know much of what's going on.


Jasmine: I'm going to bet pretty much everything I have that none of this is your fault. I mean, you were kinda weird about all of this before, but I don't think being chased around the city by vampires and zombies and witch covens is your idea of fun either.


Jasmine: You're my best friend. I'm not gonna let you do this alone.


Willow: I was worried you thought I was crazy.
Jasmine: Well, you probably are. But I'm used to it.
Willow: Thanks, Jasmine.


Sibyll: Well, all this is touching. Shall we get on with it then? The sooner we do, the sooner I can send you on your way.

---

Everyone else had gone to bed, which suited Cecilia just fine. She'd rather be alone anyway. She didn't know if the ghost had followed her, but if it did, she'd try her best to ignore it. Aimlessly she clicked through the channels on T.V., finishing off a package of cookies as she did.
Anchor: It may have been several months after Mayor Garret Baird announced his resignation, but for the first time tonight a candidate to replace him has been officially declared...


Cecilia paused on the late news. Hearing her grandfather's name caught her attention.
Anchor: Media magnate Heather Huffington held a press conference today announcing her campaign for Mayor. Over the years, Ms. Huffington had been a sharp critic of the Baird administration and though she has had no prior political experience, she remains a favourite among the left wing circles to run for office.

"THAT BITCH!"


As Cecilia started to sit up, a book flew past her head, close enough to catch a few strands of her hair.


Cecilia let out a small cry of surprise as the book struck the television set. The picture began to scatter, the pre-recorded press conference dissipating into static before it shut off completely.


She stood up and turned around to face her invisible antagonizer.
Cecilia: Why can't you leave me alone?!


Cecilia: What the fuck did I ever do to you???
She had tried to be sympathetic. She had tried to not be afraid, but whatever Cecilia tried to do, the ghost would continue to torment her. She hadn't had a decent night sleep in over a week because of it and she didn't know what else she could do.


Cecilia walked over to the book that was thrown and picked it up. As she did, she noticed the label on the cover. It was a photo album.


Cecilia sat down and started to look through it. She hadn't ever seen that particular album around before. Maybe there was a reason that the ghost threw it...


She looked through the photos of the sorority alumni with fascination. She immediately recognized pictures of a young Heather Huffington. She couldn't ignore the coincidence that this woman had just been on the news. Here she was surrounded by her college friends and fellow sisters, probably clueless to her political aspirations twenty years later. But there was another sorority sister who caught her attention.


Her heart just about stopped when she recognized the cold expression that seemed to glare up at her from the photos. Slowly, she turned the page. The next photo had notes pasted and scrawled around it in feminine, heart-dotted handwriting. Blood drained from Cecilia's face.

"Tri-Var 4 Life!"
"We love u always!"
"Friends forever XOXO"


"R.I.P. Brittany."



next » [ Chapter 24: Devotion ]

Comments

[dicaprioangel.livejournal.com]

Omg, this was an incredibly awesome chapter! Keep up the great work!

[simtopi]

I'll try! Thank you! :D

[spyroeldragon.livejournal.com]

Once again, I really don't have much to say. I loved this chapter! I love this entire freaking story. I feel so so bad for Cecelia. Having Brittany haunt you seems really unpleasant. I can only imagine how terrible she must feel after what happened with Malcolm, too. On top of that, Jasmine's not even answering her phone! (She is a bit busy, but anyways..) *hugs for Cecelia*

You said that it's possible that Jasmine won't get with Adrian. My next guess would be Rowan. They just seem really alike. x]

And gah, Willow. Like Sibyll said, she really has no idea what's going on with this whole magic thing. It's really a shame that Wesley killed Ms Cordial (I can't remember if she's Samantha or Kimberly :P) before she could teach Willow more.

A few loose ends have been tied up, but a bunch more just un-tied. I can't wait to see what happens next. :D

[simtopi]

:D I'm really glad that you liked this chapter. It felt like a lot of talk for me, but I'm glad it was still entertaining. I won't say much about Cecilia and her ghost, and I'll keep my lips sealed about Jasmine and Adrian. But it is really interesting that you brought up Jasmine and Rowan together, lol. They are both pleasure Sims. ;)

I'm slowly doing some more tying up. And maybe a bit more unravelling. I'm happy you're enjoying it.

[harlowstories.livejournal.com]

Yay! I love Linden's reaction to the new information forced upon him. You'd expect him to be in the biggest panic, but he's more calm than Rowan and Jasmine. At least, on the outside.

I'm so delighted Willow is "sacrificing" herself! Maybe I'm a little morbid, but it strengthens the tie between her and Wesley. To be honest, I'll probably be satisfied no matter who she ends up with. And, though I don't believe it'll be Wesley, that possibility is becoming more tangible, whether other readers like it or not.

And, just for laughs, when she and Jasmine had their sappy hug, I thought, "She is going to have Willow become a lesbian!"

P.S. I've been forcing Sim stories on my mother lately and had her read SimTopi. She'll never comment, but I thought you'd get a kick out of a 47-year-old woman reading your story. She thinks Willow should fall in love with Clive and that Gabriel is going to be revealed as an evil warlock! She's a strange one XD

[simtopi]

LOL, yes Linden. I figure he isn't quite the freak-out type. He is a lot more "calm" in general than Rowan. I figure he just went through this whole chapter in a general state of disbelief rather than outright panic.

And lol again at Jasmine and Willow... yeah I knew that whole 'best friends forever' scene was a little sappy. I almost called this chapter "Girl Talk" partly because of it.

Sim stories should be for all ages, its great that your mom is reading :D Though, yeah I admit if I had to give this story a category it would totally be YA. Your mother has a really neat imagination. I don't know if Willow should fall for Clive seeing as her mother and Clive dated in highschool and college. XD

[teckno102.livejournal.com]

Ahhhh! I wasn't expecting another update so soon, I swear I remember you posting something about it being a couple of weeks until the next chapter would be out.

This was great, I loved every part of it!

For some reason, I was half expecting Cecelia to start having some morning sickness, but then I realized Sims can't get pregnant at college. x.<;

Anyway, great update, a very pleasant surprise.

[simtopi]

Yeah I've been busier lately but I've been trying to keep to my two week schedule. This chapter wasn't that difficult to put together, I would have had it out sooner, I just kept getting interrupted. ;)

There are hacks to get sims pregnant in college, or hacks that let you do college in regular neighbourhoods so there are those options. I won't say much about Cecilia but I don't think she's ready to have kids yet. Thank you for the comment, I appreciate it and I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter.

[orikes13.livejournal.com]

eeeee! So happy to see this update. It made an otherwise depressing night a little brighter. For me at least. Things are seeming a little tense for your poor characters. :)

This was excellent as always. You always inspire me to want to do better things with my own stories. :)

[simtopi]

I'm sorry you've had a bad night. :( That always sucks, I know I've had a few of those lately too. I'm glad I was able to help in at least a small way. :D Thank you!

[amochan8878.livejournal.com]

WOOOOO HOOOO. I feel just a bit silly admitting that I did a bit of a happy dance in my chair at the wee hours of the day when I saw you had a new chapter XD.
I hadn't really decided yet, but I have now...Sibyll is absolutely bitch fabulous! I totally have a bit of a hetero girl crush on her XD.
Of course, that doesn't even TOUCH on my Wesley crush. He's just so vulnerable right now, and that kills me a little bit.

[simtopi]

Aww, that's too sweet. :D I'm just glad you're enjoying.

Sibyll, ah yes. Vampire confrontations always have the potential to be so cheesy, but I admit I did have fun with her. And don't worry, for now I can assure you that Wesley will be fine. :) Thanks!

[amochan8878.livejournal.com]

The fact that you say "for now" scares me a bit. XD

[simtopi]

Well, he *might* be okay later too. ;) But I'll keep my trap shut.

>_>

[dgjamie.livejournal.com]

This was such a pleasure to wake up to in the middle of a tough few days! :D My heart broke for Cecilia in this one, I have to admit, everyone has been there in that moment when they've done something stupid and are tearing themselves up about it. I just wanted to give her a great big hug. And get her sister to pick up her phone. Though Jasmine probably has enough on her hands as it is.

And the bits with Sibyll were very awesome as well. Random question, but that shot of Linder with his head in Willow's lap, is that a bozebox or are those just very cleverly put together animations?

Can't wait for the next chapter, as usual :)

[simtopi]

Yeah, Cecilia sort of stepped in it this time... I won't say much about her though, but yeah I agree we've all made awful choices and some of us have the luxury of being able to talk about it with someone. Just tonight, Cecilia didn't. :p

The poses with Linden and Willow were a combination maxis animations and pose box. Willow sitting there was from the May Love pose box (this is off the top of my head) with an overlay animation on it. Linden is just using the "nightmare" animation.

I'm glad you enjoyed this chapter. I hope things go better in the next while.

[cinnepin.livejournal.com]

Wow, you are such a talented writer!! Amazing update! Love all the pictures too...It must be so much work to stage all things so perfectly. You did an incredible job!
Gonna go read the other chapters now...I missed so much!

[simtopi]

It's so nice to see you back and posting. I haven't been on MTS since forever so I haven't been keeping up there. As soon as I have a bit more time later, I'm checking out your legacy update too. :)

And thank you about the story. It is a bit of work, but it's such a fun project. :D

[simtopi]

It's sweet that people seem to be sympathizing with Cecilia now. It's true she's made a few bad judgment calls, but I think essentially she's a sweet girl inside. Jasmine probably wouldn't be able to help her much but I think at this point all Cecilia needed was a shoulder to cry on.

Thanks you! Next update is in the works! :D

Wheee

[(Anonymous)]

I am absolutely in lurvvvv with this story and eagerly anticipate each update. You are very talented and thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing that talent with us!

Re: Wheee

[simtopi]

Thank you Anonymous. I'm just glad you're enjoying it, no need to thank me. It's totally my pleasure. :)

[selenaq13.livejournal.com]

More please! I have no nails left.

[simtopi]

LOL! By the time I get around to the next update, hopefully you'll have regrown them. ;)

[budgie-budgie.livejournal.com]

Aah, perfect! A new chapter of simTopi with my morning coffee. This is going to be a good day :) Thanks!

[simtopi]

Mmm, coffee and sim stories.. I like that combination as well. :D

[liviumdec.livejournal.com]

It is so interesting that Willow drew power from her brothers. What a dangerous caveat. Wondering where this will go next...

I can't WAIT to see what's to come with Cecilia and Brittany's ghost. This update was YAY!

[simtopi]

It really is fun playing around with Willow's powers in the story. I won't say much about where it's all going though. Thank you! ^_^

(frozen) BAD STORY YOU MULE!

[(Anonymous)]

THIS IS A HORRIBLE STORY, SO IF YOU LIKE IT YOU ARE A MIDGET MAJOR AND A BULKY BLIMP!
THE WRITER OF THIS STORY IS A BLIMPISH COW!

EAT MORE YAMS!
EAT ORGANIC LETTER OF THE DAY COOKIE MONSTER COOKIES!

wHY arE YOu sHRINkING?!?!

(frozen) Re: BAD STORY YOU MULE!

[simtopi]

Hmm. I think you're right, we should eat more yams.


(and as much as I appreciate you increasing my comment count *eyeroll*, I'll be removing any more posts like this.)

Thanks for coming by!

[artivity.livejournal.com]

As always, incredible!
I really want to learn more about Brittany and what the coven wants to do with Willow.

Please update soon :]

[simtopi]

Thank you! :)

We'll learn about Brittany and the Coven in time, definitely. I'll try to keep my regular updates too. :)

[just-jasper.livejournal.com]

Great chapter! My favourite pic of this update: http://sims.blackdaisies.com/pics/gen3_chap23/gen3_chap23_027.jpg

So much awesome.

[simtopi]

Thank you so much. :)

[swampyclouds.livejournal.com]

This is the best sim-story I've ever read.

[simtopi]

I'm really flattered that you think so. :) Thank you!

[starling-1.livejournal.com]

Before I say anything else, I have to say that the shot with the wine glass - is it full, is it empty - was absolutely inspired!

I love that scene. The emotion, the dislocation. I love how you moved through the whole update and came right back to it. The album. It is absolutely perfect.

The long following scene with Willow and Sibyll, and it was mostly about that confrontation wasn't it, opened up so much more. Love Rowan's stance, hell no Willow isn't going in there by herself. And the line you use with Linden is total gold: I hope it's not just me, but don't you think this whole thing is just a little bit screwed up?

Weird comments from strange people, just delete them. You're a fantastic storyteller. You handled what was probably a pump from a 13 yr old guy very graciously.

[simtopi]

Thank you :). I never thought about the wine glass, actually. I used it as a cheap "censor" if anything but I like the metaphor there. ;)

Everything with Sibyll was a way for me to attempt to start explaining things and bringing stuff together. Pacing these sort of chapters have always been challenging for me. :)

As for the weird comments, yeah I left that one up there and deleted the others they attempted to post. Compliment or insult my work, that's one thing, but outright trolling deserves no attention in this blog. Whoever was posting them, they're not going to change the way I've been doing things. Anonymous commenting is still enabled, IP tracking is still off and I can hit delete faster than they can get through the CAPTCHA so it's no problem for me. ;)

[collidingwithme.livejournal.com]

I'm loving Jasmine and Rowan's exchange! These two seem to have some kind of non-romantic chemistry, huh. ;D

Poor Cecilia.. though I don't think even she can deny that she deserves it. But still... I wished Jasmine could be there for her. :(

And the awesome witchy stuff is cool! Blood tied to Willow, eh? That sounds super interesting! I wonder if Sibyll was killed by a family witch, which somehow led to her having bad blood with the Coven. :\

[simtopi]

Haha, Rowan and Jasmine actually do have some "bolts" for eachother, and they are both "pleasure" sims. I figure I'd play with that with some harmless flirting and other tense interactions but it'll be interesting (for me, too, lol) to see if I decide if it goes anywhere. Not saying anything will happen at all, but their in-game chemistry actually surprised me too.

And yeah, I agree, Cecilia probably does deserve what she's going through right now. There are always consequences for the decisions we make.

I find the way you think about Sibyll and her past really interesting. ;) I won't say much about Sibyll's past and her connection to the Coven except to say we'll be getting to it in a while.