Chapter 28
May. 15th, 2010 09:45 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
simtopi28: The Mission
Featuring sims by
![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif){kind=small}
amochan8878 , dgjamie , odddude1 , simsinthecity , rome_raven81 , tyjet92 , telectroscope Warnings: Coarse language, violence, death, inconsistent weather (damn you game!)
His fingers felt numb, and it wasn't just because of the cold. He dialed the number out of muscle memory, almost only peripherally aware of what he was doing at all. He had been drinking, but he wasn't wasted yet. Just distracted.
Was she home? No, she wasn't. The jackass on the other end knew as much as he did and wasn't interested in helping him with any more information.
No amount of swearing would get him anymore closer to finding out from this guy where she was tonight.
He slammed the phone down with a loud expletive that echoed off the walls of the college bar, across the empty road. He knew he shouldn't worry. It wasn't that late. But there was a chill in the air that he didn't like, and it wasn't the weather. Something was going down.
Rowan looked down the road, knowing he had to find her and make sure she was alright. He mentally prepared himself. He was just about ready for anything.
During warmer temperatures, this street full of college dorms were usually alive with students. Tonight, because of the cold, it was quiet and Willow wasn't exactly used to that this early in the evening, particularly since it was the end of the semester and she had expected more partying. It wasn't that she minded. It was just odd.
Just as odd as her company. She didn't say anything as she led Cecilia down the street towards her dorm. Cecilia didn't say much either. If it weren't for her footsteps on the icy asphalt Willow wouldn't have known she was there. They never had much to say to eachother.
She wasn't sure why she was humouring this. She wasn't sure why she felt like she had to believe her. But she couldn't turn down her plea for help. Willow could never be the one to refuse someone help when they needed it. Even if the one asking was Cecilia.
Clara looked down at the crystal, hazy images forming in the mystical cloud inside. She had worked particularly hard, literally bleeding to get this project of hers done. And now that it was, she couldn't deny herself the satisfaction of watching it all happen. She wanted none of this to be in vain.
And if there was any collateral damage... Clara wouldn't bat an eyelash about it.
Jasmine: This isn't good. We gotta go.
Adrian: What the hell did they throw that at us for???
Jasmine: Adrian, don't. We need to go right now.
Jasmine: Right fucking now.
Adrian: Holy... what's wrong with them?
Jasmine: Adrian, come on!
Jasmine's blood froze as the creatures began to run toward them. She grabbed Adrian by the shoulder pulling him back and bolted into a run.
Adrian: Jasmine, who are they...?
He yelled out as he was tackled from behind.
Jasmine stopped, turning back quickly.
The creature had pulled Adrian down hard. He was lying face down with that thing over him pounding clawed fists maniacally.
Jasmine: Get the fuck off of him!
She landed two hard kicks across the creature's head with every ounce of strength she managed to find.
Jasmine: Are you okay?
Adrian: Yeah... I think I'm bleeding.
Jasmine: Can you get up?
Jasmine: And you better say yes because we really need to go. I mean it.
The undead creature stopped suddenly as if hearing something in the distant. Leave the others. It needed to be elsewhere.
The heavy wooden doors of Willow's dorm creaked loudly, it's groan echoing through the main floor. A gust of wind blew snow through the foyer.
Gabriel, alerted by the sound of the door, walked out of the dining hall, grinning broadly at Willow. Her heart leapt a bit and she couldn't help but smile back.
Gabriel: Hey you. Long time no see.
Gabriel: You could have woken me up this morning.
Willow: I'm sorry, I didn't mean to just leave. I had exams all day.
Gabriel: Some excuse. Next time, you can just wake me up... there'll be a next time, I hope...
Willow smiled and before she knew it he pulled her close and instantly warmed her with a deep kiss.
Cecilia: Oh god...
Cecilia: Come on, no one needs to see that!
Gabriel: Well hello there Cecilia. This is a bit unexpected.
Cecilia: Unexpected? When did you two happen? Willow you totally didn't warn me about this.
Gabriel: Warn you... waaaaaaait a minute. You came here with Willow? Uh, what's going on?
They gathered up in the common room. Gabriel wasn't exactly sure why his younger cousin was there. As far as he knew she never visited his dorm.
Gabriel: I'm going to take a wild guess, but you're not here for a pleasant family get-together are you.
Willow: Do you want to tell him, Cecilia?
Cecilia: What, Jasmine didn't blab my little "problem" to you too?
Gabriel: You have problems? I'm shocked and surprised.
Cecilia: Oh shut up, Gabe.
Willow: We need to get to the Landgrabb Society house.
Gabriel: And why of all places do you want to hang out there for?
Willow: Well...
Cecilia: I can't believe you didn't tell me you were a member of a secret society!
Gabriel: Not like it's a big deal but I think the operative word here is "secret".
Cecilia: Well they never invited me.
Gabriel: Why would they just invite you? Oh that's right, because you're a Baird. I guess they messed up the paperwork on that one.
Gabriel: Please don't tell me that's why you want to go there tonight. Because Cecilia wants to be a member?
Cecilia: Yes. Sure.
Willow: No. Not exactly.
Willow: Cecilia, you should tell him.
Gabriel: Tell me what? This sounds like it has the potential to be interesting.
Cecilia: Fine. There's a girl who might have been a member of the secret society a long time ago. And I just want to find out if they have any information on her there.
Gabriel: That's it? Really? Have you never heard of this wondrous invention known as the "internet"?
Willow: I figured they might have some more information that Cecilia couldn't already find.
Gabriel: What's the fascination about this person anyway?
Cecilia: She's dead.
There was an awkward pause as Cecilia lowered her head.
Cecilia: And her ghost is haunting the Tri-Var mansion.
Gabriel turned his face away to hide the widening smile and snorted a chuckle.
Cecilia: Did you really think he'd believe me, Willow?
Willow: Gabe, I think she's serious.
Gabriel looked over to Cecilia, who really did look small and tired right now. Sighing, he stood up.
Gabriel: Crap. Haunted? Really?
Cecilia: I don't know how to explain it any other way, Gabriel.
Willow: I said I'd help her.
Gabriel: Alright. Fine. We could be doing other things but if you really want to hang out at the secret society tonight because your house is haunted we'll all go. It'll be fun for the whole family.
Cecilia: You know how to get there, right?
Gabriel: Nope.
Gabriel: I'll just do what all the members do. Call in transportation. They have a limo.
Gabriel: I never expected you to be humouring this. Since when were you and Cecilia ever friends?
Willow: I don't know. I guess it's just something I should do.
Gabriel: Like helping Meadow out? You can't be that much of a goody-two-shoes all the time. You need to learn to relax.
Willow: I know. And I thought about it. I... just got some advice today. And I really do think she needs help.
Gabriel: That's right, she does, but more of the professional sort. She doesn't need a ghost hunter.
Willow: Well... what if she's right? What if her mansion is haunted?
Gabriel: Is that what you believe?
Willow: You don't think weird things can happen?
Gabriel: I don't know. Though I guess I'd rather believe ghosts exist than my cousin being a nut case. But I asked you first.
Willow looked at him, wanting to tell him everything she knew. Gabriel, I'm a witch, was all she needed to say, but she couldn't and she didn't know why.
Gabriel: Willow, does this have to do with anything that's been going on lately.? You've been a little far away since your brothers came to visit...
She quickly silenced him by kissing him.
Gabriel: You're changing the subject.
Willow: I'm sorry. There is a lot going on, Gabe. Maybe this whole thing with Cecilia is just the distraction I need.
Gabriel: Willow, whatever it is, you're not getting rid of me easily. I guess....
Gabriel: I really like how things have been going for us lately. I mean last night... it was great wasn't it? I really do care about you. I guess all I want right now is to be part of whatever world you live in.
Willow: I know, Gabriel.
She didn't know what else she could tell him.
The limo honked to announce it's arrival. Willow pulled away, a strange feeling settling at the pit of her stomach.
Gabriel: Last chance. You sure you want to go?
Willow: Yeah. I suddenly have the weirdest feeling that that's where we need to be.
Cecilia: Took long enough. I think the cabs would have come faster. Don't you even have a car, Gabe?
Gabriel: No, Cecilia, I don't. And don't you dare deny me a limo ride tonight. It's almost what makes being in the secret society worth it.
Jasmine: Get in the truck.
Adrian: Where are we going ?
Jasmine: Away from here.
Adrian: Seriously, Jasmine, who is that and why the hell is he chasing us?
Jasmine: It's not a who it's a what. As far as I'm concerned. Now get in the fucking truck before it catches up.
Jasmine: God, this would be a hundred times easier if you just listen to me.
Adrian: Okay fine, you have my attention already.. what the hell is he doing...?
Jasmine: Trying to kill us. Seatbelt. Now!
Jasmine quickly shifted into gear and stepped down on the gas pedal hard. Her tires screeched as she pulled out of the parking lot fast. The creature plastered itself against the back of her truck.
Adrian's stomach turned when he felt the back of the truck roll over something.
Adrian: What the hell did you just do???
Jasmine: I ran it over.
Adrian: Jesus Christ Jasmine!!!
Jasmine: Dude. I know this is really really fucked up, but you gotta trust me on this. Now look behind me, is it moving?
Adrian: I... can't tell. But you ran him over with your freaking truck...
Jasmine: Ugh. This better not kill my suspension.
Jasmine shifted the truck into reverse.
She braced herself as she backed up over the corpse again.
Adrian: What the hell is going on Jasmine?
Jasmine: We need to get to Willow's place.
Adrian: What does all this have to do with Willow?
Jasmine: They're zombies okay. And if they're around here then she's in trouble.
Jasmine: A lot of trouble.
Lewis: I told you, she isn't here... no clue, she just took off.... I don't know, she doesn't tell me anything ....no Rowan I don't know where she went... no I actually didn't see her all night but if you're going to just start swearing at me now, I'm hanging up.
He hung up anyway. Willow's idiot brother was being particularly annoying lately. But being her dorm mate, he should have been used to that a long time ago.
He was about to get back to his assignment when he realized that there were loud noises coming from the entrance. Annoyed he went to check on it.
Lewis: What's going on...?
He stood frozen in his tracks. There was no where else for him to run.
Upstairs another dorm mate heard the commotion and came out of her room to check. She stopped in fear as she looked at what was happening below. The hall was filled with the noise of furniture crashing and unholy moaning.
These weren't just ordinary people. This wasn't right. This wasn't normal, she thought as panic set in.
She tried to run, but one of them started scurrying up the stairs towards her.
She was screaming as she ran past it down the stairs and outside to where she could hopefully find safety.
She hadn't anticipated how icy the steps were.
The student was a minor obstacle on the way to their goal. Her screams didn't last too long.
They would soon find what they needed.
Mission accomplished.
Clara smiled warmly when her creatures did what Wesley never could and found her prize; The heir's precious Book. Unfortunately, her personal little celebration was rudely interrupted.
Clara: Hmmm. I was sure I had this place bat-proofed. Yet another thing to complain to the management about.
Sibyll: Old buildings, dear. You never know what kind of creatures creep in through the cracks.
Clara: Creep. Appropriate word. And I imagine there will be words. What can I help you with tonight, Countess?
Sibyll: We do have a few things we need to discuss before I tear your heart out.
Clara: Is that so? Well I'm afraid I'm out of tea and crumpets, and my pad's a little on the tiny side for an evisceration. But you know what, it's a nice night...
Clara: Let's take it outside.
next » [ Interlude I ] [ Chapter 29: Invocation ]
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credits:
our zombies:
- Tavin Wobnair by
amochan8878 - Reinhold by
simsinthecity - Laurel Chalmers by
rome_raven81 - Aria Bohemian by
dgjamie - Harper Fox by
telectroscope our "victims" (thanks SWG!):
- selfsim of
tyjet82 tyjet92 - selfsim of
odddude1 (sorry for the zombie pwnage)
notes:
* I'm not sure how I feel about this chapter, but it was pretty fun. Posing this wasn't as awful as I made it out to be. I guess I'm getting better at knowing what I need to find. Each significant scene did take a full evening though. I didn't get as many zombies in as I'd like. My game's running a lot more slower lately. :(
* this chapter was actually supposed to be way longer and a lot more "George Romero"-ish in my head. As I suspected I would beforehand, I decided to cut it off at a certain point otherwise it would have been overwhelming.
* check out my Q&A over at Formspring. Some fun questions so far! :D
* thank you very much for joining me for zombie fun times guys. :)
no subject
Date: 2010-05-18 03:49 pm (UTC)As usual, the zombies creeped me out. (or is it "crept me out"? that sounds even weirder o.O)
Why is Rowan urgently looking for Willow? (haha, they don't have handphones, huh.) Do they have some sibling telepathy? :)
I would have been shocked and probably hitting Jasmine if I were Adrian, who just witnessed Jasmine killing "someone" with her truck and still acting all nonchalant about it. :P I hope they're not going to get themselves in the zombie mess, especially when Willow just left for the secret society and isn't there to protect them.
Sibyll's appearance shocked me though. Why would she go looking for Clara? I hope Clara isn't strong enough to knock her down... I'm definitely on Sibyll's side!
no subject
Date: 2010-05-18 07:26 pm (UTC)I think "creeped" can be used appropriately in that context. I think. I aint no grammatician. :p LOL
After their past "adventures" with vampires and witches, Rowan is just a little too protective of Willow these days. So naturally if she's not at home he's going to worry. And maybe they do have some sibling psychicness going on, but yeah he gets the feeling something not good is happening.
And LOL yeah, Adrian is probably sitting there in a state of WTF shock right now. He still doesn't quite understand about zombies but I have a feeling he will soon. ;) It is too bad Willow just left for the secret society, isn't it?
Thank you for the comment, Ning!
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Date: 2010-05-19 04:20 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-19 06:26 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-23 06:23 pm (UTC)no subject
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Date: 2010-05-24 04:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-27 01:09 am (UTC)Now I am kicking myself for not reading sooner, though I did enjoy the having a lot to read all at once.
I said this once before, it is worth repeating. Your pacing is wonderful. Most recently in this latest chapter. There is the left over tension from the last chapter added to by Rowan's apprehension, Jasmine and Adrian's narrow escape, Willow's overall unease and feelings of simply needing to be somewhere else, then all hell breaks lose ... beautiful.
I am finding myself analyzing the interactions between the characters as well. The various relationships are in a constant state of flux and the transitions are so natural, a flow of emotions. I am terrible at describing this stuff. I can recognize it, I just can't seem to put it into words. I hope you understand what I am saying. Very believable and really makes them come alive.
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Date: 2010-05-27 03:40 am (UTC)I find myself also unable to completely describe what it is I like about the stories I like. For me, writing relationships is particularly challenging, I guess I've made no secret of that. It means a lot that you it's working for you. :)
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Date: 2010-05-28 01:40 am (UTC)Once again, loved this. The whole thing. Yep.
-Cait
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Date: 2010-05-28 03:48 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-28 05:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-29 03:33 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-28 09:19 pm (UTC)...and reading. And reading some more until 4AM when I literally fell asleep in front of my computer. (We won't talk about the strange Simtopi dreams. Ever.) As soon as I woke today, I finished up the last two chapters. Wow.
I'm still at the flailing stage of my readership and can't provide a coherent comment. I'm definitely hooked. Also, hooray for zombies. It's a lot of fun to stage an actual zombie attack, isn't it?
What else? Oh! I, too, LOVE your university. Please do upload it--with or without CC. I'm entirely selfish. I'm not good at building locations. I make my own Universities in-game, but I always swipe the buildings from the Maxis games. I was constantly struck by just how real they all looked.
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Date: 2010-05-29 03:39 am (UTC)Anyway, yes originally staging heavy action scenes was really excrutiatingly "challenging" that I would try to avoid it. But it's getting easier lately so thank you for recognizing it. :)
I do want to upload my University lots soon, but I need to do a lot of cleaning them up to do so. They're currently more effective as sets, but I'd like for them to be actually usable and fun for the sims when I do upload it. Thank you again. :)