Chapter 39 / All That's Left

[simtopi]

[ ch 36 ] [ ch 37 ] [ ch 38 ] « previous chapters || [ All ]

39: All That's Left

Warnings: Mild language. Violence. Ret-conning the legacy. Sort of.

You may want to get caught up with Chapter 19 for this chapter.

There were very few times, aside from performing, where Denise would venture out on her own. On most of those occasions, she would find herself back at the club anyway, before opening hours. The bar owners had given her plenty of leave to come in and practice whenever she wanted.


She felt comfortable here, up on stage, listening to her own music echo throughout the empty room. No constant murmering of the crowds, no catcalls, whistles. No other noise except her music.

It was funny, she thought, that she had once thrived on that "noise". But now it was just her songs that she preferred to hear. It was all that kept her from being too lonely.


Usually when she came in, it was just her and the bar staff either cleaning or setting up. The doors would open later, but she had no scheduled performance that evening. On a weeknight, in this part of town, there were seldom many customers. Tonight, something different was happening. The bar had visitors, but they were early and they weren't patrons.




Clara: Okay, I give up. Why are we here, Clive?
Clive: What I told you earlier. Business.


Clive: But we won't be long. We just need to finalize a few things.
Clara: On our way to dinner? This couldn't wait until the morning?


Clive: Some things are just better done on location.
Clara: I'm not an idiot, Clive, I know how this works. And you brought your lawyer with you, this isn't a small matter.


Clive: Just humour me for a little while longer.
Clara: Mm hmm.

She scowled as she watched Clive's attorney walk into the bar, briefcase in hand.


Denise had stepped into the dressing room, getting herself ready to leave. She had noticed the suits hovering around the bar. The bartender was setting the place up, but they didn't order any drinks for themselves. Whatever was going on, she didn't exactly want to be noticed.


But she was still curious. She knew the bar was in trouble after hearing that the property was being purchased by Landgraab Industries. It was unclear if the bar would be left as it is, or if it would become something entirely different. Either way, Denise had a feeling her job was on the line.

She decided to take one more look. She stopped, frozen at the top of the steps. But she felt as if she had slammed into a wall.


Clive.


She watched as her ex-husband leaned in close to a woman she had never seen before. Her breath staggered as she watched his hand rest intimately on the other woman's lower back.


The suits did their customary greeting of one another. Everyone seemed happy that Clive Baird was able to meet them here, tonight.


Clara ordered a glass of wine and took a seat, watching with displeasure as Clive and the attorneys talked.


Denise ducked quickly behind the stage curtains. She wasn't sure why she did. She should have left. None of this was her business.


She could hear them from here. They talked about having gone over the paperwork extensively. About how Clive's offer was comparable to Landgraab's, but how they'd prefer to be associated with a local businessman. To Denise's further surprise, Clive made it clear that this was a personal venture, and had nothing to do with his corporation. There was a lot of legal speak that she couldn't quite follow but she understood enough about contracts to know that one was being signed tonight.




Denise could see even from where she was hiding that Clive's "friend" did not seem happy with this.


His lawyer quickly leafed through the pages, pointing out clauses and conditions to note. Clive nodded through each explanation as he signed every page.


And in a while it was done. There were handshakes and congratulations all around. "It was definitely a pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Baird."


Clara: And what, pray tell, are you going to do with an ancient jazz club?
Clive: Sorry Clara. I know you work for Landgraab so I couldn't exactly tell you what was going on. I saw an opportunity and I took it.
Clara: Buying up property that he already had a bid for? You don't deal in entertainment venues. Malcolm already has successful projects lined up to occupy this measly space that will make a lot more money than you will if you keep this bar here.
Clive: Maybe I'll keep the bar here. We've done the research, the bar turns a decent profit. And I don't see anything wrong with expanding.


Clara: I don't believe for a second that you only bought this club for the business opportunity. I know who sings here.


Clive: You mean Denise?
Clara: You really must think I'm an idiot. Of course I mean Denise. Her poster is plastered all over the place for god's sake.
Clive: I don't suppose it'll help to tell you that she doesn't have anything to do with my decision.


Clara: Didn't you hear me the first time? I don't believe you.
Clive: Clara there's no point in being jealous...


Clara: Jealous?! Are you serious?

It was only a small, dull pain at first. Clive wasn't sure when it started. But as Clara's voice grew louder, the pain seemed to throb outwards until it was a steady hammering behind his eyes. Clara's voice lowered to an even, dangerous tone, every word punctuated.


Clara: Your ex-wife has nothing on me. Do you understand?


"Do you understand?"The pain suddenly seemed to explode. Clive groaned, gritting his teeth as something that felt like a searing hot knife stab into his head. He was no longer hearing what Clara was saying.


The pain suddenly seemed to stop as she stood back, silent. His lawyer was at his side, holding him steady. He shrugged him away mildly.


Clara: Feeling better?
Clive: Yeah... yeah I do. I've just been having these migraines for a while... but it's gone now. What were you saying...?
Clara: It doesn't matter.


Clive: Okay. I don't want to get in a fight over this... I'm done with business for now, so I'll make it up to you with the rest of tonight.
Clara: It may take a bit of an effort.
Clive: Well... let me try.

---

Later that night...


Cecilia: Jasmine, this isn't Mom's.
Jasmine: I know. She told us to meet her here.
Cecilia: But this is Grandpa and Grandma Markelly's place. I thought they were spending the winter in Twikkii Island.
Jasmine: I know that too. But again, she said she'd be here.


Cecilia: You're not going to tell her what happened are you?


Jasmine: That you were possessed by a ghost who decided to cut your hair and make you try to kill people? You really think she'd want to know that?
Cecilia: Jasmine!
Jasmine: I'm not going to tell anyone, Cecilia. Unless you want me to. But come on, it's pretty messed up.
Cecilia: Don't you think I know that?
Jasmine: Well, hopefully you'll think twice next time you decide to piss off the spirits.


Denise was at the door as soon as Jasmine rang the bell. Their mother took one look at Jasmine, then at Cecilia. She could only try to stifle a laugh.

Denise: Cecilia! Oh... oh my.


Denise: Jasmine told me that you tried to cut your own hair, but I didn't think it would be this... oh Cecilia, come here sweetie...


She reached out and pulled Cecilia in to a big, reassuring hug.
Cecilia: Mom, what are you doing here? Are Grandpa and Grandma here too?
Denise: They're still having the time of their lives down in Twikkii.


Denise: But there's someone else who's very eager to see you again. And she can help you with your hair. She's the best person I know to do it.
Cecilia: What..? I thought you were going to do it... Aunt Tyler?
Tyler: You thought your mother was going to do your hair? Sweetie, believe me, let her at it and it'll come out looking worse.


Denise: Sorry kids. She just got back. We kind of wanted to surprise you.
Jasmine: Wow. Aunt Tyler. I hadn't seen you in forever.


Tyler: I know, I know, I'm kind of unimportant in the grand scheme of things. But it was time to settle down somewhere and figured my old hometown would be a good start. But look at you guys, all grown up! I sure missed so much!


Jasmine: Um... and you gained weight?
Cecilia: Jasmine!
Jasmine: What?!


Tyler: It's okay, Cecilia. I guess I did. Will be losing it in a little while though. And I know you want to ask. "He" was just a fling. Sometimes you bring back more than souvenirs when you're on vacation.


Tyler: But enough about me. What in the heck am I going to do with you?
Denise: I figured if anyone could repair a styling accident it would be you.
Tyler: Let's not be too hard on the girl, Sis'. It's college, everyone... experiments.


Cecilia: Is it really that bad?
Tyler: Honey. Yes it is. It looks really, really awful. And so does the rest of you. You look like you've seen a ghost to be honest.


Tyler: But your mother had the right idea bringing you here. Don't you even worry about it, kid. I'll take care of everything.


Jasmine: Mom, I can't even begin to tell you what was going on with Cecilia when she did that.
Denise: I don't even want to ask. Trust me, you both aren't the only ones to have had a bad night.
Jasmine: Well I'm glad Aunt Tyler could stay up this late to help.
Denise: She was happy to. And she kind of owes me anyway.
Jasmine: For what?


Denise: For her whole life.

Jasmine looked up at her mother and sighed. Denise only smiled.

---

Cecilia stared at herself for a long time.


The girl in the mirror that stared back at her didn't seem anything like her. It wasn't just the hair and someone else's sweater. There was something foreign about that that face. As if everything about her had been hollowed out and all that remained was something entirely different.


She didn't want to think that things have changed this much.


Tyler: Well, doll, you ready for this?
Cecilia: Yeah I guess...


Tyler: Oh hon, don't look so worried. We'll do the whole works... a little cut, a little colour, a little lip gloss. You'll look like yourself again.

Like myself, thought Cecilia. She could only wish it would be that easy.

---

Jasmine looked down at the sideboard covered in family photos. She smiled warmly as she went through each of them. There were fond memories captured in each of those pictures. It was nice thinking of a time when everyone was happy.


Denise: God, I've forgotten how many photos we had.
Jasmine: Is that Grandma and Gramps in Twikkii? They look good.
Denise: Well it isn't snowing and they're on a warm sunny beach. Why wouldn't they be.


Jasmine: Hmm. I look like a dork in this one.
Denise: I don't think so. You all were cute kids.
Jasmine: Of course you'd say that.


Jasmine: So... what is this about saving Aunt Tyler's life or something?
Denise: What?
Jasmine: You said Aunt Tyler owes you for saving her life.
Denise: Oh that's a silly joke we've had from when we were kids.
Jasmine: Speaking of... is this you and Aunt Lydia?


Jasmine could practically hear the smile coming off of her mother's face.

Denise: Yep. That's us. I'm the unhappy one.
Jasmine: I kind of figured. When was this taken? Was it at Grandpa's wedding?
Denise: Yes, actually it was. But not his wedding to your Grandmother Felicia.
Jasmine: How many times was this dude married?!



Denise chuckled.

Denise: I guess I am telling you a story. Your grandfather Brandon was married three times. The first was to my mother. But as you know, she passed away when we were very young. The third time was to Felicia, who is Tyler's mother and the Grandma Markelly you know and love today. It's the second marriage that everyone would rather forget about.


Jasmine: Was she that bad?
Denise: Honestly? It's been so long, I could barely remember. But yeah, I like to think she was that bad. Like Evil Witch Queen bad. Somehow Dad saw something in her.



"I couldn't fall for it though. Your Aunt Lydia... well she was just happy to have a mom again, even one as evil as Abigail. She was a kid. So was I. But I liked to think I had good reasons for hating her right off the bat. "


"One of the first things Abigail convinced Dad to do was move out of our house. It was our Dad's first home with our real mother. Where we grew up."


"Obviously some of us weren't happy with that decision."




"We moved to the city. According to Abigail, it allowed Dad to be closer to his businesses. And maybe she'd manage to convince him to open up a business for her. He didn't though, thank god."


"I guess it wasn't so bad. We started highschool. Met some interesting new friends. Your Aunt Lydia met Clive... your father. But we were just freshmen. He was a senior, and dating someone else at the time."


"I was just waiting for the day for Dad to realize he had married one of the most awful people ever."


"Unfortunately, I had to wait a while before he did."


"Abigail and I never got along. We tried to at first, but it just wasn't happening. She constantly kept criticizing me, trying to tell me how to dress and how to act. And of course, I never let her. "


"Lydia... well, Lydia had always been the mild mannered one. She'd talk me down from a lot of my tirades."


"I guess I would have gone nuts if it weren't for her. She always did listen to me."


"Lydia convinced me to talk to Dad about how I felt about Abigail. I think it helped a little bit. Dad was seeing the same things I was."


"But he wasn't going to leave her just because I wanted him to. I know it was stupid of me to expect it. At least he said he would talk to her."


"Things got a little interesting though. I guess Abigail got impatient waiting for Dad to pour his hard earned money into her stupid business projects. So she went behind his back and spoke to a friend of his. I'm sure you've heard of Malcolm Landgraab the IV."

Jasmine pursed her lips. His name was too familiar to her. She's heard about him enough from Cecilia.


"That 'business relationship' lead to other things. I'm certain Abigail was the one that started it."


"And that woman was obnoxiously bold about it too. I have no idea how many times she'd bring him over. But one day I came home from school and caught them myself."


"I finally had something I could tell Dad about Abigail. And I did."


"Your Grandfather took it like any sane, rational, warm-blooded sim would."


Jasmine: Holy shit... Grandpa Brandon? Got in fight with Malcolm Landgraab?!
Denise: I know. You wouldn't expect it coming from him. But he did. Flattened him out, too.
Jasmine: Way to go, Grandpa.


"I was in a bit of shock, I'll admit. I've never seen Dad this way. Lydia was hysterical."


"But I don't regret it. Dad kicked Abigail out that night and before long they were divorced."


Jasmine: Wow Mom. I had no clue that breaking people up was in your repertoire.
Denise: Well, that's where the joke about Tyler owing me for her life comes in.


Denise: I guess I can't really take that much responsibility. Who knows if Dad would have left Abigail anyway. But divorcing Abigail when he did freed Dad up to start seeing Felicia. And soon after they were married. And soon after that Tyler was born.


Jasmine: Honestly, I never thought your side of the family would have so much drama.
Denise: In the long run, it was nothing. And over time, details might have gotten mixed up or exaggerated. I think I like to remember us having better hair and clothes.


Denise: I also think that everything turned out for the best.


Denise: You, Cecilia, Gabriel... you grew up with the best set of grandparents the world could give you. And our family was happy. That's what was important.


Tyler: Okay ladies, your attention please! First of all I'd like to announce that I am awesome. Thank you.


Tyler: Second of all... the new and improved Cecilia Baird!  Ta-daa!

---

Jasmine and Denise were impressed. Cecilia of course wanted all the compliments, which was fair after the night she's had. She decided she didn't exactly want to go back to the Tri-Var house just yet, so they set up the guest bedroom for her.

Denise: It is really late. Are you sure you don't want to stay the night? There's plenty of room here.
Jasmine: It's okay. I really just want to be in my own bed tonight. Cecilia can grab a cab back to campus in the morning.


Jasmine: Mom... the story you told about your step-mother, Abigail... it kind of reminds me of something...

Jasmine tried to search for what she wanted to tell her mother. All the talk about evil step-mothers made Jasmine think of Clara. But she didn't know how to tell her. She switched gears at the last minute instead.


Jasmine: Um...What ever happened to her anyway? It's weird knowing Grandpa had a third wife.
Denise: Well these things happen, Jasmine. Relationships, they come and go right? Some are flawed from the beginning and some last forever. I thought I was one of the lucky ones, but I went ahead and screwed that up.


Denise: But Abigail... I hadn't had to think about her for a long time. I remember watching her leave. I was so happy that she was gone. But I felt a little guilty about it, knowing that she did make your Grandfather happy once.


Denise: I never did see or hear from her ever again.


Jasmine started heading towards her truck. But she hesitated and turned around to face Denise again.

Jasmine: Mom. Dad is seeing someone.


Denise returned a tired smile.

Denise: I know, honey. It's okay.


Jasmine nodded, unable to think of what else to do or say. Denise simply left it at that. Neither wanted to talk about it any further that night. Maybe after both have rested, but it was pretty clear in the silence between them. With a quick "goodbye", Jasmine jumped in her truck and left.


Earlier that night, Denise had watched Clive with that woman. Her mind skipped between disbelief, sadness and fury. But in the end, she just felt small and helpless. Like everything that she once had with him was now meaningless and insignificant.


After all this time, it still hurt her to see him and the pain nearly crippled her that night. If Jasmine hadn't called, she wasn't sure what she would have done.


It was an obvious lie that she had told her daughter. It was not okay.



Next » [ Chapter 40: Disconnected ]

--------------------------------------------
Notes!
* Bartender is Logan by katu_sims.
* Some of you by now might have an idea of where I'm going with this. But here, have a raging clue: Everyone in this list who is not a vampire was born in-game. >_>
* Abigail was mentioned in this story in Chapter 6
* I love Tyler. She isn't important to the story, but she is important to the family, so I needed to bring her back. I had meant to re-introduce her a while ago, actually but she just didn't fit in. She's still a romance sim and she had been the placeholder for the Jazz Club that Denise plays at. I wanted to bring her over to TS3 and recreate her there, but it was just too tempting to see what kind of sprogs she'd create here. So I added it to the story. I'll tell you about the genetic donor in a while. ;) She actually hasn't given birth yet in my game.
* The pictures from the first gen sucked so I decided to recreate them. And beyond recreating them, I just made over pretty much everything. The house the Markelly's used to live in was a Maxis lot, made over and redecorated as seen here.
* Clive's lawyer is Michael Salazar, a college sim I made (and Elf's former roommate). The "suits" were random townies I dressed up for the part. :p
* This might have been the longest between updates. I think. In any case, thank you for reading. :)

Comments

[antimaccassar.livejournal.com]

Yay! I am not totally coherent at the moment, but I just want to say that I really enjoyed this update, and really want more! The plot thickens!

[simtopi]

Yep! The plot has been thickening and stewing steadily. :) I'm glad you enjoyed this, coherent or not. Thanks! :)

[naughtydolphin.livejournal.com]

Oh, I do get the feeling that Clara has been around this family for a while. I love the anticipation of waiting for the shit to hit the fan!

Your flashback pictures were adorable, too!

[simtopi]

Indeed, Clara is linked closely to this family. :) I think I've been waiting a while to tell her part of the story. I think it'll unfold soon. :O

[koraliene.livejournal.com]

I'm so excited to read a new update, and yet already can't wait for the next one. There's usually so much focus on major characters like Willow (understandably), that it's nice seeing this part that focuses in on Denise, who seemed relatively minor. I'm hoping Clive and Denise can work it out :)

[simtopi]

I'm happy you liked it. :) I do have a lot of characters, I know. Denise is minor, but she is important! And of course Willow will be brought into this eventually.

[inferiarecoming.livejournal.com]

Oh wow... Clara = Abigail?

And those two shots towards the end; of Denise staring out the window at Abigail leaving, and the very last shot with Clara - I love the symmetry between the two.

Poor Cecelia! Her new haircut is lovely though :P

[simtopi]

Not quite, but pretty close. ;) And I'm glad you caught those two shots, I thought it would be too subtle. I'm so tempted to start putting blinking red arrows on stuff like that. :D

I had such a hard time coming up with Cecilia's new look. I would settle on one,and then decide on something completely different. I think I do like this one. :)

[simtopi]

You might indeed be onto something! O_O

[ndainye.livejournal.com]

I was very excited to see this on my f-list tonight! Yay for updates and plot thickenings. Very curious as to where several things in this chapter will lead.

Besides wanting to know who's related to who (and really wanting to compare facial features properly), I'm curious as to Clive's motivation. I know that he's not as immune to Denise as he'd like her to believe but I'm wondering if the purchase of the bar is about her or Malcolm. Two birds one stone most likely.

I really liked what you did with the pictures in this one. The hiding of facial features (which you've used effectively in the past) and the mirroring of past and present .

[simtopi]

Well I'm certainly glad I can entertain. :D Clive's motivation for buying the bar is pretty interesting isn't it? Well, at least it was to me, you might be right there is a bit of business competition with Malcolm and there might be something lingering there with Denise, though the latter he may deny. Thank you! :)

[sullivansims.blogspot.com (from livejournal.com)]

I'm pretty much about to fall asleep at the keyboard but I HAD to read this!

I loved all the flashbacks. It makes me wish I had a good excuse to do some for my Sims but I really don't! That's okay, I'll just enjoy yours.

Keeping in mind that I'm really tired at the moment, is it odd that Malcolm is still only an adult now and was around 30 or so years ago as well? Is that special warlock aging? Or should I just shut up and have a nap, lol?

[simtopi]

I hope you slept well at least! :) I'm really glad you liked this. I have a love/hate thing with flashbacks, but for my story they really are necessary. Recreating old pics was kind of not ideal for me but some things did need to be changed.

When I first decided I wanted Malcolm in this story I had a bit of a conflict about it because he already showed up in the first generation, although very briefly. However, it was easy enough to attribute that to anti-aging spells or potions that witches of his caliber were privy to.

[orikes13.livejournal.com]

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

I love seeing your updates show up in my flist. The story is so much fun and the pictures are always, always yummy. I feel like the cat asking for the cheeseburger. I can has SimTopi? :D

Poor Cecelia's hair. I was glad to see you picked up right with her spectral hair cut and got her a new look. That hair looks good on her. Where's it from? It reminds me of a hair I have that I like, but always looks too tall on the heads of my various sim ladies.

I kept waiting for a revelation that Abigal = Clara.. I still have a gut feeling that is related, but.. I don't know. :)

LOVED this. And, as always, looking forward to more.

[simtopi]

Thank you so much! I'm glad because I've currently having a bit of angst about the picture quality. I don't know why to me they look mushy, but maybe it's just because I'm so damn picky and I'm hating on GIMP. :p

As for Cecilia's hair, when I get back to my game, I can tell you for sure. I want to say it's simgaroop because that's where pretty much 90% of my hair comes from, and I know this one was a fairly recent acquirement. I'll update with that info as soon as I get it. :)

As I've hinted, there is definitely a connection between Abigail and Clara.

[simprov.livejournal.com]

DUN DUN DUN! I loved the similarities between Denise watching Abigail leave and the ending shots. I think I may just have an idea as to Clara's origin. Maybe... :)

[simtopi]

I'm going to go with the assumption that you have the right idea or are at least very close to it. But I'll talk about that in the inevitable 'big reveal'. ;)

[bunheadsbuns.livejournal.com]

Loved it, of course!
I don't know why, but in movies, tv-shows, sim stories, I love flash backs, I really liked the part about Denise and Tyler growing up. And the fact that we didn't get to see Abigails face makes me a little curious of course ;)
And the family photos was so pretty and well done! Are they on the BV poster mesh?

Also, edgy new Cecilia! Awesome.

[simtopi]

Thank you, always. :D Like I was saying to Sullivansims above, I have a love-hate thing with flashbacks. I'd rather not rely on them, but they're a necessary device, particularly with this story. This is probably the only time where a plot line from a previous gen will be heavily linked here.

Thanks about the family pics! They were fun to make, definitely. I even sent the grandparents on vacation just to get pics of them in Twikkii Island. I might be a bit obsessed. >.< But yeah the picture frames are actually a default replacement of the antique-photo frame mesh. You can find it at MTS here. (Right now MTS is showing a database error, but hopefully that'll be fixed.)

[simsinthecity.livejournal.com]

I think I caught on, too! I love it when that happens with reading something. Keeps me even more interested. :)

[simtopi]

Yep, I knew I would make it too obvious with this update, but at the same time, I'm not ready for the revelations. Which is why it's neat to know that people are speculating (and probably correctly). I could probably come out and say it at this point, but I'm weird that way. :)

[dinoshad2brains.livejournal.com]

Yes, I love retcon. I thought I had an idea what was going on, then the clue totally threw me for a loop. Now I think I'm back on board again, but I love the anticipation.

[simtopi]

I changed the storyline of the past slightly. A lot of things actually did happen in my game, but I never got around to posting about it, so I figured I could cheat a little bit. It won't be too difficult to figure out the connection, but I'll reveal it certainly when I can also explain it. Thank you!

[simtopi]

Thank you! I had to get into Denise's head a bit here. She's trying hard to be positive and independent on the outside but in fact she's going through a bit of emotional hurt. I think you're right about Jasmine needing to tell Denise how she feels about Clara. I'm sure she wouldn't make a secret of it. But she still has a bit of an uncomfortable relationship with her mother, they're not at a point where they can be best buddies yet.

[simtopi]

Hey! Nice to see you here again! ^_^

I liked playing around with Cecilia's new look. It was fun, and I'm glad you approve! :)

You're pretty warm about Clara, but I won't say much about it right now. >_> Thank you for commenting!

[the_mctavishams.livejournal.com]

...!!!

DUN DUN DUNNNNN

Omg. I have so many theories. And I am hopping with anticipation. And I love Cecelia's hair style :b That's one of my favorite shortie styles (as seen on a certain someone in the teaser pic I posted the other day haha). Did you simgaroop-it? I've been lazy, but I need to maxis-match it with the texture and then recolor it to the certain hue I want.

Your pictures are always so well staged. I am constantly envious. And dude I never realized how closely Cecelia and Jasmine resemble their mom. They look just like her. It was pretty cool to see them all in that picture together. :)

[simtopi]

I guess it would be no point in throwing people off the scent at this point. :) Theories are fun. Hopefully the revelation won't end up boring. :p

I'm guessing that certain someone in that certain teaser could pull off that hair in dark auburn particularly. I did not simgaroop the hair, I still am fairly clueless when it comes to hair retexturing. It has been maxis-matched but that reminds me that I need to find out who it's by for orikes13.

Thank you very much about the pictures. Absolutely no need to be envious, your pics are freaking amazing!

[starling-1.livejournal.com]

This has so much emotional impact, I'm not sure I can even describe it. Denise's pain at seeing Clive with Clara; her decency; the way she described Abigail (the quintessential evil stepmother), and there is Cecilia staring at her reflection and wondering where she lost some of herself. Wonderful and awesome and terribly, terribly sad.

The delicate emotion you capture is shots like the one where Denise is looking around the door at Abigail are fabulous. I love every single shot, absolutely love them.

This is a completely beautiful piece of writing.

[simtopi]

I have to thank you for this. You do emotion in your sim pics so well, I'm so flattered you think that mine work! :D This was a bit of a character piece, I guess, and it took a little bit to get into Denise's head. Cecilia too. I didn't want to concentrate on her for this chapter but with the events of the last chapter, I thought I should at least touch on it a bit.

Thank you again!

[cmespy15.livejournal.com]

Being uberly late is NOT a good thing....unless you're fashionably uberly late. :P Onto the actual commenting:

If I could, I'd kick Clara in the ka-hooky (another word for rear end :P). Argh! Don't like her. How dare she set them--wait, why would she do it in the first place? Obviously there's a reason behind it. *Hmm*

Oh, is Clive trying to break the spell that he doesn't even know is one him?

Hey it's Tyler!!! <3 And she's pregnant too!

I like Cecelia's new hairstyle. I'm pretty sure it suits her more than the ragged hairstyle does.

Oooo, bringing back the memory of what happened in the Markelly family. Nice. :) Love the pics by the way.

Can't wait for the next chapter! :)

[simtopi]

Hehe Clara is fun to hate isn't she? No she's not very nice, and yes she does have her reasons behind everything. ;)

Clive doesn't realize he's under a spell, but he is a bit of a strong willed person so he may be breaking it without realizing. I'm glad you enjoyed Tyler's cameo, and Cecilia's hair. ;) Thank you for the whole comment!

I'm working on the next chapter, I hope it will be up next week(ish).

[saccharineacid.livejournal.com]

I don't have time to leave a longer response now, but I just wanted to say that I've read the entire SimTopi series over the past few weeks and it is just amazing! You're incredibly talented in, oh... just about everything! The sets, the Sims, the photos, the characterization... gorgeous. You could definitely charge for this and I'd still read it. ;)

Great job! I hope you update again soon... it's addicting!

[simtopi]

Hey thank you for taking the time to read all of this! And I'm happy to hear from you, I'm glad you like it. LOL, I'd never charge, but it's sweet of you to say. I'm hoping to have an update soon!

[happyberrypink.livejournal.com]

Thank you for another wonderful chapter!

I hope you don't mind...but I added this journal to my friend's list because it seems I'm constantly missing the updates! And I wanted to keep up to date with the story. *laughs* Yes, I'm that enthralled. Must know how this all will unravel! :)

I love the shots in this chapter, especially the ones of teenage Denise.

And even though I didn't think it was possible...this chapter made me hate Clara even more. Well perhaps hate is too strong a word but it definitely solidifies her in my mind as a real villain. In a good way. *laughs* You know it makes me think things like, "What's that evil woman gonna do next?!" and of course keeps me glued to the story.

[simtopi]

Ooh don't thank me, it's always my pleasure. Thank you for reading! I'm pretty sure I added you back as well, but I'll double check after I write this comment. I never mind new friends. ;) I also advertise regularly on simstorytellers as well.

I'm glad you like the pics. Teenage Denise was always fun (college Denise was fun to play too. She really is a playful sim!) I cloned her for these shots, but couldn't resist keeping her personality.

And ah, Clara! It's so fun writing cartoon villains, and yes she definitely has sinister purposes! Her story will unravel more in the next few chapters, I imagine. :)

[raquelaroden.livejournal.com]

Ugh...Clive and Clara. At least he was able to do something that wasn't in line with what she wanted, though she might turn his brain to mush later or something.

Cecelia looks darling with the short hair--I'm glad her aunt was able to help her out. I'm thinking that Denise needs to take a closer look at Clara, given the similarities between her and her father's second wife. I just wonder if Clive will be able to get out of it safely.

Wonderful update!

[simtopi]

LOL Clara and Clive... I tell you, I personally think they're an awful couple. Not just because Clara is evil and such, but everytime I put them together in a scene, even I get the heebies. I love Clara, don't get me wrong, as far as villains go. ;)

Denise, and of course her kids, will run into Clara again, for sure.

Thank you always!

[simlili.livejournal.com]

I hope you're OK with late comments :S I was supposed to have time to reread from the start but it's not happening, so I'm catching up where I left. I guess everything has been said already in the 40 (!) comments above lol, but I just wanted to say it felt good to "read Simtopi" again! Another perfect chapter ♥
And because I just don't know how to keep it short, I'll add that Clara makes me so frustrated, she has to have her ass kicked like ASAP :D

[sims2snfkggh.livejournal.com]

Hah, this was nice! Why do I feel like Abigail and Clara are the same Sims? Deaaaarnthis.
By the way, it's always funny to read the notes at the end of your updates. =)