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Simmers' Paradise => Sims Stories => Topic started by: babyblue1387 on January 03, 2007, 10:38:00 pm



Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on January 03, 2007, 10:38:00 pm
He he... I'm excited. This is the first part of the first ministory. Before I get on about the story, does any one know the max number of pics allowed on a free subscription at photobucket? Now, onto the story!!

I had this idea to do a series of ministories, done in episodes, much like a tv show. Each episode will feature a different sim/couple/family/etc who has gone through/is going through something and would like to share their story with you wonderful people. When we really think about it, life is so short. Take the time to appreciate what has happened to you because it makes you who you are. So, without further ado, I give you:

Episode 1: Memiors of a Should-Be Geisha

(Kokoro Mizumi's story)

I'm the daughter of the second most famous geisha in the Pleasantivew area.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_729fc97b_f2a2e7b1.jpg)
As such, you would expect me to follow in my mother's footsteps, right? Well, I've never been so inclined. I leave the whole geisha-in-training thing to my little sister, Tomihatsu.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_729fc97b_f2a70ce6.jpg)
That was the first thing I did wrong in life: I was a lousy geisha/ The second thing was befrinding the daughter of mom's rival. We go to the same private school and became good friends. Her name is Kimora. Her mother, Hong-Mei, is the number one geisha in the Pleasantview area.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/pic2.jpg)
Talk about salt in the wounds, eh? I could go on listing all the other reasons my mom hates me: I'm a rocker, not 'traditional' enough, somehow I caused her second child to be a boy, and I drove my father to cheat (no freakin way it could have been her calling him a 'sperm donor'). And now, yet one more reason: I'm pregnant.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/pic3.jpg)
I hope she doesn't know yet. I just found out, and the first person I told was Kimora. I rushed over to her house that very instant I saw the results, pregnancy test still in my hand. She made me destroy the "evidence." She was completely shocked and was almost livid when I told her that the manager at the record store where I work is the father.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/pic4.jpg)
"Are you sure?"
"There can't be anyone else, Kim."
"Is Donte the only one...?"
"Yes, Kim! And if she finds out, it's just an excuse for her to kick me out of the house! I don't have anywhere else to go!"
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/pic5.jpg)
I could see the gears in Kimora's head turning.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/pic6.jpg)
She was devising a plan for us, the sweetheart. I only hoped it was one that we could actually do this time. I didn't have time to find out as I had to get home before my mom came back from the store.

I rushed up to my room and called Kimora. She was just about to tell me her plan when my mother walked past my room (conviently after I said "I can't be pregnant") looking rather evil.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/pic8.jpg)

My worst fears were confirmed at dinner.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/pic9.jpg)
"Kokoro, do you have something you want to tell us?"
Her face was so accusing and she was looking directly at me. Everyone else stopped eating, and my stumach lurched. I was going to barf. I was shocked and worried, but, fortunately, I didn't have time to answer. Mom stormed out of the house, no doubt to have a little talk with Kimora and Hong-Mei.

Later Kimora filled me in on this part:

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/pic10.jpg)
"Kuniko," Hong-Mei said. "Please be rational. All children make mistakes. I know you and I have made some in the past. Let things run their course and see how they turn out-"
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/pic11.jpg)
"I don't know what you may have done in your past, you old hag, but you better stay the HELL away from my daughter. Don't you dare tell me how to raise my child. Don't you even dare lay eyes on her!"

"Kuniko, listen to how silly you sound."
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/pic12.jpg)
And with that, she walked away.

The first thing she did when she came back in the house was to slap me.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/pic13.jpg)
Thankfully Tomihatsu and Onoe (the brother I was responsible for) were sleeping. They shouldn't have to see such abuse.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/pic14.jpg)
"You wretched whore! This was your plan all along! You want me to fail at being a geisha! You're trying to soil my name with your flith! As if that sperm donor donating to other women wasn't bad enough! First you tell me you want to make rock music, then you're pregnant!"
"Mom, please, it was an accident..."
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/pic15.jpg)
"And how many of these 'accidents' have you had, whore? I've worked hard to get where I am, and I'll be damned if you ruin it for me. Do you even remember the pic you spread your little whoris legs for?"
"Yes. His name is Dante...Dante Parker. He gave me a ride home from work and-"
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/pic16.jpg)
"Yourmanager?! A college student? O ho ho ho! This is rich, you dirty little slut. YOu spread your legs for your manager. And did you get anything out of it besides this damn baby?"
"That's not why-"
"Did you?!"
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/pic17.jpg)
"No."
"Figures."
"Mom, please-"
"And I suppose you went crying to that wench Kimora, didn't you?"
"She had nothing to do with this.
"Like hell she didn't! Hong-Mei sent her to corrupt you so you could destroy me! I want you out of my house.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/pic18.jpg)
She turned her back on me. I though about the little life growing inside my belly and felt the insane urge to barf. I was sickened by what I heard. I couldn't believe a mother, heck, even my mother could be so mean. I cried all night. I couldn't hide my pregnancy any longer.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/pic19.jpg)
At 2 in the morning, I called Kimora. She's so sweet. She didn't even complain or fall asleep.
"Kim, I'm so scared. I can't stay here."
"I know, love. I'll think of something. Even if we have to move out together. We'll think of something. I've already got a plan forming in my mind. Sisters don't leave each other in the dust."

The months wore on and I started showing. Move out together is exactly what Kimora and I did. It's not like she had a bad home life. She did it with her parents' full permission and support to help me. Kimora and her twin brother being the youngest of six children, I couldn't very well stay with them. We became two teenaged girls living alone together. One of them, me, pregnant, no less. I was determined to graduate high school and go to college. Even if I had to take my baby with me.

Our new found freedom was short-lived. Even with Hong-Mei and her husband, Ashitaka's help, we still had to deal with school and jobs. Hong-Mei was nice enough to lend us the NannyBot2000(read: servo), so we sent it out for work. Our main focus was school. We were both getting full scholarships to college for music. It would be a shame to let that go to waste.

Either way, life was starting to improve for me. Moving out was the best thing I ever did. One night, Kimora and I talked about college over cheeseburgers (I'd been craving them like mad!)
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/pic20.jpg)
"There's no doubt about it," Kimora said. "We have to go."
"But the baby..."
"Look, Koko. I promised you I'd stick by your side. Just because we go to college doesn't mean anything will change. We're bandmates, right? Girls against the world?"
"Bandmates? Girls against the world?"
"Well, you know, Koko, we both love music, so...why not? Do what you love for a living."

Even though neighter one of us ever expected, at that moment, to really form a band, it had already been decided. We were girls against the world, fighting for a life to be called our own. Kimora gave up nearly everything she had by moving out of her parents house. We didn't know it, but seeds had been planted in our hearts. We could imagine ourselves as a rock duo, everyone adoring us. Unconsciously, that was the dream we'd work toward our entire adult lives. That was what we ultimately wanted, even if we didn't dare utter it, even to ourselves.


So ends Episode 1: Memiors of a Should-Be Geisha (Kokoro Mizumi's Story) Part I. Any comments would be greatly appreciated!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: ~*Jax*~ on January 04, 2007, 11:53:03 am
great start!!  I'm looking forward to the next episode!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on January 04, 2007, 12:57:52 pm
Thanks! I have to finish taking the pictures for this story, then I'll upload the second part. Glad you enjoyed it!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on January 08, 2007, 09:29:23 am
Ok. Hopefully I'll take pictures later today, and I'll finish this episode. It might be a while before I do another update as the semester is about to start and I have a bunch of late classes AND I think I'm getting sick :sad4:. I'm glad to see so many people viewing! And as always, comments welcome! Quick question, tho. Do you think the pictures are too big?


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: starlucid on January 08, 2007, 10:09:28 am
Great story baby sorry your sick get better soon!


Title: Episode 1 Final Part
Post by: babyblue1387 on January 09, 2007, 01:45:33 am
(Through some miracle **thank you dieties of the world!!** I was only sick for one day. So here is the final part. Got a bit lazy. sorry...)

The months flew by. Girls against the world hadn't really gotten far yet. I slept too much.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/pic21.jpg)
Kim flirted with boys.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/pic22.jpg)
The NannyBot made good money, and we sold paintings.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/pic23.jpg)
I decided I wanted the baby's sex to be a surprise so Kimora and I splurged and gave the nursery neutral colors.

By my final trimester, I began to think this would be easy.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/pic24.jpg)
Then the pain hit. It was like no pain I'd ever felt before, and I hoped to all heck that I wouldn't EVER feel anything like that again. (unfortunately, that wasn't true. I always knew later on in life I'd have other children.) True to her word, Kim was by my side and got me to the hospital in time for me to deliver my beautiful baby boy, Dionus.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/pic25.jpg)
Sorry to dissapoint, but no hospital photos. NO ONE was going to see me looking that bad.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/pic26.jpg)
But even a few days later as I looked at my son, my angel, I couldn't help but wonder at the miracle of life. How could such a beautiful thing EVER come from something so horrible? And, once again, true to her word, Kim was there to help me when I needed to rest after returning from the hospital. She was just as eager about the baby as I was.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/pic27.jpg)
Sometimes we'd both sneak into his room and just watch him sleep. I think this is when Kimora truly became my sister. She looked out for the three of us. She gave up her perfectly fine life for me. There's nothing that I could do to ever repay her. Sometimes, as we stood looking at Dionus, Kim would whisper "He looks just like you."

Time flew from then on in a whirl of diapers and bottles and drooled on school reports. Kim and I graduated on time with $5,000 worth of scholarships. Each.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/pic28.jpg)
So we pack up all of Dionus's things and headed off to Pleasantview University for the Performing Arts. It wasn't until we got there that I realized exactly WHAT we were doing. We were going to enter a world that wasn't friendly to women that weren't a size two with double d's. And it was even less friendly to mothers.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/pic29.jpg)
"Pull yourself together, Koko. Either we have it or we don't. Now is the time to figure it all out. It's not like we're paying for it, you know."
Kimora hugged away my fears.
"We'll make it, though. Even if we're only girls against the world!"

Who knew how true that would be! We enjoyed success wherever we went. Even if it was just the common room in our dorm building, we always drew large crowds.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/pic30.jpg)
Girls Against the World even became our band name. That was how we referred to ourselves, and that's how everyone else came to know us.

More than the people at our little college, that was how record executives came to know us. Eventually, our adoring fans came to know Girls Against the World (GAW) for our glam rock clothes,
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/pic31.jpg)
Kimora's pink and blond hair (as she'd dyed it almost the moment we hit the campus)
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/pic32.jpg)
and my alluring guitar riffs.

People screamed out names at concerts,
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/pic33.jpg)
award shows and red carpet events.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/pic34.jpg)
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/pic35.jpg)

Kimora did end up having a daughter of her own while we were in college.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/pic36.jpg)
Lucien is a dear. Kim doesn't like to talk about the father, thoug I do know who he is and how and when it happened. They came to some sort of settlement, though, and she gets a large check every week.

By the way, if you're still wondering about Donte Parker, don't bother. The most I see of him is a check. But that's alright with me. Didn't care too much for him either. What happened between us was 'unfortunate,' but it gave me the most precious gift.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/pic37.jpg)

Girls Against the World has been going on strong for about three years now, though we've been on break for the last six months. Kim and I decided to concentrate on our families. But don't worry. We'll be back on tour soon. Which is why you're conducting this interview.

And the question that's on everyone's minds: At the moment, the moment I am telling you this story, Kim and I don't feel the need for a serious relationship. We were put in a really difficult situation when we were younger, and never really had the chance to be teenagers. So now we're livin it up. I'm not saying we haven't had casual relationships or hookups. Just nothing too serious.

If you want the full story on Kimora and the record producer Takeshi "Kesh" Uehara, you'll have to ask her about that.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/pic38.jpg)
[tabloid photo]
She has allowed me to tell you that at least one of her children has been fathered by him. Maybe something serious between them will happen down the line.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/pic39.jpg)

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/pic40.jpg)
I'm tight-lipped about me and Ayato Kamina, CEO of FreshFace Records. We're close friends.

Right now, we're pretty quiet, but don't get used to it. We'll always be Girls Against the World, nothing can change that. But if you think we're done, you're wrong. We haven't even gotten started yet.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: starlucid on January 09, 2007, 09:59:13 am
Wow! A lot happened in a small amount of time! Great update even if it's mysterious the whole secret father thing. hmm....might come back to haunt them later.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: lavie on January 09, 2007, 10:33:57 am
Nice story you have babyblue! Kokoro's best friend Kimora is just the sweetest person, being a true supporter in all the comotions of the pregnancy. But I'm glad their lives worked out for the better, with a successful music career, I especially love their new glam rock looks. And I do wonder if the girls will develop a relationship with Takeshi and Ayato. Good work! :smile:


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on January 09, 2007, 10:42:29 am
A lot can happen in the space of 4 years. I heard that when you get discovered, things can happen really fast. I admit I had to cut down on pics because my game was about to explode. I think I spawned too many people to be in the concert/red carpet shots. The graphics just died, which is why there isn't really any detail in the last few pics. Kimora had "relations" with a college professor. Hehe. And I definately plan an update on them at some point. I just fell in love with this family.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblueheart on January 09, 2007, 12:18:31 pm
OOH!! Loved the story!! Def. It was really sweet how everything worked out! :)


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on January 10, 2007, 01:37:24 pm
Ok. I'm getting ready for Epsiode 2: Rise to Power (Lady Baudelaire's story). I'm putting much more effort into this one since I'm creating the sims especially for the story. After I create Lady Baudelaire, I'll post her in the pics section, so check her out. That should happen sometime today.

EDIT: Lady Baudelaire's photos are up in the pretty females pic thread.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblueheart on January 10, 2007, 02:45:07 pm
YAYYYYYYY!!! :):):):)


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on January 15, 2007, 09:54:47 pm
I'm sorry to say that the semester is starting up and updates will be slow. I'm having quite the bit of trouble finding some outfits (especially for a king), and that's slowin stuff down. I've got some pics tho, and I'll try to upload those.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: LadyAzmodan on January 16, 2007, 04:10:53 am
looking real good  :)


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on January 17, 2007, 11:05:45 pm
Thanks to everyone who's taken the time out to read this, but I think I'll have to stop doing these stories for a while. I'll try to finish the one about the vampire (Episode 2: Rise to Power), but no promises on that one. The semester started and I don't really have time to take the pics, except on the weekends. And if I do continue this, updates will be few because I'll maybe only have the weekends to work. But you guys are wonderful!!


Title: Episode 2: Rise to Power
Post by: babyblue1387 on January 21, 2007, 11:54:05 am
Episode 2: Rise To Power (The story if Isadora Baudelaire)

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/rise%20to%20power/snapshot_12b14e68_b2b1887c.jpg)
It is true when they say we have one life to live, but what happens when that one life does not end? What, then, do you do with the millenia that pass before your eyes? What do you do with the millenia that have not yet come to pass? The lovers will come, and they will go, but I...Yes, I remain eternal.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/rise%20to%20power/snapshot_12b14e68_f2b186ea.jpg)
My name is Lady Baudelaire. The Lady Isadora Jeunesse Baudelaire. Jeuness, ironically, means youth in french. And I had been know for my youth and my beauty. I remember being adored.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/rise%20to%20power/snapshot_12b14e68_12b23cf2-1.jpg)
I was loved and cherised. Men could get no fill of the sweet nectar I offered. And many women hated me for it. I was called Devine, and men and women alike threw themselves at my feet, begging my good graces. I had man after man on my arm. I wore only the finest silks and cloths on my body.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/rise%20to%20power/snapshot_12b14e68_f2b23da5.jpg)
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/rise%20to%20power/snapshot_12b14e68_52b23e4a.jpg)
Of course I was the best and deserved the best. My father was a French dignitary. The French Embassador. I was his eldest, by far the prettiest, and he spoiled me. Men fought for my hand.

It was my brother, however, who made everything come crashing down. He was being taught to follow in my father's footsteps. Instead of respecting his position as I would have done, he got Papa in a spot of trouble he couldn't get out of.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/rise%20to%20power/snapshot_12b14e68_d2b23f35.jpg)

I had been out that night. My father was persistant about getting me to a rather lovely social engagement. I was to take my sister and my mother with me, but my sister fell ill and Maman stayed home to care for her. When I got back that evening, no words could describe the scene I saw. My precious little sister was found in the fountain. I didn't have the stomach to look.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/rise%20to%20power/snapshot_12b14e68_72b2372e.jpg)
I couldn't comprehend what was going on. Nothing made sense. I blacked out.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/rise%20to%20power/snapshot_12b14e68_b2b234b9.jpg)

When I came to, I thought I had gone to hell. This horrible man was standing over me. His face was that of a skeleton, and it was absolutely ghastly. There were more of them, the skeletons, behind him. Had I been in my right mind, I would have demanded to know who he was and all that sort. Yet I didn't.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/rise%20to%20power/snapshot_12b14e68_32b24539.jpg)
My body ached with such pain as I had never felt before. I could'nt breathe, my vision faded in and out, my throat was beyond dry, and I hungered. It was a hunger like I had never known before. I hungered for more than just food. I hungered for life. I hungered for the warm touch of a man, I hungered for sun on my skin, I hungered for the sweetcakes the cook made, I hungered for knowledge.

I hungered for revenge. I hungered for blood.

And I awoke. Confused and dazed, I looked at my surroundings. I had no idea where I was, but before me was the most beautiful face I had ever seen. Had I seen him any earlier in my life, I would have denounced every other man and taken up with him at once. Yet his voice was cold.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/rise%20to%20power/snapshot_12b14e68_52bd119b.jpg)
"You have awakened. You are not yet aware of what or you you are, but you have awakened."

I opened my mouth to protest angrily, but could make no sound. The urge for blood was strong and I could no longer hold back. I was surprised when he took my arm and bit into it. I felt not pain, but a lessening of. I became dizzy and darkness fell over me.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/rise%20to%20power/snapshot_12b14e68_32bd147b.jpg)


I will not bore you with the details of my centuries as not much has happened.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/rise%20to%20power/snapshot_12b14e68_b2bd47f5.jpg)
I've seen the man with the beautiful face but once in my new life. I did not dare to make myself think about the night when my family died. I do not think about how I came into this "new" life, but I have since awakened. I know who and what I am. I am Lady Isadora Jeuness Baudelaire, and I am a vampire.

What I want more than anything is what was stolen from me. I want my name. I want a family. I want power.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblueheart on January 21, 2007, 07:08:15 pm
oooooooohhhhhhh! That sounds like it has the makings of a incredible story!! Loved it!! :)


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on January 27, 2007, 11:27:42 am
Ok, here's the deal. I accidentially left the story for Rise to Power at school (seeing as how that's where I was working on it) and now it's the weekend. So no update for this week. Which really makes me sad because I was looking forward to furthering. I'm really falling in love with Isadora, and future events bring a tear to my eye. I'll put up some pics of Tomihatsu and Onoe (who are now teens) and their father from Memiors of a Should-Be Geisha. They still haven't tried to contact Kokoro, if you guys are interested. Maybe a reunion show will be in the works:wink: !


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblueheart on January 27, 2007, 05:56:16 pm
OOOH! That would be cool!:) So sad... no update!:(


Title: Episode 2: Rise to Power (continued)
Post by: babyblue1387 on February 04, 2007, 11:53:15 pm
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/rise%20to%20power/snapshot_12b14e68_72d214c8.jpg)
The days grew long and the nights unbelieveably short. I envied the mortals their ability to walk in the sun as my preperations seemed endless. My return to power would be a wonderous thing, yet I had not counted on spending so long just making preparations and laying foundations necessary for my return. I could see no end to the problmes that would be caused by my vampirism. I could only hold meetings in the night. Much of the work, I would have to do under a disguise.

I was lucky, however, that these french dignitaries forgave me my "eccentricities," as many had their own. Some of which were best left undisturbed.

It was enough for these politicians to be in my presence. My beauty and charm lulled them into familiarity. I danced with them.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/rise%20to%20power/snapshot_12b14e68_d2d21b54.jpg)
I dined with them.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/rise%20to%20power/snapshot_12b14e68_72d21a44.jpg)
I walked with them through the lavish halls of my castle. All things led but one place: the grand library. There was where these mayors and governors and emabssadors all witnessed a phenomenon like which they had never seen before: a woman with a brain.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/rise%20to%20power/snapshot_12b14e68_72bd6776.jpg)
One with ideas about political reform and how to control unruly pheasants. Ideas about how to increase the country's revenue. Instantly, these men were infatuated with me. They drank every word I spoke. They accepted me, and I gave them permission to use my ideas. A different mayor, a different governor every night made sure that my ideas were being heard at court. Merely three months after I had first invited these prominent men to my house, it was asked of them where they had been getting these wonderous ideas. Those feeble men sung my name: Baudelaire.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/rise%20to%20power/thumbnail_12b14e68_d2d2376c.jpg)

You must remember, now, that Baudelaire is a very powerful name. No matter how long ago it may bave been (for a lady never reveals her age), the french had not forgotten the contribution my father made to this country. Anyone carrying the name of Baudelaire was thought very highly of, and this only served to further me down the path to power. There had not beena Baudelaire in court since my father died.

When next I met with my dignitaries, they all sung to me the praises of the court. My presence had been requested at the King's court. Only the most important of men were invited, and the King kept a small, exclusive council.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/rise%20to%20power/snapshot_12b14e68_32d21aa0.jpg)

"Did they not think it odd that these ideas came from a woman? Did they not denounce me on the spot?"

"No me beautiful lady."

That was the answer each man gave. No, my lady. No, my beautiful lday, they did not question you. Of course, I knew they had only spoken my last name. To them, it seemed obvouse everyone would assume they were talking about me. What other Baudelaires, after all, did anyone know? Sure the name made appearance every now and then, but none connected in any way to french politics.

Yet it would not do to dissapoint the King. The young unmarried King. I'd done my research. He was in dire need of a queen, and what better person to be the queen than the Lady Isadora Jeunesse Baudelaire?


That's it for now. I finished taking all the pics. Just have to upload them. After this, I'll be going back to do an update on the Mizumi family. See where they're at. But, as usual, comments appreciated!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on February 07, 2007, 06:39:53 am
Comments? Another update tomorrow (hopefully!)


Title: Episode 2: Rise to Power (continued still)
Post by: babyblue1387 on February 09, 2007, 04:46:21 pm
I arrived at the Kind's palace, a thing splendid in gold. There were fine, elegant paintings all over the room. Great pillars streatched high to the domed ceiling. It is a sight beyond any you are likely to see in your lifetime. The woman in me wanted to live out the rest of her days in peace in this one room. The Baudelaire in me knew this was where I belonged. Beside the king was an empty throne. It was the throne where I would sit once being crowned queen.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_12b14e68_52d23bcb.jpg)
As I entered the room, the herald announced my name.

"The Lady Isadora Jeunesse Baudelaire."
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_12b14e68_f2d23e77.jpg)
All eyes were focused on me. Looking for my Lord, no doubt. My pets flocked over to me.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_12b14e68_12d23e47.jpg)
Women glared. They were jealous of my perfect pale skin, my perfectly golden hair, and my piercing blue eyes. Just another mistrees, they thought and hoped. But they couldn't be more wrong.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the court, I present to you, our honored geust, the Lady Baudelaire."

I couldn't have asked for a better introduction, or a better reaction. Many of the men burst into angry words, outraged that a woman had tained the purity of the court, ashamed that a woman had succeeded where they had failed. And yet, they were in awe of me. I was an exotic bird, a treasure to be had. They couldn't help but be drawn in like insects to a bon fire.

But most rewarding of all was the King's gaze. He fell into my eyes and lost himself. Though he tried to hide it, I knew that he was smitten. He could never recover from falling that deep into my waiting arms.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_12b14e68_92d240f4.jpg)
He was eager to begin, to listen to all that I had to say. There were other scheduled to arrive after me, but my King did not wait. He started court without them. A signe of utmost disrespect. All in favor of me. Evil glares continued from the women as they were made to leave. Few men trickled in, all gazing at me, the gem more beautiful than anything in the room. The secretary recounted the last meeting, and the poduim was given to me.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_12b14e68_52d241b8.jpg)
And I spoke. Some tried not to listen, to argue, but I had a response for them, I had an answer for them all. I could solve their problmes, gain them resources and strengthen the military. I could promise victory in battles. I could increase the productivity of the labourers. I could make the pheasants less likely to revolt (though they made note to tell me they were no longer pheasants, but citizens). They were quiet and they listened. They absorbed everything I had to say and admitted they could not live without me. We adjourned the meeting.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_12b14e68_b2d24251.jpg)
The King kissed my hand.

Over the next four months, things had begun to change dramatically. It was openly know that the King and I were courting.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_12b14e68_72d24322.jpg)
He did not care about me hating the sun, and readily held court at night so as not to aggricate my "sickness." The country began to prosper. I would become queen at the end of the month. A beautiful night wedding. Everything I could ever want for my dream wedding. And all the power I could ever dream of.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_12b14e68_92d26d15.jpg)

-----------------2 YEARS LATER--------------------------


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on February 09, 2007, 06:03:34 pm
I have not yet concieved a child with my husband, my King, but I definately inted to, if for no other reason than to ensure my bloodline in connection to the throne. I have my power. I have everything that I set out to get. Except there is one problem. My husband has become sick.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_12b14e68_52d26173.jpg)
The doctors believe that he will die. If he died, I have no doubt that the country would be left to me to run. That is not the problem. Without an heir, without a child, I will have nothing.

And in one day, my porspects became instantly greater and so much worse all at the same time. I have since, in the past two years, grown to love my husband. When I learnared of his illness, caused by an infection, I became truly worried about him. I did care what happened to him.

While I was sitting with my husband in our bedchamber, a servant came in to tell me my presence was requested in one of the small meeting rooms. I entered the room prepared to deal with any number of men reequesting my advice. What I got was something completely different. There he was, this...man, sitting in the chair, smiling at me.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_12b14e68_92d26514.jpg)
I knew this face. I knew the way his voice would sound, knew the way his skin would feel, knew the way his breath would smell. Would I jeopardize everything I'd worked so hard for? Would I denounce the world as I once promised I would? With my mind, I said no. I willed my body to stay distant, my voice to reamin cold. Yet I could no longer control myself.

How beautiful his face! How his eyes were glowing in the softly lit room. I could smell him. I could smell jasmine. I could smell his blood. Never before had I smelled such a pleasureable aroma as I smelled then. So sweet, so comforting. Iw awoke in me such desires I never knew I had, such passion I never knew existed within me. My unbeating heart quivered and threatened, for a moment, to return me to life. A heat rose in my cold body and began to cloud my mind.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_12b14e68_72d26693.jpg)
"We did not meet properly last time. Forvie me, for I had been rude. I am the Baron Francard Reno. A distant cousin of your Lord husband."

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_12b14e68_b2d26620.jpg)
He kissed my hand with the softest lips I had ever known. His voice had been like velvet and silk, wrapping me in warmth and elegance. All at once, it became too hot in the room, and I wanted to plunge my bare body into the cold of the night to free myself from his spell.

"I will be frank with you. I turned you for one reason and one reaon only: to be my queen. Your husband will die soon, and I will take his place. I will be the new King, and you shall rule by my side. My agenda, however, is markedly different from the one you currently pursue."

I did not care if his told me to jump from a bridge in the middle of the day. I would have done it, no questions asked.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_12b14e68_32d26787.jpg)
"Did you poison my husband?" It took all the willpower I had to get out that one question.
"I needed your name. I had nothing to do with your famiy's deaths, but I siezed the opportunity to turn you. I knew your name would give you power and you are just the type of woman my cousin likes."
PIC HERE
"Did you poison my husband?"
"I, myself, did not kill anybody. Except maybe you. But when he dies, none of that will matter."

Francard pulled me into his arms and I didn't fight him. I was ashamed of myself, disgusted that I was betraying the main I claimed to love. But how can I deny how good it felt? How could I deny that I was under a spell the same way my dear King had been the day he first saw me?

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_12b14e68_b2d26f67.jpg)
My poor husband was dead within the month, no doubt sped up by Francard and his "associates." Everything after that happened just the way Francard said it would. I had my second wedding, but the enchantment left from there.

Everything began to change. Things got darker. Sure the country continued to prosper, but that was all because of me. Francard did have an agenda far different from my own. Until I met Francard in that cramped room, I had never known another campire. Yet, now, they were everywhere. It did not take long for me to find out Francard's agenda.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_12b14e68_f2d27268.jpg)
He wanted a city of vampires. My belived Marsailles was suddenly overrun with people of the sadier sort. Not to mention, for the first time, I felt scared for my life. Someone had made an attempt on Francard's life. Then a maid showed up dead. And I found out I was pregnant.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_12b14e68_b2d2749c.jpg)
I had been so wrapped in his charm that I did not stop to think about what Francard could be doing. I believed I was living a dream, albeit a nightmare. I was ruling my beloved France, yet behind my back, far more sinister things were going on.

Francard neglected to tell me that he'd made enemies. Powerful enemies. It was those enemies who'd killed the maid, those enemies who've been trying to kill Francard for the past 10,000 years. Except he survived. They went through generations and generations, all to try and kill this one vampire.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_12b14e68_72d276bb.jpg)
And now, I was carrying his very first child.

He assured me that they would try to kill me, yet he made no visible moves to protect me, made no move to comfort me. Where I'd been in love with him, he only saw me as a way to reach his goal. I realized that then. He never really cared, had not been waiting for me. I was angry, disguted, hurt.

As my belly greaw, I knew I could not leave until my child was born. But I was scared. I could not count on my ginitaries. They would not dare smuggle me away from a King who had been known for his wrath. Nightly, I cried by my true King's grave. The man that, I realized, I truly did love.

After one such night, I went to bed, hoping to sleep away my pain. I couldn't have been sleep for more than a couple hours before there was a great commotion.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_12b14e68_72d2777c.jpg)
I looked out the bedroom window to see my beloved castle on fire. All the memories I had with my true King were being destroyed. Every gift he gave me, the tapestries made for us, portraits, gold, silver, everything was burning. The garden he had planted for me was now awash in flames.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_12b14e68_52d27e76.jpg)
In my despair, I didn't know someone had entered the room until he threw me down.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_12b14e68_f2d2781d.jpg)
I begged him not to kill me. I knew it was the only reason he was there. To kill me and my child. Francard's past finally caught up with him and I was about to pay for it. I had little hope that Francard was still alive, had little hope that, if he was, he'd come rescue me. So I cried and I pleaded. I tried to strike a deal. I could see in his eyes he didn't want to do ie. He promised me it would be painless. Promised that if it was up to him, he'd let me go. But it wasn't. I could close my eyes if I wanted. He could not spare the baby.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_12b14e68_72d278a2.jpg)

Sometimes I wonder. If I'd never gone to see Francard that day, had maybe asked who he was first, my life would be different. Maybe my home wouldn't have burned. Maybe, if I hadn't wanted power, thoing would have turned out different.


Title: Episode 3: Run Away, Love: The Lilith Pleasant Story
Post by: babyblue1387 on February 09, 2007, 06:06:08 pm
The next episode (which is about to start filming) is Run Away Love: The Lilith Pleasant Story. Yeah, I kinda messed up her life, and it's only going to get worse before it gets better. We have to hit rock bottom before we realize we can only go up.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblueheart on February 09, 2007, 07:43:24 pm
Awesome story!!! I cried when she died...*sob* But, I would love to hear about the Mizumi family, as well, and your new story looks great!!:)


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: starlucid on February 12, 2007, 10:28:30 am
Love the short stories.  You have just lovely sims beautifull pictures!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on February 13, 2007, 06:42:27 am
Oh thank you so much! not too many people were posting, so I wasn't sure if people really liked it or not!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblueheart on February 13, 2007, 09:25:40 am
I definitely would have posted, but my darn computer wouldn't start up properly....


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on February 13, 2007, 02:09:07 pm
Just a little teaser for the next episode (Run Away Love): This episode features a *!!newly reformed!!* Don Lothario. Forget everything Maxis told you about him! This Don is *gasp* vulnerable *gasp*


Title: Episode 3: Run Away, Love: The Lilith Pleasant Story
Post by: babyblue1387 on February 18, 2007, 04:22:59 pm
Epidsode 3: Run Away, Love
The Lilith Pleasant Story


(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_cdae71fd_12d8e8cd.jpg)
"You can't kick me out! I don't have anywhere else to go!"
"There are shelters, Lilith. We've let you get away with so much. If you don't straighten up..."
"You don't love me."
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_cdae71fd_92d8e94d.jpg)
"It's not that we don't love you, Lilly, but you're so hard to manage. I mean, look at Angela-"
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_cdae71fd_d2d8e9a8.jpg)
"Oh, so that's it. I'm not Angela. Maybe you should have thought about that before you named me after the original demon. Maybe you should have just named me Angela pt. 2."
"Oh be serious, Lilly. You can't both be Angela."
"Exactly! So let me be Lilith."
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_cdae71fd_52d8ea87.jpg)
"And Lilith was pregnant at 14 with her first child. Now you're 17 and pregnant again."
"Come on, Angela. Don't patronize your sister."

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_cdae71fd_f2d8ec12.jpg)
I couldn't help but cry. There weren't tears of sadness, though. These were the tears of pure RAGE. How wrong they had gotten it! Angela was the real evil twin.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_cdae71fd_32d8eca8.jpg)
Only mom and dad were too caght up in their own personal affairs to really see that. Angela could come home stone ut of her mind and te would't kno. But thats because mom's always working and Dad's usually out with his mistress.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_cdae71fd_32d8f2c2.jpg)
(pic to come)
And it's been that way ever since I could remember. Mom at work or locked in her study, and dad whorin it up on the streets. Angela and I were left to fin for ourselves. We started out as best friends, but, when we became teens, everything changed.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_cdae71fd_d2d8f5e7.jpg)
Angela made the cheerleading squad, became president of some clubs, became really popular...She was always the outspoken one. I faded into the background. Forgotten, not only by my parents, but now my only friend. When Angela started getting involved with boys, I became a liability. I was expected to lie for her, to take the heat when she got caught.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_cdae71fd_f2d8f486.jpg)
And that's exactly what happened.

Then I met Dirk Dreamer. He was outspoken, but saw some "inner beauty" in me. I should have been a little more cautious. I shouldn't have been take in by his good looks and his charm.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_cdae71fd_f2d8efd9.jpg)
But I was. It turned out that my dear sister thouth she'd do me a favor and get me laid.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_cdae71fd_f2d8f25e.jpg)
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_cdae71fd_f2d8f081.jpg)
What I got instead, was pregnant.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblueheart on February 19, 2007, 06:05:01 pm
Wow! Great start.....waiting for more!! :)


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on February 23, 2007, 06:40:29 am
I apologize for the long silence. School and all (bleh!). There will be an update today though!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblueheart on February 23, 2007, 09:24:01 am
YAY!!! oh, I know how school can be, don't worry! :D


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on February 24, 2007, 12:38:18 pm
Ok. I lied. The update wasn't yesterday. It's today. Yeah.
---------

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_cdae71fd_72d8fcba.jpg)
At first, mom and dad were angry. They thought I was out being wild, but realized I was extremely distraught and depressed. For once, they had the right idea: I didn't ask for this.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_cdae71fd_b2d8fb9e.jpg)
Thinking of her image, my mother pressured me to get an abortion. As I laid on the doctor's table, I was overcome with guilt. It wasn't my child's fault. Why should it have to pay? I opted not to take the easy way out. It was the hardest decision I'd made up to that point.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_cdae71fd_12df160a.jpg)
Angela told Dirk I was pregnant before I even had a chance to. I think she was surprised when he said he'd be there for me and the baby. She, possibly, hated me even more for that. My mom was angry that I didn't go through with the abortion. So I agreed to put the baby up for adoption. Dirk and I began to see each other regularly and he began to grow attached to the little lump in my belly. I felt almost like royalty walking with him.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_cdae71fd_b2df12cf.jpg)
When I went into labor, he was there by my side. And he convinced me to keep the baby. He said we could do it together. Neither my parents or Angela were present for the birth of my daughter Addison. She was so georgeous and so tiny. But that was nearly three years ago.

Now Dirk and I are pregnant again, and things couldn't have gone more wrong. Dirk is convinced that I got pregnant on purpose
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_cdae71fd_f2d8f25e-1.jpg)
(no doubt egged on by Angela). People look at me funny, and I'm being kicked out of my house. My feelings about everything have changed.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_cdae71fd_b2df1957.jpg)
Even though I know it's not her fault, I can't help but feel resentment everytime I look at Addy. I can't help but feel like a fool for not going thorough with the abortion. Now I've got two months to get out of the house. Mom is still at the office all the time, and dad's still sleeping around. Angela's going to college early, but that's only because she slept with the Dean of Admissions at La Fiesta Tech, the most notorious party school (but that's another story in itself). Of course mom's too caught up in the fact that she's going early to care. Dad's too busy doing his boss and me...

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_cdae71fd_52df1899.jpg)
I've been left in the dust. They've practically disowned me already. I don't get a ride to the doctor's office. Sometimes the house is empty when I get home. Sometimes there's no food. Sometimes I want to just run away and never come back.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_cdae71fd_d2d8f007.jpg)
Dirk had shown me love and compassion. I never had that from my parents. They were always too busy with their own lives. They didn't care about me or Angela, though you'd never get that part.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_cdae71fd_f2df6104.jpg)
So when D-day came, two months later, the taxi came to take me away to a group home apartment building. I knew there would be rules, and I wouldn't, couldn't, really be free. I knew I would have to get a job and pay rent, and the group home would provide a babysitter at a very low cost so that I could go to school and work, but what did that matter? I was still on my own, and life wasn't getting any better.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblueheart on February 24, 2007, 07:35:28 pm
Awww! Great update....that's really sad, though.. but it makes a great story! :)


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on March 04, 2007, 01:05:14 am
Eh...my computer's been screwin me over. Something's conflicting in my game and I have to add my downloads a little at a time to figure out what the little devil is. So I think this will have to be put on hold for the weekend. Oh..and I got seasons and it ROCKS!!!! So I might be distracted. But thanks to all 5 of you  who read this!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblueheart on March 04, 2007, 11:20:35 am
Awww... well, good luck!! And Seasons definitely rocks!! No more "year round" sunshine!! Anyways, love the story!!!! :D


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on March 09, 2007, 03:19:25 pm
Yes, I know! It's been quite a while, but I'm back (finally) with another update. It's short, though because this is as far as I got. After this, things may look a little different because I have seasons, so there WILL be seasons!!! YAY!! I digress. Updates may be slow because I'll have to work around not having the insiminator.
---------------------
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_72df6772_52df6773.jpg)
I'm ashamed of the things I had to do to make ends meet. If anyone at the group home found out, i'd be kicked out and forced to live on the street. But when the bills piled up, I had to do something. Some vile things crossed my mind and I felt like I couldn't get any lower in life.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_72df6772_52df776e.jpg)
When I finally went into labor, the only person who was there was a representative from the group home. Laying there in that hospital bed, I contemplated leaving. It would all be so easy to just run away and start all over again. I could go to a place where no one knew me, where I could get a fresh start away from all this that seemed to define me and make me another statistic.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_72df6772_32df786a.jpg)
But I don't know what made me stay the night. I guess I still wanted to punish myself for being a complete idiot and ruining my life. But I stayed and now I was a sing 17 year old mother with two kids. Who would ever take me seriously now?

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_72df6772_32df7a18.jpg)
Little by little, I felt myself turning into my parents. It's a vicious cycle. They neglected me, now I'm neglecting my own children, but I have no choice. Addy always likes to play, but I work, then I have school and when I get home at night, I'm just too tired to do anything. I can't be bothered...


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblueheart on March 09, 2007, 03:35:35 pm
Yay!! That was great!!! Baby is SO CUTE!!! :)


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on March 10, 2007, 08:59:14 pm
Ok. This is starting to piss me off because I can't summon people to the lot, and it's awful hard to get them to come over when you invite them. But whatever. Another mini-update... Oh. And please excuse the changing of ages for Lilith. Had to go and work some things out because stuff just wasn't adding up right. So, for your reference, Lilith is 19, Addison is 5, and Bailey (the baby) is 2.
-----------------------------
But I try really hard, and I know Addy really does appreciate the moments we spend together.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_72df6772_92fd98ac.jpg)
And she always holds me when I cry, which seems to be happeneing a lot lately. She know's I'm in pain and she feels my pain, too. How could I have ever hated her for anything? What had she done wrong? Be born? I knew I had to make it up to her somehow.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_72df6772_12fda7b9.jpg)
So, for her fifth birthday, I threw her a big party. Just us girls: me, Addison, and Bailey, my youngest. She adored it more than anything. Next week, she'd be going to kindergarten and she was really excited. I'd saved up forever to get her good school supplies, and she knew it. She knew I'd probably have to go without lunch for a couple days, but at least she had something.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_72df6772_b2fda7d6.jpg)
"Momma, we can't--"
"It's ok, baby. Go ahead. Today is your day. We can worry about tomorrow...tomorrow."

She was so excited. We may be in debt, but I promised myself that my girls deserved the world. They deserved everything I didn't have. They deserved more than I ever would have, more that I was worth. I went so far as to get Addy into a school with uniforms so she wouldn't be teased about cheap clothes. And I lied on all the forms so that the teachers and students (because some teachers can't keep their mouths closed) wouldn't know that her mother was only 19.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_72df6772_b2fdaccb.jpg)
In the end, I think I was more nervous than she was. When the bus came, she hugged me.
"Momma, everything's going to turn out fine."
I could only hope that she was right because the rent was due that day, we had no food, and we had no money at all.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_72df6772_72fdb1a1.jpg)
When she came home that day, Addy was glowing.
"I had a wonderful time! Everyone was so nice! We played and we danced and we sang, and we learned to count!"
I tried to hold back the tears, but I couldn't. I spent the better part of the day wondering if I shouldn't put the girls up for adoption. I'd even contacted an adoption agency.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_72df6772_72ff0bfc.jpg)
Now, listening to Addison, I couldn't believe I'd ever considered such a thing. So much emotion poured out of me. Addison and Bailey didn't know what was going on. They couldn't understand the pain I was feeling. I realized then what true love was: a mother loving her children so much that she'd give them away if it meant they'd have a chance at a better life. It didn't take long for all of us to be crying. Had i ruined their lives too?
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_72df6772_32ff0c63.jpg)
"Don't cry, momma. Bailey and I love you."
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_72df6772_32ff0cf7.jpg)
"Love, love!"
Bailey's first words: Love. Love summed up so much of my life. What I'd felt for Dirk, what I thought he felt for me, what I wanted from my family, what I now know I felt for my daughters, the only thing I had left to give them, the only thing I had left in the world.
"All I have to give you is love." I said to them.
"That's all we need, Momma. All we need is you and love."
"Our stomachs will be empty."
"But we'll have each other."
"We will be cold."
"But we'll have each other."
"We will be dirty."
"But we'll have each other."
"We're alone."
"No we're not. We have each other."

I've never felt anything so strong in my life, not even the pain of child birt. I promised myself that I'd try. For my baby girls, I'd try to be everything they need, no matter how hard it got.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblueheart on March 11, 2007, 12:12:55 am
Awwwwwwwwwww *tears up* so cute!!!! GREAT UPDATE, you're so wonderful at telling stories!! :)


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on March 11, 2007, 11:38:11 am
Aw, thank you! If even one person enjoys this, then it's worth it. Actually, this is good practice for me because I'm a writer, though I usually do horror/thriller and without the pics. Pics limit my storytelling abilities, lol!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblueheart on March 11, 2007, 12:03:08 pm
Oh wow, you're a writer!! THAT'S SO UNBELIEVEBLY AWESOME!!!!! Sorry for all caps but, that's amazing. You have SO MUCH talent. And I bet more than one person enjoys this, they're just so in awe of your INCREDIBLE writing skills, they don't know what to say!! :D:D:D :wav:


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on March 12, 2007, 05:38:00 am
Lol! Thanks! I almost spit out my coffee because that made me smile. Sometime I feel like writing is such an underappreciated profession (lol! I know my mother doesn't care!)


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblueheart on March 12, 2007, 08:19:31 am
Well, I'm glad that made you smile :D and I bet It's a underapperciated profession... that's horrible. Writers write treasures...like this story!! =D


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: xgreydovex on March 13, 2007, 04:26:44 pm
awww. that was so sweet and sad, i teared up a bit. please keep going!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on March 14, 2007, 05:48:41 am
Aw, thank you! You all make me feel so nice! *LOVE* your avi by the way!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: xgreydovex on March 14, 2007, 07:08:26 pm
thanks! i absolutly love invader zim...its just so funny in a weird and stupid kinda way. always makes me smile though.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on March 18, 2007, 03:15:50 pm
Ok, a fairly large update. A lot of pics because..oh, that would spoil it. But this is my favorite part here. Enjoy!
-------------------
I haven't been with a man since Dirk left me. Being a single mother with two kids doesn't exactly leave me with much time for dating.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_72df6772_7308616d.jpg)
Besides, I don't want to be hurt. I don't want to get to the point where he wants to take the relationship to the next level. I'm not ready for that. What if I get pregnant again? I can't afford another child. I can't afford to loose this apartment.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_72df6772_1308618f.jpg)
I'm only 19 now, and things are going to get worse. I only have three years left bfore I'm forced to leave. There's this rule that I have to get myself together by my 22nd birthday. I'm really nervous about living on my own because...well, what if I don't have the money? I'll have to hire and pay for a babysitter, there's rent, the utilities, all sorts of new costs.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_72df6772_33086534.jpg)
There's this guy at my jon, Don Lothario, he says he can help me find a nice condo to live in. It's in the same complex as his, and there are a couple vacancies. He says they're nice houses with enough room for me and my girls. He's a nice guy, though I can't help but wonder why he's paying so much attention to me. I mean, there are so many other women in our office, so many women olderthan me, so many without my baggage.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_72df6772_53086577.jpg)
He tells me I'm beautiful, that my eyes are alluring. I don't think it's proper for him to be paying all this attention to me. He's so mcuh older than me. Many of the other women assure me that he's ok. They even say he's never been nervous around any woman...except me. They say he has a small side job as an ameture photographer. He asked me to model for him. I said yes. I'm not stupid, but I am desperate, and he offers good money. I wasn't going to go it alone, though.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_72df6772_5308688b.jpg)
"Seraphim, I'm thinking about taking Don up on his offer. Would you mind going with me? Just so I feel safe?"
"Of course, Lilith! But you don't have anything to worry about, and you'll be surprised at how good the photos look. Don is a genius. Not only will he pay you, but when he sells your pictures, he'll give you a cut of the money. I only wish he'd pay half as much attention to me as he does to you. I've been trying to bag that man for years."

So it was settled. Don was ecstatic that I'd be modeling for him. He didn't even mind that Seraphim was coming along. Of course, I didn't tell him why I was asking her to go.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_72df6772_73086bbb.jpg)
We decided to meet that weekend to do some test shots. I was surprised at how professional Don was through the enire thing. He let me choose the outfits I wanted to wear and Seraphim insisted on doing my hair and makeup (for that "edgy fashion look" she said). He encouraged me to open up, to let loose, to be carefree.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_72df6772_92ff1923.jpg)
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_72df6772_b2ff257d.jpg)
It was a feeling that I'd never felt before. It felt so good to be there in front of the camera, so good to hear someone telling me "beautiful smile, Lilith!" or "that's it! You're flawless!" No one had ever told me this before. No one had ever said such things to me, and the pictures! Oh, they were absolutely beautiful!
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_72df6772_f2ff2751.jpg)
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_72df6772_b2ff2902.jpg)
Seraphim even took a couple pictures.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_72df6772_d3086a89.jpg)
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_72df6772_d3086aad.jpg)
I couldn't believe that I was looking at myself. I thanked Don and he told me that my check would be in the mail. He discussed with me all the terms of my payment, and then we were done.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_72df6772_1308729f.jpg)
"You were wonderful, Lilith. Just wonderful."
Such simple words. He hugged me as I was about to leave, and my heart fluttered. I didn't think anything of it, then. I was still feeling euphoric. Nothing had ever felt that good.

So started my "modeling carrer." Every weekedn, I'd go to Don's house, take my pictures, and get at least $1000. The girls and I were able to catch up on debt, and we could make more money if the three of us posed together.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_72df6772_7308759e.jpg)
We did a couple ads for clothing stores, some promotion ads for a part, that sort of thing. I got the added benefit of being more confident in myself. I felt reassured that I was important. Everone noticed the change in me, maybe Don most of all. By the time my 21st birthday came around, I was able to afford one of the condos in Don's complex. He was such a good friend, and I think I began to feel something that I hadn't felt in a long time.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_72df6772_33088496.jpg)
"You're glowing, Lilith."
"What's that, Sera?"
"Women glow when they're in love."
"You're point?"
"I think I know what it's like to have feelings for a boy."
I smiled. Perhaps I was glowing. Perhaps, for the first time in six years, I was really happy. Bailey smiled at me and Addy just giggled.
"You are happy momma."
I covered my face like a school girl. I felt so young, so adored and loved. Yet I hadn't forgotten what happened the last time I felt that way. I hadn't forgotten where love leads.

I had made plans to have dinner at Don's house that night. Addison assured me that she and Bailey would be alright for a couple hours, so I went ahead and hired a babysitter. When I got to Don's place, I felt a little underdressed. He was in this really nice suit, and I had just gotten off from work.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_130961dd_730961e0.jpg)
"Please, Lilith, make yourself at home."
His place was so mcuh nicer than mine. How I began to think of all our differences. He was older than me (he was 32 and me 21), and he made more money than I did. He didn't have kids, I did. My palms began to sweat, and I couldn't help jumping when he put his hand on the small of my back.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_130961dd_b3096222.jpg)
I tried to tell him I was really nervous, but he led me to the table where he had a candelight dinner set up. I was flattered that he would go through so much trouble for me.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_130961dd_93096397.jpg)
"Lilith, there's something I have to tell you. I've watched you grow and come into your own. You are such a beautiful woman. So caring, so affectionate. I tried my hardest to suppress these feelings but...I can't. From the moment I saw you, I knew you were special."
How could I reject him now that he'd spilled his heart to me? I looked up from my plate to notice that Don was shaking, too.

As we sat on the couch a little later, he smiled at me.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_130961dd_f3096510.jpg)
"I've never felt this strong about any woman before. Heh. You're the first woman to make me shake like this."
I felt electricity go through my veins. He put his arm around me as we sat watching a movie. H ewas so warm. I had gotten so used to sleeping by myself or with one of the girls that I had forgotten, if I ever knew, what it felt like to be held by a man. It felt so good, and I lost myself in the moment. The next thing I knew, he was on top of me, and we were kissing.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_130961dd_9309653f.jpg)
I felt his hands grabbing me, felt my heart beat fast, felt his breathing get heavy. I could feel the air on my stomach and I panicked. No matter how much my heart wanted this, my brain panicked.
"No, Don, stop. Stop!"
He was hovering over me, his breathing still heavy. He got off.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_130961dd_53096cbd.jpg)
"Jesus H. Christ, Lilith! I pour my heart out to you, practically tell you I'm in LOVE with you...You get me all worked up...You're nothing but a tease!"
"Don, no! Please, that's not it, it's me. I'm just...just..."
"Just what, Lilith? How do you feel about me?"
"Don, you know."
"No, I DON'T know, Lilith." You're sending me mixed signals. One day we're more than friends, the next you're telling me to back off. Do you even know what the hell you want?"
"I want what's best for my girls--"
"What about you?"
I wanted to hug him, to take back the pain I had caused, but he moved away from me.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_130961dd_d3096d7b.jpg)
"Maybe it's best you go home, Lilith."
The walk back to my condo was the longest walk I had ever taken. What had become of me? How far had I let myself slip? I just proved that I couldn't give myself up to Don. Could I ever give myself to anyone?


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblueheart on March 18, 2007, 04:29:12 pm
Awwwww.....great update!!!! Now you better UPDATE AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Now I HAVE TO KNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please let Don forgive her.....please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on March 19, 2007, 05:41:47 am
Lol! I had a BLAST doing this part. Then halfway through, I forgot Don was engaged to Cassandra (darn maxis families), so I had to make him un-engaged. Lilith and Cassandra ended up getting into a fight and Lilith won!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblueheart on March 19, 2007, 05:39:07 pm
Haha!!!! :laugh: That is too funny!!!!!!!!!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: xgreydovex on March 19, 2007, 06:31:47 pm
AWESOME update :D i hope that Lilith can get over her aversion to intamacy, Don seems good for her.
thats hilarious about Lilith kicking Cassandras butt.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on March 26, 2007, 06:48:54 am
Ok, lovelies, here's the deal. I'm on spring break, so I hope to finish the story this week. On the down side, my computer tends to be running kinda hot, so I make no promises. I'm going to try a couple things and see if that doesn't help a bit. Hopefully, I can get an update in today before it 'splodes.

EDIT: My computer is working much better, so expect an update tomorrow. An update for Kokoro and Kimora is in the works. Kimora just had her second child, a girl named Vara, and she's adorable! Pics to come of Lucien, who grew up, and Dionus, when he becomes a teen!


Title: UPDATE!!! WHOOO WHOOO!!
Post by: babyblue1387 on March 28, 2007, 08:43:33 pm
One tiny little update to be posted tomorrow, and that will be the end of this episode. Thanks to all who tuned in. I've really fallen in love with Lilith and Don (after swearing I'd never play maxis sims). Would have finished today, except I've had the sims running all day, and my poor computer needed a break.
------------------------------------------

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_72df6772_f316a038.jpg)
I spent the next few weeks thinking about everything Don had said to me. I tried not to let my depression effect my girls, but I know it still did. They were wonderful though. They knew I needed time to think and allowed me that time. They didn't even complain when I nearly burned dinner.

After about a month, I was satisfied that I'd answered all of Don's questions. When I saw him in the hallway, I asked if we could meet a little later after work. He agreed to meet me at a small cafe, but only reluctantly.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_72df6772_9316ab1b.jpg)
That night at the cafe, I told Don about my relationship with my parents, with Angela, with Dirk, how Addison was born, how my parents were disgusted with me, how I got pregnant again, how Angela lied to Dirk, how I was kicked out of the house, how I came to live at the group home... By the time I was done, I was near tears. I realized then that I had never told anyone about my life. I'd thought about it and cried for my daughters and my love for them, I've though and cried about being poor. I was shaking so bad that I didn't realize that Don was holding me.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_130961dd_7316b714.jpg)
He took me back to his apartment and held me as I cried. He kissed my forehead and held me until I fell asleep.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_130961dd_f316b7a6.jpg)
When I woke up, I was in Don's bed. My heart beat quickly for a moment, wondering if I had done anything, if he had done anything to me. I took a deep breath and remembered that Don wasn't like that. I had hurt him, but I knew in my heart of hearts he would never hurt me intentionally. I went downstairs to find him. He was in the kitchen cooking dinner.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_130961dd_9316b87d.jpg)
"My girls--"
"Don't worry, they're fine. I called the babysitter."
"I can't afford--"
"I'll pay for it. I want you to stay for a little longer. I wanted to apologize. I didn't think... I just blew up. You made me feel things I thought didn't exist. I thought you were rejecting me. I mean you were, but not...really?"
We talked for hours. He told me about his past lovers, we talked about our future, about our dreams...

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_72df6772_d316bfdf.jpg)
By the time I went home, I had the euphoric feeling back. It was almost like walking on air. My girls knew instantly that I had settled the things that were bothering me.
"You're happy, mommy."
I only smiled. Everything seemed to be going well. From that moment on, Don and I became closer.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_130961dd_7316bbc2.jpg)
I was finally able to give myself to Don and learned two very important things: 1)I won't get pregnant every time. Until then, I'd gotten pregnant both times I'd been with Dirk. 2)WOW:wink:! Love is DEFINATELY a powerful emotion. I felt like I was on fire. Had this been what I was missing my entire life? What I'd felt, or thought I felt, toward Dirk was NOTHING like this feeling!

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_72df6772_1316c90b.jpg)
Don and I were thoroughly in love, and celebrating our third anniversary when our relationship got a little complicated. I wasn't feeling too well, but I chalked that up to the champaign and being with Don. My stomach always felt funny when I was around him.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_72df6772_7316cd15.jpg)
A week later I was still feeling funny. Then I found out the news: I was pregnant. I hadn't felt funny with my first two pregnancies. Other than the drama caused by my family, they were smooth and uneventful. Now, panick filled my mind. Would Don leave me? I couldn't stop thinking about our age difference. He was 35 and I was 24. 11 years can be a long time. ADDISON was almost 11 years old. Why the heck would Don stay with me?
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_72df6772_9316cd6b.jpg)
It took my daughters, now 10 and 6, to calm me down before I even considered talking to Don. They didn't know why I was crying, but they were there for me all the same.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_72df6772_1316cfb5.jpg)
"Don, there's something I really need to talk to you about."
"What's the matter? Is everything ok?"
"Don...Don I'm..."
I touched my belly, overwhelmed. Tears welled in my eyes.
"Lilith..."
He stared at me, and in my mind, I knew he'd leave. I knew my illusion of happiness was over. But then he did something that surprised me. Still somewhat surprises me to this day, when I think about it. He smiled.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_72df6772_1316d005.jpg)
"Lilith...a baby, OUR baby! Oh no, please don't cry! It's wonderful!"
I couldn't believe my ears. The relief was enormous.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_72df6772_b316d242.jpg)
Thanks to Don, the next 9 months went smoothly. It was my first happy pregnancy. Don was even talking about buying a bigger house since he was no longer a bachelor. I felt that I truly belonged. I was almost ready to track down my family and shove my happy life in their faces. Don even told me to quit my job because I needed the time to take care of myself and OUR baby. Not my baby, but OUR baby. I happlily left my job and realized how much I really missed spending time with my girls. For once, I was proud to look at my pregnant belly in the mirror. I AM beautiful.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_72df6772_b316d32a.jpg)
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_72df6772_5316d5ed.jpg)
To celebrate, Don wanted to do some special photos to document this wonderful time in our lives: pregnancy photos! An expecting mother's magazine even picked up the photos to use on the front page! I should have known something else was up when Addy and Bailey couldn't stop giggling. After a group photo, Don surprised me, I mean REALLY surprised me...
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_72df6772_5316d789.jpg)
BY PROPOSING!!!! I think I nearly fainted. The girls squealed with delight. They just loved Don so much. And of course I accepted. How could I not? At 24, my life was finally shaping up in my favor.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: xgreydovex on March 29, 2007, 09:20:13 am
YAY!!! i absolutly love it! it made me feel all tingly and bubbly inside ^.^


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on March 29, 2007, 10:12:29 pm
Aww! I'm glad it made you feel good. But I lie. No update today. Update tomorrow because I had to rearrange some of the story at the end.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblueheart on March 29, 2007, 10:41:50 pm
YAYAYAY!!!!!!!!!!!! Great update, loved it!!! :D


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on March 30, 2007, 09:06:57 pm
Here's the last part, as promised.
----------------------
I finally got my chance for revenge. Don and I had decided on a longer engagement so that we could save up for an extravagant wedding. I wanted to get married on the spot, but Don told me that I was a queen and needed to be treated accordingly. Besides, we wanted to wait until our baby girl was born. Imagine that! Three girls!
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_130961dd_93195842.jpg)
I was out with Don, celebrating the upcoming birth of our first child together when I saw none other than Angela. There was a man with her, and I guessed him to be her husband. I knew it wasn't in Angela's nature to pass up the chance to torment me. She promptly came over, but her husband spoke first.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_130961dd_d31959b9.jpg)
"Hey, you're Lilith! There's no mistaking the family resemblance. Oh, and I love your pictures. You have a stunning face!"
I could see Angela getting angry, but her husband didn't seem to care.
"I'm Barret McCarthy, Angela's husband. You must be Don Lothario. I'm a big fan of your photography. Let me tell you, I've been in the industry a long time and it's wonderful to see a fresh take on things--"
"SHUT UP!"
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_130961dd_73195a39.jpg)
"I see you're still popping out babies, Lilith. Is it possible for you to keep your legs closed? Heh. You must be sleeping with this guy for him to take your pictures."
The people around brgan to look very uncomfortable. I was completely embarassed, and Don was about to say something. I beat him to it. For once, I actually stood up to Angela.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_130961dd_13195aac.jpg)
"Actually, my dearest sister, Don and I are getting married. As you can plainly tell, we are happily expecting our first child. I kind of expected you to marry Dirk, but I guess there is a brain somewhere in your body. If you'll exvuse us, we'd like to get back to dinner now."
Sort of a crappy comeback, I know, but it still felt good. Her husband came back to apologize.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_130961dd_f3195b39.jpg)
"Ever since she found out she couldn't have any more children, she's been like this. Having our son Sait was hard. And Lux, our baby girl, was a micavle. She didn't become the actress she wanted to be. But Lux is nearly 12 now. In short, she's really jealous of you."
I never thought I'd live to see the day where Angela was jealous of me. But here it was. Don simply squeezed my hand.

Our engagement lasted two years. Our daughter, Kenedie was born, and we were a really happy family. We enjoyed something like a little fame. Don was doing well as a fashion photographer (he always did have an eye for beauty!), but his style hadn't really caught on yet. We did, however, save up enough money to have that fairy tale wedding. It was absolutely perfect! I still can't believe it, looking back on those pictures. I mean, Don had genuine Japanese sakura trees brought in! And my girls! Addison looked so grown. She was 13 then, Bailey 9, and Kenedie was 2. That was what I'd always wanted. I hadn't seen my parents, and still haven't to this day. I'm ok with that. I have my family. I have people who actually love and care for me. I'm happy.

Oh, here are the pictures from our wedding day. I thought you'd like to see them.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_130961dd_b3198a41.jpg)
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_130961dd_93198a52.jpg)
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_130961dd_93199b09.jpg)
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_130961dd_73199b2c.jpg)
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_130961dd_d3199c69.jpg)
From right to left: Me, Don, Addison, Bailey, Kenedie


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: xgreydovex on March 31, 2007, 08:03:33 am
awww the last picture is so adorable! and surprisingly, i kinda feel bad for Angela...but hey it looks like karma got back at her :D!!

please say theres going to be an episode 4!!! *puppy dog eyes*


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on March 31, 2007, 08:41:28 pm
Lol! Yes, there will be an episode 4, but not for a while. I need to ruin some more lives in my game, and I'm planning an update for Kimora and Kokoro. And I'm kinda running out of ideas. I was thinking about Britney Spears as inspiration for a while. I even started writing a story about that, but it was going a little Anna Nicole Smith. Though I guess that's not exactly a bad thing, story wise!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblueheart on April 02, 2007, 12:15:03 am
Awwww....great update!!!!!!! :D:D:D I'm looking forward to more stories!! :)


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on April 02, 2007, 05:43:20 am
It's official. The next update will be...an update with Kokoro and Kimora! YAY! WHOO!! I've already started writing the story, but I'm not sure when I'll upload the thing. This is the last month of school and finals are coming up, so things will get hectic (thank GOD I'm almost done for the semester!). It might just be in tiny pieces for now.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: xgreydovex on April 02, 2007, 09:12:23 am
YAY! im excitedness :D i liked Kokoro and Kimora.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on April 12, 2007, 08:57:31 am
I know I haven't updated in a while, but that's because I'm getting ready for an update with Kokoro and Kimora. Boy, wait until you see how things are turning out. The drama! The suspense! The pain! The love! The birth! The commitment ceremony! The BABY! The poisioing! The MURDER!!!1!!!1oneoneone!!!1...2. This is so going to be totally awseome! But just to give you a taste of what's going to happen (might consider posting little snippits until I actually get around to taking the pics):

Someone will be in the hospital.
Someone will die
Someone will have a commitment ceremony (usually happens among gay couples)
Someone will be pregnant
Someone's career is taking off.
Gotta love the paparrazzi (i KNOW i didn't spell that right)
Kimora's in it.
Kokoro's in it.
Look at me, I'm laughing out loud.

That's it for today's snippit.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: xgreydovex on April 13, 2007, 09:04:15 am
sweet! sounds so good and suspenseful and everything awesomeness!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on April 14, 2007, 08:23:22 pm
And because I missed yesterday, I bring you two quotes from the story. The first one is one of my personal favs.

"Say the cat took a crap. What the hell do you think I mean? How long have I been following you like a lovesick puppy?"

I can't say I exactly felt like killing my child. That would be a bit extreme. I did contemplate just running out, though. No one would blame me. At least that's what I thought laying in the hospital bed.

Glad to see that you're still checking up on this thread!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on April 16, 2007, 05:28:06 am
WOW! I'm REALLY flattered that you like them so much! Glad to see you posting and welcome to InSim!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on April 24, 2007, 09:30:25 pm
Oddly enough, I just noticed that my thread had been rated. Thanks to all who rated me so high! You make me feel so warm inside. On a different note, almost all the players in this opera which is episode 4: return of the geisha are in place and costumed. Just a couple more adjustments and I will be ready to update. Look for something this weekend!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on April 29, 2007, 10:30:13 am
ok. After much insiminating, and the VERY UNEXPECTED birth (and subsequent plastic surgery) of Kimora's triplets, we are ready to finally see what Kokoro and Kimora have been up to.
----------------------------------------
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_d33f8c73.jpg)
"I've always envied you, Kokoro. You might not have realized it then, so caught up in everything that you were going through. I envied you because you were able to escape the life I live. I still envy you because the choices you have made have all been your own, because you chose what to do with your life."

17 long years had passed since the last time I saw her, and I hardly recognized the woman before me. The last time I'd seen her, she'd been no older than 10. Now, she was 27; a beautiful Geisha with sad eyes. I suddenly felt old, being faced with her youthful look. How much like my mother in appearance she was.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_533f8f2b.jpg)
"For a while when I became a teenager, I contemplated getting pregnant and running away like you--"

"I didn't run away, Tomihatsu. In case you forgot, I was kicked out of the house."

She bowed politely, as she had no doubt been taught, but I could tell she still didn't agree.

"Had I abandoned my duty, my life would be my own right now. Mother loved you, you know."
"Well, she had an odd way of showing it."
"She tried to call you and make things right. You--"
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_733f8f9c.jpg)
"Never answered the phone. Exactly. I wasn't ready to forgive her just yet."
"But she was willing to forgive you."
"Forgive me? Ha! Wonderful little joke, Tomi, but--"
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_933f90ab.jpg)
"Please. It's Tomihatsu. And Kokoro, try not to be so selfish. Yours was not the only life changed by your pregnancy."
"Oh really? From what I can tell, nothing much has changed."
"Things may appear what way to an outsider, but had you not run away--"
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_333f9170.jpg)
"For the last time, Tomihatsu, I did not run away! Our parents kicked me out of the house!"
"My parents."

She made her point very clear. I wasn't really part of the family. I was more of a distant cousin that no one had seen for years. Yet could I blame her? I didn't ever attempt to come back. I had no reason to. Except Tomihatsu. When she was little, I called her Tomi, and she called me Koko. I found it hard to reconcile my little Tomi with this woman, the geisha Tomihatsu. No doubt she must have found it hard to reconcile her Koko with the girl who'd gone and slept with her manager. If she had been devastated then, or now, she showed no sign of it.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_333fab3a.jpg)
"You did not come to father's funeral."
"I never really knew him. It's not like he was much of a father anyway."
"You were born into a world you can never hope to understand, Kokoro. It is best that got away from it. Do not blame father if he did not love us the way Kimora's father loved them. Mother and father were betrothed, love never had anything to do woth their marriage, nor their children. In a way, they resented each other, and so father sought love in the arms of another woman."

I remained silent. I felt stupid, like I had just been scolded. Her words stung, but I was not as good at hiding my feelings as my sister way.
"You are beautiful, Tomihatsu."
"So my husband tells me. So all the men tell me."
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_b33fafac.jpg)
I tried to brush a stray strand of hair out of her face, as I'd done many times when we were children, but she turned her back. I suspected she was giving me the time to do something else so we wouldn't have to face that aweful silence after rejection.
"How is your child?"
"Dionus? He's here today. Would you like to meet him?"
"No. It's best we not get involved in each other's lives. We are from two different worlds."
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_933fb0da.jpg)
"Cut the crap, Tomi! You're my sister, and I love you. Forgive me for being a coward, but I was young and scared! I had no support from my family, but I'm willing to make things work. I'm willing now."
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_333fb0fe.jpg)
"Just as you have not forgiven mother, I have not forgiven you, Kokoro. You left without saying goodbye. It was as if you never existed. She called your people, she followed your career, hoping to get to see you and apologize. She died knowing she caused her daughter to hate her. she died knowing she never said she was sorry."
There were no tears. She did not raise her voice. Yet, somehow, Tomihatsu's quiet resentment hurt more than being hit by a car (which did happen a few years ago. Nothing too bad). Tomihatsu began walking away, but she stopped.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_133faefc.jpg)
"She came to the hospital to see you. It was her who left the flowers every night. Not Mr. Kamina. You just assumed they were from him. She was afraid that you'd burn them if you know they were from her."
Tomihatsu continued to walk away. Tears and dark sunglasses clouded my vision. I could faintly see her take the arm of a young man and head toward a  llimo, three children in mourning kimono behind them. I had screwed up big time.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_133fb1c3.jpg)
When Dionus found me, he only hugged me. He had no words for me, and I couldn't expect him to. How could I tell him that everything that happened came about because of him? if he'd never been born, who knows where I'd be.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: xgreydovex on April 30, 2007, 08:06:24 pm
its so sad i can hardly contain myself! but why didnt Tomi call koko and tell her what was going on with their mother?
pleasssse continue!  i love these stories more and more with every update :D


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on April 30, 2007, 09:05:19 pm
I promise more this weekend. This is the last week of the semester, so this should be done fairly soon. It's a lot harder than I thought, taking the pictures for this, that is. Glad to see you're still sticking around this thread!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Silent Angel on May 03, 2007, 03:14:13 pm
This story is like Wow...I almost cried several times. What you done is really cool and original.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on May 04, 2007, 05:53:25 am
Oh wow! Thankies so much!:love10:


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on May 04, 2007, 10:21:38 pm
Just a little update for today, people.
----------------

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_f347c5f4.jpg)
"well, you can't just expect her to up and forgive you, Kokoro. It's been 17 years."
Kimora shoved some brandy in my face.
"No thanks, I'll have water. Detox."
I'd hastily added detox when Ayato looked over at me. I usually don't refuse a hard drink after a particularly hard day.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_9347c73e.jpg)
"You did have your chance to make things right. Or at least better."
"Oh really, Ayato? I suppose this was all my fault, then?"
"Hey, no one but you is playing the blame game, kiddo."
"How was I supposed to know she was sick?"
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_d347c860.jpg)
"Answer her phone calls," both Kimora and Ayato answered in unison.
"Well, if she wasn't such a bitch and kicked me out of the house--"
"You shouldn't speak ill of the dead. Besides, how long are you going to use that as a crutch?"
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_1347c8e3.jpg)
"You're a grown woman now, Kokoro."
I looked at Kimora. True, we were both grown women, yet Kim didn't seem to be hanging onto her youth the same way I was. She had become more serious, too; she traded in her signature pink and blond locks for her natural black ones.That's when I really knew she had left me behind. In emotional maturity, at least. She and long-term boyfriend Takeshi had committed to each other, though they hadn't gotten married. I, on the other hand, still failed to tell Ayato that I loved him. Sure he knew it; after five years in a steady relationship, I had no doubt he knew that I loved him. Still, I'm sure he'd like to hear it from my own mouth.
"She's a grown woman, too, you know. She didn't have to be so cold."
"Kokoro, she's a geisha, and geisha aren't supposed to cry in public. Your mother probably would have been proud to see her handle herself so well."
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_7347c980.jpg)
"Oh shut up, Ayato! When did you become an expert on geisha? You're a music executive, and there's a reason for that."
The explosion was uncalled for, and I know it hurt Ayato's feelings. He didn't deserve that. I was only angry at myself for a lot of different reasons. I had no right to take them out on Ayato. Kimora, ever full of attitude, was ready to let me have it, but Ayato started first.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_3347cb56.jpg)
"Who the HELL--"
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_7347ca1e.jpg)
"I'm sorry, but she called me an outsider in so many words, basically said that I'd been erased from the family, and I'm pregnant, and I don't want this baby, and I'm scared out of my mind."
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_7347cacc.jpg)
Kimora was getting ready to retort when she realized what I said. Tears marked my face, and I didn't dare look at Ayato. I knew what would be there, and I didn't want to face it.
"Ayato, I'm sure she didn't mean--"
"It's ok, Kim. Unless she's been screwing around with some other man, the baby's mine, and she doesn't want it."
Ayato looked down at me.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_b347c9e2.jpg)
"What is it that you hate about me?
"You know I don't hate you."
"Then say it."
"Say what?"
"Say the cat took a crap. What the hell do you think I mean? How long have I been following you like a lovesick puppy?"
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_b347cbdc.jpg)
"Ayato, you know how I feel about you--"
"Then say it. Say you'll have my baby."
"Ayato, I--"
"Mom?"
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_7347cdad.jpg)
Everything seemed to stop. Dionus and Lucien appeared at the door. I don't know how long they'd been standing there, or how much they heard, but I wished I could take it all back. Ayato stormed out the kitchen, and I didn't call after him. Not as I'd done many times before. This time was different. Dionus stood in the doorway, his face blank. He knew I was pregnant, and didn't want this baby. He looked up to Ayato, and probably didn't understand what was going on betwen us. Or worse, maybe he did.

Kimora took Lucien and went away, given me and Dionus some privacy. He didn't come toward me. He didn't move.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_d347ceac.jpg)
"Mom I--"
Dionus stopped. I still didn't look at him. I couldn't.
"I heard what Tomihatsu said about you not being part of the family. And I heard about you and Ayato. I just...I thought you should know that even if you can't say it, I love you. If you're afraid of having a baby around again, or if you're afraid of being a bad mother...I turned out alright. Didn't I? Don't throw your love away because you're afraid. Please, mom?"
I knew this wasn't what he'd originally came to the kitchen to say. It's a funny feeling getting relationship advice from your 18 year old son. Yet how true his words were. Was it so easy to see what I couldn't, even at that young age? I felt ashamed, and Dionus left me alone to think. And yes, he was right. I was terrified out of my mind.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: PegasusDiana on May 05, 2007, 04:25:54 am
Read through all the stories now. These are great! When are we going to find out if she decides to keep the baby? Work out her relationship with her sister? Finally tell the man she loves, she actually loves him? Is there a psychologist in the house? lol


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: debzi69 on May 05, 2007, 06:55:49 am
I just read through the stories too. Great work cheetah!!  Keep it up!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on May 05, 2007, 04:52:33 pm
Thanks for the support, my fellow army members! And don't worry, all your questions will be answered (and more will be raised)! This is by FAR my fav.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on May 10, 2007, 07:54:04 am
OMG! I'm so sorry guys, I completely forgot about this! What with finals, arranged marriages, and strippers, I got a little carried away. And contests. Sorry, update today!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: xgreydovex on May 10, 2007, 09:25:08 am
thanks goodness you remembered then!  Cause i wouldve been devastated if you had never updated ever again!!! :D


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on May 13, 2007, 11:55:01 am
The update is late, I know. I was having some serious crashing trouble with my game for a bit. And the contests. It's all their fault!:liar:
--------------------------------
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_d34f65db.jpg)
I found Ayato out back by the pool We didn't speak for a while, which was just as well because I wasn't exactly sure what it was that I intended to say to him to make things better again. Still, I couldn't help smiling at him pouting.

"It's not that I don't want our baby." I didn't look at him, and I'm pretty sure he didn't look at me. That was ok, too, because I didn't know what I wanted. "Kim and I are supposed to be going on tour and...well, the stress...and it won't be healthy for the baby."

Still, he didn't say anything. I didn't dare look at him, but I really whished he would say something.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_734f67fe.jpg)
"Ayato, you know how much I care for you."
"Bud do you love me?"
"You know I do."
"Then why can't you say it?"
"I've never taken the words lightly, and I want to be positive without a doubt how I feel before I say them."
"And do you?"
"I do. I mean, if love is so different, how can I be sure that this is the real thing?"
"You can never be 100% sure of anything. Except death and that you will forever be in debt to my company."
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_b34f693d.jpg)I couldn't help but smile. My Ayato. We'd endured the past five years together, so what was a lifetime more?
"I guess being a mother again wouldn't be quite so bad."
"Not like you ever stopped being a mother in the first place. At least, not to hear Dionus tell it."
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_f34f682f-2.jpg)
I laughed and snuggled up to Ayato. I could get used to this. I've already gotten used to him being around.
"Someone's going to have to move. Especially if Kimora and Takeshi decide to pop out another one."
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_334f6c17.jpg)
"Very funny. And trust me, I'm done birthing children. After the triplets... Let's just say my womb is closed for business."
I laughed as Kimora and Lucien stood by the door. Lucien gave a loud groan at the mention of her mother's womb-business. She'd become a very beautiful girl, resembling her mother more and more each day. She was only 17 going on 25, and had been making a pretty big splash on the music charts. Kimora had stopped by to say that she and Lucien were going to visit Takeshi and the rest of the kids.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_334f690b-1.jpg)
Emotions always changed with the minute, sad as it was. One minute, we're all at each other's throats, the next, we're all laughin by the pool. We're a family alright.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_f34f6c5d.jpg)
"So what about the tour, Ayato?" I asked.
"You leave that to me, sweets. I'll make sure it's as stress-free as possible."
-----------------------------------
Yes, now go to your doctor and get those cavities filled before things get worse. And this is far from the end of the drama!:D


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: rebelmozzerella on May 13, 2007, 02:46:08 pm
Your stories are so FREAKIN good!! I like the Lillith one the most! It kind of made me cry. But just a little. :happy7:


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on May 13, 2007, 08:59:24 pm
I'm really glad that you liked them! You fill my heart with joy!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: debzi69 on May 14, 2007, 01:31:58 pm
loved the update, keep up the good work!!:daisy:


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Silent Angel on May 14, 2007, 07:24:07 pm
The update was awesome, keep up the good work


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on May 14, 2007, 07:28:43 pm
Wow! Thanks so much guys! Don't worry, there's lots more to come!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on May 16, 2007, 07:28:35 pm
Ok, a little update for now. Maybe one later today as well. You've all been good ;)
---------------------------
Later that day, we all headed over to the concert hall to prepare for Lucien's show. Dionus ascted as her manager for the day. He was studying under Ayato to learn the tricks of the trade. Ayato was dead set on having Dionus run FreshFace Records. I was glad the two of them got along so well.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_b3575ee9.jpg)
Lucien decided to follow her mother and become a singer, though she sings pop and not rock like we did. Lucien's show was wildly successful, and we went with her to a photoshoot for her new album cover.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_b3576348.jpg)
Kim and I had to do a couple pics for our new album "Return to Paradise", too. This is one of my favorites.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_53576601.jpg)
While we were at it, we decided to go ahead and do some family photos. We hadn't got any done since the triplets were born.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_13576887.jpg)
Dionus, Ayato, and me. And no Ayato's not going for the boob as Kim likes to think He was brushing hair out of my face when the camera man decided to take the pic.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_33576bd4.jpg)
Takeshi and Kimora in the back, Lucien with the pink hair, Vara standing in front of Lucien, and the triplets: Arin in the black, Lordes in the blue dress, and Dias in the red


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on May 18, 2007, 11:43:23 am
Don't be fooled...all is not well... Oh, and a shameless plug! Tomihatsu's house is the first house that I actually created from the ground up and fully furnished myself. I can't believe how beautiful it turned out. Maybe I'll just post some random pics of it later.
------------------------------------
Over the next months, I decided to fight some of my demons and go meet Tomihatsu. It wouldn't be an easy thing for me to do, and I understood that she probably didn't want to meet with me. I was surprised when she invited me to have lunch at her house.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d30035d4_1358c765.jpg)
The place was huge, and I couldn't believe that she lived there. She showed me to the living room where we sat down to have tea. One of her children served us. Everything was so traditional. I felt so out of place.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d30035d4_1358c9b4.jpg)
"Thank you Hatsumomo."
The two nodded at each other before Hatsumomo left. Tomihatsu served tea, then waited for me to begin.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d30035d4_9358caac.jpg)
"I guess I wanted to bridge the gap between us"
She smiled sweetly, her painted lips curled.
"Over the years I've entertained the the hope that maybe you would. Forgive me if I seemed cold earlier. It was not my intention to make you angry."
"Well, You could have fooled me."
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d30035d4_1358da31.jpg)
"I admit," she laughed, "that it wasn't my intention to make you feel welcome, either."
We were silent a while, and I took in my urroundings. The place was beautiful. Somehow, it seemed so much more expensive, so much nicer than my house.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d30035d4_7358da28.jpg)
"Funny," Tomihatsu began, "how we can do the same thing--entertain--and yet occuby two completely different worlds."
I nodded, and we lapsed into another slince. We sipped our tea as a cool breeze came in through the back door. Everything seemed so authentic. Tomihatsu must have been reading my thoughts.
"My husband decided that I needed the most expensive things. He loved to buy me Kimono. They were some of the most beautiful things I'd ever seen. In fact, when you called me, I decided to give you a gift. As a peace offereing, and to help you understand my world."
This was my sister, beautifu geisha, generous and charming.
"You were bethrothed?"
"Yes, to a wealthy lawyer. It was the best match, according to mother. She knew he would be able to take care of me. Mameha, please bring the package for your aunt."
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d30035d4_b358db54.jpg)
A slender thing in a beautiful kimono appeared at the door.
"Yes mama."
She closed the door behind her, only to appear later with a small package. She placed it in front of me, bowed and backed away.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d30035d4_3358de41.jpg)
Tomihatsu smiled and gestured for me to open the box. I opened it and was shocked. It was a fine silk kimono. I couldn't believe that such a thing was meant for me.
"I don't wear it much anymore. If you want, I can help you put it on."
I could only nod. Being dressed in such a fine garment made me feel...elegent.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d30035d4_5358e072.jpg)
It was a differend feeling from wearing Dior or Versace. I guess, dressed as a geisha, I began to understand the power of the robe. It made you feel completely different. Timeless, almost. I knew I'd never feel that way again.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d30035d4_f358e1ce.jpg)
Tomihatsu even did my hair and makeup. So, for ten minutes, I was a real geisha. No one would have really known the difference between the two of us. Tomihatsu smiled at me.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d30035d4_b358e249.jpg)
"This is what mother loved. This is the world that I love, that my daughters will come to love as well."
I nodded as she began to help me undress. Maybe I wouldn't be a part of the world my sister was, but not I could better understand it. I hugged my sister, thankful for the opportunity.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d30035d4_b358e318.jpg)
"You didn't have to do this."
"Yes, I did. I think I've been waiting for this for my entire adult life. I was hoping that you'd come back one day. Mother said to give you time, that even if you didn't forgive her, you wouldn't punish me."
"Tomi, I'm going to have my second child and...and I want you to be there. I want you to be a part of my life again."
"Of course, Kokoro. I would love to be a part of your life, if you would let me."
I nodded as we sat down again at the table in the living room.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d30035d4_9358de8c.jpg)
"My husband is opening a new teahouse next week, and I'll be entertaining there. I would love it if you could come with me. You could wear the kimono."
"Of course. If I can, I'll make it."

When I got back home, I felt so much better about everything. I guess I'm starting to be mature, and making things right with my life. Ayato and I have avoided a major conflict for now, but I don't think this is the end for us. There were still a lot of issues that we both needed to work out.

Ayato was really happy to be ahinv a child, no matter how hard he tried to hide it.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_3358e6e1.jpg)
When I got back, he told Dionus and I that we all needed a change. We decided to move. Kimora had moved in with Takeshi when she cound out that she was having triplets. They have a beautiful ranch-style house. Even so, our house had begun to feel crowded. Ayato was right in thinking it was time to move. Dionus was a little unhappy, but I knew he'd get over it.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_5358ebd0.jpg)
As I began to show, I got more nervous. Kimora and I had been playing local spots. We still, inexplicably, drew large crowds. We'd been out of the scene for quite some time, but we still had some diehard fans. Ayato made sure that there was no smoke so as not to endanger his baby. Unfortunately, he became more and more possesive. I don't know if it was me or my hormones raging, but his protectiveness was really beginning to bother me.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_9358efc1.jpg)
"Well, they want to furnish the house."
"Look, Ayato, I really don't care. Vera Wang, Chanel, Gucci, what does it matter?"
"Geez, Ko, do you have to be so bitch?"
"I'm pregnant, and I'm hot."
Somewhere in the distance, I could hear Dionus yelling that it was winter and I shouldn't be hot. What does he know anyway? I know Ayato sure did hope I'd hurry up and give birth. He wasn't the only one.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_9358f018.jpg)
Dionus begged ayato to wait until the baby was born before we moved. He made many executive decisions (furniture, paint, wood or marble) on my behalf. He was such a dear. Whenever Kimora brought the kids to visit, she'd banish me to the basement after a while. She knew, and hoped, that this would blow over quickly. Ayato and I didn't really see too much of each other during my pregnancy. That was ok though, because I don't think we'd still be together if we did.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Ninja on May 18, 2007, 11:57:06 pm
I've read your stories and they're awesome! Good work!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: debzi69 on May 19, 2007, 06:53:17 am
great update!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on May 19, 2007, 12:19:28 pm
Thanks much guys! I really appreciate everyone's comments!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on May 23, 2007, 12:19:13 am
Sorry this took so long! I'm doing a couple contests, and I had to build the teahouse, even though you don't really get to see much of it.
----------------------------------
A couple months earlier, thugh, I did go to the teahouse with Tomihatsu. I think the experience added to my discomfort. I couldn't help feeling that I was inadequate and that Tomihatsu was showing off.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_f35f5fff.jpg)
The ease with which she talked with the men and the other geisha put me to shame. There were so many ruels and guidelines, so many customs.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_935f5fc7.jpg)
Yet, at the same time, I felt so pretty. The men complemented me on my beautiful complexion, on my resemblance to my sister and my mother.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_135f5f93.jpg)
They told me I should come around more ofted. Tomihatsu came over and told them that I probably wouldn't be coming around anymore. Next to me, she seemed infinately more graceful and pleasant.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_335f5f4c.jpg)
She told them that I made music and that I'd be going on tour soon. Funny, how after all these years, people who are diehard fans of Girls Against The World and people who've never heard of us can occupy the same world. She said I didn't have the time for these types of social events. In that time, Tomihatsu made it known that I'd never be part of this world. No matter how much I looked like a geisha, I'd never really be one. I'd never be what my mother wanted me to be. The men expressed their regret at not being able to see me again. Tomihatsu escorted me out of the teahouse an hour later, and I felt really alone and out of place. I was really graeful to be back in my own world.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_335f6fe3.jpg)
That really did weigh down on me, and I found myself thinking about that as I lay looking at my new babies. Twins. Maybe this whole thing with Tomihatsu wasn't worth it. Ayato was so proud and I couldn't dissapoint him. I smiled at him and wondered about that whole post-partum thing. I was definately feeling depressed. Tomihatsu hadn't been able to make the birth because she went oversears with her husband and children. Kimora and Lucien went on tour two days after I gave birth. Vara, Dias, Arin and Lordes were out with Takeshi (the triplets damn near have ADD, they're so hyper. Kimora and Takeshi just call them "passionate," but we all know that's a load of crap). Dionus was beaming with pride, but he was repeatedly stepping out to phone this new opera singer he met. I was feeling alone.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_d35f7434.jpg)
I can't say I exactly felt like killing my children. That would be a bit extreme. I did contemplate just running out, though. No one would blame me. At least that's what I tought laying in the hospital bed. I think, sometime during the night, I got a fever. I was beginning to be a little delusional. The reality of my age really hit me then. I was damn near 40, and I just had two babies. I was going to die before I saw my twins get married. Now, maybe it wasn't the most rational train of thought, but my mind didn't clear up until the doctor gave me some kind of medecine. Said I had a serious infection.

Karma's a total biotch, isn't she?

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_935f77bc.jpg)
Kimora rushed back to be with me. She had reluctantly left Lucien in the hands of her manager and road mom/tutor. I know it was a hard decision for her, and she'll never have a problem with Karma. She didn't secretly wish her mother would get cancer and die a painfully slow death. Which actually happened. No, I'm afraid that the irony wasn't lost on me.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_935f7903.jpg)
Ayato was worried when the doctor said that he'd have to check the babies to make sure they were ok. The doctor said the little brats' names, but I didn't recognize them. Ayato named them. I couldn't even remember what combination of beast they were. To make matters worse, I didn't care, and this scared me. My fever shot up overnight, and the doctors all rushed in.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_735f7986.jpg)
I could hear Kimora throwing curse words at people, and the rapid click of camera shutters. I couldn't but wonder if I had even more than cause my mother's death to warrant this. Somehow, though, in the throes of a nasty infection, the idea came to me that I was punishing myself. Maybe I wasn't ready to forgive my mother, maybe now I had come to be mad at tomihatsu for being a prick. The only reason she had given moe the kimono was so she could flaunt her relationship with our mother in my face. Just as it occured to me that the only reason I went to the funeral at all was to confirm that my mother was dead gone; to make sure she wouldn't come back. It was evil and selfish--the way I had always seen my mother.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_935f7c0d.jpg)
Some three days later, I awoke to find Tomihatsu standing over me. In that moment, I hated her more than I had ever hated another person in my life. She was looking at me and smiling, but in my fevered mind, I saw her smile as saying "serves you right, whore." She turned her back and walked out of the room, presumably leaving me to die. I guess that wasn't the cause because, shortly after she left, Ayato, Dionus, Kim, Takeshi, Vara, Lucien, Dias, Arin and Lordes all came rushing into the room.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_335f7f11.jpg)
I couldn't really see around them, but I had the distinc impression that TOmihatsu smile devily at me, as if to suggest that she was the one woh had poisoned me. Absurd, I know. Somehow, my family took my urge to kill as a sign of pain. That only made me angrier, and I think my fever went up a bit.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: xgreydovex on May 23, 2007, 10:23:37 pm
i absolutly L. O. V. E. this story.
update soon pretty please! :]


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on May 23, 2007, 11:14:45 pm
Taking pics for this is really hard, but I just love this story too! There will be a third part of this story. A kind of final interview with Kokoro as an elder.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on May 25, 2007, 12:20:26 am
Ok! Now we're getting to the juicy part!
----------------------
Th paparazzi were there when I was released from the hospital four months later.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_b3622f96.jpg)
Kimora yelled at them to please give me some room to breathe. When they didn't I threw a potted plant at them. They moved then.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_5362303b.jpg)
Ayato brought the cildren in hopes that I'd want to see them, but I didn't care. He'd put them in some hideous outfits, and that only made things worse. I still didn't know their names, still didn't know if they were boys or girls, and still didn't care. Ayato did, and he was more concerned than ever.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_336239b2.jpg)
He got me into some kind of conseling, and though I didn't want to admit it, I did slowly begin to feel better. The "doctor" said that I was greiving for my mother, but I didn't know how to express it. The meeting with Tomihatsu only brought my feelings of extreme guilt to the forefront. Slowly, I even began to understand that the babies were mine, not just Ayato's and that I had been me, and not him, who had given birth to them. I began to understand that I was depressed, which was why I wasn't caring that there were other children.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_73623a7c.jpg)
I was also told that I had two five month old baby girls. At the time, that was too much for me, and I lost it.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_f3623be8.jpg)
By the time my girls were one, I still didn't know their names, but I loved to play with them and cuddle them. They were beginning to talk and they recognized me as their mother. I had come to terms with having two babies so close to forty, and I completely ignored Tomihatsu, for the most part. I reconnected with my brother Onoe, who'd married Kimora's older sister Tang Mie. I didn't know they had been involved with each other, but that didn't surprise me at all. There were a lot of things I didn't know during that time. Like I didn't know, or realize, that things were working out better than doctors had hoped.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_93623da2.jpg)
I could talk to Onoe all I wanted, and for as long as I wanted (which we did quite often), and I'd be fine. If I saw Tomihatsu crossing the street, and I was driving a car, I probably--no, undoubtedly--would have run her over. Which is probably why I'm not allowed to drive anymore.

Now, as I mentioned earlier, I could tell Kimora had become more serious, and was beginning to settle down. Her hair wasn't pink or blord, or some combination thereof anymore. Lucien's however, was. Kim and Takeshi had four beautiful children, and were as dedicated to each other as any old married couple, even though they never married. They did decide to offically commit to each other in a lovely ceremony.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_d3624927.jpg)
Nothing big, nothing fancy, but beautiful and classinc nonetheless. She insisted on wearing white, though I told her she shouldn't. Her dress should have been so dark it made black look light. We had a good laugh. Then she asked me when Ayato and I would commit.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_93624a5c.jpg)
"We'll get married a little later," I said, winking at her. Yes, I had finally told Ayato that I loved him. Under the circumstances, it had more meaning to him. I'm glad I waited. It meant so much more to the both of us, then.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Ninja on May 26, 2007, 06:22:26 am
Awesome updates! Great story!


Title: Hello there
Post by: rachel631 on May 26, 2007, 07:18:12 am
These mini stories have to be some of my favourites... I like the variety within the tale, and the contrast between the two stories. I also check to see if you've updated all the time!

Just wanted to ask where you got the custom content for Tomi's house, however. I'm trying to make a Japanese themed house, and getting nowhere. I think I've got most of it, but I especially need a traditional table (you know, the one where you sit down on cushions), or else some cushion seats. I've seen a pay one at TSR, but it doesn't look as nice as yours. Besides... paysites... grrrr...

Anyway, thanks a lot, and keep up the good work!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on May 26, 2007, 10:38:24 am
Hi Rachel! Welcome to InSim, and, I can't say this enough, thank you for enjoying my stories! It took quite a while to find good, quality japanese stuff. Do a search at different places like ModTheSims for japan, japanese, asia. You should get a lot of good stuff there. Take a look here at SailorJune's themed downloads (http://chukhin.brinkster.net/Lynne/sims/simgroups.html). There's a lot of good stuff there.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on May 28, 2007, 11:14:32 am
For all those looking for custom content to furnish your japanese houses...FEAR NO MORE! EAxis has finally come through for us! I was looking for updates on the new expansion pack (yes, it is vacation) and I saw the best news for our asian sims...don't worry about the table anymore because there's one in vacation with PROPER SITTING ANIMATIONS!! They'll sit on their legs and everything!!!!!!!! I know this is slightly off topic for my thread, but I wanted to share my joy with you wonderful people. Head on over there to check out the screenshots for the Far East!:love4:

To make this on topic, there will be an update today.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on May 28, 2007, 03:13:15 pm
Oh my. I didn't realize that I was so close to the end. This is the last installment before we get into the part where Kokoro is an elder. Unfortunately for you guys, there's a cliff hanger! HAHAH!!! Ok, not so funny. This entry contains mild usage of the "b" word. It's used all of two times.
--------------------------
Ayato and I decided to watch the kids while Kimora and Takeshi went on a little vacation. The kids weren't hard to manage, and took care of themselves for the most part. We had them for two weeks, which pretty much just flew by.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_f3670b11.jpg)
When I went back to threapy, I had a major breakthrough: I learned my daughter's names: Grace (with the longer hair), and Helen (with short hair). Grace and Helen Kamina. I was surprised when Ayato and my girls, then 14 months, showed up to therapy. I won't deny that I was happy. I felt like I was at some award show. Onoe showed up, too. That kind of clued me in that something big was going to happen. Onoe looking nervous didn't help me either.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_b3670c76.jpg)
"Well, Kokoro..."
I closed my eyes. Nope. Not the way I wanted this session to start out. Little did I know that the breakthrough wasn't learning my girls' names. The ball was about to hit me hard.
"Onoe, do you want to start things off?"
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_d3670be3.jpg)
"Um, Kokoro, I love you. You know that, right?"
I nodded then, a million things going through my mind. There could have been so many things wrong.
"Dad had another family. He, um...well, he didn't leave us any money. It all went to his other family. We were left with all of mom's medical bills."
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_93670c91.jpg)
I looked around the room. Ok. That wasn't so bad. I realized I'd been holding my breath. This wasn't so bad.
"Um. Yeah, but here's the kicker. Well, you and I aren't dad's kids. He's not our father. Except for Tomihatsu. Oh, she did get some of dad's money, though."
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_33670e62.jpg)
Now that was it. I tried to restrain myself, but I couldn't. Maybe not the most damaging secret; something I could definitely live with. But to know that Tomihatsu was the only legitimate one...
"That bitch!"
Ayato didn't have time to try and cover the girls' ears, and they cried loudly. I started to rethink everything. That's why she'd been so bitchy toward me. She ws the only legitimate cild. Even if I wanted to be a Geisha, I couldn't because my heritage was in question.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_73670c4e-1.jpg)
"Apparently," the therapist began, "many of the Geisha knew. Though they would have accepted you because you were Kuniko's daughter, they would have looked at you differently. They would have talked about and to you differently."
I didn't care. Tomihatsu had rubbed it in my face. Maybe she had poisoned me and made people think that it was an infection.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_b3670eed.jpg)
"I still want you to see her, Kokoro."
"I have no desire to see that beast of a woman. I have no intention of ever putting up with her attitude again."
"Well...I guess we don't have to do that soon."
We sat in silence.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_33670f44.jpg)
"Um, Kokoro, do you remember when we were kids? How we used to play hide and seek?"
I nodded suspiciously. I also knew what he was implying.
"I'm not suppressing any memories, Onoe. I remember what I was hiding from."
"And you don't feel traumatized by that, Kokoro?"
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_d3670f5f.jpg)
The therapist fixed me with a stare.
"No. Not anymore." I couldn't help rubbing my shoulder. I still had a burn there. Ayato forced me to confess when he saw the mark on my shoulder. He'd wanted me to immediately turn my mother into the police.
"Why don't you tell me what happnened, Kokoro?"
"You already know."
"Please, cooperate. You know that's not the purpose of the exercise. If you don't want to tell me then, that's fine. I'm getting paid top bucks for this either way."
I rolled my eyes. "She burned me. Not on purpose--"
"I don't think it was an accident."
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_b3670f80.jpg)
"In my Geisha training. I hated getting my hair done up. She was using this metal iron and it fell. I was moving too much."
"It wasn't your fault, Kokoro."
"She told me to be still, but I wouldn't. But that was the worst."
"What else did she do, Kokoro?"
"She hit me with the obi [a/n: an obi is the really heavy fabric they use to make the knot or bow at the back of the kimono]. She stuffed snow down my kimono. But that was only to make me stand up straight. I took baths in scalding hot water, but that was the best way to remove some of the makeup and to make my skin softer."
The therapist shook her head.
"You can't make excuses forever. What she did was wrong. No matter what the customs, she shouldn't have done it. Did she do the same to Tomihatsu?"
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_53671033.jpg)
Onoe slowly shook his head.
"She always treated Tomihatsu better, and I wasn't surprised when I finally found out why."
----------------------------------
So until next time, beautiful people, that is the end of Kokoro's story. If you'll kindly tune in again, we'll visit Kokoro as an elder and see what she's been doing.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Zggs on May 29, 2007, 06:19:03 pm
Wonderful.  I can't wait for the update and I have to know where you get some of your cc!  But really I had to stay up and read the whole thread.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on May 29, 2007, 10:15:42 pm
Wow! I can't believe you read through the whole thing! Thank you so much and I'm glad that yo enjoyed it. Let me know what you're looking for and I'll see if I can't remember where I got it from.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Zggs on May 30, 2007, 12:07:50 am
I'll look through later but I really did stay up past 10 p.m. just so I could find out what happened!  I think it's awesome were both part of the AA.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Zggs on May 30, 2007, 12:13:59 am
I realize now...the clothes Lillith was wearing when she was pregnant.  They were beautiful.  Plus how to get them to wear those clothes instead of the Maxis maternity?


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on May 30, 2007, 10:09:30 am
I have squinge's preg wear all hack that allows woment to wear their normal everyday clothes when pregnant. I hate that nasty maxis stuff. Be warned though, sometimes it's hit or miss if the clothes will actually show the bump. I think more people are actually adding the preg morph into the mesh or whatever these days. I'll take a look at some of Lilith's clothes and edit this post when I find where they came from.

EDIT: The blue swimsuit is from All About Style (http://www.all-about-style.com/index.html), which I absolutely adore. The outfit with the white shirt and black pants was from Serasims which closed down. You can check out their stuff at the Sims 2 Graveyard (http://sims2graveyard.com/) under downloads/serasims. There are some pics there, but it might have been a "donation" set.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Zggs on May 30, 2007, 01:15:31 pm
Does Squinge's mod work with Inteen. though?  I know some of his don't.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Zggs on May 30, 2007, 01:21:28 pm
I don't see the blue swimsuit though...hmmm.  Maybe I missed it.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on May 31, 2007, 01:25:34 am
Oh. Sorry about that. I could have sworn the swimsuit was from All About Style. I'll have to look into that. Please forgive me for being so unorganized! I usually go to parsimonious and look at their daily finds and pick stuff to download from there. Most of the time, I don't bookmark the sites because I've already downloaded everything I wanted from them. I have both inteen and squinge's preg wear all. I've run the hack conflictor, and it says that they conflict. My game's been crashing randomly for a while now, but I'm not entirely sure if that's the reason why. I've got a bunch of crap in my download folder (even though I've tried to keep it under control), and the hack conflictor said a lot of things were conflicting. I haven't been smart enough to remove the preg wear all hack because I love it so much. A small price to be paid, if you ask me.

EDIT: Aah!! I just found the swimsuit. It's from JustSims2 (http://justsims2.ru/)!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Zggs on May 31, 2007, 01:58:03 am
Ahh thank you!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: debzi69 on May 31, 2007, 08:45:28 am
cheetah, fabulous update! please do keep up the good work! i am loving your stories.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on May 31, 2007, 10:21:40 am
Aww, thankies Miz Koala of Karma. I'm doing my part to make sure the bad karma doesn't get me just yet, lol! I'm in the process of making everyone live lives and such so that they'll be at the appropriate age for the last part. Not sure how long that'll take because there's a LOT LOT LOT that has to happen and it's not happening fast enough for me. Plus I made a servo werewolf.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Zggs on May 31, 2007, 10:40:51 am
Servo werewolf?  I made one of those.  They look hilarious with the fangs and everything...or made I turned her into a vampire.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on May 31, 2007, 10:53:00 am
Yeah, I kept making the servo walk places so I could see it do that stupid werewolf walk! Amusment for tens of minutes!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Zggs on May 31, 2007, 05:23:05 pm
The way they walk is quite interesting.  *shuffle shuffle*


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: xgreydovex on June 06, 2007, 11:56:25 am
awesome as always!
if you dont mind me asking, whats the next one going to be?


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on June 07, 2007, 07:38:44 am
The next one is going to be a final update with Kokoro as an elder. So that might take a while as I have to get everyone's lives set up and write out a little "so where are they now?" with everyone. After that, I'm thinking about "Fame Becomes Her," a little along the lines of Britney Spears. But I haven't had one about a guy yet, so if you can think of some good storylines, I'm open to ideas. I had one, but I'm not too sure about it...


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Zggs on June 07, 2007, 01:35:44 pm
Oooo....when you pm me again now I know what we can talk about...your storyline...

Britney Spears...hmm she soooo went cuckoo


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on June 07, 2007, 03:06:04 pm
Thanks a bunch Zggs. And thanks to those of you who've been so encouraging. You won't be disappointed!:worship:


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Zggs on June 07, 2007, 06:30:13 pm
You're welcome!  I still can't wait for the next episode of this...I love to write stories but I hate taking pictures...too much to do.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on June 13, 2007, 07:32:14 am
Don't worry lovelies! I haven't forgotten. There are a LOT of people who have to grow up and do stuff (namely Kimora's 5 kids). And some people have to die.

EDIT: I wanted to let you in on some sad news. Kimora's twin brother Shinji died due to complications of alcohol poisioning (namely his hunger bar was way in the red and I didn't try all that hard to get him to the fridge. Don't worry, he was a lazy drunk anyway). He leaves behind a wife and three kids. His wife is engaged to a rich old man and will have his baby soon.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Zggs on June 13, 2007, 12:43:54 pm
Awww....and that's why they tell us to stay away from alcohol.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on June 13, 2007, 01:46:14 pm
Yes, now he'll be saying "I wish I would've listened to you!"


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Zggs on June 13, 2007, 02:04:16 pm
As our parents in really say...yet we never listen :D


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on June 13, 2007, 10:30:43 pm
Ok, people. I know I'm supposed to be saving the pics, but Kimora's kids just turned out georgeous! I'll only post Lordes right now because I think she's the prettiest of them all! And you should see the boys, rawr!

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_137c9117_d37c9118.jpg)


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Im_Not_OK on June 19, 2007, 10:02:16 am
I know this is after Lillith's story but it sorta looks like Bailey is giving Lillith the thumbs up!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on June 19, 2007, 03:59:36 pm
Lol, yeah! They're all really supportive of her. And for those that are wondering when the next update is coming, I hope to get part or all of it up this weekend. I got caught up working on the next episode after this (another vampire thing), which I'm really happy with, so far. Then  i got a little sick today, so I only got up about an hour ago. But it should be here soon!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Zggs on June 20, 2007, 09:16:50 pm
Awww....poor babyblue *hugs*


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Sam the T-man on June 22, 2007, 12:15:57 pm
Hello Trouble ;) Just wanted to say, I've been having a read as I said I would, and I've been really enjoying it - I like the format too of different "episodes" :)


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Zggs on June 22, 2007, 12:58:37 pm
Makes it like you're watching TV.


Title: A Geisha's Farewell: The Final Chapter in the Kokoro Mizumi Story
Post by: babyblue1387 on June 22, 2007, 10:02:46 pm
Aww, thankies Sadie! Well, here it is, my last update for Kokoro and Kimora. I've been toying with the idea of making a pics thread to go along with this so you guys can see what the kids and future generations look like!
----------------------
A Geisha's Farewell: The Final Chapter in the Kokoro Mizumi Story

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_1387e6f7.jpg)
We had a good run. Kim and I never truly stopped making music. When we finally got too old to tour and perform, we started producing. We set records, won lifetime achievement awards. We were still working well into our sixties. In fact, we worked right up until...

It's been 40 years since the last time I met with you guys. I'm nearly 90 now. All of my children are grown and have children and grandchildren of their own. Please forgive me if this last interview is a little disjointed. I'll admit my mind isn't quite what it used to be. Ayato's a little worried about that. He's been worried about me ever since Kimora...passed. It was a couple years ago, and I don't think I'll be recovering anytime soon. She didn't suffer; just went quietly in her sleep. Takeshi left her a couple months earlier.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_9387e761.jpg)
She wasn't sad, though. Just...peaceful. She said that they lived a full and happy life together. They were so fond of each other. She...she told me that she was ready. She'd accomplished all that she'd ever set out to do in life, so she had no regrets. I told her that I wish I could have her peace of mind about my death, but she told me that my next great battle lay on the other side. My mother was waiting for me, and I had to make my peace. I think I've been avoiding letting go for that reason. Kim said when I was ready to make my peace, I wouldn't be afraid anymore, and I know that's the truth.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aedf2c_337703a9.jpg)
I wasn't afraid to marry Ayato, and I did. I wasn't afraid to be amother again, and I was, to Grace and Helen. It took a while to get used to hearing little feet running through the house again, but I did, and I loved the sound.

You're probably wondering what happened to everyone, aren't you?

Dionus married young (he was 21, she 19), but they're still married today. He did take over FreshFace Records, and managed Lucien and Dias' careers. They're trying not to make the company a monarchy, but if it ain't broke, don't fix it, right? Although, I'm sure his son has other things in mind. With his wife, Kumi, Dionus has one child, Saiyo, and he's more than I really deserve.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_7384757d_f38590ec.jpg)


(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_53844f38_f3844f4d.jpg)
Grace fully immersed herself into business. She ownes a real estate company that mostly deals with old money (families who were born rich) and the hollywood types. Not that she has anything against lower incomes. It's the houses she'd fallen in love with. She sees archictecture as a work of art, and enjoys meeting with others who feel the same. That's why she married an architect. They regularly go on tours to visit the great buildings of the world. With her husband Don Young, Grace has one daughter, Gemma, and a son, Hugh.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_3385ce72_73880da0.jpg)


(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_13843c43_53843c82.jpg)
Helen, my little angel, became something of a fashionista. She and Lordes started their own fashion line together. Then they branched out to other endeavors. They're kina like Martha Stweart, without all the price fixing. They're both very successful young women with beautiful families. With her husban, Sait have two sons, Ciardah and Eros (toddler).
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_3385b2c8_3385ba18.jpg)

Now for Kimora's kids:

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_337da8dc_337da8de.jpg)
Lucien went away to college, and when she came back, she decided she wanted to perform rock. For a while, her career suffered as people adjusted to the change. Fortunately, her lovely boyfriend was there to help her through this tough time. She kept her signature pink and blond hair, and always remained true to herself. Things worked out for her, but only for a little. When she married Seth, she decided to give up this new lifestyle. She was perfectly happy with her decision. With Seth, Lucien had two boys, Fenix and Koji (blue shirt), and one girl, Kingston.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_9385d5b6_d385ddff.jpg)


(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d37c82e3_137c82e4.jpg)
Vara quickly retired away from the spotlight. She decided that this wasn't the type of life she'd wanted. So she opened a chain of restuarants. I must say, the food there is excellent, though I may be biased. After meeting a chef in college, she knew that's the type of business she wanted. She enjoyed the food more than anything. His dream was to own his own restuarant, so she promised to help him reach his goal. Hepromised that if she did, they'd get married. Both kept their promises. With her husband Heishiro, Vara had two children, Toshiya and Ayumi.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d3807161_f386a81a.jpg)
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d3807161_9386b076.jpg) (the children)


(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_b37c5553_137c5555.jpg)
Dias followed his mother, and became a rockstar. he enjoyed a number of years of success, even as a married rocker with three kids. His band, Hearts Aflame (let's not get started on the name, lol!) won awards and recognition, sold billions of tickets, started a charity called For The Heart, and organized benefits to help the needy. No doubt it was his wife, former Miss Asia and human rights activist, who first got him into charity work. They've helped a lot of people and it warms my heart. With his wife Adelina, Dias had three children, Ismena (the oldest), Gael, and Akemi.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_7386c9fa_7386c9fb.jpg)
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_7386c9fa_3386ec64.jpg) (the children)


(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_137dabff_337dac00.jpg)
Arin decided to become a physicist. He was the genius of the bunch, and always enjoyed learning new things. He devoted his first four years of college to studying physics, but decided to go pre-med at the last minute. He finished his degree in physics, then went back for a degree in medicine. He was to be a surgeon; the youngest one in over fifty years! He has a wonderful bedside manner, which is what won his wofe over. She's such a shy lady. I don't think she'd do well in the public eye. Together with his wife Pensri Dao, they have four children Yumi (in blue), Loic, Annika (in black), and Elsa (in pink)
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_73882702_d3882703.jpg)


(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_137c9117_d37c9118.jpg)
As I kinda stated earlier, Lordes went into business with Helen. Their fashions flew off the shelves, and they loved the spotlight. While they both inherited musical talent, they used their so create catchy jingles and tunes that stay in your head all day. Lordes was still drawn to the music world, though, and she married a rockstar. The marriage didn't work out as well as she had hoped, and they divorced three years later. She did remarry, and this time for life. With her husband Eijiro, she has two children: Eoi, and Sabina.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aec517_738820a4.jpg)
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d2aec517_33882114.jpg) (Eoi and Sabina)
-------------

Three months after the interview, Kokoro passed away. Friends and family say that she passed happily and quietly in her sleep. Ayato survived her by two years, and Dionus by seven. He and his wife passed together in their sleep. Their son, Saiyo, says they had always been in tune with each other. Lucien survived Kokoro by six years, and her husband is now in the hospital with brain cancer. He feels that he has lived his life to the fullest, and is now ready to see his wife again. They all lived full, happy lives, and there is not one regret among them. The world, however, still mourns the passing of these great and legendary souls.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Zggs on June 22, 2007, 10:52:40 pm
Aww...makes me wanna cry.  I've never played my families long enough to see them pass but I'll be sad when I do.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on June 23, 2007, 10:34:20 am
It was kinda hard to watch Lucien and her husband go away (they're the only ones who *actually* died in my game). I want to capture a few more elder moments between Kimora and Takeshi and Kokoro and Ayato before I let them go. I'll miss them:(

EDIT: I'll post another pic of him when I open a pics thread, but Loic reminds me Leonardo DiCaprio somehow...if he were asian...


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Sam the T-man on June 23, 2007, 11:15:39 am
Aww - I'd love to see your pics, you have some pretty sims :) I haven't lost any of mine either (yet)... if I'm honest, that's why I vampirised a lot of my faves! ;)


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Zggs on June 23, 2007, 12:36:27 pm
I love Leonardo...I still say he deserves an Oscar.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on June 23, 2007, 04:31:38 pm
Ok, well, I'll start the thread. I'm having some serious crashing problems with my game, so it might take me a while to get things up and running. Here's to hoping it'll work in enough time to finish my contest entries!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Zggs on June 23, 2007, 04:47:03 pm
Oooo....bad...I haven't had crashing in awhile.  I was reading another thread and people were talking how the couldn't play large lots but for some reason I can and I have every stuff and ep packs.  I do hate it though when it does because I can never figure out why.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on June 25, 2007, 11:05:45 pm
Ok, I'm still a little pissed at the moment (so pissed earlier, that I had to go take a nap, lol), but the next episode will be delayed even more. My computer deleted something like three and a half pages from the next episode that I wrote and was extremely happy with. The next episode is currently titled A Vampire's Kiss, but that sounds really cheezy, and I don't think that will be the final name. It follows a generation of women vampires and how they cope with eternal life. So...yeah. Pray I don't kill my computer before it's done.:chainsaw:


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Zggs on June 26, 2007, 12:33:41 am
Believe me I want to do that.  I had to delete all my cc and I had one of my sims have an affair with his wife still in the house...yeah, guess what happened.  For some reason I thought I still had the mod that would control that...sometimes I wish I could just smash my computer for freezing or taking forever to get on my lots.


Title: Hope the next one's as good!
Post by: rachel631 on June 26, 2007, 07:36:17 am
Just wanted to say I hope your next story is as good as this one... Hopefully your computer will be co-operative.

PS I found that you can improve your performance and stop the game stalling by altering the BIOS setup on your machine to prioritise the CD drive after the hard drive, and then playing with your graphics control until you maximise performance... Don't know if I'm just stating the obvious here...


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Zggs on June 26, 2007, 03:56:49 pm
Wow O.O I understood nothing of that.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on June 26, 2007, 04:43:56 pm
Lol @Zggs. Thanks a lot Rachel, and welcome to insim! Unfortunately, the problem was with word being a jerk. I am having some other technical problems, but those have to deal with the voltage not being turned up high enough on my motherboard, and they don't let you adjust it. My game is running better now. I figured that it was a clothing, then after organizing, file downloaded sometime in the last two months. Removed those folders and the crashing has bascially stopped. The moral of this story is:

Microsoft is the devil and I don't want vista, but my new laptop will come with it.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Zggs on June 26, 2007, 06:47:23 pm
:lol:  Guess what babyblue!  I have no cc I needed for my stories and I don't plan to redownload it all so I have to come up with new ones.

Glad to hear its working now.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on June 26, 2007, 07:48:07 pm
Oh wow....:( At least you get to flex your creative muscle some more.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Zggs on June 26, 2007, 08:21:20 pm
Yup...makes me happy because I already have a new family...but I've already screwed up their family.


Title: UPDATE
Post by: babyblue1387 on July 03, 2007, 11:33:29 pm
Ok, I thought I'd let you know where I am with the newest episode (i forget what number, I'll look it up in a bit). I've finished the first part, and all I have to do is take the pics now. This will be different from my other stories in that I want to focus more on the narration. I've kinda limited myself to what I can show in pictures with the sims, but I figured, eh, what the hey. This is a good time to stretch my muscles as a writer and gosh darnit, I'll do as I please! I'll try to start uploading this week. Or something.

EDIT: Episode 5: In Twilight


Title: Episode 5: Life in Twilight
Post by: babyblue1387 on July 08, 2007, 06:37:30 pm
After much rewriting, the first part is done. After this story, I think I'll be taking a break for a while. I'll open up a pics thread so you guys can stay updated on your favorite characters, and I'll post updates there. Thanks to all who've been reading and putting up with the long down-times!
--------------------------

Life in Twilight

As Things Were…

Have you ever wanted to live forever? Have you ever wandered what it would be like to stand still as the world around you sped, teeming with life and vibrancy and warmth and compassion? Have you considered taking the time to understand the world around you, to see it with new eyes, to know it with a new mind? I have seen all that I care to see, and I’ve known all that I care to know. I have received that “gift,” that eternal life that you seek. I asked for it, needed it, craved it; this curse descended on me as my mother’s kiss. Disguised in the sweetness of my mother’s cold body, in the warmth of her motherly embrace, I found all that I had wanted, and later, all that I loathed.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_f22bfeae_739bcaed.jpg)
My mother was always a beautiful girl; she had golden eyes that she inherited from her father, gold eyes that most of our family inherited. She had her mother’s spunk, her zest for life. She had her father’s determination; she had her mother’s love. She met my father in college, and their talks were long and filled the nights. With time, their love grew strong, and passion took over. Her parents might have been disappointed, but she was their pride.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_f22bfeae_939bd12c.jpg)
I was conceived. My mother struggled to balance a family and her schooling, and my father was there to help her every step of the way. It was not long before she was blessed, or cursed, with another child, Morgana. It was then that she realized she’d never make it through school. The only reason that she stayed was because she realized that her fiancée, later her husband, had potential. He was a brilliant med student, slated to be the best of his graduating class. So she sacrificed her dreams for his. She put herself aside to benefit him.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_f22bfeae_939bce68.jpg)
It came as a surprise to all of us when he died so suddenly. I, to this day, do not know what caused his sudden death, but I remember it so well; the wasting away of flesh, his lack of warmth. He grew cold to us all, and my mother took it the hardest. I was only five at the time, so I cannot say that I truly understood what was going on, but he died in that house, in the bed that he shared with my mother. After his death, there was no use in her trying to pretend that she was going back to school. We packed up and moved, the house behind us burning, a call for help, a beacon, an SOS signal.

Things spiraled out of control. Mom did love us, I could see it in her eyes, and she did not resent us. Her hugs were the same, her kisses just as gentle and calming. When she laughed, her eyes did not smile, and as I grew older, I’d forgotten the warmth with which she used to smile. Her world had been shattered, but she did not begrudge Morgana and I the love we needed to grow and to be nurtured. She may have left us at night, the need to be alone strong within her, but she always came back before dawn.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_f22bfeae_b39bd818.jpg)
I was a teenager before I fully began to understand, to remember. It was my first boyfriend who triggered old feelings in her. Seeing her daughter so much in love for the first time reminded her of the way things had been between her and my father. Her face became infinitely sadder, and in her eyes, the warmth had begun to freeze. She knew this day would come, and she dreaded it nearly as much as I looked forward to it. Needing to be alone, she left, and I respected that. But she did not come back. Had I known then that was the last time I was to see my mother, I would have told her so many things. There was so much that I needed to say, but, being a teenager, there was so much I was unable to say.

Her body returned to us, but her mind, her heart, her spirit had left. She was a shell, and empty vessel, though it would be filled soon enough. To my eyes, and to Morgana’s eyes, she looked sickly, as if grief had gotten the better of her after all these years. She looked as if she could no longer take life. So we led her to her room, thinking that all she needed was sleep, to rest her heart and her mind. Morgana and I retired for the night, but we were unaware of the battle that had begun on the other side of the thin wall that separated our two rooms. I can say now what transpired there that night, but then, at the time, I had no answer and no questions.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_f22bfeae_139bdc6e.jpg)
She did not rise the next day, did not rise the next night, and so it continued for several days. I was the mother; I was taking care of Morgana, shielding her from pain, lying to her of our mother’s comings and goings.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_f22bfeae_539bdccf.jpg)
At the end of a week, I approached her bedroom door, and I knocked. And she answered. I glared at her, then. There was disappointment, and sorrow between us. A wealth of emotions that, were they currency, would have made us the richest people in the history of the world. Yet, there she sat on the floor, her golden eyes looking out at me expectantly. She waited, knowing there was much I had to say to her, and she waited patiently, her eyes locked forever with mine.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_f22bfeae_939bdd6c.jpg)
There are many things that I know now, things that I can look back on and understand, but then, in that moment, my heart was torn. In her golden eyes, I saw nothing. Her empty vessel had once again be filled, but I could not be sure that what was inside of this body that so resembled my mother actually WAS my mother. How was I to be so sure that this wasn’t the woman who held me in her arms? The sadness that I had grown so accustomed to seeing etched in her face had been drained away. I may have been mature, but there were things that I was unwilling to accept. I, then, had an idealistic view of the world; much the same way a child may view things. I was a child, had been a child until that point. I had not been jaded, had not been painted black by the ways of the world yet. I still did not understand the complex working of the things around me, and I did not care to understand them. I did not care to understand a world in which death can come between a love so perfect in every way. I did not care to understand a world in which my mother could be destroyed so completely; a world in which she could be wrecked, her heart wrenched painfully from the body that held so much warmth and life.

I could hear Morgana sneeze in the other room. She was sound asleep, and whatever conversation I might have with my mother, I was relieved that she would not hear it. I became faintly aware of another’s presence in the room. I could not see him, did not know where he was. I only had the intense feeling that I was being watched. So I watched my mother’s face. It was barely a movement, of what kind I’m not sure; a nod of the head, a blink of an eye, a twitch of a muscle. Only with this movement, a signal of sorts, did I notice him.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_f22bfeae_d39bde72copy.jpg)
He stood at the window, watching protectively over the scene before him. It had been a cue, because he made himself known to me, only in the briefest of moments; a moment so short I was left wondering if he’d ever been there at all. He was gone, and all I’d seen was a shadow. And there was a shadow there, no longer in the shape of a man, but that of the tree that stood outside my mother’s window.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Zggs on July 08, 2007, 06:48:30 pm
Ooo...nice job babyblue!  Have fun on your break from storywriting...


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on July 09, 2007, 02:13:48 pm
Thanks Zggs! And to those few of you still hanging around, the picture thread is now open!! "Creatively" titled Babyblue's sims


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Zggs on July 09, 2007, 04:30:55 pm
Hehe at least it will be easy to find.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on July 12, 2007, 10:43:55 pm
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_f22bfeae_f3a2b171.jpg)
We were in silence again. I shifted under her gaze and begged inwardly for something to break the silence, for I didn’t have the courage to do it myself. I didn’t know if timing was coincidence, I didn’t care if it was coincidence. The silence was broken by the softest of words. I don’t remember seeing her mouth move, and I don’t remember the sound lingering long in the world. It was born only to die, and I knew that then, just as I knew the nature of my mother. I was frozen, shocked, unnerved, angry and hurt. I did not move, but a solitary tear slid down her face. He beautiful skin, always so smooth and warm; her face was so familiar to me, yet at that moment, it looked so alien. Tears did not belong on that face. I did not want her to cry, did not want her to despair. It was almost as if an entire conversation had passed between us in that one word that was born to live only long enough to plant the suggestion of words that could not be said in my mind. I knew that there would be years between when the suggestion was put there, and the time that these words would actually be spoken aloud. I knew in that moment that my world would be shattered, that I was suddenly now, with such certainty and conviction, painted black. My heart froze, though I would not realize it for years. My heart froze and I resented her; I did what she did not do. I resented those who loved me, and I hated myself.

“You would do it again, wouldn’t you?”

A simple accusation held the world in it, and she stood, her shoulders bent under the pressure. It was a pressure she did not deserve, but I was selfish, I was young, and I put that pressure on her. Unfair, yes, I know now that it was, and I understand her now. I understand her perfectly, because as the years passed, I became more like her, and our hearts grew closer together, instead of farther apart. I tried to distance myself from her, but this word had tainted me. I knew its strength and I knew what it could do, and I subconsciously let it draw me closer to my mother.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_f22bfeae_33a2b2b7.jpg)
Her back was to me, but I felt as if I could see through her, felt as if she was transparent. She was not there, and I knew so much rested on her now. I could feel the cold regret wafting off of her. I could feel the sadness radiating from her. I could feel her slipping away from me. I could not see her reflection in the glass, but that did not scare me. I saw myself, I saw no one standing in front of me, but she was there. To assure myself, I stepped closer to her, my hand outstretched, anticipating what I knew would come next. And it did. I came closer to her, and my hand touched her shoulder. She was real in this world, but she’d never again see her reflection in the mirror because she was dead.

“Do not hate me, please, sweet child. Do not hate me because of what I’ve become. Do not despise me or recoil from my touch. Do not leave me because I have left you.”

If I had though her voice sounded sad before, now, I could not describe the way she spoke to me. There was such infinite regret, such infinite despair that I felt my own shoulders slump. I felt in me a need rising, a need to be loved. A need that no one in this world could fill.

“I sought him. I searched for any piece of him that I had left. I searched within myself, and I could find none. Does that mean that I have abandoned him? Does this mean that I have left him for dead the way I have left you?”
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_f22bfeae_93a2b328.jpg)
I did not understand the meaning of her words, but I understood the feeling of them all too well. She had not quite adjusted to this new…way of living. She had not been able to control the broadcasting of her feelings, and in the next room, I could hear Morgana sobbing in her sleep. She felt the pain of our mother, and I cringed. Her tiny body would not be able to contain the sadness that seeped out of the walls. I walked to a window in the adjacent wall and looked out on the street. As people passed our house in this late hour, they sobbed. They cried with such abandon as I’d never seen before, and I knew then that I didn’t know; that I’d never know.

I felt sadness only because she felt sadness. I felt sadness only because she could not control her emotions, only because she was so overwhelmed by the decision she had made that night five days ago. I did not feel sadness toward her or her situation, though in time, I would come to. In time, I would come to understand her desperation and her loneliness. For the moment, though, I let her wallow in her pain, and I turned my back on her with contempt in my mind, if not in my heart. She had turned to others for support, perhaps not realizing all that she had before her. My body was tired, my heart was tired, my mind was tired. It was as if we had spent days talking, perhaps even years, with hardly so many words passing between us. I got my first glimpse of it then, my first taste at this new life. The world has sped by us then; we were standing still as things passed before us. I stood on the threshold between our world and hers. Morgana behind me, our mother in front.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_f22bfeae_f3a2b3f7.jpg)
I did not cry that night, nor did I cry any night after that. Not for my mother’s situation. I felt strangely at peace, and Morgana seemed to pick up on that. I envied her ability to not ask questions, to accept and understand the new balance in the house without needing things explained to her. She had just turned 13, and I 17. She was still a child in my eyes, Morgana, and I wanted to protect her from our mother. Not because this new woman was a monster, but because this new woman was filled with such deep sadness, that our bodies could not hold it in. So I took in the sadness, and tried to fill Morgana’s days with joy. I drifted so that Morgana wouldn’t have to. I felt as if I stood straddling a doorway; if I turned to my right, I could see the world of my mother. Her world was something completely dark and desolate. A wasteland in which everything was some shade of black, the deepest of which seemed to swallow you whole. To my left, I could see the vibrancy of Morgana’s world. I could see everything with fresh eyes. I could see and touch and feel; I could know emotions other than sadness. And there was understanding. To my right, uncertainty and confusion, to my left strength and understanding.

I straddled that doorway, that threshold, not really knowing or understanding what I was doing, or what it would mean for me. Would my existence be distorted if I moved to close to one end or another? Would I become a different person? I gave no thought to these questions, and I didn’t care much beyond what they would mean for Morgana. In those days, those weeks, she was what filled my world. I did what I could for her, and she seemed to understand this. She would smile knowingly at me, and I would wonder if this new existence was not better suited for her. She seemed so ready, so willing to accept this new life, and I seemed only to struggle with it. I felt as if life was pulling me along, all the while knowing there was only sadness waiting on the other side of the door.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_f22bfeae_f3a2b20e.jpg)
So nightly, I stepped into my mother’s world. Nightly, I knocked on her door, and she asked my forgiveness, and I was quiet. I was not sure if I was ready to forgive, if I could forgive, if I needed to forgive. But she asked anyway, and so I listened to her. She told me of her pain, and I felt her pain wash over me. Her load was heavy and I wanted to share it and cast it away from me at the same time. I wanted her to know that I still loved her, but the load was too heavy on my young shoulders. My back bent, and my shoulders stooped, but I did not cave. I did not sit down. I stood, I pushed back, and I bore the load she gave me so long as I was in that room. Every night it was the same: she would sit on the floor, and she would look at me and her eyes would fill with tears and she’d empty her body of pain. And I would watch, and I would wait. I would fold my arms across my chest and I would watch the woman who had become my mother empty her body of the hurt she’d born in the light of day.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_f22bfeae_13a2b5a5.jpg)
So it went every night until I was 23. Morgana would be going away to school soon, and I looked at her with pride every single day. My mother had not completely let go of her guilt and her anger, and I knew it would take a lifetime for her to do so. I knew that she had a lifetime to forgive herself, and I knew that she would be alright. For me, I had given up much so that Morgana could have. School never interested me much, and I wasn’t disappointed at having not attended college. Morgana, however…she thirsted for knowledge. She read books and reports and magazines. She watched documentaries and studied hard. She loved to learn, and I made it my mission that she should devour every piece of information this world had to offer her. I loved her dearly, and it filled my heart with joy to see her happy. She’d taken a part time job at, first, a library, then a scientific research facility. When mother heard of this, she was at first saddened because this was the same path that our father had taken. Yet how could she deny her daughter’s thirst? If your child hungers, do you not feed them? So she fed Morgana, and we arranged for her to go off to college and learn all that they had to offer. Morgana insisted on staying near home so that she could be near us, but…
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_f22bfeae_33a2b663.jpg)
She may not have noticed, or felt, the things that I did. There was a shift in what had become the natural order of things. I still visited my mother nightly, and she still held anger and sadness, but our talks no longer consisted of absolving sins and offering forgiveness. We talked no longer about my father’s death, but about life: our life, his life, the life that we all hoped to live, the new life that my mother had been given. Our talks no longer caused my back to bend and my shoulders to stoop. I walked out of my mother’s room, now, with my head held high. I felt pride at the woman she’d become, at the woman I was becoming. Occasionally, I would step into her world, forgetting about the consequences of me leaving my post at the threshold between the two. I would ask to bear her burden, ask to help her free herself of guild and pain and anger and sorrow. I would ask to share her load forever, to be able to make it so she won’t suffer anymore.

Perhaps Morgana didn’t know. Perhaps she never suspected, or maybe she did. Maybe it was the reason she wanted to stay behind and protect us, the night and the twilight, with the radiance of her day. I knew that things would not always stay as they were, and they would change sooner rather than later. Sometimes as I slept, I could feel the night wash over me and embrace me as an old lover would. I could feel the endlessness of the universe caress me and soothe my wounds and calm my heart. It called to me and I answered it, knowing the consequences as my new lover whispered them to me in my ear. I felt much the same as I did when my mother’s sadness washed over me. For a moment, I felt as if I wasn’t myself; I felt like I wasn’t the same girl who somehow managed to reside in the negative spaces of the world.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_f22bfeae_33a2b9f7.jpg)
I awoke from a dream, startled and sweaty; the window was open, and the curtains snapped violently in the breeze. I was cold, and Morgana shivered beneath her blanket. As I closed the window, I thought I perceived something just out of my realm of vision and understanding. It was almost as if a shadow had passed inside my mind; something creeping in and taking control. I stood at the window for only a few seconds, yet I knew I had lingered too long. This is the night the dynamics of the world would change. It was risky for him to be out so late, and I knew that one like he and my mother would only take such risks for great things. The sun would rise in a couple hours, and he needed to be here, near this house, before it did.

I dreaded the waking hours of the day. They seemed to drag on, endlessly. I cleaned the house as if I was preparing for a special guest, but the only guest would be the growing dread in my heart. Even as I told this to myself, I knew it was not true. I could feel the world shifting beneath my feet, and I could feel all control slipping away from me. Morgana came home from school, we talked; she prepared to leave for her job. She’d recently gotten an internship at a new medical research facility. I knew mother was worried because this was the same path that our father took. Morgana knew this, but she had not chosen this career to spite our mother. She had chosen it out of the love of helping others. She did not like to see sick and wounded people without anyone to care for them. So she decided that she would. I tried to loose myself in my sister’s life, in the way that she was making something of herself. I could not. My mind and my heart and the dread would not let me. The time was approaching. The clock chimed. Morgana kissed me goodbye.

The sun had fully set now, and I knew better than to lie to myself or to pretend that I did not know what was being asked of me. I made my way up the stairs to my mother’s room, but I did not take the chair she offered. I stood on shaky legs, facing her strength with my weakness. She had never before talked of how she met this man and became what she was. She always skirted the subject, but decided that enough was enough. Today, she would face that final barrier that kept her from moving on. She said to me if she could acknowledge that she had been changed, then she could move on. She would have no choice once the words were spoken aloud. I had my doubts, but knew that these confessions were not for my benefit, but for hers. It was her life that needed be rebuilt. Mine only needed to be started.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_f22bfeae_b3a2bf52.jpg)
“I met him at a bar. I’d be going there regularly, trying to drown my sorrows, looking for answers at the bottom of empty glasses. Somehow, though not surprising, I didn’t find them. But he was there, and he offered his shoulder. I leaned on him and he bore some of my pain, if only for that one night, those few precious moments. He listened much as you are listening now, and I told him about your father, and about you and your sister. I told him how we moved town, how you two beautiful girls were all that I had left. You are my world, my heart and my soul. He knew when to touch my shoulder, or just when and how to give my arm a comforting squeeze. The concern in his eyes seemed to be just for me, and I felt like I was the only one who mattered. It scared me. I felt like we were the only two people in that crowded bar, and it made me uncomfortable, so I said thank you and left.”
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_f22bfeae_f3a2c167.jpg)
My mother looked away then, as if to hide some shame that only she could understand. I knelt to be near her, as she sat on the floor. I saw the tears in her eyes, and knew the fear in her heart. I was aware of an extra presence around us, biding its time, waiting to make its grand entrance. She was aware of it, too, even though she did not acknowledge it.

“I left to be rid of this uncomfortable feeling, but it followed me. I went out a side door, hoping to loose this man in the crowd, but he followed me. It was almost like he had…attached himself to some part of me. I ended up in a dark alley. I figured that if I couldn’t see, then he couldn’t either. I hoped to loose him there, but I could feel his hand on my shoulder. He pulled me back, and I fought him. He was so strong…There was no way he should have been that strong…”

I wiped a few stray tears from my mother’s cheeks, and a strange idea came to me then. She was stalling, trying to stretch time. I was not the only one who felt the shifting of the earth beneath my feet, and this thought scared me more than any though about what this man could have done to my mother. She knew he was watching us, and yet, we were helpless truly to defend ourselves. There was no way she, just a few years into her new life, could have bested this fiend who lived this life for centuries. Finally, my mother could stall no more.

“I don’t know what happened. There was pain, and I felt weak, dizzy. The world around me swirled in a million ways.” She closed her eyes as if trying to keep away the dizzy feeling. “I wasn’t myself. When I came home…I’m sorry.”

I knew this apology was for more than just becoming what she has. I felt in my heart that this was the moment.

“He whispered to me…one sentence—“
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_f22bfeae_b3a2c37e.jpg)
“Be there for them, forever.”

A gush of the cold night air blew in the room, swirling the curtains and our hair. I felt an odd sort of awe then, seeing this man who had stolen my mother from me. He was not at all like I’d imagined him to be. His skin was almost like that of a porcelain doll, he seemed so fragile. Yet his eyes…they made my heart race with excitement and fear and anticipation of the end of my world. His voice had floated through the room like a summer breeze, echoing off the walls and furniture. I turned my face away from him, afraid to look for too long. Afraid that I might fall under his spell. But he had my mother.

“Be there for them. Forever.”

I squeezed my eyes, but I could still see his face, a smug smile; his knowing and powerful eyes. In my mind, I could hear his voice telling me to accept what was about to come. I could feel my mother moving away from me, standing up, and my heart beat faster. I began to panic, not knowing what to do. Blood began to pound in my head. I felt my limbs go numb, and hot tears stream down my face. He put his hand on my shoulder, his voice like velvet flowing through my mind.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_f22bfeae_b3a2c45c.jpg)
“She cannot be here for you unless she knows what she is. She is leaving with me tonight. You will do nothing to stop this.”

His hand slid down my arm until he held my hand in his. I tried to pull away from him, but he effortlessly held me still. My mind screamed at my body, but there was no connection. One did not obey the other.

“Your blood is sweet, child. Maybe I will come back for you.”

Desperation took hold of me then, and I finally found the will to move. I snatched my hand away from him as he was tracing the veins down my arm. I stood in front of my mother and looked at him defiantly. He was going nowhere with my mother. He could still see the fear in my eyes, hear it in my voice, I knew it. I knew he would toy with me, letting me think that I could do something to stop him. Strangely, though, I felt emboldened by this. I felt that it would be this knowledge that would save my mother. He only smiled and took a step toward me. I met him halfway with the hardest slap I could muster. It might not have been much, but it caught him off guard. It surprised him, and that’s all that I wanted.

“You would dare to stand against me?”
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_f22bfeae_13a2c64b.jpg)The snarl that came from this creature was not the same velvet that glided across the room earlier. His voice held thorns, and I could feel them against my skin as he grabbed my by the throat. I fought him with strength I didn’t know I had, but this only angered him even more. It was too late to give up the fight. If I stopped fighting him, worse things would follow. I’m not sure of the events that followed. I remember my mother fighting back, biting him. I remember his rage and his anger, but he held his grip firmly on my neck. I couldn’t breathe. There was a thud that could only have been my mother being thrown against a wall. Then a pause

In all the chaos, there was a brief moment where time ceased to exist. I hadn’t even noticed the pain as his teeth tore into my flesh and the blood began to drain from my body. I noticed it then, in that absence of time. I felt I could see things more clearly than I had ever seen before in my life. I could feel his heartbeat, could feel it beating in time with mine. I could feel his feelings, could feel the desperation. I looked around me. The clock on my mother’s wall told me that Morgana would be home soon. She would be home sooner than this scene would be over. I could see my mother’s slumped body on the far wall. I could smell death, but I did not realize it was my own.

The moment passed, and everything seemed to slowly come back to life. I felt pain just as I heard footsteps outside. Morgana had come home early. My mother’s slack form began to stir, and I saw anger in her eyes. My captor’s teeth were suddenly and violently wrenched away from my neck, taking with it a large chunk of flesh. My eyes rolled back in my head, as the front door closed. I was only mildly conscious of the things that were going on in my mother’s bedroom. I felt almost as if I was floating outside my body. Then…bliss. I knew Morgana was coming up the stairs now, that the man was leaving out the window, that my mother was breathing heavily as she approached my body. I felt her hand so soft and warm against my cold cheek, and it didn’t make sense to me. Could death be colder than eternal life? Was I just remembering the way my mother had always felt?

I heard Morgana scream, heard her crying, heard my mother crying. I felt relief. Something had come to take me away. My mother was crying, begging, pleading, apologizing. She should have known better, he always said he’d come back. My body began to shake and I knew something was wrong. I was conscious, completely coherent. I could hear my mother screaming what have I done? I could feel my body convulsing. Pain shot through me and I wished for death, but death would have nothing to do with me. I looked to my mother and she grabbed my hand. The last thing I remember is saying something to my mother.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_f22bfeae_93a2c782.jpg)
“Share your burden with me.”


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: mieley on July 12, 2007, 11:20:10 pm
wow that was really good. loved it =)


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on July 13, 2007, 10:37:27 am
I'm glad you enjoyed it, and I'm glad that people are still reading! Sorry everyone for that long wait!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Zggs on July 13, 2007, 08:13:32 pm
Was it really that long of a wait?  I don't know I just read it and check for an update everyday :D


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on July 14, 2007, 08:48:54 am
Awww, thankies! Updates might be a little slow again as I have to write the story as I go. Plus I've got some major cleaning and remodeling of my room that needs to be done, I'm in two contests (Ismena and Saiyo FTW!), and the last Harry Potter comes out next week, and I gotta read it!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Zggs on July 14, 2007, 06:00:20 pm
Me too!  I got a book that says Snape friend or foe that I'm reading because I want to see what other people think...I still think he's a good guy.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: xgreydovex on July 20, 2007, 06:50:27 pm
vampires! yessssss

i luv your new story
as always <3
:D


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on July 23, 2007, 05:36:00 pm
Aww, thanks guys! Ok, here's the deal. What with my brother's 21st b-day and all, and some major cleaning, I was a little busy. And Harry Potter. It's all his fault. I should be done with the book soon, but I promise I'll *try* to update or something. I've gotten more of the story written out, so I just gotta take the pics.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Zggs on July 24, 2007, 12:01:21 am
You must finish it!  I actually wrote something quite nice in the Animal Army thread (it went something like this):

As us simmers become attached to our pixels as does our mind to the characters that bring us passion and joy from a world we learn to fear.

Went something like that...I'm thinking about adding it to my siggy.  I need to shut up I'm ranting about nothing.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on July 24, 2007, 12:32:33 pm
Lol, I noticed that from the pm you sent me Zggs. You don't know how true it is (especially in my mind as a writer). I still haven't let go of the main character from my first novel even though he's dead. But he's happier now, and he finally found the resolution that he so desperately needed. Update today!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Zggs on July 24, 2007, 12:35:02 pm
Yeah!  Update!  On the vamp story?


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on July 24, 2007, 05:51:54 pm
Yes, on the vamp story. I would have posted the story a little while ago, 'cept it seems photobucket is down for maintenance. So, it might be a little longer, but if photobucket comes up today, then I'll post today.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on July 24, 2007, 06:12:46 pm
ok, photobucket's back now
---------------------------------------------------------

As they are now…

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_73b22f28.jpg)

I am a mother of four, and a wife. No doubt I’m soon to be a grandmother, and still I haven’t aged a day. There have been many nights when I’ve contemplated the oddness of my existence. Truly, now, I walk in twilight, for I do not have to fear the same things my mother does, but I share her hungers. I do not have to be weary of sunlight as much as she does. It burns, but I can stand it. It does not tire me the way it does her. I sleep and I can eat human food. Truly, now, I walk in twilight, for I hunger for blood just as my mother does. For the longest, we hunted together as Morgana slept, taking the time to bond with each other in this new life, getting used to the idea of living forever as the world dies around us.

When Morgana graduated from high school, I was there, and when she went off to college, I was there. I bridged the gap between her and our mother, transporting what little light my existence would allow me to carry from one world to the other. Every day, my mother apologized. Every day, she told me she was sorry for trapping me in this world. Every day. Every chance she could get.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_13b239ac.jpg)
All she really wanted was for me to be happy, for me to live life to its fullest. I promised her I would. So I went to a small community college. That’s where I met him. He had a thirst for knowledge, a hunger very different, though no less powerful than my own. He was kind, and he was handsome. He caused me to do what my mother had made me promise to never do: fall in love with a mortal.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_73b23757.jpg)
Though she may have been young in her eternal years, my mother had spent time thinking out the fate of our existence. She had closed off her heart, having loved and been loved once already. She had lived, had born children, had been able to watch those children grow up, and I wanted no less for myself. She begged me, warned me, that only pain could come of this union, but I begged, too. I begged her to understand that, even though my union with this man may end in pain, all unions, too, end in pain. Even if I weren’t immortal, even if I couldn’t live a hundred thousand years into the future, I would still die, and he would still die, and I would still feel the pain of loss. If he were to die before me, I would feel the pain at loosing him. If I were to die first, I’d feel the pain at leaving him behind. She was reluctant, but she let me go. She let me live, and she let me love. And I k now it was hard for her.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_33b2353d.jpg)
My courtship with this man, Aiden, didn’t last too long; his passion for me was as strong as his passion for learning, and we were engaged, and we were married. To him, I meant more than a wife, more than the love of his life. To him I was all that he could ever dream of having, and his thirst expanded. I could give him more than any woman ever could. I could give him knowledge of things many people could only dream about. I could see more and hear more and understand more and feel more and think more. He knew my nature, and I knew his. And so, he became a scientist. I would say that he’d become the greatest scientist of his age, and I was right at his side, helping him, doing for him what he could not do himself. With me at his side, he was not afraid to take on challenges that would normally kill a human.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_93b23a65.jpg)
Bartholomew is our oldest, looking every bit like his father, and having every bit of his father’s insatiable hunger for knowledge. Public schools could not sate him, private schools could not sate him. Schools for the gifted barely filled him with interest. He went on to university knowing that he would have to find the knowledge for himself, knowing that only he would be able to find and end to his hunger, much as his father had done.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_13b23411.jpg)
Morigan, Asilda, Mira, all beautiful girls, my triplets, gave me such a start. Their thirst for knowledge might not be as great as their father’s or their brother’s, but they were always curious, always together, always watching over everyone. Asilda, born first, has always been creative. She is quiet, but in that silence, there is strength and daring. Her eyes have always burned with a passion, and Aiden and I struggled to help her find the perfect outlet for it. She paints now, something she picked up on her own. Her paintings are so realistic, so life like. She manages to capture in oils and pastels and watercolors, what has been created in life. Asilda begged to do a portrait of me, and I relented, after holding out for years. Now, I regret holding out, when I look back on her older paintings. The progress is undeniable, her pictures more haunting with each passing year. Whenever I gaze upon the portrait of me, I feel as if I stare into a mirror. I see my reflection so perfectly. It is impossible for me to look at that picture, and not recall the day she painted it; it is impossible for me to not recall that day in clear, perfect detail, as if I were standing there, an outsider, looking in.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_93b2348c.jpg)
Asilda painted things as they naturally were. She did not pose items or people. She caught them in their everyday routine, taking advantage of those moments we have to reflect on the day’s events, or moments past, yet fond to us. I was in no mood for jovial thinking, faced yet again, with my mortality. Over the years, I watched my husband’s hair turn grey, noticed the fine wrinkles around his eyes. Somehow, I’d convinced myself that this love between us would last forever, that we’d continue on, just as we’d always done. Seeing these signs of aging woke me up from my dream, and I was confronted with the facts. I was the only one who would continue on as if nothing changed. I might still stay in this tiny house, forever, waiting for my wits to leave me. Asilda captured me in this state: feeling pity for the woman I was, the woman I would always be, regardless of the changing of time. I’d closed my eyes briefly, basking in the present, trying to rid my mind of all thoughts of the future, and when I opened them, she was there, her easel and canvas set up, her pencil poised delicately above the surface. I was in awe of this creature. This being which came from my body carried my blood in her veins. She was the day, just as her aunt, just as here sisters and her brothers and her father. And still, I was the twilight, left somewhere to linger in the spaces that divided the day from the night. I could walk in both. I could exist in both. Yet I was still divided, and could never fully live in one or the other.

So she painted me and captured perfectly the gentle amusement in my eyes. She knew I watched her, knew I listened to the careful scraping of pencil against canvas. She knew I waited patiently, still and unmoving. I was her doll and she had me positioned to her liking. I knew that a sly smile was on my face. I knew that I, just as that picture would endure, and I waited. I don’t know how long it took her to finish, but I waited as the world moved on around us. Mira and Morigan came and went, Bartholomew came home to visit. Aiden fixed dinner. Mother and Morgana came over. They laughed, and joked and ate, yet still Asilda and I sat transfixed in what was going on between us. This strange bonding…
-------------------------------------------------
Cliffhanger, yes I know. More later:clap:


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Zggs on July 24, 2007, 09:06:12 pm
Hehe....darn you and your cliffhangers!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on July 24, 2007, 10:42:30 pm
I was actually surprised because I thought I wrote more than that. If I'm in the mood, I'll do more tomorrow.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Zggs on July 25, 2007, 12:41:48 pm
I thought it would be a lot more too...but at least it's an update.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on July 29, 2007, 06:31:54 pm
I’ve never looked at the painting, too afraid to face my immortality, too afraid of the reality that would stare at me. Asilda has not been offended that I’ve never looked at the painting. She knows my reasons, and I do believe that she shares some of them. Though I do not doubt that she has her own reasons for never setting eyes on that painting again.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_53b8d1eb.jpg)
Morrigan is a different girl altogether. She has always been sure of what she wanted to be, what career she wanted to pursue. She’s always been tall and proud; the protector. Asilda may be quiet and contemplative, but Morrigan is strong and assertive. Asilda and Mira fall in line behind her, not out of fear, but out of love. With her, they are safe, and I have always known and loved this about my daughter. She is the strength I wish I had. She is most like her aunt, firmly planted in the light. Oddly, Morrigan is the youngest of the three, the most assured. When I look into her eyes, I can’t help but see my sister’s eyes. While we may be close, I know that we can only be so close. Her world is different from mine, and I have known that ever since she was a toddler. I didn’t belong to her world, and though she loved me, she could never fully understand me. She could never fully understand why I could never be there for her the way other mothers were. I can walk in light, but she sees the pain on my face after being out too long. She knows that I’ll be carrying an umbrella when we go out for ice cream. She knows that I will never truly smile outside of the house. She knows that I hunt for blood.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_f3b8d200.jpg)
But Mira…It is Mira I worry about the most. She has always been the most passionate of the three. Of all my children really. When she was younger, her eyes were usually filled with tears. I tried not to baby her, because it wasn’t what she needed or wanted. I knew she would always do everything with all of her being. I knew she would always love with every inch of her heart, she would dance with every fiber of her being, she would sing with every breath in her lungs. She would also cry with every care in the world and would hate with all the anger in her tiny body. As she got older, I saw twilight in her eyes. I was fortunate that none of my children had been born with my curse, a big risk I knew I was taking. My fear, though is that Mira was born with my nature. She has been my link to the daytime when I could not bear to leave the house.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_d3b8d2f7.jpg)
She has been my companion at night when I return from feeding. We could sit and look into each other’s eyes as I once did with my mother. Words would pass between us and we’d smile. I’d kiss her on her forehead, and then make my way to my bedroom. She’d follow behind me, and turn as we reached our respective doors. Sometimes, when I’d look into her eyes then and see nothing but love, my vision would begin to cloud and I’d turn quickly away from her to hide my tears. We’ve been the closest, and I know that I’ll have to leave her. I know that one day, I’ll bury not just Mira, but all of my children and my husband.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_93b8d3a3.jpg)
I do not usually dream, but on those nights, nights when emotions rush through the veins of the dead, dreams will come to me. I know my life will be empty and I know that I will be alone. Yet, I can go and sleep for years and return and no one will know me, except my mother. Or I can live and watch over my grandchildren and great-grandchildren as my blood get passed on. I can take companion after companion, or live my life in solitude, alone with my mother. My choices may be as endless as my life, but what I want is nothing more than to be buried with my husband when his time comes. I’ll cling to his body until his bones turn to ashes beneath my gentle touch, and then, when he is truly gone from this world, maybe I will have the courage to live on. I see the grey in his hair, see him rub his hands as he gets older. I am constantly reminded of everything around me moving faster than I am. Constantly, I’m reminded of age and getting older, yet I’m caught in a place that time doesn’t exist.

You’ll forgive me my ramblings about the endlessness of my time? It’s become so much of a habit now that I don’t always realize when I’m doing it.

I’ve always been nervous of my mother living alone after Morgana left. I knew she still struggles with her new life, and yet, I feel so powerless to help her. She does share her pain with me, on occasion. Though we may bear the same burden, I feel as if it’s not doing any good. I knew from our earlier talks that she’d never really be happy with this new life. She was not made to endure, and I can see the chips in her fragile being. She has nothing to occupy her nights. Her activities are limited, as she can only go out during the night.

To cheer her up, I started taking her out at night to see plays and performances, concerts, festivals…. Whatever it would take to see her smile again, I was willing to do it. She found some momentary purpose one night as we looked out over the city.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_73b8d621.jpg)
“Dahlia, there are so many questions we don’t have the answer to. I want to know more. Your father always wanted to know, and when I look at you, I see him.”

She touched my face and I smiled. There were tears in her eyes, and I was afraid of what she would say next. I didn’t want her to do something rash, yet my mind raced with all of the dangerous and self-destructive tasks she could take on.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_33b8d5d8.jpg)
“I want to travel. I want to see the world and understand. I want to know about me, my nature. I want to find others like us. I have only one question for them.”

I could see the question in her eyes, yet I was unsure if it was a wise thing to ask. Perhaps I have just fallen into this lifestyle too easily. I knew my mother could read the skepticism on my face. How could she not? The protest had all but formed on my lips, my mouth slightly opened, ready to deliver what I saw as reason.

“Your life is so drastically different from mine, Dahlia. You can walk in the sun, you can see the day. You know what it is like to feel the sun on your skin, I don’t! I’ve forgotten it all. All I know is the cold of the night. I never asked for this, and I want my life back. I want back all that I had before, I just want this darkness to end.”

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_53b8d64f.jpg)
I pulled her into a hug then, words failing me. How could I deny her this one request? She has asked little of me during our time together, and yet I would so easily deny her this one quest. Before she even came to me this night, I knew she’d been planning something. What, I could never have guessed. She whispered in my ear then that she would always call and send letters and would be sure to keep in touch. I couldn’t come, and she understood that, but I so sorely wish I could have. In the back of my mind, one fear reigned supreme, and this I gave voice to.

“What about him? What will you do if you find him?”

The tiny scars on my neck burned as I thought about him. I hadn’t done so in years, and now…. He couldn’t find my mother. I couldn’t let it happen. I wanted to keep her close to me, to protect her, but I knew that any resistance would be futile. She’d already made up her mind, and now, she was just doing the courtesy of telling me where she was going.

“I want to see the world, Dahlia. Will you deny me that?”

I could only shake my head. No, I would not deny her seeing the world. I would deny her pain at the hands of that monster. I don’t know why I was so sure that he’d left this continent, but I was. I was so sure that’d he’d be away, that he’d left once my mother scared him off.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Zggs on July 29, 2007, 11:44:47 pm
I was hoping we'd get to see her painting...considering you know neither of them want to look at it.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: debzi69 on July 30, 2007, 09:23:30 am
That was great!  I just got around to reading all of the last story, and it was great! keep it up


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on July 30, 2007, 10:34:55 am
Thanks guys! Actually, in game, Asilda doesn't have enough creativity points to do a portrait yet. And another reason I didn't show the painting was because the sims can't capture all of the emotion that would be there. They can't do a subtle smile or playful eyes. Most of Dahlia's horror at the picture would come from inside herself: realizing that after a century, her family may be dead, but she and that picture will still remain, and they will still look exactly the same as they did a century ago. Also that her daughter has this gift and with it, she captured the one thing that Dahlia dislikes the most.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Zggs on July 30, 2007, 06:15:27 pm
Oooohhhhhhhh....Okie dokie :D

Does anyone know how I can change my .bmp images to a file that's supported by this site like .jpeg or something?


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on August 02, 2007, 11:57:31 am
Today is a good day for writing. I came up with the ending for my novel, which doesn't have a beginning today. I've gotten more of Life in Twilight written out, and ideas for what's coming next. If I can get the dang computer to turn on (I'm on my laptop, now), there will be an update today. I'm getting excited about this now!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Zggs on August 02, 2007, 12:56:59 pm
Sometimes I want to kill laptops.  They never want to seem to do what I want them to.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on August 02, 2007, 10:39:01 pm
Lol, except for the battery, my laptop seems to be doing fine. I didn't get a chance to turn the computer today, since the power went out. I'll turn it on tomorrow, though, and I'll do the update then. 'Til then, lovelies!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Zggs on August 03, 2007, 02:57:27 pm
Why does America keep having power outages...:(


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on August 04, 2007, 10:08:24 pm
Beats me. But...yeah...that update didn't happen. I've been kinda busy with the contest I'm in, so I haven't had time to take the pics. I've got a darling surprise, and I'm trying to find a natural end to the story. If I don't, it could go on and on and on until the end of time, and I really don't think that needs to happen. I'll take pics first thing when I start up my game tomorrow.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on August 05, 2007, 08:00:57 pm
'Nother update! See, I promised I would!
---------------------------------
Fear gripped my heart after my mother had been gone for three months. Something had happened; I could feel it in my veins. There was pain coursing through my body, and it was all I could do to not cry out. Something had gone terribly wrong, and I knew this with a certainty as the rain beat down on the windows. Even as I slept during the day, I could feel anxiety rising inside my unbeating heart. Night could not come quick enough for me.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_13c22ccf.jpg)
The house was a mess. I knew Aiden was out in the garage working on one experiment or another. The girls were in their room, packing their belongings, preparing to go off to college, and yet, here I was, barely able to stand for the fear and the pain and the anxiety that struck me then. I did not want to scream, did not want to alarm my family, but something nagged at my mind and I was afraid and I didn’t want to be alone.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_b3c2334b.jpg)
I tried to gather my strength, tried to gather my wits, but I couldn’t stop the tears from flowing. My body shook violently, and I gave up my struggle. If something bad happened to my mother, then I would mourn. I could hardly hear anything over my own sobs, so I didn’t notice Aiden enter the room, and scoop me up into a hug, concern flooding his features. I could feel his warmth and my coldness. I could feel his heart beating against my still one. I could touch the differences between us, and my only hope then was to be able to return to my former self, to go back in time and pretend that none of this had ever happened.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_b3c23387.jpg)
Alas, this is a wish that could never be granted. For several days, I heard nothing from my mother, and though I tried to hide my anxiety from my family, they knew something was wrong. Our house is small, so my emotions permeated every wall and every room. A blanket of despair settled over our house much like the snow that had fallen the previous night. With my heightened sense of hearing, I could tell that everyone in the house, including the dog, was asleep, even as I stood on the back porch, feeling no change in temperature at all. It was a weird sensation. Even now, in the winter and cooler months, I’ll put on a jacket or a coat only because I’m used to doing so. I still do many things only of habit.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_73c2363a.jpg)
When I returned to the kitchen, I was surprised. There was someone waiting for me, unbeknownst to everyone in the house. I stood at the back door, my body limp, unable to believe what I saw before me. His cheeks were colored; he was fresh from feeding. The dog slumbered quietly, and just down the hall, it appeared as if the doors to my family’s bedrooms hadn’t been bothered. Yet, how could I tell if they had? He had gotten into my home without me knowing; he’d gotten in without alarming anyone. He motioned for me to sit down, something I was reluctant to do. Given his last visit, I was unsure if I should be on my guard. Something about him now said that a world had passed between us. Something in him had shifted after our last encounter, something in him that I could not see.

“You are afraid of me.”
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_b3c2369f.jpg)
Such a simple declaration! A sentence spoken no louder than the whispers of the dead seemed to boom through the quiet house. I wanted to cover my ears, but I knew this was irrational. There was no need. I was jumpy, and I felt I had reason.

“I did not disturb them. I do not care about them. It is you I am here for.”

I walked around the table, my guard up, ready at a moments notice to jump on him if he showed any sign of hostility.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_d3c23736.jpg)
“Would you like a cup of tea?”

I noticed cups sitting on the table, steam rising from them as if this meeting were an innocent gathering between friends.

“I do find it interesting that you have taken a mortal family. Born children of your own body. We do not usually do those things. Pain…death…suffering…we know these things all too easily.”

I sat down in a chair further away from him. The steaming cup scraped across the table as he gently pushed it toward me. His hands were warm. His eyes still pierced the darkness around us, vibrant, all-knowing.

“Where is my mother? Why hasn’t she called or sent me a letter?”

“I’m afraid she’s fallen on some hard times. Nothing at my hands, I assure you. She is my most prized possession, and I would do nothing to harm her. Others, I believe, are not so…protective of your mother.”
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_53c2373b.jpg)
My eyes hardened and he held his palms to me in a gesture of surrender. He was meaning no harm. My head started to spin. I’d known something was wrong, and yet I had no way of getting in touch with my mother. I had no way of knowing, truly for myself, if she was ok.

“Others believe that she has a special gift--”

“What? What gift? She is no different from you or I!”

“That is where you are wrong, dear. See, you are a rarity among us, and we’d all love to have your secret. Many vampires still cling to their human lives as you have done. Do not deny it! You have continued to live a mortal life, and it is your difference that lets you continue to do so in a way that I never could. You have married a mortal man, gave birth to four mortal children, and yet you feed on mortal blood. You have a vampire’s strength, a vampire’s hearing, a vampire’s sight! You have all the positives, and yet…you lack the negatives. You don’t have what makes us weak, and there are those who believe that this is a gift! They want your mother, they want to be bitten by her, hoping all the while that they won’t be dead, hoping that when they wake, she will have given them the power to walk in sunlight!”

I stared back in amazement. I knew that I was different, not that I was coveted. The thought of me being different hardly crossed my mind anymore. I hadn’t thought of it since that night my mother and I looked out over the city. I hadn’t thought of it since she left…. It was my existence that cause my mother pain. For a few seconds, there was no doubt in my mind what I had to do. I was nearly set in my ways until the man across from me protested.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_b3c238f2.jpg)
“You must not! You are a gem, a rare jewel among us, and to loose you would be—“

“To loose me? It was you who tried to kill me, or have you forgotten? You tried to destroy my family, tear us apart at the seams! You took advantage of my mother, you took advantage of your grief! If only you had been more of the gentleman you are playing at now, none of us would be in this situation. My mother wouldn’t be fighting for her life, I wouldn’t be some…coveted object sought out by vampires from around the world! I wouldn’t be here—“

“And neither would your family. I will not deny that I wanted you dead, even tried to kill you myself. I will not deny that I want your mother, though she will not have me, I will not deny that I do find your presence annoying—“
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_33c2381a.jpg[/IMGI slapped him then, as hard as I could. I’d never known anger like that before! Never had I imagined my body capable of holding that much hatred or rage! It was a new sensation, and I felt a different kind of heat bubbling underneath my cold, dead skin. I bared my fangs at him, ready to yell, then he became a voice of reason.“Do not wake them. They have no part in this. And I never said your mother’s life was in danger. She gets calls from these people every night, and they follow her as she hunts, and occasionally, they’ve scared off her prey. None have tried to kill her, though. To kill her would be to end the source of hope. She is the ray of light in their night, and your story has traveled far across this ocean. I will not deny that I have had a couple calls myself from those who believe that it was a combination of my blood and your mother’s. What truly cause you do turn out the way you did, I cannot say. It is a mystery to me.”[IMG]http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_d3c238a0.jpg)
I turned away from him, the anger subsiding in me. So my mother was merely inconvenienced by my existence. I hugged myself, tears again welling in my eyes.

“They have tried force. You cannot, however, force one vampire to bite anyone. It has to be of their own free will. She has left several cities before she intended to. Sometimes she is pursued. Of course, you would expect this whole ordeal to gather a lot of attention from mortals as well.”

He fell into silence. I was glad my back was to him. My every emotion now seemed heightened, and I knew that he was toying with me. He’d come back, not to deliver comforting news about my mother, but to toy with me. He wanted something. Perhaps he, himself, wanted to know what happened; what had caused me to turn out this way? What allowed me to walk in the sun? Laughter burst from my lips, try as I might to contain it.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_93c237e9.jpg)
“You hold onto your mortal emotions as if they were your life.”

“I did not ask for this! If there were some…cure, I’d take it in a heartbeat! I’d take it, and I’d drink it and I’d not regret a moment of this undead life! You think that I am mortal because I can walk in the sun? Ha! Every second I’m in the sun it burns. My skin will smoke, and yes, there are things I can do to prolong my stay outside during the day, but it is an altogether uncomfortable experience that I’d much rather do without! The night offers no comfort for me, either! Every time I touch my husband, I know that I am not mortal! I know that I am not the same as he is, and I know that I can never again feel my heart beat. I will not be able to see my daughters off to college because I will be in the sun too long. People around me will notice my skin smoking! Umbrellas are of little help to me! Yes, my body will heal each night, yes, I’m pretty sure I dream, yes, I may live closer to mortal life than you do, but…this is no life to live. I don’t want to be stuck between the day and the night! I don’t want to live in twilight!”

“If I had a cure, then, you would take it?”

“In a heartbeat! Do you have one?”

My question was met with silence, and I turned to face him, anger again boiling underneath my cold skin.

“Do not toy with me! Do you have a cure?”


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Zggs on August 05, 2007, 08:06:10 pm
Is she really a vamp. in the game, I keep wondering because if there is a hack to let your sims keep their regular skintone.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on August 05, 2007, 08:26:28 pm
Woah. You're quick! Yes, she's really a vampire in the game. I have the invisible vampire skintone (http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=92042&highlight=Default+Vampire), cuz I hated that old nasty maxis thing.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Zggs on August 05, 2007, 08:42:30 pm
What....I thought I was wrong.  Actually I thought that oh about a month ago but thought I was going cuckoo so I must be really quick.  But I've found I love the Maxis vamp look, especially the red eyes.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on August 05, 2007, 11:03:28 pm
For me, it was really iffy. Sometimes the head would be one shade, and the rest of the body another. There's an option to keep the red eyes, but I loved Bellatrix's eye so much!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Zggs on August 06, 2007, 12:05:07 pm
Yes sometimes sims eyes are quite alluring.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on August 06, 2007, 08:00:00 pm
I can't wait to get started on the part that comes next! I think I'll start writing it up tomorrow. The pics will be a challenge, though:(


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Zggs on August 06, 2007, 09:54:31 pm
Sometimes a challenge is good.  And I hope you got my prize :D


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on August 11, 2007, 07:37:35 pm
Ok, here's the deal. This might be a two part deal. This here might end up being book one, and book two might end up being V is for Vengance. Why? Because I haven't done much writing over the summer, and when I start thinking about this story, The ideas don't seem to stop flowing. So, here's another update!
---------------------

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_33ca1c28.jpg)
“No, no, no. There is no cure. Oh, how my heart lusts for one! How I would love to end this endless night that I’ve been confined to!”

“Do not play with my heart!”

There was such malice in his eyes that I thought, for a moment, he would hit me. He kept his composure, though, and eyes said all that he said aloud.

“Why would you need a cure?”

“There’s more to life than being able to walk in sunlight! I look at the man I love every day, and see more and more wrinkles! I look at my daughters and know that they are closing in on my age and will soon be older than me! I look at my son and see his life so full of the knowledge that he has found someone he can leave this world with!”

“You can still leave this world with your husband. We don’t need you here.”

“Why did you come here in the first place? Did you actually want something?”

“Why are you holding onto your mortal emotions? Do you wish that you were still mortal?”
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_d3ca1caa.jpg)
“With every day of my life. And you do the same. Now get out.”

He nodded, and obliged, something I hadn’t expected him to do. As he reached the door, he stopped and turned to look at me, as if he had something extra to say. Instead, he only smiled and bared his fangs. Turning on his heel, he left, and I can tell you for sure that I was not sad to see him go.

I was left uneasy that night, so I finished off the pot of tea that he’d made. I found it disgustingly hard to believe that he just, out of the blue, decided to come here. He must have had a reason, but got caught in his own selfish need to pester people. There was no doubt in my mind that he thought to tell me of his reason as he stood at the door. There was something that he didn’t want me to know.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_53ca19a9.jpg)
Over the next weeks, the boxes began to disappear, and with them, my girls. They’d be going away to college, and I knew this would be hard for them. They did agree to go to the same college, something that I am grateful for, though I can’t help but wonder if it would hinder them later in life. At least, this way, they’d always know someone is right there next to them if they needed help. Truly they are the best of friends, and I envy their relationship sometimes. The only person I’ve ever felt that close to was my mother, and now she’s half a world away from me.  But not for long.

I’d received a letter from her stating that she’d be coming back soon for a visit. She’d also be bringing a friend. In her letter, she said that this friend was someone I should already know about, and immediately, I knew that this is what that horrid creature was supposed to tell me. Given that a messenger was sent ahead of their arrival, I was sure that this was someone important. Unfortunately, since the messenger was that fool, I had no way of knowing who or what to expect, or what kind of preparations I’d need to make. Meanwhile, I had other problems to worry about.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_b3ca1b84.jpg)
Aiden wasn’t doing to well. He’d embarked on some secret project and spent nearly every waking moment working on it. The stress, I feared, was wearing him down. He would not tell me what this was, but always called it his greatest experiment. He promised me that I would love it once it was completed, but gave no further details. There were a number of things I thought it could be, but I didn’t waste time thinking about it. I was more worried about him. The grey in his temples had spread to nearly all of his head. He wasn’t eating right, he wasn’t sleeping. He had a weird schedule where he’d work all day, and sleep half the night only to get up and write furiously in his journal. He’d pace the halls during the day, and work again all the next night. I worried that this project was making him loose his mind.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_53ca1ea0.jpg)
He did take time to see the girls off, and they were thankful for that. I was thankful for someone to lean on when my legs gave way to grief. I tried to shield my pain from my daughters, but I knew they saw hurt in me. Poor Mira, I could tell in her eyes that she worried about me. Who would I talk to? Who would wait to make sure I came home well fed? Who would share a silent joke with me? Her reluctance was all to visible, and I wanted then to tell her that she didn’t have to go if her heart did not want to. Yet it was my heart yelling for her touch and the smell of her shampoo. I wanted her to stay for my own selfish reasons, and so I kept my mouth closed. I blew kisses to them and Aiden gave them one last talk about making sure they did their homework and always went to class. We didn’t have to worry, though. I knew they’d be in constant touch. Still, it hurt finally letting them go. Our house was eerily quiet from then on.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_33ca1d56.jpg)
I hated coming in from feeding. I dreaded the moments when I’d open the door to an eerie silence. The house seemed so dead. Even the dog’s quiet snoring didn’t seem to make a dent in the empty space left by the girls. The only thing I had to look forward to was my mother’s return. Even then, I was uneasy, not knowing what was in store once she returned. I’d nearly lost track of the time since she left. It’d been nearly a year. A whole year had passed, which would explain some of the grey in Aiden’s hair, and the more mature appearance of my daughters. Not to mention Bartholomew would be coming home soon for his wedding. Hopefully, there would be grandchildren on the way to occupy my time as well…
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_53ca1d79.jpg)
Time never seems to make itself known to me anymore, so I was surprised when there was a knock at the door late into the night. A quick glance at the calendar told me that, yes, it was time for my mother’s visit. At once, I was excited and anxious, wanting so much to sit with my mother and talk for years about what she’d seen and done, and yet afraid of what might be standing on the other side of the door with her. I’d taken necessary measures to get a secure place for my mother to sleep, at the least. Without knowing who this guest would be, mortal or vampire, I didn’t know what to do. I’ll admit that my hands did tremble as I opened the door. My mind didn’t register her at first, but it didn’t take long for confusion to settle on my face and in my mind. How could this be? What cold heart could have done this?
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_73ca1da5.jpg)


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on August 16, 2007, 05:17:59 pm
'Nother update today. Sure hope you guys aren't getting tired of it:(
----------------------------

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_13d078d5.jpg)
A child! She stood on the porch next to my mother, looking at me, her eyes seeming to pierce my soul as if she’d seen and known me before. I couldn’t help feeling a chill go through my body when she looked at me. There was none of the childish innocence in her eyes, and I doubt this child could have pretended even if she wanted. There was, however, a worldly knowledge that I could never hope to have. Not for a long time to come, at least. Her hair was flaming red, her eyes, a light purple, almost giving the impression that she was blind. I’d hardly looked at my mother, for this child immediately drew my attention.

“Have you nothing to say after all this time?”
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_33d07966.jpg)
I looked at my mother, and she waited with open arms. I couldn’t help smiling at seeing her. I was vaguely aware of the child stepping aside so I could hug my mother tightly. Her body was slightly warm, so I knew that she had fed already. There would be time to talk before she had to sleep. Oddly enough, I didn’t know where to start. There was so much that I wanted to tell her and to ask and to understand.

“May we come in?”

I nodded, eagerly, stepping aside so that my mother and this child may enter. Again, I felt my eyes being drawn to her, and the oddness of her being. She didn’t walk like a child. There was no spring to her step, no bounce that was so characteristic of children, and as she passed me, she turned to look on me. Even though she tilted her head in the way that a curious child does, there was nearly no curiosity in her eyes. She was very much like a porcelain doll. Her features were delicate, with all the plumpness and youth that one would expect, but with every hardness of someone who’d lived for many, many years. She could be no older than 10. It pained my heart to see this child so mature so young.

“Well, Dahlia, this is the friend that wanted to meet you! The one you were told about!”
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_73d07b99.jpg)
“He did not tell her. Just as I did not expect him to.”

I imagined my heart stopping then. My mother didn’t seem to be at all bothered by this older voice coming from this child’s body. I heard a slight accent, but it was not a childish one. Her voice held wisdom, and I knew then that she was older than me, older than I’d ever be, even if her body might not age. My mother frowned for a minute, thinking about this new development. So this was the surprise that waited for me, and I was worried. She was a vampire, and yet I didn’t have sleeping arrangements for her. She seemed to understand the worry, undoubtedly evident on my face, and smiled.

“I have brought my own coffin. I could hardly expect you to have proper accommodations for me. The limits of this man often sicken me.”

“Why do you still put up with him?”
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_13d07bea.jpg)
“Because, for the moment, I need him. But I won’t for much longer. I have you, now. Right?”

I admired the ease with which my mother spoke with this little lady. It was as if they’d spend a lifetime together. Yet there was still a distance between them. The distance that no amount of time together can bridge. I offered them seats and got a put on a pot of tea.

“If you have chamomile, I would very much appreciate that.”

I nodded in the general direction of this wonder of nature. Had some cruel fate befallen her? Had someone given her a second life in order to save her first? Who had created her? How long had she been around? I was lost in my thoughts, so I barely heard my mother telling her that I made really good tea. I only bought fresh tea leaves and, of late, I’d taken to attempting to grow my own in a little greenhouse I’d built out back. I’m sure my mother had to call my name a couple times before she got my attention.

“So much has happened since I went to Europe, but I’ll let Ina tell her story since you’re undoubtedly wondering.”
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_d3d07cbc.jpg)
I sat down at the kitchen table where I could keep an eye on the tea and still see this child, Ina. I waited as she studied me momentarily, taking in my features.

“You look very much like your mother. She is a wonderful lady. But, ah, the sun will rise sooner than we will expect, and there is much that you would like to know. My name is Inamorta. It is not the name that I was born with, but one that I’ve chosen myself. I will admit that I was young when I first chose that name. Inamorta, immortal. Over the centuries, though, this name has grown on me, despite my momentarily annoyance with it. During those times, I went mostly by Ina.”

Centuries! Centuries, she said! I couldn’t believe my ears, and yet the irony was not lost on me. She was the oldest and the youngest vampire, I thought. But then, that could not be true, because she had to be made into a vampire. She couldn’t have been born that way.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d1a9c4a5_d3d084a2.jpg)
“Well, my father was a wealthy man, and he’d made some very powerful people angry. They were a small group, seen as eccentric by many other politicians. They were known for their violence against those who did not totally agree with them. I heard others warning my father to listen to their advice, but he would not listen. He was such a stubborn man. He had his own ideas and he would not yield to those he deemed beneath him. Unfortunately, we suffered for his blindness. Politics is not about change and helping others! It is about money and power!”

I watched as her face became contorted with anger. How strange it was to hear these words come out of a child’s mouth! My children knew nothing of, nor cared for politics at her age! It was a shock to me to have to adjust to this new phenomenon. At any rate, the tea was done, and I got three cups, setting out cream and sugar along with the tea. My mother and Inamorta joined me at the table. The look on the child’s face was solemn, and the mother in me wanted to pull her into a hug, but I knew she did not need it.

“Your tea is exceptionally good. Your mother was right to brag.”

I smiled at the praise. She almost had a motherly air about her, much like I remember from my childhood. And yet, was she not a mother to us all in a way? If she truly was centuries old, how many vampires had she created?
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d1a9c4a5_33d089e7.jpg)
“My father’s contemporaries warned him of Lady Baudelaire who had married the wrong man after her first husband died. Moving would not simply solve our problem, for this man had moved across several continents and untold cities, and still they hunted him like hounds. In the end, they killed her and her unborn child, and burned down the castle. He didn’t want that to happen to us.”
   
She paused and stared at her cup. I waited for her to continue, wanting to know more, but unwilling to push her. We sat in silence for a few minutes, my mother looking on pleasantly as if she were being told a bedtime story. Undoubtedly, Inamorta had told her this before.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d1a9c4a5_f3d09097.jpg)
“My father was unwilling to give in, the foolish man. I loved him though. I loved him only as a child can love her father after loosing her mother. He was all I had and all that I’d known. My mother died birthing me, so my father had been my world. This group did come for us, but we were not killed. What hate they must have held for my father for them to turn us so! There was a fire, as they are wont to do, but I’m not sure what happened that night. When I awoke, I felt like I’d died. It was a terrible feeling! My body was rejecting anything, and I was cold. After the grace period, others began to see us differently and called us devils. They beheld us with awe and fear. After seeing our house, I knew we were not meant to survive that fire. I knew because there was nothing left save ash. There was nothing! Even the ground was scorched beyond any decent repair.”

Here she smiled grimly, and I knew she was remembering clearly in a way that only we, as vampires, could. I leaned forward now. Her story captured me, and my mind ran wild with excitement.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d1a9c4a5_73d09342.jpg)
“My father was unwilling to accept the changes that he’d seen in himself, and, apparently, in me. He was afraid and without guidance. He said he no longer saw in me the innocence that I once had. Though I held him the same as always, he said there was no longer comfort in my embrace. It is true when they say that some are not made to live forever. He was not, and so denying the changes, ran out into the sun. I did not see my father die, for I did not fight off the death sleep as it came over me. He did, if only long enough to run out into the day. I am glad that I did not see my father die. When I awoke that night, all I saw was a pile of ash. There was nothing but ash and so I gathered him up and placed him with the ashes of our house. How he loved that house! It was the place he’d first seen my mother, later asked her to marry him, married her, conceived me, I was born, and my mother died. That house was his life, and so I left him there. With my father gone, I knew they servants would not accept me. They barely tolerated me with my father around. He was the one thing that protected me in this world, and now that protection is gone. I knew of only one place to go, and I loathed the idea of it. Yet who else was there to teach me all that I needed to know? I knew that I had urges that I’d never had before, that I needed things that I didn’t need before. I was hungry and my body was weak. The food that I’d so enjoyed before seemed repulsive to me and no matter how hard I tried, I could not force that stuff into my body.”

She looked sad. Sad as if the weight of her years pressed down on her. I started to reach out a hand to her, but caught myself and pulled back. My gesture did not go unnoticed, but she did not chide me. Instead, she smiled sweetly and put a tiny, delicate hand on mine. Her eyes were kind, and I wanted her to hold me and tell me that my second life won’t be so bad after all. She did no such thing, perhaps knowing there was much that I needed to adjust to.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d1a9c4a5_b3d093ed.jpg)
“I came to them dirty, and tired, and starved to death. They said they had been expecting me, and took me in. They gave me the sweetest nectar I had ever known, and in those moments where I first fed, I knew that I hated them. I knew that I hated them for making me what I am, hated them for making my father, for making the others hate me, for making my own nanny, who’d been as a mother to me…for making her turn her back on me when I plead on my knees! For making her turn her back on this…demon! She said she did not know what I had become, and feared that my soul was damned. She feared for me, and there was pity in her eyes, but she would not hold me, would not come within 5 feet of me! I cried because of the pain of hunger, begged her for food, but she only shook her head. I hated them for making her act that way to me. I hated them for making my father kill himself. And yet, I needed them to survive. I wanted them dead."
-------------------
So there we have it for this installment. I'll try to do another update tomorrow, but if I do, it'll be a short one. Still looking forward to hear what you guys have to say!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on August 21, 2007, 09:55:50 pm
There'll be an update tomorrow. My computer pooped out on me when I was going to update today, so I ate dinner, then watched some tv, then came back and found out my firefox pooped out, too, so hopefully, nothing more serious has gone wrong. I've spent the better part of an hour and a half trying to regain my bookmarks. I've got most of my sims ones, but for everything else? Lost somewhere in the hell that is computer brain farts. So for the one of you that's still checking this thread, I'll probably update tomorrow.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on August 22, 2007, 06:15:59 pm
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d1a9c4a5_b3d8956e.jpg)
“I stayed with them for a very long time. It was always in my mind that I would not be able to do the things that I needed, to move around in the mortal world, without someone who appeared as an adult. A child could not get a hotel room, could not pay for things. I wanted to get as far away from my father’s house as I possibly could. I wanted to network with the other vampires who came to do business with this small, yet violent group. So it was, one night, when another, younger family came that I approached them.”
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_33d88f03.jpg)
Having finished her tea, Inamorta stopped and looked at her empty cup. I watched her tiny hands hold the tea kettle which seemed almost too big for her. Her brow was wrinkled as the tea swirled into her cup before she added sugar and crème. I watched as she held her hand over the steam for a moment, seeming to relish its warmth. She looked out the window longingly as the first clouds of morning came into view.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_13d88f2f.jpg)
“I’ve talked much longer than I intended to. You must forgive me. I’ve lived alone for a very long time and I find it comforting now to talk to others.”

I nodded, letting her finish her story in her own time. After all, didn’t we have forever to hear it?

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d1a9c4a5_b3d8960c.jpg)
“They took me in, and were all too willing to help me in whatever I needed. Most of their willingness, I suppose, was due to the novelty of having a little doll to play with and gaze on. A child to spoil and grant her every wish. Much of it, I also believe, had to do with the large sum of money that I would get from my father. ‘Demon’ or not, I was still…alive, insofar as it could be called, and still inherited the money that my father had upon his death. He’d been “gone” for some years, and his accountants could not deny that it seemed he was either, truly dead, or not coming back. Either way, they respected him, for my father was a great man, and they passed his large sum of money onto me. I made it clear to the clan I was now staying with that my money was my own and I would do with it as I wished. They tried, for a few years, to tell me that I was a child and did not know what to do with such amounts of money. They claimed that I would spend it on toys and candies and darling little dresses, but I had no use for those things. I wasted no time in reminding them that I was the same as them, and would not age. Besides, I only needed one of them to stay with me once I decided it was time for me to move on.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d1a9c4a5_b3d8965d.jpg)
“I cared not for the opinions of the others, and from time to time, let them treat me as a doll so that they would be satisfied. Their fascination with me wore off within 50 years of me staying with them, so my companion and I, a wonderful young lad named Mikael, set out to see the world. Their interest seemed to have been renewed in me, for they begged and pleaded for their little doll to stay with them longer. I knew though, that I had learned from them all that I was likely to learn. I yearned to get out and to be further away from the place and the people who’d caused me so much pain. Before I did, though, there was one last task I had to undertake.”
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_d1a9c4a5_d3d8970a.jpg)
I did not ask what this task was, because I already knew. She needed her vengeance; just as we all do sometimes. And she was successful. This was, of course, my mother’s least favorite part of the story. The poor dear had always been a romantic, and did not want to think of Inamorta as a killer. Even though her face was turned away from us, I could tell she was trying her hardest not to listen. Inamorta, however, only laughed.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_13d88f6d.jpg)
“The night is already giving way to the daytime! Oh, dear Bella, forget this image of me if it makes you smile again! Come, I will not speak of it, save to tell Dahlia that I was successful in my task. My coffin now, love! We must hurry before the sun begins to rise. I can already see the colors of the sunrise, and though my heart wishes dearly to see it again, if only for one moment, my brain knows that this must not be.”


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Pandora Moon on August 26, 2007, 09:47:03 am
Hi. I've read this a few days ago but I've forgotten to comment until now.

Wow. These stories are very good! I can't wait until your next one. I wonder what have in mind for your next one?.

See ya.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on August 26, 2007, 10:45:22 am
Oh, thank you so much! It really makes me feel good to know that people are enjoying my stories as much as I am! For my next one? Honestly, I don't know. I've been throwing around a couple ideas, but nothing I'm entirely pleased with. Since I've started working on my second novel again, I've been a little low on creativity. I've even been at a loss as to what to do for the contest I've entered! Still, though, I do appreciate your kind comments!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Pandora Moon on August 26, 2007, 05:03:58 pm
You're welcome babyblue. Good luck in writing your novel and with the contest you've entered.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on August 29, 2007, 06:26:46 pm
Sorry it's been a while since the update, all. College has been kicking my butt with this new fangled dangled contraption called homework (seriously, the last time I've REALLY done homework was my sophomore year of high school). I'll be busy this weekend, but maybe I can squeeze in some more next week or (if I'm lucky) sunday. Thanks for being so patient and sticking with this thread even though I update once every blue moon! You all give me the fuzzies!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on August 30, 2007, 03:44:36 pm
I was done with homework early, so I was able to squeeze in an update:)
-------------------------------

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_b3e2ecfb.jpg)
I watched quietly as my mother and this new wonder Inamorta went off to sleep. I was happy for her. My mother. Happy that she had found some sort of peace or at the very least a companion. And yet, for myself, I couldn’t help feeling sad, and increasingly alone. Aiden, for whatever reason, has kept me away from his recent work. He says it is a surprise, and yet, all this does is leave me alone. Ever since I was brought into this new life, I’ve been alone. Even those years I’ve spent with my mother were truly alone. She could not hope to understand the situation I am in, or what it’s like to be stuck in a doorway, unable to choose a side.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_33e2edae.jpg)
So I sat, and resumed reading my book. Sleep had not yet come to greet me, and I felt that I might not sleep at all this night. Feeling a little mellow, I poured myself a glass of wine and attempted to loose my thoughts in the words of another, but I was unable to. So I sat on the couch, drinking my wine, and waiting.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_b3e2ee80.jpg)
I hadn’t been waiting for too long when Aiden came in the house, his hair messy, and his face alight with exhaustion and excitement. To see him as he is these days breaks my heart. I know that he is engaged in the work of his lifetime, that he is working on some large project, but to know his limits, and yet see him push himself so far beyond his own breaking point…. I could not contain myself any longer, so I spoke to him, startling him. He hardly even notices his surroundings anymore.

“Aiden, love, what are you doing that takes so much out of you?”
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_93e2eedf.jpg)
He turned to me, and I couldn’t help realizing just how old he was. His face was deeply lined, and his hair completely grey now. How quickly time passed for me! How long had it been since I’d truly looked at my husband last? And what would my children look like now, if I stepped back and looked at them? Perhaps some of it was the wine, but mostly…mostly, I realized, I hadn’t paid enough attention to my family.

“What I’m doing now, is making you a present. Something so spectacular…well, words just can’t describe it. Consider it a testament to our love, done all in honor of you! All that I do now, working day and night, fighting off sleep, keeping careful records, all of this is for you!”

I smiled, but sadly. Maybe he couldn’t see it. Maybe he didn’t want to see the way this was affecting his body. How much longer could he take this? How much longer before his heart gave out, and could no longer sustain this ridiculous working pace?

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_13e2f041.jpg)
It wouldn’t be long before I found the answer. I dreaded this moment, knew it would come, yet feared and dreaded it all the same.

I was with Inamorta that night, four years later, sitting at the kitchen table.

“Why do you put up with him?”
“He is young. He’s lived his eternal life for only 75 years. Foolish. An idiot! He was decent enough as a human, if not somewhat overly proud of himself. The only reason I turned him was because I needed someone to take care of the things I could not. So, for 75 years, I was forced to live with this mistake whenever I traveled abroad.”

“So then you were here the night he turned my mother, and came to kill me?”
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_f3e2f064.jpg)
“No! Oh, no, child! Had I been here, that foolish idiot would no longer exist. He must feed to survive, this I know, and he knows as well. He also knows the rules that I set for him. Yet he cannot get over, in his head, my appearance. How would it look, he said to me once, if I were taking orders from a 10 year old? I made him remember that I was 10 only in body, not mind and power.”

She was quiet for a while, and I did not push her. Over those four years that Inamorta and my mother stayed with us, I came to understand the way that Inamorta works. The only time she knows is the sunrise, and, the sun just having fully set, she knew that time was hers to command. She did things when she was ready to, and I admired her for it.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_13e2f084.jpg)
“I was at home. My castle in the English countryside. I was keeping tabs on him since he left in such a foul mood. I was certain that he’d go off and do something stupid. Something to prove to himself that he could exert such control over others as I could over him. A foolish thing to do. It was a false security that he wanted, and one that I was not going to give him under any circumstances. We cannot afford false securities.”

We were quiet for a long while, and I tried to imitate Inamorta’s coolness. She seemed so at peace, and yet, I fought hard to continue with the life I have always led. I continue to be stuck in a world neither full of light nor darkness, and yet still no balance between them. I watched as Inamorta sat, statuesque, for hours, lost halfway in my own thoughts, when she spoke again.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_13e2f0af.jpg)
“I must return to England. I have affairs that need to be taken care of back home. My house is open to both you and your mother. She has expressed her wish to return to Europe with me, and said that you and your husband would do well with a vacation.”


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Pandora Moon on August 31, 2007, 10:39:24 am
Hi. great story. It can be hard to remember that Inamorta has lived for centuries when she looks around ten years old.

Good work. I'll be looking forward to reading your next update.

See ya.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on September 01, 2007, 09:38:42 am
Aww, thanks so much!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on September 05, 2007, 09:26:19 pm
Update tomorrow! Had to go advance some more lives for the story...


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on September 06, 2007, 08:56:30 pm
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_f3eb15d2.jpg)
I’ll never forget the sound I heard then. It was a crash and a scream, seeming impossibly loud to my heightened hearing. There was another voice, my mother’s, calling my name desperately, before she rushed in the kitchen door.

“It’s Aiden, Dahlia, come quick!”
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_b3eb1698.jpg)
My mind was numb, and if my heart were still beating, it’d be racing now, in this moment, when my worst fears were to be confirmed. I couldn’t help feeling outside myself. I looked to my left, and Inamorta was calm beside me. No doubt, her short lifetime of human emotions were outweighed by the centuries she’d spent, unfeeling. For me, the memories of life as a mortal were all to fresh, and the feelings came rushing, again, to the surface.

It was weird for me to think that, only moments ago, Inamorta and I had been sitting at the table, talking calmly. Life changes so quickly, and yet, time seems to move so slowly, when we want it to hurry. Whoever said time is a vampire’s to command, surely did not know of those moments! I pushed on with all of my might, but I felt like I was running through sludge, sinking ever deeper into a dark hole. It was Inamorta who pulled me back into myself. We were at the garage where Aiden had set up his work station.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_d3eb1811.jpg)
It was a mess. There were broken glass tubes, and his workstation was dirty. He was covered in blood, but I couldn’t tell if it belonged to him or not. I went to his side, thankful for the warmth that feeding earlier that night brought me. His body was so cold, and he looked so old and tired, laying there in my arms. He reached a hand to my face, and I closed my eyes, praying to anyone to hear me, praying that somewhere, there is a divine being who can grant wishes.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_13eb17d6.jpg)
“Oh, love, don’t cry…You know how sad that makes me.”

His voice was soft and tender, just as I’d always remember it. I held him tighter, and was vaguely aware of mom and Inamorta leaving us alone.

“I’m tired, love. I’m really very tired now, and I just want to rest.”

“You pushed yourself too hard! You shouldn’t—“

“We don’t have time for shouldn’t right now. I’m just tired, and I’m going to sleep. But I want to look into your beautiful eyes, just in case I don’t wake up.”

“You’re not going to die! Look at you, you’re strong, your young, your healthy!”

“No! I’m not young anymore, I haven’t been young for a long time! You…you’re the one who’s young, and I know you’d give everything you own to change that. That’s what I was working on.”

I didn’t understand. My mind was filled with pain and anguish. Oh, it was a feeling like nothing I’d ever felt before, and what I wouldn’t give to never feel it again! He was dieing! I could feel his heart slowing, and his breaths became pained. The strength was leaking out of his body, and I had to support him. Still, he made every effort to smile at me, and this is what I’ve chosen to remember all these years. His last smile, so sweet and caring, and full of the warmth of love that I had come to know and adore.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_53eb1816.jpg)
“You wanted to be human again. You wanted to feel your own heart beat, to walk in sunlight forever if you so desired. Sure you may walk now, but only for short periods of time. This is what I was working for. A cure. Something to make this horrible nightmare go away.”

I was floored. All those nights he’d spent awake, those hours where he’d wake up only to scribble note furiously! All this for a cure, for me! And he died for it. I could feel the last of him slipping away and never for a minute did it cross my mind to turn him. Never for a minute did I even entertain the thought. Sure, maybe we could have worked together then, fighting for a cure from this darkness, but it wouldn’t be what he wanted. He wanted to save me from this fate, not fall into it himself. And I don’t blame him for it. I can’t blame him for the unending love he showed me. I can’t blame him for dieing happy, doing his life’s work. I can’t blame him and I won’t.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_53eb191a.jpg)
My mother and Inamorta came in. My mother took Aiden, and Inamorta led me into the house. Mostly over the next few months I slept. My children came home for the funeral, and it did cheer me to see them. Bartholomew, he looks so much like his father, and it pained my heart to look at him too long. Mira was at my side once again, just as she had been before she left for college. We were all in a somber mood, Inamorta’s hair the only vibrant thing among us. I focused all I could on her hair, flaming in the night.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_53ec6ec3.jpg)
Mira offered to stay with me after the funeral, but I wouldn’t let her. She should go back to college, finish her degree. I’d still be waiting for her, just as I was. It was important to Aiden that his children continue with their education. He valued knowledge, and all four of our kids got that, too.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_b3ec7010.jpg)
I tried to continue life. Inamorta and my mother went back to England, and I attempted to continue Aiden’s work. I knew he’d want it finished, but my heart wasn’t in it. I couldn’t find the passion for anything anymore. I don’t know why, but I went upstairs to the attic, and took the cloth off the picture that Asilda had painted of me all those years ago. I stared into my own reflection, for a long time, wondering why I hadn’t had the courage to face myself. Something inside me shifted, and I didn’t like it. I didn’t want to become cold and unfeeling, but I knew that’s what was happening. I couldn’t allow myself to grieve like this forever. Inamorta was right.

The year after my husband died, Bartholomew graduated from college.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_53ec7170.jpg)

Three years after my husband died, my girls graduated.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_d3ec7397.jpg)

Four years after my husband died, Bartholomew got married and had a child
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_f3ec55c1_93ec55c5.jpg)
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_f3ec55c1_53ec5874.jpg)

Six years after my husband died, Asilda got married.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_73ec5d57_53ec5d8a.jpg)

Seven years after my husband died, Morrigan got pregnant.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_13e315dd_13ec67a4.jpg)

Eight years after my husband died, I decided to take Inamorta up on that vacation.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Pandora Moon on September 07, 2007, 01:28:10 pm
I had a feeling that he was working on a cure to make her human again. You did a good job in writing this as you always do.

See ya.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on September 07, 2007, 06:06:27 pm
Thanks so much! You put a smile on my face:D. I thought that it was really sweet of him to do for someone he loved so much;). And believe it or not, he's a townie!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Sam the T-man on September 11, 2007, 07:58:28 pm
Oh I know not all townies are bad :) Great story, thought that's what he was doing :)


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on September 12, 2007, 06:05:23 am
Great to see  you stopped by, Sadie!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on September 14, 2007, 08:13:35 pm
I'll try to get an update in today. I've been busy with school, and I really haven't played my game at all. I did get Bon Voyage, so that was a distraction for a bit *insert shifty eyes here*. On the up side, I've been writing out the story while I'm at school, and boy, are there going to be some twists!

EDIT: and by today, I mean tomorrow.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Sam the T-man on September 14, 2007, 11:35:07 pm
LOL Well.. you know, always pays to familiarise yourself with the new EP so you can use it as an extra storytelling device... *cough*

Yep, that's my excuse for getting it and I'm sticking to it :lol: Haven't got it yet though, sadly :(


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on September 15, 2007, 06:27:16 pm
:lol: I think I'll use that from now on, Sadie! Great thinking!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on September 15, 2007, 10:22:35 pm
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_73f858ef.jpg)
I knew there were things I’d have to do to prepare myself mentally for the move. Everything would have to be packed and shipped, but I found myself wondering if I even wanted to keep these remnants of my old life. Aiden meant the world to me, but now he’s gone. My world was gone, and I’d spent the past eight years mourning my husband. How much longer could I spend? He would have wanted h is work to be continued, and I tried to do that for a while. His notes were extensive, and extremely detailed. Anyone would be able to see his thought process and the steps he used to get from point A to point B. My heart wasn’t in it. So I sold everything to someone I knew would be able to continue his work. The sale got me millions, but I wasn’t interested in the money. I gave it to my children.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_73f85970.jpg)
I still procrastinated. I wanted to get away, but still wanted to be near everything that I’d known. Finally, my mother called me. She told me that in order to move forward with my life, I had to stop living in the past. I continued to trap myself between two worlds. She said it wasn’t healthy for me. I’m convinced that she got Mira to call me as well. She knew I wouldn’t ignore Mira’s pleadings, and she was right. I had everything packed up and shipped to Inamorta’s castle. I couldn’t help being curious, though. Many times, people questioned whether or not I’d been given the correct address. After checking with my mother, I could confirm that I had, indeed, been given the correct address.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_32b3d714_73f85cad.jpg)
Everything went smoothly until it was time for the attic to be shipped out. I’d just stepped back inside the house when I noticed the movers handling a large package. I instantly recognized it as the picture Asilda painted of me. They had lifted the sheet covering the painting and were commenting about it.

“I’ve never seen anything look so real.”

“Yeah. And look at those eyes. It’s almost…surreal. Geez, it’s creeping me out!”

“She’s pretty. Is this the lady that owns the house?”

“I think so. I heard she made some kind of sale that got her millions of dollars. Then she bought that abandoned castle in England.”

“Dude, she’s looking at me.”

“It’s a painting. Paintings can’t look at people.”

“But it moved! I swear it did.”

“It CAN’T move.”

I couldn’t help feeling captivated by their conversation. From where I stood, I could clearly see the picture for the first time, and I did have the impression that she was looking at me. It was a face I’d come to miss, yet it hadn’t changed in so many years. It was a weird feeling. Her eyes were bright and vibrant, and they recalled within me the exact moment my daughter had painted it. She stared at me, accusing me of never fully taking ownership of this new life that I have. I didn’t like her all-knowing eyes; couldn’t take her stare anymore.

“Please cover that up.”

The movers jumped, and gladly obliged. She would come with me. She would always be with me, no matter what I did. They finished loading my stuff, and I prepared to board my flight.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on September 16, 2007, 11:46:52 pm
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_33f9678a_33f97873.jpg)
My flight was long, but uneventful. I arrived at the airport at night, but was disappointed when I didn’t see that familiar head of red hair. I didn’t see my mother either, and for a moment, I wondered if I hadn’t arrived at the wrong airport. A young woman walked over to me. Her face was stone, and I couldn’t help the shudder that went through me.

“You are Dahlia?”

I nodded nervously.

“I am Basura. Inamorta and Bellatrix had a few errands to run so they asked me to pick you up.”

I was relieved, but at the same time, I felt a little alone. There was still no familiar face, still nothing I could hold on to. Basura smiled at me, and put a hand on my arm.

“You’ll get used to things quickly. Before we return, we, ourselves, must make some stops.”

As Basura talked, I could see her fangs. Looking out the window of the car, the sky was still dark, but the clock told me the sun would rise soon. I figured that Basura knew all of this, and we would return before the sun came up. We went to a local hospital, picked up several packets of blood, bought some clothes, roses, ordered furniture, and headed back.

Basura told me we were about 20 miles away from the castle. I knew we weren’t going to make it before the sun came up. Already, the sky was lightening. I could see the yellows and blues and purples in the sky, but she was in no hurry. I wanted to catch her eye; to see if she sensed the change in the day, but she wouldn’t look my way. Her eyes remained glued to the quickly passing scenery. I tried to follow her and loose myself in the countryside, but I couldn’t. I kept coming back to the sunrise.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_33f9678a_d3f97e22.jpg)
“We are more alike than you know.”

Her accent was thick, and I almost missed her words. Basura wasn’t from England; wasn’t from Europe even. I was sure of that, even though she didn’t tell me anything about herlsef. I watched her as she looked out the window, and I couldn’t help feeling she was old. Not as old as Inamorta, but still very old. I could see a large castle coming into view in the distance, and Basura nodded to my unspoken question. This massive building was Inamorta’s castle.

When the taxi finally pulled up in front of the bridge, I couldn’t help feeling overwhelmed. Everything seemed so much larger, so much more comforting, so much more timeless.

“It is the little lady’s pride and joy. She calls her Chadeau du Noir Majestique. Castle of the majestic Night. Many things in this castle will have French names. She acquired it during the decades she studied French culture.”
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_33f9678a_d3f97c10.jpg)
Basura shoved open the massive doors just as the sun’s first rays made their debut. When she closed the doors behind us, I knew that I’d begun a new era of my life. Things would be different now. For better or worse, things would be different. Basura flipped a switch and the room was instantly flooded with light.

I felt like I’d been transported to a magical kingdom. Everything seemed so perfect, so…romantic, so timeless. Timeless. I began to understand just how time related to a vampire. I was in a place that would move at the same speed I was moving at. The castle had to be old. Ancient, in fact. Yet there were no signs of decay. There was no dust, no spiderwebs. There were no clocks, no newspapers. There was nothing to indicate the passage of time. I fell in love. Here I could live out my life and pretend that nothing had changed. Here, I could live in peace and calm and quiet, and create my own world to dwell in.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_33f9678a_53f980e1.jpg)
“A room has been set up for you. When your things arrive, you are free to arrange things as you wish.”

My room was massive. There was a sitting room, and beyond that, a bedchamber. I had my own private  bath, and a library. I couldn’t wrap my mind around the concept that all this was mine. I was no longer in the present because, for vampires, there is no present. There is only time in its entirety. I walked into the bedroom and noticed a double bed and a coffin. On one wall, there was a set of curtains. I opened them, but there was no window.

“Inamorta saw fit to remove the windows. In here, in this castle, there is no day and no night. You will notice that there are no clocks. This is because we need no time. Time is ours to command. A chime will sound twice each day. It signals sunrise and sunset. Inamorta and your mother can have a choice here. They don’t have to go to their coffins every night since the night never ends here.”
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_33f9678a_73f98196.jpg)
“And you?”

Basura smiled at me. She knew something, was keeping some secret from me.

“I will do as I have always done.”

A silence passed between us, and I excitedly took in my surroundings. I felt jittery, like I was on the verge of a great discovery. On top of the table in my sitting room, Basura left a bag of blood.

“There is a refrigerator in the corner of the bedroom. IT looks like an end table. Inamorta and I updated this entire castle to include electrical wiring.”

I couldn’t believe my ears. The castle could have close to 200 rooms, all rigged with electricity.

“When you have forever, you can do anything. Know that this place is unlike any other in the world. There are three things that you will NEVER see anywhere else.”

“What are they?”

”you must be tired. Try to get some rest.”
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_33f9678a_d3f981d8.jpg)


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Sam the T-man on September 17, 2007, 09:01:19 am
Hm, interesting.. the castle's beautiful, is it one you downloaded or made yourself?


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on September 18, 2007, 06:07:37 am
It's Castle Dracule by (I think) Cokebuilder at MTS2. I've had it for a long time, and just never played with it. I only wish I could build that nice! It's this massive place with a center courtyard and a bunch of rooms. It's even got accommodations for vampires!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Pandora Moon on September 18, 2007, 07:54:23 am
Hi. I like the castle very nice. and good job on this update. I wonder what's gonna happen next to thesse vampires?.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on September 18, 2007, 10:44:09 am
Well, you won't have to wait long because there'll be an update today! It's a lot easier when I've got the story already written out:)


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on September 18, 2007, 06:14:36 pm
Look at me! I'm updating everyday!
--------------------------------------------------------
When I awoke the next night, I couldn’t wait to see my mother. I was eagerly awaiting a familiar face, and I wasn’t disappointed. I was greeted with a familiar face, but not the one I was hoping for.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_33f9678a_f3fbf386.jpg)
How I loathed the sight of that man. His was not the first face I planned on seeing. He stared at me, a smile making its way to his face. I wanted so much to punch him out.

“The mistress of the castle requests your presence.”

Oh the sarcasm abounds.

“Get out. I’ve had enough of your foolishness. I’ll send for you when I need you.”
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_33f9678a_33fbf53f.jpg)
I hardly saw Inamorta standing behind this idiot. I saw his face flash with anger. He resented being ordered around, especially by someone so “young.” He didn’t want to admit that Inamorta is older than he could ever dream to be. I couldn’t help wandering if he even knew how old she was.

“Yes master. As you wish.”
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_33f9678a_33fbf58e.jpg)
“Enough! Giovann, get out! Not just out of this room, but out of this castle! Since I brought you here, you have been nothing but a pest. You have always been that one roach that won’t die.”

Giovann didn’t take lightly to this insult. I saw him visibly flinch when Inamorta called his name. I won’t go into to details about the immense joy I felt at his pain. If Inamorta would let me get away with it, I would have increased it tenfold. Giovann turned on his heels and stormed angrily out of the room. The sound of the thundering castle door told us all that he had, indeed, left the castle.

“He knows he can only push me so far, and he’s been pushing quite a bit lately. He will find out soon enough that he is not immortal.”

I could see the smile on my mother’s face begin to fade. Inamorta noticed it too, because she took my mother’s hand in her tiny one and kissed it before embracing her.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_33f9678a_73fbf63b.jpg)
“I know you don’t like to think of me this way, love, but something must be done or he’ll be the death of us all. I will not kill him, but I will give him a scar that will be with him for the rest of his life. He knows now that no matter how old he is, I will always be older. No matter how powerful he gets, I will have more power. No matter what new secrets he finds, I will always have the old ones. Old secretes from the days where vampires struck mortal fear in the hearts of the bravest men. The days when mentioning the possibility of a vampire was enough to make the residents board up their houses, and make the local priests call the Vatican for special help. I know the secrets that would even strike fear in God herself.”

Inamorta smiled and winked at us, pleased by her clever assumption. She took my hand in her other, then led the way to the dining room where we gathered around a tiny corner of the massive table.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_33f9678a_f3fbf79e.jpg)
“Once upon a time, there were enough vampires here to fill this entire table. The halls were always buzzing with talk and laughter. I’d managed to carve out a nice little existence for us here. The magnificent night. Always eternal. The only reason we had for leaving was food. We were all content here.”

“What happened?”

The room looked as if it had just been built and furnished. There was no sign that this dining room had ever been used before. Had so many vampires just disappeared? Could they just cease to exist? I felt so much like the child that Inamorta was, so in awe of everything around me, and this amused Inamorta.

“In every group, there is always one who is not happy. There is always one who would destroy things for everyone. The group disbanded, everyone went their separate ways. Of their eventual fates, I only know some. Without being able to come here, many had no place to go. Some traveled. Some couldn’t survive on their own. I guess it’s my fault for spoiling them. Mostly they decided that it wasn’t too safe to stay in large groups. Some found out that only here is darkness eternal, and decided they would only live where night is forever. Know that there are only two places like that in or out of this world. And one was closed off to them. They chose the other, death, instead of this eternal half-life.”
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_33f9678a_b3fbf8f4.jpg)
We were quiet. I looked at my mother. She had not heard this story before. Her brows were knit in concentration. She stared at this child; a child she’d no doubt come to love. I knew the concern in her eyes, knew it too well because those concerned eyes had been turned on me many times.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_33f9678a_93fbf865.jpg)
“Be sure there is one such person among our own group, and take actions to secure yourself another place to live. Tell no one. Not me, not Dahlia, not Bellatrix, not Basura, not Giovann.”

“Well, you can be sure I won’t be telling Giovann anything!”

“Do not be so quick to judge what you do not know, Dahlia.”

Inamorta looked at me, and I felt overwhelmed with confusion. On one had, she would kick him out of the castle, berate him, treat him like a disobedient child. On the other, she would protect him like she were his mother.

“Though he aggravates me, he is still like a child to me. He will cool off and then he will come back. He’s young. Not as young as your mother in our years, but nearly half your age in their years.”

“He can’t be that young.”

“But he is. Age has a strange way of showing on us. He was only 19 when he was turned. Forgive him his childish ways, for he still is one.”

I felt silly for arguing and fighting with a child.

“Anyway, the night is young, and the castle is yours to explore. I have very few rules here, and I do hope that you don’t find them too much of a bother. Your children may visit if they so desire, but I believe they may find it more pleasing to stay elsewhere. I will respect your privacy, and I ask that you respect mine. You will find that certain places in here are closed off. Please leave them alone.”


(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_33f9678a_d3fbfb13.jpg)
Living with Inamorta was a real treat. There was always something to do. There was always something new to learn. Over the next 50 years, I learned what it meant to truly be a vampire. I learned how to control my emotions. I learned how to manipulate those around me. I learned strength, and I learned weakness. Inamorta had a huge library that was always full of new and interesting things to read. She had many books in many different languages, and I learned those languages just to read these books. In a way, I felt that I’d become more myself since staying with Inamorta.

Over time, I’d even come to accept Giovann’s existence in the castle. I didn’t like him, and I never would, but I became cordial with him. I also came to understand just how much of the castle was being used by Inamorta. Entire wings were locked to all except Inamorta, and sometimes Basura. And I found out more about Basura.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_33f9678a_93fbfc76.jpg)
“You said there were three things in the house that could never be found anywhere else. I can’t figure out what they are.”

“You already know of two. The third…well I can’t really fault you for not knowing.”

“Well?”

“Inamorta. The only known child vampire, the oldest, and the most powerful vampire. You, Dahlia, a vampire who can walk in sunlight. And me, more of the same.”


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Sam the T-man on September 19, 2007, 05:59:19 am
Oh, so she's the one who can walk in sunlight? ... did I miss something?


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on September 19, 2007, 06:00:20 am
The both can! And oh the trouble that ensues!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Sam the T-man on September 19, 2007, 08:00:01 am
I can imagine :lol:

I was referring to your comment about Andy on my story actually ;)


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Pandora Moon on September 19, 2007, 10:52:20 am
Um I thought that she couldn't walk in sunlight for very long before it became uncomfortable for her?.

Anyway good job on this update. I'm looking forward to the next one.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on September 19, 2007, 08:25:48 pm
Quote from: Sadie79;942464
I can imagine :lol:

I was referring to your comment about Andy on my story actually ;)
Oh! Oh, I'd forgotten about that! Yeah, this is her (dahlia). From one of my oldest families.

Quote from: Pandora Moon;942708
Um I thought that she couldn't walk in sunlight for very long before it became uncomfortable for her?.

Anyway good job on this update. I'm looking forward to the next one.

Unless I fudged up somewhere (and this is entirely possible), she hasn't been out in the sun for any prolonged periods of time. I followed what I consider logic for scenes in the castle, though. If vampires can't be awake in the day because of the sun, then it would stand to reason that if the sun can't get to them, it shouldn't matter, right? At least, that's the way I see it. Maxis doesn't agree that if you make a building with no windows vampires should be able to be up during the day. That's why Inamorta had all the windows removed from the castle. She didn't want to be a slave to the sun, so she made a world where there would always be an endless night. Pretty complex for a 10 year old, huh?

EDIT: Did that make any sense? It might not have...


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Sam the T-man on September 19, 2007, 09:10:57 pm
Something that doesn't though - she's ten. Vampires don't age, in body or mind, at least going by Interview with the vampire. You employed that with Giovann in fact - him being immature because he's only nineteen - yet you have a ten year old acting in her thirties. Slight inconsistency isn't there...?

Not to nitpick, but something that just occurred to me from reading the latest chapter.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on September 20, 2007, 05:44:11 am
Well, Inamorta is WAAAAY older than Giovann. Even though he's been living with Inamorta, her habits and ways of being haven't exactly rubbed off on him. I did have Interview with a Vampire and Dracula somewhat in mind when I wrote this, and (at least in my mind) this still kinda flows along with it. If you remember Santiago, he was kinda like Giovann: he's a vampire, and has been one for a while, but his actions are still childish (the poking and making fun of and prodding of Louis) and somewhat immature. He was always being reprimanded by the group "leader" (I forget his name). A lot of it is fear, too, as you will find out in the next couple of updates;)

I don't know how well this comes across, but they're also from two different ages. Giovann is more of a modern vampire, and Inamorta is kinda old school. With her, I really had Dracula (the original) in mind. She can do stuff that many modern vampires can't even dream of. She will always be stronger than everyone. That will get talked about in upcoming updates, too.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Pandora Moon on September 20, 2007, 12:02:29 pm
Quote from: babyblue1387;943566


Unless I fudged up somewhere (and this is entirely possible), she hasn't been out in the sun for any prolonged periods of time. I followed what I consider logic for scenes in the castle, though. If vampires can't be awake in the day because of the sun, then it would stand to reason that if the sun can't get to them, it shouldn't matter, right? At least, that's the way I see it. Maxis doesn't agree that if you make a building with no windows vampires should be able to be up during the day. That's why Inamorta had all the windows removed from the castle. She didn't want to be a slave to the sun, so she made a world where there would always be an endless night. Pretty complex for a 10 year old, huh?


EDIT: Did that make any sense? It might not have...


 I wasn't refering to the lack of windows in the castle it makes sense why you did that. I was refering to the comment at the end when Dahlia was asking Basura what were the three things in the house that they couldn't find anywhere else and Basura said that one of the things was the fact that they could walk in the sun. When in a earlyer chapter you said that Dahlia could only walk in the sun for a short period of time before it became uncomfortable for her.

Thourgh now that I think about it maybe Basura was just saying that's it rare for vampires to be able to walk in the sun at all. Even if Dahlia can only walk comfortably in sunlight for a short time.

 It is silly that Maxis made it so that if vampires get up during the day the sun still burns them even though there's no windows. (I know I tried it myself)

See ya :smile:


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Sam the T-man on September 20, 2007, 12:16:30 pm
Yeah, I was gonna say about that "at least she can go out in it at all". I'm also in agreement about Maxis and windows, but since when have they made sense or thought about things like this anyway? ;)

It'd be cool if there was some kind of mod that fixed that, but for now I'll settle for Monique's indoor decay hack ;) Got that many vampires in my game (yes, I have a soft spot for them ;)), wouldn't be without it.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on September 20, 2007, 06:37:43 pm
Yeah. In this world, it's very, very rare for vampires to be able to walk in the sun, for however long that may be. Normally, there's instant smoking, followed quickly by death. For Dahlia and Basura, they could be out in the sun for about four hours before they start to feel the burning and whatnot.

And Sadie, I'll be eagerly awaiting that mod, too!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on September 23, 2007, 10:43:46 am
Through the time I’d known Basura, I’d never imagined that she could walk in sunlight. I understood then why she wasn’t in a hurry when we first met. I didn’t know it, but things were about to get really weird. Basura looked around, then seeing that the coast was clear, pulled me into a small room.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_33f9678a_140158fb.jpg)
“I was waiting for Inamorta to say something, but I don’t think she has any plans to. You and I are very rare, very wanted. Coveted by many vampires for many, often foolish, reasons. Many want to know what gives us this power. They believe a cure can be found in our blood. Not everyone can live forever. Of all the vampires in the world though, Inamorta is probably the one most meant for eternal life. She so perfectly understands security and necessary living arrangements and allies. The two of us being here pose a big security problem for her. She won’t, however, allow our “power” to fall into someone else’s hands. Someone has let loose that Inamorta is hiding at least one vampire who can walk in the sun. I have always taken great pains to hide this from everyone. Even Giovann doesn’t know. Unless someone told him.”

“Why would Inamorta tell him?”

“I’m not so sure it was Inamorta. It would go against everything that she’s worked for. I know that we’ve been watched on a number of occasions, and I will admit that I might not have been as careful as I thought. Someone may have noticed something.”
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_33f9678a_14015818.jpg)
I digested what Basura had told me. I felt somewhat cheated. I’d just arrived here, had just begun to get comfortable in this life. Now there was a great chance I’d loose it all.

“Should our lifestyle actually be compromised, Inamorta has a plan in place for us. She has gone through this several times before, and I can assure you that she is most effective when it comes to this.”

“How long have you been with her?”
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_33f9678a_140156f2.jpg)
“Since before she was Inamorta. We’ve spent time apart, but mostly I’ve stuck with her. Everything I know, I’ve learned from her. She took me from Belize right after I was turned. I offered her kindness, and in return, she offered me knowledge and security. She needed someone to act as a guardian when she was out. I’d become that person. The next day, she found out that I could walk in the sun. As she closed her coffin, she watched me as I looked out the window. On our third night together, she risked her life to see if it was true. She told me that I was special, and that others would come for my life. I didn’t believe her until it actually happened. It was Inamorta who told me to live as if I couldn’t walk in the sun. All this before she became Inamorta.”

“And have you always been Basura?”

“Always. And I always will be. Inamorta used to laugh because I was holding on to something so human. I laughed when she got rid of something so human. And you, Dahlia, who has changed much about her that was human over these past years, will you change your name, too?”
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_33f9678a_14015979.jpg)
“No. I will always be Dahlia. It means a lot to me.”

“As a name should.”

I felt myself warming up to Basura, though her warning still sat heavy on my mind. And whether she meant it or not, she also planted suspicion in my mind. We would have continued our conversation, but Giovann was coming around the corner. We could hear his heavy footsteps. He was talking to someone. It could only be Inamorta because the footsteps were so light, almost non-existent.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_33f9678a_74015c8a.jpg)
“I swear to you, I told no one.”

“You may not have said to them we have a vampire who walks during the day. You may have said I have the secret to life.”

“Well, how does that translate to we have Dahlia here?”

“To a vampire, life is to be able to walk in the sun.”

“Well I said nothing to any of them.”

I could hear my mother’s footsteps coming down the hall from the opposite direction. Basura and I stepped outside the room, a little anxious to hear if trouble found us.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_33f9678a_54015dfd.jpg)
“They are talking. I hear them on the street. A warning to you all: guard yourself well. Keep your secrets close to you.”

Inamorta fixed us all with a stern stare. I could almost see her mind working.

“I hope you have alternate living arrangements in place.”

“Are we preparing for the worst?” Basura asked.

“No. No, I don’t think we need to quite yet, but it doesn’t hurt to be prepared. I don’t have an idea of who the enemy is right now, but don’t worry. I’ll take care of all that.”
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_33f9678a_b4015e78.jpg)
Inamorta left the hall, leaving behind my mother, Giovann, Basura and myself. I’d never seen Giovann look so worried. I do believe this was the first time I’d seen him completely loose control. He looked jittery, apologetic, and young.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Pandora Moon on September 23, 2007, 03:41:34 pm
I wonder who Giovann claimed he knew the secret of life to?.

Brillant job on this update!.

Oh and I wish there was a mod like that too Sadie.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on September 24, 2007, 06:02:03 am
Thank you! Updates should pick up now since I'm done with one big project and I'll have more time to write this. Everything will come together, and boy will it be explosive!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on September 25, 2007, 08:58:26 pm
“Honestly, I didn’t tell anyone. Please believe me.”

Something about his demeanor told me to believe him.

“What would I gain—“

“Money. Power. Status.”
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_33f9678a_f40567a7.jpg)
Basura advanced on Giovann. She didn’t seem angry or disappointed in him. Giovann looked around nervously, looking for an ally. That’s when I saw the faint scar on his cheek. I was convinced that that it was not Inamorta who dealt that blow. It was Basura. Giovann was afraid of Basura, and she was using this to press the truth from him.

“They would adore you. Hold you in high esteem. Isn’t that what you wanted? Untold power?”

“They’d kill me. They’d put up with me until I gave them Dahlia, then they’d throw me away. They’d kill me when they find out I don’t know how she does it. I don’t want to die. If I did, I wouldn’t have become a vampire.”

“But you didn’t make that choice, did you? It was made for you.”
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_33f9678a_94056830.jpg)
Giovann narrowed his eyes at Basura. She mouthed something to him, but I couldn’t make out what it was. It made Basura smile and Giovann storm off. He headed down the hall toward one of the “forbidden” parts of the castle. I paid no attention to it then, but I should have. I should have paid attention to a lot more. For the moment, I was more preoccupied with everything that had just happened. My mother looked at me, and I knew what she was thinking. Our vacation here was over. Someone had let loose a dangerous secret, and before this whole thing was over, we could very well pay with our lives.

“He didn’t tell.”

Basura looked at my mother.

“No, he didn’t, but that puts us in a very awkward situation. Someone in this castle is lying.”

“But Inamorta would have no reason to say anything.”

“Those aren’t the only two answers to this dilemma. Dahlia, you went back to the states recently to visit your grandchildren. Is it possible that another vampire saw you there?”
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_33f9678a_140569d7.jpg)
None of us heard Inamorta coming down the hall. I’d grown to expect her sudden appearances. I hated them, and knew she used them to her advantage, but I couldn’t help feeling like she was always sneaking up on me.

“No,” I said after much careful thought. “I didn’t see any vampires. I didn’t sense any either, and I took careful pains to act as if nothing was different. Asilda and Marcin brought blood packs to me. I was the cousin who was on dialysis.”

Inamorta nodded, and walked away. She stopped and turned, as if she had something to say, but changed her mind, and continue walking. My mother nodded to me and headed to the library. Basura took my arm and we headed to the courtyard to finish our conversation.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_33f9678a_34056a98.jpg)
“How did you get those scars?”

Basura laughed. She smiled at me and brushed stray strands of hair out of my face.

“You will be lucky if you do not find out first hand! The one that dealt this blow has a cruel and powerful hand. These will net even fade, unlike the one I gave Giovann. It was during the time when this castle was full. As Inamorta said, there were some who weren’t happy. They caused trouble for the lot. Started rivalries, spread rumors and lies…Eventually a fire was started. Some perished in the fire, but many got away. From there, some lived, some chose death.”

Basura paused and looked into the distance. She narrowed her eyes and grabbed my arm.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_33f9678a_34056ada.jpg)
“Come. We are being watched. If I were not bound to her in one form or another, I would leave with you. I would have left long ago. Inamorta has not told you that she has enemies. She would rather have you believe that she is loved by all. While many do love her, there are just as many who would see her dead. However, this will never happen. They know that to kill her would be nearly impossible. She has the secrets of the “old world,” and when she dies, they die. They also know that she’s been around too long to be careless. I told you earlier that, if any vampire was most suited to eternal life, it is Inamorta. She will not die easily.”

“Is the one who caused all the problems still alive?”

“Very much so. I cannot tell you now who that is because we are being desperately watched, but I can tell you this. It was Inamorta herself who gave me these scars. It was not too long after I was turned. Please be careful in everything you do. When you went to visit your family, you were watched. You are always watched. Know that you are never really out of her sight. And this I tell you out of desperation.”

Basura walked hurridly away, pressing a tiny book into my hands as she left. When I turned around, I saw Giovann walking toward me. He held something in his hands, and his face was red. As he got closer, I could see a tiny handprint. He held out the note to me, and I took it. His hands shook horribly, and there were small marks on them.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_33f9678a_b4056c26.jpg)
“It’s from Inamorta. When you see her, tell her I will be her slave no more.”

The moment Giovann opened his mouth, I could tell he was shaking, not only from fear and humiliation, but from rage and anger. I reached out a hand to touch him, but he stepped back. His eyes were cold.

“Don’t trust her half as much as your mother does. She hasn’t been quite so trusting of either of you.”

Giovann started to walk away, but came back. He got really close to me and began to whisper.

“The note’s not from Inamorta. It’s from Basura. She says it’s really important, and that you should read it as soon as you’re alone. And alone is better inside your coffin. But my sentiment still stands. Inamorta will call you, and when she does, tell her I’m not her dog.”

Giovann hurried down the hall, cautiously looking over his shoulder. His suspicion made me look over my own. I heard a light shuffling coming around the corner. Inamorta looked happy, very pleased with herself. I wondered then if our voices carried down the hall. But when others talked, I couldn’t hear them unless they were within earshot. She must have had the castle insulated, and I made a mental note to ask Basura. Unfortunately, I never got that chance. I found myself very busy in the coming weeks.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_33f9678a_94056c59.jpg)
“I think I want a puppy.”


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Pandora Moon on September 29, 2007, 06:56:44 am
Hi. Brillant update!. Ok so someone is lying. I thought that if could've been Basura but then I remembered that she can walk in sunlight too so she wouldn't had any reason to tell the vampires. So maybe Inmorta could've told someone so she could have that power for herself?. I'm most likely wrong in my theories but it's fun to guess lol!.

See ya.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on September 29, 2007, 09:51:21 pm
Hehe! You'll find out soon enough!
-------------------------


I found myself somewhat taken aback. A puppy?

“Come. We’ll go to the pet store.”

“Now?”

“Well of course! Is there any other time?”

“Tomorrow night, a couple weeks from now. After you’ve researched it for a little bit. What’s the rush?”

“I’m not your daughter. We go now.”

I nodded, and headed to my room to get my jacket.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_33f9678a_940aaf90.jpg)
Inamorta and I arrived at the pet store. I was a little nervous. That was the first time I’d gone out a lone with Inamorta. I was her mother, and she my adopted daughter. No one paid much attention to us. No one questioned our motives. I’d almost forgotten what it was like to be outside. I’d been trapped in the castle for too long. I also saw just how different from other children Inamorta was. She stood with her back straight, her head held high. She was proud, and looked down on the other children. She didn’t want them to touch her.

“This one.”

I walked over to Inamorta and looked at the dog she’d decided on. It was a big shaggy dog…and I didn’t want it randomly roaming around the castle.

“Are you sure?”

Inamorta stared at the dog. As she looked over its charts, I turned to look out the window. I saw a flash of red. It was the unmistakable flash of a vampires watchful eyes. As I caught them for a brief moment, I could see and feel the piercing clarity that only vampires see with. I looked out another window and saw a vampire watching us. He nodded toward Inamorta, then fixed me with a violent stare. I’d gotten the message. They were there to protect her. I’d better not try anything. Doubtless Inamorta was aware of this exchange, and allowing it to take place.

“Hm. I’ve changed my mind. Let’s go home.”

I won’t deny being livid that Inamorta was resorting to petty thuggery to intimidate me. I thought it was very cheap and tasteless of her. If she wanted to scare me, there were a number of things she could have done inside the castle. There was no need to waste my time.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_33f9678a_340a9f10.jpg)
When we got back to the castle, I went to my room, laid in my coffin and read Basura’s note.

“Keep your eye on Giovann. He has upset Inamorta, and his life is in danger. Even if you do not like him, you will find out that we are all in the same boat. I’ve found out some rather disturbing things, and danger will find us sooner than we thing.

I turned her words over in my head, quickly coming to fear being in the castle with Inamorta. My mind had already decided that she meant to kill us all. Could this really be the worst mistake I ever made? I couldn’t even force myself to sleep. My mind was so full of doubt and suspicion. I wasn’t even surprised when there was a knock at my door.  I was surprised to see that it was my mother. Funny. We lived in the same castle, but spent less time together than when we were apart.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_33f9678a_d40aa0db.jpg)
“Hi sweetie.”

I smiled back at my mother. Hers was a welcome and familiar face. But she was close to Inamorta, and I felt terrible that my image of her was clouded by suspicion. My mind raced with things that Inamorta could have been telling her.

“What’s up?”

“Well, Dahlia, I thought we should talk. We rarely have since you’ve been here.”

“Ok. What has Inamorta taught you?”

“Not much really…”

I looked into my mother’s eyes. She had an agenda, and it hurt me to see that. She smiled at me sadly, and I didn’t want to hear what she had to say.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_33f9678a_940aa09a.jpg)
“Dahlia, please don’t suspect me. I’ve had a really nice time here, and I am close to Inamorta, but this is quickly becoming as unpleasant for me as it is for you. I’d hate to think that I couldn’t trust Inamorta anymore, but I won’t deny it if it’s the truth. I really think it is the truth, now.”

I felt relieved, but I couldn’t help being reminded of what Basura said. If she wasn’t bound to Inamorta one way or anther, then she’d leave. My mother hugged me, and I forced myself to stop thinking that the only way to break this bond would be death.

“She trusts me, and maybe I can find out what’s going on. Tell Basura this: one of her spies has turned on her. She’s been leaving to meet with her enemies to do damage control. If she didn’t have people constantly watching us, none of this would have happened. That whole puppy business? She wanted you to see that she’s in control. She thinks you set her up. Please don’t give her any reason to suspect you.”

My mother shifted uncomfortably. I knew she was risking a lot just by telling me this. I wondered if she would end up with scars on her face. I hugged my mother close.

“I love you. Please don’t do anything stupid.”

“I love you, too.”

“Promise me.”

She only smiled, and walked out. My heart sank.


Title: FINAL UPDATE OF LIFE IN TWILIGHT!
Post by: babyblue1387 on September 30, 2007, 06:05:58 pm
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_33f9678a_540bbe19.jpg)
The next day, Giovann came to me, somewhat desperate.

“They’re coming for us. She wouldn’t tell us. She would let us rot!”

“Calm down. What do you mean? Are they here? Today? Now?”

“30 minutes. Half an hour, but of course, only Inamorta knows what time it is. She’s the only one with a clock.”

“No she’s not. I’ve got one in my room.”

Basura came down the hall.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_33f9678a_540bbea7.jpg)
“Quickly. We’re going down in the basement. They can search the castle and never find us. I don’t know where Inamorta is, but I can assure you that she is not in this castle. Not even in those places she would close to us.”

“Where is my mother?”

“With Inamorta. I saw them leave earlier. She can tell us what’s going on. Inamorta trusts her more than she trusts even me.”

Giovann and I quickly followed Basura down to the basement. We went through a secret passage in the dining room wall, then down a long winding staircase. Far above us, I could hear people running. It hadn’t been half an hour yet, but this didn’t seem to matter to Basura. It hadn’t even been five minutes. I looked at Giovann.

“I swear she said half an hour.”

“She knew you were listening.”

We both looked at Basura, shocked. She took a deep breath.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_33f9678a_b40bbfe2.jpg)
“Dahlia, I don’t feel right not telling you this. I didn’t think it mattered at first, but now that the picture is coming together, it really does. Inamorta turned me, turned Giovann. Every so often, she feels she needs companions. She finds them, and she turns them. Sometimes she’ll keep them for a while, like me. Sometimes she grows tired of them. Like Giovann. Then there are those who are attached to others…like your mother.”

“What’re you saying?”

“You mother will never fully be hers. She thinks that by removing you—“

“She means to kill me.”

“And Giovann.”

Giovann’s head jerked around.

“Why me?”

“Whether it’s true or not, she decided that you are working wither enemies. She decided this to justify her dislike of you. She expected you to be obedient, to follow her every whim. You weren’t like that in life. You were rebellious, strong of heart. No matter how long she’s been around, how many languages she learns, how many adults she’s observed, she is still a child and an idealist. Hence this castle.”
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_33f9678a_f40bc0b6.jpg)
“It was Inamorta, wasn’t it?”

Basura nodded, knowing instantly what I was talking about.

“Inamorta was unhappy when this castle was full. This wasn’t what she imagined vampire life to be like, is it?”

Upstairs, everything had grown quiet. We sat in silence, listening for anything. There was nothing. The clock sounded, signaling day, and I figured it would be ok to leave the basement. I stood up, but Basura put her hand out.

“They know that in here, there is no day. They are prepared to wait us out. Trust me, they want Inamorta bad enough. I think these are people that she ousted.”

“What was her name?”

“Helena. Before she was Inamorta, she was lovely little Helena. She decided she wanted none of human life, deciding that she resented humans for they way they treated her and her father. The vampires, though, lived their lives as they had always done. Nothing special. So she stirred the pot.”

Giovann laughed.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_33f9678a_740bc0ec.jpg)
“Now the pot’s stirring back. Serves the little wench right.”

“Think about her as little as possible. We all have to leave. We can’t leave without her knowing, but we can go away where she can’t find us.”

Giovann and I nodded. My head pounded. I never wanted to be caught in this mess.

“There is only one of us who isn’t disposable.”

My stomach began to hurt, and I felt dizzy. Giovann grabbed my arm and led me to a chair. Basura disappeared and returned with a blood bag.

“It would either be you or me, Dahlia. If she can’t get your mother, she will kill her. You will be angry and defy her, and she will kill you. If I defy her, she will kill me. Our chances are slightly better since we are rare. Now, if she finds another vampire like us—“

There were raised voices upstairs. We all knew them: Inamorta and my mother. Instincts told me to run to her, but Basura and Giovann held me back. I hadn’t realized how strong I’d become. Studying closely under Inamorta had done me a lot of good. I easily threw Giovann off me. I managed to twist out of Basura’s iron grasp and make it to the bottom of the stairs. Before I even put my foot on the bottom stair, Basura was back on me. She managed to throw me into a wall. I could hear the voices getting more frantic, more aggressive. Inamorta yelled something, then I hear my mother scream. I wished to all high hell that we weren’t so far below them.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_33f9678a_940bc22b.jpg)
I started to cry, and I could tell it pained Basura to hold me down. Giovann stood, struck stupid, where I’d thrown him off. Footsteps pounded above us, and we guessed that Inamorta—no Helena’s—enemies were closing in. Basura’s interest was piqued, and her grip loosened. I took this chance to get free and run up the stairs. I was surprised at the scene I saw. My mother and Helena were surrounded by people, vicious looks on their faces. There was a long scar on my mother’s face. I couldn’t have hated Helena more. I felt like I was in a trance, lost somewhere outside myself. Slowly, I walked toward Helena. She smiled and I saw that blood trickled down her chin. The circle opened up before me, and I felt Basura and Giovann behind me.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_33f9678a_140bc603.jpg)
“It’s over, Helena. You can’t pretend to be Inamorta anymore. Leave. Leave us all.”

She knew that she was surrounded, knew that she was outnumbered. I asked myself how far I was willing to go to protect my mother. Being special could only protect me so much for so long. If these were the people Helena claimed were trying to kill me, then she held a certain power over me. I saw in her eyes that she knew exactly where she stood. Maybe she even planned things this way.

“What will you do to me if I don’t leave?”

I was silent. Just what would I do? I could attempt to attack her, and perhaps I could win—if the battle was purely physical. But it wasn’t. I didn’t know what trcks she had. Someone stepped up behind me.

“It’s nice to see that you’ve betrayed me, Basura. All those years ago, I sheltered you. It was I who protected you.”

“And it was you who turned me!”

“Will you bite the hand that feeds you?”

“So long as that hand is yours, then yes. You forget just how dependant on us you are. Try to do things on your own.”

I looked at my mother and made the hardest decision in my life. I would wait. I could only smile sadly. Things were just like they used to be. Back in the days when we had whole conversations without words. I closed my eyes briefly, and when I opened them, I knew the world would shift. Time seemed to slow down, even before my eyes closed. I felt like the room was spinning. When I opened my eyes, everyone was rushing toward my mother and Helena. My mother had a plan, and I was the most crucial part. I ignore the gnawing feeling in my unbeating heart. Before anyone could do anything, the two of them were falling down the stairs. Helena was so surprised. Any “old power” she might have had would be completely useless unless she knew what was happening. The light from a candle gleamed off some metal object. A knife. There was blood, and when the pair landed, they were in front of the giant doors that Basura and I had entered.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_33f9678a_940bc936.jpg)
I jumped down the railing and ran to where my mother and Helena landed. I barely had time to register that my mother lay in a heap on the floor. All too late, all too slowly, the others came rushing down the stairs. By then, I felt such strength, such anger, such desperation as I’d never felt before. I heard a tiny whisper, clear as a bell, reverberate off the walls.

“I killed Aiden. Now I’ll kill you, too. Nothing will keep me from my newest toy!”

I wasn’t surprised when I heard that. Angry, livid, yes, but not surprised. Aiden was keeping me away, and I was keeping my mother. I punched Helena in her face. It felt so satisfying as she flew closer to the door. She was stunned, but I saw the anger rising in her eyes. In those moments, though, her anger would never match my anger. Her guilt would never match my guilt. Her pain would never match my pain.

I grabbed her by the hair, and threw my shoulder into the massive door. Light from the rising sun filled the room with a brilliant red glow. Already, Helena’s skin began to smoke. I threw her with all my might outside the castle door. Again, I closed my eyes and reveled in the warmth I hadn’t felt in a long time.

There was a scream. Then it was over.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_33f9678a_340bc99f.jpg)
No vampire is invincible. I’m sure it was a shock for Helena to be defeated in the most basic of ways. Sure it wasn’t a true battle. I’m sure her enemies had meant to destroy her in combat. But then, this plan wasn’t an option to them. They couldn’t kill her like this without killing themselves. In that sense, my mother was much braver than they could ever be. In that split second where she caught my eye, I knew she’d give her life to save ours.

I waslked back inside and knelt by my mother’s crumpled figure. I love her. I always have and I always will. She smiled at me. I twas the last thing she did. Take enough of a vampire’s blood, and they too will die. Helena had gotten out of control. Killing her did the world a favor. Only Giovann and Basura dared approach me. No doubt the others saw me come back in, unscathed by the sun, and thought I was even more powerful than Helena. I wasn’t but I wished I was. I held onto my mother, crying, wishing her back to life.


(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_33f9678a_340bce5e.jpg)
I don’t think I ever really recovered from that. I couldn’t stay in that castle. I had to leave. So I roamed the world, trying to forget, looking for ways to escape. I was roaming that parck there. I don’t know the name of it. Eventually, that Frenchwoman called the police, who called the hospital, who called you. And that’s why I’m here today. You can believe however much of my story you want to. But I’m somewhat happy here. The pain lessens a little each day. Twenty years ago, my mother died. Twenty years ago today. Twenty years since I’d last spoken. No doubt my children are dead. They were old the last time I saw them. Twenty years. And in twenty more years, unless you decide to release me, I’ll still be here. Still in your hospital. Still terrorizing your patients. But I won’t be hurting anymore.

“That’s it? Inamorta—Helena—just died so easily?”

“In all her life, she’d forgotten that she was bound by the same laws. She wasn’t invincible. To kill her would mean to sacrifice one’s own life, and that’s what happened.”

“But everything ended so suddenly.”

“That’s because Inamorta was wrong. Time is not ours to command. But please, I’m tired now.”

“One more question. Have you seen Basura or Giovann since then?”

“Many times. Basura has a lovely new house.”

“Who do you know?”

“These walls can’t really confine me. The we’ll never know the whole of them, we did learn some of Helena’s secrets. So fear me, for I am the greatest vampire alive.”

-----------------------------------
I want to thank you guys for sticking with me through these stories. You've been a great audience.  And when you though something didn't add up, thanks for speaking up about it. It's my belief that no one can ever grow as a writer if all they hear are good reviews. Even if it hurts our ego, we're better for it;) You guys are wonderful!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Sam the T-man on September 30, 2007, 06:55:10 pm
Wow, some ending! Nice work :)

You're very welcome, btw :D


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on September 30, 2007, 08:33:57 pm
I was worried it was a little rushed, but that's just the way it came when I was writing it.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: brittybe on October 02, 2007, 07:42:12 am
I loved your story. The ending was very dramatic, as it should be! Great work!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on October 02, 2007, 10:34:35 am
Oh, thanks so much! You all make me feel warm and fuzzy!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on October 10, 2007, 08:27:36 pm
So....It's been a while since I've posted here, but I'm back with an announcement! I've finished the next One Life story, and I'm working on the next. So, next up for this series is...

Fame Becomes Her, the story of Aartist Uehara (and a play off Britney Spears' life because I have nothing better to do with my free time).

Followed by an as yet untitled mob story, featuring my resident mob boss Sal Monella.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on October 18, 2007, 05:55:43 pm
I just started taking the pics for Fame Becomes Her. It'll be a little bit longer, I'm afraid. The power went out today (big ordeal with trees and powerlines. not a good mix) so I got interrupted.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Pandora Moon on October 19, 2007, 01:20:05 pm
I've been ill with a cold for a while so that's why I haven't commented on this story for a while.

Great ending to a great story!. I didn't expect her to end up in a mental instute though.

I'm looking forward to reading Fame becomes her. I hope you don't have any more power cuts!.

See ya.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on October 20, 2007, 10:39:51 am
I hope you're feeling well! So far, we've been doing good, so I hope to at least get the intro up soon.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Pandora Moon on October 23, 2007, 03:58:17 pm
^I'm feeling a lot better thanks for asking. I hope everything been going well for you too!.

See ya.


Title: Episode 6: Fame Beocmes Her
Post by: babyblue1387 on October 23, 2007, 07:46:31 pm
Episode 6: Fame Becomes Her
[/B]

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_b4238eb4_b4238eb6.jpg)
I am Aartist Uehara, and I crave the limelight. All my life, I've been in the spotlight. How could I not?
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/SinCity2.jpg)
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/IsmenaGarden.jpg)
My mother is the famous Model Ismena, also a beauty queen.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_b35f1531_3363123b.jpg)
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_b35f1531_13633785.jpg)
My father, Remy Harris, ultra hot, and much lusted after male model.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_b4238eb4_b4239130.jpg)
My brother, Marcin Uehara, also famous male model.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on October 24, 2007, 07:19:07 am
Yeah...I got really dizzy last night, so I didn't get to finish what I started. I'll do that tonight, and maybe update some more!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: brittybe on October 24, 2007, 03:56:09 pm
It already looks very promising babyblue! Remy Harris, OMG! Is that the man maid? If it's true, you definitely gave him a very good make-over!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on October 24, 2007, 05:33:49 pm
Yes, that's Remy Harris the maid. He's actually a leftover from my first contest, the Remington Harris makeover contest, hosted by Bren. I couldn't find any other eligible bachelors, so I went ahead and pregnated Ismena with him. He's got cute kids, and Marcin looks so much like him. Onward now with the story!
----------------------

I can trace my family's fame back three generations.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_7386c9fa_939ea5a9.jpg)
My grandfather is Dias Uehara, famous rockstar, and founder of For the Heart charity. My grandmother is Adelina Uehara, three time Ms. Asia champion, humanitarian, and co-founder of For the Heart charities.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/pic31.jpg)
My great-grandmother was Girls Against the World guitarist, vocalist, and co-founder Kimora Yu.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/pic39.jpg)
My great-grandfather was Takeshi Uehara, noted and much loved and decorated music producer.

How's that for credentials? Like the three generations before me, I was born with a gift: a hot body, and an awesome voice. I decided to use my talents to the fullest extent. My mother knew many talent agents of many kinds, and got me in touch with the one who would launch my career. She knew how passionate I was about my singing, and did what she could to help me.

I was destined to be a solo artist (no pun intended), and at the age of 17, I released my first solo album, "A True Aartist Has Arrived."
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_b4238eb4_1423974a.jpg)
The world was flooded with my smoking alto, and my alluring, catchy, stay-in-you-head-all-day rhythms. It went to #1 in a week.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_b4238eb4_b4239615.jpg)
Still, though, I was making the music that my mother thought was appropriate for me to make, and the music my record company wanted me to make. it wasn't completely my music, not completely, but I still put up with it. For three years, I rode the wave of my popularity with the teenyboppers. I made appearances on kids' shows and kids' award shows, but it all started to get a little hollow for me.

When I neared my 20th birthday, I felt a great change was needed in my music career. I would make the music I wanted to make. I began writing my own songs.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_b4238eb4_942a288f.jpg)
I gave the record company an ultimatum: let me take controll of my career or I walk. Later that year, my sophomore album "Get To Know Me" was released.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_b4238eb4_f42a2c17.jpg)
I had 4 #1 singles: A Real Aartist, If You Love Me, He's My Man*, and There's Something Called A Door*. The album was well received by the critics as a fresh insight to Aartist's mind, and earned me quite a few Grammy, AMA, Kids' Choice, and MTV nominations.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_b4238eb4_942a2e74.jpg)
It would have been nice nice to win them all, but after award show season was over, I had a total of 20 awards.

After touring around the world, I took a break. I needed time to myself. During that break, I got involved with notorious Hollywood bad boy, Luke.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_b4238eb4_542a333d.jpg)
Life for me quickly became a whirlwind of sex, drugs and men. Tabloids talked about me and my beau, Luke almost non-stop.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_b4238eb4_d42a379d.jpg)
They covered everything I did during the three years I was "on vacation." When my manager suggested that I enter rehab, the paparazzi were there. And they were there when I snuck out of rehab to go to bars.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_b4238eb4_742a3c2d.jpg)
After a hard three year relationship, Luke and I broke it off. My Public Relations people published the obligatory BS about it being an amicable split.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_b4238eb4_742a3d2c.jpg)
I set his house on fire. I narrowly escaped jail time for arson because 1)it was my first offense, and 2)who the hell would put Aartist in jail?

After the fire,  met up with one of the guys from a kids' show I frequented when I first started out. We hadn't seen each other in a very long time, as he'd quitely faded into the background like so many others.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_b4238eb4_342a4401.jpg)
Marcello had grown a lot and became such a handsome young man. We hooked up and dated for six months before deciding to elope at a drive-through  chapel. We were young and "in love." The big fancy wedding could come later. This caused many people to wonder where my mother was. She released the following statement:
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_b4238eb4_542a4644.jpg)
"Aartist has cut off all contact with me. The most that I can do right now is leave messages with her PR person and hope that she'll get them. I'm trying my hardest to talk to her and not her people. Aartist, honey, please give me a call!

The story behind that?
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_b4238eb4_142a478e.jpg)
We had a falling out over Luke and that whole situation. When my mother read about my marriage in the tabloids (I was 23, and Marcello 26), it was the first she had heard about it.

At first, no one seemed to really be concerned because I'd cleaned up my act. No more late night partying for me. I did drink occasionally, but not like before. I had emerged as a new woman. But there was something desperately missing from my life.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_b4238eb4_742a48ee.jpg)
Two months later, I announced to the world that I was pregnant.

When I pondered my impending motherhood, I realized what I was missing: my childhood. I'd grown up in the limelight. In fact, I'd been in the limelight since before I was born. My mother modeled while she was pregnant with me. This is all I know. I couldn't help wondering if it was too late. So what did I do?
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_b4238eb4_b42a4e65.jpg)
I had the dream wedding, and yes, I wore white. I fed the press a line about white symbolizing a new beginning. I was now reborn; I was a new woman. Again.

As the months wore on, though, I became depressed and began to drink. Marcello became concerned for our baby. He threatened to kick me out of the house once the baby was born. That was the beginning of the end for us.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_b4238eb4_f42a50e5.jpg)
He said his house. As far as the world was concerned, he was Mr. Aartist Uehara. And I made damn sure he knew that!

There were minor fights of course. Allegations that he beat me. Always allegations. My lawyers and I maintained that,while there were disputes as in any marriage, they hadn't become violent.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_b4238eb4_942a52fa.jpg)
So I gave to my first child, a boy we named Jonas. Of course, baby solves everything, because things couldn't have been better for Marcello and I.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_b4238eb4_142a52e0.jpg)
We made more public appearances, sometimes baby in tow, sometimes not. People claimed that they shouldn't be seeing so much of me because I have a baby and I should be at home being a mother. But I showed them all a thing or two.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_b4238eb4_342a564c.jpg)
I showed them by releasing my third solo album to even more acclaim.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: ryannrules86 on October 24, 2007, 06:35:50 pm
amazing and I do not know how many photobucket can hold but i am still using my free trial and have about 265 photos.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Sam the T-man on October 24, 2007, 06:55:07 pm
Interesting chapter :) Nice going :D


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on October 24, 2007, 08:15:57 pm
Thanks guys:)

And Ryann, I found out I could just have multiple photobucket accounts. Which is good because I've got 828 pics >o<


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Pandora Moon on October 25, 2007, 08:26:24 am
I'm loving this story!. I wonder what will happen next?.

See ya.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on October 25, 2007, 10:15:25 am
I'll update today, so you won't have to wait too long!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on October 25, 2007, 06:17:16 pm
This is a really short story, so I should be done, hopefully, this weekend. It's just a filler until the main event (episode 7). Enjoy! I spent a lot of time on the very last pic.
---------------------------

I don't think there were too many people who didn't like "In the Moment." While they may have liked the cd, not too many people cared for my new image. They thought I was too wild to have a baby. So I partied harder. If they wanted to see irresponsible, I'd show it to them.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_b4238eb4_942cd309.jpg)
I was seen with many men who weren't my husband. Tabloids suspected I was cheating. Then I went on tour...and the family came with. When Jonas was 10 months old, I announced that I was pregnant.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_b4238eb4_342cd689.jpg)
Due to a newly "leaked" sex tape, many people question the father of my unborn child. Even people in my own camp seemed a little unsure as to the paternity. Only I really knew who the father was, and I was only giving one name: Marcello Puccini, my husband.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_b4238eb4_142cdb0e.jpg)
I finished the tour and returned home. My doctor suggested that I rest or I might loose the baby. So I did. For five months, no one heard a word from me. As the conspiracy theories started, my album sales continued to grow (supposedly there were hidden clues about where I'd gone).

I didn't come back until after my second child was born, and then I did a mini-tour. No one had seen the baby. Everyone wanted a picture to see who the child looked like. I said I'd allow the highest bidder to do a private photoshoot. The highest bidder was 7 million dollars. We were to meet at a small, secluded area in a park. I collected the money, but didn't show. I later issued the statement that the baby had caught a cold and we wouldn't be able to make it. We rescheduled for a later date at my mansion. They showed, but I didn't. Three tries later, they finally got the pictures.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_b4238eb4_742cde56.jpg)
Baby boy Fidor Puccini made his debut on the world stage. The pics were published, and the magazine got its highest sales for one day.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_b4238eb4_d42cdef3.jpg)
No one could tell who the father was, though.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_b4238eb4_142ce2bf.jpg)
You could never clearly see Fidor's face. I kept things that way on purpose.

After the mini-tour, I arranged a lot of public appearances: red carpet dates, movie premiers, talk shows, I did it all. When I couldn't sleep, my doctor prescribed a sleep aid, and it didn't take long for me to be hooked. Anything can be a gateway drug, and the sleeping pills allowed me to fall into old habits. Two kids and rumors that I was pregnant again by an unknown man, my PR people entered me into rehab. I wasn't serious though. I had people sneak me booz at night, and I left out to go to parties and go shopping. I finally had a doctor release a statement saying that I wasn't pregnant so that released me from that chokehold.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_b4238eb4_142ce3fe.jpg)
Then Marcello decided we needed a divorce.

A I decided I should set the house on fire.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_b4238eb4_f42ce5de.jpg)
He got the kids, and I got anger management, and a very brief stint in jail. When I got out, I got the kids back, then moved to Hollywood from San Diego to be nearer the production studio where I was about to film a movie. I completely cut Marcello out of mine and my kid's lives.

I needed to go in a new direction, and my movie would show people that I was no longer a little kid. No, Aartist was no longer kid and family friendly.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_b4238eb4_d42ce6cf.jpg)
I was suddenly a hot vixen, red lipstick, dark hair, and blue eyes. I still had my killer body. To prove that I wasn't for the kids anymore, the movie was rated "R," and I did a sex scene and nuidty. Oddly enough, the movie was loved! People loved me as an actress, and I thrived on the new attention. I decided not to continue as a singer.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_b4238eb4_542ced34.jpg)
I released my final album, the rough, harsh, slap in the face "Piece of Me." The cd was well received, but not as well as I would have liked. Critics felt that the message was too harsh, and I would alienate many of my former listeners. But what did I care? I was becoming an actress!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Pandora Moon on October 27, 2007, 10:34:08 am
I can see that you sent a lot of time on the pictures I like how you did the last one with her covered in diamonds. I bet she's gonna hit rock bottom soon though I wonder how?.

I'm looking forward to the next update of this story and to episode 7.

See ya.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on October 27, 2007, 04:48:55 pm
Thanks! I was listening to Britney Spears' new album (since Aartist is sort of based off Britney, and the song 'Piece of Me' really described Aartist's life), and remembered that outfit she wore in her Toxic video. So I just had to recreate it!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: brittybe on October 28, 2007, 06:51:08 am
Great story and pics babyblue! It's very recognizable. I feel kind of sad for Britney though. Boy, is her life in a big mess right now.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Sam the T-man on October 28, 2007, 09:14:37 am
Somehow, I had a feeling that was the case. She does remind me of Britney and how she started, carried on... is carrying on... I'm curious to know what pushed her over the edge, maybe it was just the overdose of fame :dontknow:


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on October 28, 2007, 11:29:30 am
Yeah, that's what I think. She never really had a childhood and it probably hit her suddenly that this isn't exactly what she wanted. But then, what do you do? It's all she's ever known. Darn those showbiz moms and dads!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Sam the T-man on October 28, 2007, 11:34:33 am
Yeah... look at Judy Garland... Sad really.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on October 30, 2007, 05:44:07 am
Ok! I'll try to finish this one up today. Lets hope homework (geez, I'm so tired of school) doesn't get in the way!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Sam the T-man on October 30, 2007, 02:09:17 pm
God yeah, tell me about it. It's been getting in the way of my update on my own story lately... :( Looking forward to it :)


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Lola136 on October 30, 2007, 05:05:07 pm
I love your short storys ive just read 13 pages of them (i have way too much time)


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on October 30, 2007, 10:50:02 pm
Ok, this is the final update for Episode 6. Wow. This is the shortest time I've spent on a story! Just three or four updates. Episode 7 will take me a LOT longer to do. Mostly because I'm still writing it. And now, on to the end of Episode 6: Fame Becomes Her!
----------------------------

I was 26 with two kids, 3 and 2, and a new world opened up to me. I did the theme songs for quite a few movies, including my debut movie, Deadly Love.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/ScreenShot012.jpg)
I got to be the deadly vixen in the red dress and heavy curls, and win the awards. I like to believe that it was my stunning debut performance that earned the movie 10 awards. I won awards for best leading actress, best debut performance, best on-screen kiss, fan favorite-new actress, and fan favorite-best nude scene.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/ScreenShot013.jpg)
I was in heaven until I got my mail one day, and found out my husband wanted to get the kids. He wanted MY babies! I had half a mind to tell him the kids weren't his. That would stop this madness.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/ScreenShot014.jpg)
My publicist was visiting and she convinced me not to fire off a really evil, mean, nasty email to Marcello. She ensured me that he'd use it as "evidence" against me. The next day, my lawyer called and said that the official divorce papers had come through. Marcello was going to seek spousal support and custody of the kids with little visitation rights for me. I was livid! My publicist said now, more than ever, I needed to be on my best behavior. It didn't matter what I did sinside my house, so long as I was perfect outside. So I took a long swig of scotch and sucked up all my anger.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/ScreenShot015.jpg)
I was going to film an episode of Inside the Actor's Studio that night, and I decided I'd change my image immediately. I would be that vixen in the red lipstick. I was stunning; long hair, red lipstick, red satin shirt, and diamonds. That didn't last too long for me. I grew tired of dressing up, and I really started changing my style every day. Or nearly that often. This had an unexpected effect. I became a fashion icon. When asked about my new status, I gave this statement.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_b4238eb4_9433b8c7.jpg)
"I really want to credit my ex-husband, Marcello Puccini. He has constantly been supportive of everything that I've been doing. He's a great man. Without him, I never would have had this idea."

Of this was a slap in the face!
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/ScreenShot017.jpg)
He knew it, but the public adored me for it. I think this started a bitter divorce and custody battle. I came out looking wonderful, mostly because I had the money to hire the best people. He didn't.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/ScreenShot018.jpg)
Marcello made appearances on camera and on gossip shows. He got a little money for that, but nothing like what I had. He acted out of anger, and made some really scathing remarks about me. Things that could really damage me. I had an investigation started to prove my innocence of child molestation. When nothing was found, I sued him for slander. There went his credibility, divorce settlement, and visitation right. So ended the battle. And who won? ME! Aartist for the win!

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_b4238eb4_9433bcc2.jpg)
After a while of being a fashion icon, people started to get bored with the same old thing, and I got a little desperate. I wanted to still enjoy my fame, so I hastily announce a fashion line. My people were terrified when they heard this because I had absolutely no idea about fashion design. I said I'd worry about it later. All that mattered at that point was that I had the public eye again. I knew that I'd need a gimmick to keep interest going, so I decided to reunite with my mother. She was still a very popular model, and what better than having her model my clothing line. So, for the first time in I don't know how many years, I called my mother.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/snapshot_b4238eb4_d433c035.jpg)
I arranged to have a reunion on a popular talk show. I knew my mother wanted this to be a private affair, but I needed this to go well. I won't deny that I felt terrible for doing what I did to her. As I watcher her holding her grandchildren, I realized the extend of the pain I'd put her through. I even got to see my brother, Marcin and his wife, Asilda. Rich and Christiana, my stepfater and stepsister, were there, too. I felt horrible for everything I'd done to them, and said as much. I promised to try to do better by them, and I did. My mother happily agreed to do my clothing line, and my brother, who did become a successful male model, agreed to model the male clothes. My line did extremely well, and I signed on to do a movie about a fashion magazine. I was the lead. I got the chance to be a ruthless diva. Like I wasn't in real life.

This time, though, things were different. I guess reuniting with my family had more of an mpact on me that I thought.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/ScreenShot019.jpg)
I realized just how important family was, and I was determined to give my kids the love and family and devotion they deserved. I started involving them more in my life. I didn't want them to be in the spotlight all the time, but I didn't keep them holed up. We moved away from California to a place where we could live our lives in relative peace. I started to think about the way my movies would reflect on my children. I didn't do children's movies, and I didn't stop being sexy, but everything I did was tasteful.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/ScreenShot020.jpg)
My clothes were all modest, but still made women feel elegant and sexy. The newest collection was all about corsets.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/ScreenShot021.jpg)
Who doesn't love corsets! I even had a lingerie line with corsets. I made the corset my trademark, and there was a boom in corset dresses across hollywood.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/ScreenShot022.jpg)
I was still the "it" girl, but I was wondering how much longer I was really going to do that. How much longer did I really want to be in the spotlight. I decided that I could stand it for a while longer. It's an addictive feeling, and there's nothing that compares to it. I've been in this business since before my birth, and I'm 43 now. I don't plan on leaving just yet. I don't think I'm quite done.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Pandora Moon on October 31, 2007, 04:10:17 pm
Brill ending!. I'm looking forward to seeing episode 7.

See ya.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Lola136 on November 01, 2007, 01:09:56 pm
everyone loves a happy ending:) cant wait for chapter 7


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on November 01, 2007, 02:14:26 pm
I'm so glad you all liked it! I think I can promise that Episode 7 won't exactly have a...happy ending. An ending, yes, but maybe not quite so happy:lol:


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on November 05, 2007, 04:00:34 pm
The next episode is titled: 7 Days to the Wolves. Hopefully I'll buckle down and start today.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Lola136 on November 05, 2007, 04:49:26 pm
cant wait!!!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on November 05, 2007, 09:12:41 pm
I'm still getting used to taking pics with Gadwin (I keep forgetting to press the right buttons), so I had to retake all my pics for my round 1 in movie star. Tomorrow, I should be ready to go. It'll be hard getting some of the pics together, though.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Sam the T-man on November 06, 2007, 08:23:13 am
Gadwin rules :D I find the only option that works though, is to capture a rectangular area, but it's better in that you can choose the height and width of the picture you want. It saves to a default folder "Printscreen files" but you can change that too :)

Looking forward to the next update :)


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on November 06, 2007, 02:51:23 pm
I think I've noticed a definite difference in my pics since I started using Gadwin. Most of the last update was done with Gadwin. Well, off I go to get started! EDIT: Might as well use this post to start the story.
-----------------------------------------
Episode 7:
7 Days to the Wolves


Howl!
Seven days to the wolves!
Where will we be when they come?
Seven days to the poison
And a place in Heaven!
Time drawing near as they come to take us.
----"7 Days to the Wolves" Nightwish - Dark Passion Play----

John Irving pulled his children closer to him after the funeral.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/ScreenShot032-1.jpg)
"I guess I can take care of us."
The family stayed together as the last guests went off to their cars. Saying goodbye is hard, and moving on is even harder. John desperately clung to his children, wishing things hadn't turned out the way they did. He squeezed his eyes as tears fell. In his mind, John could picture them freezing as the rolled down his cheeks. Or maybe they turned into show and floated away like ashes on the wind.
"Mom loved winter. She would be happy."
John pulled his daughter, Lauren, closer to him.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/ScreenShot033.jpg)
When they returned home, everything seemed so quiet. This comforted the Irving family, seemingly making the sleepless hours go by faster. John joined his son in the kitchen. His son was sitting at the table, as if waiting for his mother to come home from work.

"It doesn't seem like anything in this house has changed. I keep expecting Mom to walk in the door."

John hugged his namesake. He felt the tears building inside him again, but he knew he had to be strong for his children. He was ll they had now. Hew as their protector.


Three days after they buried their loving wife and mother, Magdelena Irving, there was a knock at the door. John answered quickly. A tall, muscular man stood waiting. John was a little suspicious; he didn't recognize the man.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/ScreenShot034.jpg)
"Good afternoon. My name is Sal Monella. I was a business associate of your wife. I promise I won't keep you long."
"A business associate? You worked with the charity?"
"Let's just say her company had dealings with my company. We were good friends, in a way. May I come in?"
"Sir, my wife's been buried for three days. I really don't want to talk business."
"Your wife's life's work will be thrown away. Any meaningful contribution will be neglected."
"Sir, please understand where I'm coming from."
"Well then, just let me extend our condolences. Here's my business card. If you ever need anything, give me a call. And watch your back. Your wife was a dangerous woman."

John closed the door, more confused than when he opened it. What kind of business did this man work for? John was sure Mr. Monella had made several veiled threats.
"Dad?"
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/ScreenShot035.jpg)
John turned around to see Lauren standing in the hallway.
"How long have you been standing there?"
"Not...not long. Why?"
John shook his head and started to leave the living room, but movement outside caught his attention. He looked out of the curtains and saw 2 men in black coats pointing at the house. Across the street, Sal Monella was getting into a limousine. The car was black. The driver wore a black coat. They stood out starkly against the purity of  freshly fallen snow. John shook his head and quickly left the living room, letting the curtain fall in front of the window.


Days passed. John, Lauren, and John, jr. found it easier to cope by busying themselves. The house became a constant bustle of activity.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/ScreenShot036.jpg)
Concerned friends and family were constantly being ushered in and out of the house. They tried desperately to dig beneath the carefully created facade to reach the pain and grieving beneath. None of them were successful. Had John and his children slowed down, they would have noticed the men in black coats positioned outside their house, watching them.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/ScreenShot037.jpg)
John stopped at the local grocery store in his daily rush from home to work, and work to home. He was only vaguely aware of a woman following him down an aisle. Throwing himself into work as an accountant robbed him of attention for everything that mattered. The lady came up beside him, holding her swollen belly. She reached for something on a higher shelf.
"Here, let me get that for you."
She turned to him and smiled. Her eyes were a piercing blue-grey, and John didn't like they way she was looking at him.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/ScreenShot038.jpg)
"I love my children immensely. When I was young, my father died. I try my hardest to make sure my children have the opportunity to see theirs."
John slowly handed her a can.
"Life is a dangerous game. Bad things happen to people who don't play by the rules. When one person falls through on their part of a contract, it may jeopardize the life of anyone else involved. Protect your children, Mr. Irving. Follow the rules and honor my husband's contract."


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Sam the T-man on November 07, 2007, 01:13:43 pm
Interesting. Good start :)


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Lola136 on November 07, 2007, 02:56:45 pm
Harray its started :D


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on November 07, 2007, 04:56:53 pm
Glad to see that you guys stuck around and like the update!

Sadie, I want to thank you for your many mentions of Nightwish. It made me want to get a cd and see what the fuss was. Metal isn't really my thing, but I *love* Dark Passion Play!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: xgreydovex on November 08, 2007, 01:16:50 pm
im so glad i found this again!  I really liked how you ended the vampire story :]
i also really like how the mob story is starting, it seems really interesting.
and forgive me for asking, but what is Gadwin?  Ive never heard of it...but that could just be that I just got back into the sims after a couple months...


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Lola136 on November 08, 2007, 04:42:27 pm
Ooooohh i love nightwish too my favourite song is ameranth


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Sam the T-man on November 08, 2007, 06:27:59 pm
Haha, you're welcome :D I've not heard that album - if it's still their earlier style I'll be interested - sounds like it is. My favourite albums are Century Child and Oceanborn (where I got Andy's R2 from ;)). Devil and the Deep Dark Ocean is one of my favourites, but it's also one of their heaviest :headbang:

@greydove: Gadwin (http://www.gadwin.com/) is a screen capture utility that saves your screenshots to file automatically (without your having to paste from clipboard to Word/Paint). Only time I use the in-game camera now for pics is when I'm just messing about :D


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on November 08, 2007, 08:38:34 pm
You know, I'm getting the older albums now (they're kinda the same style). I'm not sure I like the old singer as much. They both (new and old singers) have really beautiful voices. I just thing the old singer sounds more opera, and opera and rock don't exactly go together...to my ears at least. Hands down, though 7 Days to the Wolves has to be my favorite song, Eva and Meadows of Heaven are close seconds though.

EDIT: I take back what I said about the Tarja (hoping I got that right). It's just a really unique and different sound. It's growing on me, though!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: xgreydovex on November 09, 2007, 03:45:53 pm
sadie- ooooh okay. how is it better from the in-game camera though? j/w


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on November 09, 2007, 05:58:45 pm
It doesn't limit you to the in-game resolution. I found that my pics aren't rediculously bright or dark. You can resize the pics to whatever dimensions you want without it being all stretched (as opposed to using the in-game large, medium, small method). I'd say using Gadwin is kinda like having smooth edges on.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: xgreydovex on November 09, 2007, 07:08:11 pm
hmm okay thanks.  i think ill check it out. :]


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on November 09, 2007, 08:57:07 pm
I would. It's free, so if you find that you don't like it, it's not like you lost any money. Just a warning though. It takes some getting used to. So if you're taking pics for a contest, I'd use the in-game camera as a backup. I changed the capture buttons, and forgot that I did. That caused me to have to rebuild the ENTIRE set for my round 1 in Move Star. I was so not amused.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: simfreakkristen on November 11, 2007, 11:23:13 am
Sal Monella? It was sooooo good until you ran out of names and used a type of food poisoning. But still good. Just promise me Sal Monella is this dude's alias. O.O How did the pregnant lady know his name?!?! Did I miss a crucial part of the story??!!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Sam the T-man on November 11, 2007, 02:50:16 pm
LOL I remember from the Blue Room, she mentioned about naming some sims after diseases :lol: Sorry to disappoint, but I think that's his real name ;)

Re. Gadwin: I find it's better to take pics in big resolution and shrink them down - Gadwin lets you do that. I run the game in windowed mode, 1026*768 or whatever that one is. I tend to keep the capture key to print screen, it's easier to remember that way. Get the image, shrink it in Photoshop using bicubic sharper and constrain proportions (so it doesn't get stretched), works a treat :D


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on November 11, 2007, 07:49:46 pm
Yeah, unfortunately, Sal Monella is his real name. It was a joke between my father and I. We've got a bunch of weird names like that and when I can't think of any good names, I dig into that pile. Like Ro Morse, who is an actual woman. We were watching City Confidential or something like that and her name came up. I hope his name doesn't turn you away from the story, and no you didn't miss anything. My father and I had decided he would be a mobster. It started with a story about people buying cheese from a pickup and getting salmonella. I said, hey, I should name a sim Sal Monella. And I did. Don't let his name fool you, he's a cut throat type of man....literally.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on November 14, 2007, 09:52:15 pm
I'll try to squeeze in another update this weekend. With the holidays coming up, the end of the semester, finals, registering for next semester, stupid presentations and teachers who think students are made of money, and starting my second novel, I've been a bit busy. And contests. Can't forget the contests!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Sam the T-man on November 15, 2007, 06:34:33 am
You have to register for your next semester? Is that an American thing or just for your course? :scratch: Know what you mean about the teachers though; "We've got this coming up", "We strongly advise you to get a placement next year", "Try and get hold of this", never mind the fact that most of us aren't able to do it ¬_¬ Good luck for your finals anyway :)


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on November 15, 2007, 06:44:42 am
Registering is just signing up for the classes you want to take for next semester. I just got really bummed when I found out I couldn't take a classical lit class and have it fill one of my requirements:cry: This particular teacher wants us to take another professor out to lunch at a "white tablecloth" restaurant. He doesn't want us to go to the many cafes on campus with reasonable prices. He wants us to take the teachers to a semi-fancy downtown restaurant. Is that going to happen? No. The teacher I'm interviewing and I decided we'll bring our own tablecloth and go to her office or a cafe on campus. We both understand the power of being broke;)


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on November 15, 2007, 08:46:34 pm
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/ScreenShot023-2.jpg)
Terrified, John looked around for the men in the black coats. Seeing them, he knew he was trapped.

"Don't run, Mr. Irving. Running will only aggravate me. You don't want to send me into an early
labor, do you? Now, heed the warning, go pay for your groceries, and honor the contract.

The lady patted his arm, then left the aisle. The men in black coats, however, stayed. They watched as John stood there, dumbstruck and terrified. Did he really have no idea what his wife did for a living? What kind of charity would behave like this? John shuddered and tried to act normal. He shakily walked to the checkout and paid for his groceries.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/ScreenShot024-2.jpg)
When he got home, John called the police.
"Officer Dandy here."

"Yes, officer, someone's following me. I've been threatened, my children have been threatened. There are men in black coats standing outside my house."

"Do you know who's doing it?"

"It's probably a man named Sal Monella."

"Sal Monella? Sir, please don't leave your house. Mr. Monella is a dangerous man. I'll send some people over to watch your house immediately."

John put down the phone, his hands shaking. He looked around the living room, checking to see if the kids were there. Seeing that they weren't, John sunk to the floor, shaking and crying. His wife worked for "dangerous men." No good could ever come of something like this. Whatever she'd been doing at this so-called charity had been dangerous. Had Magdelena been truthful about what she did for a living?
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/ScreenShot025-2.jpg)
John couldn't find the strength to pull himself off the ground. This new development coupled with the death of his wife was just too much.

There was a knock at the door, and John attempted to pull himself together. He wiped his eyes and checked his appearance in the mirror. A quick glance at the clock told him that he'd been crying, crumpled on the floor, for two hours. Where were the kids? It wasn't like them to be quiet for so long. After another deep breath, John opened the door and welcomed Officer Dandy into his home.

They made an arrangement to have four undercover police officers keeping an eye on the house. John admitted that having the officers there made him feel safer. He thanked the officer and looked out the window. Sure enough, the officers were outside, waiting for anything suspicious.


Four months after the burial, John felt like life was finally starting to pick up for his family. His anti-mob talisman, the police, seemed to have kept the vultures at bay. They hadn't been bothered since the police showed up. John Jr--Jay--, and Lauren had involved themselves in school activities.  Feeling that things would be better after all, John told the police they could leave. They were reluctant to go, positive that Mr. Monella would show his face again. John told them he felt safe, and shooed them away.

The next month say John and his family at the grocery store again.
"Sir, can you please get me that bottle? I can't reach it."

"Sure, ma'am."

John started to hand the lady the condiment, but stopped when he recognized those familiar blue-grey eyes.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/ScreenShot028-4.jpg)
"Are these your children? They're beautiful."

Mrs. Seraphim Monella, wife of Sal Monella. After much begging, the police had finally told him who she was. Mrs. Monella winked at John, took the bottle, then left. John could see the men in black, and cold fear filled him.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/ScreenShot026-2.jpg)
"Dad, who was that?"

"Your mother's...boss'...wife...or something like that."

"You ok?"

"I have to be."

Meeting Mrs. Monella again weighed heavily on John's mind. He was jumpy for the rest of the day, too afraid to call the police. They knew where to find him, and he could endanger his children.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/ScreenShot030-4.jpg)
"Good evening. I'm loan officer Jeoffry Lannister. I'm coming to see you about a number of outstanding loans owed Mr. Sal Monella and his business."
John had answered the door hoping that it was the police coming to his rescue. It wasn't. He'd sent them away. They wouldn't be coming back anymore. Foolishly, John allowed the man inside the house.

"Mr. Lannister, my wife owed Mr. Monella absolutely nothing."

"Well, Mr. Irving, I daresay our books tell a different story. And on behalf of Mr. Monella, I strongly advise you not to call the police again."

Jeoffry Lannister pulled two big books out of his briefcase and set them on the kitchen table. John was right. They were watching him. They were watching him when the police were guarding him. He'd never really been safe at all.

"First, let me express my condolences for the passing of your wife. She was an exceptional woman, and we are all saddened by her passing. Now, at the time of her death, your wife, Mrs. Magdelena Irving, had many unpaid debts that must be honored by you, the surviving family."
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/ScreenShot031-4.jpg)
"How much debt are we talking? And what happens if I don't pay?"

"Mr. Irving, it looks like you've got a nice family setup here. Don't be a fool and not pay. Even the police won't be able to protect you. You see how effective they were in keeping us away from you. Now, about your debt, we're talking big numbers. Mrs. Irving has an outstanding debt of $150,000 on this house and $540,000 of miscellaneous small unpaid loans. House repairs, car, driveway re-pavement, that sort of thing. Your total in monetary debt is $690,000."

"Are you kidding me?!"

"Sit down, Mr. Irving, because things get better."

John knew his jaw hit the kitchen table.  He was just trying to comprehend that they were so far in debt, and now this man was telling him there was more. More than $690,000.

"When your wife died, she still owed time on her contract. Now, we've reviewed the circumstances of her death--"

"Now wait a minute. You 'reviewed the circumstances of her death?' You aren't the police. You can't do things like that!"
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/ScreenShot033-2.jpg)
"Let me tell you something, Mr. Irving. The police only wish they were this effective! But questioning our practices won't get you out of debt. You're a smart man, and I'm sure you only want what's best for your family. We're no more unreasonable than a bank."

John shook his head, grateful that the children were in their rooms. Sitting down at the table, John looked at the man across from him. Taking a deep breath, John nodded, signaling for Mr. Lannister to continue. There was no point in aggravating whoever thy were unnecessarily.

"At the time of your wife's death, she still owed services on her contract. We estimate that at $490,000 of basic or standard services and the entirety of premium services, totaling $946,200. This will bring your entire debt to $2,126,200. Now, Mr. Monella has authorized me to give you two different payment options. You can, of course, pay the entirety of the debt. You will meet with Mr. Monella next week to discuss particular payment plans, with interest of course. Don't worry, I'll be at that meeting, too. The second option is for you to pay the house and miscellaneous debt, again, totaling $690,000, and honor the rest of your wife's contract in her place."
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/ScreenShot034-2.jpg)
"Work for... Are you out of your mind?"

There was shuffling around the kitchen door, and john got a glimpse of long brown hair. His children were up and had been listening to the conversation. He was about to say something to Mr. Lannister, but the latter beat him to it.

"Mr. Irving, I think it's better to continue this conversation with Mr. Monella. We'll give you a call and set up a meeting for next week. Think about your options, choose what best for you and your family. Other options may or may not be available to you once you meet with Mr. Monella."

Mr. Lannister gathered the books and neatly put them in his briefcase. The two men shook hands, though more reluctantly on John Irving's part.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/ScreenShot035-2.jpg)
Just as Jeoffy Lannister had promised, John got a call from Mr. Monell'a secretay. He was scheduled to meet Mr. Monella at a local restaurant later that week to discuss payment options for debt owed. John tried to think that the police had it wrong. Everything that was happening had been very professional and business-like. Not counting the intimidation or stalking.

"Dad, are you going to work for the mob?"

John turned around and looked at his son.

"No. The mob?"

"Yeah, don't you watch the news? Sal Monella is a reputed mob boss."

"No....that means...no, no no no!"

"Did mom work for the mob?"

John turned to look at his daughter. How does one answer that? He couldn't even verify that his wife worked for the mob. The mob?

"Well...that's--"

"Dad you should totally work for the mob!"

"Jay, don't be stupid. Working for the mob is so not cool. He could get killed!"

"Mom did it!"

"Ok, kids, listen, I'm not going to work for the mob, and I'm not sure your mother worked for the mob."

"Dad--"
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/ScreenShot036-1.jpg)
John held his head to keep it from exploding. Too many question, too much debt, not enough money, and big intimidating guys looking for more than 2 million dollars. And the mod. His wife was involved with the mob.

"Listen, kids, this is all really confusing and frustrating and just...just...let's go out for pizza and pretend this didn't just happen, ok?"


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Sam the T-man on November 16, 2007, 04:50:31 am
Oh dear oh dear... poor guy :( Nice update :)


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on November 16, 2007, 06:42:03 am
And it only gets better! Glad you liked it, though.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Lola136 on November 17, 2007, 04:01:01 am
OOOOoooooooh good update...pizza solves everything :D


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on November 19, 2007, 10:48:52 pm
Um...yeah, there was an intended update today. Maybe I should stop entering so many contests? tomorrow then, lovelies!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Bloody_Tears on November 20, 2007, 06:23:23 am
This is so cool! I feel so bad for John, having a)no idea about what his wife was really doing, and b)being in total denial about everything. if he isn't careful, his brain might pop!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on November 20, 2007, 06:58:50 am
I'm so glad you're enjoying this! Hands down, I've worked the hardest on this story (my creativity is just starting to really come back after having written a novel).


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Sam the T-man on November 20, 2007, 07:03:36 am
Nothing like a novel and contests to get your imagination back into gear ;) I'm starting (yet) another story after one of my contest entries :angel:


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on November 20, 2007, 07:07:23 am
What sucks is that I've been working on the first one (my baby!) for 6 years, on and off. I finally finished it sometime in June. I'm just now getting most of my creativity back! And what do I do? Start another one:lol: I must be a glutton for punishment. My English teacher agrees.

EDIT: Ok, a lot of stuff came up today with college (gah!). I'm hoping to squeeze in an update this weekend.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on November 25, 2007, 08:21:12 pm
Ugh, sorry it's been a while since I've updated. Things have been getting really hectic with the holidays and whatnot. But, here we are!
-----------------------------
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/ScreenShot024-5.jpg)
"So, Mr. Irving, I want to start by saying I'm very sorry about the way things have been handled. Maggie told me that you knew what she did for a living."

"Maggie?"

"Magdelena. Your wife."

"The two of you were...closer then?"

"You could say. She was the best man in my wedding. Really a phenomenal, strong, beautiful woman. You're a lucky man."

John swallowed hard. He felt like the temperature had gone up in the near-empty restaurant. Yet, how was he supposed to tell a mob boss to lay off his dead wife? Sal gave him a stern stare before clearing his throat.

"Is there something you want to say, Mr. Irving?"

"No. No, there's nothing to say, Mr. Monella. She was a wonderful woman."

Mr. Monella nodded. He turned to his accountant, Jeoffry Lannister, who pulled out the Irving account. The folder thudded on the table. The man to Mr. Monella's right pulled out a laptop. Sal cleared his throat.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/ScreenShot027-4.jpg)
"Well, I think we'll get down to business. You remember Mr. Lannister? He's in charge of your account. This is my secretary, Mr. Ruben Black. He'll be keeping written record of this meeting. This is a tape recorder. It will be keeping a vocal record of this meeting.

"Now, we've had some interesting developments in this case. Maggie told me you knew what she did, and that you'd agreed to keep your mouth shut. This isn't true. My wife told me you didn't respond to any of the signals we normally use. I'd like to apologize on her behalf for the threats. She gets a little emotional in her pregnancy. You are entitled to $450,000 because your wife was killed on the job. This can, and will, be deducted from the total debt you owe. Unfortunately, it was found that Maggie stopped honoring her contract. We had no way of monitoring her because she was on independent assignment."

"We've determined that your wife stiffed us out of $30,000. That has already been added to your overall debt," Mr. Lannister chimed in.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/ScreenShot029-4.jpg)
"$30,000! No. No, that can't be right!"

Sal Monella laughed. "Well, I'm paying Mr. Lannister a lot of money to keep track of these accounts. I should hope that he's keeping them in good order."

"All my wife did was work for a charity. How did she get involved with the mob? None of this really makes sense."

"Mr. Irving, please stop kidding yourself. Your wife, our Magdelena was a mob QUEEN. Here. All of my employees have a lockbox. Whatever they keep there is their business."

Sal slid a key and a slip of paper across the table toward John.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/ScreenShot030-6.jpg)
"Mr. Irving, I never dishonored your wife. She loved you with all of her heart, and I understand why she did everything she did. Still, I can't forgive her for turning her back on me like that. I wish I could, but I can't I'll give you a little more time to decide things before we go into detail about payment plans. Your debt still stands, and I expect ever dime to be paid back."

Somewhat shakily, John took the key and paper. He stood up to leave, but paused for a moment. He felt like he had to suspend belief in order to understand everything that was going on. Sal nodded at him, and John took that as his cue to leave.

As he walked to his car, John made up his mind to go visit that lockbox immediately. He hoped that could clear up this whole mess. When he got to the bank where the lockboxes were, John had the impression that all eyes were on him. Mostly everyone was well-dressed. Diamonds and gold and silver flashed off the lights in the ceiling. Few of the patrons turned to look, but the guards posted around the bank turned to him. A man in an expensive suit sauntered up to him.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/ScreenShot031-6.jpg)
"Can I help you, sir?"

"Um...yeah. I'm looking for this lockbox."

John handed the man the paper Sal had given him. The man's eyes grew wide.

"Oh my, my my. I am so sorry for your loss. Mrs. Magdelena was a wonderful woman. Here, Mr. Irving, all of Mr. Monella's employees are kept downstairs."

Downstairs turned out to be fifty feet underground in a titanium vault guarded by four armed guards. John was nervous. He didn't want to know what was in most of those lockboxes, and he wasn't so sure he wanted to know what was in his wife's. It was too late to turn back, though.

"Well, here we are, Mr. Irving. Do you have your key? Just insert it here, and I'll leave these two gentlemen to guard you."

John put the key in the box. The two guards had their backs to him as he opened the box. Inside, there were stacks and stacks of money. His jaw dropped. There two pieces of paper. John picked them up and read the note.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/MaggieNote1.jpg)
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/MaggieNote2.jpg)

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/ScreenShot032-6.jpg)
John melted to the floor, his head spinning. He didn't want to think of his wife this way. He didn't want to believe that she had lied to him about something so important. There was a number at the bottom of the paper. He contemplated calling the number  right away. When he pulled out his cell phone, John found that he had no desire to talk to anyone. He closed and locked the box.

"Are you finished, Mr. Irving?"

John nodded. The two armed guards led John back to the first floor. The man in the expensive suit waved at him as he left the bank. In his car, John angrily beat on the steering wheel. He rolled down the widows and let the cool spring air hit his hot sckin.

It didn't cool the anger and disappointment in his heart. John looked at the note again, and wished the words would change. He wished and hoped that it wouldn't be his wife's neat handwriting. Anything to mean it wasn't true. The paper remained the same. The address and phone number at the bottom remained a glaring reminder that his wife had lied to him for their entire relationship. Everything that he'd founded his love on was a lie. John pulled out of the lot and headed home.

At home, John tried to sleep, but the note always weighed heavily on his mind. He was thankful that the kids were in school. The silence allowed him to think things through, but his mind would entertain no other thoughts. It was clear to him what he must do. He didn't wasn't to think about the lies his wife had told, but the curiosity was there. John grabbed his keys and headed out.


(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/ScreenShot039-1.jpg)
The neighborhood was very upscale; it was typical suburbia. Every lawn was neatly manicured, every driveway had a nice car, every house was freshly painted. Birds chirped, and the sun shone brightly. John rolled his eyes. He pulled up in front of a neat, light blue house. Cautiously, he got out of the car and rang the doorbell. There was a little noise before the door opened. John couldn't have had a bigger shock.

"Hello?"

John tried to talk. He tried to close his mouth, but his body wouldn't respond to his commands. The lady at the door smiled at him.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/ScreenShot038-1.jpg)
"John Irving. So nice to finally meet you."

The tears started welling up in John's eyes. The lady pulled him into a hug, but that was the last thing he wanted.

"We all loved Maggie. There's so much you need to know. I'm so sorry you had to loose her this way. None of us wanted this to happen."

The woman who looked just like his wife pulled him into the house. She sat him down on the couch before going into the kitchen.

"You like green tea with honey, right? It was Maggie's favorite."

John couldn't bring himself to say anything. It didn't matter because a minute late, a microwave beeped and the woman re-entered the room carrying two cups. She sat one down in front of John who took a sip.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/ScreenShot033-6.jpg)
"There's no need to beat around the bush. I'm Maggie's sister. Her twin, Sofia."

Sofia paused allowing John to digest the new information.

"So her family's not dead?"

"No. It's...Maggie loved you so much. he didn't want you to get involved in this side of her life. The only way to do it was to keep you in the dark. You see, you could say mob services is like our family business. The Monella family has been doing business with our family for a long time. Sal grew up with us. He is a business man, though, and we didn't expect him to cut Maggie much slack. He could have done something, though. Dad's pretty sure Sal had her taken out."
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/ScreenShot035-4.jpg)
"Taken out?! He told me he didn't know she'd stiffed him. He told me that he just found out, and tacked more money onto my debt!"

Sofia nodded. "I'm almost sure that Sal knew she'd bailed on him. Sal's not careless. He knows where and what his employees are doing. He was probably pissed that Maggie wanted out."

John felt like a pawn. He'd probably played right into Sal's plan. He didn't have the money to pay the man back. He didn't want to pay the man who'd had his wife killed.

"Tell you what, John. I'll send you to see Dad. He'll help you out with your 'Sal problem.'"

"What if I go to the police?"
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/ScreenShot036-2.jpg)
"And the police would do what?" Sofia exploded. "Your wife worked for the mob! Is this how you want your children to remember her?As the police will paint her to be? A beast?"

John felt pain and hopelessness. He couldn't go to the police. He didn't want to pay.

"John, I don't think you really understand what's going on here. Maggie and I are mob princesses. You call the police, I go down, my family goes down, you go down."

"I go down?"

"You'd be considered an accomplice. But here's what you can do. GO visit my father. He'll be expecting you. call him Father. He likes that."
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/ScreenShot037-2.jpg)
Sofia handed John a slip of paper. Another phone number, another address. Sofia nodded at John. The two stood up, and Sofia pulled him into a hug.

"Be careful John, It's a dangerous game you're going to play. Just follow Father's advice."

Inside the supposed safety of his car, John wondered if he really should get involved. Going to see Father could be the death of him. Still, he knew Father was expecting him, and he didn't want to blow Father off. Sofia nodded at John from the window. He started his car and drove off.


After driving across town, John arrived at the address written down on the paper. There were people outside waiting for him. A man in a dark suit came up to his car.

"Good after noon, Mr. Irving. Father is waiting for you."
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/ScreenShot040-2.jpg)
Slightly shaking, John followed the man inside the big house. The inside was splendidly decorated. John took a couple deep breaths as he followed the man in the dark suit down a hall filled with pictures and expensive vases and flowers of many sorts. There was a door at the end of the hall. The man opened the door and ushered John in.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/ScreenShot041-1.jpg)
The wood panelled room was warm and inviting. An older man worked at a desk as a fire crackled in the stone fireplace, despite the nice weather they were having. The man didn't acknowledge John's presence, even after the man in the navy suit closed the door after leaving. There was a heavy sigh, and the old man sealed an envelope.

"John, please make yourself comfortable."

John shuddered. It felt weird having everyone know who you were.

"John. The light of my daughter's life. How are the kids getting along? Are you alright?"

"We're...we're managing. I suppose we're doing ok. Lauren and John are doing better than I thought they would. They're in a lot of activities, now."
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/ScreenShot042-4.jpg)
Father nodded. "Have you met with Sal yet?"

"Yes."

"And?"

"He told me how much money I owe him. I can't believe Maggie would ever take out that much money."

"Here's the thing, John. Sal Monella is jealous of you. He always was jealous of you. Magdelena would never borrow such massive sums of money from anyone. What this is, is blackmail. Sal was pissed when she married you. He'd spent no less that $2 million trying to woo her. Now he's making you pay for his foolishness."

"But he's married."
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/ScreenShot043.jpg)
"He and Seraphim haven't been married too long. Most of that $2 million came from his youth, anyway."

John felt anger and hatred building inside of him. He'd been cheated. His wife had been payed. Sal had taken them both for fool.s Father looked at John and smiled grimly.

"I could offer you a chance for revenge."

"Revenge? Against a mob boss? No, no no. I--I've got my children to think about. I can't do anything so reckless."

"There's a fire in you boy. You'd just let it die?"

"What can I do?"

"What Sal has done, killing my daughter, cannot be forgiven. I'm not got to let that slide. Help me bring Sal Monella down."
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/ScreenShot044-1.jpg)
John took a deep breath. He could join one mob, or another. He was angry. He hated this man, not only for killing his wife, but for trying to make him pay as well. Still, he had his children to think of, and couldn't just do whatever his impulses told him to do. There were others to think about. Father sighed.

"You will find that Sal can be a kind man. He will be your best friend so long as you keep the money flowing. The moment you are late, though, I can promise you that he will become a different person."

"My children--"
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/ScreenShot045.jpg)
"They are all I have left of my dear Magdelena. You can be sure that I will take good care of them."

The two men looked intently at each other. Father could see the pain and turmoil in John's eyes. John was the first to break the state.

"I can't do it."

"You and your children will be safer with me than without."
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/ScreenShot046-1.jpg)
"I can't take that risk."

And yet you would risk Sa'ls wrath? That's just too bad. He knows you're here. I can guarantee that."

John turned away from Father.

"I just can't bring myself to do that."

"You know, just by coming here you've signed a contract."

"What? How? That doesn't make any sense."

"And you're telling me this whole situation make sense to you? Somehow, I think not. IF you weren't curious, you wouldn't have shown up here. If you weren't willing to do something against Sal Monella, you wouldn't have stayed this long. If you had intended to just dish out all that money..."
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/ScreenShot047-1.jpg)
John had no answer. He didn't like being read like a book. He didn't want to pay Sal Monella all that money. Finding out this was blackmail had only made him agrier.

"You are reluctant, and I understand that. Here's my business card. Go home and think about this situation. You'll do what's right for your family. You'll be back."

John took the card. There was one name and one phone number. Anatoli. John recognized it to be his wife's maiden name. The two men shook hands, and John was escorted out of the house. There was much to think about. John knew there was a lot to what Father had said. Anger ebbed and flowed inside him. There were choices he had to make. Decisions abounded, and all he felt was confusion. Do the right thing or...

But there was no "right thing," was there?


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Sam the T-man on November 26, 2007, 11:44:20 am
Wow, sneaky bastard. This is shaping up really well :)


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Lola136 on November 26, 2007, 11:54:16 am
YAY great update :D i wonder what he will do???


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on November 26, 2007, 04:59:46 pm
I'm glad you guys are enjoying it. It took way longer than I expected them to. Whoo!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Bloody_Tears on November 27, 2007, 09:10:30 am
wow by the way. this is super impressive. waiting anxiously for an update.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on December 02, 2007, 09:33:10 pm
Another update. They should be coming a little more frequently as the semester is about to end, but I make no promises on that one;)
-----------------------------------
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot041.jpg)
"From here on our, everything we do is illegal."

"But why would she hide this from us?"

"Your mother wanted to protect us all."

"She didn't do that, though, did she?"

"Lauren, your mother--"

"Don't lie to me! I've had enough lies! She didn't protect us at all. She left us...like this! Where are we going to get $2 million from?"

"Lauren, mom didn't want us to be involved. Didn't you hear what dad said? We weren't supposed to have this debt."

"I'm going crazy. I-I can't take this."
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot042.jpg)
"Lauren, please! This isn't any easier for me or your brother."

Still, John pulled his daughter into an embrace. He felt her body shake as she began to cry. Had he done the right thing? Was the truth really worth destroying the image of his wife?

"I won't let anything happen to you. I promise to protect you. Always."

John pulled his son into the hug, too. They all had to fit this new Magdelena, this new character, into their lives.

"Go get some rest, kids. It's been a hard day. I think we could all use...some rest."

The air seemed to float out of John at the same time a weight was placed on his shoulders. None of them deserved this. A soft rain beat down on the windows, and John allowed himself to sink into the ambiance around him as his children went to their rooms.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot043.jpg)
Five minutes later found John sitting in the kitchen, in the dark, a half empty bottle of whiskey his only companion. His now murky brain wouldn't grasp any of the events he was trying to digest. His vision swam and John believed he saw his beautiful Maggie in front of him. He reached out to the Maggie he knew, but it didn't matter because the image swam before him until it became Magdelena Anatoli - Hitwoman extrodinaire. Not his wife. His drunken mind saw "clues" everywhere. Business trips, extravagant gifts. He was a fool not to see this sooner. But who suspects their wife of being a hitwoman?


(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot044.jpg)
The doorbell rand at an early hour. Still somewhat asleep, Lauren answered the door. She quickly woke up when faced with the man who would cause her family so much trouble. Lauren narrowed her eyes. Before she even realized what she was doing, Lauren raised her hand and slapped Sal Monella. Fear didn't trump the anger in her heart. She looked the villain right in the eye and dared him to do something.

"Please, let's not be stupid, kid."

Sal violently pushed Lauren aside. When John entered the living room, he saw Lauren on the floor, and Sal's angry face; fear rose in him. Sal roughly grabbed john's shoulder and nearly flung him into the kitchen. The front door closed with a loud bang. At the back of the house, John could hear his son stirring. John couldn't suppress the shaking. There was an undeniable force of evil and malice in his house, and there was nothing he could do to make it go away.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot045-1.jpg)
"You've got a beautiful daughter there, John. I'd be very careful with her. Don't let her attitude get out of control. I don't take very kindly to insults."

John noticed Sal's slightly reddened cheek.

"Here is the contract, your payment plan. $1,000 a month, every month,  until your debt is paid off. You will pay interest. I do not accept late payments, and you'd better be glad I didn't add extra money for that little girl's attitude."

John didn't want to sign the contract, but felt that he didn't really have too much choice. Under the watchful gaze of Sal Monella, John Irving found a pen and scribbled his signature on the designated lines.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot046.jpg)
"Heh, you're a rational man, John. stay the hell away from the Anatoli family. They're no good for you. Bitterness and jealousy spreads like the plague. Seven days until your first payment is due."

Sal walked out of the house, giving Lauren an evil look on the way. When the door closed, Lauren and John Jr. came running to their father.

"What are we going to do? We can't do this!"

"Dad, he put his hands on her! He pushed Lauren!"

John had no comforting words to offer his children. He had no comforting words to offer himself. He couldn't even protect them. They were being watched. Their home had become a prison. What choice did he have but to pay?


(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot048-1.jpg)
When Jeoffy Lannister and a couple "collection agents" came exactly seven days later, John wrote out a check for $1,000. Mr. Lannister shook his hand and said it was a pleasure to do business with him. John bit his tongue. The men were barely out the door before he let loose.

"This isn't business, this is extortion!"

Mr. Lannister slightly turned his head. John knew he had been heard. What did it matter, thoug? He didn't even get to grieve for the murder of his wife. This whole mes had started three days after the funeral. These people were ruthless, mean, insensitive. They didn't care. Why should John respect them if they wouldn't respect him.

"They're bigger than you, and they'll kill you. You don't have the heart to kill a man."

John slumped against the wall. A vicious cycle was forming.



For four months, John endured. For four months, John payed, too afraid to contact the Anatoli family. Four months and things had finally begun to settle down into a routine. John hadn't realized just how much money Magdelena brought into the house. He couldn't afford to continue paying $1,000 every month. With seven days until Sal's minions showed up again, John reluctantly drove back to the bank to get the money Magdelena had set aside.

(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot047-1.jpg)
"Where'd this money come from?"

"Magdelena had it in her lockbox."

Sal sneered. "That's my money anyway. now where's that thousand?"

John was floored. "This money is to cover the debt! There's you thousand! $400,000 right there!"

"Didn't you her me? This is my money anyway. Magdelena was stealing from me."

"Stealing? Maggie would never steal."

"Shows how much you know."

"I'm her husband--"

"But she didn't trust you enough to tell you she worked for me."

"What the hell is your problem? What more do you want from me? You take this $400,000 and you deduct that from our debt. What do you want us to do? Go Broke? I've got my kids to take care of, you thieving bastard!"

John didn't know what hit him--man or truck. There was a loud booming voice that sounded like thunder and rattled his brain.

"Two thousand next month, and you better watch your mouth!"
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot049.jpg)
The front door slammed and the children came running to where John was slumped against a kitchen counder, dazed. His vision swam, but he was moderately sure Lauren was crying. His face hurt like all heck, but he felt good inside. He'd stood up to Sal Monella, mob boss. He could do it. He would take a stand. He would defend his family.


The next month, Sal came again. The two men stared at each other. John knew he was on thin ice--one doesn't retaliate against the mob. Still, John had his children to think of.

"Two thousand."

"You took it."

"Let me show you something."

John sat at the table with his arms crossed. Sal reached into his bag and produced the contract John had signed.

"Do you see this?"

Without warning, Sal struck John with the heavy stack of paper. John was flung out of his chair. His heart told him to fight back, but his mind kept him from making an even bigger mistake.

"Do you see this contract? Do I need to remind you of what it says?"

Sal continually beat on John, but John wouldn't give in. Sal was becoming frustrated. He started to punch and kick John as well as beating him with the large stack of papers. Finally raging and out of breath, Sal Monella ceased his savage attack.

"Don't be stupid. I'll be expecting $3,000 next month."

Again, the front door slammed, and again Jay and Lauren came rushing to their father's aid.

"Dad, please. You can't keep doing this . You're not protecting us, and you're no good to us if he kills you. Lauren and I need you alive."

John looked at his son and smiled through a bruised and bloody face. Lauren dabbed at her father's injuries with a damp cloth.

"Next month we're paying him. You can't afford not to. Getting beaten within an inch of sanity isn't ok. Not every month, not ever."

John touched his daughter's face. She was so loving, so much like the Magdelena he thought he knew.

"We're not paying that man another dime."
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot050.jpg)
"Dad this not the time to be stubborn! You can't keep taking these beatings. Look what they're doing to Lauren! Do you know she cries herself to sleep every night? Her grades are sufferening! We can't keep watching you do this."

"I'm doing this for you!"

"No dad, you not. This is all about your ego. You found out you can stand up to this man, and now you're going to do that just because you can!"

John struggled to stand up, struggled to look at his son. His legs were weak, his body unstable. Lauren came to his side to support him.

"Do you think I like getting beat up, John? Tell me, does this look like fun to you?"

"Dad, listen, this isn't good for you--"

"I try to protect you--"

"You're not trying to protect us--"

"And this is how you act?"

"If you were trying to protect us, you wouldn't act like you've got some kind of crazy deathwish!"
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot051.jpg)
"I'm not going to let that man take everything we've got. It's just not going to happen. I've worked too damn hard--"

"That was mom's money."

"What?"

"Mom made most of the money."

"What?"

"Don't think I haven't noticed. Since she died, we've had to skimp on a lot of things. If you were making so much money, nothing would have change."

"Don't you dare!"

"Dad, Jay, please! Don't do this!"

Father and son stared at each other, a quiet resentment growing between them. The protected no longer felt safe. The protector no longer felt able to shelter. Lauren felt lost, left to bridge the growing gap. She so desperately wanted to believe that her mother wasn't a bad woman. How could she ignore the posthumous pain they were being put through?
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot052.jpg)
"Is that what you really think of me, Jay? Do you really think I'm worthless?"

"I think we need to pay Mr. Monella."

"I give him this, and then what? You suppose he'll leave us alone? Do you think he'll just go away?"

"I'm not stupid, dad, but what if you're doing more harm than good. Call the police--"

"So he can kill us?"

"Enough!"

Tears poured wildly from Lauren's eyes.

"It's killing me to see you going after each other like this..."

John melted into a chair as Lauren stormed out of the kitchen, dragging her older brother with her. Their family was falling apart, but John was determined to keep something resembling a family together because he did truly love his children. He didn't want them to be forced to fend for themselves. He was their father. He was their last hope for a normal life.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot055.jpg)
In the cabinet under the counter was a half empty bottle of whiskey. Desperate and lonely, John dug in. Through the glass, he was able to conjure the image of his wife. His dear Magdelena, through whom all things started to change. He looked to her distorted form for strength and wisdom, but nothing was to be found at the bottom of the whiskey bottle. Maggie started to fade, and John dug out another bottle, hoping to keep her with him for just a little while longer.

"You're going to kill yourself, babe," she said to him. Or was he just imagining things?

Another glass made her image clearer. He could smell her perfume. She smelled of sweet jasmine. The smell of heaven. She faded and blurred as John began to cry, and came back into focus as he downed another glass.

"John, pace yourself."

"I don't want to see you go."

"John--"

"I love you so much and now I'm lost without you."

There was the soft pressure of Maggie's hands on his shoulders. The smell of her sweet jasmine was closer, and he could feel her breath on his neck. She nuzzled close to him, and he closed his eyes, bathing in the presence of his wife.

"Don't leave me, Maggie."

She sat down opposite him. The sun was beginning to rise, the day was coming.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot056.jpg)
"It's too late for that, John."

"Don't leave me--"

"I already have."

"Stay with me."

"I'm always with you."

"Where? Where, Maggie."

"Here, in your heart."

Tears and whiskey and pain made the world unclear. John wasn't truly sure who he was talking to. It couldn't be his Magdelena. She was dead. And yet this woman was so like his beautiful Maggie. She smelled of sweet jasmine, her skin was so soft. John could smell the shampoo she used.

"Help me. Please Maggie, I'm lost."

She cooed softly in his ear as if he were a saddened child. Soft hands took the glass and whiskey bottle away from him. Sweet jasmine laid his head down the on kitchen table. Heaven covered him with a blanket. Angels helped him to sleep.

"Help me. Help..."

"Go to Father. Hi will be your salvation."

Delicate words, suggestions of whispers, drifted into his ears. They nestled themselves in the back of his mind as he turned to the back door. She was leaving, but he was too tired to reach a hand out to her, too tired to move his mouth. She was leaving again, but there was nothing he could do to stop her. She was leaving. She was gone. He was alone.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Lola136 on December 03, 2007, 11:21:16 am
Aaawwwww poor john good update:)


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Bloody_Tears on December 04, 2007, 07:40:09 pm
Oh my god! Wow! That was brilliant. Tch, men and their egos! Poor Lauren, from the sounds of things, if life doesn't start getting easier, she's likely to go mad! Can't wait for the next update!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on December 05, 2007, 06:38:52 am
I might update today, but either way, I promise you more tears, more beatings, more family destruction, more love, more more more!

Glad you guys are enjoying this.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on December 08, 2007, 11:56:59 pm
Somehow, today translates to three days later! I hope this isn't too graphic, but if it is, let me know and I'll tone it down. I tried to imply as much as possible. I promise, this is as graphic as the story will get.
--------------------

A bell tolled for the Irving family. Lauren looked around nervously. She was glad bother Jay and her father were out. She only hoped she was doing the right thing. A knock at the frond door sent her heart racing.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot046-1.jpg)
"Oh? You're father's not home? I hope he doesn't think it'll get him out of paying."

"No, I have the money."

"Let's hope you're a little more reasonable than your father."

Lauren pretended not to hear the remark. She suspiciously eyes the big burly me who hung around the living room while Sal took care of business in the kitchen. She showed the group the stack of money.

"This is the $3,000 owed to you from the past months."

Sal looked at the money and smiled.

"That wasn't so hard, now was it?"

"Yes, Mr. Monella. Actually, it was. We don't have that kind of money now that mom's gone. We're stretched thin, even though dad tries not to show it. We're doing the best we can. We still have other bills."

"Well, that's not my problem, now is it?"

Sal took the stack of bills, stuffed them in his pocket and began heading out of the kitchen. Lauren felt lost and hopeless. Her family was going to the poor house. She couldn't allow that to happen.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot047-2.jpg)
"You loved my mother, right?"

Sal Monella stopped walking, his back to Lauren.

"You loved my mother. If any ounce of you still cares for her, then please, for her, cut us some slack."

"You're mother knew exactly what she was getting into."

"You loved her. What has changed so much that you'd turn your back on her? Didn't you want her to be happy?"

Sal laughed evilly. Lauren felt her eyes sting. She clinched her fists, afraid to lash out too much.

"Here's the deal, kid. Your family owes me money. Your family pays me money. Your mother's dead. Dead, kid. She has no more bearing on this situation."

"But you loved her--"

"Say that one more time, and you'll regret it for the rest of your life! Believe me when I say I can make you pay, and not just money. This isn't truly about your money. Here I was thinking you were smarter than your father. He's not the only idealistic fool in this house."

Lauren couldn't take the punishment anymore. Her anger boiled over, even though she knew her actions were dangerous. She flung herself at Sal, landing a solid punch to his jaw. His bodyguards had been just as unprepared for the attack as Sal had. Lauren was able to get in a couple good hits, even kneeing one guard in the groin. Her flurry of attacks didn't last long. She tried to steel herself against the retaliation she knew would come.

But it didn't.

"Don't hurt her. Heh. The kid's got spunk. Unfortunately for her, spunk isn't going to do her any good. You hit like your mother." Sal spat blood on the floor, then came close to her, grabbing her face. "You're just as defiant as Maggie ever was. We'll break you of that habit. Don't worry."

The men left the house. Lauren lay on the cool kitchen floor, shaking. What was wrong with her? Hitting a mob boss was a stupid thing to do. There was not telling what kind of consequences would be put on her family now. She was sure they'd have to pay more. But pay more, how?

A car pulled into the driveway, and Lauren recognized the familiar rumble of her father's sports car. He and Jay were home. Quickly, Lauren sucked up any fear and anxiety that she might have been feeling. Whatever happened she couldn't let her father know she'd paid Sal with her life savings, or that she attacked him.


(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot048-2.jpg)
The next month, Sal didn't come to collect payment, though his thugs were watching them again. The rain was falling heavily, and John took comfort in the curtain of grey that separated him from the men in black suits. They were nearly washed out in the haze. He could see their vague shapes; ever were they a reminder of pain, suffering, and extortion. How much longer was he really willing to endure such torture?

A couple hours later, the rain had let up significantly. The kids would be coming home from their activities soon. Outside, the men in black coats still kept watch over the house.

"They're like vultures."

The kitchen door opened, and Jay came quickly to stand by his father at the front window.

"They're watching us like hawks! What're we going to do? You've really pissed him off, dad. They were even at the school."

John tried to ignore his son's accusations. He wanted to believe his relationship with his son had improved somewhat. There was no denying the ebb and flow. Still, he wished he was father time. John just wanted to go back to a time before any of this happened. Even if it meant going back before Magdelena.

"Where's Lauren?"


She was cold and scared. She didn't like the way the passenger was staring at her. He had a wild look in his eyes that said he obeyed very few rules. For a month, she'd been living with the knowledge that retaliation would come. She'd known and expected something. It was the not knowing, the waiting, the expecting that got to her.

"He said scare her."

It was all for her 'benefit.' The other men undoubtedly knew what was going on. They didn't need to be reminded of the plan.

"He didn't set any rules."

If he was trying to scare her, it was working. The guy reached back to squeeze her knee. Then he tilted the rearview mirror so she could see herself. She'd been trying to be strong. She didn't want to show fear, but she looked like the condemned, the guilty, the damned. She'd already stood trial, and now was on her way to the execution.

"I can do whatever I want."

Lauren squeezed her eyes closed, willing her imagination to not come up with something terrible.

"You know, I always wanted Magdelena. She was a goddess."

They pulled up in front of an old building. They'd cut off the lights, so Lauren couldn't tell what kind of building. Before she could gain her hearings, she was yanked out of the car and forced on her feet. They hadn't bound and gagged her. She didn't dare to anything for fear that her punishment be worse.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot050-1.jpg)
They pushed her past doorways, deeper into the darkness until she was sure her heart would explode from fear and anticipation of pain.

The dimmest of lights was thrown on and Lauren's imagination ran wild. She imagined she saw an interrogation room.

"You guys won't be needed any more. You can wait outside."

Lauren looked at the guards pleadingly. They took no notice of her from behind their dark glasses. Lauren and the wild-eyed man were left alone, and the thought scared her.

"Sit, my pretty. Sit, sit, pretty Magdelena."

Lauren didn't want to correct him. She could see the gun at his hop.

"Sal doesn't like such rude, blatant defiance, beautiful girl. I'm here to punish you."

He walked around behind her, caressing her head. His grip tightened on her chin, forcing her to look up. There was mania in his eyes. Something in him was unhinged.

"This tiny little mouth of yours could be your undoing. Yes, yes, beautiful."

He stood in front of her again.

"Please, sir, don't kill me." Lauren was crying without abandon now. Her eyes were red, and she couldn't breathe.

"Kill? Oh, no, no. I'm not the killer. Just the punisher. The...enforcer if you will."

He took out a pair of surgical gloves and put them on before quickly balling his fist and punching Lauren hard in the face. the force of the blow sent her flying out of the chair. When she realised her nose was bleeding, Lauren screamed.


(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot051-1.jpg)
"Dad, I'm sure everything's fine. Maybe practice just ran late."

"Two hours. She hasn't answered her phone. It's getting dark."

Both father and son were worried sick. A cloud covered the Irving household; there would be no happiness this night. A fog crept steadily into John's heart. He knew something was wrong, yet what could he do about it? Sure he could call the police. He'd wanted to call the police ever since he'd seen Mrs. Monella at the store again. Only fear stayed his hand. Suppose he was to call the police. Sure, his daughter may be returned home safely, but what was the price he'd have to pay? Would they come back for him, even angrier than they'd been before? Would they kill Lauren before the police could find her?
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot052-1.jpg)
"Dad, I'm scared."

"I know, son. I feel so hopeless. What can we do?"

"Pay him. We have to give him the money, and he'll go away."

"Go away? I hardly thin he'll just disappear. You saw how he didn't just disappear when I gave him that $400,000."

"It's better than waiting for them to kill us one by one."

"To pay him? We won't have money left over for us! You won't be going to college, Lauren won't be going to college. We'll have to sell the house...we can't do this."

"And we can't just sit here, either."



(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot053.jpg)
Lauren had retreated. She pulled herself out of the situation in hopes to pretend these things weren't happening to her. She could see her bruised and bloody body crumpled on the floor. The deranged man was hovering above her. He was touching her...touching her. Lauren closed her eyes, but the pain was enough to bring her back from the place inside herself where she thought she was safe. She knew what was being done to her. Blood and tears mixed on her face. She cried harder. It was about the only thing she could do. She was too weak to fight him off.

There was a burst of light behind her, and the dim room became bright. The maniac's face was now  clearly displayed before her eyes.. Satisfaction. She hated him, hated those eyes. She hated him. With the light came sound. Her world was suddenly aflame with light and sound. Everything seemed to be happening in slow motion, then, with a boom, burst forward at the rightful speed. Lauren could see that new people had entered the world of damage of pain. There were voices and screaming, and Sal Monella himself was there. He immediately yanked the wild-eyed man off Lauren.

"What is wrong with you?!"

"I'm doing what you asked--"

There was a loud, sickening crunch as Sal punched the man in the ribs. He screamed. Sal followed by breaking the man's nose.

"I don't like defiance."

The man was thrown to the floor.

"She's 16! She's a child!"

This new side of the mob boss confused and horrified Lauren. He had come to defend her, to protect her, yet it was him who'd ordered her beaten in the first place.

"You said scare her--"

"I didn't say beat her! I didn't say--"

Sal didn't finish. He delivered a sever kick to the man's groin. A scream of extreme pain flooded the old warehouse. Lauren was at once intrigued and repulsed. She forced herself to watch, to keep her mind off the thing that had been done to her.

When her tormentor lay in a heap on the ground, a barely recognizable heap of flesh in a pool of blood, Sal acknowledged her.

"Come here, Lauren."

His voice was gentle, not the harsh tones she'd heard moments earlier. There was rage in his eyes, but not at her--at the man who hurt her. Shakily, she walked over to him. He took off his jacked and gently draped it around her shoulders. With a handkerchief, he wiped away the blood and tears on her face. He took out a gun and placed it in her hands. She leaned against him. He supported her. She felt protected. He tightened her grip on the gun. She raised it to meet the mass of groaning flesh and blood that had once attacked her. He anchored her to the ground. She looked at him. He nodded encouragement. She felt powerful.

"If this isn't what you want, say anything, and you won't have to. Anything at all."

Lauren said nothing. She knew what she was doing was wrong. She was about to kill a man. Why, then, did she feel no remorse? Had her hatred consumed her so quickly? Had something inside her died? Or had something been awakened?

"Please don't--"
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot056-1.jpg)
She pulled the trigger. Once. Twice. Three times. She pulled and pulled until no more bullets came out. Then she pulled again. He was behind her. He was supporting her. He was showing her how to protect herself. The man who had killed her was dead.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Sam the T-man on December 09, 2007, 12:09:55 am
Uh-oh... this is getting very ugly! :shock: Great work :)


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on December 09, 2007, 12:22:27 pm
Thanks! Alls I got to do now is finish writing it:lol:!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Im_Not_OK on December 09, 2007, 12:45:06 pm
I don't like her anymore :( She's disgracing my name! I'm ashamed to be called Lauren ... but I would like to shoot someone XD


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Lola136 on December 09, 2007, 01:09:52 pm
Ooooh what will happen next???will he make her be a asassin???grate update:D


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on December 09, 2007, 03:21:20 pm
Quote from: Im_Not_OK;1059634
I don't like her anymore :( She's disgracing my name! I'm ashamed to be called Lauren ... but I would like to shoot someone XD


Don't worry, she's really just coming to terms with a lot of things. I'm sure she'll find a happier medium between this 'hard-core Magdelena wannabe" and the "nice sweet little girl Lauren." She's thrown up some walls to protect herself, and got a little drunk on power. We'll have to fix that;)

I'm glad you all are enjoying the update!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on December 14, 2007, 06:25:04 pm
It took a while, but I'm back! You won't BELIEVE what I have in mind for this story! Please ignore the random change of Lauren's outfit towards the middle of the update. Me has had big brain fart.
--------------------------------------
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/1.jpg)
John frantically opened the door. When he saw it was Lauren, he pulled her into a hug and began crying. Lauren awkwardly put her arms around her father. John pulled his daughter into the living room, wrapping her in a blanket, calling for his son. The two fawned over Lauren, asking her questions, hugging her, kissing her, telling her how much they loved her. She assured them she was ok, then went to bed. She was ok, wasn't she? She could protect herself now.


"I knew you would be back."
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/2.jpg)
"This isn't exactly an easy decision for me."

"Yes. I understand that. The important thing is that you made this decision. I had to admit, you're cutting it close. Only seven days until the wolves come for you."

"What?"

"Seven days until the wolves come. Collection day. It says a lot that Sal himself is coming to collect your debt."
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/3.jpg)
"Father, I just can't keep up with it."

"I told you not to do it in the first place. That $400,000 could have been put away for the kids."

"I thought he'd be reasonable."

"Yes, but you're Magdelena's husband. You got one of the most desireable women in the mob world. She was pretty, came from a very respectable family, took care of herself. Hell, she'd even kill for her man."

"It's just not right."

"No it isn't. Now tell me about Lauren."

John sighed and began to tell Mr. Anatoli about the change in his daughter nearly two months after she'd come home home late and damaged.

"She's not herself anymore. She's quiet, then at random times, she'll just get this evil devilish grin. Something happened to her, but she won't talk about it."

"Sal's what happened to her, that's what."

"I...I can't let him torment my family!"

"No, John, of course not."

"He's a monster."
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/4.jpg)
"The worst of the worst. I can offer you a road to revenge, though. You don't have to stand for this. Work for us. Work with us. Help us take Sal down."

John stood in startled silence.

"Oh, come on. Don't act like you didn't expect that to happen."

"Well...you'd protect the kids?"

"They're my blood, too. No harm will ever come to them."

"Can you guarantee that?"

"Of course, John. I can also guarantee that Sal won't be a problem anymore."


Lauren held the mass of steel. She loved the feel of it. The metal was cool to her clammy hands. She inspected the surface, watched as it gleamed in the light of the late rising sun. It had given her power, but she needed power on her own, not from some weapon. There was a name engraved in the silver metal: Magdelena. A rose branched away from the "a". Lauren smiled. Had she really done anything different from her mother? She had no reason to be ashamed of herself.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/5.jpg)
"You did what?"

Lauren could hear her brother yelling. Their father must be home. Lauren shoved the gun back in her mother's nightstand and quietly went to the kitchen, where the raised voices had come from.

"I can't believe you!"

"I thought you would understand why I'm doing this! He can give us protection--"

"What? A gun?"

"No, I refuse to do that."

"Then what do you expect to do?"

John was silent. He didn't want to admit to his son that he didn't exactly know. He wasn't sure what being part of the mob meant. It was too late now to start asking questions.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/6.jpg)
"Lay off dad. He's doing what he feels he needs to do to protect us."

Father and son turned to see Lauren leaning against the doorway. At least, it was someone who looked like Lauren. They both knew their Lauren would never have been ok with her father joining the mob for any reason. This renewed questions about what happened to her that night. Countering any questions that might come to her, Lauren laughed.

"Don't worry so much about me. I know I can protect myself."

John glanced at his son to see if there was some hidden meaning or understanding that had gone over his head. John jr. could only shrug his shoulders.

"I'm going out."

Before she could be questioned, Lauren hurried to her room to change before leaving.


"I want to protect myself."
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/7.jpg)
Seraphim smiled at Laurne.

"Yes, my husband told me about what happened. What're you looking for, sweetie?"

Seraphim waited patiently as Lauren thought.

"Well, what don't you want?"

"A gun. I don't want that."
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/8.jpg)
"Good girl. Guns are ovverated. You're looking for self defense."

"I want to be the bully."

"Careful now. Taking a life like you did is a power trip, I understand that. Don't get carried away. you become the bully, you'll loose some of yourself. I know you're not a mean girl. How much are you willing to give up? Are you willing--"

"I want to be my mother."

Seraphim closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Sal told her it was coming. He said he could feel it in her. Something of her mother's nature had awakened.

"No, you don't."

"I do."

"Sweetheart, your mother was unhappy. She was angry. The only reason she took up the family business was because her mother was killed. I'm not going to let you continue this vicious cycle just because you--"

"Let me avenge her death!"

Seraphim laughed.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/9.jpg)
"This isn't the dark ages anymore! I case you haven't noticed, chivalry is dead, and it was a man's job to defend the honor of his family! Gone are the days where you could set the streets ablaze in your fury! Are you really willing to loose all sense of yourself?"

"I may loose me, but I'll gain my mother."
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/10.jpg)
Seraphim could see the tears starting to form in Lauren's eyes. She pulled the girl into a hug.

"We all miss her--"

"You don't have to lie to me."

Lauren shoved herself away from Seraphim.

"I know you hated her. You hated her because your own husband loved her more than you!"

Seraphim smiled sadly, hurt on her face.

"No, Lauren. I never hated your mother. I never even resented her. She didn't love Sal, she loved your father. It took me a while to realize this, I'll admit, but we all do stupid things for love. I've been the butt of way too many jokes for this to be even remotely funny anymore. Sal is used to getting everything he wanted. To him, Magdelena was the forbidden fruit. He thought he loved her. It was never anything more than infatuation. Now? Now he's got to collect the debt she racked up, and there is still a little more than anger aimed at your father."



(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/11.jpg)
"What brought on this change of heart?"

"I can't pay. You won't leave me alone until all debts are repaid."

"Well, that's definitely true. I suppose I can find a place for you in book keeping. You'll have to earn the good stuff though. Hell, I'll even put you under Jeoffry. He holds your account, he'll be your teacher. I imagine since you're an accountant this won't be too hard for you."

John sighed. He knew he was betraying his son. He knew he was betraying Lauren. The old Lauren. Still, this was better than being beaten by Sal every month.

"I'm glad you came to your senses. I was beginning to think nothing was getting through to you."

Sal packed up his things and got ready to head out.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/12.jpg)
"How's Lauren doing?"

"No thanks to you, I can't tell. Whatever you did to her changed her. She's not my little girl anymore.

Sal nodded with a sad sigh. "I only protected her, John. I'd never hurt her."

Was that remorse? Greatly confused, John followed Sal Monella to the front door, intending to further question the matter. As Sal opened the door to leave, though, Lauren was taking out her keys to come in. John couldn't see Sal's face, but his daughter's told him all he needed to know.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/13.jpg)
Something had happened, though it may have gone as Sal said. Lauren didn't look at the mobster with disgust or fear. A knowing glance was passed between them as if they had some secret. Lauren immediately stood tall, her shoulders back, a devilish grin on her face. Fear rose in John and he determined to pull the truth out of Lauren no matter what it took. What scared him even more was that he'd seen Magdelena smile exactly the same way before. Knowing now what his dearest Maggie did for a living, John's stomach fell to his feet. Had he done the wrong thing by exposing his children to this life stlye? Either way, it was too late to back out now.

Sal nodded a greeting to Lauren. She nodded in return. Sal stepped out of the way to let Lauren in. When Sal turned, John read concern on the man's face. Was there any reason this man should be concerned for his daughter? When the front door closed, John pulled Lauren into the kitchen.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/14.jpg)
"Enough is enough. What happened."

"I went out for a bit. We really are having nice weather."

"You know that's not what I meant."

Lauren sat down, her back to her father.

"Did he hurt you?"

"Mr. Monella? No."

"Then what happened?"

"He gave me strength. He gave me confidence and control. He gave me protection."

"Protection? What--how? Did he give you a gun?"

"No, Dad." Lauren laughed. She turned to face him, and John could see that something had definitely changed in his daughter. She looked older. She looked as if something had died inside of her.

"He didn't give me a gun. I don't need a gun, I don't want a gun. What he did give me was confidence. I know I can take care of myself."
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/15.jpg)
Lauren stood up. Standing there in front of him, this mere child looked so much like her very adult mother. She had that same fire, that same desire for, and defiance of, life and all things proper blazing in her eyes. It was John who sunk into a chair. He'd lost his daughter. She may not be dead, but she wasn't the same girl.

"Wasn't I protecting you?"

Lauren looked away, and briefly John saw his little girl again. No, he hadn't been protecting them. He knew the answer before he'd even asked the question. Still, he had to ask; he had to know. It only hurt more that this change was a conscious one. When she let down her guard, when she softened, she became his beautiful daughter Lauren again.

"I'll always love you and be thankful for everything you did and still do, but..."

"You don't need me."

"I didn't say that."

"You implied that. How were you going to finish the sentence, then?"

"I don't know."

Their voices had begun to rise with sadness, abandonment, resentment and frustration. Volumes could be said in the silences between them.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/16.jpg)
"Things just aren't the same anymore."

"I'm doing my best, Lauren."

"I'm drowning."

"Then let me help you."

"He put me in control, I was in control--"

"Lauren, let--"

"Can you imagine how that felt? The power!"

"What's happened to you?"

"What's happened to me?"

"You're not dead."

"I might was well be."

"Don't say that."

"I've got to get out of here."

"And go where."

"Anywhere but here."
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/17.jpg)
John could feel the anger rising in him. It hurt that she didn't want to be with her family. Sal Monella had poisoned his daughter. In this familiar face, he saw none of the qualities he'd loved in her.

"You're not going anywhere."

Not without a fight, at least. John couldn't--wouldn't--let his daughter go anywhere. Lauren only laughed.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/18.jpg)
"And if I leave anyway, what're you gong to do? Put a hit on me?"

Never was there a more painful slap in the face.

"You hate him, and yet you're about to do the same thing. You detest him, everything he is and everything he stands for, and yet you're becoming the same thing!"

"I'm keeping him off our backs--"

"Then go to the police!"

"You saw what happened last time?"

"You're a coward. you're too afraid to call the police, but you join the mob? Heh, that's some award-winning logic if ever there was any. Give me a call when you're done being an ass."
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/19.jpg)
John could only look on in shock and horror as this creature walked out of the kitchen. She roughly pushed past her awestruck brother and slammed the frond door on her way out. The men were left confused. Who was that?


Much to John's relief, Lauren did come back on her own. She came back but her attitude remained the same. John and his son briefly put aside their arguments to focus on the youngest member of the family.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/20.jpg)
Jay tried talking to his sister, but she wouldn't hear anything that was being said.

When the mob boss himself came over with a revised contract, Lauren stood in the kitchen, silently watching everything happen. She watched as her father signed the contract, listened as he was given instructions about quitting his legal job as an accountant. She was a hawk, ever present, hunting for something. Her eyes were intense, her body language saying she was guarding herself.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/21.jpg)
"The kids will have to transfer schools. The arrangements are already in place. They start Monday, and I'll have some uniforms delivered to you. It's a private school. A good one. My son goes there."

John was reluctant, but couldn't back down. Not in front of Sal, not in front of Lauren. The two men shook hands.

"If you don't mind, John, I'd like to talk to Lauren."

Horrified and angry, John stood speechless. Lauren nodded to him, signaling it was ok. He saw in his daughter's eyes the mirror of a look in the mob boss' eyes. They knew he would listen from around a corner, and they were ok with that.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/22.jpg)
"Your family is worried about you. You can't keep going on with this self destructive behavior."

"What do you know? It's not self-destructive."

"Kid, listen, I pulled this trick when I was your age. Your dad and your brother love you. They don't--"

"Why are you concerned with my family so suddenly?"

"I've always been concerned with your family."

"Not like this."

"I fell terrible about what happened. The idea was to pick you up, drive you around, drop you home. You were to be back before dark. That man wasn't supposed to be in the picture."

Lauren turned her face away as her eyes began to mist.

"I've got the biggest operation in this city. I don't doubt people are trying to bring me down. You might have just gotten caught in the crossfire."

"So I'm still a little child that needs to be protected? The world can lie to me and it'll be alright?"
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/23.jpg)
"Suck up your tears, kiddo. This isn't a bed of roses, you'll find that out soon enough. Each day in this life is progressively harder. It's up to you to find ways to cope. Don't let this anger consume you."

Sal began to leave the kitchen, but Lauren's yells brought him back.

"So what, Mr. Big Bad Boss Guy, you give me the strength to protect myself, you give me confidence, then you leave me with no way to cope with what happened? You...you just turn your back on me?"

"I didn't give you anything, Lauren. That was you. That strength was in you. That evil, vile woman you saw in you? That was your mother. I'm waring you kid, don't get caught up in this life. If you want to defend yourself, take a self defense class. Don't get involved with the bob. It'll eat you up."

"And yet here you are."

"Yes. Here I am."
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/24.jpg)
The two faced off. Lauren's eyes angry and narrow, Sal's eyes challenging and remorseful.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: chocolatedalek on December 16, 2007, 11:44:36 am
Amazing!! Have'nt finished reading it yet, but amazing!!! :)


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Lola136 on December 16, 2007, 04:39:11 pm
that was a realy brilliant update i cant wait to find out what happens


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on December 16, 2007, 06:18:53 pm
So glad you guys are enjoying it!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: chocolatedalek on December 18, 2007, 12:49:25 pm
I am loving it!! Can't wait for the next update!!!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on December 21, 2007, 06:20:25 pm
Sorry for the delay, but holidays, novels and food seem to be taking up a bit too much time!
------------------------------
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot040-1.jpg)
The next month, John jr. celebrated his 18th birthday. His father started working for Sal Monella. Lauren had calmed down quite a bit, but her brother and father still found her behavior abnormal. The month wasn't a happy one.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot041-4.jpg)
There was a sudden influx of income. John was being paid twice; once by Sal and again by Father Anatoli. John didn't want to go wild and start spending everything he earned. Still, he couldn't help splurging for his children. Little presents seemed to cheer them up a lot. Besides, their life had started to resemble normalcy again, even if they didn't wholly approve of the way their lives were going. Working for Sal was just like working at his old legal job. The kids seemed to be enjoying their new school. John joined the basketball team, Lauren became a cheerleader again. Maybe things weren't so bad after all. Sal was a decent boss, and his wife made some of the best cookies he'd ever tasted.

John jr., however, saw fit to remind his father that anything could go wrong at any moment. In his eyes, something did.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot042-2.jpg)
"I don't like it when Lauren talks to him."

"He's not harming her, is he?"

"Well, no, but that's not what bothers me."

"Then what is?"

"He's Sal's son! He's the son of a mob boss, and he's got his eye on my little sister!"

"See, that's the problem with you, Jay! You don't know what you're talking about!"
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot043-1.jpg)
Both Johns turned to see a fuming Lauren in the kitchen doorway. Father looked down in shame at  having been caught gossiping about his daughter. Son did not back down.

"Not know what I'm talking about? Are you blind? Or maybe you're just deaf. If he's not making passes at you, then tell me what it really is because from where I stand, it looks like there's be some serious flirting going on!"

"Flirting?! So what, I can't talk to guys in the hallway, now?"

"Not this one."
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot044-4.jpg)
"So should I bring all the guys I talk to home for your inspection? Would you like to do a background check?"

"Don't be unreasonable!"

"Unreasonable? Ha! You're the one who's trying to dictate who I can and can't talk to!"

"Don't pull that crap--"

"You're not my father. Dad, tell him I can talk to whoever I want. I'm not a little kid anymore. I can make my own decisions."

Caught in a rather difficult situation, John could only mumble. If he agreed with Lauren, he would make his son angry, destroy their fragile relationship, and make it ok for his little girl to talk to the mob boss's son. If he agreed with John, he risked sending Lauren on another downward spiral, jeopardizing her health and safety.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot045-3.jpg)
"Well, Lauren, it does make me uneasy that you are talking to Impetigo. I don't like the idea any more than your brother. We're just concerned, that's all. But we do have to realize that you're growing up and can make decisions for yourself."

John chose his words carefully, hoping that the middle ground would satisfy both children, at least in some small way. John jr and Lauren glared at each other for a while before Lauren stormed off.


A week later and still worried about his sister, John continued to keep an eye on her at school. He wasn't happy about the gossip he was hearing, and was infinitely less thrilled to find it confirmed.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot046-3.jpg)
"What the hell are you doing?!"

John was enraged. He would have been pissed to see his sister kissing boy, but Impetigo, Sal Monella's son, and the heir to the Monella mob? John felt angry and betrayed. Anyone but his own sister.

"Why aren't you in class, Lauren?"

"Because I'm spending time with my boyfriend."

John hated the smug look on Impetigo's face, hated the way Lauren had drawn our and emphasized boyfriend.

"So you're dating my sister now?"

Impetigo laughed. "She's a beautiful girl."

Lauren beamed with pride at having landed one of the most popular boys in school. John felt like he wanted to cry.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot048-3.jpg)
"Don't worry, I won't hurt her. I promise. If I can help it, those beautiful blue eyes will never shed a tear."

Coming from anyone else, it would have been sweet. Coming from anyone else, it would be endearing, and he wouldn't have a problem with it, he'd applaud it even. Not from a future mob boss. Not from a man whose profession only promised tears in the future. Too angry to say anything, John left the hallway and continued to the school library. He wanted to confront Lauren about it when they got home, but he knew he wouldn't. He was still too angry about it.


(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot049-1.jpg)
When he saw his sister that night, John couldn't bring himself to speak to her. He loved his sister dearly, and knew that if she truly did have feelings for Impetigo, she'd only get her heart broken.

Lauren peeked into his room a little later and her eyes seemed to confirm all that he thought. John had always been able to talk to his sister--openly--about anything. It was one of the things he enjoyed about their relationship. Now, when things mattered the most, just when they seemed to be getting more complicated, he couldn't find words. He couldn't think of anything to say, no comforting gestures, nothing. As his baby sister, the one he'd spent his life looking after, stared in the doorway, John realized she was growing up. She would find boys attractive. They would find her attractive. They would date, Lauren would get married. She wouldn't always need him. Heck, maybe it's best she date Impetigo. If anyone could protect her, it would be him.

"John?"

He looked up from the bed. Lauren had come in the room and stood in front of him. Suddenly, she pulled him into a strange, tight hug.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot050-3.jpg)
"I love you, John. I love you and Dad and Mom. Even though Mom's dead and she's the reason we're all like this, I still love her. I do love you all."

She was crying. John could feel her tears on his shirt. He body only shook a little, but before John had the chance to react, Lauren darted out of the room. Too much came crashing down on John all too soon. He's a senior in high school. Next year, he'd be going off to college, and no one would be left to watch over Lauren. Sure their dad would be around, but he'd be preoccupied with other things. Lauren's bedroom door closed and music started to play.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: chocolatedalek on December 22, 2007, 11:47:43 am
That's really good. I hope Lauren can get herself out of all that trouble!!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on December 27, 2007, 10:54:24 am
Whoo! Now that the holidays are over and things are returning to normal, I should have more time to update. I was able to write a large chunk of story last night, so I can update with a bigger piece of the story, now!

Thanks to all those who're sticking with me! I'm so glad you're still enjoying the story.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on December 28, 2007, 07:15:17 pm
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot030-6.jpg)
John, Sr. couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"We'll be out of touch for a while, so I wanted to make sure you understood the instructions."

"The police? What could they do?"

"They'll help set up the sting that'll bring Sal's operation to its knees. Now, a car will show up at your house in a couple days. The delivery man will ask you "who's the car for?" If you answer "my son," I will know that you don't intend to follow through with this. I will know that you are a filthy coward, and I will not be pleased to find out you've wasted my time. If you answer "my daughter," then I will know that you are a man of your word, to be trusted in all that you say. You will go through with the plan we just discussed."

John nodded, forgetting for a moment that he was on the phone.

"Clear?"

"Um, yes, sir."

"Good to know. I look forward to doing business with you in the future. Good day."

"Bye."
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot031-4.jpg)
It was official. Johnathan Irving, Sr. was in way over his head. He' d managed to do nice things for his family with the money he'd earned, but he couldn't ignore the sour taste in his mouth.

"Instructions?"

Lauren stood looking at her father. Without warning, she hugged him tightly.

"I love you, dad. I love you and Jay and Mom."

"Is everything ok, sweetheart?'

"Yeah...I just don't say it enough."

His life was getting weirder by the moment. Some dark cloud seemed to have taken residence over his head. Maybe what he really needed was a shamen to make the darkness go away.


(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot032-3.jpg)
"So Impetigo, what did you want to talk to me about?"

"Well, Lauren, we're getting pretty serious, right? Prom is coming up. I don't have a date yet. I mean, I know we're dating and all, duh, but--"

"If you're asking me to the prom, then yes. I'll go."

Lauren couldn't help smiling. Impetigo was a complete contrast to his father. No doubt he had a tough side--she'd seen him angry before--but he was such a sweet kid. He tried his hardest in school and had normal interests. He still stumbled over his words when he was around her. He still carried her books to class. He was a normal kid, and that made everything so much harder.

"Hey, you seem distracted."
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot033-2.jpg)
"I'm worried about my father. He's been on edge lately, and I don't...I'm afraid he'll get sick."

"Oh. I guess dad's been working him hard. This is one of our busiest seasons."

It pained Lauren to hear him talk about things as if there was nothing unusual. For him, though, there wasn't anything unusual, was there? He'd grown up around this lifestyle.

"I'll ask my dad to give yours a little time off."

"Oh, no. I couldn't ask you to do that."

"Don't sweat it, Lauren. I meant it when I said I'd do anything you asked me to. I'd rope in the moon if you told me you wanted it."

Lauren blushed and tried not to cry. He was such a sweet boy. He didn't deserve any of this.

"Oh, please don't cry! I--I'm sorry, Lauren, I didn't mean--"

"No, it's the nicest thing a guy has said to me."
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot034-6.jpg)
She lied. The ease with which the lie rolled off her tongue scared her. Still, she knew, like her father, it was too late to turn back. She was in over her head.

And Sal did give John time off. He would do anything for his son, just as she'd been told he would.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Lola136 on December 29, 2007, 12:09:02 pm
Aaawww thats sweet :) mabye he will help her family?


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on December 29, 2007, 01:02:11 pm
Maybe;)

But I wanted to make a little announcement, and issue an enormous thanks:

I've dropped one novel and started another. This one, I call (for now) Dark Stories of the Night, and it is based around my Miss Midnight entrant Irmena vanGott. Her name has changed, but her story is still the same. I haven't been this passionate about a story since about May of this year. I tried to sleep, but the novel kept writing itself in my head. So, I want to thank Kielen for hosting this competition, for coming up with such wonderful rounds, and for saying no daywalkers. If she hadn't said that, I would have entered Basura or Dahlia, and there would be no Dark Stories of the Night. There would be no Irmena and no Rafael, who my novel revolve around. Inamorta, Giovann and Basura all make appearances. Even though Irmena vanGott is now named Pierina Vaccaro, later to be known as Ieri (ee-air-ree), Basura is now Diata (a brazillian name since she's from brazil), and Rafael is now Raffaele, they are still the character I've come to love. I also want to thank the Deftones for Change (In the House of Flies) because it has become Pierina's theme song. It's the sweet intoxication of it all, and it makes me tremble with excitement just thinking about it. And I suppose I must thank Anne Rice because if it wasn't for her, I wouldn't have gotten the Queen of the Damned soundtrack, never would have heard Change, never would have started creating.

Thank you all!


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on January 03, 2008, 06:20:16 pm
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot044-7.jpg)
"This is a really nice car, Mr. Irving. I wish I could afford something like this.

"Yeah...well..."

"Who's the car for?"

John closed his eyes.

"Who's the car for, Mr. Irving?"

"My daughter."

"Ah. She's a lucky girl. Here are the keys."



(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot046-5.jpg)
"Wow, Lauren! That's an awesome car! A Chrystler 300C!"

"Thanks. Dad gave it to me."

"Any reason?"

"None that I can think of."

"Wow. I wish my dad would do that. I've got to win a big game, or get awesome grades or something..."


(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot047-4.jpg)
"Lauren, you know you can always talk to me, right?"

"Of course, John. If I was in any trouble, I'd come to you right away. You know that."

"Love ya, sis."


The weeks seemed to be flying by. The Irving family could never get their hands on time, even though they tried. John knew he was always being watched. He would call the police in the winter. He would have his first promotion then. He would actually be able to touch the accounts. Lauren's birthday would be coming up. She'd be 17, preparing to leave for college. Jay would be leaving for college. His applications had already been sent, acceptance letters received, plans made.

The days got cooler, the leaves began to fall. The sun hid behind clouds. The holidays would come, the school would be out for the summer. Son would be leaving; father and daughter would be home alone. It had only felt like a week had passed, but when you did not own your life, the days all begin to melt into one.


(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot049-3.jpg)
"Well, John, I daresay you've been doing a heck of a job. It might be time for a promotion."

"Promotion?"

"Don't look so sad! You'll be getting out of that stuffy office. You'll be on collection duty now. I'm sure you know all about that. To celebrate, I'll give you some time off. My son seems to be of the opinion that I work you too hard."

"Your son?"

"Yeah. He's fallen head over heels for your daughter. He'd do just about anything for her."

"Anything? Lauren?"

"Oh come on! Don't sound so surprised! They're kids! They make all sorts of claims."

"Heh. Yeah."


(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot050-4.jpg)
"Happy birthday, Lauren!"

Lauren looked happily at her brother and father. Gifts were everywhere; their faces were alight with joy and pride.

"My baby's all grown up now. Geez, you guys are leaving me in the dust!"

The three embraced, and Lauren began opening her gifts.


(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot051-2.jpg)
"We're so glad you came to us, Mr. Irving. We just wish you hadn't waited quite so long. We'll get you set up right away. Understand you'll have to be extremely cautious. You'll be wearing a wire now."

"Thank you so much. I held them away from my family for as long as I could, officer. It...it just became too much. I've only now got the free time to come to you."

"Don't worry, Mr. Irving. We'll take it from here."

Lies. All of them. Lying had never really come easy for John. It scared him how easy it was to lie to these people now. As John Irving left the police station, he wondered if he wasn't loosing his morals. Yet, if he'd already come this far, hadn't he lost his morals a long time ago? That would make him a bad person, the things he did, monstrous. Still, he couldn't be worse than Magdelena. He wasn't killing people. What did it matter, though, if you were still destroying their lives?


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Lola136 on January 05, 2008, 08:23:03 am
another great update :D


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on January 10, 2008, 06:24:53 pm
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot030-9.jpg)
John looked at his children, teary eyed. Partly because of such a wonderful occasion. Mostly because months had seemed to slip by without his noticing. Winter had come and gone, and here he was, getting ready to send his children off to prom. It was John's senior year, so he had gone all out to make sure he looked his best.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot031-6.jpg)
Lauren...his Lauren. She looked so beautiful in the dress. Seraphim Monella had the best local designers to make the dress for her son's date. Diamonds glittered in her ears, on her neck, her wrist and her finger. Real diamonds. Impetigo stood at her side, smiling wide, happy to have such a gem on his arm. Lauren had never worn finer clothing, and John detected pure, true, and unadultered happiness in her. Did his son feel it, too? It was evident that Impetigo could truly take care of Lauren's ever need. Was it so wrong fro her to be happy in this life?

"Mom, don't start crying!"

The spell was broken. John could see clearly. He remembered who he was, where he was. Mr. and Mrs. Monella stood beside him, having the kids pose for pictures before John left to pick up his date. Everyone was acting as if nothing was wrong with the picture. The whole even had been financed by illegal activity. Blood had paid for his daughter's diamonds. Poor immigrant families had paid for his son's expensive tux.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot033-4.jpg)
"Oh, I'm sorry. Lauren you're so beautiful!"

Maybe he hadn't lost his morals. John smiled, despite his inner turmoil. Maybe he hadn't lost his morals. He was working with the police to bring the Monella family to justice.

"What're you going to do at our wedding?"

John choked. He coughed and his eyes started tearing up. John jr and Sal came to his aid. He could breathe. He was alright.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot035-4.jpg)
"Imp, don't say things like that. You'll give my father a heart attack! I'm still his little girl."

Lauren's sweet voice. She would never marry this boy. Imp. John hated the nickname, and he knew Lauren did too, only using it to chastise him. Still, John thought the name wonderfully fitting. The Imp. If only his daughter wasn't dating The Imp.

"Well, we better get going. We want to get there before they close the doors."

John's voice of reason. At least he'd be there to watch over his sister. Father felt better knowing son, protector, would be there. No harm would come to Lauren. Both boys would see to that.

Impetigo held the door open for Lauren to get into their car as John got into his. The parents waved as the teens drove off into the last years of their childhood. Things were moving much too quickly for John, and he felt his head spinning.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot039-7.jpg)\
"Hey, don't worry about it, John! They've got to grow up some time."

John silently nodded at his boss, a somewhat amused smile on his face.

"Hey, in no time, Sera and I will be doing this again with Gia."

John felt like he could faint. He'd forgotten about the youngest son, Giardiassis. Even if he managed to take down Sal and Impetigo, there was always the youngest.
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p56/babyblue1387/albulm2/ScreenShot040-5.jpg)
It was so hard to see evil in the face of a young child. He was barely two, but John didn't doubt he was already learning his father's ways. He was deeper in the hole than he had ever imagined. He'd be ripping apart a family. He had no morals. It had never occurred to him to think of Sal's family. Suppose this was a vicious cycle? Suppose this was all Sal knew, and so it would be all his boys knew? John did have morals, but he wished he didn't.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: krystaldepp on January 11, 2008, 05:11:02 am
can't stop reading..must go to bed!.. ):


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on January 11, 2008, 02:51:01 pm
:lol: I don't want you to loose any sleep! Sorry I haven't been around or updating as frequently as I should. I've been busy with my novel, my grandfather was in the hospital over the holidays, school's about to start, and I'm sorta loosing interest in the game. Meh. But that seems to be my life.

Love the avi, BTW, Krystal


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Lola136 on January 11, 2008, 02:56:35 pm
sorry your lifes so busy :(

lol Id forgotten about the baby


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: ktggoodnight on January 14, 2008, 08:58:27 pm
lol i started on page one- a few hours ago - and now finally finished---

*urgh at work* anyway i wanted to say - i lvoe your stories so amazing the plot lines and the twists and turns- my favourite has to be the secound season as it wer of the japanese girls- i just think the begging is so real life like, so well versed, you wrote it beuatifully.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on January 17, 2008, 08:22:42 pm
I really want to thank everyone who's stuck by this story through the times I hadn't updated in a couple weeks, and even now, when it seems that updates have come to a complete halt.

Unfortunately, I really just don't have the time right now to update. I haven't had time to write out the end of the story, heck, I haven't even had time to load the game to take pictures for the part that I've already got. I'm sorry everyone. I really hate to just leave the story hanging like this. If anyone wants it, I'll post a synopsis of what was going to happen in the story. I had some really good ideas planned for it, and it pains me to not be able to finish it now. Maybe when I have time, I can go back and do it the right way, but right now, I just don't see that happening.

I'm sorry, all. I really am.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: ktggoodnight on January 18, 2008, 05:06:47 am
thats a deep blow- but i understand- you cant rush it, i will wait for the update


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on January 18, 2008, 06:53:42 am
I'm really sorry, I am. I've been trying to work something in for a while now. It's going to suck that, if I do my schoolwork right, I probably won't even have time to hang around here, except early in the mornings.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: ktggoodnight on January 18, 2008, 07:27:35 am
dont stress yourself- these stories are meant to be fun...*SMILE*


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Sam the T-man on January 18, 2008, 10:28:59 am
Aww, that's a shame. Still, RL comes first ;)


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on January 19, 2008, 09:28:58 pm
Still, it sucks. I know you all really liked it, and it made me feel good to know that people actually enjoyed what I write.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Lola136 on January 21, 2008, 04:22:56 pm
Aaaww its a shame you cant update anmore anyway it was still realy good


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: Pandora Moon on February 26, 2008, 04:00:33 pm
Hi. I know I haven't commented on this story for a while but I wanted to take a break from reading sims stories and do other things.

I really like your latest story so far. It's very good. Don't worry about not updating for a while writing stories is meant to be fun not a chore. :-P

Keep Simming

See ya.


Title: One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
Post by: babyblue1387 on February 27, 2008, 06:38:37 am
Thank you all for your words of encouragement, and for being really understanding about this. I'm really sorry about having to drop the story for now. I'm doing my best to find time to update this. Darn you, higher education!!


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