tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14809594869853927082024-03-19T04:47:30.576-04:00Tigger's SimsWhere I write about the challenges I play in The Sims.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1480959486985392708.post-84478787302623380102016-09-10T20:49:00.001-04:002016-09-10T21:16:09.619-04:00Chapter 3 - Some women actually ARE from Venus<div>
I probably wasn't as frightened as I should have been when I woke up the following morning, rolled over, and saw that my girlfriend wasn't exactly human. There's an old saying though, about men and women, Mars and Venus. I figure that sometimes women actually <i>are</i> from Venus, and there's not much point in getting upset over it. Harley thought differently, though. When she awoke, she smiled, reaching a hand out to touch mine. The smile lasted until the tips of her blue fingers entered her vision, then she leaped out of bed with a cry, frightened.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjge-vWiCDmiTm10iBzpCRQ9d-DL4HNU_b1sauB6YPu_v6Omb_aTNoWuKo6mMv0JH3EKpXRmYOEMj4YlFmSXMrl_oc5Nwv8-ETXvG2tRp_xDavSF0kyP5TgkKKVEA4v_7QKHGHAfnhWpo/s1600/03_01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjge-vWiCDmiTm10iBzpCRQ9d-DL4HNU_b1sauB6YPu_v6Omb_aTNoWuKo6mMv0JH3EKpXRmYOEMj4YlFmSXMrl_oc5Nwv8-ETXvG2tRp_xDavSF0kyP5TgkKKVEA4v_7QKHGHAfnhWpo/s400/03_01.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
"Hey, wait!" I jumped to my own feet, reaching out to tell her it was alright, that I wasn't afraid, or upset, or anything. I mean, it explained a hell of a lot, what with that strange glow she occasionally seemed to give off. Better an alien than radioactive, especially for someone who I just spent the night with. She didn't wait for my explanation, though; she fled to the bathroom, locking the door behind her.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ab2Wdcr89omwCKiBzRhlyhwevxFtNN3Z0yLzr_fL6qHtWK81EMqZXEOVoX3IrqbGYrOd3ge0igIgzgfF8uUqrQ7yvkFjfk0UyLyx_gPFLKCD1HNwN74gQY7M5dqckhQ9m2YgIp_R4Og/s1600/03_02.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ab2Wdcr89omwCKiBzRhlyhwevxFtNN3Z0yLzr_fL6qHtWK81EMqZXEOVoX3IrqbGYrOd3ge0igIgzgfF8uUqrQ7yvkFjfk0UyLyx_gPFLKCD1HNwN74gQY7M5dqckhQ9m2YgIp_R4Og/s400/03_02.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
"It's okay!" I leaned close to the door as I spoke so that she could hear me, for once not caring about what passing neighbors might think about my choice of pajamas. "I don't mind, really. It's a little bit strange, but really, who isn't? Just come on out, so I can talk to you."<br />
After a long stretch of silence, her reply finally came, her voice trembling. "I can't go out there, everyone will see me."<br />
Couldn't fault her there. All that blue skin and the futuristic jumpsuit was way more damning than any pair of valentine's boxers. "Alright," I conceded, then moved to my counter-offer. "Open the door then, so I can come in?"<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUkFFbYgDZJ-vmNL_NypM1u2vUR42_OxWm3RdecQ3UQ4S5o-pnpE3c5DwRAq_BbavTiccFQjBYoLEyx0DAzVy3Nw81FUtVL4KxGbNMuVpSOk_UmaabNdTgNxCrgDtFVrc2EzNsLgWsepE/s1600/03_03.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUkFFbYgDZJ-vmNL_NypM1u2vUR42_OxWm3RdecQ3UQ4S5o-pnpE3c5DwRAq_BbavTiccFQjBYoLEyx0DAzVy3Nw81FUtVL4KxGbNMuVpSOk_UmaabNdTgNxCrgDtFVrc2EzNsLgWsepE/s400/03_03.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
She didn't reply, but after a moment the latch clicked open and I opened the door just far enough to slip inside, joining her in the very-small bathroom. I opened my mouth to speak, but she spoke first. "You're not upset, that I didn't tell you?"<br />
"No, of course not. I understand keeping secrets to preserve image, you know that. What I don't understand is why you thought that was the best way for me to find out, if you were afraid of how I'd react. You were asleep, I could have done anything." Not that I would have. I'd never hit a woman.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Kt7kbMhGVAX-H8PKru3lp9Ls7pXeTej4iO3yRqBFK1lDcdvH4ZaQmKOU8tjqxwoFo-mrc8sJcktKeXaLF1Zo_wFsfupBJ0fHf49-7bW3cw2LAfBKqxTh83jKy0lT2MvhxxVgTZFpvX8/s1600/03_04.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Kt7kbMhGVAX-H8PKru3lp9Ls7pXeTej4iO3yRqBFK1lDcdvH4ZaQmKOU8tjqxwoFo-mrc8sJcktKeXaLF1Zo_wFsfupBJ0fHf49-7bW3cw2LAfBKqxTh83jKy0lT2MvhxxVgTZFpvX8/s400/03_04.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
"You weren't supposed to find out that way. I would have told you, eventually, but not like that! The quint-sensory hologram must turn off when I go to sleep, but I never knew. I'm supposed to keep it a secret, by order of the Interplanetary Council. You don't think anyone saw, do you?" Her flood of words finally stopped for long enough for me to get a word in edgewise.<br />
"I doubt it, nobody usually comes up here so early in the morning. Now come on, come out of the bathroom. It'll be alright." I smiled and, after a moment, she smiled in reply, with a small nod.<br />
"I'll be out in a minute, I have to re-configure the hologram before I can activate it."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80e5ooKqdkUi9vtYgJUifTJhoByGOnREdhJ27x5bFsrTxk-NNV3flZQEeQIuRBaqqjKtxbWtimXR6QyuETy1Iwk5SiVmivOMz4mS0A7v3abcHjt4RYmnTWSZSzJiMsnFVn5bYrOR79LI/s1600/03_05.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80e5ooKqdkUi9vtYgJUifTJhoByGOnREdhJ27x5bFsrTxk-NNV3flZQEeQIuRBaqqjKtxbWtimXR6QyuETy1Iwk5SiVmivOMz4mS0A7v3abcHjt4RYmnTWSZSzJiMsnFVn5bYrOR79LI/s400/03_05.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Her estimate was a little low - likely closer to five or six minutes - but eventually she emerged into the morning sun. "There's the confident Harley who took me out to get my first job," I encouraged her, earning another hesitant smile.<br />
"That's not my real name, you know."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmkwmaRq27sJ3Ef1t68QSWJ3vJ09F7OerGTS49jrtinBmAl5SiaKYGnQzGi9d1jmW4gEQHxxci97xvSN9UZFBIIuxy3NPbtJHy_ZJdwF-Ifa_ZJXQkw23NmSqxz6yrWivvseGg-Bo27w/s1600/03_06.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmkwmaRq27sJ3Ef1t68QSWJ3vJ09F7OerGTS49jrtinBmAl5SiaKYGnQzGi9d1jmW4gEQHxxci97xvSN9UZFBIIuxy3NPbtJHy_ZJdwF-Ifa_ZJXQkw23NmSqxz6yrWivvseGg-Bo27w/s400/03_06.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
"Oh?" I asked, stepping closer. "What is your real name, then?"<br />
She took my hands in her own and held them gently as she shook her head. "You can't pronounce it."<br />
"Try me." She did, and she was right. There was no way I would ever be able to pronounce that.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnudw-ZeJbg9JmtuhYnXIwnUdVmTuaP7lJR3vqnmrYLevHRxmavOzPqKZ_SjaR6I5H0xNiY6ZdQGdqN7FGvVWdwsspMW5KRFXjohDetQrXhyYCKztn3W9doT_opLC78T6lDgqWVx5zldU/s1600/03_07.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnudw-ZeJbg9JmtuhYnXIwnUdVmTuaP7lJR3vqnmrYLevHRxmavOzPqKZ_SjaR6I5H0xNiY6ZdQGdqN7FGvVWdwsspMW5KRFXjohDetQrXhyYCKztn3W9doT_opLC78T6lDgqWVx5zldU/s400/03_07.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
"That's a pretty name. I'll just call you Harley for short, alright?"<br />
"Sounds like a plan," she replied, returning my smirk. I reached up and stroked her cheek with the back of my fingers. Quint-sensory hologram, she'd said. That must mean it works on all five of my senses, fooling touch as much as it misled my eyes. That was some crazy tech. How much further advanced were these aliens than us, anyway?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99UnLr5jgofUvl2pC3eQH5-uqnbsTxHrf5rVezI7rDWacAkhCeGNuJtlGvi95NHlyFJvaPuyT0LzqF0sIhrffXg927yV3YlYsP_0Bn27ByLamoSChnWNLOoW1PYjSk-Dee2HlLLvIRMo/s1600/03_08.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99UnLr5jgofUvl2pC3eQH5-uqnbsTxHrf5rVezI7rDWacAkhCeGNuJtlGvi95NHlyFJvaPuyT0LzqF0sIhrffXg927yV3YlYsP_0Bn27ByLamoSChnWNLOoW1PYjSk-Dee2HlLLvIRMo/s400/03_08.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
"It's probably best if I go back to my place, now," she said as the last of my fingers passed down over the edge of her jaw.<br />
"Forever? Or just until I get my bed indoors?"<br />
"The latter." She smiled, reaching to pull me into a hug. "And don't think I won't visit."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Z81Y4J2wRZzJJPkfRJnnksfh0rWi2QH0xewN7cFm6OSpRQsNIEnKokCVWnR9zcqYX2-vNab2R_Ji9AnrjYQO6OialqCi6VgHj6NO9xFAaRTSvDrTNq1uNNz4Nkr2bCJwH-XN41rwPUQ/s1600/03_09.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Z81Y4J2wRZzJJPkfRJnnksfh0rWi2QH0xewN7cFm6OSpRQsNIEnKokCVWnR9zcqYX2-vNab2R_Ji9AnrjYQO6OialqCi6VgHj6NO9xFAaRTSvDrTNq1uNNz4Nkr2bCJwH-XN41rwPUQ/s400/03_09.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Of course," I said, returning the embrace. "I wouldn't expect anything less."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Things went on much as they had been. I worked, saving up money to pay for more construction, and Harley visited most days to tend the garden, top off my refrigerator, and deliver various curiosities she'd found around town.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBoIoHlvR-zm0xNk3DMGT5fILbsrkGe18Vix5wNDMLM_OoZH6iD8Mkkg1tzkdsXK9OhiQcB1nKFK3ca0xBFBRTU5EWSe1HrJ0mPf3DLyjKLfz1cnIWgnVuCuHwXgz256LwVTc4mqVYm7Y/s1600/03_10.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBoIoHlvR-zm0xNk3DMGT5fILbsrkGe18Vix5wNDMLM_OoZH6iD8Mkkg1tzkdsXK9OhiQcB1nKFK3ca0xBFBRTU5EWSe1HrJ0mPf3DLyjKLfz1cnIWgnVuCuHwXgz256LwVTc4mqVYm7Y/s400/03_10.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Eventually, I'd earned enough to put up another set of walls, and she moved in for real.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbkwU7_3wq3IFHX99PAcRhI2GF8Ah7YPC9Gq7MYtry6s-EpNQa52hQrXXtCgzw1PE29ngDnK4noS_0uJVxIx6e7GER-Tx0SOhwdz9IFmo3gFbpSscOwZNYyf_OlEAFU1tvZ4okZ4vdu7s/s1600/03_11.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbkwU7_3wq3IFHX99PAcRhI2GF8Ah7YPC9Gq7MYtry6s-EpNQa52hQrXXtCgzw1PE29ngDnK4noS_0uJVxIx6e7GER-Tx0SOhwdz9IFmo3gFbpSscOwZNYyf_OlEAFU1tvZ4okZ4vdu7s/s400/03_11.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Having a live-in girlfriend wasn't enough, though. I knew she wouldn't like it, but when I was out at the bar after work, and a cute girl flirted with me, it would just be rude not to flirt back. And then, if I didn't keep up with other things, I'd just be a tease, right? Nobody likes a tease. And besides, what she didn't know wouldn't hurt her.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48jn_v8JmecTkZFSd-14gsShY_srgkAGo2VZaKX0pGVXrZwe8lCzkOSO7th8umwZWVm96hq-6eRXXI8IcMRaG6nEgP9O7UqItQZYmh6CyK1J5x3BbWGhTOkaB46hc-Fe7L9IFXuFRecg/s1600/03_12.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48jn_v8JmecTkZFSd-14gsShY_srgkAGo2VZaKX0pGVXrZwe8lCzkOSO7th8umwZWVm96hq-6eRXXI8IcMRaG6nEgP9O7UqItQZYmh6CyK1J5x3BbWGhTOkaB46hc-Fe7L9IFXuFRecg/s400/03_12.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Until she found out, that is. I came back late one night and bid my date of the evening a steamy goodbye, not knowing Harley was behind me. As she said my name my heart froze. I turned, fearing the worst.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC8mO7m8sKYkrJUW_vZZWQg2GvXd_iUZ6SVzl5CTGYIukug_uxO3BUdp2AKXhvMiNybmMjTGfKUqwKE1GxUGp-pL3IpK6I1Z0src7bL3AxR1y1ir6VPoP44u4xWh0PqGy3SNMh1qyZa5g/s1600/03_13.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC8mO7m8sKYkrJUW_vZZWQg2GvXd_iUZ6SVzl5CTGYIukug_uxO3BUdp2AKXhvMiNybmMjTGfKUqwKE1GxUGp-pL3IpK6I1Z0src7bL3AxR1y1ir6VPoP44u4xWh0PqGy3SNMh1qyZa5g/s400/03_13.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
But she was smiling. "Had a fun night?"<br />
"Y-y-yes," I stammered in confusion.<br />
"She's pretty." This had to be a trap. Was I supposed to disagree, or be honest? My confusion must have been obvious on my face, because she laughed quietly before speaking again. "There's no need to look so worried. I don't mind."<br />
"You don't mind?" I echoed, not quite comprehending the conversation.<br />
"Cultural differences, remember? Dating many individuals at once is perfectly normal for my species."<br />
Holy hell. Did I hit the jackpot, or what?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRxKJGYikW_g85XE-J2d1hL1_kfYXSETp14XOBGReKyplWFx4wst4V0HyPp6X_mV_T649tfPwv3kYKVjZFa_SXn0v_F5Pl1e0tVZaJF3AlZd7rBP77ka2Ohyphenhyphenl4PH2-xciQqOmLTNxPpCQ/s1600/03_14.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRxKJGYikW_g85XE-J2d1hL1_kfYXSETp14XOBGReKyplWFx4wst4V0HyPp6X_mV_T649tfPwv3kYKVjZFa_SXn0v_F5Pl1e0tVZaJF3AlZd7rBP77ka2Ohyphenhyphenl4PH2-xciQqOmLTNxPpCQ/s400/03_14.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We spoke for a long time that night. Her only concern was that I'd felt the need to keep my adventures hidden from her. As long as I was honest from now on, there wouldn't be an issue as long as I stopped if we ever made a true commitment to one another. I don't see myself getting married anytime soon - if ever - so that's easy enough. We concluded the discussion with a hug.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKzLs23uGY6LNuaNRPVvQAsOa4yuL_C24dVpOmfSXkqcZaKJXtE0aT7ryz5QLiJ6B1-ACdHXpH2yXghb67sS1X6B-euzsZcu5vSJM_tGm_qTMGKV12MsrIsEg4xwize3PLJDGG-5ioMeY/s1600/03_15.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKzLs23uGY6LNuaNRPVvQAsOa4yuL_C24dVpOmfSXkqcZaKJXtE0aT7ryz5QLiJ6B1-ACdHXpH2yXghb67sS1X6B-euzsZcu5vSJM_tGm_qTMGKV12MsrIsEg4xwize3PLJDGG-5ioMeY/s400/03_15.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As we held each other, she whispered in my ear. "You don't even have to worry about any misunderstandings on her part, either."<br />
"Why's that?" I replied.<br />
"She's an alien, too."<br />
Good god. Are <i>all </i>women from Venus?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
~~~*^*~~~</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>And here comes the dialogue. Had to get the characters in my head a little before I could write them actually speaking. It's a thing.</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>Yes, that other sim lady was an alien, too. So many aliens in this neighborhood. I usually never run into them!</i></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1480959486985392708.post-4509584851625267802016-09-08T16:10:00.000-04:002016-09-10T21:18:23.575-04:00Chapter 2 - Found outA few days later, I was in the middle of my morning ablutions - yes, it absolutely must take that long to style my hair, especially without a mirror! - when a knock came on my bathroom door. I yelled for them to go away, that I wasn't buying whatever they had to sell, but they just knocked again. So, I finished getting dressed and went outside to see who it was.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHz9eGvjXnyfB6FoE8r1nh34WV5slPLvpTqkjC5IW7Hl4ePwTVpY3tMKkVAdPC_JTRB_SxIo9jX9Tfw2kHtGHJ_UQ2022rSG6JUoNDcYXot4dclQOPoR9NaN0uSZZIj_6JFc_aDYRF4zA/s1600/02_01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHz9eGvjXnyfB6FoE8r1nh34WV5slPLvpTqkjC5IW7Hl4ePwTVpY3tMKkVAdPC_JTRB_SxIo9jX9Tfw2kHtGHJ_UQ2022rSG6JUoNDcYXot4dclQOPoR9NaN0uSZZIj_6JFc_aDYRF4zA/s400/02_01.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
It was Harley. I instantly began damage control. I blamed the real estate agent. I blamed the political party currently in power. I blamed the other one too, for good measure, in case she'd voted the other way. I blamed Starling International, I blamed my father, I even blamed Vera the secretary; who, by the way, I'm still not sure would have actually sued us into bankruptcy had she been fired. My father can be hyperbolic at times.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ1uDJE24cPrqZn3mjoka3bduH7UlloH4eTtNAjZhcywTlGKdrlnfW0dA3bT6QAOj-VbXxF0X-_3MiWmXMGUGWrc0xQn27xYTB8qamsdbjKEk6bzhgo2YkSYiwvjxXi2dtMzkYy-eEAAw/s1600/02_02.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ1uDJE24cPrqZn3mjoka3bduH7UlloH4eTtNAjZhcywTlGKdrlnfW0dA3bT6QAOj-VbXxF0X-_3MiWmXMGUGWrc0xQn27xYTB8qamsdbjKEk6bzhgo2YkSYiwvjxXi2dtMzkYy-eEAAw/s400/02_02.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Harley clearly wasn't buying any of it. When I finally ran out of excuses and had to admit that I was, essentially, penniless, she just smiled, without a trace of mockery, and said it was okay. That sometimes these things happen, even to hypothetical heirs to international corporations. That it was nothing to be ashamed of.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS1duoaon96AK83Bjy4MEIQHQ0adNUZhtS8uWRAGtZcjKmlipdwCM515SY4syxpQS7B3An1alP1PdqoOKQO5qU5PMMQPKSuFltFEAvG8zEIkFHOnTz-lHpr-uwBn_B3GNyxk77KyFrWVw/s1600/02_03.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS1duoaon96AK83Bjy4MEIQHQ0adNUZhtS8uWRAGtZcjKmlipdwCM515SY4syxpQS7B3An1alP1PdqoOKQO5qU5PMMQPKSuFltFEAvG8zEIkFHOnTz-lHpr-uwBn_B3GNyxk77KyFrWVw/s400/02_03.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The way she said it was so full of confidence, and kindness, that I believed her. She truly wasn't judging me. She told me about her own first place she'd lived in on her own, the dirt and the bugs, and I shuddered along with her. It sounded horrible!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrJEbh5pRUwZ1RChm2vVIKlLbr7RF3BWgjr25Ix05Hn1zLxa_EXJ5HIfYqMH-XfCF4TaFlVhj07weYfszYNRJtrXC1Cvyxgavyx3oXRk-964AhAsCg3x6ay-ftjMX4j9AAuERiEfSGvsc/s1600/02_04.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrJEbh5pRUwZ1RChm2vVIKlLbr7RF3BWgjr25Ix05Hn1zLxa_EXJ5HIfYqMH-XfCF4TaFlVhj07weYfszYNRJtrXC1Cvyxgavyx3oXRk-964AhAsCg3x6ay-ftjMX4j9AAuERiEfSGvsc/s400/02_04.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
At least this plot of land had potential, she said. The only question was, would I have the ambition to see it reach that potential? Or would I simply sit here looking at my empty wallet and feeling sorry for myself? She asked if I had a job yet, in town. When I answered in the negative, she smiled again and beckoned for me to follow.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoKhZJRZkoUAfVg0jtrYi5Q4R0NxUgOPA4C6Q0irQXixfcZmax3Bl4v-yCctfzqoWfOZhyphenhyphenqjqOKqxJM6Mi5wYECztWdy9qZF9_F9uOxZ7hnHtgU0Uwa4oTPcr-pWS59KV-GZrp6mJFRR4/s1600/02_05.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoKhZJRZkoUAfVg0jtrYi5Q4R0NxUgOPA4C6Q0irQXixfcZmax3Bl4v-yCctfzqoWfOZhyphenhyphenqjqOKqxJM6Mi5wYECztWdy9qZF9_F9uOxZ7hnHtgU0Uwa4oTPcr-pWS59KV-GZrp6mJFRR4/s400/02_05.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The first order of business was to secure a paycheck. After that, I'd be able to put up some walls, and I'd no longer have to live in fear of wandering neighbors laughing at my misfortune.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<br />
I wasn't used to working for a boss who actually expected me to, well, work. The job itself - an entry-level writing position - wasn't bad, but every day I returned home with my boss's endless list of demands echoing through my head.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJAKZcmyvIC5GmjEXQO-2NS7p6k46E2fqO7wQmmUZsgYF601QpzEEREw3euW0nsWcMyQyY04vscNH6sczbk1Q118WlIvTmwjrxkPjXA0ewebCdhC5pdKqBS09PPq4X9ZrI8uc6O19-cY/s1600/02_06.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJAKZcmyvIC5GmjEXQO-2NS7p6k46E2fqO7wQmmUZsgYF601QpzEEREw3euW0nsWcMyQyY04vscNH6sczbk1Q118WlIvTmwjrxkPjXA0ewebCdhC5pdKqBS09PPq4X9ZrI8uc6O19-cY/s400/02_06.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I would have been completely overwhelmed, and given up, if Harley hadn't been there to support me, and teach me about getting by in Oasis Springs. A bit of an amateur gardener herself, she showed me the various plants that grew near my new home - sage, carrots and cherry trees, for the most part - and explained how they could be used to cook better food than the bottom-shelf cereal I'd been living off of.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgX6lXVWA0SYrMn_uq6NUCYDdNn0Jz93fxLeR9nzscXa-ZJ5IDsQIi6EcfW1XNFiqJZx8l_TsYdhQp3G6pomAcovyap26lnbr0Vnq_11s7RqTNB_FXnz8SfUtMyz3xGYwCn7oLoavR7gQ/s1600/02_07.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgX6lXVWA0SYrMn_uq6NUCYDdNn0Jz93fxLeR9nzscXa-ZJ5IDsQIi6EcfW1XNFiqJZx8l_TsYdhQp3G6pomAcovyap26lnbr0Vnq_11s7RqTNB_FXnz8SfUtMyz3xGYwCn7oLoavR7gQ/s400/02_07.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
She set up a little garden behind my "kitchen," with plants both local and from her own seed collection. It would take a while for the plants to grow, she said, but once they did they would more than pay for the cost of the planters, in addition to providing better produce than could be harvested from the wild.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9fakWAiuwedHuTX_K9K3cnJrcaSU85Ngyi_CqFnhu77wEfto-VdQahQvrYHbRddxjCQD9KLQ2tACfjYvauf7139gu1UL9MqhBdyzs83MRV5_NkmfCZlqy1NmuvidH22EbTD2i1W9zkE/s1600/02_08.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9fakWAiuwedHuTX_K9K3cnJrcaSU85Ngyi_CqFnhu77wEfto-VdQahQvrYHbRddxjCQD9KLQ2tACfjYvauf7139gu1UL9MqhBdyzs83MRV5_NkmfCZlqy1NmuvidH22EbTD2i1W9zkE/s400/02_08.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
She also explained other secrets of the land, how wealth was hidden inside rocks and clumps of dirt, just waiting to be uncovered. Even the old water pumps held secrets, she said, though she finds it way too yucky to go poking around in there. Watching her work, uncovering ores, crystals and fossils, it seemed to me that she was almost glowing with happiness.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3SMgJQ4667Bcbk9YZ3lk-2eoMKhEISOPgSk2dadlEtq8ordwIwIY_Us49BTxuI6Iv_nSusQWZnXfAZP3tAwGdVu9Hy4YIgM-OSA2gJNJzVq-9fFgcog7eJkHNOOs5u95PdUQLxvgw0A/s1600/02_09.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3SMgJQ4667Bcbk9YZ3lk-2eoMKhEISOPgSk2dadlEtq8ordwIwIY_Us49BTxuI6Iv_nSusQWZnXfAZP3tAwGdVu9Hy4YIgM-OSA2gJNJzVq-9fFgcog7eJkHNOOs5u95PdUQLxvgw0A/s400/02_09.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
She often invited herself to my house to prepare a yard-cooked meal, when I returned from work. One of the benefits of being friends with somebody who works at a restaurant, I suppose. Something more was going on here, though.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPuxUnZA4LMrMzrRc3aD_5gWnxJHkbou1GpZayhXKqJqFosbvTpEkoZbLvOhRnGsiASH3jLQjQww4KXw-UaHCkJRL5afhQRVW9l2GAT295eQ-LneX648RCrVkJMzPGu3Gr4CUNZItIic/s1600/02_10.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPuxUnZA4LMrMzrRc3aD_5gWnxJHkbou1GpZayhXKqJqFosbvTpEkoZbLvOhRnGsiASH3jLQjQww4KXw-UaHCkJRL5afhQRVW9l2GAT295eQ-LneX648RCrVkJMzPGu3Gr4CUNZItIic/s400/02_10.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I asked her about it one night. Well, to be honest, it was a bit more of a confrontation. I said, why are you being so nice to me? You don't have to do any of this, show me these things, cook me food. So, why?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhEnPJonaNfMb0inpy1eTEtLJsLTh2nwH43NW_58Ii_34K80r7OmOZ3AU45_KSoGJBIBFHgeOI5t1KubX_le1m8cOOGu_2rKhE81mDYkWjZlG4JIRg8fsIM_e6NVopLON3XzI6pkQr7Aw/s1600/02_11.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhEnPJonaNfMb0inpy1eTEtLJsLTh2nwH43NW_58Ii_34K80r7OmOZ3AU45_KSoGJBIBFHgeOI5t1KubX_le1m8cOOGu_2rKhE81mDYkWjZlG4JIRg8fsIM_e6NVopLON3XzI6pkQr7Aw/s400/02_11.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
She just laughed, shook her head, and smiled that smile again. Any other woman, I'd say she was in love with me. I'd given up on that idea, though. No woman would fall in love with a man who doesn't even have walls for his house. There was no way.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NkYLiHavKevtzsp8XF5eOkd_CbpxNlFaFshMMl9qcSOKc75g9EhPYYTvJuAFxCK5wjgBWPRoPEdSVYtpU3JUDi4NTxN3Q4ffndA428yfXBM9UYo0-ma1Or6DKmBw8EcGkblJn7Tqmr8/s1600/02_12.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NkYLiHavKevtzsp8XF5eOkd_CbpxNlFaFshMMl9qcSOKc75g9EhPYYTvJuAFxCK5wjgBWPRoPEdSVYtpU3JUDi4NTxN3Q4ffndA428yfXBM9UYo0-ma1Or6DKmBw8EcGkblJn7Tqmr8/s400/02_12.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
But she firmly gripped the front of my shirt and placed a firm kiss on my lips before telling me that she didn't care, that she wanted to be with me. Staying here with me every night, not just during the day. In a yard-bed sort of way. Then, she asked me if I wanted that, too.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4jOKEvzz2KI7VvOefKjotrDoRQpkjs_-HW4ZgzEnN48E1V27DZsvmT6CGZ7t6ujczyGNtXHdTuw4KfzYaTTq3BPquuimchBm0dwfdwXiYqtyCceCENt7mD7h1Fg4SMzqcaBeAMxRrYfM/s1600/02_13.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4jOKEvzz2KI7VvOefKjotrDoRQpkjs_-HW4ZgzEnN48E1V27DZsvmT6CGZ7t6ujczyGNtXHdTuw4KfzYaTTq3BPquuimchBm0dwfdwXiYqtyCceCENt7mD7h1Fg4SMzqcaBeAMxRrYfM/s400/02_13.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Well, of course. Her shout of joy could probably have been heard clear down the hill in town, and I swear she was glowing again. Must have been my eyes playing tricks on me. She practically dragged me to the bed, barely giving me a chance to undress before we were together, the covers our only privacy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTpqzWM42YUuFtmYm01Vo1ejVQUW_CoidGtV3AZJaH6g4KuRSeDBggms9RZl9cS9zAHjenOWkEFwk63NVD1bIjtvpOcRhOyoHfyWY2R5VsGw0KeX_PqNHn3pPe_HhpoRmGHlf1gQyCnZs/s1600/02_14.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTpqzWM42YUuFtmYm01Vo1ejVQUW_CoidGtV3AZJaH6g4KuRSeDBggms9RZl9cS9zAHjenOWkEFwk63NVD1bIjtvpOcRhOyoHfyWY2R5VsGw0KeX_PqNHn3pPe_HhpoRmGHlf1gQyCnZs/s400/02_14.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I've slept with a lot of women, and I do mean a lot. This time, though, it felt different.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVEMo4v-SAHBaFa4HcdIWiPxqgZxC63Y0QNKB0yWgZAHipwUavTRuLx_RntA2c71JyEsJrPzJ_KTVxv1lSFU7DuPLLqnfl3UQvDV-qRo025sA_Om08OgeY_FBK63wdwUn_AzIMP94hKQ/s1600/02_15.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVEMo4v-SAHBaFa4HcdIWiPxqgZxC63Y0QNKB0yWgZAHipwUavTRuLx_RntA2c71JyEsJrPzJ_KTVxv1lSFU7DuPLLqnfl3UQvDV-qRo025sA_Om08OgeY_FBK63wdwUn_AzIMP94hKQ/s400/02_15.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
~~~*^*~~~</div>
<br />
<i>I have to confess, the visit by Harley was contrived. I didn't have time to wait for her to decide to show up on her own, so I invited her over, hid in the outhouse, and pretended it was all her idea. Don't judge me.</i><br />
<i><br />I did not know she was an alien until I moved her in, though. That was a surprise. Damn you and your plot twists, Sims 4!</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1480959486985392708.post-6441961501445654062016-09-07T21:05:00.000-04:002016-09-10T21:17:18.944-04:00Chapter 1 - Spacious living quarters, with a great view!My name is Andrea Starling, and I am the heir to the multi-billion corporation Starling International. In theory. My father suggested I find a place to stay out of town, while all the hubbub dies down back home. I must say, he had a fair point. The desert town of Oasis Springs seemed like a good enough place for an extended holiday. Pleasant climate, warm sun - no need for anyone to bundle up for the winter!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7twfL0C8zmKISkMtyY6wMrF3Jzr9zvqaL635VDN6yarlLxp63z57N3Aodje1WiORx3herSSOyLUwn-d90GsvJFCu1mA5yurrNd4T1RO2WfvXHcmRnLgVYyYnk-HLq-LqXgShd-EpQrsE/s1600/01_01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7twfL0C8zmKISkMtyY6wMrF3Jzr9zvqaL635VDN6yarlLxp63z57N3Aodje1WiORx3herSSOyLUwn-d90GsvJFCu1mA5yurrNd4T1RO2WfvXHcmRnLgVYyYnk-HLq-LqXgShd-EpQrsE/s400/01_01.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The architecture here is quite beautiful to look at, especially the wealthier areas of town. No heir to the Starling fortune would ever be caught slumming it, that's for sure. The real estate agent advertised the property I'd be staying in as spacious living quarters, with a great view. I imagined something a little bit like this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfETKV3PK3fg16YgPPZ0zW2_vB0ifTrH7gGh47eK3oQhJH2e-TcfN6G-KRJ5J8VQh3JLbgcL4IFhyphenhyphenfJFxhSqZipK5mDzd8rPx8wTgtAiIWJogALrE0CBbNc-z9YygdJZC6s4G73aynPC8/s1600/01_02.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfETKV3PK3fg16YgPPZ0zW2_vB0ifTrH7gGh47eK3oQhJH2e-TcfN6G-KRJ5J8VQh3JLbgcL4IFhyphenhyphenfJFxhSqZipK5mDzd8rPx8wTgtAiIWJogALrE0CBbNc-z9YygdJZC6s4G73aynPC8/s400/01_02.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Imagine my surprise when I found this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivsg-uqoBZPGkKgBPfKRGKfrYw0w_VHDz8Yoh67qeK_bV9bmxzrLW3VegFk0cZn17COwK0x6pjLb7HItyEt7Q0k3KzNkZzREVRokv-Q3rtjRLbhRRHfIscFVuqEWdR61I5q_-rxgztfQc/s1600/01_03.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivsg-uqoBZPGkKgBPfKRGKfrYw0w_VHDz8Yoh67qeK_bV9bmxzrLW3VegFk0cZn17COwK0x6pjLb7HItyEt7Q0k3KzNkZzREVRokv-Q3rtjRLbhRRHfIscFVuqEWdR61I5q_-rxgztfQc/s400/01_03.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
That sonuvabitch. I have to admire him in a way. Takes a true artist to pull what he did without actually lying. Still, though, this wouldn't do. I hired a firm to at least put up some walls for privacy, and while I waited I explored the town. The library was nice, with an excellent selection of literature. Some of those titles put me right in the mood for some romance.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfwTadaW2-rl8uNQCixcamAdSF7ov5zpU_fP09QScgQQ-zqJ6SztL-GOTBj31Q5yn3bFMCUwYlHkHk4KdjSmUgaUTZqoD10BnDkoz6fMLiS6FE5AtTn-rPifw5q5tSBlLVoDNVbjdsOwY/s1600/01_04.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfwTadaW2-rl8uNQCixcamAdSF7ov5zpU_fP09QScgQQ-zqJ6SztL-GOTBj31Q5yn3bFMCUwYlHkHk4KdjSmUgaUTZqoD10BnDkoz6fMLiS6FE5AtTn-rPifw5q5tSBlLVoDNVbjdsOwY/s400/01_04.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Speaking of, there are some true babes in this town.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw7XMlGRqg89XZ2U9xUDRyt8GH9JSDj3V5Ar1KKuFutBXokUJe_RoDm5YpEC3JELQqZ_tJU0KbP5t1QYcg4x4vxvkQyy401iTQer97ZcD-Yh71VFHWQHaLE1i1DP193i7w1MX0_WCNlZ0/s1600/01_05.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw7XMlGRqg89XZ2U9xUDRyt8GH9JSDj3V5Ar1KKuFutBXokUJe_RoDm5YpEC3JELQqZ_tJU0KbP5t1QYcg4x4vxvkQyy401iTQer97ZcD-Yh71VFHWQHaLE1i1DP193i7w1MX0_WCNlZ0/s400/01_05.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The first one I hit it off with was a girl named Liberty. I had her pegged for a quiet nerd at first, but there's a fair bit more to her than that.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_mTU4bOkINQs4aF4X6b_lyVNKF15xrnEzR_eAnWggyXcFgfuFZcHhAaxDdijY1q90kW0YRE6Rp0sfQNNbiFyFiTzIhe5HwF6jbuDApFczXndJnaeI2_-SOzzgipJTKAD1ohEU9hwtGRA/s1600/01_06.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_mTU4bOkINQs4aF4X6b_lyVNKF15xrnEzR_eAnWggyXcFgfuFZcHhAaxDdijY1q90kW0YRE6Rp0sfQNNbiFyFiTzIhe5HwF6jbuDApFczXndJnaeI2_-SOzzgipJTKAD1ohEU9hwtGRA/s400/01_06.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
When our conversation got a little steamier, earning far more stern glances from the librarian than we really deserved, we took it to the park. Normally I take my dates to the bar, but I have to confess funds are a bit tight at the moment, with the unexpected construction work and all. Liberty's a good sport though, she didn't mind one bit.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8b4B-oqxLKcrJ4zh8lrTmxzqq4OlvoCWh2Obk55Kbt4hP8P14O7lV1wmvpQhGZMv9bemAnmj-qzvy6uQ5-3vtEQIW7UDqve4AMT8SCbt_BxhWl2N8xs6iDefeWmyXQF9JI5_QpBowG8/s1600/01_08.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8b4B-oqxLKcrJ4zh8lrTmxzqq4OlvoCWh2Obk55Kbt4hP8P14O7lV1wmvpQhGZMv9bemAnmj-qzvy6uQ5-3vtEQIW7UDqve4AMT8SCbt_BxhWl2N8xs6iDefeWmyXQF9JI5_QpBowG8/s400/01_08.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
On second thought, though, maybe it wasn't the best choice of location after all. Let me tell you, it's hard to flirt with little kids staring you down while they play on the monkey bars.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDGZskCPz66_wxNCAoLdK4-OrONtKL3zB7EEuXApJuowwquTZvIpAf0FowJKmrA2KyCl4UzHpmWRBcvNs7GpeEyDBrTKajZ20rOQJTi9C_PVpxosG82cptka9f_UZnaTAfsNDxwEKuwQ/s1600/01_07.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDGZskCPz66_wxNCAoLdK4-OrONtKL3zB7EEuXApJuowwquTZvIpAf0FowJKmrA2KyCl4UzHpmWRBcvNs7GpeEyDBrTKajZ20rOQJTi9C_PVpxosG82cptka9f_UZnaTAfsNDxwEKuwQ/s400/01_07.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
There was an unfortunate deal-breaker, though. I was just about to ask her if she wanted to try this again sometime, maybe somewhere more dimly lit with something to drink, when she leaped to her feet with a cry of "Ohhhh wow! It's a real emergency, this time! Comin' right through!"<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhee8OtZ2jikUeB1EYz2YctRx-YatPknzZC0hp0fN5KCjaS4n0cfcwCFP4WJM_wLq7MokRp1UBnOInglXq69VmWu9NVkbhAYTy799W3FW2vk44y4V31zHDDB1IJ2mKImE0hHArgvBevOf4/s1600/01_09.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhee8OtZ2jikUeB1EYz2YctRx-YatPknzZC0hp0fN5KCjaS4n0cfcwCFP4WJM_wLq7MokRp1UBnOInglXq69VmWu9NVkbhAYTy799W3FW2vk44y4V31zHDDB1IJ2mKImE0hHArgvBevOf4/s400/01_09.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I'll be damned if the girl didn't sprint right past me all the way to the bathroom. Now, that's no way to behave on a classy date out.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpeeeqJion3Xlr99HUfQJsT1s7NEll0kZfZMs2ReURS1ppbKqc6iKFOsySu6mgLkNFE-z9lJutJhgEzqNXpmGjBh_ZH_W_g5WFRBGSinZbq0hibR4WjoT-nkcxNrJ8dZqNSC4ny5HFhKk/s1600/01_10.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpeeeqJion3Xlr99HUfQJsT1s7NEll0kZfZMs2ReURS1ppbKqc6iKFOsySu6mgLkNFE-z9lJutJhgEzqNXpmGjBh_ZH_W_g5WFRBGSinZbq0hibR4WjoT-nkcxNrJ8dZqNSC4ny5HFhKk/s400/01_10.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
While she tended to her...business...I took a moment to refresh myself in the mirror. Figure out how to let the girl down. She was nice and all, but a man of my reputation couldn't be seen in the company of a woman who acted that way in public. At least, not if I wanted to salvage what was left of it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg43VxR-FcQUspKR0KOr9Dl8Rh1S8Rfm_LWKyhop_U1sJD-GyrTDbNYSqY8yD9t7N5vw5IOmmTxkkLIQErztz9zX8MHU7UjQMZofVgrFXcth0QlkPMOQVxhWxqBhsWDtVOBQ_y6r2RkSQ/s1600/01_11.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg43VxR-FcQUspKR0KOr9Dl8Rh1S8Rfm_LWKyhop_U1sJD-GyrTDbNYSqY8yD9t7N5vw5IOmmTxkkLIQErztz9zX8MHU7UjQMZofVgrFXcth0QlkPMOQVxhWxqBhsWDtVOBQ_y6r2RkSQ/s400/01_11.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
By the time she finished, I'd worked out what to do. I could surely keep things casual with her, as long as my public affairs were with another. A brilliant solution. We spoke for a few minutes more, and I even regaled her with a few tales from my time at the corporate offices.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQ22ScF8tZmIez5lnxKoNbhKt97x-WCbMXdP6INBubyxrH264iEexpF6rtD3g3j0AEBPKG_5RQzRdqZlluqbTJxs2gL8dOQDE8p43oaPMS5nBF5fqewQoJSdHC2HyYL5Fgf5RV3BRXLI/s1600/01_12.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQ22ScF8tZmIez5lnxKoNbhKt97x-WCbMXdP6INBubyxrH264iEexpF6rtD3g3j0AEBPKG_5RQzRdqZlluqbTJxs2gL8dOQDE8p43oaPMS5nBF5fqewQoJSdHC2HyYL5Fgf5RV3BRXLI/s400/01_12.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We shared a brief farewell kiss, hidden from gossiping eyes by the privacy architecture surrounding the public bathrooms, and then I bid her farewell.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNVaDlZ7HBKMbeHq5lxLPQqXZOCFrXLJEBF_-nGIV64P-11ryTxv2SqoH7iCOZgcduwj_cNhvdYCEaUCKvjm_oliFHN2X_ibkqTDK9Bjya5F-hlx9xQbqleGvfXDE_DbMDDg5cqe9Ja6U/s1600/01_13.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNVaDlZ7HBKMbeHq5lxLPQqXZOCFrXLJEBF_-nGIV64P-11ryTxv2SqoH7iCOZgcduwj_cNhvdYCEaUCKvjm_oliFHN2X_ibkqTDK9Bjya5F-hlx9xQbqleGvfXDE_DbMDDg5cqe9Ja6U/s400/01_13.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Once she'd left, I was free to continue to browse the highlights of what Oasis Springs had to offer. One lady in particular, Harley Proctor, caught my eye immediately. I complimented her on her taste in trousers, and she fell right into my arms.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXMEiS7L3gXtMeOseMza1J-NXoyHs5sFXH8C23W_KNqWKKPGGCIyfbcnRVnD1pden9dY2e7F5rien6TbUavOAVbq3EdUUnzbPy6GLUTAOzebEGr4Gv2NeOMRc-U9g4vOI3iu0TV2bOXJQ/s1600/01_14.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXMEiS7L3gXtMeOseMza1J-NXoyHs5sFXH8C23W_KNqWKKPGGCIyfbcnRVnD1pden9dY2e7F5rien6TbUavOAVbq3EdUUnzbPy6GLUTAOzebEGr4Gv2NeOMRc-U9g4vOI3iu0TV2bOXJQ/s400/01_14.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Before we got to spend much time together, the sun was beginning to set, and it was time to return to my new home. Of course, I elicited a promise from her to meet again soon. It wouldn't do to let so fine a lady slip away. When I got home, I discovered a basic shack had been constructed surrounding the bathroom facilities. It wasn't much, but it would do.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZE-PHYgMIzLA9PW7Yy88Jb7qbmwk5oWQp5tWXest8AMDxAeDa0Ly9jjKn81p8bMaE5hSFinTjfmXXfFutDWfh4Hzoz984YY6D_vxVtRWITqKf8p6rh0arl-Gu8Fu_XIMg5xzxsH3ZlRw/s1600/01_15.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZE-PHYgMIzLA9PW7Yy88Jb7qbmwk5oWQp5tWXest8AMDxAeDa0Ly9jjKn81p8bMaE5hSFinTjfmXXfFutDWfh4Hzoz984YY6D_vxVtRWITqKf8p6rh0arl-Gu8Fu_XIMg5xzxsH3ZlRw/s400/01_15.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
My bed was still out under the stars. To be honest, I didn't mind it much, though I would surely need to move it under a proper roof before I invited anybody over to visit. At least the vacant lot across the street wouldn't judge me, however poor my accommodations.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicyZIysvz4tYqtxVbfNKbd7rYeJD_Xr89fClFq_hsockmO_IsLTAPK44q42YIEBDvacmmjxjPudP0E-QwrlQ3W-XNaTkYrZshu_1KcIX6pK6cRUNTjtpzDxmwAuHsBd3m2zS4ImI70714/s1600/01_16.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicyZIysvz4tYqtxVbfNKbd7rYeJD_Xr89fClFq_hsockmO_IsLTAPK44q42YIEBDvacmmjxjPudP0E-QwrlQ3W-XNaTkYrZshu_1KcIX6pK6cRUNTjtpzDxmwAuHsBd3m2zS4ImI70714/s400/01_16.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
~~~*^*~~~</div>
<br />
<i>Mid-date bathroom emergency was a true story. Nice going, Liberty.</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1480959486985392708.post-64015172157087406032014-09-18T17:16:00.004-04:002014-09-18T17:16:47.695-04:00Katran Random Legacy: Chapter 1 - Daddy, what's a vampire?"Daddy, what's a vampire?"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifik1Q05-gUU9VstF_g3OYMpiYeXBV-17bKOzHm4a5xpr9GxEFzpboJPIqJHI42aCSYvOGOX4DxjQUEP5gOpl0UM8PkDBOaL81tjQ-G8WB1OlEvTu6QDYK3DbVmNr_XqFgNKKiGu1x6zk/s1600/09-16-14_6-40%C2%A0PM-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifik1Q05-gUU9VstF_g3OYMpiYeXBV-17bKOzHm4a5xpr9GxEFzpboJPIqJHI42aCSYvOGOX4DxjQUEP5gOpl0UM8PkDBOaL81tjQ-G8WB1OlEvTu6QDYK3DbVmNr_XqFgNKKiGu1x6zk/s1600/09-16-14_6-40%C2%A0PM-2.png" height="211" width="400" /></a></div>
Peter Katran froze, looking to his younger child. His mind raced, trying to determine how to answer the difficult question, but his wife, Dahra, spoke first, her voice tense and cold.<br />
"Where did you hear that word, Elijah?"<br />
"A kid at school said it," the young boy said, a frown touching his lips as he shrugged. "Is it bad? Jake Dean said I was one."<br />
Peter made sure to speak before his wife did this time. No need to alarm the kid. "Now, why would he call you a vampire?"<br />
Elijah's eyes fell to his plate as he used his fork to push a bit of food around. "I dunno..."<br />
Dahra opened her mouth to speak again - Peter didn't believe the denial for one second either - but it was their daughter Sabrina's turn to interject. "It's 'cause he bit Alvaro Pangilinan! I told him not to, but he did it anyway."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI02RH4Q4Ur1sJh0LKpvbcxrAY38ZSWu1iYdSDKR2-dpYmdnK6NcZiessFsxKpeAPHtVU4kJJwyisYgECKvpM3MRgNGb3V5huoeIiqcVqWQEyYp7hhbFaIdlntEb89cCFyJSVDZrDA9ss/s1600/09-16-14_6-35%C2%A0PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI02RH4Q4Ur1sJh0LKpvbcxrAY38ZSWu1iYdSDKR2-dpYmdnK6NcZiessFsxKpeAPHtVU4kJJwyisYgECKvpM3MRgNGb3V5huoeIiqcVqWQEyYp7hhbFaIdlntEb89cCFyJSVDZrDA9ss/s1600/09-16-14_6-35%C2%A0PM.png" height="211" width="400" /></a></div>
Peter rubbed his forehead, feeling the start of a headache developing over his right eye. He hadn't signed up for this conversation when he'd decided to have children. Surely he hadn't. "Elijah, why would you do that? You know we don't bite people."<br />
Aware that he was in trouble, Elijah sat in silence, apart from the tap-tap-tap of his fork against the plate, but his older sister spoke for him again. "Alvaro said we were weird, 'cause Mom works and you stay home, and he said that was backwards from how it was s'posed to be and we were gonna turn out funny. I told Eli to just ignore it, but he got all worked up, and Alvaro just kept egging him on, and then..." She shrugged, then continued on, a note of awe entering her voice. "There was even a bit of blood, and that's when Jake said-"<br />
"Enough." Dahra's voice was like steel, and her expression was even more stern as she stood, her dinner abandoned on the table, and looked down to her son. "We do not bite, we use our words. And there is no such thing as vampires. I don't want to hear you mention it again."<br />
"But-" Sabrina hushed as Dahra turned her piercing gaze towards her, quickly looking down at her hands in her lap.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-c4uaUGsIz7dK4gjUo4GP_bcG5NRBaOma-S9tYsTs61nGdQqGRkmfOD79TYVWi0BrJwLA0ScF87jg6okCa6ReRvA_FCTSMlcoptgcNwOaPHvBZ0oD8dpuhmuYioUBe7YtwJcTpmZ0K8/s1600/09-16-14_6-37%C2%A0PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-c4uaUGsIz7dK4gjUo4GP_bcG5NRBaOma-S9tYsTs61nGdQqGRkmfOD79TYVWi0BrJwLA0ScF87jg6okCa6ReRvA_FCTSMlcoptgcNwOaPHvBZ0oD8dpuhmuYioUBe7YtwJcTpmZ0K8/s1600/09-16-14_6-37%C2%A0PM.png" height="210" width="400" /></a></div>
"Da," Peter spoke his wife's nickname quietly, standing and placing a hand on her arm. She looked for a moment as if she was going to pull away from him, but didn't. "Can I speak to you? In private?"<br />
She nodded, and Peter glanced to the children as they exited the kitchen.<br />
"We'll only be a minute, finish your dinner."<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
* * *</div>
<br />
As the door to their mother's study banged shut - as it had been doing more and more lately - Sabrina looked over to her brother. "I wonder what they're talking about."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaSzcha8X1RuJNLcm9aI5ycussIXR7TPTTJ5e7w72qxEDvq3PTJTa7Cscl-HOURaqlWCDW7JCgxlgPHrEcTJKctVVv2mB5nh8mzCOcnHlwTvuk4HSj3ZnQBzrB5fOz8e5zxtGInEZqLMA/s1600/09-16-14_6-44%C2%A0PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaSzcha8X1RuJNLcm9aI5ycussIXR7TPTTJ5e7w72qxEDvq3PTJTa7Cscl-HOURaqlWCDW7JCgxlgPHrEcTJKctVVv2mB5nh8mzCOcnHlwTvuk4HSj3ZnQBzrB5fOz8e5zxtGInEZqLMA/s1600/09-16-14_6-44%C2%A0PM.png" height="211" width="400" /></a></div>
"How much trouble I'm gonna be in," he replied, abandoning his fork.<br />
"Well, I told you not to do it, but I don't think that's it, really." She frowned thoughtfully, glancing towards the wall. "Be quiet a minute, I'm gonna see if I can hear what they're talking about."<br />
The walls in this house were thin, and their mother in particular tended to forget to speak quietly when she was arguing. Sabrina crept through the living room and into the hall, making sure to stand far enough back that she wouldn't cast a shadow visible under the door.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWKn4uFe6qZvNsX0vM_mkKqK6EeI-sB3q-1sPmqWy-wvBb5Y7vfi6BRuAnOw3AuxK4rI5P_yz9WtL7kyOD6oxxMjNp3LIo6fCnePmPjf1nNoLO3HRNA5ZvZtd3_ZH44w2wWHdutELTNkU/s1600/09-17-14_5-12%C2%A0PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWKn4uFe6qZvNsX0vM_mkKqK6EeI-sB3q-1sPmqWy-wvBb5Y7vfi6BRuAnOw3AuxK4rI5P_yz9WtL7kyOD6oxxMjNp3LIo6fCnePmPjf1nNoLO3HRNA5ZvZtd3_ZH44w2wWHdutELTNkU/s1600/09-17-14_5-12%C2%A0PM.png" height="211" width="400" /></a></div>
"-not the point, Peter. They're only children, they shouldn't be exposed to things like that."<br />
"What should we do then, Da? Raise them in a bubble? They're going to find out sooner or later, whether from kids on the playground or in history class. Wouldn't you rather them hear the truth, instead of something misunderstood by other children or twisted by politics?"<br />
"They're too young. Besides, it's best left forgotten."<br />
"Forgotten so that they can repeat the same-" Peter's voice suddenly became louder - he was walking over to the door!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0d3ej1oFaWmvv6Im-os80mC0d5mfup7TBBUadv8gFgOsCgJk34mbIW9zs-B7Al2Da5w173AhyphenhyphenmNJIAkIY3tN9lnCsH3qQCJEAnLexDwdKjCV0yrpZlqr4UPT0CjtNtOHmaL7EW132JQA/s1600/09-17-14_5-16%C2%A0PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0d3ej1oFaWmvv6Im-os80mC0d5mfup7TBBUadv8gFgOsCgJk34mbIW9zs-B7Al2Da5w173AhyphenhyphenmNJIAkIY3tN9lnCsH3qQCJEAnLexDwdKjCV0yrpZlqr4UPT0CjtNtOHmaL7EW132JQA/s1600/09-17-14_5-16%C2%A0PM.png" height="211" width="400" /></a></div>
Sabrina quickly darted back down the hall, glad that she'd taken off her shoes when she'd gotten home that day, and slid back into her chair, wincing as the wooden legs bumped against the floor from her momentum.<br />
"What're they saying?" Elijah whispered, leaning over towards his sister. "Am I in trouble?"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ZBL66YWpVm3X1wLRIx5v5UdLAQIP5mPYuUG9IkRpZRVd1VId9DX0a0qeqVo-yBIRM_IDQ18uY-zYdQsU2FaKYBpor74RnDmrIihYEHk5uz4i55k8BSGb61zZMXUAxy6aS6ZcbjeZaBQ/s1600/09-16-14_6-42%C2%A0PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ZBL66YWpVm3X1wLRIx5v5UdLAQIP5mPYuUG9IkRpZRVd1VId9DX0a0qeqVo-yBIRM_IDQ18uY-zYdQsU2FaKYBpor74RnDmrIihYEHk5uz4i55k8BSGb61zZMXUAxy6aS6ZcbjeZaBQ/s1600/09-16-14_6-42%C2%A0PM.png" height="211" width="400" /></a></div>
"Don't think so," she replied. "They're talking 'bout something they don't think we should know yet."<br />
"Vampires?" Elijah's eyes widened as he looked to his sister, who nodded in reply.<br />
"Yeah, I think so. Guess all we can do is wait."<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
* * *</div>
<br />
It was about ten more minutes before their father returned to the kitchen, but it felt like more than an hour to the two children. They peeked behind him for any sign of their mother, but she must have remained in her study.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoN-JabpmprYqWziv_yQG5myohOSIoIwjtCJOWm7Z9qi7Gdvw0kL3idnE86nO7Jj1cdAOZAv8-4TaXpsQMTbWLxAu6FnWEqy6pLQXWuiRrmRfD0hhEpt9tzCnzZaUxTHskIQ4YOjMI0h8/s1600/09-18-14_5-07%C2%A0PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoN-JabpmprYqWziv_yQG5myohOSIoIwjtCJOWm7Z9qi7Gdvw0kL3idnE86nO7Jj1cdAOZAv8-4TaXpsQMTbWLxAu6FnWEqy6pLQXWuiRrmRfD0hhEpt9tzCnzZaUxTHskIQ4YOjMI0h8/s1600/09-18-14_5-07%C2%A0PM.png" height="211" width="400" /></a></div>
"If you're finished eating," he said, glancing to their faces - anxiety mixed with curiosity - as he spoke, "we can talk in the living room." He turned and exited the kitchen, his two children trailing behind him. Once they were seated on the sofa, he sighed, looking between them. "It's a long story, and I don't expect you'll really understand it all, but it's important to know."<br />
"Why?" Sabrina tilted her head as she asked the question."<br />
"Well, there's a saying: those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it. What do you think that means?"<br />
"If you get a F on your report card you have to stay back a year?" Elijah piped up, seeming confused.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEPtqNdlsX3ThB8wiunECFzot5P-CyXLAgiJw06_KVaEIsFksFGh_hpmr5sCtU6YN9aEbuW4aFEEKaKNUvn8MTVYJMy43O2-OKv860o6NBipB9v8ke9YcnCwbekGlgZvrxOcMNhHxqD_g/s1600/09-18-14_5-10%C2%A0PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEPtqNdlsX3ThB8wiunECFzot5P-CyXLAgiJw06_KVaEIsFksFGh_hpmr5sCtU6YN9aEbuW4aFEEKaKNUvn8MTVYJMy43O2-OKv860o6NBipB9v8ke9YcnCwbekGlgZvrxOcMNhHxqD_g/s1600/09-18-14_5-10%C2%A0PM.png" height="211" width="400" /></a></div>
"Noooo Eli," Sabrina said, rolling her eyes. "It's some kinda fancy saying from a long time ago, they didn't have report cards back then, silly."<br />
Peter held up his hands between his two children to separate them before the conversation devolved into a squabble. "That's enough. Your sister's right, it was first said a long time ago. It means that, if we don't study history and see what our ancestors did wrong, it's very likely that we will make the same mistakes in our future, and therefore history will repeat itself. Now, you'll learn more about this in school, but I'm going to tell you just a little tonight. That way, if any kids say anything else on the playground, you might understand them."<br />
"Now," he continued, looking between them as he spoke to judge their reactions. "You both know what a human is. We're humans, and so's Mommy, and Jake and Alvaro from school, and everybody living all over the world. But once, a long time ago, there were others that shared the world with us who were different."<br />
"Different how?" Sabrina interrupted, a slight frown furrowing her brow. "Did they have like blue skin or somethin'?"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvnxXw9cWDg73cTf6RgoAl6pSbbp9PxH2HpsEBOMkae3DAf7LxPc0tksLcDcWTzujKNwSEgZha4B3LOgnDWrHwEJYukomLaMEs2FAPGeGadk2JK4CrI4XlpNT6PlDMFZHurrUI4X7Uzqc/s1600/09-18-14_5-09%C2%A0PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvnxXw9cWDg73cTf6RgoAl6pSbbp9PxH2HpsEBOMkae3DAf7LxPc0tksLcDcWTzujKNwSEgZha4B3LOgnDWrHwEJYukomLaMEs2FAPGeGadk2JK4CrI4XlpNT6PlDMFZHurrUI4X7Uzqc/s1600/09-18-14_5-09%C2%A0PM.png" height="211" width="400" /></a></div>
"There were some things like that, yes. What mostly set them apart, however, was that they had supernatural powers." The kids both looked way too excited about that. Peter cringed internally - this wasn't the lesson he was hoping to impart! "Some used those powers for good, but others used them for great evil. As a response to that evil, something terrible was released, which was meant to rid the world of all supernatural beings."<br />
"Even the ones who were good?" Elijah's eyes were huge. Maybe Dahra had been right, they might be too young for this story after all. But there was no going back now.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjndnpx6kBsOivCOdTA29uZCs5OhaQH58Nb93QR7EE-syt6RmqRKjo_YA_Zhy3xUr4_n3q61euljVLY3kkfKfoV9c2N7K0WNP21fq7pMDYq-QTg6jAl6bG3PYIsT_Q2rDWz92_Gs3SRw5U/s1600/09-18-14_5-11%C2%A0PM-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjndnpx6kBsOivCOdTA29uZCs5OhaQH58Nb93QR7EE-syt6RmqRKjo_YA_Zhy3xUr4_n3q61euljVLY3kkfKfoV9c2N7K0WNP21fq7pMDYq-QTg6jAl6bG3PYIsT_Q2rDWz92_Gs3SRw5U/s1600/09-18-14_5-11%C2%A0PM-2.png" height="211" width="400" /></a></div>
"Even the ones that were good," Peter confirmed gravely. "Humans, too, when they got caught in the crossfire. This was a dark time, called the War of the Dead" - he hoped they wouldn't ask why - "and it lasted for more than a generation. Humans weren't always on the good side in this war, during those times we created horrible killing machines and technology that never should have existed, never would have if the war had never begun. In the end, peace was reached, though nobody knows exactly how. After that, a race known as the Fairies took what remained of the supernatural races to another world, separate from our own, also using their magic to destroy the dangerous technologies that were left from the war. Then, they closed the gateway between that world and our own, and that is how things have been for many years."<br />
"Okay," Elijah said slowly, seeming to be working through the story in his mind. "But what's a vampire?"<br />
Oh, right. That had been the initial question, hadn't it? "Vampires were one of the supernatural races. They were one of the evil ones, and would drink the blood of humans."<br />
"But Eli isn't a vampire! Er, right?" Sabrina's confidence faltered a bit as she spoke the question.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVO-O2vZr128QwqNu1CYQ9EYgUU9XBKoltx79TW2QgEJxMDS-ufP_sM77v9ijj8a3LmvsokSw5GytF8QfKjOIHwJNCLPJ8E2aL56OR48K6ZoFGthRmGOCEmpHj24wN5VeKfH2bdwZOzAI/s1600/09-18-14_5-12%C2%A0PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVO-O2vZr128QwqNu1CYQ9EYgUU9XBKoltx79TW2QgEJxMDS-ufP_sM77v9ijj8a3LmvsokSw5GytF8QfKjOIHwJNCLPJ8E2aL56OR48K6ZoFGthRmGOCEmpHj24wN5VeKfH2bdwZOzAI/s1600/09-18-14_5-12%C2%A0PM.png" height="211" width="400" /></a></div>
"Of course not. There aren't any vampires anymore. Only humans are left." He smiled reassuringly to his two children. "You're both pure human, there's nothing to worry about. And now, it's time for bed."<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
~~~*^*~~~</div>
<br />
<i>Welcome to the Katran Legacy! If you didn't read my previous post, this is set in the same universe as the Woods Legacy, a few hundred years after the story left off. I don't know if the stories will have much in common at all, I'm keeping my options open for now, and I'll wait and see what the rolls and sims 4 expansions throw my way.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I decided to start the story after the birth of generation 2, because it's frankly a more interesting place to start than the very beginning of generation 1. Also, this way I get to use flashbacks to look back at the interesting(and story-relevant) parts of generation 1, while ignoring all the boring parts(oh, you found enough money to buy wallpaper, flooring and furniture for another room of your house, yay!).</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>First chapter is an introduction chapter, so it's pretty short, but hopefully it's interesting. Also, as far as the photographs go, I'd like to apologize for the fact that I was thinking "awesome, pathing in this game is so great that I can make houses with realistic tiny rooms!" rather than "this room might be too small to use the camera well in" while I was building. Whoops.</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAh1-wQW-AnUy-7DYEkFPP2cRrRyTSeDfOB9oMTxeXlLjRV7dF5Wl_m_zEGqYbFAyLlo4TJp9uo06NuCJ0s3pq1LC-zYmLj6BCQLW1LWHEDgmbrkXuHJ9ydZA3cwmhBs0SiGlmHZ1Jro0/s1600/09-16-14_6-18%C2%A0PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAh1-wQW-AnUy-7DYEkFPP2cRrRyTSeDfOB9oMTxeXlLjRV7dF5Wl_m_zEGqYbFAyLlo4TJp9uo06NuCJ0s3pq1LC-zYmLj6BCQLW1LWHEDgmbrkXuHJ9ydZA3cwmhBs0SiGlmHZ1Jro0/s1600/09-16-14_6-18%C2%A0PM.png" height="211" width="400" /></a></div>
<i>That's a picture of the legacy house as it stands now. I still have to remodel the kitchen and living room when they get a bit more spare cash, but you get the idea. Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen, living room, study, and nursery/play room. What you can't see in the living room is the half-complete wall of mounted fish. My plan is to extend the bottom right(from this view) of the house a little bit more, and then place a second story that covers some(not all) of the L-footprint. We'll see how it goes though, for all I know generation 3 could roll a change of scenery!</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1480959486985392708.post-63260384530003432392014-09-15T18:23:00.004-04:002014-09-15T18:23:55.840-04:00Whatever happened to the Woods family?Um. Hi guys. So as you probably noticed this story went on hiatus about 11 months ago, and never really picked back up again. There were reasons for this, mostly that I was really busy and couldn't play, and then I had problems getting my game patch version and mods synced up again, and then I was really busy all of a sudden again, and before I knew it it was the end of summer and the death blow was dealt to my installation of sims 3(*insert grumbles about Origin here*). It's possible to resurrect it, but it's going to be a lot of work, and honestly the game was a laggy, crashy mess.<br />
<br />
I'd been playing a lot of sims 2 over the past year, and it made me realize that sims 3 wasn't really that great of a game. There was virtually no challenge once you got past the first few weeks, every sim would be a millionaire without even trying. I'd have to make up artificial rules(like how the 3rd generation Woods kids had to have their own money pool to buy all toys and skilling objects from) and invest in moneysinks(daily spa treatments? Don't mind if I do!) just to keep any semblance of financial tension in the game. Compared to the nothing-is-free style in which I was playing sims 2, sims 3 was...well, predictable. Too easy. Boring. <br />
<br />
So I was kind of put in a situation where I loved my characters, I loved my story, I wanted to see this through(at least through to the 5th generation, where there was a natural resolution coming up)...but I really didn't want to actually play the game in order to get that far. So, that brings me to now. I've still got my sims 3 installation files, and I've got my legacy save, as both were backed up before Origin decided to tantrum all over my installation directory. I don't see myself loading it back up now, or anytime soon, but perhaps in the future.<br />
<br />
I know it's not very nice to leave you guys hanging. I know you wanted to know what happened to Epsilon, and Brendan, and was she ever going to have his baby or was I just going to keep teasing you all with nausea symptoms forever and stuff. I actually know pretty much everything that was going to happen, with only the details being fuzzy after about the 4th generation. While I don't really want to spill too many of the details, in case I do take up the story again in the future, I do want to share the resolution somewhat. Which brings me to my next project.<br />
<br />
You might already know that I<a href="http://modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=534066"> ported the Random Legacy challenge to the Sims 4</a> last week. I debated a lot about whether I would write my own legacy story up, or if I'd just play the game and keep the story in my head. Well, I've decided that I'm going to write it after all. It takes place in the same universe as the Woods legacy, perhaps somewhere around 200-250 years after the Woods story broke off. I don't know how related the two stories will end up being, a lot of it will depend on what supernatural elements EA puts in(or leaves out of) the new game.<br />
<br />
I hope you enjoy the Katran legacy. Updates should begin in the next few days, once I find the character's voices.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1480959486985392708.post-82659594450949898472013-10-04T23:32:00.001-04:002013-10-04T23:32:06.000-04:00Woods Random Legacy: Chapter 60 - The Game of Passing"Hello? Can I help you?"<br />
As she spoke, she noticed the man's eyes. They were wild, seeming to
almost glow in the early-morning light. She felt that this meant
something, but precisely what it was evaded her.<br />
"Yes, Miss Woods. You can." <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_dT6ZFlJ8K5KRlDf_wi_chnQY2mpaO7TEXemCykCFgKFAFFGU38IvGkoiktEwn-O1Vdkwtga8bCxWeeFJMhkDo9R2_ojZ5YWo9PdezThn_F3JaKMTMgXwBwBBXubU3ZwmMk9hboYBA4/s1600/Screenshot-153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_dT6ZFlJ8K5KRlDf_wi_chnQY2mpaO7TEXemCykCFgKFAFFGU38IvGkoiktEwn-O1Vdkwtga8bCxWeeFJMhkDo9R2_ojZ5YWo9PdezThn_F3JaKMTMgXwBwBBXubU3ZwmMk9hboYBA4/s1600/Screenshot-153.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Epsilon raised an eyebrow, looking the man over. She didn't recognize him, but yet there was something about him that felt so familiar. "I'm sorry, do I know you?"<br />
"No. At least, I can't imagine you would, knowing my brother."<br />
Something tickled in the back of her mind. "Oh, wait, you aren't-"<br />
He interrupted before she could finish the thought. "James's older brother, yes. Lane Woods. I'm sorry to drop in on you like this, it's just that I found myself back in Sunset Valley with nowhere else to go."<br />
"No, no, it's no problem. You don't have to stand out in the rain, come in."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitpVBDOYEbDEdYQ71XZ0DCFw7110ULnBEpTe-5EYnAkRDUVcWNLHeioeWy8gxgjj8XeTKTMiRwIAaxgl3LML3PVWcZyYq6HX1JuXKHanRiLIzJ3pO_4n7LRabM0QnSVM38Olf9gs_9qng/s1600/Screenshot-154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitpVBDOYEbDEdYQ71XZ0DCFw7110ULnBEpTe-5EYnAkRDUVcWNLHeioeWy8gxgjj8XeTKTMiRwIAaxgl3LML3PVWcZyYq6HX1JuXKHanRiLIzJ3pO_4n7LRabM0QnSVM38Olf9gs_9qng/s1600/Screenshot-154.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Epsilon's mouth was on autopilot, speaking the necessary polite words and waving the man in, as she racked her mind for everything she knew about the man, not coming up with much at all. He was James's elder by twelve years, which seemed at odds with the man standing before her, but...ah, right, he was a werewolf! Her father had gone off about that one evening, something about Lane stealing all of the attention right before he left home. That explained how young he still seemed, and the eyes as well.<br />
"It must have been hard for you, for the past year, with the attacks," she said, testing her recall.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSrbur6H3fbZRnQQ1fxpbDalhj_o4kkMN-qBXQ6FmN-t0lF2_-RDLHj19_wUj58pzpkLP1jYikxRmovGJeD6VbhroF_suTsEc0L95kwPlXvn5OJPLnEG4FXRnJ9D6YRshFZmPJ8sjQ5wE/s1600/Screenshot-168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSrbur6H3fbZRnQQ1fxpbDalhj_o4kkMN-qBXQ6FmN-t0lF2_-RDLHj19_wUj58pzpkLP1jYikxRmovGJeD6VbhroF_suTsEc0L95kwPlXvn5OJPLnEG4FXRnJ9D6YRshFZmPJ8sjQ5wE/s1600/Screenshot-168.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
He nodded. "It was. Luckily for me, another body was misidentified as being me, so they haven't been actively out looking for me. Simply being what I am attracts attention, though, and even if I'm supposed to be dead my face is still too recognizable to simply blend in with the public as you've been doing."<br />
Her eyes widened reflexively. How did he know? She fought to keep her expression under control and her voice steady as she replied. "What do you mean?"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26MzoKlt2X_S__OiMyx-EUNZuqNETCW1O7lYBllyeS3kr9J1fEhu_GITnfd0fqMcXjcVSoi8-PVYo9UwaklRT0x9o2yPldQuIw1kSiWVQqaUI9Ry_Mps7CMSg6WyHCZmr0sDuzI6-LLM/s1600/Screenshot-157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26MzoKlt2X_S__OiMyx-EUNZuqNETCW1O7lYBllyeS3kr9J1fEhu_GITnfd0fqMcXjcVSoi8-PVYo9UwaklRT0x9o2yPldQuIw1kSiWVQqaUI9Ry_Mps7CMSg6WyHCZmr0sDuzI6-LLM/s1600/Screenshot-157.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"You're a witch. Don't be scared - if I was going to hurt you, I would have already. I'm here because I need your help. I'd been making my way here to hide out at my sister's place, but when I got here I found out that she'd passed away just days earlier. To be perfectly honest, I have nowhere to sleep, nothing to eat - that I won't have to kill myself, anyway, and that still turns my stomach - and no plan. I'm an old wolf, and frankly I don't know how long I can keep living like this."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7u9L16Q-O1vCMGWD0X1hX5CfiXVpRwcycWbgeKlOSu7ZEt7MDSdE3hnmTZW6Ljc7fAiCtX28hZ-ALmmP1uUUXL-hFzf-4qKNegSDMYygb3rg2r1W9iVvkNWpR1EEWsix-sfainTsqK_A/s1600/Screenshot-169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7u9L16Q-O1vCMGWD0X1hX5CfiXVpRwcycWbgeKlOSu7ZEt7MDSdE3hnmTZW6Ljc7fAiCtX28hZ-ALmmP1uUUXL-hFzf-4qKNegSDMYygb3rg2r1W9iVvkNWpR1EEWsix-sfainTsqK_A/s1600/Screenshot-169.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
She looked him up and down, taking in the state of his clothing and hair. They corroborated his story, as the garments were appropriately grimy and his long hair tangled. Either he had been living outside of civilization for quite a while, or he'd taken a lot of pains to make it look like he had. He knew about her, after all. How, she didn't know, but he did. Just because he was her father's brother - or claimed to be, at least - didn't mean that she could trust him. She glanced down to the floor, where Shadow had reappeared, looking up to her with unblinking eyes.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7U7OKIxC9-C7wX7CwufEMj_qkBCasGA6jpt5cj5eYPOVzhW61gM4a_EFVVSGv0U8kj2oDFzaGXGwAapFd4f6CniSf1B-dDBESljWiVFw9eX9ER-UflRVZ3NLE877RWBQPqNON3WJbzY/s1600/Screenshot-164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7U7OKIxC9-C7wX7CwufEMj_qkBCasGA6jpt5cj5eYPOVzhW61gM4a_EFVVSGv0U8kj2oDFzaGXGwAapFd4f6CniSf1B-dDBESljWiVFw9eX9ER-UflRVZ3NLE877RWBQPqNON3WJbzY/s1600/Screenshot-164.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
She hated not being able to speak to him while she was awake; she could use some of his wisdom and insight right about now! Sometimes what he was trying to tell her was obvious, but other times she couldn't be certain. Like right now, that little nod. Was he trying to tell her that she should hear what this man had to say, or was he just momentarily distracted by a speck of dust? Then it came again, followed by a slow, deliberate blink. That was obvious. She looked back up to the old man, who seemed unfazed by the interaction between witch and familiar.<br />
"I'm not sure how I can help, but I'll do whatever I can. Are you hungry?"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQYFTdxPI-2ITIcaInjoTll6VqC2RlDNvagq7jwteR7-QqEoI3Yhm-S0Rn1RJYovATKWP1kOt6DMF_d0jvomvtPsFfxKXqUoWqYCCAa_1VmVKup3wrTQI1fOQwW1GEmd8fnI-wcCOS0cI/s1600/Screenshot-167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQYFTdxPI-2ITIcaInjoTll6VqC2RlDNvagq7jwteR7-QqEoI3Yhm-S0Rn1RJYovATKWP1kOt6DMF_d0jvomvtPsFfxKXqUoWqYCCAa_1VmVKup3wrTQI1fOQwW1GEmd8fnI-wcCOS0cI/s1600/Screenshot-167.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
His mouth curved into a grateful smile as he nodded. "Famished."<br />
<br />
"So," she said, once she had gotten him a plate of waffles. "How did you know?"<br />
"Mm? Know what?" He stopped eating momentarily, looking up to her as she spoke.<br />
"About me being a witch. What gave it away?"<br />
"Oh, that. Nothing you have to worry about, from humans at least. It's because I'm a werewolf, so I could smell it on you. All supernaturals can sense others, though it varies depending on what type you are. I worked with a fae girl once who said that her kind saw auras, when they looked at other supernaturals."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSUt8nRjN-Nk0XtsQwuWycaOj_9_ios51a83ip0sfYDTmOemFWAT_rxGyg2jtZM8qnuKgDJuMO6z6ckjz-tUR8Q2ooLhY4jEuu5-ah7x58aIC63_PCwTkyD893HSKPn_mDQa-yvNgsyU/s1600/Screenshot-170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSUt8nRjN-Nk0XtsQwuWycaOj_9_ios51a83ip0sfYDTmOemFWAT_rxGyg2jtZM8qnuKgDJuMO6z6ckjz-tUR8Q2ooLhY4jEuu5-ah7x58aIC63_PCwTkyD893HSKPn_mDQa-yvNgsyU/s1600/Screenshot-170.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
She nodded as he went back to his food, attacking it as if he hadn't eaten in days. She supposed that he might not have. "That makes sense. I think I do sort of sense something from you. A sort of wildness, I suppose."<br />
He nodded, chewing and swallowing before he replied. "Yes. That's the wolf in me."<br />
"It actually makes a lot of sense, knowing that. I always wondered why I could feel the ghosts coming. It's because I'm a witch, obviously, so I can just sense them..." she trailed off, noticing the look on Lane's face as he put down his fork. "What?"<br />
"It doesn't work on ghosts. Nobody can feel them coming, not ever. The first hint you get is when they make their move against you."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgykTNq0i2BflD49Tssd8JJS2RGDz9Qqx7eA7BRK2GavRhJ7tbEi8W06TRMrxqeo-jEa9r6zNx18Cvv7htMtQGWw0JyaCZIfOOCVVpaHRKg5v2P4aUH4JzfreZQmj3jeIIbkXj1U9cnDyM/s1600/Screenshot-172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgykTNq0i2BflD49Tssd8JJS2RGDz9Qqx7eA7BRK2GavRhJ7tbEi8W06TRMrxqeo-jEa9r6zNx18Cvv7htMtQGWw0JyaCZIfOOCVVpaHRKg5v2P4aUH4JzfreZQmj3jeIIbkXj1U9cnDyM/s1600/Screenshot-172.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"Oh." She frowned. "I have to go after them for my job, though, and I always feel sick to my stomach right before they pop up. I know I'm not imagining that."<br />
"No, I believe you, but that's not normal. It must be nice, though, to have a warning."<br />
"It is. I guess I'm just lucky."<br />
"I don't believe in luck. It's fate, has to be. You have this sense for a reason."<br />
"What, like some benevolent god up there in the sky gave me this power to save the world or something?" A sarcastic smile twisted her lips, as Lane shook his head.<br />
"No, that's not what I'm saying. Not anything religious like that, I'm the last person to set foot in a church. I just think that things happen for a reason. Everything's connected, and there's altogether too much order in the world for things to be ruled entirely by chance." Noting her expression, he gave a light shrug. "Agree to disagree, I guess."<br />
"Mmhmm. So, what are you going to do now?"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJPRCyPDTv1PnajNMHnS76yT2kn6Ohvvs0mssHYXjgIEtG3KszIvxYLop3uC-EU8xGkorkAf92owsuW79SUuGjqZ_26Ga_gPNhHu8GTp8rEt_2xT2yGGle7W-xyDpmFqr17bb9PeUsCSc/s1600/Screenshot-174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJPRCyPDTv1PnajNMHnS76yT2kn6Ohvvs0mssHYXjgIEtG3KszIvxYLop3uC-EU8xGkorkAf92owsuW79SUuGjqZ_26Ga_gPNhHu8GTp8rEt_2xT2yGGle7W-xyDpmFqr17bb9PeUsCSc/s1600/Screenshot-174.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"I don't know. I could keep moving, but I don't know how much fight I have left in me. None of the packs will take me, I'm not wolf enough for them."<br />
"Huh? What's that about?" She didn't know much about werewolf social structures, but pack was supposed to be important.<br />
"I wasn't born a werewolf, or bitten. I took it upon myself to seek the transformation, using alchemy. I succeeded, but it turns out that it means I'm not a real wolf, to every pack I've encountered at least. My partner was also a human, which further excluded me. They wouldn't have taken me unless I'd turned him, which I never would have done. He might have agreed if I'd asked, but it would have been wrong, and I could never have done that to him, even though it meant living on after he was gone." As he spoke, his expression turned to sadness as the memories affected him.<br />
"I'm sorry."<br />
"It's in the past now, don't worry about it."<br />
The breakfast table fell silent for a few long moments as Epsilon thought. And then, she had the answer. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhksST0JqmrbIMSm6o_uw0ERJht2zNXabUqXnm59OsAvi3FaNSgJm5aYj7IGtYQP-ivc6rEJiXwDk4Oypx5sI-N-j6X2vW45VX67OLt0Vc2mStD6kHO7STZQSpKbW8vstyl0VSxEmHMxuI/s1600/Screenshot-176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhksST0JqmrbIMSm6o_uw0ERJht2zNXabUqXnm59OsAvi3FaNSgJm5aYj7IGtYQP-ivc6rEJiXwDk4Oypx5sI-N-j6X2vW45VX67OLt0Vc2mStD6kHO7STZQSpKbW8vstyl0VSxEmHMxuI/s1600/Screenshot-176.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"Look, there is someplace you could stay, that's safe. At night, at least."<br />
"Safe at night?" His expression was disbelieving. "Do you have a bridge to sell me, as well?"<br />
"I'm serious. My brother was attacked on the first night, but he managed to stay safe there. You won't be able to come and go freely unless I hack the genetic lock my father put on the door, but you'll be safe there. When you're done eating, I'll show you."<br />
<br />
That afternoon, Epsilon received a call from work - they needed her to come in early, and meet with Mr. Olivers. She'd been hoping to finish helping Lane move into the catacombs, but she got the impression that this was definitely not an optional meeting. After arriving at the science facility and signing in at the front desk, she made her way to his office and knocked.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7SYCXFP9K_y4XiuqiHG1_fJArfmpRPhbhyphenhyphencMcY_0PeojLcd5OfeKtKZh640k5k7CLL7LGJZSuMyxUwrgFgeEqtpoXFQUJ7uArcB26Ku9A7yT0Ubqhe0iiUnfaudC91VH3UoyzEUtXx3Q/s1600/Screenshot-241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7SYCXFP9K_y4XiuqiHG1_fJArfmpRPhbhyphenhyphencMcY_0PeojLcd5OfeKtKZh640k5k7CLL7LGJZSuMyxUwrgFgeEqtpoXFQUJ7uArcB26Ku9A7yT0Ubqhe0iiUnfaudC91VH3UoyzEUtXx3Q/s1600/Screenshot-241.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"Come in!"<br />
She entered, keeping her annoyance at having her afternoon interrupted hidden. "You wanted to see me?"<br />
"Ah, yes, Miss Woods. Please, have a seat." He waved to the chairs in front of his desk, and she sat, watching him as he finished up what he was typing. Soon, he turned away from the computer, giving her a warm smile. "I hear you've been very productive."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw19JlpGufSKDktHEaXHNi1rKkfh58vf3CVcsgVkgWJim1lRBLNNFUAYGe0D8qinAQSakNArOU0koNbyrUfCSN7cUURrHTNL7IUdeekgigU-4tYJPRPdEWCykEul8d3Xt84-ZMBMN-llA/s1600/Screenshot-244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw19JlpGufSKDktHEaXHNi1rKkfh58vf3CVcsgVkgWJim1lRBLNNFUAYGe0D8qinAQSakNArOU0koNbyrUfCSN7cUURrHTNL7IUdeekgigU-4tYJPRPdEWCykEul8d3Xt84-ZMBMN-llA/s1600/Screenshot-244.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"It's my job," she replied shortly.<br />
"Saving the world, and all that. The day we have a working production model can't come too soon! Any progress on the...ah, technical difficulties?" He waved a hand vaguely in the air as he continued speaking. "I read your report, but I must say all of that technical stuff goes right over my head."<br />
"In recent testing, it continues to perform perfectly in some trials, but malfunctions in others. We don't know why, but we're working on it. This sort of thing takes time, sir." It was getting extremely difficult to hide her lack of patience with this man - who thinks that managing a science corporation when you're scientifically illiterate is a good idea? - but for the sake of her work she tried her best.<br />
"Time is, unfortunately, something we don't have." He leaned forward, lacing his fingers together. Great, now he was going to go in on the guilt trip, as if she didn't already know how many people were dying each night that she spent testing new solutions! "Maybe it's time to consider alternate approaches."<br />
"We already have a working model! Changing our focus now would set us back months, if not years, considering we don't even know where to start!"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiakx5IPuGztx4bgsXLJlEd7iiB1a9cNB1BJHxgtocPlDWUpNVxAWpFm8MnzxMniASC9NTdulscBOvJLveUfEqZQxBTWWywsahhXSK1YdXP4RFjvRmDP0bVGfHunoS23XKbpDEfHN2T04s/s1600/Screenshot-246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiakx5IPuGztx4bgsXLJlEd7iiB1a9cNB1BJHxgtocPlDWUpNVxAWpFm8MnzxMniASC9NTdulscBOvJLveUfEqZQxBTWWywsahhXSK1YdXP4RFjvRmDP0bVGfHunoS23XKbpDEfHN2T04s/s1600/Screenshot-246.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"Ah, but we do." He handed her a sheet of paper from his desk. She took it and read the e-mail message as he summarized the contents. "Egypt. A tourist town called Al Simhara has had virtually no trouble with ghosts. Reports indicate that there is a high amount of ghost activity, but that it has been almost entirely neutralized through some sort of ancient ritualistic game. The military wants us to investigate, as they believe it may be an alternate method of controlling the attacks. I've already taken the liberty of booking your flight, it leaves tomorrow morning. You'll have the night off work to prepare, of course."<br />
Of course. She knew better than to argue about that, but one thing about this puzzled her. "Why are you sending me? Wouldn't it be better to send an anthropologist or a historian? I don't know the first thing about Egyptian history or culture."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWM97i4oMRzbTSeIEXmzo2PJZbq9iDP97INz25A_M88T8S6XWMjf1uHQC65fVyP5UXwR4g-DZakWuP1E2uAEJuiCu1OQ6vFOEIoBYBdZztXV6_iVXQl3_RaiBC72Gt_MAZSfObUQsRSU/s1600/Screenshot-247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWM97i4oMRzbTSeIEXmzo2PJZbq9iDP97INz25A_M88T8S6XWMjf1uHQC65fVyP5UXwR4g-DZakWuP1E2uAEJuiCu1OQ6vFOEIoBYBdZztXV6_iVXQl3_RaiBC72Gt_MAZSfObUQsRSU/s1600/Screenshot-247.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Mr. Olivers looked at her, his expression one that you might use on a small child who had said something particularly foolish. "If I wanted somebody to come back and explain how the magic worked, I'd send a historian. But I don't. I want somebody to go there, figure out the science behind how it works, and report back with something that will actually be useful. You'll have briefing materials to go over on the plane, which should fill you in on any necessary cultural context, so don't worry. Now, I recommend that you go home and pack, because your flight leaves quite early."<br />
<br />
Epsilon had never traveled internationally before, but due to her corporate connections her hastily-scheduled flight went smoothly. Soon enough, she was boarding a bus from the airport to the camp she'd be staying at in Al Simhara.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvK5etEOt5IRXg4YMlg4FgA5RIyLopRzMHhZq6iisULPxum4bnr1nOzVrTJZLqotUSbHFdl4cUqnGlkTZTqUnFvlIZmeBohThp4gx7rr-shtA1YYaBMgdD32MaiUAfBmzvBr9LTwvjjkA/s1600/Screenshot-132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvK5etEOt5IRXg4YMlg4FgA5RIyLopRzMHhZq6iisULPxum4bnr1nOzVrTJZLqotUSbHFdl4cUqnGlkTZTqUnFvlIZmeBohThp4gx7rr-shtA1YYaBMgdD32MaiUAfBmzvBr9LTwvjjkA/s1600/Screenshot-132.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Even though it was coming up on the full moon, she was surprised to find the residents of the area so relaxed, something that she hadn't seen back home in over a year. The briefing materials she'd read on the plane had mentioned that there had been very few violent attacks in the area, and no deaths, but seeing the lack of fear for herself clarified the importance of her mission. After settling into her campsite, she consulted her map of the town to figure out where to go next. She was looking for a woman named Layla Lufti, and if she was reading the map correctly she lived about three miles from the campsite. The day wasn't yet hot, so Epsilon set off at a brisk walk. As she approached the house, she saw a woman lingering by the mailbox.<br />
"Law samahti!" she called out, trying to recall what little of the foreign language she'd managed to study from the phrasebook. As she struggled for the next words, she peeked down at where she'd written a short cheat sheet on her map. "Mabatkallemš arabi kwayyes. Betetkallem Simlish?"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj27WAuGUhGhdfqrgKClMJatPq3CAEJe-d9I-MRA2wJoduiXYrgXNX9YSXTL1X7_2g3NbYYAnFOpxwO0re8lrfUJLIZmRj0HhYEpEJYyXOIqlv1F5n-ntFG1FVAGQ8Lerrzg2fi0Awdi1I/s1600/Screenshot-134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj27WAuGUhGhdfqrgKClMJatPq3CAEJe-d9I-MRA2wJoduiXYrgXNX9YSXTL1X7_2g3NbYYAnFOpxwO0re8lrfUJLIZmRj0HhYEpEJYyXOIqlv1F5n-ntFG1FVAGQ8Lerrzg2fi0Awdi1I/s1600/Screenshot-134.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The woman smiled kindly, responding in heavily accented Simlish. "I do. I believe it would be best to stay with that, yes?"<br />
"Yes, sorry. I'm looking for a woman who lives around here. Aanesa Layla, do you know her?"<br />
"That depends. Who is asking?" Her demeanor remained pleasant, but Epsilon felt as if the woman's piercing gaze was judging her every movement as she replied.<br />
"My name is Epsilon Woods. I'm a scientist, sent from Sunset Valley to study the local successes regarding controlling ghosts through the game of Senet."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkhZL6zqIT-S8qPpeUG1LrJiFXOdM3L2vfY70qqEstWmWZXjuJoz4zbHDp4TF6pO5I9vVu48sUct-thJqCEQCScR8o2DNPGTCWR-AW_RP-FT4W8LNINjKxinC4oKasEtTzbrQjmBYijA/s1600/Screenshot-141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkhZL6zqIT-S8qPpeUG1LrJiFXOdM3L2vfY70qqEstWmWZXjuJoz4zbHDp4TF6pO5I9vVu48sUct-thJqCEQCScR8o2DNPGTCWR-AW_RP-FT4W8LNINjKxinC4oKasEtTzbrQjmBYijA/s1600/Screenshot-141.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The woman frowned slightly. "I wouldn't call it control so much as a bargain, an understanding of sorts. But I see that you meant no harm, you simply didn't know. Very well. I am Layla, there is no need for the polite address. Now, why are you here?"<br />
Epsilon stammered as she responded, confused by the repeated question. "I just told you."<br />
"No, you didn't." Layla regarded Epsilon with an inscrutable expression. "I know who sent you, but you wouldn't have agreed to it unless there was another, deeper reason."<br />
Epsilon nodded. "You're right. I didn't want to come at first, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that it was necessary. I lost my father in the initial attack, and I even nearly lost my own life that same night. It was pure luck that saved me. I want to bring back knowledge that can help me create something to keep the people I love safe."<br />
"I doubt you will."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7rH87b51AuD2ndCieDAxBiZZZaIASTW_YbN-eohdEpZ-1PmKFY6FhPfN7bFdPtaSCh9a6KVnOsbaLRsSJKiA02XQ8zKWq9WRJPMxfu3I18uo_MEtEFe9phuQ52ja608K7Induh9cVJTI/s1600/Screenshot-137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7rH87b51AuD2ndCieDAxBiZZZaIASTW_YbN-eohdEpZ-1PmKFY6FhPfN7bFdPtaSCh9a6KVnOsbaLRsSJKiA02XQ8zKWq9WRJPMxfu3I18uo_MEtEFe9phuQ52ja608K7Induh9cVJTI/s1600/Screenshot-137.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Epsilon bit her lip to keep from frowning. This conversation had started off so well, but quickly taken a turn for the worse. Unsure of what to say, she settled for a terse, stubborn reply. "If that's the case, then so be it. But please understand that I have to try."<br />
Layla watched Epsilon for a long moment, her eyes taking in every detail from the way her fists had unconsciously clenched to the stubborn set of her jaw. "I understand. Very well. Meet me in the market at four past noon. In the meantime, I suggest you remain in the shade, away from the hot midday sun. It can be devastating to those who are not used to it."<br />
<br />
Epsilon spent the first part of the afternoon under the shaded shelter at the camp. Layla had been right, the midday sun was brutal here. The long robes the native women wore seemed much more suited to the climate, and Epsilon thought that if she was staying here for longer than a few days she might have to adopt the fashion herself. As the sun moved downwards across the sky, she prepared herself for the meeting.<br />
Layla was waiting for her, and didn't waste any time. "Good, you've arrived. Tell me, do you play the game of chess?"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiadDcxfwnQHEwhCXzs7AWAL5NJWzlr7Z5q-vOhTy0jhj2w8RN2PS6wHUsZaxQO-frYNJYXoeenwpjcMUj47gfcpl4WgYBIFdVRhjHFdKUL_8ScJoLXzd07PAO2Ywobf9cx5Q9LXNaAyOI/s1600/Screenshot-183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiadDcxfwnQHEwhCXzs7AWAL5NJWzlr7Z5q-vOhTy0jhj2w8RN2PS6wHUsZaxQO-frYNJYXoeenwpjcMUj47gfcpl4WgYBIFdVRhjHFdKUL_8ScJoLXzd07PAO2Ywobf9cx5Q9LXNaAyOI/s1600/Screenshot-183.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"Sure," Epsilon replied, baffled. "But what does that have to do with Senet?"<br />
"Little. But I'd enjoy a game. Come." She led the way to a corner shop, and the two women sat down on opposing sides of a stone-carved chess table.<br />
"White moves first. Ask your questions." <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoi98ZlK833zMMY-mJCjVm1PehUM7WQWhbQJl_0wan2Y2pLv2ptLBUIpJ4KN1BfS6IehhYor5XzP071zD-flN3xR98QCzGUqfOGbr6qOQBvLgY1IrdwJw-PcJqubya7erpTSI-lsoQarw/s1600/Screenshot-184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoi98ZlK833zMMY-mJCjVm1PehUM7WQWhbQJl_0wan2Y2pLv2ptLBUIpJ4KN1BfS6IehhYor5XzP071zD-flN3xR98QCzGUqfOGbr6qOQBvLgY1IrdwJw-PcJqubya7erpTSI-lsoQarw/s1600/Screenshot-184.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Epsilon briefly considered the board, before moving a pawn. "Do you know how Senet keeps the ghosts from attacking?"<br />
"She moves quickly, sure of the game," Layla remarked, looking at the board thoughtfully. "We will see if she knows as much as she thinks she does. Yes, I do." She moved a knight in response to Epsilon's pawn - not an opening move the other woman was familiar with. The silence stretched on for several moments, until it was obvious that Layla would say nothing more.<br />
"Well, can you explain it to me?" Epsilon tried hard to keep her exasperation from her voice, though she suspected she hadn't quite succeeded. She moved her first pawn's twin to stand next to it.<br />
"Can the fish explain to the bird the wonders of swimming? I will try. I can only hope that I will succeed. What do you know of Senet?"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYM6teNe6x91Eq-myZx09lKXPjhpu_T27D3MNN9zG0RrmZF3faYH3v7qtLISiRZN7RTJ-SXeQap2AhJwiWNZxCP_LigCIsSgLdrDjkyAILk0ghqxcf3Y4CvFvzIXU7cSwz9lyiW0Mnikw/s1600/Screenshot-185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYM6teNe6x91Eq-myZx09lKXPjhpu_T27D3MNN9zG0RrmZF3faYH3v7qtLISiRZN7RTJ-SXeQap2AhJwiWNZxCP_LigCIsSgLdrDjkyAILk0ghqxcf3Y4CvFvzIXU7cSwz9lyiW0Mnikw/s1600/Screenshot-185.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"Not much," Epsilon admitted. "Like I said, I'm a scientist, not a historian. I read the information I was given on the flight here, but it was hardly anything. It said that nobody even knew the actual rules anymore."<br />
"That is incorrect."<br />
"How can you know how the game is meant to be played if everybody who knew how has been dead for thousands of years?"<br />
"The dead may have woken with a vengeance, but they were not always asleep. Even when the veil remained intact, some souls slipped through, apparent to those with the proper gifts. And so we learned."<br />
"The veil? What are you talking about?" Epsilon could barely focus on the unfolding chess match as she tried to digest what Layla was saying.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJvSsuCFKPBYY_pRvVh9odAJyW9AUPFnLrXBtjbUMJ3U-hn2aSjK3k81CCBf70MC_dRejDGPZEfR5DrP23F1C_4NRF0OWTakguYZYuQlNClfupi79GZucN6OmtR4G7cmfqma6c9xecPY/s1600/Screenshot-187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJvSsuCFKPBYY_pRvVh9odAJyW9AUPFnLrXBtjbUMJ3U-hn2aSjK3k81CCBf70MC_dRejDGPZEfR5DrP23F1C_4NRF0OWTakguYZYuQlNClfupi79GZucN6OmtR4G7cmfqma6c9xecPY/s1600/Screenshot-187.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"The veil between the world of the living, and that of the dead. It was once whole, serving to keep the realms apart, as they should be. But it was torn apart, and it still remains to see if it can ever be repaired."<br />
"Alright," Epsilon centered herself, trying to focus on the game while still continuing the conversation. "So, tell me. How does this game work?"<br />
"The exact rules are unimportant. The objective is to reach your End, while blocking your opponent from reaching their own. Traditionally, the game was seen as an important step along the path to the afterlife." Layla captured another one of Epsilon's pieces, though she hardly cared at this point; she just wanted to keep the Egyptian woman talking.<br />
"I'm still not following how this works. I didn't have much information."<br />
"I understand. I'm doing my best to explain. When the ghosts rise, you must challenge them. You must play the game carefully and precisely. And you must lose."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKjmLykOBGn74PYxJAvtMRf4hW4ZMzjr4Xczbah7N1h3VsCH5pG7GJyRtmqCysEzbMk_mWgg-LOMbOe9_fws3L6lhjPh59hcb8QF1BdxLE48Gz8lPWBvvXn0syaFVOmbCn6SotJ3YASr4/s1600/Screenshot-189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKjmLykOBGn74PYxJAvtMRf4hW4ZMzjr4Xczbah7N1h3VsCH5pG7GJyRtmqCysEzbMk_mWgg-LOMbOe9_fws3L6lhjPh59hcb8QF1BdxLE48Gz8lPWBvvXn0syaFVOmbCn6SotJ3YASr4/s1600/Screenshot-189.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"Woah, wait. Back up a moment. You play the game against ghosts?"<br />
"Yes. Why wouldn't we?" Layla seemed confused by the question.<br />
"I didn't know that ghosts were that intelligent."<br />
"Why wouldn't they be? Death does not dull their intelligence. Now, you must play a good game, simply giving up would be no good. But, in the end, you must concede, so that your opponent may take the victory, and begin to re-trace their steps to the afterlife. Do you understand?"<br />
"I think I might, at least the what. But I don't understand why. What's the science behind it?"<br />
"Does there have to be science behind it?" Layla took another of Epsilon's pieces, emotionless as she knocked the stone-carved bishop from the board.<br />
"It would be best if there was something I could take back to my boss. Look, I believe you that this works. Maybe there's not even a logical explanation. Maybe it's magic. I'll accept that. But I need something to show for my trip here."<br />
Layla nodded slowly. "I knew there was something about you. You know there's more to the world than what science shows."<br />
Epsilon inched back in her chair, suddenly wary of the other woman. "What do you mean, something about me?"<br />
"The blood of the Genu flows in my veins. Not strong, for it was only a distant ancestor, but still. Sometimes, I sense things, as I sensed you."<br />
"Um," Epsilon frowned. "The Genu? What?"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Fu3FAdvONJHdwr3U9NlxCTeTlF964cLMXpd5-4OoEnqxkN0jssnGQe4Dls-PbdPbHfPwb8rkbzZy-SPSzTIezupaq-81tsgpWK14eK6jNagN3ZHYwudmxGPfn5BvtBTBbT_ek7icasw/s1600/Screenshot-186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Fu3FAdvONJHdwr3U9NlxCTeTlF964cLMXpd5-4OoEnqxkN0jssnGQe4Dls-PbdPbHfPwb8rkbzZy-SPSzTIezupaq-81tsgpWK14eK6jNagN3ZHYwudmxGPfn5BvtBTBbT_ek7icasw/s1600/Screenshot-186.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"It matters not. Checkmate." Layla moved a final piece and then set Epsilon's king down on its side. "If you must give them something, give them this. The traditional set is carved of stone, but the set which is played with the spirits is carved of copper and of gold. Perhaps the materials have some say in the matter, I do not know. All I know is the game." She shrugged, settling back in her seat as Epsilon nodded, still somewhat stunned by the conversation.<br />
"Thank you, for your time. And the game."<br />
"Thank you, Aanesa Epsilon. I hope it was enlightening. And now, I must return to my home before nightfall. Farewell."<br />
Epsilon ordered dinner in the market, lost in her thoughts as she ate.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjza9JsLvQTz3AGzpS3sbJr5xZYtzQGi-4XB8XVgELEaAcF4XA8kCpsObNiTlkxcr_pREgL6eFsXBZfElmpdFViRncYW3KXX6MriMNIQIr2gdJnw7PB0OlntMnhxAr4ebM23f8sY34RqnI/s1600/Screenshot-190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjza9JsLvQTz3AGzpS3sbJr5xZYtzQGi-4XB8XVgELEaAcF4XA8kCpsObNiTlkxcr_pREgL6eFsXBZfElmpdFViRncYW3KXX6MriMNIQIr2gdJnw7PB0OlntMnhxAr4ebM23f8sY34RqnI/s1600/Screenshot-190.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
She had never thought of the ghosts as actual people before. Obviously they all had been at one point, but the ones that attacjed were surely just echoes of their past selves, lost in their rage. And yet, Layla spoke of playing games with them. Epsilon suppressed a shiver as she thought of the hundreds of spirits held in containment boxes. If they were intelligent beings, fully aware of themselves, then what moral consequence did locking them up have?<br />
<br />
Epsilon yawned as she descended the stairs to the crypt, fighting against the jet lag that had plagued her since her arrival back in Sunset Valley.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-FqgTY494adoUDgU7uzodVlynWX0hmrL7bxQbZk9NkqgUTZvRENjZYISV6A_pqTzsRv-dF2ZRvAKWSSdsNJ3E8XvqQ4n5xD5jA0uvSfUzzbbMaxorEV5iijqqesnfGR9ZBq0czGjA9M/s1600/Screenshot-237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-FqgTY494adoUDgU7uzodVlynWX0hmrL7bxQbZk9NkqgUTZvRENjZYISV6A_pqTzsRv-dF2ZRvAKWSSdsNJ3E8XvqQ4n5xD5jA0uvSfUzzbbMaxorEV5iijqqesnfGR9ZBq0czGjA9M/s1600/Screenshot-237.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"Lane? Are you down here?" she called out softly, knowing that her voice would echo through the catacombs, so there was no need for volume. She still didn't like it down here, but at least now she knew - through Omicron - that it was due to her magical powers being cut off, and not because of anything more sinister. Sometimes she wondered how much her father had known about the supernatural world. Clearly he'd known of it, likely due to Lane, but had he known that her mother was a witch? If so, how could he have kept Epsilon's own heritage from her?<br />
A reply came from further inside the crypt, breaking Epsilon out of her thoughts. "In the second chamber!"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIODTuFWtkGgmpn9Ive5D_V_YHsI-eTn8Rl1UBpGvXH3XI0q5SQZgwiaSS3sPIpFLQ6hfSK6CSXlE3QLFMt-o2WdO2Rz1nNsAYA7rFhSkwNylA7yp4terOOiDi3DTqE6qGq2Tk8ijVcsE/s1600/Screenshot-238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIODTuFWtkGgmpn9Ive5D_V_YHsI-eTn8Rl1UBpGvXH3XI0q5SQZgwiaSS3sPIpFLQ6hfSK6CSXlE3QLFMt-o2WdO2Rz1nNsAYA7rFhSkwNylA7yp4terOOiDi3DTqE6qGq2Tk8ijVcsE/s1600/Screenshot-238.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
She hurried through the first chamber and into the second, her eyes adjusting from the dim torchlight to the fiery brazier and the green glow of the crystal in this room. "I've just gotten back from Al Simhara. I'm so sorry that I couldn't fix the lock before I left, I hope it hasn't been a problem."<br />
Lane dismissed that with a wave of his hand. "I made do, don't worry about it. What did you find out? Or can't you tell me?"<br />
"I didn't sign a NDA, so I can tell you. I didn't find out much, it seemed to be much more magical than scientific, which won't go over well with my boss." She settled down on the couch - the same one that had once been in James's room - next to Lane as she spoke.<br />
"In what way?"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXL81w5UlV4-xvU4I3jia8gtQUC2wZGCjzg2K1H399LVAgvgN0AAjJPjjnLo8HS6tYlWGY7U4nUd3o2dsa7mP9z6g4QXrmL94CWZKa3g8hupy0xyIee_zMAp55yULUrw4zyNNu5d3ngY/s1600/Screenshot-240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXL81w5UlV4-xvU4I3jia8gtQUC2wZGCjzg2K1H399LVAgvgN0AAjJPjjnLo8HS6tYlWGY7U4nUd3o2dsa7mP9z6g4QXrmL94CWZKa3g8hupy0xyIee_zMAp55yULUrw4zyNNu5d3ngY/s1600/Screenshot-240.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"Well, whatever binding powers the game has seem to be tied to culture and tradition. The woman I spoke to mentioned that the materials her particular game was formed from might have played a role in the efficiency of the method, but..." she trailed off, noticing Lane's look. "What?"<br />
"The materials. Metals?" He frowned slightly as he concentrated.<br />
"Yes. Copper and gold. Why?"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOKulkvx0DyVeYEt1jwPAE5aemmWvCBYWhPxX7uOaXEmcKc7cIJJQ1PSloBktq9OxIo7GG_eUF62-B5e0nTZm_SDcUuBzYyUWm32k8Hi4RrcuDT_PEkdWkqavOPydJT_d2GcNBTkZgjFg/s1600/Screenshot-239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOKulkvx0DyVeYEt1jwPAE5aemmWvCBYWhPxX7uOaXEmcKc7cIJJQ1PSloBktq9OxIo7GG_eUF62-B5e0nTZm_SDcUuBzYyUWm32k8Hi4RrcuDT_PEkdWkqavOPydJT_d2GcNBTkZgjFg/s1600/Screenshot-239.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"Follow that lead. I know it might sound silly to you, but metals can hold certain magical properties. I studied alchemy as a teenager, and learned to use many rocks and minerals to create potions, so I don't think it's far-fetched at all that the materials the Senet board are made of effects the final result."<br />
"But even so, we've come back around to magic again."<br />
"No, we haven't." He grinned, a wild, wolfish grin, as he continued. "Magic is just the word we use for science that we don't understand yet. So, go understand it, witch-scientist."<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
~ * ~</div>
<i><br /></i>
<i>Yes, it's Lane! No, I didn't roll help for this generation. I needed him conveniently nearby for story purposes, but he's not staying in the legacy home in my game. Besides, like he said, he's an old wolf - he dies before generation 4 makes its appearance. Even with that untimely death, he still outlived the rest of generation 2 by at least two weeks, thanks to his being a werewolf.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I originally had a long conversation during the breakfast scene in which Lane insisted that there was too much order in life for life paths to be the result of pure chance, citing most of the things that are rolled for randomly in this challenge. It didn't add to the story, though, so I edited it down to what you see here. It's still an ironic conviction of his, considering the challenge in which he resides.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>For those who missed the reference, Lane's bridge comment refers to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brooklyn_Bridge#Cultural_significance">this</a>. I'm not sure how common that reference is outside of the US, so I want to make sure international readers aren't completely confused as to why Lane is apparently a bridge salesman now!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>This chapter was so late because I was doing a ridiculous amount of research on Senet, the Book of the Dead, and various Egyptian burial practices, almost none of which was actually used(because Epsilon is a scientist, not a historian, haha). C'est la vie.</i><br />
<br />
<i>This chapter continued to be late(like, 3 weeks after I wrote the last excuse about it being late in the draft!) because I had a terrible case of writer's block when it came to Layla Lufti. I just could not get into her head. I originally tried to write her as something she wasn't, and she didn't like that one bit. I finally found <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIrLA04ull0">her song</a>, and that helped. Still can't believe I spent so long trying to figure out a one-off character. :\</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1480959486985392708.post-42617195789376820552013-09-07T23:28:00.001-04:002013-09-07T23:29:04.055-04:00Woods Random Legacy: Chapter 59 - GhostbusterEpsilon cleaned the entire house top-to-bottom before she left. Of course, there wasn't much to clean, as Omicron had coped with much of his anxiety through copious amounts of scrubbing and laundry, but she made the place as neat as possible. Alpha would be stopping in from time to time to make sure nothing was wrong, but it wouldn't be fair to give her any more work than was necessary.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5D8Lde6XiQX1Ac2rhPAO8uQSmy7X9MFy1unmbv_U2Dv9JVOJFHfVEH48yO4vriskmpGFYMz2mlMl5fLdFp7RUSRSa-AHiyYoAhRyWNGeIiTSonHMtMCZIwTNFBzpq8XiyYJ-1pCVhNI/s1600/Screenshot-37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5D8Lde6XiQX1Ac2rhPAO8uQSmy7X9MFy1unmbv_U2Dv9JVOJFHfVEH48yO4vriskmpGFYMz2mlMl5fLdFp7RUSRSa-AHiyYoAhRyWNGeIiTSonHMtMCZIwTNFBzpq8XiyYJ-1pCVhNI/s1600/Screenshot-37.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Epsilon's studies were much more focused, even more so than the other seniors. She'd gotten special dispensation to take mostly individual study classes, but even the standard theory courses she supplemented with were very advanced. The catch-up work was on her to complete during what free time she had, and her professors were more than understanding of any late work.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5fYe_AH8xoQFQMeIl6QflBrbA_SoSfchLJpDvaXu5u7nkLdcnzHYo_dkGUUhzxYIB-u9Dj0z9DuKFhtt-czEcTqTJVwESOfbwqKi40xil_CvDVcEfhyYZzuJ3_SyjISe5gyD5tF9gQ-8/s1600/Screenshot-52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5fYe_AH8xoQFQMeIl6QflBrbA_SoSfchLJpDvaXu5u7nkLdcnzHYo_dkGUUhzxYIB-u9Dj0z9DuKFhtt-czEcTqTJVwESOfbwqKi40xil_CvDVcEfhyYZzuJ3_SyjISe5gyD5tF9gQ-8/s1600/Screenshot-52.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Because, of course, the Omega project was the university's top priority. Whenever she wasn't in one of her many classes or frantically trying to catch up to her classmates through self-study, she was either in the lab or working on the main containment unit. It turned out that bigger was better with this technology, so Carlton's experiment had been scaled up to a three-story contraption. Replicating the mechanical construction was easy, but determining the necessary core composition was turning out to be much more difficult, as the original research notes had been lost.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc6-5FD8Y87taBNbAtAy_qT0jDewh1Bh6pNALsu_eWL-9R0BEkNPSYUgTzKSnQjGoiPlnjx1wAqVYiTINQHqDFGpTS8wx8EZbzjd4dkdTT13WuQD1H74JosiL37OGIR_xCpjHMbnLX7T8/s1600/Screenshot-49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc6-5FD8Y87taBNbAtAy_qT0jDewh1Bh6pNALsu_eWL-9R0BEkNPSYUgTzKSnQjGoiPlnjx1wAqVYiTINQHqDFGpTS8wx8EZbzjd4dkdTT13WuQD1H74JosiL37OGIR_xCpjHMbnLX7T8/s1600/Screenshot-49.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
No matter how important the work, Epsilon always headed back to her student accommodations before night fell. She knew that she was no safer in there than outside, but it was a lot easier to block out the memories of the night she was attacked in her living room than in the lab where the attack had taken place.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNyp8XgO0FnXDgE25fx2op6J4D6z3_YZqfBlJQE7zRP38CSBW2zGkM6LoLvYkYtXPDGAxYqnbbxa_nCK89eZ-bZzkj0ZETXlR6NyRdSq6Krpc-QGj-uyiagzrdwDg2rFWe0_r_g-_QBo/s1600/Screenshot-56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNyp8XgO0FnXDgE25fx2op6J4D6z3_YZqfBlJQE7zRP38CSBW2zGkM6LoLvYkYtXPDGAxYqnbbxa_nCK89eZ-bZzkj0ZETXlR6NyRdSq6Krpc-QGj-uyiagzrdwDg2rFWe0_r_g-_QBo/s1600/Screenshot-56.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
She felt the ghosts to some degree almost every night. She'd grown to associate the churning of her stomach and brief dizzy spells with the reports of ghost activity that she read about in the security blog the next morning. Nobody else mentioned it, so the phenomenon seemed to be limited to herself; rather than expose her non-human status, she chose to keep the knowledge of her coinciding sicknesses between herself and Brendan. She hardly ever saw him, due to the high level of classwork, but she always called him when ghost activity was high. Just the sound of his voice calmed her, comforted her, and made it easier for her to make it through the long nights.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMMy4biiG7IH9mP7hX7umrcJ5Ixz_TEPhCG1lktqjkVfLdm0pF8BNgOyasjzjEuOuNvfQ_-IMIwulE-RbWZdCPXkipB6RHidB1O1CjgpwNl-5SB7C3rVGVLTlQ-tD64JqwkfozJJkbfo/s1600/Screenshot-57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMMy4biiG7IH9mP7hX7umrcJ5Ixz_TEPhCG1lktqjkVfLdm0pF8BNgOyasjzjEuOuNvfQ_-IMIwulE-RbWZdCPXkipB6RHidB1O1CjgpwNl-5SB7C3rVGVLTlQ-tD64JqwkfozJJkbfo/s1600/Screenshot-57.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
A breakthrough in the Omega project took place near the end of term. Finally, a core that would engage was found! It wasn't very efficient, but the machine spun up, which meant that it would do its job of capturing spirits. Now the only challenges were to further refine the core and miniaturize the device to the point where it was practical. No small task, to be sure, but having something - anything - that worked increased team morale. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5TAN2CVaHwXdCHoNXb9NyTdy477UnQA0i4RIR4aC-6iGaXytEvWere_No4LpeC61VNTEm3K2l7GgP6A0BdsgfJoJ1IHmr0Noy6KQQ5IX7dUGlUX7WGyBusPPlOQWblMJ3rRJBa0mSDuA/s1600/Screenshot-61.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5TAN2CVaHwXdCHoNXb9NyTdy477UnQA0i4RIR4aC-6iGaXytEvWere_No4LpeC61VNTEm3K2l7GgP6A0BdsgfJoJ1IHmr0Noy6KQQ5IX7dUGlUX7WGyBusPPlOQWblMJ3rRJBa0mSDuA/s1600/Screenshot-61.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The end of term, and Epsilon's graduation, came all too soon. The piece of paper that they handed to her on the stage didn't even matter to her anymore; all she cared about was the Omega project, and solving the scientific riddles that it consisted of.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1k-_6zSvH74G9QC2vT9hy5-CM73TlPER9UHrqwCEP3JK5OMMQBaSjFv92gGt0-A9LKv6zt9nb3oZQ9WAaYZSP_8CkJhtyl1VLxjxWkgGajvIBEzep6W9N9FFvBrdZUblBPqtjB8toiOo/s1600/Screenshot-64.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1k-_6zSvH74G9QC2vT9hy5-CM73TlPER9UHrqwCEP3JK5OMMQBaSjFv92gGt0-A9LKv6zt9nb3oZQ9WAaYZSP_8CkJhtyl1VLxjxWkgGajvIBEzep6W9N9FFvBrdZUblBPqtjB8toiOo/s1600/Screenshot-64.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Between graduation and her inevitable trip back home, she worked almost exclusively in the labs. Her focus was on refining the core - miniaturization was coming along nicely - and that work wasn't finished yet. Not by a long shot.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4qPemal4JklQr8U2RwG52Pia8xpSLI-cYdmO8rpU56Va3LyLLpNndMaB3M2pJhR-bn0dwtgsKmCL2MBFZLaBi6ti0lHW8puQ4Ga-tMTjR5k7aFkUNp6q8BVPTH2hfL_D3tyzrUsTcDB0/s1600/Screenshot-66.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4qPemal4JklQr8U2RwG52Pia8xpSLI-cYdmO8rpU56Va3LyLLpNndMaB3M2pJhR-bn0dwtgsKmCL2MBFZLaBi6ti0lHW8puQ4Ga-tMTjR5k7aFkUNp6q8BVPTH2hfL_D3tyzrUsTcDB0/s1600/Screenshot-66.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Eventually, her lease on the apartment ran out, and certain deadlines in the contract she'd signed were looming. She had to make her way back to Sunset Valley, whether her research was complete or not. Reluctantly, she packed up her possessions and prepared to return home.<br />
<br />
Brendan, of course, accompanied her home. He'd been picked up as a technology specialist by the military, but didn't have to report for basic training for about a week. He intended to make good use of that time.<br />
"So, you're really going to go work for them?" They stood in the front room, the late summer sunlight illuminating the house through the front-facing windows.<br />
"Well, I don't really have a choice."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTAVIzzt8ERCXJB2EzB-bLuP1UHYKy-pe0W_yv1MfrbcfoYMzyvMsZzlkGXIsfmsga_T4OkEYNLl7v5HT8nzBMu4Vs_4x1QchwinTo4FPu1mZQIA8j6TLkBIL92KDwPnM2rBGyj_Pz6U/s1600/Screenshot-103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTAVIzzt8ERCXJB2EzB-bLuP1UHYKy-pe0W_yv1MfrbcfoYMzyvMsZzlkGXIsfmsga_T4OkEYNLl7v5HT8nzBMu4Vs_4x1QchwinTo4FPu1mZQIA8j6TLkBIL92KDwPnM2rBGyj_Pz6U/s1600/Screenshot-103.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"Of course you have a choice. It's just easier to go along with it."<br />
She nodded. "It is. And I think I should, at least for now. There's still so much good I could do. You'll be using one of the rifles, right?"<br />
He nodded. "I haven't seen it yet, but I know we'll be trained on it. I know you've done good work, thanks."<br />
Epsilon shrugged. "It's my job. But you're welcome. I guess I should go put my stuff in my room."<br />
She turned to walk through the kitchen, but paused as Brendan spoke. "Wait. Isn't the master bedroom through there?"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhhqbQTyN7qfHyF47krWxkRZOVu3YhRmqfeoL6RKgJAQRiAq4Wp1Ff4_rDmY7edUHJqq3HGXvyizR44cN04-opaB9eN4xddDbXgWvEmmqkmODQ25Zn46ALIDuUFznvxusZkYG9WQc0SOY/s1600/Screenshot-107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhhqbQTyN7qfHyF47krWxkRZOVu3YhRmqfeoL6RKgJAQRiAq4Wp1Ff4_rDmY7edUHJqq3HGXvyizR44cN04-opaB9eN4xddDbXgWvEmmqkmODQ25Zn46ALIDuUFznvxusZkYG9WQc0SOY/s1600/Screenshot-107.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
She turned, shrugging. "I guess. But that's not my bedroom. That's Dad's..." she trailed off, realizing how silly that sounded.<br />
"Right. And he's gone. You're the head of the house now, so it's your room."<br />
"I know, but it just feels so strange to think about sleeping there. It's so...him!"<br />
"It can't be that bad. Let's go see it." He took Epsilon's hand, leading her into the bedroom.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1i9vfVy7fEh0-ynFnYFAoQfKDDNIGh-rAop8I3Mi_KvOQnXtjsfjQ7nki4NBZ2cpEj-4Z7tak_1yfVXmb1MipT8IigviRfq0Xz0VnQUlFeeXgC9gTakpDhCI-uiZOdlOrfoAr6uMR8s/s1600/Screenshot-105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1i9vfVy7fEh0-ynFnYFAoQfKDDNIGh-rAop8I3Mi_KvOQnXtjsfjQ7nki4NBZ2cpEj-4Z7tak_1yfVXmb1MipT8IigviRfq0Xz0VnQUlFeeXgC9gTakpDhCI-uiZOdlOrfoAr6uMR8s/s1600/Screenshot-105.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"Wow, okay, I take that back. Your father was clearly not an interior designer." Noticing Epsilon's look, he quickly added to those statements. "But we can work with it! You're not really a green sort of girl, but that's fine, we can wallpaper over the paint. Everything's very sleek and modern, also not really your sort of thing, but I saw a furniture store on the way into town, so that's easy to fix. Well, depending on the state of your bank account."<br />
"There's plenty," she said flatly. "Money isn't an object."<br />
"What did your father do, anyway?" Brendan looked at her curiously, a frown tugging at the corner of his mouth.<br />
"I don't know, and I don't want to know. I don't think it was anything honest, and not knowing the particulars is fine with me." <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyMtk4aNrmHW68KldtqdlMj0WDi7vhaGaQfoVzANyBwhvU_DnA4hCwt7s1nXSUQoBDW43msadCeGStr-Hh1UleuOZ3W4IROLa0q0xlJtVEfsdI1-ivTT3YjEO_tzRxYFQezKg0YEGCbLQ/s1600/Screenshot-111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyMtk4aNrmHW68KldtqdlMj0WDi7vhaGaQfoVzANyBwhvU_DnA4hCwt7s1nXSUQoBDW43msadCeGStr-Hh1UleuOZ3W4IROLa0q0xlJtVEfsdI1-ivTT3YjEO_tzRxYFQezKg0YEGCbLQ/s1600/Screenshot-111.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Remodeling the room helped to distract Epsilon and Brendan from their impending future apart. Reclining on the bed after a long day of finishing up the work, they looked around, satisfied.<br />
"This is so perfect," Epsilon said, smiling to her boyfriend. "Thanks. You knew exactly what I needed."<br />
"I always do. Come on, let's make dinner."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9pMNrbIRT15PFuC0YWKvz7ADbAF7qG6-0fuElPRnivXWvod0TmI9w4zW2zrsrBtFGtg7my9uNCfL503cqYAW3dLcCTNiU03NX5Ljors2umdUbmt0GmSte4Qd1Y3m63qWU9QWXAwbmvKY/s1600/Screenshot-112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9pMNrbIRT15PFuC0YWKvz7ADbAF7qG6-0fuElPRnivXWvod0TmI9w4zW2zrsrBtFGtg7my9uNCfL503cqYAW3dLcCTNiU03NX5Ljors2umdUbmt0GmSte4Qd1Y3m63qWU9QWXAwbmvKY/s1600/Screenshot-112.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
After dinner, they retired to the bedroom.<br />
"I can't believe you're leaving tomorrow," Epsilon said, hugging her knees as she looked down to Brendan, reclined on the bed.<br />
"We both knew it was coming. I just can't believe I ended up here, running off to basic training tomorrow. I was majoring in technology to get a nice, cushy job. But times change."<br />
She nodded. "They do. And we do what we have to do, otherwise who would we be?"<br />
Brendan nodded, reaching up to stroke her hand. "Exactly. I couldn't live with myself if I just sat by and did nothing. If something happened to you, because I was afraid to step forward and provide a defense..." he trailed off. There was no need to finish that sentence.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6gIukTIMKYsbHa-fg04PlkFPSpXyOWQLr7mAHbkDranUAC9WqL2OPsRZUnNyexmkWyxX6-i_Fa5bdY8LGP9LMkXYEXE1WTC4xxmPZiFiwSsAv0xeuRfTBduE_qbvTu_gTlAKu41N8hFY/s1600/Screenshot-178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6gIukTIMKYsbHa-fg04PlkFPSpXyOWQLr7mAHbkDranUAC9WqL2OPsRZUnNyexmkWyxX6-i_Fa5bdY8LGP9LMkXYEXE1WTC4xxmPZiFiwSsAv0xeuRfTBduE_qbvTu_gTlAKu41N8hFY/s1600/Screenshot-178.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Epsilon let go of her knees and stretched out, leaning over Brendan, who rolled over onto his back to accommodate her new position. "I still don't want you to go," she said softly, looking into his eyes.<br />
"Me either. Do your job, Eps. Make those guns, and find ways to make them even better, so I can fight these ghosts. I'll come back to you, whenever I have leave. I promise."<br />
"I know," she said, leaning down to kiss him, savoring the feel of his lips against hers.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZFKQzjrR5_va6tf515-T0gQ-Wi2G_hPpNTXotdHplx-vUmQzBLIpDpshHL5utnI83Rry5W2ChVVvqbta9HZqzs5s2_Wym8CarwNgmjq7170dH783L9xcJVJ7uePXHvHjal-TQkOdLVY/s1600/Screenshot-180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZFKQzjrR5_va6tf515-T0gQ-Wi2G_hPpNTXotdHplx-vUmQzBLIpDpshHL5utnI83Rry5W2ChVVvqbta9HZqzs5s2_Wym8CarwNgmjq7170dH783L9xcJVJ7uePXHvHjal-TQkOdLVY/s1600/Screenshot-180.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"Eps?" he whispered as she started to pull away.<br />
"What?" she whispered back, pausing so that her lips hovered within an inch of his own.<br />
"Give me something I'll remember, until I see you again."<br />
She did. And then they slept.<br />
<br />
After Brendan left for basic training, Epsilon called and confirmed her employment. She would be testing the new gun models, by night, on whatever spirits manifested around Sunset Valley. The small town wasn't a hotspot of hostile ghost activity, so it was the perfect place to test new technologies before deploying them to the military.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkVZBZ-sWXnzWLUKLoFjWFZ14Jg8yMXvMUdYp8mpzntIwhqckVLC_pzVo3Gr9Ezh5OxkBcSU7BFaZmy-_HXYbbmqi5xBYSqPAj_LsKRPwGoKPaFVXBAonDdKSDHna80XqVi1t6k6letH4/s1600/Screenshot-123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkVZBZ-sWXnzWLUKLoFjWFZ14Jg8yMXvMUdYp8mpzntIwhqckVLC_pzVo3Gr9Ezh5OxkBcSU7BFaZmy-_HXYbbmqi5xBYSqPAj_LsKRPwGoKPaFVXBAonDdKSDHna80XqVi1t6k6letH4/s1600/Screenshot-123.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The gun she was using was clumsier than the standard anti-ghost rifle, but more effective - in theory. If it proved so, then then design would be whittled down to something that the military could easily use, but Epsilon had to prove the function first.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTKfsfAh_lB_ULWr52CP34e6E6ezvSfl0Qk74-xj8yQ3ki8VFRCjjNaJAaz0siGmHIli8GZoVYWcqm6a2aLr6rpLKHuYtyzZG9asXoc55-2V9qovm1K7VoFKbfm7qmVf_D285cl4Lg-8/s1600/Screenshot-117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTKfsfAh_lB_ULWr52CP34e6E6ezvSfl0Qk74-xj8yQ3ki8VFRCjjNaJAaz0siGmHIli8GZoVYWcqm6a2aLr6rpLKHuYtyzZG9asXoc55-2V9qovm1K7VoFKbfm7qmVf_D285cl4Lg-8/s1600/Screenshot-117.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The beam deployed as expected, though there was some instability. A good whack to the side of the gun got it going again, but that was unacceptable. Brendan could be relying on it to work every time, so the technology had to be perfected before the gun could be issued. Work was still required.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq92yfXN-fUwqGNdZp2VQVRC_zX8iOGBXNGnt2jxMl7WODrvOLLDSPBtXqrO6LObAwyotvLwNyg8Ujl6BwjQhB-DmbAz87P-okPg1mi8_9f3WccoqIyZa_S95OsMebpnW6PLsEM0R4opk/s1600/Screenshot-120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq92yfXN-fUwqGNdZp2VQVRC_zX8iOGBXNGnt2jxMl7WODrvOLLDSPBtXqrO6LObAwyotvLwNyg8Ujl6BwjQhB-DmbAz87P-okPg1mi8_9f3WccoqIyZa_S95OsMebpnW6PLsEM0R4opk/s1600/Screenshot-120.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
After a long night of testing, Epsilon arrived back home. She got ready for bed and then slipped under the covers as the sun rose, closing her eyes tightly to block out the intrusive rays.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW0fjgV3QAJtgp0COLn-8BTdmh7bXskk0PaOZEdLztpeaWlA8bi7yRCYQv4UUOGwvoGhhtuXMdAfSUCx229gSkfyAV1xgq0Jt2AVTnI6jobRtTyWBb6wFXMoKudSAY3HJ-nDtr7lvQCNY/s1600/Screenshot-125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW0fjgV3QAJtgp0COLn-8BTdmh7bXskk0PaOZEdLztpeaWlA8bi7yRCYQv4UUOGwvoGhhtuXMdAfSUCx229gSkfyAV1xgq0Jt2AVTnI6jobRtTyWBb6wFXMoKudSAY3HJ-nDtr7lvQCNY/s1600/Screenshot-125.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
A few hours after dawn, a man knocked at the door. Epsilon, exhausted from her nighttime exertions, continued to sleep. The man knocked louder, attracting the attention of Shadow.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIpV40tqyQ6rSDyKDBlE16P6DnwuSV3HLXxNDZZJ1rXyu7NexyAAQa2IY5H1cD7bz-_f51X6d6DoM_jlB6FZXTbewnzaOqJQ0b6YMUtRE02-rDZ9uYYBGi1j1LOcQQ0S_79LxpOyrXD8/s1600/Screenshot-149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIpV40tqyQ6rSDyKDBlE16P6DnwuSV3HLXxNDZZJ1rXyu7NexyAAQa2IY5H1cD7bz-_f51X6d6DoM_jlB6FZXTbewnzaOqJQ0b6YMUtRE02-rDZ9uYYBGi1j1LOcQQ0S_79LxpOyrXD8/s1600/Screenshot-149.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The cat lept upon the bed, mewing softly as he padded over towards Epsilon. Pawing at her face, he mewed insistently until she opened her eyes.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAscHVZEU70KXJAKcRaLWUD1gqtjfvS8_qRZF8ZEnUgOKPW2U2i4XRAcfvmKtI3fakCXwSUQtcip9A0l58YCRDeG_bUrYz6MliuChL4nlNQ3evG6W6ONdKqBa9ExUh2k2d2RQc56UMbxo/s1600/Screenshot-147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAscHVZEU70KXJAKcRaLWUD1gqtjfvS8_qRZF8ZEnUgOKPW2U2i4XRAcfvmKtI3fakCXwSUQtcip9A0l58YCRDeG_bUrYz6MliuChL4nlNQ3evG6W6ONdKqBa9ExUh2k2d2RQc56UMbxo/s1600/Screenshot-147.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"Shadow? What?"<br />
His duty done, the cat jumped off of the bed, leaving Epsilon alone and confused, until the next knock sounded. Who could be knocking at the door so early in the morning? She swung her feet to the floor and stood, walking to the front room.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpGhqjqQ_2djrYOkhPPx7o2TXOUORP_OJFqElQ_kGnQYkMJeEmfcCMDC7_S0pYDuEunAQoxeeyszLBDjHT9YX_6B50LAws8uzLhJrsE7zmti4luJ887297xDXOStmSGzlPa4pCesgo4Qg/s1600/Screenshot-150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpGhqjqQ_2djrYOkhPPx7o2TXOUORP_OJFqElQ_kGnQYkMJeEmfcCMDC7_S0pYDuEunAQoxeeyszLBDjHT9YX_6B50LAws8uzLhJrsE7zmti4luJ887297xDXOStmSGzlPa4pCesgo4Qg/s1600/Screenshot-150.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
An old man was visible through the glass-paned front doors, so Epsilon opened them.<br />
"Hello? Can I help you?"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv8yUzqwQsyQpt0gjTh910HfRsuEzeHlvVekmLLJmvLm_xDDaMmbAFO9n1y6d9PxwsfAGm6hWBFiny5q8ETFSgC2U7wUaQBhfcrhvdolCoyTOuhAbjlmaRK48Czfy6SvYSk5T3bYLjaSc/s1600/Screenshot-153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv8yUzqwQsyQpt0gjTh910HfRsuEzeHlvVekmLLJmvLm_xDDaMmbAFO9n1y6d9PxwsfAGm6hWBFiny5q8ETFSgC2U7wUaQBhfcrhvdolCoyTOuhAbjlmaRK48Czfy6SvYSk5T3bYLjaSc/s1600/Screenshot-153.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
As she spoke, she noticed the man's eyes. They were wild, seeming to almost glow in the early-morning light. She felt that this meant something, but precisely what it was evaded her.<br />
"Yes, Miss Woods. You can."<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
~ * ~</div>
<i><br /></i>
<i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqIidDuOuZQ">Who ya gonna call?</a> </i><br />
<br />
<i>Mystery man at the door! I wonder who it is? For a generation where I promised to give you guys answers, I'm sure asking a lot of questions. :P</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>See! See! Brendan isn't dead OR pregnant. You silly people. I love you guys. <3</i><br />
<br />
<i>Pay no mind to the weird graphical glitches on Epsilon during her university stay. For some reason, music waves(like from the stereo) were emanating from her stomach. I tried to take pictures in between glitches in the matrix, but a few pictures are still distorted.</i><br />
<br />
<i>Next chapter won't be until next weekend at the earliest, probably later. I have to do real-life research before I can write it, because I'm way too perfectionist to just make stuff up - I have to make stuff up based on actual facts! So yes, it's not the sets or the pictures that are holding me up, it's the google time. Bear with me, please. </i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1480959486985392708.post-17313090456994725672013-09-03T22:32:00.003-04:002013-09-03T22:32:25.982-04:00Woods Random Legacy: Chapter 58 - Decision Points<i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCRa7S8O-tU">(Music time!)</a></i><br />
<br />
Even before she opened her eyes, she recognized the familiar feel of her dream library. That was good, as she had a lot to talk to her familiar about. She pushed her head off of the downstairs table as she opened her eyes, her expression of relief changing to confusion as she looked around the room. This wasn't right at all.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaRVdu7iz38jwYyQlch9cXQ2hyphenhyphenl-S_-ggTjttFTytwpZwIU5gMOIrESBG6Cj_0MqwtiR6O70V6ZMZKpt9UJC1fQiMfeCw8mXLdJy3n8Lw1oEzuolZ-jsi57TfRdI5Wb_TiAttVJzrpisw/s1600/Screenshot-78.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaRVdu7iz38jwYyQlch9cXQ2hyphenhyphenl-S_-ggTjttFTytwpZwIU5gMOIrESBG6Cj_0MqwtiR6O70V6ZMZKpt9UJC1fQiMfeCw8mXLdJy3n8Lw1oEzuolZ-jsi57TfRdI5Wb_TiAttVJzrpisw/s1600/Screenshot-78.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The room, lit by several candles, was hardly bigger than her bedroom back home, a far cry from the vast, dark library that she'd first dreamed as a child. And yet, it felt like her library. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZthVpum_Sc1lqF9GHJcGZ-Ou90yLr3sw3dAjHbtzbqCrvjcP1Kyrriiqy48dRK24NVoZmHYRI1Z-MI7DKIl9tcp-3HyE3yeV4ofo_tMV4nBvDhVa30ECiLMj60OZXzAHKDYHY-2cuw30/s1600/Screenshot-86.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZthVpum_Sc1lqF9GHJcGZ-Ou90yLr3sw3dAjHbtzbqCrvjcP1Kyrriiqy48dRK24NVoZmHYRI1Z-MI7DKIl9tcp-3HyE3yeV4ofo_tMV4nBvDhVa30ECiLMj60OZXzAHKDYHY-2cuw30/s1600/Screenshot-86.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
A panicked feeling knotted in her stomach. The last time she'd dreamed
it, it had been all wrong. Had her injury broken it somehow?<br />
A familiar voice came from behind her. "Epsilon. Don't be afraid."<br />
Despite the familiarity, she was still startled as she turned, relaxing only once she fully recognized the speaker.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzk87aAkOBwhdBCBzWCbvxCohEirmN-ZQAw78wcWrTeXinIlkrZeix-EoVK36bq_ck6Ze-otSjpZVS2XS0Dm36NR9PYKr4KQbc6AtHZ731m904P2zLH0iVReRIFBtb7Zlgk6siRxW7p2I/s1600/Screenshot-88.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzk87aAkOBwhdBCBzWCbvxCohEirmN-ZQAw78wcWrTeXinIlkrZeix-EoVK36bq_ck6Ze-otSjpZVS2XS0Dm36NR9PYKr4KQbc6AtHZ731m904P2zLH0iVReRIFBtb7Zlgk6siRxW7p2I/s1600/Screenshot-88.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"Shadow. You scared me. What is this place? What happened to my library?"<br />
"Nothing. It just changed, you know it can do that." He stepped from the shadowy corner, moving towards her.<br />
"Yes, but those were little things, like a carpet or a table. This isn't even the same place, just look at it!"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-hRa118a5XZJUXIJq4ggI1tJawJjpy51uUmjZnxf8czE8RNwgCo4mSKLT-dWqKgEKvGgCuc4hVhiPe-O1Crykd2_Z-0qnZaNXoeZ_JsCWI7430zcE1eChTtX6c87Q3mq1tBaW0tKGV1E/s1600/Screenshot-93.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-hRa118a5XZJUXIJq4ggI1tJawJjpy51uUmjZnxf8czE8RNwgCo4mSKLT-dWqKgEKvGgCuc4hVhiPe-O1Crykd2_Z-0qnZaNXoeZ_JsCWI7430zcE1eChTtX6c87Q3mq1tBaW0tKGV1E/s1600/Screenshot-93.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"It is the same place. Major changes like this are rare, but they can happen, usually as a result of trauma."<br />
She nodded. That night had certainly been traumatic enough. "That makes sense. It's just strange, being someplace that's so familiar, and yet so strange. Oh, I almost forgot. Thank you for taking care of Omicron, when I wasn't there."<br />
Gregory inclined his head to her. "I couldn't very well leave him there. He never would have thought of the catacombs on his own. I'm just glad I was right, that the spirits there would take care of him. You might want to have a word with him about forgetting me down there, though."<br />
Epsilon's jaw dropped, then she nervously giggled, quickly stifling the sound. "He never mentioned that! That's so like him, though. I'm sorry."<br />
"Don't be. I got back safely on my own. Now, what's troubling you? You never dream unless you're troubled about something."<br />
She opened her mouth to protest, then shut it, realizing what he said was true. And something was troubling her. "If I could help people who were in trouble, with the attacks and everything, do I have to do it? Even if it means abandoning the dreams I've had since I was a kid?"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbCRwc6oU9HmNsqnv7d0TX8eGFEDC3V_EPZycGttPuX64A4xmGVY3aaDlI22jPs7p8yVW2n3X05_7y4XaG10vzGKeNuRywb95ii4YhAg7iMGxPjO1jI6hDaP0GJTMJdvb5ujnWuU57fGc/s1600/Screenshot-100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbCRwc6oU9HmNsqnv7d0TX8eGFEDC3V_EPZycGttPuX64A4xmGVY3aaDlI22jPs7p8yVW2n3X05_7y4XaG10vzGKeNuRywb95ii4YhAg7iMGxPjO1jI6hDaP0GJTMJdvb5ujnWuU57fGc/s1600/Screenshot-100.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Gregory stroked his beard. "Well, you don't <i>have</i> to do anything, assuming of course nobody's holding a knife to your throat."<br />
Epsilon sighed. "You know what I meant. Do I have to, ethically? I don't want to, I really don't, but then I think about it and that just feels selfish. What if I <i>could</i> make a difference? If somebody dies because I didn't help, is that blood on my hands?"<br />
"It sounds to me like you already know the answer to that."<br />
As usual, he was right. She knew she could help. What the businessman had said, that she had a "brilliant mind," was true. She could comprehend the research, and move it forward. And it would be wrong not to, in a way, but didn't her own desires matter at all? Wasn't there an entire school of philosophy that said that sacrificing one for the good of many was morally wrong? She didn't know, philosophy had never been her thing. All she knew was that it felt selfish.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudZT-cV_YZhZPa-hFXlgsd18KcFPrNn8D511ZuFvxDpVXG2naA4XnFUsd-z3cyoriMLYj4K-EahzhH9eIrCpebjE2KmF9s1TlK59H2vAbIHEZCNWuyj6wOEaZP8Y83cRxNbK6-mrjLg0/s1600/Screenshot-90.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudZT-cV_YZhZPa-hFXlgsd18KcFPrNn8D511ZuFvxDpVXG2naA4XnFUsd-z3cyoriMLYj4K-EahzhH9eIrCpebjE2KmF9s1TlK59H2vAbIHEZCNWuyj6wOEaZP8Y83cRxNbK6-mrjLg0/s1600/Screenshot-90.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"Think on it," Gregory said, interrupting her thoughts. "I can't help you with this. You have to decide on your own what you want to do. Whatever you decide, I'll support you."<br />
"I know." She smiled weakly. "Thanks."<br />
He smiled back, waving her compliment away with a hand, then glanced to the right. "That's a curious painting. Do you know that woman?"<br />
Epsilon looked over. "No I've never-" she stopped, frowning. That wasn't true, the woman in the painting was incredibly familiar. But why? Epsilon was sure that she'd never seen her before. "Wait." She stepped over for a closer look.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV5LhkVe1jtxqD-3nFRz3bVMVJOYD4RL24EzW87g1-2kjjDHb2fI1mf3A8tlw6ljaEwBhthyphenhypheng4DWxd1ajigO1sgVdGcjRFXTviT0FnoJvTLIe857G0QcWRD7kFEkWf3lyEDwNcL0EoGhA/s1600/Screenshot-101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV5LhkVe1jtxqD-3nFRz3bVMVJOYD4RL24EzW87g1-2kjjDHb2fI1mf3A8tlw6ljaEwBhthyphenhypheng4DWxd1ajigO1sgVdGcjRFXTviT0FnoJvTLIe857G0QcWRD7kFEkWf3lyEDwNcL0EoGhA/s1600/Screenshot-101.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"I don't know," she said finally. "I don't know who she is, and I don't think I've ever seen her before, but I feel like I know her. I don't understand it."<br />
"Her portrait appeared in your dream realm, that doesn't happen by chance. Or, I should say, I've never heard of it happening by chance. I suppose there is a first time for everything."<br />
"It's unlikely. I just wish I could remember."<br />
The room fell silent as they regarded the solitary portrait. Who was the woman, and why had it appeared now?<br />
<br />
When Epsilon knocked on the door to Alpha's house, she found it to be ajar. Worried, she pushed it open, and was greeted by the sight of one of her nieces waving up to her from the living room floor. She stepped over and picked up the toddler. "Hey, Marsha. What's going on? Where's your mommy?" Of course, she didn't know how to talk yet, so she couldn't answer that question. Epsilon tickled her, prompting the little girl to giggle happily.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZaQlYOXauERFt27iVcJ4lfrFZq7XVi4yRfD5yWsWOBJeDqkMxRM0Az_WagygpPkq5gzBuOkl2E88Q3s4oN4jPYAsep9uLSM8-7w7z6H_8XwLa6Gg0AcYIiEKnuMVwoS210WDruJ05YDQ/s1600/Screenshot-76.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZaQlYOXauERFt27iVcJ4lfrFZq7XVi4yRfD5yWsWOBJeDqkMxRM0Az_WagygpPkq5gzBuOkl2E88Q3s4oN4jPYAsep9uLSM8-7w7z6H_8XwLa6Gg0AcYIiEKnuMVwoS210WDruJ05YDQ/s1600/Screenshot-76.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"I'm up here!" Alpha's voice came from upstairs, and Epsilon watched as she came down.<br />
"The door was ajar," she said, pointing to it. "Probably a bad idea, with toddlers and all."<br />
"Oh, my god." Alpha frowned. "I swear I'm going to kill Allen. He keeps doing that! I'll break up with him if he doesn't get it together, and learn to shut the door when he leaves."<br />
Epsilon put Marsha down on the floor, then greeted her half-sister with a hug.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhb-0i7ykOXJNGfefzpHLo_VAa4skT4s2aL_iFlLkwjmX-tnUXg47TzmtOF7sShnnhDve3ZZh04wL78FtKUqqSQ8iBwAOvAzt4z6NNE_MLWg7EsD6AOmK6aj6OK2BWCsKR3o7pvonXVY/s1600/Screenshot-68.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhb-0i7ykOXJNGfefzpHLo_VAa4skT4s2aL_iFlLkwjmX-tnUXg47TzmtOF7sShnnhDve3ZZh04wL78FtKUqqSQ8iBwAOvAzt4z6NNE_MLWg7EsD6AOmK6aj6OK2BWCsKR3o7pvonXVY/s1600/Screenshot-68.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"I was so worried when I heard about what happened to you," Alpha said, releasing Epsilon. "But Omicron let me know as soon as you called from the hospital. I'm glad you were okay."<br />
"Me too," Epsilon said. "But it's everybody else that I'm worried about."<br />
"What do you mean?"<br />
"Let's say, hypothetically, that I had a job offer. Something that could save lives. Am I selfish for declining that offer, and pursuing my own goals instead?"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqWhM8s5j9hB8B3lrLxnSTm53mjgFBX4YZ03DkwTTySOcgxM34bsOQY8NXP27T8S5A6XtCJB-qRKmCvuYZeVUGIT_bApo_e5w7tPZZOp2ES4gGCsLC9aZb6MmWItaWGmIKyQ75LgvPkc/s1600/Screenshot-69.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqWhM8s5j9hB8B3lrLxnSTm53mjgFBX4YZ03DkwTTySOcgxM34bsOQY8NXP27T8S5A6XtCJB-qRKmCvuYZeVUGIT_bApo_e5w7tPZZOp2ES4gGCsLC9aZb6MmWItaWGmIKyQ75LgvPkc/s1600/Screenshot-69.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Alpha thought about it for a long moment. "What kind of offer?"<br />
"The technology that saved my life. I have a chance to work with it, and develop it. The girl whose project it was died that night, but there's at least one company that's willing to fund the research, and I've been offered a position on the team. But it would mean abandoning medical school, everything I've been working towards since high school started."<br />
"And yet," Alpha prompted, looking into her sister's eyes.<br />
"...and yet," Epsilon finished for her, "it could save lives. So I don't know what to do."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNqrlu0kAH46WAg8H1YgjnCWaupxQKXEv5SjexiDvCe-9G3stbEuQ2oz5kcecxISfNubtaVssrD-igBYklFrbNR0jvJFcvW_jRZRAPc9LuiLkUC6UiIA-voV0d5SSq2bHvATYG4YOf_8/s1600/Screenshot-71.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNqrlu0kAH46WAg8H1YgjnCWaupxQKXEv5SjexiDvCe-9G3stbEuQ2oz5kcecxISfNubtaVssrD-igBYklFrbNR0jvJFcvW_jRZRAPc9LuiLkUC6UiIA-voV0d5SSq2bHvATYG4YOf_8/s1600/Screenshot-71.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"You said selfish. Are you worried about turning into Dad?"<br />
Epsilon nodded. "A little. I know I'm not like him, not inside, but that was always his thing. He put himself over everybody else, even his children. Hell, he pretty much left you to raise Omicron and me, sacrificing your own future."<br />
"My future wasn't sacrificed," Alpha said, gesturing around the room. "I've got it here. I don't regret anything, and don't think that you owe me one just because I helped to raise you. Everything has worked out in my life, even Niki and Marsha. I didn't necessarily want to be a mom so fast, especially a single mom after Mason died, but it got me out of the military, with the best timing possible. They've been calling in the reserves, I don't know if you heard. But since I have the twins, I don't have to report."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWD_iGR70qzUlZLjWQNRaMGHlDdeBF-AVOZmAZgx09l2H8k3ItBChjw1_CWJCAl77XozkVxfCYhcEIEkY-6WTVScFFZ_D6vGiTh0XUyKI4aWEdJ7f6QpWHtw3Xw6OBNhe8_Y3SOOD0Xnc/s1600/Screenshot-73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWD_iGR70qzUlZLjWQNRaMGHlDdeBF-AVOZmAZgx09l2H8k3ItBChjw1_CWJCAl77XozkVxfCYhcEIEkY-6WTVScFFZ_D6vGiTh0XUyKI4aWEdJ7f6QpWHtw3Xw6OBNhe8_Y3SOOD0Xnc/s1600/Screenshot-73.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Epsilon nodded. "That's a bit of luck, then."<br />
"I know. I don't really know what to say for your situation, other than don't be Dad. If you feel that you have to do this in order to not follow in his footsteps, then maybe you should. You know your own feelings better than I do. Do whatever feels right."<br />
<br />
Back home, Epsilon stood in the empty kitchen, staring at her phone. To call, or not to call? Shadow and Epsilon were both right - she knew what she should do. She just had to work up the nerve to do it. Before she had a chance to second-guess herself, she punched in the number, holding the phone to her ear.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJUX5LML-VB-BAa_0cI2XYa9v4iE1ao5RdYCEYptRr3UCY9jJNyMpllFj8e28dxZt6K1yblZW_VA5UEsjD0GD7MBuPTMO-lpiMmjwiCCW-sKhiEL-HPSurNU02crq_SgAKnkvmcrdSYrM/s1600/Screenshot-38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJUX5LML-VB-BAa_0cI2XYa9v4iE1ao5RdYCEYptRr3UCY9jJNyMpllFj8e28dxZt6K1yblZW_VA5UEsjD0GD7MBuPTMO-lpiMmjwiCCW-sKhiEL-HPSurNU02crq_SgAKnkvmcrdSYrM/s1600/Screenshot-38.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"Hi, this is Epsilon Woods, calling for Mr. Olivers. Oh, sorry, should I call back later? Alright, a message is fine. Tell him I'll do it."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
~ * ~</div>
<br />
<i>So, about the library. I accidentally deleted the save that had the library set in it, and didn't want to reconstruct it because it wouldn't look right. So I just started over. Gregory had to be remade as well - I thought I'd had him saved in the CAS library, but that was actually Shadow the cat, not Shadow the wizard. So I did the best I could, please just ignore minor inconsistencies. And yes, the change is plot-relevant, because I WILL make the best of my mistakes damn it!</i><br />
<i><br /></i> <br />
<i>New library, new song. A little more heavy mystery and a little less childish wonder suits grown-up Epsilon and the new library. Check out that guy's youtube channel if you like the new song, I've enjoyed writing to a couple of his compositions since I discovered it. Song titles are a bit over the top(I think english isn't his first language), but the music's beautiful.</i> <br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Alpha's kids are adorable, even if she has a bit of a problem with getting knocked up and then staging shotgun weddings(she has another kid on the way in my game). I hope Epsilon's smarter than that. This being a legacy, though, birth control is naturally less than effective. ;)</i><br />
<br />
<i>I would just like to say that I have four different plot lines working their way out this generation(yes, four - I worked it out during a particularly simplistic example that the professor spent way too long on during my mathematical modeling class today). Two are sort of the same plot, but as seen by two different groups of people, therefore requiring two plots worth of screen time. Expect this generation to be long and complicated, but I figure you guys are overdue for some answers, and I can't just keep spawning antagonists. At some point, I have to take at least a few of them down. I'm not sure yet if this generation will be that point, but it's at least setting the groundwork for the eventual victory.</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1480959486985392708.post-84948554324402276322013-08-31T22:16:00.003-04:002013-08-31T22:16:45.330-04:00Woods Random Legacy: Chapter 57 - Recovery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLKCqnWixrDRwZL287oeuaykmFjRdoJi_eylY8iTMNo3HZ4w_DBvmSM3yC-9J2K9SHuvAlUTbk9c7TUi7upAt-ONZ-mlWqmK0Gff40NfSkp4xT30dIfJWjTiNsIzrrFk7tr_mw8CUupA/s1600/Screenshot-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLKCqnWixrDRwZL287oeuaykmFjRdoJi_eylY8iTMNo3HZ4w_DBvmSM3yC-9J2K9SHuvAlUTbk9c7TUi7upAt-ONZ-mlWqmK0Gff40NfSkp4xT30dIfJWjTiNsIzrrFk7tr_mw8CUupA/s1600/Screenshot-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Epsilon opened her eyes. This wasn't the lab. Where was she? She turned her head to the left and was relieved to see a familiar, if blurry, face.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLxOzAl9LqYZTHbDvHrRESnNNNQZzaKtJ8_gzF52VANDl7qu-vhdzeUf-yBu8uwpgbLfNqa_SxTkwm2VKYXIzkaGElTdy5Vb1hNAEpDSjCQxy-ZMoT5DWGnbhAwlo3Q0fIdoz0Wnl01oI/s1600/Screenshot-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLxOzAl9LqYZTHbDvHrRESnNNNQZzaKtJ8_gzF52VANDl7qu-vhdzeUf-yBu8uwpgbLfNqa_SxTkwm2VKYXIzkaGElTdy5Vb1hNAEpDSjCQxy-ZMoT5DWGnbhAwlo3Q0fIdoz0Wnl01oI/s1600/Screenshot-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"Mmmr," she mumbled, her lips not quite cooperating. But even that muffled noise was enough. He looked over to her, smiling as he put down his book.<br />
"Eps! You're awake, I'm so glad. You were out for almost a week."<br />
She concentrated hard on forming words, her lips out of practice but quickly waking back up. "Why?" There, that was better.<br />
"You fell and hit your head. You had a concussion."<br />
"Oh." That explained a lot, and she did remember falling. "Everything's blurry."<br />
"Oh, right! Sorry." He picked something up off the table, then carefully placed her glasses on her face. "Better?"<br />
"Much. Thanks." She pulled herself into a semi-sitting position, leaning back against her pillows. "Are we in a stairwell?"<br />
"Yeah," he said, frowning. "All of the rooms were full. We were turned away from two hospitals because they didn't have any space for us, but Riverview's close-knit. When you were childhood best friends with the hospital administrator's daughter, you can pull a few strings. I couldn't get you a room, but I got you the stairwell."<br />
Well, that answered one of her questions. She was in Riverview, the small town where Brendan had grown up. A long way from the University, and even further from Sunset Valley.<br />
"What happened? I remember..." her voice trailed off as she remembered a flash, some sort of ghostly creature coming at her. "...a ghost? But that can't be right."<br />
He reached out and took her hand in his, holding it tightly. "It's right. As strange as it sounds, it's right. There's something I have to tell you."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJMORkKIbmBjfodNDZI__VZb3fvg17QswqbIlw_oJi6drR1rFE-EVTqVtnY-nbdbQZT2r-k9tqqr3QqO8ZZYXEucmB35OfA5j1HQOSznuJijpuPlcWTBsiiGa7lH9xlJwGt1lXTWagpI/s1600/Screenshot-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJMORkKIbmBjfodNDZI__VZb3fvg17QswqbIlw_oJi6drR1rFE-EVTqVtnY-nbdbQZT2r-k9tqqr3QqO8ZZYXEucmB35OfA5j1HQOSznuJijpuPlcWTBsiiGa7lH9xlJwGt1lXTWagpI/s1600/Screenshot-5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
She stayed silent, watching his eyes. They were serious, so this wasn't good news.<br />
"You weren't the only person attacked that night. It happened around the world, and it's still going on. Not as bad as the first night, but there's still been sightings and attacks every night since. Mostly supernaturals, like the werewolf girl who was in our dorm the first year, but there were a few humans attacked, like you. They don't know why yet, but they suspect it might have to do with associating with supernaturals."<br />
She felt a pang of guilt at that. She still hadn't told him that she was a witch, and if he was right, then he could be in danger. "Bren, I-"<br />
He interrupted her, squeezing her hand gently. "There's something else. I took the call for you, since you were unconscious. The ghosts attacked at your house."<br />
Her eyes widened at that, panic knotting in her stomach. Omicron!<br />
"Your brother's safe," he continued, her fear easing at his words. "But your father was killed. I'm sorry."<br />
She closed her eyes as she pulled her hand away from his and drew her knees to her chest, huddling against them. Had he been killed because of her? Because she was a witch? "No great loss," she managed to mumble.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAAJoH79XV5M6m0UQTE4kN-Oi4DTLGfcy1KD9gPHwuCfz-ZZSbHMEO50RbRhMb6wgJGPIA0h73y-pQ6mjVHerGtx4RcyxNzzsxqHbYtGaGEFIyT9O-91qBFN4WUnWQyDJoH6r5OHvPzy4/s1600/Screenshot-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAAJoH79XV5M6m0UQTE4kN-Oi4DTLGfcy1KD9gPHwuCfz-ZZSbHMEO50RbRhMb6wgJGPIA0h73y-pQ6mjVHerGtx4RcyxNzzsxqHbYtGaGEFIyT9O-91qBFN4WUnWQyDJoH6r5OHvPzy4/s1600/Screenshot-9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"I know. He was a scumbag, you've told me. But he's still your father."<br />
"I know," she replied. "It's my fault."<br />
Brendan was silent for a few moments, and when he responded his gentle tone had changed to incredulity. "How is it your fault?"<br />
"I should have told you ages ago, I know, and now you're in danger all because of me." Hot tears threatened to spill onto her cheeks, but she kept them contained in her eyes. "I'm a witch. It must have come from my mother, because my father is as human as they come, but I can cast spells. Not very well, but I was working on that. They came after me because of that, and then they went after him, and it's all my fault."<br />
"No, it's not," he said, taking her hand again. "I don't know why you thought that you couldn't tell me this, but I'm not angry, and it wasn't your fault. If it came from your mother, than his being with her could have been why he was killed. You can't blame yourself for this."<br />
His words made sense. She squeezed his hand tightly, feeling his strength flowing into her. They stayed like that for a few minutes, until Brendan spoke again.<br />
<br />
"Speaking of not being killed, they've been asking about that. How you did it. I have to admit, I'm not sure myself. I found you in the lobby of the Student Union, and you weren't making any sense."<br />
"I hit my head. In the lab." Everything was fuzzy, but she was certain that the last place she'd been before she saw the ghost was in the lab.<br />
"Right. The ghost that went after you was trapped, in the lab. They want to know how."<br />
She turned his head to look at him, still holding tightly to his hand as she replied. "Who's they?"<br />
"Scientists, I think. They were grilling me, but stopped when they realized that I don't understand the first thing about what you guys study in that lab. Can you remember anything?<br />
She closed her eyes, thinking. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKxYkRY8vqBqnnQl4RjAUSHJ64mTDNLtSK-45m1rWv-n7A_2csKPlf94-M_TXausYnneCYXXRG_ErPClHeHA7wQboxKWD2j06QL2UpFImdjI2KrSEyJ1adEBTaI5nzetaloryKfweQ14/s1600/Screenshot-288b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKxYkRY8vqBqnnQl4RjAUSHJ64mTDNLtSK-45m1rWv-n7A_2csKPlf94-M_TXausYnneCYXXRG_ErPClHeHA7wQboxKWD2j06QL2UpFImdjI2KrSEyJ1adEBTaI5nzetaloryKfweQ14/s1600/Screenshot-288b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"There was the ghost, he was trying to attack me. I was on the ground."<br />
"Then what happened?"<br />
"I don't know. Everything's fuzzy."<br />
"Try to remember." His voice was soothing, and his firm grip on her hand was reassuring.<br />
"I got out of the way somehow. I don't know. I was standing up, and then he...came at me again, I think. I dodged out of the way, then...ohhh." She remembered now.<br />
"What, Eps?"<br />
"I knocked the experiment chamber open. It wasn't mine, I don't know whose it was. But it sucked him in, like a vacuum."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifYaJ8Z7l6FqwyhNfQqq2UYUCviG9__r9kMYFvB9lHvy8PPXP_AosUZVDMwYg7Opw_uGNkKL_xvOzR97VzS0owsfo3fbSlwHggwsw38WYmtPReOVCeysQc6QTM8R6vsS4NAz6k3Nnnrbc/s1600/Screenshot-294b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifYaJ8Z7l6FqwyhNfQqq2UYUCviG9__r9kMYFvB9lHvy8PPXP_AosUZVDMwYg7Opw_uGNkKL_xvOzR97VzS0owsfo3fbSlwHggwsw38WYmtPReOVCeysQc6QTM8R6vsS4NAz6k3Nnnrbc/s1600/Screenshot-294b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"That's what they found. It tested as ectoplasm, what ghosts are made of, but they were hoping you understood more about what had happened."<br />
"I don't, it wasn't my project. I don't even know the girl who worked on it. She sat in the back of the class, wore her hair in pigtails. She was smart, but I don't even know her name."<br />
"Sierra Carlton. She died that night. A flaming trailer crashed into the diner she was eating at, nobody's sure if ghosts were responsible or if it was just a freak accident. What happened next?"<br />
"Do they really care? They've got their answer." Her tone was bitter. They wouldn't care about Sierra, they'd just be disappointed that Epsilon didn't know the answers they wanted.<br />
"No. But I care. What happened?" He tightened his grip on her hand for a moment, giving her the strength to continue speaking.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSB-57VrHEK-7jMFfdPr1FwZ4koy1OZ2hY-auxoHnpyc6HwtHnqARvFu58ycg5m7TB-MHVChLMb8z5vJTg_rsyMxoi0LDIR3wyGfEvm-bZCP6_cDxagEuYpzpP-TTFDRgQVH7Uvkdd7nI/s1600/Screenshot-297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSB-57VrHEK-7jMFfdPr1FwZ4koy1OZ2hY-auxoHnpyc6HwtHnqARvFu58ycg5m7TB-MHVChLMb8z5vJTg_rsyMxoi0LDIR3wyGfEvm-bZCP6_cDxagEuYpzpP-TTFDRgQVH7Uvkdd7nI/s1600/Screenshot-297.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"I just laid there, I think. I remember the whole world was spinning,
it was hard to think. But I knew I had to get out of there, and find
help." <br />
"So I started moving," she continued. "I couldn't stand, I was too dizzy, but I think I crawled out of the lab, into the lobby. I remember the carpet was rough and hurt my hands, and the stone soothed them but was so hard. I couldn't decide which was better."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEyi_61N_P46j_sbBE5wKmDpyOtp9N7455LdcUQR2tK6IVhnS20qNScty95AgqxAm8kf6MtCfuVHtW_wo51U1ssEjUucFpy0ZP4LHR_-ouosdfT3wVAcPKqQaMaHOuZBlO4o21wZfYnU/s1600/Screenshot-298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEyi_61N_P46j_sbBE5wKmDpyOtp9N7455LdcUQR2tK6IVhnS20qNScty95AgqxAm8kf6MtCfuVHtW_wo51U1ssEjUucFpy0ZP4LHR_-ouosdfT3wVAcPKqQaMaHOuZBlO4o21wZfYnU/s1600/Screenshot-298.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"That's where I found you."<br />
"I remember." She did. She didn't remember what he said, but she remembered his arms lifting her, cradling her as he carried her out of the building. "Why?"<br />
"Because I love you." His tone was confused.<br />
"No," she said quickly. "Not that. Why were you there to even find me?"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5U0drqbmDc2jAmVwYeAh_y37eRJfiqS1uKQs2gl5kJZODyQser3VebeBJPHckMqZjZ438ijajgKpbfh2AJuXq6nKw9htXv4adNESNbV9cfeSZOnL97UmKh8Afc8QBJ2Ol0HJdp6REeyI/s1600/Screenshot-300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5U0drqbmDc2jAmVwYeAh_y37eRJfiqS1uKQs2gl5kJZODyQser3VebeBJPHckMqZjZ438ijajgKpbfh2AJuXq6nKw9htXv4adNESNbV9cfeSZOnL97UmKh8Afc8QBJ2Ol0HJdp6REeyI/s1600/Screenshot-300.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"I was walking home when all the chaos started. I saw an orange glow
coming from the lab, and decided to check it out. I'm glad I did." <br />
She opened her eyes and smiled weakly to him. "Thanks. I don't know what would have happened to me if you weren't there."<br />
Brendan opened his mouth to reply, but was interrupted by the stairwell doors banging open and a nurse entering. "Oh, you're awake, dear! You were supposed to come find me as soon as she woke up. You know Mister Olivers is waiting to speak to her. " Her expression was disapproving as she addressed Brendan.<br />
"She only woke up just now," he said defensively. "And I don't think that she's up for it yet."<br />
"No," Epsilon said, scooting over to the other side of the bed and easing her feet onto the concrete floor. "I have to get it over with some time, right?"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA3UCE41QyHzTpb5WDJ1lLNisUv_LbOVSt7v7dCr_RWDY72HVQHqe7MIN9ygsk1QBScGWu0qnc3ic18_ZbXGnTg6ufmuEGsP4WCfrzRfeOfYIbv0MaXAOga8-11SZRaq1wQqcR05zTX8Q/s1600/Screenshot-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA3UCE41QyHzTpb5WDJ1lLNisUv_LbOVSt7v7dCr_RWDY72HVQHqe7MIN9ygsk1QBScGWu0qnc3ic18_ZbXGnTg6ufmuEGsP4WCfrzRfeOfYIbv0MaXAOga8-11SZRaq1wQqcR05zTX8Q/s1600/Screenshot-11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The nurse nodded in agreement, waving her hands dismissively to Brendan. "Out, out! He'll want her alone. I'll be sure to let you know when he's finished, dear."<br />
Brendan gave Epsilon a weak smile as he was herded out of the stairwell by the feisty woman. Epsilon took a few steps but then sat back down on the bed again - she was still a little dizzy, and sitting down was probably best for now.<br />
<br />
The doors banged again, and a quick peek through her hair showed that a man in a suit had entered. He crossed the room quickly and held his hand out for her to shake. "Shawn Olivers. I'm glad you're feeling better, Miss Woods."<br />
"Why are you here?" She didn't shake his hand, and after a few moments of awkward silence he withdrew the limb.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxg24jfn0bPvk92dq2PrMJKC3jzWJ1tOEpM4-1DW6YJBedUiTbXKs7x5ZjcWg_gSoAIhK9jdNEZ1ha_He5QrjN2gnyoisGUdeKGhNgpGVA5z4yDSLCMvIx8sLeiuTVm8LVo_veYRSN550/s1600/Screenshot-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxg24jfn0bPvk92dq2PrMJKC3jzWJ1tOEpM4-1DW6YJBedUiTbXKs7x5ZjcWg_gSoAIhK9jdNEZ1ha_He5QrjN2gnyoisGUdeKGhNgpGVA5z4yDSLCMvIx8sLeiuTVm8LVo_veYRSN550/s1600/Screenshot-20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"As you may already know, an experimental technology succeeded in capturing one of these ghosts the night the attacks started. I represent a corporation that is interested in using that technology to develop a weapon to fight against this new danger."<br />
"I don't know about the experiment," she replied bitterly. "I didn't even know the girl who was doing it, we weren't friends or anything. I'm a medical student, I don't study anything even close to whatever she was working on."<br />
"Would you like to study it? I've heard from your professors that you have a brilliant mind. I could secure financial backing if you would be willing to switch degree courses. You would be an asset to the team, I'm sure."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNcCyC13ax7EuIWGe33l41LZJk2lL6Uii2hPqRPsITSrzZJ19_GHGkuzf3fpG8lDpT8mZYe8OoifAcvpWLY7MRuoasv-OzTaQcEdvk_lk6rrZvQAQpZym5kubQuxYOKXZ-Wl-iEBfuhw/s1600/Screenshot-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNcCyC13ax7EuIWGe33l41LZJk2lL6Uii2hPqRPsITSrzZJ19_GHGkuzf3fpG8lDpT8mZYe8OoifAcvpWLY7MRuoasv-OzTaQcEdvk_lk6rrZvQAQpZym5kubQuxYOKXZ-Wl-iEBfuhw/s1600/Screenshot-16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
She sat up straight, lowering her hands to her lap as she continued to
stare resolutely at the door, hoping the man would get the message. "I told you before, I'm studying to be a doctor. I'm not interested in changing my career. I've just found out that my father is dead, and I've told you all that I know, so could you just go?"<br />
It seemed for a moment as if the man would argue, but then he just nodded. "As you wish. If you change your mind, the offer still stands." He dropped a business card onto the bedside table, then turned and exited the way he'd come. Brendan must have been waiting around the corner, because he was back in the room less than a minute after Shawn had left.<br />
"Are you okay?" Epsilon stood to meet him as he entered, feeling somewhat steadier on her feet.<br />
"Not really, but I'm getting there. I really need to get back to Sunset Valley, see how Omi is holding up. Will they discharge me, do you think?"<br />
"Of course they'll discharge you, they need the bed and equipment. But should you be discharged?" Brendan raised an eyebrow as he asked the question they both knew the answer to.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0MYkYzyktYmdjzz7dz2XcDvqdtfnpLduc7Lsubmh42aSyTdD0lv4woADO3sIY_qc-eG4bRCzPq9ThWqzqeIJlmilcIdS0qI3fsN9Q-n3DA7B8ADN939_fvOh-L51tYYH8VLHsr6XRZA/s1600/Screenshot-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0MYkYzyktYmdjzz7dz2XcDvqdtfnpLduc7Lsubmh42aSyTdD0lv4woADO3sIY_qc-eG4bRCzPq9ThWqzqeIJlmilcIdS0qI3fsN9Q-n3DA7B8ADN939_fvOh-L51tYYH8VLHsr6XRZA/s1600/Screenshot-14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"No, but I'll take it easy, I promise. I have to get home."<br />
"I'll come with you." He frowned as she shook her head. "Why not?"<br />
"You have your own family to worry about. Your mother, right? Is she okay?"<br />
"She's fine, I've been more worried about you-"<br />
Epsilon interrupted. "I know. Thank you. You should go to her though, I know she'll be worried."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7Ks3vvidE_G2GF4J1fZD9SBbD2PC8GPo9dWrBviSjWtu8H3vgdjDJWEebUGFBw0RX8VBeus2zXwKu-MOAtLJLJArtfK9kdnozFSPAC5KoGemsColulcmXJyrfRDC0ZqooLk_RFKBqGs/s1600/Screenshot-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7Ks3vvidE_G2GF4J1fZD9SBbD2PC8GPo9dWrBviSjWtu8H3vgdjDJWEebUGFBw0RX8VBeus2zXwKu-MOAtLJLJArtfK9kdnozFSPAC5KoGemsColulcmXJyrfRDC0ZqooLk_RFKBqGs/s1600/Screenshot-13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
He nodded slowly. "You're right. Call me every night, okay? If I don't hear from you, I'll have to come out to make sure you're alright."<br />
"I will. Thank you for everything, Bren."<br />
<br />
Epsilon used the long bus ride home to check her e-mail and news blogs online. Omicron had sent her the entire story of what happened the night of the first attacks, and she felt grateful to the spirits of her ancestors for protecting him. As strange as that crypt felt for her to be in, maybe she should visit some night and thank them. After all, she was officially the only one of the three half-siblings that hadn't met their grandmother. As she entered the house she'd grown up in, she was struck by how quiet it was without James banging around the place.<br />
"Hello?" she called out. "Omi? Are you home?"<br />
"Yeah, just a moment!" The answer came from the back hallway, and soon her younger brother approached through the kitchen. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJaCduq5NKo2o3Of46UjKH7LLgKW4_EMevvYkhoiJlH4Px9uOya1tGHbVg3tQ00rq12_-jTVtBl7zM20-FaMh1hyphenhyphenyFV8wkPKUszEDb4E1sOUEJqCgzFLN4IEteyuHHLOie_s08d71pXk/s1600/Screenshot-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJaCduq5NKo2o3Of46UjKH7LLgKW4_EMevvYkhoiJlH4Px9uOya1tGHbVg3tQ00rq12_-jTVtBl7zM20-FaMh1hyphenhyphenyFV8wkPKUszEDb4E1sOUEJqCgzFLN4IEteyuHHLOie_s08d71pXk/s1600/Screenshot-21.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
They didn't speak at first, just holding each other tightly in silent reassurance. Finally, Epsilon broke the silence.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuDIpU3w1rSGhP-kJ00zITFzFK_aYPDg8Md-NEiXMZFO83PA-nqnKhAeHz0h8IiU9-KZI74oBxm6fsVaFRz-YzWYB77bslPXaCQkkx58BhsaqP3DYjc0PueVzIm7-JiVqTT0fS2G_lwIc/s1600/Screenshot-29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuDIpU3w1rSGhP-kJ00zITFzFK_aYPDg8Md-NEiXMZFO83PA-nqnKhAeHz0h8IiU9-KZI74oBxm6fsVaFRz-YzWYB77bslPXaCQkkx58BhsaqP3DYjc0PueVzIm7-JiVqTT0fS2G_lwIc/s1600/Screenshot-29.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"Are you okay?"<br />
"No. Are you?"<br />
"Not really. But I'll make it."<br />
"Yeah, same."<br />
They let go and faced each other. Epsilon was struck by how much older Omicron seemed; the young man standing before her wasn't the high school boy she'd left behind two years ago. This time, it was Omicron's turn to break the silence.<br />
"Your boyfriend told you what happened to Dad?"<br />
"Yeah. I'm sorry you had to go through that alone."<br />
"I wasn't alone, at least not in the crypt. He seemed nice though, concerned about you. You could have done worse."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOgCTAfu5oDDxv0duIJuIsnk38U-xu4ugwq7_s23_ActIrfVA8MC4hIyYM0CDGZV-ZBhA9GrQeA2OI5kyLB6I7QzYFKvtj0hA91gIPM1GK3ZLNvvS7FGr2lLFdzsyswkO6HdA9IhW__8/s1600/Screenshot-26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOgCTAfu5oDDxv0duIJuIsnk38U-xu4ugwq7_s23_ActIrfVA8MC4hIyYM0CDGZV-ZBhA9GrQeA2OI5kyLB6I7QzYFKvtj0hA91gIPM1GK3ZLNvvS7FGr2lLFdzsyswkO6HdA9IhW__8/s1600/Screenshot-26.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Epsilon smirked a bit despite herself, giving Omicron a playful
nudge. "Like you have any say in who I date. You know you're the baby
in the family."<br />
A brief smile crossed his face at his sister's teasing tone, then he sighed.<br />
"What's wrong?" Epsilon hadn't seen him this messed up in a long time, not since before the prom. He was clearly taking this situation harder than he let on.<br />
"It's just this house, you know? Every time I'm standing here, I see it happening all over again.<br />
"Oh, Omi..." He didn't need to say what 'it' was, the context was obvious.<br />
"You know what the last thing I said to him was? I told him to quit throwing books around. It wasn't even him doing it, he was just trying to stay alive, and I yelled at him. I know he wasn't a good man, but I don't think that anybody deserves to die like that, knowing the last thing said to them was hateful."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGJyOshH4CL6WmKPz3bep7jPgvwH3a86QZjD5ItHMpmkOTk38uqxMGnGbyZi8Z_6AZglXqRIUvgtbYq8hnXGzYWyQ36uzilIyuZYwbuifWZr38gsuenEDHL4Haf9MzTOWcEEHiID7_ih8/s1600/Screenshot-35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGJyOshH4CL6WmKPz3bep7jPgvwH3a86QZjD5ItHMpmkOTk38uqxMGnGbyZi8Z_6AZglXqRIUvgtbYq8hnXGzYWyQ36uzilIyuZYwbuifWZr38gsuenEDHL4Haf9MzTOWcEEHiID7_ih8/s1600/Screenshot-35.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"You can't blame yourself for what happened to him."<br />
"I know. I don't. I know he didn't like me, but I know that for a long time he wanted me to carry on the family name, and I can't help but think that the last thing he heard from me was so not who I am. I'm not like him, Epsi!" Omicron seemed close to tears now, and Epsilon quickly comforted him.<br />
"No, you're not. The fact that you feel guilty about what happened just confirms it. Ghosts have been crossing over every night now, maybe you'll have your chance to apologize."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUoyJU_IvFK7NGAi71fKD23OpgVeLla_nFuALINu7IwwJXKVXCfgDXLCFfufJP8qC2nM7ulx4nNP13Qxu_5kxvZS8EH3Qfj2gTbNW3zyf-pim6ZYzeh-HP-pShfaiePiXmOzIb7hmoUo/s1600/Screenshot-31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUoyJU_IvFK7NGAi71fKD23OpgVeLla_nFuALINu7IwwJXKVXCfgDXLCFfufJP8qC2nM7ulx4nNP13Qxu_5kxvZS8EH3Qfj2gTbNW3zyf-pim6ZYzeh-HP-pShfaiePiXmOzIb7hmoUo/s1600/Screenshot-31.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
He nodded slowly. "Maybe. I put his urn in the catacombs, because
that's what he would have wanted."<br />
"I agree."<br />
"I can't stay here, though. Like I said, I can't get it out of my mind."<br />
Epsilon frowned. "Where will you go?"<br />
"I'm not sure," Omicron said. "I don't think university is right, not yet at least. I'm not any good in a crisis, so I can't be of any use in the military, or as a medic. Have you read the news lately, Epsi?"<br />
She nodded. None of it was good, especially the opinion columns. A lot of people were thinking that the world would be better off if no supernaturals existed, as it was only causing collateral damage for the human population. Such rash thinking was very comforting to some people in a crisis, but she was afraid that it would take hold in the mainstream in a very bad way.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10Y4A8n5Qx7JC90n9Tt_MRrNyCp6k47vYP0vS-wcfQPGHjBa-NtFY0FMr5S9EQrsoe_eOcxJ6lwJQhTML9CHkfHopJIMFO6fz1AJWSk-ERcAFkdcPyIdzzmD4CHDb7lYXIGKa1o-2-Tg/s1600/Screenshot-33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10Y4A8n5Qx7JC90n9Tt_MRrNyCp6k47vYP0vS-wcfQPGHjBa-NtFY0FMr5S9EQrsoe_eOcxJ6lwJQhTML9CHkfHopJIMFO6fz1AJWSk-ERcAFkdcPyIdzzmD4CHDb7lYXIGKa1o-2-Tg/s1600/Screenshot-33.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"All of that hate. I can't let that happen. I don't care if I have to sleep in the park on a bench, but whatever I do I have to fight against those people."<br />
"Please tell me you won't sleep in the park, Omi."<br />
"I have a place to stay, for now at least. And I've got a connection in city hall, he says he can get me a job there. It's not much, but I might be able to change things from the inside, if I can get someone's ear."<br />
Epsilon nodded. "Dad intended you to have the house, though. As much as he hated you, he never considered the possibility of me carrying on the family."<br />
Omicron looked at her. "Who cares what he wanted? He's dead now. As far as I care, the house is yours. I wrote down everything he ever told me, about the family and the catacombs. I left it on your nightstand. I've been ready to leave for days, I was just waiting to hear that you'd been discharged."<br />
She nodded again. "I'll miss you. Keep in touch, okay?"<br />
"Will do. See you, Epsi."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZTtY7sAJZWFA1m2phjfLodROjhnbHVtUHoeyy__zhjr_xbU2lTZbJnUd15jL81r54kwKOn4DuzNay_Ql5A11bzplMh5ff5fs5YQEBOnmmuZgFctPosa47qYvf0zcrG70urf18kJOT0Uk/s1600/Screenshot-30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZTtY7sAJZWFA1m2phjfLodROjhnbHVtUHoeyy__zhjr_xbU2lTZbJnUd15jL81r54kwKOn4DuzNay_Ql5A11bzplMh5ff5fs5YQEBOnmmuZgFctPosa47qYvf0zcrG70urf18kJOT0Uk/s1600/Screenshot-30.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The house was even quieter with him gone. It was just her and Shadow, now. How was she supposed to move forward?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
~ * ~</div>
<br />
<i>Omicron is much more attractive than he looked like when I aged him up in CAS. I swear the game makes genetic mutations as you play. He's also a lot skinnier than CAS predicted, not sure what that was about, unless all the swimming he did over the summer knocked the baby fat right off of him(I use Awesomemod with mass conservation enabled, so he won't get fatter again unless he overeats). Upon seeing how he looked as a YA, I was actually a little bit sad that he wasn't going to be the heir.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Yes, this means that Epsilon is the generation 3 heir, as randomly determined. Gemly can stop freaking out now. It's such a big, empty house, and it's all hers and Shadow's now. I hardly know what to do with my empty sim panel.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I have a confession to make. I fudged the weekly responsibilities for week 17. I neither had a party(for generation 2's fun) nor had the heir celebrate leisure day(for generation 3's fun). Please forgive me, it just didn't work for the story. She did technically attend <b>a</b> party on Leisure Day, but I'm not sure that counts, especially since it was only a party for story purposes. ;)</i><br />
<br />
<i>Sims for Omicron and Epsilon are uploaded on the download page. Go forth and have them, because they're much more attractive than sims born in my game usually are. Especially the blonde one. I'll update the family tree, generations page, and sidebar at some point before I post the next chapter. </i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1480959486985392708.post-81802948852209176082013-08-30T20:17:00.001-04:002013-08-30T22:52:52.476-04:00Woods Random Legacy: Chapter 56 - The Morning After<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Transcript of the President's Address to the Nation</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4tQhmSscrbiv2SQGfwF0OBOlcnV70fcvRD03FkmcAxQr9N1hMnrIG2cjomn6NfQH6h1KBBI8M34CXw_V8kD7NQi83w9iYPp9d36yFZI59mNYqLtjT5zXWXTtfp5IVLNghKz0gGa2UJw/s1600/Screenshot-356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4tQhmSscrbiv2SQGfwF0OBOlcnV70fcvRD03FkmcAxQr9N1hMnrIG2cjomn6NfQH6h1KBBI8M34CXw_V8kD7NQi83w9iYPp9d36yFZI59mNYqLtjT5zXWXTtfp5IVLNghKz0gGa2UJw/s1600/Screenshot-356.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Greetings. It is with a heavy heart that I stand before you this morning, after the longest night in recent memory. It breaks my heart to think of the hundreds, perhaps thousands, who lost their lives in the acts of senseless violence that took place across the world last night. Rest assured that those responsible, living or otherwise, will be found, and brought to justice.<br />
<br />
How can we fight spirits, you ask? That is the question that the most talented minds of our generation are working to answer, even as I speak to you now. Our resources have been mobilized, and no expense will be spared once the solution is found. Our military is prepared, strong and determined to stand against this new menace.<br />
<br />
Remain calm and stay strong in this time of fear. If we stand together, the people of this world united, we will not fall.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>The Daily Times volume 95 issue 191: Thousands Dead After Supernatural Rampage (excerpt) </b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoGfKYucJxqGQl2N2cZOzYky8t2Ng1E5mEjZa-JY82MAZsK_w6nl8G1chJPBjMy2IA8r4oNrhimahHcu8mgzbPac5uiO34JihLspp8tguDFQS5JKipS-RN3AqxI5_PInzIzGdK8L-Qpw8/s1600/Screenshot-358+article.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoGfKYucJxqGQl2N2cZOzYky8t2Ng1E5mEjZa-JY82MAZsK_w6nl8G1chJPBjMy2IA8r4oNrhimahHcu8mgzbPac5uiO34JihLspp8tguDFQS5JKipS-RN3AqxI5_PInzIzGdK8L-Qpw8/s1600/Screenshot-358+article.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
...It seems that supernatural creatures were the main targets of these attacks. For many, such creatures were known only as legends, but it has become known across the world now that they walk among us. Werewolves, lupine shape-shifters, and vampires, nocturnal blood-drinkers, were the most easy to identify, and comprised the majority of the supernatural creatures killed. Some of those originally classified as human have been revealed as spell casters by those who knew them, so it is possible that more than two categories of supernatural creatures were targeted in the attacks.<br />
<br />
Most victims were located in the capital city of Bridgeport, due to its size, and Moonlight Falls, likely because of its large population of supernatural creatures. The recently-opened University Town, attracting many young supernatural creatures from their rural homes to study, was also strongly affected, though official counts have not been received. Despite the majority of attacks happening in those three isolated areas, nowhere was spared, with almost every town having at least one incident...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>The Daily Times volume 95 issue 192: Letter to the Editor</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCOv1vMaG7q9vrvZEOQHHNdyGeUyWXm72g9U3ePcQhnsTyrAcdwhgAtQ_i6TAef2izUBmCmC6rL7u6uNgBjqhaIMJdzhfXnzlQc8jE-grs-MIrUSc0FPp-8_5lSThzHK3OlztSXm32TQ4/s1600/Screenshot-358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCOv1vMaG7q9vrvZEOQHHNdyGeUyWXm72g9U3ePcQhnsTyrAcdwhgAtQ_i6TAef2izUBmCmC6rL7u6uNgBjqhaIMJdzhfXnzlQc8jE-grs-MIrUSc0FPp-8_5lSThzHK3OlztSXm32TQ4/s1600/Screenshot-358.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
In all my years of reading the Times I never would've thought that this fine publication would be on the side of those creatures! You were so busy talking about those things that you barely mentioned the HUMANS who died that night. How am I supposed to keep my family safe when there's those vampires and werewolves stirring up trouble and getting innocent HUMANS murdered?<br />
<br />
The President said we need a solution, and I agree with the man. Get rid of the vampires, the werewolves, and all those things that hide in our towns and cities, there's a solution for you. We'll not be safe until we do, you mark my words.<br />
<br />
Frank Delaney<br />
Twinbrook<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
~ * ~</div>
<br />
<i>Short update today, just chilling in between proper generation stuff and adding a bit of context for what's going on in the larger world. This next generation is going to be darker than the first two, if this chapter wasn't warning enough. A lot of people are pretty angry, for all different reasons, and while the politics aren't a major focus of my heir their effect will obviously still be seen.</i><br />
<br />
<i>I did not intentionally make the president resemble Bill Clinton.</i><br />
<br />
<i>That is also not Not-Bill Clinton writing the letter to the editor, even though it looks like him. I was not very creative with my elder male character design the night I took these pictures. </i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1480959486985392708.post-49525529971674281042013-08-24T11:24:00.002-04:002013-08-24T11:24:27.773-04:00Woods Random Legacy: Chapter 55 - Blunt Force TraumaAs Leisure Day dawned on Sunset Valley, there wasn't a cloud in the sky. Forgoing his usual holiday plans, James declared that this season's party was just for him, and nobody else was invited. So there.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPyYuKV6vuLBcqKAncqfSJnzJxqgnsEpZDKDBFc6L8d6DbVzKbiHEc1nmXQvfNbO0Fq03sftJ9Z0tLKQHi3PCKbeyl5OkWRc_OBmprCGPl7A7mNkS1AHHLCvP5qmUPJGpF6_a5gDNSG0/s1600/Screenshot-236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPyYuKV6vuLBcqKAncqfSJnzJxqgnsEpZDKDBFc6L8d6DbVzKbiHEc1nmXQvfNbO0Fq03sftJ9Z0tLKQHi3PCKbeyl5OkWRc_OBmprCGPl7A7mNkS1AHHLCvP5qmUPJGpF6_a5gDNSG0/s1600/Screenshot-236.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
He spent the morning swimming in the backyard pool, then relaxed and got some sun in the afternoon. He had to admit that it was refreshing, not wondering what anybody else thought of him for just one day.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhazEC_A0rYajX2I7HrK2bKtWOWLQdmDJNtfcAK-8U1lvJshWWzoZVIKF_Xom7ZQs03GM6DotXbQKFMqF6Z8eLT2SX1mZlilN81U49CcWerDiC_onStPxaR8ScAntjeuuYo1aCOHzV-Dyo/s1600/Screenshot-248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhazEC_A0rYajX2I7HrK2bKtWOWLQdmDJNtfcAK-8U1lvJshWWzoZVIKF_Xom7ZQs03GM6DotXbQKFMqF6Z8eLT2SX1mZlilN81U49CcWerDiC_onStPxaR8ScAntjeuuYo1aCOHzV-Dyo/s1600/Screenshot-248.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Omicron, who had ditched the house as soon as James started going on about nobody else being invited to his party, spent the first part of the day at the summer festival in the center of town. The snow cone operator, aware that it was Omicron's birthday tomorrow, gave him a free purple berry snow cone as an early birthday present.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCmCVfu_2diZ91Tost5eiC0DoZLx6UBRT3Xuv-Hen5zrEb3Px2y3y61CYpjITnuk37h40EUH9L9sw_UFbZtYH60pK6N8JD4g-h2eNzVHJQbC3HE0T0XVUmg-_Xzm43LhnjTsTmKOe8vOc/s1600/Screenshot-303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCmCVfu_2diZ91Tost5eiC0DoZLx6UBRT3Xuv-Hen5zrEb3Px2y3y61CYpjITnuk37h40EUH9L9sw_UFbZtYH60pK6N8JD4g-h2eNzVHJQbC3HE0T0XVUmg-_Xzm43LhnjTsTmKOe8vOc/s1600/Screenshot-303.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
He soon got bored of the festival, and headed down to the ocean for a swim. It was much more relaxing there, away from the noise and bustle of the town.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3XrpsudvA_Q4vAlQ7HiFBA4cJUZRMOpERfANlx2n_8DkOFTgYxQY4q_VbQB-t8Cv7mTfrqitEPXrMJ8EvJOPTRzHxwQaSd1-AwvLs_fAZcPZlv9ozXVmtOus8aY0-9SGESTOvl37sco/s1600/Screenshot-245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3XrpsudvA_Q4vAlQ7HiFBA4cJUZRMOpERfANlx2n_8DkOFTgYxQY4q_VbQB-t8Cv7mTfrqitEPXrMJ8EvJOPTRzHxwQaSd1-AwvLs_fAZcPZlv9ozXVmtOus8aY0-9SGESTOvl37sco/s1600/Screenshot-245.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
As the sun began to set, he headed back home to get the fireworks Epsilon had given him. The fun wasn't over yet!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjirNhcVcr9960TrTJTqpesKl_lA1YdomDbscQNRb0hXuN6gaNsakonDixYu9vM_a6TpUzx7NcaUnvodm20SayGfpscwadQQjxeBKapniAQKDuwHL4pWGitJWa-YCk8Hx84DUmgPGdr7U4/s1600/Screenshot-307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjirNhcVcr9960TrTJTqpesKl_lA1YdomDbscQNRb0hXuN6gaNsakonDixYu9vM_a6TpUzx7NcaUnvodm20SayGfpscwadQQjxeBKapniAQKDuwHL4pWGitJWa-YCk8Hx84DUmgPGdr7U4/s1600/Screenshot-307.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Nobody thought anything of the full moon slowly rising over the hills east of town.<br />
<br />
Omicron was careful to remember everything Epsilon had cautioned him about firework safety. Light the fuse, move quickly and carefully to a safe distance, cover your ears, and watch!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLVoUBkI1dDImEUbZ9NWInfw3oN0Zt4AKNO40bed8sP0N7e21PZh0yL8scNKnfAlEB8rgAy9DcbPIF2gEINviVLs_vVxVdS3fGGbg1AvXp5l7ofWln6V5Zp_o63oKJNPwPtJPQAFOlbzg/s1600/Screenshot-308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLVoUBkI1dDImEUbZ9NWInfw3oN0Zt4AKNO40bed8sP0N7e21PZh0yL8scNKnfAlEB8rgAy9DcbPIF2gEINviVLs_vVxVdS3fGGbg1AvXp5l7ofWln6V5Zp_o63oKJNPwPtJPQAFOlbzg/s1600/Screenshot-308.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
He grinned as he watched his display light up the sky, one of the first of the evening. He wished that they sold fireworks during every season, instead of only summer.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0deivhXeXnO2LLHIErZkmTuWh_6N8SzVYOsFFbk8dUI1r-y1CFpxa11gqsEd2M1e7x8YvVWv8ivz5cwsDIZyKKvMeXP29It5jufOAcIrOIcL55R6NjSbn9dlwqs9RadGRmgNMWtBM2MI/s1600/Screenshot-315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0deivhXeXnO2LLHIErZkmTuWh_6N8SzVYOsFFbk8dUI1r-y1CFpxa11gqsEd2M1e7x8YvVWv8ivz5cwsDIZyKKvMeXP29It5jufOAcIrOIcL55R6NjSbn9dlwqs9RadGRmgNMWtBM2MI/s1600/Screenshot-315.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The fireworks Epsilon had bought weren't the fanciest, but they shone just as bright as the rest of the displays now being shot off around town. He'd have to remember to thank her again for that, when she got back after this term.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhH75us6qcYyimQcw3YZ8OCwZeXxhiuTJ0nt0XfNfcHQPgS4AtKPSKDUQYGn2p2zW5LS7HQLvWgDGoc2NDYZYRv73cXfhxA983ZCZUXE8mlX3Vijrmpg_RHBYzrsqiPb44t49OFRDXH9A/s1600/Screenshot-314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhH75us6qcYyimQcw3YZ8OCwZeXxhiuTJ0nt0XfNfcHQPgS4AtKPSKDUQYGn2p2zW5LS7HQLvWgDGoc2NDYZYRv73cXfhxA983ZCZUXE8mlX3Vijrmpg_RHBYzrsqiPb44t49OFRDXH9A/s1600/Screenshot-314.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
After he'd exhausted his supply of explosive entertainment, Omicron headed inside to get ready for bed. He'd finished in the bathroom and had just shut his bedroom door when a loud thud came from the living room. Shaking his head, he started to tug his shirt off, pausing when three more thuds came in quick succession. What the hell was James doing out there? He yanked his shirt back on and went to investigate.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Vihj-mSYbVQL-ZXQG80kHzJmW3q-YEPy9qVFVZcy7C2NeJr_Ijf5AZcWzP1IsPB1Q9LfIx-0q2dN02aAsfBdGgxNnx9NHEF5mkrO73xPL0svwi8KltQiIkIF1LrgtobSAvmOCdy_pXg/s1600/Screenshot-322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Vihj-mSYbVQL-ZXQG80kHzJmW3q-YEPy9qVFVZcy7C2NeJr_Ijf5AZcWzP1IsPB1Q9LfIx-0q2dN02aAsfBdGgxNnx9NHEF5mkrO73xPL0svwi8KltQiIkIF1LrgtobSAvmOCdy_pXg/s1600/Screenshot-322.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
As he was walking through the kitchen, a book whizzed past his head. He only managed to dodge it by pure luck, certainly not any skill. Frowning back at where it impacted the far wall, he called out.<br />
"What the hell! Stop throwing books around, I'm trying to get some sleep."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHqWsU6fUzjfWiW-9QhzSJ1XsSuL1qq8X79uRNd8PI6ZNyETwlrAOOHaFeEIEXYQluP5AJ-i60Kpd1UPze9yzPpT0bCc1Fj6dkGSDylNybWX3vwblBZrbbpsbUpFL3YKK_dwFKBumlzL8/s1600/Screenshot-325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHqWsU6fUzjfWiW-9QhzSJ1XsSuL1qq8X79uRNd8PI6ZNyETwlrAOOHaFeEIEXYQluP5AJ-i60Kpd1UPze9yzPpT0bCc1Fj6dkGSDylNybWX3vwblBZrbbpsbUpFL3YKK_dwFKBumlzL8/s1600/Screenshot-325.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Another thud came from the living room, so he sighed and peeked through the doorway, immediately stepping back, his eyes wide. A third - fourth, fifth, there was no telling how many had already been thrown! - book hit James on the shoulder, hard. Beyond him stood a ghostly woman, but ghosts weren't actually real...were they?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_F8hA9GG9b6zO9I1I7U7FeSrUSY19H6qdKNI5IkfNkITOPZYaSG-eq4bXdS00qItA5SIiPxpKJ3I5CVmXMBeFeDiFoVmWqIXYdnHXqQBSQQ7A8XxdcGH2dV8q4BYMfUgW_g-EozO1YmI/s1600/Screenshot-326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_F8hA9GG9b6zO9I1I7U7FeSrUSY19H6qdKNI5IkfNkITOPZYaSG-eq4bXdS00qItA5SIiPxpKJ3I5CVmXMBeFeDiFoVmWqIXYdnHXqQBSQQ7A8XxdcGH2dV8q4BYMfUgW_g-EozO1YmI/s1600/Screenshot-326.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
As he watched, another book whizzed past his father, who dodged this time, and the ghost woman looked past the old man, her wicked smile growing as she spotted Omicron. He stepped back against the kitchen island, unsure what to do, until he was distracted by a mewing and the sensation of something rubbing past his ankles.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYz_XyFWussEs4gUoQ6BGxJb-RS6CGJmDpk3kAhyWJiq1b1lPHTKKTUnTRWkK8_1G25soiP1Vbz_hkPp19hGMGH3YpV2p8PTIlSWmNxczW2D9ylariT84LSD0XY0Tp2MS_TaK40o0k274/s1600/Screenshot-328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYz_XyFWussEs4gUoQ6BGxJb-RS6CGJmDpk3kAhyWJiq1b1lPHTKKTUnTRWkK8_1G25soiP1Vbz_hkPp19hGMGH3YpV2p8PTIlSWmNxczW2D9ylariT84LSD0XY0Tp2MS_TaK40o0k274/s1600/Screenshot-328.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
He looked down to Epsilon's cat. Was now really the time? Something about the look in the cat's eyes drew his attention, though - an uncanny sort of intelligence. Had the animal always looked like that? Another thud came from behind him, and with another meow the cat turned and darted for the backdoor. Omicron didn't think twice about following it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3A6obXTzdWfl3Wja6yr7NV28na4FaXZyKce83UtNMtWYHwfxJHfkZb5uHOESUDfYNly60yen9PjbMmgwT1x1Yc6lvyuuY5Tl1u1I3_nAZt260lEHqM4G6F-OigX5PZBvzjLxxtwXu1I/s1600/Screenshot-330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3A6obXTzdWfl3Wja6yr7NV28na4FaXZyKce83UtNMtWYHwfxJHfkZb5uHOESUDfYNly60yen9PjbMmgwT1x1Yc6lvyuuY5Tl1u1I3_nAZt260lEHqM4G6F-OigX5PZBvzjLxxtwXu1I/s1600/Screenshot-330.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Behind him, the ghostly woman raised a pointed hand, black smoke issuing from the tip of her finger. James followed her finger, gasping as his feet left the floor as he slowly rose towards the ceiling.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6xRtcTRbsTbN7VWDA2JBuUGO-zMtSijYswjQsczofxTwsUyZt1xx1iebpcb8WSgQuG8nViFexBY9QvTgf2XmFzKEtMPpTX_7wPQSiGxCm5uWRYKNKg1ot75lo2CMh0VTA6Md4_uCcAXc/s1600/Screenshot-336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6xRtcTRbsTbN7VWDA2JBuUGO-zMtSijYswjQsczofxTwsUyZt1xx1iebpcb8WSgQuG8nViFexBY9QvTgf2XmFzKEtMPpTX_7wPQSiGxCm5uWRYKNKg1ot75lo2CMh0VTA6Md4_uCcAXc/s1600/Screenshot-336.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
As Omicron stumbled over the back fence, fleeing the house, a shout of fear was cut short by a crash. He felt like he was going to be sick, but he kept going, following the cat.<br />
<br />
It led him up the hill towards the family crypt. Omicron fell down more than descended the stairs, his grip on the railing and center pole the only things that kept him mostly upright. He quickly activated the lock and pushed the first door open. But the second door seemed to be locked, no amount of pushing helping even as the cat slipped through the grating and continued into the catacombs.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnfuMENZH06DfGGK9RiB_B2M34gI8IJHEJIefnKswp9IzZKsss3RcNgdvnPoZ_bG2wPOA7_jxsvNu64xRRNEWZ3bgSD5IgWuA6BIRwW_Uu2XRxWeibmHHAUeVZxoltoN9k8vbzIs-jgD4/s1600/Screenshot-337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnfuMENZH06DfGGK9RiB_B2M34gI8IJHEJIefnKswp9IzZKsss3RcNgdvnPoZ_bG2wPOA7_jxsvNu64xRRNEWZ3bgSD5IgWuA6BIRwW_Uu2XRxWeibmHHAUeVZxoltoN9k8vbzIs-jgD4/s1600/Screenshot-337.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Breathing heavily, he turned, sinking down into the corner in fear as he saw what had followed him from the house.<br />
"I was only sent here to kill one tonight," she said, the otherworldly voice echoing in the stone chamber. "But why stop at one when there's such a convenient opportunity right in front of me? You could have inherited his...tendencies, after all. Why take that chance, hmm?"<br />
"W-w-why?" He was shaking so badly that he could hardly get the word out, huddled as far away as he could get.<br />
"Why?" She laughed harshly, transparent lips curving into another cruel smile. "Because he aided and associated with those who would be cleansed from this world. That simply can't be tolerated. Now, are you going to hide in the corner like a coward, or come face your death like a man? Because I must say, it simply won't be any fu-"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLLFrAE-f7iEI1sDgAsNQlATNcAOzYUu7VCrtJSF7zyBm201c0ivaGop6tOePI_es44u7uN_CviTn0durAXxHeBN7C2WJD6xMRU14aUKgY8MSOmmi5xPxSDAPvdFsTeGXIY2JuY6kILGU/s1600/Screenshot-338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLLFrAE-f7iEI1sDgAsNQlATNcAOzYUu7VCrtJSF7zyBm201c0ivaGop6tOePI_es44u7uN_CviTn0durAXxHeBN7C2WJD6xMRU14aUKgY8MSOmmi5xPxSDAPvdFsTeGXIY2JuY6kILGU/s1600/Screenshot-338.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
She stopped short, her cocky grin melting into an expression of uncertainty as she stared past Omicron into the chamber beyond. What had confused her soon became apparent as more ghostly shapes floated past the boy, taking up three guard positions just past the door.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLzX_5Fn-3tDy_sXg5QCrjTSX1gry-L6tTy6XVPdMtPbKeSssdjGSjDxEgzyFIpMFh7csjGFvtcFfcEpNmM7F00tZ1yyVwHFc9kWT0eqxjCixykKP3zZ0y5DMTTAeI8QWJ3qmjPNK71ik/s1600/Screenshot-340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLzX_5Fn-3tDy_sXg5QCrjTSX1gry-L6tTy6XVPdMtPbKeSssdjGSjDxEgzyFIpMFh7csjGFvtcFfcEpNmM7F00tZ1yyVwHFc9kWT0eqxjCixykKP3zZ0y5DMTTAeI8QWJ3qmjPNK71ik/s1600/Screenshot-340.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The four ghosts stood there for a moment, sizing each other up, and then the lone male ghost laughed, a hearty laugh of amusement that echoed around the chamber for a few moments even after he'd stopped.<br />
"What's so funny?" Omicron's attacker demanded, her look of confusion turning into a frown.<br />
"The irony of the whole thing! You, of all people, going along on this crusade."<br />
She started to speak again, but she cut him off.<br />
"Ohh, people talk. Not to me, but to the wife, you see." He guestured behind himself to the ghost standing with crossed arms. "And we know aaaallllll about you, Myra Carter! Every detail of your life, all the time you spent, ah, how did you put it? Assisting and associating, that was it, with the ones you now claim to hate."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvyfPaL5pp13hkLksIyCzjuLxx4vztHxkF96UX_Htb9uY9wq3mF3Ycvqnag8hMaWoVHnp0js8oEswP2Boo1iTKVge5f_VEgV4HEgJCrraxz_6XHOj7vURRj80tXANEOXMpBN60kU6JVII/s1600/Screenshot-347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvyfPaL5pp13hkLksIyCzjuLxx4vztHxkF96UX_Htb9uY9wq3mF3Ycvqnag8hMaWoVHnp0js8oEswP2Boo1iTKVge5f_VEgV4HEgJCrraxz_6XHOj7vURRj80tXANEOXMpBN60kU6JVII/s1600/Screenshot-347.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
This was utterly surreal. There was no way this was happening. Who were these people?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZNJsAugU4M8FqS5nE46lMJbqAa8oeKZB-3qUIuxztABu21v9RtbckxQGJUMU0qack_eeMLju1ASMCWqe9ERvyhZ2ElfbJlduDSfrluCKeTNCyeBb52HNmHGvqj5A-mgEzep6CuKg1tw/s1600/Screenshot-348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZNJsAugU4M8FqS5nE46lMJbqAa8oeKZB-3qUIuxztABu21v9RtbckxQGJUMU0qack_eeMLju1ASMCWqe9ERvyhZ2ElfbJlduDSfrluCKeTNCyeBb52HNmHGvqj5A-mgEzep6CuKg1tw/s1600/Screenshot-348.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"You're just so full of hate," the man continued, not letting the woman get a word in edgewise. "Hate-hate-hatey-hate-hate! And so you think that you can just barge through here and just beat up on whatever you want, because it makes you feel better. And I'll tell you what, because this'll really make you mad. You. Can't. Have. Him. Ha!"<br />
The angry woman stammered, clearly flustered by this man, but he wasn't done talking yet.<br />
"I know I'm more stubborn than you, so I could wait all night until you had to cross back over, but frankly I don't want to spend my night doing that. Boring! So I'll just go with this. What would Frederick have said, hrm?"<br />
The question had an immediate effect on the ghostly woman, recoiling back in horror. Then, she let out a screech of frustration before shooting straight up through the stone ceiling.<br />
The man dusted off his incorporeal hands. "Well, she won't be back!"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPxBG51oh13Wm-0hbTcynjmM4KD8SVJT7OyVNJKDtwXsCzsiA_to71WcmCo99ncW8vUItU_5qs5fW1i-QkmCDln1HzzNzu_pVfRGxzHXNKL6t0ypqI5t1Ikgz50E-ZiBk2AlRAgSJKwA/s1600/Screenshot-344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPxBG51oh13Wm-0hbTcynjmM4KD8SVJT7OyVNJKDtwXsCzsiA_to71WcmCo99ncW8vUItU_5qs5fW1i-QkmCDln1HzzNzu_pVfRGxzHXNKL6t0ypqI5t1Ikgz50E-ZiBk2AlRAgSJKwA/s1600/Screenshot-344.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Omicron stayed still as the ghosts retreated through the door, not entirely sure what had just happened. As the man floated past him, a ghostly whisper reached his ears.<br />
"It's a pull door, son. You've gotta pull it."<br />
<br />
He dragged himself to his feet, feeling as if he was in a dream, and pulled on the handle. Oh. He stepped through into the next chamber and looked around for any sign of the three ghosts, but the only one remaining was the one who the man had identified as his wife.<br />
"Hello, Omicron." She broke the silence, her voice gentler than Myra's, but still eerie.<br />
"H-hello." He was shaking, the adrenaline that had kept him going leaving his system. "Please tell me I'm dreaming."<br />
She shook her head. "I'm sorry, you're not. This - all of this - is really happening."<br />
"What's happening?"<br />
"The dead are crossing back to this realm. We've always been able to observe, but now the barriers have been broken and our effect is more tangible. It's a horrible thing, and should never have happened. All the hate..." Her voice trailed off as she shook her head sadly.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6aFRc7UiRYAohM5J0GmpmYGQhB0gi52QN2DsRWocnkHuvLPtz47EHaEQQ35llIny5mJXrJa8rLpKqMphbbbEDAewDB4e4hgMrE5TjS-Hr-Z05fXNO16wpQO7w7XP7UT6R6GVIBHKRpNo/s1600/Screenshot-350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6aFRc7UiRYAohM5J0GmpmYGQhB0gi52QN2DsRWocnkHuvLPtz47EHaEQQ35llIny5mJXrJa8rLpKqMphbbbEDAewDB4e4hgMrE5TjS-Hr-Z05fXNO16wpQO7w7XP7UT6R6GVIBHKRpNo/s1600/Screenshot-350.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"Why are they doing it? She said something about my Dad, and..." He stopped talking there, fighting back the tears. He hadn't liked the man, but he couldn't be happy about anyone dying, even if they were a bad person.<br />
"I'm sorry, sweetie, but he's gone. He'll be with us soon. I'll do my best to keep him from following the path of hatred, even with his death being so sudden and violent."<br />
He was choking up now. "I just left him in the house. I should have stayed, tried to help."<br />
"No." Her voice was firm. "There was nothing you could have done, except for what you did. Only the dead can defend against the dead. Stay here, until dawn. Then you'll be safe, at least for the day."<br />
He nodded. "One more question. Are you...my ancestors?"<br />
A slight smile touched her lips as she nodded. "Yes. We will protect you as much as we can, but we aren't strong spirits, fueled by rage as the others are. We can't stray far from our graves. If you need aid, you must come to us. And now, I must go, but we will be watching. Until next time, my dear."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv-fT8tiHD8VoSrCfx6G17Zn91jV-wqtnAf7JB-r0YLfDiViw2ShMOK0eR_32ynFMzmYkME8iDJKxfY0RElSBBV2mZZ8bdpxdFluXhZIQfYoR0MPXjr0Wlnz_At75tHnQ32Bw_5LZdJQ4/s1600/Screenshot-352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv-fT8tiHD8VoSrCfx6G17Zn91jV-wqtnAf7JB-r0YLfDiViw2ShMOK0eR_32ynFMzmYkME8iDJKxfY0RElSBBV2mZZ8bdpxdFluXhZIQfYoR0MPXjr0Wlnz_At75tHnQ32Bw_5LZdJQ4/s1600/Screenshot-352.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
After the spirit faded away, he waited alone until he heard the first birds singing outside. Only then did he stretch his stiff limbs and climb the stairs, exiting his family crypt into the world of sunlight. He could hear sirens, but they were distant, nothing to worry about. He began to trudge down the hill, shoes squeaking against the dew-covered grass.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjltqf-zA5p4svkXZ_R51UMM9M3xkygCQsI5dmiJig2QiLTQwXLS_IkNYDTzCKfPJ1H015FXXRvF4Af16V7r5QkkUPPR7S8o-OYzQK25ZfWhglARO6VyI1xl-nLTZiLWs7LvjSi1_MLnEM/s1600/Screenshot-353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjltqf-zA5p4svkXZ_R51UMM9M3xkygCQsI5dmiJig2QiLTQwXLS_IkNYDTzCKfPJ1H015FXXRvF4Af16V7r5QkkUPPR7S8o-OYzQK25ZfWhglARO6VyI1xl-nLTZiLWs7LvjSi1_MLnEM/s1600/Screenshot-353.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Today was his birthday; with everything that had happened last night, he'd almost forgotten. He supposed that his first act as a legal adult would be to make some calls, and officially add another casualty to what he knew would be a long list.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
~ * ~</div>
<br />
<i>I don't know why I subconsciously hate Leisure Day. It's just always unfortunately timed.</i><br />
<br />
<i>The third ghost who guarded the crypt is Crystal, who died a few days ago in-game. James didn't care, so it never made its way into the story, but now you know.</i><br />
<br />
<i>For those keeping track, the Seer's prophecies from way back near the start of this generation have all been fulfilled now, possibly not in the ways expected. I've been planning this for a long time.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Next chapter is the official beginning of generation 3.</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1480959486985392708.post-55694665298533270412013-08-21T20:52:00.001-04:002013-08-21T20:52:27.659-04:00Woods Random Legacy: Chapter 54 - Time Management Skills<span style="color: #990000;"><b>FYI:</b> this chapter gets a bit sexy in the middle. No explicit nudity or exposition, but the prudish may want to stay alert.</span><br />
<br />
On the morning exam results were delivered, Epsilon hadn't even showed yet - in fact, she was still on the toilet - when her housemate Tiffany came barging into the bathroom.<br />
"Epsilon? You in here?"<br />
Annoyed, Epsilon responded. "Kind of busy, here."<br />
"Oh, sorry, it's your exam results is all. I'll just leave them on the sink!" The slam of the bathroom door signaled Tiffany's exit from the room, and Epsilon finished up quickly, washing her hands before opening the envelope. Her expression swiftly turned to one of horror. That couldn't be right!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFgCc9Gd1suvb8-boC9OutGVtmy_zWH9BXjRRLM24bv5Aleu2Ny3POSplXaU3WNokWrOebh2et_8lJXI_4eFefcQrjG_QVNuNPfF2qb2KfY3O81aQyTXGqnrnRSCxeV6Ue7vd1dy8ThR0/s1600/Screenshot-187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFgCc9Gd1suvb8-boC9OutGVtmy_zWH9BXjRRLM24bv5Aleu2Ny3POSplXaU3WNokWrOebh2et_8lJXI_4eFefcQrjG_QVNuNPfF2qb2KfY3O81aQyTXGqnrnRSCxeV6Ue7vd1dy8ThR0/s1600/Screenshot-187.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
A quick shower and change of clothes later, she dashed into the kitchen, nearly slamming into Brendan.<br />
"Woah there!" He laughed, then his expression quickly sobered, noting the look on her face. "What's wrong?"<br />
"I got a B! That's never happened before, ever. How did I mess up so badly?"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEj3q6FrFROHHzMpzNKj5TeNleDM44JtOG-Q_s24B6JPf6wmqKT-cWCRP9TmSdoPI202fNFMBw8uhUSGb0t9oWpMwi9ticmlYGqk6lTG_qoihtelQihW_7i9XqfoT8sizfxNQXmlGW4Zc/s1600/Screenshot-194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEj3q6FrFROHHzMpzNKj5TeNleDM44JtOG-Q_s24B6JPf6wmqKT-cWCRP9TmSdoPI202fNFMBw8uhUSGb0t9oWpMwi9ticmlYGqk6lTG_qoihtelQihW_7i9XqfoT8sizfxNQXmlGW4Zc/s1600/Screenshot-194.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
He reached out and took her hand, holding it still. The touch was calming, almost as if her rapid hand movements had been accelerating her mental distress, or maybe that was just Brendan.<br />
"Relax. It had to happen sometime. Not only are you in a difficult degree course, but you were taking the maximum load they would allow you to take. Getting a B was pretty amazing, to be honest. I know a lot of the students here would have flunked out."<br />
"Yeah, but-"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WRZXPkOmzVBMQyikhaf8JX48V0fN0mZRfyByvpKkLcN2o_3egmA5xMHQprWUbwmmNWAF-1Y0k0ca2niol2A8mQRjIQwIHfatK9U1uRK1MLT2aNV418a1Ap_8mNSOlM7tGHhWcBuZ5Uc/s1600/Screenshot-195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WRZXPkOmzVBMQyikhaf8JX48V0fN0mZRfyByvpKkLcN2o_3egmA5xMHQprWUbwmmNWAF-1Y0k0ca2niol2A8mQRjIQwIHfatK9U1uRK1MLT2aNV418a1Ap_8mNSOlM7tGHhWcBuZ5Uc/s1600/Screenshot-195.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
He interrupted. "No but. A B won't kill your internship this summer,
and you know what to expect, so you'll do better next semester."<br />
She nodded. What he was saying made sense. She still felt as if she'd failed, though.<br />
"Come here." He pulled her close in a hug, and she nestled her face into his shoulder, letting him hold her. They stayed that way for several long moments, until he spoke again. "Don't you have a bus to catch?"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0FyNCorH5OdEdFsF6NdIkKYoebCxIp2J9WzxSgTZnR4pUyz9uA_zDa99TYP96JCdTUylS896IpbigYSqKSnuHiaDmbXzAgHTwdbExH8nfRLYXNqWs70A9QMHMMM8lgcZ3HgDv9SxaBzs/s1600/Screenshot-197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0FyNCorH5OdEdFsF6NdIkKYoebCxIp2J9WzxSgTZnR4pUyz9uA_zDa99TYP96JCdTUylS896IpbigYSqKSnuHiaDmbXzAgHTwdbExH8nfRLYXNqWs70A9QMHMMM8lgcZ3HgDv9SxaBzs/s1600/Screenshot-197.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"Mmm," she confirmed, muffled by his shoulder, then started to pull away. He responded by pulling her close again, this time kissing her gently on the lips.<br />
"I'll see you when you get back?"<br />
"Yes. And thanks, for everything."<br />
<br />
After term break was over, Alpha rented a small house just outside of the heart of campus. Money was still tight, but she really needed the privacy if she was going to focus enough to do well in her class this term. Her and Brendan had discussed renting a house together, but they'd ultimately decided that they weren't ready for that yet, so he chose to stay on at Malan Hall, for the next term at least.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-O8bvIUHRsXcfbK2rkH5uVXMDijywTur5Q0AkhEpfQrIXU4hj60n47xNrOjYlWuH-v2-oAQ0ticuDu56qdQvyIDo0XXDXrVq5b_rovJAFSvA-TrbhbxorKTPpkSaV2LGSNF8uFFuA6vM/s1600/Screenshot-198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-O8bvIUHRsXcfbK2rkH5uVXMDijywTur5Q0AkhEpfQrIXU4hj60n47xNrOjYlWuH-v2-oAQ0ticuDu56qdQvyIDo0XXDXrVq5b_rovJAFSvA-TrbhbxorKTPpkSaV2LGSNF8uFFuA6vM/s1600/Screenshot-198.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Now that she wasn't a first-year student anymore, she was allowed to work in the labs, conducting her own experiments as well as assigned lab work. The machines were almost always whirring away, whether by themselves or under the watchful eye of an anxious student.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0FMyr_SNSg-jI7UyG4WU14Nb2TAEqZM_RJPaEz1QAQuE702rQrJSJUltpCpKVtD_1t76yKeWsga7a8B7dJC9rpvKTVDwcA4WnGpE0Va1tdJNKgKOXI843ZPh3bj0BLD1oJJeKg3fcRyk/s1600/Screenshot-201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0FMyr_SNSg-jI7UyG4WU14Nb2TAEqZM_RJPaEz1QAQuE702rQrJSJUltpCpKVtD_1t76yKeWsga7a8B7dJC9rpvKTVDwcA4WnGpE0Va1tdJNKgKOXI843ZPh3bj0BLD1oJJeKg3fcRyk/s1600/Screenshot-201.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
She was also the first to arrive to lectures and the last to leave. She often got strange looks from the other students, but the empty lecture halls were great places to study, free of distractions.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidRLCEZRBe8wZtIZdI5ZZXnBtXeCvd2NIEBLK4sBJD0kECRyCAO_5grXz9KauckBKNf7AYacNUUbgf_1CIm8hG0bbLP23J24uf-Gm4dltSk_x_u6BPDqoRm4sUSvXyllwp4XtUqb4PHfM/s1600/Screenshot-205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidRLCEZRBe8wZtIZdI5ZZXnBtXeCvd2NIEBLK4sBJD0kECRyCAO_5grXz9KauckBKNf7AYacNUUbgf_1CIm8hG0bbLP23J24uf-Gm4dltSk_x_u6BPDqoRm4sUSvXyllwp4XtUqb4PHfM/s1600/Screenshot-205.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Her free time spent with Brendan was drastically reduced, unfortunately. She could tell that it bothered him somewhat, but he was supportive, and she tried to make every moment they had together count.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-LJkb6bZJsWHYRYCEdEB-QjlDmXGfBvAMC9wmQXJDBe3DKm-AaW2gyiWvkLxRmhVPK1w9rsh4n4CBHFN7tyzx_MnMSHT_-LAyOKGGbiXGXNnyW4Gj8-SMOYKXWDSdVhCceVgG8TDC6M/s1600/Screenshot-204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-LJkb6bZJsWHYRYCEdEB-QjlDmXGfBvAMC9wmQXJDBe3DKm-AaW2gyiWvkLxRmhVPK1w9rsh4n4CBHFN7tyzx_MnMSHT_-LAyOKGGbiXGXNnyW4Gj8-SMOYKXWDSdVhCceVgG8TDC6M/s1600/Screenshot-204.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Everything felt easier this term, as if she'd made it over the hump the
previous year, but she refused to get complacent. She would get an A
this term, and nothing would stop her.<br />
<br />
The night before final exam day, Epsilon was busy studying, as usual, not noticing that Brendan had finished reading his novel and was now pacing the kitchen. She only noticed her boyfriend when he planted his hands firmly on the table and looked down to her with a somewhat bemused expression.<br />
"Baby?"<br />
She looked up, startled. "Huh?"<br />
"What are you doing? You're not going to get a better grade by cramming the night before your exams. At this point, you either know it or you don't, and all you're doing is stressing yourself out."<br />
She opened her mouth to protest, but he reached across the table to her textbook and gently closed it, setting it down.<br />
"I'm serious. Go get ready for bed, I'll give you a massage or something before I go back home."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4-3q9uMjxEnqDnmJMaoKeyqEJIVArLnLk70NKnqii2HoMnqfRRMGTNSZg3b43ipXQqq4LhLUjP_73vOC6JTyCOptvbRwG0vkVXkiO4rQnMk9kWUY0osRuVhxQiv-UZkd4J1E3CUhola0/s1600/Screenshot-250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4-3q9uMjxEnqDnmJMaoKeyqEJIVArLnLk70NKnqii2HoMnqfRRMGTNSZg3b43ipXQqq4LhLUjP_73vOC6JTyCOptvbRwG0vkVXkiO4rQnMk9kWUY0osRuVhxQiv-UZkd4J1E3CUhola0/s1600/Screenshot-250.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
She gave him the usual look of protest before taking his hands and letting him draw her out of her seat into an embrace. He was right, and his plan sounded good, though there was one thing she would change.<br />
"You should stay," she whispered.<br />
"You're sure?"<br />
"Yeah. You know we'd talked about maybe staying together, next term, so it makes sense to work up to it a bit."<br />
He gave her a quick peck on the lips, then drew back, smiling. "Sounds good to me. My first exam isn't until after lunch, so that gives me time to run home and get ready. Come on, let's go to bed, you need sleep."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkoexcPMJFl9wCsLkgauwUwEtwHnb9O-Q3UZjhQ9079kZfEDcY55Fzmxb5e4wkQokaYC4YBgZimGtvl7ZwXOyPPZ-6l-odvxel_A_aYaymXRUlgNe_cJtOCp4lvvc4WJRuo8GRafOa4E/s1600/Screenshot-253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkoexcPMJFl9wCsLkgauwUwEtwHnb9O-Q3UZjhQ9079kZfEDcY55Fzmxb5e4wkQokaYC4YBgZimGtvl7ZwXOyPPZ-6l-odvxel_A_aYaymXRUlgNe_cJtOCp4lvvc4WJRuo8GRafOa4E/s1600/Screenshot-253.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
She hadn't known that he slept in so little, but she wasn't exactly modestly dressed herself. She'd toyed with the idea of wearing one of her gym shirts to bed, but she'd gotten out of the habit of wearing much now that she had a room to herself, and she didn't mind him seeing her in her underwear at all. It felt exciting though, and she couldn't quite keep from imagining how it would feel for their skin to touch as they slept together.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMEuACR_u-9hwNO-81jbCnx-WRev-B1AiBiLgaXf42pmdRjyD6CnqZ-7WqD5KSr7O6PasWv7TUPEHyh3Ut3YuDhrppfk0SYYiY3jeEemCrSO1yk54KnDKQowE4cOWQdhBCRbn4OqG1xvU/s1600/Screenshot-259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMEuACR_u-9hwNO-81jbCnx-WRev-B1AiBiLgaXf42pmdRjyD6CnqZ-7WqD5KSr7O6PasWv7TUPEHyh3Ut3YuDhrppfk0SYYiY3jeEemCrSO1yk54KnDKQowE4cOWQdhBCRbn4OqG1xvU/s1600/Screenshot-259.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
He was leaning against the headboard, so she settled in next to him, leaning back against the wood as their arms found comfortable positions. Still, something seemed to be bothering him.<br />
"What's wrong?" she asked, fearing the worst.<br />
He reached around to the back of her head, fumbling at her hair. For a moment she wasn't sure what he was doing, then it became obvious as her hair fell down onto her shoulders, the clip placed on the bedside table.<br />
"You weren't really going to leave that in all night, were you?" The teasing smile was back, and Epsilon laughed, shaking her head.<br />
"No, I just didn't think to take it out yet. Sorry, I was just worried that-"<br />
He cut her off with a finger to her lips. "I told you, stop worrying. If you're going to worry, I'm going to leave."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVy6igILi-e_zJMwL8TiQu_ZU6F5EHwVPmJrsn78KgHN1bpE91spWdwyi5k34XYk9w4vk78UiH0fYpFvY8FRISkRxLDEfwgcz0ARDT57RCDa1DZ9D0Hn0Jt3so1AhRJvwFMjNacl-2-H0/s1600/Screenshot-261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVy6igILi-e_zJMwL8TiQu_ZU6F5EHwVPmJrsn78KgHN1bpE91spWdwyi5k34XYk9w4vk78UiH0fYpFvY8FRISkRxLDEfwgcz0ARDT57RCDa1DZ9D0Hn0Jt3so1AhRJvwFMjNacl-2-H0/s1600/Screenshot-261.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"Okay." She smiled, then settled against his shoulder, feeling his hand slide down her side to rest at her waist. Her breath caught a little at the sensation, but she controlled her breathing, at least until Brendan chuckled.<br />
"You don't have to pretend it doesn't feel good."<br />
She blushed, which just made him laugh a bit more, his hand moving around to her back as he held her closer. They lay there for a few moments before he spoke again.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_hkZ0C6MCmRw1sOMSQmZonUoIqZq67GlhIqJxndXWQA0NTIUERmraqc4SmHZAXGIubPgoaOd9pN2gIvxZawSfZTRrHhZ82FXbhiBSFvPrASu2kzu6ywI2ogFIRSRPBCdYlHSNOnxXptw/s1600/Screenshot-266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_hkZ0C6MCmRw1sOMSQmZonUoIqZq67GlhIqJxndXWQA0NTIUERmraqc4SmHZAXGIubPgoaOd9pN2gIvxZawSfZTRrHhZ82FXbhiBSFvPrASu2kzu6ywI2ogFIRSRPBCdYlHSNOnxXptw/s1600/Screenshot-266.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"Have you ever...?" His question trailed off, but he didn't have to finish it - she knew what he meant, and shook her head.<br />
"No, you?"<br />
"Yeah," he admitted. "Does that bother you?" His expression was serious now, looking down at her.<br />
"No. You're older than me, I always figured you'd have experience. Why would it bother me, if it was before we met?"<br />
"It was," he assured her. "High school, the first time, and a few girls since. I don't regret it."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhlNoYnaVhFKxXnnlr8ERJSOVwz3Okxj2xDzHVdAPkBtSu9Gw3yrYMRfTzQDDX-6nK6qZc8rxySmyBthYtGY0N687IAsXxXEbys4CjUKpV9w2Pf38wVQfIYAo3rYv8xsHyVVXooHNp6g/s1600/Screenshot-270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhlNoYnaVhFKxXnnlr8ERJSOVwz3Okxj2xDzHVdAPkBtSu9Gw3yrYMRfTzQDDX-6nK6qZc8rxySmyBthYtGY0N687IAsXxXEbys4CjUKpV9w2Pf38wVQfIYAo3rYv8xsHyVVXooHNp6g/s1600/Screenshot-270.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"Why should you?" He smiled again at her words.<br />
"I really don't, and I'm glad you're okay with that. You know it doesn't make me love you any less."<br />
"I know," she said quietly, pulling him down to kiss him again, her free hand moving down to fumble at what little clothes he was wearing.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxfEnQAK9phi0oa8So5qWhvC5GAQ58VNdEFsFsyBcEYWwDc2fysGcse8e1jigMy_KwUnQDTqeq-J9114B1rYPqFDhge40Y0kdivpei1tS-wTkbHFBCpNEVccHHbfrzctEOEhvS9N0Cco/s1600/Screenshot-267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxfEnQAK9phi0oa8So5qWhvC5GAQ58VNdEFsFsyBcEYWwDc2fysGcse8e1jigMy_KwUnQDTqeq-J9114B1rYPqFDhge40Y0kdivpei1tS-wTkbHFBCpNEVccHHbfrzctEOEhvS9N0Cco/s1600/Screenshot-267.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
He pulled back so he could see her eyes. "Epsilon. Are you sure?"<br />
She nodded. "Yeah. I've waited long enough to be sure. I want this, with you."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxdq4iyTX7rvrlatHnKE_dszCvAXhcDJlZw_Z6dcHN7l7iNAPcQqehfySZGH39deU-2Q4nyXZ7FK-_h5xUem2vYSLiBOOQ1NEqwKBqyKFFRlGS_dleq7nDKujPC00W5paxN6C2Po-CTY/s1600/Screenshot-272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxdq4iyTX7rvrlatHnKE_dszCvAXhcDJlZw_Z6dcHN7l7iNAPcQqehfySZGH39deU-2Q4nyXZ7FK-_h5xUem2vYSLiBOOQ1NEqwKBqyKFFRlGS_dleq7nDKujPC00W5paxN6C2Po-CTY/s1600/Screenshot-272.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
He nodded again, lowering her gently to the bed.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIBfckqKr1fdTyVQin-b-tirS5xFXF2Ks0jXctgAsE9qc0TJiusE-fUUbBygZBiWHWAN_LrO_UFbs9EINnwnJ-RtSUerGIbjqwTDBTkZqOtoTMtDwYwCJtT90gB9w8ON160OfbT_5QEd0/s1600/Screenshot-273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIBfckqKr1fdTyVQin-b-tirS5xFXF2Ks0jXctgAsE9qc0TJiusE-fUUbBygZBiWHWAN_LrO_UFbs9EINnwnJ-RtSUerGIbjqwTDBTkZqOtoTMtDwYwCJtT90gB9w8ON160OfbT_5QEd0/s1600/Screenshot-273.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
It was all a bit blurry after that. All Epsilon was sure of was that it had felt amazing, even the part she'd known would hurt.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc_hTmgmQ3RfGdv7RuYyl_WLDyIhKw0b9b7-EonaxZAkxNrSAopT3pA14oDvflZn3jTvG9bc2EoZXWB2Af5ATDwK3YTU4GjQzJzQKUXkrL8btx1RbQEKKA-JtHq0LG060al8JdB8c8JGU/s1600/Screenshot-276.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc_hTmgmQ3RfGdv7RuYyl_WLDyIhKw0b9b7-EonaxZAkxNrSAopT3pA14oDvflZn3jTvG9bc2EoZXWB2Af5ATDwK3YTU4GjQzJzQKUXkrL8btx1RbQEKKA-JtHq0LG060al8JdB8c8JGU/s1600/Screenshot-276.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Even she couldn't worry about the next day's exams, not tonight.<br />
<br />
The next morning, she sat up, and immediately wished she hadn't. She had a sick feeling in her stomach, and something behind her eyes was starting to throb. Of all the days to come down with something, why today? She gritted her teeth and stood, getting dressed in the dark so as not to aggravate a possibly-murderous headache. She glanced back at her sleeping boyfriend as she exited the room, smiling weakly. He was probably going to catch this too, since she'd surely been contagious last night.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-i_OMqA3DAMqe8uGPNViPwqi5e87nfM4K3yzR5V6KusMKJCjXfVNTcCiGS-jfdTA3ymYHs6ytF8jJ_Or3FBWEpOOd4Z8LnL9JRNQUrI04VWqiBv70qufrCdMIXO65rE6ScTGgJsvkgx0/s1600/Screenshot-277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-i_OMqA3DAMqe8uGPNViPwqi5e87nfM4K3yzR5V6KusMKJCjXfVNTcCiGS-jfdTA3ymYHs6ytF8jJ_Or3FBWEpOOd4Z8LnL9JRNQUrI04VWqiBv70qufrCdMIXO65rE6ScTGgJsvkgx0/s1600/Screenshot-277.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
She only felt worse as the day went on. The sick feeling, though it never developed into acute nausea, stayed in her stomach, spreading up to the back of her throat as she moved to her last final. The pressure in her head also increased, barely affected by the painkillers she took with lunch. She got a text from Brendan right after, asking her to wear something nice and come to an after-finals party that evening. She supposed she owed it to him to at least show up for a few minutes, after how she'd never gone out with him all term, even if she went home right after. As he'd said, he was waiting for her outside the club.<br />
"Are you okay?"<br />
She shook her head. "I'm coming down with something. You've probably got it too."<br />
"It was worth it. Seriously, though, did you want to go lay down?"<br />
She shook her head. "I'll just stay for a bit, I know I've been a complete shut-in this term."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jCzOkCcEy2BRaRb7tcW6T1A5IX19-T2xTzQ1yhvjIkkxzYDXxlpFuv1rivdHqbGjVFm3vaWovAnaB2_pe2Z2UEXmsvq2pRXKP4oCAzJuew9n7LSF5Vj3Ameuu5hRZiyWwtaQ0vtOfrQ/s1600/Screenshot-216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jCzOkCcEy2BRaRb7tcW6T1A5IX19-T2xTzQ1yhvjIkkxzYDXxlpFuv1rivdHqbGjVFm3vaWovAnaB2_pe2Z2UEXmsvq2pRXKP4oCAzJuew9n7LSF5Vj3Ameuu5hRZiyWwtaQ0vtOfrQ/s1600/Screenshot-216.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
As they entered the club, somebody handed Epsilon a drink. She took a sip of it then looked to the glass, surprised by the bite of the alcohol. She'd never drank before, but even though she was already sick surely one drink wasn't going to make things any worse? She was here to have a good time, for a few minutes at least, and she was going to make that happen.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBYIT25w2nm96GfPhcM3k2vfgqC2L0Juy0AFtvRdLW2dCvIXLyLYoipjIbnsmlQy4QpMVCrm___zbjJJIfmGDa1cgO3rqYCQe1a7zeH_s-TtlHiqmpYJTtpUieW6GLurwGA9uNCrFmewI/s1600/Screenshot-219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBYIT25w2nm96GfPhcM3k2vfgqC2L0Juy0AFtvRdLW2dCvIXLyLYoipjIbnsmlQy4QpMVCrm___zbjJJIfmGDa1cgO3rqYCQe1a7zeH_s-TtlHiqmpYJTtpUieW6GLurwGA9uNCrFmewI/s1600/Screenshot-219.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The bar area was starting to fill up as Epsilon and Brendan danced to the music. It was loud in here, and the beat of the bass was making her head pound.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMFCqB02x2kZekT4Wv3h0k5tfxzPSVSAU16_NZpQeQL6_6FYTv_-58nterf2-wOfrocJNB8H3ih22yGjDB_oVt5QWOGnM_KPi2FOMw7eOjUX_pT7WJ3s7CAWuz5FNS6UpG3lnefjyUUo/s1600/Screenshot-228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMFCqB02x2kZekT4Wv3h0k5tfxzPSVSAU16_NZpQeQL6_6FYTv_-58nterf2-wOfrocJNB8H3ih22yGjDB_oVt5QWOGnM_KPi2FOMw7eOjUX_pT7WJ3s7CAWuz5FNS6UpG3lnefjyUUo/s1600/Screenshot-228.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
She stepped off the dance floor to get a drink of water and stumbled. Brendan came up to her, steadying the young woman as she rubbed her forehead.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4IXqrccEyLH9yQqg3ZIiDzQ3dWJx8S0TCkb1yt_lVo6jJ6YyZEO3imTjSxJNPq8Jv-2UwZwpatIaygRgb0NoRpImTwf5Lfwg5uhEzwbnJxQZ2hBGZv-3TAEcJE1KhMePWz5XPMja6t5k/s1600/Screenshot-224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4IXqrccEyLH9yQqg3ZIiDzQ3dWJx8S0TCkb1yt_lVo6jJ6YyZEO3imTjSxJNPq8Jv-2UwZwpatIaygRgb0NoRpImTwf5Lfwg5uhEzwbnJxQZ2hBGZv-3TAEcJE1KhMePWz5XPMja6t5k/s1600/Screenshot-224.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"Look, you should go home. I'm sorry I dragged you out here, you need to sleep."<br />
She nodded. "You're right. I'll call you tomorrow, okay?"<br />
He nodded back and kissed her forehead, only letting go of her once he was sure she was steady on her feet.<br />
<br />
As she walked home, the pounding in her head continued getting worse. The summer night air, almost unbearably humid, made her feel as if she was trying to breathe underwater. Suddenly, she stopped dead, letting out a low groan. She'd promised Natalie that she would check on her experiment that night, and start the next stage for her. If she didn't go do that, half a term's worth of work would be ruined. Sighing, she changed direction, walking slowly along the seemingly-unending sidewalk to the lab.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QJWeWInS6adQ_E_KwCM9FsI3BrMt0NzD53OZPgQX7q3Ssdrvmkg2NsHzQ1kZDr1LhRc24hjFC3dUmt0_sHjtduqaewBjPgW2FJqzmi9AsqGShOjRnHJZAkvK8hv8oYOq55fGCbW_DQ8/s1600/Screenshot-279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QJWeWInS6adQ_E_KwCM9FsI3BrMt0NzD53OZPgQX7q3Ssdrvmkg2NsHzQ1kZDr1LhRc24hjFC3dUmt0_sHjtduqaewBjPgW2FJqzmi9AsqGShOjRnHJZAkvK8hv8oYOq55fGCbW_DQ8/s1600/Screenshot-279.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
She shielded her eyes against the harsh lights of the lab, recording the numbers off of the displays. She hoped everything was right, because she couldn't even think straight.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhiiw3BDyMn-oB7bVnd8q8rTzE5gDTNVaKuoNvxmJCLZ99HvT1YNiQ2mmkZOtdNbnZKqHOEEDe6cKkBRDWJ9ByP-ShG4V1pG150hTXiz4Qvj5itnOTge0AQWMJZWiuZr8iDfpz92VejTY/s1600/Screenshot-280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhiiw3BDyMn-oB7bVnd8q8rTzE5gDTNVaKuoNvxmJCLZ99HvT1YNiQ2mmkZOtdNbnZKqHOEEDe6cKkBRDWJ9ByP-ShG4V1pG150hTXiz4Qvj5itnOTge0AQWMJZWiuZr8iDfpz92VejTY/s1600/Screenshot-280.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
After she hung up the clipboard, she turned to leave, then stumbled sideways. There it was again, like back in the club. It was as if gravity changed direction for a moment. Then it hit again, and she gasped, swaying back.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_nwR5AyjqC8sByuUVQ7dW9lXcL7l8Sa1wDjgD_Cx2kqBsSMKvcm4gAS2-5TkpXlgqaKlsh0SgHaAEgn_kYYuvZCYv1WUwbtViGHCN3ICKVW-U2eCP6oyIw7wPfEK5szWz0buzD0ypaZk/s1600/Screenshot-283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_nwR5AyjqC8sByuUVQ7dW9lXcL7l8Sa1wDjgD_Cx2kqBsSMKvcm4gAS2-5TkpXlgqaKlsh0SgHaAEgn_kYYuvZCYv1WUwbtViGHCN3ICKVW-U2eCP6oyIw7wPfEK5szWz0buzD0ypaZk/s1600/Screenshot-283.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Even in the air-conditioned lab, the air was suddenly hard to breathe, the sickness rising inside of her. She gasped for a breath, and found one, accompanied by a ripping
sensation as if the world was suddenly made up of an infinite number of fragile curtains, that had all torn at that exact moment. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVlqOalk3T_UQD0U3_hT1CSH0xPkFxhb4-PJDiEXDggq4anNZWqbU1-IEVBtGu-o1YAqguB3x_n238ea0-Fd5WxUdYvH49W0rCtaW8UwTf2M-mV4MsiOt4JVfnwwmFesjsgkfC5y2SJA/s1600/Screenshot-284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVlqOalk3T_UQD0U3_hT1CSH0xPkFxhb4-PJDiEXDggq4anNZWqbU1-IEVBtGu-o1YAqguB3x_n238ea0-Fd5WxUdYvH49W0rCtaW8UwTf2M-mV4MsiOt4JVfnwwmFesjsgkfC5y2SJA/s1600/Screenshot-284.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
As she continued to fall backwards, the back of her head hit the experiment containment chamber, pain exploding through her skull.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghaQTIcig-7Xnq065o7Y2uZW52CvaIhTKNfqfSMNb1acqtpae6jkuz8njoVG32S9ocdFLHZJBPiSIsjyT1QuGSANuuvDM5QlYQLCXqPEPy4UrwgegV36aNycpJxf961GkgVtLx8VPMUqU/s1600/Screenshot-287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghaQTIcig-7Xnq065o7Y2uZW52CvaIhTKNfqfSMNb1acqtpae6jkuz8njoVG32S9ocdFLHZJBPiSIsjyT1QuGSANuuvDM5QlYQLCXqPEPy4UrwgegV36aNycpJxf961GkgVtLx8VPMUqU/s1600/Screenshot-287.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Not right. It's not right.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYv2LXabj45cFHG-eS7MeFD7wsgQbhCkfLhbBrfGArMsAGsOr404Xg1h-Qw_TEVfRZps3p46EsKVAxbTFIIVGQHHjQl3qNY_8n5hlqNQZe922w2_iVBkXgFUwKHGFIBZwDyAuyNmCjVo/s1600/Screenshot-232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYv2LXabj45cFHG-eS7MeFD7wsgQbhCkfLhbBrfGArMsAGsOr404Xg1h-Qw_TEVfRZps3p46EsKVAxbTFIIVGQHHjQl3qNY_8n5hlqNQZe922w2_iVBkXgFUwKHGFIBZwDyAuyNmCjVo/s1600/Screenshot-232.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Nothing hurts anymore. Nothing feels like anything at all. That's definitely not right.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrBedSZBsuvxebyIDoCFoYLxOY6oaCmfpN2oC7JM3LD4naNScwmWiIKolPcoF-e7hVzXR5hTz-xyBUoNyikuvR279ROqmwmpuzvD_bIlR0qMgZe_kOAG0LsrV4J3iNwJ2lwnmvFzo2r2I/s1600/Screenshot-233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrBedSZBsuvxebyIDoCFoYLxOY6oaCmfpN2oC7JM3LD4naNScwmWiIKolPcoF-e7hVzXR5hTz-xyBUoNyikuvR279ROqmwmpuzvD_bIlR0qMgZe_kOAG0LsrV4J3iNwJ2lwnmvFzo2r2I/s1600/Screenshot-233.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
This isn't right either. Where's Gregory, Shadow?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiucnmwJ9Ru79CHyDNdG3IeoHKOizK1FrDVpikeXqeqpE6SYFN7RMiFOnbL2cfcuE3pc2HT8IrPADvho4QTFYyG_rBcCSlW4QQW2ScZD5C8iWd5uHm8wbnrzN5zHD9Bgbj_YCahOxCnsoM/s1600/Screenshot-234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiucnmwJ9Ru79CHyDNdG3IeoHKOizK1FrDVpikeXqeqpE6SYFN7RMiFOnbL2cfcuE3pc2HT8IrPADvho4QTFYyG_rBcCSlW4QQW2ScZD5C8iWd5uHm8wbnrzN5zHD9Bgbj_YCahOxCnsoM/s1600/Screenshot-234.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
WAKE UP!<br />
<br />
<br />
She opened her eyes.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRZi4jQCe7z4LYNyHDNEOvKmaZ4RPIhyphenhyphenS6g4CuIY_UzR0H-fQvganv0Vk2igNKlZmQBBUBctyfVhBJPrqcGOMvXb6FvdUDC5ig4FLvj0sM334Fk4LqpKpGvQe3xM1QmBOPxVTef0VZ1cM/s1600/Screenshot-288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRZi4jQCe7z4LYNyHDNEOvKmaZ4RPIhyphenhyphenS6g4CuIY_UzR0H-fQvganv0Vk2igNKlZmQBBUBctyfVhBJPrqcGOMvXb6FvdUDC5ig4FLvj0sM334Fk4LqpKpGvQe3xM1QmBOPxVTef0VZ1cM/s1600/Screenshot-288.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
~ * ~</div>
<br />
<i>What.</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1480959486985392708.post-37362511858524926622013-08-18T16:41:00.002-04:002013-08-18T16:41:58.827-04:00Woods Random Legacy: Chapter 53 - OpportunityEpsilon was all packed; there were only goodbyes left before she could leave for university. She knew there would be no point in even trying to talk to her father, so she started with Omicron. It was tricky to get him out to the backyard without him becoming suspicious, but the look on his face when he saw the fireworks she'd purchased made the effort worth it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGhcVBH38504Hrt0iDYAusiUSc-qTpc8RAMk5kXR5ZxNcm8R_ABJVF3W511Y1LtCIZiWE4UjMpmJzZhj4lda1_IJMj8yWJhlozkPVQyl-yGpymbfj_f7OcX6USUf1n0b7TlVSFbjinwU/s1600/Screenshot-118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGhcVBH38504Hrt0iDYAusiUSc-qTpc8RAMk5kXR5ZxNcm8R_ABJVF3W511Y1LtCIZiWE4UjMpmJzZhj4lda1_IJMj8yWJhlozkPVQyl-yGpymbfj_f7OcX6USUf1n0b7TlVSFbjinwU/s1600/Screenshot-118.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"These are awesome, Epsi! Thanks for buying them for me!"<br />
"Uh-huh," she said. "Be discreet, okay? You're underage, and you're not allowed to buy them for a reason. I know you won't do anything stupid with them, but it's still best not to brag around the whole neighborhood. Just enjoy them on your own."<br />
Omicron nodded. "I will. You won't be there?"<br />
She shook her head. "No, I won't be home from my second term until after Leisure Day. I gave them to you this early because I probably won't be home before the holiday - I intend to take an internship between terms."<br />
Omicron's face fell. "I won't see you for two years?"<br />
Epsilon smiled, then stepped around the fireworks to give her half-brother a hug.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0akJTtQ-HVqQuS6k4rshTL__smrBJUGGVsUcwyygIEAmcsaqnIbKsBhLYHPhajcAWuFAwmI8yUbGvA956gHT5ytqf_kUBvxlVVy6_sFLFTagoK_AzitI_wDtc-ez5ffxa1NMKOCIA61M/s1600/Screenshot-119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0akJTtQ-HVqQuS6k4rshTL__smrBJUGGVsUcwyygIEAmcsaqnIbKsBhLYHPhajcAWuFAwmI8yUbGvA956gHT5ytqf_kUBvxlVVy6_sFLFTagoK_AzitI_wDtc-ez5ffxa1NMKOCIA61M/s1600/Screenshot-119.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"I know. I promise I'll write, though. If dad is getting to be too much, remember that you can always go see Alpha."<br />
<br />
Next on her list of farewells was her older sister. She was mired in the terrible twos, times two, so Epsilon didn't want to bother her in person. Alpha would only end up embarrassed at the inevitable mess of her house. Instead, she phoned. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYhHh4TgPqo7WdOn447GUo8L-ZvQ36jsM_gdJmFiovWvSEhc2kbm-GEzZBrdujeXsJIU8kBTllk7Z0qg9lc5rVSixBuamZYyK5QAxkvuzCiiAH0uz_Z5tqwQKFmLvl1L986mMR4zF0N4/s1600/Screenshot-121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYhHh4TgPqo7WdOn447GUo8L-ZvQ36jsM_gdJmFiovWvSEhc2kbm-GEzZBrdujeXsJIU8kBTllk7Z0qg9lc5rVSixBuamZYyK5QAxkvuzCiiAH0uz_Z5tqwQKFmLvl1L986mMR4zF0N4/s1600/Screenshot-121.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"Hey, Al, I just wanted to say goodbye before I headed off to university."<br />
"You'll love it there, I know I did. A science and medicine degree is ambitious, though!"<br />
Epsilon rolled her eyes. "Really? I don't see how it could be more difficult than what you studied. Anyway, I've always done well in school, so this should be a breeze."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy408-Tejt0RpmblsPVdgeBn9_oPDfGye841xnYpumS9C0DURJ1ISXugqP9vapTPBGgOgIAdilLJWLcch7gDIAXroOXWgxTV4TD61sRTIx2HB2N9z9Ya-0asJNx-amL_WP3p3C8y3F8Gg/s1600/Screenshot-123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy408-Tejt0RpmblsPVdgeBn9_oPDfGye841xnYpumS9C0DURJ1ISXugqP9vapTPBGgOgIAdilLJWLcch7gDIAXroOXWgxTV4TD61sRTIx2HB2N9z9Ya-0asJNx-amL_WP3p3C8y3F8Gg/s1600/Screenshot-123.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"Don't get overconfident, Epsi. Nobody's perfect."<br />
"I'm not saying I'm perfect, all I'm saying is that I don't think I'll have any trouble. I've got this. I'll see you and the kids when I get back, alright?"<br />
"Alright. Remember to write, when you get time."<br />
<br />
Only one person remained for Epsilon to give her farewells to. She waited for him to arrive on one of the spiral staircases in the library, luckily not waiting for too long before he emerged from the shadows.<br />
"You look uncertain."<br />
"Yeah," Epsilon replied, running her fingers over the wooden posts of the railing. "I'm just worried about something my sister said, that's all."<br />
"What's that?" He watched her, non-judgmental as always.<br />
"She seems to think I'll have trouble, with the classes. I don't think so, I've never had problems with that before. But I can't help but think, maybe she's right? Maybe university is too much for me?"<br />
"Nonsense." He snorted dismissively. "You're very intelligent, and, while it wouldn't do for you to be over-confident, I believe that you are capable of handling the major. You just have to focus."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNFb8t6Ek33TEqV4lHFRqmix0Db4eoAm_Co-lGNTNrm9Ag9AxRGwxJkX_WBrZ9QlFXd-pslMXMtar2NZuPqlGMNiaInQWWoOsTglYXh4s-qCzFDAxBaosX8JQ2y4YdHp3hETLZfQyab4/s1600/Screenshot-230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNFb8t6Ek33TEqV4lHFRqmix0Db4eoAm_Co-lGNTNrm9Ag9AxRGwxJkX_WBrZ9QlFXd-pslMXMtar2NZuPqlGMNiaInQWWoOsTglYXh4s-qCzFDAxBaosX8JQ2y4YdHp3hETLZfQyab4/s1600/Screenshot-230.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"I know," Epsilon said. "I'll try my best. Will we still be able to talk like this, in my dreams?" She wouldn't be able to bring Shadow, the cat, with her to university, due to dormitory rules. Omicron would take care of him, but she was anxious about apart from him for so long.<br />
Gregory considered this for a few moments before answering. "Yes, in a way. It's more difficult to dream together, the farther apart we are. We won't be able to dream as frequently as we do now, but it won't be impossible."<br />
Epsilon nodded, pushing herself off the stairs. "That makes me feel better. I'll miss you, in dreams and physically."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3b5xQq2VEpGW2hYlhXHLO5RpseOUmQ8HvSE5Gp5C2k1xnrkARBnoeAnAyMltKztRrH1ttTEGhItMy-1Ge3yuO5Z1Pp3ZulfIDQJzYr7E9vID8lsn9Vl29YG5P_yo9y6iOWwe_EF3p7-g/s1600/Screenshot-231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3b5xQq2VEpGW2hYlhXHLO5RpseOUmQ8HvSE5Gp5C2k1xnrkARBnoeAnAyMltKztRrH1ttTEGhItMy-1Ge3yuO5Z1Pp3ZulfIDQJzYr7E9vID8lsn9Vl29YG5P_yo9y6iOWwe_EF3p7-g/s1600/Screenshot-231.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"And me as well, Epsilon. Remember to continue your practice, as often as you can."<br />
She nodded. "I will. I'll dream with you as often as possible."<br />
Upon waking the next morning, it was time to leave. She slipped out of bed, into her clothes, and out the door. The least amount of fanfare, the better.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizVm-3UmP78vqLvA29pqzMrPXMDKhCWQhkJTVmAZrpNasF50Ev-NiL2awBYk86moyAgPoig0y6yxtFaVYT5wokWlIKNImxb-ScnmBYonFXyiUTQL4bdcq74qIJ3SPR5ec81p1vibEzEMY/s1600/Screenshot-131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizVm-3UmP78vqLvA29pqzMrPXMDKhCWQhkJTVmAZrpNasF50Ev-NiL2awBYk86moyAgPoig0y6yxtFaVYT5wokWlIKNImxb-ScnmBYonFXyiUTQL4bdcq74qIJ3SPR5ec81p1vibEzEMY/s1600/Screenshot-131.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
She smiled to herself as she noticed Shadow keeping pace with her along the porch. Of course he would see her off. Giving her familiar a final wave, she deposited her luggage into the waiting taxi, and settled into the seat, trying to relax as she drove off towards the airport.<br />
<br />
A family tradition of staying at Malan hall seemed to be developing. Of course, it was the most centrally-located dormitory, so it was the obvious choice.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUOvXplEz1NdtIi8r99STNR7Z3TzAMQ0wANt2u7j0CEXu4WKBDqO5WTT3-3bFrQM4-CRy6Br7PI2y_H6cyIMbNOyMFAY-PcYrKCQZZShy6YzjrtjA7f1Nc7eV7HpPazmxoY4ykAXRpsdk/s1600/Screenshot-132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUOvXplEz1NdtIi8r99STNR7Z3TzAMQ0wANt2u7j0CEXu4WKBDqO5WTT3-3bFrQM4-CRy6Br7PI2y_H6cyIMbNOyMFAY-PcYrKCQZZShy6YzjrtjA7f1Nc7eV7HpPazmxoY4ykAXRpsdk/s1600/Screenshot-132.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Epsilon was the first to arrive out of the eight housemates, and she quickly found her assigned room. She'd be rooming with another woman - Jennifer Rockefeller - but she didn't anticipate seeing her much. She was here to learn, after all, not hang out in her bedroom. After she unpacked, she headed downstairs to check out the common areas before the rest of everybody arrived.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7PTzRYFd-wmuA_6LNen5VpjGN8N62Qeba2q_tgNoXR7GlHsPORFiBogIqk54hJ5riYtDZAupDK7VKezFYs2UE6W2-zcl3nIx1roimst_ClEV8RB_qPWiVZV046fV-dvzWPHEC8ET3b-s/s1600/Screenshot-133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7PTzRYFd-wmuA_6LNen5VpjGN8N62Qeba2q_tgNoXR7GlHsPORFiBogIqk54hJ5riYtDZAupDK7VKezFYs2UE6W2-zcl3nIx1roimst_ClEV8RB_qPWiVZV046fV-dvzWPHEC8ET3b-s/s1600/Screenshot-133.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Apparently, she hadn't been quick enough, because there was already somebody in the living room. Her breath caught in her throat as she watched the young man perusing the selection of books, unable to stop her eyes from doing a quick once-over. He was gorgeous! She must have made a sound, because he turned, smiling, and extended his hand to her.<br />
"Brendan Kavanaugh. I assume you're one of my new housemates?" Oh god, his accent! Epsilon closed her eyes for a moment, forcing herself to clear her mind, before she stepped forward, shaking the offered hand.<br />
"Epsilon Woods. It's really nice to meet you."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRfrOOc9hBHRAjSVftiJYmG9ECJEQl3qCdjM6B2IxXbsjfBpUYJRAaDfYj6NuPLA0IQvoK76YrQADH2utygF5o9UOpRWZJFoED3JuDT5ZkmYGW-GMBcdDxwYF1XaBLljUxqkg6HmeAx6w/s1600/Screenshot-134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRfrOOc9hBHRAjSVftiJYmG9ECJEQl3qCdjM6B2IxXbsjfBpUYJRAaDfYj6NuPLA0IQvoK76YrQADH2utygF5o9UOpRWZJFoED3JuDT5ZkmYGW-GMBcdDxwYF1XaBLljUxqkg6HmeAx6w/s1600/Screenshot-134.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
He nodded, flashing that smile again. "Likewise. So, what are you here to study?"<br />
"Study?" Her mind temporarily went blank, and she felt her cheeks flush as he laughed. Epsilon, keep it together! "Oh, sorry. I'm studying science and medicine."<br />
He nodded. "Ambitious. I'm going for technology myself, but so is everybody else. That's where the jobs are. To study science and medicine, though, you really have to have a passion for it. You don't put yourself through that degree program just because you think you might get a fat paycheck at the end of it all."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4XpZ_HGtka9r9dJFsu6saxz8oeMD9Nyr2sjgA4qUdy-VaQP_ZLnTE5PfCo-2TXIsrvLmQy3IJv4n-JgrCbFVReuoq3oTN2vJmzCu8UcKfUrELsSo7YS9vN-llKa8XKBaTHaU5kq_kPw/s1600/Screenshot-138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4XpZ_HGtka9r9dJFsu6saxz8oeMD9Nyr2sjgA4qUdy-VaQP_ZLnTE5PfCo-2TXIsrvLmQy3IJv4n-JgrCbFVReuoq3oTN2vJmzCu8UcKfUrELsSo7YS9vN-llKa8XKBaTHaU5kq_kPw/s1600/Screenshot-138.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
She nodded, slowly getting over the initial rush of feelings. He was so
easy - and pleasant - to talk to, as well as being cute, that she had
to remind herself to keep her head on straight. "I was hoping to be a doctor, when I finish. Something in geriatrics, perhaps? I'd like to be involved in research of some kind, not just taking care of patients."<br />
He nodded again. "Sounds like a worthy goal in life. I wish I had something similarly impressive to tell, but I'm still figuring things out myself. Speaking of figuring things out, I think we've got orientations to go to."<br />
"Ah, right! That's supposed to be starting soon, isn't it?" She'd almost forgotten.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkQffo7ZBTGanRysKakqDHDGcGHJaLOgPf8kvPoIGVmy9oyurutIP9Zp2LpBkZmmlU6R_lEi4fxk7E990jBB_I66n4wgEbusLh1mnN-mg-rvOEmPJWADRZEX0ca85sasfLrXPYon4Lq0/s1600/Screenshot-139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkQffo7ZBTGanRysKakqDHDGcGHJaLOgPf8kvPoIGVmy9oyurutIP9Zp2LpBkZmmlU6R_lEi4fxk7E990jBB_I66n4wgEbusLh1mnN-mg-rvOEmPJWADRZEX0ca85sasfLrXPYon4Lq0/s1600/Screenshot-139.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"In about thirty minutes, I think. Here, before I forget..." He
pulled a scrap of paper and a pencil stub out of his pocket and
scribbled down a string of numbers. "Here's my number, in case you need
to get hold of me for some reason, get locked out, want to leave
passive aggressive voicemails, whatever floats your boat."<br />
"Good idea. I'll give you mine too."<br />
<br />
After they exchanged numbers, they each left to their respective orientation events. As she entered the student center, Epsilon raised her eyebrows at the person dancing around in a llama suit. Apparently that was the school mascot, or something? She didn't really understand it herself, but the other students seemed to be enjoying it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8NJNBmWppsVG9L-KJd8xcyWpdv4s0V8xtF84eST0OTawN4AQ2bYybzh-YslIeznQpcGbp3zNIKUXiAUCfOPGMvmOGHNypSEGIQZTMah-ncWIJYcQAASTwqwz36bgVki6bk3LusaKBmZk/s1600/Screenshot-143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8NJNBmWppsVG9L-KJd8xcyWpdv4s0V8xtF84eST0OTawN4AQ2bYybzh-YslIeznQpcGbp3zNIKUXiAUCfOPGMvmOGHNypSEGIQZTMah-ncWIJYcQAASTwqwz36bgVki6bk3LusaKBmZk/s1600/Screenshot-143.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Her class schedule would be grueling. Her first class was at 8 AM, and the last class of her day wouldn't let out until 6 PM. She gathered the coupons issued to her for her textbooks and class supplies - at least she didn't have to buy them! - and some of the pamphlets about the college of science and medicine.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5qAR1Fjx5AwqEIsTfMS_im17kRhbxVUpFkHEohZ7D5CgwX-EVwpTCztXuqemsHgsxyg-ZhpTDrH3_3jMFajgkJ84S6XlmNnbZnFtPTFZ_KqlfSbBaMF9Yo3tSFDyDCwvnXEJwbZEcL0/s1600/Screenshot-144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5qAR1Fjx5AwqEIsTfMS_im17kRhbxVUpFkHEohZ7D5CgwX-EVwpTCztXuqemsHgsxyg-ZhpTDrH3_3jMFajgkJ84S6XlmNnbZnFtPTFZ_KqlfSbBaMF9Yo3tSFDyDCwvnXEJwbZEcL0/s1600/Screenshot-144.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
As she was headed back downstairs to the supply room, her phone beeped in her pocket. A text? Was Omicron alright? When she checked the display, though, the origin of the text was obvious, even though it was from a number that wasn't in her address book yet.<br />
"Boring nerds, all of them. I vote we ditch orientation and meet at the coffee shop."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE8cltqcRXKSad9aNOm0mDfXpZHB80FxU_bvUzOCyAiqlpFuxUuh931V1lAbRT6k7Adaxk7LZoknFc2j0Wu85sV0aiCrqK6DUIvEZN9zmx2Uw6CX6Ye1_Ulm3fHiSc4UmImi7YeGSSGL8/s1600/Screenshot-147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE8cltqcRXKSad9aNOm0mDfXpZHB80FxU_bvUzOCyAiqlpFuxUuh931V1lAbRT6k7Adaxk7LZoknFc2j0Wu85sV0aiCrqK6DUIvEZN9zmx2Uw6CX6Ye1_Ulm3fHiSc4UmImi7YeGSSGL8/s1600/Screenshot-147.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
She smiled to herself as she tapped out a quick reply. It looked like she'd made a friend already, maybe even something more.<br />
<br />
Once classes started, Epsilon found herself academically challenged for the first time in her life. Everything moved so quickly, and she found it difficult to keep up to the rest of the class. Was this what high school had been like for her classmates? No wonder they'd had so much trouble.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVo-jJeIb0wSRvtgob3_5P0wYLhiA3jiOIeX-4v38WaVy_VKF1kH_wQoOuLaw8zucN4ZlPyVzAF5k5QSNtjJyyiFejMtaoha5JPoI8aJF2R2ac-YOcyl8e_ha7HQ4mRwtaxo8t5oPSaQ/s1600/Screenshot-153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVo-jJeIb0wSRvtgob3_5P0wYLhiA3jiOIeX-4v38WaVy_VKF1kH_wQoOuLaw8zucN4ZlPyVzAF5k5QSNtjJyyiFejMtaoha5JPoI8aJF2R2ac-YOcyl8e_ha7HQ4mRwtaxo8t5oPSaQ/s1600/Screenshot-153.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Keeping her promise to her familiar, she found time to practice her magic in secret. She still had yet to cast a tangible spell, apart from what she'd done to her hair, but she could channel raw magic fairly reliably now. It was just the effect that was out of her control.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQTy-DflTo97QsM49Q1fedwfGWfcdnDhekfWFcBpeAE5KjLKaMDgFtn1LKnIxKoWMCLdS-_s8AgtandxOWyAJ8LDNd2zwV__PB_lAsAOmEu8xHpN3ciOpB-xD69I7UJ5RtqECKRFQ_WSc/s1600/Screenshot-191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQTy-DflTo97QsM49Q1fedwfGWfcdnDhekfWFcBpeAE5KjLKaMDgFtn1LKnIxKoWMCLdS-_s8AgtandxOWyAJ8LDNd2zwV__PB_lAsAOmEu8xHpN3ciOpB-xD69I7UJ5RtqECKRFQ_WSc/s1600/Screenshot-191.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
She continued getting closer to Brendan, though she didn't tell him about her magical heritage. She wasn't sure why, but she just wasn't ready to trust him with that yet. She didn't have much trouble trusting him with certain other things, though.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCwF-mvEMdLjd0oLc7Nxgrroz6ZrtezcHI4_xS1Q6v1ozWKb3BoTADA-3tRuSSoJ_3uomvfILls1OJVNtw2hmzjLhehT1X90UTXQhOsxYKKeEgYh8ls_JGUyRyqvaGhpk6qQcuyCCnlr0/s1600/Screenshot-150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCwF-mvEMdLjd0oLc7Nxgrroz6ZrtezcHI4_xS1Q6v1ozWKb3BoTADA-3tRuSSoJ_3uomvfILls1OJVNtw2hmzjLhehT1X90UTXQhOsxYKKeEgYh8ls_JGUyRyqvaGhpk6qQcuyCCnlr0/s1600/Screenshot-150.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
He dragged her out on a date at least once each week, usually over her protests that she really needed to study. Epsilon knew that she needed the breaks, but her grades were shaky enough that she needed somebody to force her to take them - she just felt lazy if it was entirely her idea.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOJbvys1iQ0HRNgKod_iPI5kb1c_SYnYsCdLRzyOjmq8buMuQE4v1aNK4W-TGSYa1LX8fLiDgQEGayCXJLF5FcBicH39rUe2cQ6srRnxN0rRAnufjOuajEZQiQ57z-7Zd5n8dpnCbecn4/s1600/Screenshot-184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOJbvys1iQ0HRNgKod_iPI5kb1c_SYnYsCdLRzyOjmq8buMuQE4v1aNK4W-TGSYa1LX8fLiDgQEGayCXJLF5FcBicH39rUe2cQ6srRnxN0rRAnufjOuajEZQiQ57z-7Zd5n8dpnCbecn4/s1600/Screenshot-184.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Towards the end of the semester, they started studying together. Brendan showed her the app he had on his phone to help him study, but Epsilon preferred studying from the book alone. It was hard to say why, but it just felt more comforting.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-UAViiIlsS1pG2EhUo4dSENkicTH5zOL_k3rXxELvU5E2YJDmmtoGPZ9F3k-eE9yMJMWAQ5OSjSzwAULJx6BpSsWVO6G7S2mH5_5_VwE1VmQBJb-GPv4666fMZHKwQfXZKH_vyFmo99o/s1600/Screenshot-186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-UAViiIlsS1pG2EhUo4dSENkicTH5zOL_k3rXxELvU5E2YJDmmtoGPZ9F3k-eE9yMJMWAQ5OSjSzwAULJx6BpSsWVO6G7S2mH5_5_VwE1VmQBJb-GPv4666fMZHKwQfXZKH_vyFmo99o/s1600/Screenshot-186.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
She was finally beginning to comprehend the material, but her early assignments and classroom work were of shaky quality. With finals looming, she feared that it might be too little, too late.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
~ * ~</div>
<br />
<i>I'm not sure that the fireworks were a good idea, Epsi. You know Omi has the clumsy trait. Will you be responsible for another Leisure Day disaster?</i><br />
<br />
<i>I'm going to upload Epsilon and Omicron as downloadable sims at the same time, once I've established which one is the heir in-story to avoid spoiling you guys on the download page. Epsilon will be posted as she left for University, in that outfit, because it's so her(hiding sexy behind business casual is totally her thing). Omicron will be posted as...well, I don't know yet, I haven't played that far(he's 1 day to YA in my game).</i><br />
<br />
<i>I'm totally going to miss the generation 3 kids, I definitely bonded with them a lot more than I did the generation 2 kids. I'm sad already, and the handover is still three chapters away. :(</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Please note that the preceding statement regarding handover in no way relates to which child is the heir. Handover in this context is defined as story-based handover, not rules-based handover. I will also be tagging posts according to the story, rather than the rules, in case any of you think you're being clever. ;)</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1480959486985392708.post-75495809357016661572013-08-15T22:58:00.000-04:002013-08-15T22:58:47.728-04:00Woods Random Legacy: Chapter 52 - SomedayLove Day had once been James's favorite holiday of the year, but he had to admit that it had lost much of its appeal over the years. He had nobody to spend it with, and his attempts to organize a party had met with failure. He still sent the invitations out, but much of his old crowd was dead, didn't like him anymore, or had otherwise moved on with their lives.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwzjT8o3EnKzVKi0tzQRH49CqkButo3t6GEUXQotz_wVWDRRxxFDXDr3Ytujg2BjamGXFmBNs5u1PgU4uuOf2c4lrpubXmiYq_DtXop_QefwjVvBP9C470R5QUQ_gSwlz3woX_SeDa5f0/s1600/Screenshot-93.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwzjT8o3EnKzVKi0tzQRH49CqkButo3t6GEUXQotz_wVWDRRxxFDXDr3Ytujg2BjamGXFmBNs5u1PgU4uuOf2c4lrpubXmiYq_DtXop_QefwjVvBP9C470R5QUQ_gSwlz3woX_SeDa5f0/s1600/Screenshot-93.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
As he surveyed the festival grounds, his fears were confirmed - not a single one of them had showed up, even the two who had returned the RSVP. That was just disrespectful.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0jNzl3EniXFdiaU0hU79yEtd2-n1ZRVY18Xd4nl7hvF2iDjnBt8MH82iscNA9_j4K_LaxcVS8mydZkIaKlIiSRbrtj1qb_HKvF4JMC1Tt70GC2hScV9Uok9H11QTPCZLGB5DDWRHiOIc/s1600/Screenshot-94.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0jNzl3EniXFdiaU0hU79yEtd2-n1ZRVY18Xd4nl7hvF2iDjnBt8MH82iscNA9_j4K_LaxcVS8mydZkIaKlIiSRbrtj1qb_HKvF4JMC1Tt70GC2hScV9Uok9H11QTPCZLGB5DDWRHiOIc/s1600/Screenshot-94.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
If only they knew who he really was, then they wouldn't dare. But no, he'd kept that a secret for too long to spoil it all now. He wasn't going to spend the last years of his life locked away in a cell somewhere. Taming the temper that flared within him, he approached the kissing booth, slipping five simoleons into the waiting hand of the young woman behind it. He was sure it would be the only kiss he'd get today, so he would make it count.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM4Cs-WpR_6ys5ITA8QKvhvq4oHWrJP96GU-9HHgbp0cbPXzo-Se6WSYt61LYbFu3rKyQXSpC4TDnZ_61UcxqDW3mkvj_PW5PDPzA7UNZvgGyA4x1LWu7NMDeFCy2OnJAhK5ZzjwV-HdA/s1600/Screenshot-95.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM4Cs-WpR_6ys5ITA8QKvhvq4oHWrJP96GU-9HHgbp0cbPXzo-Se6WSYt61LYbFu3rKyQXSpC4TDnZ_61UcxqDW3mkvj_PW5PDPzA7UNZvgGyA4x1LWu7NMDeFCy2OnJAhK5ZzjwV-HdA/s1600/Screenshot-95.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Omicron stayed at home to catch up on his late homework, but Epsilon stopped by the festival in the afternoon. She wasn't sure what she had been expecting - a park full of boys just waiting for a girl to show up? - but it wasn't what she found. She resigned herself to the egg hunt - put out for the little kids, really, though anybody could participate if they wanted - rather than any possibility of romance.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNktDd4iDnlTIhTjA8iPk66Kkn1CesVui4TGO2BMlGD416jBKIZtRL9Dppgh2QjXYboPDw1ObFdQuqeC9Oisjjkw-eklLJYE6gfFr9eGSPzcEbgAMUQF9eszY8TgzOvsKHoacWj_Xx98/s1600/Screenshot-91.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNktDd4iDnlTIhTjA8iPk66Kkn1CesVui4TGO2BMlGD416jBKIZtRL9Dppgh2QjXYboPDw1ObFdQuqeC9Oisjjkw-eklLJYE6gfFr9eGSPzcEbgAMUQF9eszY8TgzOvsKHoacWj_Xx98/s1600/Screenshot-91.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Then, it started to rain.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9vT0vTfFR588kYOMZuemnhQjSKCw0IdHEeaE0G2p8W9EChuVrYhKt29k-GOa7LF0L0XtDvYakqXM654Piomvu3iflgUv4oBDtgpvbTdUntOzKf_uFGCtTA0o7PjXJkmi04Gu7uC1vyk/s1600/Screenshot-97.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9vT0vTfFR588kYOMZuemnhQjSKCw0IdHEeaE0G2p8W9EChuVrYhKt29k-GOa7LF0L0XtDvYakqXM654Piomvu3iflgUv4oBDtgpvbTdUntOzKf_uFGCtTA0o7PjXJkmi04Gu7uC1vyk/s1600/Screenshot-97.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Epsilon sighed, abandoning the childish game. She should get home before the sky really opened up. No, not home - she had a better idea.<br />
<br />
As she approached Alpha's house, Epsilon could hear a baby wailing. She certainly didn't envy her sister the twins she'd given birth to! One baby was enough of a handful, let alone two. Nobody answered the front door, but the crying didn't really sound like it was coming from inside the house. Wandering around the side, she found the source.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQ6j6C12NHMeTIr00xCh4r1qG2HVJrHwf-rgqsmP5QkI9I8579VZCCIbhJp7jJEiGP0nBs3YeZNSSnorMgYPmorfKTwkRZH9EOEcWikL-eKmn6V-7hZVTPaKgNxNhjFXDBrEB0Qa7Luk/s1600/Screenshot-99.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQ6j6C12NHMeTIr00xCh4r1qG2HVJrHwf-rgqsmP5QkI9I8579VZCCIbhJp7jJEiGP0nBs3YeZNSSnorMgYPmorfKTwkRZH9EOEcWikL-eKmn6V-7hZVTPaKgNxNhjFXDBrEB0Qa7Luk/s1600/Screenshot-99.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"Al!"<br />
Alpha smiled tiredly to Epsilon as the rain continued to pour down. "Hey Epsi. Sorry about all this, if I'd known you were coming by..."<br />
Epsilon shook her head. "Don't worry about it, I've seen you dealing with worse. Why are you out in the rain, though?"<br />
Alpha glanced down to the angry infant. "I'd be inside if I could, Marsha just won't stop screaming. She was setting Niki off, so Mason suggested that I bring her outside until she calmed down. I've been out here for almost twenty minutes, and she's still going strong. I don't know what to do!"<br />
"Al. Give her here." Epsilon held out her arms for the infant, accepting the swaddled child and following Alpha towards the door.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMakPZD5QnvK3C0FHlRiOR2U4SKQP0LmxMoaNXrvrKuYAjDH14YvvsX3r0lb31slCXK3hHZG__8urQeExGBHqcfgLCFY-6VRlmLv6KFQNSiFiP-syluBmigJ3eKgjOni6hEPd7nI6Sl9A/s1600/Screenshot-101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMakPZD5QnvK3C0FHlRiOR2U4SKQP0LmxMoaNXrvrKuYAjDH14YvvsX3r0lb31slCXK3hHZG__8urQeExGBHqcfgLCFY-6VRlmLv6KFQNSiFiP-syluBmigJ3eKgjOni6hEPd7nI6Sl9A/s1600/Screenshot-101.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"There you are. You're gonna stop crying now, okay? You need to be nice and not upset your sister!"<br />
Alpha glanced back as the baby's cries slowed, turning into coos. "How did you do that? I tried everything."<br />
Epsilon shrugged, bouncing the baby for a few more moments before depositing her in a convenient playpen. "She might just like the sound of my voice. Or maybe she was all cried out anyway, and it was just a coincidence."<br />
Alpha smiled as Epsilon walked over to her. "You'll make a great mom one day."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSz5jc-1umcy5XZhInG10cUMXAf4-3887N2t2FDZC5H4STPwBqiGlgTSV4byTzzGGHTi8bjPRSXk7kQwcFMo1PZug3GKVfwmO2ywE0xgzPXWCGM9vKCxb_D47CPtOgoRPcCQM0TcUqTVY/s1600/Screenshot-103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSz5jc-1umcy5XZhInG10cUMXAf4-3887N2t2FDZC5H4STPwBqiGlgTSV4byTzzGGHTi8bjPRSXk7kQwcFMo1PZug3GKVfwmO2ywE0xgzPXWCGM9vKCxb_D47CPtOgoRPcCQM0TcUqTVY/s1600/Screenshot-103.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
"Eh, I don't know." Epsilon frowned, uneasy with that idea. "I'm not
really sure I like the idea of a little person depending on me like
that. My own life's messy enough already."<br />
Alpha nodded. "I can understand that. Just wait, you might come around to the idea eventually. Or not, plenty of people never have kids. Have a seat, let's catch up. We haven't properly talked since before I went into labor."<br />
Epsilon nodded and took a seat on the sofa, settling in for a long rainy afternoon's chat with her sister.<br />
<br />
Soon after the seasons shifted to summer, Epsilon's graduation came. She graduated with the highest honor - of course - and quickly turned her attention to university admissions. She soon realized how painfully unprepared she was to pursue a degree in the area of medicine.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqGt6JgZhZw3lKFWvhbLQ_25HOfebsMibnAnTtk2ilzVzD_aceXPMmPj3YMMB1O3FyNAEmqeThhry0DhQ37X5QNv-8MXA-VegfbPwkriGk6Kg7dboh8gD9_SYWmNKMbATkX9zbqVibbc/s1600/Screenshot-112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqGt6JgZhZw3lKFWvhbLQ_25HOfebsMibnAnTtk2ilzVzD_aceXPMmPj3YMMB1O3FyNAEmqeThhry0DhQ37X5QNv-8MXA-VegfbPwkriGk6Kg7dboh8gD9_SYWmNKMbATkX9zbqVibbc/s1600/Screenshot-112.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The only award she qualified for in that area was the apprentice award, giving her only six credits towards her degree. There went any hope of finishing in two terms, as it was impossible to make up forty-two credits in less than three terms, even taking a heavy load. Luckily she'd been able to qualify for a partial scholarship, so the financial impact wouldn't be too terrible, but she'd been hoping for a faster start in her professional life.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFXGm9so9i7s7YZDiN8wg_0k8zIWn9449dN5kQTthT4JZVxxAl98oUN5fJoEHwC9EL2UYoNsptr0MrYGroIozHj-ITYadM2PPSohyeCVDohDZiMyTB6-sLriYP8CC3oMHSXIdTCOOYXGY/s1600/Screenshot-117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFXGm9so9i7s7YZDiN8wg_0k8zIWn9449dN5kQTthT4JZVxxAl98oUN5fJoEHwC9EL2UYoNsptr0MrYGroIozHj-ITYadM2PPSohyeCVDohDZiMyTB6-sLriYP8CC3oMHSXIdTCOOYXGY/s1600/Screenshot-117.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
She called up the university and arranged for her enrollment in the science and medicine program. She'd take her heavy term first, leaving the second two terms with a normal credit load.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwvlsSpnao6hk4XlhmasI5E0tviu5zP5ST1-v8vj4sFrBjI7S9FwjROXnEd8JNUNGUUpe1qcT1dh5PyyGiCoSdgO1RLhNP6PYqu_dxL2ZdSwE49_evT4bCRZk42MmRHCJZOfflyOYD9qI/s1600/Screenshot-113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwvlsSpnao6hk4XlhmasI5E0tviu5zP5ST1-v8vj4sFrBjI7S9FwjROXnEd8JNUNGUUpe1qcT1dh5PyyGiCoSdgO1RLhNP6PYqu_dxL2ZdSwE49_evT4bCRZk42MmRHCJZOfflyOYD9qI/s1600/Screenshot-113.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
After she'd hung up, she stood on the porch for a few moments, looking at the phone in her hand. Three more years, and then she'd be a doctor, with an income that could actually pay the bills. She couldn't wait.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
~ * ~</div>
<br />
<i>Such a short chapter for such a long period of time. There really wasn't anything of note that happened in the last week the kids were teens. It was just running out the clock until they were old enough for things to start happening again. I originally had teen romance subplots planned for both kids, but generation 2 was dragging on. It was time to move things along.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>If you're keeping count at home, there two "years" left on Orcus's ultimatum, meaning that it's due to expire at the end of Epsilon's second term at university, which is also when Omicron will age up to YA. Not that that means anything, necessarily. ;)</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Yes, Alpha really was standing out in the yard, in the rain, with her baby. I don't even...</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>To make the short update up to you guys, I have a few outtakes!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtYR5NCQKNbrJBg-5zCir2-vs0uOBjLluj6bNSIkbEr6Q7d9XWFG2Cjr2rTf1QrYl6lNZxzrQzYn_G7dSOuqDgrsoKEqN1wq7uReKaa5pRZ6mPE1719Ro_reMvOKhBySluod8SkJrkJ6I/s1600/Screenshot-90.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtYR5NCQKNbrJBg-5zCir2-vs0uOBjLluj6bNSIkbEr6Q7d9XWFG2Cjr2rTf1QrYl6lNZxzrQzYn_G7dSOuqDgrsoKEqN1wq7uReKaa5pRZ6mPE1719Ro_reMvOKhBySluod8SkJrkJ6I/s1600/Screenshot-90.jpg" width="400" /></a></i></div>
<i>There's been no need for me to really control James since Alpha reached the teen lifestage. They were self-sufficient at that point, and James was free to run his life into the ground, which he was perfectly capable of doing without my intervention. However, this hands-off approach leads to situations such as this. I like to imagine that he's dancing on top of the dishwasher to dissuade his children from cleaning up the smelly bowls on the breakfast bar.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9bR9IEeqOASiQ8bkHpoLJRCLmRGeKJuh6UjBIQFXCL3ODDdWRR8i0nC13wGtQLGJ_IM0w5a9-yWHg9dGOxuiYusJAKCk7FaGd8n-60NRA0dJUKdhyphenhyphencHj3h4LNJfT1u9M3kjm219ivCQ4/s1600/oh+hell+no.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9bR9IEeqOASiQ8bkHpoLJRCLmRGeKJuh6UjBIQFXCL3ODDdWRR8i0nC13wGtQLGJ_IM0w5a9-yWHg9dGOxuiYusJAKCk7FaGd8n-60NRA0dJUKdhyphenhyphencHj3h4LNJfT1u9M3kjm219ivCQ4/s1600/oh+hell+no.PNG" /></a></i></div>
<i>This popped up when I moved Epsilon to my set lot save when shooting a scene for the next chapter. In case you don't recognize her, that's the Seer, aka Acadia Darrow, aka Epsilon's MOTHER. Hell no. We are not going there.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHA6qDkttkKBBgAIdv3tLCKWWILLWBt70JiX6t5I9qIg7Mmu05FzoWxNTvQlJ9y-kWRXjx7ZCQLH8JJ4whd8cxmawo37Os5MEPoNU-KMmXXv7EcKq4r38isKbYFRciEmJhy3cAMHHlgI/s1600/Screenshot-81.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHA6qDkttkKBBgAIdv3tLCKWWILLWBt70JiX6t5I9qIg7Mmu05FzoWxNTvQlJ9y-kWRXjx7ZCQLH8JJ4whd8cxmawo37Os5MEPoNU-KMmXXv7EcKq4r38isKbYFRciEmJhy3cAMHHlgI/s1600/Screenshot-81.jpg" width="400" /></a></i></div>
<i>This is an awesome picture that I took back when alien abduction was going to be part of the story for generation 2/3. Unfortunately, I soon realized that it was actually a bug, and ditched that part of the story. This is still a great perspective shot, though, so I needed to share it!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Y-bprPqBNkmDCz1rFW4R2Mh_-Kc8hsTFBN8rLE7zzI35DzFVLTVY6a2wrC1xzXA45krKOsqqVaKOoLo7TEBKfLdIZfqkmkImZhyphenhyphen3_mj7XnupnnlkJRqloYABThRZXANOcJjhcfC2WAQ/s1600/Screenshot-106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Y-bprPqBNkmDCz1rFW4R2Mh_-Kc8hsTFBN8rLE7zzI35DzFVLTVY6a2wrC1xzXA45krKOsqqVaKOoLo7TEBKfLdIZfqkmkImZhyphenhyphen3_mj7XnupnnlkJRqloYABThRZXANOcJjhcfC2WAQ/s1600/Screenshot-106.jpg" width="400" /></a></i></div>
<i>After I installed Island Paradise, all Omicron wanted to do was snorkel in the swimming pool. While acceptable, I suppose, it was downright WEIRD. Stop being so weird, Omi! >_<</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1480959486985392708.post-42066712406361147542013-08-13T15:31:00.001-04:002013-08-13T15:32:54.200-04:00Woods Random Legacy: Chapter 51 - AccomplishmentsThat night, Epsilon dreamed again. This time she was alone in the library.<br />
Epsilon: "Shadow? Gregory? Anyone?"<br />
Gregory: "Down here!"<br />
She stepped to the banister and peered over. Well, that was unexpected. She knew this place had a downstairs, but hadn't it been empty?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7ejqi1ARgXzgijZNDjvFs5_YIwkINdt9QtAilh-8kP_7cEb_ZKQI2hNDFR4LVqio4ijaE8nELPHYR0Idun93MPAEi5o7I1fYy9sfwQDXBbEAgM6MrI-UdP_1kfoRZ5H-RldDOSzngp4/s1600/Screenshot-173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7ejqi1ARgXzgijZNDjvFs5_YIwkINdt9QtAilh-8kP_7cEb_ZKQI2hNDFR4LVqio4ijaE8nELPHYR0Idun93MPAEi5o7I1fYy9sfwQDXBbEAgM6MrI-UdP_1kfoRZ5H-RldDOSzngp4/s1600/Screenshot-173.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
She hurried down one of the twin staircases and took a seat at the far end of the table.<br />
Epsilon: "Was this table always down here?"<br />
Gregory: "No. It wasn't here until we needed it, and then it was. Remember, this is a place of dreams."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3K-qjZCsGow6zBtN_09lNfZodeMFtFZ_1D-sbWaB8ofVk34YDB1MVnU411xB2bI0KC2rh9UOLqwm4KdbOFHKU9ZfZ1o8Q_FflxX3r4Qe6SP3dQqIzoQ6jEzwh7ppZKtgmHyAZ8V7UJ4/s1600/Screenshot-174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3K-qjZCsGow6zBtN_09lNfZodeMFtFZ_1D-sbWaB8ofVk34YDB1MVnU411xB2bI0KC2rh9UOLqwm4KdbOFHKU9ZfZ1o8Q_FflxX3r4Qe6SP3dQqIzoQ6jEzwh7ppZKtgmHyAZ8V7UJ4/s1600/Screenshot-174.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Epsilon: "So I can dream whatever I want in here?"<br />
Gregory:
"Yes, and no. No, you can't dream whatever you want. At least not
now. I've heard stories of those who can manipulate their dream realms
at will, but that's more than any but the most talented can aspire to.
Rather, your subconscious determines what manifests."<br />
Epsilon: "This entire place is made from my subconscious?"<br />
Gregory: "Yes. Clearly, you seek knowledge. This is common for many witches and wizards, libraries of some sort are almost always present in dream realms. This table...well, my best guess would be that you wanted to have a serious discussion. You need a place for that, and the aisles between bookshelves aren't the most suited to the task."<br />
Epsilon nodded.<br />
Epsilon: "It's true, I do want to talk. I made my wand, like you said, and...I felt it. The magic."<br />
Gregory smiled broadly, leaning forward approvingly.<br />
Gregory: "That's excellent! So, you believe me now? That this is true?"<br />
Epsilon nodded.<br />
Epsilon: "Yes. Part of me rejects all of it, says it can't be true. But I've seen it with my own eyes. How could it be a lie? Magic is real."<br />
Gregory: "It is. Given your circumstances, if you were younger, I would
provide what instruction I could. But at your age...to be honest, I'm
at a loss. I was brought to you for a reason, but I'm not entirely certain what that reason is."<br />
Epsilon: "You can't teach me how to use my magic?"<br />
Gregory:
"Well, that's the thing. The older you get, the less...intuitive,
let's say...magic is to you. It's simply harder to learn to channel the
power at your age, compared to if you were instructed as a child.
That's not to say that you can't be a witch, but your potential will be
limited."<br />
Epsilon sat in silence, thinking.<br />
Epsilon: "So you're stronger, as a child? I'm only asking because, once, I think I might have turned my hair white."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQiDlo5t-d6kNIsMk9hk-6gt9mOF8ByvAABkSzZUE7GWLiXfdZDQQDtjIrctXe_gOTVyPgg0EM2IHHEY8O1zvePQ3sAs6Vfd2PzDS2WxbMaXTbqDr0oEYaUjrq8VXZtfJH-QB97i1V3g/s1600/Screenshot-176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQiDlo5t-d6kNIsMk9hk-6gt9mOF8ByvAABkSzZUE7GWLiXfdZDQQDtjIrctXe_gOTVyPgg0EM2IHHEY8O1zvePQ3sAs6Vfd2PzDS2WxbMaXTbqDr0oEYaUjrq8VXZtfJH-QB97i1V3g/s1600/Screenshot-176.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Gregory: "Manifestations of magic as a young child are common, even to that extent. If you were feeling particularly anxious..."<br />
Epsilon: "I was. I wanted nothing more than to have normal hair, but I made it even more alien, if that's possible."<br />
Gregory: "Usually, transmutation requires only focus and attention, but it is easy to err if you are young and untrained. I'm sure that you could reverse whatever you did, as a child."<br />
Epsilon: "Really?"<br />
She hadn't realized how much she really cared until she knew it was possible to reverse what she'd done. She didn't want her original hair back, but to be brunette, blonde, or even black-haired? She couldn't hope to salvage her life here in Sunset Valley, but if she moved away after school...she could be normal. In appearance, at least. She'd give anything for that chance.<br />
Gregory: "Yes. In fact, I think you should try it. As your earliest identified manifestation, it might be a good starting point to focus your powers. As you cast without a wand the first time, I don't believe a focus will be necessary. Simply stand before a mirror, and will, with all your might, your appearance to be different. Recall the sensation you felt when you channeled through your wand, and let the magic flow through you."<br />
Epsilon: "You really think I can do it?"<br />
Gregory: "I know you can do it. After all, you've done it once before."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxynOA0Pg5cjIYDbnIJ8fgw7yGZ-uTFIcEA23K1gVrFgPkXYi-VO7gTNTe482RAciCEOw7MITUx-7IyoSYwWkqnwZp3ZV3MdhKpoL3ABe3jjd-0F2LOIvtyHwlZLbI6Vu-Zzc-Ub0EQ5w/s1600/Screenshot-177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxynOA0Pg5cjIYDbnIJ8fgw7yGZ-uTFIcEA23K1gVrFgPkXYi-VO7gTNTe482RAciCEOw7MITUx-7IyoSYwWkqnwZp3ZV3MdhKpoL3ABe3jjd-0F2LOIvtyHwlZLbI6Vu-Zzc-Ub0EQ5w/s1600/Screenshot-177.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Epsilon awoke, dressing herself, and went to find breakfast.<br />
Epsilon: "Morning, Omi."<br />
Omicron: "Hey, Epsi. How's it going?"<br />
Epsilon: "I was promoted to Epitaph Writer last night. I guess I get to be creative now."<br />
Omicron: "That's cool. So, do you want to work at the graveyard forever?"<br />
Epsilon: "No, of course not! I want to be a doctor, one day. That's why I work there, so I can save up for university."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVszSDzz5onhmVoCnYNtGX0BnTI0PdpRjhmcNe0T91qeHrX45KgaYQTchoYIlcT2pZmQ3Logtf4zsjG9Q0aQ-ORS8Gt8u8cxT4Ykrb2emMhoyNcC4UspJLJLiVhDScNVAjARrewC9Vjrk/s1600/Screenshot-50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVszSDzz5onhmVoCnYNtGX0BnTI0PdpRjhmcNe0T91qeHrX45KgaYQTchoYIlcT2pZmQ3Logtf4zsjG9Q0aQ-ORS8Gt8u8cxT4Ykrb2emMhoyNcC4UspJLJLiVhDScNVAjARrewC9Vjrk/s1600/Screenshot-50.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Omicron: "A doctor, really? It's supposed to be hard to pass those
exams, but if anyone can do it, Epsi, you can. You're the smartest
person I know."<br />
Epsilon: "You really think so? Thanks."<br />
A bit pink from the compliment, she quickly changed the topic.<br />
Epsilon: "Do you know what you want to do with your life?"<br />
Omicron:
"I'm not really sure yet, at least about the details. All I know is
that I want to change the world, make it better. There's so much that's
just messed up, you know?"<br />
Epsilon: "Yeah, definitely. That's a good thing to work towards, and I think you're suited for it, Omi."<br />
<br />
After breakfast, Omicron was headed out the door to enjoy the rare sunny day when he was intercepted.<br />
James: "You, boy. I need to talk to you."<br />
Sighing, he resigned himself to yet another one of <i>those</i> conversations before turning to face his father.<br />
James: "What are you doing?"<br />
Omicron: "I was going outside."<br />
James snorted derisively.<br />
James: "That's your plan for the weekend? Going outside? What's wrong with you? You have no goals, no direction."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAJOD3WR1Rwo3d-6UuxHWmc21hiuvKSEyt-hVWZoTlLv-bE0qlKU0r-KP7UVeBwNgXYmXFwzQ8axYmL4kvbFtizQwkegfkdMRojbM5Ai2hk-By_UoW6YTlI29jxkVzuChxHE3mH5CkjAs/s1600/Screenshot-69.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAJOD3WR1Rwo3d-6UuxHWmc21hiuvKSEyt-hVWZoTlLv-bE0qlKU0r-KP7UVeBwNgXYmXFwzQ8axYmL4kvbFtizQwkegfkdMRojbM5Ai2hk-By_UoW6YTlI29jxkVzuChxHE3mH5CkjAs/s1600/Screenshot-69.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Omicron replied quietly.<br />
Omicron: "I do have goals."<br />
James waved his hand dismissively.<br />
James: "None worth pursuing. I'm getting older, you know. I look at you, and I think to myself, '<i>This</i>
is the boy who will carry on the family name after I'm gone?' The more
I watch you, the more I begin to realize that I'm probably never going
to have grandchildren. The Woods family will end here, I'm sure of it."<br />
Omicron: "What are you talking about? Al's pregnant."<br />
James: "I said the Woods family, not the whatever-she-is family. She doesn't count."<br />
At the tone of voice James used, something within the normally-quiet and nice-to-a-fault boy snapped, his eyes narrowing as he frowned at his father.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0-NTOrDon-iN3TF9mM4sJQL9vtSZ9Obuws04DC27DYcakmrOwElErNJh1bkciDD7OgECLvjf6175s2FIwCEe39RrUU9oWvDvH62r4YYNARm9qghICIddaHVW43LG_TFv4nzuZc3AqvE/s1600/Screenshot-74.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0-NTOrDon-iN3TF9mM4sJQL9vtSZ9Obuws04DC27DYcakmrOwElErNJh1bkciDD7OgECLvjf6175s2FIwCEe39RrUU9oWvDvH62r4YYNARm9qghICIddaHVW43LG_TFv4nzuZc3AqvE/s1600/Screenshot-74.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Omicron: "How can you talk about your own daughter that way? What's wrong with you?"<br />
James: "Excuse me?"<br />
Omicron: "You heard me. I try really, really hard to see the good in people, and I always can, eventually, but there must be something wrong with you. Because I can't, no matter how hard I try. Sorry."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Gq5rTGZxc935TwhKs0voFMvyg9gYLGJIJD4YB9K1W2UwDGIDmawz0KN7f3UShR-LyuPsONSNWTuV7DiARlB8ffpBrzWJgDes24zCYA9c-R11rcPDQ8Ts7kySBqYVNGaqF7-foYdcCzE/s1600/Screenshot-76.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Gq5rTGZxc935TwhKs0voFMvyg9gYLGJIJD4YB9K1W2UwDGIDmawz0KN7f3UShR-LyuPsONSNWTuV7DiARlB8ffpBrzWJgDes24zCYA9c-R11rcPDQ8Ts7kySBqYVNGaqF7-foYdcCzE/s1600/Screenshot-76.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
He held the glare through the entire denouncement, even as he reflexively apologized at the end, but it quickly dissolved as James's face twisted into a matching expression and he stepped towards the boy.<br />
James: "You dare to talk about what's wrong with me? How about what's wrong with you? I feed you, and clothe you, and you treat me with this lack of respect?"<br />
Omicron cringed away, but James didn't get any closer.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6jYo2pRhyphenhyphenZvUOJTT6Zz3nMGRp_iqVZGcTZ-LiP9Iajt27lDsHGaHix8kSK2ttQZP9vIK0OeQkvCbr1wXwVWv0jVwBPr1sAhP7sEP-ORi3bzhyphenhyphenQx79JYzJUa89DSXZnVKE_2_c01_xDGc/s1600/Screenshot-75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6jYo2pRhyphenhyphenZvUOJTT6Zz3nMGRp_iqVZGcTZ-LiP9Iajt27lDsHGaHix8kSK2ttQZP9vIK0OeQkvCbr1wXwVWv0jVwBPr1sAhP7sEP-ORi3bzhyphenhyphenQx79JYzJUa89DSXZnVKE_2_c01_xDGc/s1600/Screenshot-75.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
James: "Go outside. I don't want to look at you right now."<br />
Omicron went.<br />
<br />
Some weeks later, Alpha found herself in her dream world again. This time she appeared downstairs, on top of a soft rug, and she sat, pulling her legs up and burying her face in them. Nothing was working. No matter how hard she tried, her hair wouldn't change from the stubborn white that it had adopted all those years ago. She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't hear Gregory come up behind her.<br />
Gregory: "Epsilon? What's the matter?"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9x98NJUM4qur7aFHq5e22RhS2dCrWO08tuIP_KXDxpN9AWnerRwUvanVkc0L-mY7aZZWCe936JZ5TzFDAImfnnTLS5uWGG3rupkykfob0gP48o0UfUQ88r9TZ7vo7618O7Ckw-qxAWI/s1600/Screenshot-180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9x98NJUM4qur7aFHq5e22RhS2dCrWO08tuIP_KXDxpN9AWnerRwUvanVkc0L-mY7aZZWCe936JZ5TzFDAImfnnTLS5uWGG3rupkykfob0gP48o0UfUQ88r9TZ7vo7618O7Ckw-qxAWI/s1600/Screenshot-180.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
She turned to look at him, wiping the tears from her cheeks.<br />
Epsilon: "What does it look like the matter is?"<br />
Gregory: "Don't get discouraged. As I told you, it won't be easy. You have to know that you can do it, if you doubt yourself then you've just created a self-fulfilling prophecy."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3JhFIT1Y6Davs0Dm-Y0CkS_a8aDrO4K-lwAy6EtE_WOI8WF26gnuCfRYuuLl1JapkbTNrs3R9DpjWK7vsfy72JYcRfa0tWFuknPP8hEEQ5D08p4CCVhi9rn0Fk1P4ns-jb-ZBVGM-XfY/s1600/Screenshot-181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3JhFIT1Y6Davs0Dm-Y0CkS_a8aDrO4K-lwAy6EtE_WOI8WF26gnuCfRYuuLl1JapkbTNrs3R9DpjWK7vsfy72JYcRfa0tWFuknPP8hEEQ5D08p4CCVhi9rn0Fk1P4ns-jb-ZBVGM-XfY/s1600/Screenshot-181.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Epsilon nodded and got to her feet, feeling ashamed for sitting on the floor crying like a child. It couldn't accomplish anything, and he was right - doubting herself wasn't helping. She just needed to believe.<br />
Epsilon: "Thanks. Things have just been stressful around the house, and-well, you know, don't you."<br />
He chuckled at that, nodding, and she couldn't help but join in a bit.<br />
Gregory: "Just keep trying. I know you can do it."<br />
Epsilon nodded and accepted the hug her mentor offered. She'd try again, and it would work. Eventually.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjap4nGayJJMCYmmh3lmghSDjEkmlGDR0VdoJOO4rzwFiz6DqiOR80vq_pKbgtvwq4Nnrzk8u82CWWOOqIah4CRXhL7eGTQtdX2G830Zp1uRf9nPMZY6JYoC8-V3OVTSaos_Csn5IXukR8/s1600/Screenshot-182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjap4nGayJJMCYmmh3lmghSDjEkmlGDR0VdoJOO4rzwFiz6DqiOR80vq_pKbgtvwq4Nnrzk8u82CWWOOqIah4CRXhL7eGTQtdX2G830Zp1uRf9nPMZY6JYoC8-V3OVTSaos_Csn5IXukR8/s1600/Screenshot-182.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
When she woke up, she got ready before facing the mirror, taking a deep breath. Closing her eyes, she focused on the intended changes, holding them in her mind as she'd been instructed to, and believing them to be true with all her might.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGK4CkDFFB2s86OK6_GGM8p92kGeB3ZlGIXCvVBWaU-42haKswSc4RAieS6G7MsahiMsovgT9OrQ05VltiTloDrkTJmgxHhpkIu4CmtC1KS60N1PMS_L2arMx5pE1YpAD37CbK9euvwY/s1600/Screenshot-65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGK4CkDFFB2s86OK6_GGM8p92kGeB3ZlGIXCvVBWaU-42haKswSc4RAieS6G7MsahiMsovgT9OrQ05VltiTloDrkTJmgxHhpkIu4CmtC1KS60N1PMS_L2arMx5pE1YpAD37CbK9euvwY/s1600/Screenshot-65.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
As she stepped out of the bathroom, she nearly tripped over Shadow. Glancing down to the cat, she spoke to him quietly.<br />
Epsilon: "How'd you know it would work this time?"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5l9fAjVbGyEJPWGWfaKyQyQ8k3Q7dFKm3lQ6U-GNJRGkcmHMVP0anYhFS0L138m1e2Abp08Q8YAGMZfMg4uehDT44hKpV_tTYHzegRVf3NOOSTaxLeH3T03xjOO78icgj8ZImSphQPNk/s1600/Screenshot-66.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5l9fAjVbGyEJPWGWfaKyQyQ8k3Q7dFKm3lQ6U-GNJRGkcmHMVP0anYhFS0L138m1e2Abp08Q8YAGMZfMg4uehDT44hKpV_tTYHzegRVf3NOOSTaxLeH3T03xjOO78icgj8ZImSphQPNk/s1600/Screenshot-66.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The cat gave no response, and she followed him into the living room, where the tension was palpable. James and Omicron hadn't argued since the incident a few weeks back, but the anger and resentment had evolved into a cold war of sorts between the two.<br />
Omicron: "Did you dye your hair, Epsi?"<br />
Epsilon: "Something like that, yeah. Do you like it?"<br />
Omicron: "It looks good."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8EJBLEv0NGEvq44H6zjMzkYjCw3jXvRPtu7BQKBBmNpibOcqFLoTK-RvPuYchfmFRjmsKY-W2wfBx_HMVA5HdZleckg4FRnR7tBEk-9Jv28rQ2YIlsbLMGk4awx8Y_lF_g5l-2rwmrJ8/s1600/Screenshot-68.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8EJBLEv0NGEvq44H6zjMzkYjCw3jXvRPtu7BQKBBmNpibOcqFLoTK-RvPuYchfmFRjmsKY-W2wfBx_HMVA5HdZleckg4FRnR7tBEk-9Jv28rQ2YIlsbLMGk4awx8Y_lF_g5l-2rwmrJ8/s1600/Screenshot-68.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The curt response wasn't anything to do with her, she knew that. It was because of James, sitting at the chess board behind her. Epsilon settled back against the cushions of the sofa as she counted the days until both herself and Omicron could leave home as legal adults. It couldn't come soon enough.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
~ * ~</div>
<br />
<i>Woo Epsi! That's a pretty bold hair color(wait until you see it in better lighting next chapter), compared to what she's had in the past - I think she might have overdone it just a bit. It's pretty, though.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And so the two teens declare their paths in life. Who should the heir be? The magical scientist doctor, or the optimist who wants to change the world through means that have yet to be determined? I already know, but you don't! *teases* ;)</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>James and Omicron fight all the time. I never see how they get started, I just turn the camera around and James is slapping Omicron in the face. It's awful. :( This is why you don't let good and evil sims live together in the same house.</i><br />
<br />
<i>I think I'm outgrowing the script-style dialogue I've been using. I don't usually write that way when I write fiction, but I adopted it in the early chapters because it made sense then, as I was mostly using dialogue as a caption of sorts. Now, though, long conversations just look silly. I haven't decided yet, but I might be switching to natural dialogue next chapter. Don't get weirded out and leave. </i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1480959486985392708.post-57490600189344689752013-08-11T17:09:00.002-04:002013-08-11T17:12:44.860-04:00Woods Random Legacy: Chapter 50 - UltimatumThere was no warning when the ghost appeared. One moment the corner of the room was empty, and the next it wasn't, with no fanfare. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0cLtAKr2Nvygyl9MIkau_McYbHCsv8elvdIMQBgZRwNh26OSYFoRiUQX4hMPXRm6H_ZzoZDSbaBpGJ3r49llu08r0yzbtrGWmudYhrdGS_i1DJK8Za5RU3BKjiuUvr-UXqnyGEUEkyyE/s1600/Screenshot-157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0cLtAKr2Nvygyl9MIkau_McYbHCsv8elvdIMQBgZRwNh26OSYFoRiUQX4hMPXRm6H_ZzoZDSbaBpGJ3r49llu08r0yzbtrGWmudYhrdGS_i1DJK8Za5RU3BKjiuUvr-UXqnyGEUEkyyE/s1600/Screenshot-157.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The Seer slept as the Magician studied, neither noticing the additional presence in the room. The flame-wreathed figure raised one hand and the Magician's tome shut with a sharp <i>snap</i>. That got his attention, and the vampire set the book down before rising to his feet. He turned to face the ghost.<br />
Magician: "I believe it is customary to announce your presence when entering the home of another."<br />
Ghost: "This home does not belong to you."<br />
While this was strictly true, the Magician preferred to operate under older laws. Why should an vacant property not be taken up by someone who needed a home? Letting it sit, benefiting only a bank, was surely the greater crime. He opened his mouth to defend himself, but the ghost spoke first.<br />
Ghost: "You seem to have a habit of taking things which are not yours for the taking."<br />
The Magician kept his face carefully neutral as he answered, not letting the spirit see his anger at being interrupted. It was best to find out what the ghost knew before feeding him any more information to make guesses from.<br />
Magician: "I seem to be at a disadvantage. I would know who I speak with, surely I have that right."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijE5fT_qkt4ti_31vz4LMbATG0-0G5mlC_vBhJOwBDp5dJ0AjtTktFXy_dFeth0hyphenhyphenS_2UztcHDY2fPdfT9U6rf5-J6jPU1p1mJwInig74ap7Aoj5Xh35We5r3gL6Yl8z8JZecHKDGRNh4/s1600/Screenshot-160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijE5fT_qkt4ti_31vz4LMbATG0-0G5mlC_vBhJOwBDp5dJ0AjtTktFXy_dFeth0hyphenhyphenS_2UztcHDY2fPdfT9U6rf5-J6jPU1p1mJwInig74ap7Aoj5Xh35We5r3gL6Yl8z8JZecHKDGRNh4/s1600/Screenshot-160.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The ghost nodded assent, and replied.<br />
Ghost: "My true name is ancient, lost to time. Today, I am referred to by many names across many cultures."<br />
He paused there and studied the Magician's face, as if peering through to his soul.<br />
Ghost: "You, Septimus Iuventius, knew me as Orcus."<br />
The Magician worked carefully to keep his face expressionless. So the spirit knew his name, and where he came from. What else did he know? In contrast to his internal worry, he twisted his face into a derisive smirk.<br />
Magician: "You take the name of a god?"<br />
Orcus: "I am a god."<br />
Magician: "There is no such thing. There are mortals, and those who transcend mortality, but no gods. But you didn't come here to debate theology."<br />
Orcus: "No. I came to issue an ultimatum. Return what you have taken, or the retribution will be swift and without mercy."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqVsiY7bsUJmDObgVSv2AbMfu5sYrqhyphenhyphenh33vavBRc2jy4JnqHTHH5DeEQTREcXrikSGypvVT6YTtsm1iGhNlmn2TrhegIrEa2Y4lMBnCcFDy1IgAuI9EGJSA9qOUaa0sKQySmFkoGrbBY/s1600/Screenshot-163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqVsiY7bsUJmDObgVSv2AbMfu5sYrqhyphenhyphenh33vavBRc2jy4JnqHTHH5DeEQTREcXrikSGypvVT6YTtsm1iGhNlmn2TrhegIrEa2Y4lMBnCcFDy1IgAuI9EGJSA9qOUaa0sKQySmFkoGrbBY/s1600/Screenshot-163.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Magician: "Ah, and here we come to the reason for your visit. I am sorry to say that I simply can't submit to your demands, as I do not have the item in question anymore."<br />
Orcus: "Find it. Or, perhaps, you do not take me seriously."<br />
As Orcus spoke, the words seemed to fill the Magician's mind, evoking images from memories that were not his own. Some ancient magic was at work here, and it scared him; even if he had thought it wise to speak, he didn't believe that the magic would let him.<br />
<br />
<b>"Listen, for I would have you understand your place. Long ago, those who came before walked this soil. There was conflict, and war. The peaceful Alakar stood above, apart, protected by their superior intellect and technology. But those below grew too many, and even the great citadels of the Alakar began to fall. So they took to the stars, leaving behind the world of chaos on which they had grown."</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeCyrZeTZxUYvVhjQQs6hhIRPdJxWuS2JuhE8U-GAvd8lrh2rAJbtS_8Vhc0GyKeGN24NeNqg83S2mq1phItidfLIJf70Nen6eNFq0hz4RMUQzTm2XOAjMPz6DEAgaV3JVeW7RyKkjPrs/s1600/Screenshot-170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeCyrZeTZxUYvVhjQQs6hhIRPdJxWuS2JuhE8U-GAvd8lrh2rAJbtS_8Vhc0GyKeGN24NeNqg83S2mq1phItidfLIJf70Nen6eNFq0hz4RMUQzTm2XOAjMPz6DEAgaV3JVeW7RyKkjPrs/s1600/Screenshot-170.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<b>"And so it was that the Lifewell stood unguarded. She sought new protectors, finding them in the Fae. Their magic hid her, kept her safe, and the gift of immortality was given in return. All was as it should be once again."</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigU-6FjiksAwKwyxc5DD-EFL112njMPb4aOjttom0t0qZRqX3VsRzbPuxx0vI8NHCsIwqqVtGSmQ3xQ5-j9UroEuMsOcvF0GB-fKsYf4FutJ5Wz2IqTC-YVqcavJND6on0eN5V3KCbCms/s1600/Screenshot-155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigU-6FjiksAwKwyxc5DD-EFL112njMPb4aOjttom0t0qZRqX3VsRzbPuxx0vI8NHCsIwqqVtGSmQ3xQ5-j9UroEuMsOcvF0GB-fKsYf4FutJ5Wz2IqTC-YVqcavJND6on0eN5V3KCbCms/s1600/Screenshot-155.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<b>"War continued to rage, brother turning on brother, locked in eternal bloodlust. From the temples of death emerged the Vampar, leading cults of destruction across the lands. Only the most devoted were allowed to join the ranks, becoming as death itself."</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2iUWktp8kV7XW3iswjBGBIGEgfHKZKEYMkGoGvycq4hI27zi6lIpB3QzRMjclyvPtEX5AfILbCAQVb6989CJpXfRShCliC6vMovTRq_VI-ADpg05xQ_0u_ICCz8k1GBFHFSEk_ZfqCs/s1600/Screenshot-154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2iUWktp8kV7XW3iswjBGBIGEgfHKZKEYMkGoGvycq4hI27zi6lIpB3QzRMjclyvPtEX5AfILbCAQVb6989CJpXfRShCliC6vMovTRq_VI-ADpg05xQ_0u_ICCz8k1GBFHFSEk_ZfqCs/s1600/Screenshot-154.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<b>"As war continued to devastate the land, new defenders emerged. The Werekin, children of man and beast, stood as protectors of the forests and lands. Drawing on the power of the moon, as all Kin do, they stood against the Vampar and their armies of death. And so the Vampar were driven from the ancient forests they had once corrupted."</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFVqKe1Sp-zV4Y3fNCU36c40O1u56e0jkweo1kTm6f3-ln-SnpxkcThxSU4pP3GnOJxgLZaQYGF_NE-rIFG7nCPSM8nznFTkjmS-D9G0LPDmESVG5FmJjdAof9sabn0brGY9KWFf_Nkcg/s1600/Screenshot-172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFVqKe1Sp-zV4Y3fNCU36c40O1u56e0jkweo1kTm6f3-ln-SnpxkcThxSU4pP3GnOJxgLZaQYGF_NE-rIFG7nCPSM8nznFTkjmS-D9G0LPDmESVG5FmJjdAof9sabn0brGY9KWFf_Nkcg/s1600/Screenshot-172.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<b>"Emboldened by the success of their brothers, the Mer took up arms and made the seas their kingdom. Even as conflict yet raged among the peoples of the world, through the efforts of Kin the tide had turned. The Vampar were forced back to their underground lairs, their great armies broken, resigned to an existence in the shadows."</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUiAnZHn3uUhHss5ZCoNj5p0FO9quO6y4VytQqNpKvMiNcJqyEvpo3JsZOj8Kexj0gbxp9aZmPaMXSMkfVNqlJoYBkkQEXw10LyHGDDOXwMy6lYN8i3FdHNXzmMKPIfqa0BbZ4zv8Yx5Q/s1600/Screenshot-62.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUiAnZHn3uUhHss5ZCoNj5p0FO9quO6y4VytQqNpKvMiNcJqyEvpo3JsZOj8Kexj0gbxp9aZmPaMXSMkfVNqlJoYBkkQEXw10LyHGDDOXwMy6lYN8i3FdHNXzmMKPIfqa0BbZ4zv8Yx5Q/s1600/Screenshot-62.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<b>"Even with this great victory, many sought freedom and peace that was impossible to attain, for those left behind by the Alakar were inherently savage. The Genu built their towers, in imitation of the great citadels, and chose to live in solitude, apart."</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhP5i9Zn76H2qLJ4hSDQNX9h_dTXHKAqvEsMcBmZ_aSJuXKIZgOMzmO1IHf_VZlejBybBKrHJ0SoaCq1C3yiw-g4G98vbl-MMQ31h8tWfGqE2RiokhYANwSXIjGHgCilX9dB4sMC-AAxU/s1600/Screenshot-64.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhP5i9Zn76H2qLJ4hSDQNX9h_dTXHKAqvEsMcBmZ_aSJuXKIZgOMzmO1IHf_VZlejBybBKrHJ0SoaCq1C3yiw-g4G98vbl-MMQ31h8tWfGqE2RiokhYANwSXIjGHgCilX9dB4sMC-AAxU/s1600/Screenshot-64.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<b>"The Magen, rather than seeking solitude, formed Covens as they searched for the knowledge required to follow in the Alakar's footsteps, away from this cursed world. Rather than technology, they turned to the study of focused magic, in hopes that it could prove equally powerful."</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJlRYGtnrFJWFg0-xzRAzwsp_rWUiHaQUdx-AcjxuK1apHH6J_UFzLYwgBjB0APwc0X7Ap1IkMZnL1QlgltfOByQ4NKB4ItyutvnyFP6bcCUav-CiLvl9IMIx6cZrVe6kE9GIATXtrBvY/s1600/Screenshot-171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJlRYGtnrFJWFg0-xzRAzwsp_rWUiHaQUdx-AcjxuK1apHH6J_UFzLYwgBjB0APwc0X7Ap1IkMZnL1QlgltfOByQ4NKB4ItyutvnyFP6bcCUav-CiLvl9IMIx6cZrVe6kE9GIATXtrBvY/s1600/Screenshot-171.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<b>"Before, during and after all of this, there was, is and will always be the Dead. You are Death, but we are the Dead. There is no place on this world where we can not see, nothing we can not touch. Tread carefully, Vampar, or you may find your own Death sooner than you'd planned. You have three years to set things right."</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgToy_UP4JEnJ9-qXw7DS1LxPOX_SXpJtGTmdq1zCOHsZyGwTC3kcTVsEqKmPHcUhmhl6rKCtW2hXMljUm46XLU9CDsRx1NSQhDjJLt0Upgtv0I1s1PhHWfMgJ83JNEIj9xmLm061f2n78/s1600/Screenshot-165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgToy_UP4JEnJ9-qXw7DS1LxPOX_SXpJtGTmdq1zCOHsZyGwTC3kcTVsEqKmPHcUhmhl6rKCtW2hXMljUm46XLU9CDsRx1NSQhDjJLt0Upgtv0I1s1PhHWfMgJ83JNEIj9xmLm061f2n78/s1600/Screenshot-165.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Orcus stopped speaking and the Magician became aware that his eyes were closed. He opened them, only to find the room empty - Orcus had gone. Three years. To him, who had always had an eternity, it wasn't enough. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
~ * ~</div>
<br />
<i>And the plot thickens!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orcus">For your convenience, here's the wiki entry for Orcus</a>. He was a Roman god associated with the underworld, and known for exacting punishment for broken oaths. Seemed appropriate to me.</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1480959486985392708.post-42613169855111855342013-08-07T19:12:00.002-04:002013-08-07T19:12:51.494-04:00Woods Random Legacy: Chapter 49 - InheritanceThe morning after the prom, Epsilon awoke to Shadow pawing at her face and mewing.<br />
Epsilon: "Mmm, I know it's cold outside, but you can take yourself to the litter box. You don't need me. Go 'way."<br />
Her sleepy protest had no effect on the dark feline, who simply stared at her closed eyes until the girl finally blinked again.<br />
Epsilon: "God! Alright, fine, get off so I can find my slippers."<br />
After locating footwear and her glasses, she picked up the cat and strode through the house, raising both eyebrows as she spotted her brother already watching television.<br />
Epsilon: "Well, you're up early."<br />
Omicron: "Yeah, your cat woke me up, not sure what that was all about. I was too excited to go back to sleep."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPr3Ogzk2s1cnAgjk5KQTdeoeDuAtyh2L8DMC5LAECDsLeVZcLKVY9VHULahOQafd2HiYT7U2vo_8wP1qwa_uloukfPhLp8p6FBB92MIQSp3KUfWc5viTHjz-1BHiH3yYBNc7PtU6J0pw/s1600/Screenshot-33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPr3Ogzk2s1cnAgjk5KQTdeoeDuAtyh2L8DMC5LAECDsLeVZcLKVY9VHULahOQafd2HiYT7U2vo_8wP1qwa_uloukfPhLp8p6FBB92MIQSp3KUfWc5viTHjz-1BHiH3yYBNc7PtU6J0pw/s1600/Screenshot-33.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Epsilon: "Shadow wanted to be taken outside."<br />
Omicron: "Don't we have a cat door for that?"<br />
Epsilon: "In theory, yes."<br />
Omicron: "You're going outside wearing that? You know it's still winter, right?"<br />
Epsilon: "Almost spring! And I'm wearing slippers, you know."<br />
Omicron: "You're weird, Epsi. When you're done, I want to talk to you. About last night."<br />
Epsilon nodded and went outside to handle her cat. Omicron had been right, it was cold out! Determined not to let him see her shiver, she snuck back in through the back door, and got dressed before coming back out to meet him in the kitchen.<br />
Omicron: "You were right, Epsi. Last night was amazing. Who would have thought anyone would ever vote for me for Prom King?"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDS8ez_hjYa9qMyy6RrFXwJLuD8bhVMhQgPJOcGR0B5sLyay6VaVG6C7iP0XALk3oqQ4Agfyk7b4aHe5n9pwvKGAIPmD1K9YGTXh-PJTZn8_bFdDc9M5sLtgSjIBLgJih5aK4fOft0v8c/s1600/Screenshot-40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDS8ez_hjYa9qMyy6RrFXwJLuD8bhVMhQgPJOcGR0B5sLyay6VaVG6C7iP0XALk3oqQ4Agfyk7b4aHe5n9pwvKGAIPmD1K9YGTXh-PJTZn8_bFdDc9M5sLtgSjIBLgJih5aK4fOft0v8c/s1600/Screenshot-40.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Epsilon: "I know, right? I'm so happy for you!"<br />
Outside she was all smiles, but inside she was furtively hoping that he wouldn't ask too many questions about that incident. Because it didn't make sense at all, seeing as it was entirely fabricated. It had been pretty easy to do, and of course nobody would suspect her - she'd never had so much as an hour's detention, even in elementary school. She just hoped that it would have the intended effect, bringing out Omicron's confidence even as the rest of the student body was convinced that everybody else actually liked the boy. The pressures of conformity could have their uses, it seemed.<br />
Omicron: "I couldn't believe it when they named you as the Prom Queen, either."<br />
Ah. Now that hadn't been part of the plan at all.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgu3rzVbumDCSDFY7CFYNnnrHU7KqhbOBSChBFx8cQqZgy-NxDr1c8-ZK5b_3sQv3t1lqeqkHYcTWV2abGKPppfOi9pyycoGU4Kf0iTMNOLitBKI_yruYlhHc4S4KMT9pcuy7wlXDzk6k/s1600/Screenshot-38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgu3rzVbumDCSDFY7CFYNnnrHU7KqhbOBSChBFx8cQqZgy-NxDr1c8-ZK5b_3sQv3t1lqeqkHYcTWV2abGKPppfOi9pyycoGU4Kf0iTMNOLitBKI_yruYlhHc4S4KMT9pcuy7wlXDzk6k/s1600/Screenshot-38.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
When her name had been called, her heart had sunk. How could she have won? She had been sure to only alter the Prom King votes, after all, so she hadn't cheated.<br />
Epsilon: "Yeah, I couldn't really believe it. I still don't, to be honest."<br />
Omicron: "Why? You're the only decent girl in that entire school. All the others are so...so..."<br />
He stumbled, and Epsilon stepped in to supply the word he was searching for.<br />
Epsilon: "Bitchy?"<br />
Omicron giggled a bit at the swear word, then nodded.<br />
Omicron: "Yeah. You're not really social, but you don't hurt anybody either. You're just generally a good person, you know?"<br />
Epsilon was saved from having to figure out how to take that compliment by the sound of the bus honking outside. Omicron clearly wasn't ready, so as he ran off to locate his bag she just give him a quick, heartfelt smile. Much easier than finding the words.<br />
<br />
That night, she got ready for bed, still shaking her head in disbelief about her new job title. Whoever had decided that "Overseer of the Dead" was a good job title for a glorified door guard clearly had a flair for the over-dramatic. Still, it came with a 160% pay increase, so she could put up with the internal eye-roll every time her job title was mentioned. Almost as soon as her head touched the pillow, she felt herself falling into a familiar dream. <i>(The usual dream soundtrack is <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BuPBQXTcMk">here</a> for the lazy who want music without digging through archives.)</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGoasKdDK60jveWWlw7Jl8B31mxygRrjwOJGJeXnogB2c2nYAL_NAj2Cz8wOx3GNzaVYf2c5uZ9JiWDiNyFRKqSI9uGrLgQ46oLYzIe0G4TSFiJ1dkPZ2WyCD7Qua2OhdmeHxSe8Y3mzo/s1600/Screenshot-32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGoasKdDK60jveWWlw7Jl8B31mxygRrjwOJGJeXnogB2c2nYAL_NAj2Cz8wOx3GNzaVYf2c5uZ9JiWDiNyFRKqSI9uGrLgQ46oLYzIe0G4TSFiJ1dkPZ2WyCD7Qua2OhdmeHxSe8Y3mzo/s1600/Screenshot-32.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The library was exactly as it had been the last time she'd dreamed it, as a child. She stepped towards the nearest shelf, then heard a creak of floorboards behind her. Resisting the urge to whirl around - she prided herself on being more dignified than that, even in her nightmares - she slowly turned to face whatever lurked.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6LYqdG-n-v8XldNEr2LPAJMv4cFwPczN74xFK8aWWNmAn4pdApnpPVSIlUhx1rBbwdUP5WgpN0j7INmtbDk0ukDxHfaX1bGItO5Jyw9Qb0rzpnfZsvK6N3hzY5Mo5C1RkI6WrR9WHKA/s1600/Screenshot-51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6LYqdG-n-v8XldNEr2LPAJMv4cFwPczN74xFK8aWWNmAn4pdApnpPVSIlUhx1rBbwdUP5WgpN0j7INmtbDk0ukDxHfaX1bGItO5Jyw9Qb0rzpnfZsvK6N3hzY5Mo5C1RkI6WrR9WHKA/s1600/Screenshot-51.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Epsilon: "Who are you? Why are you in my library?"<br />
Old Man: "Oh, good! So you do recognize that this is your library."<br />
Epsilon: "Well, in the sense that this is my dream, at least. You didn't answer my questions."<br />
Old Man: "My name is Gregory Eberhart, though you don't know me as such, exactly..."<br />
Epsilon: "I don't know you at all. You seem interesting enough, I
suppose, but be warned. I dream lucidly, so if I don't like what you're
doing in my library, I'll just dream you away."<br />
He stepped forward, chuckling, then his expression slowly grew serious.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSEw8H2fXYR1B1iSWFP3h0f3cKgMSmq-9I5djAaNDlLEapdyIhZDnnMo8PRLJTQ0mxJ8s3i_bjMXuROi9cyQ3CO4td_bHx1fGT7PiWHMi8XzuxcNXPcKsBx52PBTpDOWF0aMq23XBdbk/s1600/Screenshot-54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSEw8H2fXYR1B1iSWFP3h0f3cKgMSmq-9I5djAaNDlLEapdyIhZDnnMo8PRLJTQ0mxJ8s3i_bjMXuROi9cyQ3CO4td_bHx1fGT7PiWHMi8XzuxcNXPcKsBx52PBTpDOWF0aMq23XBdbk/s1600/Screenshot-54.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Gregory: "You really don't know, do you? About your library, or about...anything? But you're nearly grown, how could you not have known?"<br />
Epsilon raised an eyebrow.<br />
Epsilon: "Not known about what?"<br />
Gregory: "Who you are. What you are."<br />
Epsilon: "Last I checked, I was Epsilon Woods, the bastard daughter of the town Casanova and some woman who ran off before I was a day old."<br />
Gregory: "No, no, that's all wrong. Well, actually, it's all correct, strictly speaking. But it's so incomplete that it should hardly count!"<br />
Epsilon rubbed her brow. This guy was giving her a headache, why did her library dream have to be ruined by some madman in a bathrobe?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3nBb1NzURE3-8jJxqn2su5VXqjgu9RsQb2Xi6CSbDKv_Fz_8kkWe8dE940tudYwaJD1cOweXxmakgykg5EP-x66gOQDuOuYQDRXgmAS33U_De2tscKa24NHyCT805CUKYtG_h0Yalsyc/s1600/Screenshot-59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3nBb1NzURE3-8jJxqn2su5VXqjgu9RsQb2Xi6CSbDKv_Fz_8kkWe8dE940tudYwaJD1cOweXxmakgykg5EP-x66gOQDuOuYQDRXgmAS33U_De2tscKa24NHyCT805CUKYtG_h0Yalsyc/s1600/Screenshot-59.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Gregory: "We're always sent to the children who need us the most, but I've never even heard of one in a situation such as yourself, with no education whatsoever."<br />
Epsilon: "Hey, what do you mean, "we" and "sent?" And for your information, I'm entering my Senior year of high school, so I don't know what you're talking about."<br />
Gregory: "No, no, not that sort of education. Magical education. I was sent to you to help you learn, though in the waking world I take a much different form-"<br />
Epsilon: "My CAT?"<br />
Gregory: "Yes, exactly, I do believe you call me Shadow. An adorable name, if I might say so-"<br />
Epsilon: "You're my cat. The one who won't go outside to pee in the mornings if it's too cold."<br />
Gregor laughed heartily as Epsilon looked on in disbelief.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKshPNsZcGsczhWld-4X1J37_jnK5TeGyhI1fVJnWVpKCgMdp4MDqUb77a9jOJxJ8OEQPk5iCmUtXNYh1cMZwzfMf7_AFkMVing-KCPnWUQc132779JqFYQ9mrD4KAj_Dk0_gjmsoI6yQ/s1600/Screenshot-56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKshPNsZcGsczhWld-4X1J37_jnK5TeGyhI1fVJnWVpKCgMdp4MDqUb77a9jOJxJ8OEQPk5iCmUtXNYh1cMZwzfMf7_AFkMVing-KCPnWUQc132779JqFYQ9mrD4KAj_Dk0_gjmsoI6yQ/s1600/Screenshot-56.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Gregory: "Oh, yes, I must say I'm sorry. I never have liked the cold, though."<br />
Epsilon: "This is absolutely insane. I don't usually dream things that make no sense. I must be going crazy."<br />
Gregoyr: "No, you're not, I assure you. You and I are speaking, as witch and familiar, in your dream realm. For you, it's taken the form of a library. For myself, in my previous life as a man, it was similar, but with the addition of a balcony from which I could watch the stars. Each realm is unique to the wizard or witch who dreams it."<br />
Epsilon: "No, no, I am going crazy. I've been trying to dream you away ever since you said you were my cat, and it's not working. That always works, I've never had a dream that I haven't been able to change. The only conclusion is that I've gone off the deep end."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA0BFdh3LBFVtjcAtDbGlVwbmQDq8tTOyGwTPHMKqgX15nihZUA0EKE5osHICkq6N6AxME5pyFtsE_ork3g_IhJAqUAVkG9X0PzGy4_TdxaSKN4rwJVeSGfWtKERiirUhZmHslZktjwpM/s1600/Screenshot-55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA0BFdh3LBFVtjcAtDbGlVwbmQDq8tTOyGwTPHMKqgX15nihZUA0EKE5osHICkq6N6AxME5pyFtsE_ork3g_IhJAqUAVkG9X0PzGy4_TdxaSKN4rwJVeSGfWtKERiirUhZmHslZktjwpM/s1600/Screenshot-55.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Gregory: "No, you've got it all wrong. You can't change this dream because it isn't a dream, not exactly. It's in your head, but it's different! Oh, this is all too much to try to explain all at once. How can I convince you this is real?"<br />
He turned away, stroking his beard as he thought. <br />
Epsilon: "I won't believe it until I can touch it with my hands. In reality."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigaGuPtfE4XoAsSficQon9QwllJHn9nhc2MyiK4lr2wstUWWb5dYkK1dLE_6GNBPXqvym79m6LhzZKYDrm6pAZpJe5YH89LE-_qqjAScoQupMwxozI3xbrgQzSl2SNatsmzBm4muRrEU/s1600/Screenshot-61.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigaGuPtfE4XoAsSficQon9QwllJHn9nhc2MyiK4lr2wstUWWb5dYkK1dLE_6GNBPXqvym79m6LhzZKYDrm6pAZpJe5YH89LE-_qqjAScoQupMwxozI3xbrgQzSl2SNatsmzBm4muRrEU/s1600/Screenshot-61.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
With a quick nod, he snapped his fingers and turned around.<br />
Gregory: "That's exactly what you have to do, then. Go find yourself a wand."<br />
Epsilon: "Excuse me? A magic wand?"<br />
She fixed him with a blank stare. Magic wands were straight out of fairy tales, further proof that this was all a hallucination in her own mind.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9GSOmmpzByTNEex41vx7M5J6eJJKC16fQrAw3_4Q368M6wA-FLMvN9NbKvJ2Aeq-ZQAfAT7onNFXYxKHaBO_Yj6kiXw2mymh0z0vgsKvJGAi395X9aetlDM5nm4Cx2WryLqEsFfuFk_g/s1600/Screenshot-53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9GSOmmpzByTNEex41vx7M5J6eJJKC16fQrAw3_4Q368M6wA-FLMvN9NbKvJ2Aeq-ZQAfAT7onNFXYxKHaBO_Yj6kiXw2mymh0z0vgsKvJGAi395X9aetlDM5nm4Cx2WryLqEsFfuFk_g/s1600/Screenshot-53.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Gregory: "Yes, a magic wand! Find a tree that feels right, then let it give its wood to you. Cut away the parts that aren't right, then hold it in your hand and let your magic flow through it. You will see, and then, perhaps, you will believe. Now wake!"<br />
He clapped a hand on her shoulder and then she was back in her bed, staring at the dark bedroom. She glanced over to her right, to the bedside table where Shadow slept.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9d90RlZan9kwk_12nk5kvtlO7Rr6U6C_0Lgt8YLledMyXXcILVSbUZRMF6C4DtMWhyphenhyphen8tT0HeECCif_FvAzvEUScnwZ4sCZa6DjnLGDnkdJ8B-Ej60rvGvqvbTfD0bghgS6ISG4Wexvw/s1600/Screenshot-48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9d90RlZan9kwk_12nk5kvtlO7Rr6U6C_0Lgt8YLledMyXXcILVSbUZRMF6C4DtMWhyphenhyphen8tT0HeECCif_FvAzvEUScnwZ4sCZa6DjnLGDnkdJ8B-Ej60rvGvqvbTfD0bghgS6ISG4Wexvw/s1600/Screenshot-48.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
He was just a cat. He had to just be a cat. Right?<br />
<br />
Against all rational judgement, she still left the house after breakfast - in the middle of a downpour, no less - to search for a tree. And she found it. When she approached, and touched a branch, the wood came away in her hand with no effort at all, as if it was a gift from the tree. She clutched it to herself and backed away nervously, telling herself that she was being stupid even as she jogged towards home.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqJ798crBObmq0NXAOyw81BrLF5aH44S2bBC-Wlonwvnzaqx530HunKnCeijCOCyvgz9jLUN42TYEHWZZ69ooN0-NcYWykYRsQFX3mkomrWM8zItDpMdTUQDMbZpst2hyphenhyphenvcU7UuEEjFE/s1600/Screenshot-41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqJ798crBObmq0NXAOyw81BrLF5aH44S2bBC-Wlonwvnzaqx530HunKnCeijCOCyvgz9jLUN42TYEHWZZ69ooN0-NcYWykYRsQFX3mkomrWM8zItDpMdTUQDMbZpst2hyphenhyphenvcU7UuEEjFE/s1600/Screenshot-41.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
It took her a further few weeks to find the courage to carve the wand, and even more to attempt to wave it. By then, spring was already establishing itself in Sunset Valley, which made her feel even more ridiculous as she shut herself away in her bedroom waving a stick around. But, despite all rational reasoning to the contrary, it just felt right. She could almost swear that she saw shimmers in the air, sometimes, trailing behind the tip of the wand as she made circles and arcs in the air.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76Nus0qjly6B2UJqeorCnhPsaaDXnPEAAmYKAvHI3n3BZw1-R2IrqmU4nZ4zPOSMPHRqbYGJ7T_-m-cTuUbn65Rrv8qqbYnE9mYcWrdpNjpWGMhGzPEsM9zHL3i0n6U11nsgf7w1pkEs/s1600/Screenshot-42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76Nus0qjly6B2UJqeorCnhPsaaDXnPEAAmYKAvHI3n3BZw1-R2IrqmU4nZ4zPOSMPHRqbYGJ7T_-m-cTuUbn65Rrv8qqbYnE9mYcWrdpNjpWGMhGzPEsM9zHL3i0n6U11nsgf7w1pkEs/s1600/Screenshot-42.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
One day, the tip of the wand exploded in green light as she brought it down on its final arc. Dazzled at first, her eyes quickly adjusted and she picked out symbols - mathematical and other, unfamiliar glyphs - shimmering in the air for a moment before fading. The release of power channeled through the stick of wood had been incredible, and there was no denying that something had happened, even to her rational mind.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3gJ_UsY8HkMu5IetSk177S19BSnOZgMQ_MY-lg6y4FzoOeqw_kri7rIXxz5NvZsVjQAPyOXojyQ0ksOTPu45YlWxNQq2hBEu2KgFW5MMPv-YCUX50w3_dFitCwbFAJ3evUCH0CgqDs_0/s1600/Screenshot-44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3gJ_UsY8HkMu5IetSk177S19BSnOZgMQ_MY-lg6y4FzoOeqw_kri7rIXxz5NvZsVjQAPyOXojyQ0ksOTPu45YlWxNQq2hBEu2KgFW5MMPv-YCUX50w3_dFitCwbFAJ3evUCH0CgqDs_0/s1600/Screenshot-44.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Only then did she notice Shadow watching her from the corner. Tucking the wand away, she stepped over to him and picked him up, regarding the small creature.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKb2k4pFXOVik5IjITp8Q2TUqFZuYFgX5fwdcHQbCJNKmkcSJHYMlvGSud7c5O6z1yDqXDF3WkdDMIniDxQGlJQRXn5opyplnSOvCpnP3PlTb2KPnIz9wJ5Wh-MmlE3ojXPPSrcpFtpqw/s1600/Screenshot-46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKb2k4pFXOVik5IjITp8Q2TUqFZuYFgX5fwdcHQbCJNKmkcSJHYMlvGSud7c5O6z1yDqXDF3WkdDMIniDxQGlJQRXn5opyplnSOvCpnP3PlTb2KPnIz9wJ5Wh-MmlE3ojXPPSrcpFtpqw/s1600/Screenshot-46.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Epsilon: "Well then, Shadow, I'm either a witch or much crazier than I thought. Which is it, I wonder?"<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
~ * ~</div>
<br />
<i>Again, sorry. As you can see, I decided to ditch the idea of the prom chapter. There was just too much to stage, and the longer I waited the more daunting the task became. The good news is, I'm writing again. Next chapter is going to be entirely staged, but each picture is of something different, so it's not as scary as making the perfect prom night. After that, it's just pushing through to the end of this generation. I predict the generation hand-over to happen somewhere in the Chapter 52-55 range, depending on when exactly you define it. There's going to be a very clear point where generation 3 is now in charge, but it won't correspond exactly to where the rules would put it, so...you'll see. I'll try my best not to run off in a state of being busy and scared of an overly-ambitious scene again!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>On a story-related note, yes, Epsilon is a witch. Very exciting. I've met my quota for children becoming supernatural this generation, with one to spare! As far as the prom thing goes, well, she IS James's daughter. She might condemn his overtly evil schemes, but she's not above a teeny little bit of manipulation for the greater good, or at least for the good of her younger brother. Just don't lay it out like that to her, she'd get offended at the notion.</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i></i></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1480959486985392708.post-39068458780245899512013-08-05T20:59:00.000-04:002013-08-05T20:59:00.521-04:00So. This.Um. Yeah. Sorry. This summer has been crazy, with traveling and extra work shifts and stuff. By the time I get home I'm so tired, and the prom scene has been looming for so long that it feels like work, and I know I'll never be satisfied with it. Honestly, I'm toying with the idea of skipping the entire thing and jumping into the next chapter, leaving the exact events a mystery. It was all character development anyway, nothing too plot-centric, but it was an exciting chapter! So I don't know what I'll do, I just know that I have to start writing again, whether it's the prom chapter or the next one, otherwise I'll never get anything done in this legacy ever again.<br />
<br />
And that's the state of this legacy at the moment. I'll go slink off into my corner again and try to decide exactly how to give it a sharp kick in the butt to get it moving.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1480959486985392708.post-7941651274690362422013-05-21T15:12:00.001-04:002013-05-21T15:12:27.241-04:00Woods Random Legacy: Chapter 48 - ShadowOne cold winter night, the traveler found what it was looking for.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLsY0SN1keg-PtNeTqwjm4_ztCoxYZzDdVrk2eRtfndsOs_UNS2ezP8ugxrxgawZJ1RZ8Wcuq7Tw0AvhZ63iyUQkgB66gs4P4UGydu6rWRoYpn3qve_Zfyhx1bZgWrmDN66DKX0dGzJjc/s1600/Screenshot-420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLsY0SN1keg-PtNeTqwjm4_ztCoxYZzDdVrk2eRtfndsOs_UNS2ezP8ugxrxgawZJ1RZ8Wcuq7Tw0AvhZ63iyUQkgB66gs4P4UGydu6rWRoYpn3qve_Zfyhx1bZgWrmDN66DKX0dGzJjc/s1600/Screenshot-420.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Epsilon: "Hey, kitty! It's a pretty cold night to be out exploring, especially all the way up here in the graveyard."<br />
The cat purred, looking up at the girl.<br />
Epsilon: "You're all covered up in snow! The heat transfer has to be...hmm..."<br />
She bent down and rubbed under the cat's neck, feeling for tags or a collar but finding none.<br />
Epsilon: "You don't have anywhere to go, do you? Want to come back home with me?"<br />
It purred again, rubbing against her hand and legs, so she picked it up, standing. She thought that James wouldn't even notice if she brought home a stray, and there was just something about this cat. She felt almost as if she'd known it her whole life, but that was silly, because she'd only met it just now.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijIXrDQdNfYIHHFR2Hot_htrwu7azssXDIay2U_Dxq1u5V1_PPpEPwK5SugnMdS2EsgC7-OW-1APhoEuSrIZLvwIgRWeIr_eG4aLP_NDeAFKZBAAoUu6MZIPEyx7YQOnaC-8c_xCymFkY/s1600/Screenshot-429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijIXrDQdNfYIHHFR2Hot_htrwu7azssXDIay2U_Dxq1u5V1_PPpEPwK5SugnMdS2EsgC7-OW-1APhoEuSrIZLvwIgRWeIr_eG4aLP_NDeAFKZBAAoUu6MZIPEyx7YQOnaC-8c_xCymFkY/s1600/Screenshot-429.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Epsilon set up some basic supplies for it on the side porch, tucked away behind the chimney.<br />
Epsilon: "Here you go, little guy. I guess you need a name if you're going to stay here, huh?"<br />
She sat back on her heels, regarding the small feline thoughtfully.<br />
Epsilon: "Well, you're black, but not quite. Just slightly off, especially those markings around your face. It makes you hard to see, as you just blend into the shadows. Hmm, Shadow, I like that name. What do you think?"<br />
The cat butted its head up against her hand, only relenting when she gave it a gentle scratch behind the ears.<br />
Epsilon: "Alright, Shadow it is then. Come on inside, let's get some sleep."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEithQP_ubvRmnlu0UFQQ38a4kRb7veZCJkLmzx8VPsc9MVYzO8q9ldHXpm0VyipgzesDxqQVySW2m2CldZJxeJkETSphxHZBYhGZFS9n15iGtFGdM6fScpS-F6RX9smyTvVuEcR4gpKiGM/s1600/Screenshot-423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEithQP_ubvRmnlu0UFQQ38a4kRb7veZCJkLmzx8VPsc9MVYzO8q9ldHXpm0VyipgzesDxqQVySW2m2CldZJxeJkETSphxHZBYhGZFS9n15iGtFGdM6fScpS-F6RX9smyTvVuEcR4gpKiGM/s1600/Screenshot-423.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Epsilon was sleeping in Alpha's old bed now, as there wasn't much point to climbing on top of the bunk if there were only two of them in the room. Shadow followed her into the bedroom and confidently hopped up onto the bedside table, curling into a ball to sleep. It was as if they'd performed this routine a hundred times before.<br />
<br />
Soon it was time for Omicron to start high school. James, as usual, was being petulant.<br />
James: "I don't see why you need to go out and get a cake and all that. It's a bit much."<br />
Epsilon: "Oh my god. Look, if you're not going to eat cake, then go do the laundry or something."<br />
James: "Fine, I will!" <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGklPT7FB50J8V5PGKYxQEj1Y-4y8zawPaUqEjWtPJp9tBSQesKWcOjC43eudEjtgY52Z90FmExj9dpMmgo85ZOqP6-rDFkZq6Q2HyUVz5icMtDnBlYcyuU2BTl_XjRvcgXHIMyXJiPHY/s1600/Screenshot-425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGklPT7FB50J8V5PGKYxQEj1Y-4y8zawPaUqEjWtPJp9tBSQesKWcOjC43eudEjtgY52Z90FmExj9dpMmgo85ZOqP6-rDFkZq6Q2HyUVz5icMtDnBlYcyuU2BTl_XjRvcgXHIMyXJiPHY/s1600/Screenshot-425.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
James: "AHH ANOTHER ONE!"<br />
His two children just ignored him. Who knew what he was yelling about this time? It was probably something entirely ridiculous.<br />
James: "I am never doing laundry again, do you hear me? Never!" <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHtUhf8zsLZKkYJzIAX0ZENF-UbiIwMmzhgiq25X9BNUmQF5LRTIYnAFyJnGHZ7T-Ijv6rclY3ERYLvZGaKpsuNliCEUDFJzuOpxODNlu04GGXJ_EeDUNA7pHqZjdgZNlv_3Pj4xlZoIw/s1600/Screenshot-430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHtUhf8zsLZKkYJzIAX0ZENF-UbiIwMmzhgiq25X9BNUmQF5LRTIYnAFyJnGHZ7T-Ijv6rclY3ERYLvZGaKpsuNliCEUDFJzuOpxODNlu04GGXJ_EeDUNA7pHqZjdgZNlv_3Pj4xlZoIw/s1600/Screenshot-430.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Back in the kitchen, Epsilon cheered Omicron as he blew out the candles - all in one go!<br />
Omicron: "You know, I think it's probably bad luck that you found a black cat in the graveyard."<br />
Epsilon: "Don't be silly, there's no such thing as bad luck. That's just superstition."<br />
Omicron: "Whatever. I've got to go, I need to sign up for my after-school activities."<br />
Epsilon: "What are you taking?"<br />
Omicron: "I was thinking art and drama."<br />
Epsilon: "That sounds fun. See you later." <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYdyLtTPN5WTJziQdTXBPOeeM9lMONy6Rr2lrCPTKIffiRBoTaC5ky6D5MDWNNbZF96VyLlwwhaj6nnDMcI3rscWEOmBs4Eu_Cgh281RunTmSaIMhYgEadQGrhV1NYKCO4SwVkxnQCAD8/s1600/Screenshot-427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYdyLtTPN5WTJziQdTXBPOeeM9lMONy6Rr2lrCPTKIffiRBoTaC5ky6D5MDWNNbZF96VyLlwwhaj6nnDMcI3rscWEOmBs4Eu_Cgh281RunTmSaIMhYgEadQGrhV1NYKCO4SwVkxnQCAD8/s1600/Screenshot-427.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
James: "Stupid gnomes. Probably trying to take over the world. Well, I've got my eye on you."<br />
James was growing older as well. Determined to drag the center of attention back into himself, he threw his own birthday party. He sent out invitations to all of his old friends and bought a cake, but only one person ended up coming; he was pretty sure he hadn't even invited her, actually.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu6ZgxmjYHspIfAqUU5SGIzD4FD4HClvxNhPVrxHiUn2hWcRZVPwMB3iD6-kyd1EQbyit-SQ8EsW21JQus6BoEXcw38HSQ0mZG_uL01L5YHSBWiaszd2Wr3w4btVek5tFZ8OdMSD6_Xnc/s1600/Screenshot-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu6ZgxmjYHspIfAqUU5SGIzD4FD4HClvxNhPVrxHiUn2hWcRZVPwMB3iD6-kyd1EQbyit-SQ8EsW21JQus6BoEXcw38HSQ0mZG_uL01L5YHSBWiaszd2Wr3w4btVek5tFZ8OdMSD6_Xnc/s1600/Screenshot-13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Woman: "Oh my god, it's cake! I love cake! Can I eat the cake? Can I please?"<br />
James: "Get. Out. Of. My. House."<br />
Woman: "But...cake?"<br />
<br />
On Snowflake Day, Epsilon and Omicron woke up early to get the most out of the festivities.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmldL8SbdedtX4yjeSEzMfhIJZ_0n_mQS4LZBRt5MZQkzPlbMl0xaSp9PiC5G0eUvBa2gZLdm6mSgiD3Eyy47YpAViWn3XhQLEDFL7idEaxf-DbocMEWHW9M8y1ZCdcDoatuYxzNxDiWA/s1600/Screenshot-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmldL8SbdedtX4yjeSEzMfhIJZ_0n_mQS4LZBRt5MZQkzPlbMl0xaSp9PiC5G0eUvBa2gZLdm6mSgiD3Eyy47YpAViWn3XhQLEDFL7idEaxf-DbocMEWHW9M8y1ZCdcDoatuYxzNxDiWA/s1600/Screenshot-5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
While Epsilon enjoyed some pancakes, Omicron had cake for breakfast. It wasn't as if anyone was going to tell him not to.<br />
When the festival opened, the siblings were waiting, ready to try some new activities. Epsilon strapped on some ice skates and headed for the frozen pond.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKwNDXBidjvDmj-ima_R8WmB4d0aVJITtCY2hMp4nxOF_l7CIIem32hCMBB0LB_GjAP4INFSfD6Ke8gdsuQ_5B8bUWLAvBWTE9y916O1We5s4LxNhztIyRtWVwBshfa0Q0b5z_doR3cUw/s1600/Screenshot-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKwNDXBidjvDmj-ima_R8WmB4d0aVJITtCY2hMp4nxOF_l7CIIem32hCMBB0LB_GjAP4INFSfD6Ke8gdsuQ_5B8bUWLAvBWTE9y916O1We5s4LxNhztIyRtWVwBshfa0Q0b5z_doR3cUw/s1600/Screenshot-6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
It was tough going at first, but she soon found her balance. It was all a matter of physics, in the end, and taking it slow and steady at first was the best way to learn.<br />
Omicron was more ambitious in his choice of winter sports. Despite his sister's cautions that he couldn't even walk ten feet without tripping over nothing, he found himself drawn to the snowboarding half-pipe.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP12UkkChaExoKxvfJS_cSbvDy4RshfbjsIAGSAhHaPKxzAPgzyFOEnyuWfIYvcKW1pQyrY4NFKk-iEE9ws7KFTpgU7oecJ_kfYG-z95H-_hcD04xKYRkjhyHaN98ue3Rptms24P-ZWlU/s1600/Screenshot-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP12UkkChaExoKxvfJS_cSbvDy4RshfbjsIAGSAhHaPKxzAPgzyFOEnyuWfIYvcKW1pQyrY4NFKk-iEE9ws7KFTpgU7oecJ_kfYG-z95H-_hcD04xKYRkjhyHaN98ue3Rptms24P-ZWlU/s1600/Screenshot-8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
This didn't look so hard. He was even strapped to the board! How could he mess it up?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIGtVo4FP9Tpde0LiCFh0Zpg6LY5SFstVVHOsK2mxmgYrDi-4OdLqQn-W4XUGgEUBCYrdVdWiqBBml70jsGW3MyqW1GqawFOmQ5h1zeezOgqXRPk7USat7qqcQPR8if9QUjaWelXnrMs/s1600/Screenshot-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIGtVo4FP9Tpde0LiCFh0Zpg6LY5SFstVVHOsK2mxmgYrDi-4OdLqQn-W4XUGgEUBCYrdVdWiqBBml70jsGW3MyqW1GqawFOmQ5h1zeezOgqXRPk7USat7qqcQPR8if9QUjaWelXnrMs/s1600/Screenshot-9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
He soon found out. Painfully. Luckily nothing was broken, just a few bruises, but Omicron was done with sports for the day. He decided to make a snow man, instead. Feeling a bit of a rebellious streak today, he dressed it up like the grim reaper. That would shock everyone!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamNrBhEtZUI3FqOgLnQUMF3xxqVljikfFuQco8z0ZiBmBrBvfFNKXxpxkHkBvE4RC6yCRFYouviPEOLFICdhzghh8fNg7_Mml-vSxitdalMjBfnt89mYc4BekLbs3pWht99yTCO4au0o/s1600/Screenshot-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamNrBhEtZUI3FqOgLnQUMF3xxqVljikfFuQco8z0ZiBmBrBvfFNKXxpxkHkBvE4RC6yCRFYouviPEOLFICdhzghh8fNg7_Mml-vSxitdalMjBfnt89mYc4BekLbs3pWht99yTCO4au0o/s1600/Screenshot-14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
After he finished, he looked around the festival. His gaze fell upon a group of children on the other side of the park, and he swore under his breath. He wasn't being a rebel at all! What did you have to do to be edgy in this town?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6sWBkksZB-d886wDafgyPKuGzjCXh_HouwrY8-QXpH7Ef6DWnbED4khiIj7w8miUZt-QX-ly3RLZie6KVPKk8W7R5iZVbA8i8HUEbYcqEMIHtt6_bbpkyYoGmyKYKMRJzLfqBr83Poxg/s1600/Screenshot-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6sWBkksZB-d886wDafgyPKuGzjCXh_HouwrY8-QXpH7Ef6DWnbED4khiIj7w8miUZt-QX-ly3RLZie6KVPKk8W7R5iZVbA8i8HUEbYcqEMIHtt6_bbpkyYoGmyKYKMRJzLfqBr83Poxg/s1600/Screenshot-15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Noticing everybody else having so much fun with their snow men, Epsilon decided to make one of her own.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3dKvM71d-FqwruvE0m-PONTIT7FXhgRMWaH3Rzz1E55ZoGV3PRSeOWVdBLA49qaeP0lQkQjkD2veaPsSMlBp9y5KzYvLv5DbRDPgtJsSYodo_r5Pk6vlDugwPgwYw-XTwBj12qena1s/s1600/Screenshot-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3dKvM71d-FqwruvE0m-PONTIT7FXhgRMWaH3Rzz1E55ZoGV3PRSeOWVdBLA49qaeP0lQkQjkD2veaPsSMlBp9y5KzYvLv5DbRDPgtJsSYodo_r5Pk6vlDugwPgwYw-XTwBj12qena1s/s1600/Screenshot-18.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Grinning, she surveyed the army of grim reaper snow men, turning to look at her brother as he came over.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguK_xIS6f1ZTtpSC_JL8xBdL67tQuF9TMTK3mH7dGbkUlFmtdSjfK-xBLYBqBmJTnKqvczpwzmLCKqWt7jmVbSlr9Nv6O78hsyF4crf1PN1P5KIOd7Yq0-RIReJxLfsEme8lm5k_TuM8M/s1600/Screenshot-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguK_xIS6f1ZTtpSC_JL8xBdL67tQuF9TMTK3mH7dGbkUlFmtdSjfK-xBLYBqBmJTnKqvczpwzmLCKqWt7jmVbSlr9Nv6O78hsyF4crf1PN1P5KIOd7Yq0-RIReJxLfsEme8lm5k_TuM8M/s1600/Screenshot-19.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Epsilon: "It's like an army of grim reapers are taking over the park!"<br />
Omicron: "You're so weird, do you know that?"<br />
Epsilon: "Of course I do. We should be getting back home, prom's tonight."<br />
Omicron: "I'm still not sure if I want to go."<br />
Epsilon: "Of course you do. Alpha said she always regretted not being able to go. You'll have a good time."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyt7LyOOmXuwl-_4p-U9ZzM_FE9DHgcBilBhml-9OCE-TGf-wN1gafLuX3zAyXsKPfSlIgNhhiAlSJgJCELCSBjtJdNvNxM-OnRafyNWKOrCJta_URLa1KKFLg_TpaLn_PJ8JSssYan_c/s1600/Screenshot-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyt7LyOOmXuwl-_4p-U9ZzM_FE9DHgcBilBhml-9OCE-TGf-wN1gafLuX3zAyXsKPfSlIgNhhiAlSJgJCELCSBjtJdNvNxM-OnRafyNWKOrCJta_URLa1KKFLg_TpaLn_PJ8JSssYan_c/s1600/Screenshot-25.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Omicron hoped she was right. He'd had a hard time of it in elementary school, never really making any friends. Prom was supposed to be a night you'd remember for the rest of your life, and he didn't want that memory to be a bad one.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu9g32z_ixrbXYfLqy582XpHk3EHJHknhP4FZsIgD3X8ljTGfLWfiubcJpeG8eRU8rh47JtHZ82xAk8NQIDgyKtlYO5_2QhP-vjUTnuPoLrYg2ktUlrh9K6EHU1uMSWn27U91x6KHxMh0/s1600/Screenshot-26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu9g32z_ixrbXYfLqy582XpHk3EHJHknhP4FZsIgD3X8ljTGfLWfiubcJpeG8eRU8rh47JtHZ82xAk8NQIDgyKtlYO5_2QhP-vjUTnuPoLrYg2ktUlrh9K6EHU1uMSWn27U91x6KHxMh0/s1600/Screenshot-26.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Epsilon knew she was right. The kids didn't tease her as much as they had in elementary school, and she was sure it would be the same way for Omicron. It had taken her a few years, but she'd found her niche in the school's culture. A solitary, nerdy niche, yes, but a niche all the same. Omicron would too, he just had to be patient. Prom might be just the event to help him out.<br />
<br />
That same night, the night of the old solstice, an envoy sought an audience with an ancient king.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gl2wjih6qZMwByYPHjqP05V-FF0VLgCLStroM0RBIHAza4C9uPebwjp_a9IBkwTr2WKEqeij2JbKGAyZ55kz0pTrcl1zV6zk79DF4jyKewOTJGI0bg-vxqLUpAatU_tt4Mlbk2fmDvY/s1600/Screenshot-444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gl2wjih6qZMwByYPHjqP05V-FF0VLgCLStroM0RBIHAza4C9uPebwjp_a9IBkwTr2WKEqeij2JbKGAyZ55kz0pTrcl1zV6zk79DF4jyKewOTJGI0bg-vxqLUpAatU_tt4Mlbk2fmDvY/s1600/Screenshot-444.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
There was much to discuss.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
~ * ~</div>
<i><br /></i>
<i>And so the "panther" is revealed...to be a housecat. Sorry for the lack of scale context in the picture I ended the last chapter with, I didn't even think of that when I posted it.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>James is an elder now. He's certainly having a bit of a rough time of it, but it's kind of his own fault due to that attitude.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I don't know why everybody is making grim reaper snowmen. It was totally creepy. And please ignore the outfit stupidity - Omicron and Epsilon kept trying to change into their everyday outfits when at the festival.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I just noticed when writing this that there were a few pictures where I forgot to put the walls up. Ajsgjerwh >_<</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1480959486985392708.post-59862813977875268252013-05-17T19:13:00.001-04:002013-05-17T19:13:22.964-04:00Woods Random Legacy: Chapter 47 - A Life of Her OwnDearest Epsilon,<br />
I know you prefer traditional, handwritten letters, so I've taken time out of my busy schedule to write you one. I know it's been a few weeks already, and I'm sorry about the delay. It's been hard adjusting to life here, especially the roommate situation. I'm staying in Malan Hall.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZizpCAuf60Z1z1dwYiUr3PK7-GJyYYmPDfjrxQFftGNqdgGtFNZqcyrdZ1mv9_uipIciwlHqDdXJ9fXVENhtzgwLEhvsTJXU-iKJqQY5_ClpIVzSeP6VV46wtVclfhdv7hMVOFh2pTM/s1600/Screenshot-81.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZizpCAuf60Z1z1dwYiUr3PK7-GJyYYmPDfjrxQFftGNqdgGtFNZqcyrdZ1mv9_uipIciwlHqDdXJ9fXVENhtzgwLEhvsTJXU-iKJqQY5_ClpIVzSeP6VV46wtVclfhdv7hMVOFh2pTM/s1600/Screenshot-81.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
While the housing is included in the price of tuition, it means that I have to share the building with seven other people. I wasn't even lucky enough to have my room to myself. Luckily the girl I'm sharing with is hardly ever there, so I can get a few precious moments to myself.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXzIkACN6IQ3bBUYEKRPyxumBxRn2Ggvhp7A1ZdOHZlo9DjJGjENrDcDbvsm-JghYnWS4mz98vV2_S44-mQJHMSi0MFIa_Bk9q9w3yw9ep7lD-r_1sbnzhyphenhyphenJRvBMyezQMkqvR6Un4KSpI/s1600/Screenshot-82.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXzIkACN6IQ3bBUYEKRPyxumBxRn2Ggvhp7A1ZdOHZlo9DjJGjENrDcDbvsm-JghYnWS4mz98vV2_S44-mQJHMSi0MFIa_Bk9q9w3yw9ep7lD-r_1sbnzhyphenhyphenJRvBMyezQMkqvR6Un4KSpI/s1600/Screenshot-82.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
When I feel the need to get out of the dormitory, to be properly alone, there's plenty of spots to hide away around the campus. Nobody ever comes poking around the roofs.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqvzShMSS96OpwGt3yVnfGD2iojLcjGNQ-s0Yrkss9uCLLHOr_hyhONvkRpWJKxGd4zRNUqPh1MRqil9jTeJpctvy-eLTSJBxNoosEyyDbAKYS1mrWPsMyeYJL4Y0-2jkCSmfe2S8Cl5Y/s1600/Screenshot-86.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqvzShMSS96OpwGt3yVnfGD2iojLcjGNQ-s0Yrkss9uCLLHOr_hyhONvkRpWJKxGd4zRNUqPh1MRqil9jTeJpctvy-eLTSJBxNoosEyyDbAKYS1mrWPsMyeYJL4Y0-2jkCSmfe2S8Cl5Y/s1600/Screenshot-86.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
As a technology major, I'm required to maintain and experiment with some equipment that was leased to me by the school. It's been quite a challenge, but rewarding when I finally get it right.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwqV9kVq8HwOUN-GAgKWcls1H8sH0mu3SFUNDd81jPC2WEQxZEuxezvJjtCMxsnmW7jaJlx_7ObYBr532y7YlQd7voBKAfhGqE9sQGBVhV6Crd5dq0JBu4bcy5GbU36xQYAKbC_5xhf5c/s1600/Screenshot-89.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwqV9kVq8HwOUN-GAgKWcls1H8sH0mu3SFUNDd81jPC2WEQxZEuxezvJjtCMxsnmW7jaJlx_7ObYBr532y7YlQd7voBKAfhGqE9sQGBVhV6Crd5dq0JBu4bcy5GbU36xQYAKbC_5xhf5c/s1600/Screenshot-89.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Classes are interesting, you would like them. Sometimes things can be frustratingly ridiculous, though, like when the stupid mascot shows up. All of the other students laugh like it's hilarious, but it's really just disruptive.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ4wswjuCLLAikFeuFCYOqf-yIhMkOQnSgwX3dxMp7azoCUDkG2Pmut1_mx6IJMEpBCboiafI5iaDoXkRyUX4kc3Wl6vqs2VpCAgrsN_zhLbrLVqkAoAAfkZwng92jqUKAm4X2uJTbAEY/s1600/Screenshot-91.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ4wswjuCLLAikFeuFCYOqf-yIhMkOQnSgwX3dxMp7azoCUDkG2Pmut1_mx6IJMEpBCboiafI5iaDoXkRyUX4kc3Wl6vqs2VpCAgrsN_zhLbrLVqkAoAAfkZwng92jqUKAm4X2uJTbAEY/s1600/Screenshot-91.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
When the lectures are serious, though, I do learn a lot. Definitely more than I learned back at the high school in Sunset Valley.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0QhPsK0kEqb7YiZwLUdJYY7gNtes_gk6sRv_k7XxoyitemEw10zUixGtHblWJIDQ2y9zG2XCHscoxzuGw3iJvfuP6w4UVKNJBnd1lJmJP7Mdq0I52dJ3hQ2W9V0oOj8A9G9tHakKosc/s1600/Screenshot-92.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0QhPsK0kEqb7YiZwLUdJYY7gNtes_gk6sRv_k7XxoyitemEw10zUixGtHblWJIDQ2y9zG2XCHscoxzuGw3iJvfuP6w4UVKNJBnd1lJmJP7Mdq0I52dJ3hQ2W9V0oOj8A9G9tHakKosc/s1600/Screenshot-92.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Anyway, write back soon! I want to know how things are going back home. Is Omicron still having trouble with the kids at school? How's work been?<br />
Yours,<br />
Alpha<br />
<br />
Dear Epsilon,<br />
I know, I know, I kept trying to visit but I was so busy over term break! I tried to stop by, but Dad was there, and I didn't want to deal with him again, so I just went back to Valerie's. Thanks so much for spotting me the extra cash to rent my own place, this time. It couldn't have been avoided last term, as all underclassmen have to stay in dormitories, but I'm definitely enjoying the peace of having my own place.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5VkJShYUn1JsnxSgHU5FdkpfV9K1gRT6Ox_E-WbsBL1pxqmXIeiKYGWsDAVCtoDTwu5wPq6p8Wvf1A6nnTHAqpKU8PKqhIRwNy2B0v492Oirp4Fv3cwfc5WIo04JhuL9z9nuwNoA9g_k/s1600/Screenshot-95.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5VkJShYUn1JsnxSgHU5FdkpfV9K1gRT6Ox_E-WbsBL1pxqmXIeiKYGWsDAVCtoDTwu5wPq6p8Wvf1A6nnTHAqpKU8PKqhIRwNy2B0v492Oirp4Fv3cwfc5WIo04JhuL9z9nuwNoA9g_k/s1600/Screenshot-95.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Of course, as an upperclassman, I have a lot more work to do, especially since I signed up for the maximum amount of credits. I had to give a presentation about database organization yesterday. I was pretty nervous, having to get up in front of my entire class, but I think it turned out well.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GMuaAMoWbtogjSf3tlwUlLzcLcAie2K7wLCyBosTAf7kdzu7b5k2Lsc5xteCS70iCxl3Lx6XLkbcObMaKdxQX_Xhz-zxdfLM-YGfJU_WQ1egrOMfHINabR6IPDWfPx9OAaBlvadqavA/s1600/Screenshot-99.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GMuaAMoWbtogjSf3tlwUlLzcLcAie2K7wLCyBosTAf7kdzu7b5k2Lsc5xteCS70iCxl3Lx6XLkbcObMaKdxQX_Xhz-zxdfLM-YGfJU_WQ1egrOMfHINabR6IPDWfPx9OAaBlvadqavA/s1600/Screenshot-99.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
There's lots of social groups on campus. Even though I don't really hang out with them too much, the science nerds let me try out the contraption they've been building on campus.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8-TDz9w_xjfQ22nUhe5K2pZWFIwUtmncI7AsbSeKL19OD5Vuf2vm1ew_pdoyaAN7DGN3XGlpUTHxAnc9YtXP9uYt3MZwxv0p0HPpi5MYEt65Mzgny99quOIfbewgiKIPyt27DGeInGo/s1600/Screenshot-100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8-TDz9w_xjfQ22nUhe5K2pZWFIwUtmncI7AsbSeKL19OD5Vuf2vm1ew_pdoyaAN7DGN3XGlpUTHxAnc9YtXP9uYt3MZwxv0p0HPpi5MYEt65Mzgny99quOIfbewgiKIPyt27DGeInGo/s1600/Screenshot-100.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I have no idea what it actually does, but it spins around when you turn it on, and the air inside it starts changing color. It's almost like the spinning is causing some sort of a field that changes the physical properties of the air. You'd understand it better than I would, Epsi.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILxC29yjvT5AYt91zBVSCMsVOTUV9IdcmVds2vpqtMXCwKQ7mazhuRvttAUTFLno_kT35ZWYOlJCDYy1F-XBY5QWFtT46-x_CH5vU-Ix-n8J2vEcVMOAGxRBmEkW_Yq5x6TvR5z-8500/s1600/Screenshot-102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILxC29yjvT5AYt91zBVSCMsVOTUV9IdcmVds2vpqtMXCwKQ7mazhuRvttAUTFLno_kT35ZWYOlJCDYy1F-XBY5QWFtT46-x_CH5vU-Ix-n8J2vEcVMOAGxRBmEkW_Yq5x6TvR5z-8500/s1600/Screenshot-102.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
It's going to be a challenge to get a 4.0 GPA again, but I know I can do it. I just have to keep working hard.<br />
Yours,<br />
Alpha<br />
<br />
Soon enough, it was time for Alpha to graduate. She'd managed to achieve a 4.0 GPA for her second term, sealing her position on the Dean's List. As she left the ceremony, she watched all of the other students mingling with their loved ones and regretted that there was nobody here for her. With a sigh, she set off towards her rented home to get some sleep before she had to move back to Sunset Valley tomorrow.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9VIUI5fR50CvS6il1URSSaUDAByxbQTu-CEgAdhTVsJ8iAog2w5xaDGWG3IpxwFzcnDYArZZ5X8BKPrkLaRIwrBYz3lVTtWDPZ-gL9Eq0UxaW461VXrVV4YKbddi-6kQ0rcsqc7EUAo/s1600/Screenshot-410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9VIUI5fR50CvS6il1URSSaUDAByxbQTu-CEgAdhTVsJ8iAog2w5xaDGWG3IpxwFzcnDYArZZ5X8BKPrkLaRIwrBYz3lVTtWDPZ-gL9Eq0UxaW461VXrVV4YKbddi-6kQ0rcsqc7EUAo/s1600/Screenshot-410.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Epsilon: "Hey! Al!"<br />
Alpha turned at the sound of her sister's voice.<br />
Alpha: "Epsi! What are you doing here?"<br />
Epsilon: "I caught the bus up. I didn't want you to graduate all by yourself, after all."<br />
Alpha: "You didn't have to do that."<br />
Epsilon: "Of course I did, don't be stupid. So, what's next?"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrlzptbeizB4mv3EHbE298qlZ8ovvbhU13vh_RbMvhRnp2wsNQ43LeRE4M8OMDhJrWrUFwOaTIcTqBsv6WEWq6iyu0fcwXOOMBilanTKy8zzHEbdxG4powO0ctVkOlINqkNrBjTIyHWt4/s1600/Screenshot-414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrlzptbeizB4mv3EHbE298qlZ8ovvbhU13vh_RbMvhRnp2wsNQ43LeRE4M8OMDhJrWrUFwOaTIcTqBsv6WEWq6iyu0fcwXOOMBilanTKy8zzHEbdxG4powO0ctVkOlINqkNrBjTIyHWt4/s1600/Screenshot-414.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Alpha: "For me? Well, I have a job offer from the military. They'd be starting me as a Squad Leader."<br />
Epsilon wrinkled her nose a bit at that.<br />
Epsilon: "The military? I don't know, Al."<br />
Alpha: "They pay well, and as a Squad Leader I wouldn't be under contract. I could leave if I didn't like it. It's apparently a much more technical position than what you'd get just enlisting at the military base back home, and it's not uncommon for technology graduates to work there."<br />
Epsilon: "I guess it wouldn't be so bad. It's not like we're at war, and it doesn't look like anything's heating up in the world.<br />
Alpha: "Exactly. I promise I'll write home when I can, and visit when I get leave."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Gip86TZwu2_kYd_H9f_BhY8zfH_MsWW4L8Y4chpCnknfRygUxndCD9WHE21N0cv2BzLlpwOOlDluveu22hodmVq-e5UiIedekqJQDx53gJtctxULS2sEVKgez9c-n-E9VlCdWd_1JPI/s1600/Screenshot-411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Gip86TZwu2_kYd_H9f_BhY8zfH_MsWW4L8Y4chpCnknfRygUxndCD9WHE21N0cv2BzLlpwOOlDluveu22hodmVq-e5UiIedekqJQDx53gJtctxULS2sEVKgez9c-n-E9VlCdWd_1JPI/s1600/Screenshot-411.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The sisters said their goodbyes at Alpha's ceremony, but Omicron had to wait until Alpha had returned to Sunset Valley. Alpha made sure that her brother knew that she was only an e-mail away, before packing her things yet again to catch her military transport.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3EDS1QMDVcGbur1cYecE9hAm5mAOEco_NeOjJqGqX2zXEJNqqDQW4rmTZsQzs7sxn9rRaWKkuvHJZpTXnyu10otfbe1KS3E5ieGrYTzEW9C__6LLbv5Gh7ydy2UMkEQTsENInGWjyM_A/s1600/Screenshot-415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3EDS1QMDVcGbur1cYecE9hAm5mAOEco_NeOjJqGqX2zXEJNqqDQW4rmTZsQzs7sxn9rRaWKkuvHJZpTXnyu10otfbe1KS3E5ieGrYTzEW9C__6LLbv5Gh7ydy2UMkEQTsENInGWjyM_A/s1600/Screenshot-415.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
As it had been on the night Alpha left for university, it was snowing as she made her way to the waiting taxi. On the other side of town, another traveler was also making its own way through the deepening snow. It had traveled a long way, and its journey was almost over.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzTwW1gTwSXMZOP4Sebpp0njcNWeVA7Z_Ta8IhFwi4A7TTXACFeFaQXYXUswsPpLjCHmxJRjmpvVqh3kcU_XMmaaG-qUkRmcPJ6raaBQDhkeiHWr6IFFxalzi60YRfGLNTYGHJfKxoq18/s1600/Screenshot-417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzTwW1gTwSXMZOP4Sebpp0njcNWeVA7Z_Ta8IhFwi4A7TTXACFeFaQXYXUswsPpLjCHmxJRjmpvVqh3kcU_XMmaaG-qUkRmcPJ6raaBQDhkeiHWr6IFFxalzi60YRfGLNTYGHJfKxoq18/s1600/Screenshot-417.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
~ * ~<br />
<br />
<a href="http://t89sims.blogspot.com/2013/01/woods-random-legacy-chapter-16.html">Correspondence</a> redux! Epsilon does like her old-fashioned letters, she gets that from her mother.<br />
<br />
This is it for Alpha, as far as her being a playable legacy spare is concerned. What happens to her from here on out is largely to be determined by story progression. The Magician hasn't forgotten about her, but he's patient in a way that only a vampire of over a thousand years can be. I'm still waiting myself to see if anything comes of his run-in with Alpha, or if he gets distracted by more pressing matters. Time will tell.<br />
<br />
Please ignore the fact that it's winter in the legacy hood and summer/fall in the university hood. I don't know how to fix this, and it really irritates me.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1480959486985392708.post-79012029241174541052013-05-13T17:48:00.002-04:002013-05-13T17:48:24.926-04:00Woods Random Legacy: Chapter 46 - GraduationAfter Omicron's first day of school, his sister was waiting for him in the playground next to the schoolhouse.Epsilon: "That bad, huh?"<br />
Omicron: "It was awful! I thought I'd have so many friends, but they all just laughed at me."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikaQG22vis-MVve05EV51Z_aR6UoQz6O2dPVO4Ub_6nBmjwJCfOH0iwx3gGM5ltCsX97y4-b8JI6Qto1-YXoPQKDQqXuSTPImLULjIkGTRlb2u7cIs0drMgu9L4Le1PMFIeXnM1BuqCGE/s1600/Screenshot-51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikaQG22vis-MVve05EV51Z_aR6UoQz6O2dPVO4Ub_6nBmjwJCfOH0iwx3gGM5ltCsX97y4-b8JI6Qto1-YXoPQKDQqXuSTPImLULjIkGTRlb2u7cIs0drMgu9L4Le1PMFIeXnM1BuqCGE/s1600/Screenshot-51.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Epsilon frowned sympathetically. It sounded just like her first day, except it probably hit Omicron even harder because Epsilon hadn't expected to have any friends. She never could have anticipated how cruel the other children would be, though.<br />
Epsilon: "They teased you about your mom?"<br />
Omicron: "Yeah. They kept saying that I didn't look anything like her, and that she wasn't around because she was ashamed of me. She's not, right?"<br />
He looked up at his older sister, tears starting to form in his eyes.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsPvfppK1NgrOd2mtXbEfv5ENCxiItCLVuiz-PTfgCUBdSYqLIBrpdFe7TzlxY5zdycXG7vRw91ajCZIiNN7CHahfMBwsp1dFEs38pO-KuitNV9FiRTvlops6I7n9AW7ZFdzAr_sQRPs/s1600/Screenshot-52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsPvfppK1NgrOd2mtXbEfv5ENCxiItCLVuiz-PTfgCUBdSYqLIBrpdFe7TzlxY5zdycXG7vRw91ajCZIiNN7CHahfMBwsp1dFEs38pO-KuitNV9FiRTvlops6I7n9AW7ZFdzAr_sQRPs/s1600/Screenshot-52.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Epsilon: "Of course she's not! Why would she be? I was too young to remember, but Al told me - your mom left because Dad threatened her. He won't let her come around you, that's all, it's nothing to do with you."<br />
Omicron folded his arms tightly and frowned, blinking the tears away.<br />
Omicron: "Why did he have to do that? I hate him."<br />
Epsilon: "I don't know, Omi. It doesn't make any sense."<br />
He sighed and unfolded his arms, looking around the playground.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgioklLBt98ty_X0Kfg2gFu6wOpUH2gV2IsornLe_7V3Vtyig64NkrntpHuD-5nb4W5by0X9hsTC_dd1XbhvM-jNYKRU0YgdhwDNJ6J3mCzdC3g83dwh0hsPQxhkQ3rQmWhQe0ZLep7arA/s1600/Screenshot-56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgioklLBt98ty_X0Kfg2gFu6wOpUH2gV2IsornLe_7V3Vtyig64NkrntpHuD-5nb4W5by0X9hsTC_dd1XbhvM-jNYKRU0YgdhwDNJ6J3mCzdC3g83dwh0hsPQxhkQ3rQmWhQe0ZLep7arA/s1600/Screenshot-56.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Omicron: "How'd you do it?"<br />
Epsilon: "Huh? Do what?"<br />
Omicron: "Your hair. Big Sis said that they teased you about it, and I remember how it was before. It was all...funny."<br />
Epsilon's voice was bitter as she replied.<br />
Epsilon: "And now it's not?"<br />
Omicron: "No! Well, I guess, but it's less funny. I like it."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFt9pbw9PdGTDC6VL-bbbXO0ShulIXMvr4fX4z8klz59HrhyphenhyphenAOYWOR_sRSj7Oxdq1PUQscinGpUS3dgG1mySsV53sjBwG8yQDaLltCo9ssC2rKCfWI4d290LDFAHGKrVuBmZ45wcL-q28/s1600/Screenshot-58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFt9pbw9PdGTDC6VL-bbbXO0ShulIXMvr4fX4z8klz59HrhyphenhyphenAOYWOR_sRSj7Oxdq1PUQscinGpUS3dgG1mySsV53sjBwG8yQDaLltCo9ssC2rKCfWI4d290LDFAHGKrVuBmZ45wcL-q28/s1600/Screenshot-58.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Epsilon: "Well, thanks, I guess. Nobody else does, they still tease me for it as much as before. I guess I've just gotten better at ignoring it."<br />
Omicron: "Well, I still like it. It looks like that stuff I learned about in class today, um...the white stuff that comes during winter?"<br />
Epsilon smiled a little.<br />
Epsilon: "Snow?"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2m-h82FV63Lge4bmx5Crr3psKP2LnEmNDKS5Hh_CUfJaHnkIXhZ1PB2uYTUDMYVTq9eMLFKT32at48Idoo3s_Zjf6D_pngEsOnXwv7yoxNS3PBUfg9-iFiTH3vof1D3Ry_AVFvkEFTkU/s1600/Screenshot-57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2m-h82FV63Lge4bmx5Crr3psKP2LnEmNDKS5Hh_CUfJaHnkIXhZ1PB2uYTUDMYVTq9eMLFKT32at48Idoo3s_Zjf6D_pngEsOnXwv7yoxNS3PBUfg9-iFiTH3vof1D3Ry_AVFvkEFTkU/s1600/Screenshot-57.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Omicron: "Yeah, that's it! It's like that, I think it makes you special."<br />
Epsilon: "Thanks. I'm getting used to it, I guess."<br />
Their conversation fell silent as the two siblings looked around the empty playground.<br />
Omicron: "We should go. We're gonna miss the bus."<br />
Epsilon: "Already did, I saw it go while we were talking. Don't worry, I have some money for a ticket on the regular bus. Al was right, odd jobs around the school pay really well."<br />
Omicron: "Maybe they'll let me do some when I'm bigger like you."<br />
Epsilon: "I'm sure they will."<br />
<br />
Soon it was time for graduations. Both Alpha and Epsilon were graduating their respective schools this time around, though only the older sister had a school-organized ceremony to attend. So as not to let her younger sister feel left out, Alpha splurged on a cake that the younger Woods children could enjoy while she was at the school.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7hxh8AaciKP86MFMsqdDrq_G55pl_YY9zfTBIsRdP81pDPSv0wJu3468c41xfrS3qvkUOSKlS8TRzx_wTqNjaANo3WJOkEYxCN2xQK7Q9Auvoh5CRkaH1TAHjU_pYG4NIVYVN1RPIQE/s1600/Screenshot-67.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7hxh8AaciKP86MFMsqdDrq_G55pl_YY9zfTBIsRdP81pDPSv0wJu3468c41xfrS3qvkUOSKlS8TRzx_wTqNjaANo3WJOkEYxCN2xQK7Q9Auvoh5CRkaH1TAHjU_pYG4NIVYVN1RPIQE/s1600/Screenshot-67.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
She had to be careful with her limited funds, but elementary school graduation only came once in a child's life. If there was ever a time when it was okay to drop $30 on a cake, that was it. She graduated with highest honors, though her classmates were stumped as to what to caption her yearbook photo with. They finally decided on "most likely to never leave the house," which Alpha had to admit was somewhat descriptive of her high school career. The house was empty when she arrived home - Saturdays tended to be like that - and as she unpacked her bag the university admissions kit she'd been given at graduation caught her eye. University was expensive, so there was no way she'd ever be able to afford to go. But surely it wouldn't hurt to take the test, just to see whether she'd make it in or not. Hypothetically speaking.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpPJU27mz8Dc1Ac29A6bTXxGhwg_wj3nE8xVR6rKnwMImlzMrnsJJCljDJudh4ModyB_7gn9qL4DkrXUMPxKvNdV4vMpHn_bxM4q6giX5ppsBq8FOGuhXYFNE_YkGN9HS8BzDCR_h9_rI/s1600/Screenshot-68.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpPJU27mz8Dc1Ac29A6bTXxGhwg_wj3nE8xVR6rKnwMImlzMrnsJJCljDJudh4ModyB_7gn9qL4DkrXUMPxKvNdV4vMpHn_bxM4q6giX5ppsBq8FOGuhXYFNE_YkGN9HS8BzDCR_h9_rI/s1600/Screenshot-68.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
After all, merely taking the test didn't mean she'd have to go anywhere. It was just an idle amusement for a quiet afternoon, that was all.<br />
<br />
The results of the test surprised her. She hadn't thought that she had many skills that a university would appreciate, but she tested high enough to receive awards in both the technology and physical education subjects. More importantly, as a result of her well-rounded skills, the university was offering her a $1000 partial scholarship. She crunched the numbers, double- and triple-checking every operation, but she could still hardly believe her results. If she took a 12-credit load, even the partial scholarship would be enough to cover her tuition and housing. She could go to university! As soon as Epsilon walked in the door, Alpha ambushed her with the news.<br />
Alpha: "You'll never believe what I just figured out."<br />
Epsilon blinked in confusion, looking distracted.<br />
Epsilon: "Huh? What?"<br />
Alpha: "Earth to Epsi! Get out of your own head for a minute so I can talk to you, and then you can go back to whatever it is you were thinking about, okay?"<br />
Epsilon: "Yeah, I'm sorry. What did you figure out, Al?"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoaR5kFghNLhzj6tUpo75GZ_m6Np6xwG4qmppnflYlKY9qVYKFROB4ZOBJt76DNVC6sqE3aeKMLmJlrlOaE0d66-9vI9U4Cs7R5SsA7-E8X7BrTtFjHlQclEKXtVuSE8SFJg_pnAInz0Q/s1600/Screenshot-73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoaR5kFghNLhzj6tUpo75GZ_m6Np6xwG4qmppnflYlKY9qVYKFROB4ZOBJt76DNVC6sqE3aeKMLmJlrlOaE0d66-9vI9U4Cs7R5SsA7-E8X7BrTtFjHlQclEKXtVuSE8SFJg_pnAInz0Q/s1600/Screenshot-73.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Alpha: "I took the SAT, and I can hardly believe it, but I qualify for a partial scholarship that will cover all of my expenses if I don't take a full load."<br />
Epsilon: "That's great! I know you wanted to go if you could, but there wasn't a whole lot of money."<br />
Alpha: "Oh no, there's plenty of money. We're just not allowed to touch it."<br />
Her dry reply was tinged with disgust, though she kept her expression neutral.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN3C7V0-CFoz58Z7tSlyc83yEGvAeWdtVuB9Mm9-03I_0l3c6Zs5SVdRYVslTkmsmeInq_EfSH_c5JlvGbVv-tM8XeqWBAuu_SAl1VIcafmtEAwVelFn1fgoMnKvk6fjSxoivPe9_Isl8/s1600/Screenshot-71.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN3C7V0-CFoz58Z7tSlyc83yEGvAeWdtVuB9Mm9-03I_0l3c6Zs5SVdRYVslTkmsmeInq_EfSH_c5JlvGbVv-tM8XeqWBAuu_SAl1VIcafmtEAwVelFn1fgoMnKvk6fjSxoivPe9_Isl8/s1600/Screenshot-71.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Epsilon: "Omi will be, I think, when he's older. Dad likes him. Well, kind of. At least more than he's ever liked either of us. Anyway, don't get frustrated thinking about that. You're going to university, that's a good thing. You should focus on that."<br />
Alpha: "You're right. I'm happy that I can go, but I'm not sure if I should or not."<br />
Epsilon: "What do you mean? Of course you should go!"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Alpha: "I don't want to leave you two alone here. You're still both young, and-"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKS_KRQIbRYF80QkWYB-m9mUy7o03P_DJKQsKPtkGOy5Bn3z-X9_QYVpomGb0t2lPVi10cevlPT21TjtT3OpamNzGFhrQvvm1LUGHT9moc8vjcVe4-0u5Dtb6tj8d598sj3511vgcOD80/s1600/Screenshot-74.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKS_KRQIbRYF80QkWYB-m9mUy7o03P_DJKQsKPtkGOy5Bn3z-X9_QYVpomGb0t2lPVi10cevlPT21TjtT3OpamNzGFhrQvvm1LUGHT9moc8vjcVe4-0u5Dtb6tj8d598sj3511vgcOD80/s1600/Screenshot-74.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Epsilon interrupted her.<br />
Epsilon: "Don't worry, we'll be fine. We're not that little anymore. Omi's old enough to be in school, and I went out today and got a part-time job. We'll have plenty of money once I get my first paycheck."<br />
Alpha: "Oh, really? I could never do that because I had to take care of the two of you, but I guess you don't have to worry about that. Where'd you find work?"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqs75zST9FOSDPp1uWh7dWWmIIt52yPPQVt4tX4ChCRk79Bl_QYJPJ1X7NCEE8mxa5_XVQwdUB8w2HqMjXgxGxh5VF0ZsCvpzH_UZLslxA552XkJ5jB5HlM6U8ZyQRpsmbe-Uyy-O98C8/s1600/Screenshot-69.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqs75zST9FOSDPp1uWh7dWWmIIt52yPPQVt4tX4ChCRk79Bl_QYJPJ1X7NCEE8mxa5_XVQwdUB8w2HqMjXgxGxh5VF0ZsCvpzH_UZLslxA552XkJ5jB5HlM6U8ZyQRpsmbe-Uyy-O98C8/s1600/Screenshot-69.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Epsilon: "At the graveyard. I'm going to be a Burial Specialist, whatever that means. It's probably a glorified go-fer, but I don't mind. They're paying me a lot, because apparently working there creeps most people out."<br />
Alpha: "I thought cemeteries creeped you out, too."<br />
Epsilon: "No! I don't know how many times I have to tell you, Al. They're not creepy, only the one we have is creepy."<br />
Alpha: "Are you sure you weren't just feeling sick that day, or something?"<br />
Epsilon: "Definitely not. I went back a few days later to make sure I hadn't been imagining things, and I felt the exact same way once I got inside."<br />
Alpha: "That doesn't make any sense."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPLto0zpx3_GlIju8gc1hD-A1j5h9JF-6ySIIK2tyG4bW5UX4CwtMRc_GhyrEeKIIIt2aExq65VNxfmaMBGyudY3eaDwFkpGhkWl3uWrgdue5huFmK8CgFB5ePX9KYE7r1rmHs7nO0HVM/s1600/Screenshot-72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPLto0zpx3_GlIju8gc1hD-A1j5h9JF-6ySIIK2tyG4bW5UX4CwtMRc_GhyrEeKIIIt2aExq65VNxfmaMBGyudY3eaDwFkpGhkWl3uWrgdue5huFmK8CgFB5ePX9KYE7r1rmHs7nO0HVM/s1600/Screenshot-72.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Epsilon: "I know. There's no explanation for it, and it really bothers me. But anyway, I don't feel that way when I go to the one up the hill. So that's where I'll be working."<br />
Alpha: "At night?"<br />
Epsilon made a face.<br />
Epsilon: "Yeah, I know, vampires. I'll be very careful, I promise. I know you met one once, but don't you think that one might have just gotten way too into Spooky Day? I checked all the town records, and nobody's gone missing or any strange happenings like that. He was probably just traveling, or something."<br />
Alpha: "You're probably right. Still, you're my little sister, and it's my job to make sure you're careful."<br />
Epsilon: "Oh, I definitely will be."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGO7ULac6nstoRIhsghmrLP65Cz24stW909fBStyAyUI9UB5oKLbtTwHSaYtSg5Aqn3JH3jsTd7TMcR9Kz9a6xKbTZd6hX5qnrRAPeCorjoQJxWNK5aW17djBuILb0Vc2aZgFkirx4tNU/s1600/Screenshot-75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGO7ULac6nstoRIhsghmrLP65Cz24stW909fBStyAyUI9UB5oKLbtTwHSaYtSg5Aqn3JH3jsTd7TMcR9Kz9a6xKbTZd6hX5qnrRAPeCorjoQJxWNK5aW17djBuILb0Vc2aZgFkirx4tNU/s1600/Screenshot-75.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
They hugged, Alpha burying her face into her sister's soft, white hair.<br />
Alpha: "I'll miss you guys so much!"<br />
Epsilon: "I'll miss you, too. Don't forget to write, okay? Proper letters."<br />
Alpha: "I won't. I'll give you my phone extension once I know it, so you can call and yell at me if I do forget."<br />
Epsilon: "Count on it."<br />
<br />
There was only one more thing left to do before Alpha could leave for university.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF74rBrhp65KYiWS-j-31w0lL_O79x7mvlfzq5ihg2Gd1k9ytJZfScgRywYfFPBtiM1Vf1OynGuTe9cFH7TUHXhQ8cTF2G-if8A8UxNNAf4xWrD8UcfzZhzC-lh3o8e2AkqPItq8iGOy0/s1600/Screenshot-76.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF74rBrhp65KYiWS-j-31w0lL_O79x7mvlfzq5ihg2Gd1k9ytJZfScgRywYfFPBtiM1Vf1OynGuTe9cFH7TUHXhQ8cTF2G-if8A8UxNNAf4xWrD8UcfzZhzC-lh3o8e2AkqPItq8iGOy0/s1600/Screenshot-76.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
James: "Um, excuse me, I'm trying to walk here."<br />
Alpha: "This. This is what I'm talking about."<br />
James: "Right now, I'm not at all sure what you're going on about. Just move, I'm hungry."<br />
Alpha: "No! I'm tired of moving. I guess what I'm trying to say is, I'm going to be out of your hair. Forever."<br />
James: "That's great. I'm still not sure why we're having this conversation."<br />
Alpha: "Before I go, there's something I have to tell you. Just one thing."<br />
James: "Then hurry up and say it, already!"<br />
Alpha: "You are a terrible father. You only do the bare minimum required to get by. Less than that, even. You spent your time entertaining a string of lovers, half of which you shamelessly knocked up, rather than take care of your own children. It's disgusting, and frankly I'm ashamed to be related to you."<br />
James: "That's not-"<br />
Alpha interrupted.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_8COV8xBaBIQkvN44O0-sz_HnRFB2V2XjPAWjexYXIe3m1qbdfENGoT8X_wpzaWMuLBVvCHGgRULX2XgicxLB5Oasxy8BB-iwz7vbkrIOZdNzagydJHxdeJnlgoQEvzW-pm7P1tmQXQU/s1600/Screenshot-79.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_8COV8xBaBIQkvN44O0-sz_HnRFB2V2XjPAWjexYXIe3m1qbdfENGoT8X_wpzaWMuLBVvCHGgRULX2XgicxLB5Oasxy8BB-iwz7vbkrIOZdNzagydJHxdeJnlgoQEvzW-pm7P1tmQXQU/s1600/Screenshot-79.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Alpha: "Stop. I'm not finished. You hardly did anything to help raise me, and by the time Epsilon and Omicron came along you were even worse. Since I was here, and since I was the only one who cared, even a tiny bit, I raised them. I did the best job I could do, and I'll have you know that it was a damn good one. But it was because of me. Not you. I sacrificed so much of my time and my life these past years for those children, because I love them. I'm okay with that, and if I was sent back in time I would do it all over again, a hundred times over, because they deserved better than you. I just thought you should know that."<br />
The room fell silent, except for the chatter of the weatherman on the TV - snow tonight, continuing through the small hours of the morning tomorrow, with four to six inches expected!<br />Alpha: "Don't have anything to say for yourself? I thought you wouldn't. I'll get out of your way now."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJ855PGBgrEFxYP31tSiwHKVoa_zk94gTlcUX4i3k_9YUyNiez0z3McMLUM9tw7n5r4ZSCfxC12kPhpQlJ3-f-proHnBuchMupdysDKlF0L9TQi5RLG-oHZsZz-e1RR27TOtbNEp5L6w/s1600/Screenshot-77.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJ855PGBgrEFxYP31tSiwHKVoa_zk94gTlcUX4i3k_9YUyNiez0z3McMLUM9tw7n5r4ZSCfxC12kPhpQlJ3-f-proHnBuchMupdysDKlF0L9TQi5RLG-oHZsZz-e1RR27TOtbNEp5L6w/s1600/Screenshot-77.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
She'd stashed her suitcase behind one of the armchairs, so she could make a quick and dramatic exit. Still riding on the adrenaline rush from her confrontation, she stepped quickly out of the door and down the steps. The taxi wasn't here yet, but she'd just go around the corner to wait. She couldn't give that man the satisfaction of seeing her waiting in the snow.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2g7_lQamfDZkmCvZukIZn2JDg98C3l7iLtkpjH6tr840Dn1rnANnvMZW8AZ0_80dJqnzebxqbUpGtYdVXBkN52TQOwCSYzisiMTSYIq3Zkcu1T3UprLhCdxhqa-Mjr9Dy1kX2sA6aLrs/s1600/Screenshot-80.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2g7_lQamfDZkmCvZukIZn2JDg98C3l7iLtkpjH6tr840Dn1rnANnvMZW8AZ0_80dJqnzebxqbUpGtYdVXBkN52TQOwCSYzisiMTSYIq3Zkcu1T3UprLhCdxhqa-Mjr9Dy1kX2sA6aLrs/s1600/Screenshot-80.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
~ * ~</div>
<i><br /></i>
<i>That's two chapters in a row that Alpha's had to put on her angry face! Hopefully now that she's out on her own she won't have to use it quite so much. She grew into such a pretty YA, I swear she didn't look that good when I aged her up in CAS to peek ahead. Maybe it's just the haircut that flatters her.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>This chapter was pretty much a giant mess of dialogue. So many conversations that needed to be had. If I was better at pacing, I would have avoided it all falling in one chapter. Oh well.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Did James deserve that? Probably. Alpha needed to get it off her chest, at any rate. There's only so much that meditation alone can fix.</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1480959486985392708.post-16210098392368405492013-05-11T21:51:00.000-04:002013-05-11T21:51:20.091-04:00Woods Random Legacy: Chapter 45 - Spooky NightJames had big plans for Spooky Day. While his reputation had been hurt lately by Sondra's spreading of rumors - true rumors, yes, but that was beside the point! - around town, he thought that a holiday feast party was just the thing to restore him to his previous social status. He'd make a lobster, that would show everybody just how great he was! However, there was one thing to take care of first.<br />
James: "You guys, yes all three of you, listen up. I'll be busy all day getting ready for the party, a party for adults. So just run along, now! Do whatever it is you do all day when you're not at school, just don't do it here."<br />
There, that took care of things. Now to get down to business.<br />
<br />
Alpha's plans for the holiday had consisted of a nice, long meditation up in the catacombs anyway, so the dismissal didn't bother her too much. Epsilon had intended to go to the fall festival, but a steady rain had been falling all morning, so Alpha invited Epsilon up to the catacombs with her. Epsilon had been telling her older sister the other day about how much she'd enjoyed her class trip to the town cemetery, especially how silly all the other kids were for being scared, so Alpha thought that she might enjoy seeing her own family graveyard. Alpha had proceeded down the stairs before Epsilon got there, so the young girl hurried to keep up. She shivered as she reached the bottom, though the air was hardly any chillier than it had been outside. There was something wrong down here. She didn't know what it was, but the sensation balled up deep inside her, making her feel almost ill.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWb43NKrCZGBf6b3zYwyrLDtbMURVtnDT07B4I8kNHQMBp54oXW34BRWT9tr3YWXYXCV1Ee-qsGTaY9gISB9cs8UKjfW9d31Wx_1o_Hn72tVELjRrigmpR2l8grkYeLzdK0Kt2Ftvy13E/s1600/Screenshot-38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWb43NKrCZGBf6b3zYwyrLDtbMURVtnDT07B4I8kNHQMBp54oXW34BRWT9tr3YWXYXCV1Ee-qsGTaY9gISB9cs8UKjfW9d31Wx_1o_Hn72tVELjRrigmpR2l8grkYeLzdK0Kt2Ftvy13E/s1600/Screenshot-38.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
She frowned, looking around, but saw no sign of her sister. She briefly considered leaving, but knew that she'd have to at least tell Alpha that she was leaving, so she mustered up her courage and stepped quickly through the quiet tomb. It wasn't until she'd reached the final accessible chamber that she found her.<br />
Epsilon: "There you are. Why are you so far in?"<br />
Alpha responded without opening her eyes or dropping the meditation pose.<br />
Alpha: "The farther in I go, the more peaceful it feels. You can still hear the outside sounds in the first room back the hall, though the paintings in there are nice. Did you know our grandmother painted those?"<br />
Epsilon: "Whatever."<br />
Alpha opened her eyes.<br />
Alpha: "What's wrong?"<br />
Epsilon: "Can't you feel it? This place gives me the creeps."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5gkMM7j16jQPQNJauJ0Wm3jqQK4AjNSlacAtnQab1DsfpJzwrEgPnrm-1Ho90vD-Nh7BHHGYq9GoZ45-32endealGLC4sZWSBaB0GhZ2Wx5SdZuUnMIJq8_09mqoVf86iQn8PAaEo2JY/s1600/Screenshot-39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5gkMM7j16jQPQNJauJ0Wm3jqQK4AjNSlacAtnQab1DsfpJzwrEgPnrm-1Ho90vD-Nh7BHHGYq9GoZ45-32endealGLC4sZWSBaB0GhZ2Wx5SdZuUnMIJq8_09mqoVf86iQn8PAaEo2JY/s1600/Screenshot-39.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Alpha: "I don't know what you're talking about. I thought you wouldn't mind it down here, since the dead people didn't creep you out "<br />
Epsilon: "It's not the dead people, they're not scary. I don't know what it is, I just feel really funny. I don't want to stay."<br />
Alpha: "It's raining outside, where are you going to go? Dad'll just get mad if you go back to the house."<br />
Epsilon: "I'll go to the festival. I'm not afraid of a little rain. It's not like I'll melt, or anything."<br />
Alpha: "Suit yourself. Check in on Omicron on your way down there, alright? I'm not sure if Dad'll be okay with him just hiding out under the shelter in the backyard."<br />
As Epsilon hurried up the stairs and out of the catacombs, Alpha closed her eyes and began to lose herself in her meditation again. She didn't know what had bothered Epsilon, the girl wasn't easily spooked at all. But if there was something bad down here, then surely she would feel it too, right?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNztH1rKkW70PHISmt3WkX9iYJoKmmpWifQJ69vNsbN68nK9pqISi8exZ5nvKFupRlUFIM_8C6GRGOl706H7zd87cGIjuyOw4tynni_vS9GhD000bTzUHNQRFfi_oGgqVHmZCNeQiH_4/s1600/Screenshot-45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNztH1rKkW70PHISmt3WkX9iYJoKmmpWifQJ69vNsbN68nK9pqISi8exZ5nvKFupRlUFIM_8C6GRGOl706H7zd87cGIjuyOw4tynni_vS9GhD000bTzUHNQRFfi_oGgqVHmZCNeQiH_4/s1600/Screenshot-45.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
A feeling of lightness overtook her as her mind found peace. There would be time to worry about that later. For now, there was only herself and the flame of her meditation. All else would wait.<br />
<br />
As the guests started to arrive, James got more and more upset. None of them were impressed by his culinary achievement! Furthermore, the dishes they brought were almost an insult. Mac and cheese, autumn salad, cookies, and a cheese plate. A cheese plate! How much effort does it take to cut a block of cheese into a bunch of tiny, uneven cubes? And who brought waffles to a dinner party? The people in this town were just baffling.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKNU6gtdGAvi_dUK1bEFcBpo81nEdX8eWFmUy2831CYe4LwWVSGibuszcz-gM_Jte_QgsxUlOCRDMCZdDmefevzyJYWaWw_NapXB4DZSm_98Wvqup-va3cworC6jmuRspM00cZrEHhFc/s1600/Screenshot-47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKNU6gtdGAvi_dUK1bEFcBpo81nEdX8eWFmUy2831CYe4LwWVSGibuszcz-gM_Jte_QgsxUlOCRDMCZdDmefevzyJYWaWw_NapXB4DZSm_98Wvqup-va3cworC6jmuRspM00cZrEHhFc/s1600/Screenshot-47.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
His views on dinner-appropriate food seemed to be shared by at least one other guest, as evidenced by the doorway collision that took place as they arrived. Now they were all over the floor, and that served them right. Stupid waffles.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtT16p7-J59eN7rwtxqPfPUhVbtxWVd5s2iAlGP-ALYHjwsGVizn51fBEx5LLlgRNaOx0dVy68zaR-cJgvcwug-29TYKqxmzoKYWegpldRx4tpSoW5Zzo8DSmN3s_XoasICuNF_K2sMOc/s1600/Screenshot-48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtT16p7-J59eN7rwtxqPfPUhVbtxWVd5s2iAlGP-ALYHjwsGVizn51fBEx5LLlgRNaOx0dVy68zaR-cJgvcwug-29TYKqxmzoKYWegpldRx4tpSoW5Zzo8DSmN3s_XoasICuNF_K2sMOc/s1600/Screenshot-48.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Shortly after the party began, Epsilon arrived back from the festival. It had been kind of lame, because of the rain, but she'd had a good time in the haunted house. She went through so many times that one of the attendants gave her a Cracklin' Nackerbell gnome in appreciation.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ytM30k6VipnYGWrEHaPr9ESLg6PMMTJbKMCCO0HYrb8_wmkgTEQN5VAPhgFkaCxPgrBCBjzFyFZN9V718yRoP3vINvNhE-R1c5S_lrOgoZUU5TMJ8k6ALhLnOYizmdG9iFjq8IcV1vg/s1600/Screenshot-41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ytM30k6VipnYGWrEHaPr9ESLg6PMMTJbKMCCO0HYrb8_wmkgTEQN5VAPhgFkaCxPgrBCBjzFyFZN9V718yRoP3vINvNhE-R1c5S_lrOgoZUU5TMJ8k6ALhLnOYizmdG9iFjq8IcV1vg/s1600/Screenshot-41.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
After she donned her trick-or-treating costume, she headed out into the main room, where she found her brother.<br />
Epsilon: "Hey, where were you? I was looking for you earlier to go to the festival."<br />
Omicron: "Oh, I was in here. Nobody really noticed me, it was fine."<br />
Epsilon: "So you're a tiger?"<br />
Omicron: "Yeah!"<br />
Epsilon: "Who did your face paint?"<br />
Omicron: "Some lady, I don't know who. She's the one who knocked the waffles all over the floor."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ugB_hiQeMbjcQvD9TGNANL2eHkaNKqm10TU5-aSbeGgsM9f2dDNUTawkiNB95Apa-pWMPL-uOL1_URicc6KgxLaSy1DGP2V0A8IMIp6p_C5zuzppblqNeWRB5RoVxfYIAjzIxl4K4EU/s1600/Screenshot-49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ugB_hiQeMbjcQvD9TGNANL2eHkaNKqm10TU5-aSbeGgsM9f2dDNUTawkiNB95Apa-pWMPL-uOL1_URicc6KgxLaSy1DGP2V0A8IMIp6p_C5zuzppblqNeWRB5RoVxfYIAjzIxl4K4EU/s1600/Screenshot-49.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Epsilon: "Is that what happened? I wondered why I smelled maple syrup. I thought Dad was just being weird again."<br />
Omicron: "No, it was someone else this time! So what are you, Geo Boy?"<br />
Epsilon: "No, I'm Geo <i>Girl</i>. All the cool superheroes don't have to be boys, you know."<br />
Omicron: "Oh, yeah, that's cool too. Are you ready? I want to go get candy!"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizaqn9Gna65ZPhxIYwNn-jnaA6kxMGK8rsskqDcgZkDGyIFtt_Qy6f_gP91z2E-JVcpvMBfxGABMhUXK-VZU3dKSD4hJwwNzVgQCS6XXtuKJbE95GKBKFalxvYgWP5FXhjklK9iWgWSq8/s1600/Screenshot-50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizaqn9Gna65ZPhxIYwNn-jnaA6kxMGK8rsskqDcgZkDGyIFtt_Qy6f_gP91z2E-JVcpvMBfxGABMhUXK-VZU3dKSD4hJwwNzVgQCS6XXtuKJbE95GKBKFalxvYgWP5FXhjklK9iWgWSq8/s1600/Screenshot-50.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Despite the still-falling rain, they had a good time, bringing back a decent haul of goodies. Epsilon helped Omicron to wash the paint from his face and they crawled into bed early, exhausted from a day of holiday fun.<br />
<br />
It was late when Alpha left the catacombs. She didn't expect anyone to be waiting up for her, so she took all the time she needed to center herself. Overall it had been quite a productive, yet relaxing, day. She looked forward to hearing how her younger sibling's days had gone.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdxk3BEN6rLBhPKqkBJZwWoZ_bPxG085TZIQT-lDjLgJ6DsyTAs_Z0UnSyn46h-1iBMY9j9l8tVMQlwYW9xuuGqeshFx6zbKpdsMom72OKIwO60Vefk8JVCIeVdMLViEEPrwlLYHlVJp8/s1600/Screenshot-436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdxk3BEN6rLBhPKqkBJZwWoZ_bPxG085TZIQT-lDjLgJ6DsyTAs_Z0UnSyn46h-1iBMY9j9l8tVMQlwYW9xuuGqeshFx6zbKpdsMom72OKIwO60Vefk8JVCIeVdMLViEEPrwlLYHlVJp8/s1600/Screenshot-436.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
As she walked down the hill towards home, her thoughts were interrupted by a voice. Quiet and polite, but yet strangely commanding, it attracted her attention. She turned, facing the pale man who had come up behind her unheard.<br />
Magician: "Miss Woods, it's a pleasure to meet you at last." <br />
Alpha: "Miss Bunch-Landgraab, actually. Who are you, and how do you know me?"<br />
Magician: "Oh, I've heard much about you. You fascinate me. It's unusual to meet a young woman with such strength of character, especially with an upbringing such as your own."<br />
Alpha: "Excuse me?"<br />
Magician: "Your father, of course. A brilliant man, highly intelligent, but not a shred of decency regarding the care of children. I'm sure you would agree."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40hM4rTuTDPBmy33Ysbs5Idyv57tONGquKi77D6MOdUl7mclOItnskoRtUgPRQDcm27evpHDlNRkgwRe3tDSQFpQmWybSEn6W01oQXWB6DVv-GfuLpPDMicdl2oJcK5pbxVgmtsSSKW4/s1600/Screenshot-441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40hM4rTuTDPBmy33Ysbs5Idyv57tONGquKi77D6MOdUl7mclOItnskoRtUgPRQDcm27evpHDlNRkgwRe3tDSQFpQmWybSEn6W01oQXWB6DVv-GfuLpPDMicdl2oJcK5pbxVgmtsSSKW4/s1600/Screenshot-441.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Alpha: "Look, I don't know who you are, but how do you know my dad? And why are you following me?"<br />
Magician: "Following you? No, it was a chance meeting-"<br />
Alpha didn't let him finish, interrupting coldly.<br />
Alpha: "A chance meeting at my family catacombs? That doesn't seem very likely to me. Just turn and walk away. I can defend myself."<br />
His demeanor changed as she spoke, his eyes becoming cold as he took a half-step back from her.<br />
Magician: "Very well then. I tried to be civilized about the matter, but you have left me no choice."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Ne30eXgByLviWS5WzodFSSVC5eeh7TaO_zNeRlQOuCtmH8WsnRmmKxUtbhBv1a7qSOFPDihF_a9kzxUfBg9X5scmKKvA6hUN4xIihCZ3RkUuqbm5w5eHYYtsc_DnDVYGd5DoNwb7A5s/s1600/Screenshot-442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Ne30eXgByLviWS5WzodFSSVC5eeh7TaO_zNeRlQOuCtmH8WsnRmmKxUtbhBv1a7qSOFPDihF_a9kzxUfBg9X5scmKKvA6hUN4xIihCZ3RkUuqbm5w5eHYYtsc_DnDVYGd5DoNwb7A5s/s1600/Screenshot-442.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Before Alpha could speak, his eyes had already locked on to hers, holding her gaze to his. His eyes began to glow with a harsh light, and she felt his presence, in her mind. No, not quite yet, there was still a chance! She couldn't close her eyes, but she visualized the flame of her meditation, flickering alone as the light of his gaze assaulted it. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Os6yPHfcimTM1lPoa2p1fMleU9VzGTp6tmreIaLjzzG5xvQIYYTgGZMlqvL8cKeYyrcyOMnJ9t0naqqDFu0jX3jvb2G6siNzM1kYvGAZpYKfOL_zlS0U5_Nlg0ho4WZkdt8CEqfeyN4/s1600/Screenshot-439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Os6yPHfcimTM1lPoa2p1fMleU9VzGTp6tmreIaLjzzG5xvQIYYTgGZMlqvL8cKeYyrcyOMnJ9t0naqqDFu0jX3jvb2G6siNzM1kYvGAZpYKfOL_zlS0U5_Nlg0ho4WZkdt8CEqfeyN4/s1600/Screenshot-439.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
She took refuge inside the flame, using the fire as a shield against his assault. She heard his gasp of frustration and moved almost on instinct, twisting to the side and around as he lunged towards her.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1InDw5eEdx6mHzSWJwgDgtFBBOe3_bSfYqynLH3BbDbyiLu1ao0xceMIOtN2PYQYq2y2wkjcr9QWTbkpg_0oxDNEC5KPX_J8Wfrr2GkbyLBXzrB7q4qZ3xM9tqLL_16OB7o66xGnn_FI/s1600/Screenshot-440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1InDw5eEdx6mHzSWJwgDgtFBBOe3_bSfYqynLH3BbDbyiLu1ao0xceMIOtN2PYQYq2y2wkjcr9QWTbkpg_0oxDNEC5KPX_J8Wfrr2GkbyLBXzrB7q4qZ3xM9tqLL_16OB7o66xGnn_FI/s1600/Screenshot-440.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
She spun around on the ball of her foot, releasing the flame as his mental assault stopped. He was standing a few feet away from her, seeming stunned.<br />
Alpha: "I don't know who you are, but stay away from me. And stay away from my family."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2FYLeY3St1T7A81DVE37Pa36Jwn-tV4yUHcUnNL64qMARTmHMUsK65c8RZanVLM6W-5hzlyYk70SpUAnGZEt2MqDkxy2svCEl4D0I3TtgsXOjRooiutZAJoYfwDiTnbl64fcKRAz5Bc/s1600/Screenshot-443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2FYLeY3St1T7A81DVE37Pa36Jwn-tV4yUHcUnNL64qMARTmHMUsK65c8RZanVLM6W-5hzlyYk70SpUAnGZEt2MqDkxy2svCEl4D0I3TtgsXOjRooiutZAJoYfwDiTnbl64fcKRAz5Bc/s1600/Screenshot-443.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
With those words, she turned and ran, afraid to look behind her for signs of pursuit. But she reached her home without incident, shutting and locking the door behind her as she breathed heavily, shivering despite the warmth of her house. Who had that been? And what was he?<br />
<br />
Atop the hill, the Magician watched the young woman run for her home. He couldn't pursue her there, of course, unless he was invited. He could catch her before she reached the home, but he didn't. She was a puzzle now. How could a human girl - for she was human, that much was obvious - have resisted his intrusion into her mind? And to react to his attack with such speed...surely that was impossible. And yet it had happened. He wanted to know why.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
~ * ~</div>
<br />
<i>Oh noes! The Magician is after Alpha! Good thing she's got her head put on straight, and doesn't fall for honeyed words from evil vampires. That last scene takes place significantly later at night than the lighting suggests. I just wanted to make sure that it wasn't too dark for you guys, so I shot it in early evening, and now I think it looks silly. And please ignore his weird outfit, he changed out of what he was supposed to be wearing while I was fast-forwarding to evening and I didn't notice until I'd already shot way too much to go back.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Kind of a short chapter, but hey, at least it's an update. That's better than I've been doing for the past several weeks.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>So I tried to write this last night, but I got stuck listening to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8DURP5xQCA">Epsilon's mother's music</a>(which I picked out the same night I found Epsilon's, along with a particularly badass song for the generation 2->3 transition sequence) on repeat and having sad feels, so it didn't happen. :\ I don't know why I got stuck on that, as Acadia isn't even in this chapter!</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1480959486985392708.post-12990969848358793962013-05-10T02:23:00.002-04:002013-05-10T02:23:33.196-04:00Woods Random Legacy: Chapter 44 - Growing Into AutumnOn the first chilly day in autumn, Alpha decided it was time to celebrate Epsilon becoming old enough to attend school. She woke up early and biked down to the store to purchase a cake, making careful use of her hard-earned simoleons.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5CUAQZXLMg1P61hOTM065gl0HkTW7sBXjMW9lp3HMkLm5MgFi_Nk_eV81FPMc4N-X3Gf_EqXBSD0nGJ2KCJ_vpeuzfq-0yyMSB3btx_KBS10I-_vpgog79XSkLceX9eisroODgz3lZU/s1600/Screenshot-390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5CUAQZXLMg1P61hOTM065gl0HkTW7sBXjMW9lp3HMkLm5MgFi_Nk_eV81FPMc4N-X3Gf_EqXBSD0nGJ2KCJ_vpeuzfq-0yyMSB3btx_KBS10I-_vpgog79XSkLceX9eisroODgz3lZU/s1600/Screenshot-390.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Epsilon was excited to begin school, even after Alpha's warnings about the other children. She wanted to learn new things, and play with educational toys that James wouldn't buy. It was nice of Alpha to get a cake for her - delicious, too! - but it wasn't really necessary.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6vNBbP_pvd8yJYjqsZVTOIMMGBPdT9qrJ_FBsvkv5nkfQkHkPo4whyphenhyphenc8OdnzVWViOKifSGUmTVnkVlQ2cQzlT32n95RxcBDfpZl7dcxwSKYkE2TdWbMpQ_6sHyNt2dUtZrv-kIIgVw4/s1600/Screenshot-391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6vNBbP_pvd8yJYjqsZVTOIMMGBPdT9qrJ_FBsvkv5nkfQkHkPo4whyphenhyphenc8OdnzVWViOKifSGUmTVnkVlQ2cQzlT32n95RxcBDfpZl7dcxwSKYkE2TdWbMpQ_6sHyNt2dUtZrv-kIIgVw4/s1600/Screenshot-391.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The school required a physical for all new students, so James was finally forced to take Epsilon to the doctor's office. They were concerned about her narcolepsy, but the doctor posited that she may be growing out of it, as the episodes had grown much less frequent lately. They did find that the girl required glasses, though, and the eye doctor let her pick out a pair of cute purple frames. They'd be perfect for her first days of school!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOyBr8DoMGpy375roTXosq7NvMbvBn33l8fI0pP9rp_GsMJbAGTzMws5YGzEaQs9dN-ZtATviG_GX2XgMECoHbTPr0bHUYRMjfwAIh2Vrl6cHsWfSxbrpN9kCf1sFcrcncmwYfrmXsGGE/s1600/Screenshot-396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOyBr8DoMGpy375roTXosq7NvMbvBn33l8fI0pP9rp_GsMJbAGTzMws5YGzEaQs9dN-ZtATviG_GX2XgMECoHbTPr0bHUYRMjfwAIh2Vrl6cHsWfSxbrpN9kCf1sFcrcncmwYfrmXsGGE/s1600/Screenshot-396.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
She took after her father in her choice of leisure activities. Now that she was old enough to sit at the chessboard, she loved spending time playing with the pieces. The few books kept around the house also intrigued her, though most of them were written at an adult level and therefore were beyond her comprehension. She did choose to keep one relic from her early childhood, though.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwsCblomIyHDPvA5Z79i-Ma7i_reibQpQ7pHH1g2Ci1GW0x8QvpEpT4Iq9I1tsLV_n4LHIbgPv0lMt7iowCC_4HB-hzbue5AWvsu7X3cv9-JJdNTgJeb1qoyEvx-p0LfIDHYZ_WV2fQc/s1600/Screenshot-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwsCblomIyHDPvA5Z79i-Ma7i_reibQpQ7pHH1g2Ci1GW0x8QvpEpT4Iq9I1tsLV_n4LHIbgPv0lMt7iowCC_4HB-hzbue5AWvsu7X3cv9-JJdNTgJeb1qoyEvx-p0LfIDHYZ_WV2fQc/s1600/Screenshot-7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The sheep toy, which had been a favorite of hers since Alpha had purchased the toy box containing it, had more than earned its spot on her bedside table. She might not play with it as a little kid would anymore, but she could look down to it in the mornings and enjoy her memories associated with the plastic animal.<br />
<br />
Her first day of school was every bit as hard as Alpha had cautioned it might be. Not only was she teased about her parentage, but the girls especially teased Epsilon brutally about her hair. It just wasn't natural, they said, and asked how much her mother hated her to let her go in public like that - oh wait, she doesn't have a mother!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqQSLsGo8a2jA1cjeShyphenhyphen7Ae1PFzCcve0G1q9OmRaEIc-aoN9FztNal-7GnoYejyI_AQ9Zjoyx3oGA3A64yoAaZ3fAuKu07YRjrXlwmRjeEVEdMlc_LBUkd2qGIG7B1Kpds83aIA9XwEE/s1600/Screenshot-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqQSLsGo8a2jA1cjeShyphenhyphen7Ae1PFzCcve0G1q9OmRaEIc-aoN9FztNal-7GnoYejyI_AQ9Zjoyx3oGA3A64yoAaZ3fAuKu07YRjrXlwmRjeEVEdMlc_LBUkd2qGIG7B1Kpds83aIA9XwEE/s1600/Screenshot-6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
By the time she got home from school, she just wanted to curl in in bed and cry. Alpha was busy helping Omicron with his talking, so she didn't want to bother her older sister. Instead, she completed her homework in silence, retiring early to bed. Why couldn't she just be normal?<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BuPBQXTcMk">(Soundtrack for the next scene.)</a> </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZiwYaMU8JwYd-KzJRFJj0FPIXBwBehR_eKCGmTQnq8ODlsEOq858mfbYK30DgpFsusl7YIwFH8X0AVc0M-92d_2McUesmOAyzjSobTThPCgdfZ_7uoNYmFfyg7S9GmWKVVt64Qw4r0U/s1600/Screenshot-431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZiwYaMU8JwYd-KzJRFJj0FPIXBwBehR_eKCGmTQnq8ODlsEOq858mfbYK30DgpFsusl7YIwFH8X0AVc0M-92d_2McUesmOAyzjSobTThPCgdfZ_7uoNYmFfyg7S9GmWKVVt64Qw4r0U/s1600/Screenshot-431.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
When she awoke, she wasn't in the top bunk of her house anymore. The room was dim, illuminated only by a faint light somewhere behind her. Her limbs were heavy from sleep, but she pushed herself up and looked around. She was in a library.<span style="color: #0000ee;"><i> </i></span>It was obviously a dream. Even if she had sleptwalked, the library in Sunset Valley didn't look anything like this. It couldn't. This place was so...perfect.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjINVvGCp1pVqDOz5SBK1BizXO09g3mEh3OwUHPHD1d_zzEhUlQPBg4VCjyjEuCD7y_gspArRbuokXW3KcbsYsrER1YhpZh6CQkMCcFkcAj6qf0VEw1czEJBzRqrowccvgGK5E4cij-OHk/s1600/Screenshot-432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjINVvGCp1pVqDOz5SBK1BizXO09g3mEh3OwUHPHD1d_zzEhUlQPBg4VCjyjEuCD7y_gspArRbuokXW3KcbsYsrER1YhpZh6CQkMCcFkcAj6qf0VEw1czEJBzRqrowccvgGK5E4cij-OHk/s1600/Screenshot-432.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
She got to her feet and stepped towards a shelf. The books were old, older than anything she'd seen before, yet they felt real under her fingers. This didn't feel like a dream at all, but it had to be. This library was unlike anywhere that existed in the real world. As she ran her fingers over the spines of the books before her, she felt a breeze across the back of her neck. She turned quickly, but saw nothing, hearing only the sound of the phantom breeze among the books.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu1WV8n04smZAKgk517q4pY2QeK-NA3oIbPI6U2WWsrZdijP2I0edEMm3Eeel-OjzbyeD3jNH9cJrBrmhXk0nz56b9lSqw3eIdI06Uor7RD7DQhHul0I19N-gsHQVlEvn_NVGzn5BP3wU/s1600/Screenshot-434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu1WV8n04smZAKgk517q4pY2QeK-NA3oIbPI6U2WWsrZdijP2I0edEMm3Eeel-OjzbyeD3jNH9cJrBrmhXk0nz56b9lSqw3eIdI06Uor7RD7DQhHul0I19N-gsHQVlEvn_NVGzn5BP3wU/s1600/Screenshot-434.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Was she alone here? It was impossible to tell, but it wouldn't matter anyway, in a dream. If it meant her harm, it would show itself. Until then, she would explore. Stepping to one of the windows, she looked out. A lonely expanse of blackness was all she saw, and she quickly stepped back from the window.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVc_x3-JKOFNOiKxQI2eAeyxSuKjiQGCTh_nU5vX9BW0KX8yjpYR3yC9U-LFPDTZ06PV2jhpN08sSimtI7D8PH4qhyphenhyphen711fihdefDp6Z2-hdZIUAk_RcxADZbypcMN3LtXAcTX3y8x6luI/s1600/Screenshot-435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVc_x3-JKOFNOiKxQI2eAeyxSuKjiQGCTh_nU5vX9BW0KX8yjpYR3yC9U-LFPDTZ06PV2jhpN08sSimtI7D8PH4qhyphenhyphen711fihdefDp6Z2-hdZIUAk_RcxADZbypcMN3LtXAcTX3y8x6luI/s1600/Screenshot-435.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
She felt the dream slipping away from herself and struggled to hold on to it. A library! There was so much she could discover here! But the pull of wakefulness was too strong, and she soon opened her eyes in her bed. Sitting up, she rubbed the sleep from her eyes, then looked down over the rails of her bunk to her older sister, who was staring at her.<br />
Alpha: "Epsi, what did you do to your hair?"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbn4PK7seVFHhu83gasgijnO0DlTJaIKKF0RWXIPEJeP2OdtPgBqReY84Jm2o_tfI0WttUv3i7rYd0F0IBxyE5KS5jupffEInw986mdEdZjRpDHk7ulbFVioRf107GpINJ3SC51J9XFI/s1600/Screenshot-30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbn4PK7seVFHhu83gasgijnO0DlTJaIKKF0RWXIPEJeP2OdtPgBqReY84Jm2o_tfI0WttUv3i7rYd0F0IBxyE5KS5jupffEInw986mdEdZjRpDHk7ulbFVioRf107GpINJ3SC51J9XFI/s1600/Screenshot-30.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Epsilon: "Huh? I didn't do anything."<br />
Alpha: "Uh, look again."<br />
Epsilon reached behind her and grabbed her ponytail, pulling it to the front. Huh, that's strange. Her hair was snow white!<br />
Epsilon: "...I didn't do that!"<br />
Alpha: "How can it just turn all white like that?"<br />
Epsilon: "I don't know!"<br />
Alpha: "Okay, it's probably alright. Come down here, let me have a look."<br />
Epsilon climbed down the ladder and stood in front of her sister, nervously fiddling with the sleeve of her pajamas. Alpha reached out and touched the hair, letting it fall from her fingers.<br />
Alpha: "It's soft, and strong, better than your hair has been since you were young. But it's white. I don't understand it."<br />
Epsilon: "If it's better than it was when I was younger, that's a good thing, right?"<br />
Alpha hesitated for a moment, then smiled warmly.<br />
Alpha: "Right, that's a good thing. Come here, sorry if I scared you."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2UbA1a3PTMTI039sZK-zVw1Yn7BP6ox4DUInyHToZ1kw_6frepOFJzLveKEWqhD5xTO-xbPiKbKGvTjc31XdQtueD8pExTLwkWTMcSzlvYcoybaMBVByGueptQbcJp3lmQ-M1a1FS-Hk/s1600/Screenshot-29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2UbA1a3PTMTI039sZK-zVw1Yn7BP6ox4DUInyHToZ1kw_6frepOFJzLveKEWqhD5xTO-xbPiKbKGvTjc31XdQtueD8pExTLwkWTMcSzlvYcoybaMBVByGueptQbcJp3lmQ-M1a1FS-Hk/s1600/Screenshot-29.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
She hugged her younger sister tightly. The confidence was an act, though. What could cause someone's hair to turn white overnight? The doctors had said that nothing was wrong with it at Epsilon's check-up, but it still scared Alpha. And what would the other children at school say?<br />
<br />
She distracted herself by making sure that Omicron knew how to talk. He grasped it more quickly than Epsilon had, the young boy having quite a lot to say.<br />
Alpha: "If you get hurt, you know you can always come to me, right? I'll help you put a band-aid on your boo-boo."<br />
Omicron: "Ban-na on boo-boo!"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8HMPw8qSyXA-1XieCVZ-NMYY0tqJp8dpoQqGgTeNhlnJNIGaOY2BvrYc0t8PiPrCewmFJsM38lVcuitnk3DlqOredMOBpvJ2m6TfK_pyRC91vmgjgV83hkfUgkg1Y4VJSFKSzoQnsR_Q/s1600/Screenshot-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8HMPw8qSyXA-1XieCVZ-NMYY0tqJp8dpoQqGgTeNhlnJNIGaOY2BvrYc0t8PiPrCewmFJsM38lVcuitnk3DlqOredMOBpvJ2m6TfK_pyRC91vmgjgV83hkfUgkg1Y4VJSFKSzoQnsR_Q/s1600/Screenshot-11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Other lessons needed to be imparted as well.<br />
Alpha: "Okay, so you know what to do with the dirty dishes when dad leaves them in the kitchen, right?"<br />
Omicron: "Wash!"<br />
Alpha: "That's right!"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8VEWpSOyqEaZlxphyphenhyphen_y7n9vtp4uuLmRr8LFTxD-ym_t0Q4MToW_foaCw3SYRL6OH3qIKtkMlAXax3v5z8tvkOw4-DDwr2Xh_C4bnreNqxOdRraDMk5jx-Ljc-5ZtuYjRLwz-2zmvfX0U/s1600/Screenshot-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8VEWpSOyqEaZlxphyphenhyphen_y7n9vtp4uuLmRr8LFTxD-ym_t0Q4MToW_foaCw3SYRL6OH3qIKtkMlAXax3v5z8tvkOw4-DDwr2Xh_C4bnreNqxOdRraDMk5jx-Ljc-5ZtuYjRLwz-2zmvfX0U/s1600/Screenshot-9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Of course, Alpha wasn't with Omicron all the time, frequently leaving the boy to his own devices. He didn't much like being alone, but even that was better than being with his father. Sometimes, Omicron could feel a sort of wrongness emanating from the man, strong enough to make him scream and prompting James to shout for Alpha to come put the kid to bed. James wasn't quite sure what was wrong with that kid, but he sure spent a lot of time crying.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh781C4jFPr8dMO1uZKwbbpic-TFVAcGJVSItSEY0GeDUx8SbJWgONv4yYHhBmsBcYwaKG-KNBTDFxTIC5Jm0GuigjG35HgMeOV0XL-CS2-M73theR74RKZmJN2wIDLEwt8saVvOkpYP1w/s1600/Screenshot-377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh781C4jFPr8dMO1uZKwbbpic-TFVAcGJVSItSEY0GeDUx8SbJWgONv4yYHhBmsBcYwaKG-KNBTDFxTIC5Jm0GuigjG35HgMeOV0XL-CS2-M73theR74RKZmJN2wIDLEwt8saVvOkpYP1w/s1600/Screenshot-377.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Alpha was a junior in high school now, so with her added workload for classes she was glad that Omicron was getting older and didn't need so much of her attention. She often would ask her cousin Valerie over to work on their homework together.<br />
Alpha: "Yeah, so, this is my house."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Gj1RCDG4j1AetkjY5Tzd2QDSkK4LYRmjmQuaWys3rHlaif5kuAhmudaOFXI9X7koOrEWGai-hq0nr19xUfHGK-C1VZ7-PfFP5g7zLy-NcW-F46eYq2vrl93DyQa32ouab-zB1Mqemf4/s1600/Screenshot-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Gj1RCDG4j1AetkjY5Tzd2QDSkK4LYRmjmQuaWys3rHlaif5kuAhmudaOFXI9X7koOrEWGai-hq0nr19xUfHGK-C1VZ7-PfFP5g7zLy-NcW-F46eYq2vrl93DyQa32ouab-zB1Mqemf4/s1600/Screenshot-17.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Alpha: "Please try to ignore the lunatic in the next room."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigdCuyLoDjC-zYLrlh00DNG-tk3z-w9pjb3m49VQXDGxUT7H3P3Hos7B-pxHOKw0r_bfrnm2CA8jKpb6xPju2BMqlreZvPo1bPOQw5F7rrtLl9VRoI6CQ9rXuoz1Vg7y2idt_rPEnBv18/s1600/Screenshot-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigdCuyLoDjC-zYLrlh00DNG-tk3z-w9pjb3m49VQXDGxUT7H3P3Hos7B-pxHOKw0r_bfrnm2CA8jKpb6xPju2BMqlreZvPo1bPOQw5F7rrtLl9VRoI6CQ9rXuoz1Vg7y2idt_rPEnBv18/s1600/Screenshot-14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Valerie: "But it's soooo hard to concentrate!"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xjHOIU7E4FnAF1951BPl0gPGEhAgheozXnAbGIlUT2isEUdMJO6x6aQ-C-u1Y_Rv3ZjQWPF9yuRVS2Dh2ak2v7fhIvWir9yST1cBrk3dkxdl6srdVlX0xLtPP0dC7YnOGTAC14XWnM0/s1600/Screenshot-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xjHOIU7E4FnAF1951BPl0gPGEhAgheozXnAbGIlUT2isEUdMJO6x6aQ-C-u1Y_Rv3ZjQWPF9yuRVS2Dh2ak2v7fhIvWir9yST1cBrk3dkxdl6srdVlX0xLtPP0dC7YnOGTAC14XWnM0/s1600/Screenshot-22.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Alpha: "Tell me about it."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYtz9FH5LGieUE4-z6hXDYuWIM7yoZrVN7Fq_GdcEah6PRyDf5tRBZv86-tMVKmWjQJMnRqbtIepYQko_Gx7GjfJHgsAS_Tx-Y2HhiBE9e-0nrS0Fsy3hmNhCxG0J9zwz0Kwabvyqqc1I/s1600/Screenshot-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYtz9FH5LGieUE4-z6hXDYuWIM7yoZrVN7Fq_GdcEah6PRyDf5tRBZv86-tMVKmWjQJMnRqbtIepYQko_Gx7GjfJHgsAS_Tx-Y2HhiBE9e-0nrS0Fsy3hmNhCxG0J9zwz0Kwabvyqqc1I/s1600/Screenshot-13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Of course, she also set aside time to train. Martial arts was her one distraction from her daily responsibilities, and she made the most of the few moments she had to herself to practice.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtAtyATBCeohfJOCbwypmfPkdETat9XJRWUqpuFKGT3DwqjvqEmBl-ur0iqWvdf_rAmLf2SzaVLmoua5VIxwcltsSTqwnMptIJBzxU-YDj_Y5LWHelhJSrI8wS90RYtf2jY5hceRqJ2Ug/s1600/Screenshot-62.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtAtyATBCeohfJOCbwypmfPkdETat9XJRWUqpuFKGT3DwqjvqEmBl-ur0iqWvdf_rAmLf2SzaVLmoua5VIxwcltsSTqwnMptIJBzxU-YDj_Y5LWHelhJSrI8wS90RYtf2jY5hceRqJ2Ug/s1600/Screenshot-62.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
She decided one evening that her goal in life was to reach physical perfection. Not only must she train her body, but also her mind and spirit. The art of meditation would be her next area of study, which she hoped to begin once Omicron started school.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Soon enough, that time was here. Alpha procured a second cake and held another quiet celebration in the kitchen, before letting the younger children loose to go enjoy their evening.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikX9EtGVIuYcT1OPCbYRt1vJxLFkuU5kvHnj2Ho35ksmjdjvwlMwaI60MzfW8OftuIYwDHznamBPVU-zi4ju3yWYNEdZG1eYUkv-BQQXCGYiU2kR5dOpLqeTsrqjW6L774M2WRvCb6uM4/s1600/Screenshot-37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikX9EtGVIuYcT1OPCbYRt1vJxLFkuU5kvHnj2Ho35ksmjdjvwlMwaI60MzfW8OftuIYwDHznamBPVU-zi4ju3yWYNEdZG1eYUkv-BQQXCGYiU2kR5dOpLqeTsrqjW6L774M2WRvCb6uM4/s1600/Screenshot-37.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Epsilon chose to study the art of chess from the perspective of the white side. After all, moving first may bring with it significant advantages. Omicron, while invited by his sister to join her, chose to rehearse his greetings for school first. While he wouldn't attend until after Spooky Day, he wanted to be sure to make a good impression for the loads of friends he'd have! Epsilon didn't have the heart to enlighten him otherwise.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
~ * ~</div>
<br />
<i>This chapter took forever to make happen, I apologize. It was that stupid dream sequence! I made the set, then put off importing a child version of Epsilon. Then, after I got Epsilon imported, I found out that the set hadn't properly saved! So I had to go back and re-do all the design and CASTing. I hope it added to the story though, along with the music I found. I'm a pretty big Doctor Who fan(mostly the new series, but I've been watching the classic stories when I've gotten the chance, and they're good too - very cheesy sci fi, of course, but good), and as I was writing this chapter I was browsing some of the soundtracks on youtube, and I stumbled across Amy's theme, suddenly realizing that it fit the dream scene perfectly. I'd even go so far as to call it Epsilon's theme, through her child and teen years, even though she's a very different character from Amelia Pond. </i><br />
<br />
<i>Epsilon is the most adorable kid ever. That bit with her hair turning white was a weird bug in my game, where her outfit and hair was reset to something bizarre. I decided to roll with it, and made the hair actually change color in the story. What could it mean?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I'm glad that Alpha had some time to be a teenager, even if it was just a few sim-days. I think she's about 3-4 days from aging up to YA when this chapter happens.</i><br />
<br />
<i>You might be wondering what happened to the imaginary friend arc I started and then stopped mentioning. Well, the imaginary friend has gone AWOL in my game, so I've just dropped it from the story. It's easier than trying to fix it somehow.</i><br />
<br />
<i>THIS CHAPTER TOOK SO MANY FOREVERS TO HAPPEN I'M SORRY! D= </i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1480959486985392708.post-32821077217162617992013-04-19T19:15:00.002-04:002013-04-19T19:27:28.693-04:00Woods Random Legacy: Chapter 43 - ResponsibilityWhile James pulled in a steady income, he didn't offer much to Alpha for pocket change. While he provided the basic necessities - food, clothes, school lunch money - he didn't see what point there was in giving her an allowance. She'd just spend it on something silly. So she turned to completing odd jobs around town to save up some money.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3aFIqbxipPv5QVR0Mn47Ux7IOdZXuIf2u1oMYvBRyqEiziMIH9smMqr96enk5LIlLvIBZn-z-oN996jPUqpmBmVQNI0s0UuppvSMYyZ83cli93ntth8VJpkJdt46bplRH_Tn2dbt0MHQ/s1600/Screenshot-406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3aFIqbxipPv5QVR0Mn47Ux7IOdZXuIf2u1oMYvBRyqEiziMIH9smMqr96enk5LIlLvIBZn-z-oN996jPUqpmBmVQNI0s0UuppvSMYyZ83cli93ntth8VJpkJdt46bplRH_Tn2dbt0MHQ/s1600/Screenshot-406.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The school's boiler was making a funny noise, and they said they'd pay her if she could get it working again. How hard could it be to fix a boiler? She'd watched James fiddle with the plumbing around the house when it started acting up more than once, and if he could do it then she certainly could. The basement was dark and creepy, though, so she resolved to finish the job as quickly as possible.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvufJ5lqgmwFKjUc231ZRmj0G2FcZ7Gtv_Tj2_NC2NuSurA9vVh0z239NESG0OW4WKsUcBgJGHoJh029PKjyEdyyTmpTFDygiFt388RtNS4TxCvq4fhMouxwyUtqyz10U7olgfFaisGFs/s1600/Screenshot-407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvufJ5lqgmwFKjUc231ZRmj0G2FcZ7Gtv_Tj2_NC2NuSurA9vVh0z239NESG0OW4WKsUcBgJGHoJh029PKjyEdyyTmpTFDygiFt388RtNS4TxCvq4fhMouxwyUtqyz10U7olgfFaisGFs/s1600/Screenshot-407.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
So much for getting it done quickly. After several hours of work, the boiler was finally running smoothly again, and Alpha walked away with $300 in her pocket. It wasn't much, but if she saved it it could go a long way. Maybe she could even go to university, one day. For now, though, she took out $55 from the meager fund to buy a colorful toy box for the younger children.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwJqzs6Ki-ylFI9rPWTHpknBc0g1olhqJGYUypG0x4GKv3Oj9M2ndrsVBV_t_Evbxvfp1bGitBrx4Ff1cq7Utk9DNwA_FEuwarPMh7D2qJ4OyktmRlao3Xwc-JzSS6Y2zoLGOO7RVCU0I/s1600/Screenshot-355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwJqzs6Ki-ylFI9rPWTHpknBc0g1olhqJGYUypG0x4GKv3Oj9M2ndrsVBV_t_Evbxvfp1bGitBrx4Ff1cq7Utk9DNwA_FEuwarPMh7D2qJ4OyktmRlao3Xwc-JzSS6Y2zoLGOO7RVCU0I/s1600/Screenshot-355.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Epsilon loved playing with the fluffy toy sheep, though she managed to lose it alarmingly often; it was never gone for long, however. When she got bored of the sheep - or couldn't find it - she had just as much fun by climbing into the box itself and spying around the room. Alpha had to pick the sleeping toddler up out of the box more than a few times.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpj348Qp35gLEyal9u9S5sN9HJ2Q9aKTJSqGWLgvtMsH7189zBQcMjFwR_KUNpTlQvAgZbxB1GxyGpivwLPZbibVs8aMIBfCcoziuoaFKPmEGfrh507K2r997bfs9q9R-z4J_ot1s3vWw/s1600/Screenshot-373.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpj348Qp35gLEyal9u9S5sN9HJ2Q9aKTJSqGWLgvtMsH7189zBQcMjFwR_KUNpTlQvAgZbxB1GxyGpivwLPZbibVs8aMIBfCcoziuoaFKPmEGfrh507K2r997bfs9q9R-z4J_ot1s3vWw/s1600/Screenshot-373.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Omicron was growing up quickly, soon getting old enough to be let out to play by himself. He was always clumsily dropping things or crawling into furniture, though, so Alpha tried to discourage him from following his sister's example when playing with the toy box.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisawG1BGJw6Uf0C4NSHhT1wrhtsMoF1Pn4xqsWZMj-3nlj9KznGhxoQv2twLqLAk_hTS14o9cPMYTNORxMlIM8B8u3_NtSXmj4CQIBs1LS-yZOekGVteysrGAQDCdfJGYFxqsgDopYg4Y/s1600/Screenshot-367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisawG1BGJw6Uf0C4NSHhT1wrhtsMoF1Pn4xqsWZMj-3nlj9KznGhxoQv2twLqLAk_hTS14o9cPMYTNORxMlIM8B8u3_NtSXmj4CQIBs1LS-yZOekGVteysrGAQDCdfJGYFxqsgDopYg4Y/s1600/Screenshot-367.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
He and Epsilon preferred to play together, yet apart. Omicron would fuss when he was alone for too long, but as Epsilon had very little interest in actually playing with her little brother she often chose to remain across the room, playing by herself with her sheep.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHAWBWJAmN79MAkUqhdCsERC8XgB6vrj0lbixG9WIOMBSDWVi-GfXjy51xxeYdcPz1UaZIV8SVR22PXxIyY1co0cA-oGlGFm9q9N_hAQoAy0HqahfecGiT6qencTNlbcD87lq6zEdo0NE/s1600/Screenshot-371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHAWBWJAmN79MAkUqhdCsERC8XgB6vrj0lbixG9WIOMBSDWVi-GfXjy51xxeYdcPz1UaZIV8SVR22PXxIyY1co0cA-oGlGFm9q9N_hAQoAy0HqahfecGiT6qencTNlbcD87lq6zEdo0NE/s1600/Screenshot-371.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
There was a lot to do with taking care of two toddlers. Alpha's prom was held in the middle of summer, but she chose not to attend. There were more important matters to take care of at home, and she knew that she couldn't count on James for any of it.<br />
<br />
True to form, when Leisure Day came around James left the house early to attend a party he was throwing at the public pool. He'd only invited a handful of people, but he hoped that they would each bring friends of their own. More people was always more fun! He made sure to get changed before he left the house, in order to minimize the time before he could dive into the refreshing water.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZutGqAu6m8RMEwq6HeZEOtLA63OcOUvf_o4-5yY5Z6VyFO9KtD5JENVoZlkYlRkq_LEEDSfFvNey0v0fcmldQQXmYgGwrG7-Thd7xfjEITEO201Ji9jkAg_83SFf7VfqlX2TF3RxCjg4/s1600/Screenshot-360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZutGqAu6m8RMEwq6HeZEOtLA63OcOUvf_o4-5yY5Z6VyFO9KtD5JENVoZlkYlRkq_LEEDSfFvNey0v0fcmldQQXmYgGwrG7-Thd7xfjEITEO201Ji9jkAg_83SFf7VfqlX2TF3RxCjg4/s1600/Screenshot-360.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
That, of course, left Alpha home with the children. James hadn't even asked, he'd just walked right out the door. Typical. Alpha hid her irritation well when instructing Omicron in the proper use of the potty, as it wasn't appropriate to take out her anger at her father on a little kid who couldn't help who he'd been born to.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFbyxxH92bLdsr5SZ-Pf1k3X1SPb7d3dB4FdMlO19D-k4suCEBQPM1UjtA-smB3oveia91KXnWxWm8hoN_86ZJd3MpUVTdN_vM3iQ7_maBYX0wvskqd4b44HPK4e2kM2QPBcSo741hORY/s1600/Screenshot-365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFbyxxH92bLdsr5SZ-Pf1k3X1SPb7d3dB4FdMlO19D-k4suCEBQPM1UjtA-smB3oveia91KXnWxWm8hoN_86ZJd3MpUVTdN_vM3iQ7_maBYX0wvskqd4b44HPK4e2kM2QPBcSo741hORY/s1600/Screenshot-365.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
After Leisure Day, summer drew to a quick close, the weather becoming chillier by the day. While she hadn't had much help from James apart from potty training - the lesser of two evils, as he didn't want to change diapers - she'd managed to help her younger siblings develop their life skills satisfactorily. Epsilon was walking and talking, even if she didn't have much to say to anyone but Alpha, and even young Omicron was starting to toddle around. Epsilon would be starting school soon, though, and there were some things that Alpha needed to prepare her for.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA71-ju5_97fgyzcqT77-xyumH6Mxt8PZ_ulQ1p30eUp_Xw1unzIC-iz_CtsapGHciBeP76r8Szio3wdnpNFBMmma5OJWTQIi65mGx4tm2INwbi1bSnzDEU2yYouuV51MZNlG_tKjKak8/s1600/Screenshot-368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA71-ju5_97fgyzcqT77-xyumH6Mxt8PZ_ulQ1p30eUp_Xw1unzIC-iz_CtsapGHciBeP76r8Szio3wdnpNFBMmma5OJWTQIi65mGx4tm2INwbi1bSnzDEU2yYouuV51MZNlG_tKjKak8/s1600/Screenshot-368.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Alpha: "You'll be going to school soon, Epsi. It's a big step to take."<br />
Epsilon: "I'll learn things?"<br />
Alpha: "Yeah, like math and science and language arts. You'll love it."<br />
Epsilon: "Yeah!"<br />
Alpha took a deep breath. Things had gotten a lot worse at school since Sondra and James had broken up - she suspected that Sondra had been spreading rumors about James sleeping around and who he'd had children with. Alpha could deal with it, but Epsilon was young, and still so innocent. <br />
Alpha: "Some of the kids at school might be kind of mean. They'll make fun of you, and tease you for things."<br />
Epsilon: "Why? It's not nice."<br />
Alpha: "I know it's not nice, but sometimes they do it anyway. They even do it to me, but I try not to let it bother me."<br />
Epsilon: "They tease you?"<br />
Her eyes got wide as she tried to imagine her older sister getting made fun of by other kids.<br />
Alpha: "Yeah, all the time. I just don't let it bother me, alright? They might say stuff like you don't have a mom."<br />
Epsilon: "I don't have a mom though."<br />
Alpha: "No, you do have a mom, I met her when I was little. I think she loves you a lot, she just had to leave. But the kids don't understand that. Just try not to let it make you sad, okay? If anybody is bothering you, you can always come to me, okay?"<br />
Epsilon smiled and reached out to give her sister's neck a hug.<br />
Epsilon: "Okay!"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2rLmr_COE7jt93tb_0JkWIMSSkHavD_YnMCDA9GR0cnF3F_8TjdslSwMvMHI_RwhlQEoxKFby-c73vL56M80USJPz7zZ7B_Y2fBblokZJ3DPWzIaLBWfoBvotrqUoYAiafDTukeZwws/s1600/Screenshot-370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2rLmr_COE7jt93tb_0JkWIMSSkHavD_YnMCDA9GR0cnF3F_8TjdslSwMvMHI_RwhlQEoxKFby-c73vL56M80USJPz7zZ7B_Y2fBblokZJ3DPWzIaLBWfoBvotrqUoYAiafDTukeZwws/s1600/Screenshot-370.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
It was getting late, so Alpha stepped away to put Epsilon down for the night in the nursery. No matter what happened in the next few months as Epsilon started school, they'd handle this together.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
~ * ~</div>
<br />
<i>I'm actually keeping track of the money belonging to the children of this generation, separately of what's in the main family funds. It's a bit annoying, but I figure that James won't buy them anything that isn't necessary. Toys, cake, skilling objects, phone repairs, university, and so on are "extras," so they'll have to find the money on their own. It was especially challenging at this point in the generation, because Alpha couldn't take a job after school and also take care of the children, so she was limited to opportunities, which suddenly became few and far between for her. It's been a fun way to play, but I definitely don't want to do it every generation!</i><br />
<br />
<i>And yes, I have been having Alpha do 90% of the childcare. James feeds and potty trains when Alpha's at school, but once she's home she does all the socializing, care, and teaching. James didn't help to teach any of the walking/talking skills, fitting with his role as the parent who does only the bare minimum. </i><br />
<br />
<i>Omicron's hair is the same color as Eliza's was. It drove me crazy for way longer than it should have, trying to figure out where I'd seen that color before. I knew it wasn't anything that EA put in my game! </i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1480959486985392708.post-10157976511448902202013-04-15T19:10:00.002-04:002013-04-15T19:10:49.582-04:00Woods Random Legacy: Chapter 42 - CustodyOn the other side of town, things were hectic at the Woods household, dealing with both a toddler and a newborn baby. Sondra handled most of the work, cheerfully at first, but as the days went on she began to get frustrated with James's unhelpfulness. One day, she cornered him in his bedroom, the traditional location of all his unpleasant discussions.<br />
Sondra: "Look, something's going to change around here."<br />
James: "What do you mean? Things are going fine. I've got a son, and you're a great help."<br />
He gave her his best winning smile, which quickly faded when he saw the look on her face.<br />
Sondra: "Right, that's exactly it. I'm the great help. I do everything while you just laze around and play at being a chef, or stay out all night at some party or other."<br />
James: "I really appreciate it."<br />
Sondra: "Well, you know what I'd appreciate? You actually stepping up and taking some responsibility. You're a grown man, with a family! But you take no interest in any of your children."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKTOzbTQ04mdRgzBe_vh8Rs3B2R-yOoha0vJHnynEwREzDoKl8XfB8g9axNoBWEpGBqI_DZHgpVAU3oMUBTDastDAJz6_-C3OGCrV8nL8Q4wfTxBcftBCTnyXHj3bUf8RDgg4YNGVoFVE/s1600/Screenshot-228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKTOzbTQ04mdRgzBe_vh8Rs3B2R-yOoha0vJHnynEwREzDoKl8XfB8g9axNoBWEpGBqI_DZHgpVAU3oMUBTDastDAJz6_-C3OGCrV8nL8Q4wfTxBcftBCTnyXHj3bUf8RDgg4YNGVoFVE/s1600/Screenshot-228.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
James: "That's not true, I was just in the nursery talking to Omicron earlier today."<br />
Sondra: "What about your daughters?"<br />
James: "They're great. Alpha's always a help, and Epsilon seems to be learning lots of things."<br />
Sondra: "You hardly pay any attention. Do you even know what Epsilon's first word was? You also still refuse to take her to see a doctor. I'm telling you, there's something not right about that girl. The way her hair is so faded out and brittle can't be healthy."<br />
James: "So she has dry hair, so does half the population of the world. That's why they sell so many fancy hair products. She doesn't seem sick, I hear her laughing and stuff."<br />
Sondra: "Half the time. And the other half she spends falling asleep at random, even if she'd just gotten up from a nap. Narcolepsy isn't normal, James."<br />
He shrugged in response.<br />
James: "What do you want me to do about it?"<br />
Sondra: "See, this is what drives me crazy! You just don't care about them, it's like they exist only as a minor distraction to you. You know, I was at the store the other day. Know who I ran into?"<br />
James was confused at the non sequitur, but played along anyway by shaking his head.<br />
Sondra: "Rickey. We ended up talking, and you know what I realized?"<br />
She didn't wait for James to respond before continuing.<br />
Sondra: "I really don't know why I left him in the first place, especially not for you."<br />
James: "I'm smarter than he is."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_jPtqt-D8I5gcbXzhnvv4MWZUGq_1ugovY5_0Isy1YcV7HqPLzCwvAVdrzLxyH-S4saZ6TqY4qKGGjYgE2zC4PpRqClTOJ5ELZR8OzyR_TzVm_3a0Wywbk3nsNXI3zVbixO7908oV7Q/s1600/Screenshot-229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_jPtqt-D8I5gcbXzhnvv4MWZUGq_1ugovY5_0Isy1YcV7HqPLzCwvAVdrzLxyH-S4saZ6TqY4qKGGjYgE2zC4PpRqClTOJ5ELZR8OzyR_TzVm_3a0Wywbk3nsNXI3zVbixO7908oV7Q/s1600/Screenshot-229.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Sondra scoffed at that, rolling her eyes.<br />
Sondra: "Of course you'd think so. You know what, James, I'm leaving you. It's over, we're done. I just can't deal with you anymore, not with how you treat everybody around you. There's something just not right here."<br />
James: "Fine, leave then. I managed without you just fine, and I'll keep on managing when you're gone."<br />
Sondra shook her head again, clearly not believing that. <br />
Sondra: "Oh, really? Well fine, then, I'm glad we're in agreement. I already have most of my and Omicron's things packed, we're leaving now though. I'll send for the rest later."<br />
Who did she think she was? Omicron wasn't going anywhere.<br />
James: "Uh, no, I think you're misunderstanding something here. You're leaving, yes, but my son is staying here. He's mine, and I need an heir."<br />
Sondra: "Like I'd leave him here with you. I've seen how you handle children."<br />
James: "You won't have any say in the matter. Statute 687b, look it up. If I invoke that in court, I will ruin you, and you won't be able to come within fifty yards of him."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghn4hIoHJvr-sxJtVIxSIkpfk_MRgjNSx7iuhJaHDGLqM11cR-ArBjXhiCM266tN32npMieop7DYj1Y3sjBjI1ZSyZSyvFqVN7JuB6uThE1n_LAdCO0LY5k30_H_R2nMqFJUsBc4RrLaQ/s1600/Screenshot-231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghn4hIoHJvr-sxJtVIxSIkpfk_MRgjNSx7iuhJaHDGLqM11cR-ArBjXhiCM266tN32npMieop7DYj1Y3sjBjI1ZSyZSyvFqVN7JuB6uThE1n_LAdCO0LY5k30_H_R2nMqFJUsBc4RrLaQ/s1600/Screenshot-231.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The words were cold as he said them, and despite not having much legal knowledge, something about the tone of his voice made Sondra know that he was telling the truth. There was nothing she could do to fight this. He had won.<br />
<br />
With Sondra gone, Alpha began taking up even more of the slack around the house. Housework, like laundry and the dishes, took second priority to taking care of her younger half-siblings.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5RAvbNCPupZ8DcBl4xsZck34PmMjnd9oWqbzNsPGXS8ZJl4-ZyO6KmeuwMP6G_FUK6NWRZw4d08cfQBR-7Rtkj5FrRFWibP2Viql2BhR_FjgE9857HmUQE0A8zzDYwwo_-zbNJfmWSw/s1600/Screenshot-233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5RAvbNCPupZ8DcBl4xsZck34PmMjnd9oWqbzNsPGXS8ZJl4-ZyO6KmeuwMP6G_FUK6NWRZw4d08cfQBR-7Rtkj5FrRFWibP2Viql2BhR_FjgE9857HmUQE0A8zzDYwwo_-zbNJfmWSw/s1600/Screenshot-233.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
While James occasionally socialized with Omicron - not going so far as to change the dirty diapers, though - he did his best to pretend that Epsilon didn't exist. It was frustrating, but not surprising, as the young girl's face bore a strong resemblance to that of her mother. Even if James hadn't talked about it in over a year, Alpha knew that he was still hurt from her sudden departure.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmv4yoAFeHF-cuvI9TT0tCdejruZj6Paf9zrApxFug4f7lhJiwULFc5An4Nqdv7evaqzY7ihFhDq-c12AQ1sVcdfNX2-LiT2lqmsUHh3jDErVeJZhjJvV6uCdVERX2aAtDLYaLXjCo50/s1600/Screenshot-296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmv4yoAFeHF-cuvI9TT0tCdejruZj6Paf9zrApxFug4f7lhJiwULFc5An4Nqdv7evaqzY7ihFhDq-c12AQ1sVcdfNX2-LiT2lqmsUHh3jDErVeJZhjJvV6uCdVERX2aAtDLYaLXjCo50/s1600/Screenshot-296.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
That didn't excuse any of what he was doing, though. Whatever that woman's issues had been - surely she had a lot of them, like attracts like - they weren't Epsilon's fault. It just wasn't fair for him to take out his frustration and hurt on the little girl. At least he seemed determined to involve himself in Omicron's life, so thank goodness for small victories.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF0rjB66LDTdU9LFdAtI3k2N5b4tdKB_4qIkfPPQ5xYNlJ0CHrRYupJ0DO2fFcvsTg3ZKyKs3xjdzJr4Fbl1pz30cKI8KctVRD0v61F0B2w32vGfaW8IVDsy_BiYmxzpc7yGjWfaCM9bc/s1600/Screenshot-256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF0rjB66LDTdU9LFdAtI3k2N5b4tdKB_4qIkfPPQ5xYNlJ0CHrRYupJ0DO2fFcvsTg3ZKyKs3xjdzJr4Fbl1pz30cKI8KctVRD0v61F0B2w32vGfaW8IVDsy_BiYmxzpc7yGjWfaCM9bc/s1600/Screenshot-256.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Alpha couldn't spend all her free time with Epsilon, as she was still struggling through her own school years. She had almost no time to herself to meditate or train, so sometimes she had to leave Epsilon alone. Luckily, she didn't seem to mind.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzkkC42WcovmG4uGRL_niS1B2yLrUAoXZzDQMYSB-3x3rbpF07Bwn1F27Kv71J59bCWEF1MJCSFEU3I8HTHegBx99f4GYO4hbbwv24mpDpjpOmnIhrmBAa4UaG9_-zNHawL8R41Dx5rw/s1600/Screenshot-291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzkkC42WcovmG4uGRL_niS1B2yLrUAoXZzDQMYSB-3x3rbpF07Bwn1F27Kv71J59bCWEF1MJCSFEU3I8HTHegBx99f4GYO4hbbwv24mpDpjpOmnIhrmBAa4UaG9_-zNHawL8R41Dx5rw/s1600/Screenshot-291.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Epsilon took to Alpha's old peg box, quickly mastering the concepts. She was a smart girl, and Alpha was determined to help her succeed, even if everything in life seemed to be stacked against her at this moment.<br />
<br />
Sondra had sent a strange doll in the mail to Omicron. James didn't care much for it, but also didn't care much about it - it would stop the baby crying for attention in the middle of the night, at least.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ZWQGh3B9m4nVlYifSNuNcCetTerBX_fr03SVQScxR3aSaalPqgDYiORjiPu60tf4woGCcMp8tmmrXBWlt-ltYMyT54rO4pC8-MXMSHeH7owE1pWRa_0JFbX-C4-eEtjXjoNeg3yYVi4/s1600/Screenshot-294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ZWQGh3B9m4nVlYifSNuNcCetTerBX_fr03SVQScxR3aSaalPqgDYiORjiPu60tf4woGCcMp8tmmrXBWlt-ltYMyT54rO4pC8-MXMSHeH7owE1pWRa_0JFbX-C4-eEtjXjoNeg3yYVi4/s1600/Screenshot-294.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Alpha was glad that Omicron had a toy of his own, as she'd only had her own doll to give to Epsilon. She'd been worried that the little glowing thing on top of the toy's head would keep the kids up at night, but Epsilon slept like the dead and Omicron didn't seem bothered by it. It was an eccentric doll, sure, but Sondra had sent it, so it had to be harmless.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
~ * ~</div>
<br />
<i>Just in case anyone had forgotten, James is in fact a huge jerk. Still scheming and planning, even though he's made it to the top of his career. Could his new plans involve his son? </i><br />
<br />
<i><i>I'm not entirely happy with Sondra's breakup with James, from a story
standpoint. It's really hard for me to write characters who break up
for no good reason, and I had to do it three times this generation(well,
twice, Epsilon had a pretty good reason). I think I made it work, but
it could have been a lot better. Single rolls are just hard,
story-wise, especially if you have a male heir, so you can't just get
him knocked up. Severin Overlord has the monopoly on butt babies for
the next while, I think. I'd just seem like a lazy copycat</i> </i><br />
<br />
<i>I'm actually really surprised that nobody who commented on the last post seemed to notice either of the two hints I dropped to Anne's identity. The more obvious one was Epsilon's hair color, which isn't an EA default and was quite different from Anne's(dyed, obviously) hair color and anything from James's family. The trickier hint was Anne's necklace, which you can see her wearing as Anne <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOrXYc6cuRzRyfYlA9kzJcxwAUYOeHguq93RpLF0wRwnNBYN7Nrf07iDiwhMYk1ENglf3GXCbdNfjMWICOZ7f3s90bShj8GhDaL5kmUWHy5yEWBqy_7SvgQZNxoX4KnMhszKv9sOaBGH8/s1600/Screenshot-349.jpg">here</a>. As the Seer/Arcadia, it's visible <a href="http://i48.tinypic.com/1zv3h9w.jpg">here</a> in chapter 26 and all through chapter 41.</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4