Woods Random Legacy: Chapter 53 - Opportunity

Epsilon 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.

"These are awesome, Epsi!  Thanks for buying them for me!"
"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."
Omicron nodded.  "I will.  You won't be there?"
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."
Omicron's face fell.  "I won't see you for two years?"
Epsilon smiled, then stepped around the fireworks to give her half-brother a hug.

"I know.  I promise I'll write, though.  If dad is getting to be too much, remember that you can always go see Alpha."

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.

"Hey, Al, I just wanted to say goodbye before I headed off to university."
"You'll love it there, I know I did.  A science and medicine degree is ambitious, though!"
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."

"Don't get overconfident, Epsi.  Nobody's perfect."
"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?"
"Alright.  Remember to write, when you get time."

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.
"You look uncertain."
"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."
"What's that?" He watched her, non-judgmental as always.
"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?"
"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."

"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.
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."
Epsilon nodded, pushing herself off the stairs.  "That makes me feel better.  I'll miss you, in dreams and physically."

"And me as well, Epsilon.  Remember to continue your practice, as often as you can."
She nodded.  "I will.  I'll dream with you as often as possible."
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
"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.
"Epsilon Woods.  It's really nice to meet you."

He nodded, flashing that smile again.  "Likewise.  So, what are you here to study?"
"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."
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."

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."
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."
"Ah, right!  That's supposed to be starting soon, isn't it?"  She'd almost forgotten.

"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."
"Good idea.  I'll give you mine too."

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.

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.

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.
"Boring nerds, all of them.  I vote we ditch orientation and meet at the coffee shop."

She smiled to herself as she tapped out a quick reply.  It looked like she'd made a friend already, maybe even something more.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

~ * ~

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'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'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. :(

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. ;)

Woods Random Legacy: Chapter 52 - Someday

Love 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.

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.

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.

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.

Then, it started to rain.

Epsilon sighed, abandoning the childish game.  She should get home before the sky really opened up.  No, not home - she had a better idea.

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.

"Al!"
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..."
Epsilon shook her head.  "Don't worry about it, I've seen you dealing with worse.  Why are you out in the rain, though?"
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!"
"Al.  Give her here."  Epsilon held out her arms for the infant, accepting the swaddled child and following Alpha towards the door.

"There you are.  You're gonna stop crying now, okay?  You need to be nice and not upset your sister!"
Alpha glanced back as the baby's cries slowed, turning into coos.  "How did you do that?  I tried everything."
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."
Alpha smiled as Epsilon walked over to her.  "You'll make a great mom one day."

"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."
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."
Epsilon nodded and took a seat on the sofa, settling in for a long rainy afternoon's chat with her sister.

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.

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.

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.

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.

~ * ~

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.

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. ;)

Yes, Alpha really was standing out in the yard, in the rain, with her baby.  I don't even...

To make the short update up to you guys, I have a few outtakes!

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.

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.

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!

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! >_<

Woods Random Legacy: Chapter 51 - Accomplishments

That night, Epsilon dreamed again.  This time she was alone in the library.
Epsilon: "Shadow?  Gregory?  Anyone?"
Gregory: "Down here!"
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?

She hurried down one of the twin staircases and took a seat at the far end of the table.
Epsilon: "Was this table always down here?"
Gregory: "No.  It wasn't here until we needed it, and then it was.  Remember, this is a place of dreams."

Epsilon: "So I can dream whatever I want in here?"
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."
Epsilon: "This entire place is made from my subconscious?"
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."
Epsilon nodded.
Epsilon: "It's true, I do want to talk.  I made my wand, like you said, and...I felt it.  The magic."
Gregory smiled broadly, leaning forward approvingly.
Gregory: "That's excellent!  So, you believe me now?  That this is true?"
Epsilon nodded.
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."
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."
Epsilon: "You can't teach me how to use my magic?"
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."
Epsilon sat in silence, thinking.
Epsilon: "So you're stronger, as a child?  I'm only asking because, once, I think I might have turned my hair white."

Gregory: "Manifestations of magic as a young child are common, even to that extent.  If you were feeling particularly anxious..."
Epsilon: "I was.  I wanted nothing more than to have normal hair, but I made it even more alien, if that's possible."
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."
Epsilon: "Really?"
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.
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."
Epsilon: "You really think I can do it?"
Gregory: "I know you can do it.  After all, you've done it once before."

Epsilon awoke, dressing herself, and went to find breakfast.
Epsilon: "Morning, Omi."
Omicron: "Hey, Epsi.  How's it going?"
Epsilon: "I was promoted to Epitaph Writer last night.  I guess I get to be creative now."
Omicron: "That's cool.  So, do you want to work at the graveyard forever?"
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."

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."
Epsilon: "You really think so?  Thanks."
A bit pink from the compliment, she quickly changed the topic.
Epsilon: "Do you know what you want to do with your life?"
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?"
Epsilon: "Yeah, definitely.  That's a good thing to work towards, and I think you're suited for it, Omi."

After breakfast, Omicron was headed out the door to enjoy the rare sunny day when he was intercepted.
James: "You, boy.  I need to talk to you."
Sighing, he resigned himself to yet another one of those conversations before turning to face his father.
James: "What are you doing?"
Omicron: "I was going outside."
James snorted derisively.
James: "That's your plan for the weekend?  Going outside?  What's wrong with you?  You have no goals, no direction."

Omicron replied quietly.
Omicron: "I do have goals."
James waved his hand dismissively.
James: "None worth pursuing.  I'm getting older, you know.  I look at you, and I think to myself, 'This 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."
Omicron: "What are you talking about?  Al's pregnant."
James: "I said the Woods family, not the whatever-she-is family.  She doesn't count."
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.

Omicron: "How can you talk about your own daughter that way?  What's wrong with you?"
James: "Excuse me?"
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."

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.
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?"
Omicron cringed away, but James didn't get any closer.

James: "Go outside.  I don't want to look at you right now."
Omicron went.

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.
Gregory: "Epsilon?  What's the matter?"

She turned to look at him, wiping the tears from her cheeks.
Epsilon: "What does it look like the matter is?"
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."

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.
Epsilon: "Thanks.  Things have just been stressful around the house, and-well, you know, don't you."
He chuckled at that, nodding, and she couldn't help but join in a bit.
Gregory: "Just keep trying.  I know you can do it."
Epsilon nodded and accepted the hug her mentor offered.  She'd try again, and it would work.  Eventually.

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.

As she stepped out of the bathroom, she nearly tripped over Shadow.  Glancing down to the cat, she spoke to him quietly.
Epsilon: "How'd you know it would work this time?"

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.
Omicron: "Did you dye your hair, Epsi?"
Epsilon: "Something like that, yeah.  Do you like it?"
Omicron: "It looks good."

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.

~ * ~

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.

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* ;)

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 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.