Mod The Sims - Story Time Contest: Hero Edition

heaven

16th Jun 2012, 4:05 PM

Foreword and Warning

Last fall, I hosted a story contest that turned out to be a big hit. I’ve had multiple people asking for a second cycle of it and finally decided “hey, why not”. So, this time, we’re doing the hero addition!

Heroes are those amazing people that somehow are placed in really crappy or extraordinary circumstances and manage to work through it all, typically for the better, even with the odds stacked against them! Sometimes they are ordinary people who just happen to fit the bill, sometimes they are blessed with supernatural powers or superhuman abilities.

http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/35963_120616112843Hero Banner2.jpgBanner by Elexis (http://www.modthesims.info/member.php?u=499665)

I will preface this entire thing by stating that this is HARD work. You will be writing an entire short story in as little as 10 weeks (2 weeks per round). That’s, at the very least, 5,000 words overall with at minimum, 50 or so pictures. If you do not think you will have the time, please be courteous and do not enter. We would love to have you and understand if something comes up during but if you know you have other priorities (school, work, vacation, etc) please take that into consideration.

Qualifications
Hosted Story Time – Cycle 1 Contest
Participated through all rounds of MTS Official Foundations contest
Was judge for Lifelover’s Build to Plan contest
Was emergency judge for missroxor’s Make Me a Model contest

Introduction

Each contestant will create a main character (see rules below for guidelines) and write a story about them in 5 chapters. Sounds easy? There are some twists: each round will consist of certain events/things that need to take place in the story as well as incorporating a certain line/excerpt from a song that will have to be in the contestant’s entry. The story must flow from round to round, with the same main character, finally coming to a conclusion. It can be a happy ending, or tragic or a cliffhanger (maybe this will prompt people to continue in the Sims Stories forum) or somewhere between those.

The contest will be set up in 5 rounds; starting with your introduction and ending with your conclusion. Each round will be 2 weeks long. Extensions may be granted but are not likely so please use your time wisely!

*If you participated in the first cycle, please read through the rules and scoring anyway. This is not the same contest but rather a continuation and rework of the first and some things have been changed!*

Rules
Contest Rules:
1. Forum rules apply.
2. Sims 2 and 3 allowed.
3. One entry is allowed per person. Round 1 counts as your application round.
4. Any and all custom content is allowed. See below for scoring related to CC.
5. There will be no eliminations, however entries are capped at 20 participants.
6. Photoshop is at the extreme minimal. By this, I mean that you can add a border to your pictures, but that is it. No words, no adding images, no changing backgrounds, lighting, etc. If you are doing a flashback, you are permitted to change it to greyscale or sepia and smudge/fog the borders but please be conservative in your use of this. No full chapters as a flashback.
7. No recycled or “borrowed stories”. All stories must be original and new. If you have a story in the Sims Stories forum you MAY NOT use it. If I find you have (or have borrowed a story from the forum or anywhere else) you will be disqualified.
8. There will be a photo limit per story as well as word limit per picture. This will be stated per round. Compliance to these limits is scored. To get your word count, either use Microsoft Word, if you have it, or Word Counter (http://wordcountertool.com/). Pictures should follow upload guidelines: minimum of 800x600 up to a maximum of 1280x1060.
9. Grammar and spelling will NOT be judged. Please try your best but it is more important that the story is understandable and flows.

Story Rules:
10. Stories may be whatever genre and setting each contestant desires: drama, romance, fantasy, etc but make sure it can flow throughout the rounds and that CC adherence is possible.
11. Likewise, characters may be any age or species. Remember, the story will come to a conclusion; young adult or adult sims may be easiest but selection is up to the contestant’s discretion.
12. All main characters must be made by the contestant and must fit your story. Additionally, they must be one of the 4 listed main subtypes. See Below
13. Stories may be written in first or third person. Again, this is up to contestant discretion but be consistent throughout all rounds.
14. Events/things and excerpt must be included each round. Excerpts must be written exactly the way they appear. If you choose to change the tense or wording, that is up to you but you risk losing points.
15. Story must be PG-13. Also, please keep cursing to a minimum and RELEVANT to your story or character. I'm not saying you CAN'T use curse words but please be thoughtful in how/why the character would use those words.
16. Bonus Rounds may include introducing a character or incorporating a second line into the story. Bonus Rounds are done in conjunction with your entry, not as a separate one.

Round Explanations:
Each round will be explained in detail below. There are 4 Hero Subtypes listed below. You will choose one of these and they will be the main character of your story. Each subtype will have 10 events/ themes to choose from. Some of these might overlap through characters. Each round, you must select one from YOUR chosen character’s list and it must appear in that chapter. You do not have to specifically use the same phrasing but it MUST BE CLEAR what you have chosen. Additionally, you may not reuse any idea in subsequent chapters; once YOU use it, it's gone. Previously used themes may be discussed in subsequent chapters as long as there is a new one. Nothing, even if it alludes to an expansion, requires an expansion pack. Use your imagination, get creative! That’s what this is all about!

Hero Subtypes:
The Badass Bookworm: This one doesn’t look like much and may be classified as the nerd. Possibly shy character who looks unimposing but has hidden strength and/or practical skills. Examples: Indiana Jones, Tony Stark, Willow from Buffy, Liana T’Sori from Mass Effect, Mr. Spock.
The Chosen One: Victim of “because destiny says so” and the only one able to save the world/defeat the bad guy, etc regardless of their desire to be said chosen one. Examples: Neo from The Matrix, Harry Potter, all 3 (4?) sisters from Charmed, Emma Swan from Once Upon a Time.
The Knight in Sour Armor: Idealists who have discovered that the world is a dark, cold place and replace their shining armor with pure cynicism. Fight because it’s the right thing to do, not because they believe they can make a difference. Examples: Shrek, Dr. House from House, Garrus from Mass Effect.
The Atoner: Used to be the villain, realized his evil ways and wants to redeem himself. Struggles with massive guilt and falling back into old habits. Examples: Angel from Angel, Richard Alpert from Lost, occasionally Cole from Charmed, Brigid Tenebaum from Bioshock, Mordin Solus from Mass Effect 2.

The Badass Bookworm,The Chosen One,The Knight in Sour Armor,The Atoner
Mysterious Past,Mysterious Past,Mysterious Past,Mysterious Past
Finding Judas,Finding Judas,Finding Judas,Finding Judas
Heaven Only Knows,Heaven Help Us,Heaven Forbid,Move Heaven and Earth
Mind Over Matter,Evil Twin,Evil Twin,Mind Over Matter
Class Reunion,Rematch!,Not You Again!,Redemption Quest
Minored in Ass Kicking,Love Triangle,Good is Boring,The Cake Was a Lie
Time Travel,Kidnapped,Embarrasing Rescue,7 Deadly Sins
Blondes are Evil,Family Secrets,Get Out of Jail Free Card,Karma's a Bitch
Makeover,Beware the Nice Guy,Meet Cute,Last Chance
Playing Both Sides,Lottery of Doom,One Born Every Minute,Pride Before A FallPlease remember that these do not have to be taken literally and at face value. They also do not need to happen directly TO your character.

Prizes
Currently there are no prizes available, it’s just for fun. Anyone wishing to donate a prize please PM me.

Contestants
Need at least 10 contestants!
Contestants,Round 1 Score | Link,Round 2 Score | Link,Round 3 Score | Link,Round 4 Score | Link,Round 5 Score | Link, Final Score
1. spladoum (http://modthesims.info/m/39789),94.7 | Round 1 (http://modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3881546&postcount=6),100.0 | Round 2 (http://modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3910083&postcount=168),91.5 | Round 3 (http://modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3920620&postcount=216),93.7 | Round 4 (http://modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3935605&postcount=269),94.3 | Round 5 (http://db.modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3962948&postcount=325), 94.8
2. ReyaD (http://modthesims.info/m/4668464),94.0 | Round 1 (http://modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3881921&postcount=7),99.3 | Round 2 (http://modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3905778&postcount=150),95.7 | Round 3 (http://www.modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3919359&postcount=215),96.7 | Round 4 (http://modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3936453&postcount=273),96.7 | Round 5 (http://db.modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3962509&postcount=324), 96.5
3. ForeverCamp (http://modthesims.info/m/705200),96.7 | Round 1 (http://modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3886243&postcount=19),93.7 | Round 2 (http://modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3915341&postcount=199),Withdrawn,Withdrawn,Withdrawn,38.1
4. Melibee1323 (http://modthesims.info/m/7328021),93.3 | Round 1 (http://modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3892539&postcount=70),89.7 | Round 2 (http://modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3916147&postcount=204),0.0 | No Entry,Withdrawn,Withdrawn,36.6
5. Ghost_sdoj (http://modthesims.info/m/285821),88.7 | Round 1 (http://modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3897248&postcount=85),87.0 | Round 2 (http://modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3914716&postcount=192),99.0 | Round 3 (http://modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3929108&postcount=238),96.3 | Round 4 (http://www.modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3943415&postcount=284),93.7 | Round 5 (http://db.modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3963018&postcount=326),92.9
6. Viva1994 (http://modthesims.info/m/4548655),89.0 | Round 1 (http://modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3897895&postcount=86),87.7 | Round 2 (http://www.modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3914216&postcount=186),96.3 | Round 3 (http://modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3929607&postcount=245),96.3 | Round 4 (http://www.modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3944244&postcount=288),93.7 | Round 5 (http://db.modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3963318&postcount=333),92.6
7. Qnshr5 (http://modthesims.info/m/2964533),98.3 | Round 1 (http://modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3898500&postcount=93),99.7 | Round 2 (http://modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3915958&postcount=203),98.3 | Round 3 (http://modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3927948&postcount=227),102.0 | Round 4 (http://www.modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3944349&postcount=289),103.7 | Round 5 (http://db.modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3963034&postcount=327),100.4
8. waterjay (http://www.modthesims.info/m/3641413),97.3 | Round 1 (http://www.modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3899315&postcount=96),Withdrawn,Withdrawn,Withdrawn,Withdrawn,19.5
9. Tamlyn (http://modthesims.info/m/3210974),97.3 | Round 1 (http://modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3900293&postcount=109),100.0 | Round 2 (http://modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3913827&postcount=184),97.0 | Round 3 (http://modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3927725&postcount=224),103.7 | Round 4 (http://www.modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3943713&postcount=286),100.7 | Round 5 (http://db.modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3963224&postcount=329),99.7
10. Sabri5 (http://modthesims.info/m/6831288),89.7 | Round 1 (http://modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3900484&postcount=112),94.3 | Round 2 (http://modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3915276&postcount=196),93.0 | Round 3 (http://modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3929697&postcount=248),79.0 | Round 4 (http://www.modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3944383&postcount=290),75.0 | Round 5 (http://db.modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3963290&postcount=331),86.2
11. Prawler (http://modthesims.info/m/6138392),90.7 | Round 1 (http://modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3901292&postcount=116),92.3 | Round 2 (http://modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3914496&postcount=188),0.0 | No Entry,0.0 | No Entry,Disqualified,36.6
12. Buckley (http://modthesims.info/m/6075969),98.0 | Round 1 (http://modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3901367&postcount=119),0.00 | No Entry,Withdrawn,Withdrawn,Withdrawn,19.6
13. LadyAwesome (http://modthesims.info/m/3778280),89.0 | Round 1 (http://modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3901372&postcount=120),96.0 | Round 2 (http://modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3914730&postcount=193),99.3 | Round 3 (http://modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3929366&postcount=240),98.3 | Round 4 (http://modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3941977&postcount=282),71.3 | Round 5 (http://db.modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3960831&postcount=320),90.8
14. missroxor (http://modthesims.info/m/2739233),95.7 | Round 1 (http://modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3901416&postcount=124),100.3 | Round 2 (http://modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3910210&postcount=169),103.7 | Round 3 (http://modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3928266&postcount=229),103.0 | Round 4 (http://www.modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3942541&postcount=283),101.7 | Round 5 (http://db.modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3963287&postcount=330),100.9

Score Details
Round 1 Scores (http://modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3904959&postcount=142)
Round 2 Scores (http://modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3918767&postcount=213)
Round 3 Scores (http://modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3936402&postcount=271)
Round 4 Scores (http://modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3953206&postcount=304)
Round 5 and Final Scores (http://modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3971906&postcount=346)

Judges
1. Jaguwar (http://www.modthesims.info/member.php?u=5441491)
2. GigaRevival (http://modthesims.info/member.php?u=4800601)
3. SIMul8rReviews (http://modthesims.info/m/4040578)

Emergency Judges
1. heaven (http://www.modthesims.info/member.php?u=2650007)

Judging Parameters
1. CREATIVITY 45 points overall:
Originality of story 15 points: Is your story unique and interesting? If it is a specific archetype do you use an unexpected twist?
Use of excerpt 10 points: Is your excerpt expected? Does it blend in with the story or is it plopped randomly in?
Development of character 10 points: Are your characters flat, one sided sims or realistic and multi-faceted? Do they have believable reactions/dialogue? Are the extraneous characters fluff or do they add to the story?
Events 10 points: Do the events you choose work well with the overall plot? Are the two themes tied together well? Do they make sense to be used together?

2. SCENES 30 points overall:
# of pictures 10 points: Did you have the correct number of pictures for the round?
Mood, storyline 10 points: Did your words mentally set a stage for us? Did the use of descriptive words help us “feel” the scene?
Use of props/staging 10 points: Did you choose appropriate scenes/props for the mood you were going for? If you are doing medieval, did you have a TV in the background? Are your angles relevant to the specific scene they are portraying?

3. FLOW 20 points: Does the story flow cohesively from one point to the next? Are your rounds consistent with each other?

4. RULE ADHERENCE 4 points: Were the events and excerpt included in your entry? Did you use photoshop? Are your word limits in line with what is stated each round? Did you use the entry form? (It is up to each judge to determine how much to penalize if a contestant goes over the word max up to a max of 4 points)

5. CC 1 point: Exclusion of CC makes creators really think and be creative with what is in game. Therefore, contestants will receive 1 point if no CC is used and 0 points if any is used. You MUST state if you used CC at the bottom of your entry. If you do not, it will be assumed that it has been used. Note: Custom worlds, poses, OMSPs, and store content do not count as CC. Skin/hair/eyes can be used without penalty but please be sure to let judges know that you used them. Other CC, including build/buy content or clothes/accessories will count towards the points. For contestants with TS2, recolors for Maxis objects are also allowed and will not be counted as CC.

6. BONUS 5 points: Did your use of the bonus content really help move your story along? If so, how well? Was it used in an expected way? (Judges may award between 0 for no use at all and 5 for well incorporated, creative use of bonus)

Scores for each judge will be added together and averaged so each round you have a possible of 100 points. Constructive criticism from the judges is encouraged but not mandatory.

Helpful Links

1. How to Write a Good Story (http://www.modthesims.info/article.php?t=337553): Used for the Sims Stories Forum but useful here as well. Continuity and Picture chapters are particularly helpful.
2. Picture Taking Tutorial (http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=337362): Can be used in Conjunction with above to get great pictures.
3. Elements of a Short Story (http://hrsbstaff.ednet.ns.ca/engramja/elements.html): May help you better plot things out and get a better of idea of how to navigate a short story.

http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/35924_120614002334Round 1.jpg
Round 1 – Prologue – TIMER ( http://www.timeanddate.com/counters/customcounter.html?msg=Hero+Story%3A+Round+1&month=7&day=8&year=2012&hour=23&min=59&sec=59&p0=770)
Guidelines: Round 1 should set the tone of your story. From here, readers should be able to get a general idea what genre you are going for. This can be set up through a prologue or just diving straight into your first chapter. Maybe this is where your hero first becomes a hero. Maybe this is another adventure for an already existing hero. Remember, each subsequent chapter will need to add to this one. From here, we should know what type of hero you have (even if you don’t jump straight into it, there should be some clues) and at least have an idea of the struggle your hero will face in the future. Between 1,000 and 1,500 words and 10 to 15 pictures. Anything above or below this numbers will result in loss of points.

Excerpt: Choose ONE of the following quotes. If it has an ellipsis, you may finish the sentence however you like as long as the quotations appear correctly.
“I tell myself that I'll be strong.”
“Bless your soul, you've got your head in the clouds.”
“God knows I'm tough enough…”

Round 1: Bonus Worth 5 points: Also introduce your hero’s sidekick. You have 5 choices, some will work better than others for your hero. They do not have to be the same age, gender, or even species as your main character. Again, you should not have to CALL your sidekick the name above but it should be obvious what role they are playing.
The Damsel in Distress: Who your hero usually has to rescue. Can be Dude in Distress if you like.
The Moral Compass: This one keeps your hero in check. Voice of reason.
The Reckless Companion: Guns/powers blazing, rushing in without thinking.
The Hypercompetent: Does all the work and makes your hero look good.
The Comic Relief: Does this need explaining?

http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/37232_120709013414Round 2.jpg
Round 2 – Rising Action – TIMER (http://www.timeanddate.com/countdown/generic?iso=20120725T205959&p0=770&msg=Hero+Story+Round+2)
Round 2 should be where your audience can begin to see what the climax of the story will be. You should be building up to figuring out who your villain is or masterminding the attempt to take him down. This should be the planning and plotting chapter and, because of that, the word count has been increased a little. Between 1,200 and 1,700 words and 10 to 17 pictures. Anything above or below these numbers will result in loss of points.

Excerpt: Choose ONE of the following quotes.
“He's a devil in disguise…”
“I remember you said "Don't leave me here alone".”
“I'm just like you, only prettier.”

Round 2: Bonus Worth 5 points Hero costume time! Introduce an outfit (it doesn’t have to be a permanent choice) that your hero could use as his/her costume.

Please include a brief summary (around 100 words) before your entry. This will NOT be counted towards your word count.
Also, please include information listed below your entry:
Current Plot Point: What did you use this chapter?
Previous Plot Points: Here you will keep a running list of what you have already used.
Word Count:
CC Used: Allowed ____. This can be as simple as a yes/no response

http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/38258_120726001334Round 3.jpg
Round 3 - Climax - TIMER (http://www.timeanddate.com/countdown/generic?iso=20120808T205959&p0=770&msg=Hero+Story+Round+3)
This should be the center conflict and turning point in your story. Maybe you finally “unmask” the villain. Perhaps you struggle with the villain for the first time. Maybe your true love has been kidnapped? Who knows? Leave your readers hanging on the edge of their seat! What could happen? Will things be resolved or not? Between 1,200 and 1,700 words and 10 to 17 pictures. Anything above or below these numbers will result in loss of points.

Excerpt: Choose ONE of the following quotes.
“You can sound the alarm…” - Eminem, Won't Back Down
“Do it one time for the underdogs." - B.o.B f/ Taylor Swift, Both of Us
“It's too damn late to apologize.” - NERD, Rockstar Poser

Round 3: Bonus Worth 5 points Choose an extra theme from the table above to place in this chapter as well. Extra fun? Choose from ANY of the events, not just those listed in your chosen Hero’s section. This means that you will have to have 2 plot points in your next chapter.

Please include a brief summary (around 100 words) before your entry.
Also, please include information listed below your entry:
Current Events: What did you use this chapter?
Previous Events: Here you will keep a running list of what you have already used.
Word Count:
CC Used:

http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/39131_120810005718Round 4.jpg
Round 4 – Falling Action – TIMER (http://www.timeanddate.com/countdown/generic?iso=20120825T205959&p0=770&msg=Hero+Story+Round+4)
Will your conflict that has been introduced be resolved? Will the villain be defeated or will there be a rematch in the future? Your readers should be able to tell where the story is going and if your hero will be able to settle the issues and save the day! Between 1,000 and 1,500 words and 10 to 15 pictures. Anything above or below this numbers will result in loss of points.

Excerpt: Choose ONE of the following quotes.
“Carry on as if nothing really matters…” Queen, Bohemian Rhapsody
“Who knew the other side of you?” Red Hot Chili Peppers, Dani California
“Maybe you're strong, but you don't stand a chance.” Volbeat, A Warrior's Call

Round 4: Bonus Worth 5 points Choose ONE of the excerpts below:
“I don’t know who made the rules but they’re wrong.” Robbie Nevil, Fifteen Minutes
“Surely you can take some comfort knowing that you're mine.” The Used, Smother Me
“If your body matches what your eyes can do…” Finger Eleven, Paralyzer

Please include a brief summary (around 100 words) before your entry.
Also, please include information listed below your entry:
Current Events: What did you use this chapter?
Previous Events: Here you will keep a running list of what you have already used.
Word Count:
CC Used:

http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/39595_120826004316Round 5.jpg
Round 5 – Conclusion – TIMER (http://www.timeanddate.com/countdown/generic?iso=20120915T205959&p0=770&msg=Hero+Story+Round+5)
This is the final series of events. Will your hero have a happy ending? Is everything all wrapped up in a neat bow? Whatever direction your story took, your readers should feel some sense of closure. If you choose to make it a cliffhanger, close out the direction your story took to begin with and make the cliffhanger a new twist. Between 1,800 words and 2,500 words and 18 to 25 pictures. Anything above or below this numbers will result in loss of points.

Excerpt: Choose ONE of the following quotes.
“If happy ever after did exist…” Maroon 5, Payphone
“Help me, I’m no good at goodbyes.” Train, 50 Ways to Say Goodbye
“Would you have it any other way?” Florence + the Machine, What the Water Gave Me

Round 5: Bonus Worth 5 points
Incorporate a brief scene from the antagonist’s point of view. This should be done in conjunction with your normal round and should flow smoothly. If you choose to do this, add in an extra 300-500 words and 3-5 pictures. The scene can be one compact scene or you may space them out through your chapter. However, spacing them out through your chapter may prove more difficult when it comes to natural flow. Overall, if you do the bonus, you will need 2,100 to 3,000 words and 21 to 30 pictures.

Please include a brief summary (around 100 words) before your entry.
Also, please include information listed below your entry:
Current Events: What did you use this chapter?
Previous Events: Here you will keep a running list of what you have already used.
Word Count:
CC Used:

HystearicalParoxysm

16th Jun 2012, 4:18 PM

Contest approved - do not post until the host checks in or your genitals will be eaten by giant cyborg rat-spiders with laser beams for eyes and candy confetti shooting out of their nipples.

heaven

16th Jun 2012, 4:26 PM

Alright everyone! Time to get this party started! Or at least extreme brain storming session! As linked above (before the cyborg rat-spiders), you have until July 1st, midnight, at Pacific Standard Time. In case you missed it, or were so overwhelmed by the awesomeness that is the first post, here is the TIMER ( http://www.timeanddate.com/counters/customcounter.html?msg=Hero+Story%3A+Round+1&month=7&day=8&year=2012&hour=23&min=59&sec=59&p0=770) again. Have fun and I look forward to seeing what everyone can come up with!

spladoum

16th Jun 2012, 11:49 PM

A quick question, because I'm new to this:
Do OMSPs (regular, tippy) count as CC as well?

heaven

17th Jun 2012, 2:50 AM

A quick question, because I'm new to this:
Do OMSPs (regular, tippy) count as CC as well?

No, I wouldn't count those as CC. I'll amend that in the rules. Thanks for asking!

spladoum

17th Jun 2012, 6:26 PM

Round 1: Prologue.

http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/35983_120617124800Screenshot-9609.jpg

I tell myself that I'll be strong.

I say it frequently, something just under my breath, sometimes aloud, sometimes even sincerely. After all, that quote is my current desktop background. One of my (former) assistants uploaded it to encourage me. She left my office for the last time two months back, shaking, unable to say "I quit" for all the tears. I didn't have any sympathy for her, but it's all one—I don't have any sympathy left for me. Call me what you will, but at least I'm consistent.

I am a doctor. Once I was a good one. I was so good that they used me up, burnt me out.

http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/35984_120617125122Screenshot-9603.jpg

Maybe it happened because I don't have a family. I'm literally the only single doctor in the entire hospital. So I became the go-to, the clean-up crew, the one who inevitably had his vacations canceled and evening plans changed because Dr. so-and-so couldn't find a babysitter or needed to go to a school meeting or had to attend a Little League game. Sure, I make good money and have a gorgeous apartment, but I hardly ever see it. I come home in the dark and wake up in the dark. I don't get home-cooked meals; I heat up convenience store coffee in the microwave. The only time I get to enjoy my sports car is when I'm racing to the ER to pick up someone else's slack, as usual. Being used gets to you sooner or later, and the overtime money won't make up for it.

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I suppose the pleasure of perpetual recognition by the medical board should be sufficient reward, but it isn't. The statutes go home and sit on top of a desk in the corner. The plaques hang on the wall and collect dust. And lately I take my pick of the pretty green bottles from the rack on the wall and drain the whole 750 ml dry before staring out of the big picture window at a very expensive view that I don't even care to see anymore.

This is not why I went to medical school.

But in all honesty … school doesn't prepare you to face life. Or face yourself.

*****

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"Dr. Cowert. I see you're working in the dark again. I thought the office was empty for a moment. But I suppose I should have known better."

That's my latest assistant. She's outlasted the others. She enunciates the "T" in my name so that I'm always clear that she's not saying 'coward.' She brings tea without me even asking. She also turns on my lights when I'd just as soon sit in the dark. Also without me asking.

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"Mrs. Hallenbeck. Good morning."

"How are you today, sir. You must be feeling well, your desk is a disaster area, as usual."

"I'm here."

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She's 23, but she seems much older. The first time we met I thought she might be a nun. As I soon found out, she is in fact Catholic. She explained this during the interview, that she could not miss Mass or Sunday service for any reason whatsoever. I'm not going to lie, I wasn't pleased. It's not like people stop hurting each other or themselves on any particular day of the week. But her nerve impressed me, so I didn't downgrade her.

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After she was hired on, they sent her straight to my door. I suppose they thought we'd be good for each other. She's been cleaning up my office and keeping track of my notes ever since. And throwing my empty bottles away. It doesn't take a genius to know that she disapproves. I pointed out the first time she spoke her mind on the matter, that ring on her finger might mean she had someone to boss around, but it sure as hell wasn't me. She didn't exactly get the memo.

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"Your afternoon appointment with Dr. Pradyash has been canceled. Her daughter is ill."

I snort. She stares at me. "Did I say something funny, sir?"

"No. Not at all. Not. At. All."

Dr. Pradyash is my psychiatrist. I've been ordered to see her, ever since I marched into the director's office and refused to attend any future surgeries. That went over just about how you'd expect—I was threatened with disciplinary action, sanctions, having my license revoked—you name it. But in the end, I got my way. If they fired me, they wouldn't have a pool boy to clean up their messes. Still, though, it doesn't look good when a surgeon won't operate. So they force me to talk to the office shrink. She's a nice lady. Her voice is coaxing, soft. Sometimes we even get along.

*****

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"Why have you stopped performing surgeries, Eric?"

"You already know why."

"Tell me again, I believe I've forgotten some details."

"… I was on duty when they brought in the children from the Klarris County Fair accident."

"And …?"

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I don't want to go on. She already knows all of this. But I must, so reluctantly, I recount it for her. Again.

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I'd been working a double-shift with no breaks, which was against policy, but I couldn't leave because there was no one to relieve me. I hadn't slept, I'd hardly eaten. I just gotten a snack out of the microwave when the intercom went static-y with a frantic all-call for all available doctors and nurses to come to emergency trauma. A horse had gone rogue and charged through a class of small children—the injuries needed immediate care. I was assigned to a boy with broken ribs, whose eyes never once opened from the minute they laid him on the table to the last horrible seconds when the defibrillator failed to restart his overtaxed heart. I had to give the news to his mother, and listen to her scream. And worse yet, I had to step between her and her surviving child, who tearfully admitted that his brother was dead because he had dared him to go into the corral with the skittish horse.

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I had to be there for them. But no one found me, when I fainted of exhaustion in the dressing room and concussed myself. I had been forgotten. Again.

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"They misled me. They told me the kid had been trampled along with other students. They didn't tell me that he'd been kicked at close range by a grown horse." I was standing, shivering the way I always do when I think about it. Dr. Pradyash was standing now too, watching me narrowly, the way she always does. "I was looking at all the wrong things when I went into that OR! I missed the signs—that kid shouldn't have died!"

"As you yourself have pointed out, you were given misleading information, and you made your best effort based on that information—"

"My best effort wasn't good enough!" I shout.

Her face is stern, but still calm. "Eric, please sit down."

"What the hell for? Why bother? I became a surgeon to work on cases like this! Is talking about it going to bring that kid back to life?"

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"Eric," she says, and I finally feel her hand.

"… I missed the signs because I just wanted to go home. I was so tired, and so hungry, and all I could think about was going home. I wasn't thinking about the patient. … I wasn't a good doctor that night."

*****

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"… Dr. Cowert." Mrs. Hallenbeck sounds impatient. "You blanked out again."

Damn it. "And? … don't look at me like that, I'm working here."

"Be that as it may, your lecture class is beginning in five minutes."

I hold my head with my hand. I need a drink, and that tea won't cut it. But Mrs. Hallenbeck is leaning against the drawer where I hide the booze and giving me that 'don't-even-think-about-it' stare. I guzzle the contents of the mug until it's empty, set it down hard on the desk. "You happy now?"

"Not even remotely," she says in a cold voice, and goes back to putting the scattered books away.

As I stand, my eyes flicker to my computer. As soon as I get back from lecture, I'm changing that background.

CC used: store items, custom eyes, OMSP, tipsy OMSP, skin by HP
Plot point: Mysterious Past
Word count: 1,380.

ReyaD

18th Jun 2012, 12:29 AM

Freaks and Monsters
Chapter One

---

Life never really works out the way you want it to. One minute you’re top of your class at the police academy, well on your way to making a real difference in the world... the next you’re choosing between death row or life as a government pet. Get out of jail free card? Not quite but thats the way they’d worded it.

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Flash forward a few years and you might just find yourself in the home of a suspected bio-terrorist, ready to do something you swore you’d never do. There had been a line once, but that line was long since gone, and all that’s left is a sick feeling in the pit of your stomach that you’re now used to ignoring.

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Three years ago she wouldn’t have done this job for all the money in the world. But ever since her little trick was discovered she hadn’t had much choice in which jobs she was given. And unfortunately for her, her trick required skin on skin contact to work.

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It made her skin crawl to feel this bastard’s hands on her body, but she’d already managed to pull out the location of his next target, the local college. The rest of the information was harder to find.

He was insane, she’d felt that without even having to touch him, but now that she was in his mind all she could see were a blend of faces and colors, nothing linear or easy to understand. He was paranoid and was already confusing her with other girls he’d been with, both real and imagined. All the better for her really, it was usually pretty hard to cover the imprint of her mind on his, his insanity would make things a lot easier.

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But before she could cover her tracks she’d need to finish the job, and in order to organize his thoughts she’d need to do a bit of leading. “So what do you do for a living anyway, hot stuff?”

He smiled, and she saw a flash of faces, making notes of each to sketch out later. “I’m a biological chemist, baby. If I wanted to, I could kill half the world’s population with a single vial of the things I work with.”

“Mmm wow. That’s so hot. I love a man with power.” She almost threw up in her own mouth with that line.

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All of a sudden she saw a flash of red in his mind. Usually that meant panic but physically he hadn’t reacted at all. “Hun, is everything alright?”

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He pushed her off, throwing himself onto the ground next to her, his head in his hands as if in pain. “My... my head... it’s exploding!”

Fuck. She knew now what that flash of red had meant.

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“James?” She used his real name, the one from her files, not the one he’d given her. “Hey, look at me.”

He couldn’t, his entire body shaking under her touch. Soon enough his mind would collapse in on itself, and any secrets he had would be taken to the grave. She could easily touch his face and take the secrets herself but she couldn’t bring herself to move her hand from his shoulder. She was... scared. Not for the first time a man was dying in front of her eyes, and there was nothing she could do about it.

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When his body went still and tipped towards her she let him fall to the ground. He seemed almost innocent, curled up as if he’d just fallen asleep. Only the small dabs of blood beginning to leak from his nostrils indicated anything was wrong.

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She pushed him onto his back, staring at him for a long moment before moving to her feet, perched over to him delicately, as if he would come back to life at any minute. Eventually - and with a very shaky breath - she reached out, placing a finger on his bare neck. She wasn’t searching for a heart beat, she was looking for mental activity... and in any case she found neither. He was dead. Once again she’d killed a man without meaning to. But this time she hadn’t even been on the offensive... she’d just been skimming his mind.

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She grabbed her burn phone, dialing her partner’s number.

A girl’s voice answered. Girly, sounding a lot younger than its owner really was. “Juliette? Is everything alright?”

“It happened again.”

She didn’t need to say anything else. “I’ll be there in a minute. Don’t kill anyone else in the meantime, okay?”

“That’s not funny, Dene. Hurry up.”

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Denebola was there in seconds, almost tripping over James’ body before backing up, stroking her chin as she looked down at him. “Oh wow. You weren’t kidding. Did he figure out you were playing him or something?”

Usually Juliette could handle Dene’s stupidity but today wasn’t one of those days. “Don’t be a moron. I can handle paranoia, I can handle fear. Hell uniformed officers could have been in the same room and I could have made it so he didn’t suspect a thing!”

“Then why’d you kill him?”

“... I didn't mean to. It just happened.”

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At the very least Dene knew not to ask any more questions now. “Um... I can call it in if you want to get dressed.”

“Sure. Thanks.” She slipped out of her lingerie, replacing it with another, tighter outfit. Neither she nor Dene had any sort of official uniform to wear, but their division did have outfits specially catered to their specific... needs. Juliette’s left her arms uncovered, and allowed her enough movement to fight back if she needed to. Dene’s showed a lot more skin, and was made from inflammable material, not that they’d really needed to test that yet.

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As Dene put her cell away, Juliette was already walking past her. “And where do you think you’re going?

“I didn’t get the information we needed.” She answers. “You think I want to stay here for that lecture? No thank you. I’m going to see the doc, get myself checked out.”

“Okay... so what should I tell the boss when he figures out you took off? He’ll be pissed. He hates the doc.”

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Juliette almost scoffs. “What’s he going to do to me? He’s already got me doing all his dirty work, and god knows I’m tough enough to deal with whatever punishment he can think up. Just don’t tell him where I’m going and give him my love, that'll calm him down.”

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---

Current Events: Get out of Jail Free
Previous Events: N/A
Word Count: 1081 words, 15 photos
Hero Type: The Knight in Sour Armor
Sidekick Type: Comic Relief
CC Used:
- Allowed: Skin by Ephemera, CC and store hairs, OMSP, Poses

heaven

18th Jun 2012, 5:24 AM

Welcome splad and Reya! I am so happy to have my first 2 contestants! Looking forward to reading more of each of your stories!

LadyAwesome

19th Jun 2012, 11:37 AM

Good to see you two girls joining in!! If I had more time I would so be in!!!! But I can judge instead if you like Heaven! I am sure I qualify haha~

Oh... But..... I want to enter..... GAH

heaven

19th Jun 2012, 1:48 PM

Good to see you two girls joining in!! If I had more time I would so be in!!!! But I can judge instead if you like Heaven! I am sure I qualify haha~

Oh... But..... I want to enter..... GAH

Well, take some time to think about it. The Round doesn't close until the 1st which is still 11 days away. I, for one, enjoyed your story last time and would certainly love to read another.

SeeMyu

19th Jun 2012, 8:40 PM

Am I able to judge heaven? Since I'm working on a novel I really shouldn't be focusing on any other stories that pop into my mind until I finish. :) *also wants to join, but knows he cannot*

heaven

20th Jun 2012, 12:35 AM

Sure! If LA still wants to judge, she can EJ with me. Am hoping this forces her to join though!!! Muahaha!

waterjay

20th Jun 2012, 12:54 AM

Ugh I'm sooo tempted to join but I'm really afriad to have something coming up later and be obliged to drop out >.<

ReyaD

20th Jun 2012, 12:56 AM

Ugh I'm sooo tempted to join but I'm really afriad to have something coming up later and be obliged to drop out >.<

Come on, Jay! Joooin us! You know you want to...

heaven

20th Jun 2012, 1:24 AM

Ugh I'm sooo tempted to join but I'm really afriad to have something coming up later and be obliged to drop out >.<

Yes, but did you see the warning up top? We understand if something comes up unexpected. Sounds like you don't have anything right now to worry about. ;)

It really is a timely project but Reya is right, we'd love to have you.

LadyAwesome

20th Jun 2012, 4:01 AM

Ok, I am in, BUT only if I can manage to get it in before then (its Tanishas birthday) Other wise..... It shall be hard - I have many ideas for this project. I am going for a dark story this time. see how it pans out huh :P

heaven

20th Jun 2012, 4:51 AM

LadyAwesome

21st Jun 2012, 11:37 AM

Erm, I cant even make sims...... *sad face*

ForeverCamp

22nd Jun 2012, 7:28 AM

Prologue

I suppose my story starts at home, just like anybody’s. It probably even starts the same way that I suppose most people in my position start out.

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I was adopted at the age of 6 by my lovely, long-suffering mother Rachel. When I came to her, I had very little memory about the life I had led before that day – and even now, I can’t summon any more than the faintest recollection of cherry blossoms in the spring. They had told my mother that the only thing known about me was my name was Sapphira. Not sure what possessed whoever gave birth to me to call me that. Brunette, brown eyes… I’d have been better named “Amber”.

What else would be important to know about my past? Well, I’m the eldest of five children. I’m the only one who’s adopted, too. Check another complex off the list of “things that contribute to the deviance of adopted children”, along with “unknown past” and “single mother”.

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There’s another thing for you to know: messing with an adopted kid’s family is asking for nasty karma. Or at least, messing with this adopted kid’s family.

I had a relatively normal childhood from the time I came to Moripiko Island. I loved exploring the forests around the tenement building I grew up in, I watched my mother tend to the rooftop garden, hung our laundry out on the lines in the warm island air. There really wasn’t anything that screamed “FUTURE DEVIANT CHILD”.

I suppose the first time I knew something was going wrong was right after I started high school. The second I stepped foot in that school and felt the crush of people moving around me, without a single one ever really seeing me, something woke from deep inside of me. Something dark and dangerous, and something that I never want to feel again as long as I live.

It was the first time that my mother and I have ever seriously fought. I must’ve seemed like a two-faced she-demon: swinging back and forth between the daughter who would tirelessly clean our unit, and then skipping school, causing holy hell when forced to class and staying out until all hours of the night.

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It wasn’t all bad during my teenage years, though. My senior year, I met this guy named Artie McCann. He was sweet – the kind of guy that people chew up and spit back out in high school. In fact, that was how I met him in the first place: he was serving detention for swiping the Calculus tests off the teacher’s desk for one of the cheerleaders. Now there’s a deviant breed if I’ve ever seen one. After I heard that story, I guess I sort of took him under my wing and things just sort of evolved from there.

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The day we graduated, Artie and I went out to one of the little gardens that the council has been putting up. It’s a nice, quiet place – it doesn’t get me riled up the way some of the community parks do. I suppose I should’ve seen this particular discussion coming: Artie had been dropping hints for the last week or so.

But again, something began to rise in my chest and threatened to choke me. Why was I so afraid to start a life with this boy that I’d been dating for years? He was safe, he was ready to begin adulthood with two feet firmly on the ground. This was supposed to be everything that I’ve ever dreamt of having. So why the desire to pull away?

It only took me a few seconds to realize what it was that I wanted to do after graduation – what I think I might’ve wanted to do for years.

“It’s okay,” I remember him telling me with that heartbreaking little smile on his face. “I get it. I’ll be waiting for you.”

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And then that dark little voice in my conscience as I tried to memorize the way his skin felt against mine. “Bless your soul, you’ve got your head in the clouds.” There he went again, believing and trusting in the best in people – even when he’d seen them break promises and walk away without so much as a tear. As if he was really going to be waiting for me when I got back.

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I was off to find out what lay in my hidden past, no matter the cost.

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I knew from the second I stepped off that plane in Shang Simla, and caught the first whisper of cherry blossoms in the air, that I had come to the right place.

When I went to check in with the Simlandian embassy’s base camp, I heard somebody gasp as I passed them. Of course, what else would you expect me to do?

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He struck me as a guard of some sort, the way he stood so tall and proud at the pathway, dressed in long silks despite the heat. I thought maybe I had stumbled upon the royal family’s courtyard or something, and that was why he was watching me so carefully.

So, like the good Simlandian that I am, I marched right up to him and demanded the truth. Well, sort of. It was a little more timid than that. Actually, I barely managed to stutter and stammer out my story. When he didn’t reply for a few seconds, I had this horrifying realization that he might not even speak Simlish. And then he answered, in a deep voice,

“I can tell you what you seek. I ask only that you aid me with a task.”

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Who the hell falls for that, anyway? “Aid me with a task” should be synonymous with “Let me rope you into some horrendous, life-threatening escapade in hopes that I might actually tell you something you want to know.”

Anyway, that’s how I came to find myself now hundreds of feet underground, peering around dark corners and down dimly-lit corridors, half-expecting a zombie to burst out of the stones. And let me just tell you, I also don’t deal well with the dark. It’s another one of those “psycho-Sapphira” triggers.

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And then there was FIRE. Honest-to-God FIRE. This was not what I signed up for when I got on the plane in Moripiko Island. I was figuring on spending a month or so in Shang Simla, see the sights, maybe hit up some town records, find out my biological family died in some freak tourist trap accident… Instead, I’m stuck underground for days, chasing some stupid hunk of rock down pitch-black corridors with creepy sounds and fire… all for some deep-throat dude in a red silk shirt who says he “has answers”.

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Did I mention the fire?

Okay, so it was a pretty nice-looking rock. I thought diamonds were more of an Al-Simharan thing, but hey – whatever gets me my answers, right?

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Whatever gets me my answers. That was almost as stupid a decision as the decision to come out to Shang Simla in the first place. After all, Mr. Deep-Throat-Guard (or Ho Jun Kim) is apparently quite happily married. He is also a useless source of information.

Seriously, I went through all of this for two measly sentences: “Your parents passed through here many, many years ago in the times of my father. They were outsiders.”

UGH. I could’ve found that out without the secret midnight meetings and the underground tunnels of fire.

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I was in Shang Simla for the better part of a year. I did the tourist thing. I started studying martial arts in effort to try and channel some of this anger and darkness out of me. I tried to coax more information out of Ho Jun. But I finally had to cut my losses and go back to Moripiko Island when I couldn’t even stand to look at him without feeling the need to vomit.

Initially, I thought that I might move back in with my mother. After all, Elissa and Jap have reached those horrendous teenage years, and Evan and Kalea are just at the age where they’re getting into everything. My mother’s not exactly at the top of her game anymore, and she could probably use some extra hands. But it didn’t take me long to realize that staying with my family wasn’t going to work out. Apparently, I took a little bit of Shang Simla back to Moripiko Island with me.

I still haven’t run into Artie, and part of me is hoping that I don’t for a very long while. After all, I left him hanging for close to a year, and I have nothing to show for this quest except a big belly. The trip didn’t work for quenching that need to know, either. Something tells me that another trip to Shang Simla will be in my future – this time prepared to ask the questions.

Who were my parents? Why does a tourist-laden village remember them? What exactly happened 13 years ago?

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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Plot Point: Mysterious Past
Word/Pic Count: 1498 words, 14 pictures
Challenge Excerpt: Bless your soul, you've got your head in the clouds.
CC Used: Custom world - Moripiko Island by bakafox. No other CC used this round.

heaven

23rd Jun 2012, 8:26 PM

Camp, can you please note whether you used CC or not? If you don't note it, it will be counted that you did use it.

Everyone else, we've got about a week left. I know that it takes a lot of time to get an entry together so I'm trying not to panic yet but am hoping I have at least 7 lurkers in the shadows!

ForeverCamp

23rd Jun 2012, 8:36 PM

Sorry, heaven! Updated the entry to include the CC note.

LadyAwesome

23rd Jun 2012, 11:52 PM

heaven

23rd Jun 2012, 11:56 PM

If you can give me a week extention - I can get your in a chapter so I can sort out my game and get rid of some stuff.
This week is the busiest week until the end of year, I will have lots of time for the rest. Its just this one week - I dont have time to mess around trying to fix my game.
If not its all good I will just be EJ.

I might could swing that. Let me talk to another mod about it. I don't want to be seen as bypassing the rules of getting enough participants in a certain number of time.

Are there other people who are specifically working on an entry that are seeing issues with the July 1st deadline? I know it's a lot to put together in 2 weeks. Please let me know.

LadyAwesome

24th Jun 2012, 3:43 AM

Thank you love! Last week of the semester is always a killer!

heaven

24th Jun 2012, 5:22 PM

Okay, there is a NEW deadline that is now July 8th. Check the timers in the check in post or the Round Description for the official countdown. This gives everyone 2 weeks to enter, instead 1. Also, if you have already submitted your entries, you are allowed to edit them up until the round closes. This will be the only extension given for the first round so, please, make it work!

Everyone, please share the contest with your friends, in your signatures, wherever. It's tons of fun, just ask anyone that participated before and I don't want to have to cancel if we don't get our 10 participants.

LadyAwesome

24th Jun 2012, 9:26 PM

YAY *grabs heaven and jumps up and down and all around*

Ghost sdoj

25th Jun 2012, 3:09 AM

heaven

25th Jun 2012, 3:18 AM

I'm outlining a story, but I need one of the characters to be a ghost. I don't have the heart to kill a sim, and I'm not sure I have time to get the Oh my Ghost opportunity even if I do manage it. (Not to mention that I'm going to need him alive again for the Time Travel segment, and then back as a playable ghost when they return...)

Is it allowed to use the sim transformer to change a sim's species for the story?

I don't even know what that is. I don't see why it wouldn't. You don't have to actually play through a game to post. Just make it LOOK like you did. So you could essentially create a character, start a game and save. Then save as for a different version and kill him in the second version. Also, I believe master controller allows you to select opportunities but I'm not for sure.

ReyaD

25th Jun 2012, 4:18 AM

I believe Master Controller also has an option for changing your character into an occult but I don't think ghost is an option. But you could always force kill the character, then call up the opportunity and then just walk up to the science laboratory.

LadyAwesome

25th Jun 2012, 4:23 AM

Ghost - I had that story last year....
1: Make your sim best friends with someone. (you can do this Via MC)
2: Kill your sim (I drowned mine - just remember they are pixels and not real, and you have to die to be a ghost derr)
3: Use MC to force the Oh my Ghost opportunity then walk them down to the science facility (the sims you made as you ghost friends) Boom you a ghost !

To make you story - you will probably need to make several saved games (copies of the origional) So you can switch between them.

LifesLover

25th Jun 2012, 6:10 AM

Ah, you're doing this again? Oh, I want to enter so badly. I wish I'd had the chance last time. But it's been so long since I've played the game. I don't even think my game opens anymore without a CTD. I'd love to try and enter but between having to take pictures and figuring out how to play the game again, it might not happen. Oh, who am I kidding? I'm gonna try my hardest. I'm so glad there's a new deadline, because it'll help sort out my game and figure out what's wrong with it.

Whiterider

25th Jun 2012, 9:02 AM

Perhaps Ghost was wondering if using a hack to procure the ghostie would count against her as CC?

It's awesome to see new entries here, I'm jealous :D .

LadyAwesome

25th Jun 2012, 9:05 AM

YAY lifeslover, I am probably pushing this a bit far too. I feel the same I haven't played like this since the last story contest. eeep.

vhanster

25th Jun 2012, 2:44 PM

...want to join...wish I have no coming exams...

Melibee1323

25th Jun 2012, 2:56 PM

oooh i might join. :jest:
The new due date is July 8th right? That should give me enough time :rofl:
I will start geting to work :)

ITs going to be aout a tragic hero :duck:
which, now that i think about it, might suck if I dont want to kill her off in the end :/

Melibee1323

25th Jun 2012, 4:51 PM

I think im gonna change it so it's not a tragedy :D

Jaguwar

25th Jun 2012, 5:53 PM

YAY Enthusiastic participants! Come one, come all, we'll have a good time here! :)

Ghost sdoj

25th Jun 2012, 7:24 PM

Perhaps Ghost was wondering if using a hack to procure the ghostie would count against her as CC?

It's awesome to see new entries here, I'm jealous :D .

Yes, exactly. The sim transformer transforms sims to various occults and back. I also discovered that even though I don't have LN it lets me have a ghost who died of thirst, which looks even more appropriate than the meteor strike ones do. (Although I almost cried to see the condition the poor guy was in after going through all of the ghost types before I picked that one.)

This is the link for it: http://www.modthesims.info/download.php?t=383086

spladoum

25th Jun 2012, 8:09 PM

Considering that you have the opportunity to earn bonus points if the CC is used creativitely, I would say just get your ghost :D

heaven

25th Jun 2012, 8:29 PM

Yeah, I would say that hacks don't count. It's not as though we would even know that's how you did it. :)

So excited to see some new faces. Definitely look forward to reading some more entries!

LifesLover

26th Jun 2012, 7:31 AM

ReyaD

26th Jun 2012, 7:55 AM

I have a question. I've noticed that the entries so far emphasize the excerpt we're supposed to include by either underlining, bolding or italicizing the words. Do we have to do this or can it just be left in normal print like the rest of the story?

It was a helpful addition that was necessary in Cycle 1 to help the judges notice that the expert was in fact included, and I believe that it is necessary in this cycle as well. 90% sure.

LadyAwesome

26th Jun 2012, 8:25 AM

I think the underlining is for that judges, to make their job easier.

Tamlyn

26th Jun 2012, 10:57 AM

And my internet returns in time to read exciting stories by people. I really do love the setup of this :)

*happy dance*

heaven

26th Jun 2012, 1:34 PM

I have a question. I've noticed that the entries so far emphasize the excerpt we're supposed to include by either underlining, bolding or italicizing the words. Do we have to do this or can it just be left in normal print like the rest of the story?

Reya and LadAwesome are correct. It makes it easier for the judges to see if you used the quote or not. You can use any of the three ways to make it stand out, just please do so to make judging easier in the long run. Imagine reading 1500 words x 10 and trying to pick out a small quote in each!!!

/me would give up. :lol:

Melibee1323

26th Jun 2012, 2:14 PM

waterjay

26th Jun 2012, 4:34 PM

Heaven, just a quick thing: I know it might disturb you, but please can you explain to me a little bit more about the sub types/events the story needs to have? Like, I just need a quick idea about what the event should be like (e.g: Finding Judas: the hero finds/needs to find/ has found an old traitor?)
Thanks in advance :)

ForeverCamp

26th Jun 2012, 5:41 PM

The themes, as far as I understand it, are open to interpretation. Sure, you could take "Finding Judas" as a "hero finds traitor" event. But it could also be finding a character named Judas. It could be about the hero finding traitrous elements inside themself... so on and so forth.

heaven

26th Jun 2012, 5:45 PM

quick question:
does hair, clothes, and poses count as CC or does just objects?
or is this a stupid question because it all counts? :D Also can we use photoshop for the cover pic (most stories have covers and I do not believe you mentioned it), or do we not need one?

thankyou
~meli

~edit~ I reread the CC thing and I feel stupid, my answer was there for the CC part of my question

Glad to see you found the answer to the CC question. Please notate any CC used, allowed or not though. See Reya or splad's entry forms for example.

Also, no cover picture needed so don't worry about that.

Heaven, just a quick thing: I know it might disturb you, but please can you explain to me a little bit more about the sub types/events the story needs to have? Like, I just need a quick idea about what the event should be like (e.g: Finding Judas: the hero finds/needs to find/ has found an old traitor?)
Thanks in advance :)

For Finding Judas, you can do it that way. You could take it completely literally and create a minor character named Judas your hero has to find. It's there for the challenge but it's all about creativity. I'm not sure what you'd like explained by the subtypes: I gave a description and examples of each. If you need something more, let me know specifically what you're confused about.

waterjay

26th Jun 2012, 6:12 PM

Thank You Heaven and ForeverCamp! that helped alot, I think I can do better now with the story xD

LifesLover

26th Jun 2012, 6:16 PM

Good to know, thanks for the answer, everyone!

Melibee1323

26th Jun 2012, 11:42 PM

Buckley

27th Jun 2012, 12:39 AM

I know how you feel Melibee. I'm way over on my word count too. You'll have to find seven words to remove though, unless you want to get ducked some points under the "rule adherence" category. At least you only have 7 words to cut. You don't even want to know how far over I am... Haha.

heaven

27th Jun 2012, 12:47 AM

thankyou for the answer Heaven :D
OMG i finally finished my first chapter, but I went 48 words over the limit :!: Is that okay or should I go through it and delete some stuff?
so frustrating :blink:

~edit~
I went through it and now I am 7 words over :faceslap: :faceslap: :faceslap:

Haha, I know what you mean. I wrote a story for the last one and kept myself to the same rules I asked the contestants to follow. There were many times I had to keep condensing to get JUST inside the word limit.

You can leave it but you will be penalized for going over (or under).

LifesLover

27th Jun 2012, 5:32 AM

Yes, I'm only about eighteen words under the cut-off limit for my story. Just have to make the pictures. I find that if you go through your story, you'll find some words that are just superfluous. Did you really need to add 'he said' that one extra time? Or maybe that again and again and again, that last again should be taken off. Also, take a look through your story. If you find a description that took a couple of words, try a thesaurus and see if you can find one word that encompasses those couple of words. But I'd definitely find a way to cut those 7 words out. There's no reason to lose points in rule adherence for just 7 words. As for if you have quite a bit more than 7, maybe try seeing if you can cut a scene out and add that scene to the next round.

While trying to take my pictures today, my game decided it wanted to crap out on the graphics and now my Sims seem a little more pixelly than before. Has anyone had this problem? I changed my graphics to high for Sim detail but I have a great computer, it should handle it perfectly fine. In fact, it was handling it perfectly fine, right until I took my Sim out of the CAH and into the world. And the closer I get, the more the pixels seem to show up.

SeeMyu

27th Jun 2012, 5:53 AM

yay! New people! I can't wait to see everyone's stories! :bunny:

ReyaD

27th Jun 2012, 5:56 AM

I feel bad now for having been so under the word limit!

Heaven, you said when you extended the deadline that those who already posted could edit our entries until that date?

ForeverCamp

27th Jun 2012, 6:45 AM

LOL I had to trim down multiple times for mine. "Okay... don't really need that sentence... DAMN still 25 words... cut that.... DAMN another 15... GAH I CAN'T POSSIBLY CUT ANYTHING MORE!... Oh, wait, how about that?... *does a little happy dance* Yay, two words under the max!"

Qnshr5

27th Jun 2012, 6:48 AM

Oooo... I want to do this. I already have a story I could use for this, too. But trying to decide if I can write two stories at once since I'm already in the middle of a sims story. ...Hmmm, I think I could do it. The formats and styles are different enough that I don't think I'd have a big issue with juggling. I'll work on both until the 4th and if I don't have any real problems, then I'm in. :)

heaven

27th Jun 2012, 3:03 PM

While trying to take my pictures today, my game decided it wanted to crap out on the graphics and now my Sims seem a little more pixelly than before. Has anyone had this problem? I changed my graphics to high for Sim detail but I have a great computer, it should handle it perfectly fine. In fact, it was handling it perfectly fine, right until I took my Sim out of the CAH and into the world. And the closer I get, the more the pixels seem to show up.
Well, that sucks. Good news though...we aren't judging on graphics! We should obviously be able to see your pictures and understand the scene but if it's blurry and pixelated, who are we to judge your computer specs? I'll just remove my blog link now so no one can see my crappy graphics card at work. :rofl:

One word of advice, never, ever call CAS CAH. Morph made that mistake last story and his game refused to work for him. Create a Sim has and always will be CAS regardless of the pets there now. :wtf: /me bows to CAS and apologizes for LifesLover's ignorant mistake.

I feel bad now for having been so under the word limit!

Heaven, you said when you extended the deadline that those who already posted could edit our entries until that date?
Yep, you are more than welcome to edit up until the round closes. Especially since I increased the deadline.

LifesLover

27th Jun 2012, 4:24 PM

Okay, that's a load off my mind. And, lol, I actually did call it CAS when I first wrote that, but then I thought, oh, wait, it says create a household now, maybe I should change it. I will remember now.

myforbes

27th Jun 2012, 5:40 PM

:rofl: :rofl: The president guy on the fake game cover sort of looks like Adele... :rofl: :rofl:

heaven

27th Jun 2012, 8:20 PM

:rofl: :rofl: The president guy on the fake game cover sort of looks like Adele... :rofl: :rofl:

Please, please for the love of all things furry and cute, don't quote my entire original post. It's a lot to read through at the beginning. No way do we want to have it on multiple pages.

Ghost sdoj

27th Jun 2012, 8:21 PM

Does removing a plumbob/skill bar count as photoshopping?

It took forever to get the sims lined up properly for a shot, and I couldn't find a camera angle that kept them in anything like the right pose and still hid the skill bars and the plumbob. And I'm not patched high enough to use the pose player, so I have to find poses I can catch on my own. (I stopped patching with 1.24. )

LifesLover

27th Jun 2012, 8:27 PM

Use hideHeadlineEffects on to get rid of thought bubbles, plumbobs, and skill bars while in game.

Ghost sdoj

27th Jun 2012, 9:07 PM

Thanks. I had been trying the Sims 2 version of the command, so I thought they had removed it. (That wouldn't surprise me much.)

Melibee1323

27th Jun 2012, 9:20 PM

Thankyou for the advice!
Im hopefully going to be releasing the chapter tomorrow or the next day. I am almost done with all of the pictures, and I finished the writing portion a while ago. :rofl:
Now to see where each of my jumbled up mess of pictures fits :lol:

LifesLover

28th Jun 2012, 4:11 AM

You're welcome! I knew there was a cheat that did it but I couldn't remember which, so I just used the help command in Sims 3.

Melibee1323

28th Jun 2012, 11:17 PM

Yay! I am ready to post my first chapter.
Now to figure out a title...

Melibee1323

28th Jun 2012, 11:50 PM

Okay here is my story :D I hope I put this in right. I am going to put it in a spoiler so it takes up less space on the thread :D
This is a different Genre for me (normaly I am all Sci-fi, but this is more realistic), so I hope it turns out okay :)
http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii495/melibee1323/MTS2%20Challenge%20Story%202012/Screenshot-16-1.jpgThe sun was bright, lighting up this world filled with evil with a bright goodness that seemed infallible. It shone everywhere, gracing the area with warmth. Suki watched it's reflection in the water. It reminded her of Owl, but he was not here now. He was safe. That much she was sure of. Suki sat in her meditative pose and closed her eyes again.
http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii495/melibee1323/MTS2%20Challenge%20Story%202012/Screenshot-19.jpg
A few feet away, Bohdin watched her deep concentration with his pupil, Esho. He looked on with understanding, while Esho, who was still learning, peered on with utter confusion.

" Bohdin-Hôshi* I don't understand."

"In time you will, Esho. She is just a lost soul; Broken and betrayed by far too many. She seeks forgiveness."
"What did she do? Why does she need forgiveness?"

"A lot. She has done many horrible things for people who she believed were good; But these things do not matter anymore, she does not want to be known for her past. She wants to be known for her present and future; for her decision to change her ways and become a better person."

"But what did she do?"

The monk chuckled to himself. Children will never learn, he thought. "Alright then, I will tell you her story. From the beginning."
................................................................................................
http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii495/melibee1323/MTS2%20Challenge%20Story%202012/2.jpg
"I win!" Yelled a tiny, head-strong girl for the tenth time in a row.

"I give up, Suki-chan!" Whined her friend. They had been playing different games for over an hour, and as usual, Suki was winning.

"One more game, Bohdin-chan! Please!"

"Fine; but I get to choose." He agreed, and then paused to think. "Hide-and-seek?"

"Okay. I'll hide first!" She answered enthusiastically and bounced off to hide.

http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii495/melibee1323/MTS2%20Challenge%20Story%202012/3.jpg
Suki ran off down the corridor and turned onto another hallway in her huge mansion-like house. She kept running as fast as her tiny legs would bring her until she reached her father's office and peered inside. She knew she was not allowed to enter, her father had made that clear on numerous occasions, but this was a serious time; hide-and-seek was a cause for risks in her mind.

http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii495/melibee1323/MTS2%20Challenge%20Story%202012/4.jpg
Suki crept inside the large room and looked around. The walls were covered in books in their cases, and there were fancy couches on each side of the room. In the center was her father's desk. It seemed so large compared to her small seven-year old size. Suki snuck around it and hid behind it. Bohdin will never catch me now, she thought.

A few minutes had passed when she heard footsteps enter the room. It couldn't be Bohdin, she thought to herself. He would never come into Father's study. Bohdin was not the adventurous, dare-devil that she was. Suki maneuvered her position and popped her head up to see who had come in. As quick as she was up, she went back down. It was her father.
http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii495/melibee1323/MTS2%20Challenge%20Story%202012/5.jpg
How do I get out? Those words were ringing through her mind along with an alarming sense of fear. If her father found out that she was here, she would be in very big trouble. Looking around, she realized there was no reasonable escape route, so she kept quiet hoping that he would leave soon.
http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii495/melibee1323/MTS2%20Challenge%20Story%202012/6.jpg
"How soon can you get it done?" Mr. Toshihiro said. He had his phone up to his ear and was staring out the window from his office, looking down at the city below him.
"Well get it done!" He barked. "He caused harm to our business. I want him taken care of. Understand?" There was a pause. "Good. Finish it tonight. I want him dead."

http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii495/melibee1323/MTS2%20Challenge%20Story%202012/7.jpg
He turned off his phone at the exact second that Suki moved.

"Suki?" He said, his voice much calmer than when he was on the phone. "Come out."

"I'm sorry, Father! I didn't mean to hear your conversation. I wasn't sneaking around, we were just playing a game! I swear-"

"Enough." He said angrily. "You know the rules. You are not to 'play' in my office! You are not to come into my office at all!" He paused. "You are too old to be playing games, as well."

Suki looked down. "I am sorry, Father."
http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii495/melibee1323/MTS2%20Challenge%20Story%202012/8.jpg
"It was my fault, Mr. Toshihiro-sama!" Bohdin came running into the room. "It was my fault! I said we should play the game. Don't punish Suki-san!"

"Your fault? Were you the one who came into my office?"

"No, sir. It was my fault she did go into your office though, Sir."

"Well I have decided. You will receive no punishment, Suki. Instead, you will no longer be allowed to 'play'. You will come to work with me and learn. You are to take over the business when you are older, anyway." He turned toward Bohdin. "You may go, boy."

Bohdin gave Suki a sympathetic look. "Yes, sir. Bye, Suki." He said, turned, and left.

Silence radiated through the room.
"Why do you disobey me so often?" Mr. Toshihiro mumbled to himself.

"Who was that on the phone, Papa?"

Her father sighed, not wanting to take out his anger on his only daughter: his only child.
"It was... a Business partner. You will meet him today. You will also meet another man who is a very bad man. He stole from us and was plotting to take down our business."

"What are you going to do with him?"

"Kill him."

...................................................................................................
http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii495/melibee1323/MTS2%20Challenge%20Story%202012/Screenshot-20.jpg
"Bohdin-hoshi?"

"Yes, Esho?"

"Does her father really kill people?"

"Yes. He was the cause of many deaths. He had shot people himself, as well as given the order for people to be shot. He was a bad man..." Bohdin trailed off and looked back at Suki.

"What?" Esho asked.

"Well... I wonder if she would have turned out the way she did if she had her mother still by her side." He paused and looked back at Esho who was eager to hear more.

I had kept in touch over the years; but the next time I actually saw her, we were both sixteen, he began.
...................................................................................................
http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii495/melibee1323/MTS2%20Challenge%20Story%202012/9.jpg
Suki was walking down the street in the city, heading toward a large building that belonged to her father. It was nearing five o'clock, and Suki wanted to be anywhere but her destination. Sadly on her part, she could not refuse the visit to the esteemed Maple Leaf Hotel where her father and other colleagues were waiting.

"Good evening, Miss Toshihiro-san," said the doorman as he let her in. She nodded and smiled to him in reply and quickly made her way up the elevator to the penthouse. Inside, her father and a man were waiting along with an unknown person sitting in a chair. The man in the chair was badly bruised and was drifting in and out of consciousness.

"What is it now?" Suki demanded.

"Now, now. Is that the way to greet your fellow colleagues?" Said her father's employee. His name was Hotaka, and he was very fearsome to behold. He was one of Mr. Toshihiro's strongest men, and by far the meanest of them, too.

"What do you want?" Suki said again, showing emotions to him.

"Aww come on Suki-chan! Be nice." He said jokingly to tease her.

"Do not call me that."

"Enough." Her father said. "There is work to be done." The man in the chair began to stir. "He needs to be dealt with. Would you like to do the honors, Suki?"

Mr. Toshihiro had been using Suki to do a lot of his dirty work lately, and for fear of her life, she had done as he asked. She still had nightmares from one of her last jobs. She had to torture a man for information, and it was not an appealing thing to witness.

http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii495/melibee1323/MTS2%20Challenge%20Story%202012/10.jpg
"Fine." She said coldly. She grabbed the gun from behind her back and shot the man in cold-blood. It was over in seconds and not as dramatic as how movies make it. It was a loud noise and then nothing. The man was sitting one second and still sitting the next, just in a different position; it was as if he had not died at all. "Who was he?" She asked while putting her gun away.

"A man that had to be dealt with." Her father answered: the same answer he said every time she asked.

"Fine. Don't tell me. I am leaving." She turned and left.

http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii495/melibee1323/MTS2%20Challenge%20Story%202012/12.jpg
Suki stormed out of the hotel in a hurry and rushed down the side walk, right into a pedestrian.
"I am so sorry!"

"It's nothing..." The boy said back to her and paused. "Suki-san? It's Bohdin!"

"Bohdin-san! How are you?"

"I'm good, and you?"

"I'm okay." She said quietly.

"It's been years since I have seen you," he said. "But I can still tell when you are lying to me. What's going on?"

"A lot. Too much sometimes. I tell myself that I'll be strong. I-I just don't know if I can be anymore."

CC:Skin, eyes, clothes, store items
Plot Point:Mysterious Past
Word Count:1,481
Hero Subtype: The Atoner
Picture Amount: 13
Excerpt: "I tell myself that I'll be strong."

(**Hoshi is a Japanese Honorific used to identify with Buddhist Monks
Any other name ending (e.g. -San, -Chan, etc.) are also honorifics, but they are more common)

Misanthrope

29th Jun 2012, 12:29 AM

Yay, someone who uses spoiler quotes! xD

Maybe it's just because I have terribly slow Internet, but I hate it when I visit a page, and it's bogged down by hundreds of pictures.

LadyAwesome

29th Jun 2012, 8:54 AM

Sad day.... I cant open the sims :( I am going to try re install and hope it works

Melibee1323

29th Jun 2012, 10:46 PM

@Misanthrope Yeah I hate when my computer freezes up because of pictures too! I mean i am fine when people do it, but I feel like its easier to scroll down and see other posts when its in a spoiler :D
@LadyAwesome : That sucks! I had that happen to me before we got the new computer few years ago. ALL of my stuff was fried. couldnt even save all of my cc to a flash drive to get it onto the new computer. I lost everything. Hopefully you can get everything back :)

Ghost sdoj

30th Jun 2012, 1:49 PM

/me hugs Lady Awesome

I hope reinstalling worked for you.

I hadn't thought of spoiler tags, but that seems like a good idea.

heaven

2nd Jul 2012, 3:48 AM

Gosh, I am SO glad I extended the application round. We're still 6 people shy of the minimum number. Hope that it is going well for all of you who are working on an entry. And, if you're lurking but not saying anything, welcome! We won't bite...hard. Just a nibble. Or two. :D

MeatCake

2nd Jul 2012, 4:37 AM

hello :) i've been planning on doing this! I just need to fix pose player from crashing my game and I will be totally in!
-in fact I already wrote my story!
I'm excited!<3

heaven

2nd Jul 2012, 4:43 AM

hello :) i've been planning on doing this! I just need to fix pose player from crashing my game and I will be totally in!
-in fact I already wrote my story!
I'm excited!<3

Hey, look, someone to snack on? You don't need that ear, do you?

Just kidding! Welcome! So looking forward to having another participant!

Tamlyn

3rd Jul 2012, 2:59 AM

I imagine there'll be a splurge of entries in the last day as people are just taking advantage of the extra time :)

LadyAwesome

3rd Jul 2012, 1:11 PM

missroxor

3rd Jul 2012, 2:32 PM

Weee, I thought long and hard about it last night and think I have a rough outline for my plot. :D Still gotta figure out my character's personalities and all the details though but I'll have a whole 12-hour flight to think about it tomorrow! lol Might be short on time by the time I get back to my own computer (don't even have a laptop with me to start writing it out :/ ) so I don't know if I'll manage all the pics. Can I still enter without the minimum pics if I'm happy to take a point deduction?

LadyAwesome

3rd Jul 2012, 11:47 PM

LOL YAY MISS XX I miss you lots!

Ghost sdoj

4th Jul 2012, 3:14 AM

LadyAwesome, you can do the character planning and get ideas for the pictures while you are on the plane. It's only the final picture taking and writing that you need to be at the computer for. :)

My internet keeps going down, but I'll have an entry as soon as these storms allow me to

heaven

4th Jul 2012, 4:48 AM

I have a REALLY bad feeling, I am not going to make this on time. I am sorry Heaven..... Put me down for EJ? Or I could try play catch up GAH what to do. I will only have Thursday to hunt for cc and make chars and then write story and take pics.... seems so minuscule.
Oh man, I hope you can figure it out. It just won't be complete without you. But I love you anyway and won't hold it against you. We'll just see how it goes from here.

Weee, I thought long and hard about it last night and think I have a rough outline for my plot. :D Still gotta figure out my character's personalities and all the details though but I'll have a whole 12-hour flight to think about it tomorrow! lol Might be short on time by the time I get back to my own computer (don't even have a laptop with me to start writing it out :/ ) so I don't know if I'll manage all the pics. Can I still enter without the minimum pics if I'm happy to take a point deduction?
You can enter without the minimum pictures, if you have no other choice. Make those flight attendants give you a notebook and pen to write your story like back in the good ole days!

This goes for everyone however, I want to stress for anyone that this will end with a point deduction. If this happens, there also needs to be a VERY good reason why and myself and the judges need to be notified PRIOR to the deadline. Also, if 2 chapters are submitted without pictures, any entrants will be disqualified. This is a sims competition after all and, without the pictures, it just becomes a writing contest.

LadyAwesome

4th Jul 2012, 6:51 AM

I am going to Get in as much as possible, I have my game rolling/ hacks everything downloaded.... now going in game :D eeeep.

Ghost sdoj

4th Jul 2012, 1:52 PM

I finally got my pictures uploaded with no more power outages/internet outages!

I'm putting my entry in spoiler tags as well, to be kind to those with slow internet connections. That seems like a good idea, and I rather wish that I had thought of it myself.

Kylara looked up from her reading. A lovely sunset was streaming through the windows of the library, spilling golden lignt on the pages of the book that she was reading. Unfortunately the library had closed two hours ago. Apparently they had forgotten that there was someone in here who reads encyclopedias for fun, and so had assumed that if nobody was at the work desks, nobody was in the reference room. She was locked in for the night. Again. She sighed and went back to reading while she still had light. Darkness (and hunger) would be here soon enough.

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When night finally fell, she put her encyclopedia back on the shelf. She doubted that anyone at the orphanage would be worried about her; they knew that she had gone to the library, and this was hardly the first time that she had ended up being locked in. Last week they hadn't even bothered sending someone to get her out until it was time for school. She supposed that they had decided that if she ended up missing three meals in a row often enough she might pay more attention to closing time. She relaxed in one of the reading chairs and thought about what she had learned today. None of the children in the orphage were ever officially taught any magic, but she had managed to piece together enough knowledge to manage simple spells. As the energy required to do something with magic is equal to the energy needed to do it by natural means, and the energy required to walk to the dining hall, grab some food,and walk back to the library was well within her means, (other than the minor detail of a locked door in the way) she thought she should be able to conjure a plate of food with no real trouble, and possibly a sleeping bag while she was at it.

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After an hour or two of deep concentration she decided that she had figured out how to channel the spell and was ready to make the attempt. She cast her newly improvised spell, and was soon rewarded with a plate of food and a sleeping bag. She ate her dinner, sent the dirty plate back home, and crawled into her sleeping bag for the night.

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As she slept, she dreamed of a handsome, golden haired man in wizardly robes. He was fighting three opponants who had targets on their shields, and as he hit a shield he would break it with a flash of magic. The one whose shield was broken would quickly grab another one and return to the combat. They carried sticks, which they were trying to hit the man with. Finally the last shield was broken, and one of the men said "Unscathed as ever, My Lord. Congratulations once again." As they bowed to one another, the wizard looked straight at her. "Who is this child?" he asked.

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She immediately woke up, only to find that she was not alone in the room. An ominous figure was standing beside her head. He was shrouded in deep shadow, but he possessed a ruby on a chain which glowed and pulsed as if it were his beating heart. He gave her an unfriendly glare. "I ask again, child. Who are you, and who is your master?"

"Umm....I have no master" she said timidly.

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"Don't lie to me, Child!" he thundered. "You are far too young to be a master magician. You are obviously a very talented apprentice, but it takes full psychic maturity to channel master level spells. Now WHO IS YOUR MASTER?"

She cringed. "I didn't say I was a master magician. I said I have no master. I have no training at all other that what I pieced together from the books I've been reading."

He studied her. "You cast a class 3 conjuration, with no training?! Where did you find the spell?"

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She blushed. "I...sort of..." Her voice dropped to a whisper "MadeItUp" .

"You made it up? On the spot?"

"No, it wasn't on the spot. It took me a couple of hours to figure out how the spell would work." She gave him an apologetic smile.

He shook his head. "I doubt your story. You have until sunrise to invent a spell which will allow me to handle physical objects. If you cannot cast such a spell, I will haunt your dreams and destroy you."

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"I don't suppose you would settle for a simple 'I'm sorry I got locked in the library?'" A tear rolled down her cheek as she saw the look on his face. "Does it have to be permanent?"

He shook his head "Merely effective."

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She concentrated for a while. "Is it safe for me to touch you?" she asked hopefully. When he nodded, she muttered "Please don't take this the wrong way," and gave him a friendly hug. "Ok, I think I can figure out a spell that might work, but I dont think I'm strong enough to cast it.

"Explain your procedure." he said in a scholarly tone of voice.

"Well, the third principle of magic says that all matter, natural energy, and magic are merely forms of xylos. The second says that Only God can create or destroy xylos, the best that any of the rest of us can do is transport or transform it. But all xylos can be transformed. And the 5th says that xylos seeks balance, so when useful xylos is put into a system, unusable xylos is removed, and when unusable xylos is added, usable xylos is removed. So you are xylos as much as I am, and your xylos is just as capable as mine of interacting with other forms of that xylos if it is given enough transformational force. " She looked down at the floor. "But I don't know where to get that much energy without drawing from sunlight. I might be able to manage half a second or so from the light reflecting from the quarter moon, but I don't think that would be long enough for you to call it effective."

"How many principles of magic are there?" he asked curiously.

"Ten?" she said hesitantly.

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He laughed. "Three. The one you were calling the third is actually the first; the one that you were calling the fifth is actually the second; and I have no idea if you have even discovered the third at all " He hovered over a chair. "But your theory, as odd as it sounds, holds promise. Cast your spell. If it works for even a fraction of a second, I will notice."

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She cast her spell, and a second later the wizard was momentarily seated solidly in the chair. He stepped out of the chair and walked over to her. "Before you can be trained, I want to send you to school so that I do not inadvertantly discover that your knowledge of advanced techniques is masking a woeful ignorance of the fundamentals."

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She blinked. "I didn't ask you for training. I'm an orphan. "

"It is far too dangerous to leave you untrained. And now that I have found someone with whom I could work I would be a fool to allow you to simply leave, especially when it appears that someone is searching for the Crown of the Master." He gazed gently at her. "You said you were an orphan. Would you like that to change?"

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She nodded and he led her into the main room. A blade flashed silver as it bit into her hand. "Then I declare to Heaven above, to Hell below, and to all that dwells between that this child is my daughter now and forevermore." The blade then was used to draw some of his ectoplasm which mingled with her blood. "Blood of my blood, flesh of my flesh, bone of my bone. You are the child of Lord Alfric Starhome."

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Two weeks later she stood at the entrance of the most prestigious magical academy in the world. "Bless your soul, you've got your head in the clouds" the examiner was saying to her. "I have no doubt that you think you have talent, but not enough for a scholarship, and not enough to be considered for admission. Now let the next person in line come in for an interview."

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Deep within her she heard her new father's voice. "Leave this one to me, Child." She blacked out, and when she came to, the examiner was pale and shaking. "Welcome to your new school, miss. Classes start in three days."

She wondered what she had gotten herself into. The idea that he could use her body any time he wanted to was a little worrisome.

Word count 1456
CC: Cmar's ear sliders, Sim Transformer, euphoria skin, Legend Isle Lyonesse world.
Plot point: Makeover
Excerpt: Bless your soul; you've got your head in the clouds.

Viva1994

5th Jul 2012, 7:54 AM

*looks around* Oh wonderful! I appear to be the only one in here using TS2... Prepare for nostalgia folks!

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Our story begins in a tiny apartment in the heart of the Downtown of Sim City. Residing in one 6x9 is one Suzanna Trench and her room-mate Bram Adams. They live in crampt comfort, but comfort nonetheless, as Suzanna didn't need a square foot more. Bram never quite understood her feelings. However, Suzanna never really told him about her past though, nor about her other occupation: being a vampire hunter.

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In all actuality though, our fair Suzanna is a fairly normal woman: she enjoys pancakes, dislikes large crowds, likes to dance in the rain sometimes, hates monkeys and loves everything science fiction. If she were left to her own devices, she would have nothing to do with the 'trade'. It was her employer, the so called 'Company' that got her started on her bloodsucker hating ways.

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She may have been a horribly manipulated, but when she was a young girl living on the streets; when she slept in piles of trash in dark alley ways because they were warm, and ate rotting food from trash bins; when she was called scum every single day of her life and stepped on even more frequently; there was no second thoughts when the idea of leaving occurred, there was just never the chance to do so. Suzanna's parents had died. They were gone and she was alone. Whatever spirituality that remained from them was only enough to know when somebody up high really hated you.

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So she couldn't really say no when an elderly woman came to her offering a warm safe place to sleep and good food to eat, no matter what they asked her to do in return. So she became a mass murderer! The company told her that they were dead anyways and it was natural for them to return beyond the void from whence they came. Her young mind took this logic and ran with it, she never looked back.

That was when she began her life. She still kept the job after she moved out-- much to the protest of her employer, they didn't want their best slayer running wild out of their protection-- the only sign of her continued employment was a pristine white envelope with a red seal that arrived at her doorstop with the name and address of her next victim. Other than that she didn't have to deal with them for the last five years, and although sometimes she caught herself dreaming about the old lofty green gardens, she had found her home in her small place, and relished every moment of independence.

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Suzanna was quickly drawn from her thoughts by the familiar rambling of her room-mate. Sometime in the past he had walked in, and promptly began to talk. She estimated he started about 5 minutes ago judging by how wistful his voice got when he talked alone for long periods of time, so it was probably time to jump in. Although there was no doubt that he was used to talking at her while she was reading.

"--seen that giant org! It was so massive I had to throw my entire club at it for--"

Suzanna looked up from her horribly uninteresting book, "Really?" She says, feigning interest.

He stops in his tracks and looks at her, "Hello," he says tentatively, "That's the first thing you've said to me since I walked in."

She laughs, "Shut up and tell me how your actual day went."

"Ah, therein lies the problem, absolutely nothing happened." He says without missing a beat.

Suzanna looks back down at her book, "Hm, then the earth stopped turning. Shame I missed that."

"Nothing worth mentioning happened; it was dreadfully boring, and if it weren't for free Wi Fi, I would probably be dead right now." He said in all seriousness.

"Oh?" She said. It was in no way actually a question, but the way that Suzanna and Bram understood each other, this was the cue for him to continue talking-- not because she didn't care, but because he was relaxing.

Bram sat beside her at some point in his monologue. Her book was in no way more interesting than he was, and she was currently focusing on neither of them actually. Her mind was full of snow.

After about 100 pages of something, she noticed a pressure on her arm. She looked up from her book, it was dark outside and Bram was partially asleep on her shoulder, still mumbling something nonsensical. She closed the book and nudged him. "You wanna play something?"

His eyes opened and he realized that he was leaning on her quite closely, he moved away briskly, then paused to brush himself and her off, "Do I ever." He said.

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They played until midnight. When at that point Bram was actually too tired to continue-- a rare sight indeed. Without much arguing they both retired into their respective bunk-beds and went to sleep, comforted in the presence of one another.

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She woke up naturally at 5 am, it was a habit she still couldn't shake from her strict disciplinary training. Although Bram called it ungodly, she found it relaxing to be alone in the morning. Usually she was alone in the morning anyways.

He would never be up at this hour, she knew this. That didn't explain the strange noises and banging going through the apartment. She would blame the neighbours, but her bedroom didn't share a wall with them. There was also moaning that was getting annoying.

Her teeth desperately needed brushing first, all of this nonsense could wait. She padded out of the bedroom into the hall, the moaning suddenly went full blast. Holy crud, she thought, whatever was happening was going on right around the corner... It may have been on the Murphy bed they kept in the dining room just in case either of them brought home a 'special somebody'.

She advanced slowly.

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... Oh. He did bring somebody home.

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It was just her luck that she would walk in on when he finally got lucky.

Then, through her embarrassment she noticed something about the woman on top of her best friend. She was just too pale. Far too pale. Suzanna nearly went the same shade when she realized just what was on top of Bram.

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A vampire.

Oh no, no, no. This couldn't be happening. Bram murmured something incoherent while still under the trance, he was deathly pale. Suzanna immediately dived for her sword, but was stopped before she could get two paces.

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At close range like this her odds went down drastically; even as the sun was coming up, there was only so much one could do with a creature several times faster and stronger than any human. Suzanna stiffened and waited for the worst. It never came. The creature simply stood there, smelling her, examining her with the uncanny precision that belonged only to the undead.

"What are you doing here?" Suzanna breathed.

The vampire seemed annoyed about being interrupted from examining her. She spoke briefly in an ancient accent. "It's just politics, darling."

She disappeared without even a breeze to mark her passing. Suzanna took a moment to catch her breath. She didn't breath again when she heard a great moan from the bed.

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Bram got up on unsteady legs, even though he was much swifter than he was before, he careened straight into the window. The sun was risen as he placed his porcelain hands on the glass, they came back red and blotchy. He didn't notice.

"That chick was fantastic." He said breathlessly. "Although I don't feel very fantastic right now."

She looked on in mute horror.

"Expecially not with all this light." He says, tapping the glass with his nail and looking out the window irritably, "I don't remember it quite burning this much before."

The sun suddenly explodes from behind the horizon, bathing the entire room in golden sunlight. Bram hisses automatically. While shielding his eyes he gives a pleading look to Suzanna.

"You have to go." She said somberly. "Find some shelter."

Without another word he is gone. No argument this time. Suzanna felt quite depressed over that, but before plopping on to the bed, she notices something written on the wall.

In blood.

http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w459/MittensKitten/14TheBlood.jpg

Party at midnight: 592 Wayworth -- Cheers. It wrote.

This couldn't be. This was the address of the company! Could it be that they were the ones that were responsible for all of this? Were they monstrous enough to turn her best friend into a monster-- No. she stopped herself, just misguided. Bram wasn't evil. They were.

She sighed.

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The ethics of this weren't getting any nicer. However, all in all, she was going to have to save Bram, and there was a good chance that he saw the address on the wall and was going to be attending that party.

Therefore she would be there as well.

At the party.

God knows I'm tough enough...

Hero Subtype: The Atoner
Prompt: The Cake was a Lie
Custom Content?: Yes. Most notably a usable sword (that may be used later on ;]) and bite marks.
Side Kick?: Check
Word Count: 1,491

heaven

5th Jul 2012, 1:31 PM

Ghost_sdoj and Viva1994, both entries have been added to the table. Also, Viva1994, welcome to the forums! Just one thing...can you add your word count, pretty please? :D

ForeverCamp

5th Jul 2012, 5:01 PM

*looks around* Oh wonderful! I appear to be the only one in here using TS2... Prepare for nostalgia folks!

Well, if we're going to be honest, I would've used TS2, as it's my main game. But my only neighbourhood is on a strict rotation and waaaaaaay too large to keep on with the contest timelines. I flatout refused to mess up the system in Pleasantview over a contest, so off to TS3 it was! :P

(That and I have SO MUCH CC in TS2 it isn't even funny... Whereas I have pretty much nothing in TS3 because I never play).

Viva1994

5th Jul 2012, 6:44 PM

Originally posted by Forever Camp
Well, if we're going to be honest, I would've used TS2, as it's my main game. But my only neighbourhood is on a strict rotation and waaaaaaay too large to keep on with the contest timelines. I flatout refused to mess up the system in Pleasantview over a contest, so off to TS3 it was! :P
Haha, Pleasantview is my main neighbourhood as well! Except that instead of rotations I use a collage list to determine what household gets played. I'm sure my neighbourhood is actually quite young in comparison, the largest legacy has generation three growing up. I even used some legacy Sims in the story, an entire family is featuring later on... :D

T'would be happy Heaven: Word Count: 1,491. (I was horrendously over said word count for the longest time. Bleh.) I'm so happy to finally have an excuse to come on to the forums!

Is it normal to be this excited! It's my first time showing anyone anything about my game. Man, I am so pumped!

Ghost sdoj

5th Jul 2012, 7:00 PM

Yes, it's perfectly normal to be this excited. XD

I get really excited every time I enter a contest. (Even when I'm consistently running in last place, and everyone else is dropping out. )

ForeverCamp

5th Jul 2012, 7:42 PM

Haha, yeah, my Pleasantview's slightly older - I'm in the middle of Generation 4 and 5 being born. Generation 2 should be pretty much all dead or close to by the end of this rotation.

heaven

5th Jul 2012, 9:04 PM

Viva1994, I am so happy that you are excited and using this contest to venture out further. I love newbies for breakfa...er, contestants because everyone is so sweet and eager. Yeah, that's it. ;)

Also, just edit your round post to add the word count in there so when judges are tallying up each entry, they don't have to look for a separate post to find that. I may or may not be writing a story for this contest to go with yours. I just ordered a new computer that should be here sometime next week so we'll see what happens when it gets here. Technically, it is my birthday present so I should probably be a good girl and not open it until August. But, that's just so far away!

Qnshr5

6th Jul 2012, 1:06 AM

Okay. Despite having suffered a slight concussion this weekend from a brutal laser tag battle in which I bravely fought off the enemy and was wounded gallantly saving the innocent lives of many (...or I ...errrr... ran into a wall... :faceslap: ), I have emerged triumphant with chapter 1 of my story. Yipppee!!!

Running Out of Hero
Chapter 1

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Helena Raye pretended to be completely absorbed in wiping down the bright green counters at the One Stop gas station and convenience store. She was actually watching two teens who were slipping candy bars into their pants pockets.

She was alone, again (the other clerk had bailed), trying to decide whether to confront the young thieves or turn a blind eye. It was only candy, right?

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The bell rang as the door opened. A man walked up to the register.

“Can I get $35 on pump 4?” He asked.

She nodded, took his money, and entered the information in the computer. The man left. She looked over at the teens. The boys were failing at trying to look uninterested in the bottles of alcohol on the shelves. It was 2am. Where were these kids' parents?

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The bell over the door chimed again.

“Where's your restroom?!” A man in a fancy white suit rushed in half dragging, half carrying a wasted blonde.

Helena pointed toward the back. The man pulled the woman along. She covered her mouth with her hand. The two disappeared into the women's room. Helena groaned. She'd take thieves over cleaning puke any day.

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The guy who'd bought gas returned. He went over to the coffee machines. Out of the corner of her eye she saw movement. Coming around the counter, she intercepted the teens who were trying to sneak out.

“You have to pay for that,” she told them. If she had to wipe up vomit then they were going to take the brunt of her anger.

“Pay for what?” One of them said shrugging his shoulders like she was stupid.

“Excuse me,” Mr. Fancy Pants was behind her. “Do you have mouthwash and paper bags?”

“I'll be with you in one moment, sir,” she told him. Turning back to the teens, she said, “Either pay for it or put it back. Or I'm calling the police.”

She heard a click behind her.

“No one's calling the police.”

She turned around. The gasoline guy pointed a gun at all of them.

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He ordered the teens and Fancy Pants to get down on the floor.

“I saw that Bwan Speedster you drove up in,” he said to Fancy Pants. “I've been thinking of trading my old truck anyway. So, how about those keys? And the wallet. No need to come close. Just slide them over.”

Fancy Pants glared as he shoved his wallet and keys in the guy's direction. The robber kept his eyes on him as he bent down and picked the items up. Now he turned to Helena.

“The cash register, my dear,” he said.

“We don't carry more than $50,” she informed him.

“That's fine,” he said. “I'll just re-coup my loss on the gas then. I've got more than I need right here.” He waved the stolen wallet in the air.

She thought about protesting, refusing, putting up a fight. But that was a lot of trouble over a few bucks. What did she care anyway? If this was how some loser paid for his mediocre life who was she to get in his way?

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She started to go around the counter, but he stopped her.

“No tricks,” he said. “I'll get behind. You lean over.”

She grabbed a pack of gum to be the fake transaction that would open the drawer. This guy had no idea how vulnerable he was at that point. Right then. When he was completely focused on getting the goods. Someone could take him down easy. A maneuver to disarm and subdue the robber flashed through her mind. Simple. But not something she could do.

The cash drawer slid open to the man's delight. Then his gleeful smile faded.
“Hey! Kid!” He yelled. “Is that a phone? Are you recording this?”

The smaller of the boys froze in fear, his cell clattered as it hit the floor. “Uh... no...”

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The guy pointed the gun at the boy. Helena caught the gaze of Fancy Pants. His eyes hardened as he slowly rose up on one knee. Great. He was going to try something stupid. A shuffling sound came from behind. The blonde stumbled toward them, clutching her stomach.

“Bry... Bryson...” She slurred, wide-eyed with fear. “What goin' on?”

She was almost next to Helena. The robber locked his cold weapon on her.

“Don't move!” He ordered.

Before he was calm. Now he was agitated. He was losing control of the situation. Unable to plan fast enough, he was beginning to panic. She read it all over his sweating face.

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“Lorie, stop,” Fancy Pants ordered the blonde.

Either the woman didn't comprehend or she understood but had no control over her body. She moved forward tripping over her own feet. Helena had milliseconds to think:
...I ought to let the dummy get what's coming to her--People get hurt during robberies all the time--It isn't like she's necessarily going to die...

But this was easier to justify while watching a cashier fight back on TV. With it happening before her eyes, she found herself swinging into an old habitable mode. She grabbed the woman from behind, but it was already too late.

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BANG!

She couldn't see it, but knew a bullet flew straight at the two women. Helena squeezed her eyes shut. She threw her hand out. There was a loud boom. A blast of air flung the women onto the floor. The sound of glass shattering filled her ears.

She opened her eyes. The drunk woman lay on top of her, moaning. Helena rolled her off and sat up. The teen boys both had their phones out now. They were excitedly exclaiming over what they had just witnessed. Fancy Pants was looking back and forth between the women and the gaping hole in the store's front window.

http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w395/Qnshr5/Out%20of%20Hero%20Sims3/Screenshot-136.jpg
Helena stood. She slowly walked to what was once a window. Cool night air brushed over her hot skin. Sirens blared in the distance. On the pavement of the small parking lot lay the robber, eyes closed and unconscious. She couldn't tell if he were dead or alive.

“She's back!” One of the teens shouted. “Brio's actually back!”

Helena followed the gaze of the three males. They stared at the blonde who was on her knees, puking.

*****************************

http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w395/Qnshr5/Out%20of%20Hero%20Sims3/Screenshot-141.jpg
Dr. Sarah Taylor filled the syringe with Helena's blood. “This will tell us if the disease has progressed since your little incident Thursday. Fortunately, all your other stats appear normal.”

Normal hadn't applied to Helena in ages, but she sat on the metal seat without complaining. Sarah's in-home exam room and lab was a second home. The locking steel door was open and she could see into the adjoining den where the TV was on.

“Do we have to watch this?” Helena asked. She still didn't like seeing her own blood being sucked out, but the alternative was worse.

“Heaven forbid you care about the world again.” Sarah rolled her eyes. “Besides, it's all that's on.”

http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w395/Qnshr5/Out%20of%20Hero%20Sims3/Screenshot-145.jpg
She wasn't kidding. Ever since the teens' videos went viral two days ago all anyone ever talked about was the comeback. Now there was yet another wanna-be expert comparing the store video with seven year old footage.

“Judging from the energy blast,” the “expert” said. “Looking at the power, the speed, even the angling, leaves no doubt in my mind that this woman and Brio are one and the same.”

http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w395/Qnshr5/Out%20of%20Hero%20Sims3/Screenshot-23.jpg
A video probably ten years old began to play. A blue haired female teen in skin tight clothes sat in an interview. She flashed a confident white smile.

“God knows I'm tough enough to bring justice anywhere, anytime.” She said winking and saluting the camera. “Brio will always be here for you!”

The screen divided and two pictures went up. One of the blue haired teen and the other of the blonde from two days ago (in a sober moment).

“Has she kept that promise?” The news anchor's voice asked. “Has Brio returned to us? Is Lorie Pierce Delkarta's prodigal daughter?”

http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w395/Qnshr5/Out%20of%20Hero%20Sims3/Screenshot-147.jpg
They went on, but Helena stopped listening.

“Are they all stupid?” She crossed her arms. “Brio has no reason to come back. Have they completely forgotten how they practically buried her for not being their perfect princess? Why don't they run to their new heroes instead of pretending they want her back!”

“Calm down,” Sarah said. “So what if they think this girl is Brio? Someday she'll have to prove it. Let's wait and see before taking any action.”

Helena sighed. Sarah was right, but a terrifying thought nagged at her. “Aron...”

Sarah had been by her side for so long she didn't even have to finish.
“They're smarter than the media. They'll want more confirmation. Hopefully some small fry will take Lorie Pierce down before they decide to get involved.”

“And if not?”

Sarah shook her head. “Pray Aron's silence is because they've changed their ways.”

------------------------------------------

Word/Pic Count: 1477 words/14 pictures
Event/Theme: Heaven Forbid
Round Excerpt: “God knows I'm tough enough...”
CC Used: Skin, hair
Bonus: Sidekick

-

Viva1994

6th Jul 2012, 1:13 AM

Aiieehh XD Totally not scared off here. Actually, I'm perfectly fine with being breakfast meat for the elder posters, so if you want to tear something off, my appendages await! Just be kind and leave something for me to type with...

ForeverCamp: Yeah you see, the killing off part is the thing that I can't really get around to, because my game is so dependant on children cycling, my few retirement homes usually get neglected. It's just a shame that my favourites die first, you know I'm actually looking forward to Sims 3 in that way, I'm just waiting for the game to be a little more well developed before I jump in.

Ghost: I like small contests, they be friendlier.

ForeverCamp

6th Jul 2012, 4:53 PM

But if we eat Viva now, what will we snack on for the REST of the contest? :p

Seriously, though, Viva, welcome to the forums. We're aren't (usually) cannibals. :rofl:

waterjay

7th Jul 2012, 1:41 AM

http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd465/waterjay/Screenshot-448.jpg

Day thirteen; I’m still trapped in this horrible room of some random hospital for psychopathic and mentally ill people. I don’t understand what’s really going on, but one thing is certain: I’m not crazy. I’ve been told that all the tests I’m going through have nothing to do with any disease that deals with the brain and its functionalities. However, they do have something to do with what those scientists and doctors call a “supernatural gift”. “It’s something very rare”, they said, but I really can’t see anything rare in the ability of reading minds.
Yes, they call it a “gift”, but for me, it’s just an ability…

http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd465/waterjay/Screenshot-449.jpg

I keep thinking about how unfair all of this is. I really feel discriminated against: I was born with this mind-reading capacity; I don’t understand why they would do researches on me. I want to fight for my rights; I’m not different than others… or am I? Why was I kidnapped and caged in this gloomy place? Am I a dangerous person? …all of those questions don’t have an answer. Sure, I can read people’s mind, but I can’t read my own. This is why I have to stay strong… Yes, I’m determined; I tell myself that I’ll be strong… strong in front of this injustice, strong in front of those crucial questions I keep asking myself, strong in front of--
An unexpected knocking noise distracts me from my thoughts. As my eyes focus on the door, Dr. Amanda Will comes in. She walks to me, and whispers in my ear, accompanying her words with a giggle, “I swear, the patients here are healthier than my colleagues…”.

http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd465/waterjay/Screenshot-450.jpg

Amanda is a lady with typical Scandinavian traits: blonde hair, blue eyes, and a very pale skin. She’s been here supporting me since the very first day of my kidnap. She has that tremendous potential of brightening my day. I easily forget my anger when she’s around; especially when she starts throwing misplaced jokes about her work and her colleagues… She’s a true laugh a minute…
Her intentions are good. I can read it. Other staff members of the hospital try to entertain me as well, but I know they do it just to gain my confidence…

http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd465/waterjay/Screenshot-453-1.jpg

Speaking about staff members, a nurse just entered the damned room shortly after Amanda. “It is time for the daily tests”, she said with a loud, irritating, and high pitched tone of voice. I hate all the staff of this hospital like sin, except for Amanda, of course. I think I made it clear on my face how much I loathed these people, and apparently, Dr. Will understood immediately, so she tried to comfort me by saying “I promise I will find out why they do all of this… I know it’s wrong to force you doing these tests, I wish I could do more to help you, but for now I’m just an employee in this hospital and I have to follow the given orders…”
I just replied with a nod, as a sign of gratitude, and we went immediately to room 1007, the room where the tests took place. As usual, I stepped into the weird machine, and some random guy started clicking on a sort of advanced computer to start operating.

http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd465/waterjay/Screenshot-454.jpg

Usually, the side effects of those tests I get daily are limited to a short headache. This time however, they got seriously extended: It wasn’t just a headache; I was seeing the whole place turning around me, as if I was drunk. After exactly 3 seconds, my eyes and my brain couldn’t take any further challenge, so they just ordered my body to surrender. And that’s what happened: I fell on the floor, barely unconscious.

http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd465/waterjay/Screenshot-456.jpg

While progressively being knocked out, I lifted my head and looked for Amanda, as if I was drowning, and desperately in need of a life guard. I found her; she was in her typical position… She was about to say something, so I used all of my forces to try and stay awake just a few more seconds, in order to hear what she had to say… She said “Stay strong, Marcus, stay strong….”

http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd465/waterjay/Screenshot-457.jpg

It was the first time ever someone had called me by my name, apart from my mother of course. Her words being said, my body completely surrendered, and I fainted…
---

http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd465/waterjay/Screenshot-460.jpg

I woke up. I was barely seeing anything, it was all blurry. A very familiar voice started calling “Marcus, Marcus! Marcus listen to me!”
I turned around, and I found myself in this old house, which was familiar as well. I saw in front of me a person. It was a lady, but I was still seeing blurry, so her image wasn’t perfectly clear to me. As my eyes started to see better, I recognized my mother’s traits… Dark brown hair, blue eyes, and a very pale skin… Yes, it was mother. She cried again with a loud voice “Marcus?!”
“Mother…?” I replied.
“Stay strong, Marcus, stay strong!”

http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd465/waterjay/Screenshot-459.jpg

… and her voice faded away, along with everything, leading me back to reality, in my hospital room. Amanda was there again… I analyzed her face, her looks, with all the tiny details. And it’s only back then that I realized that her resemblance to mother was at a very high and significant rate. Yes, they had very much in common. Perhaps it’s why I feel she’s a genuine person?
I scanned through her again, trying to find an answer to my previous question. I couldn’t read her mind this time… and this worried me. She decided to interrupt my analysis, as she said “Don’t worry; they didn’t do anything serious… Just a slight error in the machine’s coordinates. With their IQ level being lower than the dumbest animal on earth, I think this will take a loooonnggg time my dear!” and she left the room with a mocking attitude that expressed hatred and annoyance towards the other doctors…

http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd465/waterjay/Screenshot-458.jpg

I was so confused. Amanda had always been funny and sarcastic, but right when I was in the tests room, she showed a completely new aspect of herself. Mother was serious, and Amanda was as well during the machine operation. Maybe this is why I had this illusion of my mother calling me right after they had messed everything up…?
I realized I kept asking myself too much. All I needed was some rest. My mind was locked in a giant labyrinth. I REALLY needed to sleep and forget about everything…
I turned to the left, trying to find a glass of water. Instead, there were 2 small sticky notes. One of the notes said “Amanda Will”, and a hangman was drawn. The second paper had two words; one word consisting of six letters, the other word of four letters, the letters being represented by a small trait. I combined both notes, and what I obtained was:
“Amanda Will, _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ “
I understood somebody wanted to play hangman. Who was it? No idea. I somehow felt that it wasn’t a simple hangman game, but rather a hidden message someone wanted to deliver me…

__________________________________________________________________________

Word Count: 1195 words.
Custom Content: Yes, I used too many. Deduct the 1 point! :P
Plot Point: Kidnapped.
Bonus: Amanda

waterjay

7th Jul 2012, 1:41 AM

Sorry guys, I have no idea about how to use spoiler thingy. Any help is very appreciated! Thanks :P

SeeMyu

7th Jul 2012, 1:50 AM

Sorry guys, I have no idea about how to use spoiler thingy. Any help is very appreciated! Thanks :P

The tags are [ spoiler=*insert text here* ] [ /spoiler ] :)

Viva1994

7th Jul 2012, 2:02 AM

Waterjay: The spoiler tags are just [ spoiler ] at the beginning, and [/ spoiler] at the end of the second you don't want spoiled (spaces removed)... there's a little html magic for ya.

ForeverCamp: Thanks! Oh how it's nice to finally see the sun after all this lurking!

ReyaD

7th Jul 2012, 2:21 AM

Since Heaven said we had up until the end of the round to edit I fixed up a few things in my entry, mostly just two parts where the wording was weird and one paragraph that I absolutely hated so I re-wrote it to hint at something else.

Just thought the judges should know.

missroxor

7th Jul 2012, 7:55 AM

Thanks for the advice but I didn't get to check in again until after the flight, lol. Oh well, after re-writing/re-planning my story line 4 or 5 times (I kept finding massive plot holes! lol) I think I finally have what I'm gonna submit as my first chapter...not 100% sure where I'll go from there but fingers crossed the rounds will inspire me like last time :)

Anyway, just wanted to say I'll be working on pics for the remainder of the time left but unless I have any computer disasters (touch wood) in the immediate future I'll definitely be joining so with Waterjay's entry I think that means we'll just need one more to make it official, Yay! :D

Buckley

7th Jul 2012, 8:34 AM

Glad to hear that you're entering missroxor! I'm over halfway through with my entry, so with both of us, we'll have at least ten contestants! *throws confetti*

P.S. I *love* your avatar. I laughed so hard when I saw that.

Ghost sdoj

7th Jul 2012, 2:01 PM

I just found out that there is a strong possibility that my husband will be losing his job very soon. I've got a jump drive, which has decided it wants to work with the computer that died, not the computer that has Sims 3 on it. (This computer won't recognize it at all.) If I can get it to work I can put my entries onto it and then upload them from the library computer.

So, does anybody know why a computer wouldn't recognize a jump drive?

ForeverCamp

7th Jul 2012, 5:03 PM

Does it not recognize from multiple ports, ghost?

(PS Sending love and prayers to both you and Sidney)

missroxor

7th Jul 2012, 7:18 PM

Yay, Buckley! :D *throws confetti* my avatar is probably out of date, not had the chance to catch up yet but last I read I think Yalena was all gooey eyed for Lyric :( *glowers at heaven*

Ghost, sorry to hear about your hubby, best of luck to him. Sorry, I don't even know what a jump drive is so can't help D: fingers crossed both situations work themselves out!

Heaven, I can't find it in the rules but was just wondering if we're allowed to use downloaded lots? I take forever building sets but can think of a couple of lots by my fav builder that would suit my theme and would greatly decrease the amount of time I have to faff before taking pics :) I'm assuming if we're allowed to use custom worlds then custom builds would be fine but thought I'd check to be sure.

I just remembered those builds have cc so I'd get penalized if I used them anyway-duh! Lol. Damn, now I'm thinking, "screw the penalty!!" :p

ReyaD

7th Jul 2012, 7:29 PM

Yay, Buckley! :D *throws confetti* my avatar is probably out of date, not had the chance to catch up yet but last I read I think Yalena was all gooey eyed for Lyric :( *glowers at heaven*

*Fist pump*

Didn't I tell you from Day one that Lyric would win? : P

(Sorry for being off topic but that gloat was SO necessary.)

On topic: Can't wait for round 2! Sooo excited.

heaven

7th Jul 2012, 7:44 PM

LadyAwesome

8th Jul 2012, 12:52 AM

YAY, My entry is also almost done :) I am excited about my ebil story :D:D

Tamlyn

8th Jul 2012, 3:48 AM

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c157/nylmat/Sims/Zoe%20Story%20Contest/Chapter%20One/1OpenShot.jpg
Sunset Valley looked like nothing was wrong. The town centre nestled against the lush green of hills and trees. The golden sun warmed rather than seared, and no smoke hung in the valley air. Gardens were in full flower, and brick and white plaster of heritage-listed buildings remained unstained. If people appeared grim as they went about their business, it was an unnoticeable undercurrent to a beautiful day.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c157/nylmat/Sims/Zoe%20Story%20Contest/Chapter%20One/2Zoe.jpg
Zoe Anderson wasn’t sure whether she hated these days or loved them.

She paused, eyes as distant as her thoughts. The day had been busy, but as the sun sunk into the horizon, custom slowed and she had too much time to think. She wandered back to the kitchen, where Greg, cook and owner of the Kitty Kat Kafé, swiped a cloth over the counter.

“Coffee’s up,” he growled, even though she stood in front of him.

Behind her, Liz Handel chuckled. She wasn’t even pretending to work. Her normally cheerful face was downcast, her attention fixed on the café’s television for the 7 o’clock report.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c157/nylmat/Sims/Zoe%20Story%20Contest/Chapter%20One/3Newsreader.jpg
“...Fires continue to sweep across the state as summer temperatures rocket...”

A hint of sport, one assault. Everything else focused on the fires, and the woman’s immaculate makeup and pleasant countenance contradicted the horror of the stories. Zoe’s face softened with sympathy; the solemn tone of the newsreader was sincere, even if actually looking unhappy was against network regulations.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c157/nylmat/Sims/Zoe%20Story%20Contest/Chapter%20One/4Smokescreen.jpg
Coming in to work without driving through swirling ash that carried the taste of death was amazing. Knowing it was a deceptive lull, and at any moment the raging fires would flare again and coat her beautiful town in smoke and cinders... then Zoe hated the good days.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c157/nylmat/Sims/Zoe%20Story%20Contest/Chapter%20One/5Fire.jpg
Knowing the greenery was a mixture of hardy natives and false life, that beneath was tinderbox and dynamite ready to spring forth into an inferno... then she hated them more.

Every time the CFA*, along with the town’s small fire brigade, thought they’d managed to get a lid on containment, another fire would break out from its silent smoulder and they’d have to start over.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c157/nylmat/Sims/Zoe%20Story%20Contest/Chapter%20One/6Wave.jpg
As the newsreader rattled off her lines, Zoe’s eyes drifted over the few patrons in the café. It was fitting, in a way. Jill, half asleep at her table, was the Chief’s daughter. Her mother and brother were volunteers. She would be too... just as soon as they let her. Matt Dennis was CFA and Zoe’s best friend. He waved her over with a lazy smile.

“Not working?” She slid a coffee in front of him.

“Been on call all day.” Matt shrugged, and his mouth twitched in irritation. “Don’t.”

Zoe frowned. “Don’t?”

“Apologise. “

“I wasn’t going to.” Zoe tilted her chin and tried to look stern as she slid into a seat, ignoring Greg’s grunt from across the café. “I was going to say you should be home sleeping.”

“Not here visiting you. Apology was implied.”

“Well, you ‘don’t’ either.”

”Read your mind?” Matt’s irritation dissolved into another grin.

“Yes!”
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c157/nylmat/Sims/Zoe%20Story%20Contest/Chapter%20One/7Puppy.jpg
He laughed and obligingly changed the subject. “I hate this place.”

“I think it’s cute.” Zoe smiled.

”You would. It’s garish.“

“Well, there’s a reason you think that.” She pointed at his shirt. “And you don’t have to come.”

“Who’d make sure you knock off on time then?” Matt’s gaze flicked away. He took a swig of the coffee as if it wasn’t scalding.

“That was only once. You know they really needed me here,” Zoe murmured, a faint blush tinging her cheeks.

Matt snorted.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c157/nylmat/Sims/Zoe%20Story%20Contest/Chapter%20One/8Laughter.jpg
“Your ex was in.” This time Zoe changed the subject; she didn’t repent when Matt gave her his best puppy-pleading look. “You need to talk to her.”

“Okay. Which ex?”

“Matt! Kirsten, of course.”

“She’d be the latest, right?” Matt continued to avoid Zoe’s eyes.

She heaved a sigh. “I hope so. You can’t have broken another girl’s heart already, surely.”

“Do one night stands count?”

Zoe opened her mouth and closed it, then closed her eyes – though that was as much to block out Matt’s smug smile. She laughed. “You’re incorrigible.”

“I don’t even know what that means. And you should be angry at me. You know, women united and all. Not laughing.”

“Talk to Kirsten. Then maybe she’ll stop talking to me. You won’t have to worry I’m being taken advantage of.”

“You need to be less nice to women with me. You know they’re not going to last.”

“What am I meant to do? Ignore them?”

“Might be worth trying,” Matt muttered.

Zoe pushed to her feet, scooped up the empty cup, and turned back towards the kitchen with a low laugh. “You’re rude enough for both of us. I don’t know how they keep falling for you.”

“My amazing looks and charm. And everyone knows the good guys love dogs.”

“Hitler loved his dog.”

“Shush.”
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c157/nylmat/Sims/Zoe%20Story%20Contest/Chapter%20One/9Liz.jpg
Zoe’s smile stayed as she ambled back to where Greg drew elaborate designs on coffee and Liz hurriedly pretended to wipe down a table. “He single again?” Liz asked casually.

“You don’t want to go there, Lizzy.” Zoe wrinkled her nose and grabbed one of Greg’s coffees.

“I do,” Liz muttered. Wiping her hands and wandering back to the counter, she ogled Matt. “I definitely do, sweetie.”
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c157/nylmat/Sims/Zoe%20Story%20Contest/Chapter%20One/10News.jpg
Zoe ignored her with practised ease – Liz had had her sights on Matt for years. Another news report flashed onto the television. Zoe froze as the newsreader’s sombre words penetrated.

“...And as another blaze flares up, believed to have been burning in the undergrowth since late last night, Fire Chief Brandon Maybe has issued a statement confirming rumours that the long, hot summer is not only to blame for the fires – many are a result of arson. Police are currently following up leads...”

Anger flared in Zoe.

Jill jumped to her feet with a cry, then drooped as if struck.

“Well, I never.” Liz planted her hands on her hips.

Matt rose more slowly, his body impossibly still. He was angry, but not surprised.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c157/nylmat/Sims/Zoe%20Story%20Contest/Chapter%20One/11CoffeeFire.jpg
Zoe didn’t see any of them. Her vision swam in red as the words rebounded in her head like a bullet shot. Deliberate... of all the fucked up... Fire seemed to flicker in her normally gentle blue eyes.

She frowned. Awareness penetrated: her hands were toasty warm. She looked down. Flames spilled from the coffee cup she gripped. They danced in deceptive beauty. Her breath caught, and a rush of terror swept aside her anger. She slammed a hand down atop the cup and doused the flames. She stood, shivering. She didn’t dare look up. The newsreader droned on in the background.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c157/nylmat/Sims/Zoe%20Story%20Contest/Chapter%20One/12Texting.jpg
“I’m going to text Dad. I bet he knows about it.” Jill whipped out her phone.

“Probably. But I doubt he’ll tell you,” Matt almost growled.

Jill sniffed, her voice choked up. “Yes, he will.”

Zoe pushed away her terror. Liz still watched the television, Greg hadn’t even turned at the announcement, and Jill blinked into her phone, obviously trying not to cry. Matt met Zoe’s gaze, sombre, but that was all. If he’d seen, he wouldn’t just be sombre.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c157/nylmat/Sims/Zoe%20Story%20Contest/Chapter%20One/13TextingPullBack.jpg
Liz dropped into a seat as Jill punched viciously at her phone. “Of course, we already knew. It’s not nice to have it confirmed though.”

“I didn’t know,” Zoe said quietly.

Liz shot her a pitying look. “Bless your soul, you've got your head in the clouds. Zoe, sweetie, of course someone’s been lighting them. You’re too ready to believe the best of folk.”

Zoe dropped her head. “But... why? People have died.”

Greg banged a plate down. “Maybe they think it’s for the best. My people used to let the fires burn for the land. You folk are scared of them. Or maybe they just like the rush.”

“Greg!” Liz turned on him. “There’s a difference between controlled burning and this... devastation. You’re a cruel man with no heart.”

Zoe stepped in between them. “Please, don’t. Greg wasn’t saying that to be mean, Liz.”

Liz glared. “But it was. You wouldn’t understand, Zoe. You live in town. You’ve never had to deal with the fires up close and personal.”
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c157/nylmat/Sims/Zoe%20Story%20Contest/Chapter%20One/14Pastfire.jpg
Zoe swallowed heavily. Memory rose to swamp her, shoving through the gap in her defences the anger – and the fire – had made. The crackle of flames, heat that should burn, choking smoke crawling down her throat and clawing at her eyes, screams...
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c157/nylmat/Sims/Zoe%20Story%20Contest/Chapter%20One/15Cry.jpg
“Going on break,” she pushed the words out and bolted.

“Break? But you’re knocking off in—”

The back door closed on Greg’s words. Zoe slumped down onto a crate. Even now, it was still hot out. She ignored the rough splinters poking through her dress and pushed her face into her hands.

She sat, unmoving. Her eyes burnt with memory, but she had long run out of tears.
Eventually, Matt appeared to help her silently away. He didn’t say anything, and Zoe was glad. He didn’t know. They’d been best friends for 10 years, but he didn’t know. If he did, he’d hate her for the freak she was.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Country Fire Authority

Current Event: Mysterious Past
Word/Picture Count: 1500 (including footnote), 15 pictures
Bonus: Yes
CC: LadyFrontbum Skin, Aikea Eyes, OMSPs, Poses

heaven

8th Jul 2012, 3:59 AM

Tamlyn, by footnote, do you mean the bit at the end where you note word count and such? if so, you don't need to count those. It's only the "actual" story that counts for your words. If that's not what you mean, ignore me. :)

Also, guys I am so excited to have 9 contestants and another day to go with quite a few more entrants, maybe. Also, I am loving the ideas of spoilers. They are not required, but they do make loading the page so much faster! So, Melibee1323, thanks for thinking of it!

missroxor

8th Jul 2012, 9:16 AM

5 pics down, 10 to go D:

I might be the last person on the planet to realise this but there's a movie maker cheat you can use for TS3 that is SO useful for taking pics! I just stumbled on it by accident tonight. Copied this from a cheats site just in case somebody else finds it useful:

A new cheat is added to The Sims 3 with this expansion, allowing easy machinima (movie creation) for people:

As with previous versions, press CTRL+SHIFT+C to bring up the command prompt. Activate '˜debug mode', using testingcheatsenabled true. Then, type moviemakercheats enabled true.

When shift+left clicking Sims, you can now do the following:

Animation: Pick an animation to play
Disable All Lookouts: Toggles Look Ats for all Sims I.e. Where they are focusing

Edit in CAS: Lets you edit the Sim in Create-A-Sim mode.

Sim Shutdown: Stops the Sim doing anything except things you have instructed.

Set Looping On/One-Off: Allows you to loop the animation.

If you SHIFT+Right click on a NPC Sim to select them, you can now use the options above as well as changing the active household to their one!

Think it does a lot (but not all) of the same stuff that the animation player does but with this you choose from lists rather than hunting for and typing out codes :)

PS I didn't need to do the testingcheatsenabled bit.

Sabri5

8th Jul 2012, 11:30 AM

Chapter 1:

Sarah Thomas plopped herself onto the couch next to her husband Lee. She nestled into him as he turned on the television, ready for a relaxing date night. They both finally had a moment away from work, from their baby,
http://thumbs2.modthesims2.com/img/6/8/3/1/2/8/8/MTS_Sabri5-1306992-6.jpg
and they were going to spend it together. She sighed contentedly. They had just finished a very satisfying dinner (takeout, no cooking for her!) and were arguing playfully about what movie to watch (Thor--Chris Simsworth was hot! No, Catwoman--Halle Plumbob in skintight leather? Come on!) when the doorbell chimed.
Sarah groaned. Who could it possibly be? She didn't move to get up, and neither did Lee.
"Aren't you going to get that?" He said.
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Sarah batted her eyelashes at him and replied sweetly, "Would you do the honors, Honey? Opening that heavy door seems like it would better suit such a manly--" Lee cut her off with a kiss and a chuckle, but obliged.
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She heard the familiar click of the lock as he pulled open the door.
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When he didn't say anything after a moment, Sarah called, "Who is it?"
"Come and see for yourself." Lee replied, his tone incredulous.
Sighing, she pushed herself up and made her way toward her husband, freezing at the face that greeted her.
"Elizabeth." Sarah's voice sounded only mildly irritated, but a mix of fury and betrayal danced through her eyes.
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Lee was smart enough to make himself scarce when he saw her expression.
"Sarah." Elizabeth affirmed, relief settling on her face.
Sarah was silent.
Elizabeth winced. "Still unforgiving, I see."
Sarah closed the door, stepping outside. "No. I forgave you for leaving us a long time ago." Sarah said, a rush of emotions coloring her tone. "I forgave you for choosing immortality over me. I just haven't forgotten. I mean, you were supposed to be my big sister, Beth. You were supposed to protect me." Sarah's words were more accusing then she'd meant them to be, her old scars ripped open with but a few words from a long forgotten face. Tears pricked at her eyes, but she buried them somewhere deep and dark and dangerous.
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Elizabeth was quiet for a moment. "Is it too late for us now?" She asked, searching Sarah's face.
Sarah softened. Of course not, she thought, of course I have room in my heart for my big sister. But Elizabeth had broken her heart the last time, walked out on their already-in-shambles mother and a drowning Sarah, confused and struggling to keep her head above the surface.
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"It was a different time, then. I was a different person." Elizabeth pleaded, interrupting Sarah's reverie. "I shouldn't have have left. I was being selfish. You must understand, Sarah. I was raising you--"
"Exactly!" Sarah snapped. "You raised me. Not Mom. And then you left. She couldn't take care of me--I had to take care of her. I was too young, Beth. I wasn't ready."
"And I was?" Elizabeth whispered. Sarah sobered at that, the gravity of Elizabeth's situation finally weighing on her. She had spent too long being angry at her sister, who had faced impossible circumstances and done the best she could with them.
"When I found vampirism, I found independence." Elizabeth was saying. "John Ross discovered me sleeping on some park bench and offered to buy me clothes--clothes! I loved the material things then. He gave me the world on a silver platter, and all I had to do was join him." She paused. "I just-I wanted to do something for myself, for once."
"So?" Sarah was exasperated. "You could have visited. You could have at least called!" You could have taken me with you, Sarah thought.
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Elizabeth cringed. "You are right. But I did not, and for that I am so, so sorry."
"Me too." Regret clouded both sisters' delicate features. Sarah stared at the face that was so much like her own; only Elizabeth's eyes were a little brighter and her skin a little paler.
"After John Ross turned you, did you ever..." Sarah trailed off.
"Yes?" Elizabeth prompted, relieved to hear a question lacking accusation.
"Did you ever think about me?" Sarah looked so vunerable when she asked that painful question it tore into Elizabeth's heart.
"Every day. I missed you every day." Elizabeth said honestly. "At first, I would see clothing items that I thought you would like--I mailed them to you, did you ever get them?"
Sarah was surprised. "No. I never got anything."
Elizabeth sighed sadly. "That may have been John Ross' doing. Regardless, yes. You were always on my mind. But by the time I realized just how much I must have been hurting you I was too much of a coward to return. I could not face you."
"I understand, Beth." Sarah said--possibly the truest thing she had ever uttered (aside from the 'I do' she had promised to Lee, and the 'I love you' she had whispered to Dylan when she first held him in her arms after he was born.) "I...forgive you."
Sarah had said it earlier, but now the words were in acceptance and not contempt. Elizabeth could feel the tears brimming her eyelids.
"Thank you, Sarah. I will make it up to you, if it is the last thing I do."
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Sarah wasn't sure how her sister would do that, but somehow she believed her. More than that, she wanted to believe her.
After a moment, their conversation took on a different air.
"So, who is your aquaintence?" Elizabeth inquired.
"My husband, Lee." Sarah said, all malice gone, but a hint of caution remaining in her tone.
"You are married?" Sarah was about to answer (an uh, duh, isn't that what I just said?) when a cry rang out from beyond the hallway.
"Lee?" She yelled. "Would you get him?"
Elizabeth waited expectantly.
"Our son Dylan." Sarah explained. Elizabeth's eyes filled with tears again. "You have a son?"
"Yes, Beth. Things do happen while...over time." Sarah paused. "Which reminds me, why now? After all these years?"
Elizabeth nodded slowly, understanding Sarah's meaning.
"Samara convinced me to attempt to mend our relationship."
"Samara?"
"Yes. It seems we've both missed important...births in each other's lives."
"You have a baby?"
Elizabeth laughed. "She is more a woman now."
Sarah looked confused. "She is but a few years younger than you." Elizabeth explained.
"Oh. Oh!" Sarah was quiet, collecting her thoughts. "Is that why you didn't come back?"
Elizabeth ignored the question. "When I look at you, you are everything a mother would have wanted her child to be. You and my daughter are much alike in this respect. But there are so many things I have missed in your life. May I have the honor of knowing you again?" She said instead.
"Make me a promise." Sarah whispered.
"Anything." Elizabeth was hopeful.
"You tell me everything. And you can meet your nephew...as long as I can meet my niece."
Elizabeth smiled at her sister: the woman more than a decade younger who she'd last seen as a young girl--and they looked the same. With their age difference, it was never apparent how uncanny their resemblance was. But now...it was as if she was looking into a mirror.
"I promise."
Sarah smiled back now, gesturing for Elizabeth to join her inside.
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Elizabeth pulled Sarah into a quick embrace before stepping in gingerly, afraid their peaceful bridge would crumble if she even breathed too forcefully.
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If Sarah could let her in after all these years, then she could damn well make sure Sarah wouldn't regret it. If it had been anyone else but Samara who told her she could mend their broken relationship, she would have said, "Bless your soul, you've got your head in the clouds." But somehow Samara had motivated her to attempt the impossible--and it was the best thing she had ever done. She vowed to thank her daughter, to protect and love her the way she had meant to with Sarah. There were some things Elizabeth could not take back, but there were some things she could make up for.
She took a seat next to her sister on the couch, smiling at the woman whose heart was big enough to give her a second chance.
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Word Count: 1376
Pictures: 12
Hero Type: The Atoner
Plot Point: Redemption Quest
Song Lyric: "Bless your soul, you've got your head in the clouds."
Bonus: Sidekick: Samara (Moral Compass)
CC: None

heaven

8th Jul 2012, 2:36 PM

Welcome Sabri5! I see this is also a new experience for you. It warms my little heart to see everyone getting involved.

Yay, everyone! We've hit our number to keep this contest going, but keep those entries rolling in. Remember, we've got a cap of 20, so there are still 10 spots to be filled! We are down to the wire now (/me googles where this phrase comes from). Not to panic anyone, but there are now 17 hours left to polish those entries up and get them submitted. I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with and, on my day off tomorrow, read all the ones that have already been submitted!

Buckley

9th Jul 2012, 3:00 AM

Sorry, last minute question. If the quote doesn't have an ellipsis behind it, does that mean we have to put it at the end of the sentence? Even if we leave it intact and untouched, just using it as a dependent clause in a complex sentence? For example:

"I like this contest because [insert quote], and I can't wait to write chapter 2."

Instead of:

"I like this contest because [insert quote]. I can't wait to write chapter 2."

Hope my example makes sense, lol.

Heaven, if you don't see this before time is up, I will play it safe and rewrite my entry so that the quote finishes the sentence, as I think that's what you meant in the rules. I was just re-reading your post before I submit my chapter and realized that I wasn't sure what you meant.

LadyAwesome

9th Jul 2012, 3:23 AM

I am pretty sure you can use it anyway, as long as the quote isn't actually broken.

Prawler

9th Jul 2012, 3:32 AM

Round 1: Prologue
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“In the city is left desolation and the gate is smitten with destruction” the words were scrawled across a crumbling wall. More incomprehensible mutterings were carved below: more than the last time Ax found himself in that foundry, hiding. A refuge for last hopes.
The empty room was so silent it echoed with memories past, but there was something eerily similar about tonight. The soft rain causing tiny streams to guzzle their way through mortar and moss; light drips that could eventually summate to a sad version of Chinese water torture.
Deep cracks ventured across walls, concrete floors, Support joists..; He had traced his fingers along each line, coloured the patterns with chalk and watched it all wash away with shuffling feet, pools of blood, and tears. Anywhere else but here, and it wouldn’t feel like home.

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5 years ago.
Ax stumbled into that deserted foundry once more; the one he used to play in as a child. The stench of damp and dust flared at his nostrils, but that was roses compared to the raw iron wafts coming from his mother. He gulped back bile, careful not to release his grip on the woman who raised him. She was stumbling and weak, he free hand trailing on the floor as she doubled over in agony, Ax still urging her on.
They had barely escaped those hungry eyes, gnashing teeth and broken prying fingers, but it wouldn’t be long until they caught a whiff of that trail of blood. The unsteady, shuffling gait; the gargles and moans that erupted past flaccid tongues; filled Nightmares and hollow naps until horror and reality had merged and no one could every be sure they were awake, and that throbbing in their feet wasn’t an A-bomb gnawing on their toes.
Ax finally pulled his mother into the room furthest from the door without dragging her up flights of stairs. Beads of sweat coursed down her cheeks and splattered to the asphalt. His knees were weak with prolonged fatigue that there was nothing left to do but fall. Her semi-rigid limbs were splayed uncomfortably across his, as he held her gaze firmly with this.
“Just hold on Mom,” he whispered a sob. “they’re making a cure, I’ll find it, I promise.”
She shook her head and raised a hand to brush away a tear.
“Bless your soul, you've got your head in the clouds.”
Ax had never heard her speak that way, and it was the last phrase that ever parted her lips.
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Her had was cold as it fell limply at their side. He longed for those terrible childhood memories of the two of them hiding in cupboards, her hand clasped firmly over his mouth so he couldn’t scream, barely breathe, and alert whichever officer or violent dealer who was raiding their home.
Staring at her now, he hadn’t noticed the shadow of the man in the deformed doorway.
“boy.” The voice rang like a bell through a condemned church. Ax barely responded.
“boy?” It was lower this time, and didn’t quite chime. Ax’s eyes shot up to meet his, the dual relief and despair were unquestionable.
“Boy, it’s time to go, there isn’t much time.”

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Ax propped her up against the worn pillows he’d discovered and brought there as a child. She didn’t even stir; her pulse so slow; the man was right, there wasn’t much time. Ax forced himself into a sort of upright position, though he felt the floor crumbling beneath him. The man held him at arm’s length and checked him over for wounds before forcing Ax to look at him.
“We must be going!” The stranger was older but strong, his large hands cupping Ax’s face and neck like a child trying to show compassion to a doll. Ax tried to shake his head but shock had set in and he had no choice but to follow.
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It was the sad look on Delaney’s face that brought them back.
The stranger, Frank, had taken them out of the city, to safety between the hills. But Ax always insisted on finding a cure for the A-bomb, that they had to creep back, through the cover of darkness.

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Frank never dismissed that hope. In fact, he forged it further with stories and rumors and static over a radio. But most of all, Frank had found that sliver of a soul left in Ax’s wicked life, that wasn’t tainted with scorch marks, gunshot residue, or gang affiliations.

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Delaney was Frank’s daughter, his pride and joy. The teenager he had stolen away from a party the minute news spread. Mascara still smeared across her face, she had said “I hate you” quickly followed with a call for her Daddy when she saw those blood streaked walls.
She was the only reason that Frank had followed that street boy back to his abode. He knew one day he would be too old to dodge those incisors and someone had to protect her.
The first time Ax had set eyes on her, Frank had hid her behind some crates in safety while he ventured into that warehouse, knowing an ‘explosion’ was imminent. He returned with a pale faced boy and a gun, vowing they would never be in this situation again.

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They, three, left via an old abandoned road and returned, five years later. The exact same way. Frank had a lot more gray hairs but had succeed in teaching his little mentee how to defend himself.

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Ax noticed, more than anything, that Frank unduly underestimated his daughter, she had his fight, his sense of humor, but most of all, she had his eyes. In a way, she kind of reminded him of his mother, the way she might have been had she never got knocked up.

Her strength was how he knew something was wrong when he saw that look. Frank was investigating something and ordered them to wait there, but somewhere between the drip dripping Delaney had left too, had followed him. Ax understood, his stomach rolled over to agree.
Minutes later they all burst through the rusted metal door and collapsed. Frank’s pallor rivalled the moon, and each swaying step they had taken sent him in and out of consciousness.
Delaney was bent over him, begging him to stay alive. “Please Daddy, just hold on,” she whispered.
Ax took his other hand. “We’ll find a cure, I promise.”
Frank smiled a little then, the lines on his face looking more like crack. “I know,” his voice crackling like all those others on the radio praying for sanctuary.
A vein pulsed in his temple as he argued his one last point. “Shoot me!” he said, bloodshot eyes focussed on Ax. Ax shook his head.
“We’ll find a cure,” he urged, though more to convince himself.
“Boy, I am too old to hang on any longer”
Ax knew this story, they had debated it at length. There was nothing left to do but pull out his gun.
A yelp escaped Delaney’s throat as her head flittered between them both, tears smudged her mascara into broken rivers; she was helpless.
Ax gripped the gun tighter as sweat escaped his pores. He’d killed men before, he’d robbed them blind and left them to bleed on the floor. But this was different; his pulse pounding; arms shaking. He dropped the gun.
Frank only nodded, turned it around and pulled the trigger.

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It was Ax’s turn to be the strong one, to get them both out of that foundry once more.

WordCount:1,255
CC Used: Tippy OMSP, My own items, LFB skin and Eyeshadow, Hair, Apocalypse Project terrain paint and Window boards.
Plot Point: Mysterious Past
Hero Type: The Atoner

Buckley

9th Jul 2012, 4:18 AM

Oh really? Thanks for the response LadyAwesome. I'll do that then, unless heaven tells me otherwise. :)

heaven

9th Jul 2012, 4:29 AM

Buckley

9th Jul 2012, 5:57 AM

Round 1: Prologue

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Like maggots feasting on a lion’s carcass, the cancer slowly consumes him, weakening him more and more with each passing hour. These days, his disease ridden body trembles with even the slightest movement, but he forces himself to sit upright anyway.

“Emmeline,” he whispers, his once robust voice now struggling to pronounce my name. “I have but one request, before the Dark God comes for my soul.”

I nod my head. “Anything, Sir Roldan. I will do it for you.” And I will. For eight long years, he has been my mentor, my guardian, my friend. Since my mother’s death, he has taken me in and taught me everything I know. I will not let him down. Not now, not ever.

“Take that letter,” he says quietly, “and deliver it to Triston’s crowned prince.”

A cold shiver runs down my back. “His royal highness? Would not a man of lesser rank satisfy?” I plead.

“No,” he replies, summoning up a shadow of his former tenacity. “It is of the utmost importance that you give the letter to the prince and only the prince, intact and unopened, before his impending coronation. I cannot stress that enough, Emmeline. Promise me.”

I take his hand in mine, squeezing it gently. “I promise,” I whisper, fighting back tears.

With painful effort, he removes a single silver ring from his finger and places it in the palm of my hand. “Give this to the prince, as a sign of our goodwill.”

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“Sir Roldan has died,” I announce, emerging a few hours later.

As warriors in the elite Order of the Lynx, we are trained from childhood never to show emotion. Emotions lead to mistakes, our masters explained, and mistakes lead to death. However, the men, my brothers and fellow fighters, seem disheartened by the news of our leader’s passing.

“We must return to Wallington at once,” Tariq commands, “to bury his body amongst those of the fallen.”

“Yes,” I concede, “but I cannot go. Sir Roldan has given me one last mission. I leave for Triston at once.”

“Triston?” he growls. “What business does Roldan have there?”

“He did not say, and I dared not ask.”

“But you hate Triston,” Gideon chimes in, already heavily intoxicated at this early hour.

“Yes, but for Sir Roldan, I shall wade into the bedroom of our enemy and see through his last wish, regardless of the price,” I declare, sounding much braver than I feel.

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The journey to Triston’s capital is relatively short; just a few weeks ride on horseback. Calix, my cat, accompanies me on this trip, despite my insistence that he stay home. Unfortunately, he talks much more than he listens.

Those were foolish words for a foolish mission, he purrs, licking himself clean.

I laugh. “Perhaps, but foolish or not I will see it through.”

Only a fool would risk her life for a dead man, he insists. Besides, what do you owe a prince whose soldiers beat, raped, and murdered your mother and sisters? If it hadn’t have been for Sir Roldan, you probably would have joined them in the Realm of The Lost Souls.

His words cut sharply at my old wounds, reminding me of painful memories I so desperately want to forget. I was merely ten when they were killed, a frightened child, helpless to save her family. The Tristonian army massacred my entire village; men, women, and children all murdered at the tip of their swords. Within a year, my country was being ruled under the iron fist of Triston’s infamously cruel regent, Lord Hadrian.

Every day, I tell myself that I’ll be strong, that I’ll fight for their honor, to make right their deaths, but I often wonder if my resolve is not fading. I have grown comfortable in my life as a Lynx warrior. Too much so, I believe. I hate Triston with such passion that my heart aches just thinking of it, but yet I have done nothing to stop their bloody crusades and ruthless conquests. The shame feels almost unbearable.

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Tired, sore, and hungry, I arrive at the castle late one afternoon, only to be turned away by two crude guards looking for any excuse to fight.

“I need to see the prince,” I declare impatiently.

They laugh, a grating sound that wears on my nerves. “Don’t we all, sweet cakes. How about you see me instead, in about 30 minutes when I get off?” the blonde one taunts.

My hand automatically reaches for the hilt of my sword, but Calix meows, warning me to play nice.

“Fine, then I demand to see your commander.”

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They skulk at this suggestion, but after a bit of persuasion I manage to gain an audience with the head guard.

“The prince?” he asks. “What business do you have with him?”

“A letter, of urgent importance.” Hesitantly, I show him the envelope, so old it has yellowed with age.

Upon seeing the seal, stamped with some symbol I do not recognize, the guard grows visibly uneasy, fidgeting back and forth.

“Right this way,” he directs impatiently.

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After a few hours of waiting, he leads me into a richly decorated office and snaps the door closed behind me. I have never seen the fabled prince before, but I immediately know this man is not him.

“Who are you?” I ask quietly, feeling unusually anxious.

He smiles, revealing two rows of perfectly white teeth, but his eyes remain still and untouched. “Who are you?” he wants to know.

“I have a letter for the prince,” I explain. My normally forceful voice suddenly sounds weak and desperate.

“Let me see,” he commands. It is not a question, but an order.

I feel my temper begin to rise. “It is for the prince and the prince alone. I demand to see him!”

He laughs, a hollow sound that feels as empty as his cold blue eyes. “Making demands of the regent? You are a feisty one.”

The regent? His words sink in slowly, like a thousand angry needles piercing my skin. I start to apologize, but I quickly stop myself. I shall not grovel before a murderer.

He smiles again, amicably motioning to the chair in front of his desk. “You seem tired,” he comments. “Perhaps you’d like to stay the night at the castle? I’m sure there’s room in the servant’s quarters. I can arrange a meeting with the prince tomorrow, once he returns from his hunting trip.”

He seems… nice. Too nice, I think, but I readily accept his offer for lodging. It will be much cheaper than renting a room in town.

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That night, Calix awakens me from a sound sleep.

Intruder.

That’s all he says, but after years of training I immediately spring into action.

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“Who sent you?” I yell once I’ve got the man pinned to the floor.

He laughs, but with one brutal twist I show him who’s in charge.

“Why are you here?” I demand.

“The letter,” he chokes, but before he can say anymore he collapses to the floor in a lifeless puddle.

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“Dead,” I tell Calix. “Cyanide poisoning, I’m sure of it.”

He was sent here to murder you.

I roll my eyes, feeling unreasonably irritated. “I know that Calix,” I snap.

I told you it was a fool’s mission.

I ignore him and begin searching the man’s clothing for clues. I find a piece of paper tucked in his pocket with a crude map of the castle drawn on the back. One of the guard’s towers appears to be circled. “He was going to meet someone here,” I surmise. “Perhaps… Perhaps a bit of digging is needed,” I whisper, an idea forming in the back of my mind.

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After swapping clothes with the dead attacker, I find my way to the location on the map.

“You’re late,” the man says, without ever really looking at my face. “Do you have the letter?” he asks.

“She burned it,” I whisper, stretching to make my voice deeper and more masculine. If he notices anything suspicious, he remains quiet about it.

“Burned?!” he sounds horrified. “Lord Hadrian will have my head!” he wails.

“What does he want with the messenger’s letter?” I speak slowly, delicately probing for more information.

“How do I know?!” the man snaps. “All he told me was to get that letter in one piece. Something about the old king’s seal.” And with that, he stalks off, leaving me alone to ponder his final statement.

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Calix catches up with me a few minutes later.

Can we go home now? he asks, sounding droll.

“Not yet,” I smirk. “Something about my letter has the regent on edge, and I fully intend to find out what.”

He yowls angrily in my ear, but I gleefully ignore him. Perhaps now I will have a chance to seek the revenge I so desperately long for.

CC Used: Skin, Eyes, Store Content, Poses, OMSP, World
Event: Beware the Nice Guy
Word/Picture Count: 1,476 Words/11 Pictures
Bonus: Yes
Additional Credits: Candle-Town Uptown (http://www.modthesims.info/download.php?t=400999) by candlelight82 (http://www.modthesims.info/member.php?u=3344255) and Clouded Leopard (http://www.modthesims.info/d/468420) (Calix) by Lea.Sikora (http://www.modthesims.info/member.php?u=6881300)

LadyAwesome

9th Jul 2012, 6:08 AM

Life.....
It is one of those things that can be lost so fast one mintue your totally in control of everything around you, living, breathing, seeing. Everything possible is for the taking, what is it you dream of most? Can you taste it? Or is it so far away that your fingers just cant quite make it? Or maybe, you watch, wishing, hoping, stewing on it until one day you explode.

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So you run to no where in particular, you have been running so long that your starting to feel the strain. As you start to slow you look around taking in the scenery before you, the sun has gone down and all you see around you is empty streets. Your heart starts to race and your eyes widen, all you hear is the drip coming from a building and it sets off goose pumps, then everything goes black.

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What they do not realise is that in the dark of the shadows, behind that trash can and watching from the hight roof tops. There is always something watching.....waiting, for the perfect time to pounce. To feed on the innocent and compete in the fight for power. You may think your the only being out there, don't you human? The things you can discover if you just look hard enough. Those are the things that eat you alive, tear at your flesh and remove all traces like you never exsisted at all.

http://i790.photobucket.com/albums/yy187/klarox/Story%20compition%20Hero%20edition/Screenshot-14.jpg

My life has not always been nice to me I was born different, maybe not on the outside – but on the inside everything is a abomination. Everything seemed normal as a child, I did normal things children did. That was until I hit the ripe age of 13 thats when the hunger began, I don't know how else to describle the feeling. I never got any warning, my whole body would freeze over, feeling like someone else was talking over. Then my body melted into it feeling the hungers extacy, what happens after that is best unsaid. Still to this day I struggle to look at myself in the mirror, to face the demon inside me. I know she will always be in there lurking it takes all my strength just to fight back.

http://i790.photobucket.com/albums/yy187/klarox/Story%20compition%20Hero%20edition/Screenshot-18.jpg

The only thing keeping me on edge was my new found friend dog, who was in fact a wolf. She had been by my side ever since (which was only a week ago). . . .I decided to fight back against my demon. I tell myself that I'll be strong, but the truth is that wolf is my rock and without her, I would be straight back where I started. Sometimes I wonder where she come from, and what exactly she is. Normal animals bark and snarl at me, they have good sences like that. I guess that is why I feel this attatchment to dog she makes me feel safe even if it is a false sence of security.

http://i790.photobucket.com/albums/yy187/klarox/Story%20compition%20Hero%20edition/Screenshot-19.jpg

Being bogged up in side makes me restless, so on this fine day I decided that a walk was in order. It was nice to be alone since the dog was usually around. Listening to the wind pick up and blow my hair around my faces. It had an odd sence of serenity......Then BOOM it hit me, my heart skipped a few beats.

http://i790.photobucket.com/albums/yy187/klarox/Story%20compition%20Hero%20edition/Screenshot-20.jpg

Once I opened my eyes I panicked, my hands were tied behind my back and my vision was blurry. I could not remember a thing, I felt my heart start to race again but knowing how stupid that was, I forced my self to breath slower. Once I had calmed myself I noticed a blonde little girl sitting on the chair reading. I looked around and it was deffinatly my house.
“WHAT THE ….” I struggled to get the hand cuffs off but nothing was working.

http://i790.photobucket.com/albums/yy187/klarox/Story%20compition%20Hero%20edition/Screenshot-21.jpg

The small girl just smiled. “I was wondering how long it was going to take you to wake, how are you feeling?”
I just spat at the crude little monster “WHERE IS DOG!” I screamed at her, and what the hell had she tied me up with, this shit is starting to burn.
Then it hit me, I looked to the small girl as she closed her book, she had the most unusual eyes. She smelt....like dog but that could be the bed, my nose was rather close to the blanket.
“It happened again didn't it.” I whispered and the small girl gave me a sad grin and nodded slowly.

http://i790.photobucket.com/albums/yy187/klarox/Story%20compition%20Hero%20edition/Screenshot-23.jpg

“Do you remember anything Ala?” She asked softly.
My head was pounding and I just looked to her for a moment. What was I doing?
“Do you know what happened to me? I whispered.
She nodded slowly.
“What is your name?” I asked after a long silence.
“Lottie” she said softly.
As I sat up Lottie pulled over her chair to sit closer to me. Really, what was a child doing in my appartment? Some things were not adding up, I looked at her for a while, it seems as she was just waiting for me to ask questions. This was no normal girl.
“How did you find me?” I finally ask her, unsure if I actually wanted to know this answer.
“I have been here the whole time.” She smiled so innocently, it made my stomache queezy.
I looked under the bed as if I would a sign of someone living under there, but there was nothing. The silence was drilling into my skull, I couldn't think. “what do you mean here?” I demanded frowning at her. She just kept a placid face, like there was no worry in the world.

http://i790.photobucket.com/albums/yy187/klarox/Story%20compition%20Hero%20edition/Screenshot-24.jpg

“Well, I have been by your side waiting, ever since you said that prayer.” She looked at me right in the eyes.
I always thought demons were burnt from the inside if they touched or said anything about god, or holy or anything.
“Bloody Hell, what on earth is going on?” I cursed.
Out of no where I heard cracks of bones and a light shimmering, as I looked up at Lottie, she was no longer a little girl.
“Remember me? It is lucky you got me doll, because a little birdy told me your going to have a visitor and your not going to like it.”

http://i790.photobucket.com/albums/yy187/klarox/Story%20compition%20Hero%20edition/Screenshot-31.jpg

Pictures:10
Word Count: 1066
Atoner.
Plot point: Mind over matter
Sidekick: Moral Compass
CC: Everything... I will try list everything I remember
Heavens Buildings/LemonLeaf make up/Sclub accessories/Anubis hair/ Ace creations/ Ala's boots/ plus probably more.....skin by sclub too I think and D3N eye contact.... or I have about 10 different eyes hahaha. Arisku made the wolf..... excuse my shitty graphics

heaven

9th Jul 2012, 6:44 AM

So, yeah, the deadline is midnight. Seriously, I am about to conk out. Hazards of going to bed after midnight last night and getting a phone call from the spouse across the world before 6am. Don't get me wrong; I much appreciate it but I am questioning my wisdom on choosing a deadline that is midnight my time. I don't think there is any. So, I am heading to bed. I will update any new entries in the contestant table when I get up in the morning. Because of my tardiness, I will accept entries a bit late. Do try to get them in by the deadline but I won't be a stickler for on the dot timing. I will be checking the time stamps though so don't think 4 hours late is acceptable. :wtf:

Because I will NOT be staying up until midnight, I will go ahead and post Round 2 information now. I do not think an hour and a half difference will make or break anyone who happens to see it and start working now, nor will it give anyone who has yet to turn in their entry a clear advantage. There isn't enough time for them to change anything anyway!!! Note to self: next timer will NOT be midnight. Judges, be on the lookout for a PM from me sometime within the next 8-9 hours with some judging info and such. Feel free to start working before that though if you would like.

:!: If everyone gets their Round 2 entry in before the deadline, we can move on to Round 3. However, that is only if everyone is able to do this. Otherwise, the timer below sticks. No bonus points will be awarded; just more of a "we're having fun, let's keep going," camaraderie.

http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/37232_120709013414Round 2.jpg
Round 2 – Rising Action – TIMER (http://www.timeanddate.com/countdown/generic?iso=20120723T205959&p0=770&msg=Hero+Story+Round+2)
Round 2 should be where your audience can begin to see what the climax of the story will be. You should be building up to figuring out who your villain is or masterminding the attempt to take him down. This should be the planning and plotting chapter and, because of that, the word count has been increased a little. Between 1,200 and 1,700 words and 10 to 17 pictures. Anything above or below these numbers will result in loss of points.

Excerpt: Choose ONE of the following quotes.
“He's a devil in disguise…”
“I remember you said "Don't leave me here alone".”
“I'm just like you, only prettier.”

Round 2: Bonus Worth 5 points Hero costume time! Introduce an outfit (it doesn’t have to be a permanent choice) that your hero could use as his/her costume.

Please include a brief summary (around 100 words) before your entry. This will NOT be counted towards your word count.
Also, please include information listed below your entry:
Current Plot Point: What did you use this chapter?
Previous Plot Points: Here you will keep a running list of what you have already used.
Word Count:
CC Used: Allowed ____. This can be as simple as a yes/no response

ForeverCamp

9th Jul 2012, 6:50 AM

By "summary", heaven, do you mean a brief overview of what's going on in the story?

ReyaD

9th Jul 2012, 7:02 AM

By "summary", heaven, do you mean a brief overview of what's going on in the story?

I think I can answer that for you.

Last cycle the pre-chapter summary was a short blurb about what had happened previously in the story (Round 2 summary = the events of round 1, round 3 summary = the events of the previous rounds)

missroxor

9th Jul 2012, 7:52 AM

Blood Red: Beware the Nice Guy

Growing up I was always very aware that I wasn’t the same as the other girls. As the governor’s only daughter I was dragged around many a black tie function in poufy dresses and made to mingle with the city’s elite on a daily basis. Primped and preened young ladies clamoured to make friends with the Governor’s daughter; I had more offers to go out shopping or attend high-class luncheons than I knew what to do with. That is until word got around that I was... different. I was the sort of girl that was more comfortable in a pair of scuffed, old boots than in a pair of Manolo’s and the only interest Daddy’s credit card held for me was for jimmying open the door to his office where he kept his gun safe.

If he was disappointed to have such an awful excuse for a lady as a daughter he hid it well. That was until it came to my career choice. He went as far as lining up an administrative job for me at a prestigious law office and begged me to give it a chance. It was literally the dullest week of my life! I tell him it’s partially his fault. If he hadn’t instilled such a sense of patriotic pride and loyalty I probably wouldn’t even have consider a life in the military!

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/missroxor/Contests/Heavens%20Heros/2.jpg

Being a serving member of the National Guard is the ultimate honour, even for a lowly Inner circle guard (ICG) like me. Of course I would love to work the outer circle where all the action’s at, God knows I’m tough enough... but Daddy didn’t want his “little girl” on the front line. He only reluctantly obliged to let me join the ICG when I threatened to leak it to the press that the governor thought ‘The Guard’ was good enough for the thousands of young citizens he recruits every year but not for his precious daughter. Ever since he’s played the proud, patriotic father role without complaint.

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/missroxor/Contests/Heavens%20Heros/3.jpg

We circle guards make up a good chunk of the city’s defences but we specialise in border patrol and policing our most prominent enemies; the Reds. Reds tend to live in tribes or packs -whatever they wanna call themselves- in abandoned areas of the outer limits. They use the ancient and long since sealed sewers to move around usually since their presence above ground, within the city limits is prohibited and will result in them being cautioned and/or imprisoned (unless they have proper slave certification and can be vouched for by their owner, of course – I’m referring to non-domesticated reds only). Reds are awful creatures, prone to violence and fits of insanity. Often outer circle guards (OCGs) are required to use force in order to restrain some of the wilder reds which often escalates to the termination of that red if they insist on being difficult. That’s why only the toughest guards work the outer circle.

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/missroxor/Contests/Heavens%20Heros/4.jpg

Rarely does one make it through to the inner circle but we remain vigilant none-the-less. We are entitled to challenge anyone that looks sub-human or has Red characteristics and perform a field genome test looking for the telltale MC1R genome indicating a positively ID’d Red. We carry a nifty little Genome Interrogator (GI) for that exact purpose since it’s all too easy for Reds to disguise themselves as normal humans. Just point and aim. It’s a proximity detector so as long as the suspect’s within 4-5ft you’ll get a reading within 10 seconds. My GI has sadly never left its smooth, shiny holster. In fact I’ve not even met a real red yet, only the captive and sedated ones in basic training not so long ago. I can’t wait for my first catch!

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/missroxor/Contests/Heavens%20Heros/5.jpg

On the way back to the patrol base we’re informed the alert state has just been elevated from the relatively safe green state to amber indicating increased danger. This means more soldiers on the streets and longer patrols for us. We’ll also have to field test all civilians who enter our patrol district, not just the suspect ones. This is great; I might get the chance to play with my GI now!

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/missroxor/Contests/Heavens%20Heros/6.jpg

After my patrol I decide to take a trip to Dad’s office in city hall, see if he is willing to shed any light on the alert states situation since they were tight lipped about the reasons on camp. OK, so it’s probably not public knowledge but it’s my ass out there and I know he’ll want to do what he can to protect it. He reveals there’s been intelligence to suggest the Reds have more numbers than we’d previously estimated. Thermal imagery shows large concentrations of probable Reds in camps along the outer limits.

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/missroxor/Contests/Heavens%20Heros/7.jpg

“We’re trying to decipher their intentions. All I can say is, if the alert state goes up again expect things to move quickly.”
“It might go up again?” I’m shocked; I’ve never seen it at red. That means we’d impose a cordon around the city and our orders would be to shoot on sight any humanoids.
“Don’t worry, Sweetie. They won’t even break the outer circle: we’ll be sending pre-emptive strike teams across the border before they get the chance”.
“Into their territory?” my mouth gapes.
“They don’t have territory, Jada”, his voice is stern, “they’re nothing but vermin on our property and you know what happens to vermin”
What?! He can’t mean... mass extermination? I hate reds as much as the next guy but... they’re still technically human beings!
Just then Dad’s receptionist, Violet interrupts with a visitor for Dad stood behind her. Still a little dazed by what I’ve just heard I make my excuses and head back to my quarters.

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/missroxor/Contests/Heavens%20Heros/8.jpg

Just as I’m about to jump into my bunk I see the corner of an envelope sticking out from under my pillow. Inside is a print-out of what looks like the paternal lineage of my family. There’s me, Dad, my late Granddad and two more I don’t recognise but are presumably my ancestors. The last one in the line is a straight up Red. No mistaking that day-glow ginger mop. Scribbled in red ink on the back of the page are two words:

GENOME INTERROGATOR

No doubt one of my squad mate’s idea of a joke, ha-ha very funny. I scrunch the paper and toss it to the bin before flopping on the bed. My sleep is fitful and unfulfilling.

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/missroxor/Contests/Heavens%20Heros/9.jpg

As anticipated the next day is a long one. We’d been upgraded to Red Alert before my shift started and rumours were rife about Dad’s advanced teams that were already nicknamed the “Red Raiders”. My blood ran cold at the memory of my father’s crude analogy. Reds are hated and reviled for countless reasons but is extermination really the answer? Are they really that close to breaching the city limits...I mean, by all accounts they’re nothing but a bunch of un-educated savages!

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/missroxor/Contests/Heavens%20Heros/10.jpg

I’m patrolling district 7 of the inner circle; my patrol partner, Ray’s, about 100ft away when we see the first blasts. Heavy fire. It’s closer than I expect. My heart sinks; there’s no going back now, this is happening. For so long I wanted the glory and honour of battling those animals but in the here and now with flames scorching the horizon I suddenly feel the full weight of my soul as if there was a shift in the gravitational force rooting me where I stand. Just watching.

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/missroxor/Contests/Heavens%20Heros/11.jpg

Movement out of the corner of my eye pulls me out of my dazed stupor. I’m in the open in the middle of a warzone with enemies potentially all around. I need cover! My eyes dart around looking for my partner but I’ve lost visual. Shit. I sprint toward the abandoned building where I saw the movement coming from hoping I’m running towards a friendly face rather than a freckled one.

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/missroxor/Contests/Heavens%20Heros/12.jpg

Scoping the room inside, my eyes dart wildly searching for movement, for Ray.
“It’s you...” the gravelly voice comes from the shadows in the far corner. I freeze, my heart pounding against my chest; that’s not Ray. “Jada, I’m not the enemy. Did you use your GI? It will show you see the truth?”
What the... It knows my name, who I am – How!? Use my GI - when?...oh, “The envelope... you sent it? Who the hell are you?”

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/missroxor/Contests/Heavens%20Heros/13.jpg

It steps forward enough for me to see a shock of red hair poke out from under his hat. I gasp and once again I’m rooted, unmoving. He moves toward me and I hear Ray cry out from the doorway, “Jada, down!” Before I know what’s happened I’m leaping in front of the red...

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/missroxor/Contests/Heavens%20Heros/14.jpg

I wake to screaming hot pokers piercing my shoulder, my limbs are lead. A burst of flames dances in front of me, “Jada”... The fire calls me.

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/missroxor/Contests/Heavens%20Heros/15.jpg

Darkness again.

Pictures:14 (Run out of time to make girls for the first pic).
Word Count: 1486 (without title)
Hero Type: Chosen One
Plot point: Beware The Nice Guy
Sidekick: Highly competent (hint: they sent the letter with the family tree)
CC: Lots, will try to draw up a list when I don’t have 10 minutes left till deadline :p

missroxor

9th Jul 2012, 8:06 AM

Phew, really wasn't sure I'd get that done in time! Apparently the world I choose to take the majority of my pics has serious lag issues...wish I'd known before I commited to it :rolleyes:

Also, I made a typo but it's too late to make changes so just FYI, when the red is talking to her he's supposed to say, "It will show you the truth", I forgot to delete the "see" and question mark. Also, I meant, "hypercompetent", not highly competent :p

Right, am off to read chapter 2 and probably have a meltdown about how I'm gonna work it into the story, lol

EDIT: I love the bonus round! Can't wait to get started on this. Just been reading some of the stories and I really hope you all are fast with you're second chapter, lol cause every one I've read so far I can't wait to see what happens next, so many cliff hangers!! :D

AdonisPluto

9th Jul 2012, 12:57 PM

Following the stories here and I MUST SAY the stories are wonderful.To HEAVEN, its kind of you to host the contest.Though am not participating, reading the tread gives me so much joy.Keep it up all and best of luck to all the contestants.

Ghost sdoj

9th Jul 2012, 6:26 PM

The jump drive works in the computers at the library. It works (well, used to work) in the computer that died. It works on the laptop. But this computer refuses to acknowledge that it exists, even though the printer works if I plug it into any of the ports that the jump drive doesn't work in. I can't even get it to work in the port that the mouse is using. And they are all Windows computers.

But my husband has an old MP3 player that he says works on this computer, so I guess I can use that as a jump drive.

Jaguwar

9th Jul 2012, 6:35 PM

Glad you've found a solution, Ghost. :)

Melibee1323

9th Jul 2012, 10:49 PM

Ahh so many amazing stories! I am so glad to be participating with so many amazing writers! I can't wait until the scores are out and I get to read your next chapters.
I am so clueless as to what to do for the hero 'costume'. I have an idea... but its not really a costume, more like something the character always wears... I hope that counts because I will include a back story around the objects as well.... Don't worry, there is a method to my madness, all things will tie together in the end. :D
~meli

ForeverCamp

10th Jul 2012, 6:42 AM

:lol: Well, my story really doesn't provide a "costume" per se. Guess there's no bonus points for me this round :P

heaven

10th Jul 2012, 7:32 AM

:lol: Well, my story really doesn't provide a "costume" per se. Guess there's no bonus points for me this round :P

Every hero has a costume Camp. Every. Single. One. Geez, get with the program. /me may be a bit drunk.

Seriously though, be creative. That's what this whole contest is about. It doesn't have to be neon and spandex. :giggler:

Also: By "summary", heaven, do you mean a brief overview of what's going on in the story?
Mostly would be a thing similar to "previously on"... Sapphira escaped to find birth parents, got knocked up by deep-throat guy without getting any actual answers. Blah-dee-blah.

ForeverCamp

10th Jul 2012, 7:48 AM

Well, Sapphira IS pretty much living in her martial arts outfit. SO COMFY OMG.

ReyaD

10th Jul 2012, 7:55 AM

Well, Sapphira IS pretty much living in her martial arts outfit. SO COMFY OMG.

You ever taken actual martial arts? SO NOT COMFY.

Sensei said they'd get comfier as time passed... sensei lied to us.

missroxor

10th Jul 2012, 8:12 AM

I didn't get the chance to do it earlier but here's my CC credits :)

Poses: Traelia, alistair, CloudwalkerNZ, Spladoum and CMO - pose player
Skin: Navetsea
Eyes: Escand's Oh My eyes
Hair: Beaverhausen/Peggy and Texture replacements of EA hair by Aikea Guinea (Club Crimsyn)
Clothes: All-About-Style.com (army jumper)
Foggy World: Silent Hill from the exchange. (One of the pics focuses on a lot, “Road to Nowhere” by feldynn that was included in the world)
Other:
Arisuka - There’s a sim in there that I believe was Ari’s but he’s not a main character and you don’t actually see his face in the pics just the back of his head.
Arisuka – Blood stains (face) and face contour make-up. Also, think the eye bags might be hers too.
Cloudwalkerz - Hardballer (gun)

Aikea Guinea (Club Crimsyn) – Industrial Siding

missroxor

10th Jul 2012, 8:15 AM

Also:
Mostly would be a thing similar to "previously on"... Sapphira escaped to find birth parents, got knocked up by deep-throat guy without getting any actual answers. Blah-dee-blah.

Sapphira got knocked up from deep-throating? That guy really does have super powers! :p

/me pat pats drunk Heaven

Edit: Makes much more sense now that I've read the story ;) Still though...lol.

Melibee1323

10th Jul 2012, 2:58 PM

LifesLover

10th Jul 2012, 4:45 PM

Oh, shoot. I forgot about the deadline. Not that it mattered, I was stuck in a house with no internet anyway and I hadn't been able to get all my pics, just about half. Anyway, even though I missed entering, I've loved the stories so far and I'll definitely follow along. Good luck to all of the entrants! You're all amazing.

heaven

10th Jul 2012, 6:00 PM

Hahaha I just realized that I kinda started a trend with the whole 'spoiler' things. haha :D

And now my point to this message lol::

I forgot to say who my side kick was in my post.
I didn't go in depth with the side kick in that chapter, but i will. He is mentioned tho, so I dont know if it counts towards the bonus.
Should I edit the thing and put a side note or something to say that I have a sidekick for my main character?

No, you didn't have to mention who your sidekick was. Actually, for those that did, it won't actually affect judging. As mentioned in the OP, it should be obvious from the story itself and shouldn't have to be explained. It's nice to have at the end but won't help or hurt your score at all.

Qnshr5

10th Jul 2012, 11:18 PM

Just finished reading all the stories from last fall's contest. Wow. They were amazing! I'm slightly intimidated, but mostly greatly inspired. And all the first chapters in this contest are wonderful. I can't wait to find out what happens in all of them.

Ghost sdoj

12th Jul 2012, 2:44 PM

Hahaha I just realized that I kinda started a trend with the whole 'spoiler' things. haha :D

Your spoilers are a great idea! 14 people posting 15 pictures each is going to be a lot for anyone's connection to handle. As I said before, I wish I had thought of it, and I congratulate you on having thought of it.

/offtopic

When are we going to get scores? And can we get comments as well? (Please?)

heaven

12th Jul 2012, 3:24 PM

I've just got all the scores in. I am at work now but will put them together and post them when I get home this evening. As for comments, each contestant will get comments at that time as well. Be on the lookout!

heaven

13th Jul 2012, 3:38 AM

Round 1 Scores
Hello everyone and welcome to the first set of scores. I hope we didn't keep you waiting too long! First, let me just say congratulations on a job well done to each of you. Second, please be aware that individual scores are not in order of judges listed on the original post. Also, if you have an issue with your scores, please come to me instead of disgruntled posts here or trying to PM the judges.

The scores are averaged between all 3 judges. Instead of rounding to the nearest half point, scores are just rounded to the first decimal. Also, please remember that if everyone gets their next round in before the deadline, we can start Round 3 sooner!

Contestant, Total
Spladoum,94.7
ReyaD,94
ForeverCamp,96.7
Melibee1323,93.3
Ghost_sdoj,88.7
Viva1994,89
Qnshr5,98.3
waterjay,97.3
Tamlyn,97.3
Sabri5,89.7
Prawler,90.7
Buckley,98
LadyAwesome,89
missroxor,95.7

Spladum
CREATIVITY (45),Originality (15),Excerpt (10),Character (10),Event (10),SCENES (30),Pictures (10),Mood (10),Staging (10),FLOW (20),RULES (4),CC (1),TOTAL (100),BONUS (5),OVERALL
40,13,8,9,10,28,10,10,8,17,4,1,90,5,95
40,14,8,8,10,28,9,9,10,18,4,1,91,5,96
38,13,8,8,9,27,10,9,8,18,4,1,88,5,93
Very nice and original story so far, though it did have some unrealistic dialogue occasionally. Your words are very well said and create a sense of reality :)

First off, thanks for being brave enough to go first. Secondly, I was intrigued by your main caracter and somewhat amused by his sidekick. I'm excited to see where this goes.

A fantastic start to your story. Your hero is wonderfully tragic (I feel weird putting those two words together like this, but it's the only way I can explain your story/character) and I seriously love his sidekick/assistant. The integration of strong characterization really brings your story together well. Kudos.

What a horribly sad beginning. So plausible and realistic. I especially like Mrs. Hallenbeck. She doesn't take his crap. The flashback part was especially touching and very well written. I can't wait to discover what will happen to our main character.

ReyaD
CREATIVITY (45),Originality (15),Excerpt (10),Character (10),Event (10),SCENES (30),Pictures (10),Mood (10),Staging (10),FLOW (20),RULES (4),CC (1),TOTAL (100),BONUS (5),OVERALL
42,15,8,9,10,24,10,7,7,15,4,1,86,5,91
41,14,9,8,10,27,9,8,10,19,4,1,92,5,97
40,15,8,8,9,26,10,8,8,18,4,1,89,5,94
Good story so far. You did have some areas where the words didn't seem to describe the area around the character.. and you seemed to drift from third person to first person a little.. but not to a point where many people would notice. Great work! :)

Well that was unexpected, in a good way! Your main character already shows signs of having some serious depth to her, and her sidekick, although not currently all that funny, is clearly the light-hearted sort. I can't wait to see how the story continues.

This story is certainly original. A heroine with telepathic powers that she's not able to fully control at times - uh, yes please! I can already tell I'm going to love the relationship/slight dichotomy between Denebola and Juliette. What kind of sidekick is Denebola going to be? I was left a little confused on that point.

I want to know more about both Juliette and Dene's past to discover what tricks they have and how they have them. This has all the beginnings of a great story. For your sidekick, I'm not quite sure what roll Dene is playing right now. She seems to be the hypercompetent but it's not too clear at the moment.

ForeverCamp
CREATIVITY (45),Originality (15),Excerpt (10),Character (10),Event (10),SCENES (30),Pictures (10),Mood (10),Staging (10),FLOW (20),RULES (4),CC (1),TOTAL (100),BONUS (5),OVERALL
43,15,8,10,10,29,10,10,9,20,4,1,97,0,97
42,14,9,9,10,29,9,10,10,19,4,1,95,0,95
44,15,10,9,10,29,10,10,9,20,4,1,98,0,98
Very well put together story! The way you flowed throughout the story was pure talent as well as your ability to keep me at the edge of my seat, wondering what night happen next!

LOVE how you started this. Your introduction sets the mood right away. I also loved how your main caracter started out all "Aw, isn't she adorable?" then turned into "Problem Child". I totally want to hate her, which makes this an interesting start indeed. Plus the cliffhanger! Very dangerous in a game where you're not sure what will be thrown you way next. I'm on pins and needles! Having said that, it seems clear that this chick wants to go it alone, and therefore no sidekick... though I can imagine Artie showing up later,whether she likes it or not. Or will he be a villain?

Can I just say how much I adore your heroine? She's extremely well-written and multifaceted for having just introduced her. However, I am a little confused as to which category your hero falls within - as of right now, she seems to be an amalgamation between the badass bookworm, the chosen one (it seems like a good setup for this anyway, given that she doesn't know who her parents are), and possibly even the knight in sour armor... I'm excited to read your heroine's shenanigans in future chapters. You already have (seemingly) unintended pregnancy covered. What else could go wrong?!

Very interesting start. Sapphira seems to be a vibrant character who is very well developed. I love the sarcasm she "thinks" with. It really makes her stand out. I'm still not quite sure which of the 4 types she is though which is the one downfall of your story.

Melibee1323
CREATIVITY (45),Originality (15),Excerpt (10),Character (10),Event (10),SCENES (30),Pictures (10),Mood (10),Staging (10),FLOW (20),RULES (4),CC (1),TOTAL (100),BONUS (5),OVERALL
42,15,9,8,10,27,10,9,8,18,4,0,91,0,91
39,13,7,9,10,29,9,10,10,19,4,0,91,3,94
37,14,7,7,9,26,9,8,9,17,4,1,85,0,85
The originality of the story was awesome! :) and I love how it really tied in with everything and made so much sense near the end! Though, I had a little hard time following who was talking and imagining the area around them.. other than that.. awesome job!

Great start! You've made the main character's sub-type very clear to me, and the story flows well from present to past. I like using the device of the storyteller to fill in her background. Can't wait to read the next part.

This is shaping up to be an intriguing story. Having the sordid tale of your heroine told from the perspective of another is an interesting, and fantastic, twist. Poor, poor Suki; trapped in the dangerous/cruel business of her father. Great start.

I love that your main character's story is actually being told through the eyes of the Sidekick. Bohdin is shaping up well to become the Moral Compass. It took me a few reads to follow which characters were talking and to whom but your explanation of the honorifics at the end were helpful. Definitely want more!

Ghost_sdoj
CREATIVITY (45),Originality (15),Excerpt (10),Character (10),Event (10),SCENES (30),Pictures (10),Mood (10),Staging (10),FLOW (20),RULES (4),CC (1),TOTAL (100),BONUS (5),OVERALL
39,13,10,8,8,27,10,7,10,15,4,1,86,5,91
39,13,7,9,10,29,9,10,10,19,4,0,91,3,94
37,13,8,8,8,28,10,10,8,17,4,1,87,3,90
The flow of the story was a little iffy, but overall the story was great! There were certain spots that had me lost on who was talking and what was really going on. On the other hand, you staged the area quite nicely and I wanted to give you kudos for that! :)

Before I begin, I want to thank you for the spoiler tag idea, that was a stroke of genius! Now, on to my critique... I assumed the clearly powerful Lord Alfric is NOT meant to be the sidekick, as that would be unusual. I found your prologue very original, and your main character rather sympathetic. Here's hoping she can find a bit of what she needs by the time the contest is over!

I think what I like about this story the most is that Kylara's relationship with her new "father" is mysterious. I mean, I know I would be freaked out if someone was able to control my body as he did; Kylara certainly seemed a bit perturbed by it, and rightly so. My only nitpick is I'm not entirely sure what kind of sidekick her father is (or going to be), if he is one at all. My assumption is he's in the "hypercompetent" category, but only time will tell. A great first installment, Ghost.

What a fantastic use of the Makeover plot point! Very creative. I won't lie, some of the technical stuff made my head hurt a bit but I was able to follow. I think Kylara got in a bit over her head accepting this strange man as her father. I'm deciding on whether the father is a sidekick or villian. Maybe both?

Viva1994
CREATIVITY (45),Originality (15),Excerpt (10),Character (10),Event (10),SCENES (30),Pictures (10),Mood (10),Staging (10),FLOW (20),RULES (4),CC (1),TOTAL (100),BONUS (5),OVERALL
39,15,6,8,10,29,10,9,10,19,4,0,91,0,91
36,13,8,7,8,26,9,7,10,15,4,0,81,5,86
37,13,8,8,8,27,10,8,9,17,4,0,85,5,90
I really appreciated the originality of the story! The characters occasionally seemed to lack natural reaction, but most of it was very believable. :)

I got a little lost in your story, I'm not sure if it was rushed or what exactly happened there. However, I find the idea compelling, and that's half the battle, right? I didn't feel Suzanna's persona was explained well enough; to me there is a clear lack of depth. It's a sketch, not a full picture. I do like that the sidekick is in distress, that's a refreshing change. I look forward to the rest.

Woot for the Sims 2 entry! It's nostalgic, indeed. I enjoyed the premise of your story and your setup was well done. It will be interesting to read how Suzanna will save Bram from this situation - and whether she'll have to decide between her friend and her duty in the future.

Your story was a bit jumbled and Suzanna's thoughts were all over the place making her not as developed as she could have been. The excerpt was a bit awkwardly placed, rather as an afterthought. I do think this is leading up to something good, especially noticing her disappointment that Bram was getting lucky and her almost immediate thought that he was NOT a monster. Are we getting a love story? Definite creative use of the plot point. Kudos for that!

Qnshr5
CREATIVITY (45),Originality (15),Excerpt (10),Character (10),Event (10),SCENES (30),Pictures (10),Mood (10),Staging (10),FLOW (20),RULES (4),CC (1),TOTAL (100),BONUS (5),OVERALL
42,15,8,10,9,30,10,10,10,20,4,1,97,0,97
42,14,9,9,10,29,9,10,10,20,4,1,96,3,99
43,15,10,9,9,28,10,9,9,18,4,1,94,5,99
Amazing flow and choice of words! Already a couple of sentences in and I was hooked! I lost you near the end though.. but otherwise, you had me at the edge of my seat

Your story completely drew me in. The plot was fast-paced, interesting, compelling. Adding the introduction of the mystery woman (Is Lorie really Brio? Stayed tuned!) just put an exclamation point to the whole thing. It wasn't clear to me what kind of person your sidekick is, however, so I docked you a bit for that. I can't wait to read the rest!

What an exciting beginning! The setup for the robbery was flawless, building up the necessary drama beforehand, and Helena is the perfect heroine for such a story. It will be interesting to read how the rest of your (and Helena's) story unravels. I'm happy to be along for the ride!

Whoa, whoa, fantastic opening. The intro scene, the cut to two days later, it all flowed so well together. It was obvious who your character was though there is also the air of mystery about her. The cliffhanger is brilliant. I cannot wait to read more. Sarah as sidekick is still a little ambiguous though.

waterjay
CREATIVITY (45),Originality (15),Excerpt (10),Character (10),Event (10),SCENES (30),Pictures (10),Mood (10),Staging (10),FLOW (20),RULES (4),CC (1),TOTAL (100),BONUS (5),OVERALL
45,15,10,10,10,30,10,10,10,20,4,0,99,5,104
42,14,9,9,10,28,9,9,10,20,4,0,94,4,98
38,14,9,8,7,28,10,9,9,17,4,0,87,3,90
Terrific job with how original the plot line was and how the story kept me going. Each event flowed to one another like they should and the characters had their own mysteries that made me care even more about them! :) Once again, outstanding work!

That was fun! I'm loving the creativity with your main character, the only thing missing was *how* he came to "their" attention... and who "they" are, of course. I hope you get to explore that next chapter.

Man - Marcus sure has it tough. Being kidnapped, imprisoned, and experimented on? Poor guy. I'm interested to read how he got where he is currently and what exactly these doctors and/or scientists are looking for. And I'm still unsure as to which hero category Marcus falls within, so I hope that is cleared up in future chapters. Great start and I can't wait to read where this is going.

I'd definitely like to know how Marcus got captured. I don't trust Amanda and want to know the connection to his mother. I am so far unable to determine what type of sidekick she is. Comic relief maybe? Am more unsure of which hero Marcus is. Am leaning towards Chosen One but it is unclear to me.

Tamlyn
CREATIVITY (45),Originality (15),Excerpt (10),Character (10),Event (10),SCENES (30),Pictures (10),Mood (10),Staging (10),FLOW (20),RULES (4),CC (1),TOTAL (100),BONUS (5),OVERALL
43,14,9,10,10,29,10,9,10,19,4,1,96,0,96
42,14,9,9,10,29,9,10,10,20,4,1,96,1,97
40,14,8,8,10,29,10,9,10,20,4,1,94,5,99
I loved the way your story flowed from one event to the next and how that allowed you to picture everything in your mind.. even the character's emotions! Awesome work! :)

Cliffhanger! What we thought we knew is not the whole story! That's a good thing, of course. However, it wasn't clear to me what archetype the sidekick is, and honestly, given Matt's anger (who I presume is the sidekick), I wasn't sure he is or should be the sidekick. Nonetheless, I can't wait to see which direction you take this. Thank you.

You definitely fulfilled the "mysterious past" requirement. I'm itching to find out how (or why) Zoe got her power and what exactly is going on with these crazy fires. I do want to point out that your writing is stellar and I enjoyed reading your prologue from beginning to end - also, I love Matt. 'Nuff said. This is quickly shaping up to be a fantastic story and I'm looking forward to reading about Zoe's journey. (On a random note: Do I spot a Scott Pilgrim quote or are my eyes playing tricks on me? I love it either way).

Wow, I was completely drawn in. It seemed such an normal, natural day, albiet shitty because of wildfire. Then you hit us with that shocker. Now I NEED to know Zoe's past, find out what she is. Her character type is definitely clear. I'm guessing Matt is the sidekick though his type is obscure right now.

Sabri5
CREATIVITY (45),Originality (15),Excerpt (10),Character (10),Event (10),SCENES (30),Pictures (10),Mood (10),Staging (10),FLOW (20),RULES (4),CC (1),TOTAL (100),BONUS (5),OVERALL
36,13,8,7,8,27,10,9,8,18,4,1,86,2,88
39,13,9,8,9,28,9,9,10,19,4,1,91,2,93
37,13,8,9,7,26,10,9,7,15,4,1,83,5,88
Very nice story! :) The flow kind of stopped its..well..flow near the end and the words began to make me become confused in what was really going on; but I suspect that it's because of the mystery of the story and I love that!

Good, solid start. I appreciate that this chapter stands alone, yet leaves room for further developments. That's actually a very difficult thing to do. I was puzzled that the sidekick is not even someone your main character knows (assuming Sarah's the main character, not her long lost sister). I look forward to more.

My only confusion with your story is who the main character truly is? Is Sarah going to be your heroine or Elizabeth? I'm assuming Elizabeth since her daughter "seems" to be her sidekick (and you picked the atoner category), but it still is unclear. I do, however, like where your story is headed; albeit, I have no idea what's going to happen next. Can't wait to read more!

Your story makes it hard to distinguish who your main character is: Elizabeth or Sarah. It seems like it could go either way. I noticed you listed Samara as your Sidekick but, having not introduced her, it's a bit of a reach. I'd work on your angles for pictures more as well. I look forward to seeing how this develops.

Prawler
CREATIVITY (45),Originality (15),Excerpt (10),Character (10),Event (10),SCENES (30),Pictures (10),Mood (10),Staging (10),FLOW (20),RULES (4),CC (1),TOTAL (100),BONUS (5),OVERALL
40,15,8,8,9,28,10,8,10,17,4,0,89,5,94
38,13,8,8,9,26,9,8,9,18,4,0,86,3,89
40,13,9,9,9,27,10,8,9,15,4,0,86,3,89
I have to admit, your story was a little confusing.. and I'm still trying to figure out what might be going on. Zombie Apocalypse, right? I was thinking it was leading to that. ;) That doesn't mean your story wasn't good or lacked originality! I really liked and and now I must know more!

I suppose we shouldn't praise you for the use of CC, since that docs you a point, but given that it's essential to your story, I kind of wish I didn't have to doc you. Now, for the actual critique of the story: I got a little confused about the introduction of Delaney; why is she strong? Is she the sidekick? If so, what kind of sidekick is she meant to be? Also, who got kidnapped and what does she have to do with anything? I guess I would recommend not being afraid to max out your word count. It's easier to remove a scene than to make up for it's lack.

I like the premise of a zombie apocalypse, which is perfect for this kind of story, but the story itself is a bit jumbled in places. There are quite a few time-skips and rushed character introductions that left me confused. However, since this is just the prologue, I'm willing to bet everything will be sorted as the contest continues. I'll admit that I'm excited for the possibility of seeing some zombified sims in your story and also learn more about both Ax and Delaney (do I sense a love connection?). Wonderful first entry for your story, Prawler.

I admit, your story was...confusing. I get that there was a zombie apocalypse. From there though, it gets jumbled. How Frank found Ax, how Frank got bit(?), was it Delaney or Ax that brought them back? Or Frank? Who is the sidekick? Is it Delaney now or Frank then? What type of sidekick? I have many questions with no answers so I hope that can be addressed next chapter.

Buckley
CREATIVITY (45),Originality (15),Excerpt (10),Character (10),Event (10),SCENES (30),Pictures (10),Mood (10),Staging (10),FLOW (20),RULES (4),CC (1),TOTAL (100),BONUS (5),OVERALL
43,15,8,10,10,27,10,7,10,17,4,1,92,5,97
40,13,10,8,9,29,10,9,10,20,4,1,94,5,99
41,15,8,9,9,29,10,9,10,19,4,1,94,4,98
The flow of your story seemed a little sketchy, but overall I loved it! Some parts I became a little lost.. but I would soon regain myself. Also, the end of the story made me wanting even more! :)

Before I comment on the story itself, I have to say, nice lot! I went and took a look, it's perfect for where you're going, and makes your picture-taking job easier! Now, on to my commentary. This story flows very well indeed. Your imagery at the very beginning ("Like maggots feasting on a lion's carcass...") gave me the shivers and certainly gives me hope for the future of your story. I look forward to more!

I just want to take a moment to admire both your pictures and your writing - both are wonderfully descriptive (visibly for the pictures, of course). Emmeline seems like a strong, sensible, courageous character that is willing to do what needs to be done (to exact revenge and deliver that letter, in this case). I love Calix. I dont' have much else to say except "two thumbs up, would read again"!

What a brave setting for a story and you totally pulled it off. Gorgeous screenshots really made me feel IN it. You've set the scenes quite well with both your words and pictures. Calix is a wonderfully creative Sidekick. I find I have a real connection with Emmeline and am hoping for her success. More please!

LadyAwesome
CREATIVITY (45),Originality (15),Excerpt (10),Character (10),Event (10),SCENES (30),Pictures (10),Mood (10),Staging (10),FLOW (20),RULES (4),CC (1),TOTAL (100),BONUS (5),OVERALL
38,13,9,8,8,26,10,7,9,19,4,0,87,,87
38,13,9,8,8,25,8,8,9,18,4,0,85,5,90
38,15,8,7,8,28,10,8,10,17,4,0,87,3,90
I got a little confused near the end, but I suspect that is because there is more to be explained. I really didn't learn that much about the character, or get a chance to bond with her either. Overall, it was a well put together chapter, though the character bonding might need to be your main focus next time

I got a little confused near the end. I want to know where wolf is too, and if the girl isn't wolf, who is she? WTF is going on??? Still, I'm definitely intrigued, I love how you started, the transition from Ala the observer to Ala the protagonist (Main character) is a great device. Can't wait to read on!

I'm throwing out a complete guess here, but I'm assuming Dog is a shapechanger or something equivalent? If so, that is certainly an interesting development; especially since it (she?) is Ala's sidekick. Your story is a tad confusing in places and character development should be worked on, but given that this is just the prologue, that's only natural. You definitely left me curious as to where your story is going; that's for sure.

Ala definitely seems as though she is struggling with nature. Lottie's role as Moral Compass wasn't quite made clear in this chapter though. Your plot point was somewhat underdeveloped so work on that next chapter. I do like your use of scenes, especially of Ala sitting high above the city. There are a lot of things I am curious about and hope will explained, such as Lottie showing up and who she is that Ala should remember and if she is indeed wolf.

missroxor
CREATIVITY (45),Originality (15),Excerpt (10),Character (10),Event (10),SCENES (30),Pictures (10),Mood (10),Staging (10),FLOW (20),RULES (4),CC (1),TOTAL (100),BONUS (5),OVERALL
45,15,10,10,10,28,10,8,10,19,4,0,96,0,96
43,15,9,9,10,28,9,10,9,20,4,0,94,2,97
41,15,10,8,8,28,10,8,10,18,3,0,90,4,94
Might I say, your story was extremely original and very "pulled my emotion strings" feeling.. ha. what? you know what I mean ;) I really could connect with the character and it left me aging on for more! the flow was a little off, but I still could transfer from one scene to the next. Excellent work!

I want you to know I did doc you for the use of Photoshop, but recognize that it was necessary to illustrate the story properly. No worries there! Otherwise, great introduction. Your main character is well developed, and the use of the excerpt isn't too clunky. It's not yet clear that there will be a sidekick, let alone what his (?) role will be, but that's ok because the story is concise and leaves us wanting more. Well done.

Gingers! Gingers, everywhere! ; ) The Reds' past and how they came to be is certainly intriguing as well as the familial/genealogical connection that your heroine seems to share with a particular Red. Your sidekick introduction is rushed, assuming the guy who gave her the letter *is* her sidekick at all, but other than that - it's a fantastic start. Can't wait to see what those Reds and Jada get up to in the future.

Your character makes me laugh. I love her spunk and determination but have sympathy towards her when she is in the thick of things. I'm quite curious about these Reds and how they came to be savages. Your sidekick introduction is a bit unorthodox and stretching things a bit without the real introduction. Your scenery and set up is perfect for this and I feel as though I could look at the pictures and have a good sense of what is going on. Well done.

ForeverCamp

13th Jul 2012, 6:12 AM

LOL. Sorry, judges. Honest to goodness, Sapphira had a typecast when I first started writing. Now she's stubbornly refusing to be lumped into a box. *sigh* I keep telling her I need her to make up her mind before Round 2 is up.

ETA: As for the sidekick... yeah, there wasn't really a sidekick. The kids are slowly turning into sidekicks, but not soon enough, I guess. Oops - I totally just spoiler'd my interchapter. :P

Viva1994

13th Jul 2012, 6:53 AM

Bleh, I'm not sure if I could just have been more concise, but I think I could have done a much better job with a larger word count. Either that or my beginning was just too large of an idea. I'm really not sure what to take from this except to curl up in yonder corner and contemplate proper character development... Writing is such a cut throat, 400th draft, intuitive process; it's wonderful to be judged on how I'm doing. (even if it makes me question my entire process, forget what I've learned, eventually forget how to breathe, and then end up gasping for breath on the ground in a pile of angst sometimes) Thank you.

Tamlyn

13th Jul 2012, 11:14 AM

It was fun reading the comments on everyone's stories and seeing how soon I could match them up to the stories (as I definitely can't attach writers to chapters!)

Qnshr5

13th Jul 2012, 6:01 PM

I'm glad we get comments. It helps to know what needs to be strengthened for the next round. I agree with the judges on my sidekick. I knew when I wrote it that it wasn't very clear, but I couldn't figure out how to do it without going over the word count. Actually, now that I think about it, there was a way I could have done it. Oh well. I knew the worst that could happen was a zero. So onward to round 2!!!

ReyaD

13th Jul 2012, 6:29 PM

My sidekick was supposed to be comedic relief but I think the problem is I'm just not very funny... oops. I really appreciate all the comments though and I know what I have to keep an eye on while I write. Thank you!

Pretty impressive that there's only a ten point difference between first and last place. This is anybody's game!

waterjay

13th Jul 2012, 9:28 PM

I see the sidekick was a little bit of a problem to everyone, it's really hard to introduce a sidekick very early in a story, and that's what makes this contest great: it's challenging!
I'll pull a ForeverCamp right now by telling you guys that you will later find out that my character Amanda isn't "the comic relief" as everyone thought :P (spoiler spoiler ^.^)

GigaRevival

13th Jul 2012, 9:33 PM

Congratulations to everyone for making it through the first round! I'm excited to read/judge the round 2 submissions.

And I'm glad that the judge comments seem to be helping. I know it isn't easy to put a story out there for others to read/criticize, but you all did a wonderful job. Seriously. You're all a bunch of brave, brave souls with awesome writing talent. Color me jealous. :)

ReyaD

14th Jul 2012, 5:42 AM

Summary: Last chapter we met Juliette Johnson, a strange young woman with the gift of mind reading. After an undisclosed incident she left the police force and became a toy of an unnamed government sector. On what should be just another job, she manages to kill the man she’s interrogating, and can’t understand how. Instead of facing her boss she has her partner cover for her and takes off to visit a man known as “The Doc”.

Freaks and Monsters
Chapter Two

---

With an IQ higher than any on record and a memory to rival any database Liam, the doctor, could never be mistaken for normal, but he wasn’t quite a freak like Juliette or Dene. His gifts kept him in the lab constantly, studying the other Freaks and trying to understand where their gifts came from.

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh87/ReyalinDawn/Sims%20photos/Story%20Contest%20Cycle%202/Screenshot-1085.jpg

His most important job was also where his nickname came from. He was the doctor, the only one who could tell what was cause for worry. He was the only one who knew the difference between Dene with a fever and Dene with a bad mood.

As the doctor, Liam was the first person to go to when your gifts were going haywire. However for Juliette she came to him for a very different reason.

“It’s good to see you, darling.” He smiles, turning in her arms to pull her close against his chest. “I thought you were supposed to be working today.”

“Went wrong.” She mutters, speaking into his chest. “I fucked up again, Li. Another target dead and its all my fault... what’s wrong with me?”

He sighs. “Have you been taking the medication I gave you?”

“Religiously.” She promises. “But it isn’t helping. If anything, things have just been getting worse.”

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh87/ReyalinDawn/Sims%20photos/Story%20Contest%20Cycle%202/Screenshot-1097.jpg

“Hush love, I only gave them to you a few weeks ago. They’ll start helping soon.” He pulls away from her slightly, looking her straight in the eyes. “Now, do you want to tell me what happened or am I going to have to play the therapist?”

She smiles. “Can we say we did and do something else on that couch instead?”

He gives her a warning look. “Juliette-”

“Alright, alright. Let’s do the mental probing thing.”

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh87/ReyalinDawn/Sims%20photos/Story%20Contest%20Cycle%202/Screenshot-1104.jpg

He leads her into his living quarters right off the lab, pulling her down next to him on the couch. She tells him everything. Her task, the flash of red, and the way his brain seemed to explode inside of his own skull. But of course no details of the actual mission, they were too professional for that, not that he asked for any anyway.

“Last time you had to kill it was quick, there was no blood if I remember the autopsy report.”

“There’s never any blood.” Juliette responds. “When I need to kill I just... turn them off. It’s so easy to stop the brain from sending electrical signals to the spine, and from that point I just tell the heart to stop beating and it does. No blood and no mess. This is the second time ever that someone’s bled because of me.”

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh87/ReyalinDawn/Sims%20photos/Story%20Contest%20Cycle%202/Screenshot-1112.jpg

Unbidden the memory comes to her. She was a brand new recruit, only just out of police academy and partnered with an older man, David. He was set in his ways, by the book and she was the exact opposite, having used her little gift to get her this far anyway. They could have been the perfect buddy-comedy but then he got mad at her. He threatened to report her for disobeying orders and she... panicked. She pushed too hard trying to change his mind and there was a flash of red.

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh87/ReyalinDawn/Sims%20photos/Story%20Contest%20Cycle%202/205.jpg

“I didn’t mean to do it.” She whispers more to herself than the man sitting next to her, remembering the fear she’d felt when she realized David wasn’t breathing anymore. “I had no idea what would happen.”

He was still, he was limp, and she knew he was dead long before help ever arrived. They’d been working together for only a few weeks, no really difficult or dangerous cases. David was the first man she ever killed, the only death that still ate at her constantly.

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh87/ReyalinDawn/Sims%20photos/Story%20Contest%20Cycle%202/206.jpg

“That was a long time ago.” Li says, breaking her from her thoughts. “You have more control now. You’re getting stronger and sometimes you’ll make mistakes but you can’t let it get you down, love. If you let every mistake eat at you you’ll go crazy. You... the rest of us freaks, we’re the first of our kind. Until I’m able to find a real way to control what we can do we will hurt people. It’s just a fact of life.”

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Juliette moves towards him, and he pulls her close, resting a bare hand on her arm. Even with the contact she can’t read him. He’s special, he nulls everything.

“You aren’t a freak.” She sighs, looking up at him. “You don’t have to deal with killing people, you just save the rest of us when we lose control.”

He can’t hide his smile. “Oh love... you know that I’m just like you, only prettier.”

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She smiles and he pulls her onto his lap, slowly taking off her gloves and placing her bare hands on his face. “Try and read me.” He commands, leaning his head against her chest.

She leans her own head onto his, stroking his face softly but the best she can do is hear a small buzz. There are no images when she’s near him, no sounds, no colours. When they first met she managed to learn his name from touch alone. But as her powers increased so did his.

She breathes a sigh of relief, taking that as a sign that everything really is normal. She screwed up today, but Li’s right, it isn’t the end of the world.

He hugs her tightly as she relaxes. “If you’re really scared of losing control I’ve been working on some uniforms to help regulate the amount of effort you need to use your gift. No more accidental mind reading, but I haven’t tested to see if it works against surges. You want to be a model for me?”

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She regrets saying yes the second she has it on. It’s purple and that’s about the only thing she likes about it. It’s skimpy, the arm length gloves really don’t do much for keeping her skin covered, and she can already picture getting a knife to her exposed midriff.

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“I look like a hooker.” She deadpans before pausing and rethinking that statement. “No wait... I look like a space hooker.”

Li smiles. “Yes! At last we can live out my fantasy of being Captain Kirk.”

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“We can change the design if you hate it...” He smiles, coming up behind her and dragging a hand along her stomach. “But for what it’s worth, I think you look amazing. Sexy as hell.”

She laughs, leaning against him. “Oh you’re awful. You’re just going to keep complimenting me until I fall in love with this aren’t you.”

“That’s the plan.” He admits. “But in all honesty how is it? Feel any different?”

“Oh completely! I feel heavy, but not physically. I think with some tweaking this might just work better than the pills.”

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“Mmm alright.” He relents. “But lets stick with the pills until I get the suit tweaked, okay?”

She turns in his arms to kiss him, his own arms wrapping around her waist to hold her close. “I love you.”

He smiles against her lips, returning her kiss. “I love you more, Juliette. I’m glad you dropped by today.”

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Li’s phone rings and with a sigh Juliette backs away. Only a few people have Liam’s personal number, and all of them are important. “I’ll go wait in your front office?”

He nods, distracted by the number on his phone. “Sounds good, love. I won’t be long. Can you check the door behind you? It’s been a bit sticky today.”

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He answers the phone as soon as she’s out the door.

“Sir? ... Yes, sir. She’s here with me... it was another surge, they’re coming more frequently.... yes sir, she’s still on the medication, it’s increasing her strength as we predicted. I’ll start the others on the same medication as soon as possible.”

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“If we continue regulating the medication as planned Juliette should be at full power within a few weeks. Drop her off in the middle of the city and she won’t be able to control herself. Deaths, destruction, all the funding our program needs is guaranteed once we send someone else to take her down.”

He doesn’t notice Juliette crouched next to the open door. It swung open again and she went to close it... she can’t believe what she’s hearing instead.

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---

Current Events: Finding Judas
Previous Events: Get out of jail free
Word Count: 1380, 16 photos
Hero Type: The Knight in Sour Armor
CC Used:
- Allowed: Skin by Ephemera, CC and store hairs, Poses, OMSP

Melibee1323

14th Jul 2012, 2:12 PM

Ugh I majorly regret having my story with pictures from the sims 3!
My sims 3 game is so slow for me lately, and Sims 2 is so much better as far as speed and Graphics. I have to turn them practicly all the way down for sims 3 but I can have them all the way up for sims 2... I guess I am just annoyed with it :/

waterjay

14th Jul 2012, 3:06 PM

Heaven, just a question :-) are we allowed to put in our chapter without the pictures, and then later on edit the post by adding the pics? :-)

heaven

14th Jul 2012, 4:04 PM

Heaven, just a question :-) are we allowed to put in our chapter without the pictures, and then later on edit the post by adding the pics? :-)

I'd really rather you didn't. If, for some reason you HAVE to, that's fine. Otherwise, I'd say post when your story is 95-100% complete and just use edit for small things like spelling or fixing up a paragraph or so.

Ghost sdoj

14th Jul 2012, 10:39 PM

I'm regretting Sims 3 for a different reason... I still have several more sets to build. And picking a nice world with plenty of room to put new buildings means that I also have to build sims to populate it. At least in Sims 2 you could find Goopy, Ivy Copur, Benjamin Long, etc. as soon as you started a game and went to a community lot.

(Not to mention that this would be a lot simpler if I could use the Pose Player...)

waterjay

15th Jul 2012, 12:08 AM

I'd really rather you didn't. If, for some reason you HAVE to, that's fine. Otherwise, I'd say post when your story is 95-100% complete and just use edit for small things like spelling or fixing up a paragraph or so.

Alright, my pc is a little bit screwed up so that's why I wanted to know. I'm typing the story on the ipad for now, and waiting for the pc to get fixed so that I can take the pics :)

heaven

15th Jul 2012, 12:21 AM

Alright, my pc is a little bit screwed up so that's why I wanted to know. I'm typing the story on the ipad for now, and waiting for the pc to get fixed so that I can take the pics :)

Oh! I see what you mean. It wouldn't count towards getting everyone's entries in and starting Round 3 sooner. That would only happen if all the entries were complete. Otherwise, if all the other entries came in and we started judging, you'd lose out on all those picture points. If the PC isn't fixed by the deadline though, definitely post what you have then because any points are better than none.

Tamlyn

15th Jul 2012, 4:56 AM

I can tell you right now I won't be getting my entry in earlier. I haven't had time to even really think about it. I'll get it done - I just hope to be able to get all this other stuff done first. But this story is more interesting and it will take precedence if I run close to out of time ;)

LadyAwesome

15th Jul 2012, 4:59 AM

Cece, Oh My God. Poor Juliette, *hugs her tight*

missroxor

16th Jul 2012, 7:35 AM

Big (belated) thanks to the judges for all their helpful comments and for being so quick with them, judging all these must be as much work as actually writing them, maybe more, especially the more involved the stories get! D:
Writing is such a cut throat, 400th draft, intuitive process; it's wonderful to be judged on how I'm doing. (even if it makes me question my entire process, forget what I've learned, eventually forget how to breathe, and then end up gasping for breath on the ground in a pile of angst sometimes) Thank you.
This made me lol so much but it’s true! :p I had no idea people would be that interested in the Red’s history...suppose I should plan to explain more than I initially intended to! :lol: Also, thanks for the comments about the character, I think character development was one of the things I struggled with last time so good to know I might be improving :) Not many answers planned next chapter though, maybe more questions!

@Heaven, I was just listening to a certain song by a lovely Brit that made me realise these aren’t book quotes. I was wondering where you got them (I must've missed it on the front page...or I'm just forgetful!) Now I’m gonna have to find the song that goes with every quote, dammit!

heaven

16th Jul 2012, 2:40 PM

@Heaven, I was just listening to a certain song by a lovely Brit that made me realise these aren’t book quotes. I was wondering where you got them (I must've missed it on the front page...or I'm just forgetful!) Now I’m gonna have to find the song that goes with every quote, dammit!

Happy Hunting!!! :lol:

No, really, I can tell you, unless you want to guess.
“I tell myself that I'll be strong.” - Ellie Goulding, Lights
“Bless your soul, you've got your head in the clouds.” - Adele, Rumour Has It
“God knows I'm tough enough…” - Jason Mraz, I Won't Give Up

“He's a devil in disguise…” - Carrie Underwood, Cowboy Casanova
“I remember you said "Don't leave me here alone".” - Taylor Swift, Safe and Sound
“I'm just like you, only prettier.” - Miranda Lambert, Only Prettier

Of course there is one in the next round I can't remember to save my life. Thanks miss, thanks a lot. :faceslap:

Ghost sdoj

17th Jul 2012, 6:02 PM

It will probably come back to you. At 3 AM.

missroxor

18th Jul 2012, 8:22 AM

Round 2: Bonus Worth 5 points Hero costume time! Introduce an outfit (it doesn’t have to be a permanent choice) that your hero could use as his/her costume.

Can I just clarify, does the outfit have to look super hero-ey? Will judges be scoring on whether it could pass as a super hero's outfit if you know what I mean? I just finished up all my pics but it's occured to me that while my outfit change fits my storyline, it might be a bit too "normal" looking D: She only wears it in the last two pics though so I could change it relatively easily but I'll be gutted if I have to 'cause It's adorable! :giggler:

Ghost sdoj

18th Jul 2012, 2:50 PM

Now I remember what I wanted to ask. :doh:

If the excerpt is used more than once (Same quote, just used twice...) does it have to be highlighted each time?

heaven

18th Jul 2012, 2:50 PM

Can I just clarify, does the outfit have to look super hero-ey? Will judges be scoring on whether it could pass as a super hero's outfit if you know what I mean? I just finished up all my pics but it's occured to me that while my outfit change fits my storyline, it might be a bit too "normal" looking D: She only wears it in the last two pics though so I could change it relatively easily but I'll be gutted if I have to 'cause It's adorable! :giggler:
No, it doesn't have to be hero-y. It doesn't have to have a cape. Though I might give you 6 points instead of 5 if you manage to work THAT in.

Just kidding about the cape. I'm an EJ so I don't even GIVE scores.

Now I remember what I wanted to ask. :doh:

If the excerpt is used more than once (Same quote, just used twice...) does it have to be highlighted each time?
As long as it is italicized or bolded or underlined or whatever once, that's fine. Just so we can see that you've used it. I will note that you do get scored on how well you use it so bold the one you want to be judged on.

missroxor

18th Jul 2012, 10:55 PM

No, it doesn't have to be hero-y. It doesn't have to have a cape. Though I might give you 6 points instead of 5 if you manage to work THAT in.

Funnily enough that was my first thought! Didn't somebody geeky once say all the best super heros have capes? My next thought was tights but I scrapped that too :/ oh well, I have some hero-y boots, that's gonna have to do! :p

Qnshr5

19th Jul 2012, 4:30 AM

Funnily enough that was my first thought! Didn't somebody geeky once say all the best super heros have capes? My next thought was tights but I scrapped that too :/ oh well, I have some hero-y boots, that's gonna have to do! :p

Hehe. This made me think of the movie The Incredibles. "No capes!"

`

ReyaD

19th Jul 2012, 4:34 AM

Hehe. This made me think of the movie The Incredibles. "No capes!"

`

Me too! xD Gosh I loved that movie... *Goes to find the DVD*

I had a bit too much fun with my superhero outfit...

spladoum

19th Jul 2012, 5:28 AM

Eric Cowert is a brilliant doctor, but after he loses a young patient in surgery, his talent can't overcome his fear. His colleagues still believe in him, but he doesn't believe in himself, and his comeback trail is rapidly growing dark.

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Nothing has changed.

I still come into the hospital whenever I'm called—and they literally call whenever. I still work back-to-back shifts. I still drink my breakfast from a cheap convenience store cup and my dinner from a rocks glass.

My assistant hasn't quit yet.

"Dr. Cowert? … did you sleep in here, sir? Those are the clothes you wore yesterday. Have you been here all night?"

"… yup. What time is it?"

"7:30."

My eyes are dried out, and my head is swimming from dehydration, hangover, very little sleep, or some combination of the three. All the same, when she sets my tea down, I see the set of bruises on her wrist.

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She yanks her sweater sleeve over them and glares at me.

"… what the hell was that, Mrs. Hallenbeck?"

She's savvy enough not to make an excuse about running into the door frame or the couch. Besides, I'm a doctor. She knows better than to give me a line like that. "You already know what it is, and it's not open for discussion."

"As long as it didn't happen here, you mean."

"It didn't."

I do wonder how someone with such a strong backbone got herself into a situation like that. But she's right. It's not my business.

***

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I still see Dr. Jyoti Pradyash, and she still tries to get me to open up a bit more about the Klarris County Fair incident. But there's honestly nothing to left say anymore. She's heard the story too many times, I can't add anything else in. So lately when I come to see her, she tries a new tactic. "Put your scrubs on," she insists.

"Go to hell."

"Let me clarify something for you that you appear to be failing to understand, Eric. This isn't a charity, it's a hospital. When you're repeatedly sent to therapy, it's because you have a problem. The job of the therapist is to help you to make some improvement, and I can't do my job if you just lay about wallowing in misery. And you can't do your job if you don't start at least trying to envision yourself as a surgeon." She holds the set of scrubs out to me. "Put them on. Now."

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Her voice is so much like an impatient, harried mother's, that at first I respond like a sulky teenager, stomping away and doing what she says. Then my temper and my ego flare, I throw the top across the room, and we're arguing—she, occasionally falling into rapid-fire Hindi, and I, naked from the waist up. It's a stupid, childish argument and we both know it, but it doesn't stop us from raising our voices. We have enough self-control not to shove each other—thank god for the little things.

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Afterwards she's tearful and I'm ashamed.

"I'll be right back," I mutter, and finally put the top on.

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I can hear the muttering behind me as I walk through the corridors of the hospital in full scrubs. More than one voice asks Is he back? Is he really operating again? Not hardly, folks. I'm no hero, scrubs or no scrubs.

I reach my office without having to actually speak to anyone and find just what I was looking for in my desk: a half-full bottle and two glasses. Always be prepared.

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I'm on my way back over to the psychiatry department when I hear another argument, and another familiar voice, begging. The piteous pleas are met with shouting, accusations.

Truthfully, I know this scene all too well. It happens a lot. A jealous lover shows up in the lobby and makes a big scene. Since work policy forbids us to get involved, we call security and watch to make sure none of the expensive equipment gets broken. Afterwards we either gossip about it, or have a laugh if the event was especially ridiculous.

But now everything is different. For starters, I'm the only one around. The receptionist is away from the area, and security's nowhere to be seen. For another thing, this isn't some random employee, it's my assistant. And I'm not going to watch some guy snap her wrist in two right in front of me, policy be damned.

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I separate them and shove him backwards. "Time for you to go, isn't it?"

"The hell's your problem, buddy?" he slurs, though there's no smell of alcohol on him. Speech impediment, maybe? "I'm 'llowed t' talk t' her!"

"I didn't hear much talking going on. And since when do you talk by grabbing someone's wrist?"

"Who th' hell 're you?"

"Her boss," I snap, but he remains unimpressed, which suits me just fine. I need someone to scream at.

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Mrs. Hallenbeck has paged security in the meanwhile, so a perfectly good argument is sadly cut short by the arrival of the guards. They're big men. Mr. Hallenbeck leaves the area under protest. But he does leave.

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She won't look at me when I order her into the first aid room. Same bruises, different wrist. She has a matching set on her face. She leans on the counter and stares deep into the wall, all prickles and barbs. "I already know what you're thinking, doctor."

"Bet you don't."

"I'm sure you believe he's a devil in disguise—"

"What disguise?" I ask, flatly. She smiles, but it evaporates in seconds.

"That man isn't my husband. He's my brother, Aaron."

She stops speaking to swallow the pills I offer. After a hard gulp, she goes on. "This is … embarrassing for me, you see. Up until three months ago, he was waited on hand and foot by my mother. Now that she's remarried and her new husband doesn't want a virtual invalid in his house, it's fallen to me to take care of someone who can't handle being alone after a certain time of day. Aaron doesn't handle deviations from the routine all that well, he wants things done at the same time, in the same way, every day of the week. He needs that kind of structure, or he goes berserk. When you saw him just now, he was upset and afraid because he had been alone for too long. Normally I'm home by now, but tonight I had to stay. The legal department needed help finding files for the FDA study, I was roped into assisting, time got away from me, you saw the rest."

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"I see why you make such a good assistant," I say as I touch cotton gauze to her swollen lips. "I suppose you have to be, when you're literally a clock-watcher for a spoiled brat."

She goes scarlet with anger, and her eyes turn away again. "That was a bit uncalled for, doctor."

"Uncalled for? Having your brother show up at your job to attack you instead of getting his own corn dogs for dinner isn't uncalled for? Just so you know, I've seen your files, Mrs. Hallenbeck. You've lost jobs because of this situation. Good jobs, too."

"How dare you."

"It wasn't my business before, but having this sort of thing happen in the middle of my hospital makes it my business. And it wouldn't have come up at all, except that it appears to be a pattern. And it's going to follow you from job to job unless you deal with it."

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She stands up straight with no further ado. "If it's alright with you, Dr. Cowert, I'd like to get my things and go home, please."

"Of course you do. You're your mother's daughter, aren't you?"

And that's when she slapped me.

***

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"Eric? … where have you been? What time is it?"

"It's 9:20, and I was taking care of a situation."

I set down the bottle and glasses. Dr. Pradyash blinks a few times and sits up slowly. "Did you take care of it?"

"Nope."

"My god, you're hopeless."

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She comes over to where I am and takes a glass of whisky. She winces as it touches her lips. "Disgusting. Why do you drink this?"

"If it tasted better, I'd drink it more often. You don't want me to do that."

"… I suppose that's true."

Her caress is absent-minded. Once I move her hand, she starts a little and goes red. "I'm not in the mood. Not now, anyway. Your office is right down the hall, what took you so long?"

"My assistant."

"Myrna? … what was she still doing here? All clerical staff is off the clock by 5:30 at latest."

"You ever met her brother?"

"Once or twice, he's a fairly intense young man."

"If by intense you mean 'psychotic,' I'd agree with you."

She stares at me over the rim of her glass. "He has a great deal of separation anxiety, coupled with obsession-compulsion tendencies. Basically, if things aren't exactly the same all of the time, he becomes very fearful and lashes out. Why are you …"

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Comprehension sets in, and she slumps. "Oh, Eric. Tell me you didn't pick on that girl about her brother."

"Next time I see her she's going to have a fractured wrist. Sorry for giving enough of a damn to try to keep that from happening."

"You're just a charging bull, aren't you? He's practically been abandoned by their mother, Myrna feels responsible for him. You're not going to be able to dissuade her from doing something she sees as a personal duty by loading her with contempt. I assure you she feels guilty enough without you piling on."

"Thank you, Dear Abby."

She sets the glass down. "You are a truly horrible human being, you know that?"

"Only when I'm conscious."

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This time when I take her hand, she doesn't pull away. The zipper on the back of her dress opens easily, and her soft curves fit nicely against me. She, and the whisky, distract me for some time.

When I leave her office much later that night, I try to avoid my reflection in the mirrors.

Nothing has changed.

Current Plot Point: Embarrassing Rescue
Previous Plot Points: Mysterious Past
Word Count: 1,665
CC Used: Allowed--yes: store items, custom eyes, OMSP, tipsy OMSP, skin by HP

missroxor

19th Jul 2012, 9:39 AM

I think I saved all my pics on a lower setting by accident, they all seem lower quality than usual (not that it's particularly high to start with) and I didn't notice until I saw them all big and stretched out on this post. If I get time I'll try to redo some of the worst ones D:

Previously: Jada Greene is a young and eager guard of the city’s Inner Circle defences. Her father is the city governor and Commander-in-Chief of military assets. Jada’s job is to defend against the Reds who are banned from the city and are “hated and reviled for countless reasons”, which are not yet explained though Jada describes them as, “awful creatures, prone to violence and fits of insanity” and, “un-educated savages”. She later laments their impending doom at her father’s orders saying, “they’re still technically human beings.” Jada thinks she’s tough and couldn’t wait to put her training to use by catching her first Red but on the night of the first heavy fire on the Reds she freezes. Worse still, upon meeting her first wild red she’s caught off guard when he seems to know about an envelope she’d been sent that indicated she was somehow related to a Red (she’d passed it off as a prank by her co-workers). Instead of capturing the Red she acts on instinct and saves him but is caught in the cross-fire and shot by her patrol partner, Ray.

~ ~ ~
Blood Red: Chapter 2

“Should we restrain her before she wakes?”

“No, Rurik. We need her to trust us; we just have to convince her before she goes.”

“What if she escapes before we do? She’s trained to kill us!

She rolls her eyes, “It won’t come to that if we tell her about-....I think she’s coming round, you should go.”

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A gentle thrumming stirs my senses. Words reach me strangled in the murky fog of another world,

“...restrain her...” the demon growls.

“No...”, says the gentle angel, “...just have to convince her...”

“...if she escapes...kill...”

Fear grips me, wrapping its icy fingers around my neck.

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I awake as if I’ve surfaced from a great depth; clutching my throat and gasping for air. I immediately thrust my wrists out in front of me for inspection: they’re not tethered. My eyes dart around the dingy room stopping on the only other person there; a rather startled looking doctor with a nervous smile. It was just a dream: a nightmare. I smile shyly at the doctor as I try to gather my wits and steady my breathing. She visibly relaxes once I’ve calmed down and recovers what seems to be a naturally friendly demeanour.

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“You gave me quite a fright there, sweetie. Bad dream?”

I nod sheepishly.

“Well, I hope they weren’t all bad, you’ve been out for two days!”

Two days? I try to wade through the fog in my brain to remember what happened.

As if reading my mind she interrupts, “You were shot while on patrol”.

Ray! He must be eaten up with guilt.

“You lost a lot of blood on the way here”, she continues, “You had to have a blood transfusion”.

I nod solemnly wondering what hell Dad must’ve gone through these past few days. When are visiting hours anyway? I really need a Dad hug about now.

“Luckily it wasn’t a conventional bullet; it was one of those silver tipped wooden ones. They can be nasty little buggers mind; I spent ages removing all the splinters but they still make for smaller, cleaner wounds”, she smiles softly, “I never really understood why your guys use those anyway...”

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/missroxor/Contests/Heavens%20Heros/Chapter%202/4.jpg

I didn’t even know military hospitals employed civilians anymore but she’s definitely not military. God, even Ray’s pre-schooler knows why we use silver-tipped wooden flechettes, “The reds...if you don’t kill them properly they come back as vampires. We aim for the heart”. I can’t help but glare at her incredulously while her mouth gapes as if this is breaking news. Then it hits me: she said, “your guys”. Not, “our guys” or “we”. I swallow hard and ask, “Where am I? Are you a... a Red?”

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/missroxor/Contests/Heavens%20Heros/Chapter%202/5.jpg

“Jada, please just hear us out -“

“Where. Am. I?” My voice is low but forceful.

She takes a deep breath and smoothes her coat before answering, “I’m Olivia. This is my natural hair colour but I count Reds as family. You’re in the basement of our hospital”.

“And that is where exactly?”

“Beyond the city limits.”

I don’t know whether to laugh or cry; I’m somewhere in the heart of enemy territory.

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/missroxor/Contests/Heavens%20Heros/Chapter%202/6.jpg

“Is this a real hospital? Are you even a real doctor?!” I might be yelling now, it’s hard to tell when I can hear my pulse thumping so hard in my skull.

“This hospital’s make-shift but it’s as real as it gets for us. I’m... well, I was a qualified nurse long ago but I guess you could say I’m a self-taught doctor now. We don’t exactly have regular universities out here.” Her voice is low and even, she’s maintaining eye contact but not aggressively. I know what she’s doing. Dad uses this technique when he’s trying to spin some political controversy his way without angering the crowds. The low, even voice says, “I’m not a threat, calm down” and the friendly eye contact says, “You can trust me!”

“You’re not even a doctor and you gave me a blood trans-” I recoil in horror as the realisation hits me, “You tainted me with the blood of savages?!”

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/missroxor/Contests/Heavens%20Heros/Chapter%202/7.jpg

“Oh yeah, now you’re tainted!” a husky voice retorts sarcastically from the doorway. It’s him! My first wild red: the one Ray’s bullet was meant for.

“Rurik, I told you I would handle this” Olivia chastises.

“And it seemed to be going really well.” He smirks as she glares at him.

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/missroxor/Contests/Heavens%20Heros/Chapter%202/8.jpg

I watch the exchange in awe. The only reds I’ve met before were captive; subservient. Not like this. I was stunned before but I’m completely dumbfounded now. The savage has me hostage; I’m cornered in his cage as if I’m the wild animal! I find myself unwillingly playing my part, frozen in fear and cowering before him, mentally if not physically. I pray that my body language and expression don’t betray me. Stripped of my weapon and back-up, stranded in a barren land unknown to me I’m completely at his mercy. My only hope is to hold out for rescue and pray he doesn’t kill me before then.

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/missroxor/Contests/Heavens%20Heros/Chapter%202/9.jpg

He perches on the edge of the desk; cool as a cucumber though the tension is palpable, to me at least. Olivia breaks the silence, “Are you comfortable? Can we get you...anything?”

I’d been so focused on the Red; I’d momentarily forgotten she was even in the room. She’s trying to disarm me again, gain my trust: Abduction 101. I shake my head slowly, reluctant to speak in case my voice shows my fear.

“We’re not the enemy, Jada” She says softly. I recall the red saying similar right before I was shot. “We won’t lie to you. Ask anything you want; I’m sure you have many questions.”

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/missroxor/Contests/Heavens%20Heros/Chapter%202/10.jpg

Damn her and her soothing voice: she’s good, better than Dad! ...but at least I feel a little more able to utter a sentence without collapsing into a wobbling mess on the floor. I take a deep breath and they all come out in one fast, rambling line, “Why am I here? Is this because Dad’s the Governor? Are you gonna kill me if you don’t get your ransom?” Smooth, Jada!

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/missroxor/Contests/Heavens%20Heros/Chapter%202/11.jpg

They exchange raised eyebrows before the Red laughs, “We haven’t kidnapped you! At least, not intentionally!”

What the hell does that even mean?!

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/missroxor/Contests/Heavens%20Heros/Chapter%202/12.jpg

“It worked out great for us that you ended up here but trust me, it wasn’t pre-meditated”, Olivia soothes, “You’re free to leave if you wish, we only ask that you hear us out first. Rurik had rendered your partner unconscious in self-defence. You were wounded and bleeding heavily. Who knew when someone would raise the alarm? Even if they did would they get you help in time? Rurik brought you here to save your life".

Why the hell would a Red want to save a guard?

“Call us even”, he grunts and Olivia sighs in exasperation.

Oh.

I look him in the eye, “but you mentioned the letter? You knew my name. How is that even possible if it was just a happy accident?” He shifts uncomfortably and looks to Olivia.

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/missroxor/Contests/Heavens%20Heros/Chapter%202/13b.jpg

“I sent the letter”, she says, “Rurik was my messenger. He was on his way home when the attacks came, blocking his route. He doubled back on himself to find another route. It was coincidence...fate that that’s when you found him.”

“Why did you send it? What does it mean?”

"I... I guess I’d hoped you had your own suspicions like Ru-“, she stops short, pausing to choose her words carefully, “you were more integrated than we hoped”.

“Integrated with what?”

A sad smile flickers across her lips, “with your society’s political and military philosophy”

“Political and military? So this is about my Dad?” He technically commands both.

“Well, he is one hell of an over-achieving Führer!” The Red sneers.

“My Dad’s a good man who makes tough decisions for the greater good!”

Instantly we’re nose to nose, him snarling through gritted teeth, “When are you gonna wake the hell up? He’s a devil in disguise..."

I gasp, taken aback by his ferociousness but my earlier fear is replaced with anger, “You want me to help you stage a coup, is that it?! I am proud to call myself his daughter and proud to serve his city ridding it of evils like you!” I growl back at him forgetting my own reservations about my father’s plans in the heat of the moment. He flinches, eyes boring in to me then he abruptly pulls away.

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/missroxor/Contests/Heavens%20Heros/Chapter%202/14.jpg

I’ve heard enough. I turn to Olivia, “Can I leave now?”

“You haven’t heard us out”, he spits, avoiding eye contact.

“Rurik, get the clothes”, Olivia’s soft tones are a welcome reprieve. As she continues, he gawps at her then dutifully stalks out the room, “I had to cut your clothes off in the OR. What’s left was caked in blood so Rurik asked around for some clothes donations”. She smiles apologetically, “It’s not much I’m afraid but we make or scavenge most of what we wear so we have to make do”. Rurik comes back in and chucks first my work boots, which I’m grateful to see, then a bundle of clothes on the bed. Jeez, if he were a normal guy I’d swear he was sulking but for all I know being a grade-A asshole is typical behaviour for Reds.

“It’s fine”, I reply, “ I only need them to get me home to Daddy” I emphasis the last word making sure Rurik hears. Great! I’ve never met anyone so infuriatingly petulant in my life and now it’s rubbing off!

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/missroxor/Contests/Heavens%20Heros/Chapter%202/15.jpg

I dress in the adjoining bathroom, grateful the outfit covers my bandages; Dad doesn’t need any more worries than he already has! I take a moment to gee myself up for what’s sure to be an epic journey: You’re a circle guard, Jada. You just shouted down an angry Red, unarmed. You can manage a walk home through enemy territory! Now puff out that chest and show me that winning smile! If only my insides were grinning half as wide!

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/missroxor/Contests/Heavens%20Heros/Chapter%202/16.jpg

I smile politely at Olivia and ignore Rurik as I walk out past them toward the door. As I reach it Olivia calls me, “Jada. Don’t you want to know how we know so much about you?”

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/missroxor/Contests/Heavens%20Heros/Chapter%202/17b.jpg

~ ~ ~

Current Plot Point: Kidnapped
Previous Plot Points: Beware the Nice Guy.
Word Count: 1700 exactly!
CC Used: Yes, all of it! See below.
Hero Type: Chosen One

~ ~ ~

Bonus Round:
On the surface, Jada’s super hero outfit is pretty normal looking but it’s symbolic, honest! :p I think it needs explaining though...

*spoiler alert!!*

Her Government Issue boots obviously represent the world she comes from: they’re clean, shiny and rigid. She’s attached to them (“my work boots, which I’m grateful to see”) because they’re a reminder of everything she’s ever known or loved.

The shirt and skirt represent Rurik and Olivia’s world. The shirt is torn and from another era, obviously scavenged from the abandoned buildings while the skirt has that same leather and buckles, home-made rebel look that Rurik’s clothes have. Together they’re the same configuration as Jada’s own scruffy civilian clothes from chapter 1: short, grungy skirt and modesty-preserving top... so not an entirely new image for her despite them being enemy’s clothes.

So...the super hero outfit represents two very different worlds being brought together by one person who's unique in her ability to find comfort in both...is all I'm gonna say without giving too much away! :p

~ ~ ~

Effects Used:
Pic 2 – Fog: fog emitter (Ambitions)
Pic 2 – Fire: FX machines (Late night)
Pic 2 – Pink sparkle and glow: genie hover animation from moviemaker cheats. (Showtime)
All pics - Custom light intensity and colours

~ ~ ~

CC USED:
Poses: IMHO, Spladoum, Traelia and CMO - pose player
Skin: Navetsea
Eyes: Escand's Oh My eyes
Clothes: All non-EA are from All-About-Style.com
Hair: Olivia and Jada up do = mybluebook, Jada hair down = I’m trying to find it!! Anybody knows please tell me, lol
Brows: Haven’t narrowed it down yet!
Make-up: Kittyklan eye bags, Arisuka contour make-up
Accessories: Demon horns by CloudwalkerNZ

Custom World: Silent Hill (the exchange)

Lot: Negone by Armonia (GoS)

Other Objects:
Hospital set by Hekate (MTS)
OMSP by Granthes (MTS)
Cloudwalkerz - Hardballer (MTS)
Extractor fan window by Luna (SimsLulamai)
Born into the grave - rusty patterns by Aikea Guinea (GoS)
three metal textures by Gelydh (Club Crimsyn)
Industry & metalurgy patterns sets by Bec (tribeccasims3)

Tamlyn

22nd Jul 2012, 4:53 AM

waterjay

22nd Jul 2012, 10:37 AM

I'm sorry guys, I have to announce my drop out of the competition due to serious technical problems. I was REALLY into this, and it might've finally been the only contest I could've completed on mod the sims. It's just not meant to be apparently... and it seriously pisses me off... But anyway I wish to all of you who still are competing good luck!
To Heaven, I'm truly sorry, I know you're probably gonna hate me for this (because I remember how you warned us about how it would be best if we didn't join the contest if we had to drop out later), but it really doesn't have anything to do with "lack of inspiration" or any thing of the kind. It's just my computer not working and taking weeks to get fixed...
Anyways, I hope you understand
Again good luck to all of you!

LadyAwesome

22nd Jul 2012, 12:02 PM

Oh waterjay, sad to hear, but stuff happens. I don't even know if mine it going to be in on time either, but it will be there in the end.

heaven

22nd Jul 2012, 6:17 PM

Possibly stupid question time! With the quote: “I remember you said "Don't leave me here alone".” Do I have to use double quotes? Can I use single quotes (and put the full stop inside the quotes)? ie "I remember you said, 'Don't leave me here alone.'" Oh. I added a comma there too. The double quotes thing is just because when I'm quoting in dialogue I generally use single. The punctuation is just.. me being picky. But I don't want to lost points over being picky, so if I can't because it counts as changing it, I'll just avoid thinking about it ;)

I'm fine with the word count this Round.. but I would love double the picture count haha

As long as you don't change the actual wording or order, I'm not going to have the judges dock points for punctuation or using quotations or not. Hopefully that helps. :)

Also, we have about 34 hours left. How is everyone doing? Waterjay, I am disappointed that you have to drop out and sorry to see you go.

Ghost sdoj

22nd Jul 2012, 7:28 PM

I'm fighting a pair of rootkits... And a son who wants to use my computer because he "can hardly hear" You Tube on his. (I'm seriously wondering if he needs his ears cleaned.)

I'm still hoping to have something ready by the deadline, though.

heaven

22nd Jul 2012, 11:06 PM

Ghost, good to know you are working, even with the impediements you seem to be experiencing!!!

With the serious lack of entries and responses, I am considering adding an extension. However, said extension would come with a price of losing points. I haven't decided if this will be necessary yet and I am hoping it won't be. Please, please check in and let me know if you believe that you can get your entry in on time so I can see how many people are behind.

And no more drop outs! It makes me sad. And I shall hunt you down and make you finish your story anyway, even if not during the contest. Our own ReyaD can attest to that from the first story contest. So, seriously, keep working...or else. ;)

Buckley

22nd Jul 2012, 11:47 PM

Hey heaven. I'm working on my entry, but I've had a crazy week and just haven't had much time for Sims. (My mom came down with strep that turned into pneumonia so I've been away from my house and my computer trying to look after her.) An extension would be great, even if it means losing points. Although, if you're willing to offer even one day more without a point deduction, even better. ;)

Ghost sdoj

23rd Jul 2012, 3:49 AM

I've just finished working through the entire crashing FAQ, and it looks as though I might have a reinstall on my hands. With a missing disc. (I made a mistake...I wondered what -else- could go wrong. I'm finding out.) :(

I did manage to get a couple of pictures before my game went splat, and even though one was not quite what I wanted I will post what I have tomorrow if I can't get things working again.

heaven

23rd Jul 2012, 4:19 AM

Okay, with everyone's issues, I have decided that I WILL allow an extension. What I will do is this: you have one extra day, no penalties. The second day, you will be docked 1 point from your final score. With the scores being as close as they are, that 1 point could really make a difference. Round 2 will close at the end of that second day and any contestants with a missing entry will earn a 0 for that round. Here is the updated TIMER (http://www.timeanddate.com/countdown/generic?iso=20120725T205959&p0=770&msg=Hero+Story+Round+2).

This means that you have 2 days and some odd minutes to enter your story without penalty. Any posts after that, for the final 24 hours, will earn you a -1 point. Also, any edits after the first 48 hours will also earn a -1 point to ensure contestants do not enter a half completed (or less) entry and then edit later to miss the deduction. Contestants who have already posted, please be sure to edit in the next 48 hours if you need to do so.

LadyAwesome

23rd Jul 2012, 4:32 AM

YAY Thank you!

Viva1994

23rd Jul 2012, 6:19 AM

I believe I can get mine done by tomorrow, all that's left is taking out the nordic battle cries. I do hate modern English sometimes, if anybody is interested in the version where everybody talks like vikings I can do it... (who's been playing too much skyrim? I HAVE! Oh procrastination thou art a dishonourable mistress...)

heaven

23rd Jul 2012, 6:27 AM

ReyaD

23rd Jul 2012, 6:40 AM

xD Omg Heaven. I LOVE that one. Always makes me laugh when I'm having a bad day.

As for the rest of you contestants, I can attest to what Heaven said earlier. She DOES NOT LET THINGS GO. The last story contest ended in, what, October of last year? She still occasionally guilts me about those last two missing chapters.

*Head -> Desk*

Trust me. Just finish writing the story. You'll suffer less.

(I love you Heaven, don't hurt me!)

Qnshr5

23rd Jul 2012, 6:42 AM

I should be able to meet the deadline as I have the entire day tomorrow to work on it. This past week I was either working or sick. All I need to do is cut my word count down and take screenshots.

Although being hunted is terrifying, I do hope Waterjay can tell us what happens to Marcus. Seriously. "Amanda Will, _____" What???!!!! :)

*Apparently I was half asleep when I wrote the above and didn't notice that the deadline had been extended. :faceslap: Anyway, I'm glad because I still haven't started taking the screenshots :P

.

Tamlyn

23rd Jul 2012, 2:24 PM

Previously on: Fires devour the countryside around Sunset Valley. Zoe Anderson does her job and hangs out with her best friend and tries her best to deal. But when she realises some of the fires are deliberately lit, she loses control of a deep kept secret as fire flares up through psychic power - hopefully unseen.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c157/nylmat/Sims/Zoe%20Story%20Contest/Chapter%20Two/1Open.jpg
Zoe tugged at the dresser drawer. She grabbed an armful of clothes and tossed them onto the bed next to her unopened suitcase, then returned for more. A hint of smoke drifted by her nose; flames crackled on the edge of hearing. She almost stumbled, squeezed her eyes shut, and forced a calmer breath. The hint of fire subsided.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c157/nylmat/Sims/Zoe%20Story%20Contest/Chapter%20Two/2Despair.jpg
She shuddered. She had lost control.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c157/nylmat/Sims/Zoe%20Story%20Contest/Chapter%20Two/3Mirror.jpg
She caught sight of herself in the mirror. Her bloodshot eyes emphasised the pallor of her skin. Sleep had been a stranger.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c157/nylmat/Sims/Zoe%20Story%20Contest/Chapter%20Two/3NoControl.jpg
Fires broke out around her like hives, sometimes real, sometimes not. She couldn’t tell anymore. She needed to get out of there. Needed to drop herself somewhere no one would get hurt until the flames receded. They would eventually; they always had before.

She blinked back tears and paused her fervent packing. She thought she’d finished with running. She thought...

Her mouth firmed to a stubborn line. She should have known better than to hope. And she could come back, once she was... better. The town would still be there, if battered and grey. Liz and Greg would still be there, bickering in the kitchen. Jill would always be there, with fervour and passion blazing in her face as she tried to take on the entire world. And Matt would always be wherever she needed him.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c157/nylmat/Sims/Zoe%20Story%20Contest/Chapter%20Two/4Matt.jpg
Zoe’s phone rang, the sound shrill in the silence, and she glanced at caller ID. “Speak of the devil...” She considered not answering, but then Matt would just ring again. And again.

“Hi, Matt.” She tucked the phone between her ear and shoulder and opened the wardrobe door.

“Hey, Zoe—”

“What do you want?” Zoe interrupted before he could continue. She pulled out a canary yellow dress and eyed it dubiously. Bright clothes when she was trying to stay hidden were probably not a good idea. Nor was a dress practical for running around the countryside.

Matt’s silence on the other end of the phone filtered through her scurrying thoughts. “I’m sorry. It’s just now isn’t a good time,” she apologised, trying to keep the panic from her voice. She pulled out another shirt. Polyester. Not a good idea. Clothes did not possess her immunity to the hungry lick of fire.

She shuddered at the thought. She really was a freak.

“Zoe. What’s wrong?”

Maybe she should borrow Matt’s CFA gear.

“Zoe.” Impatience threaded his voice.

“Nothing!” She had an old wool top. Wool was fire retardant. She almost blurted this out to Matt, then realised what she was doing. “I’m just in the middle of something.”
She sat on the bed and stopped thinking about clothes, stopped thinking about fires. She wasn’t normally this flustered. (she was out of control...)

Matt was silent. It was a heavy silence that pressed down on her and forced calmness in her. It was so heavy she almost gasped when he sighed.

“You’re a terrible liar.”

“I wouldn’t lie to you,” Zoe lied, glad Matt couldn’t see the blush covering her face.

“You would. Obviously. And there’s only one thing you’d lie to me about.” He hesitated. Zoe fiddled with the hem of her shirt. “Zoe, look, don’t go anywhere until I get there.”

“You don’t understand,” Zoe whispered, forgetting she was pretending everything was okay. It didn’t occur to her to question how Matt knew she was going somewhere.

“I understand more than you think. You trust me, right, Zoe? You can control this.”

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c157/nylmat/Sims/Zoe%20Story%20Contest/Chapter%20Two/5NoHope.jpg
Zoe dropped the phone.

Matt knew.

She flushed: fevered red, then pale as death, then red again. He knew. She had to run. Now.

* * *

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c157/nylmat/Sims/Zoe%20Story%20Contest/Chapter%20Two/6Drive.jpg
Zoe fumbled with a CD. Her stereo was probably more expensive than her car, but she was glad for it. The radio repeated news about the fires – a new blaze devoured the western hills. She didn’t want to hear it. She’d had enough of pain and destruction. She’d had enough of death to last a lifetime.

The outskirts of Sunset Valley rolled by and soon gave way to blackened ground and charred trees. Zoe turned off the main road as the soothing tones of Richard Marx filled the car. She inched over the unstable ground and tried not to think. Thinking hurt and encouraged the flames. The music filled her head instead.

Heaven only knows what lies before me
Heaven only knows what all my searching is for
All my life I’ve waited for a miracle
But I can’t ask for anything more

“Yes, I can,” Zoe muttered. She knew that whatever lay before her would mean starting over. The only miracle she’d ever wanted was to be normal. Apparently that wasn’t an option. The dashboard of the car seemed to flicker with flames. Zoe dove back into thoughtlessness.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c157/nylmat/Sims/Zoe%20Story%20Contest/Chapter%20Two/7Stopped.jpg
She parked by the guttered ruins of an old train station, a leftover from the era gone of coalmining. First it had been abandoned, and now burnt. The place was desolate, covered in a thin blanket of smoke; it suited her mood exactly. She left her stuff in the car – she’d drive on once she was under control again. There was no point unpacking. She left the music on too. It was soothing. She shrugged her shirt back onto her shoulder. It was old and stretched, but she didn’t have much choice. How many ordinary people needed clothes suitable for contact with fire? At least she was comfortable and mobile.

She dropped to the ground, ignoring the black smears left on her shorts and the discomfort of the hard-packed earth. She waited.

* * *

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c157/nylmat/Sims/Zoe%20Story%20Contest/Chapter%20Two/8Scared.jpg
“Do you remember when we first met?”

Zoe rocketed to her feet. Shock and fear swamped her, slamming through her with the force of a moving train. She stared unseeing, eyes wide, while every instinct in her screamed to run. She vaguely realised that despite her roller coaster of emotion, there was only the faintest hint of fire in her mind. A surge of relief did little to alleviate the fear.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c157/nylmat/Sims/Zoe%20Story%20Contest/Chapter%20Two/9Mattnaked.jpg
Then her brain caught up to her ears, and she realised it was Matt who spoke. She jerked her head, almost stumbling, and oddly, anger replaced her fear.

“Matt! What are you doing here?” she shouted, and Matt’s eyebrows shot up. “Why are you doing this? I’m trying to do the right thing. I was just going to leave and I wouldn’t hurt anyone and—”

“Except yourself.”

“I love this place and I thought this was home, where I could be safe,” Zoe barrelled on as if he hadn’t interrupted. “And it was going to so well and everyone here is so good and... and why are you naked?” She stuttered to a confused halt. She sniffed, realising she was crying, her nose blocked and throat tight. Ash from the air smeared her saturated face.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c157/nylmat/Sims/Zoe%20Story%20Contest/Chapter%20Two/10Cheek.jpg
Matt gave a lopsided smile and reached out to gently touch one tear-soaked cheek. “Took you long enough to notice. That’s depressing.”

He was, indeed, stark naked. Charcoal dusted his feet, but he seemed almost oblivious to his lack of clothes. Zoe blinked, anger now gone into confusion and anxiety. Matt was, maybe – definitely – a bit of an exhibitionist, but he normally restricted himself to wandering his own home unclothed, not the countryside.

“Matt, are you okay? Do you need me to call a doctor? Hang on, I’ve got a coat in the car.” Zoe moved to dart away, and Matt grabbed her hand.

“I’m fine.”

“You shouldn’t run around naked, you know,” she said as if talking to a child. “You’ll catch something. Or get sunburnt. And it’s not acceptable behaviour.”

“Zoe, shush,” Matt said gently. She swallowed another torrent of panicked advice. “Now. Again. Do you remember when we first met?”

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c157/nylmat/Sims/Zoe%20Story%20Contest/Chapter%20Two/11FirstMeet.jpg
Zoe blinked at him through fresh tears. “In the park. I – we were fifteen. Two... people... were torturing a cat. Then you jumped in the fountain. Why did you jump in the fountain? The cat was fine. It could swim.”

“You forgot to mention you ran in to save the cat, despite the two fuckwits being twice your size. And you told me to jump in.”

“I did not.”

“Yes, you did.”

“Then why did you listen?” Zoe frowned. She really didn’t remember that.

“You’re scary when you’re angry. Also, you were shooting little flames out of your skin.”

Zoe paled. Now she remembered.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c157/nylmat/Sims/Zoe%20Story%20Contest/Chapter%20Two/12Holding.jpg
Matt grabbed her by the arms before she could even think about running away. “Don’t faint. Catching you could get awkward. And don’t do anything stupid. I’ve known for ten years, and it hasn’t bothered me. Zoe. Are you listening?”

She wasn’t. She remembered the fire. She remembered the two bullies bolting as if the hounds of hell chased them. She remembered Matt sitting in the fountain with a mixture of caution and irritation on his face. He was scared, but not terrified. She remembered collapsing and waiting for him to either run or turn on her.

“Zoe, don’t look like that. So I was... startled at first. But you were terrified. You looked at me expecting to be attacked. I asked if you wanted me to go. Do you remember what you said?”

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c157/nylmat/Sims/Zoe%20Story%20Contest/Chapter%20Two/13Cuddle.jpg
Zoe shook her head, slowly drooping, her mouth dropping and eyes half closed. Matt pulled her into a hug: warm, comforting, real.

“I remember you said, ‘Don’t leave me here alone.’”

“That was then. Now you have to leave me alone,” Zoe found the words at the same time she found the strength to step away. “I’m not going to hurt the people I love again. So go away.”

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c157/nylmat/Sims/Zoe%20Story%20Contest/Chapter%20Two/14Song.jpg
The car window was cracked, and the music still drifted from it. The songs had rolled a full circle.

I’ve always wondered how to know right from wrong
Looking for a reason to replace what is gone
But somehow the road just seems to lead right back to me

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c157/nylmat/Sims/Zoe%20Story%20Contest/Chapter%20Two/15Promise.jpg
“You’re not going to hurt me.”

“Yes, I will. You don’t understand.”

Matt sighed, frustration etching his face. “Okay. I’ll go. But can I show you something first?”

Zoe nodded, stubborn despite the tears still falling. “Only if you promise to go after.”

For a moment she thought he wouldn’t agree.

He sighed again. “I promise.”

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Current Plot Point: Heaven Only Knows
Previous Plot Points: Mysterious Past
Word Count: 1699 words / 16 pictures
CC Used: Allowed only.

Yay for working strange graphical hiccups into the story?

Ghost sdoj

23rd Jul 2012, 8:45 PM

I think my game is officially dead. :'(

Two warnings for everyone:
1. Never put anything in "a nice, safe place where it won't get lost"
2. Never say "So what else can go wrong?"

(I don't suppose I can use Oblivion screenshots? I didn't think so.)

I'm not dropping out, but I'm going to be awfully short on pictures unless I get a miracle here.

Viva1994

23rd Jul 2012, 9:57 PM

Previously, our vampire hunter Suzanna butted heads with the mysterious 'company that she used to work for, and was faced with the consequence of her friend Bram being turned into one of the creatures that she hates. She now embarks on her quest of rescuing Bram. Today, that means stumbling through a party in a dress that's too short in the name of justice. Tomorrow it will be reconciling with the morality of the monster, but why ponder on that when one can storm a prestigious social event; it is simply not done.

Current Plot Point: Move Heaven and Earth
Previous Plot Point: The Cake was a Lie
Word Count: 2,000
CC Used: Yes

--
http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w459/MittensKitten/1Snooping.jpg

Something Suzanna Trench never did was go into a building without observing the weaponry inside. Even such a outwardly harmless building full of aristocrats is usually armed. If she knew the 'company' at all, she knew that they had friends in high places with high explosives -- her former employer made sure that their enemies knew that they could be destroyed in the blink of an eye. This building however didn't have a single gun in it. Just frilly dresses and primpy tuxes.

She shudders, that meant it was time to get into a frilly dress of her own. If she had her choice, she wouldn't be wearing such a thing at all; this wasn't her idea though: when she was a teenager, a 'friend', Valentina Victor, bought her a dress, expecting her to wear it. She wore it once for the influential daughter's benefit, then it reached the bowls of her dresser never to be seen again. Until now...

http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w459/MittensKitten/2AwkwardStrut1.jpg

The grand doors opened for her as she shuffled in. She stiffened at the sheer amount of dancers on the floor. She was supposed to be in here!? With all of them?! She sighs, whenever I had to go to one of these things he would always have my back. She pauses, she had hardly thought about his vampirism at all in the last hours. Did it really change much?

http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w459/MittensKitten/3AndtheresheisHades.jpg

Up in the rafters smugly stood her old mistress: Marie Victor. The woman beckoned her with her eyes and Suzanna could feel that she had the answers. The vampire hunter embarked up the stairs in her dress, feeling eyes on her buttock the entire way. Instead of the elder to greet her though, she met a burly twenty-something with a scowl.

http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w459/MittensKitten/4Getout.jpg

There we go... Kicking butt is so much more fun.

"Keep moving girl, the mini bar is that way," he says condescendingly. Suzanna bristles.

"Oh really?" She was never one for catch phrases, instead she whips out her sword. The zone from which it came will remain classified at this point, as she had left her usual uniform of death outside and had to improvise greatly to get anything to fit on her person. Her blade hardly kissed the air before a second burly guy flew in behind her.

http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w459/MittensKitten/5Thistimeforreal.jpg

Inappropriate thoughts go though Suzanna's mind; mostly about skewers. A second person comes in behind her before she can even blink, there was a tostle that sent her to the ground.

It was hardly fair to be sneaked up so many times. This dress has officially hindered her it's way into the trash.

http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w459/MittensKitten/8Mark1.jpg

Bram! He seems to be handling his vampire speed nicely. Although he could have come at a better time. Such as on the dance floor for instance, but no, now he's going to think he's some sort of knight in shining armour. He didn't even know that she just couldn't defend herself right now. Oh boy. "It seems as though I've picked a good time to step in," he says cooly.

http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w459/MittensKitten/9Mark1.jpg

He moves closer, seeping unnatural confidence. He will need to be taught a lesson about that later on. He noted her silent glare, "The last time we went partying I remember you said 'Don't leave me here alone'. Did I pick a good time?" He paused, she didn't answer, "So what exactly are you up to here?" She grated her teeth, "Certainly not coming to save me right? I'm pretty sure I can handle myself." He said. She finally spoke in a scathing tone,

"I was coming to save you actually, you know I occasionally worry for your well being when you run off smoking in the sun." The smile finally comes off his face.

"Oh." He says. Ok, she felt a little sorry. "I can't tell you everything at the moment, but it involves me getting into that room and talking to some people. Now if you would stay outside and let me..." She was cut off

http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w459/MittensKitten/10Mark1.jpg

What insolence does the wretch preach to intervene on her plan?

"You?"

Oh, that insolence.

"I must be of some help when it comes to persuading... business people?" She had a deep wrath within that was willing to over look the 'rescue' part of the mission.

"I can handle myself!" She growled.

"In a little black dress." he interjects, very amused with himself at her expense.

The lights around them we dimming, meaning the dancing was done. "Yes, in a little black dress." Bram held back laughter. "Don't you say a word," She warns, her voice turning to ice, "And for the record, I didn't buy this outfit, it was a gift. Now look, I'll take you if you shut up and let me do the talking, got it?" She said. He seemed pleased.

"Done. Hey, perhaps I'll get to learn a bit about that mysterious past of yours."

He has spoken long enough, "Don't you go dissing my mysterious past!" She was this close to snapping her fingers in his face. Some atrocities should simply never be performed.

http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w459/MittensKitten/11Mark1.jpg

They walk casually into the drawing room. Defeating those guards before must have just been a preliminary precaution on their part to keep out the wrong people then, because if the company really wanted them out of the building, their butts would be on the street by now. Riding on some borrowed confidence, she observed the three figures waiting for them. It seemed as if one in particular was absent: Valentina. Not that Suzanna liked her all that much, but it was worth noting.

http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w459/MittensKitten/12Mark1.jpg

"I see you have finally come back to us, Suzanna." Marie addresses.

The rain outside reflected Suzanna's outlook towards her; it had swamped the party in the hot tub, forcing the patrons to flee like rats. Her half feral mind revelled in the chaos being caused. She growls, "I'm not coming back to you, I've come for answers."

Her enemy does not miss a beat of the anarchy swelling in her heart, "Very well. Ask away, we are friends here." She says flippantly.

Suzanna tempers her anger, noticing the confusion on Bram's face regarding the lady's words. "Why did you send that woman last night?" She asks, her teeth gritted.

"Well dear, I'm not sure who you're talking about." Marie says kindly, "Natalie, do you know what she's talking about? My memory might be fading after all these years."

http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w459/MittensKitten/13Guppy1.jpg

Natalie responds with quick rehearsed words, "No mother." She turns to Suzanna, the gaze that she held was machine like. "Can you describe this intruder?"

Suzanna holds back her hellfire one more strenuous time, "She was a vampire, and she made him." He finger hung loosely at Bram as she braced herself for the downpour of emotional shrapnel about to explode from him. Surprisingly he only winced. Natalie replied.

"We don't deal with vampires here." One more automated response from this lady... "You have us pinned all wrong I'm afraid, we're merely an organization dedicated to the saf--"

http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w459/MittensKitten/14Fiendish1.jpg

"LIAR!" Suzanna yelled. The elderly one scoffed,

"Excuse me!" He lips flapped like a porpoise blowing bubbles.

"Don't any of you try to fool me! I know it all, the tricks, the front, everything. You people are behind this!" She raved. They might calls the guards on her for this one but she didn't care. Let them do it!

"You can prove nothing." The man on the couch said.

Suzanna cackled, feeling unhinged, "but there is something else isn't there,"

http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w459/MittensKitten/15Nuts1.jpg

She narrowed in on the latest offender of her cause, "There is another plan isn't there! This is no isolated incident!" She shrieked. The crowd began to scorn her, their glares were boring into her, it was because she was cracking their plot! Her confidence was fortified, and she was about to attack them again but was cut off by a most unlikely source.

http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w459/MittensKitten/16Killer1.jpg

"Now, now, we don't have to be so hasty on these conclusions do we, Suzanna?" Bram said quickly. Speaking out of turn like the infidel that he is. His words had temporarily caused the attention of the room to fall on him. Suzanna seethes, he thinks he can play damage control.

"And what do you have to say about this, vampire?" The man spoke again, she could see his eyes line up on Bram like a bird of prey.

"I think we need to speak in more reasonable terms." Bram says cooly, taking the glares with surprising grace, as if he knew what he was doing. His attacker goes on,

"Terms? I'm not sure what terms you people are talking about, if any, it seems as though you simply decided to barge into our home and question us like prisoners. I, for one, will not be held captive in this house and I will evict you all right now. Do you want to be evicted?"

It's official, Bram has caused more trouble than what he's worth. Suzanna briefly considers knifing him for the good of the mission, though she doubted these people would appreciate blood on their fine rugs.

"No, I want answers." He says evenly. The man glares at him.

Natalie softly disparages "Jacob," He moves like he is waking from a sleep.

"Not if I feel like I'm being interrogated you don't." He says pointedly, Bram takes it in stride and responds:

"Good, you won't be, I'm just wondering about the operations of your... company."

"Well get on with it then, I don't have all day."

Bram sighed in partial relief, "Can you go into detail about them?" He asked. Jacob looked at him with a raised eyebrow and sighed.

"No." He answered shortly, then continued with a professional tone. "Most of what we do is for clients and it remains confidential as per our agreement with them. What I can tell you though, is that we offer specialized security to those who think that their personal security has been compromised."

"Does this involve murder?"

Jacob's eye twitched, "Never."

Bram looked at him, trying to penetrate him with his eyes. "I think we're done here." He said. Suzanna almost flipped him across the room.

"What do you mean we're done here?!" She hissed.

He looked back at her, "I mean that I don't have anymore questions. Unless you want to screech at them some more, I think I've heard enough." he whispered, then turned back to the inner circle. "Thank you for your time."

"Don't come back." Jacob said in a miffed tone. His mother scolded him,

"Oh Jacob, that temper of yours. Good bye Suzanna, Bram." She said. Natalie waved elegantly as well.

The duo left the room. When they were safely outside Suzanna nearly screamed at Bram.

http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w459/MittensKitten/16Awkward2.jpg

"What were you doing, I had things under control and I told you not to talk to them!" She said in one garbled heap. Her fury knew no bounds now, he had crossed a line; he crossed her path while she was on the job. While that job wasn't her usual cup of tea, it was still work, and he had intruded on her when she had things under control.

"Oh you so did not have things 'under control' I god us out of there before we were kicked out." He said, his voice showing some irritation now. "Besides, I got what we needed to know."

She was ready, he was going to die now. "And what was that?"

"They're just a security organization! He wasn't lying to us! They didn't have anything to do with... me."

She groaned. "That tells me nothing!"

http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w459/MittensKitten/17LastCall1.jpg

Bram suddenly stiffened up. Suzanna noticed and swiveled backwards, the same eyes as the man inside looked back at her: Valentina.

"Hi Suzie," She says. Said 'Suzie' bristled, this was the same spoiled brat wannabe friend that turned Suzanna into her overgrown barbie doll for her own amusement. She was probably here to do the same again.

"Helle Valentina." She said slowly. Bram nodded to her.

"I have some information that you might want to know regarding a plot..."

---

I'll take the penalty! This chapter has the exact right amount of words and I'm tired of being stifled by an upper limit. 300 more words is not a big deal in my opinion.

Melibee1323

23rd Jul 2012, 9:58 PM

THANKYOU THANKYOU THANKYOU HEAVEN!!
I thought I was gonna have points taken off because I knew I wasnt going to finish by the first deadline (I have been slacking :P )
The writing portion of chapter 2 is almost done... But pictures are still non-existant
I will fix that soon :)

Prawler

24th Jul 2012, 4:33 AM

Firstly, I'm going to respond to your critique/judging.
Basically, I write weird. So eventhough this story is set in an apocalypse, i want it to be more focused on the people. (Kind of like that movie 'The Women' where they spend the whole time talking about guys, but there isnt a single guy in the entire movie) I wasnt actually going to show the zombies, but I guess you want them, so I'll give them face time next chapter :)
Anyway, I write weird, as in the story is supposed to be confusing. I wrote (Yes i am quoting myself) "filled nightmares and hollow naps until horror and reality had merged and no one could ever be sure they were awake, and that throbbing in their feet wasn’t an A-bomb gnawing on their toes." As a kind of lead-in to the idea that maybe the characters are losing touch with reality.
I've never written with pictures before, but basically the prologue was effectively supposed to be 2 events shown simultaneously (it would work better as a tv show) ; the event of Ax's mother being bitten (past) and Frank being bitten (present). So for Ax these would kind of be like flashbacks. The events differ showing that Frank was a better parent/ had faith in Ax. And where Ax's mom died, he was kind of 'weak' and Frank took charge i.e Frank was the Hero, but when Frank gets bit, Ax becomes the stronger one for Delaney, AKA the Hero.
So Delaney is supposed to be the 'Damsel in distress' type side-kick, i tried to set this up by Frank wanting Ax to protect her. (maybe i failed).
PS. I never write to a word limit per chapter for a short story, so this is difficult for me.

Brief Summary

So, here’s what you missed last time on ‘A-bomb’
The whole universe was in a hot dense state... just kidding
The A-bombs happened (we don’t know how). And then Ax’s Mom got bitten,
Frank followed them to the abandoned warehouse and recruited Ax to protect Delaney, Did he know Ax was resident bad boy? They left the city, and returned some time later to find ‘the cure’ but then Frank got bit, and now Ax is in charge.
And that’s what you missed on .... *weird strangled noise*

Round 2: Chapter 1
http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/38124_120723231718Screenshot-27.jpg
“Where’s Marguerite?” Ax asked, having walked the 20 flights of stairs to the high-rise apartment, and pushing aside the butt of the gun Roxanne had aimed at his head. He shot her a knowing glance and she shrugged.
“Her last client got sprayed in the mouth, poor girl didn’t realise til he was biting out her tongue. Had to do ‘em both!” Roxanne’s voice was smooth and glossy, like she was born only to be a prostitute. The apartment was cluttered with the remnants of beautiful pleasantries, coated in layers of dust and filth.
Ax remembered the times before she was so ‘high end’, working with his mother.
“Frank’s dead,” he muttered, glassy eyed. Roxanne only furrowed her brow.
“Where’s the..Princess?” A small smile crossed her face in mocking of the way Frank spoke about Delaney those years ago.
“She’s safe.” He spoke in a monotone way, pale and distant; he needed to grieve too. Roxanne sensed that.
“So what have you got for me?” She seemed oddly hopeful, almost desperate. Ax produced a some bullets, a packet of cigarettes and a bottle of whiskey. A tear almost appeared in her eye.
http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/38127_120723232515Screenshot-30.jpg
Roxanne’s face softened, “Do you remember when you were younger, and I always took care of you when your mom... and there’s was that one guy that used to scare you so bad, and you said, I remember you said "Don't leave me here alone". And that was the only time anyone ever needed me.” A black line ran down her perfectly made-up face.
“Why don’t you come with us?” He was trying to comfort her, but he was never any good with girls and crying. She shook her head firmly.
http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/38125_120723231747Screenshot-28.jpg
“No,” she shook a little more. “After this, after you leave, I’m done. I’m just gonna bite the bullet.” She started kissing him then, hard, damp kisses;
http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/38126_120723231843Screenshot-29.jpg :beer: the way Marguerite used to when he was too old to be ‘looked after’. She was his age, and he became one of her ‘regulars’, but she always used to say “a whore is a whore”. And that is what they were doing now, a simple transaction; Ax’s way of grieving.

http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/38128_120723233210Screenshot-31.jpg
Delaney was stuck. Her safe place had stopped being safe when she had knocked over a crate, loud enough for anything nearby to lurch in her direction. The shipyard used to be the place she visited with her Dad. It made her physically sick thinking of those abominations filling their rotten stomachs with his flesh. She shut his eyes before they left so he wouldn’t have to watch, but there were pieces of his brain so far up the wall that nothing she did mattered.
http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/38122_120723225545Screenshot-25.jpg
She remembered the first time her and her father heard about the a-bombs. She ate her breakfast quietly, Frank reading the paper as the TV flickered in the background. With teary eyes she replayed him suddenly laying the pages down, palor touching his cheeks, as he raised the volume of the press-conference.
“The order is to shoot on sight. That order is for every man, woman and child. Those things are not human, they are an Abomination” The President screeched, sweat drooled across his red face. “The government does not condone their existence.”
http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/38123_120723225650Screenshot-26.jpg
A cool reporter raised her hand higher above the others and the hushed chatter. “Tell me, Mr President, what exactly is the origin of these ‘A-bombs?’”
Delaney laughed, she’d wanted to be a reporter, just like that woman, at press conferences, coining phrases, but Frank was so shaken at that moment that the whole dream just drifted away.
http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/38117_120723223131Screenshot-23.jpg
She was screwed. Why did she lock herself into a room with no way out? She could barely see, her eyes all swollen and red like a bad allergic reaction. She groped around in the dark for a weapon, knowing the gun at her hip would just draw more attention. Delaney’s breath quickened everytime the door shook; groans sounded; claws scratched.
‘Maybe I should just end it all here’ she thought, knowing that if it wasn’t for Frank and Ax she would have been dead a long time ago, and now she had nothing to live for, but a pipedream.
Heads and fists were hitting the walls. Boom! Boom! Jaundiced eyes peering through a window in search of its next meal. One of them notices the reflection of the moonlight in Delaney’s scared eyes as she clutches for the gun.
She wants to go out just like her daddy, not ripped limb from limb. She shivered, the sea air pooling a mist around the porta-cabin. Her finger caressed the trigger, but her hand was shaking so violently now that her nails clattered on the metal.
The calls of starving cannibals; barely screams, broke the damn on another river of tears.
“3..2..1..”she counted, placed the cold tip to her forehead.
BANG!
Ax was above her, calling her name. She looked about dazed until she realised he was breaking through the roof.
http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/38118_120723223708Screenshot-24.jpg
His hands shot down, grabbing for hers, like those creatures were trying to do. And when he finally had a good grip, he hauled her up into the sky; the fresh night air. Before she could gasp, Ax threw both of them off the roof, a fence separating them from those lusting after their blood. Feet pounding on concrete; the steady slap slap of Delaney’s awkward daps; blood pulsing in ears; they finally made it to another safe place, another factory.
“You were going to shoot yourself weren’t you?” They were both breathless and cold, but Ax’s words seemed harsh. Delaney nodded meekly, unable to speak.
“If you are going to kill yourself, then do it. People wanting to die just makes it harder for the rest of us to survive!” Ax was angry now. Delaney cowered a little.
“If I died, there wouldn’t be people, it would just be you,” she whispered. “I’m not gonna kill myself.”
A sense of relief washed over him, but he didn’t show it.

"What happened when he got bit?"
Delaney's eyes widened like a deer caught in headlights.
"Umm.." her voice was shallow and uncertain. "He said there was a scientist interviewed on tv who talked about the original A-bomb, and a lab with an anti-serum. They didnt say where it was, but he thought he recognized the view from the window.." she trailed off. They both knew it was a pipedream, but no one would admit it.

Ax got up and paced, before searching through the stash that had been left there many moons ago. Some canned pineapple and a map. He tossed the can to Delaney and told her 'she should eat something', while her unfolded a map of the city.
"What are you doing?" she asked, not touching the fruit.
"I promised your Dad I would protect you, so I'm going to find that cure!"

Current Plot Point: Redemption Quest
Previous Plot Points: Mysterious Past
Word Count:
CC Used: Yes, Allowed: yes

LadyAwesome

24th Jul 2012, 5:06 AM

I am the queen of bad luck and not saving.... I currently have 600 words and 4 pictures...... :flail:

Lag Master right here, bow down to me.

Buckley

24th Jul 2012, 5:54 AM

I'm with you, LA, on the bad luck. I sort of have a confession to make... (in the spoiler to add to the drama :p )

The chapter I published was actually from the first story I'd written for this contest. I decided it was crap, scrapped it, and started working on another story altogether (set in the present day cause I thought it'd be easier). I didn't have time to finish taking pictures for the second story so I just went ahead and submitted what I'd already done for the first story I wrote. Anyway, I kind of... deleted the save from my first story. :faceslap:

I'm an idiot. Seriously, there is no doubt in my mind. I've been trying to recreate the characters and sets as best I can, but yeah. It's taking forever. And since I was away from my gaming computer so much last week... I'm screwed. I will do the best I can though! Lol. Sorry, heaven. I'm probably going to take the point hit as well.

/embarrassing myself
I'm staying up late tonight to work on it. You've gotten more done than I have, LA, if that makes you feel better. :)

LadyAwesome

24th Jul 2012, 10:25 AM

Naw *hugs buckley* I feel for you babe. My pictures arn't special but I am currently on a role. I think, I guess I will find out once my story is marked hahaha

Ghost sdoj

24th Jul 2012, 1:31 PM

I'm taking a worse point hit than either of you: My game still crashes every time I leave neighborhood view. I'm really glad I had decided to use my haunted house as one of my sets, since I had entered it into a building contest at CS3 and was therefore able to get my picture count up to 4! But miracles aren't happening, so here's my second round.

Summary: Kylara, an orphan, was locked in the library overnight. Her successful experiment with spell-casting attracted the attention of a ghostly wizard. Lord Alfric was skeptical at first, but once she proved her talent he mentioned that there were signs that someone was seeking the Crown of the Master, and asked her if she would like to be adopted. She agreed, and he adopted her in a blood ritual. Later, she was about to be rejected at the Wizards school.

Much to her uneasiness, Lord Alfric took over her body and did something that caused her to be accepted.

Previous plot points: Makeover
Current Plot point: Time Travel
Word Count: 1626
CC used: Allowed: Skin and ears.

Kylara woke up in the middle of the night, and discovered that she had been sleepwalking. As she turned to go back to her bunk, she saw Lord Alfric.

He smiled at her. "Forgive me, Child, but there is an emergency."

"Does it have anything to do with the fact that I have a final in the morning and I'm not getting any sleep?" she muttered under her breath.

He apparently heard her. "Your final may be much more final than you believe it will be. If all of your classmates cast their spells correctly, the traps around the Crown of the Master will be deactivated and there will be nothing to prevent Greymane from claiming it. And if anyone fails casting their spell, they will receive the backlash." He paused. "I must admit, that -is- a clever way to reduce the risk. But I refuse to allow MY child to be used in that scheme."

Kylara was puzzled. " PROFESSOR Greymane?" she asked.

Lord Alfric nodded. “He's a devil in disguise… Trust me. It takes one to know one”

Kylara shivered. "How did you find out about this? The test sheets are always kept locked up."

He gave her a scornful look. "Are you forgetting that I can walk through walls? It takes a great deal of effort to physically interact with something, but passing through a safe door and reading papers inside it is child's play!"

Then she thought about her classmates, many of whom had become friends over the course of the semester. "What will happen to someone who miscasts their spell?" she wondered.

He shrugged. "It depends on the trap they trigger. Death. Mind burn. Soul freeze. Nothing you need to worry about."

"But I have FRIENDS who need to worry about it!" she protested.

He shook his head. "What have you learned about the crown in your history class?"

She sighed. "It was a symbol held by the Master of the royal Battle Mages until the last one, which was you, was assassinated. Your successor was never able to claim it, because it vanished when you died. Without the crown he was unable to consolidate the differing factions, and the whole order collapsed."

He smiled at her. "My successor was also my assassin, or he would have been able to call it back. I know where it lies, and I know the traps that I placed around its hiding place. You and I are going to retrieve it tonight. When Greymane sends his cannon-fodder students to open the way for him, it will be long gone. They will not need to be concerned about the traps, because the traps will be inactive. And it was more than just a symbol. It holds great power. The only reason that I was able to be assassinated was that I had been occupied with something that required me to remove it."

She slowly nodded. "I suppose that is probably the best way to protect my friends from the traps. But what are we going to do with it after we retrieve it? I can't very well just stick it in my locker."

He smiled at her. "Leave that to me. Now go and get dressed. Wear expendable clothing; you'll be changing when we arrive, and I cannot guarantee that the clothes you bring will return with you."

As she returned to the dormitory to dress, she couldn't help wondering what his real motive in all this was. But given his ability to possess her, she decided that it was probably better to go along with him. At least this way she would know what she had been doing. And if the traps were as bad as he said they were, she didn't want her friends getting caught by one.

When she finished dressing, he was waiting in the center of an obviously magical diagram which she didn't recall seeing in that corridor before. He looked at her outfit. "Those are expendable? I thought that was your favorite outfit."

She laughed. "I'm glad to see you haven't been mind reading while you were using my body. This isn't my favorite outfit; it's my only one."

He nodded. "Very well, there is a slight change in plan. Are you ready?" When she nodded, he lit the candles around the star. When the last one was lit, there was a bright flash, and she felt herself being pulled in directions that she hadn't known about.

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They arrived in front of a small manor which gave her a very eerie feeling. He floated through the wall, then returned and motioned for her to come to the side of the house. She caught a glimpse of what looked like graves in the back. She started to ask about them, but he cut her off. "I'm not here right now, so there should be no paradox. Greymane might be here, though, so we should be cautious. There is a secret entrance here, and it would be wise to use it rather than the front door. "

http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/38136_120724082326streetview.jpg

Kylara gave him a confused look. "You aren't here, but Greymane might be? Are we still talking about Professor Greymane? And did we just go back to the past?"

He flipped a hidden switch and a door appeared. "I can't confirm the actual plane of origin, but I did say that he's a devil in disguise, didn't I?"

"You also said that it takes one to know one," she muttered as she stepped through the door. She arrived in a torture chamber, and began to feel faint. He started to lead her up the stairs, then stopped when he saw the look on her face.

"Yes, the history books neglected a few details about our order. Now come. We must get you prepared before someone comes. There should be something that can be adjusted for you. And those glasses must go. You look much better without them."

"I may look better, but I see worse. I need them!" she protested.

"That may change, but until then we can make a few adjustments," he smiled. He led her to a storeroom, and began rummaging through boxes. She resolutely avoided looking at the skeleton that was on display as if guarding the contents of the room. Or the sarcophagus against the wall. Or the bloodstains on the floor under the dust. He finally startled her by tossing several pieces of clothing to her. Nothing matched very well. He floated outside the room and left her to see what she could do with what she had. She finally chose an outfit that might work, and called him back. He was carrying a bag with shoes, jewelry, and another pair of glasses. He also had an azurebell, which he put in her hair. She felt something on her face for a few moments, and then he handed her a small mirror. She was astonished at how her appearance had changed.

http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/38137_1207240824013.jpg

He smiled admiringly at her. " Very lovely, especially with what you had to work with. Now, if anyone does meet you, you will appear to be a new apprentice of mine. If you are questioned, the sign is 'The crown of the master is his reputation.' The countersign is 'May the Master's crown shine brightly forever.' If you see anyone else, give the sign, and demand the countersign. If you see my past self, give the countersign, and then demand the sign from him. Say nothing else."

"Now are you going to explain why we came 400 years into the past?" She asked.

"These are your expendable clothes. Your real clothes are going to be hidden in an etherial chest in the basement of the school, with a 400 year preservation spell on them. You are also welcome to keep any of the other outfits I gave you. And what I have in mind can be done just as easily two hours after my death as it could 400 years later. Once we return, you can call the chest to yourself and retrieve everything."

"So exactly what -are- we doing?"

"You are the one with a physical body, so you are going to need to be the one who maipulates things. I will advise. I will also be invisible, to minimise the possibility of a temporal paradox. We will retrieve the crown once it has been hidden, replace it with an ordinary duplicate, and then set the traps to fall upon your command so that there will be no suspicion that something is amiss until you return to your time."

"So I'm going to break through some deadly traps to retrieve a crown, and you're going to advise me while safely being already a ghost? Why does this sound like I drew the short straw?"

"Being a ghost will not protect me from the Hellfire traps. I will be trusting you for that. As you are the one passing through the gauntlet, it will be you casting the spells. I will provide raw power, and I will tell you which spell needs to be cast or countered, but it requires a physical presence to pass through the final segment. There is one trap which must be triggered to avoid the final one. Have no fear; it is painful but not as dangerous as it appears to be."

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She nodded. "I assume we are ready to go now?" she asked nervously. He pointed to the small chest which her clothes were stored in, and she carefully lifted it and began following him. Suddenly he whispered "Someone is approaching. Remember, sign and countersign only. Nothing else. My apprentices are forbidden to speak with the others unless I give permission," and vanished. She wished she could vanish as well.

LadyAwesome

24th Jul 2012, 2:02 PM

Now before any of you read this I am going to note: There is profanity and gorey themes (no pictures though) So don't yell at me if you don't like it. I was on a roll and its mt story I will tell it how ever I like.

Previosly – We met Ala Demon woman, trying to do right, with the price of her mind. She has a friend wolf named 'Dog' who has been helping her through these troubled times. Everything was fine until the urge strikes again, all of a suddon there is a human girl. Why is she a child? Why did she shape shift? Is dog really Lottie?

Play Me :D (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXWYOF0UhCk&feature=branded)

Questions......
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We live in this world of questions and doubt. Did fate bring us here or is it just something we just stumble upon. Once I would of thought of this all as a stupid little game, who has the most power? It is the never ending game of blood lust, power and money. Every life you take gives over to the urge of blood lust, one more leads to ten more without a worry you have the lives of hundred of people. Power, that thing where you have control over people you treat as your pets, but what you have is never enough. So you go out for more power and more money. The gold that dazzels in you eye. Now? I am trying to find who I really am, keeping these aweful things behind. Ridding myself of the influences of evil, of my already demonic nature.
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What made me decide to stop? Death, my life was hanging on a thread. Some one had been feeding humans blood of the unicorn, because something in the blood has a reaction with the demon brain and numbs the whole body. So when I started to suck the energy from the human, my throat felt like it was on flames then my body froze and I fell to the ground. I could still see, hear and feel everything. I watched my life hang there, one of liliths children were standing over me, ready to take my lifes blood. There for the first time I seen my wolf. Ripping Liliths child to bits until she could reach her throat. My life was slipping faster, these things have time limits. She bit on some odd shaped pill thing and I was out like a light. I remember asking for something to save me – I guess my prayers were on my side.
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I took peoples lives with a kiss, just taking their energy was never enough. At some point taking energy turned into the life thread. What is the life thread you say? Some people think it is the soul, like if you take it that part of the person becomes apart of you. Its a lie, your soul takes off to the afterlife, and nothing may touch it until it's there, then it is the will of the gods. Some turn to the angels, some become monions. The monority become Guardians, follow their loved ones and serve to protect them. Usually in the form of an animal, a dog or a cat sometimes it is unusual things like a snake or a frog. It turns out that is what Lottie is, my guardian. Usually for humans their guardians do not change shape, this is due to the fact that it would probably scare the shit out of them. Keeping the humans seperate from the super natural is a high priority, what would happen if they knew? Oh, boy.... lets not get into that. Lottie chose the right time for me to see her, she appeared as a child so I would not get up and kill her, which is fair enough I guess. When she went to watch me in the bar she chose to take her adult form. Something about the animal form made me love her for what she is, maybe it is because Demons are half animal or something? Who would really know.
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Back to reality.....
I was not going him the choice to find where I lived or who I was with, I decided to deal with this head on. “Don't follow me.” I growled at Lottie, she didn't need to see this, nor did anyone. I left my apartment and walked into the forest, the mutual ground of the super natural. I felt him coming before I seen him. Our bond connected us from our brain, we can feel our mates when we are close enough. I just stood there staring, thinking. My heart was pounding and it took just much to not break down. As soon as he was close he slipped his arms around my waist and stiffed my hair. I could not help but move my arms over his in protection. Like I was protecting the thing we both lost together.
“Glad you still smell the same my butterfly, I know your still belong to me. It has been a long time coming, I have been looking for you for 10 sweet years. My heart has never stopped yerning your sweet soft lips.” His soothing voice sung to me, like he was the only one who was ever there. My pounding heart and my heavy breathing gave away my true feelings. I should not be doing this, its the reason I left. At any moment my body was going to pertray me and I was going to make him mine, and be lost in the hunger that we had those many years ago.....

“No, I am not her any more Verne. I am never going to be. I am not your butterfly any more.” I said with a sigh. I must not and will not give it. I have to be strong, I will not give in.
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“I remember you said "Don't leave me here alone" but you left me there to deal with the whole mess, how could you think I would just let you go?” He said it with such a smooth voice that everything come crashing all at once.

“let me go? You took away my whole world I can't look at your face with out replaying it all in my head over and over again. Yet you have the bloody guts to say I left you? Your pathetic Verne! Just......” My yelling turned into me being slammed against a tree.

Baboom.....I felt my heart thump as I stared at Verne in shock.....Baboom the feel of my heart pounding from my chest and I remember to breath again. He held my hands as he blocked me against the tree, a feirce look in his eyes.

SHIT..... I have done it now.
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“He wasn't just your baby, did you ever think of that? I lost him too! Then you left me to deal with that wreched vampire. Every day is a mental bloody punishment, you leaving made it 10 times worse. And I know about your secret fucking gardian, you think she is going to save you from the hell that is about to be let loose? Human kind cant be saved from one bloody dog? HA.” He gazed into my eyes with the sly look, not as my mate, but as a preditor about to take his hunt. “She will rip out her insides and lick them off her fingers without a flinch”
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That was when I realised he was hers. Lady Lilth, she craved power so much, she made it in her control to take control of the supernatural world. She had the biggest army of us, they could produce more vampires then Demons, fae and the like. She could make her people from a bite, the rest of us had to create ours from pure blood and the chance of servival was rare. When I was promised to Verne, I was given to his family. Lady Lilith and Vernes family sacrificed my parents in the bonding ritual, I watched them tear out their throats and in turn Verne and I had to drink in the ceremony. Verne's family were high in the power chain, but they couldn't take Lady Lilith with her army. So they traded our first born child, demons are born with certain “gifts” that vampires arn't. All that happiness I had, ended the day our son was born and ruined any sanity I had left. I cried for days, I woke up some time after that. Could have been a week or a month, I can't recall. I ran, and I never returned.
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“What do you want from me?” I barely whispered. My fear was consuming me, not knowing where this was going.
“I want you to come back to us my butterfly, I will let you say you goodbyes, We will be back later.” With that he was gone again, as fast as he was there. I could still feel his warmth. I had to kill that connection and that bitch.

When I returned Lottie was no where to be seen, if I was going to sneak around I would have to do it in a guise. I pulled out an old jumpsuit that would be easy to move in and pulled a wig over my hair. I looked in the mirror just to check, was going to need to change my sent too.
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“I just love playing dress up!” Lottie exclaimed.
I jumped a little. If truth be told she scares me still, I am not used to sharing space with a human, and I miss dog a little.
“Yeah well I hope your up for more then that, I have a feeling things are about to get messy.” I said as I turned around.
“I know that silly, I was making sure you were ok. I also have a brilliant plan! We better get our move on if we are going to make it before sundown.” She said hapily as she jumped off the bed and we left the room.

Lottie was not the only one with a plan.
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Current Plot Point: The cake was a lie.
Previous Plot Points: Mind Over Matter.
Word Count: 1579
CC Used: yes Allowed: no.
Verne is from Heavens Legacy, you can find the spunk in this story (http://heavenslegacies.blogspot.co.nz/)
Also the very last lady pic is a sim, all us ReyaD fans know, love and hate haha <3
Check out this sexy lady's FABULOUS Legacy (http://sarisimsrandomlegacy.blogspot.co.nz/)
Also I used Ethan Von Hagan.... From Buckleys Mckinlay legacy... I shall get the link later I am too tired.

AAAAAAAAND BakaFox's Howell Island YEAH!, Dals sexy as hell jump suit, and the last suit is from... Lorandiasims? possible. I am so good at crediting hahaha

heaven

24th Jul 2012, 3:45 PM

You know, I am starting to think my story contests are bad luck. We had tons of computer issues last time too. /me huggles everyone. Hopefully we can make it to Round 5 with at least some contestants that have intact games/computers!

LadyAwesome

24th Jul 2012, 9:53 PM

lol there are 5 rounds, I thought there was only 4 haha

Sabri5

25th Jul 2012, 2:37 AM

Previously on: Elizabeth attempts to make up for past mistakes; her sister Sarah is grudging at first but comes to accept Elizabeth's efforts.

Chapter 2: A Long Night

"I will start at the very beginning. Some of it you know, some of it you do not." Elizabeth said, eyes clouding with memories as she began.
"It was another day of our mother's drinking, and her endless slew of insults.
It was also the day I met John Ross. I dutifully ushered you off your first day of kindergarten that morning--I remember you said "Don't leave me here alone", and I spent about twenty minutes convincing you that there wouldn't be any monsters
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--but skipped school myself. I needed to shirk my responsibilities for a moment--just one moment! I was asleep in the park when he gently nudged me awake. I was startled, and wary, at first. But John Ross' tenor was so gentle, so reassuring. I didn't know what he was, then. I skipped school every day that week, meeting him in the park at ten o' clock each morning.
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"He brought me something each visit; a blouse--the expensive, ruffly, utterly girly kind, denim jeans absent of holes, a dress for you, once--after he had gotten to know me a bit better. You were all I ever spoke of...everything else caused me great grief.
By the time of my eighteenth birthday, he had confided he was a vampire--which, of course, I didn't believe. At first. But then things started adding up: his speed, his grace, his bright skin and eyes. He was the first person to ever ask me what I wanted, and I loved him for that. In addition, I was wearing real clothes for the first time--so were you. We had good food, warm quarters, and he gave me enough money to put Mom in rehab. Things were starting to look up. When Mom came out of the program, sober, I left--"
"In the middle of the night. I...I thought you were dead." Sarah recalled, tears welling in her eyes.
"I'm so sorry." Elizabeth repeated.
"I know." Sarah said quietly.
"I drove by the house sometimes. Just to make sure you were okay."
"What?" Sarah asked, surprised.
"I wasn't completely negligent." Elizabeth blushed. "It seemed like our mother was doing...okay with you."
"Did it seem that way?" Sarah grimaced. "She was broken, Beth. She couldn't be fixed...not with nectar, not with sobriety." I couldn't fix her, Sarah thought.
"I didn't kno--you know what? I didn't want to know. I wanted to believe you were fine, I wanted to be...free."
"It wasn't your resonsibility to take care of me, Beth. I know that no--"
"I should not have left." Elizabeth interrupted.
Sarah chuckled. "That's been established." Elizabeth laughed breathily, solace glancing her features.
"She treated you much better than she had me. Otherwise, I would not have let her keep you, Sarah."
A few minutes later, Elizabeth said, "I was turned three days after my eighteenth birthday."
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"What was it like?" Sarah asked curiously.
"...Hot." Elizabeth replied. Sarah looked confused.
"My blood felt as if it was boiling in my veins. The pain was unbearable--but I was unconscious for most of it, John Ross saw to that. When I awoke, I had transformed. My plasma had melted away, and...and I was THIRSTY." Sarah twitched uncomfortably. When Elizabeth saw her expression, she reassured her, "I am a 'vegetarian', now, Sarah. Have been for almost a decade." She chuckled.
Relief washed over Sarah's face.
"What do you...drink now?"
"As a replacement? I consume Plasma fruit. I used to raid the hospitals, until I couldn't stand the taste of Sim Plasma anymore."
"You got tired of the flavor?" Sarah was incredulous.
"Yes, I did. After I had abandoned 'live' for a while, I began to prefer the sweetness and color of the fruit. Now I just cultivate it, and convert it to juice if I want to reminisce." Elizabeth closed her eyes. when she opened them again, she said, "But I do not miss my old ways."
"So, what happened to John Ross?" Sarah inquired, after she had determined her sister had a long enough moment of silence for her past.
"He...I do not know." Elizabeth said sadly.
"How long has he been--do you miss him?"
"It has been years. And yes, I miss him. I loved him for most of my adult life, Sarah." Sarah tried to imagine a life without Lee. She couldn't.
"And Samara?"
"What about her? There is much to tell."
"I assume John Ross is her father?"
"Yes. I discovered I was pregnant shortly after I..left."
They were both quiet for a minute.
"What is she like?" Sarah asked. Elizabeth's eyes lit up. Sarah couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy: Samara had been her replacement. Elizabeth had wanted to escape responsibility, but only transitioned from caregiver to a true parent.
"She is...hope. She is so kind--she brightens a room when she crosses the threshold. Everything comes easily to her, but she doesn't take her opportunities for granted. She truly wants to help others. She is everything I could have asked for in a daughter, and she makes me a better person for all her good."
"She sounds wonderful." Sarah said.
"She is." Elizabeth whispered. "Enough about me, for a moment. Tell me about Lee."
"Well...Okay." Sarah smiled. "So a few years ago, in college, my best friend Celine did a stint as a matchmaker--don't raise your eyebrow at me, she had good intentions."
"The road to hell is paved with good intentions, Sarah. I would know." Elizabeth chided.
"Yeah, yeah. That's my husband you're talking about. Anyway, I was focused on becoming a doctor, she wanted me to get out a little--I finally caved around twenty minutes into the 'old, alone, 67 cats, blah blah blah' speech. I agreed to meet the 'perfect guy' she gushed about, and two years later, we were getting married."
Lee chuckled, sitting down beside Sarah. "It didn't happen exactly like that. She agreed to meet me to shut up Celine. Then she called off our date and left me standing in the cold like a sad puppy." Sarah giggled.
"Aww, you poor baby." Sarah pinched his cheek and he leaned into her touch, nuzzling her palm.
"It was the worst mistake I ever made." Sarah said regrettedly.
"The next day, he sent me a bouquet of roses and a card. Watcher, it was the sweetest thing. That's when I decided to give him a chance."
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"No, you agreed to meet me. I had to charm you with my irresistable handsomeness and amazing wit first--that's when you decided to give me a chance."
"True." Sarah laughed.
Elizabeth couldn't help but laugh along with her.
"And how about Dylan?"
Sarah's grin widened. "He's--"
Sarah was interrupted by Elizabeth's phone ringing. She pushed down a slight wave of annoyance.
Elizabeth checked the caller ID, eyes widening. "I-I have to get this."
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Sarah waved her off, her irritation growing. She was always quick to anger when it came to her sister.
Elizabeth got up in response, answering the phone and speaking quickly into it. After a few seconds she snapped the phone shut and dashed for the door.
"I've got to go." Elizabeth said hastily.
"You're just going to leave? After all that?" Rage bubbled up inside Sarah's chest.
"I'm so sorry. Please forgive me." Elizabeth turned and ran outside before Sarah could get another word in.
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She sprinted to her car, shutting the door as she turned the key. The car hummed to life and she pressed her foot down hard on the pedal.
"Jensen. Route to SIGNAL Headquarters right away." Elizabeth said, calling up the car's integrated virtual intelligence.
"Yes, Ma'am." Jensen replied, an electronic accent touching his words.
Less then 10 minutes later Elizabeth had pulled up in front of Headquarters, slamming her foot on the brake and flinging open the door.
She got out of the car and quickly changed into her standard uniform.
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"You said it was urgent. So I'm here." Elizabeth said breathlessly.
"Agent Blakely." Captain Rieser acknowledged as they exchanged quick salutes.
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"Operation Alpha is in play."
Elizabeth's eyes widened. "You--Alpha? That was a last resort."
"We are at our breaking point, Blakely. We have to pull out the big guns, quite literally. And we have to do it now."
Elizabeth paused, unsure what to say. Alpha? That was genocide. That couldn't be...
"I need more information." She said finally. "What happened?"
Captain Rieser's eyes flared and she avoided the question. "We have got no time to waste. You are either with us or against us. You are either in or out. Yes or no, Agent Blakely. Can the city of Littlefield count on you to get the job done?"
"Yes, Ma'am." Elizabeth said, echoing Jensen's earlier words. So she would be going in blind. That was nothing new.
"Alright then. Rieser out." The captain turned on her heel and walked away, her advanced age not showing in her lithe step.
Elizabeth slowly blew the air out of her lungs. She would have to go forth with a plan that every fiber of her being disagreed with. But first, she would need more information.
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She pressed her hand to the security scanner and proceeded into the elevator, pressing the button for floor 13. It was going to be a long night.

Elizabeth is the main character; that was a bit of a problem for Chapter 1 because there was supposed to be an emphasis on how her leaving hurt Sarah, blah blah blah. In the future there will be much more Elizabeth.

Word Count: 1541
Pictures: 11
Hero Type: The Atoner
Current Plot Point: Mysterious Past
Previous Plot Points: Redemption Quest
Song Lyric: “I remember you said "Don't leave me here alone".
Bonus: Cosume: Elizabeth's Suit
CC: None

ForeverCamp

25th Jul 2012, 3:54 AM

Honest to goodness! My entry IS COMING!

heaven

25th Jul 2012, 4:03 AM

lol there are 5 rounds, I thought there was only 4 haha
Silly goose. There were 5 rounds last time too.
Honest to goodness! My entry IS COMING!
You better get on it! 57 minutes left to get entries in without point deduction!

ForeverCamp

25th Jul 2012, 4:38 AM

Previously, on “One Day in Shang Simla”:
Sapphira Thorpe is searching for the truth about her mysterious past. Adopted at age of 6 with no family history and no recollection of her prior life, she travels to Shang Simla after graduation to find the answers for her questions. When she returns to Moripiko Island, she still has no clear answers, more questions and a pregnancy to deal with.

What we know: Sapphira’s biological parents once passed through Shang Simla and were known to the father of Ho Jun Kim, the man who fathered Sapphira’s children.

What you didn’t see: Sapphira has given birth to twin girls, Kaiya and Mika. They are currently living in a travel trailer in the industrial district of Moripiko Island, where Sapphira grew up. Sapphira works from home as an inventor.
--> This section is also known as "What happened in the interchapter". There's several smaller events that got cut out of the contest story - these are being posted over on my Thorpe Legacy blog (http://thorpelegacy.blogspot.ca/). Check it out! Contest chapters are also being posted there as the rounds close.

Chapter 2: Facing the Future

When my cell phone started ringing, I had just gotten the girls settled down for a quick nap. Their birthday was coming up tonight, and I was really looking forward to getting the chance to put on my workout clothes and go practice my martial arts. I’ve been feeling angrier and angrier in the past few days, and sometimes I get worried that I’ll do something crazy.

So, yeah. I might’ve been a tiny bit tetchy when I answered. “What do you want?”

“Sapphira?”

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My heart stopped, and before I could stop myself, a smile spread across my face. “Hey, Artie! I haven’t seen you in a while! How’ve you been?” Almost as if she knew that this was an important phone call, and that I didn’t want to be interrupted, Mika quieted down.

“I heard that you had come home,” Artie replied. There was more than a hint of reproach in his voice – and I couldn’t help but notice he’d come into his ‘man voice’ while I’d been gone. “You never called me.”

“I’ve been a little occupied, Artie,” I said softly. “Things have changed. For both of us, I’m sure.”

“Where are you living now, Sapphira?” he asked. “I’d love to come see you. Catch up.”

***

He’d grown up and into himself in the last few years. I was out practicing with my training dummy when he arrived, trying to beat the anger out of myself: we had gotten a package earlier in the day, marked for Kaiya and Mika. I hadn’t had the heart to open it yet – the gorgeous red paneling, the gold-leaf designs... It had to be from Ho Jun Kim.

“So...” he said with a small smile. “It looks as though Shang Simla agreed with you.” He gestured to the training dummy and the chest. “Bringing back treasures and training, then?” He started to step towards the chest. “I’d love to see what you brought back – I’m working with the Antiquities department at the museum now, you know...”

“Don’t touch that!” I cried out instinctively. He stopped and came back. “I mean... That’s not my package. Well, I mean, it is my package, but whatever’s in it isn’t meant for me. It’s... it’s for my daughters. I haven’t opened it yet.”

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“Your... daughters?” Artie said slowly. His eyes were wide, staring at me in total disbelief. I don’t think I have ever felt like more of a bitch than I did right then. “You mean that when you were in Shang Simla...” His sentence trailed off, mouth opening and closing wordlessly. “You know, I waited for you. I had girls throwing themselves at me in university.” He stopped, a small smile tugging at the edges of his lips. “I guess I grew into myself. What a change, right?”

“Yeah, I guess,” I admitted quietly, relaxing now that the chest of doom was in no danger of being opened. I mean, who the hell knows what kind of weird Simnese voodoo magic might be in that chest? Ho Jun Kim is one strange guy. Birds of a feather, and all, I guess. “I am sorry, Artie,” I whispered. “This isn’t what I thought was going to happen when I left. We could’ve had everything, couldn’t we?”

“We should’ve,” Artie agreed as he pulled me into a tight hug. “But you’ve got issues in your life, Sapphira. And now, I’m not sure that I’m really prepared to deal with them. I hope you find what you’re looking for.”

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/ForeverCamp/Story%20Time%20Contest%20-%20Hero%20Edition/SapphiraThorpe-ReunionwithArtie2.jpg

“Thank you, Artie,” I murmured. “I guess it was a good enough thing that I left, wasn’t it? Now, maybe you can find someone who really deserves somebody like you.” I couldn’t help but smile. “I wish things had turned out differently. I think you’d have made a much better dad for my twins. It sounds trite, Artie, but I really do wish you all the best.”

We separated, still looking at each other with that faint disappointed expression.

“You remember the day I left?” I asked after a moment of silence. “You came with us to the airport, and you said you’d be waiting for me when I got back.”

“I remember you said, ‘Don’t leave me here alone.’” He looked at me fondly. “I know you don’t like being alone. Suppose with twins in a place this small, you’ll never really be alone again.” And with that in mind, Artie finally broke the same old silly grin I remembered from our high school years. “Karma’s a bitch, isn’t she?”

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I smiled, laughed and hugged him tightly one last time. “Yeah, I guess so.”

***

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“Please… don’t leave me here alone…”

“You’ll never be alone, Sapphira…”

I woke up with a start, realizing belatedly that I must’ve fallen asleep after Artie left. These dreams have been getting more and more frequent – ever since I came home from Shang Simla, and especially since I’ve had the twins. Echoes of a voice so faint, I can’t even hear if it’s male or female… The feeling of being so alone in a dark, dusty place…

I shook away the shivers of fear that traveled up my spine at that thought, and turned my attention back to the girls.

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The sun was just starting to set, and the girls were getting antsy for their gift. When we finally got outside (two toddlers, one mom? Not a good math equation...), I stood in front of the chest for a long while. No matter what I did in the next few seconds, it would make or break my future – and my daughters’ futures.

I could probably leave that chest unopened. I could call Artie, let him take it away to the Antiquities department. What in the world could Ho Jun Kim possibly send from Shang Simla that would be of any use to me and the girls... in Moripiko Island? Some jade dragon for protection – the guy probably doesn’t even know his own daughters’ names, let alone have enough concern for their well-being to send a protective amulet. Whatever is in that chest is probably worth a lot of money: money that I could use.

But the not-knowing would drive me mad.

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/ForeverCamp/Story%20Time%20Contest%20-%20Hero%20Edition/HoJunKimsGift2.jpg

Lying inside the chest were two strange-looking dolls. And I mean, I’m not talking some Raggedy Sim deal. These were just weird. They didn’t look like the dolls I’d seen little girls in the Simnese market playing with when I was over there. These were oddly-coloured, almost of a handmade quality, with spiky little noses and bright bulbs floating above their heads. I nearly didn’t give them to the girls – they did not look toddler-proof at all. But the second Kaiya caught sight of one in my hands, she started shrieking – and then Mika started.

Eventually I gave in, just to quiet them down. Two angry toddlers, one tired mom... I’ll let you do the math on that one. Pick your battles and all.

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/ForeverCamp/Story%20Time%20Contest%20-%20Hero%20Edition/KaiyaandMikaThorpe-PlayingwithDolls3.jpg

Apparently, my girls took to the dolls like white on rice. Yeah, I know – ironic sort of metaphor when they’re half-Simnese. Every time I turned around, they had those creepy dolls out. They talk to those things like they’re alive – and those light bulbs? They glow day and night. They never die or flicker. It’s just weird. No other kid in the town has dolls like these – and they’re like nothing anybody has seen before (I checked. Having a friendly ex-boyfriend who’s head of the Strange Relicts office at the museum has its perks.)

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/ForeverCamp/Story%20Time%20Contest%20-%20Hero%20Edition/SapphiraThorpe-TeachingKaiyatoWalk.jpg

They were obsessed. If I took away the dolls to do something else with them, they would start screaming and hollering until the dolls were returned. Yeah - I'm one of those mothers.

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“My doll!”

“All mine!”

“No yours!”

“Go way!”

Sigh. My life has been reduced to two-word phrases. With exclamation marks – and occasionally italics. Welcome to motherhood, Sapphira Thorpe. Enjoy it if you can.

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/ForeverCamp/Story%20Time%20Contest%20-%20Hero%20Edition/MikaThorpe-HoJunsGift.jpg

When those dolls entered the picture, I knew that I was going to have to make another trip to Shang Simla, and sooner rather than later. How exactly I was going to get there – with fares and visas for three, no less – was not as clear. Honestly, I don’t think much past the stage of “Go to Shang Simla and beat Ho Jun Kim the deep-throat idiot senseless”. I still want my answers – I just have even more questions now.

Who is the voice I hear in my dreams, telling me not to be afraid, that I’ll never be alone?

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff316/ForeverCamp/Story%20Time%20Contest%20-%20Hero%20Edition/SapphiraThorpe-MartialArts2.jpg

CURRENT PLOT POINT: Heaven Help Us
PREVIOUS PLOT POINTS: Mysterious Past
WORD COUNT: 1413 words, 12 pictures
CC USED – ALLOWED: Yes

heaven

25th Jul 2012, 5:11 AM

Okay everyone. I know you are all big boys and girls and can read a timer but I just wanted to let you know that any entries received in the next 24 hours will be given the 1 point deduction. Contestants that do not get their entries in during that time period will receive a 0 for this round. Looking forward to the rest of your entries (you know who you are) and starting Round 3!

Qnshr5

25th Jul 2012, 7:34 AM

Ugh... My game was running so slow it took a whole real life minute for a minute to pass in-game. But I finally got all the screenshots. I figure 1 point is better lost than all. I'll post my story in the morning. It's well after midnight here and my not being a night owl is catching up with me.

Melibee1323

25th Jul 2012, 5:36 PM

Oh boy. okay I have a few more pictures to take and I will be posting it. I would say... in 1-2 hours.... I hope. :)

Qnshr5

25th Jul 2012, 10:26 PM

Running Out of Hero
Chapter 2

Previous Round Summary: While being robbed at gun point during work, Helena Raye, a convenience store clerk, tries to save a customer from being shot. In the process, a blast not only knocks out the robber, but causes an uproar when the customer, Lorie Pierce, is believed to be the long lost superhero, Brio.

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“Every day I ask myself, 'is this worth dying for?' The answer is always 'yes', so I keep fighting.” That was the reply Helena's father gave when she asked about his job in the military. It was what he lived by. As he trained his young daughter to control her powers and develop her other skills, the mantra transferred to her.

Helena had taken her duty to Delkarta as seriously as her father took his to his country. At the time, the world had never seen anything like her. She was only 8 years old when she accidentally thwarted a kidnapping and was “discovered”.

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The media dubbed her “The Child Wonder”. One article, praising her spunk, described her as having lots of brio. Liking the sound of it, she took Brio as her name. For the next ten years, she dedicated her life to serving the citizens of Delkarta. She fought against many criminals, but the worst came out of an organization called Aron. They had powers that were similar to hers like manipulating fire or water; some had mind abilities, and others were demented geniuses. Aron wanted to control the world and used the huge city as their testing grounds.

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Sitting on her bed in her old pink, blue and purple bedroom at Sarah's house, the memories washed over her. Visions of victory over evil and adoration of fans danced in her mind. Swooping down from the sky to nab dumb criminals, receiving the key to the city, giving motivational speeches to auditoriums full of worshiping students...

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Scooting off the bed, she went to the closet. She rummaged through a pile of outdated clothes, shoes, and various odd things that had been thrown on the floor, before finding the box.

Holding it in her trembling hands, she pulled the lid off. Inside, still neatly folded, was the new costume. Her father had it custom made. She would have debuted her adult look on her 20th birthday.

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She had never tried it on before, but nostalgia had her taking off her Pjs and stepping into the black and navy outfit complete with boots and gloves. Engineered by military scientists, the material was tougher and more versatile than anything on the public market. It would enhance her powers—to make it easier to both absorb and redirect energy—while protecting against attacks.

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What if she made a real comeback? Did she still have what it took? She watched her reflection lift off the floor and hover inches in the air. Her heart fluttered. It was like riding a bike. She flew in circles around the small room. Six years had left her rusty and she bumped into the ceiling and walls. Still, she felt liberated, like her self for the first time--

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Her head spun. Her vision blurred. She panted and her body shook with sweat and exhaustion as if she'd been running a marathon. Dropping from the air like a stone, she collapsed onto the floor with a loud thud.

The swirling icy waters of reality left her curled up, shivering, chilled to the bone.

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The symptoms started when she was 17. She was tired often, wounds didn't heal as fast, she got dizzy flying. It was Sarah who finally realized that something was seriously wrong. Though they never figured out what it actually was, Sarah decided the disease was similar to cancer in that her body was attacking itself—mutated and good cells alike. Using her powers progressed the deterioration faster.

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By the time she was 18, she was escaping fights by crawling away through alleys. If she kept being Brio, she would die by 19. That, plus her father's death, had caused her to finally answer the question of if it was worth dying for with a resounding “no”.

The episode passed. She stripped off the costume, balled it back into the box, and shoved it in bottom of the closet. Then she pushed the clothes pile back on top to keep the past where it belonged, buried.

*******

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Helena was enjoying a slow afternoon at One Stop until a man in sunglasses started taking pictures. The owners liked the publicity crazed Brio fans brought, but it was irritating to work with. She was about to ask him to put the camera away when her name was called by a grating voice. The woman had come twice before. She claimed to be a producer on a new reality TV show, Brio: The Real Life of a Superhero. She wanted Helena to appear in a few episodes. Preferring a year in boiling oil over any time with the fake Brio, Helena turned the producer down, again.

“Think about it and get back to me in a couple days.” She placed a business card in Helena's hand. “Remember, this is an opportunity of a lifetime.” The producer left.

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As always, Helena held the card between her fingers and ripped it in half.

“Can I see that?” The man in the sunglasses asked before she could toss it.

She handed him the two pieces. “Maybe you can get a part in Brio: The Movie.”

“Only if I could play Brio,” he said, “but I think that would be a bit of a stretch.” He stuffed the card in his jacket pocket. “Why won't you do the show? Money is money.”

“Are you a reporter?” They had swarmed on her like a plague of locusts after the incident. She couldn't even go to her apartment without them pestering her. That's why she was staying at Sarah's. “I have nothing to say to you people!”

He held up his hands. “I'm not a reporter...” He dug out a small crumpled paper from the same pocket. It read: Delkarta Center for Paranormal & Supernatural Studies.

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“Maxwell Eugenio, center director.” He bent down and snapped a picture of the linoleum floor. “I do have one quick question, if you don't mind.”

She huffed. They always asked the same things.“No. I didn't see it happen; my eyes were closed. No, I haven't talked with her since. Satisfied?”

He stood, a dark eyebrow raised over the left frame of his glasses. “Actually, I'd like to know if any Aron officers have come by here yet?”

She felt her mouth drop open. “Aron? At One Stop? Why would they come here? Brio lives in her mansion.”

“This was where Brio resurfaced,” Maxwell said. “Is her reappearance coincidence? Planned? Is there something here? They'll want to investigate. Have you noticed any?”

http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w395/Qnshr5/Out%20of%20Hero%20Sims3/Screenshot-80.jpg
She had no idea. Brio fans came dressed up as her, as fictional heroes, and even in Aron costumes. It hadn't occurred to her that one might be a real officer.

“I'm sure Aron doesn't care.” She tried to hide her panic. “Brio claims she has amnesia. She's no threat if she can't remember anything. They should back off.”

He shrugged. “Maybe, but her powers are functioning whether she knows how to use them or not. If she can't control them, not only is she dangerous, but she's easily taken advantage of.” He looked down at the silver watch on his wrist. “If you notice anything unusual, let us know. Please.”

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Soon after Maxwell left, Helena clocked out early. She couldn't stop trembling with terrible visions of the store being blown up. Or customers drowning inside unable to escape. Or cars picked up and strewn across the city. She'd seen it all before. The difference was this time she wouldn't be able to stop them... not without killing herself.

She was still walking up to the house when the front door swung open. Sarah thrust a paper in her hand as soon as she entered the hall.

“There was a rumor,” Sarah said. “I couldn't confirm it until I was able to get a copy of this.”

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It was a letter that read:

Dear Mayor Karen Wu and her citizens of Delkarta,
Sorry this is late in coming. We haven't forgotten you. Promise. We are just as excited about the return of Brio as everyone else, but we have a small concern. We're not entirely convinced she's the real deal. After awaiting her return for years, it wouldn't be fair to throw all we've got at an imposter. So, to make it easier on all of us, we've come up with a little test in order to prove this is, indeed, Brio. Don't worry. It's nothing Brio has not handled spectacularly in the past. If she is Brio, great. If not, we will take our anger at her deception out on the city. Armageddon, anyone?
Hoping you have been greatly inconvenienced,
ARON

http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w395/Qnshr5/Out%20of%20Hero%20Sims3/Screenshot-122.jpg
Helena re-read it three times. Then she burst out laughing. Sarah's eyebrows lifted into her hairline.

“Sorry,” Helena giggled. “I keep picturing Lorie getting knocked out with one punch... and then, it's all over for everyone.”

“Stop it.” Sarah's voice was so low, she had to quiet down just to hear her. “People will die, Helena. What are you going to do about it?”

“Me? Nothing! Everyone else in the world has to go it alone. There's nothing special about Delkarta.”

Shaking her head, Sarah stared off at the far wall. “After your father's funeral, I was about to go to Namon City. You stopped me in the doorway. I remember you said, 'Don't leave me here alone'. I stayed because you needed someone more than ever. Now Delkarta is in the same boat. Are you really going to leave them alone?”

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Tears pricked Helena's eyes. “This is suicide.”

“It doesn't have to be,” Sarah said. “All Aron wants is proof. If we protect Lorie from being discovered, it'll buy us time. We'll do everything we can do without using your powers.”

“And when I have no choice?”

“We'll figure it out. Hopefully, we can convince Lorie to leave the city. Then maybe Aron will disappear again and... we'll move. We'll go far away, wherever you want.”

Hope. Helena had little of that left. Her helping Lorie wouldn't change anything. Aron would probably blow the city sky high regardless of the results of their test. She laughed again, dry and mirthless. She was going to die either way.

...She may as well get it over with.

------------------------------------

Current Plot Point: Mysterious Past
Previous Plot Points: Heaven Forbid
Word Count: 1696 Pics: 17
CC Used: Yes Allowed: Yes

.

Melibee1323

26th Jul 2012, 2:17 AM

:sheep: Oh boy I was cutting it close! Only about 3 hours till the official deadline and I am finally finished! :king:

~~~

http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii495/melibee1323/MTS2%20Challenge%20Story%202012/introtoch2.jpg

Previously on my unnamed (for now) story-time-contest story:
Suki has had it tough. Her mother died when she was five, her father is a ruthless business man who would do anything for money, and Suki herself is trapped in his game that has been going on for generations. Others may think she has the perfect life being a millionaire's daughter, but they don't know the secrets that lie behind closed doors. As the business gets more powerful, so does her father; and Suki hasn't even learned half of the secrets that he keeps from her, especially one that could change her life forever.

~~~

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The smell of coffee wafted through the air. It was a pleasant scent; and anything, even a small thing such as that, made Suki's life a little more
bearable. She was seated at a quaint little coffee shop in the city. Taxis' were passing by, and people were rushing to and from places. The daily hustle and bustle that was the norm for a city was picking up its pace, and the small coffee shop was nearly empty because of it.

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A tall man entered the coffee shop, his entire appearance was dark and mysterious in the nice environment of the cafe. His eyes scrutinized the small store in search of someone, and quickly paused over Suki.

In a normal situation, with normal customers in a perfectly mundane coffee
shop, the man would have gone up to the counter, ordered his coffee, drank it, and left. This, however, was not normal circumstances. The man was on a mission that did not involve getting coffee at all, and Suki knew it as soon as he stepped through the clear, glass doors.

Just as soon as he spotted her, he began to walk over to Suki and took the seat directly across from her.

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"My name is Agent Wilson," said the mysterious man as he
extended a hand towards her.

Suki did not respond, nor did she shake his hand.

"I presume you speak English?" Agent Wilson asked.

"And I presume that was a rhetorical question?" Suki said inanimately.

"Do you know why I'm here?"

"Should I?"

"No, I reckon not. I am here on behalf of the CIA. We would like to request your help on taking down a well known criminal."

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"Well then, sir, you have come a long way from home for nothing. I am not the... helping type." Suki said. She was beginning to get annoyed by the so-called 'agent' and wanted her peace and quiet back. She started to get up from her seat.

"I am sorry you feel that way," He stated. "But we believe that you will want to help us with this based off of a common interest." There was a pause.

"I'm listening." She said, finally a little bit intrigued by the conversation and sat back down.

"We are going after the man that killed your mother."

~~~

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It's funny how fast time flies, Suki thought to herself. The memory that she was thinking of had happened over six months ago. She had just overheard Bohdin telling little Esho about that event. But he doesn't know everything that happened. Suki peered over at her friend and his pupil. The young boy sent a pang of emotions through her, emotions that she did not want to feel. He reminded her too much of Owl. His age, height, even hair color. But he was not Owl. He was not the little boy that saved her life.

~~~

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Suki walked out of the Cafe in anger. The horrible agent had told her nothing. Sure, he seemed like he was getting to a point when he brought up her mother, but he didn't. All he wanted was for her to meet him somewhere else to talk more privately. As if the nearly empty coffee shop wasn't enough. He had told her that it had to do with someone she knew, someone whom she was close to, someone who had many spies. All the information he gave had just caused her to have more questions. How did he know who killed my mother? How did he find me? Why was he only coming to me now?

Suki walked down the street, blending in with the rest of the crowd as she walked all the way to the outskirts of the city and to her home. She got inside and went straight to her room, wanting to avoid any and all conversations with her father. As soon as she was in her room she reached for her cell phone to talk to Bohdin and tell him about her day. Next to her phone in her pocket, was a note.The agent must have been very skilled if even she had not noticed that he had slipped it into her pocket.

Do not trust him.
He's a devil in disguise.
You know who I am talking about.
Meet at the park at 7:30 sharp tomorrow.
Bring the bracelet.

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Bring the bracelet? Suki asked herself. What Bracelet? She paced around her room trying to figure out what it all meant. Then she looked through her jewelry box, realizing what bracelet he meant. It was her mother's bracelet. It was the only thing she had left of her. But it was exactly that, a bracelet; nothing more than a memory. She remembered how she used to wear it all the time until she had almost lost it when she was younger. She had solved one question brought up from the note, but was still clueless on who the him was in the message. She hid the note away, slipped the bracelet on, and went downstairs for dinner with her father.

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The dining room was as formal as ever. The china was set out, the chandelier was shimmering, and the table was so large it looked as if fifteen people could have been seated comfortably. There were only two people at this table though. Suki felt like there was a wall of tension smashing into her and trying to push her out of the room the minute she entered.

"How was your day?" He father asked, trying to start a civilized small talk.

"Uneventful."

"Mine was excellent." He said, ignoring what Suki had mumbled. "I made an extraordinary business deal with some new colleagues. I would like you to meet them soon. They are very nice people. They even have a son about your age that you might like."

"No thank you." Suki said.

"What was that?"

"I said no. I do not want to meet another group of rude snobs that you do business with." Suki said. She normally never spoke back to her father, but today she was in an angry mood.

"Suki! How dare you? You will not disrespect me! I have given you everything you have ever wanted. We have an excellent life and lots of money. I have even allowed you to assist me in my work. What more could you want!?" He spoke his words quickly and with anger, getting louder and louder as he continued.

"My mother." Suki muttered. There was silence.

Mr. Toshihiro dropped his fork and looked down, grief and sadness filled his eyes. "I am sorry about your mother, Suki. I miss her too. Every minute of every day," He paused and looked at his daughter. "But she is gone. She has been gone for a long time now. It's time we move on."

~~~

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The sun had only just risen into the sky of the early morning, basking everything with fresh light. There were very few people in the park, Suki being one of them. She sat on a bench and looked at her watch for the tenth time in the past minute. It was still 7:28. Patience was not a virtue that she was known for having.

After a grueling two minutes that seemed to take forever, Agent Wilson appeared and began to walk towards her.

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"I had my doubts, you know. I nearabout thought you weren't going to show." The Agent chuckled. "Reckon I owe the guys back at HQ ten bucks." His southern accent was more pronounced since the last time Suki had seen him; as if he wasn't trying to hide it anymore.

"What?" Suki inquired, completely bewildered by the way he spoke.

He laughed again, a real laugh with a smile that reached his normally serious eyes. Looking closer at him, Suki could see that his eyes were a stunning green, and she enjoyed how they looked when he was laughing.

"Sorry, I forgot that certain words are clearly American. Bucks is dollars, and HQ is where you are going to come with me to go; it's our headquarters."

"I am going nowhere until you tell me what is going on." Suki said.

"Sorry, Princess. You just gotta trust me." He said in perfect nearly Japanese.

~~~

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"How come you didn't tell me you spoke Japanese?" Suki said. They had been silent for a majority of their journey to the 'HQ'. The building's exterior had an insurance company facade that no one thought was suspicious. They even had an actual insurance agency on the first floor as a cover. Agent Wilson led Suki down a hall and to an elevator. The elevator said there were 40 stories, but he did not press any one of the buttons. Instead he inserted a key that was hung on a string around his neck and pressed a button that had nothing on it.

"You never asked." He said smugly as the elevator closed and descended into a secret area.

"You still should have told me."

When the elevator came to a stop, Suki and Agent Wilson entered a long and dull hallway. Everything was grey, from the cemented walls and floors to the metal doors.

http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii495/melibee1323/MTS2%20Challenge%20Story%202012/Screenshot-162.jpg

"As you can see, we are really big on decorating here." Agent Wilson remarked. Suki smiled. "Hey, there's a rare sight! First time you have smiled. For a second there, I thought you were a zombie with no feelings."

"I have feelings," she replied, her smile replaced with a look of contemplation.

They continued walking down a few corridors until they got to the door that Agent Wilson wanted. Inside the room there were couches, a desk and a coffee table, almost like a waiting room or an office.

http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii495/melibee1323/MTS2%20Challenge%20Story%202012/11-1.jpg

"Have a seat." He said.

"Are you going to explain now, Agent Wilson?" Suki said angrily.

"Well, where would you like me to start?"

"My mother. What happened to her?" She said quietly.

"Your mother was like me; an agent for the CIA." He started. "Her mission was to infiltrate Mr. Toshihiro's business and take it down from the inside."

"But she married my father! She loved him. She didn't take down the business, and she certainly did not want to!" Suki was confused.

"Is that what your father told you? How do you suppose she died?" He questioned.

"A car accident. It was a car accident. I was only five."

"It wasn't a car accident Suki, your father lied."

"Why? Why would he lie?"

Agent Wilson looked at her with empathy, he understood what it was like to lose someone. He also understood how it felt to be lied to by someone you cared about. Agent Wilson reached out and put his hand on Suki's shoulder.

"He was the one who killed her."

http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii495/melibee1323/MTS2%20Challenge%20Story%202012/12-1.jpg

Hero Subtype: The Atoner
Chapter 1 Plot Point: Mysterious Past
Chapter 2 Plot Point: The Cake Was a Lie
CC Used: Hair, Eyes, Skin, Clothes (All Allowed)
Picture Amount: 14 (This is not including the picture for the summary.)
Words: 1797 (I just realized that I went over. I Thought the amount was 1800)
Excerpt: "He's a devil in disguise..."

*Bonus*: The 'Hero Costume' for my character isn't so much a 'costume' as it is just something she always has. The Bracelet is going to be Suki's "Costume"
She is always going to have it on from this point on, and later you will see that it symbolizes something important.

Melibee1323

26th Jul 2012, 2:26 AM

WOW That certainly took me a while! Not only that, but I made the mistake of copy-ing all of the HTML codes for the Pics from photobucket instead of the Image codes! I had to go back through the entire thing and fix it lol. Never making that mistake again :)

heaven

26th Jul 2012, 5:36 AM

Alright everyone. Round 2 is closed for judging. Has been for a little bit but I was preparing the next post! Looking forward to more entries. We'll try to get scores back to you in the next 60 hours or so but don't hold me to it just yet. Again, if everyone gets their entries in before the timer is up, we can move on to the next round. Looking forward to the next chapters.

http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/38258_120726001334Round 3.jpg
Round 3 - Climax - TIMER (http://www.timeanddate.com/countdown/generic?iso=20120808T205959&p0=770&msg=Hero+Story+Round+3)
This should be the center conflict and turning point in your story. Maybe you finally “unmask” the villain. Perhaps you struggle with the villain for the first time. Maybe your true love has been kidnapped? Who knows? Leave your readers hanging on the edge of their seat! What could happen? Will things be resolved or not? Between 1,200 and 1,700 words and 10 to 17 pictures. Anything above or below these numbers will result in loss of points.

Excerpt: Choose ONE of the following quotes.
“You can sound the alarm…” - Eminem, Won't Back Down
“Do it one time for the underdogs." - B.o.B f/ Taylor Swift, Both of Us
“It's too damn late to apologize.” - NERD, Rockstar Poser

Round 3: Bonus Worth 5 points Choose an extra theme from the table above to place in this chapter as well. Extra fun? Choose from ANY of the events, not just those listed in your chosen Hero’s section. This means that you will have to have 2 plot points in your next chapter.

Please include a brief summary (around 100 words) before your entry.
Also, please include information listed below your entry:
Current Events: What did you use this chapter?
Previous Events: Here you will keep a running list of what you have already used.
Word Count:
CC Used:

Qnshr5

26th Jul 2012, 7:26 PM

Finished reading everyone's round 2 submissions. I can't wait to find out what happens in these stories so many left you hanging!

Excited about round 3. I'm going to start working on it so if I run into any problems again I'll have time to fix it. Waiting so close to deadline wasn't such a good idea this last round as I almost didn't make it even with the extension. :p Hopefully, I've learned my lesson. :D

waterjay

27th Jul 2012, 12:49 PM

I'm still so darn bitter about how I had to leave the contest... It makes me angry like hell!
But anyway I must say that the stories written so far are amazing... I have one fave out of all the 12 left, but I'm not revealing that until the cycle ends :) good luck all of you, and keep up the amazing work. It would be a real shame to see you people leave, so try to finish your stories!

Ghost sdoj

27th Jul 2012, 2:58 PM

You know how you start writing and suddenly the story decides it has to wander off in a completely different direction?

How do you get it to do that when you want it to? That's the only way I'm going to get any of those quotes into it. :)

ForeverCamp

27th Jul 2012, 3:55 PM

Melibee1323

27th Jul 2012, 4:47 PM

Surprisingly, I can actualy fit ALL of the quotes for this round into my chapter. Thats a first cause normaly I just barely fit 1! haha :)

heaven

28th Jul 2012, 12:50 AM

Looking through some of the contestants' entries, I feel that there has been some confusion over what CC is allowed and not allowed. I broke it down by category in the original post so I'm not sure where the miscommunication is. However, because of this, I would appreciate if everyone would list the content they use. It doesn't have to be each individual piece by each creator as you would do for an upload. From now on, please list the CC like this:

Allowed: store content, skin, default eyes, OMSP, world by simsample (worlds, lots and sims should be credited to the creator, just to be nice)
Penalized: clothes, couch, windows, earrings

I feel that due to the misunderstanding, some of the entries that just say "yes" to allowed content may also be using penalized CC and not realizing it and the judges can't know unless we comb through each of your pictures. I'm going to attempt to give a quick peek through the entries before we release the scores. Again, you don't note what CC you used or if you used any, allowed or not, you will automatically be counted as using it. If you have any questions about this, please ask.

heaven

29th Jul 2012, 2:54 AM

Round 2 Scores
Hello again and welcome to Round 2 scores. Once again, please be aware that individual scores are not in order of judges listed on the original post. Also, if you have an issue with your scores, please come to me instead of disgruntled posts here or trying to PM the judges.

The scores are averaged between all 3 judges. Instead of rounding to the nearest half point, scores are just rounded to the first decimal. Also, please remember that if everyone gets their next round in before the deadline, we can start Round 4 sooner!

Contestant, Total
Spladoum,100.0
ReyaD,99.3
ForeverCamp,93.7
Melibee1323,89.7 (90.7 - 1 for late entry)
Ghost_sdoj,87.0
Viva1994,87.7
Qnshr5,99.7 (100.7 - 1 for late entry)
Tamlyn,100.0
Sabri5,94.3
Prawler,92.3
Buckley,00.0
LadyAwesome,96.0
missroxor,100.3

Spladum
CREATIVITY (45),Originality (15),Excerpt (10),Character (10),Event (10),SCENES (30),Pictures (10),Mood (10),Staging (10),FLOW (20),RULES (4),CC (1),TOTAL (100),BONUS (5),OVERALL
41,14,9,9,9,28,10,9,9,19,4,1,93,5,98
42,15,10,9,8,28,10,9,9,19,4,1,94,5,99
44,14,10,10,10,30,10,10,10,19,4,1,98,5,103
It's interesting to read the way your hero relates to the people that surround him and I have to say that I enjoyed how you handled that aspect of your story very much. Your previous and current events meshed well in this chapter, and Eric's "hero" outfit was integrated nicely. I don't have anything else to add beyond good work and I can't wait to read your next chapter/round entry.

Great job tying everything together! The characters are now beginning to make me feel more connected to them and sometimes I can even relate to them! The flow was great but often, I became lost, but then I quickly regained myself. I suppose it was just because of the "***" split. But I really love how much tension and conflict you're adding into the story! Terrific work!

Wow, that was a gripping chapter! Lots of drama here, and you've cemented who Dr. Cowsert and Myrna are very well... not to mention Dr. Pradyash... I could find little to fault in this one. In addition, the little tricky things in this contest are smoothly integrated: the costume is obvious, the excerpt is well used in a context that makes sense. Well done!

I wasn't expecting the romance at the end. Regardless of the doctor's words, I find it comforting (?) to know that Eric still has the compassion to care about people enough to want to help, even if he goes about it in the wrong way. You tied the excerpt in wonderfully; a little too good since, without italics/bold I actually missed it the first time. Wonderful use of the bonus without making it seem contrived.

ReyaD
CREATIVITY (45),Originality (15),Excerpt (10),Character (10),Event (10),SCENES (30),Pictures (10),Mood (10),Staging (10),FLOW (20),RULES (4),CC (1),TOTAL (100),BONUS (5),OVERALL
42,15,10,8,9,28,10,9,9,18,4,1,93,5,98
42,15,10,9,8,29,10,9,10,20,4,1,96,5,101
43,14,10,10,9,28,10,9,9,18,4,1,94,5,99
This chapter went quickly from sweet to heart wrenching. I did not see that reveal with Liam coming at all - so that was a pleasant, albeit sad, surprise. Juliette's hero outfit was awesome and I appreciated the humor you integrated along with it. The cliffhanger leaves me wanting to know more, like who the hell was on the other end of that phone call with Liam?! Juliette is certainly in for a crazy ride (as if she weren't already).

Nice work with keeping the story flowing from one event to the other, and the emotions of the characters were much more believable! The originality of this story is incredible, and I want to say that I was quite amazed by that. The only thing that was iffy was the event.. it does help with the round one entry, but I am still a little lost to where this might be going. I believe that will be answered in round 3 through. :)

TA-TA-TUUUM! Dramatic ending there, wonderful cliff hanger.Perhaps a little predictable, but there are only so many ways that could have gone, if you want to have a continuing story.

I was shocked that Liam was "Judas". I love the way you incorporated the plot point, even if it is snaky as hell and just as mean. There are still unanswered questions but we are getting there: who wants Juliette at full power, what does this company really need funding for, is Juliette the fall guy so the company can get government funding to keep doing what they're doing? If so, why do they want to corrupt the others?

ForeverCamp
CREATIVITY (45),Originality (15),Excerpt (10),Character (10),Event (10),SCENES (30),Pictures (10),Mood (10),Staging (10),FLOW (20),RULES (4),CC (1),TOTAL (100),BONUS (5),OVERALL
39,15,7,9,8,28,10,8,10,18,4,1,90,4,94
41,14,10,8,9,27,10,8,9,18,4,1,91,0,91
39,14,7,9,9,30,10,10,10,18,4,1,92,4,96
Artie got the short end of the stick - having the girl you waited around for return with another mans kids would certainly be an emotional kick to the gut. I am glad that he was mature about it though and didn't carry any ill-will toward Sapphira. Your inclusion of the quote seemed tacked on and out of place, given how she viewed her relationship with Artie last chapter - but I do like that you integrated the excerpt into the flashback/dream with, presumably, her father. Your pictures and staging were, as usual, fantastic and I'm both nervous and curious as to what role those dolls are going to play in future chapters. Should I be afraid for her daughters? I don't know!!

Great work! Though, I became lost near the end.. those were voices in her head? How.. eerie.. I love eerie! ;) You did a great job keeping things going in the right direction and introducing a mysterious item that could possibly cause a major conflict soon! Kudos for that nifty idea!

Your "voice" (your sense of sarcasm and not-so-seriousness) caught me by surprise in a pleasant way and had me smiling. I haven't heard "white on rice" in a while! I like the way you wrote this time around, as far as I'm concerned, don't lose that! For contest purposes, you could also have simply subtitled the chapter, maybe something like this: "Facing the Future. 18 months later"... but I appreciate the summary. Anyway, the excerpt felt a little awkward, I couldn't see it making sense. She's the one leaving, and clearly not intending to get back with Artie when she comes back, but she doesn't want HIM to leave HER alone?

The excerpt was a little odd, her clearly wanting to be rid of Artie in Chapter 1 but then not wanting him to leave her in Chapter 2. I am rather concerned about those dolls. Right now I literally have NO idea what to expect with what is coming and whether Sapphira will make it back to Shang Simla or not. Keeping me on my toes is definitely a plus. Very good and overall subtle use of the plot point.

Melibee1323
CREATIVITY (45),Originality (15),Excerpt (10),Character (10),Event (10),SCENES (30),Pictures (10),Mood (10),Staging (10),FLOW (20),RULES (4),CC (1),TOTAL (100),BONUS (5),OVERALL
40,13,10,8,9,27,10,8,9,18,3,0,88,3,91
42,15,10,8,9,26,10,8,8,18,3,0,89,5,94
40,13,10,8,9,25,9,8,8,18,2,0,85,2,87
You were over the word count, so points were deducted. The only criticism I have when it comes to your pictures (which are gorgeous, even despite this) is that the staging of your characters could be improved. I didn't notice this the first time I read through your story, but your hero's outfit (the bracelet) is missing in consecutive pictures after the"reveal" and because of this, I only gave partial points. I know you said that the importance behind the bracelet would be explained later, but it would have been nice (given the fact that it is first introduced into your story via this chapter and worth bonus points) to understand a little about its "symbolism." Despite those setbacks, it was a great chapter and I loved the cliffhanger regarding her mother's death and why Agent Wilson is coming to Suki now with this information.

The choice of words were great..though, some of the dialogue didn't seem very realistic. Otherwise, this suspense is nearly killing me (good thing)! I love the build up of the story; it has be aching for more! :)

I continue to enjoy your story, however on this round's bonus, I don't know if you noticed this but Suki isn't wearing the bracelet in any of the shots after her dinner with dad. I know you had trouble with your submission, so I'm cutting you a little slack, but given that your entry was in late, it would have been nice for you to notice, then take the time to fix it. In short, try to manage your time better. Experienced contestants know they need to keep writing, subject to adaptation once the new round's rules are put up. So, just so you know, you lost a point for being over the word count. :(

Your story is really good. There flow is interrupted in places, but overall, the story is very intriguing. However, I will note that your pictures don't really do the story justice. I suggest looking into pose player or testing different animations because a lot of your pictures are the standard sitting poses which detract from the 'on-edge' feel you've got going on. The use of the bracelet as the "outfit" is reaching just a little as it's not really in any of your other shots after she puts it on and isn't an outfit so much as an accessory. Also, clothes are not considered allowed CC.

Ghost_sdoj
CREATIVITY (45),Originality (15),Excerpt (10),Character (10),Event (10),SCENES (30),Pictures (10),Mood (10),Staging (10),FLOW (20),RULES (4),CC (1),TOTAL (100),BONUS (5),OVERALL
41,15,10,8,8,18,4,8,6,17,3,1,80,4,84
42,14,10,9,9,22,5,9,8,20,3,1,88,5,93
40,13,10,9,8,19,5,7,7,17,3,1,80,4,84
It's a shame we didn't get to see more pictures - but I completely understand your game troubles (we've all been there) and I'm glad you decided to stick it out and still be apart of the contest. I do hope that your troubles don't prevent you from continuing because your story is getting more and more interesting. With regards to the hero outfit, I just know that I never want to live and/or be apart of any organization that dresses like that! :P I like that you've continued to keep Lord Alfric's intentions semi-mysterious, as he still seems morally ambiguous to me (as of right now, I don't trust him at all), and I'm anxious to read about what kind of potential trouble he brings Kylara's way and how she'll handle it.

The story is unique, but often I became lost. This might be due to skipping forward slightly from the first round chapter. I'm so sorry to hear about your computer problems! I understand how irritating it can be.. but the lack of pictures can affect the way you interpret the story, though, I know this was not a choice of your's. Otherwise, the story is still very original and well presented! Great work!

First off, I'm REALLY sorry your game is giving you so much trouble, but I commend you for not giving up just yet. Thank you. Having said that, the number of pics affected also the staging and scene scores, which is a real tragedy because this is getting good. Kylara's hero costume is so hideous that is can only be a costume. (Alfric clearly has no taste! LOL) I hope you can clear up the issues with your computer, I do want to see what happens next!

Hrm, I become more and more suspicious of Lord Alfric each time we see him. It's a shame that you've been having such issues because pictures would have been so nice to accompany the words. There are still so many unanswered questions. I am hoping to see another side of Kylara as, right now, she seems more the pawn than the hero. I want her to take control and whoop some ass!

Viva1994
CREATIVITY (45),Originality (15),Excerpt (10),Character (10),Event (10),SCENES (30),Pictures (10),Mood (10),Staging (10),FLOW (20),RULES (4),CC (1),TOTAL (100),BONUS (5),OVERALL
36,13,8,7,8,28,10,8,10,16,3,0,83,4,87
38,12,10,8,8,28,10,8,10,19,3,0,88,5,93
36,12,8,8,8,25,8,8,9,15,3,0,79,4,83
You were over the word count (as you know), so I had to deduct some points. Anyway - the staging/pictures this chapter were great; the poses, in particular, really set the tone of the story visually! However, portions of the story weren't organic and left me slightly befuddled - for instance, the intermittent switching between conversation and reflection/thought. I will admit that I'm excited to read about what information Valentina may be bringing to the table and how far the rabbit hole goes with regards to who transformed Bram and why. Great job!

As much as I loved this story.. it reminds me a lot of another story and not much of your own little twist. Please work on that next time around. The words you chose were great and the staging was amazing! Also, your word count was about 300 words over.

I found this chapter a little difficult to follow. I think it would help if internal dialogue was distinguished from descriptive action with italics, a common enough visual device. Having said that, I did appreciate learning more about Suzanna's personality (fiesty one, isn't she?) I know the word count is somewhat difficult to work with, but self-editing is a good skill to have; it's just a matter of rephrasing sometimes. One more thing, please remember to be a bit more specific with your CC, certain ones are allowed, while others aren't.

300 words is a lot to go over. Part of the challenge of the contest is meeting the set parameters. I admit your entry left me feeling confused. I get the general idea of where the story is going but the flow of the story; switching between thoughts and actual conversation, the flow of events and mention of the past, all mixed very strangely and left me needing to read quite a few times to understand. Your pictures set up the scenes very well though and I love the choices you made for poses and angles. Crossed arms, raging, etc. They really helped tell the story.

Qnshr5
CREATIVITY (45),Originality (15),Excerpt (10),Character (10),Event (10),SCENES (30),Pictures (10),Mood (10),Staging (10),FLOW (20),RULES (4),CC (1),TOTAL (100),BONUS (5),OVERALL
44,15,10,10,9,29,10,9,10,20,4,1,98,5,103
44,15,9,10,10,29,10,9,10,20,4,1,98,5,103
39,14,9,8,8,28,9,8,9,18,3,1,89,4,93
The reasons behind Brio's disappearance is a great element added to your story. I honestly thought it would be a cliche development, such as her simply not wanting the responsibility anymore or something along those lines, but an illness - along with the combination of her abilities taking a severe toll on her body - is fantastic (in a morbid way). With the return of Aron, it will be interesting to read how Helena/Brio handle the situation given her health circumstances and what she'll potentially have to give up (her life mayhaps?) in order to save the city/townsfolk again.

Very well put together! The screenshots were extremely believable and so were your character's reactions. The note at the end now has me even more curious than before! That was a great object to add that might cause future conflicts in the story! Awesome work!

Aha! The story is fleshing out and starting to make more sense. That's good! I'm not sure why Lorie still matters to the story though, and that kind of confused me. I hope we find out more next chapter. Keep up the good work!

Not only do I feel "in the loop" of everything that has happened and how, but the explanation does an excellent job of providing a segway into the next part of the story. The switch from past to present was flawless. I'm not sure that Mysterious Past was the best plot point to use for this chapter. Not You Again! would have been perfect for Aron's return to being terrors, in my opinion. Overall though, fantastic chapter.

Tamlyn
CREATIVITY (45),Originality (15),Excerpt (10),Character (10),Event (10),SCENES (30),Pictures (10),Mood (10),Staging (10),FLOW (20),RULES (4),CC (1),TOTAL (100),BONUS (5),OVERALL
44,15,10,10,9,29,10,9,10,20,4,1,98,5,103
44,15,9,10,10,28,10,8,10,19,4,1,96,0,96
44,14,10,10,10,29,9,10,10,18,4,1,96,5,101
Graphical hiccups? What graphical hiccups? I thought your pictures were still gorgeous despite any graphical issues you were having! Also, is it sad or weird that the most interesting thing for me right now is why the hell Matt is walking around stark naked?! Your staging this round was flawless, and I loved reading about the inner turmoil of Zoe and her trying to suppress/control her powers as much as she can. I'm anxiously awaiting your next chapter!

The staging was excellent and the emotion of the character was very realistic! I just had a little difficult time following your choice of words and the situations around the character.. I'm sure it'll come together in the next chapter! :)

You said "Yay for working strange graphical hiccups into the story?" and I add "Yay for squeaking in under the word limit, too. Yikes! LOL I didn't notice any graphical hiccups, if you hadn't said anything. I never would've known. This was a really good chapter for you, I could find little to complain about. Good job!.

If you hadn't mentioned it, I would have never known about picture "hiccups". In fact, your screenshots do a fantastic job of telling this story without needing much elaboration. The little details really make such a big difference like the pictures on her wall, the actual "flush", etc. One question? Why is Matt naked? I feel like I can't get past that until I know.

Sabri5
CREATIVITY (45),Originality (15),Excerpt (10),Character (10),Event (10),SCENES (30),Pictures (10),Mood (10),Staging (10),FLOW (20),RULES (4),CC (1),TOTAL (100),BONUS (5),OVERALL
38,13,9,8,8,26,10,8,8,18,4,1,87,5,92
40,14,8,8,10,25,10,7,8,18,4,1,88,5,93
41,14,9,9,9,28,9,9,10,19,4,1,93,5,98
I liked reading about Elizabeth's past and how she got into the circumstances that she is in currently. I also enjoyed reading her conversation with her sister and her attempt to both apologize and rationalize the decision that she made so long ago. The only criticism I have is your pictures are zoomed out too far and don't have the added visual impact that they could have if you were to zoom-in closer on your subjects. I can't wait to see what "job" Elizabeth has to fulfill and perhaps even see her daughter one of these chapters. :P

Just a word of advice: you might want to put space between the sentences in your story. It can get a little difficult to read at times. Otherwise, great story overall.. but you might need to work on the scenery a little more, just to get that imagination vibe going! :)

Ah! Now it makes sense, with Elizabeth being the hero! I love how Sarah is forgiving but can't quite drop the anger just yet. that's believable. I look forward to the next installment.

I am surprised at the direction this took, but in a good way. I like your story and I like the flashback that explained why Elizabeth did what she did. I think you could work on your picture angles a little more. They're in player mode right now but would have a much better impact if we had a "sim's eye" view. I am looking forward to seeing what Operation Alpha is all about.

Prawler
CREATIVITY (45),Originality (15),Excerpt (10),Character (10),Event (10),SCENES (30),Pictures (10),Mood (10),Staging (10),FLOW (20),RULES (4),CC (1),TOTAL (100),BONUS (5),OVERALL
40,14,9,8,9,27,9,9,9,18,3,0,88,4,92
42,15,8,9,10,25,8,9,8,18,2,0,87,5,92
40,14,8,9,9,27,9,8,10,18,3,0,88,5,93
The entry form wasn't entirely filled out (missing the word count section) and you are below the minimum picture amount, so points were deducted for both. Despite that, your pictures were wonderful and added some nice visual elaboration that didn't necessarily need words to explain the mood of what was going on. I do want to point out that I liked the exploration of Ax's character through his interactions with Delaney and Roxanne. His last conversation with Delaney was particularly touching, in a morbidly hopeful kind of way, and given the circumstances - I think I would probably be torn just like Delaney.

One thing I noticed is that you didn't provide your word count (which is extremely difficult for judges to deal with) Also, you were one picture short of the required pictures (10 pictures). The story wasn't as confusing as chapter one. Thanks for clarifying what happened in that one! This chapter I had less of a difficult time following.. but there still were parts that made me stop and think. Very great improvement overall!

First off, I want you to know you're doing fine, actually. Writing in this way (with word limits, bonuses, etc) is very difficult, and it's not an easy thing to do. Just keep going, and I'm sure you'll find yourself improving with practice. Now, on to the rest. I love that your "costumes" for both Delaney and Ax were already in place, that made it easy! I think I could have used a bit more intensity in this chapter. Ironically, you used less of the descriptive devices I thought you overdid last time. There's a balance there... Just try not to make them quite so ... unusual, but don't be afraid to use them..

The excerpt seemed a bit rushed and forced and there were still some continuity issues. Overall, I like the idea of the story being set in another time. Your screenshots do a good job at setting the tone. I'm glad that Ax was able to save Delaney and also agree with him about her shooting herself. Though, if zoombies came after me, I can't quite know if I wouldn't react the same way! Remember to completely fill out the entry form and get all your pictures in. Not doing so loses easy points. :(

LadyAwesome
CREATIVITY (45),Originality (15),Excerpt (10),Character (10),Event (10),SCENES (30),Pictures (10),Mood (10),Staging (10),FLOW (20),RULES (4),CC (1),TOTAL (100),BONUS (5),OVERALL
41,15,8,9,9,29,10,9,10,18,4,0,92,5,97
43,15,9,10,9,29,10,9,10,19,4,0,95,5,100
39,13,9,9,8,27,9,9,9,17,4,0,87,4,91
I liked that you added a little something to your story with the music video - nice touch. Ala and Verne's relationship is certainly an interesting development and reading about her having to give up their first child was depressing, but also added a bit more characterization to Ala that I wasn't expecting. Great job and I'm excited to see what both Lottie/Ala and the mysterious spider-woman have planned in your next chapter.

Please make sure, next time, that you give your picture amount. That can be really helpful if you do! (saves a lot of time). Other than that, the story was great! I had a little trouble connecting to the characters.. but the staging was amazing! I'm looking forward to the next chapter! :)

I liked the little twists and turns, and you filled out your characters quite nicely. I look forward to more

I loved that the backstory rounded out who Ala is. Knowing how vampires are using demons and demons are "harder" to create helps solidify everything. I do hope that Verne can let go of all his bitterness and help Ala in the fight but it's hard to tell now if there was ever really true love between them or just a match made between families. Who is the wall climber and what does she have in store for our heroine?

missroxor
CREATIVITY (45),Originality (15),Excerpt (10),Character (10),Event (10),SCENES (30),Pictures (10),Mood (10),Staging (10),FLOW (20),RULES (4),CC (1),TOTAL (100),BONUS (5),OVERALL
43,15,10,9,9,30,10,10,10,19,4,0,96,5,101
42,15,8,9,10,29,10,9,10,20,4,0,95,5,100
43,14,10,9,10,30,10,10,10,19,4,0,96,4,100
Whew! Congratulations on hitting the word maximum on the dot! I think my favorite picture was the dream-sequence'ish one because you managed to show (not just tell) us how Jada's subconscious was interpreting the conversation between Rurik and Olivia - very creative! On that note, all of your pictures were fantastic and your staging is something to be applauded. I also would like to point out that I loved Jada's tattered hero outfit and how you managed to write it into your story. I'm curious about what Olivia and Rurik have to reveal about her father and how, as Olivia pointed out toward the end, they know so much about Jada. Great job!

Terrific job setting up the stage props to give it a whole different feeling! :) The creativity of the story is something that I have never seen before which makes the story very unique! I seriously cannot wait for more! I can't wait to see where this situation leads everyone!

Nice continuation of the story, it flowed very well for me. I'm liking the continuing mystery of Jada's past (though I had hoped to get the answers in this chapter). I could find no fault with your scenes. I look forward to the next installment.

The realization that she's been tainted with Red blood, with picture, is priceless. You've combined your words, sets, and poses/visual effects flawlessly. I love how you did the dream shot. What drugs are they giving her? Rurik seems like a sarcastic ass; I like him. You've integrated the outfit into the story quite well and I want to see how it plays a role in her story overall. I can almost taste the foreshadowing of the juxtaposition Jada will encounter: her father as the thoughtful, kind Mayor she sees as "Daddy" and the cruel, domineering "Fuhrer" that she will be told about, evidence in tow.

LadyAwesome

29th Jul 2012, 5:56 AM

BUCKLEY *cries*

But thanks judges for making me feel awesome about a shitty story hahaha

ReyaD

29th Jul 2012, 10:24 PM

Summary: In the previous chapters our hero, Juliette Johnson, a strange young woman with the gift of mind reading visited “The Doc” for comfort and advice on the recent power surges she’s had to deal with. We learn Liam is not just the doctor, but also her long time lover. He manages to calm her down and they even share a laugh over one of his new projects before he gets a phone call from their boss. Poor Juliette accidentally eavesdrop on his conversation and learns that Liam is actually the cause of her surges, and he and the boss plan to use her as some sort of weapon so they can send in the other freaks to kill her and bring the group into the public’s eye.

Freaks and Monsters
Chapter Three

---

Betrayal was nothing new to Juliette. From the friends who called her a freak when her powers manifested, to the coworkers who looked at her as a monster after David’s death. But this... this was something worse altogether. She... Liam... they’d been together for years now, almost from the moment they’d met. She’d truly believed he’d been the one for her, the only person on the planet who made her feel normal, not like the monster she was becoming. But to learn that he was the one turning her into a weapon? A sacrifice for more money... had he ever even cared about her? At all?

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh87/ReyalinDawn/Sims%20photos/Story%20Contest%20Cycle%202/Screenshot-213.jpg

There was only one thing to do. She had to run as far away as she could as fast as possible. She wasn’t sure where she could go, but she had money enough to get her to another country. The Freaks reach went as far as the borders of Sim-Nation, but that was it. She could be safe from them as long as she was just out of reach, right? Oh Watcher, what if they sent someone to follow her? What if it was Dene?

Dene had always been the loyal one, constantly happy and bubbly, even with a line of dead bodies behind her longer than Juliette’s own. Suddenly a worse thought hits her, was Dene in on the plan as well? Any of the other freaks? All of the other freaks?

There are no other options; she needs to get out of here. Now.

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh87/ReyalinDawn/Sims%20photos/Story%20Contest%20Cycle%202/Screenshot-216.jpg

A knock on the door alerts her to trouble and she jumps to her feet... perhaps a bit too fast as the room seems to spin under he feet. Instantly she feels sick, her stomach churning uncomfortably and having her run for the washroom, the knock on the door no longer being the focus of her attention.

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh87/ReyalinDawn/Sims%20photos/Story%20Contest%20Cycle%202/Screenshot-229.jpg

She’d never felt this sick before, this weak. For the past few weeks it was as if her body had been rejecting everything she tried putting inside of her. It had even been an effort to keep the pills Liam had given her down, but obviously they’d still managed to work a little. How strong could her abilities have become if not for her illness? How many more people would she have killed by now?

“Juliette? Are you okay in there?”

She almost breathes a sigh of relief, recognizing Dene’s voice on the other side of the door. “Y-yeah. I’ll be out in a sec. Make yourself at home.”

“Okay, we’ll be in the kitchen when you’re feeling better.”

That one sentence pulls whatever energy Juliette had left right out of her. Dene could have come by with anybody, but she already knows who it is.

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh87/ReyalinDawn/Sims%20photos/Story%20Contest%20Cycle%202/Screenshot-242.jpg

After composing herself, she heads to the living area, walking straight into the middle of the strangest conversation ever.

“So you’re basically telling me you want to turn me into some sort of breeding machine to make more freaks? Liam, that’s fucked up.”

“Okay well when you put it THAT way of course it sounds fucked up. And you’re going to scare Juliette into thinking I’m some sort of mad scientist.” He says that last part with a sweet smile at her, the same one that used to make her melt but now she can’t even meet his gaze.

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh87/ReyalinDawn/Sims%20photos/Story%20Contest%20Cycle%202/Screenshot-219.jpg

He gets up to greet her, pulling her in for a kiss as she leans away from him. He looks at her in confusion, but as soon as his arms tighten around her she realizes he knows what she does. If there had been a chance for escape, it was gone now. There was no way he was going to let her out of his sight now.

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh87/ReyalinDawn/Sims%20photos/Story%20Contest%20Cycle%202/Screenshot-224.jpg

He leans towards her again, this time to wrap her in a close hug, his lips right by her ear to whisper softly enough so only she would hear. “I take it you were a little nosey earlier in my lab?”

That wasn’t quite the way it had happened, but she still hums: “Mm-hmm.”

He sighs softly. “Play it smart... love. You can sound the alarm, but it won’t do any good. I have the house already surrounded, and Dene is still useful to us so I’d rather not have to kill her to keep you from getting away from me. Understand?”

She understands.

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh87/ReyalinDawn/Sims%20photos/Story%20Contest%20Cycle%202/Screenshot-225.jpg

Liam leads her back to the table, sitting down next to her before going back to his conversation with Dene. “Let’s get rid of the word “breeding”, please. All I’m saying is that we need to find out if what makes us different from other people is an isolated incident, or something that can be passed down to our children. If it’s the later then we need to explore the idea that we might be the next step in evolution. If so then there’s no real point in trying to null our abilities anymore.”

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh87/ReyalinDawn/Sims%20photos/Story%20Contest%20Cycle%202/Screenshot-247.jpg

“But still, having a child is a huge step. And Dani and I are no where near ready for that. Besides, I couldn’t leave Juliette like that, we’re partners, and I like to think she needs me.” Dene smiles, turning to look at Juliette.

For a moment, Juliette is desperate. She can’t reach out to touch Dene, can’t speak out loud from fear of Liam hearing so she... well, she stared Dene straight in the eyes and pleaded for her to hear her thoughts. Please, Dene, Liam is dangerous. He wants to kill me. I need your help. Dene I need your help.

For a moment Dene seems confused, but then her expression fades back to neutral, as if nothing happened. And maybe nothing did.

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh87/ReyalinDawn/Sims%20photos/Story%20Contest%20Cycle%202/Screenshot-248.jpg

Nonetheless, Juliette can feel Liam’s eyes on her and knows he’s getting suspicious, so she plays along to their conversation. “You’re so right, Dene. I do need you, but if you and Mason got serious then it would give me an excuse to ambush Liam about having a baby ourselves. I’ve always wanted to be a mother.”

“You have?” For a moment, Liam is caught off guard, but he quickly recovers. “Funny, Juliette. I never imagined you as the mothering type. You’re too volatile... quick to anger. A little dangerous, even.”

“I thought you liked it when I was dangerous.”

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh87/ReyalinDawn/Sims%20photos/Story%20Contest%20Cycle%202/Screenshot-253.jpg

“Oh I do love it when you’re dangerous.” Liam smiles, standing up and pulling her into an embrace. “And I love it when you’re mad at me. Makes you all the more beautiful.”

“Then you must find me really beautiful right now, hm?”

From her seat Dene laughs, standing up and backing away from the couple. “Okay, I’m just going to get out of here before you two start screwing right in front of me. Gosh, that would be like catching my parents in bed together. Eew.”

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh87/ReyalinDawn/Sims%20photos/Story%20Contest%20Cycle%202/Screenshot-231.jpg

“You’re right, you know.” He smiles, fingers digging into her skin almost painfully. “I find you so irresistible right now.”

“You’re such a bastard.” She hisses once Dene is out of the house. “I’m going to tear you apart piece by piece, and enjoy every second of it.”

He grins at her. “You would never lay a finger on me. You love me.”

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh87/ReyalinDawn/Sims%20photos/Story%20Contest%20Cycle%202/Screenshot-233.jpg

“You mean I loved you, once. Before I realized what a piece of shit asshole you were.”

Pulling away she punches him straight in the jaw, her fist aching in pain as it makes contact, sending him flying.

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh87/ReyalinDawn/Sims%20photos/Story%20Contest%20Cycle%202/Screenshot-235.jpg

She doesn’t run, instead stays where she is while Liam recovers, shaking his head before looking up at her, the right lens of his glasses cracked from her hit. “You’re going to live to regret that, darling.”

“Doesn’t matter.” She growls, trying to ignore the pain in her hand. It’s been years since she last had to use force with someone, and she still hates it. But she won’t give Liam the satisfaction of seeing her break. “I might not be able to blow up your brain, but as you can see I can still take you one on one.”

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh87/ReyalinDawn/Sims%20photos/Story%20Contest%20Cycle%202/Screenshot-238.jpg

He lunges towards her, grabbing her by the wrist and shoulder painfully, and strong enough to keep her from being able to pull away. “Do you really think that you can beat me in a fight? You may have been a cop once but your powers have made you physically weak. You’re nothing more than a little toy I’ve been playing with, and I know your ever weak point. I could break you in a heart beat, leave you crying in a corner and wishing for death, but that’s not what the boss wants.”

“Why are you even doing this?” She asks, trying to keep from sounding like she’s begging. “I could have killed people! Innocent people! Where’s the good in that?”

“Good is boring.” He laughs. “Crime pays, terror pays, and once the government realizes how strong an “untrained freak” can be they’ll give us whatever we want.”

“You’re a monster.”

“I’m not the one who can blow up brains, love.”

She tries to struggle but it’s no use. He lets go of her shoulder and a second later she feels a sharp prick in her side. Instantly the world goes dark and she collapses into his arms.

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh87/ReyalinDawn/Sims%20photos/Story%20Contest%20Cycle%202/Screenshot-241.jpg

---

Current Events: Good is Boring, BLONDES ARE EVIL (Caps lock emphasis needed)
Previous Events: Finding Judas, Get out of Jail Free
Word Count: 1534, 15 photos
Hero Type: The Knight in Sour Armor
CC Used:
- Allowed: Skin by Ephemera, CC and store hairs, Poses, OMSP, Set was made by me and is CC less.

Edit on July 31: Link to Modern Hideaway (http://www.modthesims.info/download.php?t=482871), the set used in this chapter.

spladoum

31st Jul 2012, 9:27 AM

Still haunted by an unsuccessful and ultimately fatal operation on a young child, Dr. Eric Cowert is ready to hang up his towel forever. So far, all efforts to restore his confidence have failed, and no one has been able to make him see reason or talk him down from the ledge. Is today the day this shooting star burns out for good?

http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/38451_120731040255Screenshot-9912.jpg

"Dr. Cowert—"

… no …

"Paging Dr. Eric Cowert, you're needed in OR—"

No.

"There is a child patient in OR, you're needed to operate—"

No. Not this again. Please.

http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/38433_120731033815Screenshot-9909.jpg

But I'm there regardless, staring down at him. He's bruised all over his abdomen, but it's especially bad on his ribs. I look at the chart in my hand, I look at the wide-eyed nurse. "This chart says he was trampled by other kids his own age. So why the hell does he look like he was run over by a truck?"

"He just came off the ambulance, there was no time for X-rays …" Her voice is weak. I look at her again, harder. "Have you seen something like this before?"

She doesn't answer.

http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/38434_120731034116Screenshot-9907.jpg

At the first cut we can see that we're in completely over our heads. This kid's ribs are shattered. He's hemorrhaging from the bone fragments lodged in his organs.

The nurse is fainting. I force her to turn away from the body and tell her to start making some calls. We need more blood, we need more attendants, we need more everything … and there's nothing and no one except the two of us. She goes, weeping. Traumatized.

I'm operating, but what the hell can I do alone?

http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/38435_120731034205Screenshot-9906.jpg

I'm still extracting the pieces of bone from his lungs when I hear the single, steady "beeeeeeeep."

After multiple unsuccessful attempts to restart his heart, I stand there and stare at his corpse. He never made a sound from the moment he came into this damned place. He probably wasn't even ten years old.

This much damage …

… I've seen it before …

… on people who've been trampled …

http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/38436_120731034430Screenshot-9910.jpg

… by horses.

***

http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/38437_120731034724Screenshot-9913.jpg

"Are you giving up, then?"

I turn toward the window, looking out at the city. "I already gave up, but HR won't accept my resignation. You happen to know anything about that?"

"Of course not, I'm not even in your department." Dr. Pradyash slides off her desk. She looks more annoyed with me than usual. "You're so frustrating, you know that? Don't you understand that they won't release you because you're needed here?"

"And what the hell are those other 72 doctors on payroll doing? Playing Farmville? Twiddling their thumbs?"

http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/38440_120731035031Screenshot-9914.jpg

"Eric …" She sighs. "Be honest with me, please. Why did you become a doctor? To fulfill some childhood dream? To feed your ego? Just to be in step with the family tradition? Were you just so amazing on your college exams that they had to shove you into the medical track?"

"Honest?" I bite out. "Fine. I'm a doctor because I'm in too much debt from medical school to choose another career now. I do it because it pays the bills. Happy?"

She smiles bitterly. "That's all you care about, hmm?"

http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/38439_120731034838Screenshot-9916.jpg

She throws herself back into her chair and begins to massage her temples. "My MD doesn't help people, you know. All I can really do is point a patient in the direction that they should go and hope like hell that the drugs I prescribe for them will enable them to do the right thing and make the right choices. You, on the other hand, actually save lives. Your MD gives people the opportunity to see another sunrise. And all you get out of that is a salary? … we're done here. Go home. Or don't. Just get out, please."

"I suppose it's too damn late to apologize?"

"You're damn right it is," she snaps, and turns back to her computer.

As I leave her office, I realize that it's Sunday. Normally on Sundays Jyoti and I eat together. Not this Sunday, apparently.

***

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I'm pulling out of the parking lot when I see Mrs. Hallenbeck waiting at the entrance of the subway. I roll down the window and shout, "You're not supposed to be here today."

She ignores me.

"You already missed the train, went by 5 minutes ago."

"I can read the schedule, sir. Thank you."

"C'mon," I yell again, "it's too cold to hang out around here, even if you're into self-punishment."

If looks could kill, I'd be slumped over the steering wheel. What can I say? I'm not a nice person. But she comes anyway. Her cheap coat and thin slacks aren't cutting the wind in the least; she's shivering. I turn the heater up a little.

"Thank you," she murmurs.

"Have you eaten today?"

"… no."

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I take her into the grim wharf district, to a cheap little shack surrounded on two sides by oily water. She looks surprised. "Doesn't seem like your kind of place."

"Any place serving food is my kind of place."

She stares at the handwritten menu. "What's good here?"

"Try the pollo con arroz y plantains."

She gets it. I order the flat-iron steak, but they're out of it, so I settle for a bowl of shrimp soup.

http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/38443_120731035401Screenshot-9925.jpg

We sit at a worn old table with gummy plastic seats and drink icy soda. She looks pensive, and much as I don't want to make things worse … well, I'm a mean-spirited man, I suppose. "Is eating out with me gonna piss off your brother?"

… of course I shouldn't have said that. She looks down. She's blinking too much. "He's … he's in jail. Please don't ask about it."

I'm silent, thinking. I hear what I'm saying too late to stop myself. "… so that's why you were at work on a Sunday? Bail?"

Now she makes no effort to hide her anguish. "Do you enjoy being cruel to people, sir?"

"Maybe. Doing things the other way doesn't get you far, I've found."

http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/38444_120731035433Screenshot-9922.jpg

The waitress brings our food out, and departs quickly. Myrna takes a few bites and hiccups. "It's … it's good. Thank you."

I nod.

"Doctor—"

"At this point, I think you can call me Eric."

She swallows. "I know you think that I'm enabling Aaron, and maybe I am—"

"So stop."

http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/38445_120731035510Screenshot-9931.jpg

"So stop drinking on the clock and tearing your assistants to shreds," she snaps back. "Not so easy, is it?"

"Touché, Mrs. Hallenbeck." I shell the last shrimp. "You know, you've lasted the longest of all of them. Maybe you enjoy punishing yourself more than you realize."

She shoves her food away. "You … you …"

"Go ahead, cuss me out." I'm really hoping she does. She doesn't seem like she gets much opportunity to vent, and I'm practically immune to screaming. It'll be good for us both.

http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/38446_120731035604Screenshot-9933.jpg

Instead, she fumbles through her meager wallet and finds a photo. It is clearly old, and also clearly well-loved. She slides it over to me with a trembling hand. "Do you know who this is?"

I don't, though I can tell that the beaming teenager standing next to the mystery lady is Myrna. I guess anyway. "Your grandmother."

"Yes. Dorothea Hallenbeck. She fell over in her garden one day. The fall dislocated her left leg and broke her hip. Six different doctors told us that she was too old for major surgery, she'd never walk again, that we needed to put her in a convalescence home. One doctor was willing to operate on her and replace her hip. At first my mother refused because he was so young, but he was the only one who gave Grandma a chance." She wipes her eyes with the napkin I offer. "She couldn't get around much, but she was able to stay in her house and enjoy her garden until she died. That meant the world to her."

"Yeah …"

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She's looking at me searchingly. "Eric … you operated on her. You gave her back her life and her garden, and you gave me my grandma for ten more years. I don't know what she would have become, cooped up in some nursing home, and I'm glad that neither she nor I had to find out. To you she was probably just another old lady, but she was everything to me. She taught me almost everything I know about sacrifice and love, and how to take care of someone who won't take care of themselves."

For once, I'm speechless.

"So when you ask why I put up with my brother the way I do … or why I haven't stopped working for you yet … patient HAL-3490 is the reason why."

http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/38449_120731035818Screenshot-9929.jpg

She takes the photo back and throws some money on the table, and walks away into the cold again.

***

http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/38450_120731040003Screenshot-9932.jpg

I don't go home. I head right back to the office and find another bottle—this one's hidden in the bookcase. Then I pour myself a glass and drink while reading over a long-forgotten file.

Dorothea Hallenbeck, seen on 06/18/20xx. Patient is a pleasant Caucasian female in her late 70s. Has multiple fractures along the obturator foramen area of her left hip and dislocated her left femur due to a fall. Patient is still in good spirits. Patient's age is of some concern, but due to her willingness to consider surgery I have recommended her for hip replacement and referred her to Dr. Eric Cowert at Bridgeport Regional for further consultation.

Words. Just words. Except for a girl's memories and an old Polaroid, they would just be words.

"Damn you, Myrna," I mutter.

And I pour the drink down the drain.

CC used: store items, custom eyes, OMSP, tipsy OMSP, skin by HP. Also used: Hospital set by Hekate999, wheelchair set by BuffSumm, Scribbling Pad by Buzzler, custom medical folder by me.
Plot points used (current round): Good is Boring, Beware the Nice Guy
Plot points used (previous rounds): Mysterious Past, Embarrassing Rescue.
Word count: 1,555.

LadyAwesome

3rd Aug 2012, 1:18 AM

ReyaD and Spladoum you girls are machines. How is everyone else going? Me and missrox decided we would dive into the pose making world and neither of us have had full success yet.
Mine was a minor hiccup of accidently importing I shouldn't. So in saying that you can imagine my story is going really grand haha I have 2 maybe 3 pictures and about 20 words WOOO go me. I don't even have a plan!

So how is everyone else doing? I decided this thread is far to quiet. Also Buckley have you left us or are you continuing??? Hope your ok beautiful!

ReyaD

3rd Aug 2012, 1:44 AM

I'm fast at writing my chapters because of my legacy writing. I mean, for almost a whole year I was updating daily! You sort of become good at writing and posing photos quickly after that.

Tamlyn

4th Aug 2012, 9:04 AM

Woops, less time than I thought I had for this! Good thing I was feeling inspired and have mostly written it :)

Prawler

4th Aug 2012, 3:09 PM

Feels like an idiot for forgetting word count, cries in corner :cry:

I missed the last picture because my story started out in bridgeport, but then went super lag and i had to switch to builder's Island :/

I'm just getting the hang of this picture taking malarkey, you guys are soo much better at this :)

Qnshr5

4th Aug 2012, 5:05 PM

Got all but one of my screenshots done and just need to rewrite the chapter. It's mostly details, but not only do I need to cut down my word count, I also I have to re-work the last part which was a great idea when I first thought of it ...not so much anymore. :p

missroxor

4th Aug 2012, 6:07 PM

Got mine written (went slightly over with the first draft and had to edit out 400ish words!). Also got 9 out of 17 pics taken and the set built for the others so all in all I'm nearly there :)

Should be able to post by tomorrow night at the latest *crosses fingers*

missroxor

6th Aug 2012, 7:45 AM

Should be able to post by tomorrow night at the latest *crosses fingers*

...and by that I mean the other tomorrow...ok, so I might have had a bottle of wine instead of simming. Que sera sera ;) Tomorrow!

Tamlyn

7th Aug 2012, 12:09 PM

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c157/nylmat/Sims/Zoe%20Story%20Contest/Chapter%20Three/1Pacing.jpg
Zoe sat back against a column on the sunken porch of the station building and watched Matt pace back and forth before her. Now that he had her listening, he seemed nervous about talking – which was completely un-Matt-like. He glanced at her, shook his head, and turned away again.

Zoe bit her lip. “Matt?”

He jerked to a halt and pushed a hand through his hair, refusing to meet her gaze.

“Matt, what is it?”
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c157/nylmat/Sims/Zoe%20Story%20Contest/Chapter%20Three/2Banked.jpg
Zoe hugged her knees as dire possibilities rushed through her mind. Maybe he was sick. Maybe he didn’t care about her hurting him because he was already dying. Maybe he was running around naked because he had a fever. Or maybe he was the one starting the fires. Zoe shuddered, then frowned and mentally checked the banked fire in her. While it was under control, she could still feel its smouldering warmth and didn’t trust the restraints to last.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c157/nylmat/Sims/Zoe%20Story%20Contest/Chapter%20Three/3Grin.jpg
Matt hesitated. He shrugged. A grin crossed his face, wide, a little feral and far too amused, but so much more natural on him that some of Zoe’s tension leaked away.

“I guess the easiest way is just to show you,” he said. And so he did.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c157/nylmat/Sims/Zoe%20Story%20Contest/Chapter%20Three/4Puppy.jpg
Zoe blinked. She was distantly aware she should maybe be screaming. Or at least be shocked. Not just sitting there and watching the big, fluffy dog that sat where Matt had stood two seconds before. It – he – watched her with one cocked ear and a still tail. Then he glanced away, somehow radiating exasperation as his tail thudded against the ground.

“That’s a gorgeous dog,” Zoe said, voice flat. “Its the same colouring and everything.” The colouring that on Matt suggested a constant relationship with his hairdresser was natural and segued into each shade. Zoe picked at a splinter by her hand, careful and methodical. Pick, pick, pick. It caught, and red stained the skin under her nail. She was barely aware of the light stinging.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c157/nylmat/Sims/Zoe%20Story%20Contest/Chapter%20Three/5Scream.jpg
The dog whined and crept forward, his amber eyes soft and anxious. ‘Zoe?’

Now Zoe screamed.

Matt grinned, all teeth and lolling tongue. ‘That’s better. Not that I want you scared. But it’s better than not reacting.’ He thumped his forepaws up on the porch.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c157/nylmat/Sims/Zoe%20Story%20Contest/Chapter%20Three/6RunFree.jpg
His voice seemed to insert itself into Zoe’s head, like a second, alien thought. Its warm, familiar timbre echoed with an image of running free, the wind through his coat, along infinite stretches of pristine beach.
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Zoe froze. She gulped in a painful breath, then slid forward to the edge of the porch. Matt dropped down again, giving her space. She crouched in front him. She reached out a tentative, shaking hand. He felt real – he was soft and warm, almost hot. “Matt,” she whispered. “You’re a dog.”

‘Yes.’ Despite amusement in the tone, she could sense his seriousness – and see it, as the dog stilled in the echo. ‘I am. And you play with fire.’

“I’m a freak.”
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c157/nylmat/Sims/Zoe%20Story%20Contest/Chapter%20Three/8Kisses.jpg
‘So’m I. It’s not a bad thing.’ Matt leapt up and licked her face, a long and sloppy kiss: definitely real. Zoe shrieked, falling back, then laughed. As her giggles continued, edging into hysteria, Matt licked her again with a growl half-warning, half-playful. She shoved him away as she collapsed onto her back.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c157/nylmat/Sims/Zoe%20Story%20Contest/Chapter%20Three/9Collapse.jpg
Zoe gasped in a calmer breath, then another. She stared up at the sagging porch roof and blackened, warped walls. The building looked on the verge of collapse. “No wonder you don’t like cats.”

Matt yipped. ‘They’re fun to chase.’

“And you don’t have a dog.” She’d always thought that was because his beach house didn’t have an enclosed yard and was on stilts. But it did explain why the interior had no doors, only curtained arches.

‘No. They’re... uneasy around me.’

“Though I still don’t know why you’re naked.” Zoe turned an accusing look on him, as if that was the main problem. Not that he was a dog or that she was... whatever she was.

‘I like being naked. It’s natural. And anyway, clothes aren’t really made to fit a dog. They just get wrecked.’

Zoe pushed to her feet, wrapped her hands into Matt’s shaggy coat, then suddenly pulled away. “Change. Or whatever you do to be Matt again.”
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c157/nylmat/Sims/Zoe%20Story%20Contest/Chapter%20Three/10Change.jpg
Matt had stretched, ready to obey, but he paused to shoot her a steady look. ‘I am Matt. No matter which form I take. Just like you’re still Zoe even if you happen to be on fire.’

Zoe blushed and shook her head, but didn’t say anything. Matt’s mental sigh echoed in her thoughts, and then he stood before her, a man again. Even though Zoe had been staring, she hadn’t seen the change. A haze seemed to come over him, or perhaps over her sight, veiling him like a misty morning. If his grimace was any indication, Zoe suspected it was her brain’s way of shielding her from the sight of human flesh and bone breaking and reforming.

Matt shrugged, holding out his arms. The pain seemed only temporary. “Well?”

“How is this possible? How... I mean, you can’t just change into an animal,” Zoe whispered.

“I don’t ‘just’ change. It takes concentration, practice, levels of awesome ordinary people don’t have.”

Zoe actually glared, and Matt laughed.

“I don’t know, Zoe. All my family are like this – shifters. I knew a girl when I was a kid who could tell you the history of any mechanical object she touched. We’re special. You’re special.”
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c157/nylmat/Sims/Zoe%20Story%20Contest/Chapter%20Three/11Ruffle.jpg
He came forward, arms outstretched, but by the time he reached her, he was a dog again. He head butted her midriff. ‘You’re not alone.’

Zoe ruffled his ears, scratching his head as if he were any other dog, then stopped with another blush at the un-dog-like gleam of amusement in his eyes. “Sorry,” she muttered.

‘Feels good.’

“I’m not special,” Zoe said over his mental chuckle that echoed with sunny days and playful wavelets. “I’m...” she trailed off. The idea that she wasn’t alone in being a freak... that was amazing. Her mind grappled with it, turning it over and over, but couldn’t quite grasp it. Not yet. It was too big. And it didn’t change anything. She was still dangerous.

Matt sensed her withdrawal, or saw it in her face, and slipped back into being a man. The quick change back and forth and its accompanying pain didn’t seem to bother him at all. It must be worth the hurting.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c157/nylmat/Sims/Zoe%20Story%20Contest/Chapter%20Three/12Fire.jpg
“You were going to go once you told me,” Zoe said before he had a chance to speak. She looked up, caught the expression on his face. “It doesn’t change anything. I still—” She couldn’t say it.

She hadn’t started the fire that killed her family. No. But her being there had made it worse, had fed the flames that danced and burst around her. She had wondered, daze like, through them. If not for her, the fire mightn’t have spread so quickly and so hungrily. They might have gotten out. They might still be alive today.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c157/nylmat/Sims/Zoe%20Story%20Contest/Chapter%20Three/13Explosion.jpg
“Zoe,” Matt started to say, but his words were lost in a sudden roar.

Zoe staggered, almost falling, as the ground shook beneath them. Matt dropped form, finding his balance on four legs instead of two. In the distance a wall of flame clawed at the sky in groping orange and thick, oily smoke.

“What was that? Is that the Labs?” Zoe stared at the horizon – the flames didn’t look likely to disappear anytime soon.

‘Hello, arsonist.’ The grimness in Matt’s tone was reinforced by the forbidding images scurrying behind it: a storm tossed beach, waves pounding the hard sand while wind lashed the grey waters into a frenzy.

“Now? But...” Zoe realised there wasn’t really a ‘but’. Someone starting fires didn’t follow any rules, let alone hers.

‘Now. What are you going to do about it?’ Matt challenged her.

“Me?” Zoe gaped. “What can I—” She flinched as another explosion deafened them, reverberating through the air. “Do... do you think they meant it to be like this?”

Matt shrugged, a very odd gesture on a dog.

“They can’t have. It must have just gotten out of hand. It must have,” Zoe mumbled, trying to convince herself. “They must be sorry they—”

Matt shook as if shedding water, cutting her off. ‘Too bad. It’s too damn late to apologise.’ He took two loping strides, then paused. ‘You could help, you know.’

“I can’t help anyone. I can’t even help myself,” Zoe said, honest in her distraction when she mightn’t otherwise have admitted it so blatantly.

‘Yes, you could, if you wanted to. Don’t just hold back your fire, Zoe. Control it. Control this fire.’ Matt tossed his shaggy head in the direction of the building flames. ‘I think you can do it. You just need to believe that.’
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c157/nylmat/Sims/Zoe%20Story%20Contest/Chapter%20Three/14Chase.jpg
Then he bounded off across the scorched ground. Zoe stared after him, blinking back new tears. Matt had always had more faith in her then she did, but...

It took her a few minutes to fully realise he was bouncing happily after a boiling fire and possibly an arsonist with no concern at all.

“Oh dear,” she said lamely. She hesitated. She ran after him; she couldn’t let him get hurt.

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Current Plot Point: Makeover, Bonus: Meet Cute
Previous Plot Points: Mysterious Past, Heaven Only Knows
Word Count: 1541 words / 14 pictures
CC Used: Allowed only (I think!) – LBF skins, Aikea eyes, poses, OMSPs, Time/Weather mod, Chaos effect emitter

It feels strange not to be pushing the word count, but I didn’t feel like I needed to use it all this round. I actually added in rather than the normal cutting/paring back.

(Just noticed that on my second monitor, the flashback picture appears mostly white. I hope people have decent monitors and can see it!)

Ghost sdoj

7th Aug 2012, 12:14 PM

I got my game fixed, and am working on pictures... So of course I have company coming all day today!

(Ok, I also played some Oblivion yesterday...)

Qnshr5

7th Aug 2012, 4:09 PM

Thought I would post this weekend until I realized I had somehow written 3909 words! :cry: I don't even know where that came from.

Currently hunting down 1 word as I'm at 1701 words. :P Seriously.

Qnshr5

7th Aug 2012, 5:21 PM

Previous Rounds Summary: While being robbed at gun point on her job, Helena Raye (a former superhero named Brio) thwarts the robbery when she saves Lorie Pierce's life with an energy blast. On camera, it appears that Lorie is the hero and she is heralded as such. It all seems harmless until Helena discovers her old arch-nemesis, the organization of Aron, is preparing a test that if Lorie fails will lead to the destruction of the city.

----------------------------------
Running Out of Hero
Chapter 3

http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w395/Qnshr5/Out%20of%20Hero%20Sims3/Screenshot-5.jpg
After two nights of planning, Helena was ready to act on Sarah's plan to deal with Aron's threat. She'd sign on to the Brio reality TV show to help Lorie pass the test. It meant putting Lorie in danger, but she was a necessary distraction to keep Aron's eyes off Helena for the moment.

Now Helena stood before the old house that was the Delkarta Center for Paranormal & Supernatural Studies. Hopefully, Maxwell still had the business card from the show's producer. As soon as she stepped into the hall two employees greeted her.

“Welcome!” The man said. “I'm Hyde. This is Jenni. We'll be your tour guides.”

“Actually, I'm here to see Maxwell Eugenio,” Helena said.

“Oh... This way.” Hyde led her to a small office.

http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w395/Qnshr5/Out%20of%20Hero%20Sims3/Screenshot-10.jpg
Maxwell sat behind a desk staring at a computer.
“Let's run the tests again. I think the project's a success--” Shifting his gaze from the screen he saw her. He stared in shock then quickly turned away. When he stood he was wearing the same sunglasses he had on at the store.

“Hyde! Don't bring anyone back here without permission!” Maxwell turned his face and anger on Helena. “What do you want?”

She took a deep breath. He was rude and weird. Who wears sunglasses indoors? “I gave you a business card at One Stop the other day. I was hoping to get it back.”

“That's all?”

She nodded.

http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w395/Qnshr5/Out%20of%20Hero%20Sims3/Screenshot-15-1.jpg
Being nice worked. She kept going. “What's the project? It sounds exciting.”

“It's noth--” Maxwell began.

“It's beyond exciting!” Hyde jumped in. “We're researching whether persons can have superpowers without being manufactured like Aron does.”

“Brio was born with powers.” She countered.

“I doubt it,” he said. “If you study her extensively, you'd notice she has many similarities to Aron officers in abilities and--”

“Shut up, Hyde!” Maxwell snapped. He turned to her. “I'll give the card back on one condition. If Aron shows up while you're with Brio, send me video immediately.”

Helena agreed to the deal. After writing his number on the back, Maxwell handed her the card—ripped pieces taped together. She left without another word.

*****

Sitting in her car, she couldn't stop trembling. She replayed Hyde's words.

She has many similarities to Aron officers...

It wasn't similarity. The truth was she had come out of Aron. They took her when she was four. There were three others who were kidnapped the same year around the same age. Evie, Miyu, Jareen, and Helena grew up in the compound together.

When they weren't being experimented on or training, they were allowed to play outside under close supervision. Then they evolved.

http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w395/Qnshr5/Out%20of%20Hero%20Sims3/Screenshot-102.jpg

http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w395/Qnshr5/Out%20of%20Hero%20Sims3/Screenshot-83.jpg
Evie developed fire, Jareen water, and Miyu wind and cold. An external sign of Aron superiority, their hair and eye color changed as their genes mutated. Suddenly, they couldn't be friends with powerless Helena.

Years after Helena became Brio, the three had become Aron officers known as The Elements. Evie was called Flare, Jareen was River, and Miyu was Wen.

With their combined powers, The Elements were the toughest opponents Helena went up against. They saw her escape as traitorous rebellion and hated her with cruel passion. They were her last fight. She nearly died. She hoped to never face them again.

http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w395/Qnshr5/Out%20of%20Hero%20Sims3/Screenshot-25-1.jpg
Days later Helena was heading to the back parking lot of a downtown restaurant after having dinner with Lorie for the show, when she heard shouting. It was Lorie with her boyfriend “Fancy Pants” from the robbery.

“He called me a coward and accused me of doing nothing!” Lorie (who'd dyed her blonde hair light blue) yelled. “In front of the cameras, the world! If I'm humiliated one more time, I swear someone's life is going to be a living hell!”

“Careful, sweetie. You sound like a villain.” A smug voice said.

Perched on the roof of a black pickup truck sat a smirking woman dressed for a nightclub. Her long pink hair cascaded down her front in two ponytails. Her exposed left shoulder showed off a tattoo of a roaring wildcat head, the sign of an Aron officer.

“Do you remember me?” The woman asked. “I'm Flare. We go waaay back.”

Lorie blankly stared.

http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w395/Qnshr5/Out%20of%20Hero%20Sims3/Screenshot-27-1.jpg
Flare sighed. “Did you get our letter?”

“Letter?” Lorie's eyes lit up with realization. “You're Aron?”

“You're not as smart as you used to be, are you honey? Well, here are your instructions: The old Dodderman warehouse. There are two kids, an old lady, and a trucker. Find and get them out.”

“That's it?” Lorie put up her fists as if ready to rumble. “Give me something that's worthy of Brio.”

Flare's pink eyes twinkled in the moonlight. “We'll give you a real challenge later.” She flew away; a blast of hot air thrusting her body into the sky.

Lorie looked at her boyfriend. “When I rescue those people by myself it will prove that I'm the greatest hero ever.” She jumped into her Ferrari and screeched out of the lot.

http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w395/Qnshr5/Out%20of%20Hero%20Sims3/Screenshot-29-1.jpg
Helena parked three blocks away from the warehouse. Unsure of what waited behind the doors, she went to the side where fire escape stairs led up to the second floor. Taking a bit of energy from a flickering light bulb she filled the glass of a window with cracks until it caved.

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Crates rotted in every corner of the warehouse. The wood floors were covered in sawdust and sand. Helena found Lorie on the ground floor. She was upset that she'd been followed until Helena offered to be her sidekick.

Lorie agreed. “I do need a lackey.”

Working together, they looked behind and in every crate, machine, room, even a huge stack of smelly rotten hay... everywhere from top to bottom. Finally, Helena realized that they hadn't checked the elevator. Finding a crowbar, they pried the doors open. On the third floor they found the hostages.

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The elevator was stopped halfway down. Looking inside they saw a man (Tuck), two children (Hayley and Gene), and an elderly woman (Retha) sitting on the floor.

There was enough space between the floor of the building and the roof of the elevator for bodies to pass through.

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Retha reached up first. As Helena pulled her up, the light in the elevator turned red. An alarm blared. White smoke poured down from the vent in the elevator's roof.

Flare.

Startled, Retha slipped from Helena's grip and fell back onto the floor. The elevator shook. Tuck lifted the crying children up to Helena. Working together, Lorie and Helena were able to get both Retha and Tuck out.

http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w395/Qnshr5/Out%20of%20Hero%20Sims3/Screenshot-92-1.jpg
“Everyone downstairs.” Helena ordered.

As they scrambled down the last flight of the stairwell, Flare appeared at the landing. They stopped in their tracks.

“Upstairs!” Lorie shouted.

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They made their way to the second floor where Helena had come in. There was another stairwell on the opposite side of the building. As everyone headed in that direction, Flare jumped over the railing cutting off Lorie from the rest of the group.

“Ready for that challenge?” Flare asked, tilting her head back as two plumes of fire shot out from her palms to the floor.

Wide-eyed, Lorie stepped away from the hot flames. She was way out of her league. Flare shot a fireball over the rail down to the main doors consuming them in fire.

“Sorry, folks. Brio wants a real fight,” she said.

“I passed your test.” Lorie said, hoarsely.

“You won't get them out alive so you've failed.”

http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w395/Qnshr5/Out%20of%20Hero%20Sims3/Screenshot-97.jpg
At Helena's prompting, the group quietly headed for the open window. Meanwhile, Helena scooped up some sawdust and sand that covered the floor. Flare was busy tossing fire daggers at Lorie who barely dodged them. When she was close enough, Helena shouted. Flare turned. Helena flung the contents in her hand at Flare's face.

Screaming, Flare clawed at her eyes. Helena lifted her right leg, bent it, and kicked her straight in the chest. Flare flipped over the rail and fell. She lay, moaning, on the first floor.

“Wow!” Hayley and Retha had watched the whole thing. They stared at Helena in awe. She shooed them out the window. Flare would awaken soon.

The guys were waiting for them when they made it to the ground. They ran to the front where the gates were. Turning the corner, they stopped again.

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A man with aqua colored hair leaned against the wall. River. Next to him was a gray haired young woman. Wen. They'd been waiting. Helena ducked behind the group.

“Took you long enough,” Wen said.

“We were beginning to worry.” River yawned.

The warehouse doors burst open behind them. Flare hobbled over.

“Who put out my flames?” She screeched.

Helena had been so startled by the other Elements that she hadn't noticed the fire was extinguished.

“Orders were not to kill anyone,” Wen stated flatly.

Flare sniffed. “I was only having fun.”

River gave a half smile. “Brio saves the day again.”

“Like she did anything,” little Hayley muttered.

Wen narrowed her gray eyes at the girl, but before she could speak the sound of sirens caught everyone's ears. Someone had called in Flare's fire.

“Sorry to cut our reunion short, but that's our cue,” River said, straightening.

They took off into the sky. Flare flung a huge fireball down. Wen's strong gust of wind sent it hurtling. It hit the roof with the boom of an explosion.

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Firefighters raced toward the building. The flames were so huge the whole block lit up like it was day.

“What the hell was that?!” Lorie shouted at Helena. “The hostages are saying I did nothing. Do you know how humiliating this is? I'm the rescuer. I'm Brio, not you.”

“Sorry.”

“It's too damn late to apologize. Don't you ever come near me again.”

*****

Helena sat in her car, exhausted. Despite her anger, she didn't want Lorie to die trying to fight Aron ...but she didn't want to die either. The longer the ruse went on, though, the less likely either of them would come out of this alive.

Sighing, she stuck her key into the ignition. A shadow moved in the back seat. She screamed as sunglasses stared back at her in the rear view mirror.

Maxwell frowned. “You forgot. Not cool …Brio.”

http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w395/Qnshr5/Out%20of%20Hero%20Sims3/Screenshot.jpg

--------------------------------------------------

Current Events: Embarrassing Rescue; Class Reunion
Previous Events: Heaven Forbid; Mysterious Past
Word Count: 1699, Pics: 17
CC Allowed: Custom skin, hair, store content (hair/clothing/objects), OMSP, poses
Penalized: None

LadyAwesome

7th Aug 2012, 10:10 PM

You know, I always have to try find enough words, gosh I am hopeless. I guess I just like to tell the story with pictures and can never think up enough describing words lol. My entry will deffinatly not be in until tomorrow. I have over 1200 words now though YAY, just need 8 more pictures.

missroxor

7th Aug 2012, 10:39 PM

Previously:
Jada Greene is the daughter of the Governor and also a member of the guard force employed to keep the Reds subdued and out of the city. When her father declares war on the Reds he sends out teams to strike the suspected Red camps. Jada, however is involved in a shooting incident that resulted in her waking up in hospital days later. She is horrified to discover she’s been taken to a makeshift Red hospital, deep within enemy territory. Her “captors” claim that they had to take her there to save her life but she’s convinced it was intentional kidnap, and that they’re trying to recruit her to their cause which seems to be to over-throw the government. After making it obvious that her loyalties lie with her father and her city her “captors” Olivia (who says she’s not red but counts reds among her family) and Rurik agree to let her go. Just as she’s ready to leave, Olivia plays to Jada’s curious side, indicating that she knows more about Jada than she’s let on.

Also, just as a reminder, GI = Genome Interrogator (the proximity detection device used to determine if someone has the red gene or not).

~~~

“That’s the guy?”

“Yes, Governor. We caught him on the perimeter fence cctv the night of the red alert. Ray, er- Sgt Stannis confirmed it’s the same red who attacked him and kidnapped your daughter”.

“Are these being distributed city-wide?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Good; I want every man and his slave to know the face of the man that sealed the Red’s fate forever. He’s gonna pay for embarrassing me like this.”

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/missroxor/Contests/Heavens%20Heros/Chapter%203/Pic1.jpg

* * *

Somehow I knew that I wasn’t gonna walk out that door just yet: it just seemed too easy. The door was open, there were no shackles tying me down. Yet I hesitated; distracted by their words. If they’re to be believed I’m the Red’s only hope of survival. Why? Their fate is in my Dad’s hands and they think I can influence his decisions. I can certainly get close enough to him but would I want to interfere? Why would I side with a bunch of criminals and savages over my own Dad? No, this is all a bit far-fetched but they continue on in vain, trying to convince me otherwise.

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/missroxor/Contests/Heavens%20Heros/Chapter%203/Pic2.jpg

“Jada. You wanted to know how we know so much about you...”

I sigh wearily but remain paused at the door, on the precipice of freedom, “cyber stalking?”

Olivia continues, ignoring my sarcasm. She probably has a lot of practice at that with Rurik, “Jada, we share the same blood”.

“Yeah, yeah. Look, I get it”, I’ve never been totally sold on the whole ‘reds are soulless demons theory’ like a lot of the religious types are, ”...they’re still human but even you have to admit Reds have more in common with Neanderthals than normal humans!”

Following my glare to Rurik she laughs softly, “No, that’s just men in general". Then she’s serious again, “...but that’s not what I meant. Jada-“

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“Wait!” Rurik interrupts, “I wanna hear this; what is it you think you know about Reds that makes us so damn unbearable?”

Is he for real?! “Where do I start? ...You’re crazy, unpredictable, violent animals! You terrorised the city for years, looting homes and killing anyone who got in your way! If it wasn’t for the circle guards... Some even believe red hair is the stain of sin; proof that you sold your soul to the devil and that’s why you turn to vampires when-...” He’s laughing at me. Not a chuckle but a big, loud belly laugh.

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/missroxor/Contests/Heavens%20Heros/Chapter%203/Pic4.jpg

My voice rises with my temper, “It’s historical. Have you ever heard of a ginger saint?! No! Do you know who was ginger though? Judas Iscariot; the biggest traitor of them all!” this isn’t coming out right, I sound ridiculous as I try to recall lessons I learned about Reds in school but he knows how to press my buttons and I’m too angry to think rationally. Frustration spurns me on, firing out one justification after another for out-casting Reds.

He wrestles to control his laughter long enough to interrupt, “You actually believe that? Bible stories and folklore? You got proof of any of this or do you all just go along with whatever Daddy’s little demonocracy tells you to believe? Can you even think of one civilian that was killed or harmed by ...what did you call us? ‘Crazy, violent animals?”

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/missroxor/Contests/Heavens%20Heros/Chapter%203/Pic5.jpg

“Yes you asshole! Reds killed my mother when I was a baby.” His smirk fades to a frown.

Olivia gasps, “Oh Jada. That’s just not true! That’s what we’ve been trying to tell you...we,” she moves between us resting a hand on Rurik’s shoulder and offering the other to me, “we share the same blood: we’re family, Jada. I’m... your mother.”

...?!

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/missroxor/Contests/Heavens%20Heros/Chapter%203/Pic6.jpg

It’s my own fault. I told them something about my personal life and they’re trying to use it to manipulate me. I let my guard down; forgot my training. Never give the enemy personal details because they will find a way to use them against you. Damn it! I swore I wouldn’t let her get to me; that I wouldn’t let her soothing voice and friendly eyes trick me into getting comfortable!

She eyes me tentatively before continuing softly, “...and Rurik ...he’s your twin brother.”

What? She honestly expects me to believe this crap?! Dad’s brunette, same as me and Rurik’s definitely a Red. If Dad really fathered him then he’d have to get his colouring from Olivia, surely. She’s lying about something: her hair colour or our blood ties, probably both. Jeez, why am I even entertaining the idea, it’s insane?! I realise then she’s still holding my hand so I yank it free.

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/missroxor/Contests/Heavens%20Heros/Chapter%203/Pic7.jpg

“Jada?” Her voice is high and urgent. “Please-“

“No!” I growl. “That was a really low blow using my mother’s death against me like that but...to imply that I’m one of them!” I scowl at Rurik, two decades of ingrained hatred coming to the fore once more, “I’m not like him!” Tears threaten taking me by surprise.

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/missroxor/Contests/Heavens%20Heros/Chapter%203/Pic8.jpg

Unbidden emotions are violently tossed aside when Rurik clamps my wrist in his bear like grip and yanks me out into the dingy corridor. Rage emanates from his body as he torpedoes me through gloomy walkways and up dank stairwells, climbing from the basement at speed. Olivia calls out something from behind us but all I can think is that he’s gone feral, showing his true colours; a true red! I struggle to free myself but he’s stronger than I am and resisting only serves to infuriate my healing wound.

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/missroxor/Contests/Heavens%20Heros/Chapter%203/Pic9.jpg

We burst through a set of double doors and Rurik stops dead in front of me. I brace myself for his attack but he drops my wrist and slowly moves forward as if he’s lost his train of thought. Glancing around I realise this must be the ER of the “hospital”. They’re everywhere: Reds. Whimpering, sobbing, dazed, confused...dead. It’s like something you’d see in a field hospital on the edge of a warzone. I remind myself, 'we are in a warzone' ...but these casualties aren’t soldiers. They’re not part of any army; they’re defenceless, weak. An old man calls out his wife’s name in anguish but nobody answers. An infant with a tear soaked face stumbles past with blood spattered clothes; no parents in sight.

Someone with an old radio cries, “They got camp three...” he consults his radio once more and adds meekly, “...no known survivors”. Agonized wails of grief seep from every corner.

It’s not real, it can’t be real. Our enemies are rebel fighters, criminals, savages!!...Not frail pensioners and babies: harmless humans.

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/missroxor/Contests/Heavens%20Heros/Chapter%203/Pic10.jpg

Rurik stops in front of a young woman who’s clutching a small, limp body to her chest.
“I’m so sorry, Rose...” his voice is soft; tender in a way I didn’t know Reds were capable of. He cups her cheek in his hand, brushing away a stray tear with his thumb.

She appears momentarily comforted as she leans into his touch then her gaze wanders over his shoulder and halts abruptly when our eyes lock. As recognition dawns her mouth quivers and twists, settling on a grimace. She lays the child on a gurney, ever so careful as if she might hurt the lifeless body, then refocuses on me with an icy glare. “Ru, what is she doing here?!”

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/missroxor/Contests/Heavens%20Heros/Chapter%203/Pic11a.jpg

“Rose-“he starts. She doesn’t wait for a reply.

“You have no right being here!” She seethes pushing past him, “This is yourfault: you and your kind,” she spits, “Do you know what you’ve done? How many babies you’ve killed? How many children you’ve orphaned, huh? ...You’re his daughter aren’t you? That evil bastard!”

“He doesn’t know... he can’t! He wouldn’t let this happen if he knew”. Even as I speak the words, my last conversation with my father haunts me,

“Jada, they’re nothing but vermin ...you know what happens to vermin”

“...Mass extermination?”

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/missroxor/Contests/Heavens%20Heros/Chapter%203/Pic12.jpg

She laughs, a small hysterical giggle punctuated with a manic expression. I search Rurik’s face for some kind of reassurance that he won’t let this nut job tear me to shreds where I stand... a desperate hope given that moments ago I was certain he was going to kill me. Oh God! Is that why he dragged me here? To let them have their revenge on me?! He’s avoiding eye contact. He’s ...disgusted? No, more than that, he’s... ashamed. Of what? Of me?

Those in ear-shot who’re still able have already turned to gawp at the pariah. It’s Me. I’m the evil one; the monster. I’ve never killed anyone but I’m trained to hunt and kill these people. Perhaps more importantly, my whole life I’ve been trained to want to.

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/missroxor/Contests/Heavens%20Heros/Chapter%203/Pic13.jpg

Oh, It was easy to want to when my enemy was a faceless monster but now... am I just weak? A better guard wouldn’t think twice about killing them all! What would Dad think of me now, would he be ashamed or proud? I repeat the words like a mantra, “He wouldn’t let this happen...” Would he?

Rurik’s wrestles with his temper, “Who’re you trying to convince, Jada?”

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/missroxor/Contests/Heavens%20Heros/Chapter%203/Pic14.jpg

“I...I’m sorry. I didn’t know-“

“Sorry?! You’re sorry? Why didn’t you say?”. Rose turns to the growing crowd of spectators , “She’s sorry, everyone! You can all go back home now... she’s sorry!”

“Rose!” Rurik warns.

“It’s too damn late to apologize. Sorry’s not gonna bring back my little sister! Or their loved-ones”, she waves toward the crowd. “Sorry’s not gonna put out the fires, rebuild our camps. Two decades of starvation, living like animals in a barren wasteland...but you’re ...sorry?” Rurik pulls her to his chest as fury gives way to raw grief.

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/missroxor/Contests/Heavens%20Heros/Chapter%203/Pic15.jpg

Radio cackle breaks the silence, “Camp four’s gone; they’re heading this way”, the operator solemnly announces, “20 minutes out”. Panicked murmurs ripple through the crowd.

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Rose glowers at me as the room erupts in movement, “Your baby-killer friends are coming to rescue you... Hope it’s worth it!” She shunts my wounded shoulder as she pushes past me to help the orphaned kids find cover.

Rurik’s eyes burn into me, “You can’t change the truth, Jada...but maybe the truth can change you”. He extends his hand to me.

He’s offering me my GI. “You really think we’re twins?”

He retorts, “You really think we’re evil savages?”

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/missroxor/Contests/Heavens%20Heros/Chapter%203/Pic17.jpg

~~~

Judges Info

Current Plot Point: Evil Twin (The role of the evil one switches from Rurik at the start through Jada’s eyes to Jada at the end through the eyes of the Reds).
Bonus Plot Point: Pride before a fall (Despite having her own misgivings about how far is too far when it comes to disciplining/controlling Reds, she remains fiercely loyal to her father and the guards. Even when Olivia and Rurik try to convince her that her whole life has been a lie she remains stubbornly resistant and outwardly offensive to Rurik. It’s only after Rurik forces her to confront the reality of what’s happening that she realises she might be one of ‘the bad guys’ after all and really starts to ask herself some tough questions about her father.)
Previous Plot Points: Beware the Nice Guy, Kidnapped.
Word Count: 1698
CC Used: Yes (allowed and not-allowed)
Hero Type: Chosen One

Effects Used:

All pics - Custom light intensity and colours
Pic 1 – not photoshopped, the poster is cc I made which can be found here (http://www.mediafire.com/?qdgg4579f3nj63q) if proof’s needed.

CC USED:

Poses: Spladoum, Traelia, me, Kaleeko and CMO - pose player
Skin: Navetsea
Eyes: I seem to have accidentally replaced my default eyes with another when I DLd a sim I think and I can’t find the bloody thing to fix it back so dunno who they’re by.
Clothes: All non-EA are from All-About-Style.com except (Amber’s) boots by elexis and (spectator’s) boots by Traelia. Also fishnets by Newsea (free)
Hair: Olivia and Jada up do = mybluebook, 2xspectator’s hair by elexis (tron and long flowing) and Bluebook. Rose’s by Anubis/Peggy
Brows: Haven’t narrowed it down yet!
Make-up: Kittyklan eye bags, Arisuka contour make-up and bloody face, lips and tear stained eyes by papercat. Bloody hands by newone08, body blood by scaryberry, bloodblush by twighlights
Lot: Negone by Armonia (GoS) – Heavily Edited by me but same CASTing used

Other Objects:
Blood puddle by Syren (13thsim)
Old Radio by Leehee (BPS)
Hospital set by Hekate (MTS)
OMSP by Granthes (MTS)
Extractor fan window by Luna (SimsLulamai)
Born into the grave - rusty patterns by Aikea Guinea (GoS)
three metal textures by Gelydh (Club Crimsyn)
Industry & metalurgy patterns sets by Bec (tribeccasims3)
Wall Graffiti by Gelydh (Club Crimsyn)

missroxor

7th Aug 2012, 11:32 PM

Yay, I did get it finished yesterday like I said I would, just didn't get it posted :/

Just wanted to say that all the red "facts" that I mention throughout the story are real things written about gingers by people on the internet, lol. Some are obviously just bullshit but others are genuinely historical beliefs that people have held. I personally have not made up any of Jada's beliefs, they're all out there online, beliefs that other's have held or made up!

Allegedly gingers have been burned as witches in the past ("During the Spanish Inquisition flame colored hair was evidence that its owner had stolen the fire of hell and had to be burned as a witch"), killed so their fat could be used to make poison and spat at in the street for just being who they are D: Ginger hate really is historical! Judas is nearly always portrayed as ginger as are demons and evil people in biblical stories. In St. Paul’s cathedral in London statues show a blonde haired Eve's hair turning red when she's kicked out of Eden and in the Sistine Chapel a painting shows "a brown haired Eve being handed a red apple by a red headed bare breasted serpent woman (Satan manifested as woman of course carries red hair). In the adjacent fresco Eve is thrown out of the garden with a shameful face and a twist of red hair" ...not that I've been to verify that myself :p

Even old Aristotle was "known to believe that redheads were emotionally unhousebroken"...whatever that means. The vampire thing is aparently a belief that was expressed in Greek Mythology but I've not found the actual story that it supposedly came from. Also, according to various sources, there's a superstition in Liverpool (England) where people used to (some still do apparently) believe that meeting a ginger at the start of a journey was a bad omen and that you should just turn around and go back home.

lol, I'm actually starting to feel sorry for red heads :luff:

heaven

7th Aug 2012, 11:37 PM

Even old Aristotle was "known to believe that redheads were emotionally unhousebroken"...whatever that means.

I'm sorry but do you mean to say that gingers have problems urinating all over their loved one's hearts? :lol:

Oh the ginger hate. Will it never end?

missroxor

7th Aug 2012, 11:44 PM

Oh, that's what it means?! lol

Hey, I did say I'm starting to feel sorry for them! I even did a little holding hand smilie - if that's not proof that I'm calling a truce I don't know what is! :lol:

LadyAwesome

8th Aug 2012, 12:47 AM

What about my poor little red head ghosts? Do you wish to piss on them too hahahahahaha nice back story though :D

missroxor

8th Aug 2012, 12:54 AM

woah, that was Aristotle's beliefs, not mine! lol I just thought it was bizarre, the amount of random stuff people have made up/believed about gingers and the fact that it's been throughout history, not just since SouthPark! :lol: For a minute there I was doubting whether my character's beliefs were to extreme to be believable but then I re-looked at some of my research and realised, nope...people are this fucked in the head!

Qnshr5

8th Aug 2012, 3:31 AM

My grandmother was a red head. One year when she was a kid her teacher would tease and humiliate her. He even paddled her every single day just for having red hair!

missroxor

8th Aug 2012, 4:44 AM

See, people aren't right in the head!! lol. Your poor Gran. Red heads nowadays think they have it bad but I think things were a hell-of-a-lot worse in the days when it was more acceptable to settle your differences/make your opinion known with violence :/ Out of curiosity, what country was your Gran's school in? Scotland and then Ireland have the highest percentage of red heads in the world but most of the craziest beliefs I've found online have come from outside of the UK and Ireland. Though I think in the UK they were generally seen as bad luck.

PS Qnshr, you could very well have the red gene *gets out her Genome Interrogator and silver-tipped, wooden flechette pistol* ;)

ForeverCamp

8th Aug 2012, 6:52 AM

... Ahem.

I think I may need an extension. I am going to try my damnedest to get it in in the next 22 hours, for Reya's sake.

ETA (8/8/2012): Yeah. It's totally not going to happen. :( 11 hours to go and I'm going to be spending 9 of them at work (plus my father's Visa card has gone missing and I'm in charge of tearing the house apart looking for it). If the judges and heaven are all right with it, I won't ask for an extension (seeing as I know that Reya needs as much time as she can get for Round 4). I can submit the entry late for a points ding (or I'll swallow the 0...)

Ghost sdoj

8th Aug 2012, 6:58 PM

Kylara, having been adopted in a blood ritual by Lord Alfric, was dragged back in time to recover the Crown of the Master before her professor, who is apparently not human, could use her class to disarm the traps around it. When they arrived, he dug up some "expendable" clothing for her to wear, and then gave her a flower and some jewelry which he said would mark her as his apprentice, and taught her a pass phrase and countersign. Just as they were leaving, he told her that someone was coming and then vanished.

As the footsteps grew louder, Kylara wondered if Lord Alfric always made his apprentices wear such hideous outfits, and wished again that she would not have to be seen in these clothes. As Professor Greymane turned the corner she heard the invisible Lord Alfric whisper "Remember, sign and countersign only. Nothing else."

http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/39010_120808131259intercepted.jpg

It was definitely Professor Greymane who entered, but his complexion was odd. He glanced at her. "I see Starhome has a new apprentice. Or are you just a bed-warmer?"

http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/39011_120808131432A.jpg

She blushed, but replied "The crown of the master is his reputation."

He nodded. "Apprentice, then. Has he ever decided what you are supposed to do if someone doesn't give the countersign? Keep asking? Walk away? Challenge that person to a duel?" He laughed. She waited, but Lord Alfric was silent.

http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/39012_120808131506B.jpg

Finally she turned to walk away, and he grabbed her arm. "May the master's crown be forever bright, or whatever he's changed it to. We haven't been properly introduced. I am Sir Dominic Greymane; second of the Royal Battlemages. And even he will admit that I am a much better teacher than your master, unless you enjoy learning by being led through monster lairs and casting random spells to see what happens."

http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/39013_120808131558Countersign.jpg

He released her arm. "I actually enjoy teaching. With him it tends to end up being rather haphazard. I won't say you can't learn from him, perhaps even more than I could teach, but I will say that teaching is not one of his many talents. We are likely to be seeing more of each other when he decides that you need some remedial tutoring to cover gaps that he has left in your studies."

The thought briefly crossed her mind that this sounded a bit familiar. As she left the house Lord Alfric reappeared and smiled proudly at her. "You made quite an impression on him. But unfortunately we must hurry now. He will be contacting me to congratulate me on my new apprentice. My earlier self won't remember -having- a new apprentice. And I wasn't exactly the nicest person that you could find."

http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/39014_120808131638Now we go.jpg

"I can believe that," she muttered. In a louder voice she asked "Are you ever going to tell me anything more about this crown that we are looking for? "

"Does it really matter? It would be wise not to be here when my past self arrives with questions for you."

She reluctantly agreed, and he led the way into a cave complex and stopped near a rock by one of the cave walls. "First, you will need to dissipate fire, and focus the spell on this rock."

http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/39015_120808131720First step.jpg

She stepped well away from the rock. "I think we may have a few minutes for you to explain why this thing is so important that you had to do all this to me. I appreciate being adopted. All the kids in the orphanage dream of being adopted and having a real family, and we all realize that once we are older than toddlers the odds drop enormously.
And it was rather exciting to read about "my father" in the history books. Even with everything else, I don't really want you to stop being my father. But you keep taking over my body, without even asking me first, and now you have dragged me back into danger in the past. I'm old enough to know what I'm doing if you are going to expect me to do it, aren't I?"

http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/39017_120808131859Sitting.jpg

He sighed and sat down on the floor. "The crown is actually a ring, similar to the one I gave you. It can generate an illusion of a crown as one of its powers. Its primary function is to cause the wearer to be perceived as a trustworthy and wise friend who deserves to be obeyed. This will work on anyone who is not actively shielded against it, or who does not have strong prior knowledge that the wearer is untrustworthy. It also allows mind-reading, a bit of clairvoyance or prediction, and even the ability to send your spirit into another body for a while. My body was wearing it when I died, but I was not in my body, which may be why I kept some of the power from it. Yes, I did deceive you somewhat. There is no danger that I will be arriving at the house, because my body is trapped here. We are actually rescuing me."

http://modyourpanties.com/hosting/39016_120808131803-1.jpg

He stood up and gave her a tender smile. "And now we are rescuing you as well. The cave sealed itself when we entered. We are both trapped now."

She was angry, but something else occurred to her as well. "Won't rescuing you cause a paradox? It is interfering with the fixed events of the past, after all."

"Not at alll. I survived as a ghost; I could easily have survived as a man. Nothing of substance would change, therefore there will be no paradox."

http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/39018_1208081319252.jpg

"You have even arranged for a body to be in the cave where yours used to be, haven't you?" She stalked over to the boulder sealing the entrance and studied it. "I'm sorry, Father, but I don't think I want to play your game anymore. There has to be a way to open this thing."

She felt him beginning to take over her body again, and became furious. "Get OUT!" she screamed, both mentally and physically. Suddenly he reappeared, passed out on the floor. She was startled, but glad that it had apparently worked. "If I had any desire to rescue your past self, you just killed it." she told the unconscious form as she returned to studying the boulder sealing the cave.

http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/39029_120808134615knocked out.jpg

As she experimented with another way to move the boulder, she heard him say "Who are you?"

Without bothering to turn around she replied "You know who I am. I'm the idiot that you said you were adopting, but were simply planning to use to rescue your past self. And I'm not interested in your games anymore. I was watching when you brought us here, so I think that I can get back to the present on my own once I get out of this cave."

"Ah, yes. There I am... How did you manage to knock a ghost unconscious?" She turned, and saw that she had been joined by the living version of Lord Alfric.

http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/39021_120808132103Who Are you.jpg

She shrugged. "I suppose I probably have said too much already, but just for future reference, I got really tired of having my body used without my permission, so I pitched him...you...back out. It doesn't seem to have been very good for him."

He gazed at the unconscious ghost. "No, apparently not." Turning back to her, he asked. "Did I hear correctly that you had come here to rescue me?"

http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/39022_120808132227oops.jpg

"No. HE came here to rescue you. I came here because he was lying through his teeth, and I was stupid enough to believe him."

He shook his head. "I never lie. I may make mistakes, or forget to mention things, but I never actually lie."

A moan alerted both of them that the ghost was waking up. The living Lord Alfric turned to the ghost. "I believe we owe this young lady an apology. She is accusing you of having lied to her."

http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/39023_120808132304Trust That more than you.jpg

Kylara glared at both of them. "NO! It's too damn late to apologize. You have me stuck inside a cave that you were trapped in until you died, I'm 400 years in my own past, you have me wearing the weirdest clothes you could find, and you wouldn't even tell me what was really going on until we were blocked in. Somehow an apology just isn't going to cut it right now!" She pointed at the rock blocking the entrance. "Right now I trust THAT more than I trust you!" She began working on the rock again.

http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/39024_120808132342I like her.jpg

The living Lord Alfric turned to the ghost. "I think I like her. Where did we find her?"

"In a library at midnight, inventing spells for which she had no training. It will not surprise me if she does find a way to reverse the spell on the entrance and get us out of here without having to go through the gauntlet."

He smiled at her back. "And whether or not you accept it, I do apologize for misleading you, and for dragging you into danger like this. But Greymane does appear to intend to use your classmates to pass the gauntlet, now that he is sure that I perished here. That was completely genuine. And I am understandably anxious to free myself of this trap that Greymane put me in."

http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/39025_120808132412Apology declined.jpg

"I don't care. And you forgot to apologize for these clothes," she grumbled petulantly. There was a momentary flash from a ring on the living Alfric's finger. She started to give them an apologetic smile, then suddenlly stopped. "HEY! NO!" She shook her head to clear it. "You need to practice having a relationship that doesn't involve running people like puppets! Are you sure that Professor Greymane didn't just get tired of having you take him over?"

http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/39026_120808132458Consultation.jpg

The two Lord Alfrics appeared to consult each other. Finally the living one turned to her and handed her the ring he was wearing. "You cannot keep it yet. That -will- cause a paradox. But you can use it to determine the truth behind what my ghost has been telling you. Perhaps that will help you decide your next course of action."

She gingerly put the ring on, ready to remove it at the first sign of trouble. Nothing happened. "So how does this work?" she asked. They both bowed to her. "You seem to have figured it out," they replied in unison.

http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/39030_120808135536You did WHAT to me.jpg

Suddenly her mind was flooded with information. The part that frightened her the most was that Professor Greymane was not the only non-human member of the Royal Battlemages. It was true that he was a demon, hunting souls, but Lord Alfric was also half elven and half demonic. And his blood ritual when he adopted her had also begun a transformation in her to make her physically his daughter.

Current Events: What did you use this chapter? Finding Judas, Kidnapped,
Previous Events: Makeover, Time Travel
Word Count: 1696
CC Used: Allowed: Legend Isles Lyonesse world by Sookielee, Euphoria Skin by Fawkes, ear sliders by Cmar

Ghost sdoj

8th Aug 2012, 7:12 PM

Remember last chapter when I had my ghost reading the contents of a locked safe by walking through walls? I didn't quite realize how accurate that was. Never try to hide a sleeping bag, martial arts dummy, or bookcase from a ghost by putting it on the other side of a barricade. It took me long enough to get the timing right on those pictures that I decided not to try re-doing them. (At least I have all the mooched food out of them.)

(And speaking of mooched food, Kylara mooched a tv dinner from "Professor Greymane", a bowl of cereal from the living Lord Alfric, another tv dinner from the ghost, and then bowl of soup from the ghost. ALL autonomously, and all when I was trying to get her to do something else. And then her "stuffed" moodlet told ME not to make her eat when she is full!)

BTW, I know I have the red gene. My hair is brown, but it has a lot of red running through it. :)

LadyAwesome

9th Aug 2012, 12:02 AM

Previously – We found out that Ala is a Demon that can't keep tabs on her natural instinct , Lottie is a bubbly Guardian and can shape shift, sworn to protect Ala from.... stuff.. Ala and Verne had been bonded together a while back and had a child, but had to give him up. The Vampire Queen is out for Ala's blood. Ooops. The poor girl can't catch a break.

Music for your ears (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuOuBtcG0Bw)

Determination: It is one of the best assets we can possess, the tool we can use to defeat discouragement. The act of coming to a decision or of fixing or settling a purpose. A person who is determined has a firmness of purpose and the resolve to achieve a goal. It is a fixed intention or resolution to overcome obstacles. It gives you the drive that is needed to get shit done.

http://i790.photobucket.com/albums/yy187/klarox/Story%20compition%20Hero%20edition/part%203/Screenshot-90-1.jpg

My determination has lead me to this old run down motel. Lottie is sure this is where we are to find the answers.

“Quick Ala, its this way, just down the elevator. This building is several hundred years old, it has been 'emtpy' so people think for about 50 years. Until the Gardian society decided to take it over and build their library, but that had only been in say, the last 20years or so.” Lottie paused to take a breath as she pushed the elevator button.

http://i790.photobucket.com/albums/yy187/klarox/Story%20compition%20Hero%20edition/part%203/Screenshot-53.jpg

“So here.....” They elevator sounded and they got in ”.......is where we keep all our records and journals so if we ever have a repeat of a supernatural mishap.......”
Lottie paused as she pinned in something on the key board and they stepped out into a big expansive library. I looked on in awe just slightly paying attention to what Lottie was saying.. This place was so empty almost eariy, it deffinatly have some kind of magic in it, I could feel it prickle down my spine.
“...........and that is how the guardens protected themselves from them!” Lottie explained excitedly.
Maybe I should have been listening more carefully to that one, eh, if it was something I REALLY needed to know she will explain it again surely.

http://i790.photobucket.com/albums/yy187/klarox/Story%20compition%20Hero%20edition/part%203/Screenshot-46.jpg

Lottie sat me down with a pile of books.
“look for anything to do with vampires, the vampir mistress and the war with demons.” She said after setting about to looking for more books and humming.
I perked a brow at her....Bossy little beggar...I thought to myself. But hey, she is willing to help me slaughter these things that control my life. It had been a wee while maybe an hour or so when Lottie pipped up.

http://i790.photobucket.com/albums/yy187/klarox/Story%20compition%20Hero%20edition/part%203/Screenshot-61.jpg

“This is it!” she squeeled.
“100 years ago Demons ruled the supernatural plane along side the fae. Everything seemed to be normal enough to the humans. Every now and then a human would turn up souless, or in a coma as they thought, his was due to the demons soul sucking, which obviosly is a decendant of yours Ala, I know there is many more types.” Lottie quickly flashed me a smile.
I knew all about these wars anyway....... well I knew how the vampires had come with their fresh armies taking the demons, but with what? Its not like you can just stab us in the heart or shoot us with silver.

http://i790.photobucket.com/albums/yy187/klarox/Story%20compition%20Hero%20edition/part%203/Screenshot-65.jpg

I knew as Lottie was blabbering on there had to be more to this story, too bad my family was all dead. Maybe my son knows, although I am positive he will be brain washed into oblivion.

http://i790.photobucket.com/albums/yy187/klarox/Story%20compition%20Hero%20edition/part%203/Screenshot-80.jpg

Just then I felt a tingling sensation, it started in my fingers and my toes. Then my ears started ringing and my whole body was taken over I twisted in agony
“LOTTIE!” I screamed.
Her eyes opened wide and she jumped at me, but it was too late.
I landed where ever I was with an oof, and in a protection circle. Fuck it all, I could hear soft mumerings of
“Ala Arcadius Velentai....”
Everything went silent, so creepily silent that I couldn't hear anything. I just lay there staying quiet as possible not moving.

http://i790.photobucket.com/albums/yy187/klarox/Story%20compition%20Hero%20edition/part%203/Screenshot-83.jpg

“You didn't harm her did you?” I heard Verne whisper.
“Would you shut up you idiot, I wouldn't harm her when I need her so much. One more word and I will have your throat.” A voice said, with a smooth purr.
I felt a tug on my concionce, I smiled knowing it was Lottie trying to find me, then cringed when I remembered I was being watched.
“Ala Arcadius Velentai, you have been summoned, I demand you to rise.” The woman belted out.
I was planning on just laying here, but my body betrayed me.
“Who the hell gave you my summon name.” I screamed at her, still not looking. Summon names were personal, you shared them with no one but your.....bond....mate..... bloody bastard!

http://i790.photobucket.com/albums/yy187/klarox/Story%20compition%20Hero%20edition/part%203/Screenshot-84.jpg

“Ala I am sorry, you.....” there was a sound of a crack and Verne was on the floor looking sorry for himself.
“It's too damn late to apologize.” I whispered, trying not to loose what composure I had left.
Thats when I seen her for the first time in a while, she wore a hood, but her eyes sure did glow under that thing. She had a smirk on her face, but it seemed so friendly. I knew the face for what it was though, this woman was a force not to be wreconed with.

“I think its about time we had a little chat don't you?” NO I thought to myself.
I was never going to be ready for what was to come. So I nodded my submission, there was no point trying to get out of here right now.
“Such a naughty little demon you are running away like that, what did you have holy water for breakfast for the last however long? You know I always get what I want, and what I want is for you to want to rejoin me. In return you will get back something close to your heart.” her lips perked at one side, a wicked smile.

http://i790.photobucket.com/albums/yy187/klarox/Story%20compition%20Hero%20edition/part%203/Screenshot-90.jpg

What was it that I was getting back? Verne, my parents, my son? I did not want to say names, or ask her questions, I did not want to owe her anything.
“Marie, I need to think on this, and I need more information.” pushing for time, not an easy task when you don't have much of it.
“It's lady lilith to you child, you have had pleanty of time to decide, I am not playing around. I am going to take this place from these humans who put themselves higher then us all. I deserve better, I should be able to walk these lands without having to hide, its not just me, my people, my family deserve better. Ala you have a special part it this plan my dear, you have something no one else does. You do remember you are mine? I also have you in my circle of protection, so the choice is yours. Do you wish to help us?” She walked around my circle watching her people and watching me. Oh how glorious it would be to be able to feed again, my hunger was coming back ten fold since my adrenalin started to rush. Come on Lottie, where are you
“These people belong here too Lady Lilith, I wish them no harm. I have done enough to them and it is not my way no more. I am not your people and I do not wish to aid your fight for power. I just want to live my life in peace, with no more suffereing. You have done enough!” I blurted and my breathing deepend.

Lady Marie Lilith snapped her fingers then, I frowned as I noticed a bunch of bodies being shuffled around. Then a teenage boy was in her grasp, he didn't look afraid, but he didn't look alive either. The look on Vernes face told me everything I needed to know, this boy is our son. My heart melted instantly, betraying me to show emotion. Deeeeeeep breaths......

http://i790.photobucket.com/albums/yy187/klarox/Story%20compition%20Hero%20edition/part%203/Screenshot-80-1.jpg

“You see my precious little Ala, there are somethings that I have control over. You can either do what I say, and have all the things you love close again, or.......”She took out a knife from a sheeth and grabbed the boy, putting the knife at his throat. “You can watch me draw the blood from your little baby boy and be bound to me, I bet you can not possibly guess what I have laced on this knife.” She purred as her eyes lit up the room.

Current Plot Point: Move heaven and earth, Family secrets.
Previous Plot Points: The cake was a lie. Mind Over Matter.
Picture Count: 10
Word Count:1383
CC Used: yes Allowed: no.

Baka's Hawell Island. Half of the Avendale clan.... Some Harris tribe, some..... star legacy sims, and some others?
CC from everywhere.... don't ask it was a rough night lol

heaven

9th Aug 2012, 12:12 AM

Okay, I'd like to know how many missing entries are people that are in need of an extension. By my count, we are still missing 5 entries. I can offer the same "deal" I did before: post in the next 24 hours, receive full marks, post in between 24 and 48 and lose one point off your compiled score. However, I will only do that if I know that most missing entries are working in good faith to get the round in. I don't want to hold everyone else up for only 1 entry.

LadyAwesome

9th Aug 2012, 12:41 AM

I wish you said that before I stayed up till 3am and abusing people in chat >.<

[Edit]
Heaven, Maybe you could PM the people who want the next round on the deadline time, then the people who have not finished dont know the next round. But the people who got it done on time don't get put out either.

ReyaD

9th Aug 2012, 1:54 AM

I was the one to disagree with your post, Heaven. You already offered an extension for the last round, and I don't think its fair to those of us who worked extra hard to get our entries in on time. If you have to add any extension at all I think it should immediately have points off instead of a free day of no points deducted.

To Camp: Thanks for the worry, hun, but even if I only get a day to write my entire round 4 entry I'll get it in. Worst case scenario I can write on the plane and post from a Starbucks before my ship leaves.

... They have Starbucks in New Orleans, right?

heaven

9th Aug 2012, 2:06 AM

After some consideration, I have decided that Reya (and anyone else thinking it but not saying it) is right about offering a "free" extension being unfair to those who have pushed to get the entry in on time. Therefore, no free extension will be offered. Therefore, you have until the end of the timer to get your entry in without a deduction in points. However, I -will- offer a 24 hour buffer for those needing the extra time but the -1 point will be incurred immediately.

This is the 3rd round and the 3rd extension granted. On that note, I will not be offering an extension, points deducted or not for the next 2 rounds.

Viva1994

9th Aug 2012, 4:39 AM

Previously on: After confronting the diabolical "Company", Suzanna Trench has indeed liberated her friend Bram Adams, but has also put herself way in over her head. Now, now only is there a secret plot to be had, her old friend is back to harp about her fashion sense. Good thing that Valentina Victor is also an informant or else our hero wouldn't be able to stand her long enough to hear what she has to say.

Current Plot Points: Finding Judas, Meet Cute.
Previous Plot Points: The Cake was a Lie, Move Heaven and Earth.
Word Count: 1,634
Custom Content: You would be hard pressed to find something allowed...

--
"I have some information you might want to know regarding a plot..."

http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w459/MittensKitten/1Marked2.jpg

"Is this a joke?" Suzanna snapped, "You just show up here and expect trust?"

There was resolve in her eyes, "I'm anything but joking with you Suzie. It's time you knew the truth."

Suzanna took a quiet nudge from Bram. She lightened up on her glare, "What do you know?" She asked shortly.

LIke a cat catching a mouse, Valentina smiled, "Nothing I can tell you here." Suzanna dropped; she briefly considered a bitch slapping. "Come, we're taking this at your place." Valentina said loftily, and with that she turned on her heel and marched down the stairs.

Suzanna was left staring. "What--?" She stuttered.

"You better follow her before she gets lost." Bram said, going down after the pink haired girl. Suzanna rushed to catch up to him. On the stairs Bram wrung his hands, "Listen, uh-- I'll catch up to you guys later." He said without eye-contact.

He didn't see Suzanna stop breathing. Nor did he want to, she figured. "Ok." She said, feeling faint. "I'll call you."

"Thanks."

They walked faster together and parted quickly.

http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w459/MittensKitten/2Betrayed1.jpg

Valentina was a pink beacon, already halfway down the street by the time Suzanna jogged up to her.

"Good you caught up." She said decisively without looking at Suzanna.

"No thanks to--" She started. Valentina cut her off.

"So, where're we going?"

Suzanna huffed. "45 Westmount." She said quickly, shooting Valentina stink-eye for being interrupted. Valentina raised her head in surprise.

"You live there?" She exclaimed. "I know you can do better."

"We can all do better." Suzanna said carefully. This made Valentina go quiet. She avoided the subject for the rest of their walk.

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Bread and politics were officially the bane of Suzanna's eye by the time the two girls mounted the stairs. If she so much as mentioned banquets again there would be hell to pay. Suzanna decided. Not a word, of course, about what she had dragged Suzanna across town for.

Suzanna gravitates instantly to the bedroom to get rid of her damn dress. She reappears in a sensible yellow jumper and seats herself across from where Valentina twiddled her hair.

http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w459/MittensKitten/4LayedOff3.jpg

Valentina just smiles for a moment and looks conspicuous, "It seems as though we will be doing some redecorating." She says softly. This made Suzanna cock her head. She tries ever so desperately not to hit the girl across from her, even though it was so tempting. Just smile.

"We talk while we work?"

"Certainly." Valentina flashes a winning smile and gets up, "So, where do I sleep?"

"Sleep?" Suzanna asked in bewilderment.

The other girl rolls her eyes, "Well we're not going right now, tomorrow night right? Hey, it's like we're having another sleepover!"

Suzanna freezes in terror. "The door to the left." She choked out.

"Thanks." Valentina replied breezily, walking across the room decisively. She pokes her head out of the door one last time and asks: "Jammies?"

Suzanna nearly falls over, "In the dresser." She said. Whatever happens, there will be no pillow fights.

--

As promised, the spent the entire day tearing apart Suzanna's apartment. Valentina learned very quickly that there was a fine line between moving her sofa and touching her books, they got along better after that was established. It was 6:00 p.m when the pink headed girl was finally tired enough of vandalizing to speak her first peep about where they were going. So, as planned, Suzanna phoned up a sleepy sounding Bram and they were on their way to an old warehouse at the edge of town.

http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w459/MittensKitten/5Arousued1.jpg

Said warehouse wasn't nearly as creepy as Valentina made it out to be. It was quite industrial actually. Bram sauntered towards them, grinning buoyantly.

"What?" Suzanna asked sharply. She shifted her weight in her latex suit.

Bram coughed, "Your outfit?" He said, while holding back laughter.

Valentina took that time to defend her honor. "She's the one who left the house in it. I take no responsibility!" She held up her palms like the true deserter that she was.

"It's an honest to goodness battle suit guys, show some respect!"

Bram continued cracking up. "In heels?"

"Well she has always been fond of making an image for herself while hunting vampires." Valentina interjects. Suddenly the conversation derailed. Bram's jaw dropped.

"Wait... What?" He stuttered.

Valentina was getting a slap for that one

Suzanna shot her a glare. "It's what I do." She said slowly. Bram carefully eyed her.

"You mean you kill people for a living!" He said, horrified.

"I didn't say people."

And that's when the conversation train went completely off the tracks and burst into flames. Valentina cleared her throat in an attempt to clear the air of figurative smoke.

"So, why don't we take a look inside!" She said, full of injected cheerfulness.

"Sure."

"Lets go."

Bram and Suzanna avoided looking at each other. They walked into the warehouse, and it was immediately determined that the place was not what it seemed from the outside.

http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w459/MittensKitten/6Getty1.jpg

First and foremost was the smell. Secondly, after Suzanna's eyes would finally open, it was the corpses. Thirdly, after the initial horror wore off, it was the caged vampires. Bram let off a squeak as he noticed, and raced to the bars.

She watched him look in sorrowfully, "What is this place?" He asked in a guarded tone.

http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w459/MittensKitten/7Player2.jpg

Valentina was unfazed by the sights and smells, "This is the main test facility used by the company to create their private army..."

Suzanna was shocked speechless. Well I wanted a conspiracy...

Bram went by the cages numbly. The vampires wouldn't meet his eyes; none of them had any hope of being rescued anymore. They were just left in there to rot with a few decaying corpses to satiate their thirst.

"... They are the ultimate products of years of research and development, used as spies and assassins to do the bidding of the Company." Valentina continued on, eyes blank. "When they are loose, they wreak havoc. They eat and turn everything that doesn't die every single chance they get while not under the complete control of the Company. They will always come home though. It's something none of them can help."

Suzanna squeezed her fists. "What on earth do you want me to do about this?" She exclaimed.

"Kill them." She answered frigidly.

"No!" Bram shouted, breaking the silence and making both women turn. "You can't. These-- people, they have lives that matter too."

"Did you not hear a word of what I said?" Valentina snapped, "These monsters are killing for sport when they aren't killing for appeasement. Why on earth would you want to keep them alive?"

He heaved for breath, "Because killing them would be just like killing me."

Valentina put her fingers to the bridge of her nose. "Bram, these vampires have been gone for far too long, you haven't, you can still be saved. They are nothing like you."

"What makes you say tha--"

SLAM

"Who's down there!"

http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w459/MittensKitten/9Regina1.jpg

Jacob Victor storms out of the loft and looks down at them spitefully. "Why Valentina, what on earth are you doing here?" He asks genially. There was a hint of venom back there that Suzanna caught. He continues, "And you've brought your friends! Exactly what I've told you never to do. Wonderful."

Valentina shifts her weight. Obviously she had not planned for this. "Well brother, I was bringing them here to recruit! They want to join your army, and you simply must let them."

Jacob mused this to himself for a moment, "I suppose that means a little test is in order, hmm?" He pushes a lever that springs the doors of the cages surrounding them. The vampires crawl out slowly.

http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w459/MittensKitten/10Action1.jpg

Good, it's finally time to do some fighting. This is probably a serious addiction that needed counselling, actually. A vampire sprun right into her boot, she kicked it backwards. It was all so easy. The next attacker came from behind, she swung a leg down and sent her into the concrete. Equally satisfying.

http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w459/MittensKitten/11Music1.jpg

The next one she caught with a round house punch, but the remaining vampire woman caught her in the gut. She looked familiar actually, but taht was quickly forgotten as she put the woman on her back with a straight leg kick directly upwards. Those always catch them off guard. Suzanna finally catches a glance of her companions, Bram looked only semi scarred for life, and Valentina looked fine. Suzanna observed the loft; it seemed as though Jacob had managed to walk out on her while she was fighting. Figures.

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Suzanna was the first to race up the stairs, her companions followed slower; Bram, lagging behind observing the carnage, and Valentina just taking her time. They enter a vast laboratory covered with apparatuses of different shapes and sizes. Jacob faces one of them, his back turned to her.

http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w459/MittensKitten/13Banged2.jpg

He says in a resounding voice, "So as my sister was lying, what are you intruders really here for?" His finger circled one of the gauges. Valentina scoffed at the comment.

Suzanna ignored her and went ahead, "I'm here to take you down!" She said hesitantly.

Jacob was whip fast, "Says who? My sister? If she lied to me she would lie to you. Think about that for a second before you trust her so readily."

Suzanna paused. "Well I don't agree with what you're doing to these vampires." She said with more resolve.

He laughed. "Better than how you just beat them senseless? Face it Suzanna, you're on the wrong side." He shifted his weight to one leg. "You can sound the alarm on me if you want, but it won't make any difference."

Suzanna was left confused. About to make another jab at his self esteem, she found her voice wouldn't respond. The room went silent as her legs gave. She could see his lips moving in laughter as she went to the ground in a heap. Her body was numb, and her vision, blurring. The last thing she saw were unreadable red eyes above her, those too faded into complete darkness.

http://i1076.photobucket.com/albums/w459/MittensKitten/14Busted1.jpg

NOTE: The exert from the previous chapter (which is located above the first picture) is not included in the word count (which I managed to nail! Who knew cleaning up sloppy sentence structure could knock so many words off?

heaven

9th Aug 2012, 5:02 AM

Okay, Round 3 is now closed for full scored entries. Any contestants still missing entries have 24 hours to submit got a one point deduction from their overall score. Any entries after the 24 extension will receive a 0 for Round 3.

ForeverCamp

9th Aug 2012, 6:25 AM

Thanks, heaven. Honestly, I have a feeling I may have to withdraw sometime in the next couple of rounds... *cringes* I'll still try my damnedest, but I'm on vacation and away from the gaming computer as of the 17th for a week, and I've just been handed the Sunday-Thursday night shift until further notice. Not sure that it's going to work out in combination with my judging duties for Q.

I sowwy. :cry: I'll be sure to let you know ASAP.

Sabri5

9th Aug 2012, 8:18 AM

Previously on: While she's trying to patch things up with her sister Sarah, Elizabeth takes off after she gets a call from Headquarters. She goes to meet with her Captain who implements Operation Alpha, a dangerous plan to wipe out all the vampires in the city of Littlefield.

Floor thirteen is the debriefing room. But right now it's a person Elizabeth's looking for.
"Timothy."
"Elizabeth, hey! What are you doing here?"

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p627/Tryilnear/Screenshot-513.jpg

"Really, Tim? You very well know what is going on."
"And so do you." He throws his hands up. "But you're going to get yourself killed without a second thought anyway."
"The elimination of every vampire in the city applies to me, too."
"Not if you get the hell out of here."
"I couldn't do that, now could I?"
"You? No." Tim sighs.
"I'm really sorry. I know--"
"It's too damn late to apologize. Have some freakin' sense, Elizabeth. Save yourself!"
She laughs. He frowns.
"I'm serious." Timothy says.
"I know you are."
"I changed my mind. I want an apology."
"I'll miss you too."
"You can't miss me when you're dead!"
"It'll be quick."
"I still think you shoud run."
"Alright, stop." Elizabeth sighs. "Tell me everything you know."

Elizabeth walks out of headquarters, a grimace plastered on her face.

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p627/Tryilnear/Screenshot-514.jpg

She was not one to disobey, but this...this could warrant drastic preventative measures. Could she really guarantee safe evacuation of every Sim in the city? Even one loss would be too many. That aside, If Elizabeth could convince herself without a doubt that all human life would be preserved, could she accept this plan?
Elizabeth wrings her hands as she approaches her car. She's just starting the engine when she hears the first explosion. Too soon.

Her head jerks in it's direction--she can already smell the burning. It's far away for now, but like the distant tempest, thunderclaps announcing the nearing of each lightning strike, it won't be long before tendrils of fire are coiling about every building in the city.

Elizabeth's first thoughts are of Samara--luckily she's in another city, on another mission. Her next are of her sister. She needs to get Sarah out--NOW. As Elizabeth presses the pedal to the floor Jensen pipes up, "Ma'am, your objective is in the opposite direct--"
"Shut up, Jensen!" She shouts. To the VI's credit, he does so.

By the time the car is stopped, Elizabeth's scrambling out the door, the engine still running.

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p627/Tryilnear/Screenshot-515.jpg

"Sarah!" she yells, dashing for the door the second time that night.

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p627/Tryilnear/Screenshot-516.jpg

Both ringing the doorbell and pounding on the door, Elizabeth yells her sister's name over and over. Slowly, oh-so-agonizingly-slowly, Sarah opens the door and rubs at her sleep-filled eyes.

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p627/Tryilnear/Screenshot-517.jpg

She sighs, stretching her arms. "What are you--"
"You need to come with me. Now."
Sarah rolls her eyes, frustrated. "No, I'm not going to be ordered around by--you're just like mom, you know that?"
The words sting, but Elizabeth ignores the bite.
"We don't have time for this. The city is under attack."
That wakes Sarah up. "Oh, and why should I believe you?" But they both know she does. She still has faith in her big sister.
Elizabeth's sigh is one of relief. "You need to grab Lee and Dylan and get out of here right now. It is not safe for you here. Please. I am disobeying orders just being here." She pleads.
Sarah nods. "Okay."

Sarah runs in the house and grabs a pajama'd Lee.
Elizabeth can hear some of their conversation.
"We need to go. Now." Sarah's saying.
"Okay. I'll get the baby." Lee's nodding, turning back upstairs.

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p627/Tryilnear/Screenshot-519.jpg

Elizabeth's thankful for their unquestioning trust.
She waits until the family is piled into the car, watching from the street. She gives them directions to one of her safehouses. It's only a few cities away so that they won't have to stop, but far enough that they'd be in no danger of the cleansing.

With her sister on her way out of the city, Elizabeth can finally breathe. It doesn't make what she's about to do any easier, though.
Figuring out what to do next proved even more difficult. Blowing out a long breath she didn't know she was holding, Elizabeth gets back in the car.

The drive is relaxing. For a second she forgets that the world's going to shit around her. That she can stop it, for a price. That there's no time. That she can't save everyone. And then her fragile serenity shatters. She has Jensen put in a call to the police department. They've heard the explosions and an evacuation is in process. Another deep breath. She adjusts her hands on the steering wheel and asks the VI for the next set of directions.

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p627/Tryilnear/Screenshot-518.jpg

When Elizabeth arrives at the location, she's surprised that it looks just like something out of the movies. She walks into the unmarked building, her footsteps silent against the concrete--a skill she perfected long ago. She thought she was prepared for everything by now. She couldn't have been more wrong.

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p627/Tryilnear/Screenshot-522.jpg

"Elizabeth." A simple word. An unforgettable voice.

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She drops to her knees, pain coursing through her veins.
"You?" Elizabeth chokes out. "You're the re-reason the entire vam-vampire population is being cleansed?"
"Ha!" The man barks. "Cleansed. Don't you mean murdered? Watcher, Lizzie. You've gone dark side."
"You're o-one to talk." The pressure around her neck tightens.
"Don't claim to know me, Lizzie. That time is long gone."

Suddenly, he releases her, holding out a hand.
She takes it and he hauls her upward, pulling her into his arms.
"I missed you." He says. Talk about emotional whiplash.
She breathes in the scent of him. It would be so easy to get caught up in this again, to join him, to forget her place. But she can't do that. Not if the humans have to die.
She can't bring herself to let go of him, either. Not yet.

"I'm sorry, Lizzie."
She laughs. "Just let me enjoy this."
He nods, pressing his lips into her hair.
"I love you." He whispers.
She pushes away from him, tears in her eyes.
"You had to go and ruin everything, didn't you?"
He looks hurt. "What do you mean?"
She throws her hands up exasperatedly. "Don't you know why I'm here?"
He nods, eyes closing gently. "I know. And I know you'll do it, too."
She hides her face in her hands. "Then why?"
"Because I'm going to let you."
Her eyes snap up to meet his. "You wouldn't. I can't."
"But you have to." He soothes.

"Are you ever NOT confusing?" She asks desperately.
He laughs. "Never."
"I can't just kill you."
"Yes, you can." He turns and takes a step away. "And you will."
"Are you going to make me?" Elizabeth challenges.
He takes a step back towards her. "You know I could."
"But will you?"
He sighs. "I'm too old to fight."
Elizabeth whispers, "And I'm too young to die."
"Then run. Hell, we can go together."
"You would leave everything behind?"
"I was going to let you kill me." He chuckles.

She considers his offer.
"One condition. You bury your whole operation."
"Deal."
Elizabeth kisses him. "I love you, John Ross."
"I know."

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p627/Tryilnear/Screenshot-524.jpg

"Not so fast." A woman waltzes in, warranting a gasp from Elizabeth.
"Samara?"
"Yes, Mother. What are you doing with...him?" Her words are laced with contempt.
"Who is she?" John Ross demands.
"Samara. You must understand--"
"No. I don't think so."
"Listen to me--"
"Mom, how could you?"

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p627/Tryilnear/Screenshot-525.jpg

"I am trying to--"
"I thought you were on our sid--"
"He's your father!"

The entire room falls silent.

There WILL eventually be more detail on what John Ross was doing that made everyone want to blow him up so badly. Eventually.

Word Count: 1217
Pictures: 11
Hero Type: The Atoner
Current Plot Point: Pride Before a Fall
Previous Plot Points: Mysterious Past, Redemption Quest
Song Lyric: “It's too damn late to apologize.” - NERD, Rockstar Poser
Bonus: Second Plot Point: Last Chance
CC: None