2.31 Bane

warning: suicide, language, trauma,

     This place hadn't changed a bit. Not even a little. The wallpaper were the same, the linoleum, the only new things were the desks and chairs, but they still kept the same look as when he had been here last.
     They had actually been lucky when it came to the kids, so they must have done something right somewhere. All in all they were pretty wellbehaved, did well enough in school and even if there were some teenaged drame the big issues weren't there. Yes they drank some alcohol and partied sometimes, but no drugs or smoking. Jarl were beeing mildly bullied, but nothing he couldn't handle and no physical violence was involved. Which meant there were nothing they could do about it. And for some reason Marco couldn't use physical violence against those kids either. The fact that he'd been quite the bully himself was long since forgotten and buried deep in his own memory.

     The kids had other typical teen- things they did; like answering back, taking his car without permission and so on. But they listened to them and did as they were told without any big fuss. At times they were called into school because someone had been snippy, or skipped classes but Marco knew a troubled kid after all.
     And they were troubled, why wouldn't they be? But after all that had happened the school tended to overdramatize their behaviour. Personally he believed they'd get more funding if they had "special needs" kids so they desperately looked for someone to stuff into that box. But for once he wasn't here for their overreacting: I'm sorry, would you mind repeating that please? He had to ask the teacher one more time, she had to be joking.

     Well as I'm sure you remember mister Sleitinn...
     He interrupted her: Please, call me Marco. Mister Sleitinn sounded like an old man, and he wasn't old. Wondered how long it had been since any one aired out this room? And why weren't they using an office? Why always the classrooms?
     Smiling mildly at him, she snorted out something that was probably supposed to be a giggle: As I'm sure you remember.. Marco... we asked to test your other childrens IQ, because of the obvious problems your son has in class... He was pretty sure schools didn't usually do that. "Obvious problems" were her way of saying Odin was bored and had a smart mouth on him. Kids were bored in shcool all the time, no big deal was it? He didn't cause any problems after all.
     The teacher continued: And surprisingly it turned out that he's a genious to. You have two children that both are mensa material! Then she smiled like it was supposed to be a good thing. Mensa was for nerds. He didn't like nerds.

      Are you telling me that my son...the tattooed one that dance ballet, whilst wearing boots.... is a genious? What the.... how could he be a genious?! He was an idiot!
     He dances ballet? She even seemed impressed. Not that Marco had a problem with boys dancing ballet, it was a great way of building muscles and strength, but still... he wore boots doing it, and had the elegance of a hippo with different length legs.
     Yes.... didn't the teacher now anything about her students: Are you sure you don't mean Jarl? The green one? Marco tried again. She had to be wrong. Skuld was a genious to, but she acted nothing like her brother.
      Uhm... Mist... Marco... I'm serious. Your son Odin is a genious. I'd like to go over what we and you can do to meet his needs at a better level. And, I believe Jarl isn't actually your son, he's not adopted or anything. He just lives with you and share your last name... He's technically a fosterchild.
      Jarl is my son! He barked at the lady. Then he changed again, no one could blame him for getting nicer as he got older: Really? Odin?!!! But... he's... he's...

     ... he's nothing like his sister! 
     The teacher dragged on it a bit: You are right. His IQ is far from as high as Skulds... far from it. But he still needs a lot more challenge than the rest of the kids. Did this guy think they'd done the testing and all that themselves? Parents were the worst. If it hadn't been for this guys daughter, they'd never done it in the first place.
     Odin? Are you sure we're talking about the same kid? Teacher- lady had to be high or something.
     She started looking like she thought he was an idiot: Yes.
     But he's nothing like his sister!! He'd already said that.

    When it comes to Skuld; I'm a bit worried about her.... 
     Was she even allowed to talk about her? They weren't in the same class. But Marco loved talking about his precious little doll: Worried? How can you be worried about her? She's perfect! 
     Well... She dragged on it a bit again: That's just it. She answeres just enough questions from the teacher, but never talks on her own. And she doesn't seem to have any friends either. It was pretty much just one boy that took her under his wing.
     A boy?! Marco didn't like the thought of a boy taking interest in his little doll, unless: Is it Ian? That redhead? Because his father was a friend of the family, and his over at our place a lot. 
     Yes, she smiled, that's him! But unfortunately he just graduated, so now she's back to beeing alone again.

     Then forgive me for asking, what's the problem? It must be hard for her bonding with the dumb kids in her class. It was rude, but his little girl was perfect! And Ian hasn't "taken her under his wing", they are actually friends. 
     The teacher looked like she regretted the whole thing: Well, she hesitated again: We... the school.... wondered of you'd be fine with having her tested.....
     Did she actually swallow visibly? What was she scared of him or something? There was no need for that, he was calmness and respect incarnated. Maybe she was worried that he'd suggest changing the sex- ed again: For.... He didn't like where this was going.
     For ....personalitydisorders.... By the school pshychologist. We have a great one that we use, he's here twice a month and we'd advice her seeing him. Just to be on the safe side! It could be good for her to, with everything that has happened.

      Psychologists. She wanted his daughter to see a psychologist: What's his name.... When the teacher mentioned his name, Marco couldn't keep the bitter laugher away: Really? The school still uses Psychoman? Why the fuck isn't he dead yet?
    That is a terrible thing to say about.... The teached was insulted on his behalf. A lot of schools didn't have this type of resources.
     Marco pointed at himself: I was sent to Psychoman in my youth! My bestmates were sent to him to because we were "troublemakers"! Yeah, he's such a fucking genious that he couldn't even recognize a molested kid! No! My daughter doesn't need one of those pseudodoctors! And sure as hell not that useless imbecile! You, and the rest of this shitty institution are desperate to find something wrong with my kids! My little doll doesn't have "personalitydisorders"! Sounded like some new- age crap anyway. Damned hippies ruining everything with their new- age shit. He fucking hated hippies to! The only times they did any good was when they got a police- beating! 

     There's nothing wrong with my kids! None of them!! Not my mates kids either! Yes, they have lived through trauma, but we are perfectly capable of helping them! Instead of this shitarsed institution trying to trip them, how about supporting them instead of stuffing them into your mould!? 
     Before leaving he turned towards her and said: Just because we're three men living together, yes he knew just how that sounded; doesn't mean we can't raise the kids properly, or that it's damaging to them! We don't need wives more than you need husbands for having the kids growing up perfectly fine! And no! You don't have my permission for "testing" my kids for anything! Stop treating them like they're different, and everything will be fine!

     Fucking shitarsed school. He hated this place! And psychologists... He fucking hated psychologist!! Ofcourse the kids had gotten help after everything that had happened, but not by some damned pshychologist! But by doctors, sims with real educations! That was different! Pshychologists just tried stuffing you into boxes of crap that they had made up themselves, and victimblamed you! But they didn't see the problem that was right infront of them! Damned school and system. His little babies were perfect just the way they were, even with their "problems". What happened to the whole thing about not putting children in booths?

     The thin paper crumbled under his fingers every time the page got flipped. Bashir had to be the only sim alive that read news on paper. For someone that cared about enviroment it was a bit strange- but he also claimed that the internet- servers were worse for the climate. Joe wasn't sure though and didn't really care either way.
     Worse than any climatechange was the very fact that his icecream had disappeared. Usually they all chipped in on the groceryshopping, but he highly doubted it was the kids that had eaten it. Marco had stopped nagging him about carbs and stuff like that, but he still ate like a bodybuilder. Which meant there was only one option left: Bashir had thrown it away. Damn those vegetarians.

      Did you throw away the icecream? Joe was a grown man and rode a unicorn, he wasn't afraid of old sims. No matter how scary they sounded. Bashir kept flipping through the paper without looking up: You know I did. 
     You took my icecream? Why? What has it ever done to you?! This was unheard of! That was damned good icecream to, with pieces of cookiedough.
     Because that company gets their raw products from farms that's been investigated by the JSPCA several times. Some of them even starved it's cows to death, they died in their own filth.....
     Joe interrupted him: You don't even like cows!! And you hate birds!
     Everyone hates birds. They did, no one liked birds. That didn't mean they should get mistreated. Why did sims always think one had to love animals to think they deserved a good life: And cows stink, and make odd sounds... Like old sims that are trying to get out of the sofa. He had to admit the love for cows were pretty low to..

      You mean like you do? As the youngest adult in the household, Joe liked to remind Bashir that he was the oldest. It was just the natural order of things.
     A short look later, Joe remembered why he generally made sims nervouse. But it seemed like he might have found one of Bashirs weak spots: I don't make old-man sounds. He was in pretty good shape for such a heavy smoker.
     Yeah, you make old- man sounds. And your starting to get bald.
     I'm not balding, Bashir put away the newspaper, but couldn't stop himself from quickly stroking his hand over the scalp.
    Giggling like a child, Joe smirked: Made you check! Everyone knew it was something most men feared. Marco was thinning abit around the hairline, but they weren't crazy enough to tell him. And it had stopped, so it didn't matter anyway: You're not thinning, really. Joe tried comforting- he didn't make old-man sounds or lost hair, but he kind of deserved it after throwing away his icecream. That bastard.

     It wasn't always easy getting Bashir to talk more than he wanted to, but Joe did his best: So the kids have been invited to a winterparty I heard. Nodding, the older man gave an emotionless stare, but still didn't say anything, so it was up to Joe and his smooth rethorics to keep it going: Sounds like it would be fun for them.
     Leaning back Bashir didn't look at him: Lucrecia made you ask for her didn't she?
     Damn, he wasn't good at this. He was used to telling the truth about things, and not lying. She should have asked Marco instead, but... puppyeyes.... They were just so... puppy....: No, no... he laughed awkwardly: noshedidn'tyesshedid. 
     Still not the smallest sign of emotion, before he finally answered: No.

     You can't say no, it'll be social suicide for your daughter. Would think Bashir knew something about this, he could remember him as a teenager atleast: You know, it doesn't mean she'll end up like you usually did.... Was that a shadow of a grin he saw? Probably not.
     No. Bashir was relentless in this.
     You're a prick.... Yeah, that made him laugh! Joe wasn't sure he should be impressed or irritated most of the time. It wasn't just the kids that hadn't gotten the entire story.
     Many think it's a gift, but it takes years of training. If sims only knew what an artform beeing unpleasant truly was... Maybe he should write a book?
     Share thy wisdom with us oh mighty one... Joe replied with a voice so dry it nearly gave him astma. You know you have to let her go. He still didn't give up, not just for the girls sake but this was just redicilous.

     No I don't.

    Yes you do. She'll be an adult soon, and this isn't some massive drunken- vomit party. It's just a smaller gathering for some of the kids. He wasn't a complete moron either, but it wasn't like some of that shit they used to hang out at. Or atleast the little he could remember from his teenaged years: It's even at the house of one of them, and we got the number for the parents. Lighten up a bit old man.

     I don't like it. Lucrecia was just a little baby, she wasn't old enough to do stuff like that.  

     What don't you like? The small gathering, or the fact that the kids will age up soon and leave us old crusts behind. 

     Bashir didn't answer the question, it was mainly a combination of both. He'd had so little time with her, and now she was nearly an adult. He wanted her to be a little girl again, then he could start over.    

     Not that she wasn't perfect already, but then things would've been different.

     It rarely snowed if the weather was freezing, so the teenagers had taken the chance on relatively light clothing for the season. Half expecting to see pigs fly by, and imps throwing snowballs at eachother, Lucky ended up disappointed. What other omen could show to explain why her dad had let her go unattended anywhere? Not that she was excited, it was just some schoolmates- but since they lived with Efraim it made sure they got invited to. Effies friends were really boring sims.

     For Skuld the gathering had come quicker than she'd liked, and ofcourse dad had made her promise to go. She'd never get why he insisted on making her do "normal" stuff. She was normal, it was the rest of sims that had a problem. Since dad was also really old they'd not been allowed to take a car, instead they were confined to cabs- not that the girls were to take one alone. Or even worse, use the subway!    
     So now she stood in wet snow that were too close to leaking through her shoes, and the heavy snowflakes got stuck in her lashes. It still beat sunlight.

     She was the first to try and hail one on her own, but Efraim stopped her before she could even raise her hand: What are you doing? He took on one of his dads preffered looks without noticing.
     Trying to get her arm out of his grip. she answered: Getting a cab ofcourse. She hated stupid sims, and there were a lot of stupid sims around.
     You're not getting one of your own, uncle Marco said to always be atleast two. Effie let go of her arm as soon as she stopped trying to get loose: Where are you going?
     Skuld snared at him: None of your business! Who did he think he was anyway? She didn't have any reason to explain where she was going.

     Her feet were going to get soaked, if those idiots didn't stop butting in. Even her stupid kid- brother stuck his longe nose all up her business: Don't want to go, fine. But tell us where you're going. 
     It's none of your business either, she spit out at him, her voice still low but a lot more agressive.
     For a genious, you're really stupid...
     That little piece of shit, who did he think he was: I'm not stupid... No one called her stupid.
     Yeah you are. Dad want's you to go and you don't. If he for some reason needs to get a hold of you, and can't reach you on the phone, what happens?

     .... Yeah, he phones me and askes to talk to you. What do you think is going to happen today, if he can't reach you on anyones phone?
     I'll just keep my phone in reach then? Sheesh... this was so easy.
     Odin said: And how often do you actually answer your phone when someone calls? The few times someone did that was, but there wasn't any need to mention that. His sister really didn't have any friends. 
     Skuld had to think about that. Usually she couldn't be bothered to pick up, but truthfully it was rare that she even noticed. Most of the time she was deep in thought working, or finding out how small animals looked on the inside.

     He just continued when she didn't answer: Pretty much never right? If you tell us where you're going means that we know where to reach you. Are you going to someones place, they have phones that we can try reach you on. Worst case scenario, one of us can hail a cab and go get you before dad eventually will flip, because he always flips if he can't get a hold of one of us. 
     That was..... as much as Skuld hated admitting it, he had a point. Not that she'd ever admit it, but still: The alchemy store.

     There's an alchemystore in Jericho? Efraim said: I had no idea. 
     Pulling out his phone, he said: The one that's near that old Banetree Farm? Skuld nodded as he said: Great. And look at that! It has a phonenumber we can call if we can't get a hold of you! And a mail! See, wasn't that easy? Odin had never been more sure in his life that he was a genious.
     She didn't answer, but instead got in the first cab that stopped.

     Sitting with one drink in her hand, Lucrecia looked over the place. It was a nice house and all, and it was nice of the parents to let them have a party there. She hoped no one would break something, because someone always didn't respect others property on this occations.Though by the looks of it, nothing was going to happen- Effies friends were boring beyond belief! Right now they discussed politics. Politics!!! And they drank beer and wine. Not cheap wine either, but expensive. Some of them even just drank coffe, no spice added. The soundlevel was low to.
     Bet dad had known.... Despite beeing boring it was still better than sitting at home and beeing bored. No really, they were nice and all, but she didn't have a lot in common. And she'd never been much of a partygoer either. This little gathering reeked of privelige, wealth and private college. That really wasn't to bad to be honest. Lucky wanted to go to college to, if she ever figured out what she wanted to study.

     She kind of envied Marea. Not that she had any interest in Effie or anything like that, they were related after all... eew... but more in how he treated her. Efraim always knew what he wanted, and he went and took what he wanted if it was possible without beeing ruthless. And he was the first that stopped Skuld today. She'd just let her leave to be honest.
     Marea and him were so stable, so mature in their relationship and trust for eachother. Effie would no doubt had climbed mountains to be with her.

     On the other hand, Marea would never have wanted him to climb mountains to get her either would she? Ah, who was she kidding. She couldn't compare herself with others. She didn't even know what she wanted to do with her life, yet. Effie and Marea knew ofcourse, they were perfect. And everyone else knew to. But not her. It sucked beeing her at the moment, atleast in her mind. The good thing was that dad had letten her go to the party, that was a step in the right direction right? So maybe everything wasn't that bad? It made her feel a bit better.

      Lucky wasn't sure she was glad that she sat facing the door, or if she was unhappy. The good thing was that she noticed early, the bad that she couldn't get away without it seeming awkward. Was he really coming to? Why hadn't Effie mentioned it? He probably didn't know. For a moment she imagined that he had come because of her, but the girl he came with made that unlikely. Lucrecia was way prettier than her anyway... No, wait- that was a terrible thing to think. Even if it was true... No, now she did it again!

     Ofcourse they sat next to her, where else? That was it, she refused to be called Lucky anymore.

     The youngest of them had gone to another room to try to avoid the older teens. They were even more boring than he could imagine, but it wasn't like they all hadn't known. It wasn't all bad for Odin though. He was in pretty good company, with his brother Jarl ofcourse..

      ...and Imelda. Imelda built robots and fixed electronics without getting electrecuted! Now that was impressive. Odin thought she was awesome, and pretty ofcourse. But that wasn't unusual. He loved beeing in love, it made all bad feelings go away. Fine, he'd had his heart broken more than once, but that didn't mean he should stop trying to find his one true love. Because that was probably realistic.... And to be honest, Imelda was pretty close to perfect, because... robots! However he had a small problem with it to, because Jarl was still acting all silent and down. He got worse every day it seemed. So if he'd fall in love, he'd feel better to right? This was how it worked. However the only other ageappropriate girl was...

      ..Anne. Odin didn't have a habit of getting annoyed by girls or disliking them. But he really couldn't stand her. She kept telling stories just to forget what she was talking about halfway through, and always complained that she was tired. But the worst thing was that voice, some annoying, nasal kitten voice that just kept going on and on. And she was weirdly obsessed with him.

     He usually liked talking to girls and to hear what they had to say. But Anne just talked and didn't stop, then she'd accidentally slap him across the face and awkwardly touch him afterwards. He didn't really like her touching him. And she giggled a lot, he really didn't like the giggling either. There was no way he'd try to press her on Jarl, so he'd realized that Imelda and Jarl would be a great couple. Because they would like eachother, as they were both great. Fine. He'd promised dad to stop playing matchmaker, but it would work out well this time.

     Except that it didn't seem like they were that interested in eachother. How could they not be interested? Imelda built robots, and Jarl was a great guy! He completely ignored the slightly freaked out look she kept throwing over at his brother. Or that the same eyes kept looking over his body with a slight disgruntlement. It was just a coincidence! Imelda built robots, thus she was awesome to.
But even if Odin wanted to play matchmaker, he was actually out of ideas! How could he be out of them, he always had atleast one semi- decent one.

     Uhm.... Annes irritating voice was still a pain listening to. Come to think about it, she'd talked all along, he'd just stopped listening: So do like maybe you want to do something maybe Odin? She was quite the smooth talker as usual.
    What didn't he do for his brother: Sure, what did you have in mind? 
    Uhm... was she going to say that before any sentence: maybe a drinking game of sort? That'd maybe be fun maybe?  
    I'm really not much of a drinker, Odin said deliberately doing his best to avoide more use of the word "maybe".
    Oh, she seemed disappointed for a second, before lightening up again: How about maybe we play spin the bottle?
     That was actually a good idea! That way it would be easy to get Jarl and Imelda talking. Even if it was a pretty high chance he himself would end up kissing Anne or something. Ah, he'd do it for his brother.

     I don't want to. Jarl suddenly jumped into the conversation, even interrupting Annes irritating little voice. Odin just didn't get what the problem was, he was going to turn into a hermite or something if he didn't get his act together.
     Why not? Maybe he was afraid of having to do anything with Anne to. Which Odin got, but it wasn't that bad was it. Had Jarl even kissed a girl before?
    I'm telling you I don't want to. Why was this so hard to understand, sometimes Odin was just as terrible at listening as dad was. He didn't want to!

     How's that even a reason? It wasn't a good enough reason, especially since he was trying to play matchmaker here. Though he had to admit that not even Imelda seemed interested.
     We're.... we're to few! Yeah, to few! Jarl exclaimed a bit to quickly. No fun with dares when there's just four of us anyway. 
     Then we'll just fetch some more. They're probably drunk enough to join by now! It was always like that with the older teenagers. They claimed things were to childish, but always ended up beeing the most immature ones.

     Eventually Imelda butted in: no ones going to join. She sounded matter- of- factly when she said it. Or maybe it was just in Odins mind since she built robots.
     How do you know? No way she knew anything about that! She continued either way: Because no one wants to take the chance of having to touch goblinface here! 
     He'd kind of wished Jarl had seemed more upset, or even said something. Instead he just sat there taking another deep breath: Don't call my brother that. Odin changed his mind about Imelda as soon as she'd said it. What was wrong with her?
     He's green isn't he? 
     He's right next to you! He barely heard Jarl over his own shocked voice: It's okay Odin. So he just interrupted him instead: No it's not!

     I don't need you saving me all the time! Just leave me alone. For once Odin, just leave me alone. Then he walked out on them, not even slamming the door behind. How could he not have seen that coming? Dad was right, he had to stop playing matchmaker.

     Biorns date talked a lot, and Lucrecia meant A LOT! Usually nothing to bad about that, but why did she keep talking to her? She didn't know her, and didn't want to get to know here either! This was just embarassing and awkward. And even if she had ended it, didn't mean it didn't sting a bit. She'd never been happier about someone having to "use the little girls room" as she'd giggled. Yeah, because using the crapper was supposed to be embarassing or something?

     Thankfully she'd left, so Lucrecia was finally able to leave Biorn sitting in the sofa on his own. But she swore she could her his girlfriends japping in the background. She probably hadn't even made it to the bathroom yet. She'd love to say she was looking at something or even thinking about anything exciting, but she was just letting her mind wander. Which it did alot. This was just to awkward, and she doubted she'd stay a lot longer. Maybe she could fetch Jarl and Odin and see if they wanted to leave to?

     Without her noticing, Biorn had come up to her: Sorry, she wanted to go and I didn't want to disappoint her. That deep voice still made her stomach tingle a bit, but she just ignored it. She hated that he had to be so nice about everything all the time. Couldn't he be mean atleast sometime?
     Smiling awkwardly she answered: That was nice of you. She wanted to tell him that she seemed sweet, be the better sim. But maybe Lucrecia really wasn't that nice to begin with? Atleast she restained herself from saying anything negative. That wasn't all to bad right?

     I'm a bit surprised that your dad let you go.... 
     Unable to stop the laughter that bubbled in her, Lucrecia started laughing. He had a damned good point; no doubt because of uncle Joe and Marco: He was not happy.

     He'd just needed some air, to be alone for a little while. The cold humid air wasn't all to good, and it smelled a bit from the nearby creek. It still beat sitting in a sofa with someone that called him goblinface. Fine, he was green but when you're getting called that about a hundred times a week, it gets old. And it didn't bother him all to much either, he'd gotten used to it.     
     Jarl just felt alone all the time, no matter how many sims that surrounded him. He wasn't like them. He wasn't even like sims that were "different". There was no one else in simnation like him. No one! Not one single one that he could relate to. Why did he even exist? This was unfair. Everyone knew he didn't belong here! Even girls started crying just because they saw him! Kids pointed at him and he kept getting asked: What are you? He didn't even know. What was even a plantsim? A sim that looked like a plant, or a plant that looked like a sim? Maybe he had more incommon with this bush than he did them he grew up with.

     And he was so sick of swallowing tears all the time. There had to be a limit to how long someone could keep caring. Sometimes he just wished he wasn't... well wasn't. Not that he wanted to die, he just wished he could somewhat live like other sims. Or atleast that they would just see that he wasn't that different. The problem was that he was different. Maybe he should have tried talking to those supernaturals up at Rikards place again. But whatever had been going on; that hadn't been going on, just scared the shit out of him. Best to avoid them, he wasn't a supernatural either. After all, he could talk to plants.

     It just didn't mattered how many times Jarl asked him to leave him alone, he just never listened. Sometimes it felt like they were the same sim, even if he knew well they weren't. But it had always been the two of them, and Odin just seemed to know when he needed him.
     But he had to admit that those backhugs did freak him out just a bit. He just wasn't sure if it was the hugs, or what sims usually thought about backhugs: Odin... No wonders half the school thought they were a couple.
     Sssshhhhh... open your heart to the bromance mate.... 
     I really don't want to....
     Sushing him again, Odin continued with a small ammount of humour few others got: Don't deny the bromance... the bromance is good, the bromance is pure.... They ended up standing like that for a long time, listening to the chattering from the house. The soundlevel had increased just a tad, but all in all they were well behaved.

     I'm sorry...... Odin talked a lot: I just thought that....
     And it was Jarls turn to interrupt: It's okay, really. He'd definitly tried to set him up with someone. Odin tried that quite a lot, but he wasn't very good at it. That, and Jarl didn't want to.
     No it's not. I just...
     I'm not you.... Yes they had some similarities, but they were also quite different. And he didn't just think about the greenskin part.
     I know, Odin mover a bit to get a better hug: I just wanted to make you feel better... 
     Patting him on the arm, he answered: I know. This is still a bit awkward...

     Didn't I just tell you about the bromance?.... I know you're not an ordinary sim. But you're no less, just because of that. Who says beeing a common sim has to be the norm everyone else should live up to anyway? 
     Jarl couldn't help to smile a bit, but everyone said that. After all, how many green, moss and leaf- covered sims were viewed as a beautystandard. I just wish others could see you for who you are, and not just what you are not. Odin was in a very poetic mood tonight. It was a bit scary that it happened when he was sober. And then he finally let go of that awkward backhug, and Jarl decided to pretend it wasn't atleast a little bit nice, even if it was very weird.

     Not surprisingly they ended up looking at the house, it was far from as massive as their mansion, but it was still large and expensive. They really were a priveliged bunch. As irony would have it, they saw Lucrecia and Biorn talking throught the window: Well, atleast there's someone else than me that doesn't just see you as "that green kid". And he didn't just mean Lucky ofcourse, but she was one of them. Well, actually goblinface was more common, but no need to say that.

     Odin had a tendency to live a bit in his own mind, but there was something that started tugging up in the old brain: They look happy. He said it about the two on the other side of the window. They just had one of those natural chemistries some sims had.
     It was barely noticable that Jarl nodded, with his eyes looking down. Why weren't he just looking at them? The worst thing that would happen was that the two of them waved them inside. Odin still continued: Didn't they break up? He hadn't seen the girlfriend ofcourse, they'd been in another room. Something about the nightsilence made him want to talk with a low voice, even if snow usually made sound less hearable.

     Jarl just kept bobbing his head up and down, like he was nodding. But it seemed a bit mechanical. Slowly looking at his brother, those yellow eyes always had an unusal glow when light hit them in the darkness: They are a very sweet couple. Bet they would have cute kids. Odin liked kids, and so did Jarl. How could anyone not like children? But his brother never met his eyes, or looked at the couple through the window. He just kept fixated on the snow even if it was nothing to see there.

     Maybe it wasn't that strange. Jarl and Lucrecia had always had a close relationship.

     And they helped eachother with small things

     He had been supportive when it came to the relationship, hadn't he?

On the other hand.....

     Jarl.... No..... Shit. How could he have been so blind? He'd just never thought about it that way! He didn't know what to think about it. Jarl and him were brothers, and that made Lucrecia their cousin. How long had he been in love with her?! Why hadn't he said anything?!
     .... I don't know what's wrong with me. Maybe it wasn't that strange he hadn't mentioned it?
     But they weren't actually related, that was the strangest part. Maybe grandpa's pshysical genes had somewhat transmitted itself to the plant, and it had soaked it up or something? He didn't know anything about science. But they both called Marco dad, and Skuld sister. That meant they were related.

     Deepthroated sobs started as Jarls body slowly sank down to the ground: I'm disgusting... I don't know what's wrong with me! 
     Mate, come on... Odin did his best trying to hold him up, but his brother was to heavy to carry. And he didn't know what to do, or think for that matter.
    I tried.... I tried stopping but... He heaved for breath, thin glistening slime running out his nose into the corners of his mouth. None of that matter, as he continued: I don't know what's wrong with me. Odin had problems understanding what he said when his voice was so thick.

     I don't know... I look just like him! I'm sick! "Him", he meant their grandfather. I've never done.. I've never tried.... he kept heaving for breath, his throat swollen and sore from the sobbing: I'm your grandfather... that's disgustingI'mdisgusting! And then something that Odin couldn't even understand, but it kept on in the same way.
     It was wet sitting down in the snow, and freezing cold. It didn't take long before the snow made the thickest part of his thigs sting, but he grabbed his brother as he clung onto him. What was he supposed to do?

     Odin just let him cry it out, he stopped eventually and didn't talk anymore. Crying was exhausting business. For once he didn't say anything either. What should it have been anyway: "You're right. It's so wrong, leave her alone"?  He already knew that, but this was something that he couldn't really say anything on. He thought it was weird, atleast. Lucrecia was his cousine. But Jarl was his brother, and that was just plain wrong. Then again he wasn't actually his brother either. And he looked just like their grandfather, even dad said so. This was just weird. No wonder he'd never said anything.
     Please don't tell anyone.... He could barely hear Jarls hoars whisper.
     I won't. If he ever intended on keeping a promise, this would be the one.

     Few things were as satisfying as beeing out of school! Ian was a fully blown adult, and had just been out celebrating getting his diploma, with decent enough grades. School wasn't fun enough to spend to much energy on after all. Even if the little celebrating he'd done was a bit bittersweet, as he'd been all alone, it was still more sweetness in it than the opposite. He had a good dinner and some good non- alcoholic wine. And even if his parents would never know, he liked to think they would've been proud of him. Now he was taking the short stroll home, the snow didn't bother him at all. Everything that could keep him hydrated felt good after all.

     He saw them pretty much a mile away. What the hell were they doing? Ian hadn't had a lot of contact with them after he aged up, since it seemed a bit fishy with grown men hanging around teenagers. But seeing Odin and Jarl on their knees in snow made him worried. Maybe something had happened, or they were just drunk. Like a good citizen he had to check on them.

     Walking closer it was clear that Jarl was crying. It was a bit awkward with blokes crying, even when they were teens. He suddenly didn't feel so mature anymore, but still simmed up to ask: Is everything okay with you two?
     A part of him had hoped to startle them atleast a little: Ian? Yeah, everythings fine... girlproblems. 
     Really? He was a bit surprised it wasn't Odin crying then, it was usually him as far as he could remember: Anything I can do?
     Odin shock his head, whilst Jarl still hadn't looked up: nah, I've got it. I got it, he mumbled into Jarls hair. Those two were a bit weird...
     So... Are the rest here to or?... It was just an innocent question, it wasn't like he was planning crashing some teenaged party or something. He was a grown man after all.

     If you mean Skuld...
     Ian interrupted him: I wasn't thinking of anyone in particular.... 
     Yeah, you meant Skuld... She's at the alchemy shop near Banetree farm... Did Jarl just tense up when Odin had said their sisters name? Was something wrong? Ian was to busy worrying about something else though: She's alone in the middle of nowwhere? At this hour?! Where they insane?! Had they let their helpless sister alone, and near that place!? It had a horrible reputation, even if he had no idea what the reputation was: You left your sister alone near that place?!
     Relax Ian, Odin was still calmly stroking his brothers hair: She can take care of herself. No ones going to hurt her..... Ian had to be dumb or something, few things were as scary as his sister.
     How could he be so calm? Ian had to try to remember that they were just kids. But he had to go and find her. She didn't even pick up her phone!! 

      Give me more Trollhat. She didn't need to ask properly, it was her right to get what she wanted: And a diamond.
     Clerkman widened his eyes: A diamond?! Are you out of your mind girl?! She was going to run the entire shop out of business. How could he have been so stupid, trying to lure that viscious banshee. And now he was in a lot of trouble with his boss. There were restrictions for the components she wanted, and now she wanted diamonds!! The government was already snooping around. The girl was a minor, and a copsdaughter. If they started looking in to him... what had he done? Please, he tried becoing with her again, even if he knew it was pointless: Please, I'm in so much trouble. I can't help you anymore!

     Fine, I'll tell my dad about what you tried doing. She casually shrugged her shoulders.
     NO! No don't do that! He sighed: But, I'm in danger of loosing my job! I have a family to take care of! 
     That's not my problem, Skuld smiled at him. Why would she care about that?
     How can you do this to another sim? Don't you have a conscience? 
     Skuld looked at him, ofcourse she had a conscience, she thought about what others could do for her all the time. What a silly question: This is only your own fault, she casually answered: Now, more Trollhat and a diamond! He should be happy she didn't demand two diamonds, that idiot.
     Sighing he answered: Fine, I'll go get it from the storage. I'll take it up to you.

      It felt amazing having thralls that ran your errands. Doing her bidding should leave any sim happy and excited. She was amazing after all. And all this cheap trollshat was great. Not that it was the only thing she got from clerkman, but it was one of the things they got in pretty large numbers. She'd also have a pretty good supply of mandragoras, but amanita was a bit more rare. So she had a little garden in her pink den, but she needed as many ingredients as possible.

     What was taking him so long? Was the storage here that large? She hated waiting for that idiot! Didn't he even care that she was waiting?!! Enraged Skuld went to look for that moron. She hated having to fetch her thrall! He was supposed to do things for her, not the other way around!

     He'd left the register unattended? That was actually a bit strange he'd leave it for that long. Owners usually had some hysterical paranoia about leaving registers unattended, didn't they?
Standing there for a while she heard an unknown sound coming from the outside. It wasn't a loud sound, just some little squeek. A rythmic little squeek, but not quite a squeek either. Leaving for the outside Skuld didn't hesitate. She was invincible after all, and unafraid.

     Turned out it was the knot in the rope that made the little squeek as clerkmans body gently rocked from side to side. That happened sometime when the thick rope was just a bit moist, but not entirely wet. His lips seemed to be blue already in the dim light. He'd climbed really far up, must have wanted to make sure he wouldn't survive. That was just... Skuld had problems finding the right thoughts.

     That was amazing! Had he actually killed himself? Because of her? Feeling laughter bubbling in the throat, she couldn't keep the smile away. Why would he do that, and for what? It wasn't like he'd gotten any worse off than a fine and unemployment checks until he'd gotten a new job. That wouldn't even get on his record! And now he was dangling from the neck! This was just to good to be true! A man was dead because of her, and she hadn't even layed hands on him.

     Hearing the snow crunch under someones feet behind her, Skuld quickly wiped the smile away. Turning around she realized the smile should have stayed where it was, as Ian stared at clerkman; his face pace and eyes widened at the sight. Had he never seen a dead sim before? Never? Not even his mother? It didn't seem like it as Ian slowly turned a bit green. Ofcourse this guy had his mouth hanging open with the tongue sticking out and eyes bulging out of his head. But come on. It was just a dead sim. Sims worked with this on a daily basis, like her own dad.

      Oh, he still had his eyes on the dead guy: Oh Skuld, I'm... that's... Then he finally broke looking at clerkman as he covered his mouth with his hand, trying to avoid throwing up. Come on, it wasn't that gross. When he was finally able to stop himself, he threw his arms around her instead pressing her face into his shoulder: I'm so sorry you had to see that. I came as soon as I could. Everything will be fine now.

     She even managed to press out a tear as he took her inside the house, calling her father. It was still difficult keeping the laughter away. Ian had always been such a good dog.

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poses: AG, simsimi, modernlover, eunsims, zhi, msadrienne

Almost at the end of generation two now, finally. Sorry about the english, but I just don't have the energy to go through it any more times. So tired of writing after the exams; 11 pages on monday, 15 on thursday and my wrist is still aching. Why can't we use computers like the rest of the world?

Thanks for reading