4.2: Breathing golems

     Aino wasn't working long days, so she had a lot of energy when work was over. She'd never get what the high security was all about. Artwork was present, but they weren't drowning in Rembrandts so to speak.
     Rumours had it this place had been a criminal hangout, but some policeofficer and government agent had pretty much taken it out by themselves. Ah well, it didn't matter. She was going to the bookstore, and pick up a book she'd ordered. Usually she'd just do that online, but it had been impossible to get a hold of it that way. But that happened when one was looking for an obscure book like that.

     It's title was "breathing golems; a scientific view on making inanimate objects come to life". The title was long, and a bit stupid. Then again, Aino wasn't a scientist, so maybe the author thought it was a good one. And a scientist was definitly a lot smarter than her, so if they said it was a good title, it was probably a good title.

     Ideally she'd take the book home to read, but curiosity got the better if her. Especially since it was heavy and carrying it was a pain. Aino simply sat down at a bench in the nearby park. The thought had been to find out more about the subject about turning dolls into real sims, but that had been difficult to find. So instead she'd ended up with this book. Making golems come to life wasn't the same thing, but it was the closest she'd found. Strange that a lot of research hadn't been done on that subject.

     The smell of new book hit her large nose as she opened it. A part of her assumed it would've been an easy read; maybe with a lot of pseudo- science; but it wasn't. It was written by a real scientist, with the language and mathematical formulaes that followed. Not long after, she started feeling uncomfortable, and it wasn't the book. It felt like someone was staring at her, but when she discreetly looked over the edge of the book, no one was present. As long as it wasn't Dave again, it was probably all good.

     She didn't understand anything of the book, and not just because she wasn't as smart as the author. It was just one long mathematical formulae after the other, with formulae in formulae, and an abundant of hypothesis interrupting. It didn't matter how much she tried to focus, she didn't even understand if the author was trying to say if making golems come to life was impossible or possible. Maybe if she'd been good at maths and physics?
     That feeling of beeing stared at didn't disappear either. She didn't want to show that she was uncomfortable either, in case whoever was staring was dangerous.

     A loud flapping when an enormous dog shook it's head around, answered who the oogler was. A dog. Aino didn't like dogs. Not at all. They made her feel sick to her stomach for some reason. And they were dangerous; they were big, smelly and made loud noised. They bit sims, unlike cats. Well, cats bit to, but nowwhere near as hard.
     Holy hell, what a dog- The only thing that was larger than it's head were the sharp teeth it flashed!

     In her mind a pair of evil eyes stared at her. The world froze as she did her best not to make any sudden movements. And she tried staring at it, without staring into it's evil eyes. Because dogs took that as provocation. She also kept her mouth shut, because dogs could interpret her teeth as sneering, and that would provoke it into attacking- Aino had never been bit by a dog, but she was still scared of them. Nothing good came out of dogs.
     She really wanted to scream and make a run for it, but what if it ran after her and attacked! Dogs were scary! They were scary, and uncontrolled when they played! They were uncontrolled no matter what they did!!

     Moving with the speed of a lazy snail, Aino closed the book and tried to prevent the tears that started filling her eyes, from running down her cheeks. Tears were pointless and didn't change anything. The dog moved like it wanted to stand up and attack, then lay down again.  
     Maybe it was a stray of sort? It's breath got heavier when she moved to! What was she going to do?! A heartattack nearly followed when it opened it's large mouth! It wasn't going to bite her, it was going to devour her!! Could she slide over to the other side of the bench and make a run from it from there? Wasn't there a stick around that she could throw? Why wasn't there a stick around!

     Was it ever going to move?! What did it want with her? Why was it just staring, and sometimes moving it's bum up? Like it was about to jump or something? It gave her that evil stare again, like it wanted to bite her leg and pull her around like a ragdoll. Where did this giant even come from? Was it really a horse?
     Max! The dog finally turned it's head around, the large tail whipping at the sound of the voice. Aino wasn't sure if it was angry or happy though, because cats with whipping tails were best to be avoided. The sudden movement was enought to make her jump atleast. It was probably angry, it looked a bit angry: Come here boy. Not that the dog moved, but atleast it had stopped staring at her.

    The dog finally stopped staring at her, panted and whipped it's tail even harder, then it proceeded to slobber all over the man that crouched next to it. Clearly the owner by the way he kept hugging and patting the half- horse: I'm so sorry about that. He was still focusing on the dog: Max doesn't get that he's a big guy... do you boy? he patter it again, to the dogs big joy. If that tail wagged any harder, it would soon take off like a helicopter: He just wanted to sit on your lap. You're to big to be a lapdog, yes you are! Max slobbered all over his face again. That was so gross.

     Sorry if he scared you. He doesn't get that everyone doesn't think he's as cute as he thinks himself. Do you Maxiboy? The dog managed to slobber all over the guy again. Maybe dogs weren't so bad after all. It seemed rather harmless now, even if it was a bit intense. That was one of dogs least favourite trait; they were so intense in everything they did.
     Taking another look at the dogs owner, Ainos stomach started hurting a bit more than it already did because of that dog. Maybe she was coming down with something.

     Quickly wiping a small renegade tear from her cheek, she noticed that it tickled inside her stomach to, and her palms were sweaty... yeah, definitly coming down with something. Taking another look at the owners face, Aino thought she saw something. Was that a scar? It was on the side turned away from her, but she was sure she'd seen something. No, no. It was there, just at the same spot that her doll had burned it's face. What an odd coincidence.
     And her doll had loved dogs to, that's what dad said she usually played atleast. But come on, what were the odds?

     But this guy had a dog, and he had a scar that looked like an old, faded burn. But mum had had chipped off a part of the dolls face to, around the nosearea. And this guy didn't have... no... there it was. Equally faded, but it was there. Wow, what a coincidence... or was it? She was so busy staring at the owner, that she forgot all about the dog.
     If he was her doll, just if; then she'd get a friend and he'd never judge or leave her. Not that she thought it was her doll, but it was really strange wasn't it? She'd never worked harder to look calm on the outside. Finally her maybedoll stood up, so she could get a real look at him: Don't worry, Max isn't dangerous. Wait, had he noticed she'd cried a bit? She hoped not: I'll just send him off to play with Bella. That's my other dog... he explained.
     Bella! Like the girl in the book she'd read about a doll that came alive! Stay calm. Keep your coolface on. It could be even more strange coincidences.

      ... damn... He stood staring at her for a long while. Aino secretly wondered if the outburst was about him recognizing her in his dollmind. But he didn't say anything about it, he just stared at her a bit longer. No, he wasn't a doll. It was to easy, she would have to work to find it and turn it into a real sim. It was strange though, there were lots of similarities. Should she say something? Maybe, if it was a doll, it could be dangerous to mention the fact. No... no, he wasn't a doll. It was strange, but it wasn't a doll. But mum had said it was possible for dolls to become real, and mum was a genious.

     He took yet another look, before cracking a big smile: Hi. Putting his hand out, Aino grabbed it by old habit: Daniel. Well, his name wasn't Ratatosk atleast. Not surprisingly though, it was a terrible name for a doll. But Daniel wasn't even remotely similar, it as really common: Aino. Still no recognition, so he wasn't her doll. Could mum even be wrong?
     She had no idea what she was supposed to say next, but luckily he was on the chatty side: Not a doglover I take it? Aino shook her head and giggled for some strange reason. It wasn't even funny, but it definitely had nothing to do with how hot he was: I'm a bit scared of them actually.

     Yeah, I noticed. Sorry about that. He said again, still not recognising her. She had changed a lot since she was a kid, so if he was a doll it wasn't odd. Not that she thought he was one: There's usually a lot of dogs at the park though, isn't it?
     Aino nodded: I just assumed they'd all be at the dogpark. I wasn't really paying attention. I was reading and... She kept staring at him, to see if there was something else that reminded of a doll. But for now she couldn't really thing of anything
     Well, that does explain it. For now she was just happy he didn't ask what she was reading. It would've just marked her as strange. She didn't want him to think she was strange. Ofcourse, if he was her doll, he'd want to be her friend no matter what.

     Then she just stood there without having anything else to say! That was so embarassing, so she just stood staring at the ground instead. She couldn't believe she hadn't noticed the giant dogs. Maybe she wasn't really scared of dogs after all: Maybe dogs aren't that scary after all. She didn't want him to leave already: What breed are they?
     Great danes, they're usually nice dogs.
     Wait? Usually? What did he mean "usually". And they sure didn't look very nice now to be honest. But Daniel didn't say anything about it, so maybe dogs acted that way: Does he do any tricks? Like fetching dolls for instance?

     No, Max is an idiot. No one told him he's supposed to be smart. Bella's the smart one. Aino laughed and giggled a bit more. Stop that! No, she had to still be scared of dogs, because her heart raced pretty fast. Together with the sweaty palms and stomachache, not to mention the stupid giggling, it was clear she was nervous; typical signs of nervousness.

     Disappointed she realised she'd ran out of excuses, but atleast she'd lost some of her irrational fear of dogs. Or maybe she was just pretending they didn't make her uncomfortable for other strange reasons. But how was she to figure out if he was her doll now? No, she had to stop thinking like that. Fine, mum said it could happen, and so did dad. But come on, what were the chances that this guy was her doll? Why was she always so weird: Uhm... I should probably..
     For a second he looked almost as unwilling as her, making Aino doubt herself even more. Why else would he be reluctant unless he was her doll: I.. I can read your fortune as an appology. You know, for my dogs scaring you. 
     You can read fortunes? Wow, that wasn't something just any sim could do. Was he her doll? Did dolls have supernatural powers?
    Yes, I work down at the fortunetellers caravan. Well, duh, where else would he work?

      So, you're a psychic? That was a hint he wasn't a normal sim, right? Rubbing his neck, flashing a very pretty armpit, not that she was a freak, he answered: Ehm... yes.
     Do you need my hand? She was just never able to decide if she liked or didn't like physical contact. But she kind of wanted him to touch her again, but he shock his head and said: No, I don't need that. That was bad, because... because then she could've had some time to feel if his skin seemed more doll- like... yes...
     Instead he kept studying her for a while, before staring: You're a catperson... with more than one cat. After a short break, where he intensly studied her he said: three.. no four
     How did you know? She was impressed. Not that it proved he was her doll, but how else would he know she was a catlover? That she had four of them though... wow.
     I'm just good at this,

      Uhm. You've suffered loss. He looked at her in that strange way again: I sense an.. then another break:.. a.. do you have an older relative that died? Aino nodded throughout the entire thing: My grandfather. This guy was good, even more knowing than her doll should have: We weren't very close. I mean, he loved me to pieces, but we rarely met. 
     Still looking at her, Daniel fumbled a bit again: I can't quite get his name though. But it's a short name. Does it have an A in it? 

      He's quite happy where he is. It made her feel a bit better at that. Grandpa had always been nice, but he'd just refused to believe that mum was the way she was. Maybe it had been because he was
getting old. Daniel kept going: I also sense.. It's like you're missing something.
     If he mentioned her doll now, she was going to pass out. Instead he said something equally telling: Have you lacked some contact with a parent, or someone that has worked as one?
     I did! My dad was in a coma, and my mum... she stopped there. If he was her doll, would he remember? What if he wasn't? Then she didn't want him to know. She was sure he didn't know who she was, because that dialect marked him as an out of towner. Atleast he didn't ask closer about it.

     Studying her, he rubbed his neck again: I sense you've been unlucky in love. Wow, that was good. But, if he was her doll he should know her better than anyone else. Maybe that's why the reading was so accurate: I have. She nodded, not wanting to think about how sad it made her. Stupid cursed panties that ruined anything. Not that she dreamt about romance... she didn't need anyone but her cats: I get.. I get that you have a tendency beeing left by sims. But.. I'm not sure if it's friends or... 
     Nodding again, Aino answered: Both friends and boyfriends leave me. She really wanted a friend. Sometimes she wanted another sim around so much that her stomach felt hollow. But it was her fault, and it wasn't going to change. That's what mum said.

     Daniel had scars at the same place as her doll. And he had started talking to her, even if she hadn't done anything. Besides he read her like an open book. Could he be her doll? Mum had said it could happen. But, then why didn't he remember her? Maybe transferring memories from a doll to a sim was difficult? No, she had to stop. He wasn't her doll... or was he?
     Well, he served her a grin: You are going to meet a tall, dark, handsome stranger.
     I will?

     Oh! She started giggling, he meant himself ofcourse. Really, what was up with the giggling? Atleast he had a sense of humour: Nice one.
     Well, every reading needs a mysterious stranger.
     Giggling a bit more, she answered: They kind of do. Uhm.. so are you from around her? I haven't seen you before. Aino smoothly tried sneaking some more information out of him. As much as she wanted him to be her doll, and to have an amazing friendship; she just couldn't bring herself to really believe it. That, and she wanted to know where the fancy dialect was coming from.

     No, I'm not one of you locals. I just moved here from Midnight Hollow a few weeks ago.

     Wow! Midnight Hollow! That was where they had all the master dollmakers! That was really a coincidence! If anyone knew how to make a doll into a sim, if had to be someone from there! Maybe a fairy or something: Do you like it here in Jericho? 
     It's okay, and big. Very big. The dialect here is horrible though, can barely understand what you're saying. Smiling, he showed it wasn't serious meant
    Yeah, it's pretty broad. You can just go up onto the hills and they'll sound just like you do though. Wouldn't think someone from the same place could talk that differently, but they sure did. Her palms kept getting sweatier, and her stomach felt even odder. Maybe she had allergies.

     Aino managed to giggle yet again, stop that: I hear that place is really dark. Actually she'd barely heard about it at all. Other than master toymakers and it beeing a place for weirdos.
     It's not that really that bad, it's just so much lighter everywhere else. 
     So where in the city do you live? If I might ask ofcourse. Best saying it that way, so she didn't come off as a creepy stalker. He didn't seem to find it that creepy though, maybe thinking about stalkers was just something she did: At Distillery street. It's a small place, but nice enough. Needs a bit of freshening up though. I'm getting to it... eventually...
     That's really close to me! She blurted out way to eagerly. Not that she had any reason to ofcourse! She was just excited at meeting her possible doll... yeah, that was it
     Really? I'll make sure to keep an eye out for you then.

     That would be nice, she giggled another time. Seriously, why couldn't she stop giggling? She sounded like she was dumb, not someone with a collegedegree: Feel free to take a trip down to the caravan though. I'm there pretty much every day. 
     Okay... Aino giggled again.

     Maybe he was her doll, because why else would he know so much about her? Or maybe he wasn't? The day had been amazing either way, because she'd started doubting that dolls could become alive, and if they couldn't, then mum might have been wrong. And if mum was wrong about that, what else could she be wrong about?
     The weather was amazing, the birds were chirping, the swing wasn't occupied by some stupid little kid. She just felt so happy! She'd met someone new, that might be her doll! She knew destiny wasn't real, but what if a lot of encounters could end up in this chance meeting? What if, dolls could become alive? No, mum wasn't wrong. She couldn't be wrong. Everything was just so good and joyful today! It was such a beautiful day!

     Ofcourse, she'd also used simoleons she didn't really have on a book, which she'd just thrown away because she didn't understand any of it anyway. And there was those two monsterdogs her potenital doll had- But it still was a good day. The sun was still shining, and she'd done a lot this day.

     Then there was the weekend that was coming soon, and she didn't want to meet Dave again. But she was a bit scared to tell him that she wasn't interested. Because they tended to get mad when she wasn't. And she didn't want to have her hair grabbed again. She didn't want to meet him again. Maybe she could visit dad and Maya, they'd probably let her stay the weekend. But what about her cats? Who was going to take care of them? She could ask dad to do it, but what if he asked her why? So she had to feed them herself, and then Dave could show up when she was there and then what was she supposed to do??

     What was she to tell dad? I don't want to meet this guy I went on a date with, but I don't really have a good reason? I just don't want to meet a guy that swims in simoleons, and drives an expensive car? But, maybe if she met him again it would all get better? She was probably just overreacting, she did that a lot. It wasn't so bad. Bet that guy did the same thing to his wife.

     The swing was probably full of germs from little kids and their snotfilled hands to. She really shouldn't be touching it. She had to wash her hands as soon as she got home. Bet brown water would run from them, making her question what she'd actually touched. Had she put her hands in her mouth at any point? Please, she hoped she hadn't.

     But there was one thing that she knew could make everything better. Picking up her phone, she'd memorised the number by heart: Hi! Is this the animalshelter? I was thinking about adopting a cat!

      Turned out summer was the time a year when sims left their cats behing. Ideally she'd wanted a grown cat, but this little grey ball of fur stole her heart immediately. They had named her The evil genious, but for obvious reasons Aino wasn't to fond of that name. So she named her Halo instead, because she was an adorable kittyangel!

     Aaaaw!!

     She loved her cats, especially when they slept- Gilbert, Sekhmet, Halo, Ptah and Nefertum

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I am not sorry for spamming pictures of the dog. It's so cute. I had no idea simdogs could be that cute. They are by Morganaplays, and you can find them here. There's also lots of other cute dogs there.

And the guy she meets does have something on his face, the lights is just really not working with me this sim- summer. I tried darkening it, but then it just looked like dirt. So just know that it's there. It's also why the pictures are so different, because I had to light them on an individual scale- But it was so easy to strip them of pretty much all colour, but without doing it, they were so dark. So if they're really grainy, that's why.

Thanks for reading