2.26: Wishful thinking

                                                         warning: language/gore

     I know you're aware of this already, but I've never been a particularly nice sim..

     In addition I smoke, I drink to much, I cheat, I carelessly lie and I'll steal anything that isn't nailed down. I've casually stepped over corpses of sims I've know for years. Some I've killed myself, the rest are dead because of me. The killing bothered me once, but it's surprising how quick one stop caring. They were necessary deaths, to help a bigger cause. Well, actually just my cause, but the first sounded better don't you think?

      See, I've already lied again; I'd steal stuff even if it was nailed down. Not that I get why, it's not like I've ever lacked anything. I just get bored really easily, so I started drinking at a very young age. And I was a pretty decentlooking young man, so I got to have a lot of sex. Nothing wrong about any of that ofcourse, but it's just that after I grew up I realized I might have done those things for the wrong reasons. Sex and drinking is perfectly fine, but maybe not so much when you feel you're lacking something.
 Anyway, the stealing is kind of how I ended up getting involved in this.

     I stole a lot of stuff and usually sold it or pawned it illegally. The local criminals knew of me ofcourse, but ofcourse I got caught in the end.Someone probably noticed me in all my astonishing friendly charm... yeah...
     Anya eventually got a hold of me, and that's really how it started. As you know I can be quite charming when I want to... I just rarely want to.... But I worked Anya the best I could and she probably felt sorry for me or something. She took the liberty of mentioning it to her husband Milo... yeah, he's involved in this to.
     But as it turned out, the mayor in town had an interesting idea that he'd shared with Milo earlier, and it turned out I'd be just perfect for it.

     Let me first admit that I have no idea how all the politics worked. But they had a problem with MorcuCorp. They were infiltrating and influencing the politicians, and we don't want them in our lovely city. Even I don't. They would've turned this place into a corrupt hole, filled it with dirty simoleons, smuggling and who- knows- what. In general they would have gained control over  the entire city and held all real political and economical power. 
     As many flaws our system has, we don't want a secret dictatorship do we? A free market is the perfect sign of democracy after all... Or someone says that atleast, what the fuck do I know?

     As it turned out, MorcuCorp was already involved with the criminals in town, getting their assistance at gaining power. And that's where I came in. 
     The mayor hired me into his office, which I excelled at with my ehrm... charming manners and such... But since the criminals in town already knew me, I started selling them information. They used it as a source for the whole Morcorp thing. Ofcourse what information got sold was decided by the mayor and Milo. I'm not sure what they were hoping for, other than that way they atleast had a shot at predicting the Morcus next move. And probably other things to, but I really wasn't that interested.

     It turned out later that the criminals got something from the Morcus in return. They used their labs and simoleons trying to bring some long dead guy back from the dead, to get access to eternal life or some shit like that. Never really got that part, and it wasn't my problem either way. But they were all so greedy that even something that stupid seemed like a good idea to them. And if Rowena insisted it was real; well, no one in their right mind questioned her. Just trust me on that part.. Rowena... Rowena's brutal.

      Despite that, Rowenas hold on power still diminished. This idiotic idea about dead vampires and eternal life made the others doubt her abilities. They wanted simoleons, not bad fairytales and she wouldn't have lasted a lot longer there. Ofcourse getting crazier by the minute didn't help either.     
     Your brother was a thorn in their side. He's a cop, and had started terrorizing the syndicates underlings. However he was also a valuable source for them, as he got them information about the police. So Rowena decided it was a good idea to send thugs to get him to Riverwiev where we where at that time. What a shithole that place it.
     Marco is a dangerous guy with connections within the lawdepartment. So either she could get him to join the criminals and prove to the others that he was legit; which she was convinced he was. That way she could have turned it into some oldfashioned mobster syndicate. Ofcourse she still wanted to play it safe with the others, hence the imprisonment. 
      But the others weren't to thrilled to have a cop, that also had a history of beating them senseless, and stuffing them in jail, running around there. And when the Morcus threatened to stop their scientist reviving the dead guy, she found an even better use for him:
     What better way to show the Morcus and her own just how tough she actually was, than to have a highranking cop executed. And a member of her own family at that? It is actually quite brilliant, and she'd also show the underlings that she took their concerns into consideration.
     Lucky for us that she didn't stop to think about how inexperienced the thugs actually was, or she just underestimated me. I can do things to, you know. I know, I know... I shouldn't be proud of that.

     The funny thing is that whilst I was feeding the criminals information from the mayor office, that they gave the Morcus; we also had an informant within MorcuCorp. Never wondered why Christine was at my office that often? You didn't find it a bit strange that I hung around my ex that much? What other reason would I have for doing that?
     The Morcus and criminals just never understood, because they knew I was a cheating bastard anyway. And Christine willingly gave us information in exchange for some really good opportunities to set up businesses. 
     Not that I cheated on you mind you, I've never done that to you. But you were really cute, and kind of funny when you though I was. Where the hell did you get that idea anyway?
     Really, it was all deals and information between Christine and me. Or politics, if you preffer.

     You can't really be surprised that Milo was so highly involved in this? Think about it: His wife is a cop, and he was next in line to be mayor. Why wouldn't they talk about this stuff? 
     But it took so damned long, and I honestly believe it got to complicated for the mayors office in the end. It's one of those incidents where everyone knew a little, but no one really knew the entire picture. In addition there were internal powerfights within all the fractions. Unfortunately that one between MorcuCorp and Vera wasn't one I knew anything of. If I' known I'd have them "relocated" a long time ago. Makes you wonder what happened to her, right? Other than you torching her that is.   
     It probably would have been different if Milo had started it instead of that ancient mayor, but by the time he was in full control it had gotten out of hands for us. We didn't see any other choice than to keep going. Even if we'd never get rid of the Morcus we'd do our best to stall them. Not that this survived for long after the mayor died though. That man got old beyond belief.

     I don't know... Milo would probably have been a better choice for this than me. But he had to be protected, and so did Anya. She was a favourite for becoming chief of police. If someone had suspected the two of them beeing involved in something like this, Jericho would have lost investors, companies, jobs and things would have fell into a dump again. 
     We were really just trying to save the city from financial ruin, and since MorcuCorp technically is a legal company we couldn't get rid of them in a legal manner. I don't think Anyas boss knew to much either, she just wanted to get rid of the gangs in Jericho that got to powerful to quickly. And she just couldn't figure out why. Probably because I kept feeding them false information.

     It was going well enough on those premises, but then that gorilla brother of yours started looking into it. I swear that guy can smell these things. And he just doesn't let things go either! Why couldn't he just let it go? He's like a bloodhound, if he smells something he doesn't stop until he finds it. Do you have any idea how much he slowed down the process? 
    You see, the policestation had decided that it was a great idea to pretend your brother was a dirty cop. Mainly because he had quite a reputation already. But ofcourse, his boss is obliged to inform the mayors office, so we knew it was a game. But the mayor couldn't stop it either, because.... well, you know.. corruption is kind of illegal. So I sat there with Rowena and saw her start trusting him, and knew it was bullshit, but I couldn't say anything. Normally I would've just killed the guy. But he's a policeofficer, your brother and Rowenas cousin so... you know... I got a bit of a problem there. And since he's your brother, Milo would probably have run me out of town himself if I did anything.

     We spent so much time trying to get him off out backs, that we were getting desperate. The easiest would probably have been just using Milo. But as I've mentioned already, he had to be protected. Can you imagine what would have happened if your brother had figured that out? Because he suspected I wasn't the power behind it all the way to the end.
     Milos got a good head on him, and he'd be a good mayor to the town if they'd gotten over the werewolf part. And I'll admit I sometimes, or maybe most of the times... okay fine; all the time; kept him in the dark about how I actually worked, and how many I had to get out of the way. Good contracts usually are like that. The previous mayor was an extremely ruthless man, I'll give him that. And, well, Milo isn't, so I never told him.

     I accidentally ran into your brother that day at the winterfair. Just couldn't keep my big mouth shut, had to open it and say a lot of things I wasn't supposed to. I just wanted to figure out how much he actually knew. Milo and the mayor wasn't happy with me as usual, but since I first had to open my big mouth, the mayor figured we could do the best we could: Try to get Marco looking into me instead of the syndicate and politicians. Maybe we could prove he was incompetent and get him demoted to a pure deskjob, or something.
     For the record, I told the mayor it wouldn't work, as I knew your brother pretty well in my youth. He's really a smart guy even if I like calling him an idiot. And it didn't work either, did it? But I had a lot of fun making him angry. I like making your brother angry, it's entertaining. And that just made him more insistent and his boss ended up giving him the assingment of pretending to be a dirty cop, which just got him even more involved.

     Then you showed up at snowflake day, trying to pretend everything was fine. You have a terrible pokerface, I've always liked that about you. I kind of started reading your blog, to keep you safe. You were really to generous with information about yourself.      After that I might have talked Milo into letting me try to get information about what your brother knew, through you. And maybe I managed to twist it such a way that Milo thought it was his idea? And that he'd be doing me a massive favour? And that you'd be a very good influence on me?
     That was a tough battle, he didn't want me anywhere near you. But eventually he caved, even himself suggested to you that we meet up. Though I'll admit I have no idea what he told you so you'd agree to meet up with me. I kind of assumed he'd promised you simoleons and half the city or something, since I'm kind of, you know... gross..

     I wasn't planning on anything happening. I just wanted to see yo. I kept forgetting to ask about your brother to, you're quite distracting to be around. I just wanted to see you smile and hear you talk. You were so sweet and innocent, and completely naive. It was so nice beeing around you, when everything else was lies. You're so sweet, and think everyone else is just as sweet and honest as you are. And I'm really am not sweet, honest or particularly nice in any way. It actually took me a while to realize that you had an interest in me all along.

     Then those idiots at the syndicate made that damned bomb, which I knew all about ofcourse but "forgot" to tell Milo. I just made sure that he wasn't there for a few days to be on the safe side. But they also "forgot" to inform me that they would make it go off during my workhourse. I think they were out to get me, and it was probably for the best, or it would have gotten off at a lot busier hour. Or they just didn't care that I was there, or both. What? I told you I'm not a good guy, didn't I? 
     At that point I had stopped caring. I was already aware that I was outstaying my welcome.

     Nothing was supposed to happen between us. I just wanted to meet you again and again, thinking it would get easier if I just met you one more time.     
     But then you met up at my house wearing practically nothing, and seriously... no bra? I'm just a man for crying out loud. You seemed so upset, and I really just wanted to comfort you. But your skin was really soft, and your legs very long. And come on... no bra? Not that I was complaining.

      
     I knew you were interested at that point, ofcourse. And I also knew it was a bad idea kissing you, and I shouldn't have done it to begin with. Everything I worked for, what I worked with... just a horrible idea really. 
     You seemed a bit hesitant at first so I hesitated to, but when you relaxed I just ignored the sensible voices that went on in my head. I do that most of the time anyway.

      I'm really sorry I couldn't give you a proper wedding, but I lied to Milo about the dating and the pregnancy. Poor sod even believed me for some reason, you would think he'd learned by then right? But you told him and Anya, ofcourse you did. They're your best friends. Turned out that little softhearted blondie has a temper after all; he was furious. I was sure he was going to kill me, for real. 
    I get why he reacted that way now ofcourse, or I did back then to but I just chose to ignore it. That's why they stayed away from you, you know. To keep you safe. Everyone just wanted you to be safe. You are kind of a walking disaster after all.

     The criminals made a terrible mistake that night. A memeber of MorcuCorp and parts of the criminals tried taking over the business. They had planned it for a while, but with the old Morculady dead, and the storage burning, they jumped ahead and decided to take advantage of the chaos. Or atleast that was the idea.
     There was a reason why your family was supposed to be left alone, and it's not because you were related to the crime- boss. It was because of Meave. She wasn't what you thought she was. Atleast the little I knew of. You see, the army can be a good place to work, but sometimes the members quit and goes into so- called overseas security businesses. Most of them are legit, hard working sims. And some or them are not legit, and doesn't work in very legal manners. 
     Let's just say that Meave belonged to that group that wasn't very legit. I'm a bit surprised that none of you noticed a difference in how she worked.... you know she tended to walk around armed right? That's not legal, atleast not when not in uniform. And most armysims don't do that anyway.

      Meaves co- workers wasn't happy about her execution. Because when the law looked into her death, there's a chance they found out what she worked with. 
     Worst scenario that would have happened with the criminals was some years in prison, and having to start from scratch. The Morcus would have taken a harder toll, but they'd survive. Illegal businesses in legal ones and so one, you know. 
     But that didn't matter when Meaves co- workers decided to avenge her death. It had gotten out of hands for all parts involved, and they put a pretty brutal ending to it. A very brutal ending to it actually. They found Rowenas molested body near a dumpster, and not even the Morcus got away. Well, atleast they will stay away from Jericho now right?     
     Am I a bad sim for saying that I'm happy Meaves friends didn't figure out I was a part of it? But it is such a pointless turn of events right? All those years of work, so many lives destroyed and all it took was for Meave to die? I'm not going to think about what I would've done if I'd known that.

     I've lied to you for as long as we've been together, and for our daughter to. She looks like me, but luckily she takes after you. She is so much like you... And even if I lied so much I need you to understand something. I've made so many grown men cry that I've lost count a long time ago, and so many lives and families have been ruined. Just the share sight of me is enough to destroy most sims day, and if I say the right things to them: most wish they hadn't been born at all.

     But I've always been bad at saying the things I should say: I wanted to keep both of you safe and happy, but I failed. I wish I hadn't lied but it did it to keep you safe, and because I was so selfish I didn't want you to leave me. And even if I've never told you before; I love you. Both of you. 
     I am so sorry, and I know you'll never know how sorry I am for everything.

     He just wish he'd told her while she was still alive                             
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poses:fanaskher, imho, ag, k2m1too, clover and someone else that I forgot.

I decided from letting Bashir keep the burn on his face, I liked him better without (that, and I'm trying to clean out my packagefiles of unneccessary things). And yes, Oriana is dead, all dead and fully "not coming back" dead and Bashir is the newest member of the household keeping up the rolls. Atleast now I don't have to stop her and Joe from flirting all the time. Because they did, all the damn time.

Explanations, explanations:
Anticlimax, I know. It was supposed to be to, but honestly not this much.

So there were certain things that got screwed up. When my computer broke down I lost everything exept one save from when the kids were toddlers. So all saved sims were gone to. Florian was supposed to be a part of the story, though not directly. But I needed his face as a startup for generation three, and would've needed him there to. Unfortunately I just wasn't able to recreate him. So I had to improvise quite a bit. I'm sure everyone has already gotten that the whole "dreamstuff" isn't actually dreams, but I wasn't able to finish it since I needed Florians face for that. (Not that he was coming back from the dead or anyhting like that for the record.) I'll try to improvise something for generation three on that part, but it might be to funky to use. So no promises there.
Ofcourse Marco was supposed to take out Rowena, but if I decide to go with the funky idea this was a better fit. Atleast all that were supposed to die, died. Except Rye, turned out he was the only one from both families, so I didn't want to end that family line :D

And I know first person talking is a really cheap way of doing it, but I figured it was easiest to make it understandable. If there's something I left out or that has changed, I appologize already, but as mentioned earlier it got a bit difficult beeing in the middle of a story when things and important sims disappeared. Hopefully it didn't get to bad.

Thanks for reading

p.s: If you see some of the thugs or others running around in the game, don't be alarmed. It's not them, but they have enormous families and for some reason they've started looking the same. Or maybe it's just me that think they do. 

2.20 Pretty as Snow White

warning: blood/gore/language

     It felt good beeing able to smoke inside for a change. This place might be a shithole but atleast no one gave him the evil eye for taking another deep inhale, blowing smoke out his nostrils. It would have been silly by criminals and other criminals that wanted to pretend that they weren't, to complain about it. But he still saw they did their best not to wrinkle their fancy noses at the smell. He probably should have quit years ago, but what was the point? He wouldn't live long either way.

      Bashir couldn't believe those Morcu- corp dumbarses had agreed to come to this rundown shithole, or that Rowena allowed them to. But they were clearly sick of waiting and so was the syndicate. "Try not to be a prick about it". It was always the same command: Don't be a prick, try to be polite, don't be an arse, and so on.

     Strange to think about that the syndicate and MorcuCorp actually coopertated, and still hadn't tried to kill eachother off. Probably wouldn't last a lot longer.

     Not that he understood why he had to be here at all. He'd rather be home with his daughter and wife. And if he survived, which was unlikely, this would be his last contract. Which was why he was a bigger arse than usual. Took so damn long, couldn't they just kill him already and get it over with?
     Rowena had the same nasal voice as her sister, not that Bashir actually thought about it, but it was really annoying to listen to. For some reason a lot of sims found his own voice annoying to. Strange that; he hid a grin behind another deep inhale. He loved seeing sims getting irritated for just opening his mouth.

     The Morcucorps weren't any better than most of them. Extra funny was it that their old principal was a part of the company, and she didn't recognize neither him nor Rowena. But she hadn't said anything, and neither had he. Who could blame the old hag anyway, must be a lot more money in that then teaching?
     Try to listen to me this time, Rowena was agitated even if it wasn't easy to notice: It's going to take time turning the system in Jericho. 
     The Morcus would never had bothered using this much energy on a town, if the economic potential hadn't been so large: The bombing had an effect, the sims were unhappy with their leaders, and wants change. But it's not our problem that the representatives you paid off lost. 

     Bashir swallowed his lust for releasing a fitting insult, it was tough beeing him then.
     We paid your organization well to guarantee that they won. The morcu- man "what's his name" tried voicing his opinion.
     No! Rowena still kept her voice calm, even if those golden eyes was burning: You payed us to get rid of certain representatives, and getting others to look away. That you don't give us better names isn't our problem! 
     In the end he couldn't keep his big mouth shut: You need to get better informants. That wasn't so bad to say was it? He hid another satisfied grin behind his hand as he inhaled another time.

    
     The old ex- principal stared at him, still showing no sign of recognition. Not that she had any reason to, he'd barely been in her office anyway. Hey, maybe they should send that blond gorilla in, he'd practically lived there when they were in school.
     Our informants are more than adequate young man! She snapped at him, her voice as powerful as any young woman. The problem is this organization that hasn't done the job they were hired to! 
     Guess we can say the same about yours ma'am. Damn it, he was supposed to keep his huge mouth shut! Why was it always so difficult?

     And what is that supposed to mean? The mans voice wasn't exactely quiet either, Bashir was pleased with himself, two sims in one quick answer, he loved beeing irritating.
     It means, Rowena took over his spotlight: That your "scientists" haven't gotten any further either! The deal was that you helped us with that, and we helped you with your little thing. She made an insulting gesture with her hands: And, she was ready to attack someone by now: When we'd gotten there, we'd start the business together! We've made sure you got all the opportunities you need to take leadership in Jericho, and you've failed. That's not our problem! 

     Then I guess, the old principal said as she leaned back in the chair: We are at a standstill. As long as we don't hold power in Jericho, our scientists stops their research. And, she emphasised: might I add that they are very near a breakthrough!
     Rowena bit her jaws together. The business they were supposed to get into was her little love, not his: That is a goldmine, and you know that as well as I do. She leaned forward, that nasal voice so cold that it clearly showed why she was leading the criminals: And if you as much as dare keep that for yourself, you and that company won't live long enough to regret crossing me. 

    
     Bashir might be a dirtbag, but he vividly remembered the poor sods from Riverview attempting to stop Jerichos criminals from building themselves up again. A threat from Rowena was not to be taken lightly. Ofcourse they took him along, just in case he ever imagined selling them out. Not to mention that she didn't have any qualm taking out her own family. She'd already made that clear to him, very clear.
     Yet Marco still lived for some unknown reason. It sure wasn't for the goodness of her heart.
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      The spring chill never seemed to make up it's mind. Suddenly it was summerly warm, then it was chilly as winter. Perfect weather of getting a cold, so the smart sims made sure to dress themselves properly. And ofcourse whenever darkness or shadows came along, the cold crept through layers of clothes.
     Though for once, it wasn't something as simple as weather that made Oriana worried.

    
     Once again she found herself heading towards the deep dark slums of Jericho, looking for the girl. She just hoped she wouldn't run into Jonny or Stoneface again. So for the sake of her own safety and sanity...

     ...Meave was with her. Fine, she'd promised the kid to come alone. But she was kind of hoping that another womans company wouldn't seem to intimidating. It would have been better if she didn't march with that militant stride, but her cousin didn't want to listen on that ear.
     So where is it? Whatever nervousness Oriana felt, wasn't even remotely present in Meaves nasal voice. This was probably a walk in the park for her.
     Right over here... Hey, maybe you should stay a bit behind? Do you think that might be the best? She was nervous the girl wouldn't show up.

      Did it ever occur to you, that it might be a trap? That nasal voice still so calm.
     A trap? She hadn't even thought about that: Why haven't you mentioned anything about that earlier?!!! Oriana whisper- shrieked. What was wrong with that woman?!
     Because then you wouldn't want to meet up with this kid. So obvious.... Shees, relax Ori, I'm armed. You're safe with me. She even managed to pat her back in a butch manner.
     That was just great: You know civilians aren't allowed to be armed right? You can get arrested... Meave just casually raised her shoulders. Kind of made Oriana worry about how many other army- sims walked around armed. Which again made her realize that Meave wasn't technically a civilian either, she was just dressed like one.

     
     Meave was the first one to notice: What's that?
     Paying attention wasn't Orianas best asset: What's what? Her heart in her throat this time, blood dunking in her ears. She did her best stopping and turning the other way, but stupid Meave stopped her with a hard grab around the arm: Don't be such a coward Ori. Then she felt herself getting pulled towards whatever it was that her cousine saw. Unfortunately it didn't take long before Oriana recognized the lights either.

    
     Whomever made movies clearly had never set a foot in Jericho. No policecrossings were put up, no fancy technicians in ufo- costumes, no huge wall of uniformed cops and a complete lack of press. But atleast a few police had been decent enough to show up, so whatever had happened couldn't be very important. For some reason none of them were uniformed.
     Oriana thought it was a very strange coincident though. Unless the girl had decided to share the information with the police ofcourse.

     At some point in their lives, they'd pretty much all been in school together even if Oriana never knew them well. But she recognized Dominic and Anya, clearly she'd taken over Marcos spot in the force for now? The kneeling redhead was Linn, and the other woman looking around the area was Lori. Hadn't her brother dated her for a short while or something? On the other hand, what female in this city hadn't? Her brother was such a whore....

 
     Was someone dead? Oriana thought she saw parts of a body, either that or someone was dead- drunk. But then there wouldn't have been that many cops present would it? And it was a bit difficult seeing with all the sims standing around there.
     Meave seemed to be a bit more used to seeing potential dead sims. She also seemed to have forgotten about the cold, as she shamelessly tried looking over Anyas shoulder: Hey guys, what's going on? She didn't even pretend to be shocked.
      And Anya tried pretending she wasn't uneasy with Meaves obvious curiosity: We have a situation here, I'm going to ask you to step back. Atleast she kept it professional.

     Both of them did as they were told, but didn't step to far back. It had it's advantages knowing so many police. And as much as Oriana would like to pretend differently, she really was curious. The chilly nights made her believe that someone might have died of cold. That was kind if tragic, wonder why poor sims didn't seek refuge at the shelters?
     Keeping an eye at Lori and Linn, she tried to get a sneak peek at the corpse. It had to be a corpse, or they would have worked differently wouldn't they? The body wasn't covered in any way, but stupid Linn stopped insight together with the odd plants, that tended to find it's way through concrete. Loris and Dominics huge feet walking around, looking at stuff didn't help either. Stupid cops blocking her view.

    
     Instead Oriana took the opportunity to study her brothers partner. For some reason they had a lot of redheads in the force, either that or they just magically flocked around Marco. As usual the guy had quite a stoneface on him.
     Orianas slow mind just never got rid of the feeling of him keeping something to himself. She wanted to know what it was damnit!! Maybe she was just getting paranoid, but now it seemed like he tried so hard to look stonefaced, that he looked to stonefaced.... yes, that was a great way of explaining it! She was a master of words. She needed to ask him, even if he wouldn't answer:
  

     Dominic? Walking over to where her and Meaves stood, it was obvious he didn't want to. He was on duty after all, even if Oriana decided it was because he just didn't want to talk to her. As usual she chickened out before he even got close, he just looked so scary when he had his cop- face on: How's the search for Marco going? Anything new? She wished she hadn't chickened out.

     As we've informed you already, I will contact you when something new comes up. He told her again. In additon he countered her question with another one: Why? Have you found anything? Ofcourse the police knew she was looking into it herself, yet she hadn't expected him to ask.
     So she just lied, giving her best innocent look: No, I've tried asking around, but no one knows anything. Why was he looking at her like that? And technically it wasn't a lie, because Adam hadn't known anything anyway! She chose not to delve to deep into why she didn't want to tell Dominic anything. Atleast Meave didn't call her bluff.

     Oriana had completely forgotten that she really just wanted to stare at the dead body. But when Dominic moved Meave got a better look: What happened? She didn't really sound or look perticulary upset.
     Taking a short look over his shoulder, Dominic answered, even if he probably shouldn't have: Manslaughter. Happens a lot in this part or town. 
     Meave was still curiously looking: Kind of young isn't she? 
     Yeah, just one of the hookers here. Nice kid. He took a small pause: Now we just need to find out who she was, and inform the parents. 

      Hey Frenchie! Linn shouted at Dominic for something, who quickly excused himself, and went back to his job. That meant that she'd finally moved away so Oriana could get a good look at the corpse.
     She must have looked stranger than usual, as her ears barely caught Meaves voice: What? What is it?

     She'd seen that dirty bleached hair before, hadn't she? And that tiny body with scabs and diseases to? Whatever information the kid had, was gone now. Damnit! This was so typical!
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     Brickhouses always seemed to be chilly. Atleast Marco felt that raw humidity in the air with every breath. Either that or his body was in shock after the unhealthy food. He could live with the imprisonment but the so- called food would be his death. Personally he'd just call it poison.
    But for real, what the hell was going on?

    
     Rowena hung over him like som little kid who'd just gotten a new bestfriend, sharing thoughts that he barely understood anything of. Not to mention she got weirder by the second. But as long as she didn't drag Bashir with her, he'd probably survive for a few seconds more. Or maybe not....
     Lying on the unwashed floor, Rowena kept smiling up at him. They were not best friends.
     Why did he attract all the freaks in the universe? Why was their family so full of freaks to begin with?! Why was he the only normal one?? 

So, Rowenas voice was so alike her sisters as it made a small echo through the room: When did you realize you were different than others?
     What the hell.... Marco wasn't "different", he was perfectly normal thank you very much. Yet he still found himself lying as he tried a cop trick; befriending your enemy: I'm not sure. I think I've always known. Hiding the tiredness he sent the stick over to the cousin. It was better to get her to talk about herself: How about you?
     Innocently she took the bait as Marco could only hope it would work out somehow: Same as you really, she sighed and stretched out: I've always known. A normal, decent simlife just wasn't enough for me.

     Pausing and flicking at her nails a bit, Rowena talked again: But when that darkhaired man contacted me through my dreams.... another pause to let out a dreamy sigh: ...I knew I was special. And that I was the only one that could help him. 
     Marco nearly fell out of his chair as her words tugged his memory. Dream or not, some guy served that crap and she believed it? A competent woman like her?! That was childsplay! He was way better at charming women.  
     Short memories of Oriana waking him up in the middle of the night thumped into his brain. A young teenager having nightmares every time dad was out of the house. He'd kept insisting it was a fictional character from one of mums books: Man? You mean the one with the long, dark hair? The vampire? Did it sound as crazy to others as it did to him?

     Rowenas eyes started glittering, the joyful glow reminding more of gold than anything. She looked like a kid in a candystore, or a cat trapping a mouse in a corner. But atleast she seemed benevolent toward him at the moment.
     Sounding unnaturally happy, Marco suspected she had a crush on this imaginary man: Yes that's the one! She even sighed again: Your mum wrote about him in one of her books! Yet another deep sigh confirmed his suspicions: A criminal mastermind, brutally murdered by those bastards from Riverwiev. The golden glow quickly dissapeared changing to a glazed darkness, showing her instability: You should have seen the look on their faces when they realized who I was.....

    
     She was such a charming young woman.... but if the criminals of Riverwiev realized that her family had tried killing them off for generations. Hey, maybe there were horror stories going about them all through simnations underground organizations. That would be kind of funny.
     As happened once in a while, Marcos blond brain had one of it's sudden epiphanies: Rowena and him were a bit similar, she'd just inderictly confessed to multiple, gory murders, and the only thing he did was becoming amused. He was such a horrible sim! Criminals or not, they were lives. And all lives mattered!!
     Ah, who was he kidding. All lives didn't matter. Some sims didn't deserve to exist. 

      Rolling over on her stomach, Rowena still didn't seem to be afraid of getting tetanus from the floor: What did he say to you? She was all smiles again. Shit! What the hell would a man say to a guy to make him feel special? In a non- gay way? Fuck, men didn't say shit like that to eachother!
     Dragging on it a bit, Marco said: It's been so long Rowena. Something about not beeing good at hiding.... That was what Oriana had said wasn't it? It was always something about hiding. Wow, mum wrote really good books if she could get two young girls to believe a story was real. He wasn't an idiot ofcourse, he knew it was based on real events, but come on! The dead were dead.
     Giggling like a teenager, she answered: I remember it so well.... And just as quickly that coldness came over her again: You know we would have gotten a lot further if it hadn't been for you. 

     To my defence, I didn't know I was up against you. And here I've been gritting my teeth wondering who was clever enough to stop me every single time! Cousin or not, Rowena was still a woman. And Marco knew women- few things beat a compliment about witts.
     Immediately calming down, another soft smile covered her face: Yes, I'm very clever. It was said without arrogance, just a simple fact beeing pointed out.
     I was actually looking into city hall, Marco continued, making a fool out himself to make Rowena feel just a bit more superior: I was sure someone there was stopping it all. Everything to keep her in a good mood, and it was true that he'd been looking.  

     And he was straight infront of you all the time! Rowena laughed softly.
     As much as Marco despised Bashir and his perfect skin, he wasn't powerful enough to stop all the stuff that had happened on his own. There had to be more sims involved. Ofcourse there was no guarantee that his "charming" cousin told him everything, or Bashir was tricking her to. That guy was a two-faced bastard in more than one way.

     He promised me eternal life, she suddenly said. Clearly Bashir wasn't the subject this time, but imaginary- dreamguy. Who was real in her mind. Maybe she was just outright crazy, Joe sometimes thought things that wasn't there was real to: And I intend to get it. Rowena stubbornly declared: That's how MorcuCorp got involved, with their labs and all that shit. But they sure don't come cheap! 
      What the hell! Was she going to spill everything? He was never getting out of here alive.
     Rowena still kept talking: They kept on wanting to get power in Jericho. We built a bomb, thinking your co- workers would pin it on them. That way they could sue countyhall, and make the politicians stopping them go away. Smiling at him, she seemed to love hearing her own voice: But there you were, sniffing everything out... You know, Bashir offered help by getting you to loose focus, but damned well he failed there to! 
     Yeah, I hate that guy. Marco couldn't have agreed more, ratbreath was a bastard.

     Rowena looked knowingly at him: Everyone hates that guy, everyone! He can make a rock commit suicide, but he has his uses. Especially against those damned MorcuCorps. She pulled another angry-face before switching it out with that cold smile: I've made them believe that if we revive the vampire, he will be a source to eternal youth. And let's face it Marco, that would be a damned goldmine! But when they have, they won't know what happened to their precious company. Between us, him and a corrupt countyhall.. they don't stand a chance. She smiled a sincere smile, picking on the dirty old floor: And with the syndicate and MorcuCorp at my command, I'll practically rule all of simnation!


      No one could accuse her of not having ambitions. But Marco highly doubted one dead guy would make that big of a difference. Unless she thought he could do the same things his own dad had been able to. Like calming down that redglowing illtempered mum of his, reading minds, insane strength that not even he could match, learning incredibly fast.... oh okay. That would probably have made a difference.

     In his long life, Marco had never been this patient. Maybe sitting still wasn't so bad after all? Who was he kidding? He hated this, he wanted them all to die so he could go home. He wanted to see his kids one more time, and his sister. Hell, he even wanted to give Joe just one more manhug! But most of all, he wanted that crazy cousin of his to shut the hell up! She talked to much. 
     Stand up cousin, she said out of nowwhere. Was it his time now, it would be worth it just so he wouldn't have to listen to her anymore. Either way, Marco did as he was told.  Facing eachother, Rowena eyed him up and down, trying to figure out where she had him.

     You claim you've been contacted by the vampire....
     Crap, she'd called his bluff: Yeah.... Marco did his best seeming nonchalant.
     ...Yet, he only contacts those who can do more than other sims. Did you know that? Giving him a clever look, it seemed like Rowena had been telling everything because she was going to kill him.
     Marco still did his best to keep bluffing: Is that so? I thought I was the only one, so.... Casually dragging his shoulders up, hoping he looked unfazed. He wasn't a supernatural, but neither was Rowena. Was she trying to see through his bluff, by using her own bluff or did she actually believe she could do more than others? 

    
     Shouting for one of the thugs, one of them came into the room handing Rowena something. It wasn't one of the thugs that had giving him a beating, they seemed to have just vanished.
     Of all the things in the world one thug gives to another, it turned out to be an apple. Who was he, fucking SnowWhite? Marco was more than pretty enough, probably even prettier, but come on....
     Make it dissapear, she stuffed the apple into his hand.
     What? Was she kidding him? She looked serious...
     I can make small things evaporate. The vampire would never have been able to contact you, unless you're capable of something. Make it disappear, turn it into ice, do something to it. It was clear, she'd lost her mind. No way she could do that, and no way he was capable of it either.

    
     Great, he was going to die with an apple in his hand. Atleast it was a healthy alternative, maybe he could throw it in her face and make a run for it? This was redicilous, just because he attracted freaks didn't mean he was one. Marco didn't want to die in this place, he had a family to take care of. A big family that involved a rabid unicorn and a crazy mate, but it was a good family. The only family he wanted and needed.
     Well knowing that nothing was going to happen, Marco stared emotionless at his cousine.

She'd called his bluff. Really, he didn't want to die at all. And Rowena kept staring at him, looking just a tad crazied every second. Her mouth shaped his name, but he'd zoned her out. He'd learned zoning out voices after living with his sister.
     So intently watching for any movement from her, waiting for Rowena to pull out some weapon finishing his life, that Marco emptied his mind as he did when meditating. He wanted to live, he didn't want to die.
     He was even started sweating in the palm of his hand because of that damned apple. Sticky, gooey sweat started running through his fingers, out from the sides of his palm. The other hand didn't sweat at all.

     A sudden swoosh of sound crackled from somewhere, but Marco wasn't sure exactely where. He saw the flames, but they didn't hurt or burn him in anyway. The shock pulled him out from the meditation- zone, especially when he noticed Rowena jumping backwards with a loud shriek: Holy shit!! 

    
     Smoke still searing from his bruised fingers, Rowenas voice interrupted him from the floor. Clearly he wasn't the only one that was a bit surprised, as she kept whispering: shit..... that.... was.... amazing..... She repeated it several times.
     No wonder he attracted freaks.

    

     He was one.
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poses: simul8rreviews, spladoum, matheus serafim, ohoh, simsimi, k2m1too, AG, traelia,

1) the dead kid, is supposed to be the same as Oriana talked to in the last chapter.

2) No one probably remembers, but Marco has always had a thing for fire, from talking about it as a child, setting the junkyard on fire as a teen, lots of small hints etc etc... But it's a cheap trick from my side, I know.

3) Principal also disappeared, but she's actually quite near the original. But she's old, so maybe it's not that easy to notice.

Thanks for reading