Bridgeport morning was filled with a mix of smog and fog, fitting her mood perfectly. She didn't really understand why, this was what she wanted. Maybe she didn't really love mum, and was why this was more difficult than the last time. This was the first time here without Ian, but she was a grownup now, so this was how it was supposed to be. She hadn't told dad that she was here either.
Luckily she wasn't all alone, as it had been surprisingly easy to get Daniel to go with her: So who are you meeting here?
It was something about talking about her mum that made her all queasy. But when she'd talked to mum and get to the bottom of this mans possibility of beeing her doll; it might get easier. The largest part of her doubted it, it was just she didn't understand why he still wanted to meet her then. Could it be that he was just an ordinary sim that wanted to spend time with her? That was to odd, because noone else wanted to: Just an old friend.
She didn't have a lot of time before visitation started, and mainly worried about how mad mum was going to be at her: How do I look? She hoped mum wouldn't have anything to say about the way she dressed
You look really hot. Those tight jeans really flattered her rear, which looked nice enough on it's own. It didn't have the effect he'd though, when Aino exclaimed a very shocked: What?! Instead he corrected himself: You look terrible. Worst outfit I've ever seen. You should burn it and go naked instead.
Aino giggled a bit, it was so nice that he tried lightening her mood: It might be a bit cold for that today. Grinning he answered: Well, I can warm you. That is why I wore a large jumper. Had nothing to do with the cold obviously: Hope you meet a naked woman in distress when I'm gone then.
She can manage her own. Crawling under my jumper is reserved for you. She giggled a bit again, just to be on the safe side: Now you're just beeing silly.
It wasn't long before she couldn't avoid the time anymore; mum was waiting: Can you meet me at the library when I'm done? I have something I'd like to ask you about.
Sure.
Just to be on the safe side, Aino offered some advice before leaving: Be careful around here okay? It's smaller than home, but there's a lot of freaks around here. Not harmless ones like home. The crimerate here is pretty high, and the subways are really unsafe. And stay away from the small alleys, and...
He interrupted her with a smile: I'm a grown man, Aino. I'll be fine. And I grew up in Midnight Hollow, there's nothing anyone can show me, that I haven't seen freakier versions of. Trust me.
Aino still had to make sure he was safe, it was her job to keep others safe: Yeah, but it's still different. Not that she knew that much about it, she'd just found the tourist parts online: They aren't very nice here.. And there's the library that can be a bit difficult to find...
The library is right behinde me.... There's no need to worry, I'll be fine.
A part of her wanted him to sit and wait outside when she visited mum. But then he'd know that she was visiting an inmate. She didn't even know what was real anymore. Maybe mum was right, and she was just crazy. Think about all the things she'd imagined as a kid. Atleast she didn't pretend she was the cats anymore... out loud...
Okay. I have to go now. I'll contact you when I'm done. Okay?
You sure you don't want me to go with you? He looked a bit worried: You don't look to happy about this.
Yeah, I'm sure. She couldn't take the chance. If he wasn't her doll, he'd just leave her if he knew that her mum was a murder. And not just any murderer either. Her mum was one of the most infamous and feared sims alive.
Okay. Just call me if you change your mind.
Sure.
Daniel held his arm outs for a hug, and she awkwardly snook into them. Or, she thought it'd be awkward, but instead it felt all perfect. Maybe she should look worried more often. He smelled so good, but they had stayed at a hotel, so they hadn't exactely been sitting in a train all day. Maybe she should let go soon.
Even if the guards themselves weren't the same, everything else seemed to have stood still. The outfits and colours hadn't changed; had to keep the inmates calm after all. Aino caught herself wondering why there weren't any men that guarded her. Maybe she was just beeing sexist, but she'd gotten the impression that these places mainly had men as guards. It was probably for the safety for the women that were behind bars.
Bet mum had been surprised when she'd been asked if wanting a visitor. They even cleared out an entire room just for her; not just for others safety, but also for hers.
There's someone I haven't seen in ages. Aino had hoped she'd be happy to see her, but could she really blame mum? They'd only met once before: Why do you suddenly care now? Did Ian die or something? If dad had died wouldn't she be noticed? No, that was right. They weren't married anymore, so neither was informed of anything about the other.
No, dad is fine. Him and Ma...
Him and...? Him and who? Damnit, she hadn't meant to say anything about that. Not that there was a good reason, but she didn't want mum to get hurt: No one special mum. Just him and his cat, Mars.
Fine. Don't tell me. Even Aino got that mum didn't believe her. She just hoped that mum didn't figure out that dad was dating grandpas ex. Because then she'd know that grandpa was dead to. Who knew what happened then? Maybe mum would get worse: ah well. Skuld continued: you still look like a skank, but atleast you're not wearing any red. Aino loved red, but that didn't mean she wore it all the time. She just felt extra pretty when she did.
Yes mum, thank you. That's why I don't wear it anymore, she lied: because I value your opinion. Had she just lied to mum again? Why did she insist on lying all the time? She was a terrible daughter.
Yet you never visit. You don't love me Aino, you never have. The accusation came from nowwhere: I do! I do love you mum! I wish I could be as perfect as you! Because mum was just perfect, wasn't she?
No, you don't. She interrupted: You're so selfish. You've always been a selfish little girl. She felt like a little girl right now, looking up at her tall, beautiful mother that she could just dream of becoming like.
I'm sorry... I'll be a better daughter. She hung her head in shame, she was the worst daughter.
No you won't. You've always been a disappointment to me. I bet you don't even have a job yet...
I do!! Aino interrupted her, swallowing that small sense of pride: I went to university, with a B! She'd even gotten a partial scholarship.
Mum didn't seem impressed though: I got straight A's, and had several articles printed and my masters thesis released. Wow, mum was amazing, and so smart.
What do you have a degree in? Let me guess: something useless; like litterature, or womens studies right? Maybe mum did understand her better than she knew: ...art.... She'd never felt shame for her education before.
Skuld huffed: art... how is that even a subject at a university. What kind of a job do you get with that? That wasn't real science, unlike alchemy ofcourse.
I work as an intern. Another huff silenced her. Mum was right, it wasn't really much of a job: A petty job for hipsters and wannabes. It won't get you anywhere in life
I know mum, thank you mum. Sometimes Aino swore she could feel her heart sink in her chest for real, and this was one of those times. She was stupid to believe that it was anything to be proud of.
Mum wasn't done just yet:I don't even have grandchildren yet. You're such a failure...
But, you told me that no one would ever love me... And mum hadn't been wrong about that.
And? That doesn't mean you can't give me a grandchild? Sex doesn't mingle with love. Oh Aino, it doesn't work that way.
I know mum, thank you mum. She knew that though, but she'd never thought about the fact that she could still carry a child to the world. It didn't need a father, she could use a sperm donor. It was just that she didn't really want to raise a kid on her own. Other sims did, but she was bound to screw it up; poor kid. She'd probably keep dropping it or something.
Have you even had a boyfriend again? Did mum really remember Hans? Aino was so happy about that, it meant that mum thought about her: No.... But I think maybe I found my doll.
Really? Skuld smiled thinly, this was going to be fun: Did you bring it?
No... No... the dolls downtown...She wanted to explain everything for mum, but she kept asking questions making it hard for her to think: You left a doll outside?
No, It's already a sim. I kind of found... well, he kind of found me at the park and...
He?
Aino nodded: I know, I thought it was going to be a she. But my doll is a he. She explained it a bit cleared: I mean, I don't know if he's my doll. But he hasn't gone anywhere, and I don't know if he is or isn't. But he has scars on his face that matches my dolls.
Skuld smiled even bigger, making her daughter believe it was possible this sim was actually a doll: Tell me about your doll then.
She got a dumb smile on her face: Well. He has to huge dogs. I don't like them that much, but they're not dangerous. The small hairs at his hairline, curls a bit when the weather is damp. Which it was a lot.
He has a really beautiful smile, and a cute nose. I kind of want to pinch it. Just to check if it felt like a dollnose, really it was true: And he looks really kind. He is kind to, she sighed dreamily: I mean, he likes animals, is good to his friends and has helped me a lot when things seems bad. And he never says a word about how odd I am. She was so lucky to have a friend like that.
Now that mum had asked about him, she almost couldn't stop talking: His voice is soft and deep, makes me think of velvet. Plucking at her own fingers she continued: And his hands are great. They look really strong, but soft at the same time. And he smells amazing, even if he has dogs.
And he knows you think he might be your doll? With an intense look on her face, mum interrupted her. Shaking her head, Aino answered: No. I'm not sure that he even is. I wanted to ask you about what you think. And there's a book I found at the library here a long time ago, telling of a doll turning into a sim. If you think he might be my doll, he could read that and maybe remember. Because he's never said anything about it.
That's a great idea Aino. He most definitely is your doll. Mum exclaimed, erasing all doubt from her mind; I bet he remembers if you show him the book. And if he doesn't, then you should tell him! That'll bring his memories back, for sure. Expecting this guy to leave her crazy daughter then. No doubt she had a huge crush on the guy, and she couldn't just wait for anyone to fall for her annoying daughter, could she? What? She was allowed to mess with sims heads even if she was jailed.
You think he's actually my doll? Aino was a bit surprised, but mum was always right.
Definitely. You're ugly, unlikable and strange, why else would he still be here then? Skuld smiled: It's the best thing you can do, showing him that book.
Are you sure it's not dangerous? I don't want to break him or anything
No, no. It's perfectly safe. She had to have the dumbest daughter in the history of simnation.
Okay mum. If you say so, I know it's right. Wow, she was so happy mum had washed away all her doubt. She'd kind of didn't think dolls could come to life, but mum had once again convinced her.
I am always right Aino. Good luck... her daughter was an idiot. It was a mix of embarassing and hilarious.
Looking after her as she walked away, Skuld had trouble staying serious. Her daughter was such an idiot. It didn't help how infactuated she was with this man she thought was her doll, he'd leave in the blink of an eye when she asked about that. She liked how easy she was to manipulate. She'd went from not really believing it, to blindly assume that a doll could become real, just because she said so.
Though Skuld had something more important on her mind: So Ian was with that Maya now. He'd divorced her to be with that gross ginger?
Slightly stunned at the speed Daniel read through the childrens book, Aino patiently waited. She wasn't a fast reader, so maybe he just read at normal speed. Wouldn't surprise her that she couldn't do that right either.
The book was the same as she'd read all that time ago; where's Bella at. About the imaginary friend becoming a real sim. She still thought it was strange that he was a doll, but mum had said him and her doll was the same one. So then it had to be real, because mum was never wrong. It couldn't any other reason that he was still around, other than him beeing her doll. She'd phoned him because she thought she'd seen a zombie after all.
Finally he finished the book, leaving her waiting to see his gaze transform, showing her that he remembered: It's a good story. Very different from the new one. Why did you want to show it to me? There was no other change in his eyes, then the one that always made her knees weak.
You don't...? Why didn't he remember? Mum had said it would work, and then it didn't! That was so frustrating. And it had to be real, because mum had said so. Mum was right, right?
She didn't really want to have to ask him herself, so she tried to keep hinting: I... I had a very old doll when I was a kid. And this story is about the same type of doll...
If it was that old, it's not so surprising. Maybe it was a typical doll- design earlier. Daniel didn't know anything about dolls. He'd never played with one... actionfigures doesn't count!
Why did he have to make so much sense: No... don't you see what happens? The doll comes to life.
He kept looking at her: You mean when she talks to it? It's not alive, she just feels like it's alive. Aino almost wanted to give up, but mum had said it was true: No. When she gets back from the fairies. Then the doll has become alive and lives at her house.
He looked at her again without saying something for a while: It's a long time since you read it? Because I don't think you remember it clearly.
Ofcourse it is. But I remember what it was about. She completely did.
Come here. Then he motioned for her to sit closer. She didn't really want to because it made it a bit hard for her to focus. But she did anyway. Then he continued: Look here, he pointed to the text: Bella gets her doll right here. But a while earlier she got ill. And here, he pointed again: her brother is pretty mean to her. Aino read it and she even remembered that part. Poor Bellas brother was terrible to her. She was glad she didn't have a brother.
He kept looking at her: He's not doing it to be bad, he's sad and angry since she's ill. That's why her only friend is the doll, because she's not well enough to play with the other kids anymore. He flipped forward a few pages: Her brother is sad because she is dying. She doesn't loose the doll, she dies and it's implied that it's buried with her, then he pointed at the text again.
Flipping around a bit, he showed her again: Here- the part where she lives with the fairies. They aren't fairies, they are the spirits of the dead. I don't know, maybe it sounded to scary for a kids' book... They let her go back to her house, but she doesn't remember the boy because she's dead. It's her brother, that's why he knows everything about her. Notice how he never actually talked to her, but about her. It's not a story about a doll coming to life, it's about a little girl that dies, and her brother that loved her but since he's just a child to, he doesn't know how to show her. The spirit of the dead didn't want her to go to the afterlife withot knowing. I bet the missing pages is about how it's revealed to her. This was why he was so damned good at "readings".
I'm not sure how you got it to be a story about a doll. Though, she was a bit out of this world, so he wasn't that surprised either.
But... This had to be wrong: But what about the doll? The doll was the important part here!
It's just a toy. It was the one she played with whilst she was ill. Though, giving a kid a toy to make it easier to die seemed a bit thin: But dolls can come to life! Aino insisted. Mum had said it could happen, and even dad agreed!
No, they can't- and even if a book said so, that doesn't mean they can. He put the book down on the floor next to him, before sitting up straight.
Mum told me! And mum was always right!
Daniel turned quiet then. She'd never talked about her mother before: They can't. Aino was getting agitated. How dared he just sit there and claim that mum was actually wrong, or even worse; lying: Then why did mum tell that dolls can become real?
As sore as the subject seemed, he still kept talking: Maybe she didn't want to disappoint you.
That's when she blurted it out, but mum had said she should so then it was okay: But what about you? What about him, what: What?
Aino couldn't keep it in any longer. He knew so much about her, ofcourse he was her doll. And he wa still here, even with all the weird stuff she did. And mum said so: You knew so much about me! That day on the bench in the park!
He gave her a strange look, like there was something he'd done that he shouldn't: Oh that...
What?
Aino.. I tell sims fortune for a living. He'd already told her that: You know it's a hoax. You just say some generic thing, and then look for bodylanguage. And yours is really easy to read... Claiming it was like reading an open book was a gross understatement. Though he was pretty sure she thought she was difficult to read.
He might as well have slapped her across the face: What? You lied to me?
I thought you understood that. He had told her that he wasn't the real deal, and she still didn't think it applied to what he'd said to her?
Why would I understand that?
You don't actually believe that anyone can talk to the dead, do you? It's just a hoax; I'm a hoax. I've told you that already. Did you forget?
But you never told me that you meant me to. Why couldn't he just have said that? Stupid men always thought she could read their minds!
That's kind of given, isn't it?
But what about this? She nearly touched the scars on his face: They are the exact same place that my doll had damage. He flinched a bit when he thought she was going to touch it: This? I had a motorcycle accident. He hadn't been old enough to drive one either, but no point mentioning that.
Dumbest excuse she'd ever heard. Or was it? Mum had said he was her doll, but could she actually be wrong? You don't drive a motorcycle
That's why I look like this.... Because I can't drive one. He really tried to avoid thinking about the fact, that everyone saw those ugly things he had in the middle of his damn face!
But... If he was telling the truth, mum had either lied, tried making her feel better, or been outright wrong. What else of what she thought wasn't real then? That was a scary thought.
You didn't actually think I was a doll, did you? Wasn't really a lot of doll- like things about him.
Maybe she calmed down a bit to quickly. She believed him, it was just that it made it to difficult to understand other things; like that mum had been wrong all along, that dad hadn't told her the truth, that their entire friendship was based on something that wasn't supposed to happen, and she didn't really have any agenda to keep on living. Not to mention that her entire view of the world was in danger: No... not really. I'm sorry, I don't get where I get these things from... She should probably have been embarassed, but it was to much hassle.
You mean like zombies on your lawn..
Yes, strange stuff like that. It's just.... I don't get it.. why didn't you just leave when you got your dog? I mean... it doesn't make any sense.
Ehm... I might have seen you from a distance, and told Max to go and play with you...
What? Had he actually done that on purpose?
Yeah, I got a bit of a shock when I realized you were scared of him. I mean, he's such a slobbering cutiepie, I didn't even think that he might scare anyone.
I don't get it. She'd just been sitting there, reading on her own
Ofcourse you don't... Come on, a gorgeous woman sitting alone a beautiful day, I had to give it a shot. You looked even better up close. Hence the little outburst he'd had.
You looked fucking hot. Those tiny shorts, that little top... come on... you think any sane guy is going to let you walk away without even trying? Really, her underwear had more cloth in it that what she'd wore that day
That still didn't make any sense. What was this? There were tons of men that walked past her, that never did or said anything: I don't want to talk to you anymore. Wow, men were really not to be trusted. And why hadn't he just left her yet then, everyone else did. Besides, if he actually liked her, he'd be hurting her. Because that's what sims did to show they cared, that's what mum said.
Come on, Aino. I'm sorry. I thought you got it. How the hell couldn't she? Fine, she'd said she just wanted to be friends, and that was fine with him, but come on. What was he, dead?
She'd already said she didn't want to talk to him, so clearly she kept talking. It wasn't really sticking that deep after all: Why would I get that, I can't read your mind. Besides you never tell me anything about yourself either.
You could just ask.
I didn't want to pry! She wasn't supposed to pry about things, That just made sims harm you anyway: Well, just ask something then!
Okay. You said you had a motorcycle accident; then why aren't the damage worse. Those things killed you, she'd seen that on tv.
I didn't have a highspeed accident, as much as "driving on a dirtroad that had just been scraped, but no one has removed the gravel yet. So you slide and fall off at a turn and scrape your face along the ground, whilst the motorcycle fall on your arm, breaking it" accident. If you think my face looks bad, you should've seen the motorcycle. He hadn't been all sober either, but that was another story: I thought my sister was going to kill me.
You have a sister? He'd never mentioned that before.
Yes, I have a sister that's quite a bit older than me, and a brother. I even have a mother and father. Who did she think had given birth to him: They all live in Jericho. My sister is a football player, and was bought by your team. And my brother wanted a careere in the movie industry. Midnight Hollow isn't a place for that. There wasn't anything for me to do there either, so I left to. Then our parents moved, because they think we're going to start popping out grandchildren any second.
Your sister is "the fortress"- She had no idea why she had that nickname. Aino didn't know the first thing about football, other than it made overemotional men start rioting
Yes she is.
... You even look like her. And they shared familyname, but it was so common that she hadn't thought about it: I can't believe I haven't noticed.
Are you even a footballfan? For some reason he'd never imagined her as a sportsfan.
No. But dads girlfriend; Maya is. She usually watches it if there's a match. And then I see it to.
Yeah, I'm not a big fan either. I like playing football though, and basket. Just not looking at it; and I jog. He liked jogging better, but sometimes it got a bit boring.
I like jogging to. And swimming, especially in the river. And I'm really good with trickball. Have you been to the illuminated track? It's small, but nice.
Yeah, it's okay there. To many "sporty" middleaged sims that ran you down with an arrogant face though.
Atleast they had something in common then. Because frankly they didn't have a lot: Maybe we should jog together once or twice... Daniel nodded, so Aino just continued: I'm sorry I'm such a weirdo. Just that he hadn't run off already was a small miracle.
It's okay, atleast it's never boring with you around.
I don't even know what I'm doing anymore. I'm sorry. Her mother, just a short while ago, had told to her face something that was incorrect. Mum had been wrong. What was she going to do now?
It's okay.
Or had she outright lied? She didn't even know what was most terrifying: No. But really, it's...
It's okay. He was from Midnight Hollow. It wasn't a lot anyone could do that made him loose his calm. That place was the capital of oddballs.
I don't think this place is any good for me... It was probably for the best if she just cut all contact with her mother. She could still write her though. Besides she was still a bit in shock: I should stop coming here
Yeah, that sounds like a good idea
-------------------------------------------------
pose: sunny, modern lover, kuroineko, siciliaforever, fairsteadsim, k2m1too, imho
I don't know how libraries work in other places, but the one that was in my hometown actually did things like this. They had old books that was damaged and lacking lots of pages, and kept them for decades. Probably still has them.
As for Aino, it's not that she doesn't understand anything. But Skuld has warped her mind and view on things, but at the same time the world around her keeps showing that Skuld has been wrong; but also right. And also part of why she's not true to her own thoughts and ideas from minute to minute. Which is why she's so easy to manipulate for others. (Or as in this case, having someone pointing out the obvious)
Thanks for reading
