1.10 Facing a villain

     Not only had old Helga thrown Lukas out, he'd went and gotten himself a new girlfriend. Even moved in with her. Iva had broken all contact with him. In her mind, he owed her a big, fat appology. That bastard. She'd even tried taking up contact with an old friend, a woman this time, she really needed some female friends. But the woman only mouthed her off. That's what you get for contacting pregnant women.
     All wasn't bad though. Fatty had benefited from Ivas guilt trip, and now sat like an egyptian pharao on her throne. Iva also visited her parents and brother several times. Breaking someone up, had made her think. Even if she didn't admit it.
     There was one person though, that she'd wronged more than anyone. And the time had come to do something about it. She chose spooky day, and went dressed up as something that really suited her.

     Gard met her even before she set foot inside the property. Staying under a dark umbrella to prevent catching fire.
     Iva made sure to greet him in a proper way: I'm a superhero. I call her Icebitch, since I'm all cold and bitchy. 
     .....okay.... For some reason he didn't seem to see the humour in it. We had dress up day at work, he said. Butler. So, he wasn't dressed up as a vampire then. That would probably have been a bit weird.
 

 
     She pulled a deep breath and talked again: I'm sorry I wasn't there for you, when you needed a friend. I didn't know how to handle the thing with your sister and all. It's not an excuse, I can take responsibility for my actions. But when you handled something.....

     He never let her finish the sentence, but gave Iva a good hug instead. She tried to pretend she didn't instantly think he was going to bite her neck.
    Gard whispered in her ear: Don't worry about it. It's horrible having all those people around, constantly questioning and wanting gory details. Asking how you're doing. I just wanted to be left alone. 
     Appearently he wasn't letting her go, as he continued. His voice was unusually soft, with a threatening tone to it. Don't worry though, I have planned a sophisticated revenge against you. That did not sound good.  
     With hardly any breath left, Iva was able to gasp out a question: Does it involve squeezing the life out of me? 
     

     Sophisticated revenge indeed. Iva shouldn't have turned around, to see what the vampire was talking about.

     Atleast he was gentleman enough to drive her home, so she could change into some dry clothes after beeing attacked with waterballoons. When they both had changed their outfits, they decided to take a trip out, for good ol' times sake.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     In their youth, no disco in Jericho was safe from them, and the rest of the gang.

     It's still the same bartender!! Iva and Gard giggled at the old lady standing behind the bar. The bars in Jericho really needed to hire some younger people. She'd worked there since they were teens.

     The old hag sure could mix drinks. Iva enjoyed the music as she slurped down her virgin coctail. Gard seemed a bit dissapointed though, but still drank it.

     Pretty much the only people there, and completely sober, the most natural thing to do was to hit the dancefloor. Normally she would be to shy with many strangers around, but it was just Gard. Nothing to worry about there.
      You see Gard, Iva shouted over the music, which actually wasn't that loud today. If you want to draw the ladies, you got to show 'em what you got, you know! So stick that tiny butt of yours out a bit, like this! She showed him how to do it. Oddly enough she heard him laugh. That was strange, and a bit rude. Here she was giving out all these good advice.

     It was way to boring dancing alone, when she could dance with a partner. Even if it only was Gard. So Iva smoothly made him dance with her, pointing her finger at him and then herself. He thought her hair made her look a bit like a scarecrow, but that wouldn't be very nice to mention.
     So he smiled at her instead, showing of his lovely white teeth. And a set of fangs that made Iva regret the idea in the first place.

     Come to think of it, she'd never really looked at her old friend. Really studied him. How was it that he was a vampire, when everyone in his family were ordinary sims? Maybe he'd been bitten by another vampire as a kid? How else could he be one, right?
     With style, she danced around him in circles, looking at his neck after bitemarks.
     Nope, not there. She hoped he didn't notice her staring.

     And not there either? That's odd? Iva wasn't sure what to think about it. Maybe he was born that way, but that couldn't be possible. Weren't vampires undeads, or dead, but how could he grow up then?
     Maybe he'd been bitten somewhere else. Under the clothes maybe? Well, it wasn't anyway she could look under there. Or was it?

     Iva jumped back as Gard suddenly stopped, looking at her with those glowing eyes.
     W-what? What's wrong? Iva tried hiding her own embarassment. Vampires couldn't read minds could they?
     I'm going to take my jacket off. His voice was completely flat, revealing that he thought she was acting a bit weird.
     Ok, Iva thought to herself. No way in hell, I'll ever even consider trying to find out if he has bitemarks under his clothes. I'll leave that to dumb wannabe gothgirls. 

     The Dj, probably the old lady behind the bar, changed the song into a slow one. Not a common accurance in this place.
     May I have this dance? Gards voice was teasing as he smiled at her. Flashing those large, pointy teeth.
     Hell no! Iva thought, staring at his teet. They were really made for biting. Biting sims like her!! But she stil answered: Okay! 
     He put on his sweetest smile and said: Are you sure you're not to scared? 
     Me? Scared? Of what?! I'm not scared! She laughed a bit to loud.

     Riiight. The vampire finally closed his mouth, hiding those aweful teeth. She'd never actually noticed how large they were. She did notice the teasing smile he had. Ofcourse he knew she was scared.
     So she smiled forcefully at him and said: So what have you been up to lately?

     His voice didn't change a bit. Obviously he found her behaviour funny. Iva, on her hand, made sure she kept a good distance between them, just in case he got hungry.
    Same old thing, he said. Working, training, dating, kidnapping innocent young women, holding them hostage in my dark manor in Greywood, fighting fairies,.... You know. Nothing new really. How about you? His face was innocently serious.
     Iva was completely taken by surprised, doing something so rare as blushing.
     Oh no, you read that? She tried to get out of his arms, hoping to hide in the restroom. But he held her in a firm grip, leaving no room for escape.
     Ofcourse I have. I've read all your books. 

    Crap, the thought hit hard and humiliating. Iva was way to embarassed to even make a comment.
    But he wasn't done yet. Almost laughing he said: I can't believe you made me a villain! You really think I'll ever do anything like that? And Lukas a hero? Really? Lukas? He'd forget what he was doing before he even got there. He's a fairy! 

     She tried explaining herself whilst he bent her backwards: It's not excactely you! The position made her back hurt, and it didn't get any better when she noticed he stared at her neck. Great, now he was probably getting hungry. Her voice sounded forced and awkward: You're just very inspiring. 

     Right... Atleast he still sounded amused. Tell the truth, he said teasingly, because I can hold you like this for a very long time. Got a bit of a backpain there maybe?  
     Iva giggled, even if it was painful. It had been a lame excuse: Fine, I got a contract for a crappy book I didn't want to write. I was desperate, and to lazy to research! They wanted an evil vampire, and I gave them you! 

     He carefully pulled her back up again, with a small comment that she really needed to start working out.
     Evil? That's very flattering of you. Luckily he still seemed amused.    
     Look at it from the bright side, Iva smiled at him. Your character has a fanclub, Lukas' don't. There's tons of teenagegirls out there thinking you're way hot! 
     Well, that's.... creepy. As he said it, Ivas eyes once again saw those large fangs, pretty much filling his entire mouth. Wonder how often he bit his own tounge with those?

      Before she could mouth her intelligent question, he twirled her around, laughing, putting some distance between them.
     You have to admit it was fun to read that!! She laughed back at him.
     Okay, maybe a bit. Just please don't do anything like that again. I nearly chocked when I read it. What if someone think it's true? 

     Want another drink there, oh evil vampire? It's getting late and and we don't want the dark prince missing his curfew! 
    He let her go as the music changed again.

     Iva ordered them drinks, in her usual charming way. Hey! Hey! You crusty old raisin! TWO VIRGIN DRINKS PLEASE!!! 

     Once again, Ivas sweet personality saved them from a long wait. Which wouldn't have been that long anyway, since there were barely any people present.

     See how I handled that  there, Gard! That's how you treat old ladies! 
    He didn't seem to happy with the drink. It was bad enough that it wasn't any alcohol in it.

     But it was pink......

     ..... and had a heart in it.....

     Strangely enough, he left after finishing the drink.
     It was nice spending some time with you Iva.
    They hugged eachother and went their separate ways. He hadn't even squeezed the breath out of her this time. And even better, no biting!
---------------------------------------------------
It's another filler chapter, I know. I always just felt there was a lack at Iva and Gards friendship. He just got left out in the cold, poor guy. No idea why they are in costumes though, it's not a party or anything at the property. And that yelling Iva does at the old lady.... first she does the "shy" idle, then walkes straight up to the old woman and start shouting. Poor old woman.
I really love the slow dance interaction, and wish there were more options for two sims to dance together. Ah well.
And a note to self: Must kill off all the old bartenders.
Thanks for reading :)

1.9 A piece of art part 2

     This part picks up just where the other (1.8) left off.

     Iva was almost as fascinated as the dog, over the arguement. The old womans voice was shivering hard and thick with emotion.
     His mum's really protective, she thought. Come to think of it, she'd never met his mum before. She'd always just assumed he fell out of a tree, or a cocoon of sort.
     How could you do this to me? What's wrong with you?! Lukas' mum shrieked.
     Why on earth was a mother that interested anyway? Fine, he was married, so it might be somewhat understandable. But seriously? This was way to much in Ivas opinion. After all, he hadn't done anything to his mum, only to his wife. Ofcourse, Iva could have left the scene that unfolded, but it was like watching a carcrash. She wanted to leave, but just couldn't.

     And with that!! The old lady took a break to point her bony finger at Iva. Her old arm barely able to keep still.
     That? What the hell did that mean? He could probably do worse than her. A lot better to ofcourse, but that wasn't the point.  

     The old woman wasn't done though: And in broad daylight! For everyone to see! Even the damn dogs have seen it! His mother really was mad. Who knew they could feel so strongly for their daughter in law? 

     Nearly crying now, the woman continued: I knew you were bad news! I never should have married you! Get away from me! You're scum!

     Iva turned her back against them, thinking to herself: Holy shit! He wasn't lying when he said his wife was older. She's old enough to be his mum! Eeeew! That's way gross. She pulled a  disgusted face, hoping no one would notice. 

     The woman tried to stomp away, but her old legs wasn't strong enough to keep any speed up. Lukas tried to help her, but was angrily shooed away.

     The tent had protected the argument from beeing seen by to many people. Iva didn't feel to good, guilt slowly filled her mind. She entered the pie- eating contest, hoping to take her mind of the incident. She didn't notice an angry Lukas next to her, trying to drown his sorrows in pie. 

     Drowning herself in pie didn't help either. 

     Why doesn't it help? Her thoughts frantical as they filled her mind. Pie always made her feel better, that's what pie was made for, wasn't it? 

     The old woman, Helga, had been so angry. And Lukas, he had been so sad. He hadn't even answered his wife or tried any excuses. 

     Iva stuffed her face back into the pie, nearly suffocating on the cherry filling. The thoughts wouldn't leave her brain. 

     Fine, she might have a small crush on Lukas. But there was no deeper feelings there. Just common physical attraction. Or to put it simply: He was hot. 

     I didn't even care that anyone got hurt. I just assumed.... Actually she hadn't assumed anything.   The thought hadn't even struck her. There was other people involved, other than herself.  

     As the bell rang, she pulled her face up from the pie with a deep breath. The old man at the end had won the grand prize: Pie. And that's when she noticed him.

     Lukas ran from the table, throwing up everything he'd just eating. Maybe the guilt was getting to him too? 

     Iva went after him, catching him as he got up. She didn't even have time to say anything before he started. 

     You are a fucking piece of work, do you know that? Acting like you're some fucking star or something. You just have to have everything you want. You've ruined my fucking marriage! Lukas voice bore witness of fury, but for now it was shivering cold. 

      She didn't really need this when her face was full of pie. Others might have a problem causing a scene, but Iva wasn't bothered with unimportant little things like that. All her guilt mashed up to a small ball in her stomach, only to get cowered by white hot rage.

      His words turned her anger button on without any delay. Infuriated she answered him, in the same tone he used. 

     I ruined your marriage? Me? I'm not married Lukas. I'm single! I can do whatever the hell I feel like. YOU ruined your own marriage! Maybe if you weren't such a whore, I wouldn't have kept hitting on you? 

    I'm a what!? You're really calling me a whore?! What the hell are you then? This time his voice was raised, but Iva had no intention of letting him talk. 

     Yeah! You heard me! Everyone knows you keep humping around either way. That she caught you with me, is just a coincidence! It could've been anyone of your numerouse "friends". 

     He stuck his finger up in her face, his teeth clenched he snarled: You're a massive bitch! Atleast I have a personal life! You're stuck up in your little imaginary world! Where every fucking thing is about Iva! It's always about you isn't it?! Always! I'm just a man you know! There's a limit to how much I can take, when you keep wiggling your cunt infront of me!

          Oh, stop making yourself a victim! You're a grown man! You're capable of taking responsibility for what you choose to do! Just because you're a dick, doesn't mean it has to controle your fucking life! She had long since raised her voice. And for now, she didn't care who heard them. All her anger was directed at that bloody fairy and his stupid stuffing filled face. 

     He laughed in her face, making her even angrier: So I'm making myself a victim? He laughed at her again, and not the good type. You're just a stupid, spoiled, brat thinking you're something special! Fucking little dramaqueen's what you are! You're not as unique as you think you are Iva! You had everything, and gave it up, because you think you're so different from everyone else! 

     Shut the hell up blondie! She hadn't calmed down after his words. Why don't you take a good look at me huh?! Don't you come talking to me about having everything, you stupid bimbo! 

     Unable to stop herself, she just continued: So why don't you just fly away to Bimboland, and meet up with the rest of your fairy whorecousins?! You're all the same fucking way! You've met one, you've met them all!!

     He pulled away from her with a face of disbelief. Atleast I'm not a racist. 

  

     Iva hung her head, tired of the whole argument: That's just low Lukas. Even for a stupid fairy. Go climb a tree or something.....

     You're not excactely a piece of artwork yourself Iva. He sounded just as tired as she did. Just leave me the hell alone.    

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

     Iva left in a foul mood, and got the best medicine against a bad day. A cheap bottle of nectar. She didn't have time to even open before she got a phonecall. It almost removed her bad mood, even if the guilt still lived in her stomach: Hi Ingmar, she laughed. Yes, everythings fine, how are you doing. They chatted for a short while, before they hung up. Just what she needed to wash away a bad day, especially with the weather turning bad again. 

    She grabbed a glass of the cheap nectar, and nearly fell back into a bad mood again.
    What the hell, she thought to herself. There was a huge circle of hair on the counter. The telling impression of a cats hairy butt. The damn cat wasn't alowed to sit on the counter, Fatty knew that! With a big sigh she turned to the cat, trying to figure out how to get her to learn to stay away from where Iva made food. 

     Only to be met by an evil mastermind, knowing what buttons to push to get what she wanted. Even Fattys forceful cat- loving didn't remove the guilt.

     Iva smiled at the furball, stroked and scratched the cats head. You're a right cute one aren't you? She sighed again. Fine, lie on the damn counter. It's yours, I give up, her voice filled with love. With this rate she was going to end up as the crazy catlady anyway. Might aswell let the cats take over her home as soon as possible.
     She scratched Fattys head again: I'm not a racist, am I? It's just healthy beeing a bit sceptical, right? It sounded different in her head, than when it was spoken.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I haven't really written any big argument scenes before. This came out a little to controlled for my liking, but I figured it would work. It's a story, after all so it had to make some sort of sense. It ended a bit abruptly, but that's also done on purpose. I figured it must be quite exhausting having such an emotional argument.
And I am aware of the fact that racism isn't funny. But I've no intention of having Iva going against ethnic groups. She does have the "supernatural sceptic" trait, and have dropped her view on them a bit around the story.
Thanks for reading btw, I keep forget mentioning it:)

1.8 A piece of art part 1

     Autumn wasn't the most stable of months. But after days of pouring rain, the sun took a little trip to Jericho. Smog, mud and the general pollution, gave off an interesting smell as the sun slowly dried the busy city. 

     Iva barely noticed it, as the slimy stench from the garbagebin hit her in the face. The postman seemed to be checking her out, but nothing gave off that he thought she was a piece of art. 

  

      The citys autumn festival had opened, as it did every fall. An attempt from the politicians to make the city more familyfriendly, and draw tourists. Iva vagely remembered them from her youth, she had gotten old enough to remember when they first started. Boring and nothing for children, but they had gotten a lot better. Like most sims, she rarely agreed with politicians. But festivals to celebrate the shifting seasons, had been one of the few good ideas they ever had.

     She had been at the summer festivale, now it was time to check out the new. There seemed to be more people attending this time. Maybe because the heat wasn't as intense anymore. 

     The grass was still wet, Iva noticed as she put her foot on it. It was probably time to put the open shoes away. But she loved them so much. Like many other sims, she clinged to summer as long as possible. No one wanted it to end. She hated switching out the light clothes, with thick jumpers and lumpy shoes. 

 

     Like most normal women, her first thought was to enter the haunted house. Hopefully it wasn't to family friendly. Iva didn't even have time to enter it, before another, way more interesting thing appeared. 

     Hidden behind an old hag, Lukas' blond hair was easy to recognise. 

     It wasn't the only thing she saw though. What the hell, she thought for herself. Is that another fairy behind him? How many of the damn things are in this city anyway? 

     As Lukas came closer, Iva forgot all about the ammount of supernaturals there. She waved at the blond man.

     He seemed far from happy to see her, but Iva didn't even notice. She was to occupied thinking about what the two of them could do in the nearby treehouse, or restroom, or facepaintbooth, or...

     As he approached, she greeted him: Hi blondie, how's everything? 

     She tried to appear calm and relaxed, but having him so close made her heart race and head spin. His golden, wavy hair caught the mild autumn sun. Damn, she felt poetic today. 

     He gave her an awkward smile, and a short: Fine. 

     Iva ignored the phone ringing, probably just her new publisher nagging about something anyway. She smiled at him, she could play this game too. Pretend that nothing was going on between them, that there was no attraction.

     

     He still didn't seem happy to see her though. Actually, they hadn't had any contact with eachother since the incident at the gym. 

     She knew that her brother had a bachelor party, and asked him about it. Asked if they had fun. Not that Iva even listened to a word he said. She was to busy studying his face and body, how his lips moved, those green eyes behind dark lashes.

     No. I can't play games. The thought suddenly hit, and Iva did what she did best: Talked without thinking: You've been avoiding me. 

     Nervouse and out of balance, Lukas turned away from her, looking into the distance. 

     No, I haven't... I just... I don't know Iva. I can't be around you. 

     Iva found herself getting angry, couldn't be around her? What the hell was that supposed to mean? She readied herself to yell at him, as he continued: I really like you Iva. But I'm married. I try to be a good husband, but it's so bloody difficult.

     He stroked his hand over him mouth, before slowly moving it away. 

     Lukas, Iva had calmed down. If you keep looking somewhere else, maybe you need to think through your marriage? 

     His muscles visibly relaxed, and he finally turned towards her. Maybe she'd said something right this time?

     Without warning he slipped his arms around her waist, pulling her towards him. Unlike what he had seemed, the kiss was hard and aggressive. 

     Iva didn't notice her sister Valerie in the background. She didn't see the dogs staring at them, or the other fairy wondering if he should tweet about their kiss.

     Even the cats seemed fascinated by the kiss. A kiss like that had to be noticed by everyone. 

     Lukas!! The voice was shocked, angry, sad and completely unfamiliar to Iva. Lukas violently pushed her away. 

     Iva wasn't usually a fan of the angry type, but Lukas got away with it. Still dreamy from the kiss, she barely noticed the  angry old lady. 

     Everyone had heard the rumours that all men feared their mothers. And by the looks of it, Lukas wasn't going to argue with his.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sorry to cut, but it got way to long to keep as one chapter. I have no idea why all those animals are at the fair. There's more animals than people there. And they keep following Lukas around, wanting to sniff him. That can't be a good sign.