5.18 Cursed

What was this place? She'd never seen anything like it before in her life. A tranquil garden with giant butterflies, that she wasn't scared of, for some reason.

Everything was so light and happy. She knew how to fly and she could do magic. All she ever worried was fixed by magic! This was a great place to be alive! All Neda knew was that she belonged here, and never knew of any other place.

And in the middle of the small lake, she finally found what she was looking for. Did she know him? He seemed familiar. Because she felt he didn't gross her out as much as he had before.

Neda! My love! He exclaimed cheerfully, the nerdiness of his voice eeringly familiar: Now we can finally be together forever! I'm your one true love! No. No. No.

Bonegnasher! Neda tried saying it out loud, for some reason thinking the fairy would loose a hold of her- Instead she woke herself up.

Shit. This was getting out of hand. She thought it was to much for her to handle lately. With everything happening with Kevin, and meeting Steve and Walter. No wonder she dreamt about Bonegnasher to. She sighed and tried not to fall for the temptation of going back to sleep. It was early, but she planned on enjoying this day off.

It was a lovely sunday, so the kids had taken it upon themselves to stay busy for a change. Atleast for a while whilst Neda was shopping. They'd soon enough dump the youngest one and be on their way. But so far they were quite enjoying it. Ideally Sam was supposed to train a bit of football, but she kept getting distracted by her other siblings. Tania was really adorable when she wanted to. A bit whiny, but cute.

Do you see any? Kevin was together with Titania, trying to find some of those stupid eggs that were supposed to keep laying around. What noone had mentioned, was that this wasn't just open for kids, but also adults. So ofcourse they had rinsed the place of anything worth picking up. Couldn't expect grownups to let anything be fun for kids ofcourse.

I can't see anyone! Where are all the eggs? Tania was getting irritated, because she hadn't even seen anyone else look for them, and they were here so early.

Finally she found the only egg that was left at the fair; I found one! She happilly found a basket to put it in. This was one egg that was going to be traded for tickets! She'd get atleast five tickets for it, and that was the most tickets that existed! She could buy the world for them!

Wow! This place is great! Titania was thrilled about the playground to, even if this was the only apparatus they had here. But it was so pretty, and so clean and new! Noone was ever this clean and new! We should look out the windows and see if we can see any incoming enemies!

I can't stand here Tania, I'll hit my head. But why don't you keep a lookout.

Okay! I spy with my little eye..... something that starts with a t! 

Is it a tree?

Yes! How did you know?! 

I spy with my little eye.... something that starts with ehm... v! 

V? Aurelius was a bit uncertain now: V... v.... is it uhm... venn- diagrams? That was a bad suggestion even for him. But, what started with a v in that direction.

No silly! It's water! Aurelius was so dumb, he didn't even know how to spell water: v-o-t-i-r. Then again, Tania herself didn't have the best grades. They were kind of average. 

That doesn't... yeah okay. Water. 
 

 I spy with my little eye.... something that starts with a b! 

Ball! Sam was playing football, so that was it.

No silly! Boyfriend! Why else would Kevin and Erland skate together? Tania didn't get why big kids couldn't just say what they were thinking, instead of just sneaking around all the time.

Huh? Oh! No, they aren't... ehm... okay. 

You're it!! Titania rushed down from the playhouse and started running. Aurelius didn't have time to react before she was gone. And he didn't have that easy a time getting away from this place either.

Inbetween the lovey- dovey birds and Tanias joyful cries as Lee tried catching her, Sam did her best to be happy for them. She really did. It was just so... why did everyone has to be so happy? She really didn't want them to be miserable either, because then she just got mad. But why did she have to be unhappy all the time. What was wrong with her? Couldn't she just be happy on everyone elses behalf?

Taking another look at the dusty old clothes, Neda enjoyed herself more than she'd imagined. Used clothes weren't something she'd ever really thought about buying before. Maybe she wouldn't do it now either, because frankly they were overprized. But, this wasn't your ordinary cheap clothes either; tailormade most likely; or just pure designer ones. And ofcourse, vintage: codeword for "old".

Some of these clothes are really amazing! Neda was still excited to be here. She rarely ever went shopping. She used the internet like most sims.

They're okay I guess. Tara ofcourse also usually shopped online, they just weren't shoppers any of them. Neda snook another look at her old friend. She knew she wasn't all to keen on this, but one thing had been bothering her about that odd dream, so who else should she discuss it with?

I had a dream last night. I dreamt that a fairy I slept with called me his one true love, and that we were supposed to be together forever; you remember Bonegnasher? You think.... You think I could be cursed Tara? 

Noone that had heard the story about Bonegnasher, could forget him. But Tara still started laughing: You are not cursed, you moron! One bad date isn't a curse. Everyone meets a jerk once in a while. 

Yeah, but not everyone has a fairy telling them they are going to end up living alone in a trailer, with four kids. And I do live alone with four kids... in a dumpster. 

It's a threestory home; one that has converted old dumpsters into a livable home, with running water, heat and insulation. Those things are popping up all over the place. It's not the same as living in a dumpster. 

But you have to admit it's a bit of a weird coincidence. I wanted two kids! 

You have two kids, the other one is your brothers, and the last one's adopted. That means you gave birth to two. And there are so many single mothers now that we don't have to accept living with greaseballhusbands. Tara rolled her eyes at her.

I still think it's a chance. Maybe Bonegnasher was madly in love with me and didn't want anyone else to have me! Thus he put a curse on me, so I'd never be able to live with anyone else than him.

She really wished Tara wasn't such a skeptic, like just because she thought that the supernatural was perfectly natural and not super, didn't mean she was right. How could she believe the government like that, just because they had those stupid "Supernaturals- they're just like you" commercials going around. That didn't make it true! They were just trying to lure more sims to this place, and was probably hoping for supernaturals, since several places in simnation didn't want them there. And they didn't want to live here.

You must have one amazing puss...

Tara! 

Sorry, she laughed, but come on! Like, why would that make any sense at all? What's next? He's asleep watiting for you arrival, so you can wake him up with true loves first kiss? Waking up fairyprince Bonegnasher? She kept laughing at her own joke.

I'm sorry Neda, Tara was still giggling: But your acting like you have it so aweful all the time. You're a weatherlady at one of Jerichos most renowned channels. you have four welladapter and healthy kids and a nice home. And you still want more. Like, what on earth are you missing? True love? There's no such thing.

Neda wasn't to sure what to say. That wasn't what she wanted. She just wanted to have it all. Like mum and dad did. Just because her kids were a lot better behaved than they had in their days, didn't mean she did a better job.

Wow, look at the black one there! Neda almost hadn't noticed it: You should try it on.

Nah, it's to small for me. Tara had beefed up lately. Her awesome muscles would burst through the thin fabric.

Well, I'll try it on then! It wasn't really her style, but she was a hotshot tv- celebrity now, so maybe she should try out a new style.

It was a pretty dress, and fitted like it had been made for her personally. But it was something off, and it sure wasn't the shoes. It took a little while before Neda got it: I look like the evil stepmother.It was another sign of her beeing cursed, definitely!

Yeah. For once Tara didn't laugh at her, because it was just how she looked like. And it smelled bad. Someone must have had it in the back of their closet for several generations: It's so strange though, isn't it. Some clothes looks so good on the hanger, but as soon as you put it on... Just, that dress is so not you.

Or maybe, Neda turned around: It's another sign that I'm cursed. Expensive, tailored like it was made for me, and yet I look weird. My mum-boobs are nearly falling out of this. One jump, and they're all free game.

You're not cursed Neda. It just looks like it was made for someone who keeps children in her basements and eats them. Let's just put it back where it came from. It smells, and it probably full of moths. From now on, we're only buying new clothes. This was place icky anyway.

Lee! Hi! He got interrupted from playing tags. Not that it was a problem, as Tania immideately went fishing in the nearby pond; that contained no fish ofcourse. It also wasn't deep enough for her to drown in, or he'd never let her out of his sight.

Hi Jeanette. Have you found any eggs? He was still a bit off at all those eggs that had been picked up. His babysister was supposed to pick them up.

What? Eggs? No, no. I... hey, have you done the project that's due tomorrow? What did you write about? 

Yeah, I'm done. I wrote about simmiwoods problem with pedophilia and sexual assault, from then until now. I picked out a few directors and actors. He was so getting an A on that project.  Metoo was a big thing in the movies now. 

Wow, I was not... I wrote about how I trained my dog to fetch the paper. 

Your dog does that? We only got ours to stop peeing inside the house, barely. 

You're brother's... cousin is kind of a weirdo. Erland wasn't talking about the project. He was so glad he was soon finished with school.

Nah, he finds all sorts of things interesting. Funny that, with himself beeing the genious, and Lee not. He was just a curious type so far. Though to be fair, it could just be that he tried figuring out what he wanted to do with the rest of his life.

Yeah, I was thinking more about the fact that Jeanette's kind of...

Flirting? He finished the sentence for him.

Yes. 

Well, not everyone notices that. Kevin sighed. Like Lee was the only one that didn't notice. Come on, how much more obvious could he get?

I'm sure you're going to get an A on that paper. Jeanette said whilst staring at him intensly. Why was she doing that for? Ofcourse he noticed when girls were flirting with him, he just didn't have an interest in Jeanette right now. He was busy with school. And he was busy beeing nosy; Sam was on the phone again? Who was this mysterious boyfriend of hers? Unless Tania had made it up ofcourse.

Lee? Are you listening to me? Jeanette sighed deeply, trying not to look disappointed. Lee was so kind. But he only cared about school and that sister of his.

Yes, ofcourse I'm listening. I think the grade will be pretty good atleast. And there she went again! Maybe he could follow her once, see where she was going. Ofcourse, there was that chance that she'd catch him since he wasn't exactely a sneaky type, and then she'd get mad and probably beat him up: The teacher loves dogs, so I'm sure you'll do great to. He didn't really want to start screaming in the middle of the fair, so he just had to watch her go. Damnit. He was so curious he might die from it!

A part of Neda really wanted to go back and buy the smelly dress. Even if she knew she'd never wear it. But it had been such a bargain. No, she tried beeing strickt with herself and only buy what she needed. They didn't have enough room to be buy what they wanted; nor did she have the simoleons. So, she was really just looking through the nectars to. She had her own collections that was way more impressive that this one to be honest. Maybe she could sell it?

Maybe Tara was right, and she wasn't cursed. Because she did recognize a certain voice in the background.

Asking the poor girl behind the counter probably hadn't been the best idea. What was he going to do with nectars anyway. Right, right, his restaurant. Judging by his grin he saw her to, and even interrupted himself to come talk to her instead.

Yeah, this was definitely not a coincidence, maybe that's why she'd dreamt about Bonegnasher, because her luck had finally changed. It was a bit of a coincidence that this suddenly Walter had moved here, wasn't it? And then she kept bumping into him?

Well, hi again. We just keep bumping into eachother don't we? It wasn't a weird thing to say after all, they knew eachother pretty well already. It was so strange though. It was almost like they hadn't been apart since university. She wasn't willing to think that she'd made the wrong choice, because she'd been certain back then.

We sure do Neda. So, are you sampling the nectar to?

No, I'm just trying to pass some time and enjoy myself before next workday sets in. 

That's as good a reason as any. 

Hey, do you want to go and grab a coffe and maybe catch up a bit? We haven't met in ages so it's quite a bit to talk about. She laughed awkwardly.

That sounds great. I've still a few hours before work, and to be honest a coffe would taste great right now. The restaurant is killing me. 

Well, that went better than she'd expect: Sure. We can get one at the diner. They have pretty good coffe, and if we're lucky, they have a liveshow. 

The diner it is then. 

He was so cheesy. 
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What's going to happen with poor Nedas lovelife, and will she ever be able to afford moving out of that dumpster that drives me her crazy? I try pushing something more about the kids in there to, but to be quite frank they aren't that interesting at the moment. Poor Kevin tries his moves on Erland all the time, and keeps failing. I'm trying not to find it funny.

I can't remember if I wrote this down, but Walter's been living in town since Neda came home from Uni. And I just realised you can't see bonegnashers dumb bumblebeewings in the pics. Ah well.

Thanks for reading

5.17 Feast

In true springfashion, Neda decided to throw a feast for the entire family. She rented Grandmas crazy, and ended up spending all the time cooking. Even if she'd brought with her an enormous ammount of food, the family kept on eating nonstop. It was called a feast for a reason.

It was nice seeing most of the family together; chatting loudly and stuffing their faces and drinking all her nectar. Niko and Jack was already catching up, with mum almost glued to his side. Even Dragans wife, Lillian, did her best to get to know him.

When they were done eating, they kept on drinking even more of Nedas fine nectar. She had to send Lee home to get some more bottles, as her family didn't have any limits. At this speed, her entire nectarcollection would disappear. All well spent, if you asked her.

Everyone was enjoying themselves. Even if the teens spent most time away from the oldies.

Kevin and Niko didn't get all along all the time. As far as Neda could tell, they were mainly friendly with eachother. But the teenaged Kevin could be a bit snippy, and she suspected Niko didn't handle it all to well.

Ofcourse, if her brother had any self- insight, he'd notice that his son resembled him a lot. That moody behaviour that had suddenly appeared when dad showed up again, wasn't a coincidence. She was sure they'd come around. But, it did mean that Kevin was staying with her. He didn't want to move in with Niko, and that was fine.

It was a lot easier with Titania. She loved when mum held large familyparties, because she got tons of attention from her grandparents. Grandpa and Grandma were the best.

Everyone waited for the longest time for Irena to show up, but she clearly wasn't ready to swallow her pride. Still, they all missed her. At the same time they all anxiously waited for the long missing oldest sister. They were finally going to meet her in a few days. And if anyone wondered why Niko knew how to contact her, no one said anything. Atleast that was a guarantee for Irena to show up, as she'd never been one to avoid drama.

The air this close to the swamp was a bit more humid than usual, but who had the time to care about something so trivial. Especially now that Neda done such a great thing.

She snook out into the fading day after Dragan. They often talked on the phone, but they rarely met up. Other than all of the parties she held. Which actually meant they met very often. But they could've met even more often. But, just as the two of them; twins.

I've done really good, haven't I? Neda deserved to brag about her amazing feet of using Jacks computer without permission.

Yeah, you've done great. Mum and dad haven't stopped talking about it yet. You really saved the day. 

She definitely deserved the credit for this. Even if she'd never find Catherine without Nikos help, but that wasn't important. The important thing was that everything was going to end well. Irena would come along eventually.

It was far from as aweful as Neda had feared. Aino finally got to meet all her kids, and it didn't matter how shy Signe-Catherine was, because grandma had pictures to show and that meant everyone had to look at them.

She also didn't have any other children than Kevin, but maybe that wasn't so strange. She also didn't mention that she'd just lost her husband. Somethings could wait, and she had other things to worry about at the moment. Atleast the kid seemed to have grown up just fine for beeing; well, and inbreed.

As much as Neda wanted to chat up her halfsister, they mainly left the three of them alone. It was more important that she talked to her son and mother. The rest of them would just have to wait a bit. And just as expected, Irena couldn't stay away from the potential of drama.

So? Any tempertantrums yet? Yelling? Attacking? Crying? And not one word of appology. Just as it should be.

I'm so glad you came! Neda couldn't hold it in anymore. Her sister might be aweful, but they were family. And she'd missed her snark and cruelty.

Yeah, yeah. Irena patted her on the back, but Neda just knew she was crying happytears on the inside. Because she sure was; that and she was proud of herself. All of this, and no failures.

Look at me! SAAAM! LEE!! LOOK AT ME! Titania went as fast as she could, the swing squeaking loudly. She'd loved to jump off at speed, but it was still to dangerous. Maybe she'd be slung out onto the road! Or into the sun! It was never good to know, but she still planned to get as high as she could. She was sure the two teens would stop her before it got dangerous. Because teens were definitely trustworthy.

LEE! What are you doing?

Tania was shocked to see her bigbrother destroy the sandcastles. Someone had spent time building them. Why did stupid older kids always destroy everything others built? They were so mean.

She tried pleading again: Lee! Stop it! Why are you destroying the houses?

I'm Leezilla! I'm destroying town, so you have to rebuild it from scratch.

But you're a big boy, godzilla is a dinosaur.

Is not!

Is to!!!

Is not!!!! 

Is to!! 

Sam rolled her eyes at the other two. Sometimes she swore Tania and Lee were closer in age, than she was with him. Because it sure sounded like that. Why did she have to be here with the two of them? She'd wanted to meet Kevs mum, because she was mature. Unlike these two.

Stop it! Stop it! Tania didn't really seen to mind him destroying everything to much though. It was just that kids sounded whiny no matter what.

GODZILLA BRINGS FORTH THE REIGN OF CHAOS ON TOKYSAND! As much as he loved movies, he'd never wanted to work in the industry. He just loved watching them. It was a great way to relax after a long day at school, and extracurricular activities. Because he did great in school, like the rest of the kids. Yes, even if he wasn't a genious. It just meant that he never got sent to the hallway, because he never corrected the teachers.

Sam rolled her eyes as the two kept bickering. Fine, they were good sims and wanted everything with Kevs and his mum going fine. But she had tried pushing away that knot in her stomach, until she realized it was jealousy; she wanted everything with Kevs and his mum to go down terribly- That they never spoke to eachother again; that he came home dissolved in tears. Why? Because she was a terrible sim, that's why.

It was just... Tania and Lee had their mum; Neda, and then there had been he and Kevs that didn't have parents. But now he'd gotten his dad back, and a few days later he was cozying up with his mum to. Now he got to have both of them, and Neda, whilst she didn't have anyone. Ofcourse she loved Neda, but she wasn't her mum. It just wasn't the same. Sam also knew she wasn't supposed to feel like that, but she did. She'd always known her parents were gone, and now she was the only one without parents.

She really was horrible. She was sitting hoping that Kevs mum would turn him down. Or atleast that the infamous Irena would ruin everything. But they were still there, so did it mean that thing were going well? Stop thinking like that! She wanted to be the bigger sim, and see everything go well, but that meant she'd be all alone in this. And she didn't want to.

See! Aurelius explained: Now that Godzilla has inflicted the reign of chaos, it's time for you to step up and rebuild the world. 

He sat down in the sand, ignoring the strange cold that always came from the sandpits. He just knew, at the bottom of his heart, that the box was full of catpoop.

I'm going to have a city dedicated to old Eric! She wasn't entirely sure who that was, but since he was old he was probably nice.

That's as good a dedication as any.
  

Aurelius tried eavsdropping in on Sams phonecall over all of Tanias chattering. She kept phoning someone everytime she was upsed, and then she left. But he had no idea who it was. Probably a friend of sort, but why did she keep it a secret from mum? He barely overheard her saying "ofcourse she's fine with it. Yeah, she'll text you afterwards". Who was fine with what? Sam had all kinds of secrets, but most of them weren't that big of a deal. He wasn't so sure about this though.

Then she hung up and left: Bye Sam! 

He barely got a wave back from her. If he hadn't been so scared of her, he'd ask where she was going and who she was meeting. Not that she'd ever harmed him or anything, but she had that explosive temper that scared him a bit. Maybe when he got a bit tougher.

As Sam dissapeared into the nearly underground, Tania kept on chatting: She'd meeting that man again. 

Huh? Was she playing now or?

Samantha is meeting that man. That's where she's going aaaall the time. To meet that man. She threw some sand around: Swwooosh! It's snowing! OH NO! Old Eric, save us all!! She grabbed a stick that he assumed as one of the residents, and snapped it.

Aurelius drew a bit in the sand; so Sam had a boyfriend, that did explain a lot. Probably someone from the other schooldistrict, but he had no idea who.

Titania was so cute though, still having problems with understanding that bigger didn't necessarily mean older. She still didn't get that he was younger than Kevin, even if he was bigger. And that him and mum weren't the same age, even if he was almost as tall as her. So he didn't worry when she'd called Sams boyfriend a man instead of a big boy; that just meant he was tall. Yeah, that made sense. Made it harder for her to beat him over the head then.

Everything was going so well that Neda was sure that things had turned. So, for once she accepted one of the many dates she was asked out for. It wasn't to ignore, that they had ran in a lot quicker after she got on tv.

Halvard was a lot older than her, but she didn't mind. Maybe it was the way to go. Trying to date mature men, instead of someone her own age. He was a bit strangely dressed, but beeing charming, fun, a gentleman and a great dancer, Neda was more than willing to ignore it.

He twirled her around with ease, to Nedas great delight. She already had butterflies in her stomach. But beeing a lot older now, she knew that they didn't mean anything than a hope of what might be. Not what was. It didn't stop her from enjoying the attention.

She also tried pretending she wasn't dying to feel a mans hands on her again. She hadn't been with anyone since before Titania was born. Not that she'd missed it really, it was just that standing this close to a man made her remember it. Could say what she wanted about Steve, but he'd been pretty decent that way. Wonder how long it was okay to wait? She didn't really want to rush into anything. And Halvard was a mature man, not some boy that just graduated.

 I can't remember last time I had this much fun! Neda had already decided not to pretend she wasn't enjoying everything. She was getting to old to play games. Either they were interested, or they weren't.

Well, I did tell you. Halvard sounded very confident in himself. He was a single man, with no kids of his own, he'd told her. So she was a bit surprised that he wasn't scared off by her four- but again, he was older than her. He'd just worked to become successful. And now that he was working less, he'd decided to date again. It was a good story; she liked it.

You sure did. She hadn't mentioned anything about where she lived either. Their house was nice, even if a bit small. But when sims heard that it was one of those old containers that had been remodeled, they usually imagined something completely different. So best not to say anything; atleast yet. She'd wanted to move, but the housing market was terrible.

So, is it tempting to do it another time maybe? He had to enjoying himself since he already asked for a new date, before this one even ended.

It soundes very tempting. She answered honestly. She could've tried beeing flirty, but wasn't really good at it. Best to avoid it then: I'd love to go out another time. I'm really enjoying spending time with you. 

I enjoy spending time with you to. He was just as honest. This might actually work.

It was way past her bedtime before she headed home, the entire house was quiet with the kids beeing asleep and all. She didn't really know what got into her. She'd already checked Halvard online before going out with him, and he'd seemed alright. But, for some reason she had this nagging feeling. He was just to good. Why would a single, successful man go out with a singlemother of four that kind of lived in a dumpster?

She sent a message to her brother, hoping he'd see it tomorrow: Hey brother-where-art-thou! Do my a favour and check out Halvard Olsen Røysland; some hotshot businessman. Not for work. She'd never gotten the hang of typing like a teenager, and wasn't planning on it either.

Clearly Dragan never slept, and texted her back a couple of minutes later: Halvard Olsen Røysland; kingpin. He's got 5!priv. profiles. 1 of them married with 3 kids. Then links to all of them.

That was him alright. Fucking hell.

Ofcourse he was a married man with several different profiles to hide it. And he was engaged on two of the others. She knew he was to good to be true. Why did she even bother?! Men were scum!

Refusing to be to disappointed, Neda went to sleep. She had a workday tomorrow, and atleast she'd gotten a free night of fun. Completely unaware of someone breaking into their house.

Nedas fan had waited outside her house forever, and didn't have any plans other than staring creepily at her. Maybe steal a few personal items for herself. All harmless! She just weirdly obsessed over the weatherlady!

She hadn't gotten into her room, before she was tackled by a skinny twin that threw himself on her from the staircase, sending her straight down. She quickly got up and ran off. This family was crazy!

Kevin drew breath through his nose. There was no point in calling police, because they never did anything. They just looked around and nagged, before leaving. Best to let Neda sleep instead. It was so rare she was out and having some fun. But, it wasn't the first time he'd thrown out one of her creepy fans, and probably wouldn't be the last either. He locked the door before going back to bed, damned freaks.
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I didn't have to much about Catherine, because this is Nedas story after all. But it did end well, so it's all good and she's good so it's why she doesn't hold any grudges. Have to use that trait for something. Irena was supposed to be cozy with the rest alot earlier, but she keeps on ditching all the invites. And all's good between Kevin and Niko to, he's just a bit moody there. They are bestfriends already.

The burglar was completely random, so nothing to worry about there either. I'd just forgotten that Kevin is brave, so I was a bit taken back when he launched at the poor burglar like that.

Thanks for reading