Chapter 21 : A Tangled WebWeek 13, Day 1Revelation #1: A Dresser and Mirror makes any Man HandsomeOr rather Mortimer Goth.
Ever since I've started listening to Mortimer's love ballads, I've been wishing I'd been born a generation ago. Or rather in Grandma's time. Love seemed a reality all those years ago.
Week 13, Day 2Revelation #2: Watching the stars with not-your-boyfriend is NOT CheatingI mean, it cannot be, right? No hugging, kissing or flirting involved.
We just watched the stars. And talked a lot.
Even though I purposefully went to the festival. In the rain and wearing my favourite mermaid outfit. I know it sounds stupid, but mermaids are all the rage now, with rumours of discoveries of houseboats! Plus, it feels oh-so-romantic to be a mermaid!
"Hi there, Horace Stover?"
"Yes," the nerd guy smiled from under the umbrella. "Aphrodite Olympia in the park with a leaky umbrella?"
I laughed, suddenly feeling giddy.
"Its my Grandma Zelda's umbrella, and well I forgot it was leaky till it started raining."
Horace looked a bit worried.
"You sure you are ok? You look a bit feverish."
"Of course I am," I replied. "Just, well a bit excited with Spook Day."
"Ah Spook Day?" he scratched his head thoughtfully. "Why I nearly forgot!"
I couldn't help myself rolling my eyes. "Then why ever are you at the fall Festival?"
"To watch the stars. Its so open in the park."
Oopsie doopsie! Nerds Unanonymous Alert!
"Stars?" I asked blankly. "I don't understand anything of stars. Care to teach me?" I blurted, hoping he wouldn't be too put off with my lack of knowledge.
He looked at me weirdly.
"Yeah sure!" he said, and he didn't sound totally unenthusiastic.
"Most of the stars are yet to be discovered." He said as I moved just a bit more closer. It was pretty cold.
"But I like giving them names. That, over there, I call it The Bachelors."
"Like Gloria Bachelor?" I asked rather blankly.
He laughed. "Well rather on how close and tightly knit they are." He replied.
"Does our family have a star?" I asked.
He laughed. "No I couldn't find one right now, but you do have a star."
"Me?" I nearly blushed!
"That pretty white one. So beautiful, yet so distant." Did his voice sound rather dreamy.
"And that's Cruz." he said rather sourly. "That bright red, always a pain-in-the-back one."
Well I was a little bit offended, to be honest. We may have been having problems, but Cruz is still my boyfriend.
"We nerds hate him." Cruz said balefully. "But anyway Aphrodite, I'm sure you don't want to hear about it. You look pretty upset and your face shows it, though you try to hide it."
To my surprise, I found him telling him everything. About Cruz, about Mummy, about Spring and Daddy.
He didn't say a word but listened thoughtfully.
"You know what I do when I am angry?" He asked with a chuckle. "I find a new star and imagine banishing whoever caused it there."
I rolled my eyes, not so sure of that particular tactic. Just then i saw a meteor dashing across the sky.
"Why!" I said excitedly. "That's the witch, Spring. Like a meteor, about to crash!"
It was a magical evening. We talked into the night and suddenly I realized my curfew was in an hour. I certainly felt like Cinderella, dashing across the park, trying to get home before midnight!
But Mr.Policeman was before me. I've heard they were quite pally with Grandpa, but apparently not me. Ride in cop car, hey ho! Mummy will tear me into pieces.
Apparently Mummy and Dadday hadn't even noticed I was missing. Grandma had fallen asleep in the rocking chair, waiting for me. But old Morty was there to give me grief.
"Look here, young lady, I know you are one great Olympia. And I know this is the first time, but your Grandma was worried sick about you. And I lost on my beauty sleep waiting up for you! So grounded for two days!"
Aww, Morty, you ain't so hot anymore!
Week 13, Day 3Revelation #3: Breaking up is NOT EasyIt sure is not.
Last night as I drifted off to sleep, I made a decision to break up with Cruz. He loved me as my father's daughter, not the real me. That wasn't what I wanted in a man. I want unconditional love, no less. Not that I had any plans with Horace at the moment, I just wanted, lets say, to have the path clear.
So I invited him over to Summer Hill Springs. I am all one for atmosphere and the day seemed perfect : early evening with just a hint of rain.
But breaking up wasn't so easy.
"Aphro," he said as soon as he saw me. "I really want to say sorry."
"Eh?" I said, nearly forgetting my carefully prepared speech.
"Well I didn't come to the soccer game because I felt ashamed about myself. I was just thinking of what the other guys thought of me, not about you. I'm so sorry Aphro. I was such a selfish jerk."
Cruz, the great Cruz apologizing? All thoughts of breaking up flew from my head.
"Its ok." I mustered, and gently stroked his cheek.
And we spent the rest of the evening in the rain, all lovey dovey and gazing into each others' eyes. So much for carefully orchestraed breakup-speeches!
Week 13, Day 4 Part IRevelation #4: Eavesdropping never yields good resultsI woke up today with a throbbing headache. I was all confused. I know I don't love Cruz. It was puppy dog love. I'm not sure whether I love Horace, naming stars and all, though talking to him is very good therapy. In short, I didn't understand my own love life.
I wished I could stay in bed forever. But unfortunately, it was my birthday and my parents were throwing a costume party in my honour.
Despite the measly situation of my life, I was of course pretty excited. I love costume parties!
Then something happened that beat all the other measly stuff.
It was all my fault actually. I shouldn't have eavesdropped in the first place.
I was a princess that day, all dressed up in white and lace. It would have been a wonderful day if I had stayed on the dance floor.
It just happened that I noticed Grandma and Mummy not looking too pally...
"Please come over to the parlour, Rhea. Everyone is here and I want to discuss the Matter. And no, i'm sure its not going to be your lucky day today, mind you. I am going to have my way!"
And I thought it was about Daddy and that Spring woman.
And the bookcase was a marvelous place to eavesdrop.
All the adults were there in the parlour, some looking rather grim while the others looked confused.
"As you all know," Mummy started. "Today is Aphrodite's young adult birthday and its time to think about marriage."
"Yes yes, we know its all what you are about." AUnt Hestia nearly snarled. "But think of the poor girl, Hera. She is a gentle person and is more interested in finding true love than carrying on old blood."
I stood, totally befuddled behind the bookcase. Thankfully, I wasn't the only one!
"Could someone please explain." Great-Uncle Miraj sidled over the couch. "What all this is all about. I am pretty confused."
Mummy groaned and gave pretty much gave him the evil eye.
"Well Miraj, you know that the town has been ramshackled with barrenness for nearly three generations. Our family, thankfully, was untouched by the curse and will be so till someone finds a cure that doesn't cost billions."
Great-Uncle Miraj bit his lip as if trying not to laugh.
"Yes I know you did a pretty good favour to the town, but do you realize that we'll be the only original townies in years to come? Are we going to let this town be full of generic sims? What will happen to the good old natural gene pool?"
"I honestly haven't thought about it." Great-Uncle Miraj said more soberly. 'But why are Rhea and Hestia looking so mad?"
"Well, as you know, we have Alvi and Alto blood in our family. I want more original townie blood but as you can see the choices are limited."
Great-uncle Miraj nodded and I wondered what more was to come.
"Aphrodite has been toying around with some generic townie boys, but I want her to marry an original townie."
"That's the problem." Aunt Hestia screamed. "All there are lefr are just some elders and cousins!"
"Its for the greater good." Mummy pursed her lips. "And Zeus agrees. Zeus?"
Daddy wasn't listening. His wandering eye was elsewhere.
And she was totally eyeing him back. Shameless, quite shameless!
Katina Dhal, Cruz's sister and my prospective sister-in-law. What a cat she looks!
"Eh? Yes of course, of course, I agree." Daddy mumbled as Mummy shoved him hard in the shins.
This life of mine, its a tangled web.
I had a lovely childhood and entered my teenage years full of hope and joy.
I dreamed of happiness and everlasting love.
I enter adulthood disillusioned and unhappy.
What is it with romance? So I am going to be married away, to the best man in the genetic pool, am I? How dare they take decisions about my life?
I've got to head out again. I just came to update the blog.
Week 13, Day 4 Part IIRevelation #5: A Prospective Groom?They were still arguing when I got back.
"I'm totally against." Grandma said firmly. "I didn't care for bad or blue blood when I married VJ."
"I see the points of both sides." Great Uncle Miraj ambled. "Just that, well, the cousins won't be too near will they? Second cousins would be ok, I fathom, as long as they ado not have such complicated relationships as Brother Ezra here."
Ezra Alto is half-brother to my Grandpa and (half) nephew to Mummy. Weird!
"Its disgusting. I feel so sick I urgently need a bathroom." Mortimer said in his low, deep voice.
"You are a fine one." Mummy cackled. "What about Chanda?"
"Hey, it was because she wanted to have a baby. She's a nice girl and well, and is very happy with her new boyfriend."
"Well, what's wrong with Aphrodite?" Mummy glared.
Mortimer and me? Now that is not so disgusting!
"Err you mean me wooing Aphrodite? Now I seriously need to go to the bathroom!"
Mortimer, that was mean! I've had a huge crush on you since you started looking all Goth!
And then, unknown to me, it was time for my birthday.
Of course, I rolled the Great Kisser trait plus the Life Time Wish for Master Romancer! Woohoo!
Seems I'll have to do some searching for my soulmate, but I quite regret my wish if Mortimer is to be my spouse!
Of course, I spared no time!
"Dance, Mortimer Goth?"
Everyone says I am an attractive young lady! So how could he resist?
"Willingly, young lady. I daresay I am rather tired."
"I feel tired after listening to them arguing." I said over the music. "I was eavesdropping." I explained when he looked puzzled.
"Oh no!" He looked worried.
I suddenly felt dizzy. How handsome he must have looked when he was younger! And how wekk he had retained his good looks!
"Mortimer," I asked as he twirled me around. "You wouldn't mind being my spouse, would you? I've always had the biggest crush on you as a girl. You are the only possible match that doesn't terrify me."
He laughed softly.
"Let me think over it , Aphrodite. You are a lovely girl and I hope I can make you happy but its best not to dive head-first into making decisions."
Such a thoughtful and gentle sim!
What a wonderful happily ever after it would have been if another special guest hadn't appeared.
