“Raj!” says Cookie, trying to hobble after him in her towering heels and tight skirt. He turns around at the top of the stairs, his determination to get as far away as possible undiminished by her doleful eyes and quivering mouth. “Where are you going?” she says. “Have you forgotten we’re supposed to be having drinks with Bronwyn and Graham?” “I’m going home,” he says. “I’m sorry if I embarrassed you this evening, but I’m in no mood for socializing. I hope you’ll forgive me. ” “But- I don’t understand!” she says. “What happened to make you so upset? What were you and Lincoln Porter talking about?” “I’ll tell you tomorrow, after I’ve calmed down,” he says. “I’ll ring you, alright? Now, go back to your friends and enjoy the rest of your evening. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. I just need some time alone.” “Raj-” she says plaintively, but he is descending the stairs without another word or glance in her direction, and he doesn’t look back when he reaches the bottom, either.
After the performance Cookie and the two other ladies in the ensemble are encircled by a fawning knot of devotees, and Raj sees an opportunity to approach Lincoln Porter. Lincoln is a multi-millionaire property developer, and Raj used to count him as a friend and business associate before his incarceration. Lincoln gives him an affable smile. “Looking sharp, Raj,” he says. “How’re things?” “Good, good,” says Raj. “Where’s Jasmine tonight?” “At home. She can’t handle going out at night anymore, she gets tired too easily,” says Lincoln. “Did you know she’s pregnant? Seven months.” He adds proudly, “It’ll be our third.” “Congratulations, my friend,” says Raj. “That’s wonderful news.” Lincoln gives a modest smirk. “Are you here with anyone?” he asks. “I’m here with Lavinia,” says Raj. Lincoln raises an eyebrow. “You’re here with Lavinia Cook?” he says. “You’re dating?” “We have been spending some time in each other’s company, yes,” says Raj. “Well, well,” says Lincoln. “You sly devil.” “How’s business?” asks Raj, not wanting to talk about Cookie. He has never felt the compulsion to share details of his private life with other people. Lincoln talks about his ideas for expanding into retirement homes and student housing, which he says offer “relatively stable cash flow, high occupancy and good liquidity.” Raj nods sagely. “You’re still on the Chamber of Commerce, aren’t you Lincoln?” Raj says. “Because I made an application a few weeks ago to rejoin and I haven’t heard anything back yet.” “Ah, ” says Lincoln. “Well. I thought you would’ve heard by now-” “Heard what?” says Raj. Lincoln makes a slight grimace. “I’m sorry to have to be the one to tell you, Raj, but your application was rejected,” he says. “On what grounds?” says Raj. The room seems to have become a few degrees cooler. Lincoln can feel goosebumps pimpling his skin. “Moral and ethical grounds,” he says. “The hell are you talking about?” says Raj. “You were convicted of a felony, Raj,” says Lincoln. People are starting to turn around and stare at them. “I’m sorry, it wasn’t my decision-” “I was the founder of the Chamber of Commerce in this town,” says Raj. “Without me, this place wouldn’t even have any fucking commerce. I put this town on the map!” “Raj, I’m sorry.” says Lincoln. “If it had been up to me-”
Cookie has come hurrying over, her eyes huge and liquid in her flawlessly made up face.
“Raj, what’s going on?” she says. “You’re making a scene. Everybody’s looking.” “In that case, I’d better leave,” he says. “Delightful to see you again, Lincoln.”
“What are you talking about?” says Jackie. “Why is Isaac going to die?” “Because people I get involved with die horrible, violent deaths,” says Mia, giving her a wounded look from beneath her fringe. Jackie was proud of Mia for getting out of the house tonight, and had hoped it represented a kind of turning point; she knows she is selfish, she knows Mia is hurting and needs time to heal, but Goddammit she also wants her fun-loving, irreverent, loud, cursing, inappropriate bestie back. She decides to adopt a no-nonsense tone.
“What a load of crap, Mia,” she says. “Look, I know how terrible the last month has been for you, how Noah’s death must have made you revisit a lot of very painful memories, but that statement simply isn’t true. Besides, Noah was a criminal. The odds of him dying a violent death were pretty high, and had absolutely nothing to do with you. Please stop with the self-pity. You need to start celebrating the fact that you’re alive, surrounded by people who love you-” “I don’t care what you say,” says Mia. “I’m cursed. I know I’m cursed.” “I’m the one who’s cursed, having to sit here listening to this rubbish,” says Jackie. “Snap out of it, Mia. Otherwise you’re going to lose Isaac too.” “He’d be a lot better off, ” says Mia morosely.
Mia and Isaac are on a double date tonight with Jackie and Milo at ‘Balls to the Wall’, a Bowling Alley-slash-restaurant-slash-entertainment venue that has not long been open in town. It’s a month since Mia and her mother Nanette have returned from Paris, and the first time Mia has been out in public with Isaac. They’ve fucked a few times, but Noah’s death still feels like a heavy rock lodged in her heart, and most nights she would rather just sit on the couch under a blanket and binge-watch her favourite soap operas and reality shows. She has come to realise that one of the reasons she loves her soap operas so much is because their endless nature rarely provides the viewer with any closure. Mia finds this comforting, and very relatable.
Isaac has revealed himself to be an expert bowler.
“Oh my God,” says Jackie, “He’s got anotherstrike!”
Isaac does a little victory dance, while Milo grunts in admiration.
“Yay,” says Mia dully. “Whose turn is it now?” “Milo’s,” says Jackie. Milo climbs to his feet with very little enthusiasm. Isaac asks if they would like him to get them all a drink. Milo says he’ll have a beer. “I’d love a lemonade,” says Jackie. “Nothing stronger because I’m on call.” “What would you like, Mia?” Isaac asks. “I’ll have a beer too,” says Mia, and then adds as an afterthought, “Thanks.” “He’s a sweetie,” says Jackie after he’s out of earshot.
Based on the snippets of information that Sonia had provided about her parents, Violet had envisioned Frank and Estelle de Prima to be a pair of reactionary relics, trapped for posterity in a paranoid, xenophobic existence, all their energies spent bemoaning the disintegration of the traditional family and the threat posed to their way of life by liberals, socialists, and immigrants. Frank had been just as she had expected, although she had been surprised he had actually shaken her hand. (The reality was that he was a man who prided himself on his good manners, especially towards the fairer sex, and any lapse was perceived as a threat to the civilized order.) And now Violet is standing in the de Prima’s living room and Estelle is standing in the kitchen, looking small and frail, and blinking in confusion. The room is blanketed in intoxicating layers of smells, pie crust and fresh-baked bread and garlic and coriander. Michael Bublé croons innocuously from the stereo.
“Hello!” exclaims Violet. “You must be Sonia’s mother. I’m Violet. It’s lovely to meet you, Estelle!”
Estelle’s blinking intensifies. Sonia stands at the top of the stairs, unable to move. Her mother’s head swivels in her direction.
“Where are the children? Where’s Roy?” Estelle asks.
“We left the children at home,“ says Sonia. “And Roy….Roy isn’t coming, either.”
“But I made his favourite lemon chiffon pie!” says Estelle. She looks like she might cry. They can hear the thud of Frank’s footsteps coming up the stairs.
“It’s okay, Estelle, I love lemon chiffon pie!” says Violet. Estelle has so far refused to acknowledge her presence. She again addresses Sonia.
“Why aren’t Roy and the children here?” she says in a plaintive voice. Sonia looks helplessly at Violet, who gives her a smile of gentle encouragement.
“I’ll explain when we’re all sitting down,“ says Sonia.
Sonia’s mouth moves soundlessly, the coldness in her father’s eyes robbing her of coherent speech. Violet steps in to rescue her, her arms outstretched, her voice dripping with honey. “My name’s Violet, Mr. de Prima,” she says. “I’m so glad to finally meet you!” After a few moments’ hesitation Frank shakes her hand, while Sonia avoids making any further eye contact with him. “I was just telling Sonia how much I admire these lovely old brownstones,” Violet says. “Have you lived here long?” “Nearly forty years,” says Frank tersely. He turns to Sonia. “Sonia, please answer my question. Where-” Violet slips past him and up the stairs. Sonia feels giddy, as if she has just stepped off a roller coaster. “Sonia!” says her father. “I demand to know what’s going on!” Sonia throws her shoulders back and lifts her chin. Then she pushes past him to follow Violet inside.
“Here it is,” says Sonia. “The house I grew up in.”
Sonia has decided not to bring the children to her parents’ place today. It’s Apollo’s day off so Constance has come over to babysit. Sonia’s parents will be upset they were denied an opportunity to see their grandchildren, but Sonia figures their disappointment will be a mere drop in an ocean of regret by the time the day is finished.
“It’s just as I expected,” says Violet. “A bastion of middle-class respectability."
Sonia walks towards the steps then pauses.
“I-” she says. Violet waits. The water is close by, and seagulls wheel and cry mournfully overhead.
"I think I’m going to vomit,” says Sonia. “No you’re not,” says Violet. “Just breathe.” “Can we go?” says Sonia. “I’m serious. This was a really bad idea-”
The front door swings open to reveal Sonia’s father Frank, energetically waving. “Hello, my dear!” he calls out in a jovial voice. Sonia waves limply in return. Violet smiles as widely as her distrust will allow. Frank stares at her as she and Sonia climb the front steps.
“Who’s this, Sonia?” says Frank. “And where are Roy and the kids?”
“You’d really do that?” says Sonia. “You’d really come to my parents’ with me?” “If you’re ready to tell them the truth about your marriage, and the truth about us,” says Violet. “But I don’t want you to feel pressured-” “I want to tell them,” says Sonia. Her teeth are gnawing at her bottom lip, which has started to tremble, but her voice is clear. “I want to tell them. I’m sick of living like this. I’m sick of feeling ashamed. I’m sick of not being able to stand up and look my parents in the eye and say ‘This is who I am.’ I’m ready, Violet. I don’t want to live my life as a lie any more.” “You don’t have to decide immediately,” says Violet. “You can take some time to think about it-” "No, I’m sure,” says Sonia. “I’m sure. I love you, Violet. With you by my side, I can do anything.”
“Well, I’d better be heading back home before Saoirse calls out a search party”, says Roy. “Thanks for dinner, hon. I’ll be over at around 2.30 tomorrow to pick up Angus and take him to the game, okay?” Sonia is stacking the dishwasher and doesn’t answer. “Right, then,” says Roy. “I’ll just go and say goodbye to the kids and then I’ll be off.” Sonia waits until they hear his footsteps creaking above their heads and then turns to Violet. “So now we know why he bought a new Ferrari,” she says.“To bolster his poor ego.” “So you don’t believe him either?” says Violet. “Not a single word,” says Sonia.“I knew it wouldn’t last. Any fool would have known that.” “Why don’t we invite them both around for dinner?” says Violet. “Then we’ll find out for sure.” “Over my dead body.” “But if they’re not together anymore-” “He’d probably pay her to come with him, just to perpetuate the lie,” snorts Sonia. “Isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black?” says Violet. “I mean, you wanted Roy to go with you to your parents’ place tomorrow, which is also perpetuating a lie-” “It’s not the same thing!” shouts Sonia.“Why are you on his side?” “I’m not on his side,” says Violet. “I’m just making a point. And don’t scream at me like that. I know you’re stressed about seeing your parents tomorrow, but there’s no need to be such a bitch.” “Sorry,” says Sonia sulkily. They hear Roy yell out a cheery “BYE- BYE!” from the hallway, and then the front door slams. Sonia turns away from Violet to wipe down the counter tops. The raucous throb of the Ferrari’s engines as Roy accelerates through the gates makes the window frames rattle. “Babe?” says Violet, after the noise has receded. Sonia turns around, her face a mask of rigidly controlled emotion. “I want to come with you to your parents’ place tomorrow,” says Violet. ”If you’re ready to tell them the truth, that is.“
➦Translation [ENG]: The day before the wedding. Andrea: Yes, Dr. amber, I’m fine… no, no… I’ll just ask you to tell me that I had a miscarriage if anyone asks about me.
Andrea: And please, no one must know the truth. I’ll thank you. Thank you, goodbye.
Andrea: Honey! Look… does this veil look good on me? I can’t wait for tomorrow!
Matt:Disgusting… Andrea: W-what? Matt, you…
Slap Matt: You’re a filthy bitch! How could you do this to me? With all of us?! You lied about being pregnant, about losing your baby! Bitch! You set Milagres up, and you made me do it…
Matt: get out of here Today! I swear to God, if I ever see you around again, I’ll forget you’re a girl… I advise you to change your job and never go near Milagres again.
Caroline: What happened? I heard screams and… Matt: I don’t want anything more to do with this girl, you have no idea! Caroline: What?! But what about the wedding! Matt: Mom! What a wedding!
Matt: She won’t stay here a minute longer! Because of you, I offended the person I love and blamed everything! I should have known sooner! Be more persistent and much earlier to marry Milagres, and not for this… Caroline: What?! What A Milagres! I will not allow you to marry a servant! Matt: that’s for me to decide!
Caroline: God, what’s going on?.. Matthew! You will not disobey me, I forbid you! Matt: I have to try to get it back… and now I don’t care about your opinions. I’ve already … lost everything that was important…
➦Перевод [РУС]: За день до свадьбы. Андрэа: Да, доктор Эмбер, у меня всё хорошо… нет, нет… я только попрошу вас сказать, что у меня был выкидыш, если будут обо мне спрашивать.
Андрэа: И пожалуйста, никто не должен знать правду. Я вас отблагодарю. Спасибо, до свидания.
Андрэа: Милый! Смотри… мне идёт эта фата? Я уже не могу дождаться завтрашнего дня!
Мэт:Отвратительно… Андрэа: Ч-что? Мэт, ты…
Шлепок Мэт: Ты мерзкая тварь! Как ты могла так поступить со мной?! Со всеми нами?! Ты врала, что беременна, что потеряла ребёнка! Сука! Ты подставила Милагрес и из-за тебя я…
Мэт: Сегодня же убирайся отсюда! Клянусь Богом, если ещё раз увижу тебя рядом, забуду, что ты девушка… советую сменить место работы и больше не приближаться к Милагрес.
Керолайн: Что случилось? Я слышала крики и… Мэт: Я больше не хочу иметь ничего общего с этой девушкой, ты просто не представляешь! Керолайн: Что?! Но как же свадьба!
Мэт: Мама! Какая свадьба!
Мэт: Она ни на минуту здесь больше не останется! Из-за вас я обидел любимого мне человека и обвинил во всём! Мне нужно было понять раньше! Быть настойчивее и намного раньше выйти за Милагрес, а не за это… Керолайн: Что?! Какая Милагрес! Я тебе не позволю связать жизнь со служанкой!
Мэт: А это уже мне решать!
Керолайн: Боже, да что же творится… Мэтью! Ты не ослушаешься меня, я тебе запрещаю! Мэт: Я должен попытаться всё вернуть… и теперь мне не важны ваши мнения. Я и так уже… потерял всё, что было важно…
➦Translation [ENG]: Mili: You asked me to come in… Matt: Oh … great, everyone’s here… Matt: well … congratulations… Matt: Happy life together… Fernando: Well? Let’s go pick out your wedding dress. Mili: I’m not comfortable with you taking all the costs on yourself. Fernando: Come on… my duty is to take care of you. Fernando: Nothing else matters to me… come to me… Mily: Fer … (Why does it feel so bad? Am I doing something wrong?)
➦Перевод [РУС]: Мили: Ты просил зайти я… Мэт: О… отлично, все в сборе… Мэт: Что ж… поздравляю… Мэт: Счастливой совместной жизни… Фернандо: Ну что? Пошли выбирать тебе свадебное платье? Мили: Мне не удобно, что ты все затраты взял на себя. Фернандо: Да брось… моя обязанность, это забота о тебе. Фернандо: И мне больше ничего не важно… иди ко мне… Мили: Фер… (Почему такое паршивое чувство? Неужели я что-то делаю не так?)
➦Translation [ENG]: Matt: How are you? Sorry … stupid question… Andrea: I can’t look you in the eye… after all, I lost our child…
Matt: Oh, no… no, it’s not your fault, you shouldn’t… Andrea: Honey, you won’t leave me, will you? You probably don’t need me anymore. Matt: N-no, stop it… We’ll get married and everything will be fine.
Andrea:[Laughter] Haha!
Andrea: Everything is going exactly according to my plan! Haha! And it was easier than I thought, naive! Haha! Suffer for the child who wasn’t even there!
A couple of weeks later. Fernando: Mr. Kevin, I wanted to ask you for a little vacation. You see, I’m getting married in 2 weeks, so… Kevin: Hmm, well, we’ve been doing well lately, I think it’s okay if you take a break, and congratulations, I didn’t think you’d recover from your wife’s death…
Matt: What? What did you say? Who are you marrying?!
Fernando: What is it, any problems? Or are you so worried about me? At the wedding the other day… I think other can’t marry?!
Matt: I’m asking! Who are you marrying?! Fernando:[With a sneer] Calm down, it’s only Milagres…
➦Перевод [РУС]: Мэт: Как ты? Прости… глупый вопрос… Андреа: Я не могу смотреть тебе в глаза… ведь я потеряла нашего ребёнка… Мэт: О нет… что ты, ты же не виновата, не стоит… Андреа: Милый, ты ведь не бросишь меня? Наверное теперь я не нужна тебе. Мэт: Н-нет, прекрати… Мы поженимся и всё будет хорошо. Андреа: [Смех] Хаха! Андреа: Всё идёт ровно по моему плану! Хаха! А оказалось легче, чем я думала, наивные! Хаха! Страдай же по ребёнку, которого даже не было!Пару недель спустя. Фернандо: Мистер Кевин, я хотел попросить у вас небольшой отпуск. Понимаете, я женюсь через 2 недели, поэтому… Кевин: Хм, ну у нас последнее время всё идёт хорошо, думаю ничего если ты возьмёшь перерыв, заодно поздравляю тебя, не думал, что ты оправишься после смерти жены… Мэт: Что? Что ты сказал? На ком ты женишься?! Фернандо: А что такое, какие-то проблемы? Или ты так сильно за меня переживаешь? У самого свадьба на днях… думаешь другим нельзя вступать в брак?! Мэт: Я спрашиваю! На ком ты женишься?! Фернандо:[С насмешкой] Да успокойся, это всего лишь Милагрес…
Всем привет! Я соскучалась по тамблеру, по симсу и решила собраться и написать историю! Это будет, я надеюсь, короткая история о Лиле, которую травмировала ее подросковая любовь. Из-за чего у нее возникуют различные проблемы в отношениях, в жизни. Должно быть интересно!
Решила в этот раз побробовать сделать на русскую аудиторию. Сразу с руссским текстом, вместо английского. Мечта - это выпускать посты раз в неделю. Но посмотрим как получиться.
Прошу реблогнуть всех кто может, чтобы люди узнали, что я жива!! :))
KYRIE: Welcome, all of you, to the second task.Now that the day has come, I feel I should tell you a little more about how the games will work. Each trial will have two stages; a test of character, and a test of strength. It may not always be obvious to you which test is which, and strength may not always be physical in nature. As I’m sure many of you have realized, the first task was one of character, which leaves today’s task…
ÅSE: Strength!
KYRIE: Hm. For this challenge, you will be transported to a realm of illusions. This place is constructed by spells and only those who have cast them control who enters and leaves. Your only way out of this construct is with this.
KYRIE: There are five of these keys hidden throughout the construct. Which means, five of you will succeed, and five of you will fail. The keyholders will inevitably decide the fates of the others, so if you do not wish to be at the mercy of another player, I suggest you work quickly. For if you do not, your journey may be fast and fruitless, or agonizingly long and exhaustive. Be wary of what and who you meet along your journey. Anything can happen in a land of illusion, and all that you see may not be entirely as it seems. Do your best to keep your wits about you.
THERION: So, we just go in, find the key, and then…?
KYRIE: Once you’ve taken the key you will be returned here. I will be waiting for each of you as you arrive. Now, without further ado, please take your places.
THERION: Why do I have such a bad feeling about this?
EIRA: I’ve had a bad feeling since I got here.
THERION:laughs Well, that doesn’t fill me with confidence. See you on the other side.
POLL RESULTS | The audience votes to combine [GOLDEN ELFOYL] with [HONEYPEPPER ROOT], resulting in a successful luck potion! INDRYR, ÅSE, TALILA, and THERION will be buffed for the upcoming trial.
Welcome to blind voting! Not all polls in Chosen of the Sun will be story or character driven. Some will be entirely up to chance. Pick the option you think looks most interesting, and with a little luck, it’ll have a happy outcome. If you choose the wrong option, no worries! We all love a little chaos.