Chapter 35 – Beyond the Storm Part 1

A Piratical Legacy Chapter 35: Beyond the Storm Part 1 Author's Note: This chapter takes place immediately following the events of Sim Spade and the Corsairs of the Lost Ship. You may wish to consult that story as a reference. If you are new to this legacy, I suggest reading previous chapters or, at the very least, Chapter 16 and Chapter 34, both of which are recap chapters.

The battered and beaten ship slid into the modest cove far more gracefully than her apparent damage suggested possible. Anchors slipped over the side and into the water, holding the vessel steady in the rushing tide. She couldn't hold position long for risk of getting beached, but nobody expected this to take very long.

A single member of the crew was lowered in the ship's only boat and paddled swiftly to shore. Pulling the dinghy high on the beach, she crept up the stairs towards the modest dwelling.

The back door was unlocked, and the presence of half-eaten food on the dining room table suggested the occupant was perhaps not the neatest person in the world.

Ching Shih Buccaneer couldn't help but giggle in happy anticipation. Her longtime fiancé, Jim Reeves, had moved into the house after being unceremoniously deported from Pirate Island. Where else was he to go? He'd already sold his home on Twikki Island and quit his job there, expecting to move permanently to Pirate Island. Now, nearly three years since the last time she'd laid eyes on her lover, Ching Shih was quivering with happiness and excitement. At her laugh, Jim's eyes fluttered open.

"Ching Shih!" he gasped, levering himself out of bed just in time to catch Shih when she flung herself into his arms.

"I'm here to carry you off into the sunset," Ching Shih said breathlessly after more kisses than could be counted on both hands. "You-you've got the Pearl?" Jim breathed, scarcely daring to hope. "In the timber," Shih confirmed. "Come, my love. Let's away and get married, hmm?" Jim's answer was not in words, but before long the two of them were pelting headlong down the beach, hand in hand.

As the ship caught the tide and began moving away from Twikki Island, Jim couldn't help but give his old homeland one last look. He would miss the tropical isle, but he looked forward to his future with his wife and son even more. After a moment, he turned away, content to face the future instead of the past.

Ching Shih was not alone on her pirate ship, though she was the captain. She'd "rescued", or perhaps "acquired" her ancestor Jack Buccaneer's old crew and had offered them amnesty from the charge of mutiny in exchange for their sailing expertise. The five of them were extremely competent and found they enjoyed working for their new Captain.

Much of Ching Shih's time was spent in long hours lounging in the captain's cabin with Jim, getting reacquainted after their long separation. The rest of her time was spent at the wheel, getting to know her new ship.

"Captain!" the first mate said, approaching the wheel. "Mr. Whedonberry," Ching Shih nodded. "You have the wheel."

"Aye," the dashingly rogueish pirate winked with his good eye. "You know," he added conversationally, "we passed into international water about five minutes ago." "Really?!?" "Would this face lie? Anyway, I had Mr. Tegeneria check our bearings twice, and then I got Ms. Finch to check his calculation. We're in unclaimed territory, free and clear." "Then, Mr. Whedonberry, you know what to do." "Already on it, Captain!"

It didn't take long to hastily erect the crude wedding arch, and almost before the crew and their single passenger had gathered to watch, Jim and Ching Shih stood beneath it.

The vows had been a long time in coming, and on occasion both lovers had felt the day might never come. As the crew watched, they all had a sense of something wrong that had finally been righted. All was well with the universe once more.

"Yee-haw!" Liv Pseudo hollered at the top of her lungs as Jim and Shih sealed their vows with an especially passionate kiss. "'Bout time you did right by my cousin, Jim!" Ching Shih broke away from her new husband with a delighted laugh. "This'll show those stuffy old politicians back home." "Speaking of home," Jim said wistfully, looking towards the horizon. "Could we perhaps hurry?" "Eager to get back to your bedroom?" Liv teased.

Jim blushed. "Not only that," he said roughly. "My son. I would like to meet my son." Ching Shih felt a lump catch in her throat and she turned to the first mate. "Mr. Whedonberry, best speed and course for Pirate Island. My husband and I will be in my cabin, and we're not to be disturbed save for flood, fire, or famine. Got it?" "Aye, Captain!"

"I hope our daughter comes home soon," Grace Buccaneer sighed. "She's been gone so long. Poor Balthier will hardly remember her when she gets back." "He's a resilient lad," Lee shrugged. "He'll cope--as long as she isn't gone much longer. But seeing as how he's down for a nap... might I interest you in a game of Monopoly?" He winked. "You're as randy as a college student," Grace giggled, taking her husband's hand and planting a kiss on it. He swooned dramatically in response. "Besides, I seem to recall we just played a game in the hot

tub." "Twice," Lee said, waggling his eyebrows at her. "And I won both t--" Grace was interrupted by the sound of the garage door opening. "The boys are at school, and Gertie and Andrew won't be back from work for hours," Lee said. "Do you think it's--" "It must be!"

Jim flew past Ching Shih into the house, but the generation six heiress had one more stop to make before she could say that everything had been put right. Approaching the family cow plant, she patted it's nose cautiously. "Okay, Betsy," she said. "I do NOT want to be older than my husband any longer. So give me the goods!"

A few udderly strange squeezes later, Ching Shih was cautiously sniffing a glass full of pale, creamy liquid. She shrugged. "Bottoms up!"

Jim, meanwhile, had reached the top of the stairs. He was confronted by a small, blond-haired young man. For a moment, all he could do was stare and blink back tears. The little boy let out a wail. "Wan' mama!" Jim crouched down and swept the lad into his arms. Balthier didn't struggle.

"Do not fret, little one," he said soothingly. Amazingly, Balthier's tears dried immediately and he cuddled himself against the strange man. "Mama?" "She is here--you will see her in a moment," Jim promised. "Otay. Who you?" "Oh, my sweet son," Jim said with a happy sigh. He cuddled the boy even closer. "I am your papa, and I promise that I will never leave you or your mother alone again." Balthier sucked his thumb contentedly. He didn't know who 'Papa' was, but he'd said that Mama was home, and that was a good thing. And Papa's jacket smelled like the ocean, and like Mama, and that was a good thing too.

Grace and Lee had rushed to get dressed when they realized their daughter and her husband were home, and now Grace whisked Balthier off to change him. "Welcome back," Lee said gruffly, sticking out a hand. "It is good to be back," Jim responded happily, taking the extended hand and pulling Lee into a familial embrace. "I have missed everyone so much."

"Not half as much as my daughter missed you," Lee responded. "Do right by her, son." "I intend to, Mr. Buccaneer." "In that case, call me Lee." The family reunion was an ecstatic one that lasted long into the night. Before long, word had trickled out to the family and everyone stopped by to visit and welcome the prodigal family members home.

Life gradually settled into routine for Jim, Balthier, and Ching Shih. The handsome legacy spouse found his days filled. Mornings were spent with his wife and son, doing family things. After lunch, Ching Shih would leave for work and Balthier would go down for his nap. This was when Jim hunted for a job in his dream career, athletics, though with little luck. When Balthier awoke, Jim would get him and they would play together. The toddler was already head-over-heels in love with his father and insisted on having at least one of his parents in sight at all times. "Do monster again, Papa! Roar!" "As you wish," Jim grinned. "Here comes the... TICKLE MONSTER!" "Eeeee! Again!"

Once playtime was over, Jim would feed his son a nutritious supper and then bundle him off to bed for the evening. Then it was time for the grownups to have supper--this was either Lobster Thermador (if Andrew cooked) or Grilled Cheese (if Gertie cooked). "How goes the job hunt?" Grace would ask nearly every day. And every day Jim's answer would be the same: "Fruitless." Until one bright, sunshiney winter day. "Job hunt?" Grace asked rotely, though there was a twinkle in her eye. "Success!" Jim grinned, pumping his fists in the air enthusiastically before taking a bite of his sandwich. "It is an entry-level position, but it's a start."

"All must start somewhere," Andrew said sagely. "If Jim wished to enter the military, Andrew could perhaps pull some strings. But Jim is an athlete." "I'm not looking forward to all the exercise," Jim grimaced. He was naturally on the lazy side. "Still, Ching Shih likes it."

"I can see why," Gertie said appreciatively from the other end of the table, and then yelped when Grace kicked her. Jim wisely decided to change the subject.

Shortly after dinner, Ching Shih would arrive home from work and then she and Jim would sit for their official portraits. Andrew was painting Ching Shih...

... while Grace worked on one of Andrew. She occasionally bemoaned the fact that she could not sell the paintings, which were guaranteed masterpieces. But she was only joking. Or at least half-joking.

As for the late evenings? Well, surely you can put two and two together and come up with four? Or, in this case... one and one together, and come up with three. That was the intent, anyway.

The morning of Jim's first day on the job was typical for a winter day on Pirate Island. No snow, lots of sunshine, and birds in the sky. Jim woke up early and decided to start the day by stuffing his face at the refrigerator.

... what? I promise this is not a gratuitous shot of a hot sim without his shirt.

Okay, so maybe it was. Anyway, with Jim working the family settled into yet another routine. In this one, Gertie stayed home and babysat, much like she had for her niece and nephews when they were smaller. On his rare days off of work, Andrew insisted on 'helping' too, though that usually meant flinging someone around with exuberant affection.

Jim's hours were erratic, so he tried to spend as much time with his small son as possible. Sometimes that meant he didn't get dressed until nearly time to leave for work. Due to his nature as a Romance sim, that meant he spent most of his time wandering around the house in his underwear. "Papa, why you go work?" Balthier demanded as Jim danced with him around the living room. "Because I want to be a famous athlete," Jim said easily. "Bu' why?"

"So that women will flock to me," Jim grinned, tossing his son in the air and catching him easily. "And then your mother will drive them all green with envy. She thinks it is funny." "Grownups are stwange." "That is certain fact."

Jim thought over Balthier's question again later that night as he held his sleeping wife cuddled against him. Why did he want to be a famous athlete? Truth be told, he had no desire to be with any woman other than his wife. Then again, Ching Shih liked a fit man. That was reason enough to strive for athletic glory... was it not? Jim pressed his lips to his wife's forehead and smiled. It was more than enough.

"Come along, kitten," Coxinga Buccaneer said, picking up his daughter and changing her into her pajamas despite her protests. "Bed time!" "No bed!" Sterling pouted. "Wanna play!" "There will be plenty of time for playing in the morning," Zing chuckled. He caught sight of his husband, Shere Khan, standing in the doorway. "You go to sleep and I promise it will be morning when you wake up." Sterling considered this for a moment before flashing a brilliant smile at her daddy. "Okay. Goo'night, Daddy!" She planted a childish kiss on Zing's lips and then turned to Shere Khan. "Night night kiss, Papa!" Obediently, Shere Khan leaned in and kissed his daughter goodnight. "Iz bed tiemz," he said affectionately. "Zzz."

The ritual complete, Sterling went to sleep without further complaint. "Kitteh is big nao," Shere Khan said sadly as he looked down at his daughter's sleeping form. "We can has moar?" He caressed his husband's cheek tenderly. Zing blinked and then reached up to take his husband's hand in his own. "Err..." "Is will not be 'spensive," Shere Khan pointed out. "We has a jobs." "It's just that I'm really close to topping my career--" Zing pointed out. "I can has kitteh in me," Shere Khan shrugged. "Theory is not a lie."

It's fairly safe to say that Zing didn't require much persuasion after that.

Sure enough, it was morning when Sterling woke up and she spent much of the day playing in the downstairs toilet while her Daddy tried desperately to skill for his next promotion. Thus, it was a stinky toddler indeed that Zing had to chase down and clean up in time for the party.

Wait, did I just say party? Yes, I did! Even though it seems like just yesterday that Zing and Shere Khan's little kitten was born, it was time for her birthday party--and the whole family was invited. This time, Zing made sure he was the one to assist with the birthday cake.

Sterling grew up to be absolutely adorable. You can definitely see a lot of Shere Khan in her features. ... okay, I can see a lot of Shere Khan in her features. She's actually the spitting image of her great-grandfather, Ben (Blite27, Ten Caesars Legacy, currently on hiatus). Shere Khan shares those features, though they're obscured by his tiger skintone.

To the surprise of the guests, Shere Khan whisked away the cake and put it in the dishwasher before any of them got a chance to try a piece. "Caek is a lie," he moaned as he dashed down the hall in the direction of the bathroom. "No caek for me means NO CAEK FOR YOU!"

Even after the guests left (and don't let me get started on their bad behaviour--you should be glad you were spared the sight of it), he was still feeling unwell. "You coming to bed?" Zing asked sleepily. "Is feeling barfy," Shere Khan complained. "No fair!" "You're the one who wanted another kid," Zing said unsympathetically. But then he relented. "Come to bed, babe. I'll give you a back rub and before you know it, you'll pop and feel all better." "Hugz tiem!" Shere Khan said happily.

"So what are your plans for the day?" Zing asked the next morning over breakfast. "First day of school!" Sterling said excitedly. "Caturday is early for sick kitteh," Shere Khan shrugged. "No can haz 'speriments wif da fud when I's best freinds wif John."

"I'm going to tell all the other kids where babies come from," Sterling said proudly. "Maybe that's something you should let their parents tell them, like we told you," Zing said hastily. "But what if they're getting a brother or sister too and their parents told them something make believe?" Sterling demanded. "All the cool kids know where babies really come from." "And they don't talk about it on the playground," Zing said, casting a glance at Shere Khan that practically screamed 'help!'. It took some doing but eventually the two dads convinced their daughter. They hoped!

Across the sea... "Well, that should be the last of your things," Toby said, setting Ophelia's suitcase down on his bed. "Now we just have to unpack. Do you like how I set up Laertes' half of the nursery?" "It's great," Ophelia said. "Exactly the same as Persephone's half, only in blue." "I'm so glad you agreed to move in," Toby said. "This will make things so much easier." "Easier?" Ophelia blinked. "How? Now we'll have to take extra care not to catch each other with another lover."

"Err," Toby swallowed. "About that. I--I wasn't planning on having any other lovers." Ophelia blinked. Whatever she'd been expecting to hear, it wasn't that. "I'm not proposing marriage or anything," Toby said hurriedly. "It's just that... well... all the other women were just to pass time until you were free." "That's kind of sweet, in a really perverted and messed up kind of way," Ophelia said. "Not that I really do 'sweet', but I suppose it's the thought that counts and stuff. I don't have any other lovers right now either, come to think of it. Too busy with my career and Laertes."

"I'd like to think I help take the edge off," Toby said with a raucous laugh. "Well, maybe," Ophelia said coquettishly. "But I'm still not promising I won't hook up with other guys sometimes." "As long as you come home when you're done," Toby said, ruthlessly slamming down any feelings of jealousy he might have. He didn't know why he was suddenly pushing for monogamy, but he didn't want to push too hard and scare Ophelia off entirely. Ophelia blinked. "Then again, maybe I won't find anyone else. If you're around when I need a good 'hoo." Toby growled. "How 'bout now?" Ophelia looked from her lover to their son. "Why don't you introduce Laertes to Persephone while I slip into something a little more... comfortable."

But as Toby slipped out of the room, wriggling toddler in his arms, Stalker Lyndsay and her husband Don marched in to greet the new household member. "Eurgh! You're still creepy!" Ophelia said in exasperation. "It's called clothes, Lyndsay!" "I like to explore unrestrained reality," Lyndsay said airily, while Don shot Ophelia an apologetic look. "Here's a tip: DON'T!" Lyndsay just shrugged, attempted to give Ophelia a hug, and ambled out of the room, husband at her heels. Ophelia shut and locked the bedroom door and only opened it again when Toby came back.

"Who are you?" Persephone asked the blond lad her father had deposited on the floor next to her. "Are you my brother?" she added in an accusatory voice. "I'm Laertes," the boy said. "Who're you?" "Persep'one," the blue-skinned toddler said imperiously. "I think you're my brother. But I'm older and that means I'm the boss." "Daddy's the boss," Laertes argued. "He was my daddy first and so I'm the boss when he's not here," Persephone informed her half-brother. "No, when Daddy's not here then Mommy's the boss," Laertes said.

"Who's Mommy?" Persephone blinked. This was a new title to her. "Mommy is the most beautiful person in the world," Laertes said adoringly. "And her hair is yellow like mine!" "That's not Mommy," Persephone said scornfully. "That's just Op'elia." "Nu-uh!" "Uh huh!" "No way!" "Yes way! C'mon, let's go play."

The two children toddled into the nursery. "How come you don't have a Mommy?" Laertes asked as he stalked his blocks. "'Cause I'm special," Persephone replied. "Daddy says that it's just me and him, but now there's you and Op'elia, so he LIED." "Daddy doesn't lie," Laertes said stubbornly. "Maybe he just meant that it was you and him living here, but now Mommy and I have to

live here too?" "I guess," Persephone shrugged, chewing on her crayon. She fixed Laertes with a penetrating stare. "Do you eat the green ones?" Laertes blinked. "No!" he said quickly. "Only the purple ones!" "Good. I like the green ones best, so if you like the purple ones then I don't have to share. Sharing is for sissies, and sissies get lectercuted."

Several hours later, Toby and Ophelia emerged to dress their children in their best clothing, though the two of them looked slightly disheveled. "Mommy, why are you wearing work clothes?" Laertes asked. "Do you have to go work now?" "No," Ophelia said. She blushed. "Daddy just accidentally ripped my other outfit and everything else is still packed." Persephone was having a similar squirm-worthy conversation with her father. "Why does Op'elia do honk-honk noises whenever your door is locked?"

By unspoken agreement, both Toby and Ophelia finished what they were doing rather quickly and rushed into the games room. Toby's father, Gavin, had done well. Both cakes had candles lit and ready for the birthday babies. Of course, you will notice something missing. Namely, me. If you've read my previous chapter, you'll know that Jack accidentally let slip the truth of Persephone's parentage while we were discussing the family history. It's a bit embarrassing that I hadn't figured it out on my own, given the blue skin and all, but deities don't always pay close attention to such things. Anyway, much as I desired to meet my granddaughter, I deemed it could wait until a less momentous occasion. "Blow out the candles!" Gavin encouraged. Persephone and Laertes didn't have to be told twice.

Consensus is: ADORABLE.

Precocious, too. When bedtime rolled around, Persephone ran into Lyndsay on her way to the washroom. "How come you always use Daddy's washroom?" she demanded. "And how come you always wear your underwear 'stead of clothes? That's creepy, lady." Lyndsay blinked, realized Persephone was still staring at her, and fled the room.

The next morning, I decided it was finally time to pay a visit to the Biggs-Smith household. "Toby," I said neutrally by way of greeting. "Wondered when you were going to stop by," he said casually. "You want to see her?"

"You don't have a problem with it?" I blinked. "Nope," Toby said. "I know Athena said she wants nothing to do with our daughter, but that's her loss. I don't see why you can't have one. I'd like it if my child could know both sets of her grandparents. Both sides are pretty freaky-deaky, so some sense of normality in the face of oddness is probably a good thing." I hadn't been expecting him to acquiesce so easily--it threw me a bit

off. "Freaky-deaky?" "My mom's the Grim Reaper and my dad's part alien," Toby shrugged. "Then there's your side of the family. I don't know what the blue skin means, but I don't know anyone else who has it." "We're deities," I said. "Gnarly. Persephone's upstairs, if you want to see her."

It didn't take me very long to find my granddaughter. "Hi!" I said brightly. "I'm your grandma!" "Oh," the demonic pixie-child said, blinking at me. "How come you're not old? Grandpa Biggs is old, but Anna isn't." "She gets you to call her Anna?" "Anna says that 'Grandma' makes her feel old, and she doesn't ever want to feel old because she's never going to grow up, just like Peter Pan. She makes people dead for fun. It's so cool." "I can do some pretty cool stuff too," I said.

The look she gave me was singularly unimpressed. "Like what?" "Well, I can make people get old--" "They do that anyway, if you give them long enough." "Hush, child. It's rude to interrupt." "Everyone lets me interrupt, 'cause I 'lectrocute them if they don't."

I chuckled. "You can't electrocute me, Persephone. I'm a goddess, and I'm much more powerful than you are." She stared up at me. "For now." I blinked at her and moved the conversation to safer topics, eventually convincing the girl that I was, in fact, her grandmother. After promising that I would phone later, and refusing to make a pony appear out of thin air, I left. I had one more errand to run before leaving Paris for Pirate Island.

Laertes didn't seem to think very highly of his sister's revelation that she was a goddess. "So?" he shrugged. "You still eat green crayons." "Green's better'n purple, puny mortal."

I often say that life settles into routines for my sims, but it's true. Toby and Ophelia adjusted surprisingly well to the joint parenting of their two children. They were also surprisingly good parents, and both kids did well in school and in their budding social lives.

A few months after Ophelia and Laertes moved in, tragedy struck the household for the first time. Sadly, nobody even noticed that Lyndsay had died, underwear and all.

It was only when they found her urn upstairs in the bathroom that they realized what had happened. It sounds awful to say it, but Toby and Ophelia were secretly relieved.

Don, though, had really loved his wife and it didn't take long for sadness and depression to hit him.

The very next day, Gavin's twin brother Tycho was also taken by the Grim Reaper. All in all, it was a rough week for the family. It was also a rough week for me--Tycho is the first sim of generation five to die.

That night, Toby found himself lying awake long after Ophelia had fallen asleep. He missed his Uncle Tycho a lot--they'd always been close. But what haunted him even more was the look of loss in Don's eyes. Toby couldn't bear the thought of losing Ophelia like that some day. He sighed and tried to sleep, but rest eluded him. He pulled his lover close, and clung to her all through the night.

Mortality was the furthest thing from the collective mind of this group of young people. Just down the street from Toby's Parisian townhouse lies Académie Le Tour, the institute of higher learning traditionally attended by all the young adults of Pirate Island. This class is the second-last class of generation six, and is made up of (L-R): Caryl Curious, Rakshasi Thayer, Borusa Buccaneer, Tommy Ottomas, Spandrell Buccaneer, and Hades Deity.

Rakshasi, like all good Knowledge sims, dove into her studies right from the start. She was determined to break the academic records set by her brother, Shere Khan, and his sister-in-law, Ching Shih.

Other students, like Borusa, had other things on their mind. Borusa has only ever had one topic of thought in his life: girls. He likes girls a lot. He wants to pursue an athletic career, but mostly so he can get lots of girls. And that meant he didn't have any time to waste on trivial things such as studying and homework. That's what Influence is for.

If there was one thing Borusa was good at, it was convincing others that they ought to take a break from their studies, too. "I told you, Borusa," Rakshasi said teasingly. "I've only got a few minutes. I should really get back to my term paper--" "Aww, don't be a spoilsport, 'Shasi," Borusa said charmingly. "We've been good friends for so long, it would be wrong not to take some pictures together." "Just pictures, right?" Borusa pouted. "How about a kiss or two? I've always thought you were the cutest girl on Pirate Island."

Rakshasi snorted, but she followed Borusa into the photo booth anyway. "That's what you said to Tina back in high school." "What?" Borusa asked. "Who told you that?" "Tina!" He grinned. "Okay, so I like girls. You know this already. So what do you say about that kiss?" Rakshasi shrugged. "I'm always up for trying new things. It's part of being a knowledge sim."

A short time later, the two of them were still arguing (or perhaps flirting) as they made their way back into the common room. "Just so we're clear," Rakshasi said quickly. "Just because we, ah..." "Made sweet, sweet 'hoo?" "Right," Rakshasi blushed beneath her fur. "That doesn't mean we're together. At all."

"No commitment," Borusa agreed. "Just a bit of fun between two consenting adults." "Exactly." "Never going to happen again." Rakshasi stared at him. "Hey, I didn't say that."

"Mmmph!" Borusa replied. "You know, for people who aren't dating, they sure kiss a lot," Tommy Ottomas observed to Caryl.

"Hey, I hear you and my brother are back together," Borusa said to Hades Deity a little while later, doing a manly chest-pound to prove his masculinity. "Hmm?" Hades blinked, staring appreciatively at Borusa's lack of nose. He liked noses, but they weren't essential. "Dude, just because Spandrell and I are twins doesn't mean we play that way." "Right," Hades said. "I'll keep that in mind."

Gratuitous shot of Borusa being cute. He is cute! Cute, I say!

"So, you and Hades are a pretty established couple, right?" Tommy asked Spandrell over a bowl of macaroni in the cafeteria. "I guess so," Spandrell shrugged, looking around and exchanging a grin with his boyfriend. "That's cool," Tommy said, though there was a note of disappointment in his voice which he didn't try to hide. "I just thought I'd ask. You know, just in case. Both of you are pretty cute. I wouldn't mind getting a piece." "Er, thanks," Spandrell blushed. "Maybe we should just be friends, though. Probably less complicated that way. You know, living in the same dorm and all."

While Spandrell tried to deal with getting hit on by amorous Romance sims, another amorous Romance sim dealt with getting into the family Greek house. Placeholder Erroneus had graduated and moved back to Pirate Island after moving in another placeholder, Venkat Ternyk. Borusa made friends with him fairly quickly and had no problem joining. "Do you have a lot of toga parties?" he asked eagerly. "I guess," Venkat shrugged. "Haven't really done much since Erroneus graduated." "When you have these toga parties, do you invite over lots of girls?" Venkat's face lit up. "Ooh yeah, you should see some of the honeys who want to pledge. It's a Romance sim's dream come true."

Venkat left, and Borusa and Rakshasi both approached the pool table. "Up for a game?" Borusa asked, winking. "Only if it's billiards you're referring to," 'Shasi said coolly. "What, is my brother's famous mojo striking out?" Spandrell grinned, finger-gunning the pair as he walked by on his way to the arcade. "No!" "Yes!" Borusa and Rakshasi spoke in unison.

"What'd I do?" Borusa asked, grinning winsomely at Rakshasi as she lined up a shot. "Nothing," the tiger-girl shrugged. "I just don't feel like getting involved with anyone right now." "I'm not proposing or anything."

"Exactly," Rakshasi said, breaking. She stood back and watched as three of the striped balls sunk into various pockets. She lined up her next shot. "I don't think I'm up for the casual kiss, cuddle, and 'hoo type of relationship."

Borusa shrugged. "Friends, then?" "With NO benefits," Rakshasi clarified. "Not that it wasn't fun, mind. It's just that ... well ... I don't see a future with you, Borusa. And I wouldn't mind getting into a long-term relationship. You know, the monogamous kind. I'd never ask that kind of commitment of you." Borusa blinked. "Err... thanks? I think?" "You're welcome," Rakshasi chuckled. She frowned as her shot missed. "C'mon, Buccaneer. Just 'cause I'm not sleeping with you doesn't mean I can't kick your ass at pool. It's your shot."

"Rumor has it Rakshasi totally shot you down," Arianna Curtin smirked at Borusa in the hall the next day. "And?" Borus shrugged. "No sense in denying it. But we were hardly a couple. What's it to you?"

"Just that I've been dying to ask you out since you got here," Arianna purred. "What do you say, Buccaneer? Do we have a date?" Borusa blinked. This whole Romance thing was a lot easier now that he was in college than it had ever been back on Pirate Island. "Tell you what," he said smoothly after glancing at his watch. "I've got class in ten minutes, but what say we go for coffee sometime soon." "I'll hold you to that!"

While Borusa pursued various females, including Arianna, through the coffee shops and computer labs of campus, Spandrell finally got around to pledging Arravast House. "I would have thought you'd be the first to join," Venkat said once the application procedure had been completed. "Being Popularity and all." "Too busy making friends," Spandrell shrugged. "Speaking of which... Best Friends?" "Maybe after you move in," Venkat shrugged. "Now, there's just one last bit of formality to get out of the way..."

"Go new Arravast Member! Yeah! Spandrell! You rule!" "Was that strictly necessary?" "It's in the Greek House constitution, man."

"It's nice seeing a man who knows how to clean," Caryl smirked. "Yeah, don't pretend like you're not checking me out," Borusa grinned, wiggling his posterior. "Eww!" Caryl shuddered. "That's wrong on so many levels, Borusa. Lest you forget, you're technically my uncle."

"Yeah, but you're adopted," Borusa said. "So the fact that one of your moms is a half-alien like myself doesn't even come into it." "It should," Caryl said disgustedly. "We totally show up as Family in our relationship panels." "Pity." "You're such a skank, Borusa." "Am not," Borusa shrugged. "Hey, toss me your cup if you're done with it. I'll put it in the dishwasher."

Caryl shrugged and tossed the cup in Borusa's general direction. He caught it effortlessly, put it in the dishwasher, and then snagged a cup of hot chocolate. "All joking aside," he added, sitting down where Caryl had been sitting, "how come you're not dating anyone yet, Caryl?" "My high school boyfriend is still in high school," Caryl shrugged. "James Ottomas, remember? I wouldn't mind seeing if he's interested in getting back together when he comes to university after next year." "I see."

Borusa sipped his hot chocolate thoughtfully while Caryl reached over to grab her homework off of the table. She didn't get very far, though, because just then one of the dorm's many ghosts decided to spook her. "Aw, man," Borusa complained as Caryl attempted to walk away with her bladder--and dignity--intact. "Now my hot chocolate's gone all cold."

The end of first year drew nigh and some of the students decided to deal with the stress of examinations by pulling a few pranks. My son sets such a good example for his fellow students. "Burny doom!"

And then he complains the loudest when he gets wet. "Soggy doom!" Sometimes I don't think he's all there.

Borusa and Spandrell moved in to Arravast House at the start of their second year of university. With Venkat, who had since had a makeover, there were three residents of the Greek House.

The very first thing Spandrell did when they moved in was make friends with the house mascot, Fuzzbutt the Womrat. Fuzzbutt is a founding member of Arravast House. In all the years they've had a womrat cage, he's never died--a record I intend to keep until the end of the legacy, if possible!

As for Borusa? He invited over a girl.

Her name is Lainey Kosmokos, and she really liked Borusa. This first date ended short of Woohoo, though not for lack of trying on Borusa's part. At least he got a Make Out and a few gropes out of it.

It wasn't long until it seemed Borusa and Spandrell had always lived at Arravast. Generally, Spandrell could be found chatting on the computer or on his cell phone, while Borusa and Venkat rotated between the hot tub, their bedrooms, or the couches with one of their dates.

Occasionally, Borusa would stake out the front sidewalk to try to meet other female students. His ready wit and inventory full of charm meant that he was often successful. Camryn Corsillo, at least, seemed to appreciate the rose Borusa produced from nowhere.

Let's just say she really, really appreciated it.

Care of the household pets thus fell upon Spandrell, since his housemates were too busy wooing women. Fish were one species he wasn't so good at caring for, but he never let on to Venkat. Venkat was fond of the creatures and would have been horrified to know that the betta was actually Mr. Fishyface the Fifth.

The toga parties were frequent occurrences as well. Both Venkat and Borusa utilized them as a means to meet new women, and Spandrell certainly didn't complain about the opportunity to make new friends. Venkat was a bit too conservative to attempt dating one of his professors, though--he left that strictly to Borusa.

Borusa retorted that he was dating Venkat's professor rather than his own, so it was okay. Prof. Chloe Taylor certainly didn't have any influence over Borusa's grades. Perhaps that's how she justified the relationship in her own mind. Then again, maybe she knew that one encounter didn't exactly constitute a relationship, and it was unlikely Borusa would ever call her again.

One wonders how discreet Prof. Chloe was attempting to be, considering she and Borusa ended up with quite the audience. At least the cheerleader wasn't among them.

It didn't take Borusa very long to move on from Prof. Chloe. Demi Ngai was a foreign exchange student.

Borusa was happy to give her a few French lessons.

"So, when do you think our next party should be?" Venkat asked Spandrell one afternoon. "Oh, I dunno," Spandrell shrugged. "It's getting pretty close to exam time. I don't know if anybody would come out." "I bet Borusa could convince people," Venkat said. "Yeah, but they'd all be his ex-girlfriends, with the kissing and the

slapping and the drama," Spandrell pointed out. "I would be bored out of my skull. Maybe you would have fun, though." "It's only fun when I can defuse the fight by convincing one of them she'd be better off with me." "Yeah... good luck with that." "Party was a stupid idea anyway. Kicky-bag?"

"Kicky-bag."

Partying might have been a stupid idea, but Venkat and Borusa were up for the plan of double-dating--Borusa with Venkat's ex-girlfriend, Elle Shibata, and Venkat with Borusa's ex-girlfriend, Demi Ngai. Things got a little awkward when Elle slapped the spit out of Venkat, so I'll spare you the details.

Borusa suggested that he and Elle move their date indoors to give Venkat and Demi a little privacy, and between his Smooth Talking and Elle's attempt to make Venkat jealous, it was perhaps inevitable that they would end up in the bedroom.

Venkat and Borusa weren't content with just romancing dormies, either. No playable college student was safe from their ardour, least of all Delilah O'Feefe.

Though this may perhaps take 'double-dating' a little too far. Venkat stepped out to use the washroom, and Borusa stepped right in to pick up the slack. On free will. I was amused by this.

"You guys, that's just sick and wrong," Spandrell complained, watching both boys vie for the attentions of fair Delilah. "Why?" Borusa asked. "Sloppy seconds are gross," Spandrell shuddered. "Um, I'm in the room," Delilah pointed out. "I would say your chances of getting anywhere near enough action to qualify one of you for 'sloppy seconds' is precisely nil."

Borusa's heart was easily soothed, though.

Very easily soothed.

"Do you think maybe we should start spacing out our dates a little more?" Venkat asked as second year drew to a close. "I mean, we've had three girls leave early in a row now. Maybe we need a new strategy." "A new strategy might be a good idea," Borusa agreed. "How about we don't ask out the same girl in the same week? I think they figure out we're working off of the same list that way." "Yeah, how about we take the list and start at opposite ends?"

"That works for me," Borusa said. "I just have this feeling that if they knew there was a list, they'd get homicidal," Venkat mused. "Well there's a simple answer to that," Borusa snorted. "Don't tell them there's a list!" "We're kind of pigs, aren't we." "We're just guys with needs, and we know women who don't mind accommodating them."

I told her I was coming to visit, and what does she do? She blows me off. So I drop by anyway. And I find out the real reason she blew me off. "Quality" time with her husband. I don't begrudge any person a date with their spouse, but when your mother wants to visit and your mother is an all-knowing, all-powerful deity, you don't blow her off. Not even for your husband. A short while later, Athena strode out of her bedroom. Snap. Time froze. Well, for everyone except the two of us.

"What are you doing here?" Athena demanded shrilly once she realized what had happened. "I told you I needed to speak to you." "And I told you that I have nothing to say to you!"

"I'm your mother, Athena. You can't avoid me forever. Especially not when I have the power of the universe at my fingertips." "Okay, fine," Athena grumbled. "So what do you want? What's this about?" "Why so hostile?" I said coolly. "Something to hide, daughter dearest? Something big? Something small? Something the size of a child?"

"What business is it of yours?" "It's absolutely none of my business if you're going to sleep around, though it's hardly fair to Mitch. It is my business that you don't trust me enough to tell me the truth." "There's nothing to tell," Athena said angrily. "I got pregnant. I couldn't keep the baby, because of Mitch. I gave her over to Toby. End of story." "Does Mitch know?" "Do you think I'm stupid? He would have dropped me so fast my

head would still be spinning. I erased his memory of it. And his parents, too." "I really wish you hadn't said that," I sighed. "I was willing to forgive you for not telling me about Persephone. It is your body, and your life. But using your deific power to mess with your husband's mind? And your in-laws? That goes against everything I've ever taught you." "Well," she smirked, "every pantheon needs one evil deity, right?" I shook my head. "Not this one."

I stood up and strode into the middle of the room. Athena stood stock still, her eyes wide and her mouth hanging open. I blinked back tears and squared my shoulders. Crooked my pinky finger.

The magical energy coursed over Athena's body as we slid back into real time. She collapsed to the floor, whimpering.

I'm so sorry, daughter. But you gave me no choice.

You are my daughter no longer. Stay tuned for Part 2, coming soon!