Disaster in the Dorm

No matter how hard Hespa tried, Business Studies completely defeated her. She shunned party invitations galore, ignored phone calls, just to cram in as much studying as she could.

So, it was with trepidation that she went to the first part of her final exams.

She tanked ... big time.
Maybe the second part will be a bit better?

Gutted, she decided to retreat to the dorm to maybe grab a snack ... and cram some more before the next session.

She didn't get far when she saw smoke billowing from the vicinity of the dorm's kitchen area. Grabbing her phone, she dialled the fire service.

"Just hold on, we'll be there as soon as we can."

She ignored them as she saw the flames getting bigger and bigger.

Grabbing a fire extinguisher, she ran full pelt into the midst of the fire and started putting it out.

But exhaustion got the better of her, and she tried to step away from the flames.

"Gosh, I'm so tired," she exclaimed, "need coffee ... lots of coffee. Can't miss this last exam."

Too late.

There was an almighty fireball that engulfed her and another student, as everyone else hopped up and down and screamed, helpless to save either of them.

How did I know that Hespa had died?

A single red plumbob, just dangling in the air ... and no Sim below it.

Just a little pile of ashes.

Even the poor firefighter couldn't save either of them, the fire was far too intense. He even suggested letting it burn itself out.

By now, it was too late.

When Grimmy arrived, two students were passed out cold on the floor. He was rather bemused at this.

I'm here to harvest souls ... exactly HOW many are there?

The plantSim was too concerned about his leaves being scorched to worry about who had died.

Asshole.

The one that started the fire ... HA - just desserts I tell ya ... was the first one to die, and the first one to have her soul harvested as everyone watched. Yep, she begged for her life, but Grimmy turned a deaf ear and told her straight that she shouldn't have been playing with fire in the first place.

And then it was Hespa's turn.

She partially begged, but decided that it was easier to just go with the flow. Apart from her family back home ... she'd just about had enough of life. She sucked at pretty much everything really.

It was time to say goodbye.

Farewell Hespa, we will miss you with your gorgeous blue/purple hair and sweet disposition. Nessa is going to be devastated.

Fairy Wings Are Fire Proof!

Sophie had JUST left the dorm and was heading out to class when disaster struck .... again.
Determined to keep up her grades, she ignored the screaming of the smoke alarm and the panicked yells from the dormies.

Sophie: I KNOW something's wrong, but I can't skip this class (despite a wish springing up saying that she wanted to skip FIVE classes!! NO. WAY!)

 It was a decision she would regret, as the fire took hold and went on a complete rampage.

Yes, that fire woman was still there. For some manic reason, she'd become stuck and was a passing reminder to everyone of the consequences of playing with fire. It obviously fell on deaf ears.

Many dormies tried to put out the flames. Even the fire service was called in. But, sadly, the flames just caught on and it spread.

Sophie dashed back to the dorm, the minute she finished class and helped as much as she could.

At one point I was afraid that her wings would catch on fire and it would be game over for her. But it appears that her wings are fire proof!

Finally, the fire was put out.

But not before we discovered yet another casualty from this disaster.

Yep, another ghost to add to the front garden.

And another visit from Grimmy, who regarded this poor soul with obvious contempt as he pleaded his case.

Ghostly Student: Please, oh please. Save me. Save my soul. Let me live! PLEASE!!!
Grimmy: Sorry, you should have listened to everyone's advice and not play with fire.

Sophie, used to seeing Grimmy, just shrugged her shoulders and set about making Autumn Salad, since the cooker was out of commission, and most of the cupboards were badly burned.* Besides, it was the safer option, considering the circumstances.

Clean up was going to be a total pain this time.

And it didn't help that there were pee puddles and a couple of dormies  were passed out cold on the floor.

*yes, I'm aware that there's a continuity error there as regards the cupboards. I'd just replaced them all at a serious cost to Sophie's bank balance.

The Last Of You

Finals day approached and because of recent tragic events, both Sophie and Nessa were worried that they hadn't prepared themselves fully towards their final exams. Nessa spent her time on the phone to J1NX1E, trying to glean vital information from that Plumbot. It proved fruitless though, as she soon found out.

 Nessa: Hi J1NX1E, what's doing?
J1NX1E: Hello there Miss Vanessa
Nessa: I'd prefer to be called Nessa thanks
J1NX1E: Ah right, okay Miss Vanessa.
Nessa: *sigh*, so, have you got any new information to share with me?
J1NX1E: We hatched some chickens today and I harvested some honey
Nessa: That's not exactly what I wanted
J1NX1E: Oh, that's a shame, that's all I know for now. Living in the human world is indeed an experience
Nessa: I wouldn't say that for now, but ... since you're pretty new to all of this, go knock yourself out
J1NX1E: I am afraid I cannot do that
Nessa: Do what?
J1NX1E: 'Knock myself out'. The only thing I can do is to wait until my batteries fail, or I neglect my regular maintenance routine. Then I short out quite easily. What an odd thing to say Miss Vanessa.
Nessa: It was a figure of ... oh never mind, I'd better go, class starts in an hour, better grab a bite to eat and cram like there's no tomorrow.
J1NX1E: It was nice chatting to you. We hope to see you and your sister very soon. Yes?
Nessa: I guess so.
J1NX1E: I had better go myself, I can hear Sonny Em fighting with that evil chicken again.

She hung up then attempted to strum her fancy new guitar. Because of her excessive use of the xylophone when she was a toddler (and the advantage of having Artisric as a trait), she was instantly boosted up to Skill Level 3!

Sophie had a bigger advantage, being a fairy, and used her 'Creative Aura' to try and help her out. It was a risky move, not because it was a kind of cheating, but because she was still learning her fairy skills and projecting any kind of aura was still draining on her powers.

But, grabbing her latest purchase, a pretty pink and white umbrella, she made her way to class.

Because the dorm was closer to Nessa's exam venue, she didn't have far to go. It was exhausting. They'd barely had time to rest from one exam, before they had to go to the other one. Both girls were certain that they'd crashed and burned big time. But it was all over now, time to kick back and relax.

Many students threw parties, and Nessa HAD wished to throw a bonfire party, but she was too exhausted, so she and Sophie crashed out in their shared bed.

A student thought it was bizarre, seeing two sisters sleeping together. But Nessa and Sophie didn't care. They felt safer that way.

Neither of them managed to drag their bones out of bed until just after noon, and it was Nessa who was first. She read through the results letter cringing at the thoughts of bombing it. And was pleasantly surprised. She'd gotten a C.

Nessa: Not bad, not bad at all. Hey Sophie, your results are here, want to check them out?
Sophie: You read it, I don't wanna.
Nessa: Aww come on lazy bum, I'm sure it's a good score.

Sophie growled as she dragged her butt from the bed.

Sophie: I'd rather have something to eat, I'm hungry here
Nessa: Just open your letter, that's all. We can eat afterwards
Sophie: Do I HAVE to? I know it's going to be bad.

Reluctantly she ripped open the letter and read it.

Sophie: I got a B!
Nessa: You sound surprised.
Sophie: I am, actually. Much better than last term. I crashed out with a C. I'm halfway through getting my degree now.
Nessa: That's excellent news and I hope you get it, you've worked hard.

Suddenly there was a crash and a scream from downstairs. When they went to investigate, yet another student had died at the doorway and Grimmy was there in a flash to collect the soul.

Sophie groaned.

Sophie: Not you again. Thought we'd seen the last of you.

Nessa, in the meantime, dialled a number and got through to the university administration building.

Nessa: Yeah, we've got another one. Grim Reaper's been here already. Someone had better come and clean up the mess.

Yep, term was over, it was time to head back home with the promise that at least one of them will return to university. It was just a matter of which one.

Editor's Notes: 
Yes, there's a continuity error in this update. I had Nessa in her underwear in one shot, then in her day to day clothing in another. Ooopsies, my bad.

It's A Dark Day On Campus

***WARNING*** 

This update deals with deaths, if you are sensitive to such matters do not continue

Wade was right. Sophie should NOT have attempted to resurrect that student. And now, a veritable plague had settled over campus with students dropping like flies. The bathrooms seem to be the most popular targets, followed by the main entrance. There was no way of keeping up with all these deaths!

Sophie was witness to at least one death and earned a hateful glare from a fellow dormie.

"This is all your fault," she muttered.

Sophie didn't know what to do. There were only so many people she could save, and only room in her inventory for one at a time. Today was not a good day for this poor Sim.

Nessa didn't help with matters either. After being rudely awakened, she lurked just outside the bathroom with a few other dormies to await the inevitable. However, what ran through her mind was COMPLETELY inappropriate.

"I think we could do with a celebration," she mused quietly to herself, "I've got some fireworks in my backpack!"

Good job Sophie didn't hear her, else she'd probably given her a slap. This was a solemn occasion and wicked thoughts like Nessa's, didn't quite fit into this scenario!

Speaking of Sophie, she was faced with Grimmy once more.

Grimmy: Want to challenge me again, Sophie?

She shook her head and frowned.

Grimmy: Smart girl.

He'd barely vanished out of sight, when she collapsed on the floor. It was sheer will and fear that had been holding her up, and now she'd let her body go into a heap onto the cold tiled floor.

Nessa, completely oblivious to her sisters' distress, raided the fridge for a bowl of cereal. She was still tired out, but her appetite was back and she was feeling peckish.

There was a mass email sent to all smartphone owners, asking all students to meet at the Student Union for a general pep talk. Sophie and Nessa suspected that it had something to do with the multiple deaths that were occurring around campus.

It proved to be very popular as the majority of students all turned up and crowded outside.

The Dean was present and issued the following statement

As you are all aware, there has been a serious illness doing its rounds on campus. We understand that this is a stressful time for everyone, what with finals coming up. But we ask everyone to be extra vigilant and try to make sure that you eat well and are well rested. As for the stricken students, their families have been informed and it is up to them now to see if they wish for the bodies to be shipped back home or stay here. We are currently in negotiations with the university committee to set up a memorial garden just in case some students are left behind.
There has also been a rumour of being able to bargain with the Grim Reaper to resurrect some of the students. We are instructing you all, to not go ahead with this practice. We are pretty certain that this is an urban myth, and we don't endorse those in any way, shape or form. However, should this actually BE the case, anybody caught in the act of attempting such resurrections, will be disciplined and their grades adjusted accordingly. We are a tolerant university and will not resort to drastic measures like instant removal from campus. But.... if the perpetrator continues their practices after they've been initially warned, then they WILL be removed from campus. Are we clear on this?

There was a rumble of assent throughout the audience and the meeting was adjourned. It had taken so long for everybody to leave the building that it was getting late. They arrived back at their dorm, just in time to witness yet another THREE deaths. The first one was in the main entrance, and judging by the grateful handshake of the spirit, she looked as if she was glad to be free of this mortal world.

Upstairs in the bathroom, two more students died. It was not looking good at all.

One of them, it was revealed, died of a broken heart. He was already in mourning from the death of the student in the main hallway. He, too, looked glad to be freed.

Grimmy was having a whale of a time. This was his busiest period in a long time and it showed with his 'happy' thought bubble!

The same didn't apply to one poor Sim. Her cowardly trait was revealed, firstly downstairs where she fainted from shock. And then again upstairs - the minute she clapped eyes on Grimmy! If he could shake his head, I'm pretty sure that's what he'd be doing, right about that moment in time.

It was unsettling for Sophie and Nessa, who the both of them, ate quietly at separate tables. Both of them obviously deeply upset at recent events.

Nessa: Hey Soph?
Sophie: Yeah?
Nessa: You still got that Sims' remains in your inventory?
Sophie: Uh ... yeah... why? What are you getting at?
Nessa: You're not serious about resurrecting her are you?
Sophie: Shhh, you never said that.
Nessa: You're risking your degree for a complete stranger?
Sophie: You're part of it too.
Nessa: Huh?
Sophie: I sneaked someone else's remains into your inventory too, so you're just as liable you know.
Nessa: Sophie!

There was a pause.

Sophie: Ness?
Nessa: Uh ... yeah?
Sophie: Don't worry, I'll find another way, when we get back home. I just need to visit the library and the bookstore first.
Nessa: Sophie?
Sophie: Yeah?
Nessa: Just ... don't be stupid, right?
Sophie: I won't.
Nessa: Good.

And they both agreed that they didn't want to go to bed, just in case there was another death, so they ended up taking naps on opposite settees.

It was a dark day indeed for everybody on campus.