Sophie Learns An Unsettling Truth

It was late by the time Sophie got out of class. They'd been discussing at great lengths, the classics, including the Simona Lisima, the best creation of Leonardo da Simci. She was still thinking of it as they all milled out into the courtyard. The sun had already gone down and apart from the lights from the classrooms and the ones outside, it was virtually pitch dark. But she could still see well enough to witness one student collapsing on the floor.

"Omg, is he okay?" she asked, reaching forward, "is there anything I can do?"

A hand pulled her back. Judging by the glint of the glasses and the thick beard, she recognised Professor Wade Anthony. He shook his head solemnly.

"I'm sorry," he said quietly, "there's nothing you can do."
"How do you know?"
"It's that college plague, it's taken hold all around campus. People are dropping everywhere."
"But why?"
"Those that are affected, go into a kind of delirium where they think they can survive on air alone and skip meals. It's a horrible death - starvation. There's only one thing to do."

"What's that?"
"Wait for the Grim Reaper to claim his - and all the others - souls."
"I can't let that happen. I've got to do something."
"Sorry, once his soul is claimed, there's nothing you can do."
"And what if there is?"
"How do you mean?"
"I've heard about people bargaining for their loved ones souls, bringing them back to life etc."
"Those are just fairy tales Sophie. There's no truth in them."
"And I am a fairy. So there must be SOME truth in this matter anyways. If there wasn't, I wouldn't be here. But I am and so that's that!"

She put her hands on her hips and jutted her chin out defiantly. It was the only time, since transitioning into a Young Adult, that she ever dared to defy a person of authority. Wade sighed and shook his head.

"The only time we ever manage to be together, and it just happens to be at the most inappropriate moment."

Sophie glared at him.

"What do you want of me?"
"Huh?"
"It's plainly obvious that you've got an invested interest in me, otherwise you wouldn't text me to meet up .. every.single. day. So what do you want?"

Just then, the chilly night air got even chillier as the Grim Reaper made his entrance. Sweeping silently past the milling crowds, he raised his scythe and muttered a few words, before the corpse began to glow.

From it rose a spectral form. Sophie and the rest of the group were entranced at the simple, yet gruesome ceremony before them. Taking the spirit to one side, Grimmy waited with inexhaustible patience as the ghost pleaded to be saved.

"That's it," Sophie suddenly announced, "I'm going to save him."

Wade grabbed her arm once more and she shook it off, stepping forward.

"Grim Reaper!" she said forcefully, "how can I save his life?"

A thought wave rippled into her head and she half smiled.

"A chess match. Hmm, as simple as that." she lifted her head and nodded in the direction of the chess table in the garden, "okay, you are on!"

Wade hissed at her.

"Are you stupid? Do you even have ANY logic skills at all?"
"Not that I know of, but it's worth a chance."
"You have no idea what you are doing young lady. I insist that you stop right now before you get yourself entangled in even more trouble."
"No. I made this bargain, I'm going to uphold it."

Wade threw his hands up in the air in defeat.

"You're just like your headstrong ancestor, the brother to the king of the Fae."

Sophie stopped dead and turned.

"What. Did. You. Say?"
"I've said too much as it is," Wade replied frowning deeply, "go ahead. You made a pact with the devil himself. You deal with it. I'm heading off home."

Sophie paused uncertain, debating what to do. But then decided that she'd made a promise and she'd uphold it, no matter what.

The chess match lasted well into the early hours of the morning. But she was no further forward. She was cold, hungry, tired, needed to pee and desperately wanted a shower.

In the end, she gave up. She felt the cold mocking of Grimmy as he spirited away that poor student's soul. And she felt terrible that she'd been helpless to save him. She also thought back to what Wade had blurted out to her. But she was too exhausted by then to think straight.

The minute she got through the dining room door, she collapsed from sheer exhaustion.

Saving souls was an exhausting and extremely draining process.

Chapter Four - Is That Legal Here?

True to Austin's nature, he rolls a multitude of wishes. So many that I simply cannot lock them all. And trust me on this, they are good ones!!

One was to go swimming.
Or at least go skinny dipping at the local pool.

It seems he's orienting himself around the town fairly well, without my help.

I haven't a clue what this building is, really. But I liked the architecture anyways.

Meanwhile, at the pool, there's a girl there, desperate to get ahead with her singing career, so.... whilst Austin's paddling around in the pool behind her - stark nekkid, she's belting out tunes on her karaoke machine.

Yeah, her voice is so awesome she HAD to have some help there. Nobody can sing that well!!

Amen to that Austin.

One of his wishes was to own a chess table. At least it'll help with his promotions.
And so, after a good nights' sleep, he decided to sit down and play.

Also, it doubled up as somewhere else for him to have his meals instead of the toilet!!

An opportunity arose whilst he was at work.
To find  a spot in the town and paint some street art.
Oh geez, I hope he doesn't get caught.

He was buzzing already, by the time he got to the park.
You see, he got a promotion, so he's well on the way up that corporate ladder.

Next stage ....

Finding a girl to settle down with.
Easy?

Yeah, well, this is Austin Powers.

Chapter Two - Logic? Flirting? Logic?

Since Austin was seriously hooked on his phone, he wished to learn more about Social Networking. So, once again, I obliged him and sent him off to this strange looking building.

After several hours and a hefty chunk out of his savings, Austin now has a better grasp of social networking. Not that he's ever going to use it for his wishes soon switched to even MOAR bizarre requirements.
One of his wishes was to learn Logic, so I sent him to the park to play chess.

He looked so lonely sitting there, whilst a crowd of elfins and other such characters all milled around.

I've got a cunning plan.

And that is?

If I sit here long enough, people will think I'm lonely and the temptation to join me will be too great.

Um, riiiiight.

Is it working?

Not that I can see, these folks look as though they're on a family picnic.

Oh wells, let's go to 'Plan B'.

I hate to ask this ..... but what's 'Plan B'.

One of his wishes was to flirt, and that meant a social interaction with a Sim. Well, it IS in the rules I guess. One Sim, one interaction, per day.

So he invites Teagan MacAnna over to join him in a game of chess.

Dayum woman, that hair is RED!

Nice pick up line there Austin.

But it is true!! It's like a tomato!

Austin! 

What?

You're not earning brownie points here.

Oh yeah, sorry. *mutters* but it IS red ..... *mutters*

Well, things start off well, their 'logical minds' locking into the game as Austin vainly tries to interact with Teagan. Eventually he gains his Logic skill, but it isn't enough, since he still has that 'flirt' action to complete.

Hey babes, I'm bored, tell me about yourself. Do I turn you on?

AUSTIN!!! That's NOT how you start a conversation!

I only want to know, that's all .... crabby.

Teagan doesn't know what to make of Austin, but I can see she is charmed by his unorthodox approach.

They got along well, he initiated the flirt action. Completing that wish.
And she responded quite well.

However, his next wish took me rather by surprise.
He wanted a potions table.
The house STILL hasn't got a bed, yet he asks for a potions table.

A potions table .....

Yeah, this random thought just popped in there and I wanted one.

But ... why?

I dunno. I haven't got one, and, well, I wanted one.

O-kay. Wish granted!

I guess you want to get home to try it out now?

Oh yeah!

What about Teagan?

I fulfilled my wish didn't I?

Um, yeah?

Yeah, well, we weren't going anywhere in that relationship. Just get me home to play with my new toy!

Told you he was easily distracted. And I thought, sincerely thought he'd be more focused on the mystery of how he got here.