Strangetown: Chapter Eight

[strangetomato]

Warnings: language, sexual situations


Chapter Eight





Ophelia smiled. "Well, here we are, Ripp. We made it."

They were standing outside the dorm, in the college town of La Fiesta Tech. After their transitions were out of the way, Ripp immediately went to see Ophelia. She was there, in the flesh, and completely alive. Ripp felt relieved all around. He was out of Strangetown, finally at college, and Ophelia had escaped before Olive had been able to harm her in any way. She had also become twice as beautiful in the blink of an eye.




"Thanks for all your help, Phi. I never would have made it to college without you."

"Oh, it was nothing. You'd do the same for me." She gave him a knowing look. They weren't about to discuss the whole incident with Olive and how Ophelia had called him over in the middle of the night, not with anyone else around. It would remain their little secret. Ripp hadn't even complained to Ophelia about the hell he had to pay when the General had gotten a hold of him the next morning. Ophelia really did trust him, even though he hardly gave the impression of being responsible in any way.

"No, really. Thank you. I was able to get out of that fucking house, thanks to you. How can I ever repay you?"

"No charge, Ripp."

"No, wait... I have it..."




Ophelia only had time to drop her jaw, as the pillow hit her square in the face. The realization of what living with Ripp would be like hit her just as abruptly. This would certainly be an interesting four years of her life.

That would be a new joy to Ophelia and Johnny, but Tank knew exactly what it was like to live with Ripp, and he was not impressed at all that he would be sharing a dorm with his brother. It was bad enough at home, but Ripp would be insufferable to be around with Johnny there. Tank would start looking into off-campus housing as soon as possible. He had some scholarship money, but he didn't want to be reckless and get a place by himself. That was too expensive. There must be someone out there looking for a roommate. Tank would check the bulletin board at the student centre at the very first opportunity.




When he entered the cafeteria, his heart sank. Where was he going to eat? He couldn't just waltz up to a complete stranger and ask to eat with them. He'd rather die. He probably would die right there on the spot. What if they said no? It was like high school all over again. Maybe he'd just eat in his dorm room.

Ripp was just sitting down to eat his standard-issue LFT mac and cheese, when he saw that Tank was heading for his table. He cringed, but manage to hold his tongue. He knew that Tank didn't make friends very easily, and he was suddenly, inexplicably, inclined to take pity on him. Tank glanced at him, with a half smile, and sat down.




"Isn't it weird eating without having Buck here, stuffing his fat face? Talk about taking something for granted..."

"Listen, Tank. I don't mind you eating with me sometimes, but I'm not going to give you the fucking time of day until you wash that army crap off of your face, okay? People are obviously going to know you're my brother, and I don't need you fucking embarrassing me any more than you obviously will anyway.

"God. Is it really that bad, Ripp?"

"You look like a fucking idiot, okay?"

Tank frowned. Well, maybe Ripp had a point. If he thought so, then maybe other people would too. Tank decided to take his brother's advice, just this once.




Tank approached the sink, gravely. He lathered up his hands and put them to to his face. He closed his eyes, and rubbed it all away.




Tank felt really exposed without the camo paint on his face. It had been a crutch for so long. Now he was forced to look at his actual face. He didn't think that he was ugly, not really, but he didn't feel that he was very attractive either. He really did resemble his father quite a bit, aside from the nose, and looking at his reflection was like looking directly at his father's expectations for him. Buzz gazed back at him, ever attentive, even from his own reflection.

Now, with the paint gone, it was all there for anyone to see. All the lines of his face, and all of the scars. There was that one scar, on his cheek, that he'd been all too happy to cover. Now, he'd have to deal with it, and so would everyone else.




Johnny went to his dorm room, sat down at his desk, and declared his major. While his ambitions in life were definitely athletic in nature, this would remain an extracurricular activity for him while in college. He would study something that would force him to keep his body in peak condition, build the charisma necessary to thrill the audience, and make the best use of his tendency to seek the spotlight. He didn't even have to think twice to declare theatre as his major.

Johnny leaned back in his chair. It had been quite an eventful week for him. There was moving out, moving in, and getting adjusted to college life. There was also, of course, the conversation he had with his father before leaving Strangetown.




"It's time we discussed marriage, Johnny."

"Gee, Dad. I'm still pretty young."

"You are, but not too young to discuss it. We have a lot to talk about."

"I don't really think Ophelia and I are that serious, Dad... I mean, we're going to college now. We might date other people for a while."

"I'm not talking about Ophelia, Johnny."

P.T. suddenly had Johnny's full attention. "What do you mean, Dad?"




"Marriage is very important to me, Johnny, and a very important part of our culture. It is our custom to carefully select a mate from all of the available options. To pick the best match based on personality, aspiration, and genetics."

"Yes, I understand. It's important. I know that, Dad."

"It's the parent's duty to insure that a suitable partner is selected."




"Well, don't worry, Dad. I'm not going to rush into anything. I'll definitely be looking to you for advice on that front."

"Actually, Johnny... It is customary for the parents to select the partner for their children."

Johnny was silent. He drew his eyebrows together and stared straight ahead.

"There is an alien girl that I think would be a perfect match for you, and I've spoken with her father, and with her-"




"What?! You mean... you picked out a WIFE for me?"

Johnny got up from the couch and stormed out of the room.




"Johnny!" P.T. chased him. "You have to give me a chance to explain myself."

"How can you possibly explain that, Dad?!" Johnny was trying really hard not to curse, since he never did, especially not in front of his parents. Suddenly, though, he understood Ripp a little better than he had before. It would be so easy, and so satisfying, to let loose a string of obscenities at that moment. It would be extremely therapeutic.




"Johnny, I know this seems very strange to you, but it's a very normal part of alien culture."




"But Dad, I'm not an alien like you! I'm a sim. A normal sim, just like everyone else."




"No, Johnny. No, you're not. You're both, my son." P.T. gazed at him with his dark eyes.

Johnny felt like he was going to cry. All he'd ever really wanted was to be normal. To be seen as just another sim. Now he had this to deal with.

"I'm not forcing you into anything, Johnny. Of course not. I would really appreciate it if you'd consider this, though. Especially from a genetic point of view, it would be much better for us all if you married another half alien. We need to maintain our species, and the best way for us to do this it to interbreed as much as possible."




"Well, what about you and Mom? You were able to choose for yourself who you wanted to marry!"

"Well..." P.T. smiled. "That's not entirely true. We were matched in much the same way, Johnny. My previous experience with Glarn Curious had formed a sort of working relationship, even a friendship, between us. I explained my desire to retire here, and he suggested a match with his daughter, based on our shared goals in life."

"You mean, Grandpa Curious arranged your marriage to Mom?"

"In a way, yes he did." P.T. smiled. "He knew us both from an objective point of view, and he could see how compatible we were. We weren't forced. After he suggested it, we met and found that we really did like each other. It's the same for you, Johnny. I'm not here to force you to do this, but I am here to suggest it."




"Well, I suppose that's not quite so bad. As long as I have a choice in the matter..."

"Of course, Johnny. We always have a choice."

"This is still really weird, Dad. But I do trust you to know what's best, and I suppose I'll meet her and see how it goes."




P.T. reached for Johnny to hug him.

"Thank you, son. This really does mean a lot to me, and to your mother."




Johnny respected his father greatly, and he valued his knowledge. Despite his reservations, he'd be willing to give this whole scenario a shot. He'd meet the girl, at the very least.




After the conversation, Johnny had sat by himself with a strong cup of espresso, and considered the whole thing.

There was Ophelia to consider too, of course. He hadn't forgotten about her. What he had said to his father had been true, though. He did expect them to drift apart at college. She had already become a little distant in the last few weeks before finals. He briefly considered the way in which that coincided with her beginning to tutor Ripp, but he quickly pushed that thought from his mind. He wasn't going to assume anything, and he trusted both of them. Or one of them, anyway, when it came to that.

He fully expected Ophelia, and himself, to date other people in college. Who ever married their high school girlfriend, anyway?




He sat with his father that night and talked openly about their heritage, and their hopes and fears. P.T. was very wise, and the more he explained everything, the more sense it did make to Johnny. He enjoyed sitting there with his father like that, looking at the stars.

Johnny had never felt that being an alien would have any relevance on his life beyond his appearance. His father's plans for him had changed all that. He respected his father more than anyone else in the world, and he loved him too. If P.T. thought something was for the best, Johnny would have to consider it. And he did believe in marriage. He did believe that marriage was the only way to be with someone, and raise a family. It had worked for his parents, so why wouldn't it also work for him?




Johnny decided to call his Mom to let her know that he'd managed to move in okay, but the phone was already occupied. Ripp was on it, but he wasn't calling home.




"Hello? Is this Genesis? Okay, good. I thought it was you. This is Ripp Grunt. Yeah. I'm in college now. Yeah. Pretty cool, huh? Yeah, I was wondering if you'd be interested in going for coffee sometime?"




Of course, everybody knows what "going for coffee" really means.




Ripp took a cab into the Sim City Central Park, where he would meet Genesis Lam. The whole way over there, he concentrated on keeping his focus, and remaining calm. He wasn't nervous, god no, but he was definitely bubbling over with excitement. He was ready, though. He'd made all the necessary preparations, cleaned the pipes, and all that. He certainly wasn't going to come off like he hadn't done this before, even though that was true. Nobody needed to know that but him.

Ripp was a little disapointed to see that Genesis wasn't wearing her work uniform, but, of course, she probably only wore that for work. If he played his cards right, though, maybe she would be convinced to put it on for him later. And then take it off, piece by piece.




He was pleased to see that Genesis hadn't gotten any less smoking hot since he'd last seen her. He decided to tell her that he thought so. Nobody ever got anything in life by being indirect.

"You are the most fucking beautiful woman I have ever met."

She smiled. Flattery could get you everywhere, it seemed.




Ripp suggested, in what he hoped was a charmingly subtle manner, that they should get their coffee to go. Genesis did him one better by saying that she actually had a really great coffee maker at home. She knew the score. Thank god. This was going to be even easier than he had thought it would be. He had totally known that she thought he was cute. She'd probably been eyeing him the whole time. So Genesis likes her men young, does she? Young, and eager to please. Ripp was certainly the latter.




Things advanced rather quickly from that point onward, and the steamy cab ride to Genesis' place went by before he knew it. They basically feel out of the cab, throwing money at the driver in their haste.




It was no secret to Genesis that Ripp was extremely excited about the steaming hot mug of coffee that he was about to wrap his lips around. In case she may have somehow missed it, he pulled her hips to his to stress the point.




In no time at all, he was in Genesis Lam's bedroom, and she was looking deep into his eyes while lowering him onto her bed.




He let her take the reigns, since she obviously liked to do so. He had no problem with that. In fact, he was all too pleased to have her seduce him. He hoped to learn a lot from her, and the sooner the better.




Genesis was a great teacher. She had no problem telling Ripp exactly what to do and how to do it. She was eager to please him too, and lavished him with attention and praise. Ripp was in heaven.




Afterwards, they peeled themselves apart and went downstairs into the kitchen, where Genesis treated Ripp to a nice little lunch.




They ate and chatted and had a merry old time. Genesis hung on his every word. Ripp told her about the fight he had with Tank and how he "totally kicked his ass", which was a lie, of course, but she seemed really impressed. He would have told her just about anything to impress her, if he had to. She was so interested in everything he had to say. Ripp couldn't get enough of it.

It wasn't the only thing he couldn't get enough of. Genesis suggested that they go for another round, and he did not argue with her one little bit.




"So how about another helping, honey?" You up for it?"

"Fucking right, I am." He was up for it. He was up for anything.

He'd be having seconds, thirds, maybe even fourths and fifths, if he held out that long. He'd have as much as was humanly possible.




Ripp planned to stay there until he knew everything there was to know about just about everything, or until Genesis handed him his pants and told him where to go.




Ripp knew that he wasn't Genesis' first lover, by any means, nor even her second or third. He relied on her experience, and he couldn't care less how many men or women she'd been with to get it. He may have been slightly concerned, however, if he had known that he wasn't even the first member of the Grunt family that Genesis had slept with.




Genesis Lam was also sleeping with Ripp's father on a regular basis.




Later that evening, Johnny received a phone call.

"Hello?"

"Hello... Johnny Smith?"

"Yes, that's me."




"Hi. This is Jayne. Jayne Doe." She laughed. "Jayne Doe - Johnny Smith. Sounds like an AA meeting, doesn't it?"

"Yeah, it kinda does."

I suppose you know why I'm calling you, right?"




"Umm, maybe. Did my father talk to you?"

"Yes, he did. I'm sure he must have mentioned me to you too."

"Yes, He did." They were silent for a couple of moments, but Johnny finally spoke.

"Look, this is pretty weird."

"Yeah, a little."

"I have to be honest with you, Jayne. I'm not really sure about this whole thing. I mean, I trust my father, and he's probably right about this, but it's not something I expected to be happening to me."




"It's weird to me too, Johnny." I felt so bizarre for Johnny to hear this perfect stranger speak his name with such familiarity.

"We don't need to rush into anything here." She continued. "I don't even know if I like you yet, ya know?"




"Well, why don't we agree to meet later this week and introduce ourselves?"

"I'd like that, Johnny. We could go for coffee or something." Thinking of Ripp, he hoped that she meant that in the literal sense.

"Do you really like coffee? We could do something else." Strangely enough, he could hear her smiling.




"How about a drink instead? A stiff drink might be in order. You know, to take the edge off."

"Yeah, no doubt."











(Continue to Chapter 9...)

Comments

[amaryssobellus.livejournal.com]

Aw man! What a slut that Genesis is! I can just here the phone call "Ripp/Buzz I'm pregnant and I don't know which one of you is the father" DUN, DUN, DUN!

In other news, I really like the outfit that she has on. In fact I like all their clothes, they look maxis made but I have all the EP's and Stuff Packs (except for Teen) and I've never seen those, would you mind telling me where you found them?

I kind of get the feeling that Ripp and Phi will be hooking up soon.. I was expecting it when she called him over. Love that you went a different route with them.

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

Genesis ain't so bad. She's just a little promiscuous. *wink* She's certainly no more of a slut than Ripp is, though I'm not sure that even he would go for the double dipping in the same family thing. That would be a very awkward phone call, for sure. Let's hope that everyone involved, especially Genesis, takes precautions against pregnancy.

As for the clothes, I think that Johnny and Ophelia's are from H&M Stuff, but they may be recolours of meshes from that SP too (and I get those from all over, so I can't be much more helpful, I'm afraid).

Ripp's outfit is a recolour of the Nightlife bowling shirt, paired with H&M pants and Chuck Taylors *happy smile*, and was created by Migamoo on MTS2 (can be found on her user page). You can find it here.

As for Genesis, I know that's a Maxis download from the exchange. It was an international celebrity, but I can't remember who she was. I read about that download somewhere, and then got the outfit from the official site. Sorry I'm not more helpful. If I ever remember, I will post it.

Tank has H&M pants, and I have no idea about the shirt (sorry). Jayne also has H&M pants, and a recolour of HystericalParoxysm's untucked shirt (which I tucked in! *snicker*), found on MTS2 (recolours are listed on the her page too).

I'm not sure how informative I've been, since I forget almost half of the stuff, but that's some of it, anyway. I always stick with things that are similar to Maxis stuff, or at least near it in quality. I can't even look at things that are shiny and photo-realistic (no offense to anyone that likes that stuff).

Yes, there's a interesting dynamic there between Ripp and Ophelia, isn't there? But is it really like that? We'll have to see how that goes.

[amaryssobellus.livejournal.com]

Thanks for what you can give me.

I'm a little bit of half and half with the realism of the sims. I was very against it at first then somethings I started liking now it depends what the quality is.

I am tired of the custom clothes that look to hoochie for sims. Or that have the teeny tiny waist for all females. I'm sticking to more Maxis friendly CC clothes. That's why I wanted to ask where you got the clothes from.

The only thing that I really don't care is the hair. I'm a sims hair whore. I can't help it. O_o

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

I finally figured out who the celebrity download was. It was Tata Young, a Thai/American pop star (she sang some song that came on the Seasons EP). Her hair and outfit can normally be found on the exchange if you search her name (sometimes the poster has changed the face or something, but the outfit is all you need anyway).

I also hate those meshes with extremely tiny waists. Sometimes I like the dress so much that I think I can tolerate it, but I can never bring my sims to wear them. They're skinny enough as it is! That's why I love the H&M SP so much. The clothing is loose and normal-sized. I heard a lot of people complaining that everything looked too roomy and sack-like, but I thought that was a good thing. Like, with Ophelia's character, I can't imagine putting her in something completely skin-tight. It just seems wrong to me.

I like hair CC too, but I'm really picky about it. I hate the stuff that's, again, too shiny. I really don't like all of the overly "done" girly hairs (I suppose I shouldn't name names, but some of those hair paysites with girl names... well, I hate most of the hair that they make), hair that's too long (especially for toddlers), and non-Maxis colours. I like having only four, ultra-generalized hair colours. I just do. I usually just end up downloading more short hairstyles for female sims.