Saturday, April 13, 2013

Chapter 19: Risk

NOTE: Music Track - Play it when it shows up if you want to listen - Late`knight`simmer


We know The Compound used community gatherings to lure in new recruits. How did The Compound retain those new recruits?


The most popular ways were to become best friends with the new recruits and make them feel like they were being really supported and cared for, as well as current residents giving testimonials to make the recruit feel like The Compound really helps people.


I'm going to see my friends again at The Compound. Their names are Petunia and Abilene and they have been helping me work through my issues with Enigma. Both of them are single, but their advice works for people in relationships too. In general, I feel like their advice just makes sense for life.


"Hey Andromeda. How are you doing with your husband?"

"Really good. I feel like I'm a lot less angry with him now. I'm thinking of asking him to go see a therapist regarding his attitude towards our son. I've also finally figured out he's not cheating on me."

"Oh! That's so encouraging to hear, Andromeda! Abilene and I are so proud of you."

"Thank you. He's hard to deal with sometimes, but I love him."


"Relationships are so complicated, aren't they? I remember my last relationship. I was so in love with him and he was with me for a long time. Then I found out he was cheating on me with his secretary. He had been seeing her for two years. I didn't know what to think, so I blamed myself for not being good enough for him. I told myself if I hadn't become boring, he wouldn't have felt the need to go be with someone else. I developed an eating disorder because I thought if I was skinnier, maybe he would like me more. One day I came to a weekly gathering here at The Compound, and some nice people helped me see that I wasn't the problem. He was the problem. He chose to cheat on me, and it wasn't my fault at all. I felt so loved here that I decided to stay. It was for the best anyway because his secretary moved in with him into our old house."

"Oh, Abilene, I'm sorry."

"That's okay. I'm much better now, and I'm done with relationships. They brought me nothing but grief."


Verona's friend seems like a nice boy, although I still have my reservations about him. His appearance is one thing I am trying to get past. I have never understood makeup on men, it just seems improper. Stop it, Kalya. Remember what Charles said. People aren't bad just because they're different. I'm a little nervous about what his table manners will be like since he's been on the street and probably hasn't eaten at a table for a while. Kalya! He's not a caveman! The voice of reason that seems to have popped into my head ever since Charles talked to me about Verona is silently scolding me. We sit down to eat and I'm a little nervous.


"Thank you for letting me stay here, Mr. and Mrs. Balestrom. I really appreciate your hospitality."

I'm pleased to see that Absolon is very polite. I see Charles looking at me as if he wants me to say something.

"You are welcome, Absolon. What is it that you do? Verona says she hired you to do the entertainment for the store."

"I sing and play the guitar."

See, Kalya? He's a normal person. I am relieved that he isn't involved in dangerous things and my nerves calm down a little knowing that Verona is safe.


"Enigma? I want you to promise not to get upset right now. I want to ask you a question."

"I promise."

"I'd like it if you went to see a therapist."


The past few weeks, Andromeda had been hanging with those friends she met at The Compound. She seems to be happier, so maybe it's good for her. Things have been going better in general because I finally convinced her I'm not cheating on her. I haven't stayed in the motel room since the day she visited because she hasn't been yelling at me nonstop anymore.

"Ok. What would we talk about?"

"Here's where I need you not to get upset."

"You want me to talk to the therapist about my problem with Absolon, don't you?"

I looked at Andromeda calmly as she nodded. She winced a little, I guess because she expected me to throw her out of my arms or something. Instead, I gave her a kiss.


"Fine. I'll do it."

"Thank you, Enigma."



Today while Absolon is on break, I decide to provide some entertainment for the store. I wonder what Camo will think. He's over by one of the shelves putting some books on it. I'm mesmerized by his arms again as he works. He looks up and smiles at me. The music plays and I start singing Taking Chances by Celine Dion.



"Don't know much about your life
Don't know much about your world
But don't want to be alone tonight
On this planet they call Earth

You don't know about my past
And I don't have a future figured out
And maybe this is going too fast
And maybe it's not meant to last


But what do you say to taking chances
What do you say to jumping off the edge
Never knowing if there's solid ground below
Or a hand to hold, or hell to pay
What do you say

I just want to start again
Maybe you could show me how to try
Maybe you could take me in
Somewhere underneath your skin

What do you say to taking chances
What do you say to jumping off the edge
Never knowing if there's solid ground below
Or a hand to hold, or hell to pay
What do you say


And I had my heart beating down, but I always come back for more
There's nothing like love to pull you up when you're lying down on the floor there
So talk to me, talk to me, like lovers do
Yeah walk with me, walk with me, like lovers do

What do you say to taking chances
What do you say to jumping off the edge
Never knowing if there's solid ground below
Or a hand to hold, or hell to pay
What do you say

Don't know much about your life
Don't know much about your world."

When I'm done, Camo comes over to me with a big grin on his face.


"I didn't know you could sing like that! You're really good."

"Thanks. My dad taught me. Hey, the store is closing at 5:00pm today, do you want to hang out after?"

"Yeah."

Camo looks like he wants to make out with me. I'm glad that he agreed to hang out with me before he has to go home. I'm not sure I will be able to resist ripping his clothes off before then, though, if he keeps staring at me like that. I smile at my sexy boyfriend and go back behind the counter until closing time.



"Hey Titanium, I think I'm going to hang out with Verona after work today, but I'll be back before 10pm. You should hang out with Absolon."

"Without you?"

"Yeah, you'll be fine. Just remember what I said, don't automatically think he's scary. Learn to trust him a little since you already like him."

Titanium nods, still a little afraid, but determined to listen to Camo's wisdom.


Five o'clock rolls around and all the customers have left the store. Titanium walks over to Absolon and nervously smiles at him.

"Uh, Absolon?"

"Yeah, what's up? Why do you look nervous?"

"I'm scared you'll say no to my next question. Um, will you go on a walk with me?"


"Yes, I'll walk with you. Why would you be nervous about that? I am your friend. Come on, let's split, Camo and Verona look like they need to be alone."

Titanium looks over at Camo, who is staring intently into Verona's eyes. He and Absolon go out the door.


After I locked the front door, I went back inside to meet Camo. He has this crazy intense stare that's so hypnotizing, intoxicating, oh wow, I can't breathe. I'm so glad no one else snatched him up before I did. I really hope Daddy doesn't think anything's wrong with the store if I don't come home right away. I don't think he will, he's not a worrier. I'll try to keep all the merchandise in tact as well as not dirtying the furniture. Maybe Camo won't be opposed to having sex standing up... I wonder if he's ever done it that way before... god I want him.


Camo leans in and kisses me, breaking the staring contest we had apparently started. Now that he's as close to me as I want and obviously wants the same thing I do, I grab the back of his head, and play with his hair. I  suck on his bottom lip as his tongue invades my mouth. I kiss him back as I slide my hand under the neckline of his shirt and rub the top of his back. He feels really muscular.


I feel his hand under my shirt and I smile at him in between kisses and lift his shirt off him. It's the first time I've seen him shirtless and I was enjoying the view when Camo takes my top off and kisses me so hard that I wish his clothes would just disappear.


At some point we end up laying on the floor, not letting each other go the entire time. I suppose the floor is just as good a place as the wall, at least we'll be laying down for it. I hug Camo's body close to mine and move my leg strategically up and down, not that he needed any help in that department. He's devouring my neck. I hope he doesn't leave a hickey.


When I start undoing his pants, he props his arm up on the floor and smiles at me.

"You are so hot."

"Speak for yourself, baby," I say as I slide his pants down his legs.

We finish undressing each other and he stays on top of me as he enters. I put my hands on his hips to help guide him. I don't know how much help he really needs since he told me he's had sex before, keeping in mind that he said he didn't like it. His first time must have been really bad. The expression on his face now says he's having fun.


"Does that feel good, Camo?"

"Yes. So good."

I'm having fun looking at his sexy body now since I didn't get to earlier before he attacked my mouth. I tell Camo he can go faster whenever he feels like it. It's not long after that where he does go faster and I feel like my head's going to fly off the top of my neck. My toes curl and then I lay there, spent. He finishes at the same time and stays on top of me for a minute, panting. Then he lays on me and hugs me.


"Thank you, Verona."

"For what? You don't need to thank your girlfriend for having sex with you."

"No, for being nice to me."

"Awww, baby."

I wonder what that means. Are people not normally nice to him? I can't imagine why since he's so wonderful.



I'm going on a walk with Titanium today. I'm excited that he wanted to hang out with me other than while we're at work. I don't know how to read him though, because he always seems to be nervous around me. Maybe some talking will loosen him up. I guess it's possible he's afraid of me since I yelled at him really bad that one day.

"It's pretty gorgeous out today, isn't it?"

Can't go wrong talking about the weather, although it does seem quite lame. I hope he likes me as much as I like him. The only thing I don't like is that he's part of The Compound, but that's not his fault. Those people are evil and he's just stuck in their web. He's never asked me again to stay there or go to any of their stupid gatherings, so I think he's gotten the point that I am fine and don't need to be saved.


"Yeah, it's warm."

He's so quiet. It's kind of adorable, although I wish he would just talk to me. I hope I'm not stepping over the line, but maybe I need to just ask him why he's so nervous all the time. I can't blame him, though, from what I know of The Compound, they've probably made him super paranoid about everything.

"Titanium, why are you so nervous?"

"I don't know, I've just always been that way. I was like that when I was first getting to know Camo too."

"What did he do to make you stop being nervous around him?"

"Hmm... well I think time helped with that."


Titanium is happy to be going on a walk with Absolon, but he's still really nervous. This is the first time he's been without Camo by his side outside of The Compound. Part of him is scared of Absolon, but he doesn't want to tell him that for fear his worries will come true and Absolon might do something to him. The other part of him wants so badly to believe in Absolon like Camo said, and just trust that he's a good person. When Absolon asks why he's so nervous all the time, he's not quite sure what to say so he just blames it on his personality.


"I'm also nervous because I lost a friend when I was seven, and after that I kind of just shut people out. I didn't meet Camo until I was seventeen. I guess I figured if I didn't have any friends, I wouldn't have to worry about losing them."

Titanium is surprised at himself for revealing that piece of information about #235. The only person he's told about that is Camo. Maybe he trusts Absolon more than he thinks he does.

"I'm sorry. Do you want to get to know me or do you want to keep shutting me out?"

Absolon asks him a serious question and Titanium gets scared again. He doesn't know what to say because he fears getting to know Absolon better will lead him down a dark path of impurity and danger, but he really does want to know Absolon because he's attracted to him. Titanium looks up and feels his heart picking up its pace as Absolon moves closer and puts his arm around him with one hand, stroking his cheek with the other. Titanium feels something like what can only be described as an electric shock when Absolon touches him, something he's never felt before. What is Absolon doing to him?

"You don't have to be afraid of me. I would never hurt you."


Titanium is surprised that Absolon somehow knew that he was the reason for Titanium's nervousness, and he's very happy that Absolon brought it up because he wasn't sure how to.

"H-How did you know I was afraid of you?"

"Well you kind of act like a scared puppy when you're near me. I did kind of go off on you that day at the park, so I'm guessing you are afraid to talk to me because you think I might yell at you and storm away."

Titanium is relieved Absolon's not mad at him for being scared. He does know he probably shouldn't tell him the real reason though, which is that he doesn't know if he can trust him because he's a Stranger.


Credit: Mypalsim's Poses for Sims 3, AfterDusk Sims

16 comments:

  1. I love the way Kayla keeps scolding herself,saving Charles the effort... and Abs and Titanium really are the bomb. Let´s talk about the weather... sure *g*

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    1. Kalya really is a good person, she was just raised by a dumbass, so she learned quite well how to be judgmental. Absolon and Titanium are having issues breaking the ice because Titanium's still super paranoid and Absolon doesn't want to scare him off, so that leaves lame things like the weather... LOL.

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  2. Eee! Awesome chapter!

    Kayla is trying, and that's great.
    I'm also glad Enigma is going to therapy. And I;'m even happy that Andromeda's experience with the Compound is helping her, though I hope that doesn't push her into their cult. I feel bad for Abilene. We haven't seen her too much, but I remember how nice she was Titanium and I think she deserves better than being stuck in the Compound.
    I know how after a bad relationship, voiding getting close to someone again might seem like a bad idea, but taking that risk and making a connection to another person is worth it even if it goes badly sometimes.
    Camo & Verona! Yay. I'm so happy for both of them.

    And Titanium opening up a little to Absolon was so sweet. =D

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    1. Aww thank you dearie! Andromeda and Abilene are quite naive and easily brainwashed. The problem with Abilene is she doesn't see herself being stuck in The Compound, she sees it as her loving family. *creepy* As for Andromeda, the story will tell you what her fate is. I agree with you, just because you have a bad relationship, it's never good to just swear them off forever. You can't have good times if you've never experienced the bad times. Verona and Camo had a little naughty fun, sometimes it's good to have the key to a store. LOL. Titanium and Absolon are moving really slow, but they've got to learn to trust each other, which they haven't yet. Absolon's trying, though!

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  3. Interesting chapter. I'm glad that Camo and Titanium have finally found relationships that make them happy. The "therapy" at the Compound with Abs mother is good for her, but I'm worried that she'll get sucked into the act and become another mindless follower, thinking that this is all to help her with her problems. Either way, I'm excited to see where you'll take it.

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    1. Thanks. Camo and Titanium got lucky that they found friends outside The Compound to help them in their thought processes so they don't have to be stuck there forever. Andromeda is not smart... common sense wise. She's easily sucked in, but there's more in store for her than becoming a brainless follower. :D Thanks for reading!

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  4. Andromeda seems like she's learning a lot from her new 'friends', I hope her and Enigma get along better, and same goes for him and Abs!
    I like how Kalya is trying harder to not judge people, too. :)
    YAY, Verona and Camo finally DID it, lol. I'm glad this time was a lot better for him, too. I was surprised to see Verona so okay with the 'reproductive' stage that Camo has to go through against his will.
    Oh yes, and I love Abs and Titan, I can't say that enough. I can't wait until their kiss, too! EEEE

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    1. *shakes head at Andromeda* She's so easily sucked in because illusions are telling her this is good for her. It may sort of be true in a sense, but it could get her into trouble. Surprisingly, Enigma is actually trying now to fix his attitude problems.
      Kalya did marry Charles, so she's got some non-judgmental person in there somewhere. She's just got to find it, sadly, her overprotective motherly-ness is making her act crazy.
      LOL. When I was replying to your comment on Chapter 18, I was like, oh man, she's going to be so excited when she reads the next chapter cause what she wanted is going to happen! I wouldn't say Verona's completely okay with that reproductive nonsense, but she's not going to get mad at Camo for being forced to have sex with people. It helped that he said he hated it. She's actually starting to worry a little bit now in her head about Camo's shelter because it doesn't sound healthy to her. However, Daddy has taught her well not to jump to conclusions till she has facts. She'll find out more by talking to Camo since he's very open about telling her everything in his life.
      :D Heehee... I heart the nicknames you gave Absolon and Titanium. They're so sweet, but Titanium reeeealy needs to loosen up and quit being such a scaredy cat. :)

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  5. Aaaw, the way you're writing makes me fall in love with all of your characters. :D

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  6. Lots of nice things for everyone :) Even Absolon's parents, wow. His Dad may learn something, who knows? Titanium is so cute, but so painfully shy. I hope that Absolon has a lot of patience. Camo and Verona, yay! ^_^

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    1. This was a better chapter for everyone involved. Haha, Absolon's parents managed to find some little remnant of love they have and try to get better. They're both so tired of fighting with each other. LOL Absolon likes Titanium a lot and has some experience with how The Compound fucks with people, so he'll be patient. Titanium is taking baby steps, which Absolon is noticing. Heehee, Camo and Verona got even further with their relationship. =)

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  7. I realllllly love this chapter! It's a happy one, that's for sure! I like how you add music once and awhile and this song was sooooo perfect... like perfection. It described Verona and Camo so well, and that was the first moment where I kind of saw the four of them starting to become more like a family :)
    This series is really quite amazing. You have really done a good job showing the controversies of The Compound, I don't think that many people could do that so well. I am starting to get really curious about how their going to escape though... hmmm :)

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    1. Awww thanks for all the compliments, Emily! :D
      I loved the day I decided that adding music might be a fun thing to do with this story, and I am so happy that it enhances the words. :D This is about the halfway point of the story, heehee, so escape won't come till many chapters later. The four of them are starting to get to know each other better, haha, it does seem like a little family doesn't it?

      Thanks for reading and commenting! :)

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  8. I actually read this about a week ago...I've just been so busy *forgive me* anyways...
    It's nice of the girls to make Andromeda feel comfortable and everything. I agree with the women in the compound when it comes to Abilene's situation...If a guy cheatd that's his loss and his problem. I'm really glad Enigma is going to see a therapist, I think that will really help them after every thing they've been through.

    I really liked Kalya's conscience/inner voice...(I'm not sure what to call it lol) you can really see how she's trying not to be so judgemental. And Absolon really isn't a threats hopefully she will finally see that now.

    Camo and Verona....Wow. They really let loose in this chapter lol. Sex in the store...I'm not sure how her parents would feel about that but let's be really that was pretty sexy so who cares what they think lol. He finally got experience real love and real sex :) .

    I love how reluctant Titanium is, yet he's also curious about Absolon. That's so realistic.
    They look so good together and Titanium's shyness is just too cute. I'm really surprised he talked about #235 though , it was a good start to building trust.

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    1. Aww, it's okay, I'm just impressed you came back and commented. LOL. *forgiven*
      Yeah, those girls are nice, but they are also trying to suck Andromeda into The Compound. She doesn't know that of course... hehehe. At the same time, those girls are also genuine. Yeah, Enigma is trying as well, so that's good.

      Kayla's conscience has been awoken from that talk she had with Charles. Her initial fears about Absolon were just that he would corrupt her baby girl, so when Absolon pretty much was just normal, she realized Verona wasn't in any danger.

      Heehee... well no one says her parents will find out, LOL. Like Verona said, her dad's not a worrier, and when Verona's at work, her mom pretty much just knows she's not to be disturbed. Plus they own the store, so whatever LOL! Yes, Camo got to experience sex with someone he cares about, which is really the best kind. ^_^ He had a good day, finally.

      Yeah, Titanium is still really paranoid, but there is no denying his attraction to Absolon. Love can really help people break through shit like that. Uh huh, Titanium himself was surprised how easily his story about #235 kind of just fell out of his mouth. LOL. It was like his heart knew it was fine to tell Absolon, and then his mind finally didn't get in his way, so he was able to just tell Absolon.

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