Thanks for the comment! Yes, I was lucky to get that shot of Natalie standing out in the rain! So far I think that is one of the best sims screenshots I have made!
Hmm, I don't know what the rules are of a real nunnery, I just imagined that it would be "females only". There is a monastery that looks just identical on the opposite end of the park, where the monks live, and that one is (supposed to be) males only. If Natalie was a male character, she would have sought advice there, but since she is female, she can't.
There is a mod called "Demonic powers" that allow sims to create fire and do other dangerous and deadly things.. it has a few "instant kill" options... so if something really is after Natalie, then yeah, its probably not to wise of her to completely dismiss what the nun has told her...
Interesting about your Japanese friend! I have a friend from the US, currently working as a Spanish teacher. She has traveled to many countries, and I don't know how many languages she knows, but its a lot. Its impressive how some people can do that. I would say that I only know two languages... I tried to learn German, but I wouldn't say I know it.. leider kann ich nicht Deutsch zu sprächen! :P
When I dream, there usually isn't much language, but when there is, it is Norwegian. When I was a student, I had an exchange semester where everything happened in English, and eventually all my internal thoughts as well ended up being in English, so I was always thinking thoughts in English, too. I don't remember about dreams, though. Another interesting thing I discovered then is that doing everything in a different language alters my personality a bit, too! I am much more reserved and shy in Norwegian than in English for whatever reason.. English made me feel more outgoing and lively. I can't really explain why! I notice this when I am travelling, too.
This is a pre-tty long update, so before you immerse yourself, please grab a cup of coffee and a snack...
Chapter 4.6 – Magic and Medicine
https://i.imgur.com/ZAzl4qN.jpg
Cold War Kids – You Already Know
https://i.imgur.com/2JhTFrY.jpg Natalie feels strong and brave after the fire was put out.
https://i.imgur.com/Zvhy8T8.jpg The one with the white wings that Natalie talks to, is Matityahu, her uncle. They hardly know each other, as she was never close with any of her uncles when she grew up. Matityahu has white wings, because he is a pure angel. But just like his sister and Natalies mother, Bianka, he has the evil trait, which might explain why he didn't help out, but seemed to take delight in the fire occuring.
https://i.imgur.com/CQHALqt.jpg The purple winged lady is Vibeke Helland. One of Natalie's colleagues at the Zombie Kitchen. She has purple wings because she is an angel-vampire hybrid.
https://i.imgur.com/kNzXbTX.jpg And then her boss at work, Ramona Velle-Bentsen wants to talk to Natalie. Ramona is a human and have no special powers, apart from being hard working and a brilliant chef, of course. I must say, everyone around looks pretty chill after such a dramatic event... I'm happy the boys didn't see this, as they had already left for school.
Ramona: Natalie... are you ok? I mean, that was quite dramatic... I think you should take some days off work and maybe talk to someone...
https://i.imgur.com/T07Ll17.jpg Natalie: What do you mean, Ramona? Everything is just fine!
Natalie wasn't sure if she wanted to involve Ramona and her colleagues into all this business that had been happening to her lately..
https://i.imgur.com/MQbWb5f.jpg Ramona: No, Natalie.. everything isn't fine.. I am really concerned for you and your childrens well being.. Please, Natalie, take the next month off, and promise me that you will go and see someone.. ok?
https://i.imgur.com/7dn3gKb.jpg Ramona: No buts this time, Natalie. I mean it! In fact, I think I will personally walk you to the doctors office first thing in the morning myself!
https://i.imgur.com/4AqK5Yu.jpg Natalie:But.. but I.. what are you saying? What would I need a doctor for?
https://i.imgur.com/exkcSEo.jpg
Ramona: Natalie, please... I will come see you tomorrow morning, and we will go to the doctor's office together and everything will be fine, I promise. I will have Vibeke take your shift tonight, and we will sort this out. You don't have to think about us at the restaurant, we'll always manage. Get some rest now, Natalie..
https://i.imgur.com/HFvbsbN.jpg
"Get some rest now, Natalie".. "I will take you to the doctor's office, Natalie". Like they think something is wrong with me. There is nothing wrong with me, I have no need to go to any stupid doctor's office!
https://i.imgur.com/o1KbZZx.jpg
"...but I could always need a nap. Atleast I got the day off from work!"
https://i.imgur.com/QHveKFG.jpg And after she woke up from her little slumber, her phone rang again. It was Elisa, and this time she asked if they could meet up. It sounded like something important was up, and the visit from the nun lady had made Natalie concerned as well, so she agreed to meet up. And maybe this time Elisa would give an answer to what she meant with the great grandsons thing...
https://i.imgur.com/bLemRCN.jpg
And so it was back to the forest again...
https://i.imgur.com/DQwvxed.jpg
No limo this time, just an ordinary taxi. "Well, atleast something is by the normal!" Natalie thought to herself. Elisa lives pretty far up into the forest, so it had already started getting dark by the time Natalie got there. Elisa was already out on the front porch when she arrived.
https://i.imgur.com/1JRUH1P.jpg
Natalie: Hi, Elisa. I came up here as fast as I could! Elisa: Good evening, Natalie. Good to see you. Maybe Elisa could tell me something more about the dragon that the strange nun was talking about...
https://i.imgur.com/mAT1X3t.jpg Natalie: I had a strange visit earlier today.. this nun came over, and threatened me with some fire breathing dragon or whatever it was.. and when I told her to leave, she went outside and disappeared into a burst of flames! Do you know anything about what that could be??
https://i.imgur.com/Mfv4Hr2.jpg
Elisa: Oh, poor child, let me hug you.. I think that's pretty obvious.. that wasn't a nun, Natalie. That was the demon in disguise... like I tried to warn you about...
https://i.imgur.com/pWBk9A2.jpg
Natalie: But.. what do I do now.. and why did you invite me here...?
https://i.imgur.com/YKouaBY.jpg Elisa: There isn't to much you can do at this point, I'm afraid.. but I came across a book the other day that I had forgotten about for many years.. and that's why I called you to get here.. just stand still in the opposite corner for a moment...
Natalie: Ok...?
https://i.imgur.com/dEwe8wS.jpg Elisa: Projiciam a tutela hoc carmine vobis, Natalia Gothi
https://i.imgur.com/ISPatKR.jpg Natalie: Oh dear, please help me.. what is that??
https://i.imgur.com/xnSdRFu.jpg Elisa: Sanctorum invocabo Agatha, in Sicilia, Elisabeth Hungariae, venerationi habitus est Petri apostoli ordinavi Ambiani Natalie: Don't hurt me.. please!!
https://i.imgur.com/LpC1YEq.jpg Elisa: Scutum! Protegat! Hic puer pauper et angelus a malo! Per verbum Ephesiorum...
https://i.imgur.com/L2RidM8.jpg Natalie: Aaah!! Elisa: Auxilium puer iste fortis sit in Domino, et in potentia virtutis eius!
https://i.imgur.com/OpSLicD.jpg Elisa: Exorno eam accipite armaturam Dei, ut sumeret eam sibi poterit stare adversus insidias diaboli!
https://i.imgur.com/OxY49vf.jpg Natalie: I feel cold! What was that?? What did you do?? Elisa: I cast a protective spell on you, which I read for the first time in the Book of Esephiam a long long time ago. It is an ice formula to call upon the protective saints and keep the fires of evil away. That's why you feel cold..
https://i.imgur.com/Y0ECshV.jpg Elisa: And this formula is most effective when the moon is growing, thats why it was so important for you to come up here just now...
https://i.imgur.com/X5BF48J.jpg Natalie: Ok, and this works and from now on I will be safe?
https://i.imgur.com/AxtgL9z.jpg Elisa: Well, it will work for a while.. but the effect of the spell will wear off eventually. The demons are clever, and they are constantly looking for ways to penetrate and exploit loopholes wherever they can.
https://i.imgur.com/AOCUkGo.jpg Natalie: And then what do we do?
https://i.imgur.com/ucdF1G6.jpg Elisa: Well, there might be a few more spells I can cast if I dig a little more in my old books, but all I can do really, is to buy you more time and delay the inevitable, I'm afraid. My powers can only do so much...
Natalie: So what you're saying is.. I'm doomed, am I?
https://i.imgur.com/vSvkj8j.jpg
Elisa: If everything goes as the demons have planned, it is not only you, Natalie...
https://i.imgur.com/ypJin3m.jpg
Natalie: Why are you always so cryptic? What do you mean? Elisa: You are in possession of something very valuable to them, you just don't know it yet... Natalie: This really didn't explain anything... is it me or my sons they want?
https://i.imgur.com/Clo725I.jpg
Elisa: What I am saying Natalie, is that they will slowly lay the groundwork to gain access to what they need.... keep all your senses sharpened. When you start to notice unusual things happening again, please come back to me sharply, and I may just be able to cast another protective spell over you..
Natalie: Elisa, you have to tell me...
Elisa: Bye for now, Natalie, and best of luck...
https://i.imgur.com/22X5kHZ.jpg And, so with the protective spell cast on her and a head full of more questions then answers, Natalie the red-winged angel, went home for the night..
https://i.imgur.com/Lc2OQ6F.jpg
In the taxi on the way home, she got another phone call... it was Elisa again..
https://i.imgur.com/XS22apn.jpg
Natalie: Hi, Elisa!
Elisa: Just one more thing I forgot to mention, Natalie..
https://i.imgur.com/nvb9Yme.jpg Natalie: Oh.. what is that?
Elisa: Just.. beware of burglars..
https://i.imgur.com/sPaJxAX.jpg
Natalie: Burglars? Ok, well, I haven't had any burglars here since before Aaron was born.. but sure, I'll look out for burglars...
Elisa: That was all, good night! Natalie: Ok.. uh, good night!
https://i.imgur.com/aMSHrAw.jpg
Natalie: Calling me up because she forgot to warn me about burglars.. how strange, but I think my house is pretty safe from burglars..
The next morning Ramona came over to Natalie's house, just like she said.
https://i.imgur.com/eISKZqd.jpg The first thing she noticed after Isaac had let her inside, was the smell of dirty clothes lying around all over the house...
https://i.imgur.com/PxLwBlj.jpg Ramona: Well, not that the kids have gone off to school, I will say this bluntly.. I am shocked at how smelly and unclean your house is, Natalie! Really, how are you doing nowadays? We're worried about you, you know.
https://i.imgur.com/ppAQyc3.jpg Natalie: I think my son Isaac doesn't like me anymore! (The speech bubble means she lost a friend, and she is no longer friends with Isaac.)
Ramona: Oh, I am sorry to hear that, Natalie, but I suppose you know why I'm here.. I called the doctors office yesterday, and I have fixed an appointment for you today with Dr. Spagliori. So, lets go over there, shall we?
https://i.imgur.com/sWpzuol.jpg
Natalie: Doctors, urgh.. they're just a waste of money! What's this doctor going to do?
https://i.imgur.com/U3Rx2YA.jpg
Ramona: Well.. I wouldn't say doctors are a waste of money, and I think you need to go there, Natalie. The doctor can help you dig through your problems. Come now, I'll follow you there.
https://i.imgur.com/9PveLz8.jpg
Natalie: Will you take me back to work at the restaurant if I go?
https://i.imgur.com/tVLtwiM.jpg
Ramona: Honestly, Natalie, I can't promise anything, but I think we have to go now.. we can't leave the doctor waiting..
Natalie: Ok, I'll go with you...
https://i.imgur.com/W8tAije.jpg -- Hospital Receptionist: Good day, ma'am. How can I help you?
https://i.imgur.com/BwvzwCu.jpg Ramona: Umm, we are looking for Dr. Spagliori's office.
Hospital Receptionist: Ah, it's right through the doors to your right, then turn left past the elevator and it will be the first door on your right hand side.
Ramona: Come along now, Natalie. Doctor's office is this way!
https://i.imgur.com/sX323iM.jpg Dr. Spagliori: Welcome, please sit down. You must be Natalie? Ramona: Hello, doctor. No, I am Ramona, Natalie's friend.
https://i.imgur.com/7iQkHkR.jpg Dr. Spagliori: Ah, I see. Well, you must be Natalie, then. Welcome. Oh yes, do please sit down..
https://i.imgur.com/sw9maRh.jpg Dr. Spagliori: So.. what can I help you with, Natalie?
https://i.imgur.com/FUfyEjV.jpg
Natalie: Umm.. I don't know. You tell me, doctor?
https://i.imgur.com/xvecimE.jpg
Ramona: Natalie... can you tell the doctor what happened yesterday?
https://i.imgur.com/xsoNCcU.jpg
Natalie: What do you mean yesterday? Ramona: You know, when you were outside your house screaming that the ground was on fire and emptying a fire extinguisher all over the place... Natalie: Oh, but I had to do that to put out the fire, because of the demon nun lady.. when she left, she disappeared into that fire!
https://i.imgur.com/5P71Ve5.jpg
Ramona: See, doctor.. this is what I'm talking about.. can you help us?
https://i.imgur.com/IdFoqTX.jpg
Dr. Spagliori: Oh, I should think so, but, Natalie, now I'm going to have to ask you a few questions and do a little examination. Ramona, there is a waiting room out in the lobby, if you would be so kind.
https://i.imgur.com/VJmwCwr.jpg
Ramona: Oh, most certainly doctor. I'll see you afterwards, Natalie. I'll meet you in the lobby when you're done.
https://i.imgur.com/v1B22N7.jpg
Dr. Spagliari: Alright.. so, Natalie.. like I said, I'm going to ask you a few questions, but first, how would you say you are feeling today, right now?
https://i.imgur.com/MwLnMSE.jpg
Natalie: Umm, right now.. well, I'm a little.. I don't know, honestly. A lot of crazy things have happened lately, you probably wouldn't believe...
Dr. Spagliari: Tell me more about these crazy things, Natalie..
Natalie: Oh, there is so much, I'm not really sure where to start..
https://i.imgur.com/AyC7Kov.jpg
..and so Natalie tells the doctor everything, from the ghost hauntings and Aarons “plush doll friend” Billy, the letter about gemstones from the Philosphical Centre, the potion and the visits to Elisa in the forest. The feeling of being followed/not being alone, the taxi and the limo, the visits to the nunnery, and lastly, the visit from the uh.. fake nun that disappeared into a fire..
https://i.imgur.com/wTed1zU.jpg Dr. Spagliari: I see.. can you tell me more about Billy first? Did he become real? Can Aaron and Isaac also interact with and talk to Billy?
Natalie: Oh, yes both Isaac and Aaron talks to and plays with Billy. He's just like a normal kid now. He goes to school and does homework and all the usual things kids do!
https://i.imgur.com/euMcSQb.jpg
Dr. Spagliari: Most interesting. Does Billy have any friends at school? Could we perhaps schedule another appointment where you bring Billy along?
Natalie: Oh, sure.. but I would have to ask Billy about that, of course. --
https://i.imgur.com/CKYg7GG.jpg Dr. Spagliari: Of course. Now, onto some other things... You mentioned a letter from the Philosophical Centre, and then you brought Aaron along there. And they gave you this, what did you call it.. an..
https://i.imgur.com/zLsKMiE.jpg
Natalie: Oh, you must mean the collector's helper! I have it right here, actually! I'll put it on the floor and show you!
https://i.imgur.com/CXUGiKs.jpg
Dr. Spagliari: Hmm, so that's a collector's helper. How do you use it?
Natalie: It's pretty simple. There are three buttons on it, the left and the right button are used to cycle through what you want to find, such insects, seeds, fish or rocks and gemstones. Then you press the middle button to lock it to your selected choice. Then it will show a small map, as well as an arrow that points you in the direction of the nearest object. It also beeps when it gets closer, a bit like a metal detector.
Dr. Spagliari: Really, that's fascinating.. could you perhaps run a demonstration?
Natalie: Sure, say I wanted to find insects. So, I set it to insects and then look at the map and get something like this!
Natalie presses a few buttons and shows the map to Dr. Spagliari.
https://i.imgur.com/LavZZya.png
Dr. Spagliari: Well, now I have never... but if this is real, then that must mean that your visit to the Philosphical Centre actually took place?
https://i.imgur.com/T4Z4Xqn.jpg Natalie: What do you mean “actually took place”? Of course it took place! What do you take me for?
https://i.imgur.com/XpzajVD.jpg
Dr. Spagliari:I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I shouldn't have worded it that way. I see the evidence right in front of me!
Dr. Spagliari:But Natalie.. you said that yesterday, you had a visit from a nun.. and that when she left, she disappeared into a fire.. that is, no matter how I try to look at it, most extraordinary! Can you.. uh.. tell me more about that?
https://i.imgur.com/EDkLB8Q.jpg Natalie (now a little more nonchalant): Well, ok, so what happened.. well, I was just eating breakfast when this nun walked in, without knocking.
https://i.imgur.com/PtsdJZ3.jpg
Natalie: And after a while, she started talking about gemstones, and how I would need them to protect myself against evil demons, and then she went on to threaten me with dragons and fire and eternal torture or something like that!
https://i.imgur.com/M0yssDb.jpg
Natalie: So naturally, I got very angry and told her to get out of my house. I followed her to make sure, and that's when it happened! A fire appeared, and she literally flew into it, actually, and disappeared!
https://i.imgur.com/1kbVbQ7.jpg
Dr. Spagliari: I see.. but did anyone else see the nun, besides you?
https://i.imgur.com/v5sGwje.jpg
Natalie: Well, Isaac and Billy hadn't left for school yet when she came through the door, so they should have seen her. And all the neighbours that came out when the fire happened.. well, they probably didn't see her because she was already gone, but they must have seen the fire!
https://i.imgur.com/TRQoMpN.jpg Dr. Spagliari: Well, I haven't spoken to your neighbours so I don't know what they saw, but Ramona said she didn't see any fire.. only you emptying a fire extinguisher outside.
https://i.imgur.com/Mquf6K2.jpg
Natalie: I... but, .. I saw the fire!
Dr. Spagliari: Ok, Natalie. There is no doubt in my mind that you think you saw the fire, but your friend Ramona says otherwise, so who am I to believe?
Natalie: I don't know.. I only know what I saw...
https://i.imgur.com/gubQgTH.jpg
Dr. Spagliari: I see.. now, please follow me downstairs, I think I will have to run an examination on you...
They take the elevator down into the basement of the hospital, and the doctor leads her into another room divided by a glass wall...
https://i.imgur.com/euvlHhi.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/4nShScz.jpg
Dr. Spagliari:Ok, Natalie.. please take a seat in the low chair in the other room behind the glass door, and I will do a little checkup on you. It won't take long.
https://i.imgur.com/bHmmnMM.jpg
Natalie: You mean you will run a brain scan on me to figure out if I am just as much of a nutjob as you think I am!
Dr. Spagliari: Well, I wouldn't excactly phrase myself in that manner... now if you would be so kind..
https://i.imgur.com/HYIQIIm.jpg
Natalie: I won't be kind, but I'll do it. Then you will see that I am right, and you are wrong!
https://i.imgur.com/gq3cgPg.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/AJZZ4pc.jpg
And as they are doing this, the camera zooms up and out to this woman, Anne-Berit Reistad-Langseth that died of old age, just outside the hospital. She faces the grim reaper and accepts her fate. I don't know what life she has lived, but I hope it was a happy one. Rest in peace, Anne -Berit.
Dr. Spagliari: Hmm.. well, this is interesting. Your brain scan, Natalie.. it looks perfectly normal, like a well-functioning brain should be looking.
Natalie: Isn't that what I told you!
https://i.imgur.com/2jf4fis.png
Dr. Spagliari: As far as I can see, anyway.. but I will send these results to the Psychiatric Department for further examination. Anyway, I think we are done for today. I will follow you out, and you can schedule a new appointment with the receptionist. Oh, and please bring Billy next time, if you can.
https://i.imgur.com/b7GcTsf.jpg
Hospital receptionist: Dr. Spagliari, yes.. lets see.. how about same time next week?
https://i.imgur.com/roQisIv.jpg
Natalie: Sure, that could work.
https://i.imgur.com/EdW0zV7.jpg
Ramona: Hey, Natalie. So, what did the doctor find out?
https://i.imgur.com/hdpv4sy.jpg
Natalie: Oh, he found out just what I thought he would! That there is nothing wrong with me, of course! So.. will you let me go back to work now?
https://i.imgur.com/nLedWCB.jpg
Ramona: Hmm, well, if the doctor says everything is as it should, I can't really do much else, so yeah, you show up on your shift for tomorrow afternoon. Alright, I'll see you then, Natalie. In the meantime, take care...
Later that night.
https://i.imgur.com/9CXF3XF.jpg Natalie: Hahaha, we fooled them there, didn't we? Our plan is working!
Right... well, aside from acting strange, Natalie had also fulfilled her wish of buying an extra bunk bed that she had placed in Aaron and Billy's room. Why.. are you planning to have more children, Natalie? If so, with whom? Or are you just spending money buying additional things you don't really need? Sorry for the dark picture, but I didn't want to turn on the light and wake the sleeping kids.. :P
@Sprottenham Oh your mod Demonic Powers sounds scary!
Oh that is interesting that you're are more shy in Norwegian and more outgoing in English! I remember when I lived in Paris I did end up dreaming in French, my sister's didn't say I acted differently when I returned after a year, but did notice that my voice was higher. lol
~~~~~~
Haha I love the brave stance that Natalie does!
I love that there are white winged angels with the evil trait. Very interesting!
I wonder why Ramona is so insistent that Natalie see the doctor.
OMG! That Nun was the demon in disguise!
Thank goodness Elisa learned to cast a protective spell on Natalie!
ah yes the deamons will look for loopholes to be sure! And want something that Natalie has.
Oh that is too bad she lost a friend in Isaac.
Oh nooo so Ramona might think Natalie is a bit off her rocker, for saying the deamon Nun disappeared in the fire!
I'm glad she could prove the collection helper and visit to the Philosphical Centre.
And Natalie's BrainScan looks perfectly normal, like a well-functioning brain should be looking.
Oh No this is disturbing! ''Hahaha, we fooled them there, didn't we? Our plan is working!''?
Note: Parts of this chapter has been changed a little to adapt to the forums.
Chapter 4.7 – Am I real?
https://i.imgur.com/x9OpejA.png
In Flames - Call My Name.
Why don't you call my name? Let it bounce between the walls Through the halls of time A sign for me to go by So find me the wormhole So that I can be by your side
The next morning...
https://i.imgur.com/gSCh5Ya.jpg Aaron: Maybe I will be a journalist when I grow up..
https://i.imgur.com/du82vhx.jpg Natalie exits the bathroom and walks towards the kitchen counter. “Morning, kids! Time for breakfast!” “I have already had breakfast” says Billy.
https://i.imgur.com/Pt6bzkR.jpg Natalie (to Billy): I will take you for a visit to the hospital today. There is someone there that wants to talk to you!
https://i.imgur.com/U317hpa.jpg Billy: To the hospital? But I'm not sick, mom..
Aww, he's started to call her mom. How cute. :)
https://i.imgur.com/q6P2xmJ.jpg Natalie:No, none of us are sick! It's just a man there being a little nosy. He thinks you're not real, but we will show him!
https://i.imgur.com/jAavX24.jpg “I am real, mom!” says Billy. How rude of the doctor to give the kid an existensial crisis at such a young age...
https://i.imgur.com/xoWedr1.jpg Natalie: Of course you're real, Billy! Come along now, who knows, we might just have a long day ahead of us...
https://i.imgur.com/8MYm8kg.jpg Taxi driver: Where are you going today, ma'am?
Natalie: We're going to the hospital. Just have to wait for Billy, he had to use the bathroom.
https://i.imgur.com/oxETOHw.jpg As they came to the hospital, Natalie's phone rang again. Who could it be this time? It was Birgit, one of the nuns. Natalie didn't want to talk, she had an appointment with the doctor.
https://i.imgur.com/YwzbBWp.jpg Dr. Spagliari: Hello Natalie. Good to see you again. Did you bring Billy with you, like we talked about last time?
Natalie: Oh yes, he's right behind me out in the hallway.
Dr. Spagliari: Splendid, please have a seat.
Dr. Spagliari was a little surprised when a little boy actually entered the office. He wasn't really expecting that...
https://i.imgur.com/omXfMsS.jpg Dr. Spagliari: Oh, hello... hi there, you must be Billy? Please, take a seat...
Dr. Spagliari's eyes followed Billy with amazement and peculiar interest as he was about to sit down, and then Natalie's phone rang.. again...
https://i.imgur.com/s4PvOzf.jpg Natalie: Excuse me doctor, my phone just keeps ringing all the time.. never a quiet moment, I tell you!
Dr. Spagliari: I see that as a good thing. Must mean you have a lot of friends that care for you, Natalie.
https://i.imgur.com/V3tTGQB.jpg Dr. Spagliari: So, Billy.. can you perhaps, tell me a little bit more about yourself? How old are you, Billy?
https://i.imgur.com/qxpnqWa.jpg Billy: I am... seven years old, 4 months and 13.. no, 14 days old, doctor!
Dr. Spagliari: *chuckles* That's very impressive, Billy! And how did you come to live with Natalie, Isaac and Aaron?
Billy: I came to them in the mailbox!
https://i.imgur.com/0YLHqZD.jpg Dr. Spagliari: You.... came to them in the mailbox?
https://i.imgur.com/AuH9i3Y.jpg Billy: Yes.. I was only a little plush toy at first, but I remember everything! Natalie wasn't very nice in the beginning, she was mean. She didn't feed Isaac and Aaron, and they were always alone and crying! After they had been crying and screaming for a while, she would just go up to their room and yell at them! I was often alone in that room too, with the lights out and she didn't feed me!
Billy (continues): So I told my teddy bear to call up Mr. Ghostlight to scare Natalie straight! It worked for a while, and she became nice. Then she took my teddy bear to the forest, but he came back! Then I got older and learned to walk and talk! And then Aaron brought me a potion from an old witch, and I became just like I am now!
https://i.imgur.com/Rja7zLG.jpg Natalie became a little flustered and embarassed from some of the details that Billy shared, her cheeks starting to feel a little warmer than usual.
https://i.imgur.com/cNiWT1H.jpg Dr. Spagliari: I must say.. you have quite an imagination there, Billy! But you also said some things that are a little concerning... Then Dr. Spagliari turns to Natalie with a more serious look on his face.
https://i.imgur.com/C6FBoA1.jpg Dr. Spagliari:Tell me, Natalie.. is there any truth to what Billy just told me?
https://i.imgur.com/Jf8bxLt.jpg "Oh, everything I just said is true doctor!" Billy exclaims.
Dr. Spagliari: Billy, Billy, my boy... there is a room with toys out in the hallway on the second floor! Please go and talk the receptionist in the lobby, he will be more than happy to show you the way! Me and your mom is going to have a little talk now... With Billy out of the room, the doctor started asking questions..
Dr. Spagliari: So.. Natalie.. Billy just mentioned a few things that concerns me. Is it true that you left your kids starving and alone when they were younger?
https://i.imgur.com/FwLhBro.jpg Natalie stiffens up and stares blankly into the air.
https://i.imgur.com/L0fcfeV.jpg Dr. Spagliari: Natalie.. please answer my question. Did you neglect your own children when they were younger?
https://i.imgur.com/vLJbaRg.jpg "I..." Natalie started. "I don't... I didn't.. I.. "
https://i.imgur.com/YoCqmsT.jpg Natalie: I never harmed my own children! Billy is lying! How can he know!? He wasn't real then, he was just a toy!!
https://i.imgur.com/zcDWZAF.jpg Dr. Spagliari: Ok, calm down, Natalie.. I never accused you of harming your own children, but neglect is still a very serious thing that I must..
Natalie became more worked up, and jumped out of her chair.
https://i.imgur.com/jXcUarS.jpg Natalie That's what he used to say!! That we were just little toys!!
https://i.imgur.com/RRu57aw.jpg Dr. Spagliari: Who.. who said that, Natalie? Natalie hears a yelling voice and a door slamming shut in her mind..
https://i.imgur.com/kVuoNPn.jpg
Natalie: My m.. my ex.... he threatened to.. if we told anyone, he said he was going to ...
https://i.imgur.com/5PLxC1w.jpg Dr. Spagliari: Going to what, Natalie?
https://i.imgur.com/l9Qjl9S.jpg Natalie (begins talking inchoherently): ..he was going to dump us (....), and that we.... that In... that uh.... that Isaac shouldn't have been born..
https://i.imgur.com/KfCYw3D.jpg Picture: The Corbo Gleb river floating peacefully through town in the pale moon light..
Natalie: ...about how he used to... how he used to always.. to always (...).. I got.. (....) and it hurt...(..)..
Natalie starts crying.
https://i.imgur.com/ZXqtdSg.jpg Natalie: I managed to get out..., but I was so lost, I couldn't.. I didn't know what to.. I never wanted..
Dr. Spagliori: It pains me to hear about this, Natalie. But you did get out of there with Isaac, and then..?
https://i.imgur.com/Et8VgBm.jpg Natalie: And then Aaron was born.. and I.. I tried my.. best sometimes..., but I just couldn't..
https://i.imgur.com/ThwBa1T.jpg Natalie:..I can't.. it was all my fault of course, but I can't ... why I didn't ... like a mother should, I was terrible....
https://i.imgur.com/2PnoZGc.jpg Natalie (talks incoherently):.... myself, and wanted to.. I had already made (....)... happen at night, I wanted to...(....) ...of course and then all the..pain..and trouble would be (.....) I was so lost...
https://i.imgur.com/aazrc9T.jpg Dr. Spagliori: So,so Natalie... I am really terribly sorry about all of this and it aches my heart to hear about what you have gone through. You should have gotten much more help much sooner... I will immediately set you up for an appointment with our psychiatrist Dr. Lovensteen, and I promise you will be in the best of hands.
https://i.imgur.com/cgNG8gb.jpg
And so he did, knowing that he had to let Natalie go. Dr. Spagliori, as good of a doctor he was, he was not a specialist in dealing with trauma and abuse victims, so the best he could do was to further her to someone that was. Though he couldn't help the feeling that there was something about Natalies story that didn't seem right. Her feelings looked genuine enough, but still... he wanted to tread carefully here. For now, he thought, the wisest thing to do based on everything she had said, was to transfer her to a psychiatrist that should be better able to figure out what it was that plagued her and how to solve it...
~~ Let it bounce between the walls Through the halls of time A sign for me to go by So find me the wormhole So that I can be by your side
@Sprottenham Love the update Am I Real? And all that you put into your story, including the pic of Billy looking into the mirror and seeing his plush doll self!
Yes it is very cool that he started to call her Mom!
''How rude of the doctor to give the kid an existential crisis at such a young age...'' exactly!
''Billy: I came to them in the mailbox!'' haha the poor doctor to hear this!
Ah! so it was Billy who initiated the call to Mr Ghostlight!
Hm. very telling this ''Natalie That's what he used to say!! That we were just little toys!!'' And all her trauma she experienced, that is awful! I'm glad the doctor will transfer Natalie to a specialist!!!
@DivaDoodle Thanks, I am glad you caught that it was a mirror, because after posting it, I was thinking it might not be clear since I put so much white in there (a.k.a. there should have been more things reflecting to show that it was an actual mirror and not just another Billy standing there.)
Give me the eyes so I see Give me ears so I hear Give me love so I know what love is Give me the freedom to think To believe In something
Give me wings, so I can fly...
https://i.imgur.com/zLsXzl5.jpg The following weekend, things were as normal as normal is in the Goth-Asli household. Natalie playing with the kids toys and the kids pulling pranks on each other.
https://i.imgur.com/AIxg6GP.jpg But when Isaac tried to pull pranks on Natalie, she wasn't to happy about that.
And as night falls she starts an argument with Aaron for no good reason.
https://i.imgur.com/y8cLWQZ.jpg Natalie: What are you doing in your brothers room dressed like an astronaut?
https://i.imgur.com/koJuzth.jpg Natalie: Aaron, get out of that stupid outfit, or I'll kick you out of the house!
And on Sunday morning when Aaron woke up, he noticed that there was something about Billy that wasn't quite like before..
https://i.imgur.com/FYQ54oP.jpg Aaron (thinking): There is a bright orange glow behind Billy's neck that wasn't there before.. does he all of a sudden have wings like us? What ..? How can that be..?
https://i.imgur.com/OlL0xtz.jpg Aaron: Whew.. what did I just see? How could he...?
https://i.imgur.com/ymIU5UN.jpg
Umm.. and apparently that puzzled Aaron so much, he somehow didn't go to the bathroom in time.. Natalie saw this and got up from the rocking chair to curse at him..
https://i.imgur.com/LmDqj9L.jpg Natalie: Darn it, Aaron.. what is wrong with you!? Don't piss on the floor.. I thought you were potty trained you little shit!!
https://i.imgur.com/Zili36l.jpg Wow, Billy suddenly getting wings really got to Aaron.. or maybe it was his mommys shouting, but he looks really scared of something here..
https://i.imgur.com/88Sgiun.jpg He didn't even make it to the shower before fainting...
https://i.imgur.com/cXiZbRg.jpg Billy wakes up, will he notice that something is different?
https://i.imgur.com/7k44Vs0.jpg Not yet it seems, but maybe he will notice when he sees his own reflection in the bathroom mirror after.. finishing some pressing matters.. just don't do it on the floor like your brother Aaron did...
https://i.imgur.com/furjqzl.jpg Billy: Wow.. what is this.. I can.. float in the.. air?
https://i.imgur.com/iIXQZdu.jpg Billy: Aaron.. did you get that..? I am floating.. I am floating in the air, just like you can!
https://i.imgur.com/t6qrp6b.jpg Aaron doesn't notice.. he thinks he better do some chores around the house to make sure mommy isn't mad at him after wetting himself on the floor... https://i.imgur.com/VuWq2Sj.jpg Speaking of house chores, Natalie could probably need to do some herself.. there are dirty piles of clothes everywhere...
----
Next monday morning it was time for Natalies first session with Dr. Lovensteen..
https://i.imgur.com/sjeGswO.jpg
Dr. Lovensteen: Welcome, Natalie! I am Dr. Sara Lovensteen. Nice to meet you. Please, don't be shy, have a seat!
Natalie is a little nervous for this first meeting and does not know what to say. Dr. Sara Lovensteen looks at Natalie with her kind and friendly eyes.
https://i.imgur.com/ciSsiUN.jpg Dr. Sara Lovensteen: So, Natalie.. I have talked to Dr. Spagliori and read your file that he wrote..
https://i.imgur.com/DLQcxXm.jpg Natalie starts fidgeting and gets visibly nervous, her eyes wanting to look anywhere but at the doctor. This doctor's office was a little different from Spaglioris'. Here she felt more like a student being called in to the principals office for some mischievous doing...
https://i.imgur.com/kbrpr70.jpg Sara Lovensteen: ..and, so, what I am going to do now is to ask you to fill out some forms for me, asking you some questions. Don't worry, this is just standard procedure and everything is fully confidential. After you have filled out your forms, we will have a discussion about it so that we can figure out a plan for how things can get better for you. How does that sound, Natalie?
https://i.imgur.com/4TdwEZu.jpg Natalie: I, uh.. I guess that's alright..
https://i.imgur.com/1S7JB8v.jpg Sara Lovensteen: Wonderful, feel free to ask as many questions as you like if anything is unclear.
Natalie takes a long look at the forms lying on the desk in front of her...
https://i.imgur.com/d0vYgUa.jpg Natalie: Depressive symptoms? Hmm... I'm pretty sure I am not depressed! I think I'll just answer 'no' to all of these!
Natalie: I mean, I don't feel depressed.. I don't even know how you do that? What does it mean?
https://i.imgur.com/KMWSJ2T.jpg Sara Lovensteen: Ah, well it's good you are saying that. It probably means that you aren't. Now, if you were depressed, typically you would have noticed that things that once interested you and meant a lot to you, no longer have any meaning. In short, depression can be a sense that nothing really matters, so to speak, and well, that there is no longer any point in trying anymore.. a general sense of hopelessness if you will. Have you experienced any of this, Natalie?
https://i.imgur.com/UHPqRro.jpg Natalie: Uhmm.. I'm not sure.. no, I don't think so.. there have been a lot of strange things going on, which is probably why I'm here.. and I do worry about the future.. but I feel a lot more scared than hopeless...
https://i.imgur.com/s9vgQ90.jpg Natalie: I mean, I don't want anything bad happen to me... and I have been warned.. I just want to live my life, you know... I want to... watch my kids grow up happy and... you know, I want to.. I have always been kind of curious about different things, I like to sometimes try new things, you know...
https://i.imgur.com/wKqaYns.jpg Sara: What bad things are you afraid might happen, Natalie?
https://i.imgur.com/1csXCy6.jpg Natalie: I don't know... I'm afraid of... I don't want to.. I don't want to die... I feel like something wants me to die...
https://i.imgur.com/5bgGKg5.jpg Sara: Do you have any enemies, Natalie? Has anyone told you they want you die? You said you had been warned, who gave you that warning?
https://i.imgur.com/i8ZneXP.jpg
Natalies face brightens immediately when she gets to talk about Elisa.
Natalie: Oh, it was..That was Elisa, but she does not want me to die! Elisa is a friend of mine! She has promised to help me and protect me! But she has also seen this.. I think she said she read it in a book or something.. that I am in danger.. she did not say I was going to die, but I think.. I don't know, I just got that feeling..
https://i.imgur.com/7laUPVo.jpg Sara: Interesting. What book was that, Natalie?
https://i.imgur.com/CgTgrXH.jpg Natalie: Oh, I don't know, some old book.. some Esephesomething, I have no idea.. she has many old books and knows a lot about many old things... She is a.. well, she knows how to do.. I mean, she can do things that I cannot do!
https://i.imgur.com/NkjeGZl.jpg Sara: What things can she do that you can't, Natalie?
https://i.imgur.com/ty31hBv.jpg Natalie: Umm... she can cast.. she can cast spells and such.. it makes green and blue lights appear from her. She spoke many words I don't understand, and she made me float up in the air!!
https://i.imgur.com/rGyeV7D.jpg
Sara quickly reacts with skepticisim. She does not believe in the supernatural...
Sara: That sounds incredible! When... uh, when and where did.. uh, did you meet her? Does she live in town?
https://i.imgur.com/zx57R9m.jpg Natalie: Oh, I kind of know it sounds crazy, but... I.. I have.. I met her first time in.. the cabin.. in the forest, that's where she lives... up by the Deathfish Pond..
https://i.imgur.com/n0cVkLV.jpg Sara: Ah, I think I know that cabin.. but Natalie, that cabin.. has been abandoned for years.. nobody lives there...
https://i.imgur.com/JxxQg69.jpg Natalie: But I saw... I have seen.. she did... she was there, she lives there!??
https://i.imgur.com/0bgI4ms.jpg Sara: Oh, I am not doubting what you have seen with your own perception, but.. Natalie, I must say.. nobody has lived in that cabin since, well.. I don't know for how long it has been empty, but nobody has lived there since I was a kid. I remember we used to play around in that cabin, even though our parents strictly told us not to go there... Natalie gets up from her chair and walks onto the floor.
https://i.imgur.com/iWypAVX.jpg Natalie: But.. but.. how can that be!? Because I talked to her.. and I saw what she did when she.. and she promised to protect me from.. from whatever is after me..
https://i.imgur.com/cpQ0cJM.jpg Sara: I will tell you this, Natalie.. the mind is very powerful, and it is capable of creating the most seemingly unimaginable things and sometimes even bring them to life right in front of our eyes..
https://i.imgur.com/4sNfwSL.jpg Natalie: So you're saying she is not real.. but how..!? I have talked to her so many times.. she has even called me on the phone.. and.. why do I feel so afraid about.. about what she warns me about!?
https://i.imgur.com/7FOoArv.jpg Sara: Well, it is very natural to feel afraid, when your senses tell you that all this exists and is happening – I would too – but.. Natalie.. I'm afraid that.. Elisa probably does not exist.. I also think that.. you are not in danger... I am sorry, in a way, but I must say this..
https://i.imgur.com/B3oTzkv.jpg
Natalie couldn't believe the words she said. For all she knew, Elisa was very real, everything was real, no matter how strange. It just seemed so far fetched that her mind had created all these things... She didn't feel that Sara was helping her one bit by saying these things, and it left Natalie at a loss for words... This was an eye opener and a mind closer, what a shock to the system... It couldn't be, it had to be wrong...
Sara: Also, I think our time for today is up.. but Natalie, please take the forms I gave you home, and do your best to fill them out for me, and I will see you again for our next appointment.
https://i.imgur.com/eOPrRQX.jpg Sara: Please, Natalie, take care of yourself and treat you to something good. I think you deserve it. And if you feel you need to talk to someone, here is our phone number that is open 24/7.. do not hesitate to call if something should come up...
https://i.imgur.com/DNZvbaf.jpg Sara hands Natalie a paper card with the phone number to the Psychiatric Emergency Unit before walking her out the door and into the waiting room. https://i.imgur.com/qa17UWj.jpg Sara: Take care, Natalie. Take care..
Thanks for the comment! This whole going to the doctor stuff, well, I'm hoping that it seems believable, like what would actually happen in a doctors office, so I have done some research on these doctor scenes and mental illness, and I did learn quite a few new things, even something quite, wow! that will come later..
About Billy growing wings: It happened late to him, because of his very difficult early years, but as both his father and his mother had wings, naturally, he should have them, too. He's got an orange hue to his wings, because of his fathers yellow wings and his mothers red wings. His genetics there are a little complicated.. He's got 50 % angel genes (gives white wings, or wings in general), 25 % magician genes (adds yellow colour to wings), and 25 % human genes (adds red colour to wings). :P
Oh, cool you noticed the artwork in her office! It was handpicked to be bright and colourful, to give a postive feeling to the otherwise white and stale hospital walls. ;) Dr. Lovensteen is a very friendly kind hearted person with lots of love and compassion. She has a very big heart and genuinely wants to help and treat people, that is her mission in life. Her only "drawback" is being a supernatural skeptic, but all doctors are that anyway. They believe in science and medicine, not this magic humbo jumbo. ;)
