(Sims Story) Chapter 1: Maaike's Journal

   #MaaikeHaas wasn't entirely sure how her new roomate #UlrikeFaust  talked her into this, but it's kind of a cool idea. Hiring a fortune teller for her birthday party? I mean this was their senior year right? So if the party was a total disaster she wouldn't have to tolerate too much blowback from it for very long right? And the Cottage her parents left her out in #Windslar  was ideal. Granted their stuff was still packed up in boxes everywhere. But it's fine. Which reminds her she still hasn't found her toothbrush yet. Honestly toiletries probably  should have been the 1st thing she unpacked (instead of the last). But that wasn't her style. No unpacking and finding a place for that old word processor her Mom got her before the accident. That was more important.  And beside it? Her favorite journal. Oh it wasn't hers, she'd bought it at  the #VonHauntEstate auction with her Dad, Otto. They always did stuff like that together. She'd read it cover to cover since the accident what 40? 50 times in the last week alone. Ulrike swears she's obsessed with it.

   After the funeral she practically slept with it at her aunts to remember him by. Obviously it's a work of fiction. Because a handwritten journal of a #werewolf who's been searching the world for ages trying to find the reincarnation of his long lost love is incredibly romantic. But clearly it's fantasy. Because an immortal Iron Age Highlander from Scotland that's fought vampires, dragons, and even Formorian Giants? That screams fantasy to her. There's even a sketch of his fallen bride who Ulrike sewers looks exactly like her. If she cut her hair shorter. 

   Maybe she will, and who knows? Maybe a dashing Scotsman will show up at her party to sweep her off her feet and they'll start a #dynasty of #werewolves. 

   Actually? That's probably better than what #GuntherMunch has planned if she keeps seeing him. She likes Gunther. But ending up with a guy who's most exciting contribution to literature is an essay on lichen, mold  & fungus common in #Windenburg? Doesn't scream literary success.  No this journal was her inspiration, her muse.  She was going to become a #bestselling #author writing about it's main protagonist, the #WolfenKing.

Later that evening .

  The party was in five minutes and nothing was ready! Gunther's Mom #Mila called saying she  was running late with the cake. Knowing  Gunther he probably tripped carrying it to the car and ended up wearing it. Making poor Mila start over again from scratch. 

   Maaike took a deep breath and convinced herself this wasn't a mistake.  Ulrike wasn't setting her up to be humiliated, and the Fortune Teller was gonna be a hit.  Speaking of which where was Ulrike? She checked all over the house, stumbling over boxes and hastily regaining her composure trying to look her best. Dusting off her school uniform jacket she found her out the window across the pond and no doubt flirtatiously talking to their new neighbor. She was even helping them carry boxes into that old #RusticResidence. Wow. Maaike thought, she could beg Ulrike for hours to pick up boxes from the hallway and she STILL wouldn't do it! The new neighbor must be pretty hot she chuckled to herself before hearing a knock at the door. 

   Maaike's 1st guest had arrived. And lucky for her it was Mila with decorations. Poor woman was nine months pregnant and divorced with Two kids and a 3rd one on the way. Maaike didn't make a big production out of her timing. Mila was doing her best with what she had.  And sadly what she had was her hands full with Gunther and #Wolfgang always fighting all the time. No Maaike thought she wouldn't want to get tied down in that drama, she and Ulrike were #FreeSpirits, taking things in their own way. Not beholden to any one or any thing. Or, something like that. 

  And as they set up the last of the decorations Maaike checked the time. Nobody was coming. Mila could see Maaike was putting on a brave face, and how happy she was seeing Gunther when he finally arrived. He'd picked up the creepy old gypsy lady from #Ravenwood at the bus stop and was none to happy about it. Maaike welcomed her anyway and apologized that the party wasn't quite going according to plan. Zora laughed in an almost cackling manner. "The Guests will come, have faith child. And the one who seeks you, you will know him by the  colored  broken glass." Zora smiled. Just seeing her yellowed teeth made Maaike want to rush upstairs and find her toothbrush. But she didn't have time now, for more guests were showing up. "Better late than never." Maaike sighed. Mila seemed pleased things were changing for the better. After all Maaike needed a run of good luck after loosing both her parents in a car  accident. 

Strange fortunes abound, and a King on the Doorstep.

   Ok, Maaike was a little upset with Ulrike, the Fortune teller was HER idea, and she wasn't even here! All Madame Zora was doing was eating cake, fasting and telling awful fortunes! Mila even offered her a few #simoleons to tell better fortunes. Because 19 and 20 year old don't want to hear how they die. Or heaven forbid end up tending a stall in #StrangerVille selling junk. She actually smiled when Ulrike came in. Sure it was unsettling to see her smiling without a prank. But it looked genuine. "Maaike, meet Angus McConnell." She said close to bursting. "He's our new neighbor!" Ulrike squealed, which caused everyone in attendance to look. Ulrike doesn't do that. But once Angus stepped through the door with a cardboard box in his arms smiling at the birthday girl, Maaike could feel her heart skip a beat. And she wasn't the only one. The kilted party guest turned every head. 

   Gunther unfortunately backed out of the kitchen doorway carrying the official birthday cake without looking  where he was going and caused Angus to drop his box in favor of saving  both Gunther and the cake. He apologized in a scottish accent that left Maaike and her guests speechless. #ErwinPries broke the silence at last asking if he was the new transfer student  from Scotland. Angus's reply was a simple one, "Aye. That'd be me." He smiled bending down to pick up the box, saddened to hear it's contents had broken. "I'm truly sorry, I'll gie ye another one just like it." He said showing Maaike the contents of the box that was once her gift. It was A fanciful stained glass desk lamp that would have looked beautiful on her writing desk upstairs. She noted the pieces of broken colored glass and felt feint. Catching herself abruptly and thanking him for the thoughtful gift.  And invited him to have some cake.