The Supernatural Saga
I've spent the last two days or so turning my sims into Telltale characters just because of reasons... I've decided to start a new dedicated thread here instead of spamming the favourite pic threa...
Forum Discussion
Chapter Five.
Straud crossed over to a plush, olive green love seat and propped himself into a comfortable position.
“You don’t mind, do you, Detective? It’s just what I am about to divulge is rather lengthy and my eternal bones need to rest.”
Vincent shrugged nonchalantly and folded his arms over his chest.
“Sure. Go ahead. You’ll apparently do whatever the Netherworld you want anyway.”
https://i.imgur.com/CgXwzjv.jpg
The vampire sighed with contentment as he lounged on the settee. As he cleared his throat he motioned Vincent to join him.
“Please take a seat, Detective Valentine. As I said, this may take some time for me to explain. Vampires are complex, refined creatures, you see. I’m not entirely sure how much a mere human Sim can comprehend but do try to keep up.”
Vincent accepted the invitation reluctantly, he exhaled loudly and crossed over to a nearby chair.
“By all means, Straud, enlighten me,” snapped Vincent.
https://i.imgur.com/4ms5HHu.jpg
Straud recoiled at Vincent’s tone.
“Mind your manners, Detective,” he admonished him, “I’m going to be gracious towards you and impart everything I know as I believe your... talents could prove useful to me at a later date. I have plans for you, Valentine...”
https://i.imgur.com/K0pPkX0.jpg
As Vincent slowly reclined back in his chair he let out another loud sigh.
“I’m all ears, Straud.”
“Well, Detective Valentine,” he began, “like I stated earlier, my ultimate goal is power and control. If I have that then nothing will be able to stop me. Once I have built my army and it is sufficiently strong enough, I will have enough protection to destroy anything the SimUniverse throws my way,” his voiced was filled with maniacal determination and it made the hairs on the back of Vincent’s neck stand on end.
“Also,” Straud continued, “it would be a lot safer for SimNation’s citizens if those newly turned vampires did not return to their families. Trust me, Detective, I was doing you and the planet a huge favour by keeping them here in Forgotten Hollow. Things would have gotten decidedly... turbulent if I were to allow them contact with their previous life. Fledglings can be... unpredictable... at the best of times.”
“OK...” Vincent was trying his hardest to follow Straud’s account but his anxiousness to get a confession out of him was overwhelming, “could you please just cut to the part where you confess to murder? I know you did it, vampire!” Vincent’s churlishness was starting to get the better of him. He couldn’t wait to lock Straud up forever and throw the key into the Myshuno Meadows lake.
“Murder, you say?” Breathed Straud, intrigued and incredulous at Vincent’s accusation, “I never murdered anyone!”
https://i.imgur.com/H7zk1UC.jpg
“The SMPD has evidence that proves otherwise,” lied Vincent, “we have physical evidence that proves that the bite marks found on the victim’s neck were caused by two puncture wounds that are identical to your... fangs! You’re looking pretty guilty to me, Straud!”
An indifferent Straud nonchalantly picked at a thread on his long, grey overcoat.
“You killed an innocent officer of the law!” Roared Vincent as his plasma pulsed at his temples.
https://i.imgur.com/IgcAuXv.jpg
“That’s quite an allegation, Detective,” replied Straud coolly.
Vincent started to reel off Caliente’s physical descriptors to Straud, inwardly praying it would get a confession out of him.
“Aha! I remember now,” Straud sharply cut him off, “yes, that one was rather delicious. I just couldn’t stop myself but I had no idea that she had died! That is quite curious, I must say! They don’t usually do that, Detective,” his expression turned reflective again as he thought about her death but it abruptly vanished when he shrugged heartlessly and continued with his story.
https://i.imgur.com/oRBNkkt.jpg
“I believe she collapsed in a pile of trash after I was finished feeding from her, if I’m not mistaken. Something like that, anyway,” he snickered viciously at the memory, ”how unfortunate she ended up dying in it! Unfortunately, for me though, another Sim entered the room and I had to vanish quickly in case I was spotted.”
Vincent was disgusted by Straud’s blasé attitude and cruel malice. He shifted slightly in his seat as he reached for the handcuffs in his back pocket when Straud stopped him with a chilling, icy blue scowl.
“It was a necessary sacrifice, Detective!” Straud spat at him, “one that will save us all. I need all the plasma I can get my hands on if I am to save SimNation! I need to turn more Sims into vampires to help me defeat whatever that female Sim warned me about two hundred years ago!” He wailed erratically, “’only a Grand Master vampire possesses enough strength to bring about its ultimate destruction’ is what she revealed to me. I believe I am, as the only Grand Master vampire in existence, the only one that has any chance of stopping it!”
Vincent couldn’t believe what he was hearing. None of Straud’s story was making any rational sense. The typical ramblings of an erratic Sim. The continuous merry-go-round of Straud’s explanation and complete lack of Sim empathy was making Vincent incredibly irate. His confused brain found it hard to make sense of anything the vampire told him.
“If you’re the only one that can stop it, why do you need an army? Why do you have to turn innocent Sims into your plasmathirsty minions?” Quizzed an appalled Vincent.
Straud resumed picking at his overcoat’s thread again as he thought about his answer. Vincent waited patiently for him to answer, the roar of the crackling fire the only sound in the vast space between them.
“As I’ve repeatedly told you: power,” he growled dangerously, “I also feel that should anything... frightfully unpleasant happen to me, I at least know my kind will continue after I am gone. Hopefully, one of them is astute and cunning enough to reach the Grand Master rank in time.”
“So, what you’re saying is, you’ll continue to destroy Sim lives by turning Sims into vampires because of some phony ‘prophecy’ about the end of SimNation you heard from a complete stranger on a sinking ship two hundred years ago! A prophecy which, most likely, will probably not even happen! You’re one sick son of a llama, you know that, Straud?”
Vincent seethed with rage and balled his fists in his lap as Straud waved his hands violently in protest.
https://i.imgur.com/MCt22JJ.jpg
“Mark my words, my Valentine: this evil will arrive in SimNation, it is undeniable, and my vampire army and I must be ruthless in order to defeat it. I am not doing this for personal, selfish reasons. Although, I would be lying if I said that wasn’t part of it,” the vampire let out another dramatic sigh, “I do not know when this evil will arrive nor what it will look like, it could take any form. All I know is that it will be sooner than you think. It could be here in SimNation as we speak. When I arrived on these shores after the Saint Bernard sank I ensured that I established Forgotten Hollow in a physical locale that was difficult for most human Sims to find,” Vincent grunted in ardent agreement, “it is a safe haven, a sanctuary, if you will, protected by its arduous terrain and my supreme vampiric powers. These unsurpassed powers of mine have protected the town and I for two hundred years and they are the reason why no danger has found me... yet. Human Sims tend to suffer from strange memory lapses here but do not worry, Detective; it is as I intended. It is the reason why most human Sims have hardly ever heard of Forgotten Hollow or struggle to locate it when trying to find it. No Sim is allowed in without my blessing; everything has been orchestrated by yours truly. For example, it was no coincidence that you were called to that organ fire that day.”
“You were behind that, too?” Vincent questioned, mouth agape in horror.
“Yes, my dear, sweet Valentine. I started that fire out of revenge and I also knew it would bring you to my quaint, charming little town,” Straud snarled menacingly, “I believe you’d make an excellent vampire, Vincent. Strong-willed, independent, perceptive Sims like you suit this eternal existence perfectly. However, we’ll have to work on your close-minded stubbornness when it comes to the supernatural...”
It was the first time Straud had called him by his first name. Nauseated, Vincent heaved with disgust upon hearing it.
He was being recruited.
“Alas, it is true,” Straud continued wearily, “I’ve made some... controversial choices in that department, somewhat recently. Desperation leads to foolish decisions, I’ll admit that,” he wrinkled his long, crooked nose in displeasure, “however, I am assured of your ample skills and accomplishments, Detective.”
“Shut up, Straud!” Barked Vincent, repulsion simmering through his body.
“I should never have turned that wretched Vatore Sim! That family has caused me nothing but strife. Their abominable ‘lifestyle’ is threatening the future of vampirism...” Lamented Straud bitterly.
“Enough!” Yelled Vincent as he jumped swiftly to his feet, “enough of your lies!”
https://i.imgur.com/98z58IE.jpg
“Now, now. Easy, Detective,” Straud tried to placate him but Vincent was already pacing.
“Why did you do it?” Snapped Vincent, “tell me the real reason why you set fire to that organ!”
“I have over two hundred years of knowledge and experience of being a vampire,” Straud stood up from his seat and crossed over to Vincent, “this existence is not easy, Detective. There are hard sacrifices to be made. Without those compromises who knows what could happen. Fledglings and Minors are full of idealistic drivel, futile frivolity that will surely be the end of SimCivilisation! Lessons must be taught and, as the only Grand Master vampire in SimNation, I expect them to be listened to.”
https://i.imgur.com/4UMKPAw.jpg
By burning instruments? Vincent couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Vampirism aside, Straud was seriously unstable.
“Vladislaus Straud, I’m arresting you for the murder of Officer Nina Caliente, kidnapping, assault, breaking and entering, trespassing, destruction of property, assaulting an officer and arson,” he grabbed Straud by the shoulder and removed the restraints from his back pocket.
https://i.imgur.com/3g0UW8O.jpg
“You have the right to remain silent. Anything you do -,” Vincent gasped and choked for air, his next words lost forever as a cloud of black mist appeared before him.
https://i.imgur.com/vw34u2e.jpg
“Catch me if you can, Detective!” A wild, unrestrained cackle escaped Straud as he vanished into thin air leaving Vincent alone once more.
https://i.imgur.com/xSqn2Zn.jpg
***
Vincent bolted for the exit as fast as legs could carry him. He didn’t want to stay in the mansion for one minute longer. He’d have to deal with Straud at a later date. Catching him was going to need backup. Lots and lots of backup. But how was he going to convince the Chief that an erratic and paranoid vampire was behind all those missing Sim cases? He was going to have to conduct further investigations and do some more detecting if he was going to prove Straud’s guilt in a court of law.
https://i.imgur.com/I9ryzZh.jpg
He was running at such speed he slammed his body hard into the front entryway. He tried to wrench the door open with the handles but they remained firmly shut. He let out a cry of frustration. He needed to get away from Forgotten Hollow and the Count immediately.
Desperate, he started to claw at the door with his fingers, hoping they would yield just enough to gain some leverage.
https://i.imgur.com/lbtg4U3.jpg
The doors started to creak ever so slightly. Panting heavily, Vincent stepped back and impatiently waited for them to open.
“Come on, come on! Open up!” He begged them desperately.
The mansion’s ancient doors finally succumbed to his pleas and they swung wide open, revealing a fierce thunderstorm outside.
https://i.imgur.com/obKzjG2.jpg
Vincent ran brazenly into the deluge, desperate to put as much distance between himself and Straud Mansion as possible. As he sprinted down the cobbled drive, he was confident that the only ‘evil thing’ in SimNation was the Count himself.
Straud crossed over to a plush, olive green love seat and propped himself into a comfortable position.
“You don’t mind, do you, Detective? It’s just what I am about to divulge is rather lengthy and my eternal bones need to rest.”
Vincent shrugged nonchalantly and folded his arms over his chest.
“Sure. Go ahead. You’ll apparently do whatever the Netherworld you want anyway.”
https://i.imgur.com/CgXwzjv.jpg
The vampire sighed with contentment as he lounged on the settee. As he cleared his throat he motioned Vincent to join him.
“Please take a seat, Detective Valentine. As I said, this may take some time for me to explain. Vampires are complex, refined creatures, you see. I’m not entirely sure how much a mere human Sim can comprehend but do try to keep up.”
Vincent accepted the invitation reluctantly, he exhaled loudly and crossed over to a nearby chair.
“By all means, Straud, enlighten me,” snapped Vincent.
https://i.imgur.com/4ms5HHu.jpg
Straud recoiled at Vincent’s tone.
“Mind your manners, Detective,” he admonished him, “I’m going to be gracious towards you and impart everything I know as I believe your... talents could prove useful to me at a later date. I have plans for you, Valentine...”
https://i.imgur.com/K0pPkX0.jpg
As Vincent slowly reclined back in his chair he let out another loud sigh.
“I’m all ears, Straud.”
“Well, Detective Valentine,” he began, “like I stated earlier, my ultimate goal is power and control. If I have that then nothing will be able to stop me. Once I have built my army and it is sufficiently strong enough, I will have enough protection to destroy anything the SimUniverse throws my way,” his voiced was filled with maniacal determination and it made the hairs on the back of Vincent’s neck stand on end.
“Also,” Straud continued, “it would be a lot safer for SimNation’s citizens if those newly turned vampires did not return to their families. Trust me, Detective, I was doing you and the planet a huge favour by keeping them here in Forgotten Hollow. Things would have gotten decidedly... turbulent if I were to allow them contact with their previous life. Fledglings can be... unpredictable... at the best of times.”
“OK...” Vincent was trying his hardest to follow Straud’s account but his anxiousness to get a confession out of him was overwhelming, “could you please just cut to the part where you confess to murder? I know you did it, vampire!” Vincent’s churlishness was starting to get the better of him. He couldn’t wait to lock Straud up forever and throw the key into the Myshuno Meadows lake.
“Murder, you say?” Breathed Straud, intrigued and incredulous at Vincent’s accusation, “I never murdered anyone!”
https://i.imgur.com/H7zk1UC.jpg
“The SMPD has evidence that proves otherwise,” lied Vincent, “we have physical evidence that proves that the bite marks found on the victim’s neck were caused by two puncture wounds that are identical to your... fangs! You’re looking pretty guilty to me, Straud!”
An indifferent Straud nonchalantly picked at a thread on his long, grey overcoat.
“You killed an innocent officer of the law!” Roared Vincent as his plasma pulsed at his temples.
https://i.imgur.com/IgcAuXv.jpg
“That’s quite an allegation, Detective,” replied Straud coolly.
Vincent started to reel off Caliente’s physical descriptors to Straud, inwardly praying it would get a confession out of him.
“Aha! I remember now,” Straud sharply cut him off, “yes, that one was rather delicious. I just couldn’t stop myself but I had no idea that she had died! That is quite curious, I must say! They don’t usually do that, Detective,” his expression turned reflective again as he thought about her death but it abruptly vanished when he shrugged heartlessly and continued with his story.
https://i.imgur.com/oRBNkkt.jpg
“I believe she collapsed in a pile of trash after I was finished feeding from her, if I’m not mistaken. Something like that, anyway,” he snickered viciously at the memory, ”how unfortunate she ended up dying in it! Unfortunately, for me though, another Sim entered the room and I had to vanish quickly in case I was spotted.”
Vincent was disgusted by Straud’s blasé attitude and cruel malice. He shifted slightly in his seat as he reached for the handcuffs in his back pocket when Straud stopped him with a chilling, icy blue scowl.
“It was a necessary sacrifice, Detective!” Straud spat at him, “one that will save us all. I need all the plasma I can get my hands on if I am to save SimNation! I need to turn more Sims into vampires to help me defeat whatever that female Sim warned me about two hundred years ago!” He wailed erratically, “’only a Grand Master vampire possesses enough strength to bring about its ultimate destruction’ is what she revealed to me. I believe I am, as the only Grand Master vampire in existence, the only one that has any chance of stopping it!”
Vincent couldn’t believe what he was hearing. None of Straud’s story was making any rational sense. The typical ramblings of an erratic Sim. The continuous merry-go-round of Straud’s explanation and complete lack of Sim empathy was making Vincent incredibly irate. His confused brain found it hard to make sense of anything the vampire told him.
“If you’re the only one that can stop it, why do you need an army? Why do you have to turn innocent Sims into your plasmathirsty minions?” Quizzed an appalled Vincent.
Straud resumed picking at his overcoat’s thread again as he thought about his answer. Vincent waited patiently for him to answer, the roar of the crackling fire the only sound in the vast space between them.
“As I’ve repeatedly told you: power,” he growled dangerously, “I also feel that should anything... frightfully unpleasant happen to me, I at least know my kind will continue after I am gone. Hopefully, one of them is astute and cunning enough to reach the Grand Master rank in time.”
“So, what you’re saying is, you’ll continue to destroy Sim lives by turning Sims into vampires because of some phony ‘prophecy’ about the end of SimNation you heard from a complete stranger on a sinking ship two hundred years ago! A prophecy which, most likely, will probably not even happen! You’re one sick son of a llama, you know that, Straud?”
Vincent seethed with rage and balled his fists in his lap as Straud waved his hands violently in protest.
https://i.imgur.com/MCt22JJ.jpg
“Mark my words, my Valentine: this evil will arrive in SimNation, it is undeniable, and my vampire army and I must be ruthless in order to defeat it. I am not doing this for personal, selfish reasons. Although, I would be lying if I said that wasn’t part of it,” the vampire let out another dramatic sigh, “I do not know when this evil will arrive nor what it will look like, it could take any form. All I know is that it will be sooner than you think. It could be here in SimNation as we speak. When I arrived on these shores after the Saint Bernard sank I ensured that I established Forgotten Hollow in a physical locale that was difficult for most human Sims to find,” Vincent grunted in ardent agreement, “it is a safe haven, a sanctuary, if you will, protected by its arduous terrain and my supreme vampiric powers. These unsurpassed powers of mine have protected the town and I for two hundred years and they are the reason why no danger has found me... yet. Human Sims tend to suffer from strange memory lapses here but do not worry, Detective; it is as I intended. It is the reason why most human Sims have hardly ever heard of Forgotten Hollow or struggle to locate it when trying to find it. No Sim is allowed in without my blessing; everything has been orchestrated by yours truly. For example, it was no coincidence that you were called to that organ fire that day.”
“You were behind that, too?” Vincent questioned, mouth agape in horror.
“Yes, my dear, sweet Valentine. I started that fire out of revenge and I also knew it would bring you to my quaint, charming little town,” Straud snarled menacingly, “I believe you’d make an excellent vampire, Vincent. Strong-willed, independent, perceptive Sims like you suit this eternal existence perfectly. However, we’ll have to work on your close-minded stubbornness when it comes to the supernatural...”
It was the first time Straud had called him by his first name. Nauseated, Vincent heaved with disgust upon hearing it.
He was being recruited.
“Alas, it is true,” Straud continued wearily, “I’ve made some... controversial choices in that department, somewhat recently. Desperation leads to foolish decisions, I’ll admit that,” he wrinkled his long, crooked nose in displeasure, “however, I am assured of your ample skills and accomplishments, Detective.”
“Shut up, Straud!” Barked Vincent, repulsion simmering through his body.
“I should never have turned that wretched Vatore Sim! That family has caused me nothing but strife. Their abominable ‘lifestyle’ is threatening the future of vampirism...” Lamented Straud bitterly.
“Enough!” Yelled Vincent as he jumped swiftly to his feet, “enough of your lies!”
https://i.imgur.com/98z58IE.jpg
“Now, now. Easy, Detective,” Straud tried to placate him but Vincent was already pacing.
“Why did you do it?” Snapped Vincent, “tell me the real reason why you set fire to that organ!”
“I have over two hundred years of knowledge and experience of being a vampire,” Straud stood up from his seat and crossed over to Vincent, “this existence is not easy, Detective. There are hard sacrifices to be made. Without those compromises who knows what could happen. Fledglings and Minors are full of idealistic drivel, futile frivolity that will surely be the end of SimCivilisation! Lessons must be taught and, as the only Grand Master vampire in SimNation, I expect them to be listened to.”
https://i.imgur.com/4UMKPAw.jpg
By burning instruments? Vincent couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Vampirism aside, Straud was seriously unstable.
“Vladislaus Straud, I’m arresting you for the murder of Officer Nina Caliente, kidnapping, assault, breaking and entering, trespassing, destruction of property, assaulting an officer and arson,” he grabbed Straud by the shoulder and removed the restraints from his back pocket.
https://i.imgur.com/3g0UW8O.jpg
“You have the right to remain silent. Anything you do -,” Vincent gasped and choked for air, his next words lost forever as a cloud of black mist appeared before him.
https://i.imgur.com/vw34u2e.jpg
“Catch me if you can, Detective!” A wild, unrestrained cackle escaped Straud as he vanished into thin air leaving Vincent alone once more.
https://i.imgur.com/xSqn2Zn.jpg
Vincent bolted for the exit as fast as legs could carry him. He didn’t want to stay in the mansion for one minute longer. He’d have to deal with Straud at a later date. Catching him was going to need backup. Lots and lots of backup. But how was he going to convince the Chief that an erratic and paranoid vampire was behind all those missing Sim cases? He was going to have to conduct further investigations and do some more detecting if he was going to prove Straud’s guilt in a court of law.
https://i.imgur.com/I9ryzZh.jpg
He was running at such speed he slammed his body hard into the front entryway. He tried to wrench the door open with the handles but they remained firmly shut. He let out a cry of frustration. He needed to get away from Forgotten Hollow and the Count immediately.
Desperate, he started to claw at the door with his fingers, hoping they would yield just enough to gain some leverage.
https://i.imgur.com/lbtg4U3.jpg
The doors started to creak ever so slightly. Panting heavily, Vincent stepped back and impatiently waited for them to open.
“Come on, come on! Open up!” He begged them desperately.
The mansion’s ancient doors finally succumbed to his pleas and they swung wide open, revealing a fierce thunderstorm outside.
https://i.imgur.com/obKzjG2.jpg
Vincent ran brazenly into the deluge, desperate to put as much distance between himself and Straud Mansion as possible. As he sprinted down the cobbled drive, he was confident that the only ‘evil thing’ in SimNation was the Count himself.
