#faust files

[cyanidelegacy]

Faust Files: part 126

CW: ABDUCTION, INTIMIDATION

♫♪ music ♫♪ ► Poppy Ackroyd - Resolve

AUTUMN | SUNDAY, 11:31 - STUDENT HALLS, WINDENBURG UNIVERSITY

Meanwhile, Heaven Patel and Dharshini Datta - whose parents are close friends and colleagues at InfoSims - were moving into their Windenburg University student halls.

Heaven expected her boyfriend Vernon to show up for the occasion, but instead he had bailed out. Feeling disappointed, she had called him to find out why.

DHARSHINI: [scrutinising her nails] So, what's his excuse this time?

HEAVEN: He said he's helping with the search for Jane.

DHARSHINI: Oh, you and I know better than that...

HEAVEN: It's not the growfruit, Shini. Jane's supposed to be here, with us in Windenburg. She worked so hard for this, to get out of Willow Creek -

DHARSHINI: - I know she meant a lot to you, but what's missing is his supplies. I never understood what you see in that... thug.

HEAVEN: Despite what you think, he truly loves me! He's been trying so hard to please Appa*!

*appa = father

DHARSHINI: Hmm? That is news. What did the Landgraab do for your family?

HEAVEN: Y-you didn't know? The contract with Landgraab Medical. That was Vernon.

DHARSHINI: What?

HEAVEN: I thought you knew about it, really...

Dharshini opened her mouth to speak, but hesitated when her phone buzzed. She walked to the window overlooking the courtyard before picking up. As she listened, the colour drained from her face.

DHARSHINI: Yes, Amma*. See you tonight. [hangs up]

*amma = mother

HEAVEN: What is it?

DHARSHINI: [crying softly] It's my uncle. I have to go home.

11:31 - BROOK BUNGALOW, WILLOW CREEK

Prescott Goth was weary from staying up all night. He had been waiting for any contact from the police in case his daughter Jane had been found - or worse, her remains.

As he was about to rise from his chair to stretch his legs, his phone buzzed. An unknown number - it definitely wasn't from Willow Creek PD.

PRESCOTT: If you're not the police, I don't want -

CALLER: - Mr. Goth. We have your daughter.

His breath caught in his throat.

PRESCOTT: [gulp] What do you want?

CALLER: [to someone else in the background] Talk.

Prescott heard the shuffling of feet.

JANE: Daddy? Daddy, it's me.

PRESCOTT: Jane?! Jane!

CALLER: - That's enough.

JANE: No! Please - Daddy I love you!

He dropped to his knees and cried as the moment was cut short by the slam of a door. Her screams, muffled, were still audible in the background as was the pounding and kicking against the door.

CALLER: If you want your daughter back, do as we say.

PRESCOTT: Yes, yes I will! Anything!

CALLER: Wait for my call tomorrow. If you tell anyone, we will know. That is a warning.

The line cut off.

Prescott sobbed, his face in his hands.

[snarky-sims-witch]

Day 2: cyanidelegacy

Today’s simblr I’m showing appreciation for is @cyanidelegacy!

Cyn’s been playing her family for quite a long time and the story has only grown more and more detailed as time’s gone by. The main premise of The Cyanide Legacy is that once upon a time, Cyn Cyanide had children with both the Grim Reaper and Patchy the Scarecrow. Generations later, the descendants of Grim and Patchy have started feuding and splitting up into their own factions against each other even though they’re all family.

This story has a bit of everything; magic, drama, suspense, mystery, a refreshing splash of comedy every now and then, and side plots on top of side plots on top of side plots! She’s even created two smaller spin-off series that she’s incorporated into her main story, Faust Files and The Adventures of Arnav, The Mediocre Butler!

My favourite thing about Cyn’s storytelling is her attention to detail. She keeps track of all her characters and plots in spreadsheets so she never forgets anything important and every single character is fully fleshed out. Even background characters have their own histories and personal goals and it shows through in her writing.

Go give her a follow and show her some love, please!

[cynfulsimmer]

From left to right: Frederick Faust, Vernon Landgraab, Theresa Landgraab

[cyanidelegacy]

Faust Files: part 122

AUTUMN | SUNDAY, 10:29 - LANDGRAAB MEDICAL CENTRE

The final stop after Del Sol. Fred leaped off the metro once the doors slid open wide enough for him to squeeze through, and sprinted towards the hospital where Matias Delgato was admitted.

When he stepped inside the lobby, he found himself face-to-face with Aria Flex, his neighbour and reporter for the Brindleton Bugle.

ARIA: Fred? Fred! Wait up! [blocks his way] Why are you here? I thought you were at San My.

FRED: [crossing his arms] Excu - what?

ARIA: You don't know? Matias Delgato said Rohil Datta was the one who hired him to kill your mother and Alexander Goth. The press teams moved to Manipal* and that's where I'm - was headed. So, what's going through your mind right now?

Stunned by this turn of events, Fred was lost for words.

*Manipal Hospital, San Myshuno

FRED: (Something's wrong and I can't put my finger on it...) When was this?

ARIA: About 30 minutes ago. More or less.

Sensing she had let her guard down as she scribbled on her notepad, he side-stepped her swiftly.

FRED: Alright. Thanks. See you later.

ARIA: But - wait! Fred! What are your -

He ignored her and lengthened his strides so that she wouldn't be able to keep up with him.

10:33 - OUTSIDE ROOM 311

ARTEMIS: You can't book him and I am not leaving until I have a word with him!

BEATRIX: [hushed] Get a grip, this is a hospital!

PAULINE: It appears you have forgotten your place. Let me remind you, madam, that you retired a few days ago. You're just a civilian. There's nothing you can do.

FRED: Colonel?

[cyanidelegacy]

Faust Files: part 121

Twenty minutes after Fred started calling her, Audrey finally stirred and checked her phone.

09:53 - BRINDLETON BAY

AUDREY: Crap! Crap... [hits return call] ... Hello? Hello, Fred, are you there?

FRED: Wh - why didn't you pick up?!

AUDREY: I am so sorry. Are you at LMC*?

*Landgraab Medical Centre

FRED: On my way. Did you get anything on Sophie Landgraab?

AUDREY: No, I think they have a dedicated team that scrubs the internet for them. But get this: there's like, a cut-off in search results about 39 years ago for her husband, Lewis Fox. So I think - I think. It's not his real name.

FRED: Did you do a reverse image search?

AUDREY: I did, but all the results don't match, or they're just Lewis Fox again.

FRED: Is your browser open?

AUDREY: Yeah.

FRED: Go to SimEyes**.

AUDREY: Hang on. [typing] SimEyes dot com?

FRED: Yes. You need a few photos of him.

AUDREY: [scrolling down] The more the better?

**SimEyes: Sim version of PimEyes

P. A. : The next train to Oasis Springs is approaching in three minutes.

FRED: I have to go now. Bye.

AUDREY: Thanks Fred. I'll update yo -

He hung up on her.

AUDREY: [sigh]

With no time to waste, Fred shoved his phone back into his pocket and took off towards the flap barriers.

He tapped his wallet which held his travel card to the scanner and weaved through the small crowd that trailed after the morning rush hour. There was only a trickle of commuters left, since most had already traveled to work in either San Myshuno to the east, or Del Sol to the west.

P. A. : The next train to Oasis Springs is approaching in one minute.

He raced down the steps and just as his foot hit the landing, the train whooshed in.

♫♪ end scene music ♫♪ ► FOALS - Exits

Now the sea eats the sky But they say it’s a lie There’s no birds left to fly We’ll hide out

Oh, the weather’s against us Houses underground The flowers upside down In our dreams

In the eye of the storm The land where you were born Try to make no sound We hide out

'Cause they watch us in sleep The language that we speak And the secrets that we keep In our dreams...

I said I’m so sorry To have kept you waiting around I wish I could’ve come up I could’ve shouted out loud

They got exits covered All the exits underground I wish I could figure it out But the world's upside down In a world upside down

...

[cyanidelegacy]

Faust Files: part 124

AUTUMN | SUNDAY, 10:41 - OASIS SPRINGS

Amari and Camila slumped in front of the TV, surfing through the channels. The past two days had been entirely dedicated to unpacking - and they weren't finished yet. But it was Sunday. Their rest day. The day for sleeping in, and having brunch instead of breakfast.

Beep beep. Beep beep.

"It's yours," said Camila without looking away from the screen. Amari sighed and lumbered over to the console table next to the kitchen to grab his phone, and sank back into the couch.

AMARI: Hello?

LAYNE: Hey, Amari. Just emailed you the list.

AMARI: Oh. Thanks!

LAYNE: By the way, if you don't mind me asking. What were you going to use it for?

AMARI: I was... just... curious. [nervous chuckle] Is it confidential?

LAYNE: Nah, it's not. But the project did get a bad rep. That's my guess for why it's kind of... kept under wraps for years.

AMARI: I see... Interesting. Thanks for doing this. You have a good weekend.

LAYNE: You too.

He hung up and checked his inbox for Layne's email.

CAMILA MORRIS: Who was that?

AMARI: Layne. The lab tech.

CAMILA: Work? On a weekend?

AMARI: No, no. I started it first. I asked him about the team members who used to work on some project yesterday.

CAMILA: Could've waited till Monday. Let the man enjoy his weekend, hun.

AMARI: I know, I know. I - there was this guy yesterday. He wanted to know who was on the team for a specific serum. Heck, turns out it's something the company keeps under the radar... I'm not sure if I should pass on this info.

CAMILA: Another co-worker?

AMARI: Nope. Some stranger. Greg Andrews. Met him while passing through that detec - that trailer.

CAMILA: Hmm. Let's say you give it to him. What's the worst-case scenario? Did he look like some stalker or... I dunno, arsonist?

AMARI: He was... shifty. Could be a spy? From a rival company? But the serum is patented.

CAMILA: Okay. How about journo?

AMARI: [slowly] That would make a lot of sense! Layne said it got a bad rep.

CAMILA: [rubs chin thoughtfully] So it would threaten the company. Personally, I'd give it to him. If it turns out that I've been working for somebody who's been unethical, harmful to the world... I'd help take them down.

AMARI: What if I lose my job? Can we afford it?

CAMILA: Mine's a two-year contract. And we still have funds, go for it.

AMARI: Alright. Thanks, babe.

He forwarded the email attachment to Fred.

10:56 - LANDGRAAB MEDICAL CENTRE

Feeling his phone buzz, Fred checked the screen and read Amari's message.

FRED: It's the Reaper's Friend serum. I have the list of scientists who worked on the formula.

ARTEMIS: Great. How many?

FRED: [counting under his breath] About twenty.

ARTEMIS: You have their service dates?

FRED: [sheepishly] Sorry. I didn't think to ask.

ARTEMIS: Hmm. Probably off-limits anyway. We have to figure out how to narrow down our next lead, quickly.

NEWS: - breaking news: Rohil Datta, who was alleged to have been responsible for a double murder in Brindleton and Windenburg -

They dropped whatever they were doing and turned their full attention to the broadcast. Feeling too tense to sit, Artemis got up and stood closer to the screen, drinking in every word.

NEWS: - the former CFO of Acme Industries recently passed away in San Myshuno. More in the next hour...

[cyanidelegacy]

Faust Files: part 125

AUTUMN | SUNDAY, 11:13 - LANDGRAAB MEDICAL CENTRE

The news segment on Rohil Datta concluded and Artemis sank back into her chair, resigned.

ARTEMIS: Damn it! I knew this would happen.

FRED: [stunned, slowly recovering] That was fast. Not even an hour...

ARTEMIS: Because this was planned all along! A non-Landgraab hospital, under the scrutiny of the media?

FRED: It's watertight.

ARTEMIS: No, Fred. They're trying to throw us off. But we're beyond that now.

FRED: That's... good for us, right? I don't think we'll get to see Delgato today. Even if we do, he - he's not gonna talk, not to us.

ARTEMIS: It's a stretch, but Barb will work us in. Somehow. [taps the table] Now, the list. Quickly.

FRED: [exhale] Okay. Wait, why are we doing this when we can go straight to the Landgraabs?

ARTEMIS: Because we're building a case. [hooks thumb at screen] You said that was watertight? Then we have to be better.

11:20 - SAN MYSHUNO

♫♪ scene music ♫♪ ► Aphex Twin - Kladfvgbung Mischk

Layne gazed out the window overlooking the Spice District, when an idea entered his mind.

An idea to get rid of Jane Linde.

A lazy smile spread across his face.

LAYNE: (That's it. Why didn't I think of it before?)

He whipped out his phone and made another call.

LAYNE: Auntie. It's me. I thought of something.

11:22 - OASIS SPRINGS

PAULINE: Cement? How are you - manually?... Alright. I leave it to you. Take care.

BARBARA: - Colonel?

Startled, Pauline's eyes snapped to the source of the voice over her shoulder.

PAULINE: (How long has she been standing here?)

BARBARA: Making renovations?

PAULINE: Uhm, repairs. Hole in my garden wall... [shrug] Figured we could patch it up ourselves. Me and my son.

BARBARA: It's not that steep, I know a guy -

PAULINE: - I have it under control, thank you.

11:26 - SAN MYSHUNO

His plan set into motion, it was time to get help. Layne went back into his apartment to inform Nash, his younger brother about the agenda.

LAYNE: You have plans tonight?

NASH: Nope. Are you worried about the growfruit? We should have another harvest tomorrow.

LAYNE: It's not the growfruit. It's the girl. I need your help.

NASH: Okay, okay. So tonight. Where?

LAYNE: [looking out the window] The docks.

[cyanidelegacy]

Episode 211 / Faust Files: part 120

AUTUMN | SUNDAY, 08:09 - BRINDLETON BAY

During the night, Matias Delgato was woken up from his coma abruptly and confessed his role in the deaths of Alexander Goth and Natalie Faust in the presence of Oasis Springs PD officers. To get a handle on the situation, Artemis swiftly prepared to leave for Landgraab Medical Centre, but not before she had breakfast with the family. As they were about to start, Blythe reminded Artemis of her promise to summon Hayden Holiday, her cousin who died in the early morning hours of Tuesday in the summer (almost a week ago in Sim time).

BLYTHE: Artemis. What time will you summon Hayden tomorrow?

AUDREY: [chokes on food]

ARTEMIS: Sundown 8pm. Audrey, are you alright?

AUDREY: [clears throat] Y - yeah, thanks. But... Ms. Reaper, you just got out from the hospital!

AURORA: Mom, I'll do it instead. With your consent. [nods at Blythe and Bailey]

BLYTHE: I think that's reasonable. [to Artemis, slightly embarrassed] You should rest.

BAILEY: I second that. But you seem dressed to go somewhere instead of -

LORENZO: - Should we cancel lunch with Jamie today?

AURORA: Mom, you can't cancel on us again. Please.

ARTEMIS: I know, Ora. I'll do my best. But I will be late.

AURORA: What's your plan?

ARTEMIS: I'll meet you at the café direct, but if I'm late you should just get on with lunch without me.

Across the table from Artemis, Audrey had wolfed down her food so quickly that her plate was already clean.

ARTEMIS: Are you in a hurry?

AUDREY: Nah, um. I was... really hungry. I have to go. Excuse me.

ARTEMIS: (And she looks so tired. Something's up.)

Audrey left the dining hall and jogged to her desk, where she had spent hours researching the Landgraabs in the early morning.

AUDREY: (There has to be something I missed... What has Sophie Landgraab's husband got to hide that I can't even turn up his high school?)

She typed the name "Lewis Fox" into the search engine again, desperate for an answer.

As her eyes scanned lines and lines of irrelevant search results, she started to nod off at the desk.

08:48 - WINDENBURG

He tossed and turned under the covers. Desperately tired after the night before, he yearned to sleep in but his eyelids were no match for the sunshine streaming through the windows. Fred scrunched up his face in an effort to block out the light.

Beep beep.

That's Reaper, he realised. He had set his notifications so any messages and calls from her were instantly recognisable.

He dragged himself upright and snatched his phone from the bedside. 4 missed calls and a text from Natasha, and Artemis's text. Meet me at 311, it read. Nothing more.

Ach nee. What's 311? 3:11pm? A place?

He scrolled to his sister's text. Fred, please talk to me. And let me know if you're going to see Mr. Delgato today.

Fred blinked. Natasha never used a full-stop at the end of her texts, never - unless it was something solemn, something serious. And who's this Mr. Delgato she's referring to so formally?

He checked his Simgle News app. A pit formed in his stomach when he saw the first entry at the top of the screen.

09:29 - BRINDLETON BAY

Stuffed in her pocket, the muffled rings of Audrey's phone failed to rouse her from her nap.

FRED: (Come on Audrey, pick the fuck up!)