#notafairytale

[allypopsims]

Chapter 12: The Curry Champion

The Roomies household calls Imogen back to do another renovation, but she gets the distinct impression that it was not a unanimous decision. J hovers while she works, and while his attire could be explained by a recent swim, it’s harder to justify the constant posing and flexing every time he crosses her path.

It’s the first negative feedback she’s ever gotten on a room, but Zoe assures her that she did exactly what they asked for and that she loves it. Apparently, J’s feelings were just hurt when she didn’t call him after their “date”.

Imogen is surprised. She wasn’t even under the impression that it counted as a date date. She apologizes for any misunderstanding, but Zoe waves her off. J was overdue for an ego check.

It’s been a long couple of days. Imogen decides to treat herself with a trip to the Spice festival. She can get a free meal out of it, and apparently risk setting herself on fire if the wind blows the wrong way. Girl. Pay attention to what you’re carrying.

Imogen isn’t the only one partaking in the festivities. Her shadowy stranger is here too. They see each other from across the plaza, and both square their shoulders. They were both about to compete in the curry challenge anyway, but now there is a second, more direct competition happening as well.

Oooh, rough showing for Aloisio. That’s embarrassing.

Imogen thinks the curry is delicious! She’s had the privilege of sampling a wide range of cuisines. Perhaps her palate is simply more refined than her competitor’s.

Imogen can’t stop gloating. She just can’t help herself. This is the t-shirt of a winner! How does it feel to lose a test of grit to a *Lady?*

Aloisio smiles at Imogen, amused by her antics. She’s been here before, wondering what the next move is. She usually picks wrong. She doesn’t want to mess something up here before it even begins, but at the same time, she gets the sense that if she were to lean in, he wouldn’t pull away.

She’s so caught up in her calculations that she almost jumps when he laughs and shrugs in an overt show of nonchalance. 

“Win some, lose some.”

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[kingofnxwyxrk]

CLOSED STARTER FOR: troy bolton & gabriella montez @notafairytale​

TROY had hoped to run into gabriella by now. she was the whole reason he was here, after all. she wasn’t answering his calls. he could barely get a text response. she just seemed to up and left california, leaving him in her dust. the whole situation reminded him of when she left early for stanford only four years earlier. however, this time around, he didn’t even have the wildcats as an excuse. it was just him... he could only hope that was enough.

the athlete hated to admit it, but he had to take a page out of ms. sharpay evans book. he did some online research and found out where gabriella was tutoring now. up to his old antics, here he was standing in a tree outside a high school. he was beginning to second think his decision. how was he going to explain why he was hanging around a high school, dressed up like a smuck? just as doubt filled him inside, he finally saw her. all his worries melted away. the mere sight of her was all it took.

“ still the last one out of the building? ” he called out to her from his branch. he knelt down as his smile beamed. “ bet you didn’t think i’d pull the same stunt twice, did ya? "

[allypopsims]

Chapter 2: Welcome Wagon

Imogen goes for a jog to get the lay of her new neighborhood, and on the way home she runs into…the local color? 

This sad bear manages to introduce himself as Sammy between gasping sobs. Imogen invents an appointment she’s late for as a polite fiction and continues jogging off towards her apartment.  

Well that was a strange first outing. Imogen still has a surplus of energy when she gets home, so she decides to shoot some hoops and let off some steam.

Oh it’s the bear again. And he has a party platter. 

Some neighbors have come to visit! Sammy realized that Imogen was new to the neighborhood, so he rounded up a couple of friends to welcome her. And he made fish.

Dude if you want to get to know her better try some small talk or something. This is bad manners.

And now this!

It’s been a strange housewarming. At the end of it, Imogen has slightly negative relationships with all of her visitors. It was an aggressive and kind of  invasive welcome to the neighborhood, but she appreciates that her neighbors made an effort.

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[allypopsims]

Chapter 16: An Eye for an Eye

Aloisio wants to cook Imogen a nice dinner, but there’s nothing in her fridge except for cold pizza and some random berries he fears she found in the dumpster. So he orders some groceries.

The grocery guy is either waiting for a tip or for an invitation to stay, but he is taking his time saying goodnight.

Well, we have identified the cook in the family.

Lottie thinks there might be some confusion. Aloisio cooked a delicious-smelling meal, ate it all up, and then immediately washed the dishes. In this house, Lottie gets first dibs on the leftovers. They’re going to have to come to some kind of understanding.

It isn’t long before Imogen asks to break out her new sword. She has a lot of pent-up emotions that she needs to work out, and simulated violence feels like the perfect outlet. 

Of course, the line between simulated violence and real violence can sometimes be thinner than one realizes. Aloisio isn’t mad; the eye patch adds a snazzy edge to his new look. 

Sunshine comes over for dinner, and Aloisio recounts their recent dueling mishap. As he talks about his life flashing before his eye, Sunshine breaks out in raucous laughter.

“Oh my god, I can’t believe you gave her a sword. Did she tell you about her dueling instructor? She put a shortsword blade right into his leg. We weren’t sure if he was more upset that she almost hit his femoral artery, or that she almost sliced off his—”

“*Whoa*, okay. Maybe the eye wasn’t such a big deal after all.”

“Anyway, should you really be swordfighting while you’re pregnant?”

Imogen and Aloisio both stop mid-bite, look at each other, and then turn and look at Sunshine with wide-eyed expressions.”

“While I’m what?”

Okay, so apparently Sunshine dropped a bit of a bomb on the dinner party. That’s okay, she didn’t eat much. She’ll absorb some of Imogen’s emotions to lighten the mood. Not all of them, just the general shock and panic. That should smooth things over.

Imogen feels a wave of calm and peace as Sunshine draws out her negative reactions to this news. A baby isn’t inherently a bad thing, but this is extremely unexpected. Luckily, as her thoughts start to clear, she’s able to imagine what their life might look like with a baby…and it doesn’t look so bad.

Okay, we’re having a baby!

Sunshine is happy for her sister, but she’s conflicted. While she respects Imogen’s right to live her life as she sees fit, she is quietly hurt that Imogen chose to leave the dynasty. Now there’s a new baby, a niece or nephew, and Sunshine can’t help but feel like she’s lost a whole branch of her family tree.

Imogen insists on a selfie before the night ends to commemorate the occasion.

Once Imogen confirms that she’s pregnant, she starts to notice a small flock of monarch butterflies congregating in front her of her house. It’s odd, butterflies aren’t usually found in this neighborhood. But when the pun of “monarch” finally occurs to her, Imogen has no doubt that someone has sent them to congratulate her.

*”Thank you, Daddy.”*

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[allypopsims]

Chapter 4: Home Sweet Hovel

Whooooooosh! Dream Big!

Okay. The basketball hoop was fun for a minute, but maybe it doesn’t need to survive the renovation.

Knox shows up promptly the next morning, and he and Imogen are ready to get started on their demolition project. He looks around at the crumbling foundation and suggests the best course of action is just to level the whole thing to the ground and start fresh.

Imogen is concerned about how much that will cost, but he assures her not to worry about it. They’ll just build something simple to start. A bathroom, a living space—and then she can save up for a real renovation. 

Imogen looks dubious, but she has no idea what she’s doing, so she might as well listen to this guy. He speaks confidently enough, he must be an expert on this.

“Just because you’re going to be sleeping on the ground doesn’t mean you have to be a slob about it.”

“Oh, hey little dude. I think I demolished your litter box. Sorry.”

Lottie isn’t going to let this nonsense interrupt her naptime.

When the day is done, Lottie and Imogen have a roof over their heads again. It’s not…the nicest roof. Lottie sort of misses the old house, which was full of spiders she could hunt and a pleasant draft from all the widening cracks in the walls. But this will do, for now. The wallpaper is a little garish but there’s no accounting for taste.

Imogen is happier in the new space than Lottie is. She knows it’s still a work in progress, but she feels like it’s hers. All she needs to do is get some more money and it will be their own personal palace in no time.

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[allypopsims]

Chapter 15: Weddings and Funerals

Imogen rounds the corner into her kitchen, and her stomach drops like someone just pushed her off a cliff. She isn’t sure if she wants to cry or scream, but she knows she’s about to lose it. Her father was just here. She was just talking to him. He was just. here. What the fuck. What the fuck.

Aloisio doesn’t fully understand what’s happening when he walks in, but he sees Grim, and he sees Imogen doubled over, wracked with sobs. When he squares up and asks what the hell is going on, Grim doesn’t seem that intimidated. But no one makes Aloisio’s girl cry.

This really isn’t helping.

Imogen arrives early at the funeral. She wants a moment alone with her father. She wants to tell him that she’s so sorry. She shouldn’t have left him alone. She should have been there to help. They said that he died from laughter, and she can’t imagine a more fitting end for such a jovial man, but it was too soon. He’ll never get to see her make it now.

The familiar sound of Sunshine’s cries breaks Imogen from her trance. The other mourners are here.

Imogen rises slowly. There are many people here, but her eyes lock on her mother and her sister. 

“I’m so sorry,” Imogen says, coming close to Sunshine. Sunshine has never liked to be touched when she’s upset, but Imogen aches to reach out and hold her. 

Selene doesn’t reach out to either of her daughters. She doesn’t even look at them. Imogen can feel the icy anger radiating off her mother—literally, can feel the air chill around her—but she doesn’t dare turn to face her. Her greatest fear is that her mother blames her for this somehow. Selene has always been a gentle and patient parent, but everyone who ever met them knew that Selene was the head and Archer was the heart. Now that her heart has been cut out, there’s no telling what version of Selene will emerge from the other side of her grief.

“This isn’t right,” Imogen whispers, pulling Aloisio off to the side. “We shouldn’t be grieving; we should be celebrating. My father had a full and beautiful life. He wouldn’t want us to cry when we remember him.”

“What do you want to do?” Aloisio asks.

“I want to get married.”

The effect is immediate, and exactly what Imogen was hoping for. The crowd turns to them, and tear-filled eyes brighten as they watch Imogen and Aloisio exchange their rings. It doesn’t feel like an elopement to Imogen. Everyone she loves is here, and it feels like her last chance to have her father at her wedding.

Imogen feels her mother’s eyes on her, and she knows this is one of those moments where she has a choice to make. She could present her new husband to Margravine Bellamare and request his official entry into their family dynasty. He could be acknowledged and titled, right here, in front of all these witnesses. But Imogen thinks back on the last conversation she had with her father. He was proud of her for being brave. It would be a dishonor to his memory if she were to let her bravery go now, standing over his grave and staring down the barrel of this final decision.

Imogen gathers her mother and her sister and tells them both how honored she has been to be a part of the Bellamare story. But she can’t bring her husband into a family that won’t welcome him with open arms. It’s time for her to step away, officially this time.

She is sure that the Bellamare’s will continue to be a noble and proud house. But she doesn’t think that their values align anymore, and she has to make the right choice for her family. She loves them dearly. But Aloisio is her family now.

Selene stares, tears streaming down her cheeks even while she rearranges her features into a stoic expression. Imogen can feel her heart shattering as she holds her mother’s gaze. They’ve never faced off like this. They’ve had their disagreements, but she’s never truly felt that her mother was disappointed in her. Now, under her withering glare, Imogen feels two inches tall.

“Of all the disrespectful—” Selene starts, but she’s cut off with a sudden roar.

”ENOUGH.” Sunshine steps between her mother and her sister, and even as much as she’s been crying her voice doesn’t break.

“We will not fight. Not here. Not today.”

Selene and Imogen are both stunned, but Selene simply nods and walks away. 

When she faces her crying sister, Sunshine’s newfound confidence evaporates a little bit. She’s not good at comforting people. But she loves her big sister, and she wants her to know that they’re on the same side, so she does her best.

No matter what else went on, it’s still their wedding day, and they’re still going to take some pictures.

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[allypopsims]

Chapter 14: But Daddy I Love Him

Imogen feels like she’s at a crossroads, though she’s not sure where either path leads. She is still a part of the Bellamare dynasty, even if she doesn’t plan to be their leader. That means her family still has a vested interest in her life, her marriage, and her reputation. Even if they know nothing else about Aloisio, they know he didn’t ask for her hand, or go through any rituals of courtship that they otherwise would have expected. But then, why should he have? She gets to choose her husband, doesn’t she? What are they going to do, make her get permission from her little sister?

This has all gotten so confusing. Imogen loves her family, but she left to live her own life, and this is where her life is going. Whether they like it or not.

Imogen has never felt so anxious standing in front of her childhood home. The facade has never seemed so *big* before, but now it’s looming over her like a monster waiting to devour her as soon as she enters its waiting maw.

Imogen sits quietly and listens while her mother chastises her, her fiance, her manners, and her upbringing—the last part is a little confusing. She’s probably supposed to feel guilty, like she’s a bad child for making her mother question her own child-rearing? It doesn’t quite land. The Bellamare’s are typically a lighthearted and positive people. They don’t really know how to convey anger or disappointment. But even the fact that they’re trying tells Imogen that she’s hurt them deeply.

Imogen sits and listens to her parents' critique, and then takes a deep breath and responds. 

“Mom, Dad, I love you both. I understand that you’ve been very involved in my life, and now suddenly you’re not. That must be very hard. It’s hard for me too. But my life is good right now, and I cannot imagine how that could possibly reflect negatively on you or our family. I am not your heir, I am not beholden to your rituals or approval. I am getting married. I hope you’ll be there. I hope you’ll get to know my husband before you pass judgment about him. But for now, I think we’re done here.”

Imogen leaves, and Selene and Archer are left unsure of how to react. Archer is frankly a little amused, and more than a little proud. Selene, on the other hand, just seems crestfallen, so he tries to hide his smirk for the sake of his wife. But ultimately, they both know she’s right. Their little girl is grown up now, and she is setting her own boundaries. They can either respect them, or they’ll inevitably end up pushing her farther away.

Speaking of boundaries, these birds do not belong in this house, and Lottie is not amused.

When Imogen comes home from work the next day, she’s shocked to see her father at her front door. And even more shocked to see that he’s wearing booty shorts.

“This neighborhood is so great!” Archer is all smiles and glee when Imogen invites him in. “And you did all of this yourself? This place looks great Imogen. Will you show me around?”

Imogen shows her father around the home she’s been putting together, and it feels really good to have him see how hard she’s been working. He passes on her offer of cold pizza, but he has compliments to share about every corner of the place he’s seen.

“I’m happy, Daddy,” Imogen says, surprised to hear her voice catch in her throat. “I wasn’t. It took time. It hasn’t been easy. But I am making something work here. I want you and Mom to be proud of me, even if it seems strange or unfamiliar to you.”

“You never need to worry about me being proud of you,” Archer says, softly. But Imogen knew that. He’s not really the one she’s mourning right now. “Your mother is, too. You’re doing something she’s never done—between you and me, I don’t think she’d last a day trying to do what you’re doing. I think that scares her. She wants you to be safe.”

There’s another knock on the door, and Imogen dries her eyes and asks her Dad to wait just a minute while she goes to answer it.

“Wow you look great,” Imogen is impressed by Aloisio’s new style. “But this isn’t really a good time—” Aloisio promises he only needs a minute. He has an engagement present for her. He bought it the first night they met, in the Dambele markets. He had to negotiate so that the vendor wouldn’t sell it to that snotty kid, but it was worth it. Plus, one less child running around with a sharp edge is probably a public service.

Imogen is speechless. It’s beautiful. Aloisio pulls out a blade of his own, grinning like a maniac. Now they can spar anytime they want!

The idea of running at her fiancé with a pointy object is appealing, but like Imogen said before, now isn’t a good time. He should come inside, though. There’s someone she wants him to meet.

…that is not who she meant.

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[allypopsims]

Chapter 11: The Scandal

Imogen knew that Nadya would be spreading something ridiculous about her, but *this?* She expected something about her clothes, or her waning social skills—but not outright lies! It is…a lie, right? She is initially completely outraged, but as she chases gossiping onlookers away from her house, she wonders if so much went on last night that she forgot some of the finer details.

Imogen wants to spend some time being invisible. The markets of Dambele are busy, and it’s easy to blend into the crowd, so she decides to spend the day shopping and watching the swans to keep her mind occupied. 

Oh this sword is gorgeous. Imogen was a decent dueler, at least in the structured environment of a training studio, but really what she’s always enjoyed is the craftsmanship of the swords. This is a lovely vorpal blade. It’s an indulgent purchase—she does not have the spending money to justify buying it—but she’s been feeling down and she really thinks spending a ridiculous amount of simoleons to own this medieval weapon would make her feel better.

Oh, but this child wants it too. She can’t stand between a child and his first deadly weapon. Her reputation is already suffering enough. With a deep, resigned sigh. She nods goodbye to the vendor and sulks away, leaving her dream sword behind.

An onlooker has been watching the interaction with interest. 

“The vorpal sword, perhaps we can come to an agreement?”

The day fades into night, and Imogen finds herself at the well of Anansi. She’s looking for any kind of guidance at this point, so she flips a coin into the well and asks Anansi for guidance on what she should do next with her life.

Anansi’s Well glows brightly, and Imogen feels her heart begin to race as a deep voice echos from the depths. Unfortunately, the message it relays is rather cryptic. Something about completing trials…and if Imogen isn’t mistaken, it offered to extend her vehicle’s warranty. She doesn’t even own a car. Ah well. At least she tried.

“Anansi is rarely helpful until you’ve proven yourself worthy,” a voice speaks out, this time not from the well but from the shadows nearby. “At least, that’s the legend.”

“It was worth a shot,” Imogen replies with a shrug. 

It’s late, and it’s gotten dark. The man, who introduces himself as Aloisio, offers to walk Imogen back to the town center. Strangers could be anywhere this time of night.

“Yes, who knows what kind of creeps might be lurking in the shadows,” Imogen agrees, a playful lilt in her voice. Perhaps Aloisio should make her nervous, but he doesn’t. She’s more than happy to allow him to be her escort.

When they get back to the outskirts of the market, Aloisio guides her to a bench. Imogen sits with him, her guard still slightly elevated, but somehow not truly feeling suspicious of her new companion.

“You don’t look like you’re from around here,” Aloisio points out the obvious. Imogen nods.

“I’m from Innisgreen. But I’m not as well-traveled as I’d like. I’m trying to explore more places.”

“Oh, you’re a fairy?”

“Not exactly.”

Her tone doesn’t invite further questions. Aloisio touches the tip of his hat genially and wishes her safe travels home. She wants to ask if she’ll see him again, but before she finds her tongue he has disappeared back into the shadows.

He has her first name and her home world, that’s more than enough for Aloisio to look her up if he were so inclined. Imogen has to make sure the first thing he finds is *not* that horrific rumor of a scandal she woke up to. When she gets home, she rushes to her computer and immediately posts a response denying everything. To her eternal relief, it seems to dispel the conversation quickly.

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