#not at all lol

[feroshgirlsims]

Chapter 8.2 - Flesh of My Flesh

VLAD

Once he’s put enough distance between them and his father, Vlad stops and slides off his horse. As usual, he can feel his flesh shifting around like it's trying to dislodge the weapon or else heal around it.

It’s not really what he needs right now; a burst of adrenaline would be more helpful, but he can’t seem to get his body to comply. Frankly, it was a mystery how everyone else handled it. Was he the only sim who had to walk around telling his insides to make more efficient use of resources? Did it just happen naturally to everyone else? 

He should look into it, although finding out would involve talking to other sims, which Vlad loathes. Maybe it would be best to wait until he was in a better mood. He already had a low tolerance for doing things that disinterested him.

That problem sorted, he whispers a few instructions to Maizy and sends her running. Hopefully, his grandfather assumes he’s still on the horse and follows the sound. 

As he walks, he tries to pull the arrow out, but most of it snagged on a branch during his ride and broke off. It’s too close to the skin for him to manage on his own, so he gives up and puts his energy towards cutting through the woods.

He’s almost home free when his grandfather shoots out from behind a tree, slamming into him.

Vlad hits the ground and grabs a stone, trying to bring it down on Nikolas’s fingers. They grapple, neither managing to get the upper hand. Bubba is too quick, and Vlad is too determined; it’s their usual cycle.

“Alright, that’s enough,” Josef calls out. “Someone’s gotta get Maizy, and I’m starving.”

Nikolas falls back, fighting to catch his breath, “Fine. We’re done anyways. I had him on the ropes.”

“You didn’t,” Vlad scowls. “Age has addled your mind.”

“Always the same with you two,” Vlad’s father grumbles. “Bubba, go fetch the horse before she ends up in the creature keeper’s gardens again. And Vladislaus,” he walks over and tugs off Vlad’s coat, “Let’s get the rest of this arrow out because if your skin grows around it again, your mother will have my head.”  

Vlad shrugs. In truth, it’s all the same to him, though he knows better than to push back. Once, someone broke the shank of a screwdriver off in his arm. He could have just let it disappear, but his parents were insistent, so like everything else that he does because it's “what sims do,” he sliced open his bicep and dug it out. 

“How did Bubba figure I wasn’t on the horse?” he asks when Josef finishes. 

“The hoofbeats. Sound changes when there’s no rider. Next time, remember to weigh her down.”

Vlad tucks that piece of information away. “And the arrow?”

His father laughs, “That’s my business. But you regain your focus, and maybe I’ll show you a trick.”

“I am refocused. No murder boards, no pondering the secrets of the universe. Is that good enough?”

“You tell me, is everything quiet in there?” 

It absolutely was not. Vlad’s worries were a low hum. He knew not to express them, but every concern was still there. “Why does it matter?” he huffs.

“Because idle hands are the devil’s playground,” His grandfather quips as he approaches. Maizy follows dutifully behind him. “And that means you are vulnerable to someone who wants to make use of you just by giving you something to do with all that rage and talent.” 

Vlad cuts his gaze to the side. “I don’t know what that means.”

“See!” Josef shouts, “I told you it wasn’t working! We need—”

“We need to calm down,” Nikolas tilts his head and gives Vlad a slow smile. “I always knew you was gonna be exceptional. Problem is, you’d burn the world or raze a city to the ground just out of boredom or curiosity.”

That was rich coming from his grandfather. Though to be fair, while Vlad hadn’t explicitly thought about how he’d achieve such a thing, he wasn’t opposed to the idea now that it had come up. 

“I see your wheels turnin’ already,” Nikolas sighs, “Your father is right. When you was young this was enough, but it ain’t workin’ anymore.” He shares a look with Josef that’s halfway between grief and resignment. 

“You need a boss,” Josef says quietly. He flexes his hand and swallows hard. “Only a boss can tell you what to do. Only a boss’s word is final. Everything you have and all your talents are at their service. And you only get one for always. So choose wisely.” 

“I barely want a job, let alone a boss,” Vlad rolls his eyes. 

“A job is some shit sims pay you to do,” Nikolas spits on the ground, his voice rough, “A boss takes care of you. And you take care of them. They tell you what’s a good idea and what isn’t. You can be yourself with a boss—your whole self, Vladislaus.”

Vlad still can’t understand the shift in tone, though the idea they’re suggesting isn’t unappealing. “Why?”

“Because it's what sims do,” his father says. “Saddle up Maizy, we’re heading back.”

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(Part 3 of 4)

[cannibalcult]

think my mom and i's relationship is over now

[thaidakar-is-hot]

[pupco1]

I NEED to stop spending my entire day on Minecraft. I ended up so tired, that I couldn't even try this Hex Manic drawing. idk im rambling have at it ig

[biggest-gaudiest-patronuses]

now that trump has tiktok, twitter, facebook and insta in his pocket, get ready for a massive wave of internet censorship. one of trump's greatest weapons has always been misinformation; it's going to become harder and harder to spread facts and criticism going forward. posts that aren't made invisible will be magically ignored by the algorithm. dissidents will have their accounts deleted and voices erased.

this is a suppression tactic. this is another stage of fascism.

[goldensunset]

you! tumblr user!

[personnotfound]

i hope whoever actually shot that CEO is having a good day.

[atinymexicanbird]

Ark siblings in all universes 🪐

[antennatoheaven]

[arcanefanpage]

SHE’S ALIVE!! I WILL DIE ON THIS HILL! THE AIRSHIP AT THE END!!! THE GLITCHY END CREDITS!! THE AIR VENTS!!! THE GLITCH! CAITLYN’S SMIRK AT THE END!!!

[sleepygaymerdisease]

[slyandthefamilybook]

tumblr glitched out somehow but idc because this is way better than the original poll

[lylahammar]

the one perk he can't earn

[psibiko]

Jayce: omg dude we were so drunk last night! (had 1 mimosa)

Viktor: yeah (was sober)