#toddlers genetics are no longer the same

[lindyloosims]

The curse is gone! 😁😁😁

[woso-dreamzzz]

Miracle III

Aitana Bonmatí x Baby!Reader

Summary: An early morning with Mama

The sunlight filtering into the room has Aitana blinking awake, squinting as the soft rays of sun glow directly in her eyes.

She yawns, glancing away from the gap in the curtains to look directly at the baby monitor on her bedside table.

The image shows you clearly, wide awake and standing. One hand grips your pegasus plushie while the other stretches up to play with one of the hanging stars on your mobile.

You're probably getting too big for it now, developing quickly from baby to that weird baby-toddler in between that Aitana can remember happened to Skatt and before Skatt, Conejita.

She wishes that she'd studied them more carefully so she'd be prepared for this.

You seem to realise she's watching you though with the same weird sixth sense you have when you're playmates are ready to climb in the playpen with you at training.

You babble a bit, interspersing nonsense with real words as you blow spit bubbles.

"Mama Ta-Ta! Ta-Ta!"

Aitana finds a fond smile appearing on her face as she rolls over in bed, slipping her feet into a pair of fluffy slippers and pulling on a bathrobe to keep the early morning chill out.

You make a little noise of happiness when your bedroom door opens and Aitana plucks you into her arms without anymore nagging.

"Good morning, estrella," She coos, dropping a soft kiss to the end of your nose which makes you go cross-eyed.

"Mor'ing Mama Ta-Ta."

You reach out a hand to grab at Aitana's face, scraping weak little fingers against her cheek before finally getting a grip on her ear.

She laughs, gently pulling your grabby little hand away as she checks the funny little cuckoo clock Mapi had gotten you as a joke.

It's still early.

Too early to be up on a day off.

"Let's go to my bed."

You seem fascinated with the soft blanket covers as Aitana lays you in the middle of her bed as she strips back down to just her pjs, running your fingers over the patterns again and again as you gnaw on pegasus' wing.

Aitana drags you towards her in just the way you like, pulling out your fuzzy onesie legs until you're right next to her.

You kick out happily as she gently manoeuvres you into a sitting position.

There's no hope in getting you to sleep again, not when you're wide awake like this but that doesn't mean the two of you can't stay in bed for a little while longer.

Aitana is easily amused by the funny little sounds you make and the way that you try to sound out words you've heard her say before.

You're startlingly intelligent for your age, far advanced than what Aitana can remember baby Skatt and baby Conejita to be like. She isn't quite sure whether it's a genetic thing or just how much time she dedicates to your education, young as you are.

Tv time is spent only watching educational kid's shows or some documentaries. Time is set aside to watch a bit of football together of course but even then, Aitana waffles on about tactics and formations and everything else under the sun she can think of.

She's read all the baby books about raising children bilingual and how to foster a love for reading in them. She'd taken you to her parents once and returned to find her mother reading a university grade textbook to you before bedtime.

She doesn't know if it's just a Bonmatí thing or if it's how she's raising you.

Either way, she's glad because even now you're working your brain and you've barely gotten up.

"Mer-ry," You say and Aitana smiles.

"Mercury," She corrects.

"Mer-cry."

"Mer-cury."

"Mercury!"

"Good job, estrella!"

You giggle as Aitana tickles your tummy, hand coming out to imitate her movements but Aitana captures it easily, pressing a soft kiss to your palm.

The rest of the early morning goes the same way, with you struggling to say all the planet names until Aitana helps to correct you.

At some point, you migrate to her lap, head tilted all the way back on her shoulder so you can see her clearly.

Something about the way you look at her, your soft baby features, the smile on your face, the sparkle in your eyes, has Aitana's chest bursting with warmth.

"I..." She says, feeling slightly choked up as your hands gently explore her fingers," I love you, estrella."

"Lub you," You say back," Lub Mama."

The warmth turns to ice instantly, like a lance cracking her chest open and finding a home in her heart.

"No," Aitana says gently," No Mama. Mama Ta-Ta, remember? You've already got a Mama."

You shake your head. "Mama."

"I...Estrella...Estrella, no. I'm not Mama. I'm Mama Ta-Ta."

It feels disrespectful to take that role.

This was never the life Aitana was meant to have. You were hers biologically. That had been the plan.

She was meant to donate her egg, the least she could do for her two best friends who desperately wanted a child but couldn't have any of their own. She was meant to be Tia Aitana, Tia Ta-Ta who would swoop you up occasionally and show you the joys of life. The one that you could come to when you were a moody teenager and in that stage where you 'hated' your parents.

Maybe if you had called her 'Mami' it would be different but Mama was the name that Aitana's friend referred to herself as. She was meant to be your Mama, not Aitana.

Not Aitana who is already pushing invisible boundaries by allowing herself to be called Mama Ta-Ta.

You shake your head stubbornly. "Mama!"

It seems you've inherited the Bonmatí stubbornness too as your smiling face sets into a little frown just like Aitana's.

She doesn't know how to explain it to you, doesn't know how to explain that she can't be your Mama. No matter how much she wants to.

"Mama..." You whine, frown morphing into a chin wobble and a chin wobble morphing into big fat tears rolling down your face.

"No, no, estrella! It's okay! Don't cry! I'm sorry!"

Aitana desperately tries to bounce you, to soothe your tears but you're inconsolable until you're tucked into her chest, hand reaching up to tug at the collar of her sleep shirt.

"Mama," You babble through your tears, trying to shuffle even closer," Mama, please."

Aitana's own bottom lip wobbles as tears prick in her eyes.

She rests her cheek on the top of your head, breathing in the soft baby smell that never quite left, lingering on the edges of her senses like it had the first time she'd met you.

It feels disrespectful to take her friend's name but at the same time, it feels right.

To be your Mama.

To take the name that you've so happily bestowed upon her.

The name you've chosen for her.

No longer Ta-Ta or Mama Ta-Ta.

Just Mama.

You whimper a little, wiping your runny nose all over the front of her shirt. "Mama?"

"Yes, estrella," Aitana says," I'm your Mama."

[vodika-vibes]

Hello again >:3 this time it's Alpha-17 for the same face gods au :3 big grumpy, snarky wonderful Alpha~ <3 Honestly summoning him would very very much be a bad idea for the empire. I imagine he'd be just as brutal as Fox had been if any imps are in the room when he appears, maybe worse knowing him.

Maybe the reader is an escaped prisoner and the empire were gonna use her for the ritual and she accidentally spilled her blood completing their ritual? But if this seems too much like the Fox one I say dealer's choice. ( the dice rolled off my table.. twice. It was a sign... choosing between Alpha and Boba is apparently illegal)

I Give Hope To Man

Summary: You’ve been a political prisoner of the Empire since you were a small child. You can no longer remember the feel of grass against your feet or the feel of sunlight against your skin. You no longer remember your parents' faces or their voices. You no longer remember your brother's laughter. You know it’s only a matter of time before you’re executed like the rest of your family. But you will not go gently into that good night…and the Empire will soon learn that.

Pairing: Alpha-17 x F!Reader

Prompt: Mystic AU - same-faced gods AU

Word Count: 2363

Warnings: Mentions of political prisoners (the Empire sucks)

Tagging: @trixie2023 @n0vqni @imabeautifulbutterfly

A/N: Alright, so I'm not sure I'm happy with the ending, but I'm having a focusing issue today, so I think I'm overthinking it. Honestly, my typing is too loud, so I think I have a migraine forming.

You are intimately familiar with every single nook and cranny in your cell. You know that the pipes leak when it gets cold outside. You know that when it’s hot outside, the shower only runs in 10-minute intervals. You know that the cell door creaks loudly and that it doesn’t open as smoothly as it should.

You’ve been a prisoner here for the majority of your life.

Father was a politician who openly spoke out against Palpatine.

So, naturally, your whole family was arrested for treason.

To give the Empire some credit, you weren’t separated from your mother until you were ten, and you were allowed to get a basic education. Why they allowed such a thing is beyond you, after all, it’s not like you’re ever going to see the light of day again.

You’re not stupid, after all.

Father was executed when you were still a toddler. Mother was executed several months after your tenth birthday. And your older brother…well, he was executed several weeks after he turned 21.

You sigh as you do your morning stretches. You’ve recently turned 21, which means, at best, you have a couple of weeks left to live. Assuming that the Empire treats you like they treated your brother.

It’s almost funny, how afraid the Empire is of your family. It’d be funnier if your family wasn’t wiped out due to it.

I give hope to man, and I leave none for myself. 

Your family’s motto. Written under your family crest, tattooed on your mother’s collar, and engrained so deeply into your genetic code that even now you can’t help but make escape plans.

You, and your family, you’re symbols to the people who still resist the Empire. And you’re the last one standing. 

There’s a bang on the door, “Morning, Princess.” A drawled voice, one of the guards, calls as he slides the door open.

You roll your eyes and return to your morning stretches.

“Brought you breakfast,” The guard says as he steps into the cell properly and places a tray on the table, “Looks like…an omelet with peppers and onions, some toast, a couple of slices of bacon, and your morning tea.”

You pause and glance at the tray, before arching a brow, “Ah, so I’m to be executed this week then?” Your normal breakfasts generally consist of toast, runny eggs, and watery tea.

The guard inclines his head, once, “Later today, before lunch.”

“Lovely.”

The guard is quiet for a moment, “If you wanted to throw your support behind the Empire, Princess, this would be the time to tell someone.”

You laugh, “I would much rather be executed, thanks.”

He sighs, “I’m trying to save your life.”

“I’m not interested. You can go now. I’d like to eat my breakfast in peace.”

The guard sighs again and shakes his head, “I’m afraid I can’t do that. I am to inform you of how today is going to go.”

You slide into your seat and take a sip of your tea, rich and floral, just how you like it. “If you must.”

“In a couple of hours, you are going to be escorted to the ritual chamber on the other side of the island. Once you are there, you will be asked to bathe with a specific soap, and you will be brought to the chamber itself.”

“How festive.”

“You are to be the sacrifice for a summoning.”

“Of course I am.” You take a bite of your toast, “Curious question, I assume this is how the rest of my family was executed.”

“It is.”

“Has it ever worked?” You ask with a tilt of your head.

The Guard flushes an ugly share of red, making him look like a large, misshapen tomato, “It will work this time.”

“Of course it will.” You say with a small smile, “Just because it’s never worked before doesn’t mean it won’t work this time.”

He scowls at you, “The world will be a much better place once your entire family is wiped from the map.”

“I’m sure you think so.”

His eyes narrow at you, though you cheerfully ignore him, “I’ll be back in a couple of hours.”

“Mmkay.” You don’t even flinch as the cell door slams shut.

If you remember your lessons correctly, rituals are ridiculously easy to throw off. Say the wrong thing, move the wrong way, and the ritual won’t work. Whatever the Empire is trying to summon, you’re not going to let them use your death to get it.

You take another bite of your omelet. This is probably exactly what your family did before they were killed, planned on how to make sure that the ritual didn’t work the way that it was supposed to.

Not the greatest family tradition, you suppose, but it’s better than nothing.

Slowly, you continue eating, trying to come up with a workable plan to keep the Empire from winning. It’s not easy, there are far too many variables for you to actually come up with a good plan, but by the time the cell door opens again and the guards come to escort you to the ritual chamber, you have a plan.

Or, well, an idea of a plan.

The guards chain your hands behind your back and they walk you through the brightly lit halls. For the first time in years, the halls are completely silent. 

Silent enough that the guards are twitchy and anxious about it.

A small smirk lifts your lips when the other prisoners start singing, a dirge of hope and loss and a better tomorrow.

I give hope to men, and I keep none for myself.

The guards swarm the prison, shouting at the other prisoners, ordering them silent, but they might as well be trying to keep the sun from rising for all of the effect that they’re having. 

You’re shoved through a door at the end of the hall, and the door slams shut behind you and the guards, but the song seems to have been picked up by the building itself, as voices echo eerily through the empty halls.

“Keep walking.” The guard’s voice is shaking, and you shoot him a disgusted look before you head down the stairs. 

They unbind your hands as you come to the ritual chamber, and you’re directed to a small shower. A woman hands you a bar of soap, soap that smells very woodsy and clean, and you’re ordered to bathe with that bar of soap specifically, including your hair.

You strip and step under the hot water, after shooting the woman a baleful look. Bar soap is not good for hair, but since you’re supposed to die in here, you suppose it doesn’t matter in the long run.

Once you’re clean, you’re draped in a dark blue cloth, which has been fashioned into some kind of dress, and you’re guided to the middle of the room and instructed to sit on a stone table. One of the guards chains you to the table and then scurries to the edge of the room. 

You scan the room thoughtfully. Despite being so far underground, you’re warm, the thin cloth covering your body should do little to keep you warm, you should be shivering like the rest of the people in the room, but you’re not. Which is surprising, as you can see your breath.

The room is lit by blue flames, not offering much light but dousing the room in eerie shadows.

Water pours down the walls, not affecting the flames in the slightest, and if you had to guess the water is the cause for the low temperature. 

Across from you is another table. There are several whisky bottles, a full set of ancient armor, and a bowl filled with a flame that you can only call angry.

You hear your name, and you turn to look at the Government official. “You have been found guilty of treason,” He says, his voice clipped, “Have you anything to say in your defense?”

You turn your gaze away from the government officials, “I wasn’t aware toddlers could commit treason,” you say. It’s all you say. Slowly you drag your knuckles across the stone table. Once, twice, three times.

The table isn’t sharp, but it is rough. Rough enough that with only three passes of your knuckles across the top, the thin skin of your knuckles split open, spilling your blood on the table.

Adding your blood to the ritual.

You hear the Government official sigh, “Begin the ritual.”

There’s the sound of a fire being lit, and then the sound of rushing flames. You expect to feel the heat of the flames before you see them, so you’re surprised when nothing changes. 

Pale blue flames encircle the room, shielding you from the prying eyes of the people outside the circle. Then the flames curve towards you and the other table.

You pull your feet up as the flames go under your feet, and absently you flick some of your blood into the flame.

Much to your surprise, the flame stops moving and then flares brightly as the fire turns a much darker shade of blue. You end up having to close your eyes as the flames burn bright enough that it’s like staring into the sun.

The bright laugh fades after only a few moments, and you open your eyes, expecting to see the flames slowly filling the ritual circle.

Only, that’s not what you see.

The flames burn brightly around the outside of the circle, but standing across from you is a man.

A massive man, heavily scarred, who is pulling armor on. 

You’d swear that the armor was too small for him, only it seems to resize and recolor to fit him as he pulls it over the dark, skin-tight, material covering his body.

Finally, he turns his gaze onto you, his eyes are dark and piercing as he looks at you, at the material you’re wearing, and at the chain around your ankle, and he turns to focus on you fully.

“My name,” He says slowly, “is Alpha-17. I am the god of retribution.”

You exhale slowly, you should be afraid, a god of retribution is not a nice god, after all. But you’ve never felt safer in your life.

So, you introduce yourself. 

Alpha offers you his hand, and you take it, allowing him to help you to your feet. The chain around your ankle dissolves as if it was never there to begin with.

“I have been a political prisoner since I was a toddler,” You say to the much larger man, “My father, mother, and brother have already been killed.”

“Is that right?” Alpha kneels in front of you, and you don’t stop yourself from reaching out and tracing one of the scars on his face with a light finger.

“It is. My father was a politician who stood against the Empire. He called them out for cruelty, and for being power-hungry. And he died for it.”

“Was he right?”

“Yes.” You watch, curiously, as Alpha-17 closes his eyes while your fingers explore his face, “This entire prison is home to Palpatine’s political prisoners. Entire families who aren’t allowed to live because we believe in freedom.”

“You don’t feel angry.” Alpha notes.

Your smile isn’t nice, “They don’t get to have my anger. Or my fear. Or my hate.”

“You summoned me, little one.” Alpha rumbles, “So what do you want?”

“I want them to hurt. I want to carry on my family’s legacy. But I can’t do it alone.”

“And what is your family’s legacy?”

“I give hope to man, and keep none for myself.”

Alpha smiles and catches your hands to bring them to his lips. His gaze locks with yours, “I’m happy to support you in all your endeavors. You are my priestess after all.” He presses his lips against the pads of your fingers and then stands again.

Alpha lightly pushes you so that you’re crouched behind the table, and then steps away from you. You have so many questions, but based on the look on his face, the questions will have to wait.

You peek around the corner of the table and watch as the flames burst outward. You see the government official approach Alpha, and you watch, stunned as Alpha moves and shoves his arm through the man’s chest.

You watch as Alpha slaughters all of the people in the room with an ease that should frighten you, but doesn’t for some reason.

As the last body hits the floor, barely recognizable as a person, you stand and hurry over to him. “You killed them all.” You marvel.

“Is that a problem?” Alpha asks as he flicks blood off his hand.

“Not to me.”

“Good.” He gazes at you for a moment and then moves so he’s almost pressed against you, and he ducks his head so that his face is only an inch away from yours, “I’m going to take great pleasure in making you mine, ad’ika. But I suppose we’d better get you safe first.”

“Yours?” You ask, unable to help yourself.

“Mine.” He confirms, “Did no one teach you about your responsibilities as a priestess?”

“Uh, I’ve been a prisoner since I was a toddler, and my education was very targeted.” You counter wryly.

He chuckles, “Don’t worry, I’ll teach you. It’ll come naturally. That’s part of the binding that happens with the summoning. I just have to complete it.” He wipes his hands on a cloth that he got from somewhere, “Now, how many guards upstairs?”

“A couple dozen. Maybe more.”

“Easy then.” He drops the cloth and lightly grips your chin before he leans in and presses his lips against yours. You sigh into the kiss, and his lips curl up into the smile. “I suppose I’d better teach you all about sex too. I’m looking forward to it.” He murmurs against your lips.

“Yeah, probably.” You agree.

Alpha pulls away and turns to the stairs, and it’s only then that you realize that you can still hear the song. “Well then,” He murmurs as he glances at you, “Give hope to man, indeed.”

[studentinpursuitofclouds]

lately I've been messing with a mod that changes some vanilla + sve dialogues about the species of the farmer to make them recognise them as not human (you can kinda customize the race). It's been pretty fun and great for role-playing but at the same time, it kinda crossed my mind that a supernatural lineage/genetics could sort of justify the weird thing of the farmer's children growing at strange paces for a human child (going from baby to toddler in weeks and then stoping) if they're biological.

And like, probably for the farmer it's the most normal thing in the world and never mentioned such details about children in their species. And so. It happens. The kid grows too fast or too slow. Maybe it's because the farmer is from a species that lives longer than usual so it halts the development even if they're half-human, or are from species that just reaches maturity faster than humans. Or whatever.

So, what kind of reactions do you think some bachelors/bachelorettes would have upon discovering their children have messed up stages of growth bc of this? I'm not thinking about anyone in particular but I kind of think that the more adventure/magic related spouses would get it easier or even expect it. Whoever you think would be more interesting, really.

I hope I wasn't too vague or weird with this idea-- Have a great day and weekend 🫶🪻

That's a pretty interesting theory about children growing up quickly! Usually a lot of people (myself included) have discussed the rapid passing of the seasons in Stardew Valley, but it's usually written off to the mechanics of the game or the fact that this magical world doesn't have the same passage of time as normal. After all, carrots don't grow for only three days, and autumn doesn't consist of only one month. Heh, I like this idea, dear anon, thanks for your ask! 💕

You mentioned that you weren't thinking of anyone in particular, but I understood that adventure/magic meant Expanded mod, right? So I'll include some candidates from vanilla game and mod. Anyway, enjoy!

_____________________________

Abigail:

Abigail thought at first that she was sleep-deprived (being a parent was a challenge, after all), but even as she wiped her eyes and scrutinized the baby's crib, the purple-haired girl was stunned. It's her baby, but at the same time, it's not??? What the heck is going on?

"Farmer, can I talk to you for a moment?"

She knew both for Farmer's background and the fact that their child might inherit some of her spouse's abilities of their non-human half, the young mom was prepared. But here was the rapidly passing stage from baby to toddler that was unexpected for both of them. Well, at least Farmer had explained that only this stage would be skipped like this. On one hand, Abby was a little bummed that she hadn't gotten to babysit her son/daughter as baby more, but on the other hand she exhaled a sigh of relief that now she wouldn't have to deal with the constant dirty diapers and crying in the middle of the night almost every two hours.

Magnus Rasmodius:

The creatures from which Farmer had roots were known for their longevity and slower growth stages, unlike the human race. Magnus knows this very well, he even has a book about it somewhere in his library. The wizard knows the entire contents by heart, as he wanted to understand what to be prepared for when a new member of his and Farmer's family arrives. This point, however, caused him a share of sadness.

Rasmodius loves Farmer and their beautiful child dearly, and wouldn't trade that happiness for anything. It's just... his child (and Farmer too) will live longer than Magnus himself, and he's already old. He's afraid he'll leave this world before his son/daughter starts talking or even recognize him... But at least the magical crystals he charges with memories and photos of a happy family will remind his child that they had a father, and that Magnus loved them and Farmer very much.

Lance:

It was rare to find Lance dumbfounded, especially dumbfounded by his own child. The gallant adventurer and young father wasn't the least bit surprised that his and Farmer's newborn was showing magic already at a young age, given the pedigree of both parents. But what kind of magic had made his crawling baby into an already confidently walking toddler?

"My soul, do you recall any other unusual features on your part that might explain this transformation?" Yep, Farmer could answer that.

It's a similar situation with Magnus, Lance will have a pang of sadness that he will grow old faster than his dearest spouse and his child. But that's fate, and there's no point in wasting this time with sad thoughts. Lance will devote all his time to his family, loving and protecting them as long as he walks this earth.

Emily:

It's one thing when the sudden growing up of an unusual child happens, say, somewhere over the course of a few days to a week, where you slowly but surely ask yourself the logical question, but are at least somehow prepared for it. And it's other thing - when you walk out of the nursery, with your newborn's dirty pyjamas, and come back in a couple of minutes later and they're already a toddler. That's how Emily caught the miraculous transformation of her kid.

At first, the gem lover thought that her child was cursed by someone, and began to look for ways to remove this misfortune and cleanse the house of the dark aura. Until her spouse Farmer came home and explained to Emily what had just happened. Why didn't they tell her sooner? Well, their great-great-great-great-great-great grandmother wasn't exactly human (Farmer too, but partly), and there was a 1 in 1000 chance of someone in the family will "skip" one of the stages of growing up. But that's just this stage, from here on out it's all human. Shocking, but baby and Farmer are fine, that's the main thing. Oh, their baby needs a new clothes! To the sewing machine! ☝️

[simonteacherassociation]

Do Imon and Noelle (Anna) have the same relationship they had before?

I feel like I'm on would have certain feel of lost. Like one thing is taking care of your baby girl (and get used to it) and suddenly your baby is not your baby anymore but mentally grown and who she used to be before.

Imon would do things like "Noelle, come here I will read you a story!" or "Come here I'm gonna help your with that" or those silly little explaining that you have to make to babies an toddlers, and Anna, being pretty much herself with her adult mind would be like "What are you doing?"

I mean that's sort of losing your child.

it's more obvious now but, yeah, the relationship is different. noelle's... anna-brained now, which means she's pretty mentally used to being just that- anna. maybe she's not full grown woman, she still has some little girl behaviors, but this is exactly how imon feels; he got used to being little noelle's dad. he got used to taking care of her, and while he missed anna he was accepting and willing to help this new facet of her, this new life of hers grow up.

and then anna came back. and he was happy, excited even, to see his best friend again! but it's becoming hard for him. that innocent, actual baby noelle that he carried and raised seems like she's gone, and now he doesn't know if he's a dad at all anymore. even if noelle has those adult woman smarts she's still learning and she is, physically, a child, so imon's instincts to be her father are there but now it's complicated. he's worried how this is going to affect her development, he's worried about her well-being since she came from a magicless world before, in a magicless body. ooo is a dangerous place and he feels she is too confident.

and there's the unknown aspect of noelle growing up with wizard brain. he doesn't entirely know what to expect, and it's especially concerning because of the crown magic that obviously has enough control over his body to affect his child's genetics. she doesn't have a crown to be messed with. if she doesn't keep her head above the MMS water, she's screwed. he doesn't want to lose the anna aspect, too.

he's trying to tell himself it's a strange, complicated situation and they'll work through it, but he'd be lying if he didn't admit there's a sadness in his heart at the thought of not being called papa ever again. he feels bad. this is what he wanted when he asked for his best friend back, isn't it? he doesn't understand why it's so hard for him to juggle this- why it's so hard for him to flip back into best friend mode. he knew anna way longer than noelle's been alive.

[lesquatrechevrons]

TCW Multigenerational timeloop AU

@cacodaemonia and @anxiousotters thank you for asking about the AU! 💖💖💖

it’s all because I am fascinated by what kind of societies/communities the clones would foster given the chance, time and space to do so and also because I wonder what happens to those survivors of o66 that we don’t hear about (and have not died T_T). And lastly, because I Am Not Immune To The Grandfather Paradox and how this can play out!

TLDR: surviving clones recover, rebuild their numbers & raise each other in a liminal place away from The War. Things are so every cycle the Oldest Generation will pass away and be reborn as the Youngest; knowledge needs to be taught from generation to generation. No one knows (not even me) if this cycle will break one day, but the clones do understand that every few cycles the stars are in position for them to mess with the GFFA time continuum. Will they? If yes, how? If not, what does this cycle of rebirth mean for the culture they choose to create?

Much longer rambling (and super rough sketches! At the end!) under the cut!

The rambling explanation:  

I have 2 versions in mind:

The one with no legends characters (straight TCWs only), would probably need much ‘hand-wavy’ will of the force: some of the survivors find a pocket of time (inner core planet/sheltered galaxy like exagol that follows its own rules) and ~something~ causes them to be reborn at every cycle; example, you have old Dogma teaching a teenage Boil holding a toddler 99. In 40 years Dogma will be reborn and the cycle begins again. Plus, (vague idea) there is a temporal window that will allow them to ‘come back’ but only in the 10 years before and 10 years after TCW. They (I) don’t know if there are conditions to meet that will break any of their cycles. 

the one with some Legends characters, what they find from the clones genetic research jumpstarts the hope to “fix” the galaxy. They find a remote planet in the inner core, set up embryo batches much like Kamino, raise themselves communally, wait their chance to understand ‘what is their purpose’. I would think Spar is around (instead of dying, sharing Jango’s memories in a sort of ‘Postmortem: what went wrong’), as well as Mereel (given he and the RepComm cast synthesised the cure). And I still like the idea of a time window, except this time is ‘with the power of pettiness, revenge, and this apocryphal force temple I found’ flavour, and it would allow them to mess with the TCW until they get the outcome they want. 

So, my many questions that I am rotating for both AUs are:

In AU #2, which outcome would ‘strategy trained’ classes vs the troopers want for 3 millions of themselves? It would be an occasion to think about how different clone classes (Nulls Alphas CCs CTs etc) think of what ‘fixing’ something is. Also what kind of society do you create if your role is determined by your body type? And if you don’t have external stressors like pure survival, would you allow diversity? Would you level the playing ground by giving new generations access to the same modifications you have?

Would there be non-clones around? (It would be fun if every ‘Window in time’ cycle the clones grab a few key people - and see how they impact things).

In both AUs, if you could learn at the knee of a previous version of yourself, would you still be you? Maybe they have batches of clones eligible to ‘be’ one of ‘the originals’, chosen based on tests (because the early generations all they knew was testing). If you could prevent your future-past self, would you? How would a ‘4th generation Ponds’(from either AU) behave, if it was raised and taught with the experiences by previous versions of himself and the mistakes he made to try and save his men/Mace/Boba?

Would they enforce command top down (as this is all they have known), or would they learn/discover other ways to organise themselves? 

Do you isolate yourself from the galaxy? Or do you live as if one day you will ‘rejoin’ it? And if you think that you need to ‘prepare’ for something, will you? Will you run? Will you allow those that do not want to fight (Slick, Cut), to not to?

NOTE: I realised that I didn’t mention any specific ships or characters because I tend to think in terms of worldbuilding first and this idea is so… formless… I can’t even begin listing of who would drive the narration here. I’m imagining a choral cast because rocks are hewn by hammering them one hundred times, rather than one single hit.

And the… very rough… sketches!! Mistakes abound. As you can tell I’m going for a vibe of ‘teenagers without the canon terrible stressors’.

Wow!! This is so much more than I thought I had to say about this AU! I always get stuck on such big questions that I can’t answer (I am just not a plotter enough to make them a believable story), as well as the sheer mountain of material I need to read (RepComm, the games, so many episodes in TCWs…)(I need 72 hours long days!!!)

but if you have any feedback, or if you want to play in this sandbox, please do feel free to do so!!! <3<3<3 And thank you if you made it this far in my rambles!!

[thesims3help]

Sims 3 - Gameplay enhancing mods: Family, Pets, Occults, Celebrities.

A category-based mod post. Mods and links previously featured in our Masterlist. All credits to their rightful owners.

Categories include: family (pregnancy, parenthood, babies, toddlers, children), pets, occults and celebrities mods.

Pregnancy:

Mixed Feelings About Pregnancy .

Pregnancy Progress Controller

More/Less Cheaty Pregnancy Moodlet

Less/More Frequent Male Pregnancy!

Longer or Shorter Pregnancies, Puddles and More! 1.67

Multiple Birth Tuning Mod

Labor Leaks - puddles appear when birth starts!

[SEAS] More Seasons Interactions for Pregnant Sims by Nona Mena (simlogical.com)

Pregnancy Woes - more/less nausea and backaches!

Forever or a Day - longer/shorter pregnancy for sims/pets!

Teen Delivery - Teens Can Now Choose WHERE to Have a Baby

Parenting/Family:

User-directed Scolding + Other Punishments

Pick Up Toddler Fixes

Adults can Play Peek-A-Boo & Hug Toddlers

Family Kiss Interactions

All adults can carry children

Adults can Pinch cheek

Toddlers Can Sit on Sims' Laps

Breastfeeding Mod V11 - Updated 19 June by Nona Mena

Babies:

More Baby Interactions

Silent Babies & Toddlers

[PC] Don't Put the Baby Down (Changing Table Mod) by Nona Mena (simlogical.com)

Better Sleeping Babies & Toddlers

Newborns Get Zodiac Signs that Match the Current Season

Same Zodiac for Twins and Triplets

Toddlers:

Updated Toddler Interactions

More Toddler Interactions

Make a mess (New Toddler interactions)

Toddlers Can Use Stairs

Toddlers can Ask for Things

Toddlers can Sit on Couches & Lounges

Toddlers can Ride Rocking Rider

Biggest Little Mod for Toddlers

Outdoor Activities for Toddlers

Toddlers Extra Activities

Functional Baby Carrier

Replaced Toddler Crying Animations

Toys are More Fun!

Autonomous Play with Teddy Bear

Makeup Kit (Toddlers + Children)

Toddlers can Pickup Festive Eggs

Toddlers can Catch Butterflies & Pick Flowers

[GEN] Stroller Tweak: No Energy Strolls for Toddlers by Nona Mena (simlogical.com)

Read Toddler to Sleep - Fixed Interaction

Napping Mat

Children:

NoStretch Children Can series

Children can care for their lil' siblings

Better Playdates (Sims 3 Playdates)

Working Together is Better! - Homework Tweaks

Tooth Fairy Mod

Child can Use Collection Helper Reward (Tuning) by Nona Mena (simlogical.com)

[PC] Children can use Not So Routine Machine, Teleport works 100% by Nona Mena (simlogical.com)

Pets:

Pets Don't Eat Plants

Bathe Animals Correctly

Pet Bladder Tweaks

No Autonomous Fill Pet Bowl by Nona Mena (simlogical.com)

No/Fewer/Always Extra Days from Gourmet Pet Food by Nona Mena (simlogical.com)

No More Pets Autonomously Waking Sims by CyberBob (simlogical.com)

Improved Beloved Pet, and other Animal-Related Traits - 1.63 - 1.67 by Nona Mena (simlogical.com)

Improved Relationship Gain with Pets by Nona Mena (simlogical.com)

No/Slower Social and Exercise Decay for Pets - 1.63 - 1.67 by Nona Mena (simlogical.com)

New Pet Genetics - No More Skinny Clones

Minor Pets Won't Run Away

Dogs collecting shinies fills Destruction motive

Cats stalking for crawlies fills Scratch motive

Horse mod: No Autonomous Exit Box Stall, slower motive decay- 1.63 - 1.67 by Nona Mena (simlogical.com)

Improved Beloved Pet, and other Animal-Related Traits - 1.63 - 1.67 by Nona Mena (simlogical.com)

Horse mod: Foals Can Nurse on Community Lots by Nona Mena (simlogical.com)

Horse mod: No Autonomous Bottle Feed Foal by Nona Mena (simlogical.com)

Horse mod: Child and Pregnant Sim Can Mount Horse by Nona Mena (simlogical.com)

Horse mod: No Bareback Riding (Tuning) by Nona Mena (simlogical.com)

Immediate Interactions for Rails on Horse Jumping Objects (Update to V3) by Nona Mena (simlogical.com)

Buy Pets at the Pet Shop! (Scripting Mod) by Sims MX (simlogical.com)

Bloom's Apple Barrels: Let your Horses Feast on Apples! (Updated to V2) by Nona Mena (simlogical.com)

Horse mod: Easier Racing and Jumping Challenges (plus Gallop "fix") by Nona Mena (simlogical.com)

Horse mod: Easier Riding Challenges by Nona Mena (simlogical.com)

Occults:

No More Zombies Generated At Full Moon - 2 Flavors

nraas Hybrid

Enhanced Vampires

Enhanced Fairies

Enhanced Werewolves

Enhanced Mermaids

Enhanced Genies

Enhanced Witches

Enhanced Wands

sHoNi's Mummy Overhaul

Mummy Power Mod

Scarier Ghosts Mod

Plantsim Power Mod

Console –> PC: Karma Powers

Zombies Can't Kill Garden Plants

Normal Lifespan For Occults

Reaction Remover Collection

[SN] No Autonomous Ice Blast Plumbing by Nona Mena (simlogical.com)

[SN] No Autonomous Conjure Apple by Nona Mena (simlogical.com)

No Fairy Booby Trap Mailbox: 1.50 - 1.67 by Nona Mena (simlogical.com) (Link at the very bottom)

More Alchemy Potions + Potions for Pets

Celebrity:

Testers Wanted: Harder Celebrity Difficulty & More (Late Night)

Harder Fame (TS3SU)

[LN] No Celebrity Level requirements for Film (Acting/Director) Career by Nona Mena (simlogical.com)

[simm-mouse]

Alright part 2 of my theory on hidden Nervous. I'll have part 1 linked if you haven't read it yet. I suggest reading that one first before this one

Alright, you know the section where I theorized that psp and hidden Nerv being the same clone? Forgot about that part, I no longer believe in that theory(if you personally believe this however that's fine, I'm just changing my views on it.). If you look on the wiki, there are a total of 5 versions of Nervous Subject. We already have two in Sims 2, but he also appears in 3 and 4. But the one in Sims 3 isn't going to be talked about cuz it's just him as a toddler, which doesn't really make any sense because mostly the adults and elders in 2, are children or have not yet been born, not even Glarn and Kitty appear, but Glarn's parents Notso and Zo appear not even as teenagers yet. If we go with the more common theory for the sims timeline that each game adds 25 years later besides 3, which is supposed to be a prequel, then Nervous would be an elder or dead. Which doesn't make sense (I know it's more the fact that the developers didn't really focus on the timeline from the other two games when adding premades from other games, but still it's confusing).

So we're gonna focus on hidden, psp, and 4 Nervous. All three are clones of Nervous. All three are different from the original as the Sims 2 shows copies of some Sims and they're not identical to the original. I mean look at Pleasantview and strangetown's Bella Goths, their appearances are different. Even though all four look different, one thing's the same. All four smell of trauma and cat piss

Hidden would actually not be seen outside of the house as he never got to explore out into the world before his death(which fits more with the name hidden Nervous). He still ages into an elder by the Beaker's experiment. But they didn't have enough elixir of life to age him back, so he didn't get age down right away. So after they torture him he goes up to the roof to look at the sky. Just like with the friday the 13th video, He dies by getting struck by a meteorite.

For psp Nervous, he looks the most normal out of all versions of Nervous. It's pretty known why he's like that, but I like to think that he's the most genetically accurate. He'll have Olive's, and Grim's biological genetics before his death. So he'll be almost completely different, other than having the same clothes, it's hard to tell that he's even a clone. So it's very easy for him to walk around town and not be mistaken as the original Nervous. He would still say that he's just working for the Beakers as a way to hide the truth from others. He probably was caught after they found him trying to sneak out, and that's when It was impossible for him to escape and had more painful experiments done on him. His body just couldn't take it anymore, and that's when he was shocked to death by one of the machines used on him. Well shit, two clones are dead, hopefully the next one doesn't die

The current clone they have is the Nervous from the sims 4. Even though that game is an alternate universe or some dumb shit that messes with the timeline, he's a Nervous so he's gonna be talked about. This Nervous is trapped with now four Beakers. Yes, Atom and Ceres also torment this man. They'd even put the blame on him for the trouble they caused. He has yet to go out and explore the world, so right now he's stuck in the house.

Does Nervous know that he has clones? Probably, he figures that the Beakers would clone him if they haven't put in the effort to get him back since he ran off to live with the Curious brothers. Has he ever met the psp Nerv since he's the only clone that went outside? No, if so they would've been fist fighting

[irlmumrik]

how does parsnips moomin form work?

ok so biologically and genetically and all other icallys aside it makes no sense but!

he squeezes his ears! :-)

it was found out by chance when he was a toddler 😭 he can't do it too much though too frequently because he gets a migraine

it has no like, intended purpose either it's just more convenient to be a mumrik (legs are longer yknow) so he isn't in his moomin form a ton

same thing when he wants to switch back he just squeezes he ears :-))!

[crazedlunatic]

Ryan Officially Meets Kurt

 I know Ryan was at the wedding so he’s technically has met Kurt but I think he is a…

What did Brady say?

A fangirl.

But he’s a boy, so I’m confused.

Is that slang?

Blaine, who was holding a 4-month-old Zach in one arm, saw the texts from Bob on his watch and laughed.

It’s okay.

This sucks. I’m the cute one. It’s not fair.

I’ve met my texting quote for the day. See you soon.

No potato candy for you.

Where can I return your adoption papers?

Blaine handed Zach off to Kurt who had finally gotten Nick’s ‘shoes’ on him. He then scooped Nick up, who immediately gave a toothless grin.

Both Kurt and Blaine were startled when Nick suddenly let out his first—that had to be a laugh, right?

“Was he imitating your laugh?!” Kurt exclaimed.

“Oh my God! He imitated me!” Blaine gasped. He then asked, “When is he supposed to do that? Also, I really don’t want to go back to work next week.”

“I know.” Kurt sighed. “I don’t want to go back to work either… even if I’m out longer than you.”

Blaine kicked the screen door out, caught it with his foot once he was out, and let Kurt and Zach out. He didn’t even bother to pull it closed.

“Just because your dad’s locked up doesn’t mean we should just leave the front door open.” Kurt said going into Bob’s house.

“We didn’t bring the baby bag…. Bags. Bag. We decided it was easier to do one bag, right?”

“We have a bag there already.”

“Why did we bring one then?”

“I don’t know. Where is my brain? Will it ever come back?”

“Nope. Welcome to being a parent” Jamie, Ryan’s husband, who happened to be in the entrance of the house alone waved. “Can I get the bag?”

“That’d be great—” Blaine looked confused.

“Don’t worry. Only another four years and they’ll look like that.” Jamie pointed out towards Bob’s backyard where their son and daughter were playing with Emily and Miles. “Oh, also. Hi. I was at your wedding. My husband is obsessed with you… he says he just really, really likes all of your clothes.”

“Oh, thanks.” Kurt yawned. He then tilted his head, “He’s not like… obsessed?”

“Oh. No. Not really. But he’s always liked Marc and his adopted dogs or something? Also the charities he supports. I can’t find the time to find obsessions.”

An adorable toddler toddled in and sat down right on Jamie’s shoes. She then pointed up and said, “Daddy, bay-bee. Bay-bee.”

“Yeah. It’s a baby.” Jamie lifted her so she could see but wasn’t too close to the babies. “She recently turned two. She’s a little behind on her words but he was too and now he never stops talking now.”

Ryan came in quickly, clearly trying to find her.

This time Zach spontaneously laughed. The twins then looked at each other, confused.

“Oh, Bob will be mad he missed that. That was so cute.” Ryan said and then asked sweetly, “She’s genetically yours. I can play that game too. He gets into more trouble than my perfect child. Your mom agrees.” He then gasped, “They are so cute! Oh my God.”

Both Kurt and Blaine gave the same exhausted smiles. If only they got a nap per time they heard it, they’d never need it.

“I don’t want to be a stalker or a weird person but I really love the design elements that you’ve added to the line.” Ryan said. “It’s needed an overhaul. I can’t believe I’ve known Blaine since he was in law school and he’s married to you.”

Kurt readjusted the baby and gave a real, unforced smile. “Thank you. I actually had to, uhm, drop a class due to a family emergency—” He glanced at Blaine and continued. “But it ended up working really well for me in the end.”

“We met in college. Well… sort of. Kind of.” Jamie said.

“Yeah and he corrupted me.”

Jamie rolled his eyes and asked, “Can you hold her? I’m starting to think the pull up did leak on me.”

Ryan maintained a neutral face until Jamie was out of earshot and said to Blaine, “I’m always right and he never listens to me… it’s okay. He’s brought home much worse stuff. Like some kind of plague thing? I don’t know.”

“Is that an exaggeration?” Kurt tilted his head.

“I hope he was exaggerating. Sometimes I don’t ask because I’m afraid it’s true.” Ryan confided. “How is it working in fashion? Like legitimately working with Marc? Do you actually see him every day?”

“Most of the time, yeah… but I get to make my own decisions a lot of the time. I got a better job offer a rank up somewhere else but… Marc. Blaine and I are still debating if it’s a good move but it would mean Blaine’s hours would be a little wonky. How do you like being a lawyer?”

“I liked it a lot better before I was promoted.” Ryan purposefully joked as Bob walked past the room.

“Same here.” Bob said without stopping.

“You could retire for 20 lifetimes.” Ryan called after him. Maybe 50.”

“I wonder how much of his money isn’t even CMJ related but work injuries from psychotic people.” Jamie asked out loud.

“Asked. He doesn’t even know.” Ryan looked confused. “I would much rather talk about fashion.”

They all went quiet as Ryan and Jamie’s daughter went and sat between where the twins were looking amazed.

“Oh. I saved his life once.” Jamie said suddenly. “Well, I helped. It was the first time I’d ever seen an organ removed.”

“Clothing. Not organs.” Ryan sounded impatient.

“Daddy, can we get McDonalds?” Their oldest, the son, asked.

“No.” Ryan and Jamie responded together, making the toddler giggle.

Bob came into the room, immediately scooping Nick up.

“Hey, Bob.” Ryan said sweetly. “How much do you want to bet Kurt will make more than you by the time he’s 48?”

“I think you’re forgetting he turns 50 soon.” Sarah singsonged from another room.

“And yet I still have the same birthday as you.” Bob singsonged back, leaving the room.

“Wait. Wait. Really?” Ryan asked.

“Yeah. I came out twenty minutes before her, though.” Bob came back into the room. “Birth certificate was wrong.”

“Shut up.” Ryan said. “Legitimately? Why am I talking to you right now? Kurt Hummel is here—oh, wait. Are you changing your last name legally?”

“It’s been filed.” Kurt said excitedly. “And then we have to do the second parent adoption?”

“Honestly Millie could probably speed that up for you. She helped facilitate ours. It maybe took 3 days. I’m sounding like a lawyer again.” Ryan sighed. “But in all seriousness, Kurt, have you been paying attention to social media?”

“I avoid it like the plague.” Kurt said. “I have a private account from undergrad that I still have open and check on it. My PR person does a lot of the work on that, though. I mostly stay in my office and sketch until I get a concrete idea. Then I send it off.”

“To Marc to approve?”

Kurt looked a bit embarrassed and said, “I don’t have to have approval anymore.”

“What?!” Blaine, who had been chatting with Jamie, looked up.

“Surprise?”

[mazur5s]

fil mazur's massive shadow

jon's achievements have never been his own -- even as a toddler stumbling toward a stray ball, he was doing that because of his genetics, because of his dad.

he went to the academy because he was talented, because he was his dad's son.

he was recognised for his incredible level of skill, he got it because he was the same as his dad, not because of continual pushing and striving and training.

slowly, he ended up becoming like his dad -- sporting the same sort of look. no goal was his, no goal saved was his, nothing nothing nothing.

commentators continue to reference his father at every game, ask him about his dads opinion at press conferences.. he's stopped fighting it.

he got onto the england squad, just like his dad. headlines sang about how he was following in his father's footsteps.. when he was just trying to take his own.

though, one thing happened to break him from the well-worn fil mazur path -- captaincy for england. an accolade fil had never quite achieved himself in his extensive career -- it meant more than the obvious to jonny, it meant he was finally his own player. someone saw him as a being outside of his father's son.

he looks less than fil now; growing out his facial hair, holding himself with new confidence.. no longer just a son.

[just---keep---simming]

Zest - Winter 2

Peaches and Johnny Zest open their winter season in Mt Komerabi at the Festival of Youth. Why, you ask? Because it's Hendrix's birthday, of course!

Here's our first glimpse of him as a child, having made a beeline for the science set after blowing out his candles. I think I've mentioned before that both Johnny and Peaches have blonde hair and light green eyes, so it was no surprise that Hendrix shares these genetics. He also grows up to be Cheerful.

Back home, older half-brother Axel is relieved to no longer have a toddler in the house. Hendrix is far more fun to hang out with now, in this teenager's opinion.

For Johnny and Peaches, with their youngest now ready for school, domestic life continues with pleasant normalcy.

Having only had Axel occasionally when he was this age, Peaches delights in being able to spend more time with Hendrix on things like school projects.

Axel, meanwhile, is really just going through the motions at school. He's confident he has good enough grades to get into university and he's captain of the football team. He's not too worried about his last exams.

When Winterfest rolls around, the Zests set up their tree with Peaches' tasteful colour scheme, and swap presents. Axel is thrilled with his new football.

Hendrix gets a very creepy doctor's play set.

While Johnny and Peaches share a kiss under the mistletoe out the front, stealing away for a moment alone.

Everyone except Axel, who is a picky eater, enjoys Peaches' famous turkey dinner.

And the night ends with a special present from Father Winter for Hendrix - a brand new bicycle!

He can't wait until morning to try it out, although by his expression he's not too confident yet!

Shortly after Winterfest, it's time for Axel to start applying to universities. He doesn't know what he wants to study yet, but he does know he wants to go to Foxbury Institute, so that's where he applies. It'll be a little while until he finds out if he's in.

The family celebrates this milestone with a dinner out in Sulani. Peaches, Johnny, Axel and Hendrix are joined by both John, Axel's father and Peaches' ex-husband, and Adrienne, Axel's girlfriend. It's a great night and special in that it's the first time Peaches and John have socialised since their divorce, which wasn't particularly amicable. Seems like the two of them have cooled off enough to have the odd blended family event!

Things can't be completely perfect, though. I have no idea why, but towards the end of the winter, Peaches and Johnny start arguing and sniping at each other.

Which leads to a night on the couch for Johnny.

And an uncomfortable conversation with a concerned Axel, who lived through one parental divorce and doesn't want Hendrix to go through the same.

Luckily, some quality time together, a romantic evening out, and apologies all around seem to put things back to rights.

There, much better!

Right on time for both Peaches and Johnny to celebrate their adult birthdays. They both received a little makeover, but I think we'll mostly see that next season.

A toast from Axel to his stepdad.

And the season ends with Axel heading from the birthday party right to a night out at the Romance festival with Adrienne. Don't worry, they're not getting engaged as teenagers! But they do exchange promise rings, which is rather sweet of them.

And that brings us to the end of the Zest's second winter, with Axel nearly grown up, Hendrix at school, and the family as happy as they've ever been in their home in Del Sol Valley.

[l-1-z-a]

The Sims 2 Impressions

We have extensive impressions of an early build of Maxis' sequel to the best-selling PC game of all time.

By Greg Kasavin  (December 23,2003)

It won't be easy for Maxis to successfully follow up on the best-selling PC game of all time, The Sims. The company has already produced somewhat disappointing results trying to take The Sims in a new direction with this year's The Sims Online, for example. So it's only natural to view The Sims 2, Maxis' attempt at an honest-to-goodness sequel to the extremely popular 2000 hit, with some healthy skepticism. Can this sequel truly achieve the same level of greatness? Can it prove to be as enduring as the original? We've had an early look at the game, in which we saw some of the changes and improvements The Sims 2 makes to its predecessor. And based on this early look, in answer to the question posed, we can definitively say: yeah, maybe.

First of all, The Sims 2 looks really good--at least that's what we thought based on what we've seen. It features a fully 3D engine with realistic lighting, as well as far more detailed character models for the sims themselves, who now can be seen making realistic facial expressions and moving about in an even more lifelike manner. The game's interface appears nearly identical to that of the original, though a few new "motives" (the statistics of your sims that you need to keep track of) have been added. The "social" motive from The Sims has been broken up into "family" and "friends," and a "mind" motive has been added, representing mental stimulation. The gameplay remains fundamentally similar to its predecessor--you can create and control your very own mundane little people, encouraging them to interact with each other and their homes in various ways. You can also build houses for them from the ground up and then fill those houses with all kinds of things you might find in a real home. And some weirder things, too. The Sims 2 isn't trying to mess with success. From what we've seen, the game is squarely trying to extend the original game toward logical conclusions.

The game clearly isn't just a rehash with a new coat of paint, though. One of the most obvious changes to the gameplay is that the sims will no longer be trapped in time--that is, in the original The Sims game and its expansions, sims never aged. Kind of like the Bill Murray movie Groundhog Day. Well, no more. In The Sims 2, sims move through six different stages of development, starting as wee babies, moving on to the toddler years, then becoming children, teens, adults, and, finally, geezers. That's Maxis' word on it, not ours.

Sims will act differently to some extent based on their stage of development. And if they get married and have kids, their children will inherit not just their genetic stock, but also their appearance. Maxis demonstrated the elaborate new face maker technology for the game, which you can use to create a sim to look like just about anyone you can think of. And then Maxis showed us what happens when you combine a couple of them--sure enough, the offspring inherited its parents' features.

Offspring can also inherit their parents' skills. If a sim advances far enough in a career path, he or she will earn a career reward object, letting him or her continue to hone his or her skills. Better yet, the sim's child can also use the career object to gain an edge, even over his or her parents. The idea is that you can pass down trade secrets from generation to generation with these career objects.

The Sims 2 will "still be a game of materialism," according to Maxis. The object is to earn a high lifescore during your sims' life expectancy. This isn't Maxis forcing you to play a certain way--it's Maxis just forcing you to do something. Your lifescore will increase whenever an important event happens in your sim's life. Whether it's getting married or getting fired from your job or watching in horror as grandpa takes a dive into an empty swimming pool doesn't matter. Maxis knows that one of the best things about The Sims is that there's no right way to play, so by adding the concept of lifescore to The Sims 2, the company is merely encouraging players to experiment and have fun.

The game will concentrate on life at home, much like the original. This begs the question of whether Maxis will go on to unleash a slew of expansion packs for The Sims 2, much like what it's done for the original release. Maybe the answer to that question is obvious. At any rate, The Sims 2 doesn't skimp on features or content, much like the original.

Players concerned about all their sims dying off in The Sims 2 shouldn't worry, as the game will optionally permit you to toggle the life cycle feature off. Maxis is convinced that the addition of life cycles enhances to the gameplay, however, and that it encapsulates how this truly is "the next generation of The Sims." Can Maxis really pull off this sequel with such impressive results as its predecessor? We won't find out till next year, since The Sims 2 is still a ways off. We'll have more on the game soon.

[sassypotatoe1]

Because I know this is the how dare you say we piss on the poor webbed site (side note I never saw the origin of piss on the poor I thought for the longest time it was a criticism of how people who are poor can enforce classism and absolve themselves of it because they're also poor) friendly reminder for literally everyone that there is no such thing as narcissistic abuse, there is emotional, financial, psychological, sexual and physical abuse, any "narcissistic abuse" trait someone can give you will fall into one of those categories. Abuse does not occur as a result of someone's personality disorder. You don't call it ocd abuse, or bipolar abuse, or any of the other personality disorders.

Abuse is a result of someone's world view and moral convictions, not the chemistry of their brain. Can narcissistic people be abusive? Yes! So can literally everyone else in the world. Literally. You too, you might think you're a perfectly good and normal person but I can guarantee that the longer you have been alive the more likely it is that you have perpetuated abuse against someone. People with personality disorders, ESPECIALLY cluster b disorders (antisocial, borderline, histrionic and narcissistic) are far more likely to face abuse than perpetuate it because their disorders affect how they express themselves and interact with the world, and we all know the general population treats those who think, look and act different like shit.

On top of that, cluster b disorders are caused by a combination of genetics, ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS, CHILDHOOD TRAUMA and brain structure. So the person you're demonizing by calling emotional abuse narcissistic abuse was once a kid who got dealt a bad brain development card and a fuck ton of trauma, and it affected how they form connections with others. Congrats you're abusing the abuse victim and calling it activism.

A lack of empathy is not equivalent to a lack of self control, compassion or morals. It's just not. Empathy is entirely encompassed by the definition "the ability to put yourself in other people's shoes". It does not mean "the ability to understand other people's suffering" or "the ability to sympathize with other people" or "the ability to value others as people with their own feelings and experiences". It solely and completely means "the ability to also feel what the other person is feeling".

If I had to give an example, let's say on the most basic level two toddlers ran around, one fell and skimmed his knee and started crying because ow. The other toddler, who has never skimmed his knee before, does not have a frame of reference for what that feels like. All he knows is his friend is upset and it looks like it's because of the red stuff on his knee. Can that toddler empathize with the skimmed knee? No. Can he empathize with his friend crying, because he's cried before? Absolutely. Does this allow him to understand that his friend is upset but not that his friend is in pain? Correctamundo! His inability to understand what a skimmed knee feels like does not eliminate his ability to recognize his friend is upset and want to make it right.

A lack of empathy is not equivalent to a lack of compassion.

People with cluster b personality disorders are not inherently unsympathetic inhuman monsters. They just did not develop certain ways of thinking or feeling the same way you did. When you attach moral value to the singular experience of empathy, and assign a lack of moral value to a lack of empathy, you're refusing to acknowledge every other possible way that people can connect with, understand and support each other.

There's no such thing as narcissistic abuse because the abuse is not exclusive to people with npd, and it's also not a result of their npd. If someone is abusive it's because they think they're allowed to and should be, not because of their brain structure and chemical makeup. Call it what it is, stop demonizing cluster b disorders.

accidentally stumbled down the "dark empath" side of tumblr. id typically feel bad for putting people's struggles publically on blast just because they handled them a little cringe, but holy shit. oh my god. you people have to see this

[catastrophex]

Part of the reason Félix is so more reserved than Adrien is despite them having the same environment their entire lives is because he gets sick easier than Adrien, which fed into him being more sensitive and easily overwhelmed when they were little, and this grew into his general discomfort around people as he got older, even once the reason he gets sick more often is pinned down.

Said reason is that he's immunodeficient; Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID). It was diagnosed when he was 11, and was a shock then, because Adrien isn't immunodeficient.

I did actual research for this one so you guys have to deal with it!

CVID is... partially a genetic disorder sometimes, but not entirely; the causes are still very fuzzy, but evidence points to the fact that there are genetic factors, but the epigentics- which do vary between identical twins- influence it too, so this is very possible, even putting aside the fact the the cause in unknown in most cases.

So in CVID, the person has a shortage on antibodies. So Félix gets sick easier and for longer than most people, and vaccines are less/not at all effective.

This has been more manageable since he was diagnosed, because he somewhat regularly has immunoglobulin replacement therapy. It was pretty bad when he was little though, and almost died of whooping cough as a toddler, despite having been vaccinated for it, and it was something of a formative experience to him. He still hates hospitals, but highly, highly values doctors and other medical staff.

[universitypenguin]

What is Restitution Ari like as a dad? Is he insatiable for reader when she is pregnant with his child?

Warnings: Dubious consent (participants are role playing), refrerences to financial abuse, criminal activity, prostitution, NSFW, smut, explicit material, strictly 18+ minors do not interact.

Word Count: 6,751

My Masterlist

Restitution - Ari Becomes A Daddy

First, Ari is a father long before he actually has a biological child.

After Charlotte was born, he left his work at the casino to be a stay at home parent. Taking care of a baby full time is no small task. You’re amazed at how easy he makes it appear. With three men and only one of you, there’s a bit of a waiting list for pregnancies. The confusion over Charlotte’s true paternity had left you rattled. Steve’s genetic splicing had given the impression that he was the father. Without the testing by Dr. Cho and Banner, the truth would have been hidden forever. It was Andy who had turned out to be the father of your firstborn, not his older brother. Steve all but demanded your next baby after the truth came out. He’d become accustomed to the idea of fatherhood and loved Charlotte as if she were his own. Despite her being Andy’s biological daughter, he’d never changed how he treated her when he learned she wasn’t his.

In May, when Charlotte was barely a year old, the second pregnancy was confirmed. Two tries were all Steve needed to get you knocked up. Liam Rogers arrived in January and weighed in at a healthy nine pounds, three ounces. He was a strong baby and crawled for only a few weeks before climbing to his feet and running. At six months you’d taken him to Dr. Cho, who confirmed that he’d inherited Steve’s enhanced genetics.

The development surprised no one.

Because Liam was such a handful, you’d been too busy to think of having another baby with Ari. The man himself was even busier than you, trying to keep up with Liam. Charlotte had been easier to manage than the young boy. Liam was as strong willed as Steve, and had the same impetus nature as his mother. It was a frightening combination. When the year slipped by and Liam’s birthday came and went without a request from Ari, it piqued your interest. You wondered if he felt overwhelmed by the chaos of two small children.

Then again, how could he not?

Charlotte was two and suffering from tantrums. Her emotions were powerful, unpredictable, and she never let them go unexpressed. Liam was only still when he was asleep and when he was awake he had one speed - full throttle. Mischievous and cheerful, he had a knack for getting into everything. He figured out how to open doors and, shortly thereafter, baby locks. Nothing was stable in the household between Charlotte’s explosions of emotion and Liam’s clever hands.

Six months went by and Charlotte navigated the transition from baby to toddler with an ocean of tears. Liam was a good playmate for her since he was already kicking a ball and chasing after snakes in the garden. As far as physical development, they were at nearly identical milestones. Sometimes it felt like having fraternal twins when Liam’s age gap was masked by Steve’s genetic advantage. Emotionally, Charlotte showed more maturity and judgment. But you often wondered if that wasn’t Liam’s stubborn personality rather than so called “maturity.” The men thought Charlotte was a little princess and were continually amused by how rough she played with her brother. Steve wanted them to start martial arts training as soon as possible. The gleeful sparkle in his eye when he suggested it raised the hair on the back of your neck.

Ari brought up preschool options for Charlotte a few months later, and you realized your daughter was almost three. Liam would have his second birthday in a matter of days. Still, there had been no request for another baby.

You couldn’t let it slide any longer. That night, you cornered Ari in the kitchen after the kids were tucked in bed. It was past eight-thirty, and he was at the sink, rinsing out a collection of sippy cups. Andy and Steve were still upstairs, reading the final round of bedtime stories. Confident that you had him alone, you snuck up behind Ari’s back and wrapped your arms around him, burrowing close.

“Hey, honey,” he said, a smile in his voice.

You stroked his tight abdomen, which showed the benefit of longer workouts in his evening hours. He’d always been a night owl. The kids had early bedtimes, and he usually passed off supervision duties to you and his brothers to get some alone time at the gym. Between toddler wrangling and five days a week at the athletic center, he was even stronger than he’d been when you met him four and a half years ago. His confidence as a father, the softness he showed so easily to you and your children, was the most enticing attractor you’d ever seen on a man. You pushed up the thin cotton t-shirt and caressed his bare skin, smirking at his sharp inhalation.

“Are my hands cold?” you asked.

“Your hands are wandering, sweetheart. Feeling a bit pent up? Need me to take care of you?”

Sensual awareness crackled in your lower belly and you pressed closer.

“I always need you, tiger.”

“Is that so?”

You hummed and rubbed your palm across the wall of muscle to his clenched lower belly. Teasing, you dipped your fingers under his belt, tugged, then retreated. Your hand skimmed over his ribs. Ari grunted, shifting his weight.

“Do you know how sexy it is when you rock Liam to sleep? Seeing that little guy so relaxed in your arms made me jealous.”

Ari laughs, wringing out a washcloth and laying it over the sink divider.

“Sweetheart, did you come over here to cop a feel? Or talk about the babies?”

“If I did - and I don’t admit to anything - I’m doing a great job of it.”

You squeezed at his chest, cupping his defined pectorals and giggling when he swatted you. Ari turned around and drew you into a hug. His toned ass was a pleasure to feel under your hands, even through the thick denim of his jeans.

He chuckled. “Someone’s needy tonight.”

The thick beard tickled as he kissed your neck. You tilted your head back to allow him full access. His kisses were turning your brain to mush and in a second of weakness, the burning question spilled out.

“Why haven’t you asked for a baby?”

Ari froze. He pulled out of your arms and grasped your shoulders, easing a half step back.

“What’s brought this on? Do you want another baby?”

Trying hard not to be nervous, you smiled.

“If it’s what you want, too.”

Ari caught your careful phrasing, and his eyes sharpened. For a long moment he was silent, his brow wrinkled. Concern glowed in his sapphire eyes.

You eased into his arms, needing him to hold you and soothe the anxiety this heavy silence was causing. When you laid your head on his chest, you heard the thudding beat of his heart and frowned. He swallowed hard, then hugged you tight.

“Sweetheart, I want a baby. But after the last two pregnancies were so challenging, it’s hard not to worry. I think we should think about the risks before we decide anything for sure.”

You lifted your head and stared at him.

“Difficult?”

The parroted word caused his eyebrow to raise.

“Liam’s pregnancy made your dizzy spells more intense. You fainted three times. Even in the second trimester, you were still getting lightheaded.”

“Ari, that’s not a serious complication. A difficult pregnancy is more than some occasional lightheadedness.”

“Fainting spells are a serious complication.”

You shrugged, knowing he’d never come around to your point of view. Instead, you tried a different tactic.

“The cardiologist didn’t feel it was significant.”

Ari snorted. “The cardiologist you saw didn’t even bother with a full exam.”

“This is why you haven’t asked.”

His arms clenched, and he took a slow, deep breath before responding.

“At first I was thinking you’d just need time to recover after having two pregnancies back to back. Then I was worried about the stress on your body from the dizzy spells. We never took the time to consider why they were happening, you know?”

You murmured gently and smoothed your hands over his tense back.

“Mhmmm.”

Ari kissed the crown of your head and sighed.

“Before we try, I want you to get a second opinion about your dizzy spells. Go see a different cardiologist.”

“I can do that,” you agreed easily.

“I’m scared of what might happen if you collapse and hit your head. Because they were worse the second time around, it’s not something we can just ignore.”

“I’ll make an appointment first thing tomorrow.”

“Do you want me to go with you?” Ari asked.

“We’ll see when I can get in. I’ll let you know.”

“I might be overreacting, but honey… I can’t bear the idea of anything happening to you.”

You reached up, cupping his face, and stood on your tiptoes. He met you halfway for a kiss. Petting the soft beard, you whispered against his lips.

“I want to have a baby with you, Ari. You’re already such a wonderful daddy to Liam and Charlotte. Any child would be lucky to have you for a father. That’s why I want this. You know that, right?”

Heat flashed in his eyes. You drew him down again, not surprised in the least when his mouth was rough and dominating. He moved a few steps forward, and you were pinned between the cabinet and his hips. The heaviness in his groin rubbed against your belly. He wasn’t fully hard, but your words had riled him up.

“Get another cardiology appointment and we’ll talk.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

You had to wait almost a month to see another cardiologist. When you finally handed Ari the results of your stress test, it was the weekend of Charlotte’s third birthday party. Between her event and the preschool tours you and Ari went on, you barely had a moment alone. The kids were demanding all weekend. Liam had crossed into the “terrible twos” a few weeks earlier, and it was almost as if he’d been told to act out.

Ari agreed it was time for you to quit your birth control. His brothers had both been warned off as soon as the agreement was struck. You were amused by their reactions but should have expected to be pounced on. Andy was particularly uncivilized, and Steve sulked. The kids, the men - drama had monopolized your entire week. Other than the birth control conversation, you hadn’t circled back to the topic of pregnancy yet. Despite the lack of progress, it thrilled you that Ari wanted a baby with you.

Now it was a matter of finding the time.

With Ari’s responsibilities, getting him alone was difficult. He hadn’t gone to the gym for the past few nights. Rather than making time for you to be alone, it meant that the kids demanded he do their bedtime routines. With two toddlers, bedtime routines could take eons. On the second night of him staying home from the gym, you figured their excitement would wear off. No luck. Wednesday night you tried pretending he’d left and sneaking him back in, but were caught by Liam. Ari had to read three bedtime stories to the kids together, then one a piece in their respective rooms. You’d been asleep by the time he crawled into bed. Thursday crawled around and you were at wit’s end. Your birth control was completely out of your system. It was time to get this ball rolling… but there was no time to be had.

One detail had slipped your mind. Ari still had minor responsibilities in the mob. He’d taken a step back, but was still a key player for Andy’s sake. Three days a week, a babysitter came to mind the children while he went into the bar to balance spreadsheets. He had several hours free to keep a finger on the pulse of the mafia’s hierarchy, reporting anything of note up the chain to his older brother.

Thursday at noon, you were cranky and out of sorts, when a knock sounded on your office door. Bucky informed you he’d been sent to collect you for lunch and led you to a black sedan. Initially, you thought you were being taken to see Andy. When you walked up the narrow stairwell off the bar’s kitchen, you expected to find the boss himself waiting.

Ari had his feet up on the desk and a toothpick in the corner of his mouth.

He tilted his chair back, studying you with a slow, assessing stare. The weight of his gaze skimmed the curves of your body like a touch. Had he been anyone but your lover, you would have been running for the hills.

“Hello, sweetheart. Have I mentioned how much I love that skirt?”

You smoothed down the cream-colored tweed. It was the shortest hemline in your professional wardrobe, stopping a good three inches above the knee. A matching blazer, cropped to complement the high-waisted skirt, was worn over a blue silk shell.

“Not recently.”

When you stepped into the room, the door shut behind you. The click of the lock falling into place made you jump. It was quiet in the bar. Given the early hour, you and Ari might be the only people in the building. Bucky had walked you to the stairs and made a hasty retreat through the back door into the alleyway.

Your confidence surged when Ari licked his lips, staring at your legs.

Hanging your purse on the hook beside the door, you moved towards him. Casually, you unbuttoned your blazer and sank into the guest chair across from him. His eyes followed the hemline, which rose almost to your upper thighs when you crossed your legs. Teasing him, you adjusted it to cover a bit more skin.

His eyes flashed to yours, smoldering. The casual button down revealed the edge of his chest hair, and he’d rolled the sleeves up to his elbows. His too long hair was sexily tousled, hinting that he’d been here for a while, working. You leaned forward, rolling your shoulders forward to give him a glimpse of your lace bralette under the silk blouse. A hint of spicy cologne teased your nose. The fragrant blend of cardamom and vetiver was as strong and warm as the man wearing it. His gaze was like a hungry wolf, plotting how to strike down his prey.

The thick atmosphere of expectation hanging over the office, the dimly lit interior, and the open cashier’s book on the desk sparked your creativity. A naughty fantasy had built up in the back of the sedan on the way over. Being whisked away by a near stranger and taken to the den of a mafia loan shark in broad daylight had you longing for something wilder than an afternoon tumble over his desk.

You felt playful.

“Come here,” Ari growled.

Sauntering around to his side of the table, you ignored his open arms and leaned on the edge of the desk. He scowled.

“I’ve been thinking about how we met,” you said.

Ari grunted. He was distracted by your hemline again, watching as you toyed with the black velvet trimmed edge.

“What if it hadn’t been Jackson in debt to you? What if it had been me?”

His eyes widened for a split second, then grew dark. You could tell he was assessing your mood. Then he shrugged.

“In debt for what, honey?”

You lifted yourself onto the desk and perched, arching your back to accentuate your curves. Ari’s heated gaze made you breathe deeper, and the movement drew his eyes to your breasts. The lace of your bra was uncomfortable against sensitive skin as you felt your nipples pebble into aching buds. You shrugged out of the blazer and tossed it into the guest chair.

Ari was as still as a statue, but his eyes were alive with intent. Heady excitement made your body tingle. In the confines of your bra you felt your breasts growing heavy and fuller, reacting to the power of playing the seductress. The best part was knowing you were going to push him too far and soon, he’d take control. He was always more fun when you’d toyed with him.

“What’s a pretty little thing like you in debt for, honey?”

“My fiancé stole my credit cards and wiped out my accounts. I kicked him out and then my car broke down. Between rent, the repairs, and my credit card debt… I just don’t have anywhere else to go, sir.”

You reached under the silk shell and played with your bra strap, letting it slide down your arm.

Ari grunted. “That’s a run of bad luck, baby. How much do you need?”

“A thousand for the car repairs, five hundred to make up the rest of my rent.”

He moved, standing up and stepped into the space between your legs. You opened them for him as he crowded closer, but leaned away.

“How old is the car?”

“Fifteen years, almost sixteen.”

“Is it worth a thousand dollars? Why spend so much to repair a piece of junk? You’d be better off using the thousand as a down payment.”

“I don’t know. I can’t afford a new car. With my debt, no one will lend to me.”

Ari made a sympathetic sound and eased closer, rubbing his denim covered thighs against your bare legs. You put your hands back, bracing yourself on the desk as he crowded your space. Lust crackled in the air like electricity during a thunderstorm.

“What kind of collateral can you put up for a car loan?”

“Collateral? Please, sir… the car was my only asset.”

Ari’s mouth curled into a wicked grin. He placed his hand on your knee and stroked upwards, dipping under the hem of your skirt to caress your upper thigh. You gasped at the touch and he clicked his tongue in reprimand.

“Don’t worry, sweetheart. I won’t hurt you.”

You shivered at his tender voice, laced with an edge of warning. He wouldn’t hurt you. But saying no wasn’t a great option if you wanted to meet your financial obligations at the end of the month.

“What… what were we talking about?” you whispered.

Ari’s fingertips drew circles on your sensitive inner thigh and you drew a shaky breath as his touch strayed closer to your center.

“You said your car is your only asset, but that isn’t true.”

He flattened his hand on your thigh, the warm weight a subtle command. Ari caught the neckline of your silk shell and pulled it down, revealing the lacy edge of your bra.

“You have exceptional assets. A bank wouldn’t accept them, but I’m not so ethical.”

“What are you implying?!”

You tried to sound outraged, but it came out so breathless you might as well have just asked him to bend you over right there.

Ari caught your waist and pulled you into his arms. His mouth covered yours in a bruising kiss. Roughly, he thrust his tongue between your lips and pushed you backwards, off balance. To stay upright, you had to grab his shoulders. He hooked your legs around his hips and the swollen ride of his cock nestled against your lacy panties. You squeaked in shock at the heat of his groin.

Your helpless moan made Ari smile.

“Yeah, honey. That’s my good girl. I love a responsive woman. Since the second you wandered into this office, I’ve wanted your legs around my waist. But let’s talk business for a minute.”

The stammer in your voice didn’t require any acting. Your head was swimming.

“B-b… business?”

Ari chuckled.

“Yeah. You’re asking for fifteen hundred, but you’re worth much more.”

You blinked up at him, dazed by the turn in the storyline you’d begun.

Ari took advantage of your stupor and untucked your silk blouse. He had the shirt undone and stripped off before you comprehended his intentions. Now, you were left in the rumpled tweed skirt, hiked up to expose your panties and a lace bralette. Automatically, you tried to cover yourself. Ari grabbed your wrists.

“Come on, honey. Let’s not start off our relationship that way.”

“What relationship, sir?”

Ari’s mouth curved into a shark-like smile.

“First thing, don’t call me sir. My name is Ari. I’m going to need you to remember that, okay?”

“Why?”

“So you know what to scream when you’re cumming.”

You gasped and twisted, trying to dislodge his grip. Ari ignored your struggles.

“Fifteen hundred is enough to help you survive this month, but what about the next? If you agree to my proposal, you’d never have to worry about rent and car repairs again.”

You sniffled, blinking away a dramatic swell of tears. Your body was raging with excitement. His rough handling was so stimulating that you had no trouble pretending to be overwhelmed.

“I can’t do that. I’m not a whore!”

Seizing the moment as his face contorted with rage, you jerked away, making a break for the door. Ari snagged you by the waist and threw you down on the wooden surface of the desk. Pages of the cashier’s book crumpled under your back. Ari brushed his nose over yours, purring as his lips ghosted across your cheek. He flicked his tongue out, tasting the salty residue of your tears.

“You wouldn’t be a whore. You’d be my whore.”

“I’m not-”

“Not yet. But what are you going to do? Next month, when your car dies for real, my generous offer won’t be on the table. What will you do, sweetheart?”

You stared up at him with wide, teary eyes, not knowing what to say.

Ari purred and stroked his thumb over your cheek, wiping away a fresh tear. The fear crawling through you was real as he ran his hands over your waist, up to the lacy bra, and cupped your breasts.

“Sir, I don’t want-”

“Don’t call me sir. Say my name.”

“Ari, please! We can come up with something else. I’m not… I don’t do that for money.”

He smirked. “How about for a nice apartment on Sterling Street, a brand new Tesla Model X, and a credit card with no limit?”

You paused and couldn’t help but consider. In character, with your previous experience with financial distress, you knew there was a time you’d have taken his offer.

“We both know you don't have any other option. Let me take care of you. You can be mine, or take your chances on the street when your car dies and your landlord evicts you.”

You shivered. “You won’t hurt me?”

Ari brushed his lips over your temple.

“Never. I’ll give you so much pleasure you won’t remember your own name, but I’d never hurt you. I don’t hit, or bite, and I’m as cuddly as a kitten after I’ve been fucked.”

That, you knew, was true.

You tilted your head back and stared at his looming figure, seeing how dark his eyes had gone.

“Just one time?”

Ari’s expression was smug. He kissed you, slower this time, with more finesse. The teasing of his tongue had you melting into his embrace. He sucked at your bottom lip and a pulse of need shot to your core. His hands caressed the swollen flesh of your breast through thin lace. When he found the peak of your nipple and stroked, you gasped and arched into his touch.

“There you go, sweetheart. Not so bad, is it?”

“Wait, we need to come to an agreement. We need to discuss terms.”

“My offer is a nice life, everything paid for and all your financial problems gone for good.”

“Just for sex? For how long?”

“Not just sex,” Ari said. “I want something no one else can give me. But when you walked in here, I knew you were the one who could.”

The deviation from the script you’d imagined confused you.

“I have nothing to give you.”

“Yeah, actually you do. When I saw that tight skirt cupping your sweet ass, I knew you were the woman I needed.”

“I don’t understand. What do you want from me?”

Ari cupped your chin. He rubbed his thumb over your bottom lip, the gesture callously rough against the tender skin. You felt your lipstick smear. When he smirked, the hair on the back of your neck stood up.

“Please, I don’t understand…”

“I want a baby. And you’re going to have it for me.”

Your brain couldn’t function for a solid ten seconds. Then you responded as you knew your character would. You reared back and tried to crawl away from him, only to be caught a second time.

“Don’t even think about it, honey. I’m a much better option than anything waiting on the other side of that door.”

“Let me go!”

Ari clicked his tongue, amusement mingling with sympathy.

“You could end up working a street corner in a few months, with the amount of debt your ex left in your name. Why not take the easy way out? Have my child and I’ll make you a very comfortable woman.”

“I’m not having your baby!”

Ari chuckled. “Feisty. That’s why I wanted you. Come on, honey. Think it through. I can fix all your problems if you carry my seed for a few months. I bet you’ll even enjoy it.”

You whimpered and twisted underneath him, but only succeeded in rolling onto your belly. Now your chest was flat on the desk and your ass snug against his groin. Ari took advantage of the position and unclipped your bra. Though you tried to stay in character, the relief of feeling his hands on your bare skin made you keen with pleasure. Struggling to find your commitment to the role, you pulled away. Ari used your movement to unzip the waistband of your skirt. You realized what a terrible miscalculation you’d made when the garment was peeled off. He yanked your panties down too, but left them at your knees.

All that remained of your outfit was flesh-colored thigh high stockings and stiletto heels.

Ari pinned you to the desk with his weight. You trembled, both with fear and excitement.

“Please, I don’t want to have your baby! I don’t even know you.”

“It makes no difference to me what you want. This is about what you need - money.”

“I don’t want to get pregnant, please, please…”

You squirmed for dramatic effect and quivered when he forced your arms behind your back and restrained them in one hand.

“Listen, honey. You have two options. Option number one is that I let go, and you put your clothes back on, scamper downstairs and leave with no rent money and no car. Or option number two - you rent me this pretty body for a year and I knock you up.”

“A year?”

“I’m confident you’ll take my seed in less, but I’m calculating for error.”

“How often do you want me?”

“You’ll come to this office twice a week at noon so we can fuck.”

“Just twice a week?”

“No, that won’t be enough. You’ll stay in an apartment of my choosing. A safe neighborhood, probably on the westside. I’ll have access to you whenever I need it, day or night. Understood?”

“What if I don’t get pregnant?”

Ari shifted so his hips cradled your bottom and pulled you upright. A large mirror on the opposite side of the room faced the desk and showed your entwined figures. The reflection shocked you. Your lipstick was smeared across your mouth and trails of mascara had smudged under your eyes. Behind you, Ari was huge, as threatening as the monster he was pretending to be. He lowered his mouth to your neck and nuzzled. In contrast to your nakedness, he was still fully dressed. It made for a tantalizing picture.

His hands covered your breasts, and his rough palms teased your puckered nipples. The muscles of your knees weakened until you sank into him for support.

“See, honey? This is what you want. You’ll have everything you could ever want. All you have to do is give me a baby.”

When he squeezed your breasts, you trembled with delight. Your eyes slid half shut as he massaged and stroked his thumbs over aching nipples.

“What do you say? Have a baby for me, sweetheart. Let me use this sexy little body for what it’s made for.”

You shivered hard, reacting to the heat in his voice, which was as carnal as his words.

Ari flashed a wide smile, visible in the mirror’s reflection.

He dipped his hand between your legs and nipped at your ear. Thick fingers delved into your slick folds. Ari growled.

“Fuck, honey. You’re soaking for me.”

“I don’t know…”

“Are you on birth control?”

Your heart skipped a beat, and a fresh wave of excitement burst through you.

“No.”

Ari’s hand paused its exploration of your most intimate area. His darkened eyes lifted to yours in the mirror.

“Excellent. You’re such a good girl, aren’t you? I bet you don’t need any birth control, is that right?”

“I’m single… I don’t need…”

He made the purring sound you loved so much.

“I could put a baby in you today, if we’re lucky.”

Ari rocked against your ass, holding your hips tight so you couldn’t escape.

“Say yes, honey. Have my baby.”

“Okay.”

The moment you granted permission, he shoved you down. A sharp edge dug into your hips and the paper of his cashier’s book was abrasive on your breasts. He shoved your legs apart, as wide as the panties around your knees would permit. At the sound of his zipper, you lifted your head. He clamped a hand on your neck, then the full weight of him settled on your body. He’d climbed onto the desk with his knees braced around your hips. A thick arm lifted your ass into the air, taking your feet off the floor. Held like this, you had no chance of retreat.

The broad tip of his cock pressed against your folds, and you gasped.

“This’ll be rough. I can’t wait,” Ari said.

He shoved into you, and it burned. Even slick and ready for him, the position was too narrow for his girth. Your muscles were tight, quivering from arousal, which didn’t help. They seized around him in a frenzy. Ari pushed deeper, causing you to cry out.

“Aaaahh!”

“Fucking tight, aren’t you?” Ari’s teeth nipped at your jaw. “I’m gonna fix that, honey.”

“Please, I need-”

He smacked the curve of your bottom, the sting of his hand cutting off your words.

“You hold still and be quiet, understand? If you don’t stay right there - exactly in this spot - and let me fuck you like a good girl, I’ll end this agreement before we get started.”

“Please, sir-”

His snarl made you realize your mistake. “Ari… I didn’t mean to call you sir. Please, Ari. You’re so thick, it hurts.”

“We have to fuck so you can make me a daddy, so we’d better work out that problem real quick.”

His hips pushed deeper and your tender muscles burned at the intrusion. Tears stung your eyes. Ari didn’t stop. He paused and pulled back, then thrust harder. You whimpered.

“You need me. What’ll you do without my generosity, sweetheart? Open up for me.”

“Let me spread my legs. This position is too tight.”

“No. This is how you take me. Nice and snug, real deep, where it needs to go. Just breathe. I’ll do all the work.”

His next thrust was easier, despite his harsh words. He drew you higher off the desk so the angle wasn’t as deep. It stung, but he slid almost halfway in. You sobbed. Helplessly, your body clenched and trembled as he gave a few shallow, teasing thrusts. As you grew slicker with the pleasure of it, you ground into him, then screamed when his next thrust was brutal. His arm flexed under your hips, keeping you still as he rode you hard, rooting himself as deep as you could take him. In a single thrust, he cleaved you apart. The head of his cock was lodged in your farthest spot. There wasn’t as much pressure as there would be with Steve, but it still made you shake.

“Ari!”

He let go of your wrists. Even unrestrained, you were too dazed to run. He grunted and rolled his hips.

“Good girl. This is how I’m gonna fuck you every day from now on. I’ll fill up your ripe, unprotected womb, just like clockwork, until your belly is swollen with my baby. You’re going to be mine - forever.”

You gasped. “Forever?”

He hissed and nipped your ear. “I’m giving you my baby. You’re going to be mine, too.”

Ari surged inside of you, making you squeal as he drove home. Your breath left you as he began fucking you hard, relentless, and demanding. Thoughts scattered and you could barely speak. His pace was unforgiving, and you shook, thighs clenching, as the coil in your belly grew tighter and tighter. Ari was rarely rough, which made this more exciting. You could feel how out of control he’d slipped, and reveled in being trapped under his weight. The violence of his possession was raw and unbridled. He’d stripped you of any control with the position of your hips. You spasmed, the clamp of your internal muscles warning an orgasm was nearing. Ari snarled. He sank as deep as possible and rutted in quick, ruthless strokes.

You cried from the intensity of the pleasure, feeling your body creaming around his cock. Tears were rolling freely down your cheeks. There was no escape from the savage pleasure. A sob broke free, and he thrust hard, causing your body to convulse. A sensation almost like being pushed off a cliff hit you. Gasping, you grabbed at the desk, twisting underneath him.

“Ari!”

The orgasm ripped through you and your vision went dark. In the grasp of pleasure, you bucked, sobbing Ari’s name over and over. The uncontrollable ripples of pleasure moved your hips, and he followed the rhythm, letting your body do the work. He slid a hand underneath your chest and twisted the peak of your breast. Still in the climax's grip, you moaned.

“That’s my girl, keep going,” Ari crooned.

It was impossible to do anything but, as he continued to fuck you. His fingers worked your nipple again. You thrashed, wild as pleasure hit a fever pitch. Ari’s strength was impossible to fight. He held you in a supplicant position, bowed over the desk. No escape. No mercy. Your struggle was futile. He rolled the peaked bud between his thumb and forefinger without a hint of remorse. You keened, raw sounds bubbling from your throat. Ari stayed in control, his hips positioning even deeper as your body opened up for him. Finally, your muscles went limp, and you collapsed, gasping.

Ari eased his arm from under your hips, his ragged breathing the only sign he was affected by the coupling. Only the desk supported you now. He stroked your waist and murmured words you couldn’t make out over the dull roar of blood rushing in your head. Then he thrust slow and deep. Your channel fluttered around him. Gentle strokes on your back made your eyes fall shut and bliss curled in your chest. He found your breasts and began to knead their softness, teasing the edges of your nipples as he massaged. When he circled his hips, pushing against your cervix, you went rigid.

“Please, Ari, I can’t!”

“Shhh… hold still. Stay exactly where I put you, honey. Orgasms help the seed take root. Good girl. Just like that.”

Blood pounded in your veins. Fresh heat curled in your belly, as sharp as if the previous orgasm - which had nearly knocked you unconscious - hadn’t happened. You were fighting for breath as the pleasure skyrocketed from embers to an inferno in the space of seconds. Dizziness, brought on from gasping breaths and the resulting lack of oxygen, kept you weak. Ari set a disciplined rhythm, but didn’t hold back much. He buried himself to the root with each thrust. With your body already sensitized, the second orgasm came easily. Ari grunted, moaned and sank deep, until you mewled. Your body clamped down. When you came, only the tiniest sounds passed your lips as your lungs fought for air. Ari’s release coated your inner walls as the last ripple of orgasm ran through you.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The room was rotating. Or maybe it was just you. Were you spinning? You felt like you were being tossed around by ocean waves. Ari was crushing you. Something hard dug into your ribs. You groaned. He did too, then his weight eased off your back. The unyielding surface underneath you was biting into your hip. Blinking to clear your tear-filled eyes, you tried to process.

Thoughts came in fragments, as if you were waking up. Ari was warm. He slid out of your body and you whimpered. An unfamiliar sound made you lift your head, and suddenly the room was spinning again. Something pressed between your legs. Automatically, you tensed. A firm hand on your back and the smooth cadence of Ari’s voice allowed you to relax. What he said, you didn’t hear, still too far removed from reality.

You expected him to clean you up, as he usually did. Instead, he pushed an object into your quivering pussy. The invasion made you whimper. Your knees stiffened as the wide head of a toy, or something, spread you apart. It settled on your g-spot and a ripple of intense pleasure seared up your spine and made your eyes roll back in your head.

“Hold still, honey. Let me get this plug in you just right. I don’t want to waste a drop.”

You pulsed with aftershocks as he adjusted the object. Ari rubbed your lower back, soothing you as he held you in place. When he finished, he patted your side. The bristles of his beard teased your shoulder as he pressed a kiss to your throat.

“Good girl. That’s a nice, snug fit. Absolutely perfect.”

Bracing your elbows on the desk, you paused, trying to gather enough strength to stand. Ari swept you into his arms before you could try. He draped your knees over one arm and secured the other around your back. He crossed to the loveseat and sat down, arranging you on his lap. A thick sherpa blanket was draped over the back. It was a throw he usually kept on the foot of his bed, and one of your favorites. Ari wrapped it around your shoulders. You were shifted against his chest for a moment while he positioned a pillow behind your back. Then he tucked the ends of the blanket around your feet.

“Did I tuck your feet in correctly?” Ari teased.

“Yes. Well done.”

“I’m well trained.”

He tilted your head back and kissed you on the forehead.

You were delighted by the thoughtfulness of him bringing your favorite blanket to his office. When he moved his right arm under your knees and drew the left snug around your shoulders, the feeling of being cradled made your heart flutter.

You sighed. “I may never go back to work. You’re too good at this.”

“So don’t. Tell your assistant you have a headache.”

“Are you angling for another round?”

He chuckled. “I’m in no rush. I want to enjoy this process to its fullest.”

You glanced towards the other side of the room, where your purse hung beside the door.

“Get my phone for me?”

He sighed and moved you off his lap to fetch your bag. You texted your assistant and fibbed that you had a migraine. Ari gave you an approving smile you couldn't help but return.

“So, how should we spend the rest of the day?” you asked.

“I need to feed you. Then I was planning on hitting the gym. Why don’t you grab a smoothie and join me for a couple’s massage after my workout? We can relax in the sauna when we’re done.”

“I just fell in love with you all over again.”

Ari slid his hand under the blanket and stroked your belly.

“That’s good. Because this baby will tie you to me forever, sweetheart.”

You cupped his face in both hands and rubbed your nose against his.

“No, it won’t. Because I’m already tied to you forever.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Thank you for reading!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Masterlist

- - - - - - - - -

Tag List - I'll reblog with tags later.