#yes that is ted roswell the mayor of strangerville :')

[auspexsims]

[kusin-tisdag]

Smith-Grunt

Jill Smith (83) - Buck Grunt (82) (After this, Jill and Buck passed away. Little did they know that their small house would be moved into by three young girls, determined to solve the Strangerville-mystery...)

Jill and Buck were quite young when everything began happening.

Buck had fought with his father and brothers since he was a kid. At the age of 16, he moved out and over to Jill’s. They were soon high school sweethearts and were busy being teenagers when things started happening over at the lab. They heard rumors that the Beakers (they were so creepy) had held a boy there, and their own children!

Not long after, Jill’s brother Johnny and Ophelia left. It was years later that she heard from them.

And then Olive disappeared. Maybe it was an omen?

Just as Jill and Buck welcomed their daughter Lyla - their Strangetown just went up in flames. Something happened over at the lab - killing the Beakers, Buck’s father and brothers Tank and Ripp; and Jill’s uncles Pascal, Vidcunt and Lazlo. 

Leaving only Jill's parents and younger cousin Tycho.

Grief struck over those who were still alive.

And they couldn’t stay, the air was too polluted. So Jill took her aging parents, her husband, her cousin and her daughter and moved. They named the place Strangerville and hoped to rebuild something here. They welcomed baby Notzo not long after.

Buck Grunt

It was perhaps a weird twist of fate that he too ended up in the military. But honestly, where else to find a job after everything had changed?

And maybe it was a way to honor his dad and brothers. As much as they had fought over the years, they had still been family.

Buck had to focus on his own family there for a while. Jill's cousin Tycho wasn't doing too great after the death of her father and uncles. And with Lyla and eventually Notzo, they had their hands full. Sure, Jill's parents tried to help, but they too weren't doing too great.

Jill built them a home, but Buck was then the one who managed to focus on the here and now. He took a job, raised the family and was a stability to Jill when she couldn't stop her mind for trying to find answers.

Sometimes, Buck figured, there were none to be given.

And so he had raised the kids, gone to work and tried to start over. Though he had to give it to Jill - those weird plants that started showing up around 25 years ago did freak him out a bit. And yes, he too had noticed how people acted so strange now and then...

Jill Smith

She's old, but that doesn't stop her. Lately, Jill has realized that even though everything had seemed like it ended in Strangetown, something new is happening here in Strangerville. Or is it connected?

When they moved here they had to build from the ground. People moved here from all over SimNation - most came from Del Sol Valley or Oasis Springs (as they are the closest areas). People who weren't afraid of the new and unknown.

The military had come too of course. Those first years they passed outside Jill and Buck's home almost daily - Jill assumed they had to see what had happened over at Strangetown. Jill and Buck had to give testimonies, but over the years the talk of Strangetown stopped.

However, it was as if Strangerville inherited so much of Strangetown. Here she found herself once again surrounded by scientists and military personnel. She understood that a new lab had been opened. She tried to figure out what they did, but both she and Buck found their questions unwelcome.

And she didn't like that Roswell-family. Now Ted was Mayor, after his father's passing. But both Senior and Junior had something to do with that lab over there. Sure, Ted had only been 19 when the spores came, but Jill was certain he knew more - and probably knew something about why that lab closed...

And then, new scientists had shown up, and with them the conspiracy theorists. She had to give it to them, and their online forums - there was a lot of theories and sometimes some good facts to be found there.

But now she has to rest. She is old, and she knows she probably won't live to find all the answers she's looking for.

[maffickingcowplants]

Day 6 of 7, Winter 2004

TOP SECRET

INVESTIGATING AGENT: SILHOUETTE

AGENCY: ACUMEN CONSULTING

REPORT NUMBER: SV-006

SUBJECT: Investigation Report - Strange Phenomena in StrangerVille

I am pleased to report the successful completion of the encryption decryption process for the USB stick obtained from the Roswell residence. The contents of the decrypted files shed new light on the enigma surrounding the Mother Plant and its insidious influence on StrangerVille.

MOTHER PLANT ORIGINS AND INFECTION SOURCE

The decrypted files contain references to an extraterrestrial entity referred to as "The Anomaly." According to the data, The Anomaly arrived in StrangerVille several decades ago, concealed within a meteorite. The meteorite crash led to the formation of the crater, becoming the epicenter of the entire situation. It appears The Anomaly's influence gradually manifested through the growth of the Mother Plant, which sprouted from the meteorite's impact site.

MAYOR TED ROSWELL'S INVOLVEMENT

The decrypted files imply that Ted Roswell, the Mayor of StrangerVille, has a deeper connection to The Anomaly than previously suspected. He is mentioned in several confidential correspondences as a key operative, his role appears to have been focused on maintaining secrecy and managing potential threats arising from the Mother Plant's influence. He may have been the first infected - patient zero. His infection is deeply rooted, a disconcerting pattern emerges regarding Ted Roswell's relationship with the Mother Plant. It appears that his affinity for the plant extends beyond the periods of direct influence. His behavior reflects an almost cult-like devotion, an unsettling form of worship that defies rational explanation. Discussions within the files allude to the possibility that Roswell may have knowingly contributed to the Mother Plant's propagation by distributing its fruit among the local populace. This revelation raises significant questions about the depth of Roswell's involvement and the extent to which the Mother Plant's influence has permeated StrangerVille's power structures. It becomes imperative to ascertain the origin of this allegiance and the true nature of the control it exercises over him, as it could provide crucial insight into combating the Mother Plant's pervasive influence.

EXCERPT OF EXCHANGES

Roswell: "The Mother is our salvation, Captain. We must ensure her reign remains unchallenged." Unknown Contact: "Understood. Keep her growth under control and ensure no one interferes." X

Ted Roswell: "The local law enforcement is growing suspicious. They are digging into the Mother's influence." Unknown Contact: "Handle it discreetly. Eliminate anyone who poses a threat to our operation. We can't afford exposure." X

Ted Roswell: "The Mother's energy is thriving. Her presence is undeniable." Unknown Contact: "Continue to cultivate her influence. Once she reaches her full potential, our objectives will be realized. Acquire more host bodies if needed. The Mother's growth is our priority." X

Unknown Contact: "The Mother's growth is impressive. Have you seen the latest readings?" Roswell: "Yes, her influence is expanding rapidly." X

EXPERIMENTS AND CONTAINMENT

Further information from the decrypted files indicates that experiments were conducted to understand the Mother Plant's properties and potential applications. Some records suggest that certain individuals willingly subjected themselves to exposure, possibly as part of the experiments to harness the plant's power. The encrypted data reveals hints of an underground lab within the crater, where these experiments might have taken place. As Roswell still appears to have access to the Mother Plant, but the military controls the lab built in the crater, we can only draw conclusions that indicate that the infection infiltrates the military. When this may have occurred, before the lab was built or after, is hard to determine. The communication logs between Roswell and unknown individuals seems to indicate that Roswell invited the military to StrangerVille with the goal of spreading the infection, and building the lab to protect the Mother Plant - as well as contain it for research purposes.

CONTAINMENT PROTOCOLS AND ONGOING MONITORING

The files contain discussions regarding containment protocols designed to control the spread of The Anomaly's influence and protect The Mother Plant. These protocols include curfew enforcement, misinformation campaigns, and isolation of affected individuals. It's evident that there is a projected timeline of events, and communications appear to indicate that crucial milestones are being reached unchecked, with more and more Sims becoming possessed by the Mother Plant's influence - and towards what end? Perhaps these files should be submitted to one of the analysts for further review to ascertain the end goal. The encrypted files underscore the urgency of our mission and the critical role StrangerVille plays in the broader scheme of things.

Please find attached the Mother Plant Intel Packet, containing detailed reports, transcripts, and extracted data. I await your guidance on the next steps of our investigation.

**Attachments:**

Mother Plant Intel Packet, Decrypted Files, Photos, Transcripts

END OF REPORT

Posts about Bella: « PREVIOUS / BEGINNING / NEXT »

Posts about Operation Mother's Influence: « PREVIOUS / BEGINNING / NEXT »

[simslegacy5083]

NSB (Straud Legacy) Gen 8 Ep. 54: A Strange Benefactor

Unlike Nikita and Paul, Peachy knew the trouble his significant other was struggling with, which let him watch for opportunities to help.

He had kept his head down at work, letting Laandgrab Industries think themselves safe after getting Jack fired.

His boyfriend had shown him the shady financial tricks Nancy and others like her used to hide their activities, and when he spotted a trail of transfers that seemed to be covering moves to manipulate activities at the Strangerville lab, he knew just the person to ask about it.

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

His Grand-Grandpa Chance helped him track Bianca to her favorite bar in Strangerville, where she was relaxing with some coworkers.

She didn’t seem to juiced to follow his explanation of the financial trails he’d spotted and his suspicions that they indicated a particularly well-connected shell company that had been manipulating the “exotic flower” project. Her expression was skeptical until he told her about a few particularly hasty transactions right around the time things in the crater blew up. Suddenly he had her interest, and she didn’t look fizzy headed at all.

She asked him to hold that thought and led him the short distance back to her trailer before pressing him for details in privacy.

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

Peachy outlined all that he’d uncovered, starting with how Jack had shown him ways to identify the anonymous accounts by their pattern of carefully unique disguising activities. These accounts had followed the same pattern Landgraab Industries had used for their other embezzlement scheme.

When he explained how they had managed to silence Jack at the last minute, she groused that he was certainly not the first well meaning investigator to “step in it” when the mighty Landgraab matriarch felt threatened, and unless someone could do something about her, wouldn’t be the last either.

The real problem, Bianca explained, was that Nancy’s resources, experience, and yes, ruthlessness made her irreplaceable for a certain range of projects that needed to get done, even though some valuable resources would go missing and some good folks would be hurt. Her successes over the years had amassed a number of similarly ruthless high-profile backers, like former Mayor Ted Roswell and apparently the leadership at Peachy’s precinct.

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

Bianca couldn’t disagree with Peachy when he expressed strong opinions about the quality of person Nancy was, but she couldn’t seem to offer much hope that she’d ever pay for her various personal failings, either. What she could offer was a possible opportunity for Jack.

Chance had mentioned how wrecked Jack had been about his recent troubles, and now that Peachy had given her a much better understanding of the man’s investigative and discretionary skills, she thought she might know of a good position for him. She’d just have to check some things out first.

If it looked promising, she’d let them know. After all, she said with a twinkle in her eye, she knew where they lived.

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

Want To See More? View The Full Story of My Not So Berry Challenge Here

[dreamsofanenigma]

C H. 4 - Strange Ties

Logged between Thurs - Fri, afternoon to late evening. [excerpt taken from Victoria Straud's Journal.]

Holly scanned the shelves for something interesting to catch her eye, reading the titles out loud she finally came upon a book reciting the history of Strangerville. Notable references included the construction of the Military base, the local Bar winning some kind of national prize for their entertainer, Ted Roswell's prestigious and rumor filled ascent to mayor, a local trailer park brawl, and a retired pilot named George Cahill whose plane crashed several years ago after being blindsided by a huge flash of light, he now lived on the outskirts of town.

Maybe I should pay him a visit to learn more about what happened, if he accepts visits. I wonder why he's so paranoid of the residents around here?

Holly stretched and checked her phone, doing a double take at the screen she did not realized it had become late. She packed up her bags and quickly called a cab. She couldn't wait to see what Victoria has in mind for the party.

Upon arriving back at home, instead of festive decorations Holly was greeted by an irritated couple, sharing cold looks at the table over plasma filled goblets and curt responses only confirmed it. Seeing no time to inquire about the Ball, she quietly returned to her room, leaving them to heatedly discuss changes in the community and whether or not the Mayor deserves to run for re-election.

She sighed when another rejection e-mail from a well-known agency popped up in her inbox, she decided it wasn't worth a second glance and answered some comments on her latest posts instead. As Holly went to turn in for the night she saw the ugliest piece of clothing imaginable strewn across her bed. Adorned with a slew of ruffles, striped pattern, and a stiff upturned collar. Did Victoria genuinely, indubitably, expect her to wear this? It had to be her idea of a joke, not great, but an attempt nonetheless. Holly carefully hung the dress on the back of her door, while she disliked it, this dress has probably been in the family for ages and damaging it would be highly insulting.

Holly couldn't understand why Victoria thought this was an appropriate outfit, but maybe this is done on purpose. Question is, why? Did she have something against her? Leaving bitter thoughts for the morning, Holly yawned and snuggled deeper under the covers, scratching absently at a bug bite on her neck, wondering why it seemed to hurt more than an average bite...

Perfect, if we ever have a child this will be perfect for their room... who am I kidding. Vlad would never approve of this.

"Darling? I'd like you to meet someone." Vlad called to me from downstairs. I wondered what he could possibly want at this hour, given I was still a bit cross with him.

An eclectic looking man stood nonchalantly in the kitchen doorway. His expression passive as I strode into the living room. Vlad handed me a white cup full of dark liquid, even with enhanced senses such as mine I could not narrow down any specific scent pertaining what this strange beverage is.

"What is this?" I started, but Vlad held a finger to my lips. His eyes indicated less I knew, the better.

"Vlad... I can’t...I need to..." My words came out oddly, as if I were speaking through a funnel.

You don't need to speak at all. Listen to the sounds. What do they say to you?

Vlad's voice echoed inside my head, I blink rapidly to focus my vision when the room suddenly started spinning. My stomach lurched as I tried to sit down, ungracefully I might add.

Come, let me enlighten you of a new path, all beginnings do not have to end. Choose now.

"Choose? What are you talking..."

Choose.

I felt myself falling as my eyes fluttered close. Falling into an abyss of kaleidoscope colors and muffled voices whispering excitedly. I then raise my hand only to see it blur against the motionless backdrop of a field appearing where the colors merged into one. A bright sunny day greets me and I instinctively wince, only to notice that it has no effect on me. In this field appeared a door, it towered over me as I approached, ancient scripts are carved into its wooden panel, vines weaved around the knocker as I reached out to twist the knob...

I must have blacked out, because the next thing I know Vlad has me wrapped in his arms, early morning light filtered through one of the heavy drapes. He was humming a song I hadn’t heard since my first turning.

"What happened?" I say groggily. Pushing through the heavy daze I feel different, stronger even. Power courses through my veins as I struggle to sit upright.

"Well, let's just say the Shaman won't be returning. As it is he's not very keen on sharing blood," The laugh we shared felt more real than anything he told me next, my mind swirled with thoughts and I feared I might faint again. “But enough of that, How do feel now that you are a Grand vampire?”

I see why no one sleeps in this bed; while comfy, those Gargoyles are the stuff of nightmares!

Holly huffed at the sound of her alarm going off, stretching and mentally preparing herself for another chore filled day. Rolling out of bed she hastily put on some clothes when a text chimed from her phone.

Unkown Number: Downstairs in five minutes, don't worry about breakfast. There is something I must discuss with you.

- Victoria.

She swiped at her phone and wondered what this could be about, Victoria has never texted before. Holly made a b-line for the stairs, a clap of thunder causing the stain glass windows to rattle as she caught a glimpse of her pale reflection, the hazy overcast sky seem to make the room dreary and cold.

“Good evening, Holly.” Something in the way Victoria says her name sends a chill up Holly’s spine, but she ignores it in favor of a greeting. Vlad’s mournful organ playing can be heard drifting from the basement.

“Have I done anything wrong?”

“What would make you think that?” Victoria’s smile seemed pleasant enough, but her body language is tense, out-of-place with her usual confident posture. “No, I simply needed to ask you if things are going well here. I want what is best for those who help us, the house has never run so smoothly.”

“Yes, I’ve made a few friends you could say and the pay is generous. Victoria, where is this going?”

Friends? No, we mustn't have that. No, that will not do. I can’t have anyone knowing. You belongs to us now, Holly. I will do everything in my power to keep it so.

“Good,” Victoria appeared to not have heard her, steely eyes in deep concentration. “That’s good. And Vlad?”

“What?”

“How is your relationship with him? He doesn’t...speak of me, does he?”

“Not negatively,” Holly isn’t sure how to respond to her questioning. Why does she care now? “I suppose we could be friends-”

In a flash Victoria was standing directly in front of Holly, irises tainted a harsh green. A menacing smirk stretched across her twisted features.

“Did you really think that to be true?”

Victoria pinned Holly’s arms to her sides and gazed deeply into her eyes, Holly looked confused as the spell weakened her defenses, it only took seconds until the youngest of the two passed out, Victoria was careful not to take too much but couldn’t help wanting more. Droplets of blood dripped from her mouth as she moved Holly towards the sofa, placing her in such a way that it appeared she fell asleep.

Victoria licked her lips, chuckling softly to herself and returned to her room, she had big news to tell Vlad.

Holly awoke a few hours later to the vibration of her phone. Her head was pounding, though it subsided after she got a glass of water. She finally checked her messages and saw one unread from Easton wanting to know if it was okay to come over. She replied saying it was fine, sitting back down and trying to piece together how she ended up in the living room asleep on the sofa.

I didn’t think I was tired enough to just nap right here, good thing Victoria and Vlad are still sleeping.

Holly rubbed at her neck where two puncture marks resided. She’d hoped her instincts were wrong, but the evidence is clear as day and much more visible than the last. Someone is getting careless, either that or they wanted to send a message. Her only remaining question is, what was she going to now? What if she became one of them?

The doorbell distracted her from a string of crazy thoughts, she had to act as if nothing was wrong and gather enough money to get out of here. Easton stood at the door looking slightly worried.

“I came to check on you.”

“I’m fine, thanks.” Holly chuckled and stepped aside, his eyes went wide at the size of the entryway. “Next time I’m in town I’ll bring a bucket of water with me.”

“Good, because I'm not really here to check on you.” He threw her a cheeky grin and made his way into the parlor.

“The Strauds are resting, so if -” Holly started, but Easton is well out of earshot and viewing a large painting depicting one of Vlad’s ancestors.

“Are they in a coffin? I have to see their coffin!” He asked, and before she could stop him Easton dashed downstairs towards the basement. She sighed and ran to catch up, but he was already staring open-mouthed at the dark casket shrouded in mist.

“Hey! There you are. Can we go back upstairs now? This place gives me the creeps.” Holly shuddered. The entire space gave off a weird vibe.

“Creeps? This is awesome! How much are they paying you here? I bet they’re loaded.” Easton seemed fascinated by the thought of living with Vampires, but Holly wanted nothing more to do with any of them and coaxed him back to the living room.

“Honestly, Easton, I have no idea what you like about this place. I can’t wait to get back on my feet and finally have a house to myself.”

“Well, I like you,” A lame attempt at flattery, yes, but underneath his enthusiasm Holly could tell he was slightly nervous and found it cute. “And you don’t have to stay here, I heard there are some great views in Myshuno.”

“I’m a Social Media model, not a Llama’s Secret model.”

“I thought that was a myth!”

Holly continued telling him about being featured in a two page article in the latest InSimStyle on up-and-coming media influencers, saving Vlad from a horde of angry crows, and the events happening at the Lab. Easton, however, got the feeling she was withholding something.

“What are you not telling me?” Easton raised a brow, he always harbored the distinct ability to read people very well, it sometimes came in handy when at work, but he often kept most things to himself as to not make Sims feel uncomfortable. But with Holly...things seemed different.

Holly glanced down at the glass in her hands, ice clinked loudly in the silence that follows his question. She’d never met a guy this observant of her feelings, she took a small breath and decided maybe it was worth taking a chance over. Throughout her explanation Easton was watching her with complete attention, he was in disbelief that they could do this to her.

“I think it’s Victoria. She has this... grudge against me. Like I knew I’d be friends with Vlad or something.” Holly rolled her eyes before continuing, this was harder than she thought it would be. “But it’s weird. One minute she’s nice and helpful, kind of like the big sister I never had, you know? The next, she’s sneaking me these scornful looks across the room when my attention is ‘elsewhere’. I have no idea if I should confront her.”

“Sounds like she sees you as a threat,” Easton had experienced this a few times, mainly from men who thought they were going home with a certain girl. “Whatever you decide to do, I’d be careful. Especially careful, Holly, because these are vampires we’re dealing with and you’re on her turf. Do you have any other place to stay?”

“No, and I’m not returning home. Ever.” Holly’s gaze seemed miles away, Easton wanted to press what she meant by this but thought better of it. No matter how well they got along, he really didn’t want to mess this up. Not like the last one.

“Well, I hope this doesn’t come off as shady, and I know we met like a week ago, but you’re always welcomed at my place. Togo might be a little wary though.”

“Togo?”

“My dog.” Easton brought out his phone and showed her a picture of a beautiful Husky playing in a field, Holly smiled in approval.

“You don’t seem like a dog person; maybe a parakeet.”

When Easton laughed, Holly thought it was the most genuine laugh she’d ever heard. They talked well into the evening and she made sure to make him laugh before he left, just to hear it again. Holly sighed and sunk against the door, thinking of the ridiculous situation she put herself into. Who knows, if things went well she may just take him up on the offer.