Chapter 1.5 Pasts

Okay everybody, this is gonna be LOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG. Better get me a soapbox or something.

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Ezela whirled around to face the picture. Had it really spoken to her? But no, it remained as silent and still as ever. With a thumping heart she realised someone else was in the house with her. "Wh-who's there?"she yelled into the echoey house. "There is no need to be apprehensive." said the voice. It was a male voice. Ezela turned to see a man stepping out from the corner nearest to the door.

He was probably only in his forties, but it was obvious that he had aged quickly and badly. His hair was completely gray, except for his darker sideburns.Wrinkles creased his face like hardened lines, and he looked like his face would crack if he smiled. Indeed, it looked as if he hadn't smiled in a long time. He wore a neat gray suit, and a pair of shades so dark, Ezela wondered how he could see through them.

She reared back, afraid. "Who are you?" she asked shakily. Well that was dumb, he probably lives here, stupid, and your asking him who he is? However, the man looked back, unfazed. "Not to sound cliche', but aren't you more interested in who you are? Why your here?" There was a long pause. "I see you have." He took a seat in an armchair and gestured to the couch for her to do the same. 

Hesitantly, Ezela sat down and immediately regretted taking the couch, as she could still feel the woman's unwavering glare burning into the back of her skull.

"You would have made this much easier on yourself if you had followed the directions like you were supposed to." he continued. Ezela blushed in shame, but caught herself. Who was this strange man anyway, and what right did he have to question her? "Who are you." she asked again, but this time, it was more of a statement than a question.

There was another silence, as if the man was trying to decide how to phrase his answer. "I suppose I must start at the beginning before I tell you exactly who I am." he finally answered. "Like it said in the letter you received, you are the heir of the Angelin's. As you learned in the brochure, this island's discover was discovered by your ancestor. He proceeded to own half of the island, as British settlers eventually claimed the other half. For over a hundred more years, the two sides secretly warred against each other over everything- water, game, materials. Even in the eighties, although these old riffs were no  longer mattered, the townspeople still had a grudge against one another. Often, people from the opposite sides participated in gang wars." The man paused, as if he just didn't particularly like talking in general, and was preparing himself for a long speech he had to make."Almost twenty years ago, an eighties movie star, from the French side, became all the rage. Everyone loved her, French and British sides alike. She was beautiful, charismatic, and very easy to like. She charmed her way into the hearts of millions, not just the islanders. That's her, right there." the man said, nodding in the direction of Ezela. She nearly jumped out of her skin, expecting to see the hauntingly beautiful woman lurking in the shadows, but he was looking in the direction of the photo, his face expressionless. "This was her house." he continued, his voice as expressionless as his face.

"Was? What happened to her?" Ezela asked barely audibly, not even needing to turn around and look at the photo again. The face was engraved in her memory. Yes, the woman was a movie star.

The man continued. "She was at the peak of her career. She had fans all across the globe, and the islanders were extremely proud of her, and worshiped her almost like a deity. She's the one who really put Angel Falls on the map, and made it a huge tourist attraction."

"She was at the highest place a star could be, the very peak of her career. She had the entire island in the palm of her 20 carat ringed hand. In fact, the islanders loved her so much, their mutual pride began to settle their rivalry. So it was an enormous surprise when she.... just stopped appearing. In movies, premiers, public, everything. She had seemingly disappeared."

"She hadn't disappeared, though. She remained isolated from society in her house, which was very unlike her, restless spirit that she was. She needed socialisation. It was so sudden that accusations and rumors began to fly around that she had been murdered. It was just so spontaneous, with no visible reason. No one knew why her successful career had been halted. No one knew the truth of it."

"The truth?" Ezela whispered, breathless. She had a feeling that she knew what the truth was, but she wanted to hear someone else actually say it, confirm it.

He leaned forward. "That woman was Irene Angelin'. Your mother."

The breath seemed to leave Ezela's lungs. It was so quiet, she would have heard her own heart beat if it hadn't just stopped in shock. She needed to stop. To breathe. To take it in. To understand. But after a while the man continued.

It wasn't acceptable to get pregnant before marriage in those days. It just didn't happen. Even if it wasn't frowned upon, Ms. Angelin' would have still been unhappy. I believe the last thing she would have wanted was to be tied down, to become a common housewife. She wanted to be free, party every night, come and go as she pleased."

"And that's why she gave me up." Ezela stated flatly.

The man shook his head sharply, once. "She never had the chance."

"Eventually I suspect withdrawing that much from society got to her."

"In her eighth month of pregnancy, she eventually headed out in disguise

to one of the seediest clubs in Angel Falls."

"She went up to the bartender and demanded a cocktail, but he was a decent man as it turns out and refused to give it to her."

"This is were she snapped. We're guessing the strain and stress of her pregnancy and shame got to her, and she began to scream at the bartender, at first demanding her drink, but eventually just screaming nonsense words to him, until she wasn't even screaming to him at all, but to herself.

Her nervous breakdown got her so physically stressed as well, that she sent herself into premature labor."

Before anyone could realise what had happened, she bolted out the door and drove away dangerously in her car.

She was in a serious accident five minutes later. The person she rear ended was killed immediately upon impact, while she was sent into a coma. The ambulance came for her, and she died as soon as you were born."

"Everyone was alerted of her death, but your birth was not, as she had plainly stated it would be in her will. Within her will, the lawyers were instructed to send you far away from Angel Falls. They gave you, along with a very small bonus and a tiny house to a recently sacked Law intern. They sent different government social workers to take care of you over the years. When care was no longer required, you faded into the woodwork next to all those "international disasters." When you were old enough to support yourself, you were forgotten altogether."

Ezela swallowed, trying to get rid of the lump in her throat and gain control over herself. "So.... why now? Why remember me now? How do you know all this? Does anyone else know about this?" She had meant to say it in a demanding voice, but it came out as a whisper.

"The Angelin' museum is being sold, its items auctioned off. The museum was dedicated to Irene Angelin' about two years before you were born. Her boyfriend at the time of her death, Zane Dasilva, is demanding the profits the museum makes for himself. However, once your pretty little file was unearthed, the law states all of the money goes to you. And, of course, after finding that you existed, they needed you here to also accept your birthright."

Ezela's mouth went dry. "Birthright?" "Yes. The museum's profits, this house, the island."

"What?" Ezela would stumbled although she was sitting down. "The island???"

The man just sat there, as if they were discussing the weather. "Turns out, Ms. Angelin' owned quite a lot of the island in the end, as the original owners loved her and gave it to her for next to nothing. When she died, many more even gave land to her as a tribute. In the end, yes, she bought the entire island. That is also something Dasilva wants. But since he was specifically mentioned in her will- she urged him to take only-" he took a folded piece of paper out of his pocket and read, "'-the hideous bust of Sylvester Stallone that he gave me last Christmas and don't you dare take anything else, Dasilva!', he has no rights to any of her personal possessions. She did not specify who would get her immense fortune, but made it clear she did not want Dasilva to have it. Since you are her only blood relative left, it automatically goes to you."

"As for who I am, I have been assigned to you as an advisor of sorts, in finance and law, among other things. For now, you may call me..." he seemed to be wondering what name to give her. "Mr. Paul."

Ezela took deep breaths, stood up shakily, and walked over to him.

"What do you mean? I mean, I know what you mean, but how do you know that I'm her daughter for sure? And- how can I-"

"Trust me?" Mr. Paul finished. He handed her the paper he had read from. "Is this real enough?" he asked softly, handing it to her. Quietly, Ezela read it.

The court hereby decrees that Ezela Angelin' come to court on October 19th, 2001, to verify her parentage to Irene Angelin' and inherit-

She stopped reading and closed her eyes to soak it in. But instead of satisfaction, she felt only pain. "What about my father. Did he know about me?" she asked her voice cracking. There was a long pause. "No." Mr. Paul said, the emotion in his voice hard to read. Ezela opened her eyes. "Why didn't the government give me over to him when I was born?" Mr. Paul looked up at her. "Ezela," he said. It was the first time he had spoken her name the entire time they had been talking. "No one knows who your father is." 

Ezela reared back again. "But- but Dasilva-" she choked. "He is not your father." Mr. Paul stated.

Ezela took deep breaths. How could he be so sure if they hadn't done any DNA testing yet? There was still hope. Who else could be her father?

She swallowed and continued talking, trying to be casual.

"So... what happens now? Where do I....?" Ezela trailed off, unable to actually say that she was homeless. 

Mr. Paul looked at her- or at least she thought that he looked at her , it was impossible to tell through his dark glasses- and replied, "Don't you remember? This house, among other things, is yours. This is your home now."

"But-" Ezela stuttered. "b-but it hasn't even been confirmed-" "I have spoken with the court and they have decided to let you stay here, at least for the time being. The case is already fairly decided, they have most of the paperwork confirming your parentage. You coming to court is just a precautionary thing."

Ezela took another deep breath and secretly pinched herself. When she opened her eyes, she still saw Mr. Paul's stony face. This wasn't a dream. This was real. And she didn't know what to make of it yet.

**********

Yayyyyyy!!!!! Longest update EVERRRRR!!! Does this make up for the long gap in between!? Did you like my car crash scene? I would have added some explosions to the picture but I'm too much of a computer dum-dum to figure it out. It took me HOURS to figure out how to make those black and white photos. Phew! I've been typing for HOURS. Ever since I posted the last one! I haven't even gotten up to eat or go to the bathroom. (Don't drink that. It may appear to be Mt. Dew, but its not, trust me.) I don't know if I have the energy to do a blooper thing. But I promised, so here ya go:

BLOOPER REEL!!!! WHEEEE!!! (+ some funny things that happened.)

Yeah, this is just one of the millions of times I scared Ezela. I felt so bad, I thought I should bring Skull-Shirt Guy to justice (he's the one who scared every time.) .... WhA-at? He wanted to do it!

This ^^ is just here to show you what I go through EVERY TIME I ENTER CAS. Yeah, love your game now, don't you Sim bloggers. Well, you can burn and die for all I care appreciate your game more after seeing this picture.

Telekinesis toddler!

But what is so funny about this picture? you ask. It was in that lame chapter/teaser thing! Yeah, well I think its funny. Because I took so many pictures of it accidentally, that's how funny it is. Laugh. Now. YOU'RE NOT LAUGHING!!! *slaps*

Hey! Inna-PROPRIATE Buster! You're married to Bessie, you know! 

Buster: Who?

 This is Buster Clavell and a young Yumi Sekemoto liking eachother too much. In public! For SHAME! (ps I was just cruising along Sunset Valley and saw THIS. I WAS NOT CONTROLLING THEM.)

 No, Mr. Paul is not slapping her. Skull shirt guy is. INVISA-SLAP!!!! He decided to do this when I moved-objects him. STUPID SIMS!!! As punishment, I erased him my game crashed because its stupid and glitchy die you people with glitchless games.

This was when I was trying to burn the house. JUST when I had gotten all the firemen away, THIS MAID puts out the fire! No! No! I NEED BURNED HOUSE. I fired her of course, for going above and beyond the call of duty. *grumbles* Stupid sim-maids, I thought you guys were supposed to have lame service, not try to save my sim's lives!!!!

Irene: "Oh, booh-hoo-hoo, my beautiful house is getting destroyed and you're gonna kill me off."

Shut up in a couple minutes the burns will be completely gone, darn it.

Irene: "This'll learn you to plot against ME.

What- NO! STOP IRENE! I thought I had free will turned off! STOP IT!!!!

Irene: "MWAHAHA!!!

Ugh. Evil trait acting up.

YES! YES! BURRRRRRRRRRRRN! 

Irene: "No, don't burn!"

YES.

Frollo: I FEEL HER! I SEE HER! THE SUN CAUGHT IN HER RAYVEN HAIR, IS BLAAAZING TO WITHOUT ALL CONTROL. LIKE FIYAH! DARK FIYAH!!! This fiyah in my skiinn. This bur-ning. De-si-yuh. Is turning me- to- SIN!

(If you don't know what this song is, you need to watch Hunchback of Notre Dame before I sic Irene on you.)

Irene: Yes!!!! Blooooooooooooood!!!!

Oi. *winces*

This is the blank stare of a Sim who's elderly wife was just turned young and hot again because I'm nice. UNGRATEFUL!

There are so many things wrong with Sunset Valley. I was just going around, much like I was with Buster and Yumi, when I saw this! And see the girl next to him? She was in the nude 3 secs before I took this pic but I didn't catch it in time. O.o I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THAT THEY COULD DO THAT ON THEIR OWN.

Darlene Bunch: Mmmmm... niiiice....

No! This blooper reel is inappropriate enough! Your only a teen! Go away!

Foxy pregnant lady.

Burned Mr. Paul: *barfs*

Well that's rude!

....... *shivers* Don't you hate it when Sims look directly into the camera? Go away Irene!

I love this pic. She's freaking out cuz of the fire, and he's freaking out because she's in labor.

Did you know you could have midgets in Sims 3? Yeah, me neither.

AAAAUGH! A MONSTER!!!!

..............................................

............................... okay, that's really disturbing. On many different levels.

Two army ladies in one spot! Talking to each other! Far away from the military base! They aren't in the same household! I think its funny. ...you don't? *stabs with fork* IT WOULD HAVE BEEN FUNNY IF YOU WERE THE ONE PLAYING!!! NOW SHADDUP AND LET ME HAVE MY MOMENT! ;__;

Did you guys how bad the Car accident was? This bad. She was impaled onto her own car.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGHGH!!!! SHE GIVES ME THE SIM STARE OF DEATH INTO THE CAMERA!!!! SAVE ME!!!!!

............seriously, what is she looking at?(She literally stared there without moving for 3 Sim hours. It was very unnerving. There was nothing over there.)

So, yeah, that was the blooper real that was as long as the post itself. Please make predictions of what you think is gonna happen in the comments and feel free to ask questions! Bye!

Chapter 1.4 Discovery

Ezela immediately scolded herself for thinking such frivolous thoughts. Of course it wasn't hers. She was homeless. Designer clothes and a first class plane ticket was one thing- an entire mansion was quite another. Still.... in the cold, dusty halls, it felt like she... belonged here. She shook it off as merely wishful thinking.

Ezela's feet began to move of their own accord, and she eventually followed them. She looked at every room in the magnificent but saddened house.

The rooms were uncountable there were so many, and they were huge. The kitchen was amazing,

and right across from the kitchen was what looked like the main living room,

and a few rooms away there were several half bathrooms,

and a large dining room.

There was also a dusty but organised study that, although the entire house must have been abandoned for quite a while, this room looked as it had never been used.

There were several other rooms Ezela could barely remember, and she had only seen part of the first floor! She felt almost drunk on luxury. The mere opulence of the house made her feel sick with over-indulgence of the eyes.

Ezela entered one last room, and felt a noticeable change.

It wasn't anything particularly special. The room had a soft lavender color applied to nearly all aspects of the room. Artificial flowers stood in vases on both the fireplace as well as next to it. The room itself, wasn't particularly large, but one detail screamed at Ezela, taking up every square inch of the room.

Opposite of the fireplace was an enormous photograph of a woman.

She was beautiful, strikingly so, but the way she almost avoided the camera in the utmost haughtiness unsettled her. Her slanted, Violet eyes avoided looking into the camera, yes, but at the same time her frosty gaze seemed to be directly aimed at Ezela. Judging from the back round of the photograph, it looked as if the picture had been taken in the very room Ezela was standing in. The air seemed to chill with this realisation.

The remarkable thing was not only the woman, but the photograph itself. It had been taken with noticeable care, the Classic Vignette style capturing the very breath of the woman, every raise of her eyebrow, the swirl of her dark eyelashes, the slight curl of her lips in their corners. The photographer had taken passion in the very click of the camera, as if this one picture was the very meaning of his or her existence. It was like magic.

The woman's cold stare burned into Ezela's face. It looked as if the picture was about to speak. The effect was uncanny. Unable to look at the woman anymore, Ezela quickly turned away, cheeks burning at being so easily unnerved by a picture.

"Done sightseeing?" dryly asked the voice behind her.

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Ooooo, suspenseful right? Right?! .... no? *slaps* Yeah, I know, I fail at taking pictures the first half. You don't even see Ezela most of the time. And the house didn't look very old. Well, funny story for you- I actually put a bunch of Chinese fireworks inside the house, and had Ezela light each one. I HAD TO TRACK DOWN EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THE THIRTEEN FIRE DETECTORS DOWNSTAIRS AND DELETE THEM TO STOP THE FIREMEN FROM COMING. Even then, I had to save my simmies numbers of times. They nearly died a hundred times! Even then it took me several HUMAN DAYS to burn most of the house. And then I went away from the household to take care of something in another household, and when I came back, THE DAMAGE WAS COMPLETELY GONE. WHAT. You'll forgive me, I'm sure, that I didn't attempt it again. You can only set off one firework at a time, because when a fire is burning, your Sim will refuse to do anything else, much less light another firework. IT WAS SO FRUSTRATING!!! /end rant/


Yeah, so it took me a billion forevers to get that last pic. I had to "scare" Ezela a trillion times to get it just right, the poor dear.


And YES I DID promise a blooper reel, but it would give away some spoilers, so I'm doing it after NEXT chapter, which should be up in the next few minutes, so you'll probably not even miss it. And-yay! Summer's her! So expect regular updates!