The Smallwood Family Legacy Generation One: A Sims 4 Story

The Smallwood Family Legacy: A Sims 4 Story

 

Chapter One: Speed Dating

 My name is Trixie, I am 237 years old, I am a vampire...and I am lonely! I just moved to Forgotten Hollow after moving from place to place all of my unlife.

I bought this quaint little house, it has its little "quirks" but it is home now. Right now, my feelings for this town are mixed, will I fit in? Can I finally settle down somewhere and belong? Only time shall tell!

This is my adorable friend, Buzz! He is my special companion who helps me through the darkest of days. We are both lonely despite having each other, but it is a different kind of loneliness, we yearn for the warmth of someone to be in love with and share everything with.

So that shall be my task! No more creeping in the shadows trying to stay hidden! I must find a mate...for both of us! New town, new start!

What do you say to that Buzz?

BUZZ: WWWWWWWWWOOOOOOFFFFF!!!

But that is easier said than done! My task shall have to wait, it's midday and I'll burn to a crisp, I must wait for nightfall! My courage will have waned by then I just know it! If only the sun didn't burn me, I've heard of vampires who are impervious to the sun, how do they do it? I heard it was hundreds of years of perseverance and solid will power! And here I am, ten seconds outside and I smell like bacon!

I suppose the only eligible gentlemen for someone like me would only roam at night anyway. So I shall go inside and study my Vampire book, hundreds of years of solitude and I never really knew the customs, the rules! If truth be told, I avoided them to try and be more human! I just kept to myself and when I did feel like socialising I mingled with the living rather than the dead. Mostly at night, of course!

Now I know why I left this to gather dust on the shelf all these years! I'm falling asleep just looking at the font! While I wait for darkness to arrive, I try and concentrate. If I do have a child I will need to teach him or her the ways of the Vampire! Something I have shunned this entire time!

Buzz is having a dream, good or bad I cannot tell but he's making a heck of a noise! I sometimes wonder if it's fair for him to be cooped up in this house all day with me and only walked at night...is love enough for him to endure the conditions I make him live under?

 Suddenly there is a knock on my door that wakes Buzz, he sits up and gives me that curious look cocking his head to one side and weighing up the benefits of a bark. "It's okay my sweet boy, we don't have to answer them!" I soothe him, but he lets out a small bark anyway for good measure.

Yes this big ball of fur and mischief is the love of my life! I could no longer imagine being without him, but sadly in a few years this will be my reality, he is not a vampire dog...he's just Buzz!

I go to the door, bend down and gingerly open the letter box, a pair of smartly dressed feet are there to greet me. Those shoes are very impressive, I always found men's shoes to be ugly or boring, but these...

...I get brave and bend my head up a little further, not only has this man dressed his feet smartly but the rest of his attire is quite something too!

I get even braver and look further up towards his face! "Hello there!" He suddenly speaks, his voice is soft and soothing, almost a whisper. And although he is looking up to the sky, he knows I am there, staring at his rather handsome face. He has brown hair and icy grey eyes, his skin is slightly pale but flawless, he has the most adorable dimple on his chin and he has one single earring hanging from his right ear lobe. "Are you going to introduce yourself? Or..." His voice lingers on the word 'or' as his straight face suddenly becomes a smirk.

The jig is up, he knows I'm in, so I only have one option! I open the door slowly and peek outside squinting my eyes. "Why hello there!" He repeats, and gives me the widest smile, nice teeth...wait...TEETH? Are my eyes deceiving me???
"Hello! My apologies for the caution I..."
"Hahaha! You really are a funny little thing aren't you?" He let's out a booming laugh and looks me up and down with amusement.
"Please do come in!" I push my door wide and beckon him to enter as he shakes his head, still laughing.
"You reclusive types, ahahahaha!"

Once inside, I realise that we have more in common than I thought, this handsome stranger is also a child of the night, but he walks in the sun!!! "Oh how rude of me, I haven't introduced myself..." He guffaws and shakes his head, his goofy grin exposes the long sharp teeth I spotted earlier, "...my name is Caleb Vatore! I live nearby and I wanted to welcome you to the neighbourhood!"
"Trixie!" I eye him warily, I'm always wary of fellow blood suckers, "Trixie Smallwood!"

"A pleasure to meet you Trixie! Well I should be upfront with you I...well I sensed you the day you arrived but I didn't want to just pounce upon you immediately! I am a member of a group that protects and nurtures people like us."

"People like us? With all due respect Mr Vatore, we are not people!"
"Semantics my dear!" He shrugs and smiles another toothy grin. "I just wanted to make a fellow ancient welcome in our quaint little town and reassure you that you are quite safe here! We are accepted and respected within this community, and we live in harmony!"

After our rather shaky introduction, we sit down and have a proper conversation. Caleb Vatore is mysterious, interesting and older than I am, not only that but he speaks like a modern day human being. I have never managed to become accustomed to the ever changing culture of humanity since I was turned! He tells me all about his vampire club and the meetings they hold once a week, they are peaceful and only drink the blood of the living willingly. In other words, there are consent forms and verbal agreements involved. It all sounds too good to be true and...to use Caleb's word earlier, 'quaint'!

"So you are very welcome to join us, we can exchange numbers and I'll call you when we have our next meeting!"
"That sounds...er...lovely! Yes I will certainly give it some thought! After all, if they are all as charming and aesthetically pleasing as you then..."

"Oh my gosh!" Caleb gushes, "Are you flirting with me little vampire? Because if you are that's fine!" I blush, was I flirting? I have no idea I've been so out of the dating game for decades I couldn't tell you!
"I...well..." Nothing ventured Trixie, "...are you single? Or..."

He gives me yet another toothy grin and winks bashfully, obviously he's been out of the game a while too, "Oh yes, very much so! Here's my number little Trix, let's keep in touch!" Feeling rather embarrassed, I take his number and give him mine. He's cute, and we are of the same 'species' shall we say? But I don't know if I'm ready to put myself out there!  I know I said earlier that my task was to find a mate but...I'm getting cold feet, and he is ever so adorable too it makes it all the more uncomfortable!

He smiles shyly and gestures for the door, "I'd love to stay and chat more but I have errands to run my sweet!"
"Well it's been lovely to meet you Mr Vatore..."
"Please!" He giggles, "Call me Caleb little bat!"
"Ah yes, er Caleb! Well I hope to see you soon!" His eyes light up at this and a knot forms in my stomach. He is cute, and he finds me attractive so what's my problem? Nerves, it's nerves!

But before he leaves, something is piquing my curiosity, "Er Caleb, the walking in the daytime, how..." He laughs again, he finds me amusing?
"Ah yes my sweet, that is something we can teach you if you like?"
"I...yes I..." I stammer, he grins and nods to me.
"It's been a pleasure Trixie Smallwood! Until we meet again!" He bows and heads for the front door.

"As he descends the steps I take a peek at him as he leaves, he calls "A bientot!" As if he knows I am looking. I quickly turn away and sit myself down on the couch, blushing once more!

As I feed Buzz, who has been uncharacteristically quiet all through Caleb's visit, something pops through my letterbox with a letter attached:
"Dearest newcomer, my name is Vladislaus Straud and I am the oldest of our clan here in Forgotten Hollow. Please accept this small gift as a token of my hospitality to welcome you to our sleepy little town. Kind regards, Vlad." Great, another one! But when I see what is inside the package I am no longer rolling my eyes! Plasma! Oh sweet nectar of the Gods!!!

He has left his number, I feel I really should meet him and say thank you! It would only be polite! Yes little Trixie is getting brave and flirty and wants to get out there! As I send this Vlad a text to meet me at the park, I leave Buzz to devour his meal alone.

The park is just across the street and I can see my home from there, if Buzz needs me I will know. Although I have a feeling he will join me promptly, he never wants to be away from my side for more than a few minutes, it's the loyal trait in him! I wait for Mr Vladislaus Straud and occupy my time with a nice game of chess.

But he is taking his sweet time, a rather dishy young man enters the park and smiles at me. Vlad? Surely not? I smile back as he mutters "Evening ma'am!" I go crimson and knock one of my rooks over accidentally.

"Hi I'm Trixie!" I jump up and approach him, he looks startled and then I realise why! Vampires can move much faster than humans and he obviously never saw me get up and walk towards him, no wonder he's gone pale!
"Hello there Trixie I'm Dominic, you new here?"

As we converse, I discover that Dominic Fyres is married and happily so! Dash it! But never mind, another hunk enters the fray. "Yo Silas, this is Trixie! She just moved here! Trixie this is Silas Nunez, he and his wife are just down the road from you!" Wife, pah, this is just depressing! Oh well, I guess you have to do the rounds before you finally meet your prince!

The three of us chat for a while, and still no sign of Vlad! I think I may have been stood up, besides he's the elder here, he has more important things to do than meet up with the newest little vampire in town. Silas is giving me his number, as is Dominic, they are members of clubs they want me to join and are competing for my membership!

We finally part ways, these dashing young bucks are off to their homes and their lucky little doe wives! The more married men I meet, the more lonely I become! Am I the only person here that is single? Other than Caleb Vatore of course, but I still feel uneasy about him and his true intentions!

Buzz indeed does come and join me after he's finished his chow! Still no Vladislaus and it has been over an hour now!

I'm sick of waiting, as I leave the park I bump into this young lady who's name is familiar, Nancy Landgraab. I ask her if she knows Vladislaus Straud, she shudders at the mere mention of his name. "Oh him? Yes everyone knows him! He's young, but he looks old! He's rather grumpy and unapproachable...oh and his bitter feud with Caleb Vatore is the stuff of nightmares!" Excuse me what now??? So much for Caleb and his happy trippy town where everyone lives in peace and harmony and sings kum ba ya round the camp fire!

Nancy suddenly gasps and mutters something, turns the other way and jogs off! I am met by two dark eyes, and a grumpy face! Vladislaus has finally arrived. "My dear, apologies for my tardiness but I was...held up!" We sit and play chess for a while and he talks about the town and how it was built, when it was built, who built it...HE DID!

He plays chess like Satan himself, and he is so well spoken. Nancy was right, he is young but looks ancient, a young man with grey hair. But he's not a young man, I ask him how old he is, "I am 1099 years young my dear, almost 1100!" This seems to amuse him as an eerie smile spreads across his thin lips. He suddenly jumps up and gestures to take my hand, "Come, let us gaze at the stars!"

So this feud then? Should I enquire? I'm not sure! He seems quite charming, but then again so did Caleb! Have I entered in the middle of a vampire war??? Good God not again, I had enough of that between Darick and that other dandy in London during the 1960's! Ah Darick, a name I haven't uttered in over 50 years!

Vlad points out the different stars and constellations to me, he is very knowledgeable, well he should be at his age! I make up my mind to bring up Caleb in the conversation.

It's a mistake! I casually sip on one of my plasma juices gifted to me by the man before me as he rants and raves about the young whipper snapper who is hell bent on usurping him! "He is pond scum my dear, no...lower than that! He is barely 700 and he thinks he knows it ALLLLLLL!" Vlad bellows and his voice echoes around the park, scaring what little amount of wildlife that is in there.

"You would do best to stay away from him and his little...gang my dear! They leave nothing but tragedy and carnage in their wake!" Tragedy, carnage, got it! I've gone hysterical, what did he put in that plasma? "I see you are reaping the benefits of our calming plasma juice, it has hallucinogenic properties, hehehe!" His laugh is sinister, and frightening! Nothing like Caleb's, so just who is the bad guy here, and why do I feel nothing but happy feelings when I should be fleeing in terror?

I feel compelled to sit down or my legs will come away from beneath me, as I do so a red haired young gentleman approaches and gives Vlad the side eye. "Are you okay miss?" He looks genuinely concerned for me, Vlad opens his mouth and a sound comes out but the young redhead stops him in his tracks, "I was speaking to the young lady Master Straud!" Vlad grumbles at him but doesn't put up any form of defence.

Red sits down opposite me as I look up at Vlad curiously. "I'm Vivaan Gupta, and you are?" Vlad grumbles again, I sense there is irritation between the two but only that, no bitterness or evil rivalry, it's all so innocent. Vlad's nervous smile comforts me, this Vivaan has the power to bring this ancient creature to his knees just by his mere presence, nifty!

"Young Gupta this is Trixie Smallwood, she's a newcomer to our town and she is looking to make friends!" Vlad answers for me, my pupils are blurry and I feel a dryness in my mouth.
"I see, well hello and welcome!" Vivaan smiles nervously. Another man approaches us.
"Sir? You are needed!" He looks adoringly at Vlad who makes his apologies and leaves with him.
"I'll see she comes to no harm Master Straud!" Vivaan winks, they exchange awkward looks and Vlad is gone into the night.

"Come walk with me Trixie Smallwood!" He seems so normal and yet...

Sweet mother of God he's a vampire too!!! "Mr Gupta, which gang are you in?"
"GANG?" He shouts a little too loudly, then crumples with laughter.

"Does this mean you're a lone wolf?" I wink at him, he suddenly changes.
"Miss Trixie!" His voice is shrill and panicked.

"Do not joke about these things, please! You do not know what you are dealing with! Seriously, don't!" Okay my flirting failed.
"S-sorry sorry!"

"No I'm sorry!" He groans, "You just have to be careful in this town, Vladislaus Straud is not to be crossed! As for Caleb Vatore, well..." I await his words with a little uneasiness, "...he's my pal don't get me wrong but he has ideas above his station. Me? Well I like to just get on with my life, supremacy is not on my agenda!"

"I'm sorry if I offended you Mr Gupta!"
"Please, Vivaan!" He chuckles bashfully, and I notice a little glow in his cheeks.
"Vivaan, thank you for being so kind to me..." He stops me.
"Not kind, just...neighbourly! Listen, Caleb is having a party later on tonight, you should come!"

It is now my turn to be bashful, "I shall see you there...Vivaan!" He winks at me and heads off into the mist. I have time to clear my head and then it's off to the party I go!

I arrive feeling a little 'fish out of water' as two of my potential suitors are laughing together outside the party venue. Caleb calls me over and tells me to get inside as it's almost dawn. Vivaan simply gazes into my eyes with such an innocent smile on his face, it makes me want to melt into a puddle right there. Yes the redhead is stealing my heart!

Caleb leaves us on the street as the sun threatens to rise, Vivaan grins goofily and winks. "We meet again Miss Trixie Smallwood!"
"It would seem so!" What? Oh Trixie that was sad, very sad indeed!
"Shall we go in before we fry?" He chuckles and gestures to the entrance, so he cannot stand the sun either? Interesting, just how old or advanced is he?

It's a busy party, and it isn't exclusive to vampires. It seems Caleb likes to intermingle. Vivaan tries to get us a drink but the bar is far too packed. He returns to me with a sympathetic smile.

"Who needs a drink anyway!" He shrugs and that wink is back. He examines my features with a look of approval. "You are beautiful!" He mumbles, then realising he said the words out loud he blushes and laughs to himself. Silas Nunez is here and he nods a hello in my direction.

"You seem to have made a few friends Miss Trixie!"
"A couple yes, but none like you!" Ahhhhh, now it is my turn to blurt out words that should have remained in my mind! Vivaan simply laughs and studies my face again, he has a fascinated look on his face, like he cannot work me out. Good!

Suddenly he takes me in his arms for a tender embrace, my dead heart mimics fast and strong beats...thud...thud...thud! Oh my word he smells so good, he is warm for a vampire and he is...wow he is wow!

I never want this embrace to end! I feel like I've finally come home after all these years! How does he do that? Who is he??? How??? My mind won't function, this physical contact has fried my brain I cannot comprehend what is happening to me!

When he does finally let me go, I am disappointed. I yearn for his warmth once more and I want to feel him again! What I do next surprises even me...

...I kiss his perfect lips, he muffles a surprised moan. But he does not protest, nor does he resist me!

"Well Miss Trixie..." He exclaims breathlessly, "...you are just full of surprises aren't you!" He chuckles softly and that familiar wink is there again.
"Yes I surprise myself, I hope that wasn't too...forward!" My embarrassment rears its ugly head again.
"No, it was just right!" He soothes me, he turns serious all of a sudden, "I wanna ask you something..."

"...will...will you have dinner with me tomorrow?" We giggle like school children as I give him my positive reply. Two people excited over a dinner date, why it's almost...human!

He makes his apologies and leaves, but I am in a daze of happy confusion! I met someone, within 24 hours of starting my task, I met someone! Wowzers!

As I settle into my bed for the day, exhausted and deliriously happy, I think about Vivaan. My redheaded stud! Oh how you have captured my shrivelled old heart and darkened useless soul! Nothing can take my glee from me, nothing!

To Be Continued...