Overlord Legacy - Chapter Eighteen - Generation Three's Unwelcome Arrival

Midnight sits in silence after finishing her waffles. There's been a lot of silence around the house after that big argument the other day. The silence doesn't solve anything, but neither does yelling. Midnight is disgusted with Jakkson and with Oliver...and even with herself. How could she have let this happen to her? She knows she used protection every time. In fact, she was very firm on that. Having a baby at this moment would be a distraction. She's not prepared to care for a child.

Fortunately the morning sickness is gone, but Midnight doesn't feel a lot better. With her ever-expanding belly, she finds herself waddling to get to places, and no one trembles in fear from someone who waddles. She's even tripped a few times with the uneven weight around her belly. Every minute that goes by, she loathes that creature that's growing inside of her. She just hopes and prays with all her might that it ends up being a human. She has absolutely no interest in giving birth to a werewolf or a vampire.

The worst thing is not knowing which one fathered the baby. There'll be no way to know until the baby becomes a toddler. If the child's a werewolf or a vampire, then identifying the father will be easy. If the child's a human, she'll have to go by other factors.

Needing to clear her mind and try not to wallow in her misery, Midnight goes for a jog, now that she definitely has time to. That's another lousy thing about her pregnancy - seven days off from work. That's seven days she can't afford.

--
While Midnight goes for a jog, Phantom lugs his honey and beeswax over to the alchemy shop. The clerk (happy for Phantom's business, reluctant to have that blasted fairy in his shop at all) takes his produce and turns away, hoping Phantom will get the hint and quickly exit the shop. Phantom, however, notices a strange vial on the rack underneath the counter.

Phantom: "Ooh! What's this?"
Clerk: "That? Oh, yeah, that. That's a Zombification potion."
Phantom: "Oh...! What does it do?"
Clerk: "What do you think it does? It turns someone into a zombie, of course."
Phantom: "Permanently? Like Zombie Apocalypse in a bottle?"
Clerk: "No, only for two days. We don't sell permanent Zombification potions here. We don't need a Zombie Apocalypse."
Phantom: "Do you have anything for fairies here?"
Clerk: "Oh, please. I'd rather have a Zombie Apocalypse than more of you floating around."
Phantom: "How much is this Zombification potion?"
Clerk: "69 Simoleons and it's yours."
Phantom: "Only 69? Ooh! I'll take it!"

Excitedly, Phantom brings home his new potion. Normally he doesn't look too closely at the potions at the alchemy shop. They're usually too expensive. He's happy with this one though. For 69 Simoleons, he can play the greatest prank ever! Now he just has to wait for the right opportunity...
--
Back at the castle, Jakkson and Oliver eat their breakfast in silence. Neither knows what exactly to say to the other. Finally Jakkson grabs Oliver before he goes upstairs.

Jakkson: "Oliver...look, I'm sorry, man. It wasn't right for me to react that way toward you during that fight, and it doesn't make sense for us to continue to ignore each other. I mean, it wasn't your fault and it wasn't my fault. All this was happening behind each of our backs. There's no sense blaming each other for this. We didn't know."
Oliver: "...Sigh. I know, Jakk. I haven't been angry at you. I've just been keeping to myself to try and sort things out. There's no one to be angry at except Midnight."
Jakkson: "Well...there's not much we can do at this point."

Oliver: "You can dismiss this if you want. It's not that easy for me. I was thinking things were getting better, that Midnight actually had capacity for human emotions like compassion and kindness, rather than the monster I first thought her to be. It's humiliating to be used in this way, and she just destroyed everything I--..."

Oliver: "Oh, f**k...gahh, now I'm going to be a fruitcake and cry about this."
Jakkson: "No, come on, man. I'm not over it either. I'm just....I don't know. There's no use in me repeatedly getting angry about it, because I can't change what happened. I can try to make things better, but even then, I doubt I have much power in that area."
Oliver: "...You've really become a lot stronger since you've been in captivity here. I wish I could say the same for myself."
Jakkson: "Stronger? I don't know if I'd say that..."
Oliver: "You may not recognize it, but you have. You can control your emotions far better than I can."
Jakkson: "Really, Oliver. I'm probably the weakest man I know."
Oliver: "If you were truly that weak, you would've turned into a werewolf when Midnight erupted and announced her pregnancy. You have much more control over yourself than you think."

Jakkson pauses, realizing Oliver's right. Not too long ago, he would've just transformed at the first sign of anger. Deep in thought, Jakkson almost doesn't even notice when Midnight walks through the door and waddles over to the shower.

Oliver notices, however, Every time he sees her, everything in him just ignites all over again. Everything he'd felt towards her romantically, just shredded and used and torn to pieces. She's completely inconsiderate toward anything or anybody other than herself. Doesn't she realize she practically made Oliver's cold dead heart start beating again? Doesn't she know Oliver's been around for a long, long time, never finding anyone that would make him feel that way, wondering what on earth to live for? She's taken away his freedom and his dignity, and now she tears away his pride and his trust by pretending to feel something for him when really all she cares about is abusing his body for her pleasure.

Oliver waits for the sound of the shower water to turn off. He waits, and waits...then walks toward the bathroom door. He can't hold it inside of him anymore. If he doesn't tell her what she did, if he doesn't release everything he feels about her, if he doesn't tell her the truth about how she affected him, he'll never be able to get over it.

Midnight: "Oliver! What are you doing in here?"
Oliver: "I've avoided talking to you and saying this for so long. But you deserve to hear it."
Midnight: "Listen, Oliver. We have to.....we have to wait a few days before we can talk about this."
Oliver: "I'm saying it now."
Midnight: "I'm still getting over the shock of pregnancy. In fact, I'm pretty sure I'll still be in shock about my pregnancy well after the baby's born. I'm interested in getting back together with you, but...we just can't talk about it now. I have to get over--"
Oliver: "That's what you think I'm trying to talk to you about?!"
Midnight: "....That's not what you're here for?"
Oliver: "No, Midnight, it's not. You can brandish me a fool once, but never twice. You deceived me into thinking we genuinely had a great relationship going, and it was a grand deception. I never thought twice. Shame on me."
Midnight: "Oliver, it....sigh. It wasn't entirely a deception."
Oliver: "Oh, I'm sure you enjoyed my body very much."
Midnight: "Well, yeah. Have you seen yourself lately? Heh..."
Oliver: "I'm not amused."
Midnight: "Oliver, come on...not now..."
Oliver: "Yes, now. This will never happen again. You can approach me, you can try to touch me, you can try to corner me alone, but our relationship is over. You may be Midnight Overlord, ready to dominate and corrupt the world, but you will never have me again. Use that pain device on me all you want. You can have my body when I'm not conscious to give it. But while I'm still awake and alive, I will fight you every step of the way."
Midnight: "Oh, you'll fight me, hmm?"
Oliver: "Mark my words, the time will come when your only two options will be to free me or kill me. Yes, Midnight. I will fight."

Midnight gapes at him, stunned. Oliver gives her one last look, then briskly turns and leaves for the salon. Midnight has to grab the sink behind her to balance herself and keep herself from falling over. Oh, please, not now, she pleads in her mind. Don't fight me now...

One by one, she is chipped away. First her father's death. Then her pregnancy. Now one of her servants resolutely bent on wrangling himself away from her control. Her Overlord pedestal is wobbling and crumbling underneath her feet. I have to take a stand now. If I don't reassert my dominance now, if I don't surge forward and fight for my father's dream now, I will cave and all will be lost.

Taking a deep breath and putting her tough face back on, Midnight marches out to the dining area, where she finds Jakkson sitting at the table, doing a whole lot of nothing.
Midnight: "Jakk, why aren't you hunting?"
Jakkson: "I was just...thinking about stuff."
Midnight: "Go hunt."
Jakkson: "...Midnight, can I talk to you about something?"

Fear and rage spike inside of Midnight at the same time and to the same degree. She does not need Jakkson repeating what Oliver said to her. She doesn't need to hear they're in cahoots against her. Deciding not to hold back on her anger, Midnight grabs Jakkson's arm with both hands and jerks him onto the floor, startling him tremendously. Jakkson looks up to find Midnight's fists ready to come down on him.

 Jakkson: "Okay, okay! I understand! I'll....I'll just talk to you later."
 
Midnight stops herself, breathing heavily. Deep inside, there's a tiny part of her that feels terrible about what she just did, a part she tries not to pay attention to most of the time. If there's anyone in the world she could take advantage of, it's Jakkson. While she recognizes that he's gotten much stronger mentally and emotionally, she knows he's still entirely and willingly submissive to her. Had she not stopped her fists, she knows she would've left bruises on his face and he never would've attempted to fight back.

Tears suddenly spring to Midnight's eyes. She turns away, breathing in deeply to hide them. She feels the rush of wind as Jakkson transforms next to her. Glancing over, she notices Phantom as well.

Phantom: "....Oh dear."
Midnight: "Come on, Phantom. You've seen him in werewolf form many times now. You can't still be scared of him."
Phantom: "I'm not scared of werewolves, Midnight..."

Midnight tries not to look at him, but she does anyway. She can't look for long. Phantom's purple eyes are frightened and disturbed, but they're also pointed directly at her. It's not Jakkson's werewolf form that makes Phantom uneasy, nor is it the potentially-violent encounter they nearly had. Midnight realizes more and more that Phantom picks up on emotions naturally. In fact, she's come to realize even Phantom doesn't have much control over that - if someone is going through a whirlwind of serious emotions, they naturally seep into Phantom's system and he must deal with the same emotions as well. Midnight swallows, then quickly walks into the bedroom to get away from Phantom. Her emotions and turmoil is hardly enough for her to handle - and if she's having a hard time dealing with it, Phantom's fragile system will certainly shut down if she hangs around him too much.

Jakkson shakes himself, trying to focus his mind on hunting. Midnight's certainly been rough with him before. In the bedroom, their roles practically get reversed - she's the werewolf, he's the submissive human that lets her have her way with him. But she's never physically struck him in anger before. He'd only wanted to talk to her about feelings he still had for her...

Trying to distract himself, Jakkson begins sniffing. So consumed in his own mind, he doesn't pay attention to where he's sniffing. He doesn't even realize he hasn't left the house. He follows the trail of something that smells really good, something flowery with a hint of vanilla...

Jakkson: "SniffasniffaSNIFFASNIFFSNIFF--"
Phantom: "Jakk? Why are you sniffing my hair?"
Jakkson: "...Oh! Oh. I'm....ugh. Sorry. I.....sigh. Canine instincts."
Phantom: "That's okay. Do you like to play fetch?"
Jakkson: "....Please don't play fetch with me. I need to go hunting--"
Phantom: "I think I have a newspaper somewhere--"
Jakkson: "I NEED to go hunting. No fetch."
Phantom: "Do you like having your belly rubbed?"
Jakkson: "I'm not a real dog, Phantom. I'm a werewolf."
Phantom: "But do you like it?"
Jakkson: "Would you quit--"

Jakkson: "......Urgh."
Phantom: "I love scratching doggies' ears! Don't you like it?"
Jakkson: "....Yeah, I guess it...feels good...." THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP.
Phantom: "Is that your foot thumping on the floor?"
Jakkson: "You hit the right spot."
Phantom: "Ah. How about this one?"

THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP.
Phantom: "Oh yeah, there's another spot."
Jakkson: "Phantom, why do you insist on damaging my dignity and putting my humanity to shame?"
Phantom: "I always wanted a dog."
Jakkson: "I'm not a dog."
Phantom: "Some dogs like having their butts scratched."
Jakkson: "Please don't."
Phantom: "I like you as a werewolf, Jakk. We should do this more often."
Jakkson: "I reserve every right to lift my leg and pee on you."
Phantom: "But then my hair wouldn't smell that good."
Jakkson: "I didn't mean to sniff your hair."
Phantom: "Now where's the spot again....? I think this one?"
THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP.
Jakkson: "Phantom, if Midnight comes out and sees me like this, I'm going to mangle you."
Phantom: "Oh, nonsense. She'd probably laugh."
--

It's early the next morning. Midnight stares at the window, utterly disgusted at how large her belly has grown.

She feels ready to explode. On one hand, she's eager just to have that stupid little creature born already so she can have her body back. On the other hand, she's not looking forward to a baby in the house. The nonstop crying, the many needs, the pesky gossips around town who'll want to know everything about it. She plans on putting the baby in the crib and then forgetting about it. It's an untimely distraction that she doesn't need right now.

Midnight walks outside to skip a couple of stones across the moat. Finding it doesn't relieve her frustration, she walks over to the trashcan.

She pauses...then kicks it over in a rage.

Then tears spring to her eyes. Again. She hates this pregnancy thing. She never cries, and now it seems she's in tears multiple times a day.

Frustrated, Midnight decides to go upstairs. She doesn't spend much time up there - that's largely where her slaves spend their time. Their bathroom is upstairs, as is Oliver's drawing table and Jakk's gem-cutting machine. She's heard Jakkson's actually set up a gem room. She decides to go take a look.

For as much as she yelled at him yesterday, Jakkson's been doing well with his hunting. In fact, he probably brings in the most money of anyone, not including the gems he keeps here.
Jakkson: "...Midnight?"

Midnight turns around to find Jakkson standing in the doorway, a couple of new gems in his hands. Quietly he places them on one of the tables, then turns to leave.
Midnight: "...You're doing a good job hunting, Jakk. I heard you found another Pink Will-o-the-Wisp today. They're rare finds."

Jakkson stops and shyly smiles. "I think I'm starting to figure out my werewolf abilities."
Midnight: "...You were going to tell me something the other day. You can say it now, if you want."
Jakkson: "Oh....well....I was just....look, I know this whole thing's a mess. But...I'm not angry anymore. I'm not going to hold anything against you."

Jakkson: "I don't know who the father is. But, with me and Oliver and Phantom...I think we can all figure out how to take care of a baby."
Midnight: "Well...thank you, Jakk."

Midnight heads downstairs, realizing Jakk's just nicely put that he's still available for her. Good. It means he's not against her like Oliver is. That's one less distraction for her. She gets to the kitchen and tries not to shudder as Oliver shows up to grab some plasma juice out of the fridge.
Midnight: "Well, you're here and Jakk's here. Where's the fairy?"
Oliver: "Probably out concocting something with fairy dust. He might've mixed something in your drink a few days ago. Fairies can impregnate people by fairy dust, you know."
Midnight: "They CAN?!?"
The sudden striking fear sends Midnight into uncomfortable sudden pains.

Oliver: "Midnight. Excuse me. I'm trying to sit here."
Midnight: "So you're telling me I could be giving birth to a fairy?!?"
Oliver: "No. I was kidding."
Midnight: "YOU JUST SENT ME INTO LABOR FOR NOTHING?!"
Oliver: "I didn't think you would take me seriously."

Midnight's groans of anguish attract the attention of the other castle residents.

Jakkson: "Whoa, what's going on?"
Phantom: "Well, Midnight here is going into labor."
Jakkson: "Oh...OH..."
Midnight: "And it's all Oliver's stupid fault!"
Oliver: "I am taking no responsibility for this."
Midnight: "It could be your freaking baby!"
Oliver: "True."

After a few more strains and pushes, Midnight has the baby at home. It's a baby girl, which Midnight awkwardly tries to hold. Heck, she's never held a baby, nor has she had the desire to.

Midnight: "Well, okay. This is....nice, I guess."

The baby immediately begins to cry, a sound Midnight is fully not prepared to hear.
Midnight: "Oh, come on! Ugh. Alright, I'll just name you and into the crib you go. Something dark, something Daddy would've liked...ugh. Oliver. You're the one who interprets horoscopes and all that."
Oliver: "You're going to name her Maple Leaf?"
Midnight: "No. What's that old mythical flower that never faded? Means something like, 'love lies bleeding.' I read about it somewhere."
Oliver: "....That would be the amaranth."
Midnight: "There. Amaranth. That's your name, little girl. Amaranth, never fading. May power and domination never fade from this family. Now into your crib you go."

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

Author's notes: Wow. This chapter involved a lot more drama than I originally intended. Just kind of came about while I was writing, I guess. Baby Amaranth was born with the Perceptive and Hates the Outdoors traits, although I had to randomly select those for her. I tried to make Midnight's pregnancy awful so I wouldn't be able to pick the traits, but every time I had her argue with someone, she just got fiendishly delighted, so it defeated the point.

One thing I noticed about Midnight's pregnancy is that she got SO BIG. I've played a lot of pregnant Sims before and I've never seen one get as big as her. In fact, it got to the point where if I zoomed out (I have to play on fairly low settings to prevent lag on my computer, so the graphics change slightly when I zoom out), parts of her belly poked through her shirt as she moved. I was terrified that she might be carrying multiples (forget Midnight, I would've panicked - I didn't have a plan for multiples), but fortunately only Amaranth popped out.

Only other thing of note, because I'm currently playing without mods (I might install them later, after I know they won't slow down my game significantly like last time), I have to experiment with different interactions to get the expressions I want on my Sims. For Jakkson's and Oliver's chatting scene, I tried to get some worried expressions, so I noticed Jakkson (who has the Brooding trait) had a "Talk About Feelings" interaction. I thought, "This should have some concerned expressions." Nope. Just a casual conversation, then suddenly, "Oliver thinks Jakkson is flirty" and they start that whole process. I had a reaction that went something like this video.

Anyway. Baby is born, and in the next chapter we get to see a snippet of Phantom's past. Fun, fun, fun! Leave a comment if you like!

Overlord Legacy - Chapter Seventeen - When Everything Crumbles

Midnight wakes up early to get ready for work, deciding to spend a few extra minutes in the shower. She'd expected to to enjoy the last few days, and in a way she has. Midnight's sensual desires and fantasies are satisfied whenever she wants by two different men - and she sometimes wants to multiple times in one day. Midnight can grab Jakkson when Oliver goes to the salon, and when Oliver returns, she can simply send Jakkson out to hunt. Neither man has any idea what's going on behind their backs. It is truly the delight of an evil Overlord slave owner.

However, other factors have worked to dampen Midnight's spirit. For one thing, Phantom's coming and going has been more and more erratic, so she additionally has to guess when he's leaving the castle to make love to one of her other men (for surely if he found out what was going on, she doubts even stuffing a sock in his mouth and locking him in a closet would keep him silent). Secondly, it's getting harder and harder to keep her own emotions out of the way. The last thing she needs right now is to actually get attached to one man or the other.

Thirdly, the last couple days she's been feeling awfully sick. She doesn't understand it, except that Phantom has recently been putting honey into his peanut-butter and jelly sandwiches. He claims it's perfect quality, but with Midnight throwing up throughout the day, she's starting to seriously doubt that claim.

Midnight steps out of the shower, not sure if the extra time really made a difference in her mood or not. She reaches up to touch her hair and is shocked when her fingertips come back hot pink.

Midnight: "What in...?"

Midnight: "Why, Phantom, why?!?"

Phantom, of course, can't hear her. He just finishes his gardening outside when he hears a musical jingle coming up the street. Curious, Phantom wanders into the front yard. Parked in front of the house is what used to be Rufus' biggest nightmare - the ice cream truck.

One man's nightmare is another fairy's delight, however. Phantom zooms up to the window, gardening money in pocket.

Ice cream man: "What'll ya have?"
Phantom: "Hmm....ooh! What's the bunny thing?"
Ice cream man: "The bunny thing? Meh, I think it's strawberry-flavored or somethin'."

Phantom: "...I don't think I've ever been so happy in my life. If I ever grow up, I think I wanna be an ice cream truck driver."

Phantom eats his ice cream, then comes back inside to find Midnight's finger waving in his face.

Midnight: "YOU need to stop putting honey in the sandwiches! I'm feeling sick again."
Phantom: "But it's perfect quality honey."
Midnight: "Well, maybe I'm allergic to honey. Just quit putting them in the sandwiches! Make something else!"
Phantom: "Okay, okay...I'll go do that right now."

 Midnight: "Urp....oh please, don't tell me I have to call in sick for work..."

Midnight: "....Ugh. This is.....sigh. I can't...I can't go into work feeling like this. We have drill practices today. I won't last five minutes without barfing."

Disgusted in herself, Midnight takes the day off from work, hoping Phantom quits putting honey in the sandwiches and she gets to feeling better soon.

Almost as soon as Midnight hangs up the phone, it rings, startling her. She checks the caller ID. Her heart hits the floor. It's her mother. No....please, no....not right now....
Midnight: "....Mother?"
She can barely recognize her mother's voice over the sobbing and choking. Midnight closes her eyes and wishes with all her heart that her's mother's just ridiculously upset because Daddy tripped and broke his hip or something. Midnight wishes with everything inside of her that her father is in the hospital, hurt badly but still holding on. Tears immediately spill down Midnight's cheeks without restraint, but she hopes, she hopes, she hopes.

 Her hopes are dashed. There the gravestone sits, and underneath it lies the body of Rufus Overlord. Midnight is in shock and disbelief. Her Daddy's an Overlord. He was supposed to have lived forever! How could he die? How could this happen?

Shaken, Midnight begins to think about her own position. Now it's all up to her. Rufus' legacy of dominance can only be fulfilled through her now - she can't fall back on her father. If she screws up, everything her father ever dreamed of slips down the drain, never to be revived again. What if she doesn't have it in her? What if she fails to overtake the military? What if she becomes weak and collapses?

Worst yet, what if the hero destined to overthrow her shows up now? Traumatized and sick, Midnight is in no shape to fight for her overlordship right now. Her father meant everything to her. How is she supposed to be strong without him? How is she supposed to take over the military and further world domination if he's not there to talk to?

Midnight stays at Rufus' gravesite until evening. She tries to make sense of it all.

Grief-stricken and trying to find a way to carry on somehow, Midnight goes back home, trying to clear her mind. As she crosses the bridge and steps onto the landing, she notices bundles of strange-looking clothes on her doorstep.

As the Sim Deity, it's time for me to inform her that she has to wear those clothes. She has to wear them for the next three days.

Midnight: "Okay. These clothes are ugly and don't look right on me at ALL. Why am I supposed to wear them--......what? Oh no...."
Yes, Midnight. You're pregnant.

Midnight: "WHAT?!? That's....no!! Not right now!! I'm at the turning point of my career, I'm beginning my plans to overtake the military, I'm...I'm mourning my father....this CAN'T be happening. Not now. Please, oh Sim Deity, not now. This is the worst time..."

Midnight's outburst of screams and then sobs carries all the way upstairs, where Phantom is setting another fairy trap on the toilet. Frightened by the noise, Phantom hurriedly flits downstairs to see what's wrong. Midnight is pounding on the table, screaming, bawling her eyes out. Phantom freezes, his stomach twisting violently. The emotions are too intense - he can feel them all. He heard Midnight's father passed away this morning. With how often Midnight talked about him, Phantom assumes they were close.

Phantom: "Midnight?.....Are you okay? Is something wrong?"

Midnight stays silent for a moment or two, then scares Phantom half to death by her sudden and fiery reaction.

Midnight: "OF COURSE SOMETHING'S WRONG, YOU TWIT!!! Go get those other two subhuman freaks and sit down on the couches! Do it NOW!"

In a flash, Phantom fetches Jakkson and Oliver and obediently sits down in the living area as Midnight commanded. Oliver and Jakkson sit down as sell, nervously looking at each other. Midnight's had her freak-out moments before, but she's never made them all sit down formally for something.

Midnight: "...Thank you all for coming. I've got a question for you. Do any of you fools see anything...different...about me?"
Oliver: "....You bought a new dress?"
Midnight: "Oh, I didn't buy it. I didn't...buy it. No, I found this flimsy piece of garbage on the front porch. And I have to wear it because of one of you."

Midnight: "Which one of you WRETCHES did this to me?!?"
Jakkson: "I don't...I'm not the one who designs or works with clothes."
Oliver: "I don't understand. I haven't designed you a dress yet, and even if I had, it wouldn't look like that."
Midnight: "No! You bungling idiots! It's not the dress I care about, it's what's underneath the dress!"
Oliver: "....Midnight, I don't understand what you're saying."
Midnight: "Ignorant FOOLS! Get up! Don't just sit there and look stupid!"

Jakkson: "Midnight, you're gonna have to start speaking clearly. All I can tell is that you're insulting us in a rage for no reason at all."
Midnight: "I'm PREGNANT, you dolts! I have to wear these horrible clothes because I'm PREGNANT."
Oliver: "...Pregnant?"

Desperately uncomfortable silence fills the air for a moment or two. Both Jakkson and Oliver are stunned. Oliver slumps back into the couch. He knows he'd always used protection whenever they slept together. Could this really be possible? In silence, Jakkson thinks the same thing. With Jakkson still standing, Midnight begins to aim her wrath at him.
Midnight: "Was this you?! Am I in this dress because of you?!"
Jakkson: "Midnight, I..."
Midnight: "SAY SOMETHING. For SIM DEITY'S SAKE, say something! Don't you stammer at me now!"
Jakkson: "I don't know what to say to you!"
Jakkson flinches and dodges Midnight's fists, which suddenly launch towards his face.

 Jakkson: "What on earth are you doing?! Look, I know this is unexpected, but how am I the only one to blame? It takes TWO to make babies, Midnight!"
Midnight: "WRETCH! Was it you?!"
Jakkson: "Wait, wait....what do you mean, was it me? You mean...you mean you're not sure?"

Immediately Jakkson turns to look at Oliver, whose white face indicates he's made the same realization. Here he was, shocked and wondering what on earth to do now that he's fathered a child. But he's not the only possibility now. He's been had. That special relationship with Midnight wasn't specially for him.

While Oliver stands in stunned silence, trying to fight the confusion in his mind, Jakkson turns his confusion outward.

Jakkson: "You're telling me you've been seeing her all this time and you never told me?! You never told anyone?"
Oliver: "It's...I...I thought it would be best not to say anything."
Jakkson: "You knew she and I were together and you did this behind my back anyway? You thought you could just screw around? You think pretty-boy vampires are entitled to everything? You couldn't leave it alone, could you?"

Oliver: "Wait, what the hell are you talking about? You've painted me a sly deceiver meddling in others' relationships and slipping away after I've destroyed them, and I have done absolutely nothing to deserve having my reputation slandered like that. I never told you she and I were sleeping together because I feared awkwardness, not because I knew you were sleeping with her too!"
Jakkson: "You mean you had no idea she was with me?"
Oliver: "With you?! Now you talk about it like you were something official?"
Jakkson: "I thought we were!"
Oliver: "She was with me!"
Midnight: "Idiots! You can complete your petty jousting later. There's more important issues at hand!"
Oliver: "Important issues? Like what, who impregnated you? You think we know? This whole thing could've been a thousand times easier to figure out if someone hadn't played the whore."
Midnight: "Ex-CUSE me?!"

 Phantom: "Guys, please...the tension here is so thick I can hardly breathe. Can we not work this out in a calmer way? I can't take it..."

Midnight: "Stay out of this, glowworm. You have no part in this."
Phantom: "I just...I just wanted to help..."
Midnight: "UGGHH! I'm done with this. I can't think about this anymore tonight."

 SLAM.

Stunned silence fills the air. Physically trembling from the encounter, Phantom quickly flies down to the dungeon to lay down, desperate to get away from such a tense situation. Jakkson and Oliver stay for a few moments more, breathing deeply and trying to comprehend everything that just happened. They'd both been cheated on, and now Midnight's pregnant and one of them is the father.

Jakkson feels betrayed, but most of all he wants to know why. Did Midnight cheat on him with Oliver because he wasn't good enough? Because he was too awkward? Because he's a werewolf? Because he wasn't assertive enough in bed? Is there anything he could've done to keep Midnight close to him and not looking elsewhere for something better?

Is there anything he can still do?

Oliver is disgusted and trying to pick up the pieces of his destroyed pride. He'd been certain he and Midnight had something special, now he realizes he just played the fool. She didn't truly care about him like he cared about her. She just wanted to use his body for her personal pleasure. All of Oliver's beliefs that Midnight had feelings for him, that she actually had the ability to care, that she was anything other than pure unadulterated evil insanity...all those beliefs were wrong.

  Jakkson: "...I can't think of anything left to say. I need...I need time to think this through."
Oliver: "I agree. I need to sleep on this. Maybe things will make more sense in the morning."
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Author's note: *Dramatic music.* Alas, Midnight has to produce Generation Three at some point. Unfortunately it could've been a better point for her. She's not even a sliver as excited for it like Bambi was. Terrible parenting, here we come.

And now the great debate arises. Who's the father? The vampire or the werewolf? Cast your votes, ladies and gentlemen.

Overlord Legacy - Chapter Sixteen - All of You

Life is normal and yet a whirlwind for the occupants of Overlord Castle. Midnight continues to chip away at the military, stunning her superiors by her honest work and quick promotions. Jakkson has been finding insects, gems, and precious metals of higher value on his hunts.

Oliver's stylist work has been increasing in demand. Fortunately neither Oliver nor his client notice the Sim Deity left the walls down. (One of the Sim Deity's traits is Absent-Minded. I kid you not.)

Phantom's garden has begun to grow and blossom. He plants better quality seeds inside the fence and leaves the less-valuable plants outside, but still tends to them all.

When he's done with his plants and if he has spare time, he likes to play with the pea shooter. Such a timeless, childish pleasure.

Oliver and Jakkson laugh and bond during spare moments, but they don't dare tell each other their secrets. Oliver wonders how much tension would be in the house if Jakkson (or Phantom, although Oliver doesn't really consider Phantom) knew the relationship between him and Midnight. Oliver can pick up that Jakkson, as tense as he is around people, desires companionship and deals with loneliness. He'd probably feel even more rejected if he found out Oliver was seeing Midnight behind everyone's back.

Jakkson, meanwhile, keeps his own secret from Oliver. Perhaps Oliver and Phantom would be jealous at Jakkson being shown better treatment because of his relationship with Midnight. He doesn't need the entire house ganging up on him because of his status with her.
--
It's another day off for Midnight and today she's feeling headstrong...if not a little...well, horny.

She's decided today is the day. Today is the day she gets what she wants, and she won't take no for an answer.

Oliver leaves for work and Phantom flies off to sell his produce and honey. Jakkson walks outside, but Midnight catches him before he transforms to a wolf.

Midnight: "Jakkson. We're all alone right now. You wouldn't really think of running off and leaving me here, would you?"
Jakkson: "Well...I have to go hunt, you know. It's one of the responsibilities you gave me."
Midnight: "That's true...but you can go hunt a little later. I've got some other responsibilities for you right now."

Jakkson: "...You know we're on the front lawn. People can see us."
Midnight: "Who cares? It's not like anybody ever talks to us. I swear, sometimes you don't talk enough and sometimes you talk too much. I don't know whether to pry your mouth open or gag you."
Jakkson: "I don't think I'd be offended if you did either. I know I can be awkward..."
Midnight: "Not just awkward. You're stiff all the time. Relax, darling."

Midnight: "...There. Feeling better?"
Jakkson: "It's almost weird. It doesn't feel normal to not be tensed up. Ever since that wolf bite..."
Midnight: "You think you're so strange and disgusting because you're a werewolf. I don't think so at all. This is Moonlight Falls and werewolves are becoming more accepted here."
Jakkson: "I will never accept this curse. I would give everything just to be normal again."
Midnight: "I, on the other hand, hope you never do. I doubt I'd like you half as much. You're intriguing as a werewolf."

 Jakkson breathes in and focuses on the way Midnight's hand feels on his cheek. She's so soft and gentle. He never thought anyone would ever want to do this with him, especially after becoming a monstrous werewolf. But here, Midnight doesn't even care? How can she not be disturbed by it? Jakkson himself has never come to terms with it.

Funny. When Jakkson was first kidnapped by Midnight, he'd thought it was one of the worst things that could happen. Here he was, enslaved and forced to do manual labor for a cruel woman who'd deceived him and took advantage of him. Now, she's a woman who doesn't care about his werewolf state, who touches him softly, who even seems to care about him.

Midnight: "You've got to go hunting in a little while. I'm going to take a quick shower...and I think you should join me."

Jakkson loses all sense of what he should and should not do. He considers himself lucky just to have this happen at all. Fed up with the seclusion, fed up with the loneliness, Jakkson gives himself to Midnight without looking back.

--
Jakkson howls and runs off to hunt, a lighter spring in his step. Meanwhile Phantom flies back from the shop, collecting the money he gained from his goods. Midnight catches him as he comes in the door. Sure, Phantom can be...painfully annoying at times, but Midnight decides he's a challenge she wants to overcome. He's not a bad-looking fairy...

Midnight: "You've been bringing in good money from your produce, Phantom. I applaud you."
Phantom: "Oh, that's nothing. Did you hear about the toilet exploding on Jakkson yesterday? I set a trap on the toilet!"
Midnight: "That's...quite clever of you."
Phantom: "I actually intended it for you, but it was okay. The glare Jakk gave me was so worth it."
Midnight: "Well...I wish it had happened to me too."
Phantom: "...Really?"
Midnight: "You know, I don't feel I spend enough time with you, Phantom."

Phantom: "...You really don't. You always tell me to go do something else."
Midnight: "Well...I apologize for that. You deserve a lot better than that."

Phantom feels this weird tingly feeling inside when Midnight hugs him. It's even more tingly and happy than doing tricks and playing pranks, and there's nothing Phantom loves more than doing tricks and playing pranks. What is this strange feeling?

Midnight: "You know, I kind of like you, Phantom."
Phantom: "...I feel all warm and fuzzy inside."
Midnight: "Well, Phantom. I think you might like me too."
Phantom: "Well, of course I like you, Midnight."
Midnight: "No, I mean...deeper than that."
Phantom: "You mean like....love? Mama Pixie told me she doubted I would ever fall in love with anyone other than myself."
Midnight: "Well, I can't describe exactly how you feel. But...it's a wonderful feeling, hmm?"
Phantom: "...It makes me really happy! Wheehee!"

Midnight: "Oh, good grief, Phantom..."
Phantom: "You're so much fun!"
Midnight: "It's a good thing I got my strength in the military. Otherwise I think I might've dropped you."
Phantom: "No, Pixies have lighter bone structures. I'm easy to carry. It's those fat Dryads you have to worry about."

Midnight: "Well, regardless....I want you."
Phantom: "You want me to what?"
Midnight: "....I want to make love to you, Phantom."
Phantom: "Make love? How do you make love? Is that a special trick? Can you teach me how to do it?"
Midnight: "Oh, yes, Phantom, I can teach you. Of course, we have to go to my bed to do it."
Phantom: "Why? What does a bed have to do with creating love?"
Midnight: "No, no, making love. It's where we get into bed..."
Phantom: "Uh huh..."
Midnight: "And take off all our clothes..."
Phantom: "...Huh?"
Midnight: "And your man bits and my lady bits come together..."

Phantom: "AAAAAAAAGH!!!"
Midnight: "What?!"
Phantom: "NO!! NO NO NO! Mama Pixie gave me this lesson before! She called it SEX!"
Midnight: "...Yes, Phantom. That's what making love is."
Phantom: "Making love?! Mama Pixie always told me sex is what you do when you're in love and you want to make baby fairies!"
Midnight: "No, Phantom, you don't just....sigh. You don't just have sex to make babies, it's a pleasurable experience. I don't want a baby fairy any more than you do."
Phantom: "But you can accidentally make a baby fairy by having sex."
Midnight: "Phantom. The odds of that are slim."
Phantom: "That's what Mama Pixie always said, and then out popped me!"
Midnight: "....You know what, I don't know what I was thinking. Clearly your brain is nowhere near ready to handle any form of adult responsibility. Including sex."
Phantom: "You thought I could handle adult responsibilities?!?"
--
Frustrated with that awkward interchange with Phantom (and feeling stupid for ever trying to pursue him in any form), Midnight busies herself with working out and tinkering around on objects. She successfully upgrades the stove to make it fireproof, then turns as the door opens. To her delight, Oliver has come back home from work. Oliver gives her a little smirk, then immediately heads upstairs to put away his portfolio. He had some good jobs today. Unable to suppress a smile herself, Midnight comes up the stairs after Oliver.

The dark lighting and the full moon begin to turn Midnight on. She looks at Oliver and immediately knows she doesn't want to wait for what she wants. Oliver turns to speak to her and is immediately silenced when Midnight jerks him into her grip.

Oliver: "...I'm assuming you have plans for me tonight."
Midnight: "I do. And you're not refusing me this time. If I have to tie your wrists to the bed, I'm having all of you tonight."
Oliver: "Well, I don't think you'll have to worry...

...I'm more willing tonight."
Midnight: "Good. I won't have to get too violent with you then."

--
Oliver and Midnight enjoy their sultry evening in between the sheets. Jakkson is out finishing up his hunt. But where is Phantom? Midnight only saw him leave the castle shortly before Oliver arrived.

At the alchemy shop this afternoon, Phantom discovered a jukebox. It's even better than the jukeboxes in the fairy houses. Phantom shows up and doesn't care who's in the shop or who's looking at him.

It's time to do the Smustle and ain't nobody going to stop him.

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Author's note: I'm pretty sure the pic of Phantom doing the Smustle is my favorite pic I've ever taken in the Sims. It's so perfect for his personality.

And yes, Midnight's definitely taking advantage of her male companionship. I couldn't get her together with Phantom, though. Phantom's way too innocent yet and I couldn't bear to rob him of that. So Middie's only sleeping with Jakk and Oliver - Phantom's not in that equation.

I have a bit of a confession to make...I know as an author I really have to focus equally on characters and not play favorites. And truth be told, I genuinely love every one of the characters - they're all very different but yet very fun to play and develop. But honestly, I have fallen head over heels in love with Phantom. I threw him in as a pesky fairy and he was actually the least developed new character that I brought in (I hadn't thought too much about his personality and story, just that he was a bit of a prankster), and just the way that his character has gone and the way that he interacts with the story (even on free will!) has made my heart completely melt for him. I'm actually developing his story even further in my mind, but I'm trying to decide how much of that I'm going to incorporate into this story.

I am considering saving his character and then at some point (maybe after this legacy is done, maybe when I've gotten to the later generations of this legacy) I might bring Phantom back out and focus completely on his story, from birth to young adulthood, in a separate story. I'll have to see. But I know this second generation will have to end eventually and I think it's going to hurt even more to say goodbye to Phantom than it was to say goodbye to Rufus.

Anyways. Next chapter there's tons of drama - you don't want to miss it! Leave a comment and let me know your thoughts!