So it's been about a month since a proper update, but never mind! Welcome to The Science of a

Legacy, Chapter Sixteen! Where things actually happen!

If you haven't been keeping up with us, do go catch up or this shall make little sense - or read

the handy dandy recap chapter. And having just published that, I'm sure you don't need a little

recap from me here. So go forth and read, like a salmon up a stream!

13th March 2008

Saeva Tegenaria stood at the foot of her bed, and sighed. She'd been lucky, she knew she had.

Her youngest son had broken the Orbs she'd rescued that protected her family some years, but

nothing had come of it.

"It's almost as if we're too safe.." she thought. "I know Vee was bent on finding Bertie and

Allozyme, but after the fire she may well have remembered that we're not safe anymore."

"But I've become an old woman while Vee's still young and strong! I had power when I was

younger, but now? With the Orbs broken, I don't know if I can protect everyone anymore. I

couldn't save Carapace, and I couldn't even save my own son.."

A ring at the door shook her out of her own thoughts, and she went to answer it.

"Ara, Ara!" Saeva called to her Granddaughter from the door, "There's someone here to see

you."

"Just a minute Grandma.." Ara had only been attending school a few days, but she was already

finding the homework quite tough. But she sighed and put down her pen, and wandered over to

the hallway.

But a smile spread all over her face as soon as she saw who it was, and she hugged her cousin

tight.

"Fred! Gosh, I'm so glad you're here.. I couldn't stand another minute of those sums! I haven't

seen you for aaaaaaages!"

"Urgh, tell me about it! My Dad's been helping me with mine, that's the only reason I got it done

so fast so I could come see you."

"You're here for Grandma's party, right?" Ara asked her cousin eagerly.

"Yeah, me and Dad and Uncle Allo all are. Wesley's still too little so Pseudo-Mum Styx is looking

after him before coming over. Is your brother any bigger yet? And are Vole and her brother

coming?"

"He's still a squirt. And yeah, Vole'll be here any minute! If she'd gotten her work done.. Her

brother's a squirt too, so it'll just be us girls together!"

Ara's squirt of a brother was Gadus, and Saeva was more than happy that he was still small.

Before the rest of the guests arrived, she was spending some time with him - teaching him skills

as all good Family Sims do.

"You're such a fast little learner! Oh you remind me so much of when your mother and uncles

were your age.."

Gadus just looked a little confused at this, and wondered vaguely when he was going to get

given a party hat.

"Don't worry little one," Saeva smiled "we'll have you tucked up all nice and warm in no time. Old

people's parties are no place for young ones like you." And with that scooped him up and carried

him to the nursery.

With Gadus safe in bed, Saeva just had enough time to survey the main room before her whole

family showed up to celebrate her Golden Anniversary with her husband Sean.

"But I wanted multi-coloured balloons!" she wailed at her son in law, Ocean.

"Saeva, you wanted pink ones yesterday.." he sighed, and went to light the fire.

"Love of my life, do not worry about the balloons. Everyone's come to see you, not inflatable

plastic my sweetness. The Family love you very much!" Sean was very practiced over the years

in making his wife smile.

"Oh Seany! You're so right. And we haven't had a big get together in so long!" Saeva grinned

It wasn't just Family though, I'd managed to wrangle an invitation myself. Before the party got

into full swing, there was a pressing question I needed to ask Saeva.

"Did you manage to get Norris to come? He's still never met his Father.."

"Gin, Lisa wouldn't even let me speak to him on the phone. She's really doing her best to keep

Allozyme and our whole Family away from him.. I don't even think he knows he's a Tegenaria, or

that the children know he's their cousin too."

"Man, that sucks.." I sighed, "I hope the little guy's going to be alright."

But despite Lisa and Norris' absence, the party got off to a roaring start! Everyone was there,

Saeva's four children Meloti, Arvicanthis, Allozyme and Menidia were there, along with their

partners and older children, as well as Saeva's cousin and best friend Bubbles.

It was an aspirational boosting double plus fest of joy.

"Gin, what does this mean? Vole and Fred told me to ask you as a dare."

"Well Ara, it's quite open to interpretation. I personally like to think it means that 'the road of a

Legacy never runs smooth', though I think your cousins want me to say something else?"

"Gin, what's a Legacy?"

Styx: "Children these days don't seem to be too worldly wise these days, do they?"

Bubbles: "No, in my day you knew how to change a litter tray and help with kitten birthing by the

time you were four!"

At Saeva's request, a Family wide smustle took place led by her Servo Molecule.

"One-eth two-eth three-eth to the left! Four-eth five-eth six-eth to the right, shak-eth thy derrier!"

"Derrie-where?" Ara giggled as she picked out from behind her zombyfied Uncle. "Vole, Fred!

Did you hear what he said?! I-I'm all lost.."

But she gallantly smustled along nonetheless!

Gadus was not troubled by such things, and was more than content to do a little boating whilst

his sister collapsed into a fit of giggles on the living room floor.

"Vrooom! The real party's in here, matey. Isn't that right Mr. Octopus?"

Mr. Octopus: "Yarp."

"Yes Meloti.." Ocean sighed, "it's very exciting Gin let us have winter back."

"But just think of the possibilities!" Meloti exclaimed, "The new opportunities for study, migration

of different species to Strangetown! Oh my stars, I can't wait.."

Menidia looked on, in quiet awe of her brother, and waited patiently until she could re-light the

fire. The real joy on winter for her and Ocean was that Saeva complained less about their

constant fire antics!

The party eventually wound down, but not all the guests were tired enough to head home and to

bed.

"Shrew to the left, shrew to the right, come on Allozyme - let's shrew all night!" Arvicanthis

clearly still had his smustle on. He was a Shrew with a passion for music and dance, so it didn't

really surprise anyone anymore.

"Muurhg."

"What do you mean 'no'?" He looked a little crestfallen.

But leave they all did, and I know this is the worst picture ever etc, but clearly no one had taken

kindly to Ocean!

And it made me laugh.

When their guests had left and their family asleep, Saeva cuddled up to her husband of fifty

years and sighed happily. There had been a time when she thought she'd never achieve all she

wanted in life, but Sean had sorted it all out for her. As if reading her thoughts, Sean addressed

his wife;

"Love of my life, you looked possible even more radiant today than ever before! I do believe that

love in a family is one of those things that grows with time, wouldn't you agree?"

"Yeeeees!"

Mallory woke with a start the next morning.

"Mgwhat? I sensed that someone who wasn't me was having woohoo.."

"Maid Mallory! You know the correct term is Shrew-hoo.. Now shh, I'm getting us breakfast!"

"Is there any chance it could come from the fridge and not the ant farm, Arvi?"

"Well ok," the shrew shrugged "just this once I suppose."

It was the weekend, so it wasn't long before Vole had called up Ara and she'd scooted 'round to

The Nest, as the Turner's home was affectionately known.

"Wanna play Shrews and Goldfish, Ara?"

"I have no idea what that is but sure! I love new games!"

"It's reeeeally easy, have you never read the book Grandma wrote for my Dad? 'The Tale of the

Shrew and the Fish?' Well I'll be the shrew and you be the goldfish, and we go on a magical

journey through time and space and return with a giant basket of kumquats! Ok?"

"WOW! 10 nice points says sure!"

"I, and a lonely Shrew." Vole began "If only I could meet a dear fish and/or an astronaut who

could take me flying and- ROOT! Be quiet! Me and Ara are trying to play!"

Her younger brother Rutilus had decided that this was the best moment to noisily eat his

crayons.

"Daddy says they're made of beetles.."

Much as I love him, Daddy also eats Worm Pie. I though Mallory may be able to coax their

second child out of the ways of Shrew, but who was I kidding?

Ara had to leave before the Turner's settled down for a good game of Wake the Llama. But for

some 'odd' reason, Mallory found it not to be her game of choice.

"...BOO!" shouted Arvicanthis and he giggled. "You're going to looooose Maid Mallory...

SHREW!"

"Muuuuum, you're so slow!" Vole chimed in, "You're rubbish."

"I'm. Just. Trying. To ignore your father.. Oh foo! There's goes that soaking Llama again. Oh I

give up! I'm going to work out in the basement." Mallory didn't like to lose, even if it was only at

board games!

"Whooo, yeah! I win, I WIN!" Menidia yelled.

Ara had heard how much fun Vole and Arvi had had with the game, so persuaded her parents to

get one. Alas, she was already regretting it.

"Mum! That's not fair! Have you never heard of letting your children win? Where's Dad, I want to

play with him instead!"

"Do what now? Your Dad's a little busy at the moment, Ara."

"You see," Menidia continued, "he got into a bit of trouble on his nature hike. He found a new

species of beetle, your Uncle Meloti would be pleased, but he also fell in a bee hive - the silly

thing! Oh, he needs a good dream date to sort him out, so when he gets back I'll-"

"MUM!"

"Sorry love."

"And your Granddad's busy searching for constellations and new planets. He says it's his dream

to meet aliens, but he might as well just phone Meloti and Fred! And your Grandma wants to be

fit enough to go jogging, or so she tells me, but she's a bit too married to that new exercise bike

to let you win.."

"Oh well" Ara sighed, "it's Gadus' birthday tomorrow, I'm sure I'll be able to beat him when he

grows up!"

The next day was indeed Gadus' birthday, but Menidia was up early to work on a broken car

she'd gotten cheap from the scarp yard.

"If I start this now, it should be ready for the kids by the time they're teenagers. Not that I don't

trust them, but I'd rather keep the other car free for erm.. date Wants."

But it was tiring work, and as the day wore on Menidia headed inside to help with her son's

birthday. But first, she gave him a little sage advice.

"And always remember that you're special to us, Gadus, ok? No matter what you think!"

"I think my chats with Mr. Octopus are more inspiring.."

But there would be no more time for Mr. Octopus! Ocean held his son close to his birthday cake,

and the Tegenarias took a break from their weekend of hobby-ing to watch the youngest

member grow up.

"'Bout time!" Gadus grinned, he couldn't wait to get in on all the fun everyone else was having.

"But seriously, gnomes? No way will this do."

But Saeva had bought him a whole new set of clothes for his Birthday, and he only just had time

to change before Ara whipped him off to play Wake the Llama with her. Menidia and Ocean

smiled, their children really were happy.

With the recap, I missed giving you Gadus' personality stats last time; He's a Sagittarius like

Ocean and Ara, but 2/3/9/8/5 so he'll be tub pirating all night long, but won't clean the bath

afterwards.

But not everyone in Strangetown had such a happy family life.

Norris Bauchman yawned, he'd spent another weekend on the couch trying to think of excuses

to skip school the following Monday. But before the sun had even risen on the new week..

"NORRIS! Get up NOW! You're the laziest child I've ever met. Move it, we're going to be late."

He blearily pulled on his coat and wandered out the door after his Mother.

"I haaate being the son of the teacher.." he groaned. "No one ever talks to me at school, it's not

my fault she works everyone so hard."

"NORRIS!" Lisa screamed. "A daughter would never let me down by dawdling."

"Coming Mum, coming.." and he scampered to the car.

It was also the first morning Gadus would be off to school as well. But he didn't seem particularly

keen on it, despite badgering from his parents and grandparents.

"But I can learn everything for Passeriiiine.." he whined, "You all said my Great-Grandfather

taught him to talk and that he was the smartest person ever! So Passerine must be smart too."

"Rawrk, indubitably?"

But he eventually put the pet bird down and shuffled on to the bus after Ara.

While the children were at school, Menidia and Ocean felt that it would give them the perfect

time to revive the old Family Business; R's R 'n R, started by Menidia's grandfather Repens, but

promptly ignored after his death.

"I'm so pleased that you've re-opened this place" Corvus smiled, "my brother would have been

so happy!"

"I know, I miss Grandpa Repens so I thought I should honour his memory by helping his

business, because he helped me so much. We now have plenty of bowling memorabilia, books,

fish tanks and flamingos for sale, along with a hot tub and poker table! Fancy a ticket Great-

Uncle?"

"Why, don't mind if I do.."

So yes, R's R 'n R is once again up and running! And yes, I'm still bad at running it. But together

Menidia and I do a great line in putting off customers from buying;

Making them angry while Menidia fails to work the register if we actually trick them into buying

something;

And annoy them by dragging up painful memories.

Somehow, all this fabulous ownership had enabled R's R 'n R to reach Level 5 - whoo?

Personally I think it's all thanks to this Sim here; Olivia Legacy from StyxLady's Just Another

Legacy and a free-flinger of stars.

"Hello! Welcome to R's R 'n R! Buy a ticket!" Menidia's sale skills haven't improved, but it didn't

seem to put Liv off. "By the way.. awesome outfit!"

"Isn't it just the best!?" Liv grinned, "Want to be friends as well, in three interactions? And have

five stars!"

"Sure!"

I love Olivia, thanks you Styx..

After a successful day at the business, Menidia and Ocean were home in time to see their

children return from school.

"Byeeee Mr. Bus Driver! I had an awesome ride, thaaaanks!"

"And I had an awesome day at school too! Mrs. Bauchman hardly gave me any work to do, and

let me braid Fred's hair! Even if she did stop Vole playing Shrews and Fish again.."

Ara bounded inside, eager to get her homework out of the way.

Gadus stomped off the bus, looking a little less pleased than his sister.

"I don't get it! That teacher made me and Wesley and Root work way harder than the girls, it's so

unfair.."

He then continued to stomp inside, and threw his homework into the nearest pot plant.

"Come on Gadus, you can't just not do your work! What would Mrs. Bauchman say?"

"Yes I can. And it's easy for you to say, all you have to do is draw a picture of Mrs. Bauchman.

I've got to write 5 pages on 'why I should have been born a girl'! What kind of assignment is

that? And I need to work on my skills, Root totally beat me in our dancing contest at lunch."

Ara sighed. "You boys.. No wonder she makes you work so hard!"

"..and if I just finish off the tail here and then.. aha! Done! I'm sure Mrs. Bauchman meant draw

her as a shrew, as everyone was meant to be! You done yet Root?"

"Uuh.. Not quite. Why I should be a girl.. Um."

"But I don't want to be a girl! Why would I? Then I'd have to be part of their stupid gang! Dancing

with Gadus is way better.. Uuh.. Maybe I'll just write the tale of the Shrew and the Fish instead."

and he scribbled away. "Uh, how does it go again? Dad? DAD!"

Arvicanthis was in the lounge, playing the violin half-naked. As you do.

"Coming my little shrewlet! Though how you could have forgotten that story is beyond me.." and

he set down his instrument and went to the dining room to help Rutilus with his writing.

"..and they lived in a gold-plated burrow underwater! The end. Have you got that now?"

"Haha, yes Dad!" Rutilus giggled, "that's the best story ever!"

"Oh I know, your Grandma really is a Shrewtastic writer. Now go work on your music, all Shrews

are gifted in the ways of song and dance!"

Rutilus dutifully plugged away on his synthesiser, though he was still learning as a young

Shrewlet.

"Pfft, you're awful at that.." Vole scoffed as she passed him on her way to the piano "couldn't

Dad have gotten you a quieter instrument?"

"Oh come on Vole! I just want to be ready when Uncle Meloti's finished writing his opera."

"Whatever! I'd stick to the dance if I were you."

"..But I look such a fool! I don't know if ballet is quite becoming of a young shrew."

Yeah, but it makes me smile..

"..If I was a girl. Well, I would be just like DrSupremeNerd of course! She one of my Mother's

best friends, and a true scientist no less. Why, this is such a simple essay! I do not understand

why Gadus and Rutilus have been complaining so much about it. I'd far rather undertake this

task than waste my talents drawing.."

Unlike his cousins, Wesely Tegenaria was pleased with his homework. However, it did still take

him a great while longer to complete compared to his half-sister, Winifred.

---

DSN - Vertinari Dualegacy, as if you didn't know. Also currently making me nervous with a

Spider Jerusalem BC.

"Muuurghhff, gggur guuurg!" exclaimed Allozyme, animatedly reading a story to Fred.

"Allozyme, try not to use such language in front of the children!" said Styx, reading a far more

grown-up book I'm sure. "And shouldn't you be getting ready for your party, young lady?"

"Aww, Pseudo-Mum don't worry! Uncle Allo is the best story reader ever! And I aaaam ready, I'm

just waiting for Dad to bring the cake home. And no one's here yet, duh!"

Fred was older than the rest of her cousins by quite some way, and so would be the first to take

the leap into the angst-fest of teenagedom.

But it didn't phase her cousins, and they all turned up to celebrate with her.

"Aaaand.. wait for it.. SNAP!"

"Gadus, what exactly do you think we're playing?" Fred asked.

"No idea, what is Red Hands anyway? Why isn't your brother joining in?"

"Half-brother. And he's a bit weird, waaaay not as much fun as you guys. He plays games where

he controls little people. Pfft, loser. But at least he's not as weird as that Norris kid at school. I

definitely wouldn't invite him." she retorted.

"Um, hiiiii?" Fred yelled over her cousins' games "it's my birthday here! Pay attention to me!

Haa-looo?"

"Calm down Fred!" Vole yelled back, "come and have some fun while you still can! You're going

to have to waste your time on yucky dates and skilling soon.. It's going to be awful."

"Oh no! You're so right.." and Fred jumped right back into the thick of all the fun and dancing.

"Hey, hey! Root is dancing without me!" Gadus couldn't hold a conversation with Fred for long,

he kept getting distracted by the youngest Shrewlet.

"Gaah, what is with you two?!" Fred gasped, "we should just shove the two of you in tutus, then

maybe you'd be happy! I know for a fact you love playing soccer Gadus, Ara says it's all you do

at home, why won't you leave Root alone? Gah." and she stormed off over to Vole, who she

knew was always up for a game of Mock The Boys.

N.B. Soccer is really football. American football in really rugby in disguise. Go Wales for the Six

Nations Grand Slam! The end.

Wesley eventually left his computer alone and took the time to get to know his cousins. Ara for

one for fascinated by him..

"So you're the child of a Simself, right? In some Legacies they have special powers, do you? Do

you know what a Legacy is? I do, Gin told me. She's like in charge. Do you know Gin? Because

you should."

"Yes, no, yes, and yes. You sure do talk a lot.. But I know all about those things - I'm Wesley

Tegenaria! So of Meloti, son of Repens, son of Atrica." Wesley said proudly, he loved being able

to tell people about his family.

"'tever. Play games now?" Ara was more interested in the present, than those days past.

"Ahaha, you came from the sky!" Rutilus laughed "With all the little dweep-dweep-dweep green

men! Because you're green! Ahaha!"

"I'm my Daddy's Green Princess, thank you very much! At least I don't pretend to be a little

rodent.." It was her party, and Fred really didn't think being made fun of was in the schedule of

events.

"Hey, who's pretending?" Rutilus winked cheekily and scampered off to his sister.

But he was held up by Wesley.

"I heard you were the one to talk to about the break-time dance classes? Well check out my

moves!" and he air surfed along to the stereo.

"Hey yeah, that's awesome! You can so totally join. Whaddya think Gadus?"

"Uuh well, I guess so. He's not as good as us, obviously, but he can learn. He's better than his

sister! Girls can't dance at all" Gadus laughed.

"Want to test that theory?" Ara challenged the boys.

But there wasn't time, the telephone rang and Wesley was first on hand to answer.

"Family financial what? Why no sir, I personally check all incoming and outgoing finances! What,

you think I'd let my zombie uncle do it? No no, I understand. Yes, I am Wesley Tegena- huh?

NOW?"

I never understood how people could forget to pay the bills and incur the wrath of the Repo-Man.

Well er, now I do. Oops. Right in the middle of Fred's party too!

Repo Man: "Grrr!"

"I steelz ur curtainz!!!"

And I'll miss them terribly. Now, on with the party!

"Oh my stars, I can hardly believe my little green princess is growing up so fast!" Meloti was

thrilled though at his daughter's aging. She'd been a gift from the stars, and he was more than

happy to have her in his life as he loved her very much. "Though it's shame we couldn't have

gotten you into private school already!"

"Pfft, as if Mrs. Bauchman would recommend anyone for admission, Dad.." Fred rolled her eyes

and leant forward to blow out her candles.

"Good luck Fred, we'll miss you!" Vole shouted.

"But I'm not going anywhere!"

"Aww.." chorused the boys.

"Here's hoping you finally get a tail of your very own!" the Turner children said together, sure that

it was only a matter of time until the entire family became Shrews like them and their Dad.

"Here's hoping I don't!" Fred called back as she finally blew out the candles.

After the sparklies had settled, she spun round.

"Don't worry you guys, I'm going to make sure that we all stay best friends forever!" and smiled

at her cousins, who all smiled back and departed for home.

Fred rolled Popularity, with a lifetime Want to have 20 best pet friends. Erm.. Go talk to Corvus

about that one, deary.

Back at the Legacy House, Ara couldn't stop talking about Fred's party.

"..and then she twirled and it was like BOOM Grandma! And I can't wait until it's mine and Vole's

turn and we can all go to the same school again and zomgs we'll be old enough for makeup! Oh

wow, isn't that exciting Grandma?"

Saeva snapped out of her chess concentration. "What's that Ara? Oh yes, but your birthday's a

while off yet, just enjoy being you for now. Fred'll be waiting when you're older. Say, I was

thinking. Why don't you lead everyone on a nature hike tomorrow? Your father's eager to

discover some new insects and spiders."

"Oh," she continued, "take your Grandpa as well. I think he's spending too much time on that

telescope of his than is good for him in his old age."

Sean was busy musing in the corner over an item he'd recently discovered. He liked to call it his

Continum Transfunctioner.

"Ok Grandma!" Saeva grinned, and scurried up the stairs to bed, excited about the morning.

When the rest of her family had settled in bed, Saeva stood at the foot of her bed once more.

Checking that her husband couldn't hear her, spoke her thoughts out loud.

"I'm going to die tomorrow, and I don't want my family around to see it. It was awful when my

Father and Mother died, I don't want to inflict that on them. And with the Orbs broken, the

protection surrounding them may be gone for good. I just wish there was something I could do to

keep them safe.."

Saeva quietly slipped into bed, her head desperately trying to think of an idea, any idea, that

might help to keep her family safe when she was gone.

But all too soon the sun rose, and the Tegenarias got ready for the proposed nature hike. Gadus

chomped down his breakfast, he was looking forward to discovering spiders. He had a bet with

Ara as to which of them could find a real Tegenaria spider first.

"Are you two ready?" Ocean inquired of his children as everyone gathered outside.

"Yeeee-ah!" they chorused.

"I'm pleased you both appear to be taking the Pleasure route and all, but don't you think you

ought to wear some actual clothes whilst we're spider hunting?" he sighed. His children grinned

at each other and ran in to change, but were back in a jiffy and the family set off for a day's

adventure, leaving Saeva at home.

She had been quiet whilst they had been getting ready to leave, not wanting to show any

sadness as she said goodbye to them for what she knew to be the last time. But during the

night, Saeva had had a brainwave.

"Oh yes! It would be fantastic, if it works. But why wouldn't it work? It did last time.. I hope. No,

no, I'm sounding like Menidia! Of -course- it's going to work!"

But there was one thing she had to do first.

"Well, that was miraculously easy.. 'MISSING: Idiot Zombie. Unless pug-faced lackey. Ring Vee

on 190 - I - HATE - YOU'. The internet is a wonderful thing.." Saeva chuckled to herself.

"Yes, hello? Is that Vee? My name is er, Pinky. Yes, there's a zombie in my garden - it must be

the one you're looking for! The address? Oh, it's Microscopia, you know, that newly built house

in town? Lovely, see you soon!"

Saeva replaced the receiver, with just a slight shake in her hand.

It didn't take long for Vee to arrive.

"So, where's this Zombie then? I've brought my leash. Hello? Hell-oo?"

"Hello there." Saeva stepped out of the doorway.

"You?!" Vee looked confused. "Why on Earth would you call me here? To your home? Not that I

mind, it's high time I gave you that ass-kicking I've been owing you, Saeva Tegenaria!"

"I'm an old woman Vee. I've spent the majority of my life watching you threaten my Family, but

rarely act. You think that threat scares me now? You've corrupted my cousin and want to do the

same to my son, whom I love whatever condition he may be in. You killed my sister, over an

artefact that we both know has since been broken. So why don't you act?"

"I reckon you're still afraid of me, and the power that I had! But as I leave this world today, I'm

going to put in place a new protection for my Family - and you're going to help me do it."

"Me help you? You've gone and lost it in your old age, 'Seev' my dear. This is over, I've won.

And you know it! You're an old woman, what can you possibly do to stop me getting to your

entire Family now? Your Legacy is over!" Vee laughed menacingly.

Saeva stood strong and proud as she delivered her answer.

"Nothing."

"Hey uh, what? Nothing? What do you mean 'nothing'?" Vee was a little taken a-back, she'd at

least expected a little scuffle when she'd walked through the door to see her old nemesis.

"You're going to do 'nothing'?"

"Yup, nothing." Saeva said calmly. "I know you were rather occupied stalking my son, but I'm

guessing you didn't fail to sense when the Legacy Orbs which protect this Family cracked. And

now I'm going to do nothing. Why don't you go check out the Orbs out for yourself. Take your

time."

Vee pushed past Saeva and stormed into her bedroom.

"Pfft, you tried to glue them back together? Like that would fool me.. These things are broken

alright, and as useless as that old bag. This is too good! She's finally given up! Realised that her

Family was never meant to complete a Legacy like I told her." Vee was grinning manically from

ear to ear.

"But I may as well teach her one last lesson before she kicks it!"

Vee sprinted out at the room, intent to strike Saeva with her full force whilst he elderly back was

turned. What was she thinking? Vee still wondered. How could she not lose?

But all of a sudden, a voice filled the room.

"HELLO SAEVA."

"Hello Grimmy." Saeva replied

Vee stopped in her tracks, and a look of fright washed across her face.

"Wh-what is he doing here? What does this mean?" she shrieked.

But Vee was ignored, as the Grim Reaper glided across the floor.

"IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING, SAEVA TEGENARIA."

Saeva gave him a weak smile, and spun around to face Vee.

"You stupid woman! You think I'd just bring you here for no reason?!" Saeva snarled, looking

meaner than she had ever done in her life.

"I haven't used my powers since the night you killed Carrie. You think they just went away? No

Vee, they didn't. They've been stored up inside me, and now that my body is about to be taken -

where do you think they're going to go? Why do you think my Family isn't here? They wouldn't

survive the force as all that energy is released! And neither will you."

Saeva slowly turned back to the Grim Reaper.

"NICELY PUT. SHALL WE DO THIS THING?"

The brave Legacy heiress nodded.

Vee meanwhile had collapsed into a little heap on the floor, still not quite able to believe what

Saeva had just said.

"P-power explosion? Reaper? I- what? No, this can't be right.. I'm Vee Semper! I don't.. die. Do

I?"

"Aiiieeeeee!" Vee screeched as the power that had been given to Saeva when she was born

rushed out of her, as she departed from this life - finally taking Vee with her.

Saeva's final act had been to ensure that her Family was safe from the threat that had loomed

over them her entire life. Now that's how to love your Family!

"Thanks Grimmy, I would say I owe you one - but I think this repays the debt when you took

Carrie from me."

"I QUITE AGREE, IT'S HIGH TIME YOU TWO WERE REUNITED!"

And with one last smile, Saeva was gone.

Name: Saeva Tegenaria

Aspiration: Family

LTW: Reach Golden Anniversary - achieved

Lived: 78 Sim Days

Spouse: Sean McGaw

Children: Meloti, Arvicanthis, Allozyme, Menidia (who she's holding)

Grandchildren: Winifred, Norris, Vole, Ara, Gadus, Wesely, Rutilus

Oh my goodness, Saeva! It feels like you've been around forever.. But an awesome awesome

Generation Three heir, and an amazing Family Sim - thank you for that. You made me get all

plotzy, and had four unforgettable children whilst being unforgettable yourself. My only regret is

that after many failed attempts, we didn't get the Wishing Well together from those llamas at the

Garden Club. Here's hoping you don't meet Matthew Hart in the Bowling Alley in the Sky!

Grim turned to the other body in the room.

"I WAS SURE I WAS GOING TO GET MORE BODIES OUT OF THIS ONE" he shrugged, "BUT

I GUESS THEY CAN'T ALL BE ROMAN."

Grim scooped Vee up, and disappeared from the Legacy House. For now.

The release of Saeva's power had been visible all over town, and the residents of Strangetown

were drawn to their windows. None more so than Corvus Tegenaria. He guessed what may

have happened, and hoped that his son, wherever he may be, was safe from the blast.

"DAAAAADDDY!"

A figure ran up the drive and though the front door, screaming at the top of his lungs.

Panting, Bertie stood in the doorway.

"D-Daddy?" he said in a barely audible voice.

The sound made Corvus turn away from the window. Without a word, his eyes locked into those

of his traitorous, long-missing son.

A smile spread across Bertie's face.

"Daddy!" he said happily, "You're still here. But I- oh I.. Daddy did some terrible things, she, I, it

was all.."

He broke down, and the still silent Corvus came over to him. Bertie couldn't hold it in any longer,

and his whole story since he'd left home spilled out.

"Oh Daddy it was awful! I thought she loved me, and if I did what she told me that we would be

together forever and ever but we weren't! I didn't like Carapace, she wouldn't shut up, but I didn't

want her dead! And then everyone hated me, but Miss Vee said that was ok because I should

hate everyone, but then I got confused because that's not what you used to say, Daddy! And

then she made me live in a shed Daddy, a shed! And, and, then this nasty boy killed someone

but he wasn't like Miss Vee and made me think and then I missed you so I ran away, but then

the nasty boy got killed except he didn't and I didn't want to die so I was coming back here to get

away from Miss Vee but then everything went BOOM! And I was so scared.."

Bertie finally stopped for breath. "And there was a Shrew. That was the worst bit. Daddy, I'm so

sorry I ever left in the first place. I-I-I want to come home now. For good."

He looked nervously at his father, who still had yet to utter a word.

"Bertie."

Bertie's head snapped up and he looked at Corvus.

"It has been awful for us since you left. Corvus didn't even know he could worry so much!"

"But you are my Bertie, and Corvus will always love you. It is such a wonderful gift to have you

back with us, safe and alive!" Corvus embraced his son and held him close. Bertie sniffed and

hung on to his father.

"I forgive you Bertie, for everything."

"But, but after everything that I did? So many bad things happened because of me! The nasty

boy said you wouldn't want to take me back, that I wasn't part of the Family anymore!" Bertie

was still sniffling and gulping back tears.

"It does not matter to Corvus! Bertie is my son. You didn't mean to do wrong, Corvus knows that.

Your place is here, it always has been. Bertie belongs with Corvus."

"Daddy, Bertie doesn't- I mean, I don't know what to say.. You still love me?" Bertie ventured.

"Corvus will always love you." he smiled back.

"BERTIE!"

Erika ran across the room and hugged her son as tightly as she could.

"You're back, you're really back! Oh, and you're safe.. Your Father and I have been so worried!

Oh my son, you're really back.."

"Mummy, I missed you too.. Do you still love me?"

"What? Of course I do my darling, why would you ever think otherwise?"

Bertie shrugged. "No reason."

Erika smiled at her son. "Corvus, dear! Why don't you go cook us a fine family meal? I'll feed the

puppies and kittens while our son relaxes back home!" She gave Bertie another squeeze and

scurried off to set the table.

Bertie went through to the sitting room, where he sister was busy studying to advance in rank in

the Strangetown police force.

"Hey Bubs. Just shut up ok? Don't make a big deal over it.."

"Bertie! Oh my! I, er, yeah, sure.. It's um, good to have you back." Bubbles smiled, surprising

herself at how glad she actually was to have her twin brother home.

The four of them sat down to enjoy the salmon that Corvus had so carefully cooked, and Bertie

realised that it was the first proper meal he'd had for years.

"So er, Daddy," he ventured, "exactly how many pets are we on now?"

"Eleven!" Corvus grinned "We'll get there eventually though!"

"Your father hates passing them on once they're grown." Erika explained, "or else we'd be done

with this whole thing by now.." Rolling her eyes in a loving way at her husband, she went back to

her salmon.

"And you can help now too, Bertie!" Corvus spluttered through a mouthful of food. "You took

good care of Waffles, I'm sure you'll do the same with the puppies. Corvus is so very pleased

you're back!"

"Me too.." Bubbles looked up and smiled at her brother "Just don't tell me to shut up, ok?"

"Yes, we're so pleased you're finally home." Erika finished.

"Yeah.. I am too."

Bertie finished his meal in silence, content just to listen to the chatter of his Family and know that

he was finally safe. He was home, with people who loved him unconditionally. He was back with

Corvus, and so everything was at last going to be alright for him.

The main line of Tegenarias had returned from their hike early, seeing the lights beaming out of

their house. Gadus and Ara were first through the door, even though they were frightened and

confused as to what had happened whilst they were gone.

"G-Gadus.. What's happened?"

But Menidia ran through the door and straight past her children before her son could answer his

sister. She'd feared the worst when she'd seen the light, knowing full well that her Mother had

had power blessed upon her.

"M-Mum.." she whispered. "No. No, you didn't. Two urns.. Does these mean that she?"

"Muuum! What have you done?"

Menidia knew that the other urn must be that of Vee. No one would ever know exactly happened

that day, for there was no one left alive to tell them. But Saeva and Vee were dead, and Menidia

could only hope that her mother hadn't been murdered, and had gone down protecting them all.

But where did the light come from? For now, none of the living would know.

The badly repaired Legacy Orbs hadn't survived the power blast either, and were found to be

missing from their place in Saeva and Sean's bedroom. But everyone agreed that it was for the

best, the Orbs seemed to have brought more death than protection. And with Vee gone, the loss

of Saeva was just that little easier to bear.

Ta dah! Or not, I feel rather sad.. But this is where I shall leave you for now my dear readers.

Thanks for reading, obviously, I feel like we're at the end of a little era! But what will the future

now hold for Generation Five? And so on? CC is from many places, mostly All About Style and

Parsimonious, just ask if you see something you like! This has been Gin, avoiding the Open

Final she has next to her, eek!

"Hahaa! Fred was right, this is a ridiculous game.."