Gathering of the Order

Originally shared on Sims Amino on March 19, 2017

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This chapter definitely took waaay longer to write than I was expecting it to. I knew how I wanted it to go, but actually writing it out...ooooh boy that took several days of thinking.

I was also taking a bit of a break from Sims for a bit to play some other games so that I didn’t fall back into the downward spiral of being bored by Sims.

Anyways, this chapter is introducing all new characters. I’m not sure how big of parts most of them will play in the future, but I hope you like them! Two of them have actually been in the story before, but one had a pretty small part a few months back while the other has really only been mentioned.

This part also includes a fair amount of important information to the story, so I hope you’re paying attention~!

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“I assume you all are aware of why we gathered today.” The speaker is the brown haired man near the back of the room, all in black. Eight of the other Order members nod their heads around the room, while one continues to sit with his cheek against his hand, looking bored.

It had been awhile since the Order last gathered. The last time they’d come together was nearly a decade ago, when a great catastrophe lead to the loss of key members. That event also lead to them cutting their original member total from 21 down to 10. Three of the original twenty-one had disappeared in the catastrophe, while the other eight were cut from the Order due to various reasons.

Originally, the Order had seven groups with three members to a group. Each group represented one of the supernatural species. One of those groups were the three members that disappeared, while the other was cut from the Order to be represented as a subgroup of the witches. Each of the remaining five groups dropped a member so that they had two representatives per group.

A few of the members had been replaced in recent years, the newest replacement being the bored looking teen sitting crossed legged in his chair.

He sighs and lifts his head from his hand.

“Why am I here, Bashar?” he asks the man in the wolf headdress next to him.

Bashar’s golden eyes slide over to the boy. “You’re here as a representative for the ‘Shifters, as am I. Since you only recently became a member, this is your first Order meeting and you have to attend these meetings, even as rare as they’ve been in recent years.”

The boy rolls his eyes. “I know that. What I’m saying is, why do I have to be the representative? You do realize I’m still in high school, right?”

“Of course I do Dustin, but neither one of my sons are fit for the position. My eldest has made it clear he does not wish to be part of the Order, and Kasey is too busy skirt chasing to show any interest.” Bashar pinches the bridge of his nose. “I honestly struggle to understand that boy sometimes. He’s said that his heart belongs to one woman, yet she is the only one he hasn’t tried to pursue.”

“Probably because he gets so awkward around her and trips all over himself,” Dustin mumbles.

Bashar frowns at him. “Where’d you hear that?”

“I’ve seen it,” Dustin says. “You forget, Kasey and I went to school together, as did she. She’s only a few years older than us, so we went to the same school for at least a little while before she graduated. I can’t tell you how many times I saw him almost faceplant when he’d try to talk to her.”

“Ugh,” Bashar shakes his head. “He grew up with that girl, and now he can’t even talk to her without looking like an idiot.”

The black haired man in glasses across the room speaks up.

“In all fairness, wasn’t he an idiot before?”

Bashar glares at him, but a grin tugs at the corners of his mouth. “Zip it, Anthony. Your eldest isn’t much better. Pretty sure Kasey got his skirt chasing ways from him.”

Anthony lifts his hands up in mock surrender, his own lips spread in a grin. “I won’t deny it. I can only apologize that I didn’t keep a closer eye on Yuudai and make sure that didn’t happen.”

“Anyways,” Bashar says, turning back to Dustin. “Both my sons are hopeless when it comes to representing the Order. All that leaves is you, and your older brother.”

“Yeah...you definitely won’t see Kaden taking this position,” Dustin says, scratching the back of his head. “When I asked him about the Order, he just shot me a glare and hissed. He hardly ever does that.”

Bashar snorts. “Hard to imagine someone as serious as Kaden hissing, but I can certainly understand why.”

Dustin follows his gaze across the room to where the vampire representatives sit.

The brunette vamp that had spoken before is in a discussion with the witch representatives to his right, listening intently to what they are saying.

The younger, blond vamp next to him has one leg crossed over the other and leans back in his chair. He has a haughty expression on his face and his smirk widens when his gaze meets Dustin’s. He’d been listening to Dustin and Bashar’s conversation.

“Aww, poor little Kaden can’t handle the responsibilities of an Order member?” he asks, his red eyes glittering smugly.

“Excuse me?” Dustin growls, feeling his muscles tense up.

“Knock it off, Draven.” Bashar’s voice cuts through, but the blond vamp ignores him.

“How sad, the poor kitty can’t handle the stress?”

Dustin tilts his head and looks directly at Draven.

“Actually, I’m pretty sure he just didn’t want to deal with your pompous ass,” Dustin calls.

Bashar shoots him a warning look. “Dustin, don’t. He gets off on egging people on. He’s not worth your time.”

Dustin gives him an irritated look. “And you guys seriously let him join the Order? What the hell is wrong with your selection process?”

“You know the Eldridges?” Bashar asks. Dustin nods. “Well, he’s sort of like their stand-in right now. The eldest Eldridge daughter was supposed to be part of the Order after her parents passed away a few years ago, but she’s been busy, and unable to take up her position. So Draven is filling in for her, whether some of us like it or not.”

“Why don’t one of her siblings fill in for her instead?” Dustin asks.

Before Bashar can answer, Draven cuts in.

“It’s quite simple really,” he says, his haughty expression not fading for a second. “Her younger brother, the second eldest, is a free spirit and almost no one knows where he is. Quite ridiculous honestly. I can’t stand the kid. Oh and the twins? Ugh, useless the both of them. Araceli the stupid problem child and her brother Amari, who’d rather spend his time in the company of his half alien lover. Unruly fools, the lot of them.”

Dustin stares at him in disgust, but speaks to Bashar. “You seriously tolerate this asshole being here?”

“I was wondering the same thing, kid,” a voice says from the chamber’s entrance.

Everyone turns their attention to the speaker.

A pair of vampire siblings wait by the entrance.

The sister sits on the railing next to the stairs, her legs crossed. Her dark, knee-length hair sways behind her as her gaze sweeps lazily over the Order members.

Her brother stands at the top of the stairs with his arms crossed, his red eyes narrowed at Draven. He is the one who spoke.

“Caleb Vatore,” Draven sneers. “What an unpleasant surprise.”

It’s then that his eyes locate the girl on the railing.

“L-Lilith…!” He erupts to his feet, a deep blush spreading across the length of his cheeks. “W-What are you doing here?”

“Silly Draven,” she giggles. “Of course I’m accompanying my dear brother.”

“B-But...Why are you here?” Draven asks, trying desperately to regain his composure. “How did you know of this meeting?”

“I told them, you insolent asshat,” says a female voice to the right of Caleb. The Order members turn to find that two more vampires had entered the room.

They are dressed all in black. The woman’s red hair is cut in a short bob, just barely concealing the gold cross earrings she wears. The black haired man stands not far behind her, and when he tilts his head, his own matching earring sways ever so slightly.

The woman crosses her arms in front of her and narrows her eyes at Draven.

“Honestly, Draven,” she says. “You really haven’t changed a bit from when we used to date, have you? Still picking fights with kids and making people want to throttle you.”

The tension in the air seems to thicken as she steps forward, followed closely by her companion and the Vatore siblings. Draven watches her warily, his own posture having stiffened the moment he heard her speak. He plasters on a smirk to try and hide his tension.

“Elena Eldridge,” he says, his voice full of contempt. “Why are you here? Last I checked you were more interested in that band of yours and that boy toy next to you. An Order meeting is no place for one such as you.”

Elena arches an eyebrow. “First of all, ‘that band of mine’ is called Black Lily and I don’t see how my relationship with Xander is any of your business. Also, last I checked you are just a fill in for me, so if I were you, I’d think twice about badmouthing my siblings, especially when I’m right here.” She fixes Draven with a look that sends chills down his spine. “Seeing as I could very easily pick someone to replace you if you continue to make an ass of yourself.”

“Y-You have no right!” Draven stutters. “You’d have to get the approval of the Order members to pick someone new!”

“I highly doubt many here would come to your defense, you imbecile.”

“Agreed,” mutters Dustin.

“Anyway, I am here because Finn told me to come,” she says, glancing to the brunette vampire sitting next to Draven. “He told me we were to discuss the problem of my sister’s behavior. He also told me there was new info about the Exiled Witch, which is why I brought Xander and invited Caleb.”

“We will discuss the matter of Araceli first,” Finn says, resting his chin against his clasped hands. “We have let things slide for far too long, Elena.”

He meets her gaze.

“Four girls have disappeared because of her. Because of her...obsession, with the Alford boy. She puts all of us at risk of exposure to the humans. I cannot let this go on any further.”

His face softens somewhat as he continues.

“You have been my daughter’s best friend since you were both little, and as such, I think of you and your siblings as my own children. I understand that things have been hard on you kids since your parents died. Hell, your father was my best friend. But the fact that they are gone does not condone Araceli’s actions.”

Elena nods. “I am well aware. Her acting out like this has driven me to my wit's end. I have warned her time and time again. I now realize that just warning her isn’t enough. I’ve decided to ask someone to keep an eye on her and make sure she stops, and he’s already agreed.”

“Xander?” Finn asks, glancing at the man next to Elena.

“No,” Elena answers, shaking her head. “I’m not exactly her favorite person right now, and she knows he’s close to me, so it would likely only make the situation worse. There’s only one guy who can work with her, and that’s because he’s known her since they were kids.”

“Ahh,” Finn says, finally understanding. “Then I hope for your sake that my son is able to get through to her.”

“Now that that matter is settled,” he continues. “Onto the bigger dilemma. Gemma, if you would kindly relay to the rest of the Order and our guests what you have told me.”

The older witch nods to him before addressing the room. “My granddaughter has seen a vision of the Exiled Witch’s return.”

Murmurs spread around the chamber. Draven snorts.

“Isn’t your granddaughter only in high school? I thought witches weren’t able to see visions until they were almost double her age. You sure you can trust the judgement of a child?” With that he looks directly at Dustin, not even trying to hide his scorn.

A low, warning snarl escapes Dustin’s throat and he bares his teeth. He crouches on his chair and the pupils of his eyes narrow to slits. Draven watches the threat display with amusement, which only serves to piss Dustin off more.

“Serenity Faust is well respected in the magic community for her accurate visions despite her young age, Draven Reznor,” the witch next to Gemma cuts in. “So I would like to ask that you kindly shut your trap for once and not egg on the young tiger Shapeshifter in the room.”

She hardly ever speaks during Order meetings. Draven opens and closes his mouth a few times, stunned, but he does as told and goes quiet. Bashar reaches over and smacks Dustin on the back of his head, bringing the boy back to his senses. His eyes return to normal and he quickly sits back in his chair, embarrassed.

“You need to learn to keep your hotheadedness in check, Dustin,” Bashar growls at him.

“Yes, Bashar,” Dustin answers meekly, staring down at his hands awkwardly.

“Thank you, Vera,” Gemma says to the younger witch beside her. Vera bows her head slightly in response. “As I was saying, my granddaughter has seen a vision of the Exiled Witch. This can only mean that she is returning.”

“But why?” asks Madalyn, the red haired woman next to Anthony. “Why does she return now? What is she after?”

The male elf speaks up. “Perhaps to take revenge on those who exiled her.”

The female elf beside him tilts her head. “As Ryder said, revenge is the most likely purpose for her return.”

Dustin frowns. “But wasn’t it her own fault she was exiled? I thought she committed some great taboo, so she dug her own grave.”

“This is true,” she says, smiling sadly. “However, I’m afraid her mind became unhinged as a side effect of what she’d done.”

“What could the Exiled Witch have done that was so bad that she went crazy from it?” Dustin mutters, not really asking anyone.

The other Order members exchange glances, none of them willing to tell him. It is a well kept secret what the Exiled Witch had done to become exiled, with very few outside of the Order knowing the truth.

“In any case,” says Finn, steepling his fingers. “We need to be prepared. Whatever she is planning, it can’t be anything good.”

“Should we send out a warning through the community to be on guard?” asks the female elf. “Since we have no idea what she will do, it might be best to warn them.”

Finn is quiet for a moment before he looks up. “No...It’s not a bad idea, Juliette, but I’m afraid that all it would do is cause widespread panic in the supernatural community. It’d be like dropping a wolf in a chicken coop. They have no idea what she did, so they’re even more clueless than us about what she might do.”

Bashar nods in agreement. “Not to mention the last time we sent out a warning for something like this, that lead to our current strained relationship with Sixam. They rarely allow their people to come to our planet anymore, and if any of their people fall for someone here, they banish them. Because they’re afraid that situations like this will spread to their planet and cause discord among the populace.”

“This is all very fascinating,” says Caleb, finally speaking up after listening quietly through the meeting, an irritated look on his face. “But you all are missing the point. Do you honestly think Ophelia is the real problem here?”

Everyone turns their attention to him.

“The Exiled Witch is the problem,” says Ryder, narrowing his eyes at the young vampire. “Anyone who believes otherwise is a fool.”

“Then call me a fool,” he says, meeting Ryder’s gaze without flinching.

“You really are pathetic, Vatore,” Draven mocks, snickering at him. “You’re letting your old feelings for that creature get the better of you. Hell, you even call her by a name. You should really learn to control yourself.”

“Pot to the kettle, Reznor.” He locks gazes with Draven. “And yes, I do call her by name, because Ophelia is her name. Because she was and still is a person, just like you, me, and everyone in this room. Simply calling her the Exiled Witch is an insult to the young woman I knew. The woman who was my friend. The woman I loved. So I will continue to call her Ophelia, and I refuse to call her anything else.”

“I still don’t see what that has to do with her not being the real problem,” Juliette says, staring curiously down at Caleb.

“Exactly,” agrees Ryder, crossing his arms over his chest. “I despise agreeing with the rude young vamp, but it appears to me that you are not thinking with your head and are instead allowing your feelings for that woman to manipulate you.”

A loud sigh echos through the chamber. “Man, you lot really are a bunch of idiots.”

Anthony and Madalyn turn to look to the man sprawled on the loveseat behind them. His arm rests across his eyes and his lips are turned down in disgust.

“You have no right to speak here,” Draven says, glaring at the man across the room. “It is your fault we lost the Time Striders nearly a decade ago. If not for your negligence--”

“My, what a cheeky punk you are,” the man says.

Draven’s eyes narrow. “Excuse me?”

The man pulls his arm from his face and swings his legs down to the floor, placing a hand over his hat to prevent it from slipping off his head. He stands and makes his way down the stairs to the center of the room. Elena, Xander, and the Vatore siblings step to the side as he walks up to stand directly in front of Finn and Draven.

“As has already been said,” he says, fixing his gaze on Draven. “‘Pot to the kettle, Reznor.’ If I recall correctly, you were supposed to be in charge of protecting those orphans in San Myshuno 21 year ago. Ophelia was one of those orphans.”

Draven stiffens. “She was already 21-years-old. I didn’t have to look after her.”

“You were still supposed to protect her. That was the task you were assigned. And if you had properly done your job, none of this would have happened. The Time Striders wouldn’t have disappeared and a young girl wouldn’t have had to grow up without her older sister, the only family she’d ever known.”

The look in his gray eyes sends chills down Draven’s spine. He takes an involuntary step back, feeling his seat press against the back of his knees.

Ignoring the younger vampire’s sudden loss for words, Finn focuses on the man that had stepped forward. “Ignore him and say your piece, Luke.”

“What I’m saying is, loverboy here has a point,” he answers, gesturing to Caleb. “The Exiled Witch is not the real problem here. Or at least, not the main one.”

“What do you mean, Luke?” Anthony asks, leaning forward.

“Think about it, Cartwright,” Luke says, turning to him. “Weird things have been happening in recent years. The Time Striders disappearing, Xander here being turned into a vampire, and people have gone missing, Ryder’s daughter and my own sister among them. Only one of those things can be directly linked to Ophelia, and that is Xander’s Turning.”

Xander shifts on his feet, uncomfortable. Ophelia had turned Xander into a Child of the Night a few years ago. Directly after turning him, she promptly disappeared. He’d been left to fend for himself, a newborn vampire who couldn’t control his thirst. He’d been so thirsty, he’d blacked out, and when he woke up he was alone in a dark alley at night. He was covered in blood, none of it his. He began to think he was a monster and fell into despair. If Elena hadn’t found him that night and taken him in, he likely wouldn’t still be alive.

 Elena glances over at him and gently slides her hand into his. His eyes meet hers and he squeezes her hand, assuring her he’s okay. Luke continues.

“Everything else, there’s no way she could’ve done all that herself, no matter how strong she is.”

“Who would’ve helped her, though?” asks Madalyn.

“Can you think of no one?” He turns once, watching each of the Order members in turn. He watches as sickening realization slowly creeps across their expressions. Dustin looks over at Bashar, confused. Bashar looks almost like he wants to be sick.

“That’s right,” Luke continues. “You all had almost forgotten about her fiancé, and who he is.” He finally turns back to Finn, who has stood up.

Finn meets the eyes of each Order member around the room.

“If he is returning, no one is safe,” he says, his voice echoing in the silence of the room. “We must prepare. We have no idea what he is capable of, or what he will do. Please try to keep this secret. Be cautious about who you tell. We don’t want this to get out because the pandemonium would be on an even larger scale than if the Exiled Witch were all we had to worry about.”

Gemma leans forward. “Finn, I would like to warn her sister.” Finn begins to shake his head, but Gemma holds up her hand and fixes him with a stern look. “Do you have any idea the suffering that poor woman has went through because of this? She has had almost no one to talk to about her sister because everyone in the community pretends Ophelia, the young, orphaned Dreamwalker, never existed.”

“Would it not be cruel to tell her that the woman that was once her older sister is returning?” Finn asks the old woman.

“I believe it would be much more cruel to finally know something of her sister’s whereabouts and NOT tell her,” Gemma says. Her voice takes on a gentleness as she continues. “I believe you would feel the same way, if someone knew where you could find your oldest son’s mother.”

Finn’s red eyes give a small flash of pain before he looks away from the old witch. “So be it. You may tell her. And now that I think more about it, it would be for the best to tell her. Didn’t you say that she has children now, and that they are all Dreamwalkers like their mother and aunt?”

Gemma nods.

“All the more reason. If he still has this obsession with Dreamwalkers that he did in the past, and if he finds them, they could be in serious danger.”

“Alright,” Gemma says. “I will go to see her as soon as I can. I would much like to tell her in person.”

Caleb saunters over, Lilith not far behind him. Luke strides up next to them.

“I would like to join you when you go, Gemma,” Caleb says. “I want to make sure Ophelia’s family is safe.”

Gemma nods to him and turns to Luke. “I suppose you’d like to come as well?”

“I would,” he answers. “Her husband was my old field partner at the OPSB back in the day, and I’m like an uncle to those kids.”

“Alright. We will go to Willow Creek later this week.”

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Can I just say...how LONG it took me to make each of the Order members? Because WOW that was a nightmare trying to make 10 unique members in as short a time as possible.

And thank you EA for the Vatore siblings. I wasn’t a big fan of Lilith’s default makeup though, but then again I prefer more natural colors when it comes to makeup. I seriously love Caleb. The only other pre-made sim I’ve loved this much is Alex.

💕Though Alex is still my favorite.💕

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