Chapter 21 : Missing Persons

[pascal_curious]

Vidcund Curious heaved and retched into the toilet of the Beaker family’s bathroom. He hated the pregnancy sickness. It always seemed to rear its ugly head at the most inopportune moments. He continued to kneel in front of the toilet, his face just above water inside of the bowl, waiting for the nausea to pass. There was always the danger that being perched with his face in the toilet might just send him into new spasms of puking. Sometimes it seemed like an endless cycle. Puke, see and smell the puke in the toilet, puke again. He bit down on his tongue, determined to keep it from rearing up and forcing him to throw up again.

 

 

After a few moments he felt certain that the need to vomit had passed and got up from the floor. He flushed the toilet and looked down at his shirt to make sure that he hadn’t gotten sick on it. Satisfied that he hadn’t made a mess of himself, he went to the sink and proceeded to rummage through the medicine cabinet. He hoped that they had some mouthwash. A brief search resulted in a half empty bottle of Listerine. He took a swig of the foul amber liquid and swooshed it around in his mouth. The mouthwash was strong enough to make his eyes water. He hated Listerine. He spat it out and tried to rinse the medicine taste out of his mouth with a gulp of water from the faucet. Just to be safe, he decided to wash his face. He didn’t want to be sitting next to Circe and have her point out that he was sporting vomit on his chin.

 

Circe had asked Vidcund to come over and watch a movie with her. She had said that she was lonely. Loki was working graveyard shift and Nervous had gone out that morning and not come home yet. Vidcund had told her that he would rather play some video games, but she said she didn’t feel like it. Vidcund knew this to mean that she was in a sulking mood and she didn’t want to be distracted from her sulking. He wished that she wanted cheering up. He hated to see her looking so depressed. Video games always seemed to cheer her up. He also liked the silly booty shake victory dance she did. Sometimes he would throw a game just to see her shake her rear-end in his face.

 

He could hear Circe in the adjoining room. She was dialing the telephone. He exited the bathroom and gave her a questioning look. He wondered who she would be calling at this hour of the night. 

 

“Hello, Pascal?”

 

Vidcund heard his brother’s voice coming from the phone at Circe’s ear.

 

“Hello Circe.”

 

“I was wondering if Nervous was over there with you guys tonight,” she asked.

 

“No. I haven’t seen him in a couple of days.”

 

“He went out at about six this morning and he hasn’t come home yet. I’m a little worried. He didn’t seem himself this morning, and he usually calls if he isn’t going to come home. Do you know where he might be?”

 

“Nope, no idea,” Pascal answered.

 

Circe huffed with frustration. “Damn,” she muttered.

 

“Speaking of missing persons, have you seen Vic?” Pascal asked. Vidcund could tell from Pascal’s tone of voice that Pascal knew exactly where he was.

 

“Um, he’s here,” she stammered. “We were just, uh, watching a movie.”

 

“Oh, okay,” Pascal replied. Vidcund could hear the sarcasm in his brother’s voice. He wished very much he could reach through the phone and throttle Pascal.

 

Circe sighed.

 

“Please give me a call if you see Nervous,” she asked  “I’m really worried about him.”

 

“Sure,” said Pascal.

 

“Thanks, Pascal.” She paused for a moment, not sure what she should say next. “Okay then. Um, bye.” She flipped the phone closed and sunk dejectedly onto the sofa.

 

Vidcund sat at the opposite and of the sofa.

 

“Do you think I should go to the police and file a missing person’s report?” she asked Vidcund. 

 

Vidcund could tell by the look on her face that she really was worried about her adopted son. He had never seen so concerned for Nervous’ well being before.

 

“He’s an adult, Circe,” Vidcund reminded her.

 

“Just barely,” she argued.

 

“He’s eighteen,” he stressed. “I think he has to be missing three days before they will let you file a report.”

 

“Three days?” She asked with disbelief.

 

“I’m sure he is fine,” Vidcund assured her. “He is an adult now, and I’m sure he can take care of himself. He’s not a total idiot, you know.”

 

“I know,” Circe replied, ashamed that Vidcund would think she believed her son to be an idiot. “I am still worried though. He’s never gone off like that before. He always calls if he is going to be gone overnight. Even if he’s drunk he remembers to call.” Circe put her hand to the back of her neck and massaged it.

 

Vidcund couldn’t remember ever seeing her so stressed out before. He wanted to comfort her, but knew he had to tread lightly. She always became annoyed with him when he made even the tiniest advance. He scooted closer to her on the sofa. She looked up and gave him a sad little pout.

 

“Listen,” he said softly. “I am positive that he is just fine. If he isn’t home in the morning, I will help you look for him.”

 

“Thanks,” she said, her pout turning into a half hearted smile.

 

Vidcund reached out to her and gently pushed a few stray strands of hair away from her eyes. She didn’t shy away from his touch.

 

“You hair is so pretty, Circe. Why don’t you wear it down more often,” he crooned.

 

Circe looked away from his intense gaze and blushed.

 

“I was just so tired this morning,” she explained, her eyes focused on the floor. “I didn’t feel like putting it up.”

 

“You should always wear it this way.” He told her. “It makes you look so much more feminine. You are so beautiful, but you never believe me when I tell you that. I wish you could see yourself the way I see you.”

 

Circe’s blush deepened.
 

Vidcund could feel his heart rate going up. She had never left him get this close before. He wanted to kiss her, but he held back. He didn’t want to ruin the moment.

 

There was an awkward silence as she continued to stare at the floor and Vidcund continued to stroke the hair at her temple.

 

“I envy you,” she said suddenly. She looked up to meet his gaze.

 

“You envy me?” He asked, puzzled.

 

“You know,” she said, glancing to his barely visible baby bump. “The baby,” she explained

 

“You want to be raped by aliens?” He asked. “I assure you, it is not at all an enjoyable experience.”

 

“No,” she said sheepishly. “I didn’t mean it that way. I envy you because you’re going to have a baby.”

 

Vidcund’s right eyebrow went up as he looked at her incredulously.

 

“I want so bad to have a baby, but Loki won’t let…”

 

Vidcund pulled away from her.   He could feel his blood pressure rising as his temper flared.

 

“Dammit Circe!” He interrupted. “How long is it going to take you to realize that your husband is a self absorbed asshole?”

 

Circe looked aghast.

 

Vidcund leapt from his seat and paced impatiently in front of her. He couldn’t believe that she had started to talk to him about Loki.

 

“Don’t you see,” Vidcund fumed, “He doesn’t give a damn about you!” 

 

“That’s not true!” she shouted. “He loves me! I know he does. He has done so much for me, I know he loves me!”

 

Vidcund crossed his arms and glared down at her.

 

“He helped me get through medical school,” she explained “and he let me adopt Nervous when said I wanted to have children.”

 

“LET!” Vidcund raged. “That is just the problem, Circe. He LETS you do things. He treats you like a child, and you just let him. Why can’t you see that?”

Circe looked away from Vidcund and stared timidly at the floor.

 

“See!” Vidcund yelled, pointing at her. “You know he treats you like you are a child, and you just let him.” He loomed over her as she looked away.

 “Do you like it that way,” he asked angrily. “Do you like being the child, never having to make any decisions, always handing over responsibility to him?” He threw his hands up in exasperation. “What happened to you, Circe? You’ve forgotten how to be your own person.” 


Vidcund turned away from her and caught his breath for a moment. 

“When was the last time you did something you wanted to do, and didn’t ask his permission?” He finally asked.

 

Circe had no answer for him.

 

“You’re not the same person I used to know,” Vidcund lamented quietly. “You’ve deluded yourself into believing that he loves you. So much so that you don’t dare defy him for fear he will leave you all alone.” He turned to face her again. “Would it be that terrible if he left you, or have you convinced yourself that you can’t live without him?"

 Circe stood to defend herself.

 

“You don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about, Vidcund Curious!” She stamped her foot. "You’re just jealous! You’ve always been jealous of Loki. You’ve been jealous of his work, and jealous that he has me.” Circe put her hands on her hips and glared back at Vidcund as intensely as he was glaring at her.

 

“You’re still in love with me and you just can’t stand it that I chose Loki instead of you!”

 

Vidcund was shocked. He hadn’t expected that.

 “You’re right.” He agreed somberly. “I do still love you.” He dropped his hands to his sides in resignation. “And I can’t bear to see him treat you the way he does.”

 

Circe hadn’t expected Vidcund to admit that he still cared for her. She continued to glare at him for a few seconds while she decided her next move. It was like a very intense game of chess. Vidcund had gotten checkmate.

 

“Get out!” she screeched. She could feel the tears welling in her eyes. “I don’t ever want to see you again, you arrogant bastard. I don’t love you, and I never did!”

 

“You lying little bitch,” Vidcund seethed. He moved toward her threateningly and she backed up against the wall. He pinned her there with his hands on her shoulders and kissed her violently. She struggled against him for a moment before she finally gave in and let Vidcund force his tongue into her mouth. He continued to kiss her ferociously and crush his body against hers. 

 

Just as abruptly as he had forced himself on her, he let go. He turned away without a word and stormed out of the house.

 

Circe watched him leave. Part of her wanted to cry out to him and beg him to come back. The other part of her was afraid to; afraid of what he might do. She watched him thunder down the stairs as the tears flooded from the corners of her eyes. When she could no longer see him, and had heard his vehicle pull away, she sank shakily onto the sofa and held her head in her hands.

Comments

[petalbrook.livejournal.com]

Ooooooooo. I had no idea that Vidcund had that in him! I knew he had a temper (mad pokey guy), but I'm surprised by his sexual passion. He also seems so asexual to me.

[pascal-curious.livejournal.com]

He sure does have a bad temper. I think he has smacked around every one of the inmates at the Strangetown Psychiatric Hospital ( they keep watching him through the telescope).

I think he has finally had it with Circe playing her little games. It is time for her to shit or get off the pot!

[madame-ugly.livejournal.com]

Unlike petalbrook, I always thought Vidcund had passion smoldering away, deep down. He just keeps it on a very short leash. (in my hoods, if he gets a sim he really likes he does auto romantic interactions all the damn time).

[pascal-curious.livejournal.com]

I am so pleased with how this chapter turned out. Initially, I had just planned on Vidcund and Circe having an argument. I had no intention of taking it past a verbal confrontation. It just sort of took on a life of it's own at the end. I think it fits Vidcund just perfectly.

[dinoshad2brains.livejournal.com]

Jeez this is good. I've never really been big on Vidcund and Circe getting together, but this is really turning it around for me. Clearly, Circe like the attention she's getting from Vidcund, good for him for standing up for himself. I totally see Vidcund having this in him, especially all hopped up on pregnancy hormones.

Also, as a sidenote, I really love Circe's makeover and the makeover of the Beaker house in general. It's still fancy looking with chandeliers and wroght iron lights, but homey too.

[pascal-curious.livejournal.com]

The more I look at this chapter, the more I like it. I think this is one of my favorite chapters now.

I'm so happy I have finally found a voice for Vidcund. I had really been struggling with what to do with him.

Circe is so pretty. She doesn't even really need makeup. Why Maxis decided to fug her up so much, I'll never know. I love their house and had a great time redecorating and putting in a garage.

[dinoshad2brains.livejournal.com]

This is definitely one of my favorites, too. Vidcund seems to definitely have found himself, too.

She is super pretty, and I'm not even a big fan of tan redheads. They just seem weird to me.

[ikichi.livejournal.com]

Hahah, I think Maxis has put their sickness in me- I'm pretty sure I've a few CAS tan reds running about. #-__-#

[ikichi.livejournal.com]

That got... pretty scary. Still is, actually, since we don't know know how much of it Loki caught...

[sounddecision.livejournal.com]

Oh very nice, Vid.

And you captured the situation perfectly - Circe is letting Loki dictate who she is. Not a good scene.