Chapter 04: Turning Corners
October 31st, 2007
Pausing at the locker room long enough to throw on some t-shirts, Tahlvin and Hale were soon walking through the door of their mother's office.
"If you had contracted us in the first place, Mr. Kimbrough, you would have alleviated yourself of this unnecessary stress," said Tavia, his mother, from where she was seated behind her desk, her attention riveted on the computer screen before her. Tahlvin guessed she was in a video conference with their newest client.
Behind her stood his stepfather. Arion had been watching the computer screen over his wife's shoulder, but glanced up as Tahlvin and Hale slid into the chairs arrayed in front of the desk. He grinned in greeting before returning his attention to the call.
"I realize that now, Ta…ah…Mrs. Shadowtalon," a clipped male voice whined over the computer's speakers. "But I'd thought to add insult to injury by hiring unknowns for the hit. I wanted that pirate out of commission, but I didn't want her crew to realize how much they've hurt my business. I want them to think they're trivial, like…uh…like…roaches that need to be exterminated."
Tahlvin noticed Arion's lip curl in derision, but Tavia's face remained a placid pool.
"We can add plenty of insult to injury when it's called for, Mr. Kimbrough," said Tavia. "Now, get some rest. My team has arrived and we have work to do. I'll contact you tomorrow morning with an update." She said good-bye to the client then disconnected the call.
Arion sighed and walked over to the couch, collapsing onto its cushions. "So, we have been reduced to bug killers."
"Relax, darling. I'm sure he meant no offense."
Arion snorted.
Tavia smiled benignly at her husband then turned her cloud blue eyes onto her sons. Tahlvin found himself sitting up straighter under her cool gaze. "All right, boys. We're cleaning up a snafu here and don't have a lot of time for a briefing. Hale, I'm streaming you the case file for you to review. You're going to have to get up to speed and start gathering intel quickly. We don't know exactly where the marks are so you're going to have to find them."
Hale's eyes seemed to glaze over as his nanobots filtered the streaming data into his visual cortex and overlaid the information onto his retina. His eyes now served as monitors from where he could read the case file and interact with the computer.
Tahlvin squelched a spurt of jealousy at his brother's ease of reading and sorting through the data. It was a useful ability to have, especially for an agent in the field. It made for easy recall and study of a case file. Not long ago, he too had shared in that ability but no longer. The nanobots that had made it possible were rejected by his body last year. The doctors weren't sure what caused the rejection since the 'bots had operated fine for years before that, but they did tell him that he was lucky to have survived. His body had gone into toxic shock as his system rebelled against the technological intruders. He'd been hospitalized for two weeks.
Well, there was always the old-fashioned way of reading a case file, which he'd be doing as soon as the briefing was over.
26 Responses to “Chapter 04: Turning Corners”
October 31st, 2007 at 3:50 pm
OMG! I can't believe you updated. I think that I need to read it again to fully understand it and to connect some things, so if I comment again, that's why. Tahlvin knows that he met Brandee before..when she was a child, duh! Maybe it was around the same time when his body rejected those technological do-dads.
October 31st, 2007 at 5:09 pm
I'll have to re-read this chapter as well, but it's interesting that Jason and Tahlvin seem to have taken an instant dislike to each other …. I'm guessing that the nightmare is related to Sam's death (unless Tahlvin and Sam aren't married at this point in the story – I didn't see his wedding ring)? Perhaps that's when the 'bots were rejected? Plenty to think about until the next chapter!
Of course I couldn't comment without mentioning how good the guys are looking 😉 The long hair suits Hale, and I love the new tattoos! I really should have another go at adding tattoos, as my first attempt a few months ago didn't turn out too bad (made a sim of John Rzeznik from the Goo Goo Dolls).
October 31st, 2007 at 9:39 pm
Man… Not only do I leave here and have an awesome Halloween, but I come back to a morsel consisting of a long-haired Hale with a back tattoo that screams "Hug me from behind and don't let go. You know you wanna… ;)". Well, at least that's what I tell myself. I'm sure if that happened, I'd be arrested or tossed away like a ragdoll. lol. Will you be doing any more character shoots like "Boys of Summer" again? My severe lack of Hale is reaching life threatening levels. *evil laugh*
I also will be re-reading this chapter for better absorption. I have to agree with Tanya about how interesting the tension is between Tahlvin and Jason. Makes me wonder if that rookie's gonna be put in his place or be a very big help… or both. Also, I'm very curious just what this nightmare is that Tahlvin keeps having… Hmmmm, so many questions. Most interesting… *strokes invisible beard*
October 31st, 2007 at 10:35 pm
Okay, Arion in action looks 10x better than the little snippet we saw earlier. Jason, look out, 'cause you've got competition!
Tahlvin's expression on page six, picture six is great and very fitting.
I'll need to read this again when I'm not still under NaNo daze. I'm taking a break from writing and reading. Yay, my eyes love me. 😛 But good stuff. I'm loving the personalized pictures!
I'm going to be MIA from my PC, and since you're updating more now, I've just added you to my RSS feeds. 😀 Easier for me to keep up with AFK… I never check my email anymore, LOL!
Hope you had an interesting/scary/whathaveyou Halloween. Back to NaNo I go!
November 1st, 2007 at 2:49 am
Is that a picture of Dom on the framed pics above Arion? I love how you pay attentions to details in your sets, to the point where my eyes wander around to get as much as I can lol
Interesting to discover that Wraith Warriors is a "familly business". Tavia is very stylish by the way.
As for the story, it's great to see where all your boys are standing. Lots of background infos here. Now I can't wait for some action, muahaha!
Anyway, a chapter with that healthy dose of half naked/naked elves is always worth reading. Plus extra hotness kudos for Jason apearance.
November 1st, 2007 at 4:38 am
Gorgeous work – fabulous story and writing skills, and equally amazing pictures to go with it. Beautiful, and I truly mean that.
I have to echo what has already been said many times before, but your attention to the slightest detail thoroughly amazes me – the picture of Dom, the triple-photo of Arion, Hale and Tahlvin, and all the other little things like the computer screen-saver, are things I would never ever think to add. 😀
Tavia is very beautiful – elegant without being too showy. It's strange to think she's actually old enough to be mother to Hale and Tahlvin – though of course, you have stated before that elves age at a different rate to humans. 😉
If Arion is Hale's father, then I wonder who Tahlvin's father was? Hmm…
Awesome work, Kara! I can't wait to see what happens now.
November 1st, 2007 at 8:59 am
I agree with all the others. Your supreme attention to detail really makes your sets incredible.
*needs a cold shower from all the hot sim males*
November 1st, 2007 at 1:39 pm
Yay! Jason! He's just as I pictured he'd be- arrogant and a bit of a smartass; you did a good job making him look like his personality. So finally in this chapter I see the pieces falling into place and am beginning to see the connection between all the characters and their respective storylines. I hope this will become even more apparent in the next chapter and I've been scratching my head the past chapters trying to understand their connection to each other. I will be eagerly waiting for it. 🙂
November 1st, 2007 at 6:44 pm
Woo! Yay, beautiful chapter- although it's left me on edge and desperately wanting more. And that dream… oh that dream. It must be about me! YES! That's it, Tahlvin can't take me from his mind but he just doesn't know it yet. LOL. Whatever… I need to admit myself to a local asylum. Heck, we don't even HAVE a local asylum. 😀
I am so pleased that I got to read another chapter. YAY! And I must say, Tahlvin and Hale's mother, WOW HOLY BAJEEZITS I WISH I LOOKED LIKE HER. She's absolutely gorgeous. Anywhoodles, off to shower. So I'll talk to you later.
~Ju ♥
November 2nd, 2007 at 4:36 am
Hi! just wanted to say how much i love and admire this story. You're such a talented writer and I'm looking forward for more! Hopefully there will be a lot more shirtless tahlvin to come in other chapters as well…
November 2nd, 2007 at 8:40 am
I wanted to drop you a line and say that I am really enjoying your stories! You are an amazing writer and I can't wait to see the next chapter.
November 2nd, 2007 at 10:16 am
I just wanted to say how much I've enjoyed what you've written so far. Your story was engaging from the very beginning and your pics are stunning! Not to mention how gorgeous all of your characters are! I know how much works goes into this but I can't wait for the next chapter….
***sits around twiddling thumbs***
November 5th, 2007 at 3:33 pm
awesome!!!!!!!
Question: where are the tats from?
November 6th, 2007 at 11:45 am
Hi. I'm glad to have come here and seen you've done another chapter. I've never had recurring nightmares, at least not for nights in a row, but it is annoying when you have such a creepy dream that it's takes a while to shake it off!.
Of course Tahivin looks good as usual I definitly would've been cheecking him out at the gym. lol!
Keep Simming!.
See ya.
November 16th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
wow,
I like how's it's working about thus far.
Nice chapter. Good Job.
Wonder if they"ll find them soon.
December 17th, 2007 at 7:37 am
Read it from start to current update and I'm thoroughly hooked and eagerly anticipating the commencement Tahlvin's mission.
January 19th, 2008 at 4:36 am
Such a wonderful story!
I come checking in here from time to time, and am always pleased when I find a new chapter added.
I hope you're going to update again soon.
January 19th, 2008 at 8:29 am
February 6th, 2008 at 2:05 am
*Comes up for air*
This story has sucked me in from the first line. I am stunned, both by the incredible story and the way you've weaved urban and fantasy and these screenshots are amazing. They really showcase the environment giving the feel of the world here and how very different but similar it is to our own.
I have to admit that Tahlvin is one of my favourite characters. He looks positively gorgeous and manly. I always sit up straighter when he comes front and center 🙂 Call it a crush.
Very well written story. This has me gasping in awe, well and truly.
February 6th, 2008 at 10:00 am
February 16th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
I am absolutely breathless! Your screenshots are absolutely beautiful and capture the feel of the story so well. I am so intrigued by the characters' abilities and how they fit into this world they live in.
Every little detail enhances the story. Wonderful! Definitely on my list of favorites.
March 22nd, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Tahlvin could not possibly be hotter!
I love the exchange between him and his mother, and Jason, who is a bit of a wild card at this point.
Incredible sets and shots. Absolutely unbelievable incredible.
March 22nd, 2008 at 4:11 pm
June 22nd, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Oh my goodness I didn't realise how much I missed this story until I re-read it today. I hope you find it in you again to continue it…though Monster and The Maiden is absolutely great, it almost rivals Worlds Apart 😀
September 24th, 2009 at 10:00 am
hey there! im still left pondering what will happen next. i want tahlvin to remember his connection with Brandee Taylor.
your shots are amazing, as it has been consistently through your chapters. i really love the detail you put into your screens, from holding a 'business card' to having pictures of your characters in game–such as the ones sitting on tahlvin's mother's desk. fantastic!!!
September 26th, 2009 at 9:17 am