07-18. Melding of Minds: Part 2

A Reminder of Where it All Began

Time again to remind people where I received the inspiration for my Rinn Fada household. Lord Piers Wimsel, Hera (Vale) Wimsel, and Marvin Bunter are based on fictional characters created by Dorothy L Sayers, a British writer of mysteries. My sims deviate from the original stories, but I've tried to adhere to the personalities, relationships, and backstories of Sayers' three characters. I did change their names slightly.

And I also made Bunter a Genie--the perfect Valet for the Wimsel family. But my Genies are not blue-skinned Disney characters. They are more like the mythical demon Djinn of ancient Persian lore.

Here's a short video tribute to the late Richard Morant, featuring scenes between Richard Morant's Bunter and Edward Petherbridge's Lord Peter Wimsey. Harriet Walter's character Harriet Vane also appears in a few scenes.

Sims Story Background Review

For more than 600 years, Bunter (aka Majid) had been trying to curb his Djinn nature, to undo what his brother Emad had mentored him to be. It hadn't been easy. Six centuries of serving masters and mistresses of various occult species had taught him subservience--how to schmooze and placate while repressing rage and powers.

But once Majid had finally been freed, he'd never wanted to risk being captured again. Lamp imprisonment for 600 years was worse than serving 10 lifetime sentences of solitary confinement in a maximum prison.

In the early 20th century, he looked around and decided England was a country of advantage and power. He would disguise himself as an Englishmen. He joined the armed forces then engaged in the Great War as Sergeant and batman to an honorable man, Lord Piers Wimsel, who became Bunter's new mentor and later his friend.

Lord Piers and the loyal Sergeant Marvin Bunter formed a mutually rewarding partnership. Lord Piers was a strategist and strong leader. Bunter was a brave and experienced warrior who saved Piers' life many times.

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That was before. Now, within a few hours, Bunter was channeling Emad, and his own worst traits were forefront. In one sense, he felt freer than he had since before being trapped in the lamp. But on the other hand, he also felt alone, bereft of friendship and love. Unreasonably, he believed Caprice had betrayed him by putting Emad's concerns above his own. As for her fear for the children ... well, what children? Just so much heightened imagination!

Caprice noticed a marked mutation in Marvin. It wasn't only the physical changes with his body covered in tattoos, it was his attitude--especially towards her. He was deliberately ignoring her, and she felt wounded by his aloofness. But when he thought she didn't see, he followed her movements with heated eyes. Was that anger or passion?

It was clear to Caprice that Marvin was suffering from some internal conflict. But what? The tattoo on his back, a dagger embraced by a twisted vine, made Caprice uneasy. She had a feeling the knife meant betrayal, a sign he'd been stabbed in the back. Did Marvin blame her for forcing him to act against his will?

Piers: Everyone take your stations! I'll lead with the green modality, but the blue and red modes will help establish a true link. I warn you, I haven't had time to test the process. It might not work. But I think, yes, I think it will.

Caprice forgot her worries and quickly entered the data Piers had given her. Hera did the same.

Piers: Your only job at the moment, Bunter, is to focus on your brother. Release any hostilities towards him and see him for who he is. Empathy is the key. Total identification.

At first, Bunter growled to himself. He felt foolish, a pawn in Caprice's game. But he set all that aside. Piers had done his part, forgotten his own tasks to help with this present challenge. Bunter would follow through.

As the sun set and the night descended, a green ray shot skywards. Their signal had been sent into the world.

Piers: Lock in the frequency, Bunter. Quickly! Then launch the beam.

Bunter leaned heavily on the machine's lever, lowering it into the broadcast position.

Meanwhile, a storm formed overhead. Rain poured down and lightening flashed. Electrical currents filled the air.

Suddenly a beam of pure energy hit the massive device's receptacle, igniting the green ray with a loud roar!

A blinding light engulfed the watchers on the roof. 

So the charge was set, and the captured energy filled the galactic generator. A cloud of residual mists hovered above them, then drifted into the night.

Piers: Time to finalize the frequency connection and direct the energy through the cables into the transport pod. Bunter, are you and Caprice ready to embark on your journey?

Bunter: We're ready. It's now or never. ... No going back.

Caprice: I'm so sorry, Marvin. I had no idea what all this would cost you.
Bunter: I am Majid, not Marvin. And we'll discuss how you'll repay me later.

Caprice: Anything you want, Mar--Majid. Just tell me.
Bunter: Oh, I plan to, my pet! Make no mistake.

Piers: Godspeed, dear friends.
Hera: Piers? Bunter didn't seem to be himself. I hope he'll be all right.
Piers: The whole thing is troubling, m'dear. There simply wasn't sufficient time to guarantee outcomes.

Piers: I am not altogether sure they'll end up where they need to be, or whether we'll ever see them again.
Hera: Oh, Piers! I hope that isn't true! Whatever would we do without Bunter and Caprice?
Piers: Their services can be replaced, but they themselves can never be. ... Good-bye, Bunter, old pal.

07-17. Melding of Minds: Part 1

My next story chapter comes in two parts. This first update is dialogue and story setup while the follow-up post will contain the action.
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Bunter had much on his mind and, as usual, turned to his old friend and employer Lord Piers for help. For his part, Piers approached his former Sergeant and current Valet with trepidation. When Bunter called him aside like this, it usually meant trouble.

Piers: What is it, Bunter? Another monster problem? More vampires? Ghosts? Not another mummy, I hope! Let's see, we haven't dealt with any werewolves here in Rinn Fada. Is that it?
Bunter: No sir, none of that sort of thing. ... But first, I have some good news. I've asked Caprice to marry me!

Piers: Congratulations, old boy! Thought I'd never see the day. Not surprised actually. Hera saw it coming long ago. She kept saying you were hooked, but I've known you for a long time, didn't really believe her. Well, there you go. Hera was right! Should have known, of course.

Bunter: So, after my proposal, Caprice started talking and, the thing is ... the thing is, M'Lord, she's had a vision or something of that kind--don't understand it myself really. Sounds like hallucinations, but she says it's genuine. I told her it was because of having new babies in the house and thinking about our wedding, but she was having none of that. She does admit everything is confusing, which it surely is, sir ...

Piers: My god, man! Quit hem-hawing around and spit it out!

Bunter: Caprice is telling me that Emad's family is in trouble. She says he has kids now and she heard them crying, but she doesn't know what it's about. Sounds vague to me. Impressions. Fairy stuff maybe. I don't know. But Caprice insists I do something. Even threatened to find some other guy to help her if I didn't. I can't have that!

Bunter: I mean, what am I supposed to do? I don't like it, don't like getting mixed up in Emad's affairs again. But Caprice is worried about those kids, whoever they are. She even has some strange idea about me reconciling with my murderous half-brother in all this. God knows that ain't gonna happen!

Piers: Whoa! Let me try to understand this. Caprice has had a premonition that Emad's children are in danger and you have to find where they all are and lend assistance?
Bunter: Yes, I guess that's about the size of it.

Piers: Well, there's nothing for it, Bunter, old sport. We have to locate your brother and relieve Caprice's mind one way or the other. Otherwise, she'll never forgive you.
Bunter: Those were my very thoughts, sir. And I'm afraid she'll insist on coming along to make sure I don't, uh, tear Emad apart instead of helping him--that is, if I even manage to find him.

Piers: It's clear we'll need a lot more power than we harnessed to send Emad and his minions away. We have to focus on a specific location using mind melding--like radar, amplifying connections between bloodlines and past histories. It'll take more than a weather totem pole this time. We'll need speculative science!

Bunter: You're sounding like Caprice. She said she and her family have a way of calling out to each other just by using their thoughts. Sometimes I can call on Djinn power for assistance, but it's not a personal thing. Now that I think of it, though, I've always known when my brother was nearby. Is this the sort of thing you're suggesting?

Piers: Exactly so! You and Caprice will need to spend time tuning into Emad's spirit, mind, aura--his essence, as it were. Then, we'll send those vibrations out into the troposphere until we zero into the frequency we need. Simple.
Bunter: So, you're saying I need to recall all I know about Emad, concentrate on who he is?

Piers: Bunter, you'll need to BECOME your brother, as much as it is in your power to do so.
Bunter: Bloody hell!

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So Bunter let go of his Proper persona and his good guy demeanor. He began to relate, instead, to Emad's Evil tendencies and sleazy Daredevil recklessness. Marvin Bunter's former life as Majid Bahador rose to the surface.

As for Caprice, she centered on her abilities as a Fairy whose expertise was reading auras and connecting to the unseen spirit within the natural world. And she used her Nurturing insights to focus on the frightened children.

07-16. Out of Sight, Out of Mind?

Mini-Update:
I looked at a few custom worlds today and installed one. I have a plan for Bunter's future. 

Let's return to the park where we left Caprice and Bunter discussing Emad. You see, there was something else on Bunter's mind--a little matter of Caprice's unknown relatives!

Bunter: So, how come you never told me about your family?

Caprice: Well, my family can be a bit controlling at times. Oh, they mean well, don't get me wrong. But I needed to break away from them for a while, so I came here. ... And the truth is, just thinking about my kin can sometimes call them to me. We have that sort of bond.

Bunter: Your mean like the aura stuff you do? And knowing about Emad?

Caprice: Yes, like that, but our blood bond is even stronger. Not that we can read each other's minds, but our souls are connected. I can call them if I concentrate--or if I'm in need--and they'll show right up.

Bunter: Oh ... uh ... do they know about me?
Caprice: Of course they do, silly! But they don't spy on us. ... well, not really.

Bunter: I ... see. ... And where is it they live, these parents and brothers of yours?

Caprice: They live near a small fishing village called Salmon Woods.

07-15. Be Careful What You Wish

On the drive home, Bunter pulled the car over and escorted Caprice to a secluded overlook so they could talk. This was not going to be an easy discussion. Better to have it in private than back at the house.

Caprice: I know what you're going to say, Marvin, but just listen for a minute. Please.
Bunter: Go ahead.

Caprice: I had a dream last night about your brother. I was going to tell you this evening, but then you proposed, and I couldn't work out how the dream fit into what was happening.

Caprice: You know I've been upset about banishing Emad. Yes, I agreed that it needed to be done, and yes, he deserved to be sent away. I'm not naive, Marvin. I understand all that.

Bunter: Then why would you ever want Emad to come back here? Dream or no dream, Caprice, the man is dangerous. I'm worried for your safety. And mine, for that matter! It's down to him or me. Is that what you want?

Caprice: Of course not! But this isn't just about Emad. In my dream I saw children and they were crying! The little girl, Marvin, I'm sure she was Emad's daughter! Your niece. Something is wrong with your brother and Bebhinn. I can feel it! We need to check on them.

Bunter: Caprice ... I hate to say this, but I'm really not my brother's keeper! Whatever trouble he's in has nothing to do with me. And as for your dream and those children, well, that's owing to the new babes at home, most likely.

Bunter: Don't you think you're leaping to conclusions here? The thing is, you're not used to dealing with people like Emad. You only see the best in everyone. That's lovely, Caprice, but some folks don't deserve such trust!

Caprice: Don't patronize me, Marvin Bunter! You need to listen to me! I'm telling you something bad is about to happen with Emad's family! I've had a warning and I'm NOT going to ignore it!

Caprice: Ok, maybe I got carried away thinking about the wedding. Fine, we'll worry about all that later. But our engagement doesn't change my dream. Something's wrong and I know it. We have to find your brother!

Bunter: And what about us, Sweetheart? Shouldn't we be thinking about our own future?  Come, luv, don't fret about this dream of yours. Let's ...

Caprice: Oh no you don't! I'm not changing my mind. So keep your hands to yourself!

Caprice: And if you don't want to help me, then I'll find someone else who will!

Bunter: There IS no one else! You're stuck with me! Remember? A committed relationship. That was your idea!
Caprice: My idea? Right! Then I release you from our commitment! Just take your precious freedom and ... and ...

Bunter: Shh!
Caprice: Mmmph ...

Caprice: Ohhh ...

Bunter: I'll find Emad for you, Caprice. I promise. Only don't release me. I don't want my freedom--not from you.

Caprice: I knew you'd believe me! We'll find Emad, and then we'll get married. It'll be so perfect! You'll see.