The Ink Family Legacy: Generation 5, Chapter 9 Part 4
Ways to Avoid Spoilers I: Don't Show Their Face! Problem solved?
| Part One | Part Two | Part Three |
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"So, now that we've answered the majority of the questions, we can make our announcement."
"There's no easy way to say this, but as of today, Nicotine Dreams is officially retired."
"It's been a crazy twenty three years. Mostly good crazy, though."
"But the reality of it is...it's our 40th birthday! We think it's time to focus more on our family lives."
"We'll still be in music, though! More on the producing side than the performing one, but hey, isn't that the natural progression?"
"Besides, we're getting to old for this. Most of us have kids older than we were when we started, and that's a little much."
"And that's all folks!" Rhyme chuckled over the sudden roar of the reporters. "Be sure to check out next week's issues of People and Simteen for some telling interviews!"
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Simteen Magazine Exclusive! Twenty Three Years of Ink!
Readers! Remember this? If you do, you're old, 'cause this was a whopping 23 years ago when the quixotic quads were just 17. The fab four turn 40 this year, so we're bringing you a special: Nicotine Dreams - Where Are They Now?
When talking Nicotine Dreams, you just gotta start with their manager, Rhyme Ink! She may be approaching 50, but you can't find a more dedicated agent anywhere!
Now that ND is retiring, she plans on focusing on her catering business that she co-owns with her husband, Levi. Rhyme is also glad to be spending more time with her two biological children (Lyra, 19, and Symphony, 3) and her two adopted children (Ben, 17, and Gwen, 9).
Our favorite drummer (and consistent popularity poll winner) Abel Ink is next!
Abel plans on spending his retirement as a stay at home dad, with a little inventing on the side. He's married to the beautiful Kira of Blue Amnesia fame, who continues to write music for some of Hollywood's biggest blockbusters.
He'll certainly have his hands full with Jude, 15; twins September and Sophia, 12; and Alex, 8!
Our piano man Noah Ink holds the distinct record of flipping the bird to the most reporters, which at our count is 172! Yours truly received a good deal of those herself!
Noah will likely spend his retirement managing the Riverview Recherché, the local soccer team that finished with an amazing 29-5-0 season last year!
Noah is still married to the enigmatic Isis, one time heiress to the Chioma family. Since abandoning her family's fortune, she's taken up teaching Egyptian History at Riverview University while raising the couple's only child (Sobek, 18).
Seth, our shy bassist, will be missed by this reporter, who had only just got him talking normally to her a few years ago. :(
He plans on continuing the part time job he's held since he graduated high school - teaching elementary level art. When not teaching, he'll be traveling the world with his wife, accomplished photographer Diana, and his two children, Albus, 14, and Hope, 9.
Finally, even our little Sparrow is leaving us, trading her skill with the guitar for a watering can. She's been featured in Better Homes and Garden like, 50 times, so we think she'll be fine.
Husband Tyler, author of the popular graphic novel Junco, will be helping her with the couple's four children - Robyn, 16; Jay, 11; and twins Finch and Dove, 8. (That naming scheme is too cute, guys!)
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And...that's everyone! We couldn't get a hold of the youngest of the Ink siblings, the rarely seen Amélie Ink. Amélie, if you read this, call us!
I'm sure I speak for all of us when I say that I will cry bitterly into my pillow tonight over the loss of Nicotine Dreams. That void cannot be filled no matter how many times I watch their True Hollywood Stories episode.
...no? Only me?
Well either way, this is your favorite reporter, signing out.
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Several hours later found the adults of the Ink family relaxing on the deck of their rented villa. Their bodyguards had to do some pretty intricate maneuvering to get them out of that media frenzy, but the result was worth it.
"Overall, I'd say that went well!" Rhyme said. "Although we probably should have halved the press and cut the paparazzi altogether."
"I don't know Rhy - without the paps, we would've never seen that lady burst into hysterical tears. That was pretty hilarious."
"Noah, that's mean." Rhyme scolded.
"Nonsense! I delight in the idea of middle aged women everywhere crying bitterly over dinner." Isis teased.
"I can't even believe it's been that long!" Tyler said. "It feels like just yesterday when I was screaming at the TV over your first big concert. My roommate thought I was absolutely nuts."
"Well Ty, you did immediately go out and buy a huge poster with my face on it. Arty was right to think that was a little weird."
"I'm just glad that I can spend more time home." Seth chimed in. "There's slightly less screaming there, although the crying may be about equal."
Abel chuckled, "I think the kids will be a little weirded out by us being home all the time."
Kira rolled her eyes. "We all know your true agenda - you retired just in time for our daughters to finish middle school. You're going to spend all their high school years warding away boys, won't you?"
"It's no use Abe!" Levi laughed. "All of the kids are pretty headstrong. Lyra got herself a tattoo for her birthday - without our permission."
"Okay, no, Levi - we seriously need an intervention for that beard. I know you're half French dude, but come on."
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While the adults enjoyed a little solitude, the teens of the family got to go to the beach!
"So, Jude..." Robyn began, a teasing lilt creeping into her voice. "We're going to the beach? We're going to get away?"
"Don't you dare."
"Aw c'mon Jude! Don't be so hard on her." Lyra added. "After all...they say what they're going to say."
"Stop."
"What's the matter, Jude?" Sobek added. "Need a drink? A...Budlight, perhaps?"
"Don't you fucking-"
"BAD BITCHES LIKE ME IS HARD TO COME BY!!"
"GODDAMMIT GUYS, I SAID NO NIKKI MINAJ."
"STARSHIPS WERE MEANT TO FLYYYY~!"
"Okay, we're here, stop fucking singing."
Pop songs aside, the teens (plus little Symphony) had arrived at the famous Sunset Valley beach! Their parents had given them quite a bit of freedom and they weren't about to squander it.
"Jude! Remember how you owe me a favor?" Lyra began.
"What, from like five years ago? Sure."
"Quiet, you. Look, you wanna be first in the rotation to watch Symphony? If we each look after her for half an hour at a time, we can max our fun! You like babies and kids anyway, right?"
"Trying to dump her on me, I see. For shame."
"Hey Jude. Don't make it bad."
"That's still not funny, Lyra! Just give me the baby and get out of here."
Lyra didn't need to be told twice - she handed her baby sister over and dashed off to join the rest of the group. Sobek had pulled out a guitar and was starting a regular jam session over there!
"Well Simmy, I guess it's just you and me."
"Me and Jude!" she mimicked, giggling. "Play in sand?"
"Sure thing kid - let's find some shade."
It wasn't often that the cousins were all together - they weren't in the same grade at school, and even birthday parties were sparse these days. Everyone was just too busy!
That made this vacation that much more appreciated - it wouldn't be long before the older kids would move out and make gatherings near impossible.
Jude, for his part, didn't much mind playing babysitter. Symphony was a good kid - not too loud, not too needy.
"Jude! I play you a song?"
"I'd love a song."
"Okay! I make."
"Can it start with this note?" he asked, tapping one of the sandy bells.
"Yeah!" she agreed, excitedly waving the mallet around. "I play red first! Then blue!"
"You're a musical genius, kid! Don't know how I missed it before."
"Hee hee~"
It wasn't very long before Robyn felt bad for Jude on baby sitting duty. Lyra was pretty clearly not sticking to her word.
"Any room for me at this concert?" she asked.
"Oh, I don't know Robyn." Jude teased, looking back at her. "Do you have tickets?"
"Hey, I'm trying to be nice here. Scoot over already!"
"Fine, fine."
Symphony frowned down at her xylophone as Robyn sat down. "I play new song for Robyn?"
"Only if you want, sweetie."
"Hmm..."
While the toddler puzzled over a new song, Robyn turned her attention to Jude.
"So..."
"So."
"So, how's that new part time job of yours going?"
"The same as always, Rob. Fine."
"You always say that!" she exclaimed, exasperated.
"You always say 'it's fine' or 'it's a little boring, honestly'! I still don't even know what it is you do there."
"I don't say much because nothing's going on." Jude laughed, dragging his fingers through the sand. "Mr. Hooke mostly just takes me and a couple other people to talk to clients."
"Clients for what?"
"Robyn, calm down. It's mostly financial stuff that flies over my head. My job is to observe...and perhaps make a cup of coffee or two. That's it."
Robyn pursed her lips, doubtful. "You're acting awfully suspicious for a job that sounds so boring."
Jude smiled but didn't look her way. "Oh, it's not that boring."
"Although...sometimes I wish he'd let me see more, you know? Let me do more."
"Jude...I know you're excited about this and all, but...I don't know. Something about Mr. Hooke seems...off. Kinda sketchy. I mean, he has a tattooed bodyguard for his kid."
"What are you trying to say? You think I'm involved something illegal?"
"No! No, not at all." she replied hastily. "I-I'm just..."
"Jude, I'm worried about you. I think you might be getting in over your head."
The sun dipped below the umbrella's shade, casting a golden light onto the beach. It was so bright that Robyn missed Jude's expression. She couldn't, however, miss his short bark of a laugh.
"Over my head? Ha! Have a little faith. That would require me making a mistake."
By the time Robyn's vision adjusted, Jude's face was utterly calm.
"And I don't make mistakes, Robyn."
"Jude! Robyn! Hey, grab Simmy and get over here!" Lyra called. "It's time for dinner back at the villa."
That was enough to break the unease - Jude smiled and started picking up the toys, while Robyn scooped up a sleepy Symphony.
"So impatient." Jude responded as they climbed the hill. "By the way Lyra, A+ job on your sisterly duties. Now you owe me one."
"Aw, lighten up, Jude." Ben said.
Jude raised an eyebrow. "You could've helped too - she's your sister too, after all."
"Yeah, yeah. Just unlock the car, will you?"
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Robyn's words were still clawing at the edge of Jude's subconscious hours later. He really should have been getting ready, but he was too busy being lost in thought.
Because to be honest, he was dishonest.
Tobias Hooke wasn't just a financial manager. There was money involved - a lot of money - but hardly any of it was above the table.
That is to say, you don't know fraud until you know him. Tobias Hooke, the infamous King of Diamonds.
A lot about the "Four Kings" was still unclear to Jude.
Hooke only told him the basics: there were four kings, each with a city and area of influence. Together they could get whatever they wanted - or so the rumor goes.
Diamonds, the sign of money. In Riverview, where land is money, Tobias Hooke owns over 80% of the land in the city proper and the surrounding area. If something needs to get done, name a price - Hooke can pay it. Money makes the world go round, after all.
Hearts, the sign of love. Some aren't influenced by money. Sometimes only love - or, at least, the semblance thereof - can persuade a politician. In Bridgeport, a delicate network of human trafficking keeps the King of Hearts in control of both the morally corrupt police and the vampire underground in need of blood.
Clubs, the sign of violence. Sometimes you don't need money, and sometimes you don't need companionship. In those cases, persuasion comes at the end of a nine millimeter. The King of Clubs understands that. And in Sunset Valley, the townsfolk have come to understand that too.
Spades, the sign of death. Some people you can reason with. For everyone else, there's Twinbrook, the King of Spades, and acres upon acres of swampland. People disappear there, and no one looks.
So really, it was no wonder that Jude decided to affiliate himself with such a powerful network.
"The Ace of Diamonds" - Jude wasn't exactly sure what his title meant, but he did know that he was in. He was now a part of something more powerful than he could have ever dreamed of.
Robyn was wrong. There was no way this was a mistake.
...right?
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"Jude? Are you...oh!"
"You're all dressed up! Are you going out?"
"Yeah."
"Did Mama and Papa say you could?"
"Well...not exactly."
"You have to keep it a secret, okay Temmy? My boss is in town, and I'm going to a company event. Mom and Dad think I work too much as it is, so they wouldn't want me going."
"Oh. Is it important that you go?"
"Very."
"Then I'll keep it a secret! I know how much you like your job, Jude. I won't tell Sophie or Sen or nobody!"
Jude smiled - his sisters were so kind to him. "Thank you, Temmy."
"Can I get a hug before you go, though?"
"Of course."
"Be safe!" September added as she squeezed him. "And don't be out too late!"
"I'll do my very best to be back before anyone notices."
"Now go to bed. I'll tell you all about it in the morning."
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Hey, we finally got a good look at the spare kids! Sim aging is so weird - Lyra was a child before Jude was born, yet now they're both teenagers?? I...I think I need to adjust my aging settings. To be fair, Lyra and Sobek are about a day from YA.
Also, we got some major exposition on the Four Kings! We'll be seeing plenty of them...
To see Jude engage in some morally dubious activity, select Part Five!