‘Can you do it?’ Otto asked.
‘That I can,’ Hugh announced. He eyed her carefully. ‘But I want to make sure that you’re sure about this.’
Otto sighed. ‘You sound just like my cousin. Look, I’m sure. I’m more than sure. My kids are teenagers now and I haven’t aged a day since they were born. I’ve never been so sure about anything in my life!’
‘I’m just sensing that this decision doesn’t sit well with everyone,’ Hugh continued.
‘They’ll thank me later,’ said Otto. ‘I’ll take the responsibility, Hugh. You just make the potion.’
With that, Hugh sets to work creating a Potent Cure Elixir.
And he succeeds.
Otto decides that she must first test it out to ensure its success. She wanted nothing more than to be rid of the burden of extended life. With memories of her now-deceased family members flashing before her eyes, she slams the potion at her feet and allows the purple smoke to envelop her.
‘I don’t feel much different,’ Otto remarked. But when she looked in the mirror, she noticed that her wings were gone.
Feeling renewed by its success, she summons her three sons. Their eyes widened with disbelief as they noticed that she was no longer a fairy, but they recovered quickly, particulary Hamilton – who hadn’t yet forgotten their conversation in Azure.
‘You’re crazy,’ Ham exclaimed. ‘Look, Mom, if you want to be a stupid Normal Sim – .’
‘I resent that,’ Hadrian said from the sidelines.
‘ – then that’s your problem, but I’m not going to have anything to do with it!’
‘I’ve already made it clear that this is a family choice,’ said Otto.
‘A FAMILY choice?!’ Ham shouted. ‘You made this decision all on your own, like it’s only YOUR choice that matters!’
‘Ham, you’ll thank me later,’ said Otto. ‘I’ve wanted nothing but the best for my kids and being a fairy isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Besides, I’ve hardly ever seen you use your powers, anyways! I don’t even see Haji bothering with them!’
‘The powers aren’t the point! It’s the life I want!’
Otto frowned. ‘Alright, Ham.’
‘I didn’t want to do it this way but you’re leaving me no choice.’
Ham blinked as the smoke started to clear. ‘What…what did you do?!’
‘Stopped you from doing something dumb,’ said Otto.
‘I can’t believe you did that!’ Ham shouted. He immediately stormed out of the basement and slammed the door behind him.
‘…Shouldn’t you go after him?’ Hadrian asked, looking at his mother carefully.
‘He needs to cool off,’ said Otto. ‘Haji, come here.’
Haji obediently stepped forwards. ‘What’s that for, Mum?’
‘For turning you into a normal Sim.’
Haji shrugged. He was too young to really know the difference and even smiled as the purple mist floated up.
When it cleared, he was normal.
‘How do you feel?’ Hadrian asked both of them.
‘I guess “normal”,’ replied Otto.
‘Did you really have to cure Ham when he didn’t want to be cured?’
‘He’ll understand later, hopefully when he’s had time to cool off.’
Hadrian frowned skeptically.
Otto didn’t notice, though. She pulled her youngest son close and the tense feeling inside sagged with relief. They were normal.
The Slender Legacy 