A Neo-Cult Sims story by EC - part 1

Dana's Story



Dana was the only child of a wealthy Latin American couple. Her parents kept her locked up in their house, fearing she could be kidnapped for ransom.

She had all the toys she wanted, but she played alone. What good are all the toys in the world without playmates?

Dana's knowledge of the outside world came from reading. Her world became one of fantasy.

Dana's father had two drink bars in the house, and had to re-stock them constantly.

He drank on his way home from work as well, and sometimes did not make it to the front door.

Among the very few times Dana left the house were when she had to wake up her father and get him inside.



Curiosity got the better of Dana. What is in that cabinet that is so great? Most of the drinks are disgusting, but then she discovers liqueur.

Dana starts raiding her father's cabinet for sweet drinks.

At nine, Dana finds a solution for her boredom, or so she thinks...

Dana has a strange dream. She goes out on the street, and finds herself, all grown up.

What Dana sees terrifies her. As an adult she is tormented.



As a teenager, Dana continues to dream. She has had very little contact with the outside world except for her tutors, and does not know how to relate to other people.

As they got older Dana's parents fought more and more. She quietly enjoyed the fighting, since she hated both of them.

As soon as she turned 18, Dana went out continuously and came back very late at night. Her father waited for her and confronted her.

Dana's upbringing begins to haunt her parents as she becomes increasingly hostile.

Dana's father insults her and she cries.

Dana's father is unable to understand the damage he did to his daughter by keeping her home all the time.



Like father, like daughter. Dana is becoming more and more dependent on her father's drink cabinet

Dana's father finally catches her. He is infuriated.

Dana's father is angry about his expensive drinks, and by the fact that Dana is deceiving him.

Dana hates her father for being a hypocrite, which he is. The mere sight of him upsets her.

Dana goes downtown. She dresses sexy as an act of rebellion.

She tries some moves on the dance floor, wondering why no one dances with her.

Dana, this is not Saturday Night Fever and you are not John Travolta. No wonder no one wants to dance with you.

Dana's mother happened to see her and is quite vocal about her disapproval.



Dana goes home and has another drink, and is caught yet again. Looks like another huge fight lies ahead for Dana.

This time Dana fights back, telling her father that he was the one who made her into what she is now.

The fight carries over into the kitchen. All of the underlying bitterness between Dana and her father comes out.

Dana rushes back to her father's cabinet and empties his most expensive Whisky bottle.

She then rushes out, but collapses from alcohol poisoning.

Dana's mother is thoroughly disgusted.

Leave her there. Let her die. I don't care anymore.



But suddenly Dana does wake up, and finds herself staring at herself as a nine-year old. The dream came back, but this time Dana is on the other end, as an adult.

Dana is horrified. She is sick. Is this all there is to life? Fighting with her father? Drinking and getting sick?

Dana realizes she has betrayed herself. No, life does not have to be like this. Dana needs to change her life, but the change has to come from within. But how, doing what?


Tim's story



Tim's story starts out with his parents. His father was a drummer in a local band and his mother was lead singer. The band broke up when Tim was born.

Tim's parents were very poor, since neither of them knew anything other than music and the drug scene.

Their only entertainment was an old portable TV. They had only one chair in the living room.

Tim's parents took turns sleeping on the family's only bed. Tim slept on a small sofa and often wore the same clothes several days at a time.

Tim's father did make a half-hearted attempt to retrain and become a carpenter, but he got bored.

Tim had to clean up after his parents, when they were out or too drunk to clean up.



The final crisis came when Tim's father spent the family's food money on an old set of drums.

Tim's mother was infuriated.

At first she said nothing, but the resentment built as she realized that her husband really did not have any talent.

Tim's mother shocks his father by telling him the truth about his music.

The hatred between Tim's parents comes out during the fight.

Get rid of the drums, and get a job.

No way. I know I can make it, says Tim's father. He is not about to give up on his dream.

Tim's mother insists. Those drums have got to go. It's over. There won't be any music for either of us.



The fight escalates, as Tim tries out the drums himself.

Tim's mother blames her husband for everything that went wrong in her life, including getting pregnant with Tim.

When Tim's father makes fun of her, she pushes him.

He slaps her and she fights back.

Tim's mother slaps her husband hard. Tim ignores his parents because he is used to seeing them fight.

Tim does not realize that this time it is different. All of the hatred between his parents is coming out. There is no going back this time.



Tim's parents have a real fight.

Tim's father beats up his mother.

And she leaves for good, not thinking about what might happen to her son.

That night, Tim's father got drunk one last time and decided to kill himself. He poured gasoline on the floor and lit off a firework. To hell with everything.

Too late, Tim's father sobers up and remembers his son. Nothing he can do about it now, however. The flames have him surrounded.

Death pays a visit.



Tim sees the fire from the outside. He hears his father screaming, but he cannot get through the flames.

As the heat pours out the door, Tim is alone in the world.

In less than 12 hours Tim lost both his parents.

Tim waits for Sim City Social Services to pick him up. We can only imagine the effect that single night could have had on Tim. He is only 9, and will spend the next 9 years of his life in military school.


Two redeemed souls



One hot morning, Dana has a horrible hangover. She needs to sit down some place quiet and collect her thoughts before going home. The Neo-Cult Temple door is open, and the building is peaceful and cool.

The High Priestess studies Dana. She knows that nothing happens for no reason. The Creator brought this young woman to her temple. It is obvious that her soul is severely damaged and she needs help.

The High Priestess learns that it takes very little to get Dana to start talking. Very quickly Dana is starting to tell the High Priestess how much she hates her life.

The Priestess listens. Dana is a bit surprised. This is the first time in her life that anyone has listened to her.

After confessing her pain, Dana hugs the High Priestess. She is not supposed to be doing this, because Neo-Cult protocol forbids the clergy from touching other people. However, this High Priestess will violate protocol if she feels it is necessary.

The High Priestess runs short on time, but she realizes that Dana needs her, and needs to stay here for a bit longer. She invites Dana to stay and listen to her sermon practice.

The High Priestess is a bit shocked with Dana breaks down crying.

The High Priestess directs Dana to get a meal from one of the Attendants, have a drink of water, and return to the main temple. Dana is no longer hung-over, and can now think clearly.



The High Priestess is convinced that her religion offers the solution to Dana's problems. Realizing that Dana does not want to go home, the Priestess invites Dana to go to her study and read several passages from the Ancient Prophets.

Dana studies words written 3,500 years ago. She is shocked to find that the Ancient Prophets seem to be speaking directly to her. Dana goes beyond the passages recommended by the High Priestess and reads considerably more. Dana stays up all night reading. She returns to listen to another practice sermon by the High Priestess. More than ever she does not want to return to her old life.

The Neo-Cult is a religion that rejects much of the values of this world. One of the most important values taught by the Cult is that the human body is the Creators greatest gift to the soul, and that it must be honored. The teachings about the human body are what set the Neo-Cult apart from other religions. The use of any substance that alters mood is sinful, as is any practice to alter or inflict pain on the body.

To impose change on the body or hurt it is considered a direct insult against the Creator. It is also due to these teachings that the Neo-Cult traditionally has discouraged its members from using clothing or placing any man-made object on the body.

The religion is very ancient. The clergy continue to use the traditional Cult robes of the Middle Ages, but most Cult members wear nothing as a statement of rejection of the modern world and material values.

The High Priestess convinces Dana that both her body and her soul are broken. She cannot fix one without fixing the other. Dana must quit drinking. She spends the following month at the Temple in detoxification of both the body and soul. After a month of rest, study, and learning healthy habits, Dana feels better than she ever felt in her life. Dana takes her vows as a Cult member in a mid-night ceremony that goes back 3,500 years.

The High Priestess decides to induct Dana as an Associate. Associates must live under stricter Cult guidelines than members-in-good-standing, and have greater responsibilities. Being an Associate is both an honor for Dana and a test of her soul.



Dana finishes her de-toxification and her studies. The High Priestess gives her further training to become a group instructor.

Dana must make peace with herself and her world. She must conduct a journey of redemption for both her body and soul. Also, within a year she must get married to another Associate.

Dana is placed in charge of a study group with three members-in-good-standing. The members include Denise and Dedra Nature and Wendy Burns.

Both Denise and Dedra Nature are likely to always remain members-in-good-standing. Denise is married to a non-Cult member and Dedra has many lovers. Members-in-good-standing are not subject to the same strict Neo-Cult rules as are Associates.

Dana will become an important part of her companions' lives over time and a close friend. The pain of her own past will help Dana understand the needs of her study group.



Tim visits Attendant One, who he knew as a teenager. Attendant One is totally different from when Tim knew him. Attendant One enjoyed being the center of attention in school, but now he is very reserved and serious.

Tim has many issues to work out, especially his feelings of guilt over what happened to his parents. Over time he talks to both of the Attendants about his past.

The High Priestess spends time with Tim. The Priestess knows that Tim's soul is very severely damaged from his past. However, the Priestess also is aware that Tim will overcome his past and become a Neo-Cult Associate.

The lives and faith of Tim & Dana - part 2