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the school kitchen 4 [Logged in view]
[RSS] 2013-09-14 18:43:37
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The kitchen was quite messy. There was pancake powder and batter on the countertops, used pots and pans on the stove, still coated in excess food and all of their breakfast ingredients still sitting out on the table. Last night
the twins had made Waya a very extensive breakfast, staying up all night and through the early morning to make the dessert of homemade donut holes for her. When they put the tray at her door and returned to the kitchen to pick up, they passed out in mid clean. Jayden was sitting on a barstool at the countertop with a rag in his hand and Jaden passed out on the floor by the sink filled with old, brown water and with yellow gloves on his hands.
George, who had only just squeezed into the kitchen, sat huddled in there while he thought to himself. He was blind, for the moment, of the Twins. They wanted to poke around in his head. Well he'd already let Waya do that? Why not these lot? Because he trusted Waya. These lot he didn't so much. He seemed to shiver for a second, then noticed the other two people in here. They were the ones who attacked him. He paused, then sighed softly and reached out towards the nearest one, Jaden, and poked him lightly. He probably shouldn't be asleep on the floor anyway.
Jaden shifted his shoulders and adjusted, not waking up at all. He had only just gotten asleep within the past 2 hours.
"The floor isn't a good place to rest"
George said gently, poking Jaden again and wondering if he should just lift him up and stick him on a chair where he would be a bit comfier at least.
Jaden and
Jayden both stirred when George spoke. "Ugh...Jeez...
" Jaden said when he saw that it was the sentinel. "What?" he asked, sitting up. He moved to rub his eyes with his fingers but winced when a cold yellow glove touched him. He grumbled, pulled the gloves off and tossed them aside.
"You were asleep on the floor. I did not think that wise, so I thought it best to wake you up" George said gently, moving his hand so that Jaden would be able to assist himself up from the floor with it.
Jaden looked at his hand and turned away, getting up on his own. Jayden, over on the barstool, did the same.
"Why are you in here?" Jayden asked, looking at him with tired eyes. The boys probably were only running on 3 hours of sleep right now.
"The others were wanting to poke around in my brain... I wanted a little bit of alone time to think" George explained gently, eyes turning to the floor as he withdrew the hand again.
"And you chose to come in our kitchen of all places?" one of them asked.
"Why are you so worried? You don't even have a brain to begin with. You just have a motherboard or something like that."
"It's like a brain... just metal and relies even more on electricity" George said weakly, rubbing his rather battered chest plate "I already let Waya hack away at it with a screwdriver. I don't want to let even more people damage it."
"It's like a brain....but it's not." the boys said rather coldly. They had apologized to him in the note set out with Waya's breakfast, but it seemed they were still somewhat bitter. "So- tell us..." they said, standing up and leaning against the counter, "What exactly did you do to our Waya yesterday?"
"Terrible brutal things that will haunt me for the rest of my life" George said weakly. He knew that these two had been captured as well, they knew what could happen to a person "But I was programmed to do this. Not out of free will. I... will not tell you directly... because I believe Waya does not want people to know."
"So you say you have free will, yet you take orders from her?" Jayden inquired, crossing his arms. "She won't even look at us in the eyes anymore but you-."
"She lets you sleep in her room...like some kind of robot fuck buddy. Isn't that right?" Jaden added. It was very apparent that the boys were jealous of George, but not only that, they were letting out all of their recent frustrations on him.
"I believe it was a mixture between her inability to move us anywhere other than her bedroom, because she almost collapsed the moment we got there, and the idea that either someone might hurt me or I might hurt someone if I were allowed to wonder around freely" George said gently, not being annoyed by their goading. They raised good points after all. "There is no sexual relationship between myself and Waya, and I take orders from her only to the point where I wish to obey."
"Oh so you're nothing but a big, abiding dildo for her, is that it?" they asked, their eyes scanning over his body, wondering what the hell she saw in this heap of junk. " So what is it that you DO feel for Waya? IF robots can feel at all."
"No sexual relationship guys... seriously... I said that already" George sighed, before giving a small shrug "What I feel... I was programmed to love her. And I still do. Kinda. But it's not necessary any more, it's not demanded of me. But she saved me from that place... saved me from the things ripping me to pieces. Though I know part of her still hates me, and will always hate me for what I've done. I'm just happy that she isn't throwing me in a crusher." He sighed, then leant his head back "I suppose... if it turns out this is just programming however... and I can't feel... can't think or act... then she will just scrap me."
The twins went quiet for a moment. It seemed they shared something with George...that all three of them had violated her in one way or another. It hurt them to hear George say that there will always be a part of Waya that will hate him. The boys only assumed it would be true for them as well.
George was silent with them for a moment before saying "What... did you do... to make her act like this towards you?" It was a simple question, and they had asked the same thing as they had. What they had done wrong to make Waya hate them so much.
"We fucked up." the twins said at once. "That's all there is to say on the matter. A loving gesture turned sour and out of our control."
"I'm not sure how a loving gesture messing up could make her want to kill you" George said; they could practically see him flicking through what they could possibly mean. He was faithful to Waya. He was her watchdog. What would he do if he found out what they had done?
"You would be surprised..." the twins said, not saying anything else on the matter. They knew George would flip his shit if he found out. Though it would be rather hypocritical.
George nodded and was silent again, frowning down at the floor. He even had little eyebrows on his face so he could frown. "Why do you hate me so much? Is it because of what my people have done?" he asked finally, trying to get this out of the way.
"You rape her and she shows you affection and forgiveness. We-" they stopped and rephrased, "We hurt her and she wishes we were dead."
"So you... know..." George said weakly, scratching at his knee cap to test it was still functioning at maximum capacity "I... was programmed that way... I was made to... well, I fought it though, and she took that part out of my brain. So then... I helped her escape... and I protected her while we ran for it... But make no mistake, she probably wants me dead."
"If she does want you dead, why don't you just do just do it and make her happy?" the boys asked and waited for the answer. George was somewhat going to be telling the twins what they should do from here on out.
"Because I would rather live and attempt to redeem myself. However slightly. But... if she tells me to... tells me there is no hope for me, that she would rather I die than... anything else... then I would do it" George sighed softly, wrapping his hands around his head. He didn't really want to think about it like that "I just hope she doesn't want me dead."
The twins hoped the same for themselves. Looking at one another for a moment, they then glanced back at George, "Did she eat her breakfast?"
"Not that I know of" George said gently, looking around at the mess that had been made "I suggest you two sleep. I can clean this up."
"Then you probably didn't see the note we wrote." they said, pausing for a moment. Jaden and Jayden looked at him and said together, "We are sorry about last night."
"It is perfectly alright. I... was strange... and I have done... bad things to Waya. You were perfectly in your right to react like that. I just wish you hadn't kept acting like that" George sighed as he looked down at his chest, the dent there rather obvious from the gravitational pressure that had been against him.
The twins held hands and extended their other hands out to George. He was held in place for a moment. Then there was a focused, firm YANK on the dent and it popped out so that it was aligned with the rest of the chest plate.
"Thank you. I think that was pressing very close to my brain" George admitted, running a hand slowly across his chest. He had his brain in his chest cavity for extra protection. It also made him a bit harder to pin down, since he could work without a head.
"You're welcome." the twins replied, letting go of one another's hands. They really didn't know what else to tell George right now. "Why are you offering to clean?"
"I've got nothing else to do and it'll make me look useful? And you two are tired" George said simply, wondering if he would have to back out in order for the others to leave. He was rather blocking the door.
"Just be careful, alright? Those cooking supplies are all we got left, man." Jayden and Jaden explained, waiting to get around him. It was true, the expensive knives and various bowls were gifts from their parents. They would surely turn him into scrap if he broke something.
"I am careful with people's items" George muttered to himself, slowly twisting his arm an almost complete one hundred and eighty degrees and carefully using the door knob to open the door. "I cannot go any further forward however, so I will have to leave before you then come in to tidy again." When he swung the door open there wasn't even a dent from his fingers on the knob. He could be very careful.
The twins stepped aside more and moved through the doorway after he backed through it. "Thanks." they said with somber voices before heading out and down the hallway.
Well, they didn't appear to be trying to kill him. Even if they obviously thought he was nothing but a sexual aid to Waya. George didn't dwell on that thought because it made him want things. Very carefully he began to tidy away, cleaning up without a single break.
A few moments later Waya came in the kitchen and saw George cleaning up after the twins. "What are you doing?"
George very nearly broke a plate. Instead it swam to the bottom of a sud filled sink as he drew back suddenly as if she'd burnt him. "Cleaning" he said simply as he remained perfectly still; it was true and everything. The twins had been exhausted, he'd sent them out to rest while he could clean.
"They should have cleaned up their own mess." Waya told him. "You aren't the maid." Though he'd probably make a damn fine one.
"No, but I want to help. And they're tired. And upset" George said gently, trying to reach in to pick up the plate from the suds again. He wanted to do some cleaning as well, help give him time to think.
"Upset..." Waya scoffed. She grabbed the cutting board on the island behind him suddenly jerked from the hips up, as if someone had grabbed her ass. However, that's not it what it had all felt like. The briefest flash of purple and navy flashed through her mind and it felt as if someone had mounted her from behind. It was brief, but so shocking that she dropped the cutting board and suddenly found herself in the floor.
Only shock and the fact George couldn't swing bodily in this tight area stopped him from catching Waya as she fell. He carefully slid his hands beneath her though, lifting her into the air as if she were a fragile doll. "Waya, what happened?" George asked, all worries and uncertainties.
Waya's hands were over her face, but she wasn't sure why, she pulled them away, almost surprised that she saw George and the kitchen. "Nothing." She lied immediately. "Just... I think some psychic spillage..." After all her sheets were navy blue and the twins had... "I'm processing a lot of information I think... my brain might be catching up."
George nodded, not fully understanding what she was saying but taking it to mean that she was going to have quite a few of these little episodes. Hopefully when alone... he didn't want her to fall over like this in front of her friends. "Is there anything I could do to help?" he asked gently.
"Put me down..." Waya said a little quickly... but this was an opportunity to deal with something Rhydian had brought to their attention. "Maybe let Rhydian and Liz take a look at you... I don't want your system melting down over something I caused."
George seemed to hesitate, his face, for the briefest of seconds, resembling the tragedy mask outside of theatres. He didn't like how scared he made her. Still, she was sat down in a chair a second later "I will let them take a look at me... honestly... but... can I go outside first? All I've known is the inside of buildings. If something goes wrong... or you... well, if something happens, I want to at least have seen outside."
Waya nodded. "I think that's fair..." she told him, sliding off the stool he'd sat her on. She went to the patio doors and opened both of them. The fit might be tight, but if he scrunched he could make it.
Getting there was an issue. George had to stoop as he stood up, hanging almost double as he slid through the little gaps he had towards the patio. He fancied going outside... he fancied not being cooped up and feel as if he had some freedom.
Rhydian came in a while later. The twins had gone off to repair the wall they apparently broke in Waya's room, and had left him alone in the rec room. Waya mentioned that George was willing now to be examined
George waved slowly at him, huddled up in the corner of the kitchen, one finger in front of him as he continued to gaze at the ladybug that rested there. He'd brought it in from outside, and he had been very happy to watch it crawling along his metal fingers in mild confusion.
Rhydian looked at him curiously. "Whatcha got there, George?" He asked as he approached carefully. The last thing he wanted was to startle him
"Ladybug" George said simply, pointing down at the barely visible dot crawling over his fingers slowly "Waya said... they were cute. Though she could not truly give me a good definition of what Cute means. I am having difficulty dealing with some of these abstract human concepts."
"Cute is something appealing to the eye....hmmm though you wouldn't say that roses are cute, you say roses are lovely, or beautiful. All essentially the same thing, but subtle differences as well." Rhydian tried to explain, knowing full well that he probably just complicated it a bit more for the robot
"But beauty and cute doesn't have to be the same" George said, remembering what Waya had said "And lovely is not the same as cute or beauty either... And while some things can be cute, or pretty, that does not mean they're beautiful." George shook his head slowly as he gazed at the bug "I hope I can understand these one day."
"That's a very good explanation, George." Rhydian told him with a smile, "I wouldn't worry about it all that much really, we humans don't really understand it all that much."
"I find it feels like no explanation at all" George sighed, watching the ladybug splaying his wings out, flapping before curling them under his shell again. "Figuring out what it isn't isn't the same as figuring out what it is." He sighed and looked up at Rhydian "So... you came in here for something."
"Waya said you were ready to get looked at." Rhydian told him with a shrug. "I'm ready whenever you are."
"Rhydian" George said gently, placing his hand down next to the counter and watching as the lady bug scurried off of it "What would you be able to do if you realized that I was actually just a lot of codes and compiles made to seem human? As much as I like to think I learn, I'm... afraid that I might just be a machine."
"If I saw that you were simply code, there isn't much that I could do really." Rhydian explained with a shrug. "I cannot change what you are inside, George. You show the desire to learn, and as far as I know, that's extremely rare in machines. I'm not looking to make you something you're not, nor am I looking to disprove your sentience. I simply want to make sure you're all in order inside." He smiled softly, hoping that he wasn't scaring the Sentinel
"If it did appear that I was nothing but a series of meaningless code that is made to ape life and all the desires and whims of a living organism, and there is in fact no sentience inside me but a very complex pile of coding, would you tell Waya?" George asked. He didn't like the idea of Waya learning that he was actually just a dumb machine.
Rhydian thought for a moment and then shook his head. "No, I don't think I would. Even if you were just a series of code to imitate sentience, I believe that is close enough to sentience for my tastes."
"She would want you to" George admitted down at the ladybug on the desk "But thank you. Now... where should we do this? You need to look at my core, don't you? It might be a bit messy to do it here in the kitchen. And unsanitary."
"Well I'm wanting to check out your programming itself, George. So I'd need a computer for that, unless you've got a built-in manual input system?" Rhydian asked curiously. He hadn't ever seen a Sentinel with something like that, but then again he hadn't had much of a chance to study them up close
"I'm pretty sure, if I did have something like that then it would have been removed with the rest of the pieces" George said gently, shrugging slightly at Rhydian "Alright, so how am I going to get down to a computer so you can do this?"
"See? That's the beauty of my power." Rhydian told him with a grin as he hopped up onto the counter top. "We won't hav eto go anywhere. A computer will come to us." He closed his eyes and focused, he had to be sure to pick one that was close and not in use at the moment. It took several minutes, but sure enough, a computer on a table walked in through the door
George stared at the table... a computer just walked to him... "Never do that to me." George was a little rough saying that, but he was a little afraid of someone who had just made a, simpler indeed, but still a smaller version of himself walk in from his own will.
"I could only do that to you if you were powered down." Rhydian explained with a smile. "I can only manipulate the inanimate. Since the computer is on, I cannot manipulate it. But rather, I did the table."
"Never do that to me when I sleep" George pointed a large finger straight at Rhydian, a frown cross his brow "I only just managed to get control of myself. I don't want someone else walking me about."
"Relax George, I'm not a bastard. Despite whatever you might hear." Rhydian assured him with a smile as the computer walked over to in front of him. He patted the desktop computer on the top of the monitor and then dismissed his control over the table. It would stay there now, for the moment.
"Right" George said, wondering what he had done to get that comment "So, what do I need to do now?" He'd never done this before, he didn't know if he needed any specific plugs or link ups with this computer in order for this to work.
"Well, could you open your access panel? I think I've got whatever I need. The majority of the Sentinels we've come across all have a place where they can hook up for program updates. That should be the perfect place for me to check from." Rhydian explained with a shrug
George rubbed his chest plate slowly. "I... don't think they designed me... to have people easily fiddling with me..." he said weakly. He seemed to take a deep breath, really filling his cooling systems to maximum, and got to work. It wasn't a fun effort. He had to grab his own chest plate, and with a squealing of metal peeling away, he slowly began to open up his chest with his own hands. He paused, exhaled the hot air, then took in another breath so he could continue pulling. Finally, the chest plate clattered to the floor, and George sat there, shaking slightly. His core was revealed now, different from most sentinel brains. Yes, there were the traditional parts here and there, enough for Rhydian to recognize. But the rest of it seemed some strange, half-fictional construction of pathways and lights. It was as if someone had tried to create a functioning human brain out of pieces of a robot, then had joined it with the programming and necessary hardware for a sentinel.
Rhydian couldn't help but flinch when he pulled the chest plate off. It definitely looked like it hurt. He approached George carefully, "Does it hurt when you do that?"
George tried to reply, but the voice came out like a cross between static, feedback and a scream of pain. He banged his fist on a table, making it shake dramatically, but he didn't do anything else. He wanted Rhydian to get this over with quickly.
That was answer enough for Rhydian. He knelt down and looked into the cabinet of the computer table. He rummaged around until he found some cables and plugged one end into the back of the computer and then tried to find the input jacks on George's insides. It certainly was different from any of the other Sentinels he had seen.
George let out a weak whining noise, reaching inside and spinning the brain-like orb in it's hold until the input jack was visible. The nice thing about being a robot over a human was that you knew what was where in your body. Rhydian would be able to see tool marks occasionally, and the holes that Waya had created when taking out George's sentinel programming with a screw driver.
Rhydian plugged in and turned back to the computer. "Shouldn't take very long, George. I'll just copy the code onto the computer and then we can seal you back up." He smiled confidently and started tapping away on the keyboard, pulling up the code easily. He was a man of his word and quickly copied the entirety of it and opened Notepad, then pasted it there. He hit save on the computer and then unplugged the cable from the console. He turned around and pulled the cord from George's input jack and couldn't help but examine him a little bit at the same time. He wasn't really a technical whiz like Liz was, but he couldn't help his curiosity.
George was shaking his hand slowly, eyes off, brow down over his eyes as he tried to keep himself in control. The brain-like orb in his chest was... strange. Sentinel hardware grafted onto an orb of multiple pieces of hardware, which layered down repeatedly; it was constructed in a way that, in order to do almost any function, the information ran through several hundred different computers before coming to a conclusion. It also seemed capable of forming links and connections by itself, using the nano-tech that Sentinels usually had. On the side was a stamp of "STARK INDUSTRIES". Maybe Ironman would know a bit more about George's brain.
"Ok...that's a shocker." Rhydian told George as he picked up the chest plate and attempted to put it back in place. He had NEVER heard of a Sentinel being made by Stark Industries before
Waya came in she apologized for not being here sooner. "I was making sure the twins didn't cause a mess while they fixed my wall." Rhydian would note that her anger of earlier might seem a bit defused. Or at least she was trying to lighten up for George's sake, considering what was going on. In reality she'd had another moment like she'd had with George in the kitchen earlier. If someone who knew her better, like Moe, were to really look at her, they might see the tiniest bit of pain in her eyes. Not physical, physical pain never lasted long around Waya... "Is he ok?" She asked Rhydian. "No valuable systems missing or anything?"
George only made a weak robotic whine, taking the chest plate and pushing it into place. It took a moment, but the nano-bots carefully fused it back into place, and took out one or two annoying dents as well. Scratches in the paint remained though.
"I just downloaded a copy of his code to the computer. I was about to check him out." Rhydian explained as he watched the nanos fuse the chest plate back in place. Well, he couldn't exactly watch the nanos, but rather their work. "Nanotechnology never ceases to amaze..." He said quietly and then turned back to Waya. "He seemed to be in pain without it being on, so I figured the based thing was to copy and check it out that way rather than try to do it while he was without it." He looked at her carefully, something seemed a little off with her, "You alright, Waya?"
Waya ignored the question of her well being and asked, "How can he even be in physical pain?" She asked. "No offense George, but he's a machine." She decided not to call him a robot considering he seemed to have a great deal of higher functions. A robot was a mindless automaton, that wasn't George.
"It's... kinda... not pain" George said with a small shrug, his voice a little shaken still, but still audible "It's an input reaction to damage, to encourage me to avoid it. I think... they told me something about this... like, they put in a function that runs an uncontrolled pulse through my hardware when I'm damaged, just so I learn to avoid damage even faster than normal Sentinels."
"That is a very interesting function." Rhydian stated and set a hand on George's shoulder. "You alright now though?"
"Still kinda... ow" George admitted, rubbing over his chest slowly and listening to the groan of metal "I think they wanted to make me like a human... and humans experience pain. So they made me have pain as well."
"I wish you would have told me that prior to wrenching the plate off. Maybe we could have figured something else out, George." Rhydian offered, finding it a little hard to believe that he was feeling sympathy for a Sentinel...this was going to take some getting used to
"That might partially be my fault." Waya told Rhydian. "At one point I kinda ripped it off and... tried to kill him with it..."
George shook his head at Waya, no need to discuss any moment from that time. First of all, she had succeeded in killing him, second of all, he didn't want to arouse anyone's suspicions.
Rhydian looked at Waya curiously. "You're going to have to tell us at some point, Waya. But I won't be the one who pressures you." He smiled weakly and turned back to the computer. "Now that you're sealed up, George, I feel better about looking at the code."
Waya crossed her arms and said nothing. Enough people knew what happened that the news would get around to Rhydian eventually. Between Junior, the twins and Jeremy, it was likely that Jeremy was the weak link if Rhydian decided to pressure the matter."
George was looking between Rhydian and Waya, looking as worried as a robot could manage. "Alright" he finally said with a cough "We should look at the code then?" He didn't like this, it was like staring at a person's brainwaves and asking them if they were alive or not.
Maribel wandered in with Phinagin. Had her eyes not been black, the others might have been able to tell that she was crying moments ago. She stopped when she saw Waya, Rhydian and the giant robot, not really expecting to run into them here. She waved a black hand at them and offered a smile.
"Indeed." Rhydian said with a nod. He cracked his knuckles and started typing on the computer, pulling up the code and looking at line after line. As far as he could tell it all seemed pretty legit for now...
Phinagin saw the others, but thought they looked busy so he just gave them a brief nod.
George gave them a small wave, not wanting to look at the computer code on screen. In fact it did seem quite normal. Incredibly normal in fact. Actually, copied into this documentation form, it was a complex and strangely written code, but it still seemed to be normal computer code.
Maribel went to the cupboard in search for something to snack on and take her mind off of Junior. 'I don't really like tea.' she signed, 'Would you like some hot chocolate? It's late fall...perfect time of year to break into it actually.'
"Sure." Phinagin said as he grabbed two cups from the cabinet. "But only so long as we have those little marshmellows to put in."
Maribel nodded with a smile. 'I'm sure we have some...we have everything here.' she signed, grabbing a pot from the cabinet. She filled it with water and put it on the stove to boil. 'Maybe we should see if the others want some too?'
"I don't think we should bother them. They look pretty busy." Phinagin said, but what he meant was that Waya was choking people today and Rhydian doesn't deserve kindness so they should be left alone.
'I'll boil extra just in case.' she said, being thoughtful, 'Eliza might want some...I don't think Junior will be able to drink...and I haven't seen the twins in a while...maybe they would like some?' Maribel signed, looking over at George, Waya and Rhydian for a moment. 'Or Jeremy...he vanished from the rec room before I hurt Junior.' She turned on the heat and watched for the flame to flicker on before stepping back.
One big happy family Phinagin thought to himself as Maribel set the water to boil. It seemed that everyone here had their issues with something or someone.
Jeremy emerged, singing the skewers song, which went something along the lines of "skewers skewers skewers, skewers skewers, skewers skewers skewers, point little skewers, skewers skewers". He wasn't sure exactly where they were, so happily continued to search for them for several minutes before stumbling across their apparently secret hiding place. He paused long enough to grab a glass of something to drink before heading back out, to the place where they were making gingerbread houses.
"Maribele?" Junior asked some time ago as he entered. The remains from where she;d been cleaning up after their gingerbread houses were still on the counter, so she couldn't have gone far.
Then, the short, spidery french girl peeked her head out from inside the large pantry. She was currently putting away the sprinkles and various candies that were unopened. The ones that had been opened were sitting on the counter island in the center of the kitchen. She figured they might as well eat them today when everyone goes sledding. Maribel waved and closed the pantry door behind her before practically skipping over to Junior, 'How did it go?'
"Everyone is in." Junior told her. "Liz is trying to convince Waya now, but there's not much hope in that... But the rest of us are in. Oh... no one's talked to Phinagin yet... But everyone else is in the Rec Room putting up the last of the decorations."
'Great!' Maribel smiled. Even if Waya wasn't coming, it would still be a blast. Maybe, just maybe she would join them later on? 'I'm sure Phinagin will come with us....though I haven't seen him all morning.'
"I guess I should go find him?" Junior asked. Dealing with Phinagin was always... interesting.
'I'll come with you... I'm done in here.' Maribel said, 'I hope Jayden and Jaden don't get mad if I didn't put everything in the right spot.'
"They'll get over it." Junior said taking her hand and leading her towards the doors leading outside.<hr
The twins stepped out of a shadow portal and immediately took notice of the cookies on the counter. That's right, Maribel had asked if anyone wanted to make gingerbread houses. Grabbing a chunk of extra each, they nibbled and went on to find something quick to whip up for Waya.
Maribel wanted to ask what was wrong with Junior, but hadn't the ability as she was dragged into the kitchen by the hand. She wasn't even able to say anything to Phinagin before bolting into the kitchen to find the twins boiling up some tomato soup and grilled cheese.
As Junior dragged Maribel back to the kitchen he was apologizing. "Sorry." He said. "I shouldn't be dragging you-" Then his eyes fell on the twins and immediately accusations rose in his throat. He swallowed them back. He'd promised Maribel that they would all try to get along today, for her. Instead he released her, letting his apology fall short and walked up behind the twins. Shouting might not get them anywhere, but he'd sure as hell let them know where he stood on the subject. "I know what you did." He said very quietly.
That voice sent a chill down their spines and the twins jumped a little. "Aie!" they squeaked, thankfully not spilling the soup on the stove. "What the hell Junior?" Jayden asked.
"Warn someone before you creepily whisper behind someone's back, would ya?" Jaden added.
"Waya spoke to me." Junior told them. "You hypnotized her again didn't you? Should I ask Maribel to leave so you can do it to me too? Or you want me to call Jeremy in here and get it all over with at once?"
"What?!" they exclaimed, "We didn't!" they argued suddenly. The happy pleasantness in their eyes vanished as Junior accused them. "We had a chat... and how we are making her lunch."
"What's it to you anyway?"
Maribel was getting sick of all these secrets, but stayed out of it for now... listening closely on the other side of the kitchen. Was he trying to start something?
"It has to do with me because she's acting like nothing ever happened." Junior told them. "It has to do with me because we both know that she's not the only person you've done it to." The three of them were well aware of why Junior had left and joined the Young Avengers. It may have been a one time incident caused by Aztrentian development (or so they claimed) but it had still happened and they had still tried to cover it up.
The twins turned around completely, "Alright- fine... yes. It DID happen. Now what do you want us to do about it exactly?"
"Shit happens and we already apologized ten times over for it. In any regard... we did you a favor!" All three of them knew how pent up over Waya he was then. "Can't you just accept our apology and move on?! FUCK dude!"
"I have, then it spilled over onto her." Or rather, they had probably spilled into her. It made Junior furious to even think about. "Did you hypnotize her into forgiving you?"
"We did nothing of the sort!" the twins argued. "We showed her the truth. What really happend and unfogged her memory...not that it's any of YOUR business."
"It's my business because she's my friend." Junior argued, though he was trying to keep his tone manageable. "Look me in the eye and tell me you didn't force her to forgive you." Perhaps that was the wrong way to phrase it considering that was exactly how the boys used their powers.
The twins turned around completely, staring at him with cold conviction. Perhaps telling them to look him in the eyes wasn't the best idea considering that's how they lock victims in their hypnotism. "We did NOT force her to do ANYTHING. EVER."
Through all the hubbub, Junior was too preoccupied with the twins tonight that Maribel had left the room completely.
Junior stared at them for a few long seconds. he had no special powers of deduction that allowed him to come to his conclusion... however, he did know the twins. He'd been their friend for a long time. Even when he'd returned after getting over their little adolescent incident. Eventually he concluded that they were telling the truth. "Ok..." He said calmly. "I believe you." He let out a deep sigh and backed away. "So... what did happen any way?" He noticed now that maribel was gone. He would have to apologize to her for that. "She said that something in your heads made her confused, it reacted badly with a mental block she'd asked you to give her. What did she want to block out?"
"Umm...." Jayden began, "We don't feel right answering that, Junior..."
"Sorry." Jaden said. "If Waya didn't tell you what it was, we want to keep that personal too. For her sake really." They wondered whether or not Waya was... embarrassed to have slept with them. Unless she just didn't want to go about flaunting their personal matters. Either way, they sure as hell weren't going to babble gossip about the three of them.
"I guess I can respect that..." Junior told them. "I should probably apologize for the way I've been acting... I mean you guys can understand why I'd... I'm sorry." Junior might have been a total dick the last few weeks but in the end, he was a friend. A real bro. He held out his hand, wanting to shake and put things behind them. "Guess this means I need to get you a christmas present after all." He said with a smirk.
The twins were honestly a bit taken back that he was thinking about not in the first place. Plastering fake smiles to hide their disappointment, the twins both grabbed his one hand and shook it. "We're sorry too... for misleading people...for so long. We honestly did not want to, but she asked it of us and we hope you understand." They paused, "Hopefully- now that it's over, things can get back to how they used to be?" Remembering Maribel was in here, they leaned to the side and didn't see her, "Looks like we scared her off."
"Yeah... I should really find her and apologize." Junior felt like maybe the twins were just saying what he wanted to hear, but there was no malice behind it.
Perhaps their words sounded a bit shallow... but they truly wanted things to be how they were. The twins missed having Junior for a friend. Heck, they used to play all sorts of jokes on Waya and Rhydian growing up and wished it were no longer a fleeting memory. When they spoke, they sounded a bit empty, but hopeful. The Relman twins hadn't really spoken to Junior on good terms in such a long time that it would take some getting used to before it would be back to normal. "Did you guys come in here for a reason? We can make more soup and grilled cheese if you would like lunch before sledding."
"Uhm... we are all still sledding, right?"
"Oh no, I just... well I was gonna knock your heads in but I don't need to now." Junior laughed uncomfortably. If they were cooking for Waya then it defiantly meant she was alright with everything. If she had her secrets she'd let her keep them. "We're still sledding as far as I know. I'm gonna go find Mari and apologize." He got up and headed for the door. "We are ok right?"
"We're ok." the twins nodded with smiles. This was a good start toward rekindling a friendship. After Junior left, it hit them and the boys looked at one another in disgust, "Mari...?"
At least when Junior said it he said "Mari" rather than "Mary."
The twins finished up the soup and poured it into a ceramic bowl and placed it on a large dinner plate with the grilled cheese that was cut delicately from corner to corner. For a final touch, they added pepper and a basil leaf in the soup.
Jeremy slid into the room with a breath that he had been holding sliding out between his lips; he practically couldn't breathe around Waya anymore. Things just got so muddle around her. "Oh, hey you two" he said gently, gazing at the twins and trying a small smile "D-do you think... i can talk for a second? Just... talk?"
"Sure thing." the twins said, placing the plate and bowl on a serving tray and covering it with a metal lid to keep warm. "What's on your mind? Hows the decorating coming? We were just going to head that way when we were done in here."
"Well... the decorating has been going fine" jeremy said gently, chewing on his lip as he watched the twins "I just... wanted a little chat about Waya... and your... well..." Jeremy sighed finally and rubbed his head slowly "What the hell is going on guys? please? She'll never tell me, I know that, she's a very secretive person. So what in goodness sake is HAPPENING?"
The twins let out a reluctant groan. "Ugh... you too, Jeremy? We just finished talking to Junior about it." They both sighed and added, "It's none of your business really... or anyone else's but hers and ours. Everything is over and done with and now hopefully Waya can get out of this slump of hers."
"guys, come on" Jeremy said with a soft sigh "As much as you might find this tedious, what the hell are the rest of us meant to do? Just ignore the fact that everything suddenly got better. We're going to want to know just... HOW everything turned out like this." He took a deep breath, then sighed and gazed at the twins "Nothing else is going to come back and bite us in the ass, is it?"
"Don't think so... " Jayden trailed.
"If it does, it won't be us at fault." the other twin added.
The spoke together now. "Listen, we made a promise to Waya that we were to block out a memory and when she leeched into our minds in that waiting room that Rex made, some of that secret was revealed...but not all of it, thus skewing reality for her. Being the saps that we are, we couldn't resist and told her the secret after she came to us just now...practically begging. It cleared up a few things and she seems much happier now that the memory was set right. Don't worry about it, ok? Like we said, it's none of your business....or anyone elses."
"It's been effecting everyone though," Jeremy pointed out with a frown, shaking his head at the boys "Look, I don't know... why she did that, why you decided that it would be a good idea to keep this a secret from in the first place, and why you kept it secret even when she thought you had raped her. I just wanted to know if you were telling the entire truth. Everything. Alright?"
Their brows lifted. So he knew. The twins hadn't really known just how much or how little Jeremy thought he knew about the situation til now. "It doesn't matter what everyone thought about us....we kept out promise." they said. To think that the Relman boys who were often considered immature, perverse and the school pranksters would so nobly put their reputations on the line over a promise to someone.
Jeremy sighed and shook his head at the two of them "Alright. Fine. I'm sorry for being suspicious of you guys, but... so much has happened... all in secret. I just wish people would say what's actually happening now and then." He shrugged and tried to give the two a small smile "At least Waya's happier now, right?"
"Let's hope it stays that way." the twins said in agreement. "It's a bit annoying that both you and Junior came in to check on us. At least you weren't as hostile though." They rolled their eyes and lifted the closed serving tray. "Either way, maybe we can all get along now that THAT is past us. Would you like some tomato soup? There's more in the pot."
"Yes please" Jeremy should always be eating really, considering that he wasted so much of his own body when using his powers. He started to search for a clean bowl while speaking "I just... wanted to make sure, you know? Things are so confused lately, I wanted to make sure that Waya hadn't just snapped under the pressure or something."
"She said it was Eliza that encouraged her to suck up her pride and give us a chance to explain." Jaden said, opening the pot to scoop Jeremy some soup.
"Maybe we should bring her a bowl for when she wakes up." his brother added. "There's enough."
"I... don't think it was pride guys. I think it was fear," Jeremy said as he began to ladle some soup into the bowl he'd found "I know she'd probably kill me if she heard that, but I know that I was terrified of you guys when I first came out of that place. And it hadn't even been me you'd been doing it to."
The twins heard Jeremy's comment but chose to diffuse the tension in the only way they knew how, by joking around. "Nah- we're a couple of softies deep down under this sexy exterior."
The look made it quite clear that Jeremy didn't think they could quite get away with jokes like that just yet. He sighed though, and gave a half hearted shrug "At least everything's better for Christmas, right?"
"Hopefully for new years too... and through to the next." they said, scooping out some soup into a large mug. "We think we are going to see how Eliza is doing.... hopefully she won't be too cranky that we woke her up."
"Right... well, be careful," Jeremy said with a shrug, drinking his soup down slowly and smiling slightly at the twins. Maybe he would sneak into someone's dreams tonight, get a little look through of what actually happened. He hated being left out of the loop.
The twins bowed their thanks and said, "We'll meet you guys in the entrance hall in just a minute." Then the two of them left with the serving tray for Waya in one hand and the mug of soup in the other.
In the kitchen, the twins had the pancake mix blended and ready for frying. There wasn't much for Veronica to do really... but they would enjoy company nonetheless.
"So what have you guys been up to, since I've been gone?" Veronica asked as she hopped up onto the counter and watched them work.
"Cooking, fighting evil guys, being princes...the usual we guess." Jaden told her as he turned on the burners and oiled out a wide pan that spanned two burners.
"It's so great to have you back." Jayden added, getting a carton of eggs from the fridge. "It's ... well... honestly surreal."
"Surreal?" Veronica asked curiously. She crossed her legs and turned to look at Jayden. "What do you mean by that?"
"It's...well..." he looked at his brother, then said, "It's like you're back from the dead. Now you're here... like nothing ever happened."
"I wish nothing had happened..." She said quietly, looking down at her feet. She sung them back and forth slowly.
"So... he had you as some sort of dancing celebrity fighter?" Jaden asked, pouring the batter onto the pan while his brother worked on the eggs.
"Among other things... The Mojoverse is basically a big television, with multiple channels...each one bearing a different sort of entertainment..." Veronica said quietly, keeping her eyes down at her feet as she spoke. The way she said 'entertainment' was as if it were a word to be feared.
The sizzling of oil in their pans seemed to break the silence, "Well at least that asshole won't be bothering us again.. or we'll give em a what for."
"Oh yes, a what for." Veronica said, rolling her eyes a little.
"Hey little miss... we're tougher than we look." Jayden waved his spatula at her. His words weren't really backed up as they wore aprons.
"Sorry, Jay, but the two of you are puppy dogs compared to me." She told him, trying to be as gentle as possible.
"And who doesn't like puppies?" laughed Jaden, not at all offended by that.
She rolled her eyes and looked over at Jaden. "You know what I mean. You guys just aren't much of a threat, honestly."
"We get that a lot." Jayden added, "But we have our ways." Everyone around here thought them weak and sure they weren't the most bloodthirsty, but they could hold their own.
"I'm sorry...I'm not trying to be mean or anything guys, honest." Veronica said, her cheeks tinted a light shade of red.
"It's fine." they both agreed. "Waya calls us the omegas."
"The omegas? That doesn't even sound nice..." She told them with a grimace. She hopped off the counter and looked at the two of them. "Enough of this talk...is there anything I can do to help?"
"Uhh..." they both turned around to look at her from over their shoulder, "Not really. Just sit there and look cute."
She pouted and looked at the two of them. "What's the point in looking cute, if know one is looking?"
"We'll look... after pancakes." Jaden said.
"And eggs." added Jayden, "Besides... you've never had our breakfast yet. If you want to do something, get the milk and juice out of the fridge."
Veronica sighed and headed to the fridge. "If that's all you two princes have for me to do..." She placed the two jugs on the counter and went and sat down at the table, just watching them work. She had wanted to help...
"Really now? We never need help in the kitchen. We just like the company of pretty girls." they flirted, hoping to make her cheer up.
"And I don't like being useless guys." She told them both. "Gimme something to do..."
"Well... want to dish out the pudding into bowls?" suggested Jaden.
"Pudding, with breakfast?" She asked him in disbelief.
"Breakfast bread pudding with berry sauce and raspberries, yes." said Jayden.
"Along with pancakes and eggs...are you guys trying to make us fat?" She asked with a grin. She got back onto her feet and started to collect bowls for the pudding.
"Only slightly." Jaden said, flipping the pancakes. "It's...kinda weird having an adult around. I don't blame her for being concerned."
Junior came in from the hall, not really sure what to do with himself.
"Well hello there handsome!" Veronica said, smiling wide when Junior came in. She set the bowls down in a small line. "Just in time to help with breakfast!"
The twins turned when Ver spoke and saw Junior heading in. "Hey Junior!"
"Hey." Junior said, sitting down at the counter. "And no one in their right mind lets me cook." He told Veronica.
"Nobody's asking you to cook." Veronica told him, sticking her tongue out at him. "Help me spoon out the pudding, would you?"
"Pudding for breakfast?" Junior asked.
"Bread pudding." corrected Jaden again. "You'll like it. It's French ....like your girlfriend."
Junior's cheeks flushed white. "She's not my girlfriend..." He said.
Veronica looked at Junior sadly. "You...have a girlfriend now?" That was rather unexpected...
"Nooo..." Junior said. "I... I fell on Maribel. I'm the reason her arms broken. I've just been looking out for her is all."
"You...fell on her?" Veronica asked, arching a brow and looking at him. "Or for her?"
"ON." Junior reiterated. "Waya dropped us hard in the shadow real during a teleport. I fell ON her..." And for, but that had been going on for a while now... since she'd started changing really.
"Really?" asked Jayden, "I thought there was something between you too."
"She was with Phinagin last I checked." Junior said. "At least... I knew they were friendly." As far as he knew Phinagin hadn't really paid much attention to her since her transformation.
"I don't think she and Phinagin are a couple." Jaden remarked, stacking the finish pancakes on a plate while he poured more batter onto the pan. "But hey- if she is single... that's good to know. Bachelors like us need to be 'in the know' with that sort of stuff." Maribel had really been the only girl here who they hadn't had yet.
"Don't." Junior told them seriously all of a sudden. He knew as well as anyone how the twins were. It wasn't just the girls they went after. "You leave her alone..."
The twins both smiled, but kept their backs to him as they cooked.. They were trying to coax Junior into a confession... or at least a self realization. They didn't want him fucking up his love life like they had this past year. "Why? She's available, right? We thought you were dating her... but since you aren't, what's the big deal?"
Veronica turned and leaned against the counter, watching Junior curiously, waiting for his reply. The Twins made a good point...
"I... uh..." Junior's stern expression faded, went to worry for a second, then went angry. "Because if what happened when Rex was here is any indication of how you treat women, I don't want you any where near her... Maribel doesn't deserve that..." Neither had Waya, despite her trying to convince Junior that she'd been confused at the time. Jeremy was the only one who knew what had happened, what kind of secrets had been revealed while they were trapped in Rex' limbo. He didn't want that for Maribel.
"Who's Rex?" Veronica curiously. She couldn't help but wonder if the three of them had forgotten she were even standing there. It was getting rather heated, a change in topic may be wise.
"Some dickhead who attacked us a few months back." Jayden said, turning down the head of the stove before addressing Junior, "Dude- not cool. Don't just assume shit. We didn't do anything like that."
"He's Eliza's half brother." Junior told Veronica. "And I don't exactly have to assume do I? I was one of them after all, wasn't I?" That had been the whole reason he'd left for California when he had. He was trying not to let Veronica know what they were arguing about. He wasn't exactly proud about getting fucked by the twins.
"Dude!" they both exclaimed and turned around.
"What is all this about all of a sudden?" Jayden asked.
Jaden jumped in too, "Are we really going to do this now?"
"And it's not like you complained..." added Jay slyly.
"You stay the fuck away from Maribel." Junior growled at them. He couldn't exactly trust the way he remembered things. They were hypnotists after all. "And Veronica. She doesn't need you two taking advantage of what she's been through."
"We're not like that anymore, Junior. Honest." Jaden said sincerely, his back to the stove.
They both raised their hands in a 'scouts honor' sign, "We wouldn't dream of taking advantage of anyone. Especially your Maribel." The twins had always been good friends with Junior.. well, up until recently. They both really wished to rekindle that friendship. They had missed it.
"They aren't taking advantage of anything, Junior." Veronica said, standing up from the counter. "And I don't need you to defend me either. They wouldn't try anything with me that I wouldn't want them to. They've always been gentlemen."
The twins winced. Although they appreciated what she was trying to do.... she really hadn't known what happened in her absence.
"Just stay away from Maribel." Junior told them. He didn't address Veronica again. He just left, stalking out of the kitchen without bothering with the doors.
Veronica turned to the twins and looked for an explanation. "What was that about??"
"Don't worry about it." they shrugged and went back to cooking, "It's nothing."
"That didn't sound like nothing guys." Ver said as she turned back to the bowls. She started dishing out the pudding, breathing in deeply through her nose. It smelled absolutely delicious... "I have a lot of catching up to do...don't I?" She asked them quietly. Whatever it was between Junior and them, it was clearly meant to be private...
"Yes and no. Don't worry- he's just a bit cranky because we were talking about Maribel. He's totally got the hots for her since she began mutating." Jayden said.
"He just needs to admit it."
"You mean she wasn't bug girl when she came here?" Ver asked curiously. They hadn't had someone who mutated further while at the school, at least not in the time she'd been here.
"She looked like a normie when she came. Had some spinnerets in her fingertips." Jayden said.
"Her mutation escalated as a response to stress and over the course of a few months, turned into what you see today. I think it took a big hit to her ego. She's been a bit.. distant from everyone during the bulk of it."
"That's when Junior seemed to be spending time with her and helping her through it. She is much better now."
"Pretty quick escalation...but I can see why he'd want to help." She said with a nod. After dishing out the pudding, she brought the serving spoon to her mouth and started licking it clean.
"Yeah well... just like you and Kale, we all went through some pretty shitty stuff after you guys left too." Jaden said.
"Like what?" She asked him. Veronica would like to know what was categorized as 'pretty shitty stuff' compared to the shit she'd been through in the last year or so.
"Yeah... we would rather not." they both said together, scooping more pancakes into a warmer while they continued.
"Alright..." she said with a sigh, looking down at the pudding bowls. "Should I put Cool Whip on it?" She asked them, you put cool whip on pudding...but this was Bread pudding...
"Berry sauce... but not til you eat it." Jayden said, finishing with the eggs.
She exhaled sharply and flopped down into a chair. The pudding was ready to be serve dand without being able to put on the topping, she had nothing else to do. "I'm bored...."
"Sorry?" the twins said together from the stove. They hadn't intended on entertaining anyone. They were working essentially.
"Is there anything else I could do?" She asked, propping her elbow on her leg.
"Uh... get the milk and juice out? Maybe the dishes too?" Jayden offered, "Sorry... we don't usually have company."
"No no, I'm sorry..." Ver apologized and hopped up, happily going to the cabinets to get the dishes down. "I've not been in a kitchen for my entire stay in the Mojoverse." She started setting the table and shrugged. "Who would've guessed that the whole Florence Henderson thing was over with?"
"Who?" they asked, glancing over their shoulders.
"Florence Henderson, Mrs. Brady?" Ver asked them in disbelief. There was no way that she was the only one to know who she was....
With the way they looked at her, it was clear they did not.
"Seriously? Man...you guys need to do some homework." Ver said with a smirk. "She was the mom on the Brady Show, it's an old show..." Trying her best, she started to sing the theme song, "Here's the story of a lovely lady, Who was bringing up three very lovely girls. All of them had hair of gold, like their mother, The youngest one in curls.." She blushed and pushed her hair back behind her ear. "You get the point... Florence Henderson was a huge sex symbol in that time and for a while after that too. After breakfast I'll make you two watch a few episodes with me."
"I think that theme song sounds familiar." Jaden said honestly, "But I don't see how a woman whose had three kids could be a sex symbol."
"Your mom had 2 kids and I bet someone considered her to be a sex symbol. I've seen pictures, she was hot." Ver pointed out, placing a hand on her hip. "Do you want to watch tv with me or not?"
"Sure- we'll watch TV. Just don't call our mom a sex symbol." Jaden said, "It's .... creepy."
Veronica smirked and shrugged. "Whatever you say." She walked back to them and leaned in close, "They've made several adult films based on the Brady Bunch too, you know." She winked and slid over to the fridge to get milk and juice for everyone.
"Uh.. why are you telling us that?" Jayden asked, "Just what I want to watch... porn of people who are grandparents right now."
"I was just pointing it out. I wasn't saying we were going to watch that. I don't even know if the school database would let us watch it." Ver said, rolling her eyes. "Just saying it to further my evidence that there was something about her that made her a sex symbol. Sheesh. Get your minds out of the gutter, before you burn the pancakes."
They quickly removed their food from the stove and piled them high on a plate. "Done."
"And you said something of eggs? You scrambling or making to order?" Veronica asked as she put the milk and juice jugs at the center of the table. She set glasses all around, at each of the place settings.
"Already done." Jayden said, scrapping them into a large bowl. "Hopefully Ms. Carrington has seen what she needed to see downstairs."
"You guys are quick....I never even saw you fixing eggs." Ver said with a smirk.
Jayden had cooked them while his brother tended to pancakes. "Yeah well... cooking is what we are good at."
Ver smiled and looked at the table. "Well, it looks like we're all set."
"Guess we should round everyone up." Jaden said, putting the syrup on the table. There was a lid on the food to keep it warm.
"I hope they're all done whatever they've been doing. Be a shame for this stuff to get cold." Ver said as she moved towards the door.
"You think Rhydian and Waya will be down?" asked Jaden.
Veronica smiled a small secret smile and shook her head slowly. "Waya wasn't looking too hot. It might be best to put some food away for her, she'll be hungry when she wakes up."
"Right..." Jayden frowned, "I don't get why she was so rude to Ms. Carrington who was only trying to help. It can't look good walking into a place like this with no parentals around."
"She's exhausted, being sleep deprived can make a person cranky." Ver explained, hoping it would be enough of a reason. She didn't know what all was going on with everyone, but she knew Waya was certainly tired.
Eliza was reluctant to come in, she'd rather be downstairs with her machines, but Maribel practically dragged her here. She blushed slightly at the sight of others, making her way over towards the table to sit down.
"Hey guys. Help yourselves." Jayden said, gesturing to the pancakes and eggs on the table. There was a pitcher of milk and juice, as well as a container of syrup.
Eliza nodded, carefully pulling some pancakes close. She looked a little ill honestly. "Thanks..." she said after a moment.
George entered the room, looking around, taking in everyone who was here. He didn't even need to guess he would make people uncomfortable, the twins were here. They hadn't ever really liked him.
Veronica looked at George curiously. "Do you always come to breakfast, George?" She couldn't help but ask the obvious question, especially now that he had no face...
Isabelle took a deep breath and said, "My my... those smell wonderful."
"Oh! Is that bread pudding?!" Maribel exclaimed through her voicebox, signing with one hand.
"Sure is. Have a seat and help yourselves." Jayden said.
"No." George replied gently, shaking his head and standing at the edge of the table rather than sitting. "I don't usually come up for breakfast. I don't eat, and I believe people would enjoy each other's company without me."
"Nonsense. You're a member of the team, aren't you?" Veronica told him with a smile.
George scratched his chin. Sometimes he felt like an over simplified tool that people pointed at things "I guess..."
"Then start acting like it." Ver replied and playfully smacked him on the arm. "Especially now that you've got this sleeker body, you can totally join in on the fun better than before. Right?"
Eliza was carefully tugging pancakes over as the others spoke, staying mostly silent as she prepared a nice welcome home meal for herself.
George nodded, rubbing his arm where she'd been hit. He didn't like this new body. It made him feel sick just thinking about how they'd ripped him out of his new one. He was shaking before he realized it, looking away from Veronica and nodding.
"Oi! Mum!" Penelope snapped, entering the kitchen with Junior. "We need to talk!"
Her mother didn't turn her head and took a drink, "Manners Penelope. You know I won't respond to that behavior."
"Mis Carrington..." Junior said behind Penelope. "I'd like to speak with you in the hall for a moment... About my father..." Not everyone in the room needed to hear that Will was supposedly Pen's father.
"Are you alright, George?" Ver asked when she saw him shaking. She couldn't have hit him that hard, could she have?
Isabelle took pause, looking somber and uncertain. "Excuse me everyone." Putting her napkin off of her lap and onto the table, she rose and followed her daughter and Junior out.
"What?" George asked, looking around before looking down at his hands as they trembled. "Oh... right... sorry..." he said, bracing his hand on his arm and making it stop shaking. "I... this new body is... I don't like it... I've been trying to just ignore it."
"Maybe you shouldn't do that." Ver suggested, reaching out and rubbing his arm slightly. "Take some time and try out all of its functions."
"It... It's not just that. I know its functions... kinda... I saw them... them install them. I just..." George took a deep breath "It's as if they took my mind out of my old body and put it into someone else's. This isn't my body. This isn't who I am. This... I look completely different. And... and everyone seems okay with this."
"You're smaller, less cumbersome, of course we're okay with it." Ver told him with a smile. "But it shouldn't matter if we are. It's your body. There's no place here like The Body Shoppe, but there are a few people who can probably tinker around with you enough to make it more accommodate-able."
"It's not the space." George said with a small shudder "It's not the... the fact it's smaller. It's... this... this isn't me... This is something... else." George was staring down at his hands, shaking again, his motors giving a worried splutter. "This isn't... this isn't my hand." he said firmly, gripping his right arm by the elbow "This isn't my hand!" There was the sound of metal twisting, and the arm was suddenly wrenched free of the socket from the elbow. George stood there, his fans full vent as he dropped the metal arm to the floor.
"Hey!" Jayden snapped, cleaning some things up at the sink, "Knock it off George."
"Don't be doing that kind of shit in our kitchen. Now pull yourself together, man." added Jaden angrily.
"Jesus Christ George!" Eliza said, wincing and looking around to see the arm on the floor. "What are you doing?" she said, moving back from the pancakes quickly, moving over and frowning in worry at the robot. He was having such a weird freak out...
"George..." Veronica said softly, reaching out and placing her hand on the only one he had left. She frowned and looked up at his faceless head. "It is your hand..." She wished she'd seen that coming, she would have grabbed his arm, rather than letting it hit the floor...
"No... No, it's a fake arm... an arm they stuck on... They ripped my old body from me, they stuck me in this... this..." George's hand twitched underneath veronica's, but it didn't move. He shuddered, giving a small rattle when he did, then just bent over slowly to pick up his discarded arm.
"It is not fake." Ver told him gently, stroking her hand up his arm. "Let's get it reattached, alright?"
"You had talked about getting a new body anyway, don't you remember? Before all that shit with Mojo. Now they gave you one for free and you're pitching a fit." Jayden rolled his eyes.
"That was meant to be over time! That was meant to be... to be gradual. Not losing myself. Just... getting rid of the excess." George said, staring down at the floor "This is like... like if someone took your brain... and put it in Jeremy's body. And... burnt your corpse so you could never go back."
"Just try to relax George." Veronica said softly. She didn't know why, but she kept running her hands against him in comforting motions. It wasn't as though he could feel it though...
"Look... George..." Eliza said gently, wondering why the twins, who usually were the first to comfort a person in distress, were now basically telling George to 'suck it up'. "As much as we'd like to help... we really can't... do anything..." she had to say it. There was nothing left of his old body... What could they do?
"Maybe.. think of it as... instant puberty?" Jaden shrugged.
Unexpectedly, Maribel's little radio piped up, "I think your new body is hot!" If it were possible, her cheeks went pale and she immediately turned the knob on the volume so no one else could hear her thoughts.
George stopped shuddering for a moment at Maribel's comment, but only to let out a weak "He... ha... ha..." He covered his face with one hand "But thing is... puberty... stuff like... that... you're meant to grow bigger... meant to grow hair... and you're meant to develop downstairs right? Well, guess what 'unnecessary' part was removed from my body? Hm? Hm? Just... take a guess what Mojo... RIPPED from me." There was a silence.
"George, are you saying you had a-" Eliza began before George interrupted.
"Had, had, yes, optimal word, had." he snapped, a soft whining coming from his fans as they tried to stop him from overheating.
"Oh... you want a dick, right?" Jayden said flatly with a cheeseball grin. "We can do that... I'm sure we can find you one lying around here somewhere."
Veronica pulled her hand away and couldn't help but stare down at George's groin. She brought her hand to her face and covered her mouth. "You...they built a Sentinel that was fully equipped?" She asked him rather in disbelief.
"I was... it... it's best not to think about it." George said, covering his head with his hands and trying to ignore Jayden. He was sure as hell not being sympathetic, and it made some part of him want to throw up that this was how he was responding.
"Look- can't we just shut up and eat?" Jaden asked, "Please? Miss Carington should be back and we shouldn't be talking about this right now."
George seemed to stand stock still for a moment, before turning towards the door. "I'm going to go repair my arm." he said softly. So that was how far the care stretched for him it seemed. He left without another word, needing a few tools to fix his arm.
"Guys..." Eliza said softly to Jaden, giving a little frown as her eyes ran over them.
"What? He dented the kitchen tile!" Jayden argued, pointing to where George had thrown his arm.
"You guys could've been a little sympathetic." Veronica told them both in disgust. "I'm amazed he hasn't broken down entirely. I mean, wouldn't you guys if you woke up one day in bodies that weren't your own and to top it off, you were missing several parts that you remember having and remember how to work?"
Maribel watched George leave, feeling bad for him. She knew just what it was like to not feel one with your own body. In fact, only recently had she begun accepting her spider appearance.
"Doesn't mean he can freak out in our kitchen like that." Jayden argued back, being the bossier of the twins.
"You're being such a jack ass!" Eliza said, getting to her feet "I've never seen George so... unstable before... Scared! He was scared. And you two are worried about him denting a tile. If that was Waya, you would have comforted her in a second."
Jaden sighed, wanting to diffuse the situation, "Look... guys... come on. We're all still a bit tense from getting back. Let's not be at one another's throats already."
"Talk to your brother, Jaden. He's the one with an attitude problem." Veronica said rather sharply. "George came in for breakfast, and you make him run away in pain."
"We invited him to breakfast and he throws a fit and storms off." Jayden argued again, "Now wasn't the time for it for crying out loud... and you don't even know who he is, Veronica. If you did you may not be so opt to defend him."
"He's not the only person who's made mistakes in their life." Eliza said gently "He freaked out, and we tried to calm him down... but you sure as hell didn't try. Are you really putting the importance of breakfast over him?"
"I know what I need to about him, Jayden." Veronica countered, really not liking how everyone in this place suddenly thought she needed them to tell her what to think. She's seen what George was willing to do for them in the arena.
As the group bickered, Maribel slipped out unnoticed.
"I'm sorry, okay?!" Jayden snapped, fed up with these two as well. "If you are so worried about him, what are you still doing here?!"
"I'm worried about you as well! You're usually so much better than this." Eliza snapped back at Jayden, a little pink in the cheeks "Why are you acting like this?"
"Acting like what?! Is it so wrong that we don't want George flipping shit int the middle of breakfast with company over?" Jayden argued.
"Brother- that isn't helping anything." said his twin.
Jayden just grumbled and turned away from everyone, "Just forget it."
"Acting like a stupid little shit." Veronica explained sharply. "You didn't want George flipping out in the middle of breakfast, so you do it instead?" She was just starting to feel like everything was back to normal and then he goes and does something like that...
"You just... don't care about him at all, do you?" Eliza said softly, watching Jayden "You can't look past what he once was... what he did..."
"Fuck sake Eliza, just drop it." Jayden grumbled, not wanting to hear her bullshit. Even with the circumstances around George, the boys had been trying more than anything else in this group to accept him. They even forced him to come out with them to find a Christmas tree and to go sledding.
Veronica looked at Eliza curiously, clearly something had gone on with George before, something she didn't know about. She'd have to ask her later, she doubted she'd get an answer from Jayden about it. She sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. "This isn't helping anything...Breakfast is getting cold. And we really did work hard on it." She tried, she wasn't exactly hungry any more, but someone had to eat the delicious smelling food.
There was a soft "whump" as Eliza sat back down. If it wasn't because they hated George, and if it wasn't because something was wrong with them, then there was no reasoning with them. Well... Jayden. She really needed to stop lumping the two together so much...
"Hm... where did Maribel go? She didn't get any of her pudding." Jaden remarked.
As if hearing her name, Maribel and Junior walked in.
"Apparently nowhere." Veronica said and sat down beside Eliza. "So what have I missed?" She asked quietly, not wanting to disrupt anyone with her questions. She'd been gone for quite a while and given everyone's attitude changes, something had to have happened.
"Eating pancakes..." Eliza said flatly. That was the only thing she had to volunteer about this whole ordeal. She was eating food, staying quiet.
With a bit of a pout, Veronica set into her own plate full of food.
The twins saw Junior, a bit surprised that he would come back after running off in a huff before. They didn't comment on it and went on cleaning.
Eliza was a little grumpy, and it was obvious, but she didn't say anything. Didn't want to talk about what had just happened. As far as she was concerned, the twins had disgraced themselves.
"So... uh... Penelope is my sister apparently..." Junior said, a little addled by smoke, but wanting to get it over with.
"Really?" asked Jaden, walking over from the sink to where the kitchen table was, "No way... that's one hell of a weird coincidence."
"Her mom admitted it..." Junior said, forgetting he was mad at the twins. It was hard to be mad what with how high he was at the moment. "She and Dad had an affair..."
"Whaa? Does.... Did your Dad know about her?" Jayden asked.
"No." Junior said. "Is there bread pudding left?"
"Now that is that I am talking about!" Jay exclaimed and grabbed two of the bowls that Ver helped scoop out. Then, he opened a lid from a ceramic container and poured berry sauce over the pudding before handing them to Junior and Maribel. "Have a seat...."
"Oh wait.." Jaden frowned, "That means Penelope is our cousin..."
Jay looked at his brother and they had a mirrored, cheesy grin. It's not like anything of that sort would stop them anyway.
"One without crap on it please..." Junior said, sliding the bowl away from him. Belatedly he realized that was a little harsh. "Sorry..."
Veronica stuck her hand out and caught the bowl before it slid too far away. She glanced over at Junior and slid it back. "Try it before you deny it, Red."
"There is nothing in this world that would make me try bread pudding with anything on it but more bread pudding." Junior said, sliding the bowl to Mari instead. "Please." He told the twins. "Nothing on top."
Maribel took the sauce and said 'thank you' in her robotic voice. It smelled wonderful. She followed Junior to the table and sat down.
"Oh, that means I've got a new cousin as well." Eliza said thoughtfully, carefully turning her fork in her fingers "I guess she knows where all her family is now."
"One heck of a family tree, that's for sure. Let's see... we have- a pop star," Jaden said, meaning Penelope.
Jayden gestured to Eliza, "A scientist..." Next came Junior, "A clone."
"And two princes of Aztrentos." added in his brother.
"Cool."
"A clone... wow guys, prestigious." Junior said dryly. "Am I gonna get any pudding or what?" Were they offended he rejected their berry sauce or what?
"Oh right." Jayden said and passed him a bare bowl and pudding.
Veronica rolled her eyes and scooped some eggs onto her plate. She felt like the third wheel in here, what with everyone discovering they were family and all.
"Has anyone seen Jeremy about lately?" Eliza asked, staying relatively quiet "And where IS Penelope? I thought she was with you Junior?"
"Pen is in my room." Junior said. "She fell asleep." He chose to offer nothing more and took a big bite of pudding, groaning at how utterly awesome it was.
Maribel was pleased to see he liked it and took a forkful herself with some sauce on the top. She opened her mouth and took the bite. She rolled it around in her mouth for a moment before her gag reflex started up. Despite the luscious, sweet smell.. it tasted HORRIBLE to her and she didn't know why. Pinching her lips together, Maribel tried to hide her distaste and force the bite down.
Veronica had to give it to the twins, they knew how to cook. Granted, breakfast sure wasn't the hardest meal to prepare, but that bread pudding was wonderful. The eggs weren't over or under done either, and she didn't have to salt them. She drank her orange juice down, then started woofing down the eggs like her life depended on it.
"So- what did you guys think? That's our first time making the bread pudding." Jaden said, looking to Maribel seeing as though they made it really by her suggestion.
At this time, Maribel still had the first mouthful and forced a smile, nodding to the boys. But when they looked away, she brought a napkin to her mouth and spat out her bite. She tried to do this as hidden as possible, making gesture as if she were only wiping her lip. Maribel didn't understand what was wrong...she always loved bread pudding and this looked and smelled just how Dad made it back home. For whatever reason it tasted AWFUL, but everyone else seemed to disagree.
"It's good." Junior said. Then just to goad the twins a little he added, "If you like that kinda thing..."
Eliza, who had been watching Maribel eat because... well... Maribel eating was a spectacle, leant over carefully towards her and whispered "Are you alright?" She looked worried, the twins weren't that bad cooks after all.
Maribel held her lips pinched in a forced smile and nodded, thanking the heavens that her speaker was unplugged.
"Maribel, you didn't look alright." Eliza said with a little sigh "Come on, you can talk to me."
This drew Junior's attention. "You ok Mari?"
Oh jeez- this is not what she wanted. Maribel nodded and smiled to both of them, then gave a thumbs up. She had no idea why that little bite tasted so awful, but she didn't want to offend the twins.
Veronica shoved her empty bowl of pudding towards the Twins' general direction. Even with a mouthful of eggs, she spoke. "Mmmore Pwease!"
The twins both smiled and Jayden grabbed her bowl to refill it, "Thatta girl." he said and scooped some more into her bowl while the other drizzled sauce over top.
Seeing this display, Maribel held a hand over her mouth and glanced away. She felt sick all of a sudden. Physically sick.
Eliza looked up at Junior from her gaze at Maribel. She gave him urgent eyes, then nodded slightly towards the door. He needed to get Maribel out of here before anyone else realised something was up.
Junior pushed his bowl back. "What the hell's in this stuff?" He asked, seeing how Mari was acting. He didn't quite pick up on what Liz was trying to tell him.
Maribel wanted to stop him, but it was too late. Her cheeks grew a lighter grey as she blushed. She didn't want to hurt the twins. It wasn't their fault!
"Uhm..." Jaden looked over at Junior, not sure what the matter was. "Bread, cinnamon, milk... eggs, butter. Why? What's wrong?"
"You said it was good." reminded Jay.
Junior indicated Mari. "Something is wrong." He said. "Come on let's get you some fresh air. Someone open the door."
Eliza reached the door with her hand without needing to leave her seat. "Feel better soon Maribel." she said gently, looking worried as she held the door open for them.
Maribel looked nervous and signed, 'I'm okay. I'm okay.' with one hand as she was scooted up by Junior and Eliza. She looked at the twins and signed, 'Thank you.' for cooking the bread pudding for her. Though it looked untouched.
The twins frowned and walked over to where she had been sitting. Jayden picked up the bowl and looked at her serving. It appeared fine. "Did we mess something up?"
"I knew we put in too much cinnamon." Jaden said. "Or is it too runny?"
"Tastes great to me, guys. Maybe she's sick or something." Veronica suggested with a shrug. She pushed her empty plate aside and started in on the second bowl of pudding. She let out a soft moan as the warm and heavy flavor settled on her tongue. "Soooooo good...."
Junior, neglecting the fact that he wasn't wearing a shirt, guided Mari outside to the school grounds and onto the snowy patio.
"Guys, I think... Maribel's not feeling well." Eliza said to the twins, not wanting to say her first hypothesis in case it turned out to be true.
"No way it's the pudding." Jaden said, taking a bite from Mari's bowl.
A minute later, Junior returned with Maribel.
"How's the weather out there?" joked Jayden, seeing how cold they both looked.
Junior glared at him and closed the door with his tail.
"What's up?" Eliza said, squirming a little in her seat and looking a little uncertain about this.
Maribel shook her head and waved away her hand, hopefully dismissing any concern. She gave a smile. Everything was fine. No one had to worry.
"Well... if you're sure..." Eliza said with a little nod of her head, not wanting to press things.
"She's ok." Junior said. "Apparently I freaked out over nothing."
"Coulda told you that." Veronica mumbled with a mouthful of food. She swallowed and wiped her mouth daintily. "There's absolutely nothing wrong with their cooking." She smiled at the Twins and happily took another spoonful of the bread pudding.
The twins both smiled at Veronica's compliment. They didn't often get it from the others despite how they usually cooked every meal for them. It was nice to hear some encouragement every so often. "No hard feelings, Maribel. If you aren't feeling good we could make you some soup or something? I heard there is a bit of a flu going around." Jaden said.
Maribel smiled and shook her head. She appreciated the offer, but that was not needed. She didn't have the flu.
Eliza cast a glimpse up at Maribel, catching her eye briefly. "No need to make a fuss boys." she said gently "Maribel and I will go down to the lab later and give her a quick flu test later, don't worry. For now, we're just about the finish the pancakes... and I mean I'm just about the finish the pancakes." She skewered another one onto her plate.
"She doesn't have the flu." Junior told Liz. "She's fine."
Maribel appreciated her friends worrying about her, but it wasn't needed. She went into the kitchen and got herself a drink of water with some ice from the freezer dispenser.
"Anyhoo..." Jaden began, "You guys want to have a Valentine's Day party or something? Punch bowl, hors d'oeuvres, music, the whole nine yards?"
"Not many of us would be able to actually bring dates." Eliza said with a shrug "What's the point in having a Valentine's day party without a date?"
"You know Eliza... we are single and we are pretty damn adorable." Jayden said slyly. "Could be fun?"
"It's still January..." Junior said as if it were obvious. "Isn't Waya's birthday coming up before that?"
"We could throw her a party." Veronica suggested looking up from her meal. She took a drink of orange juice and set the glass back down.
Eliza, did something strange. She put her hand down hard on the table, turning her eyes to glare at the twins, before saying "Go on then."
The twins were about to say something about having a birthday party when Eliza slapped her hand down. "Wha-?" asked Jayden, not getting what she was talking about.
"Date me." Eliza said flatly "Right now. Your continual advances have won me over." Eliza was staring at them like a mongoose staring down a pair of snakes.
The twins just looked at one another, "Uhhh..." As far as they knew, Eliza hated their guts and to hear her say these words....it had to be some sort of trick. They took a step back together, "Don't hit us. We were just having some fun."
"Don't." Junior said. "Let's not go there. You're cousins. It's gross."
"I'm not going to hit you." Eliza said, looking at the twins still, gently drumming her fingers on the table as she waited "Come on. After... god... years of you constantly saying you want to go out with me, you're suddenly refusing?"
Junior covered his ears. "Dear God make it stop..."
Veronica put her hand over her mouth and held back a startled laugh. She looked at the twins expectantly. This was getting good.
For once, the twins felt awkward as hell. They flirted with everyone all the time when they could get away with it. To have Eliza respond like this was really weird and that drumming of her fingers made them tense. "Uh huh... welll we uhh..." trailed Jayden.
"We sort of say that to everyone." said Jaden, being honest.
"So you're going to back out of what you just said?" Eliza said gently, still tapping her fingers and watching the two boys "Funny, you two are behaving as if you're finding all this incredibly awkward."
"Well I know I feel incredibly awkward." Junior said.
Propping her head up on her hand, Veronica smiled and looked betweent he twins and Eliza. "I know I'm enjoying this."
"Hey now. I just said I would take you if you if you felt all bent out of shape about not having a date. Never said I wanted a girlfriend out of the matter." Jay explained further. "We were just trying to help you out."
"And I just accepted." Eliza pointed out with a shrug "What, you don't fancy your cousin any more? Why bother to ask someone out if you don't want a girlfriend?"
"What are you getting at?" asked Jayden, seeing that Eliza wasn't being her usual self. "You're being weird."
Eliza gave a little smile, then sighed and turned back to her pancakes. "Nothing. Sorry. I guess your whole date comment cut a little bit."
"We just suggested a party. You brought up the date shit. But it's okay, we can do Waya's birthday first so you have time to figure that out." Jaden siad.
"You've got a better chance at building a snowman in hell than getting Waya to participate in a birthday party." Junior told them. Even thought it had been his idea, it just seemed wrong to plan something like a valentines day party before her birthday.
"We'll worry about that later. Maybe we can lure her down with some of her favorite deserts." Jaden wondered.
Mari plugged in her stereo, "I think that is a great idea. It could be a lot of fun and brighten this place up a bit."
Eliza shrugged a little. "Maybe I should go talk to her." she said, standing up slowly.
"Let her be." Jayden said. "She's tired from Mojos and is still resting. Her birthday is next week. Talk to her then."
"Rhydian helped her back upstairs." Junior told Liz, backing up the twins. "She's still exhausted... Speaking of which, has anyone seen Rhydian since then?"
The twins' minds wandered and they turned back to the sink and finished cleaning and drying their dishes. They secretly hoped he wasn't still with her.
"No." Eliza sighed, sinking back down on her seat and putting her chin on her hands "What about Jeremy? No one answered me before."
"I've not seen him since we got back." Junior said. "But I've been kinda busy, what with getting a sister and all..." Not to mention his spiffy new girlfriend.
"I've not seen him either." Veronica pointed out with a shrug. She hadn't been looking for him either though...
"Did he ever show up when Mrs. Carrington landed?" Jayden asked.
Eliza shook her head "No. I dunno, I guess I'm just a bit worried... It must not be nice in Spiral's head."
"You think he'd want company?" Junior asked. "Or would he prefer to be alone?" Waya was like that, but Jeremy wasn't Waya. Junior just felt awkward after their little... Junior felt like he should know what Jeremy would want right now.
The kitchen wasn't a complete mess, but it wasn't clean either. There was order to it, but it would be a nice surprise for the twins in the morning that they didn't have such a big dinner to clean up after. The leftovers had been put away and it left Waya and Rhydian scraping plates and washing dishes.
"So..did you really think you'd be spending your birthday night cleaning up after your own party?" Rhydian asked her curiously as he scrubbed a plate. Working in silence was fine and all, but sometimes the silence could become overwhelming...
Waya had begun scraping plates and piling the up for him. "I didn't think there would be a party at all." She said. "I don't mind this at all."
Rhydian smiled and glanced over at her. "I don't mind it either." He said, he was exceedingly happy with the company more than anything.
Once the plates were scraped Waya fell in beside him, drying the dishes. "This is nice." She said. "Normal is nice.."
"Yeah." Rhydian replied and set a glass down in the drainboard. "Happy birthday, Waya."
"Thanks, Rhydian..." Waya smiled a little and continued helping him dry.
"Any thoughts as to how we're going to go about this whole dimension hopping thing?" Rhydian asked as they finished up the dishes. Everything he'd ever read indicated that if there wasn't something on the other side that could open the portal, then you'd wind up stuck there... The idea of any of them going through and getting trapped...it didn't sit very well.
the school garden
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