1.33 Input Plot Thread

In the upcoming weeks, progress is made. Jyoti finally gets to be taught how to drive.

Which is good, because there are tons of places she intends to go with her friends. She spends most of the evening on the phone with one person after another, just focusing on enjoying her school life as best as she can. Between clubs and homework she doesn't have much time to go out, but she will be making the time.

And finally, finally! Something amazing happens.

And it's not Jet winning an award for his take on what art is supposed to be.

Something Jyo's been asking for forever arrives. A little Rhodesian Ridgeback pup named Leila. Her life as a teenager is essentially complete.

Leila gets one of those fancy replica houses that looks like their house, just so the neighbors know they have money enough to burn.

Her brother is still super happy just doing whatever though. He's only playing in the sandbox because his mom warned him about the germs here. He does not get up out of the sandbox to greet the new addition to the family.

His sister hangs out with him for a little bit longer before running after the new puppy (Dustin said he was going to let her sniff around a bit first before introductions). 

Normally a girl her age would hate hanging out with a younger sibling, but she's not concerned with how people perceive her (at least, that's what she thinks).

“Sometimes you just need to get a little bit dirty, you know? I didn't even brush my teeth today!” Jet announces proudly.

“Did mom tell you to, is that why?”

“No, she didn't, I decided not to brush them on my own. I'm too busy, there's a new book I just got and I have to go read it after this.”

“Well be sure to track sand all over the house before you do, mom and dad will love that.” Jyo supplies an idea, knowing full well he'll be stuck in a catch-22 and be forced to do the opposite.

But easy bait is too easy, and Jet isn't fooled by that. “The point of being rebellious is in getting away with the little things.” He tries to explain.

“That's just called being petty.”

“It's complicated, you don't understand.”

“Hmm, I'll bet.” Jyoti is too amused by this feeble attempt at intellectual dominance to respond to it.

Plus, awwww....

Aw! No pets allowed yet? No.. that's a no, the puppy wants no pets. She tries not to take this development personally.

Tugs are cool though. Tugs are totally okay.

After a long conversation with Jet about which cryptozoological species are provably in existence, and the escape of one Tammy the Turtle,

Who is quickly 'rescued' and placed back in her freshly cleaned cage,

Dustin heads inside to flatter his wife a little.

Things are pretty typical at the Sparrow's on most days.

And then, as most of her classmates have finally caught up with her age, Jyo throws a much better party.

It would be awesome if her parents didn't want to stay at home for this party, or if at the very least they could stop making out in broad daylight where the neighbors or any early guests could see them.

This is Everet.

He aged up looking like a mobster. He is glorious.

This, combined with Nigel from the previous chapter has me convinced that something is going on with the youth in this town. There is no way I'm going to let him keep this 80s gangster hairdo, and no way I am going to let this new neighborhood dynamic out of my authoritative grasp.

Input plot thread: Everet is now a mobster too.

For such a goody-two shoes this makes no sense, but Everet plays the long game, and his family has been the subject of enough targeted harassment by the local thugs (due in no small part to his father's targeted reporting on local gangs and medi-dealers) that one day he realized his father wouldn't be able to protect the family any more, and Leon was uselessly and obliviously working several jobs because his girlfriend had expectations about a certain lifestyle. The only one smart and reckless enough to act was Everet, and his reaction was to join up and destroy it all from within.

Although it may be hard to imagine that anywhere in this paradoxical town would follow any sort of rules in the first place. Too many people immigrate here, chasing their dreams of making money, becoming famous, or at the very least mooching the fame and money for those that have lived here for generations.

It would make sense over time that a criminal undercurrent would erode certain industries, Dustin himself is now a player in several local businesses to counter act his reliance on the performing arts should the SAG (Stage Actors Guild) come under the influence of local mafia ever again. Even if he's big enough now that they would need his cooperation to succeed in their blatant back-stage deals, there are still occupations and products that are illegal where the mafia will have ultimate financial growth and leverage over the population.

* Cue makeover music *

Not for you!

(Ahem) Howard Huanna aged up as well. We'll deal with that later.

Yes, Everet, YOU.

Off to a decent start.

Also, because I can, I made this snobby athletic kid dress super nerdy. Multiple patterns, GO!

He's athletic, but something of a nerd with his studies. This allows him to dress however he wants with no one at school being able to competently bully him about his style choices. He'd still just stuff them into a locker or lock them in the storage shed, or something.

Speaking of people who have no tact... here are the chaperons for this event...

Jyoti was over her crush on Everet. It was silly, stupid. But he shows up dressed to the nines for Kevin's surprise party and all she can do is stare at him. How annoying.

He is Rebellious, Charismatic, Easily Impressed, has Commitment Issues, and a Born Salesman.

Sometimes no matter what you do, you feel like you can never catch up. Jyoti feels that now, seeing her cousin all grown, his top lip covered in whispy strands of male pride, and it takes her longer than it should for her to realize the closely guarded expression on his face and what it could mean.

She knows about Nigel, and Mercutio, and the other kids from her grade that joined the Starlight Shores chapter of the Organization (SSO), she knew that when Everet was there the other kids followed his lead and didn't cause any trouble for she and her friends. She thought it meant that he had some leverage over the obnoxious boys her age who were among the initiate, it never had occurred to her that they listened because he had seniority over them.

After a hard stare at his side arm causes him to holder it and he shuffles his feet in the tiniest amount in discomfort, she has one word for him. “Why?”

“You don't have to keep this a secret, but my old man... he can't find out. I trust you, Jyo.”

She nearly steps back a few feet in surprise. Speechless. He's not even sorry.

Finally, something comes out. “Wh-why did you come here dressed like this if you didn't want anyone to know?”

“Alright, there're two reasons for this. The first one you won't like, but it's honest. I came here from an important meeting and I had to show my colors for it. The second, you may not like either, but it's essential. To remind some of the kids coming here that will be joining soon, who this family is and that they're off-limits. Under my protection. There are parts of the initiations that affect the public and this is to keep you out of any affected category. You may not think you need it, but here I am anyways. I can't dress down for this as I won't be taken seriously.”

A few minutes later many of the other guests arrive and Maria immediately mocks Jyoti for not knowing anything about this. She's close to the Sparrows (Leon is her long term boyfriend), so she's untouchable as well. Hilarious that she knew about Everet before Jyoti.

I seriously think this kid's name is Gaston. Either way, I label him as another initiate. Sorry you look like you're up to no good, kid.

This situation is somewhat painful for Everet to witness, but Howard takes a different tack. He's going to become a politician and stamp out the corruption here once and for all. He's tired of seeing his agemates suffering from this, and he can't imagine what happens at the adult levels. He has an idea of course, he just doesn't like to imagine it. He's certain that being athletic and charismatic both will serve him well, what he can't dodge he'll be able to talk his way out of so he can be in a position of power over people like Everet and those he serves.

“It pains me.” Everet complains.

Maybe it's just a toothache, and he's not really growing a conscience. He can deal with doing all this behind his dad's back, the old man should know what goes on in his own backyard being one of the 'finest' reporters in modern times, so Eugene being oblivious can be seen as being his fault.

But Everet knows that Jyoti has always admired him and to see her stand there shocked and not even hearing Maria's mocking words because that faith has been lost, hurts a little more than he'd like to admit. They've always been each other's favorites, as Leon and Jet don't socialize with anyone all that much in the first place.

“You okay, boss?” Mercutio passes a critical eye over the scene.

“It's fine of course. I'm just stretching out my sore muscles after that job last night. You'd better not back down either when the time comes.”

“I know, I won't.” Is the determined response.

“Good.”

Howard stretches a bit too, but is seriously tempted to punch someone in the face right now. It's people like this that undermine his father's careful work in this town!

The guest of honor is here, and Jyoti has recovered her good humor just in time to challenge him to a rumble before he ages up. “C'mon kid, fight me.”

Kevin may be brave and clumsy (a hilarious combination in my humble opinion) but he's also way too good to hit a girl. “I don't want to win and embarrass you, so no thanks.” He says breezily.

He looks over the guests that have arrived. Are these supposed to be his friends? A part of him wants to ask, but really he doesn't care all that much. The fae don't celebrate birth, even though they do mourn death. Every day living life the way one wants is how one can celebrate that they were born. That's how his family sees it, and he so far agrees.

Jyoti can't stand the idea that he won't have a 'normal' birthday, so she invited a bunch of people from their class so he can experience it first hand.

It's kind of sweet, but she seems a bit on edge to be acting out like this.

“Isn't that your cousin, what so he's a mobster now too?” He asks her abruptly.

Everet's still uselessly worrying about how she's taking all of this.

Meanwhile, tired of all the PDA, I sent these two to their room. You have one, so use it!

Sheesh what now. I hope you're not still thinking about Jyoti.

“So I made a few changes to the house! They still had no right to ground me over it! I had to wait WEEKS to get my learner's permit! It was so unfair!”

Here we see one of Everet's lackeys pretending to be a good student. And yeah, the game named him Gaston. Good job, game. Gaston Holmes-Singh. Shows up in his abominable track suit just so he can play the good kid and make a show of doing his homework.

Yessir, the mobsters in this story fear no-one.

They will become the most formidable force in the city if they stick close, thicker than blood or thieves.

The world itself... is their oyster. Ripe for the plucking.

This is all autonomous, I assure you. He's not in the active family so this is what he decided to do at this party. After announcing his new career choice to a select few that he's hoping will join the empire he will begin to build, starting with today.

Well at least people are happy around here.

“We should go check on the kids, I can tell more have arrived, they're so loud.”

“Yeah... we should. I'm just so relaxed right now though.”

Muira's over! I love her! I constantly get updates about how badass she is at the hunting skill. How nice of her to come over just to greet the new puppy. Leila probably thinks she's a puppy too, being so small.

Well whatever, I've had enough of this group of kids. Maria actually has the audacity to criticize someone for not being a book-loving shut-in. Wow, overcompensating much?

(I wouldn't have given her boobs with a makeover anyways, I don't change body shapes when I do that).

Murcutio walks over and pays his respects. “You got a nice place here. I respect that.”

“Yeah, yeah it's nice alright, and how many nights do you stay up late binge watching the sopranos? I mean, it explains your grades, but...”

“I am NOT a dog, and you can't take me home with you, my humans are here!”

“Well I can't come home with another leaf.” Miura reasons.

Your right, kid. We should all be focusing on you today.

And not this group of disrespecting vagrants who can't even learn the proper respect!

“You tell her Mercutio!” Maria encourages.

“Next job you go in first now, Cue.” A calm voice interrupts their obnoxious cheering. Everet.

The boy clumsily tries to explain. “Shit. Sorry, Boss but this is a personal thing, it's got nothing to do with our work, your cousin and I just don't get along. I shouldn't have to be on the front line just for that.”

Maria chuckles, but she's stopped egging him on. “You're too easy.”

Everet casts a glance over her but says nothing. She hates his superior attitude, she's dating his older and more mature brother for maker-sake. That outta be worth something! But it isn't, Everet knows she'll never tell him for fear that he'll find someone new.

Inside, this is happening.

Kevin looks exactly like his dad, and now adds Inappropriate to his list of likely behaviors. How could such a cheerfu kid grow up with this sour face?

I give him a style change and find out that he's totally ripped, though.

Now he's more of a bird head.

Who is Meghan approved.

“Jyoti, I changed my mind, you can date this one!”

“If I say you do it, you do it.” Everet has to be the kind of guy who does not like to repeat himself. Usually his natural charisma makes this sort of scene unnecessary, but this kid is that dense.

Mercutio eventually backs down. He wants the lifestyle, the money, the influence. He has to do what Everet tells him after all.

Meghan was quite possibly only interested in the cake as she's still cheering for it.

Once again, Kevin doesn't see the point of this type of party or understand the habits of the humans. There isn't even any nectar, although the cake was great. Why does he have to be screamed at by people in order to grow older?

“So... just to be clear, you don't like any of the boys here tonight right, that's not why you invited them?”

“No dad, I really just wanted Kevin to have a good time. Did you really think I was looking for somebody that much, to try to find love in this haystack of losers?”

“... aren't several of them your friends?”

“Right, they're friends. Not dating material. I will also tease them mercilessly when one of them finally gets a girlfriend.”

I like to imagine that Leila invited Muira to the party.

At least, the fluffy orange cat certainly walks around the place as if she were invited.

Meanwhile, here is the face of the guy who won the argument. He can feel the look of begrudging respect on his back as he walks away. Little shit, he thinks. That'll show you we have a hierarchy.

Maria is none too happy about this. She should NOT have to obey her boyfriend's younger brother. But Everet's right, she'd never tell Leon what goes on here. Leon's too much of an earnest idiot to understand. She's not even in the organization, but she couldn't think of anything smart to say, so she's leaving now.

Jyoti... couldn't care less about what that girl does with her spare time.

But a few minutes later and she's back inside, trying to store her feelings in her stomach.

“I see you can forgive me for the sake of cake.” Everet says.

“Shut up.”

It's true though. She's in line for the cake.

“You have tattoos now?” Meghan questions.

“It's easier to talk about the art that I collect if it's already on my body to begin with.” He says it so casually that she accepts his explanation.

“Okay, but don't do anything I wouldn't do. I worry about you and your brother sometimes, are you getting along well? What about work, what are you going to do in the future?”

He shrugs. “Get more ink. Maybe I'll be a tattoo artist. Thanks for worrying about me, Aunt Drea.”

If this conversation amuses Cue at all he at least keeps his mouth shut for once.

“Okay, seriously be careful kid.”

Jet sings the song of the bench. His parents survival story lives on in legend.

“We could infiltrate the space program.”

“You can shut up too.”

“But, imagine the power, if we had a space ship...!”

“Why the hell am I your SSO sponsor?” Everet grumbles.

“Because you know my true potential.” Mercutio “Cue” Best gloats. If only his rich, stingy parents knew he was throwing in with the mob, they'd respect him then!

“Your potential is as a meatsheild tomorrow night, and don't you forget it.”

The kid cringes for a second. Nobody wants to go in first in a raid at another gang's safe house.

But Everet follows it up. “I'll be right behind you, you'd better not die kid.”

Overall several dynamics in this party were amusing. Humans... are fun.

“Would you like to participate in another human tradition?” Since you look bored out of your mind, she refrains from adding.

“Since...love day is coming up I want to practice dancing. Someone might come sweep me away and I want to be prepared!”

“Like, in the trash? Why that analogy?” He manages to ask innocently.

“No you absolute tool, it's a romantic term. Sheesh you aged up to be a jerk. Anyways let me teach you how to dance, try not to do anything inappropriate.”

“No promises.” He takes her up on it, and begins to learn the a simple four step waltz.

It's nice to see him smiling for a bit.

“Hey, let me cut in- I might die tomorrow.”

“No way loser, it's your own fault for going!” Jyo calls happily over her shoulder.

Cue feels the winter chill in her smile for a second before he realizes that he just doesn't care anymore.

“Did you enjoy your party at least a little?” Jyo asks Kevin, somehow unsure.

“I had a great time!” Jet interrupts.

Kevin just chuckles. This is why he doesn't mind living among the unpredictable humans.

Kevin smiles, shrugs, and excuses himself. “See you later Howie.”

“F*** off, Swift.” Howard responds casually.

They're such great friends.

Miura has decided that until the puppy gets bigger this will be her pet palace. And that'll be her noms.

And before everyone goes home Jyoti is able to catch her cousin alone.

“You have a stomachache? Do you regret doing this that much?”

Everet undoubles himself. “Uhhh... no, it's just that I have so much responsibility now to everyone.”

“You aren't feeling guilty about leading these kids to their own destruction? Deceiving your father, who trusts you? Nothing like that?”

“Nothing like that.” He assures her. “If I can't do at least this much I'll never be able to protect the family when it needs to be protected.”

“I see you've thought a lot about this. But you are the type of guy that'll eat anything without being affected by it, so I think your stomach hurts because you're not being honest with yourself.”

He winks at her. “Seriously Jyo you don't need to worry about me. That'll be the day, when I let my baby cousin be concerned for my wellfare!” 

This show of bravado does nothing to convince her that he's fine.

“Ugh, you're not fooling anyone. If you hate this then you don't have to do it. No I won't tell Uncle Gene or Aunt Lize, but you should think about doing something else with your life if you're going to regret this choice.”

“You sound like your mother.”

That shut her up. Jyo just narrows her eyes so he continues.

“Don't get tattoos, I don't want to worry, blah blah blarg. This is why I don't like dating, all you women do is worry about unessesary things. If I became a paperboy I'd have to hear it from both of you. Well, I am not changing my mind about this, and I've been involved in it since middle school!”

“Okay, you don't have to vent to me about it, I get it. I know my mom worries about Leon working as a plumber, that he's going to inhale fumes and keel over one day. I know your mom wants everyone to be a librarian. It makes sense that you'd want to see what you can do on your own, but keep in mind you don't have to carry the whole family, okay? Both our dads have a lot of influence in town too, they won't let things get out of hand, I'm sure of it.”

“Must be nice to feel so confident. Anyways, These brats from school shouldn't bother you so much anymore now.”

“Oh they don't bother me, I just work them into my jokes at school and they get laughed at. Let them be stupid. But thanks for worrying.”

And Thank you Howard for playing this episode out.

And Meghan... for proving that no amount of adult responsibility will hold you back from reliving your runaway days.