Rowan 1: Round 17

Last round, the Rowan twins Hermes and Athena grew to teenagers and started high school. Meanwhile, Nemo continued to advance in the culinary career while Adrianna kept working on her writing.

Hey, guys...

Hermes: Oh, hey mysterious voice...

So, what are we up to today?

Athena: Well, we were heading down to the library but then someone decided they didn't want to leave the house because the sky "looks weird".

Hermes: I'm telling you, it looks darker! 

Athena: You are crazy! It's the same sky that's always been there. The sky doesn't change, right mysterious voice?

Um...you know, why don't we table that discussion for now and head down to the library. I can assure you that it's safe.

Besides, it looks like you have some important...studying to do.

Hermes: So, do you think I could drop by your place sometime after school?

Hope: Eh, I don't think that's a really good idea...you know how my dad gets.

Hermes: But I thought he focused more on the animals now...

Hope: For the most part. But trust me, you do not want to be outed as "little Hope"'s boyfriend on his blog. I've read some of the comments...

You do realize that if this goes well, he'll be moving in with you, right?

Hope: Yeah, well, maybe some other distraction will come up by then.

Hermes: Like what? Water falling from the sky?

Hope: Ha! Yeah, right...

Eh...maybe I'd better go check on Athena...

Looks like you've got your own little study project going on...

Athena: I'm really sorry about your mom...

Cyprus: Ugh, why does everybody keep bringing that up? It was like, a million years ago anyway.

Actually...

Cyprus: Just stay out of this, mysterious voice. I'm fine. I've moved on.

If you say so...

Adrianna: Hey...how was the library?

Hermes: Fine...hey, Mom, can I ask you something?

Adrianna: Sure. What's up?

Hermes: Does something...feel different to you, lately? Like, outside?

Adrianna: No...does something feel different to you?

Hermes: I don't know, I just can't shake the feeling that something's gonna happen...

Hey, would you look at that! Nemo's home!

Oh, and with a promotion to boot.

Nice going, Nemo!

Wow...going for the hard one, huh?

Nemo: Well, she should know better than to use her phone in class. Besides, I'm sure they'll give it back to her at the end of the day.

I guess so, if she's getting a date invite.

Athena: I can't believe he had them take my phone! It's so unfair! I mean, practically every kid in the class has been caught with their phone and nobody else's parents...

Wait, wait...does the school really call the parents every time something like this happens?

Athena: Of course. How else would they know what to do? Anyway, nobody else's parents would have had their phone taken away...I mean, your...oh...

Cyprus: My what? You mean the mother I don't have? Or the father I barely talk to?

Athena: I'm sorry, Cyprus...that was really dumb of me to say.

Cyprus: Well, it's still true...not your fault for stating the obvious.

About that whole moving on thing...

Cyprus: Not the right time...

Athena:  You know, you don't have to chaperone us. You can go back to my house...now...

Ok, ok, I'm going...

Nemo: This place is a dump! I thought the point of those new machines was to clean the clothes, not to leave the dirty ones all over the place.

No, that is the point of the machines. The point of teenagers is to leave the dirty clothes everywhere.

Nemo: All I'm saying is, it wouldn't kill them to learn a little responsibility. I mean, they're not little kids anymore.

Actually, both of them are pretty responsible already...

Adrianna: So, you think we should start having them do the laundry?

Nemo: This isn't just about the dirty laundry...

I thought it was...

Nemo: I mean, they have to learn that they can't spend all of their time out partying with their friends. 

Adrianna: They don't spend all their time partying with their friends...

Nemo: Uh-huh...then where are they right now?

Adrianna: Um...well...

Nemo: Exactly.

Ok, well, in Adrianna's defense, this isn't really what most would consider "partying"...and technically speaking Hope is his girlfriend...

Hope: What?

Um...I mean...potential girlfriend...I'll see myself out.

Huh...

Nemo: What?

Well, not exactly the choice I'd expect from Mr. Responsible...

Nemo: Well, yeah, but I still want them to learn to care about other people too....

Do you know who the friend was?

Nemo: No, the school wouldn't tell me. Do you?

No, but I think I have an idea...

Hope: Thanks for helping me out today.

Hermes: No problem. What got you so upset, anyway?

Hope: Ugh...the usual. I wish my dad never started that stupid blog...

That's not what you thought when you were getting free toys in the mail.

Hope: Well, I was a dumb kid then. I didn't know any better! Besides, who asked you anyway...

Hermes: Um...speaking of her, actually...remember the other day when she called you my girlfriend?

Hope: Yeah...

Hermes: Well, I...I mean, I was kind of wondering...

Ha, see? I was right...ok, I'll see myself out again.

Looks like Cortex doesn't want you to go...sorry, girl, but you've got to wait until after he graduates!

Huh...you know, maybe some professional consultation wouldn't be the worst idea...

Well, professional-ish, I guess...

Adrianna: Oh, I thought this was a formal restaurant...

Faith: Oh, it is. I brought an outfit to change into.

Wouldn't it have been easier to just...you know...wear it here?

Faith: So...how are the kids doing?

Adrianna: Oh, you know...typical teenager stuff...or at least, that's what I thought...

Faith: What do you mean?

Adrianna: Oh, well, Nemo's on this big kick now about teaching them to be responsible...

Faith: Not a bad idea...

Adrianna: Yeah, but it never seemed to be an issue before. Besides, nagging them about chores can't be it, can it? What about teaching them to be, you know, caring people?

Faith: Well...maybe you can do both. You know, taking care of children certainly taught me both of those things...

Adrianna: Nope, no way. I'm not having any more kids.

Faith: I never said you had to. There's plenty of kids around this town...oh, here comes our food.

Adrianna: What is this stuff?

Faith: How should I know? You ordered it.

Almost makes you question why you keep picking this place instead of the nice, normal diner across the street...

Nice going, Adrianna.

Adrianna: Thanks.

Given any more thought to the...advice?

Adrianna: Actually, yes. And I think I have the perfect idea...

Adrianna: Nope. I've made other plans for you two today.

Hermes: What!?

Adrianna: You two are going to babysit your cousins.

Hermes: Oh, ok...Houston and Madison are...

Adrianna: Nope. Your other cousins.

Hermes: You mean...Flick and Hank?

Don't forget Dory...

Hermes: But mom, they're...

Adrianna: They're your responsibility for the day, that's what they are. 

Hermes: This...isn't going to be pretty.

Athena: Oh, come on. How bad could it be...they're just kids...

Hermes: You've...met Flick before, right?

Hermes: Hey there, Flick...how's school going?

Flick: Ok, except I got detention for putting a frog in the teacher's desk.

Hermes: Well, that's...

Flick: And then she got like, super sick. The frog was only a little poisonous, though...

Athena: Well...who is this?

Dory: Kitty!

Hank: He's not a kitty, he's a raccoon...

You mean she's a raccoon.

Hank: Huh?

Yeah, I probably should have let you know this when I was here last, but....Rocket's a girl.

Dory: Rocket bad kitty! Rocket bit me!

Hank: Because you pulled his tail!

Her tail...

Hank: Whatever...

Athena: Well, let's leave Rocket alone for right now...Dory, why don't you come upstairs and we'll read a book, ok?

Hermes: So...how about we watch a movie?

Flick: Nah...we've seen them all.

Hermes: Ok...how about a game?

Hank: We can't. The video game thing is broken.

Flick: Yeah, cause your raccoon chewed all the wires...

Hermes: How about hide and seek?

Flick: Ok, but I'm gonna win...I'm the best hider ever!

Hank: No way! I'm a much better hider than him!

Flick: Yeah, right...

Hank: I hid Rocket from everybody for like a week!

Flick: Not from everybody...I knew right away!

Hopefully Athena's making out better with Dory...

Athena: Goodnight, clouds...goodnight, dog...

Ok, first of all...that doesn't rhyme. Also, it's 2 in the afternoon. Is it really the best time for a bedtime book?

Athena: Shh! I'm hoping I can trick her into going to sleep...

Um, Hank...

Hank: I'm not here!

Hermes: Man...babysitting is hard!

Athena: Yeah...but at least we're getting paid, right?

Well...

Hermes: What? We've been doing this for free?

Nemo: So, did you two learn anything today?

Hermes: Yeah...that your family is a good source of free labor.

Well, on that...uplifting note, I've got to be on my way. See all of you guys next round!

A Message From the Mysterious Voice: The pre-Seasons catch-up continues! (Although Hermes seems to have caught on that something's coming...). These guys are usually pretty uneventful. I always forget that finishing the culinary aspiration doesn't actually require you to get to the top level of the career.

Doe 1: Round 17

Last round, Garnet found that his habit of “borrowing” items didn’t exactly make him the most popular kid in high school. Not that this deterred him, as he kept coming home with unexpected surprises in his backpack. His mother Christin knew something was up, while his father Mackerel insisted everything was just fine. Only his sister Amethyst knew the truth, and unfortunately her brother blackmailed her into keeping it a secret...

Morning, guys….

Christin: Oh, hello mysterious voice.

Am I interrupting anything?

Garnet: Yeah…me getting chewed out again….

Christin: Garnet and I were just having a little talk about responsibility before he heads downtown...

Oh, where are we going?

Garnet: We? Oh, no…you’re coming too, aren’t you?

Christin: Either she does or I will...

Garnet: Ugh…fine. Come on...

Ahh, I see...

Haiti: Oh, great…you brought the voice along.

Garnet: My mom made me...

Nice to see you too, Haiti. So, what are we up to today?

Haiti: I thought we’d do a little shopping...

Shopping...right. Um, isn't this store a little pricy for a couple of teenagers?

Haiti: Yeah...but Garnet knows a few tricks...

That's what I was afraid of...

Haiti: Hey, just be cool, ok? Garnet, I'll go distract the salesperson...

Garnet, I don't think this is a very...

Clam: Garnet?

Garnet: Uh...hey, Clam...

Clam: What are you doing here? This place is so overpriced...

Garnet: Um...I'm just...shopping. With Haiti.

Clam: Then, why is Haiti on the other side of the store...talking to all the salespeople at once...

I always knew I liked you, Clam...

Garnet: Can't you go bug someone else for awhile? My mom's doing some stupid errands, why don't you go annoy her?

Well, I guess I could go give her the news I just saw...

Garnet: Wait, no...

Sorry...already on my way out...

Ahh, here you are...wait, where are we?

Christin: Oh, I'm down at the community center. I had to pay for Amethyst's music lessons...I thought you were going to stay with Garnet...

Funny you should bring that up...

Antionette: Oh, Christin...I was hoping you'd drop by today...

Christin: I know, I'm a few days late. I've just been swamped lately reviewing all those new bars down by the docks...

Antoinette: Actually, that's not what I wanted to talk to you about...(sigh)...after Garnet's art class last week, I noticed that we were suddenly missing a whole bunch of art supplies, and...

Christin: Wait...back up. Garnet's what class?

Yeah, I'm with her on this one.

Antoinette: Yeah...I thought you signed him up.

Christin: No...we've been offering to sign him up for something since he was in grade school but as far as I knew he just kind of hung out while Amethyst had her music lessons. Besides, he's never shown much interest in art...

Well, if Antoinette here is to be believed...

Antoinette: How'd you know my name?

Not the time...anyway, Christin, it seems like you need to have a talk with your son.

Christin: (sigh) Yeah, I guess I do.

Christin: Garnet, we need to have a talk...

Garnet: Whatever she said, it's not true!

Christin: I just came from the community center, Garnet. Antoinette told me...

Garnet: Wait...who?

Christin: Your art teacher.

Garnet: Art...teacher....right...anyway, she's lying. Whatever she told you, it's not true.

Christin: Garnet, listen to me. You can get in serious trouble for this. You know we'll buy you anything you want. It's not like when you were little. We're fine with money now...

Well...

Christin: Well, we're better than we used to be...good enough that we don't have to steal what we want from other people, at least.

Garnet: And who says that's why I'm doing it, huh?

Christin: So, it is true then? What else have you stolen? How long has this been going on?

Um...I'm going to go check on Amethyst...

Trying to drown out the fighting?

Amethyst: Is it working for you?

Nope.

Amethyst: Me neither.

Well, you're still outside the house, so I guess that's a good sign.

Garnet:  Shut up. This is all your fault.

My fault?

Garnet: Yeah...I know you ratted me out. No way my mom figured everything out on her own...

Actually, it was that Antoinette lady that...

Garnet: And now I'm grounded! For like, forever.

Amethyst: So how does it feel to know you'll probably never leave the house until graduation?

Garnet: Shut up, ok? Just shut up!

Amethyst: Well, ok. I'm just going to head down to the community center and hang out...because you know, I can do that.

At least it looks like Christin was able to channel her anger into something useful. Nice going, Christin.

Garnet: Aww, man...

What?

Garnet: Clam and Betta are throwing a huge party at the bluff's right now...Clam keeps sending me pictures and asking when I'm going to show up.

Well, you know, that's what happens when...

Garnet: Screw this! She thinks locking me in the house will fix everything, she's got another thing coming...

You know, I would praise you for doing your own laundry but I have a feeling that's not what's going on here.

Garnet: Mom thinks that she can just lock me in and I won't be able to steal? Ha! Let's see how she likes it when I start stealing from them!

Garnet....this is a really bad idea...

Garnet: Oh, relax, will you? It's just a couple of dollars from the laundry...she'll never miss it.

(Sigh) Just...try not to get arrested at school, ok? I don't think that would make a very good birthday present for your dad.

Dude, seriously? Another poster?

Garnet: What? It's not like I can fit that much in my backpack without anyone noticing.

Your choice of item is not what I'm objecting to here.

Well, looks like Mackerel's got one birthday present already. Now, let's get that cake going...

Oh, come on! We were so close!

Sorry about that, Mackerel...

Mackerel: (Sigh) Eh, it's ok, I guess...

Christin: Hello, there...

Garnet: Um...hi...

Christin: May I ask why you're coming into your sister's room?

Garnet: Uh...I was just going to do some laundry, and...

Christin: And you thought Amethyst may have left something in her pockets?

Garnet: What? How?

Christin: Garnet, if you're going to lie and take things while doing the laundry, it helps to actually turn the washer on...

Garnet: Oh...

Christin: I can't believe you would take money from your sister...

Garnet: So what, am I like, super grounded now? You've already got me on house arrest...what else could you possibly do?

Christin: Well, for starters, the laundry room is now off limits. I do the laundry now. And as for the rest...honestly, Garnet, I need time to think this over.

Um, seeing as how it's the last night of your week I don't suppose you could just...you know what, you take all the time you need.

Garnet: Can you believe it? She actually thought banning me from doing laundry was a punishment....I know, right? And then she's all "I have to think about the rest"...Dude, it's not about the money, ok? I don't know, it's about the...fun, I guess? The fun of getting away with it! Well, I was...

Well, now that you're not getting away with it anymore I suppose the fun's over?

Garnet: No way...the laundry's not the only place I can sneak some cash.

(sigh) I shouldn't even ask, but...

Garnet: She left her credit card in her pocket the other day...

You guys have credit...you know what, that's not the point. You know she's going to notice that missing, right?

Garnet: I didn't steal the card. I just memorized the numbers.

How?

Garnet: Don't you remember? I'm a genius...

Garnet, this is a really bad idea...

Garnet: Isn't about time you went away?

(sigh) Technically you're right...but this is not over. When I get back here we are going to have a talk...assuming you haven't already gotten yourself arrested that is...

A Message from the Mysterious Voice: Welcome to the pre-Seasons catch-up, everyone! I figured I should get myself caught up to my game before the new EP comes out. And yup, Garnet's still coming home from school with random posters and knick-knacks. This kleptomaniac trait would be so much less annoying if he'd come home with something useful.