A/N Hey guys! Sorry for being a bit late, but hey, you can't rush getting it right after all! I hope you guys enjoy this!
R&R!
Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Medicine Of Laughter
"Heh, so far it sounds like you've had some fun," Skippy went, glancing at Lana as he did so.
The young girl nodded in reply. "Yeah, not gonna lie, I've had the most fun in months these past few days."
"Well then, all I've gotta say is that that's some pretty good timing," The boy turned and made his way towards a small garage with Lana following soon after. "I'm glad you wanted to come today," He outstretched his arms, seemingly trying to show off a building that his companion had no doubt seen hundreds of times before. "Welcome back!"
Lana cracked a smile. No matter how mundane the task, Skippy would always find a way to make it more interesting. "Yeah, it's good to be back," With that, they stepped forward and entered the building.
Instantly, her nose was assaulted by the soft scents of lubricant of burning rubber, as her eyes took in the garage, its racks filled from end to end in bike parts and their tables overwhelmed by the sheer numbers off bikes.
"Heh, even in the off season, there's still more work to be done," The young girl couldn't help, but quip.
"Course, but that's what makes this fun," Skippy then stepped over and grabbed a wrench off one of the racks, only to instantly chuck it at his companion. "Catch!"
Effortlessly, Lana caught it, and turned, wasting no time beginning work on what appeared to be a bike made out of some wooden planks nailed together. "Ehh, it ain't much, but if it's got two wheels, I'm pretty sure it can be a bike."
For the next few minutes after that, they worked on the bikes. For them, it was a small business, asking the other children of the neighborhood for four or five dollars to fix up their bicycles. Of course, they couldn't do much besides a few tweaks and the occasional tire filling, but all in all, it was a simple task.
And one they took a lot of pride in accomplishing.
"Heh, man, I missed this," She whispered, her eyes glancing back at the boy she had started this little venture with. "It's like nothing ever changed…" She paused for a moment, only to quickly shake her head. "No, this is what Lola would want. She'd wanna come and ride with us, and if she's gonna be able to do it, I need to make sure I can make the best bike ever just for her!"
"Knock, knock," A familiar voice greeted.
"Huh?" Lana turned to the source: Luan, holding her unicycle. "Oh, hi."
"Hey…" Her voice trailed off for a moment. "So, I, uhh… overheard you talking to Skippy about doing bike stuff again, and I was just wondering if you could… help me out a bit."
Skippy wiped his hands off and nodded. "Sure. What seems to be the problem?"
In reply, the young woman poked the bike, causing the locking mechanism to buckle and the wheel to pop off. "This… I have to perform later and I can't have this fall apart on me again!"
Skippy stepped over and took the device in his hands. "No problem, we'll have this fixed in a jiffy!" Before he turned and stepped over to the nearby workbench to do his thing.
"So, you're getting back to performing?" Lana tilted her head in curiosity.
"Yeah…" She rubbed the back of her head. "I took a break cause I wasn't feeling good, but now, I kinda need the money and stuff."
Lana tilted her head in curiosity. "Need help?"
"No," Another voice went, causing Lana to jump into Luan's arms. Thankfully, the young girl reacted and caught her just in time.
"Lucy! How many times have we told you to stop doing that!" The younger girl went, before hopping from her perch. "Thanks Luan."
"No problem."
"Anyways, I was lacking in inspiration so I decided to join Luan for a comeback performance…" She looked away slightly. "Though I'm unsure if a happy party is going to help me much."
"Well, it couldn't hurt, right?" Lana shrugged. "After all, it could be fun, that might be just what you need to get the ol' noggin' and creativity flowin' again."
Lucy looked away and shrugged.
After that, Skippy stepped over with the completed device in hand. "Anyways, I hope I'm not cutting in on anything, but I'm done!"
"Thanks, Skippy," Luan pulled out a five and gave it over, before hopping on the unicycle and peddling off. "Anyways, see ya! I've got a party to entertain! If you wanna come by, I'm a few blocks that way! The Sherman residence!"
"I have to go as well," The Goth girl went, before a flash of dark filled the air, allowing her to disappear with Lana only able to look at where she stood in confusion.
"Man, your sisters are pretty cool," Skippy chuckled at that.
Lana nodded in agreement. "Yeah, they are," before she rubbed her chin. "They both seem to be having trouble… maybe I could try to help them out today! It couldn't hurt, right?"
The boy turned and nodded. "You're thinking of going off with them, aren't ya?"
"Yeah," The girl nodded.
"Head off then, I've got this handled," He picked up a wrench and motioned for her to head off. "Have fun, and make sure to bring me back some cake! Got it?!"
For a moment, she considered trying to decline, but her desire for cake and to see her sisters in action easily overtook that idea. And so, she smiled. "Thanks Skippy! Don't worry, I'll make this up to you later!" Before she turned and bolted out the door.
A Few Minutes Later…
Soon enough, she found herself walking up to a small home with a stage set up in its backyard. "Yep! This is the place!" Before she turned and rushed along the side, sticking her head out from behind a wall to not interrupt the show.
"What do you get when you mix a koala and a bear? A panda!" Luan punned, flaring her arms out in emphasis.
Yet, the crowd didn't react.
From her perch, Lana watched as Luan quickly put on a smile, stood up straight and pulled out her trusty puppet.
"Man Luan, your delivery was pretty wooden!" He went, before turning to the crowd. "Like me!"
Sadly, the crowd seemed disinterested in the act, and already, had started glancing at the birthday cake sitting nearby.
Lana watched as her big sister continued on, trying and failing to get anything more than a bored reaction out of the children, leading to one of the parents walking over and going. "All right then kids! Give it up for Luan! We'll get her to come back in a few!"
Another parent then came up with a cake slicer. "Now who wants some?!"
Instantly, the crowd of kids rushed to their feet and turned, instantly swarming the woman carrying their delicious treat.
With that, Luan let out a breath. "Well that could've gone better."
Lucy appeared at her side a moment later. "Agreed," She pulled out her notebook. "But, at least this is giving me some ideas. How does this sound? Kids, bored, learning how to watch paint dry, maybe it's time to cut the cord?"
"You're always the helpful one, Lucy," The comedian let out a breath in defeat. "I just don't get it…"
"Hey, Luan, what's going on?" Lana slowly approached her sister, concern filling her voice. "You're usually… ya know, more cheerful and funny."
"It's nothing," She shook her head. "Just… I needed to get warmed up," She pushed herself to her feet and stretched. "After this break I'm definitely gonna be ready and then, boom!" She clapped her hands together. "They're gonna love it!"
For a moment, Lana looked into her sister's eyes, trying her best to believe her reassurances.
And yet, she couldn't help, but pause. "She sounds… off," before she softened her gaze. "You sure Luan?"
"Yeah, never better!" She quickly looked away, towards her box full of random props.
Lucy stepped over and placed a hand on Luan's shoulder. "Luan, you know that you can't lie to me."
"What happened, Luan?" Lana came on her side. "Is it about… Lola?"
"No, not at all," She quickly looked away from her. "I just… I've been out of practice. I just…" Her voice trailed off.
"Luan, then please, let us help you, we can do it, together!" Lana urged. "You can make everyone laugh again!"
Yet, she shook her head. "Lana… you don't get it." With that, she grabbed her briefcase full of goodies and stared, before stretching. "I'm gonna take a walk to clear my head. I'll be ready when I get back." With that she turned and stepped away, leaving Lucy and Lana behind.
"Sigh, I guess Luan just doesn't want help?" Lucy shrugged.
Yet, her sister hesitated. "No, there's more to it than that," She rubbed her chin. "When I asked for her help… she told me she that she would always wanna be there for us…" Her mind began to fill with the thoughts of that day, about how Luan tried to push her away. "She didn't wanna help because she realized that there wasn't anything that she could do…"
"Ya know… I haven't actually seen her laugh since that performance of yours," Lucy rubbed her shoulder. "I've seen her around but..."
"But she didn't do it on her own," The younger let out a sigh in defeat. "What are we gonna do then? Luan has to feel better if she's gonna perform for these kids and…" her thoughts drifted off slightly, allowing a familiar smile to fill her psyche.
"I don't know what to do either…" The black-haired girl shook her head.
"I wish I did…" Lana turned to her older sister. "Lucy… what about you?"
"What do you mean?" She raised an eyebrow in confusion.
"I know it's weird, but… it's just, after everything that's happened, you never really seem like it's affecting you," Her voice softened. "You agreed to help me out, you helped me with Luan before, but… you never seemed like Lola… being gone did anything."
Lucy shook her head. "No reason. I just… I suppose I accepted the idea quicker than most."
Yet, her little sister turned her towards her. "Lucy, I know you don't wanna say why, but Lola taught me how to spot lies, and so I know one when I see it!" She looked passed the Goth's black hair and into her eyes. "Please, tell me the truth. Why haven't you reacted like anyone else?"
For a moment, Lucy considered putting off the idea and disappearing. And yet, as she looked into her little sister's eyes, she felt herself ease a bit. As if there was more to why Lana was going after her like this. "Why?"
"Why do I wanna know?" Lana instantly replied. "Because, I want Lola to be happy."
"What do you mean?"
"I wanna make sure that when Lola does come back, she'll be able to smile at our family and pick up right back where she left off," The younger girl continued. "I know you talk to the spirits and stuff, and I know you think you know the truth, but I'm sure that we can prove them wrong! I don't want help with waking her up anymore. I want you to be happy, so that…"Her voice trailed off, soft tears beginning to fill her eyes. "So that she'll be too."
Suddenly, the air heated up a bit, as the Goth turned to her sister and squatted to her height. For a moment, they gazed into each other's eyes, before she did something foreign to her.
She smiled.
"What?" Lana tilted her head in confusion.
With that, Lucy inched forward, wrapping her arms around her. "The spirits told me that you'd understand what you had to do. And that it was my job to help you in it, no matter what."
The younger girl did the same, nestling herself in her sister's shoulder. "Thanks Lucy, so how do you feel about Lola."
"I've been doing my best not to show it," She whispered, pain filling her voice. "I know that I… that I talk about death and life as if there's nothing unknown to fear, but… truth is, I'm worried myself. When I saw Lola like that… I wanted to do something. I wanted to help her, but there's nothing. No magic contract, no spirit healing. Nothing I could do."
"So the spirits your talk to just told you to wait and be ready? And Lola would come back in time."
Lucy pulled back and wiped a tear from her eye. "No. They just told me that the time would come where you'll understand what has to be done. When I tried to ask if she'd recover, they didn't reply. They just said. 'Things will happen as they are destined'."
"A part of me wants to know more," She continued, looking into Lana's eyes. "But… like you said, maybe it'll be better if we can change her fate."
Lana nodded. "Thanks Lucy, thanks," Before she broke their embrace and turned. "Now then, we have to help Luan, but how?" She rubbed her chin again. "She lost her desire for laughs so now… we're gonna have to remind her how fun they are again!"
The Goth girl raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "Oh? So how do you plan on doing that?"
With that, Lana turned and picked up the box full of goodies and random props. "Simple. When she gets back, we're gonna make sure she gets all the laughs we can," She looked down and raised up the box. "After all, Lola would want smiles too, ya know."
Lucy nodded and disappeared. "I'll go get her back."
With that, Lana turned and took a breath. "Let's make a world for Lola to smile for! Don't worry Luan, I won't let you down! Not now, not ever!"
A Few Minutes Later…
"I dunno Lucy, didn't I mess this up enough already?" Luan spoke in a defeated tone. "I just wanna go home… at least that way I can't people sad or bored…"
"Don't worry Luan, I'm sure you won't this time around," Lucy pulled her big sister back along the side of the house towards the backyard. "Because this time you're getting some help!"
The comedian raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Who?"
"What did the fox say? You're quite the foxy one aren't ya?!" Lana called out, her voice filled with confidence, as the crowd of kids laughed out loud.
Luan could feel her heart begin to race. That was the first time she had heard that crowd laugh, and at a stupid pun too! For a second, she had worried that they had no funny bones in their bodies, but that proved they did!
Slowly, the comedian stepped over. "Mind if I cut in?"
Lana smiled at her older sister and bowed to the side. "Of course! Come on in!"
"Hey, what'd the cow say to the Scotsman?" Luan started. "Butter me up Scotty!"
The crowd of kids looked at her in confusion.
The younger girl chuckled and took her hand and whisper. "Come on Luan, I know you can do this!" Before she turned back. "Come on go again."
"Sorry about that, kids," She startered, energy beginning to fill her voice. That last joke was an udder-catastrophe!"
The children began to chuckle with that.
"Heh, just try not to have your cake and eat it too!" Lana let go and stepped to the side, waving her finger at her sister as she did so.
"Aww, but it's a birthday party!" She countered. "Don't be the party popper!" Then, before anyone could react, she pulled out a party popper and fired, showing the kids in confetti, causing them to cheer in laughter.
"Wow, it really looks like you all really are having fun, mind if I join in?" Lucy suddenly appeared next to Luan, yet, neither of them jumped in surprise. "It'd be cool if I got to suck some blood!" Before she bared her teeth, revealing freshly sharpened fangs.
In reply Lana stepped forward. "Course Ms. Vamp!"
"We have to be careful though. We don't wanna paint this part red though!" Luan went. "After all, orange you glad we ain't yellow?!"
The crowd laughed at that, the joke so terrible that it was funny.
Luan then turned to Lana and gave her a soft smile. "Thanks."
"No problem," The blonde went in reply.
And with that, the trio went on to perform for the rest of the party.
12-1-21-7-8-20-5-18 9-19 20-8-5 2-5-19-20 13-5-4-9-3-9-14-5 1-6-20-5-18 1-12-12!
A/N I hope you guys enjoyed! As always, R&R! Anyways, for those curious, I have this story planned out to C30, so there's only 3 chapters left. Man, I'm excited!
Review Replies (C26):
Boris Yeltsin: Thanks!
Kirby: Cool, could make for an interesting love triangle if done well.
Tristen: Soon, soon.
Flameas: As much as I'd love to do that, in this case, that'd be a huge cop out. Lisa probably would've suggested it as well a while ago.
LoudHouseLover1999: Answered in the A/N and who knows when she'll be back?
SuperParkerBros: Sorry mate. I checked my reply and I realized where it could've been confusing. I meant "no problem" to your thanks for a reply. If you want though, you could write it yourself.
Gamemod: Thanks!
DreadedCandiru2: Yep!
Yo: So I didn't have this explicitly spelled out, but Lana performed under Lola's name, and since they're twins, no one was any wiser. Thanks though! And I'm glad you remember!"