Let's see how this crazy family's doing now.
Chapter 3: Kimaya's Change
The Gang's Hideout
Vweeb and his three new friends were still down in the sewers, watching television on their widescreen TV. Vweeb heard the door slam shut and looked over as Kimaya stomped into the room, taking a seat beside the tiny alien on the crate. "Whoa… back already?"
"Yeh. Mah mom is a bitch." Kimaya stated, her arms folded with rage.
"What happened?"
"She's all spyin' on me! Maan, I tol' you she ain't trust me, now she goin' and gettin' in mah business."
"Spying on you?"
"Yeh, she usin' some glass-eye thingy, I dunno whut."
Vweeb began to feel suspicious. He was also feeling a little guilty. "Kimaya, I have to tell you something… your mom actually wanted me to sneak in here and find out what you were doing. That's why I was in your pocket."
"Huh? She was usin' YOU to spy on me?"
"Yeah. But I dunno about the glass-eye, though. She just wanted me to come back and tell her what happened."
"Hm… so why didn't you?"
"Well, I dunno… I like you, I guess. You guys may be, well, criminals, but you still seem like a cool group. Heh. I don't meet a lot of bullies that actually like and respect me. So, I didn't feel like ratting you out."
Kimaya smiled slightly. "Aww… thanks, little man. But man, mah mom wanted ta spy on me?"
"Well, now you gotta admit, you can't blame her for being worried. Don't you think she'd be concerned about you stealing from people?"
"Man, you sound jus' like her, now."
"Heh heh. Hey, I don't wanna play that boring mom type… but you've gotta give them some credit, don'tcha think?"
"Yeh, but I don' see why they gotta be so bitchy. You jus' lucky YO' mom ain't like that."
"Oh, yeah? You just lucky you ain't all tiny like me." He tried to talk like a gangster. "My mom can be pretty scary sometimes…"
"Yeah, but jus'-" Kimaya was interrupted, hearing a loud knocking at their hideout door. Kimaya put on a look of shock and surprise. "What the-… Beat, did y'all order pizza?" she asked, going to answer it.
"Not me." Beat replied, still focused on the television.
Kimaya answered the door, gasping in utter shock. "Good evening, children." Kimaya was bashed in the head in an instant.
Moments later, several soldiers in green armor had gathered the four Gang members into the back of a truck, driving into the night. Arlon stood in a dark alley and watched this, his right eye brimming with red in the darkness.
Heartly Household
Kami heard the bell and answered her door, where Arlon stood in wait once again. "Ahh, good evening, Miss Kami. It pleases me to inform you that your dear daughter has been shifted off to my humble school, as was the rest of those ruffians."
"Well… good." Kami replied, still feeling unsure. "But why is it only held during the night?"
"Ah, well, you see, the students have a rather difficult time focusing on their work with so much sunlight beaming through the windows. We much prefer to have sessions at night, when their eyes have the most strength."
"The most strength at night?" Kami questioned, having an even harder time believing this man. Wouldn't kids normally be sleepy at night? "Um, couldn't you buy curtains? Besides, you should have ceiling lights, anyway. Otherwise, kids couldn't see their work at all."
"That is a negative. The moonlight provides us with enough light. Ahh, and it is looking ever so lovely tonight."
"Mm-hm…"
"Do not fear, for I promise to have your daughter returned first thing in the morning. It shan't take more than one night of sessions to rid her of her evil nature…" And on that note, the well-mannered gentleman left their home.
Shortly after, Kami entered the dining room to join Jeremiah at the dinner table. It was unusually quiet during dinner, mainly because Kimaya was nowhere to be seen. "…Heh…" Jeremiah quietly chuckled. "Boy, won't she be mad when she gets home."
"Don't try and joke your way outta this, Jeremiah!" Kami yelled angrily. "This was all YOUR fault, remember."
"And, HOW exactly is it my fault again?"
"Kimaya inherited her traits from you! The ripped clothing, the bad music, bad language, the poisonbending!"
"What about the poisonbending? ?"
"It's just like you and your friends when you were young, living like common criminals."
"Is that supposed to be a negative stereotype? !"
"I'm just trying to make a point! Ugh, it's times like this I wish I married that Buddy guy."
"Well, maybe you shoulda! Then you wouldn't've given birth to a daughter you're disappointed in."
"It's not that I'm disappointed in her, it's that YOU fail to pull your weight, and I'M stuck with all the work."
"Hey, I work just as hard as you do. Still, it's good that you aren't disappointed in her, 'cause if you DID marry Buddy, your kids would turn out the same! You're mad at me for giving her MY traits, but she's got as much as YOU in her as she does ME! I remember when we were young, you were always bitchin' and moanin', sayin' 'Ooh, don't tell me what to do,' and, 'I can listen to whatever I want,' and 'Mind your own business,' and 'Oh, I'm Kami. I'm so pretty and great and perfect, and I work harder than any of you, so that officially makes me better!'"
"UGH!" Kami tossed the spoon into her soup, angrily stomping upstairs.
"Where're you goin'?"
"I'm going to bed! And don't bother joining me. Just… sleep in Kimaya's bed or somethin', it smells just as bad as you."
"Maybe I will! Then maybe I can have a little break from your constant nagging all the time!"
"GOOD FOR YOU!" Kami yelled once she was upstairs.
Jeremiah sighed in frustration, returning to his soup. His anger soon faded away… and was replaced with a feeling of remorse.
Arlon's Lunar School For Learners
After several miles of driving, the truck arrived at Arlon's massive school. The four kids were tied in white ropes, shoved out of the truck, and led into the building by the armored soldiers. The inside of the building seemed purely white, beautifully paved walls and floors with fancy chandeliers hanging on the ceiling, paintings of likely-deceased people in big, white wigs, and black and white chessboard decorated floors. Arlon stood in the center of a room, watching as the armored beings dumped the four kids out of boxes. They each landed on their feet, dressed perfectly in large, dully-colored dresses and trousers (respectively), makeup that made their faces pale, and each wore long, white wigs.
"HUH?..." Kimaya studied her new outfit with utter shock.
"The f-… HUUH? ? ?" Beat was just as surprised as Kimaya.
"Ahh. So wonderful that you all could be here." Arlon announced.
"Who ah YOU?" Beat asked.
"My name is Arlon. Headmaster of my school for putting young ruffians like you in your place."
"In our PLACE? ?" Kimaya shouted. "Aw, man, is this one of them military schools?"
"Along those lines. Each of your parents have humbly requested I straighten you kids out."
"Maan, this ain't no military school." Beat said, studying his uniform. "Militaries don't do this shit."
"Most indeedidly." Arlon said. "I do not support the means of which military schools discipline their young. Rotten children these days need to enter society with a more civilized manner."
Kimaya then felt something crawling under her dress, a tiny lump trying to force its way above her shirt. Vweeb poked his head above her shirt collar, gasping loudly for breath. "Man, it was so stuffed under there…"
"Ahhh. Well, well, well, what have we here?" Vweeb toppled over, landing on the floor on his rear, looking up as Arlon stepped over and bent over to observe him. "An extra runt. Learning such a miniscule brain shan't be much difficult."
"Hey, my brain is much bigger when you're scaled down to my size." Vweeb corrected. "And if you're a teacher, you would know the term isn't 'learning' in that sentence. It's-"
"Whatever." Arlon cut him off, lightly picking the alien up by his shirt and handing him to another soldier. "Take this scrappy fellow and give him a uniform. I shall proceed to start class."
"Hey!" Vweeb tried to shake away, but the soldier carried him off. "Let me go!"
"Now, then." Arlon stood straight before the four students and clapped his hands. "Let us begin."
They heard light piano music begin to play, and Arlon began doing squats, following with the music. The four kids put on confused expressions as they felt the strange sensation to dance as well. "Uh… what's happenin'?" Kimaya asked.
"That's right." Arlon smiled. "With the beat, now. Good hypnosis doesn't work itself."
"These beats are low, man." Beat said. "Kids shouldn't listen to this garbage. This is bull, man."
"It's not so bad! This is kinda fun!" Rhyme said with a positive look.
"Stewie's legs are getting tired." Kaleo whined. "I…I WANNA GO HOME!"
"That's right! No stopping, now!" Arlon grinned. "Ready… AND… Oom-pa, Loom-pa, doopity-doo. I've got, quite a, puzzle for you. Oom-pa, Loom-pa, doopity gee. If you have sense, you'll listen to me." The kids forcibly followed with his movements, wearing expressions of pure nervousness. As Arlon danced, he lightly gripped the locket of the crescent moon in his fingers, letting it dangle back and forth.
Heartly Household
When it came around midnight, Kami was fast asleep, the rage she felt from earlier slowly melting away. A hand was placed on her shoulder, lightly shaking her out of sleep. "Kami. Wake up."
"Nn?" her eyes squinted open, finding Jeremiah standing over her. "Jeremiah?..." Her tired eyes furrowed. "What-"
"Kami… I'm sorry about earlier." He said. "I always get that way whenever I'm upset, you know that. I didn't mean any of it…"
Kami released a long yawn. "Well… I'm sorry, too. I didn't mean what I said, either. I can be pretty over-reactive sometimes…"
"Heh… one of many things we have in common."
"Hm-hm, naw." She chuckled. "We're complete opposites."
"Heh heh, yup… So… can I sleep with you?"
"Sure, why not." She scooted over, allowing Jeremiah to get under the covers with her.
"…Heh…" Jeremiah smiled, "You know, when we were arguing about… who our daughter got her traits from… it reminded me that… Kimaya has your eyes."
Kami smiled, her tired eyes still closed. "Hmm… thanks."
"And you have to admit… that rebellious side does look cute in her. Whenever you were always… well, acting better than everyone else… it made you look cute, too."
"Pssh, I was not like that…" she laughed silently.
"Pssh, suuuurre you weren't."
"Oh, c'mere, you!"
"H-Hey, hey!" Jeremiah was suddenly tackled and tickled by his blond-haired wife. The two started rolling around and ruffling up their covers, locked in a tickle fight.
Eventually, the two stopped, trying to catch their breath. "Well… that was something." Kami said, still trying to hold back laughs.
"Heh, totally makes up, right?"
"Yeah…" After a few moments, the two shook off the sensation. Kami's smile went away, a thought returning to her. "I hope Kimaya's doing okay at that school."
"Hey, she learns from her folks. If we can survive getting pounded by a croc king, and an invasion of demonic hordes respectively, no school can destroy our daughter."
"I hope so…"
The next morning…
When they awoke the next morning, Jeremiah was reading the paper while Kami was cooking breakfast at the oven. Kami's face perked up when they heard the doorbell. "That must be Kimaya!"
She hurried and answered the door with an excited look. However, her excitement died down, seeing the strange garb her daughter was now wearing. "Good evening, Mother." Kimaya greeted in a polite tone. "Could I perchance take in the humble presence of your home?"
"Um… of course? It is your house…" Kami allowed her daughter in, confusion spread across her face. "So, um… did you.. learn anything?"
"Ah, quite so that I did. I do graciously apologize for my behaviour before, Mother. It was quite unladylike of me."
"Um… sure it was. But, you aren't… mad that I sent you off without warning?"
"Ah, most indeedidly not. 'Twas quite a wise decision, Mother. I've never felt better in all my life. Say, but that I'm here, is there perhaps any work I can do around the house?"
She… sounds Delightfulized… Kami thought to herself.
"You can organize my laundry!" Jeremiah said perkily.
"Very well, Father." Kimaya bowed. "I shall get to it posthaste." And with that, Kimaya proceeded upstairs.
Kami grabbed a cup of coffee and sat at the table, having a drink of the steaming liquid, and releasing a sigh. "Heh… Well, you wanted her to be more respectful." Jeremiah said.
"Yes, and now that she is… she sounds totally different. It's like… she's not even herself anymore."
"Hmm… where did I see something like this before?"
Kami gasped. "Lucinda! …Oh, I hated that woman! If I knew that school was going to change her that much… I wonder if I can call Arlon and get him to drop her out?"
"Probably. But if you did, she might go back to the way she was before. That's a tough decision…"
"It is… Sigh, I need to think this through. I'm going to the Milk Bar." She stood up from the table and headed for the door.
"Who actually thought of a bar for milk?"
"I dunno." Kami said upon closing the door.
As Jeremiah went back to his paper, a burning smell was caught in his nose. The fire alarm rung, and he gasped, seeing the burning pancakes on the oven. He quickly switched the oven off and grabbed the pancakes, screeching from the burning food as he hastily snatched a plate and placed the food on. He ran over to open the freezer, and shoved his hand inside, catching a breath of relief.
Cleveland Milk Bar
In the solitude of the dairy-themed bar, Kami was left to her thoughts. "I thought that school was what she needed… but that was before I knew what it would do." She said quietly. "I didn't want to send her to some… butler school. I just wanted her to act like…like any other kid. Being crazy about candy, some toys, all that usual stuff, and she would still be a sweet child. Not being into all of that… trash. Still, compared with this new… well-mannered phase… I'm not sure which I'd take."
"Mmm… seems like somebody's facing a little… regret."
"Oh?" Kami glanced behind her. Sitting at the table behind her was some chubby being, shrouded in a tan cloak, the darkness of the bar hiding his figure. "Oh… it's you."
"It's been a while…" the figure turned his head and spoke. A green-scaled snout stuck out of his hood. "I never thought I'd see you mature into a fine, young woman." His head leaned closer to Kami's, and he whispered softly in her ear, "You look beautiful…"
Creeped out, Kami scooted away. "Um… no."
"Regardless… it seems you're having family problems. Regret regarding your daughter… is it?"
Kami sighed. "Yes. She never listens to me, and she's always talking back. I sent her to that school to help improve her behavior, but… it's nothing like I imagined. To tell the truth… I've always dreamed of having that kind of daughter… I can be girl friends with, you know? That kind I could have that special bond with. But this butler thing… sigh, it totally ruins it."
"There's something you must know, Kami…" the shrouded figure said. "I knew your father… and many others before me knew many others before you. Your family is a very strong-willed bunch of people. The Drilovskys have always been that way. Your daughter is no different. Even under a different name…" the figure gripped a glass of swamp water, and held it by his snout, "she remains the same…" His lips touched the edge of the glass, sipping the swamp water.
"So, what you're saying is… there's nothing I could've done to change her." Kami said. "But… then how did that school do what it did?"
"It's obvious, isn't it? Arlon is not who he says he is. He is not concerned for the behavior of little kids. Not entirely… His school is a sham. A trap. My forces have analyzed the current status of this world. We make sure we know what is happening, and be prepared. There is a disturbance in the force… if you know what I mean."
Kami's cellphone rang. The Caller ID read that it was Ava. "Hello?" she answered.
"Kami, it's me. Vweeb never came home last night. Any idea where he might be?"
"Umm, he- Oh! Got another call." She tapped the button and answered.
"Kami, it's Jeremiah. Vweeb's here."
"Oh! I just found him." Kami told Ava.
"You better get over here." Jeremiah said. "He's got stuff to tell you."
"Ava, I have to go. Talk to you later." She hung up. "Well, it was nice talking to you." She said to the shrouded figure as she began to leave.
"Hold on." She stopped at his call. "Take this with you." Kami held her hand open as the hooded figure walked over, dropping a tiny keychain in her open palm.
"Hey. It's my…"
"Me and the others have been holding onto them. We hoped they would aid in searching for… You-Know-Who…"
"Right… him."
"But… we no longer need it." The figure said as he proceeded to the other exit. "We have our own problems at the moment."
"Those monkeys, again?" Kami questioned.
"You could say that…" He stopped for a second, turning his head slightly. "Have you ever heard of Specter?"
"Um… no."
"Just asking." With that, the hooded figure continued to the exit.
Kami only shrugged at his mysterious question, hurrying home.
Heartly Household
"Guys, I'm home." Kami called, hurrying through the front entrance as she found Jeremiah on the couch, and Vweeb standing on the living room table. Kami was taken by surprise at Vweeb's sudden appearance. "Wow, Vweeb, that's… a strange new look for you."
"Hey, I didn't ask for it, okay?" Vweeb yelled, dressed in a tiny fancy wig and black-and-white slim suit. "I snuck off with that Gang to that butler school, and they forced me to attend! That school isn't natural. They hypnotized your daughter and those kids!"
"They what? ?"
"He was making us do these weird dances, and then he opened the ceiling and made us stare up at the moon! The only reason I wasn't affected was because I had my eyes closed most of the time, since they… don't have any mechanical claws big enough to hold me."
Now, Kami was seriously reconsidering this school for her daughter. "That's it! I'm calling Arlon, getting him to cancel this deal, and then I'm calling the other parents to tell them what happened." Kami already began dialing the number. It didn't take long until Arlon answered on the other side.
"Oh, Kami, hello! To what do I owe this call?"
"Arlon, I don't want my daughter attending your school, anymore." She said with an angry tone. "You've done your best, but I think I'll stick to raising her my own way."
"Are you quite sure? We truly enjoyed having your child as part of our curriculum."
"Well, I don't care. We're returning the uniform, and anything else you've used to influence her."
"Ohh, that seems quite the contrary, my dear Heartly. You see, as I've already discussed with the other parents, the deal cannot be undone. New students are always so absorbed into our system, they never want to leave. My school is the only placed they feel at home. These new traits are their own now, and they ever-so look forward to each new session, such as the one tonight. I deeply apologize for the inconvenience, but after a period of time, you may just understand, too. Are we clear?"
Before answering, Kami glanced to her daughter by the stairway. Seeing her beautifully dressed, pretty makeup, and a pleasant odor, made Kami feel disgusted deep down. She answered Arlon's question with a non-agreeing tone, "Yeah… we're clear."
"Good! I look forward to your daughter tonight." After hearing him hang up, Kami hung up as well, her expression filled with guilt.
"Oh, you mustn't be so glum, Mother." Kimaya smiled. "I quite enjoy the new school. I am ever-so glad that my rebellious side is long passed. I shall not rest until I have repaid you for all the disrespect I have brought."
Kami's look became serious. She looked at her daughter and said, "Good. I'm proud of you, Kimaya. This school did you good, so you should show Arlon the best of your respect."
"I agree completely. Hm, now to pick up those socks… I must get to that posthaste." And on that note, Kimaya hurried up the stairs.
Kami watched her daughter leave, and thought to herself, Because when we go tonight, Arlon's gonna learn a whole new meaning to respect.
And there's another chapter. Next one will be the last, Kami's confrontation with Arlon. But before we do that, there's a couple other things that need work. I'll see you when we do them. Also, guess who the hooded figure was. XP Later.
