Chapter Ten: Kevin Keller and Pendrake
Out of all the teenagers in Riverdale, only Kevin Keller looked and behaved like a normal teenager. Whereas other boys got themselves in exciting adventures, troubles, or conspiracies, only Kevin who was trying to be normal. No picking fights with strangers, no snooping around people's property, just a teenager wanting to enjoy his life while he could.
"Alright, son. Have you determine what you want to be after your high school days are over?"
"I think… perhaps creative writing would be good for me?" Kevin wondered.
"Bah, you're not really the best storywriter in Riverdale, although you're definitely more diligent than the others."
"Penny's right; you don't seem to be the 'writing' type of person."
Today, mere days away from their graduation ceremony, Kevin and his father were discussing potential career paths for the young man. His Daemon Pendrake, also known as Penny, sat next to the father's falcon Daemon. Being a capybara was not how Penny imagined herself to be, but it beat being small and weak like most other Daemons.
Kevin had quite a handful of interests, such as sports, writing, and music. Out of all possible paths that he could choose, being a musician seemed to be the most plausible. After all, the young man didn't look like the type to work in an office or a factory. Retail store jobs were obviously out of the question.
"How about an internet influencer, then? Or a videographer? You are more likely to engage in entertainment than science or athletics."
"Do you remember your passion for music? Why not try to be a professional musician?"
"I always feel like Archie and Josie are so much better than me," the young man responded sadly.
"From what I can tell, Andrews isn't going to be a musician. He's… how do I say it, too busy with other things, more or less."
"Your Daemon's right. As much as I hate to admit it, you'll very likely to do better in music."
"Really?" Kevin looked up to Mr. Keller, who responded with a solemn nod.
Weird, usually Mr. Keller expected quite a lot from his son, but the fact that he didn't push Kevin into taking a job at law enforcement was something new. Well, come to think of it, the young man wasn't exactly known for standing up to bullies or providing voluntary service to the local population. Heck, he could be seen as a very laidback person, but also misguided, that one could possibly hit him and wouldn't be hit in return.
The young man then looked at his Daemon. Penny, with her wide girth and unassuming appearance who used to be an object of mockery by people with 'cooler' Daemons. Back during Kevin's earlier high school days, he found himself fantasizing that Penny could somehow stay Unsettled forever. But as luck would have it, his Daemon Settled as something quite boring, nearly useless even. People were naturally very quick to notice…
"I know your father would see you performing in official venues rather than making dumb videos," Mr. Keller's falcon Daemon spoke.
"How much have you practiced music?" Pendrake asked.
"Just enough, I guess? I've been thinking of starting a band, but…"
"Maybe you have other friends willing to join in?"
"I think so, but I haven't called them yet."
"Now should be a good time to invite them," his father declared.
And with that, Mr. Keller excused himself from the room. His son then opened his cell phone and carefully searched potential band mates that he could invite. Just as he was about to call one of his friends, Kevin stopped himself.
What was he going to tell them? That he was starting a music career and needed some help? That he was offering them a chance towards stardom? Being a solo performed appeared to be a fairly safe bet, but Kevin felt a band would provide a better chance of surviving in the ruthless entertainment industry.
"You are afraid."
"What is there to be afraid of?"
"Rejection, failure, maybe even guilt?" Penny simply stated.
As he stared at his Daemon, Kevin recalled just how much he had been rejected by potential lovers. Kevin believed himself to be gay, or possibly genuinely gay, and Riverdale was definitely no place for a queer like him. The young man had been whining about how he felt like an outsider to everybody, but not Pendrake. She had been made fun of for so long that insults and discrimination stopped affecting her.
Deep down, he realized his Daemon just told the truth. What was there to be afraid of? Once he graduated for real, he'd move as far away from Riverdale as he could and be a professional musician.