The pool had been filled up and it was about big enough for the four of them. Steven looked at them, saying it should work. To be on the safe side he dumped a cooler of ice cubes into the tub to cool the water down. Steven placed his had in the water feeling around, saying the water was at an acceptable temperature.
"I have to go check on something, I'll be right back" Steven replied walking off, leaving the Pool in Andy's attendance. The three headed back into the Cabin to change into their swimwear as Steven walked to his kart, getting in. he reached to the desk fan embedded in the dashboard, turning it on. The Cool breeze was nice on the wolf's face as he drove the Bean Can out of camp, heading to Prickly Pines.
Steven was planning to get some cold drinks for the rest of crew, popping on his in-vehicle cassette player to have some music for the drive into town. Steven eventually pulled into Prickly Pines, parking his kart as he got out. Steven walked around entering Pickles' convenience store. He walked toward the cooler holding all the drinks as he thought on what to get.
Camp Kidney had a strict no soda rule so that ruled out all the best drinks, Steven eventually settled on a 12 pack of carbonated water with blueberry flavoring. picking the container up and setting it on his shoulder as he walked toward to counter, putting some money on the countertop to pay for the drinks.
The Cashier, counted the money, handing Steven back his change as he nodded. deciding to stay in the airconditioned store for a while. Steven walked to the magazine rack, picking one up to read as he killed the time, reading an issue about big block engines as he flipped the page.
Steven continued reading as the cashier asked if he was going to buy the magazine or just look at it. Steven looked at the price on it, before closing the magazine and setting it back on the rack. Steven walked out heading back to his kart as he felt a hand tapping him on the shoulder as he turned seeing two kids he did not expect to see.
The first was a Lion boy, wearing a red and green shirt and bandana standing along him was a polar bear girl, wearing a light blue shirt. both wearing black pants and leather jackets. on the back a green skull was embroidered. Steven rubbed his eyes, to verify what he was seeing.
"It's been a while Stephan-Steven" The Lion called out as the Wolf cut him off, telling him he went by Steven now, looking at the two, asking what they were doing in Prickly Pines, so far away from Westridge. Steven knew the two as Rassa and Icy, two lieutenants from the 'Brotherhood of Incense' gang, which he used to roll with before joining the Orphans.
"Good to see you two...Steven. If you most know, were expanding. the Boss had to relocate so he left some of his trusted Guys back in Westridge and the three of us came out here" Rassa explained. Icy nodded, saying that Steven should come back to the brotherhood, pointing out the Boss would happily welcome the Wolf back. "You always were his favorite".
Steven liked to believe that he left the B.O.I. on good terms but he knew that they felt a little sour about their former right hand leaving and felt a bit betrayed when Steven Joined the Orphans.
"You Know my mind is made up, Tell the Boss I have no qualms with him, as long as he doesn't come after our people" Steven told as Icy ran her tongue across a popsicle, reminding Steven that The Orphans and the B.O.I. have had a good standing with each other. recalling the time, they teamed up to take out 'The Synners'. she gave him a card where they sat up their clubhouse.
Rassa let Steven know they would welcome the Wolf as a guest with open arms. the two walking to an identical kart, painted black with green accents which Steven made back when he still with B.O.I. waving at the Wolf as Steven took off.
Upon returning the Camp Steven's first thought was to tell Andy that the B.O.I. was in Prickly Pines, approaching the Three relaxing in the tub. Andy looked at Steven asking where the drinks were. Steven pointed to the back seat of the kart. Telling them this was more important than drinks.
Steven proceeded to Tell Andy about the Brotherhood expanding to Prickly Pines, apparently their boss had to relocate as they are setting up a branch here. Andy laid back pondering on this info.
"Are they stepping to us?" Andy asked as Steven shook his head, claiming they were surprised to encounter him. Andy thought about what to do as Tusk interjected, claiming there was no bad blood between the Orphans and the Brotherhood, reminding The Tiger that B.O.I. did help them take down the Synners.
Andy respected the words of the second in command telling Steven to relax, and as Long as The Brotherhood did not start anything with them, they'd be cool. Steven nodded respecting his decision, claiming he was going to go for a walk to ponder over them revelation, walking off as Jakk looked at Andy.
"So, Steven used to be Brotherhood?" The Kangaroo asked, a bit surprised, cracking open one of the cans as Andy filled him in, saying it before his time. Before joining the Orphans, Steven was the right hand of the Brotherhood of Incense, with him on their team they were way more powerful. "He was like the B.O.I. version of Tusk, in really good with their leader, as their enforcer and mechanic, The Brotherhood practically ran Westridge until he split off and joined us".
"You don't think that Steven would rejoin the Brotherhood" Jakk asked, sipping his drink as Andy called such a possibility unlikely, though still a possibility as he and the B.O.I. Leader were very close, but Steven seemed to be extremely loyal to Andy so accusing him of hypothetically switching teams would not solve anything.
For now, they would continue on as normal, even with the Brotherhood in Prickly Pines the Cocoa Beans had no reason to fight them. Andy suggested they continue soaking as Tusk and Jakk nodded, relaxing to their formerly comfortable positions.
In the woods Steven decided to walk around the woods to clear his head, he hoped that things would not escalate with his former gang being in town. Despite Steven being on good terms with the B.O.I. there was still a reason he left. he continued walking. He made his way to woods which was uneventful until he saw what appeared to be Squirrel Scouts but open further observation it was just the Jelly Beans, returning from Acorn Flats.
"Man, that was a good day Lazlo" Raj complimented holding his towel as Clam nodded saying he enjoyed hanging with the Squirrel Scouts. Steven called out the three, asking how their day was. Lazlo commented that it was great after swimming they had ice cream sundaes than gathered to watch a TV show about unicorns.
"And you're okay with doing that, you look like...girls, eating Ice Cream and talking about Unicorns?" Steven asked as Raj commented that that it was a very good show with lots of symbolism for overcoming adversity as Steven scoffed. leaving the three to get changed and return to Camp Kidney.
The fact that Jelly Cabin was okay with pretending to be girls baffled Steven's mind, even more so the fact the Girls were not able to clearly identify Lazlo Raj and Clam as he watched the three boys change back into their Bean Scout attire, carrying their gym bags as they headed back to Camp Kidney. when they were out of sight Steven sat down as he heard footsteps approaching. Steven looked up, seeing Patsy facing him.
"Hey, have you seen Lizzie, I wanted to give her something?" Patsy asked as Steven rubbed his head, claiming he had no idea who the Mongoose was talking about as she went on "You Know Lizzie, Squirrel Scout, Monkey, brown hair about this tall, exchange camper for Pecan Meadows. They visit us time to time."
Patsy told him that they just went this way as Steven denied running into anyone, surprised that she actually seemed to buy the obvious lie as Patsy huffed. she explained that she wasn't Stupid, piecing together that Lizzie was really Lazlo. Steven looked at her, not surprised that she knew; asking if she was really okay with them doing that. Patsy nodded, saying she would not turn down the chance to spend time with her favorite Monkey, sitting down. Steven and Patsy sat along each other.
Steven looked at Patsy, thanking her for not telling Hoo-Ha about their little war as the Mongoose added that Steven had dirt on her. Steven again told her did not 'want' to reveal Patsy's secret, but he was glad he had it, as it would prevent Patsy from revealing his secret.
Patsy looked at Steven, asking if she could talk to Steven about his secret, explaining that she knew the What, but did not know the Why. Steven looked at her saying that if they talked about secrets both of them would be talking. Patsy twirled her finger through her pink hair, nervously.
As much as she did not like addressing her secret, Steven's really baffled her. she knew what he was doing and was genuinely shocked by discovering it, the reason was what eluded her as she had to know.
"Steven, why do you pretend to be a boy?" Pasty finally asked, recalling when she saw the Wolf bathing in the Hotsprings, she saw everything on full display, and it baffled her. Acorn Flats was the nicer camp, why would a girl pretend to be boy to stay with her friends "I mean why not just come over as a girl, you'd be at the better camp, and you'd still be spending the summer with them?".
Steven looked at the Mongoose telling her it wasn't a Camp thing, The Cocoa Beans had no idea the Wolf was really a girl, introducing herself to Patsy as Stephanie, her real name. She explained that she never fit in with the other girls, when they were into fairy princesses and dolls, she was helping her father, work on cars. "The other girls teased me relentlessly, so I started spiking my hair and calling myself Steven. Once I was a 'Boy' thing just got easier for me"
Patsy looked at her, explaining that she did not think that way and if she had enlisted with the squirrels, they probably would have been great friends. Stephine took this time to ask Patsy about her secret. Patsy was on the fence about talking about it but Stephanie just opened up so she could do the same.
"You really want to know. I Guess I'll tell you, but you have to promise me you won't tell anyone" Patsy sternly ordered, poking Stephanie with her finger. the wolf reminded her that that she just opened up about living a lie for 4 years. Patsy looked at Stephanie, agreeing to tell her.
A big change from my original version in this timeline Steven/Stephanie is really a girl and no one (Not even the Cocoa Beans) know this but if you have been paying attention you may be able to pick up on the signs. From now on I will be referring to Steven as Stephanie and using female terms, unless it's in conversation.