Chapter Text
The siblings Jade and John stood in front of the imposing mansion that was their ectobiological father’s personal abode. Their eyes traced the large, black metal gate that surrounded the premises topped with sharp medieval spikes. The bricks upon which they were erected were worn and red, creating an old fashioned look.
Within the confines of the barrier was a series of hedges and garden sculptures in the shapes of many different iconic Earth characters like Lara Croft, Neytiri, and Mystique; the centerpiece of the courtyard was a fountain with a stone statue of Jake English posing in what appeared to be an accidentally flirtatious manner.
The two slowly walked through the open gate and gazed at the elaborate sights; this definitely wasn’t the first time they’d visited Jake’s home, but there was something surreal seeing his interesting choice for decoration every time they set foot on the premises. It was like a grab bag in that way—the new elements placed within the confines could either be the most expected or unexpected thing you’ve ever seen and never in between.
That’s what was so interesting about Jake English—he wasn’t someone that was dry or boring. He was a very polarizing figure; one that was also impossible to ignore, given the extravagance of his new Earth C lifestyle.
Upon reaching the front doors, Jade and John looked at one another, nonverbally communicating who would be the one to knock. Jade gestured using her head towards the door while John simply just moved his eyes back and forth between it and Jade’s face. Eventually they stared at one another until Jade let out a deep sigh and lifted her fist to knock on the door.
Knock knock knock
When she finished knocking, she felt pain spike in her head, a rush of possibilities and outcomes filling her mind. In the empty moments of anticipation, she could almost feel Jake walking down the stairs in his lavish green coat. Each step was another throb pulsing in her head like a heartbeat.
Eventually she stared at the door, feeling like she was looking directly into the eyes of her ectobiological father from beyond the wooden barrier. His hand reached for the handle, and on cue a creek filled the air as the door opened to reveal Jake English, in the exact state Jade had envisioned him being.
JAKE: Good evening my friends!
JAKE: Its good to see you two in person! Its been too long since weve been able to see face to face!
JAKE: Nice to see that john especially finally broke out of his cave!
JOHN: haha yeah!
JOHN: sorry for being a little late.
JOHN: i had…
JOHN: a bit of a moment…
JAKE: Thats quite alright lad! What matters is that youre here and we can spend a little time together.
JAKE: And we have a little extra company too! The more the merrier as i always say!
JAKE: Isnt that right jade?
Jade looked at him, seeing his large mustache and flamboyant appearance. Was he always like this? Or was this the result of Jade interpreting him to be that way? A part of her wanted to say that this was classic Jake, but who’s to say that in her predicting his exact actions and looks, she had shaped him to fit the representation in her head?
These are questions worth asking; after all, with the everlasting warmth that came from the Green Sun’s energy, the limits to which Jade could shape the box were near boundless. The lines of what reality existed prior to her viewing and after became too blurry to define.
JAKE: Jade?
JADE: oh sorry!
Jade snapped out of her thoughts.
JADE: ive been kinda spacey recently
JADE: im happy to be here!
JADE: thanks for accepting me coming by on such short notice!
JAKE: No problem at all!
JAKE: Why would i say no to having my little lady visit?
JAKE: Its like a good ol family reunion!
JOHN: yeah!
JOHN: i don’t know, it’s just nice to see us get back in touch.
JOHN: sorry for leaving you hanging. :(
JAKE: It is what it is john.
JAKE: Lifes just gonna kick you in the rump sometimes and im not going to judge a man for not getting back up immediately.
Jake gestured inside.
JAKE: Now then.
JAKE: Lets not waste our time freezing our asses off out here and get somewhere more comfortable already.
Jade wrapped her arms around herself and felt a gust of wind send chills down her spine; despite feeling a new boiling sensation radiating within her, the surface of her soft skin was filled with goosebumps, even beneath the comfortable cloth that was her cotton black jacket.
JADE: thats a good idea
John nodded.
With the agreement met, the three entered Jake’s lavish residence. The foyer opened up to a larger waxed floor emblazoned with a Skianet logo in the center. In the back was a wide staircase with dark green steps and golden railings. To each side was the entrance to a study and a living room.
In many ways Jake’s mansion was nearly identical to that of Jane’s. Of course, the color choice was vastly different with Jake’s characteristic greens and Jane’s newfound love of red, but the general floorplan followed the same cues. One shouldn’t be surprised given that Dirk was the one who invested in their lavish homes.
There needed to be a distinct hierarchy for his original plan to work, and forcing Jane and Jake to spend their infinite wealth while the others lived in humble abodes was just one of the many strategies to enact chaos. I, for one, am not an agent of chaos. Forcing such systems is just another tool to manipulate others, which I find to be a reprehensible concept.
Jake, sweeping his green coat out dramatically, led his company to the living room which contained a set of long couches with fancy pillows and a coffee table with a large bowl of candy. Jade looked around to see the shelves decked with DVDs of films from several decades in the past and many originals of the planet itself. Ironically, some of the Earth C originals were carbon copies of Earth A and B versions but with different actors. I was always partial to the Earth C version of Troll Roger Waters and Fuchsia Floyd’s The Wall myself.
The three eventually sat down on the couches and faced one another. Despite Jake’s notions of the indoors being warmer, Jade shivered more than ever before as the air conditioning blasted from the vents above.
JAKE: Now that were all settled why dont we have a little catch up!
JAKE: How are you john my boy?
JOHN: things have been…
JOHN: they’ve been better lol.
JAKE: What’s the matter?
JOHN: i mean as you know vriska and i are dating.
JAKE: Yes yes ive heard and congrats again! Im happy to see youve found yourself someone truly special.
JAKE: I remember the feeling haha.
JAKE: Though recalling it now i never really felt at home with the idea and i sure bungled that one!
JAKE: But its all water under the bridge now.
JAKE: Im happy that cupid has shot his bow upon you and vriska!
JOHN: thanks…
JAKE: Hm? Why the short speak?
JOHN: oh.
JOHN: i’m just kinda still thinking about if i even made the right choice, y’know?
John glanced at Jade and then back to Jake.
JOHN: dating vriska, i mean.
JOHN: i love her, but something about our arrangement makes me think that she’s just in it to try and fix me.
JOHN: or like, make me better or something.
JOHN: and i guess i feel like a fucking burden
JOHN: especially because i just keep staying at home rotting all day.
JOHN: it’s like day whatever the hell since i’ve done anything worth a damn.
JOHN: shit, maybe i could’ve done something worth a damn if i didn’t act stupid!
JOHN: i don’t know…
JOHN: it all just feels really weird.
JAKE: I understand.
JAKE: Im feeling a similar way myself.
JOHN: oh?
JADE: oh?
JAKE: Dirk and i have had the ol ring around as you know.
JAKE: Friends soulmates lovers and back again.
JAKE: Compatriots and men in arms against the world one day and wordless strangers the next.
JAKE: Loves a strange thing aint it?
JAKE: Then of course jane has been calling more often as of late.
JAKE: Not even on pesterchum!
JAKE: She likes talking to me over the telephone! Rotary even!
JOHN: oh shit!
JAKE: Its really something new with her all the time i say!
JOHN: it sounds like it lol.
Jake glanced at Jade who visibly looked uncomfortable.
JAKE: Sorry if the man talk is bothering you dear jade.
Jade looked at Jake, shaking from the bath of frigid air that cascaded over her body.
JADE: o-oh!
JADE: i-its fine!!!
JADE: its nice to see you two talk!
JAKE: Yes yes but im sure the relationship drama is not something you want to get into.
JADE: i
JADE: yeah i guess so haha
JADE: i mean i guess i havent shared yet but
JADE: terezi and i are dating!
JOHN: WHAT?!
JAKE: Oh congrats to you too jade!
JAKE: The family is finding love at every turn its truly wonderful!
JOHN: what do you mean?!
JADE: last night terezi and i had a little…
JADE: heart to heart
JADE: and we decided to start dating!
Despite the feeling she thought she’d have as she talked about her girlfriend, no warmth filled her body. The excitement of her romantic partner was still there, but the sensations that would normally counter the negativity within didn’t manifest.
In her heart there was a hole—one that while filled with the love of Terezi Pyrope, was slowly burning green with every passing moment. The connections slowly deteriorated as the flame severed crucial emotions from entering her mind.
It was almost as if the feelings were simply just a fleeting moment, a campaign to be started and finished in the moment. An extended affair that was never supposed to exist.
JOHN: oh…
JOHN: that’s great!
JADE: im sorry john :(
JADE: i know its so soon
JOHN: no, it’s fine.
JOHN: i guess i deserve it…
JADE: what?!
JADE: john! i promise it wasnt out of spite!
JOHN: but i mean it doesn’t matter… i still-
JADE: no!
JADE: people can get together without there being spite for others involved yknow!
JADE: terezi and i were dating because we love each other! not because you and vriska fucked her over!
Everyone sat silently. Jade’s words floated through the air like bubbles before popping, leaving the three to awkwardly sit without a word.
JADE: s-sorry!
JADE: anyways!
JADE: terezi and i are happy!
JAKE: Thats good to hear!
JAKE: Must be nice to leave that lil rut i know youve been in.
JADE: haha has roxy told you?
JAKE: Oh the gossip never ends of course! I just try to tell her that we must keep that shit on the down low but of course she never listens.
Jade held herself back from correcting Jake.
JADE: well i guess word gets around huh…
Jade sighed and looked up at the massive television in front of her that sat upon the mantle of the unlit fireplace. Looking down at her, she saw a reflection of herself, judging her for her decisions.
“Word gets around.” Those words stuck in her mind, repeating themselves over and over.
Of course, the shame that existed within her heart would never go away, no matter how much she tried to move past her party years. Despite grounding herself with her friends again, the sins of the past always haunted her. There was no escape in her mind.
She felt a vibration in her pocket.
Something told her that it was a bad idea to look at it in the exact moment—every fiber of her being wanted to at least catch a glimpse, but the universe had other plans, and she had to agree with them.
JOHN: sorry for getting upset, jade.
Jade snapped out of her thoughts.
JADE: oh uh!
JADE: its ok!
JOHN: i know but
JOHN: i’ve been putting you through a lot of shit lol.
JOHN: and idk you don’t look like you’re doing very well.
JADE: im doing perfectly fine!
JADE: im as good as i possibly can be!!!
JAKE: I agree with john here.
JAKE: You dont appear to be doing very well jade.
JAKE: Shall i grab you a glass of water?
Jake reached to the bowl of candy and held up a few pieces.
JAKE: Perhaps something sweet?
JADE: no thanks
JADE: i think im fine
Jake shrugged and unfurled a piece of the candy and threw it into his mouth. He placed the wrapper on the table to reveal a cherry on its face. John stared deeply at the image before being brought back to reality.
JAKE: Ooo yes!
JAKE: This reminds me of the fruity goodness jane has been baking recently!
JAKE: Im sure when we have a family gathering she will show you exactly what shes been demoing with me.
JAKE: Shes been mixing in fruits more into her baking.
JAKE: Its something else ill tell you!
JOHN: oh, that’s nice! i’m excited to try it!
Jade stared at the two until she brought her eyes to the bowl of candy again. She couldn’t put her finger on why, but the image was almost reminiscent of a pie coated with whipped cream on top. Something about that image stuck in her mind.
Why did she think that? What was the significance of it? Why did she care so much?
Her awareness grew bit by bit as connections formed in her mind that she’d never considered before; these wouldn’t lead to any meaningful developments in the current moment, but they were simply the seeds planted in order to allow for greater thought in the future.
Now, she felt it was the best time to check her phone. It was a message from Terezi.
Immediately, her heart sank—immense weight pressing against her shoulders while a fresh blanket of air washed over her from the vent. She realized she’d forgotten to follow up regarding the hotel they were staying in this evening. All the events that transpired made her forget the most important thing she had planned. However, she wasn’t ready for the actual contents of the message.
GC: H3Y J4D3
GC: 1 DONT KNOW HOW TO S4Y TH1S
GC: YOU M34N TH3 WORLD TO M3
GC: TH3 T1M3 W3 H4D L4ST N1GHT 4ND TH1S MORN1NG W4S TH3 H4PP13ST 1D F3LT 1N 4 LONG T1M3
GC: W1TH 4LL TH3 SH1T GO1NG ON 1M H4PPY OUR T1M3 TOG3TH3R H4S M4D3 1T 4LL WORTH 1T
GC: BUT
GC: 1 TH1NK W3 BOTH KNOW W3
GC: FUCK
GC: W3 BOTH KNOW HOW 1T 4LL F3LT
GC: TH3 3XC1T3M3NT 1N TH3 MOM3NT
GC: OUR 3MOT1ONS
GC: 1T F3LT L1K3 W3 W3R3 SO CONN3CT3D
GC: Y3T
GC: L1K3 MY 4NG3R W1TH VR1SK4…
GC: TH1NGS CH4NG3
GC: 1 JUST DONT TH1NK W3 4R3 TH3 B3ST FOR 34CH OTH3R J4D3
GC: 1 LOV3 YOU MOR3 TH4N 1 C4N D3SCR1B3 BUT…
GC: W3 SHOULD BR34K UP
GC: 1M SORRY
Jade stared with tears forming in her eyes. Each and every word felt like a dagger that stabbed at her heart one by one, the pain increasing with each one. The crescendo into the second to last message felt like the last shred of her happiness burned away to leave a gaping hole in her heart. The burning excitement of the potential relationship was now a vacant space where the freezing air of the air conditioner blew through, dropping her body temperature more and more.
The paleness of her skin was almost corpselike–-her already frail mental state shut down leaving her to just sit in silence as the boys talked.
Eventually, a few strands of motivation entered her to deliver a few words.
JADE: i need to use the bathroom
Jake and John stopped talking and looked at her.
JAKE: Oh yes the bathroom will be just on the right side of the stairwell.
JADE: thanks…
In a flash, Jade stood at the front of the bathroom, sparks of green energy fizzling out around her. She grabbed the knob and threw it open to reveal the obvious on the other side.
When the door finally slammed behind her, the numbness of her calcifying corpse completely vanished, filling her with overwhelming emotion that she’d never felt in her life.
She fell to her knees, tears flowing down her face. Terezi’s messages ran through her head over and over again; she couldn’t help but hear Terezi’s voice whispering them into her ear, stabbing her in the chest with each one.
That image of course flashed her back to their sex which only made her break down even further. There wasn’t an ounce of rational thought within her as each and every idea that entered her mind was corrupted to perfectly upset her.
It all felt like karmic punishment for making a few shitty decisions. Why didn’t she insist on going with Terezi? If she played her cards right, then maybe, just maybe, she could’ve been able to save John’s life and still remain with Terezi.
Such a result is impossible, of course. You know that. However, dear Jade is coming to terms with the reality that in order to achieve her best self, she needs to let go of these utterly nonsensical ideas of high commitment after little time spent. This was a lesson.
Eventually, she stood up, bathing in the bright fluorescent light from above. She took off her glasses and rubbed her eyes, trying to stop the tears from flowing. When she finally turned to face herself in the mirror, she looked in awe.
On the other end she saw her beautiful face and body. She blushed heavily as she took in her form: everything that’d once been mundane just hours prior was now the most attractive thing she’d seen in her life. To her, it felt significant, she just didn’t know the words to describe it.
In the oppressive light, her black hair almost looked white from the sheen while a small line of hair atop her head looked like a black headband. Her emerald green eyes looked darker from the harsh shadow created from the hair in front of her face—she could swear they almost looked purple.
In her mind, all she could see was perfection right in front of her; desperately, she wanted to reach her hand out and grab the beautiful woman from the other side and pull her into her arms. That was the comfort she needed.
Reality didn’t work like that, unfortunately, so she decided to go for a backup plan, which is where she gave me a call. As we’ve already seen, she poured her heart out and we established an understanding with each other that she needed me more than anything else in the world at this very moment. So, she would come to my place so that I could console her.
Instantly, Jade teleported outside of Jake’s manor and began to fly in the direction of my apartment. Unconsciously, she came to me like a moth to a flame. The last thing she did before leaving was send a final message to her brother.
GG: im going to see rose