#anifam

Okena had abandoned her position on the table to watch (show). Ames had joined her kicking off his shoes and laying his jacket across the back, he stretched across the sofa and gazed over the armrest at the screen. Eko descended the stairs to join them. 

Eko

Okena

Okena

(affirming noises)

Eko

Have you seen my dad? He’s not in his room.

Okena

He dashed out earlier. No explanation given.

Eko

Oh.

N

Ames and Okena exchanged a look while Eko’s spaced out over the show.

Okena

Are you worried?

Eko

Oh no.

He just left his lunch.

N

 With another unnoticed look Ames rolled onto his side, tilting his head at Eko.

Ames

Do you want to watch (Show) with us?

Eko

Yeah

Let me put this up.

N

Eko departed for the kitchen and Ames rolled back onto his belly to see Okena better.

Ames

Worried?

Okena

What about you?

Ames

Not my style, and you’re right he is a bit young for me.

Besides, lethargic protags are bad for everyone.

N

Okena smiled at him turning back to the television. Eko returned with a tray of snacks and settled onto the sofa across from Ames.

Ames

Oh look this bit’s a classic.

Love (genre).

Ilori typed away on the library’s computer as Iniko looked over his shoulder. They’d compiled their accumulative computer time to reserve the computer for an hour. It pinged lightly as they got a message.

(Internet ID)

I think I found your videographer. Name’s Kaiden.

N

The screen flashed up with an adjoining photograph, which was a close match to Iniko’s spy shot.

Iniko

It’s her.

Ilori

Could be.

N

As he moved to reply Buster stepped up behind them.

Buster

What you doing nerd.

N

His gaggle giggled behind the twins as the next ping arrived.

(ID) Vanligt highschool videographers club had the second lunch break for club. Between 12:15 and 12:45 they were all out on projects. Even have pictures of the street sign.

N

A few more pictures accompanied shortly and some silent video.

Ilori

Confirmed.

Iniko

Confirmed.

Buster

Hey are you deaf, Ini and Illi can’t hear us. We should clean their ears!

N

As Iniko leaned forward to type their reply Ilori spun around in his chair.

Ilori

Have you no concept of what a library is for, you barbarian.

Buster

Big words from the little nerd. How many dinosaurs do you think he could list before I throw him over the playground fence.

N

Ilori balled up his fists and lept from the chair, sending it spinning as he collided with Buster, shouting with each subsequent impact.

Ilori

Nothosaurus, Quetealcoatlus, Maiasaura, Corythosaurus, Edmontosaurus, Stygimoloch, Janenschia, Saltasaurus.

N

And with that Ilori was lifted away from Buster by Jo the librarian.

Jo

Now what are y’all children doing shouting in my library?

Buster

Illi hit me over some stupid dinosaurs.

N

Jo kept hold of Ilori’s arm as he moved back towards Buster.

Jo

Now Buster you should know by now that dinosaurs are a fascinating subject.

Buster

Yeah, we all want to learn about a bunch of dumb bones.

Jo

Fossils.

Buster

That only matters to nerds like Illi

N

The librarian sighed pulling the still struggling Ilori back to the library counter.

Jo

It hardly matters if you think such, Buster. You’re both waiting here till the principal and your parents arrive.

Buster

But I’ve got practice.

Jo

Well now you will practice being quiet, whilst in my library. Sit.

N

And though Buster scowled he found a chair to pout in and Iniko who had finished the twins conversation with (ID) before gleefully watching Buster’s nose get repeatedly flattened; exited the log in for the computer. 

She peered over the counter at Jo who looked up from a very austere book.

Jo

Yes ma’am, how may I help you.

Iniko

I have a paper in the print cue. The Vanligt Highschool’s Videographer’s Club are hosting a meet and greet with the various members.

Jo

I see.

N

They plucked the document from the tray and looked it over before nodding and passing it to her.

Iniko

Thank you.

Jo

You’re welcome.

N

The old shack behind #36 MaryJane Lane was decrepit, falling apart as much as it was standing. The walls covered in sketches, pictures, and illustrations. Page upon page of information slowly peeling away as the neglect set in. Leeto was standing in the middle of it, his eyes closed as his psychic mind worked. The tiny tree that Daruka had brought in their second season was now impossibly large. Her own experiments and care increasing it’s growth coupled with the reverberating psychic energies.

Ava

You know we meet in the house now.

Leeto

Which is just another reason you’re a pale imitation of what came before.

Ava

You said you had a reason to be back. Assuming it isn’t trashing me in comparison to my now dead brother. I’d like to know what it is.

N

Leeto opened his eyes, closing his mind to the greatest degree from the remaining energies as he turned away from the tree to another segment of wall. He stepped toward it, removing from the wall a single taped piece of paper. He turned walking to the door where Ava’s presence stopped him.

Ava

What are you here for.

Leeto

David sent me to retrieve an item.

Ava

David doesn’t send people to do shit.

Leeto

Language.

Ava

Fuck you.* I’m not a child anymore Leeto.

Leeto

*That’s a very inappropriate sentiment.

Ava

What are you doing here.

Leeto

As was his habit Eko was in the kitchen working on everyone’s afternoon snacks. The spring air passed through the yard and house with ease. Ames paused and from his spot in the yard raised his sunglasses.

Ames

Ah, Shounen.

Okena

He’s too young for you.

Ames

O-ppin-ion

N

Okena left him to his view and joined Eko in the kitchen with half the groceries. She returned with one of his own popsicles.

Okena

Do you think he’s Moe?

Ames

No. He’s just hot.

Okena

(Heavy sigh.) You’re going to steal my student aren’t you.

Ames

Might just borrow him for a bit.

N

With that he took her popsicle and strode into the kitchen.

Ames

Bonjour Eko.

Eko

Hello~~~

N

Ames waited smiling at him and toying with his popsicle.

Eko

You’re Ames, from The Fall and Just About Everything.

Ames

Some of my older works. Have you seen anything more recent?

Eko

Yeah, I loved the latest one, Assassination Roadtrip, what a sweet team.

N

Ames smiled leaning his hip against the counter. Okena had joined them and from her usual spot on the kitchen table glared at Ames.

Okena

‘Ey, Ames. You’re here to assess the Moes’. Not encourage this Shoujo divergence. 

N

Ames smiled turning all of his radiance on her.

Ames

Sorry

You know I just can’t help myself.

N

He leaned across the gap between them extending the popsicle to her. With an 

Okena

Oh well.

N

Ames sighed. They’d done it again, and again he would have to live with their decision. He opened the door letting the cool air escape as he retrieved a package. He frowned down at the parcel trying to decide if he’d really tolerate such behavior.

Okena

Ames?

Ames

Okena?

N

The door swung closed.

Ames

When did you get to Ville Itche City?

Okena

Uh, ages ago I guess.

I’ve been living atop the mountain outside of town, working as a mentor.

Ames

A mentor? Shonen.

Okena

No, maybe. He’s supposed to be. I mean I’m getting groceries for him, so I could be losing my touch.

N

She pushed the buggy onward pausing as she went to retrieve items from a neatly written list.

Ames

Doubtful.

Okena

They changed the packaging again.

Ames

Yeah. Not sure how I feel about it. 

Okena

Curse of the Moe King.

Ames

Yeah I guess! I haven’t worked in that field for so long though. Made the move through BL to Vrah(literally assassin in czech, look up the pronunciation).

Okena

Really.

Ames

Yeah. It wasn’t so hard after being trained to make everyone care about me for so long. 

How about you?

Okena

Tsundere’d, then side character’d in Life of the Summoned for a while. Left to get my head straight. Now I have a student who is more concerned with his siblings then his career.

Ames

Really?

Okena

Don’t you try and steal him. I need grocery money.

Ames

Sure. Want a popsicle?

Okena

Yeah. you should pay for those.

Ames

Eh, sure.

N

He dropped the box into the basket and continued following her through the isles of the market. Where he periodically dropped in extra snacks and treats.

Okena

Actually Ames. Would you do me a favor?

An assessment.

Ames

For your student?

Okena

For his siblings. They’re dead set on getting in the business. We both know the best way in is Moe when you’re a kid. That is if you’ve still got it.

N

Ames smiled at her over his shoulder and winked, blowing her a kiss that swept around her in a breeze of flowers.

Okena caught one with a stern expression, crushed it and let it drop to the floor.

Ames shrugged.

Ames

What one has they endeavor not to lose.

Okena

Sure

N

They all slid around the dinner table, placing their respective dishes. Macaroni, green beans, pan fried spam, roast broccoli, pudding, and cookies. Okena frowned when she found herself between 0 and Ilori, Iniko sat on the other side of the corner from her brother. Eko passed a bowl of salad to them watching as they each put some on their plate and frowning when Okena almost didn’t.

Iniko

Excuse me

Eko

Yes

Iniko

Lori and I were looking into a videographer and how we might find one.

Eko

Well I don’t know I’m afraid I’ve never really looked. Okena?

Okena

What?

I’m a traditional performer. I auditioned, I got called back, and sometimes I got a role.

Iniko

Oh

Okena

I would suggest trying the online forums. Or check with the library, perhaps they have club meetings.

Eko

Ilori, what have we said about journals at the dinner table?

N

Ilori frowned and pulled the journal off the table to finish his notes before putting it away.

Eko

Why the sudden interest in a videographer anyway. I thought you were determined to go the traditional route.

Iniko

That’s easy for you to say. You can go on the roof.

Eko

The roof you literally fell off of this morning?

You two have to face the fact that even protags die in the right genre. Even if they have series with dedicated producers. It’s no less life.

Okena

You’d do good just to learn not to fall.

N

The twins glared at her as she ladeled herself some more macaroni.

Okena

It’s the shonen way, stronger means less likely to die. Everyone else though, they die.

Ilori

We’re not gonna die. That’s for side characters.

Okena

What even is a side character?

Eko

Ilori. Please pass the broccoli.

N

As the broccoli moved across the table 0 stood up.

0

I need to get back to work.

N

It was a brief break. Ilori sighed, Iniko shoved macaroni in her mouth, and Okena spun her spoon on it’s head.

Eko

I forgot the toast. 

Sorry everyone, excuse me.

N

As he went to retrieve the basket of bread Ilori turned to Okena.

Ilori

Apologies, I was rude earlier. Please forgive me.

Okena

So was I, thank you and may I ask the same from both of you.

Iniko

Yeah. That’s fine.

N

Ilori nodded as Eko returned.

Eko

Did I miss anything?

Others

No.

Eko