PB4G: Kat's Khaotic Birthday, Pt. 7

Kitty Kat's Khaotic Birthday Week, Pt. 7
---
July 12, 2032
Early morning. 
Joon, hair down and glasses off, sat in her backyard and drank from her tea glass. Wei had already left to attend to last-minute appointments involving Kat's party. Kat herself, with Carrie by her side, was still asleep.
With a list of phone numbers provided by the pair, Joon narrowed down who to call. "It's just about midnight in Europe, so that excludes Melinda and Sophia...that only leaves..."
She dialed one number, then as the phone rang, put in another.
Hundreds of miles away in Akihabara, Kyoko Ishimaru was inside of a gym, doing sit-ups. The sound of a hard rock song emerged from her pocket. She put an earpiece in, and answered. "Yo."
Halfway across the world in Tulsa, Oklahoma, it was late afternoon on July 11. Annette Jadefang was in her home, putting clothes into the dryer. Her own phone went off, and she looked at the number. "Out of the country? Hmm." She picked up. "Hello?"
"Kyoko, Annette, hello. This is Joon-yi. I hope I'm not calling at a bad time." Joon answered.
"Oh hey there, Joon! Wasn't expecting to hear your voice today, but I'm not complaining." Kyoko replied.
"Is everything alright with the kids?" Annette asked.
"My Keebie isn't hurt, is he?!"
"No no no, everything is fine. You don't need to sprint across the ocean to come see." Joon assured. "This is about me. I...wanted to talk. I needed some motherly wisdom."
"Well there's a shock. I wouldn't have guessed that you'd ever need advice."
"Yeah, you always have everything so put-together. What did you want to talk about?" Annette asked.
"I'm...not having the easiest time adjusting to life without my children at home. This week has only reminded me more of what I've been missing. There's...been a lot that I've been lying to myself about, for a very long time. I needed to know...how to cope and stop feeling so lonely." Joon replied.
"Oh, honey, you called the right mamas. We know exactly how you're feeling, right, Annie?" Kyoko asked.
"We know a thing or two about not having our kids around. But I'm surprised to hear this from you, Joon. My understanding is that you encouraged Kat to move abroad. What's got you feeling differently this time around?" Annette questioned.
"When I sent her to Japan, there was the expectation that she would return for the summer. That guarantee isn't there anymore. Coupled with Lin-mae moving out, all of a sudden this house feels a little *too* big." Joon fidgeted in her seat. "I've devoted so much of my life to their care. Now that they're out of the house, I feel...more lost. Like a bus that's out of use."
"I get it. I lucked out compared to everyone else that Keebie was still close to home. Now he's an ocean away. I used to be able to stop by his dorm and drop stuff off for him or just see how he was doing. I seriously miss that." Kyoko said.
"You at least have your oldest at home now, don't you?"
"Oh, yeah, and am I ever relieved. That was its own nightmare, him being locked up. I'd have nightmares about him being attacked in prison, and all the shitty things that happen in there. That and the feeling that I'd failed him made me so much more protective of Keebie. I know I got on his nerves. It's probably why he decided to go overseas."
"You're being way too critical of yourself, Kyoko. I know he adores you." Annette responded.
"Yeaaaah, I know. I'm just messing around. I know it was really to follow that angel of yours, and who could blame him?"
"This is supposed to be us giving Joon advice, not an opportunity for you to tease me."
"Can't I do both?"
Annette sighed. "Look, Joon. I understand how you're feeling. Not a day goes by where I don't worry about how my kids are doing. Nothing was worse than that year of not knowing where Starbolt was. What was he doing, where was he, is he even alive? I had Moonbeam around, and that absolutely helped with coping, but there were still a lot of restless nights. Even now that I know where they are, and what they're doing, I still worry. It's only natural. You spend so long nurturing them and keeping them safe from danger, then you let them out into the world, and pray that you did enough and that they'll be okay."
"I thought I was prepared for it. I'm fully aware that my daughters are young adults with their own responsibilities. But whenever I look at them, all I can think of is watching them sitting in Lin-mae's room to play games, or how she would latch onto her father any time she got scared. So-yin would always grab my hand. I still see her as this vulnerable little girl who cried to her parents whenever someone was being mean to her in school." Joon related.
"It's totally normal, girlfriend. My Keebie's smart and fit enough to take care of himself, but in my head he's still that quiet little boy that wanted his mommy to put tape on his hair so it wouldn't stick up." Kyoko replied.
"There's no way that's true." Annette cut in.
"It sounds completely made-up." Joon agreed.
"I wouldn't lie about my little man asking me for help! Especially when it was super adorable!" Kyoko denied.
"If you say so." Annette responded. "But I get the feeling. My favorite memories are me playing pretend with my babies. I could see their acting talent even from that young age. Now one looks destined for Broadway, while the other tries putting me into a panic every chance he gets. I love that boy, with all my heart, and I'm proud that he's got his life together, but if he hasn't put me on the verge of a heart attack..."
"Boys will be boys. You lucked out in that department, Joon."
"Considering what I've endured over the years, I'm not sure that's entirely accurate." Joon replied.
The conversation continued on for a good bit of time.
"--and then this girl has the nerve to say, 'Aren't you a bit old to be listening to Limp Bizkit?' Like look, little girl, I dunno what kind of trash you're listening to, but last I checked, good music doesn't have an age limit." Kyoko said, now outside of the gym and sitting on a bench.
"Someone clearly didn't teach her respect. Or good taste." Annette replied, having attended to her laundry and now seated on her couch.
"Hold on a second. There's a band called, 'Limp Biscuit'?" Joon questioned.
"Girl, you've never heard of Limp Bizkit?! What rock have you been living under?" Kyoko asked.
"I'd imagine one made out of gold." Annette joked.
"Clearly I'm not the most well-versed in musical forms that my husband hasn't belted out." Joon replied.
"Oh, am I gonna fix that! I have got *so many* records I'm gonna mail your way! Your grandkids are gonna be whistling to the tune of Bowie's greatest hits by the time I'm done with you!" Kyoko proclaimed.
"I don't know whether to take that as a threat." 
"With her, it could go either way." Annette replied.
"True enough, I suppose that's the definition of 'aggressively friendly'."
"Aggressive?! I'm not aggressive!" Kyoko responded.
"Hon, didn't you tell me that you tossed a man into a fountain the other day?" Annette questioned.
"Yeah, cuz he gave Kyo pickles on his sandwich after saying he didn't want 'em, then gave me an attitude when I brought it up! 'Nyeh, what are you gonna do, throw me out the window?' Nerd found out the hard way..."
"Rudeness aside, that was a bit of a disproportionate response, don't you think?" Joon asked.
"I'm not aggressive! It's not my fault that I keep running into stupid people!"
"So your answer for it is to throw them into a public fountain. Surely that will fix everything and the fast food man will be winning the Nobel Prize in no time."
"Sounds like you found the cure for stupidity, Kyoko." Annette joked.
"Hey, where's all this teasing coming from?! That's supposed to be my job!" Kyoko griped. The other women laughed.
"Oh, well, that went off-topic. Sorry, Joon."
"No, don't apologize. I actually feel better now. It's nice to have someone to talk to that isn't my sister. I've taken up far too much of her time this week." Joon replied.
"Well don't be spooked to hit us up whenever you're feeling down, 'kay? Our kids aren't the only ones that can have little meet-ups." Kyoko said.
"I'll say. Glad that laundry wasn't the most enjoyable part of my day. You take care of yourself, Joon. And remind my kids to call me as soon as they get back home." Annette requested.
"I have the feeling that they don't need me to remind them, but I'll do it anyway. Same with your niece." Joon replied.
"My...niece?"
"Yes, Ms. Cynthia. Did you not know they brought her along?"
"O-Oh, right, of course I knew that!" "(Is that the story they went with?)" 
"I was a little surprised to hear it. I thought you said your brother doesn't have any children?"
"He doesn't, but she's from Jim's side. They aren't all brutes like him." "(Great, more details to keep straight! Could've filled me in!)"
"I see. There's definitely very little resemblance. She's quite the brilliant young thing. She fixed our oven when several repairmen failed to."
"That's our Cindy, always fixing everything. She gave my fridge features I didn't think a fridge could have." "(Well at least that one's not a lie!)" "A-Anyway, I think my laundry's done. I should get back to it. Have a good day, ladies."
"Stay beautiful~!" Kyoko bid.
"Thank you both for your time. We'll do this again soon. Take care." Joon ended the call.
A few minutes later, Kat walked outside, letting out a yawn. "Morning, Mom. Was wondering where you were at."
"Good morning, So-yin. I just finished up a phone call."
"Oh, okay. Was it the other class moms?"
"Yes. Mrs. Ishimaru and Ms. Jadefang were kind enough to indulge me for a while. It was precisely what the doctor ordered."
"Good, I'm glad. I figured it'd be good to hear some friendly voices. That always helps me when I'm feeling lonely."
"You astound me, kitten."
"Ah--it's nothing, really..."
"It wasn't that long ago that I was trying to find ways to fix your loneliness. Now here you are, doing the same for me. Barely a week removed from having crisis after crisis heaped on you. Where does that kindness come from?"
Kat scratched her head. "I dunno...I guess...you raised me the right way. I give Prof a lot of credit for helping me accept myself, but as far as who I try to model myself after, most of it's from--"
"Stop."
"Mom...?"
"Please, not another word, So-yin. I understand what you're trying to convey. I just don't want to start crying again so soon after last night."
"Okay, no problem. There's been enough of that this week between the both of us."
"And to think, there's still one day before your birthday. The one day I would have been expecting tears."
"I can do without more crying, please and thank you."
"So, what stress-free activities do you have in mind for today?"
"Me and Care are gonna go meet Professor Kubo and Dr. Rose for breakfast. After that, everyone's gonna meet up and we're gonna just wander around and see some more sights. Sometimes it's more fun to go without a plan."
"Well I won't keep you. Go get yourself ready."
"Yes, ma'am." Kat turned to go back inside.
"So-yin?"
"Yes, Mom?"
Her mother put up a smile. "If there's one thing I'm positive of, it's that with the kindness in your heart, you'll be a much better teacher than me. You're going to do so many wonderful things. I can promise that much."
The stars began to fill Kat's eyes. "Ahh...th-thank you, Mom..."
"Enjoy your day, kitten. See you later."
"Thanks, Mom...now I'm the one that's gonna cry..." Kat went back inside.
Joon eased back into her seat. Her tranquility was interrupted by a buzzing sound from her phone. She looked to see who it was. "....."
She pushed it away with one finger, then put her feet up on the table. "Not today, Mother."
---
The bamboo café.
"So, Kat. There's something I've been curious about." Rin spoke, seated at a table with Kat and Carrie. Rose was attending to their order, while Shizuka sat and listened to music through her headphones.
"Hit me." Kat replied.
"It's about 'The Captain and the Cat Thief'. See, when you told me about your aunt, I thought her name sounded familiar. Then when I was looking through our belongings last night, it hit me." Rin took the children's book out from her bag. "The author's name is 'Min-li Song-Patel'. That's your aunt, isn't it?"
"Yep, that's her. Guess I forgot to mention that. She did the illustrations, too."
"I always thought the drawings were incredibly charming, your aunt has quite the talent." Carrie commented.
"Considering the legend it's based on, I'm surprised it wasn't done by your father's side of the family. How'd it come about?" Rin asked.
"Well, Aunt Mini was looking for a new bedtime story to tell me and my cousins. She'd actually already done a couple of kids' books before, and wanted to make one for us. So Pops told her about the Moon Thief legend. He thought it'd be the perfect opportunity to tell it in a way that was more palatable. So she took the idea and ran with it. Uncle Vik convinced her to publish it--with my dad's go-ahead, of course--and that's how it got onto the shelves." Kat explained.
"Your aunt's done more than one book?"
"Oh yeah, she's published a few over the years. They're all super cute. Aunt Mini loves entertaining kids. Sleepovers at her house were always so much fun."
"A soft spot for children, now where have I heard that before?" Carrie questioned.
"Dunno. It's a mystery."
Rose arrived with the food. "I have fulfilled my maidly duties." She sat down next to Rin. "Now then, Ms. Kit. How is the family temperature at the moment?"
"After last night? Mild. We finally had a talk with Mom. I think she's finally starting to unwind."
"I certainly think so. This morning she had an air of peace around her. Like a chain's been loosened." Carrie commented.
"I'm glad that this week's been a productive one for your family. Even if it started with me getting yelled at." Rin said.
"Yeah, really could've done without that part." Kat replied.
"Maybe it's what was needed to get everything aired out. Before that, it felt like everyone here was avoiding talking about personal problems. Keeping things bottled up like that is unhealthy." Carrie stated.
"I'm sure there were healthier ways of doing that than going on an alcohol-fueled tirade." Rose drank some tea.
"All's well that ends well. If it helped to mend some rifts, then I don't mind." Rin replied.
"You really have impossibly high tolerance for craziness, don't you?" Kat asked.
"Ever the optimist, Professor." Carrie added.
"Rare is the day where she is truly upset. That is for me to take care of." Rose said.
"I still don't think you should have threatened Lin the way you did." Rin spoke.
"All's well that ends well, beloved."
Rin sighed. "Touché." She returned her attention to Kat. "So, tomorrow's the big day. Have your parents given any hints about what they've got planned?"
"No idea. It's gonna be at the club, but they've both been really hush-hush about it. A lot of private phone calls, too. Lin's not talking, either. Or this one." Kat pointed to Carrie.
"My lips are sealed." Carrie stated.
"Then I'll just keep poking until you tell me--"
Kat suddenly became stunned, her cheeks quickly gaining a red shade.
"Kat...? Are you alright?" Rin asked.
"Don't worry about her, Professor. I know how to keep her brain occupied." Carrie replied. Underneath the table, she had crossed one of her legs around Kat's. "She'll have to wait for tomorrow night. I'm sure it'll be one she'll remember forever."
"Judging from that look on her face, I'd say she's having a memorable experience right now." Rose commented.
Carrie released her hold. Kat let out a deep breath, and started panting. "Girl, you could've killed me! You know what a fine pair of legs does to me!"
"Given your many conversations with Barbara, yes, I am very well aware." Carrie giggled.
"Ugh, do you two ever get like this when no one's looking?"
"Oh no, never." Rin replied.
"Constantly." Rose immediately followed.
"Rose!"
"I speak only facts."
"Not next to our daughter, please!"
"She has her headphones in, she can't hear anything."
"Well I sure as sugar can." a voice commented nearby.
Kat turned around. "E-Eun! How long were you listening to that?"
"Long enough. I'm not against y'all being cuddly, but maybe tone it down when there's people eating nearby?" Eun walked away. "Sapphics..." she sighed.
All four women started blushing. "Oh, dear. How embarrassing." Carrie said.
"Public displays of affection do tend to illicit the wrong kind of reactions." Rose agreed.
"Maybe we should save this sort of talk for private time..." Rin said.
"Preach." Kat added.
Shizuka took off her headphones, giving the others a funny look. "Why's everyone looking like tomatoes?"
"You'll understand when you're older, lovebug." Rin replied.
---
Sinsa. The comfortable home of Min-li Song-Patel, her husband Vikram and their two children. Along with many a standard Korean appliance and piece of furniture, dotted throughout the house were odds and ends harkening back to Vikram's homeland.
Among those objects was a mantle statue depicting a seated, multi-armed deity.
"Shiva the destroyer. A very interesting centerpiece to your living room." Joon observed.
"He's not just the God of destruction, you know. He also governs rebirth. Whatever he tears down, he builds back up stronger." Mini appeared with a cup in each hand, handing one to her sister.
"Thank you. Are the kids home?"
"They'll be around. Vijay is developing his photos. He spent this whole week down by the river. Those professors ought to give him a passing grade just on his dedication."
"I can tell you firsthand that it doesn't work like that."
The two women sat on the couch, Joon perfectly upright, while Mini put her feet up on the cushion. "How are you feeling?" she asked.
"...I ignored a call from Mother this morning. What does that tell you?"
"It tells me that you're free. It tells me that our talk worked." Mini patted Joon. "I'm so proud of you, my beautiful, brilliant big sister."
"We both know you were the one blessed with good looks. And I can't be that smart if it took me so long to realize what I was doing wrong."
"Extremely incorrect on both counts."
A yawning sound came from the stairs. "Morning, Mom..."
"There's my sleepyhead. Look who popped in for a visit, sweetie." Mini said.
"Nnh...Aunt Joonie?"
"Good morning, Parvati, dear. I take it from your lack of congestion that you're over your minor bug?" Joon asked.
"Yeah, I'm okay now. Is So-yin with you?"
"She's with her friends at the moment."
"Aww. Was hoping we could hang out for a bit before she leaves."
"You've still got plenty of time, it's not like she's going tomorrow. She'll be more than happy to oblige."
"Were you needing something, Parvati?" Mini asked.
"Yeah, my lamp light just went out. Do we have any more bulbs?" Parvati asked.
"Let me check the closet. Give me a moment, Joonie."
"By all means." Joon replied.
Mini got up and went into the nearby supply closet, with Parvati right behind her. "Is Aunt Joonie okay?"
"Of course, sweetie, never better. Why do you ask?"
"She looks...happier than usual."
"She's just happy that So-yin's birthday is tomorrow. That and I've finally convinced her to try out our pool."
"Aunt Joonie in the pool? Now I know something's weird."
Mini took a bulb out from a small container. "There we go. Now it won't just be your smile lighting up your room."
"Ugh, Moooom..."
"It could always be worse, you know. I could show random strangers your baby photos."
"You already do..."
"No, I show friends and family those pictures, and why shouldn't I when you had such pinchable cheeks?" Mini did so.
"I'm going back to my room."
"Don't forget to eat your breakfast. And tell your brother to do the same."
"Yes, Mom." Parvati went up the stairs.
"I love you, my little goddess~!"
"Love you too, Mom."
"I saw you rolling your eyes."
"No you didn't!" Parvati returned to her room.
Mini went back to the couch. "Teenagers. You know how it is."
"Do I ever." Joon replied.
"Oh. Before we take our little dip, I have something to show you." Mini left, then came back a minute later with a rectangular book. "She's finally done."
The book featured a colorful illustration of a stylized, mischievous black snake with green eyes sitting in a tree, looking down at a curious black kitten with pink eyes. "Juba and Baem-Baem's Colorful Quest" was the title, the former name in pink while the latter was in green.
"Oh, this is adorable, Mini. I don't think I need to ask who these two are based on." Joon commented.
"You think? I just got the final copy yesterday. It'll be dropping onto the shelves in a couple of weeks. I was thinking if it does well enough, I might make it a series."
"The art style is certainly appealing. I'm sure the kids are going to love it."
"I hope so. But of course, I want this first edition to be in good hands, so I'll be wrapping it up nice and pretty, and gifting it to your baby for her birthday tomorrow. I know she's a bit old now for my style of writing, but..."
"Think nothing of it. She has copies of all your books. I know she's going to love it. She reads the one about the Moon Thief to Professor Kubo's daughter all the time, and I'm sure this will be no different. Especially considering your inspiration."
"I couldn't help myself. Those two always got into so many antics when they were little, it would be easy to fill an entire novel with them. My stretch goal would be to have an audio book with the two of them narrating, but that's for another day."
"If that day arrives, I'm sure they'll be more than happy. They can never say no to their second mother."
"Awww, Joonie, that's so sweet! They're only that way because you taught them to be so accepting. A far cry from all the cruel things a certain someone has said in the past."
"The less said about that, the better."
"Agreed. Now let's get changed into something more aquatic--"
"Wait, Mini."
"What's wrong? Don't tell me you're shy about being in a swimsuit."
"Well, no--I mean yes, but that's not it. I...feel a little guilty about this. I'd taken the lead in organizing So-yin's party, but these last few days of being in constant stress have derailed that. Should I really be lounging and leaving Wei to take care of everything?"
"I personally think you've more than earned some R & R, but you could always call him and see if he's handling things okay."
"Suppose it wouldn't hurt." Joon took out her phone.
At the lounge, Wei was sitting in front of the stage, shaking his head. "Do we even *need* the triangle for this?"
One of the performers, hair drooped in front of his face, held a simple triangle. "It's part of my vision."
"I wouldn't be talking about vision when your 'do is right in front of your face."
His phone started to ring. "Alright, everyone take five." He answered it. "Hi, honey. You nice and relaxed, yet?"
"By some miracle, yes. Is everything under control over there?" Joon asked.
"Oh yeah, totally. Catering's all sorted out, all the musical acts are lined up. Just a few more, ah, rehearsals to go and we'll be all set."
"And how are those going?"
The sound of metal hitting the floor echoed. "Uh-oh." The triangle man was holding only a handle. "I think I broke it."
"What a tragedy." Wei mumbled to himself. "Uh, I mean, they're going fine. Aheh."
"Wei." Joon uttered.
"Yes, Joon?"
"If things aren't adding up, I'm more than willing to--"
"Oh, no no no no, don't even humor the idea. Everything's pretty much sorted out. You've done all the stressful parts. Have a nice, relaxing day with your sister, and I'll air out the little details."
"...you're just picturing me in a swimsuit now, aren't you?"
"Have been since this morning."
Joon rolled her eyes, a smirk on her face. "Well for being so helpful, you won't have to imagine it for much longer. I'll let you get back to work. And, Wei...thank you."
"That's what partners are for, my queen. Enjoy your pool day. Say hi to Mini for me."
The call ended. A commotion erupted from the stage as the lead's electric guitar began vibrating rapidly. "That's too much juice, you idiot!"
"OH GOD I THINK THE GUITAR'S HAVING A SEIZURE--"
Wei sighed. "Pool day sounds pretty dang good right about now."
Back at Mini's house, Joon put her phone away. "Well, I'm satisfied."
"Great, because that pool's been screaming your name all day!" Mini pulled her along.
"I don't recall hearing any--ah!"
---
Back at the Stay Golden lounge.
"Thanks again for letting us use your kitchen, Mr. Kit." Natalia said, holding a bag of groceries.
"Ah, it's no problem. The Kitten's way less likely to stumble in here than if you were at the house. Sorry it's gonna be a bit...noisier than that, though." Wei replied.
"Yeeeeaaah, is he gonna be alright?" Max was looking to the stage, where the triangle man was on the floor, being fanned by his bandmates.
"That...that beater just came out of nowhere..." he uttered.
Wei sighed. "And that, lady and gentleman, is why you have backup options on speed dial."
"I dunno what you're talking about, this has been a riot!" Ibuki sat at the bar, legs crossed and very much entertained.
"...I'd go ahead and call up the first band with zero triangle experience." Max suggested.
"Agreed." Natalia nodded.
"Already on it. Kitchen's all yours." Wei said.
"Thank you, sir. Let's get to it, Maxie." Natalia directed.
"Roger that, Chef Natty." Max turned to Ibuki. "Please don't be a musical critic."
"I'm here for the entertainment and nothing else." Ibuki playfully looked back at him. "And maybe some taste testing for Chef Maxie~?"
"I'm starting to see where a certain cupcake gets her sweet tooth from. If there's anything left over, we'll see."
"Yeeee~. Have fuuuun~. Hey, Golden Man, I've got some pretty good pipes if you need a backup..."
Max followed Natalia into the kitchen. "Her becoming a K-pop act is the last thing we would need." he said.
"It'd be so on-brand for us, though." Natalia replied.
"Alright, so what's the game plan?"
"Right, so first thing's first. Instead of one big cake, we're gonna be doing cupcakes. Lots of 'em. Black and pink with little kitty faces on them."
"As is the birthday girl's style, I like it."
"And to top it all off, I bought a bunch of these little black cookies." Natalia took out a bag, filled with small, triangular biscuits. "Don't they look like kitty ears? These'll make them look extra cute!"
"Brilliant. Nobody's got a better eye for cute than you, Natty. I'm sure Kat's gonna love them."
"Aww, thanks, Maxie. If you wanna get the pan, we'll start baking."
"On it." He proceeded.
"Heehee, I knew I wasn't crazy for having a crush on him in high school..." she uttered.
"You say something, Natty?"
She was quickly alerted. "Ah, n-nothing! Just talking to myself!" She turned red. "(D'oh, I said that out loud! Thank goodness he didn't hear it...)"
"Okay..." He opened her bag to get the pan, then noticed something else: an old-looking textbook. "Hunh, doesn't look like a cookbook...are those...runes? They look like--"
"Aw, I brought the wrong book!" Natalia took the red text out. 
"What is that? It looks like one of Emily's spellbooks."
"Well...it *is* a spellbook."
"Why do you have a spellbook?"
"Because the other me is teaching me how to use magic."
"The other--you mean Natalie, Emily's mentor? You've been talking to her?"
"Ever since the big fight, yeah. She pops in every once in a while. She was curious about whether we could learn their magic. Maybe it was possible since Barb and that girl Candice have the same kind of power." Natalia opened up her hand, and yellow-colored sparks suddenly emerged from her palm. "It's nothing too crazy, but...it's there."
"I don't believe it...but why learn magic when you already have power?"
"Because...I know where I'm at on the totem pole. I barely helped during the battle. Compare that to you, or Kat, or Saku...I'm more like dead weight."
"C'mon, Natty, that's not true."
"I don't wanna just be around for the ride! I wanna help! I mean, I hope we never have to fight again, but if we do, I don't want to sit by while everyone else does all the work. And it's not like the other world where we could use our powers everywhere. If I can get good at magic, I could use it wherever with no problems."
"You're already a big help to us, in ways that don't involve beating people up. But I can't stop you if you really want to. And I guess having a witch around wouldn't hurt."
"Yee! I knew you'd get it, Maxie. Y'know, when I was little, I actually had dreams about being a witch. Who would've thought I'd actually get to be one?" She bore a mischievous look. "Maybe she can teach me a spell that can turn people into kitties."
"Don't you already have Kat for that?"
Outside, Wei was rubbing his face. "Well, there goes Plan A."
"I'm guessing they didn't have the triangle during auditions." Ibuki chimed.
"No, no they didn't. And they were gonna be the headline act. I've got some backups in mind already, but this late into the game, I dunno if I can get them up to speed."
"I've got a pretty good idea about Kitty Kat's taste in music. How about you show me some clips of the acts, and I'll pick out which one you're best off calling?"
"Should be easy enough, we keep recordings of every act that comes through here. Let me see if I remember the setup..."
Using one of the lounge's hanging TV screens, Ibuki sifted through several clips of musical acts. "Well, obviously not the dude with the bagpipes. I dunno, the ones I keep going back to are these gals."
She went to a video of two girls with high, black ponytails wearing outfits resembling basketball jerseys; one was primarily red, the other one white.
"2shots. Figured you'd single them out." Wei said.
"I really dig their vibe. Just the right kind of energy, their outfits are super cool..."
"Lots of folks thought the same thing the last couple times they played here."
"I'm...really confused, here, Golden Man. How'd you land on the Triangle Troupe when these gals seem perfect for a big party?"
"Well..." Wei scratched his head.
"Uh-oh. One word that says a lot. What's the story here?"
He sighed. "I just don't know if it's right to ask them. See...their dad was a K-pop star, too."
"Small world, then. Someone you know?"
"Someone I know quite a bit. Their dad...his name is Park Jung-ho. 'JP', as he went by back in the day. He was one of my old band-mates."
"No kidding...is that how these girls found you?"
"I assume they have to know who I am, but they've never said anything. It's just surprising, since, well...me and their dad didn't leave off on the best of terms. We had a pretty bad falling out. It's actually why the band broke up."
"Oh, geez. What went down that was so bad?"
"Maybe saying it's why we broke up is exaggerating it a bit. It was already getting to that point. We were getting past that 'dreamboat' age, and everyone had different ideas of what they really wanted to do. Me and Joon already had Lin, and So was on the way, and I couldn't really go on long tours anymore. I wanted to focus on being a dad. JP was the only one who was resistant to moving on. He'd grown up in showbiz, and couldn't accept the idea that our time was up. Oh, did he let me have it. Any insult you could think of, he hurled at me. He stormed out, and that was the last I heard of him. Until his girls walked into the lounge one day, starry-eyed and eager to impress. I couldn't believe it when the background check came back and I learned who their dad was. You'd think he would've cursed my name any chance he got."
"Maybe they really don't know about you and their dad. Or...maybe it's his way of trying to bury the hatchet. Or the universe's way of telling you to reach out."
"You really think I should?"
"Why not? Your wifey and your girls put some complicated stuff to bed, why not join the party?"
"No time like the present, I guess. I'll dig up their agent's number. If they can even go on short notice." Wei dialed his phone. "Me getting JP's kids to do my daughter's birthday, what a time to be alive."
"Hello?" a man answered.
"Hi, this is Wei from the Stay Golden, is this 2shots' agent?"
"M-Mr. Wei?! Oh, goodness, yes, it is! The girls were hoping you'd call back. Is there something you needed?"
"Hoping I'd call, heh. Yeah, I've got a bit of an emergency. I've got a huge show to put on tomorrow, and my leading act had to pull out. I know this is extremely last-minute, but--"
"Say no more, Mr. Wei! The girls would love to! I can have them right by to go over the details! See you in a few!"
"Okay, just hold on--he hung up."
"Well?" Ibuki questioned.
"They're gonna be right over to sort out the details. Their agent made it sound like they were just waiting for me to call."
"That's great! It means they're up for it!"
"Yeah. Perfect."
Max poked his head out of the kitchen. "Everything OK out here?"
"Just peachy, babe! We've got us a fill-in for The Terrible Triangles! They'll be here in just a few!" Ibuki replied.
"Oh, sweet. Crazy they'd want to do it last-minute."
"Sometimes it helps to have a legend doing the asking."
"I really wouldn't go that far." Wei responded.
A short while later, the girls from the video arrived. Their hair was down, but they remained wearing basketball jerseys. The one in red had the name 'Ryme' printed on the back, while the one in white instead had 'Eko'. Both had earphones hanging around their necks. "Hi, Mr. Wei!" they both waved.
"Hi there, girls. Thanks for coming on such short notice." Wei replied.
"Ain't you girls the cutest! I'm guessing you two are big hoops fans." Ibuki noted.
"Yep, yep! You guessed right! You can call me Ryme!" the one in red said.
"And you can call me Eko!" said the one in white.
"Those aren't our real names, beeteedubs. But they're catchy." Ryme winked. "So what's the emergency, Mr. Wei?"
"Right. So, the big event I've got going on tomorrow is...my youngest daughter's 19th birthday. I think you two would be great for the headline act." Wei explained.
"Ooh, birthday party! Are we gonna get cake if we say yes?" Eko asked.
"Don't answer with your stomach, sis. Even if cake sounds real good right now." Ryme advised. "Think it goes without saying, we'd love to, Mr. Wei. Especially when it's a legend asking."
"Exactly what I said!" Ibuki chimed in.
"So, then...you girls do know who I am." Wei said.
"Well, duh! Everyone in the singing biz knows who Golden Wei is!" Eko affirmed.
"We'd be really bad at this if we didn't know Dad's old pal, wouldn't we?" Ryme asked.
"Your dad. So all this time, you knew. I...don't get it." Wei said.
"Hm? Don't get what?"
"If your dad talked about our time together, wouldn't he have mentioned our falling out? I would've guessed he'd hated my guts."
"Ohhh. Yeah, he's mentioned it. Buuuuut..." Eko replied.
"Guess we should explain a bit." Ryme poked her head outside. "You good to come in? I think Mr. Wei wants to hear from you."
As the one she was speaking to came in, Wei's expression turned to shock. There before him was a bespectacled, bald, thin man, with a graying goatee, seated in a motorized wheelchair. "Hello, Wei. It's been a while. You got fat."
"JP...! Is...is that really you?" Wei questioned.
"Could anyone else make bald look this good? I'm sure you've got a million questions."
"I...I don't even know where to begin. What happened to you?"
"Fatherhood plus a few rounds of chemotherapy. Oh, don't give me that look of pity. It's in remission. It'll take time for my muscle to come back, but I can probably shelve any ideas of a modeling career."
"At least you're in the condition to joke. Did you know your girls were performing here?"
"I did. Matter of fact, I'm the one who suggested it."
"But...huh?"
"As articulate with your speech as ever. If you have to know the truth, Wei...the years have humbled me. I was so angry after the band broke up. You can pick any number of things that brought me down to Earth. Not getting any more gigs, becoming a dad, finding that first tumor. Nothing forces you to put things in perspective like thinking you're going to die. So when my girls decide to go into the family business and need somewhere to get started, I find out that my old band-mate is running a lounge. I think to myself, 'Jung, you came this close to meeting your maker. Are you really going to stay bitter forever?' So I sent them your way."
"You know you could've just called." Ibuki interjected.
"Who's the girl, Wei? You finally at the trophy part of your mid-life crisis?"
One could see a vein pop in Ibuki's head. "What was that?"
"Easy there, firestarter, last thing we need is you hitting a guy in a wheelchair." Wei cautioned. "Sorry, she's a friend of my daughter. And I've gotta ask it, too. Why not just call and talk things over?"
"Because...I didn't know how to approach you after how we left off." JP replied. "I said some horribly cruel things to you back then. When I told them everything, the girls willingly agreed to come perform and see if you held anything against them." JP replied.
"Oh, come on, man. I've never been one to hold a grudge. Especially against a couple of girls for an argument we had years ago! I'd honestly felt more guilty about asking them for a favor. I think enough time has passed that we can let bygones be bygones. What do you say, old friend? Truce?"
"Well, I won't be in any hurry to agree to a Golden Wei reunion tour, but...alright." JP held his hand out. "Truce."
Wei reciprocated. "Good man."
"Alright, so what's this big show you want them to do?"
"My daughter's birthday tomorrow."
"The girl that used to pick my pockets?"
"Oh, no, no, this is my youngest. The one Joon was pregnant with when the band broke up. She's turning 19."
"It's really been that long? Now I feel positively ancient. What do you think, girls--"
About halfway through the conversation, Eko and Ryme had gone off to the side with Ibuki. "You look so fabulous, Ms. Ibuki! And so fit, too!" Eko chimed.
"What's your workout routine like? And any fashion tips you're willing to let loose?" Ryme asked.
"Oh, ladies, today is your lucky day. Fireball Ibuki's Bank of Wisdom is open for business today..." Ibuki seemed to be beaming.
Wei snickered. "You might be getting more than you bargained for, old friend."
"Please don't make me regret coming here." JP sighed.