LJ

LJ
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> *"Why a Battle, LJ? Seems kinda harsh! Can't we all just play our music and support each other? HA! The best thing I can do to "support" musicians that I believe in is to challenge them, toughen them up, and push them to make their best music."*
>
>

**LJ** is one of the few adults seen in *Goodbye Volcano High*. She appears to be in charge of the Lava Java and CalderaFest. She is also a talent scout, known for her tough-but-fair attitude.

## Personality

LJ is a dinosaur who is known in Caldera Bay for being responsible for getting up-and-coming bands their first big breaks, including The Spines, Tina and the Tyrannosaurs, and Swamp Babies. She is strict but fair, although Trish characterizes her as "mean" for not being a fan of Worm Drama's early music. According to Rosa, however, she's 'a big softie'. In addition, she demonstrates not being in it for the money, as she neither exploits the option of an 'apocalypse tour' nor running CalderaFest despite the asteroid.

## Story

### Background

LJ has been in the music industry for a long time. However, instead of focusing on monetary success, she instead stayed in Caldera Bay in order to find local talent to uplift.

With time, LJ solidified herself as one of the most important people—if not the most important person—in Caldera Bay's music scene, and became connected in just about anything music going on in the city. The winners of the Battle of the Bands hosted at Lava Java (a location that, while not explicitly mentioned that LJ owns, is very heavily insinuated as such) would go on to be able to play at CalderaFest, and from there, potentially achieve a lasting career in music.

Fang had been in contact with LJ prior to senior year, managing to get her to watch their band's performances. However, LJ was consistently unimpressed with Worm Drama's output, and she encouraged Fang to work harder to find a new sound for the band. To this end, Fang spent the entire summer practicing music. Prior to the start of the school year, LJ texted Fang to tell them to get a new song to her on Monday morning if they were serious about auditioning for Battle of the Bands. This culminated in the creation of Begin Again.

### Episode One

In the early morning of the first day of senior year, Fang texts LJ a demo of *Begin Again* under the name of "Trailer". LJ likes it, and signs the band up for the audition. Later, during Worm Drama's lunch hour meeting about the upcoming audition, Trish questions LJ's motives as potentially setting up Worm Drama to fail. Despite this, Fang reminds her and Reed of LJ's past success in getting bands started.

### Episode Two

The next morning, after Fang arrives at school and meets up with Trish and Reed, LJ texts Fang to remind them of the importance of bringing something new to the band's performance at Battle of the Bands. Fang feels that LJ is suggesting they have a chance, while Trish says LJ is telling them not to get their hopes up.

### Episode Five

During the Battle of the Bands, Worm Drama wins and LJ offers the group to sign up for CalderaFest.

### Episode Six

Fang opens up to LJ about what they should for the future. LJ implores Fang to dismiss Trish's idea of going solo, saying their friendship with their band will mean more than making it big on their own, and that community will be more important than profit or fame in the end of times.

### Episode Seven

During the bonfire scene, LJ texts Fang, telling them that CalderaFest is cancelled as a result of the world ending, claiming a show of that size won't work, on top of shutting down Lava Java completely. Moreover, she intends to wait out the whole situation in a cabin in the woods, unable to stand how things are developing.

### Episode Eight

LJ had evidently decided to come back to Caldera Bay to send off Worm Drama as they prepare to host their own CalderaFest. On Fang's invitation, LJ attends their performance in the front row. She is seen having her arm held by Ms. Roberts in one shot, leading to speculation that they may be a couple.

## Development History

LJ was first revealed in the first public *Goodbye Volcano High* demo, which consisted of portions of the game's first Episode. Across the two demos, LJ communicates to Fang through text messages, so her face and voice were not revealed. LJ's hands and part of her outfit were teased in a TikTok on June 7th, 2022. LJ's design and voice were revealed in a tweet on August 24th, 2023, depicting a scene at the opening of the Battle of the Bands auditions.

## Quotes

* *"When it comes down to it, I'd rather have people I love with me when the meteor hits than piles of money and whatever else comes with "making it."*

## Trivia

* "LJ" is also the initials of Lava Java.
* Internally, LJ has a hidden Affinity value associated with her. However, it is completely unused, and no decisions affect it, nor does anything change if its value is edited directly.

## References

1. ↑ KO\_OP TikTok video dated June 7, 2022
2. ↑ KO\_OP tweet dated August 24, 2023

**Other Volcano High students****Abby • Adanna • Alanna • Alexis • Alvin • Bag Girl • Chris • Claire • Damon • Dani • Dee • Des • Francesca • Jess • Kaylani • Kris • KT • Leo • Lina • Marcela • Mark • Marty • Mel • Morgan • Nick • Noor • Rando • Sam • Sarah • Saturday • Serena • Smoker Dino • Steve or Derek • Tom**