#and the grandpa understood! and let us do it! agh i felt so good

[irishbreakfst]

Completely in love with the coworker I did field work with yesterday who within 30 minutes of conversation told me that he was interested in unionizing the workplace and had already tried once (the other field workers weren't interested bc we already make slightly above average pay, but thats also not the only thing unions are for so.), told me that I shouldn't feel bad about asking to work from home or not checking emails after hours, and told me exactly how much he makes and what raises he typically gets so I know to what extent to advocate for myself. He also likes channel 4 game shows and the two dozen comedians that are constantly on them (which I also like) and both of our SOs are in nursing jobs. Amazing vibes

[cartoonbrat16]

My DNA

Jen pov

I sat at the table with my head down, I was so tired. I had started to have migraines, and we were in the desert. I whimpered and squeezed my eyes shut, "Make it stop." I whispered.

"How are you feeling?" "Agh!" I gripped my head and looked at Gwen. She looked concerned, Gwen pursed her lips and searched through one of the cabinets. I groaned and put my head down again, it hurt so much. "Here, this might help." I looked up at Gwen, she held out a glass of water and a white pill.

"Thanks, Gwen," I took the pill and downed the water in a heartbeat. I sighed and wiped my mouth, then I went to lie on my bed. I winced as the bed squeaked and knew what I needed. I brought up my screen and winced again, "Agh, switch to sunset pallet." I said and my screen changed color. It still hurt, but it was easier to look at. I materialized a pair of noise-canceling headphones and then wrapped my bandanna around my eyes.

I sighed in relief and laid down, I felt myself begin to doze off. I snuggled into the sheets, but then the throbbing in my head got worse. "Ugh!" I whined pulling the covers over my head and curling in on myself.

~~~~~~~~~

"Jen, it's time to wake up." I sat up and slowly lifted my bandana. Grandpa smiled at me and set my headphones on my bed, "How are you feeling?" he asked. I removed my bandana and sat up, "A lot better, I just gotta finish waking up." I mumbled and rubbed my eyes. Grandpa nodded, "Ok well once you do head inside." Grandpa said then left.

I yawn/sighed, "Hey Bleep, where are we." I asked and opened the window curtain. Bleep looked at me from his spot at the foot of my bed, "My exterior scan tells me we are at your aunt Vera's retirement complex." Bleep said and rolled into my lap. I smiled and hopped off my bed with Bleep in hand, "Ok, try not to talk too much, Aunt Vera doesn't know about my smarts and stuff." I said and put my bag over my shoulder.

"Understood." Bleep rolled down my arm and into my bag. I smiled at how silly he could be. I then grabbed my headphones and put them in my bag, I wanted to avoid using my powers as much as possible while visiting Aunt Vera. I grabbed my bandana and headed out of the RV and toward Aunt Vera's home.

As I walked I noticed her neighbor looking out his window. I smiled and waved but he glared at me, he hissed then closed the curtains. "Wow, they really make you feel welcome here," I said sarcastically and headed inside. "Jen! I was worried you wouldn't be joining us." Aunt Vera said smiling at me from her spot at the dining table.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to upset you," I said, I hugged Aunt Vera and took a seat next to Gwen. "Oh, I wasn't upset dear, just a little worried, Max told me about your migraines." Aunt Vera said and made me a plate of jello with chunks in it. I happily began to eat while making small talk.

"Vera, this is delicious, now what are these chunks?" Grandpa suddenly asked. Aunt Vera smiled "Pork chop, and the white ones are cauliflower." she said. I and Gwen shared a look, I simply shrugged and put the last bite in my mouth. "Oh hey, what is that?" Gwen rushed and left the table, I know what she was doing and it wasn't gonna work.

Aunt Vera smiled and approached the shelf that Gwen stood at. They began to talk and I smiled at them, I guess Aunt Vera had been getting lonely, it wasn't often anyone in the family stopped by.

"Jen, would you like some candy?" I turned and saw Aunt Vera approaching me with a big bowl. "Oh, Yes, please." I took a piece and popped it into my mouth. My taste buds were overrun with the taste of coffee, it was bitter but good. I was about to thank Aunt Vera, but my head began to throb. "O-Ouch," I put one of my hands on my head and squeezed my eyes shut. "Jen, are you having another migraine?" Grandpa asked, I nodded and gripped my head tighter.

"Oh dear, let's get you to bed." Aunt Vera said, and she helped me stand up. She grabbed my bag and led me to her bedroom. "This is the quietest room in the house." Aunt Vera said, I nodded and sat on the bed. Aunt Vera closed the curtains and then left, I sighed and put on my headphones. I quickly chewed and swallowed the candy then laid down to sleep.

~~~~~~~~~

Vera pov

I returned to Gwen and Max, they sat in the living room chatting about Jen. I put on a smile and sat across from them, "She's out like a light." I said. Max smiled, "Thanks Vera, I should take her to the doctor once we get to the next town." Max said.

I kept my smile and nodded, however, I secretly hoped he forgot. Now don't get me wrong I adore Jen, but medication will stop the effects of the candy. I can't have that, Jen needs to remember even if it's just a little.

"Well, I think I'll turn in for the night," I said and stood up. I smiled at Max and Gwen, "You two sleep well." I said then left for my room. Upon entering I saw Jen was still sound asleep, which made things very easy. I walked over to my dresser and reached my hand behind it, I pressed the button on the top left corner. The floor opened up and I descended beneath the house to a secret room.

Now, most people think I'm some old bitty, but that is far from being true, I'm a plumber. I entered the room, the walls were made of metal and the room was split down the middle. One-half of the room consisted of relics, ingredients, books, and other things. The other half was plumber equipment of every kind, I smirked and approached the big screen in the room. I examined it before nodding my head.

~~~~~~~~~

Jen pov

"Aunt Vera has a lot of prune juice," I said while looking in the fridge. I closed the fridge and turned to Gwen, "No offense to the old people, but why does it feel like they were always old?" I asked and pulled myself to sit on the counter. "I don't mind it," Gwen said getting a cup of water.

"Oh, morning Aunt Vera, I made you some coffee," Gwen said pouring a mug. Aunt Vera smiled "Thank you, Dear, how did you girls sleep?" she asked. "Oh I slept fine, your bed is really comfortable," I said with a smile, Aunt Vera smiled back and took a drink of her coffee. "Where is Max?" I looked around and realized Grandpa wasn't anywhere in sight. "He said he was gonna go on an early walk," Gwen said.

"Oh, that sounds like a good idea, who wants to tag along?" I shrugged and hopped off the counter. "I think I'll stay here, maybe find some breakfast," Gwen said. I and Aunt Vera nodded and then left, we walked down the sidewalk in silence.

As we walked I looked around, nobody was out, I know it was early but late enough for people to be up. This made me kinda uneasy and I moved a little closer to Aunt Vera. "What did you dream about?" "Huh?" I looked up at Aunt Vera not sure I heard her right. "What did you dream about last night Jen?" she repeated, "Oh, I can't really remember too much, but there were voices, broken glass, and...and some type of green ooze," I said trying my best to remember.

I closed my eyes, I really was trying, but I wasn't sure why. "Watch out!" I was quickly grabbed and Aunt Vera pulled me to her chest. I was shocked and heard hissing, it was from some old people. They had been playing a game of shuffleboard, but now they were shooting pucks at us. "Come on!" Aunt Vera grabbed my hand and we started running, but the old people were in pursuit. "Aunt Vera, what's going on?" I asked while dodging pucks. Aunt Vera pulled me out of sight and kept me close, "Things aren't what they seem Dear." she said.

"Jen, Vera, what's going on?" I turned and saw Grandpa. "Grandpa, the old people are some kind of alien." I said, "I know, come here, I'll keep you safe." Grandpa hissed and his arms stretched out toward me and Aunt Vera. "I don't think so!" Aunt Vera moved in front of me and high-kicked the alien's hands away. "This way!" we started running and Aunt Vera led me to a fenced area.

"Aunt Vera, we are gonna be cornered!" I cried, "Not while I'm here." Aunt Vera picked me up and flipped over the fence. We landed and Aunt Vera set me down, my eyes were wide. "Jen, move aside." Aunt Vera ordered and once I moved she pushed a dumpster against the gate of the fence."Quick, we need to open this door." I shook my shock away and saw there was a trap door. I heard hissing and knew what I needed to do.

Vera pov

"Aunt Vera move!" I turned and saw Jen had some type of gun. I moved and she shot the door, it melted into nothing and we jumped down the tunnel. We fell and I pulled Jen close and landed with her in my arms. I set Jen down and she looked shocked. I smiled "No time to explain Dear, we gotta save everyone. Now, what do you got in your arsenal to help with that?" I asked with my hands on my hips.

Jen skilled for a moment before gaining a wide smile. She pulled up an orange screen and clicked on a few things, then an advanced motorbike materialized right before my eyes. I smirked "Get on." Jen got behind me and I revved the engine covering the aliens in dust.

We then raced down the tunnel, luckily I knew where we were going. I looked back and saw we lost the aliens, but I didn't slow down. "Aunt Vera, I don't know what's going on, but you are awesome," Jen said and hugged me. "Aww, thank you, Jen, now hold tight." I recited an incantation and put a shield around us, then went full speed.

I crashed through the arcade the aliens put up and landed in an area full of pods. I turned the bike to its side just barely missing a pod with Max in it. "What happened to everyone?" I looked at Jen and frowned, "They're being prepared to be dinner." I said and headed straight for the ship. I opened it and saw pods already loaded, "Aunt Vera, we got company!" Jen called.

I rushed back out and saw the aliens approaching, "Oh no, they found the ship, we need to leave now!" one cried and attempted to grab a pod. "I don't think so!" I turned just in time to see Jen tap something on her screen and transform. Jen transformed into a Pyronite, but that wouldn't be much use. "No, Jen, they thrive on heat, you can't help as a Pyronite," I said and got ready to recite another incantation.

"Who said I was using my fire on them?" I looked back to Jen, she fired at the underground water line. It began to rain on us and the aliens melted leaving us standing alone. "Now to take care of the pods." "I can handle that one Dear," I closed my eyes and focused my energy. "Wow, they're glowing purple." I heard Jen say, I then recited an incantation and sent everyone back to their condo.

I opened my eyes and saw Jen beaming with joy and curiosity. I approached Jen and put an arm around her shoulder, "Ready for an explanation?" I asked and started walking. "Heck yes I am, I want all the tea don't spare a drop," Jen said and it made me laugh.

~~~~~~~~~

Jen pov

"Now don't be strangers." Aunt Vera said and hugged Grandpa. "We won't, bye Vera." he said and walked away, "Bye Aunt Vera, it was nice seeing you." Gwen said and hugged her, "Bye Gwen." Aunt Vera said.

Gwen walked away and I stepped up to Aunt Vera, "You especially don't be a stranger Jen," Aunt Vera said and I nodded. "I won't, and thanks Aunt Vera, for everything," I said hugging her right. Aunt Vera hugged back, "Your welcome, Dear," I pulled away and headed for the RV. "Oh yeah, Jen," I turned back to Aunt Vera. "Everything happens for a reason, and it can hurt." Aunt Vera said and I was a little confused.

I simply nodded and got on the RV, and went to the back. I climbed on my bed, "What do you think she meant by that Bleep?" I asked pulling up my screen to watch a movie. "I cannot be sure, but she left you these." Bleep rolled out of my bag with a bag of candies. There was a not attached and I grabbed it, "It you ever need to remember - Aunt Vera" I read and looked at the bag. I put my screen away, "No pain no gain." I said and are one of the candies.