Chapter 1: CHALLENGER APPROACHES:ROSE LALONDE
Chapter Text
The sun beat down on Dove as she sat at a table outside some cheap diner, affordable on her college budget. She couldn’t actually afford much, no surprises there, with her inherent lack of familial support. (Sure mom was around. But like, all four of the siblings needed college funds, and you couldn’t blame her for not having quite enough.) thinking of her siblings either way, she was meeting rose, a grappling in her chest as she clutched the script in her tight fist, sweat trickling down her neck. Her hair had grown significantly, and she found herself scratching at sweat all the time.
Level #1: Rose Lalonde.
Rose was getting out of the car, passing a crumpled bill to the driver. Dove perked up seeing her sisters face, a sly grin growing on her face as, (despite not even having seen Dove yet,) she already anticipated a rigorous discussion. She knew this, as she thumbed through their previous conversation in which Rose just had said that. At this moment she realized that not just her neck was sweaty when her phone began to heat up, and she realized how uncomfortably wet her hands were. She sort of quietly yelped and messed with her pant legs until she decided her hands were suitably dry, and by then Rose was upon her.
“So Dave, have you gotten a look at a menu yet?” Rose said cheerily. Her lips were quirked up, and her makeup was flawless as usual. A slice of jealousy came and went with guilt replacing the feeling.
“Um yeah,,, I. I checked it out. But my waiter hasn’t come back yet, so you have time to peruse at your leisure.” Dove replied awkwardly. She didn’t usually sound like that did she? Why is she TALKING like that!? Rose nodded very subtly and sat down. They passed the menu, and rose began observing the pages.
“I assume there’s something you want to tell me-?-ooo… shrimp Parmesan noodles? That’s gonna be…” rose trailed off, seemingly oblivious to the jolt of shock this incites in Dove.
“I mean who even knows, maybe I just wanted to see my sister, from the same mister, we are in fact siblings, all the way through. Thorough as fuck fr, we couldn’t possibly-“
“Oh do spare me your theatrics Dave, I can’t fathom you inviting me to a place with AWNINGS, and,” she shook the menu in doves face. “Leather menus, with… is this fucking gold leaf??” She leaned in to inspect the text. “I don’t know, and I’m not sure what is that you desire to share, but I know the only reason you’d throw away money at a place like this.” She gestured towards the indoor seating, which despite the November chill could only be as warm as dove felt even out here. At least Rose had thought to wear just a vest, Dove was burning up in her coat. “You’d only come to a spot like this if there was genuinely something worrying you. You’re trying to..BRIBE me. You have something to share. Spill.”
Dove chokes a bit, spitting a tad of water down her shirt.
“I’m.” She stands without even meaning to, flipping her arms out to either side. Roses eyes widen slightly.
“I am. ” She coughs abruptly, trying to pound her own back “I’m sorry this fucken, uh, fuck.” She proceeds to fall gently to the table, slightly embarrassed at the expression of within. “This.. this was shittil-“
“No..” rose holds up a hand. “No it’s quite alright. I understand your clear anxiety in this current sitation. However I believe that’s our waiter, and I don’t really want to eat here so, maybe we.” She lifts her eyebrows and points a thumb backwards a few times, simulating a squeak with her mouth. Dove sprints.
“So what was that?” Rose asks. Dove shuffles in her seat, its Roses car, a hunky black Volvo Mom had bought her. Rose was currently picking at the leather on her seat.
“I…” Dove started, but bit her knuckle instead of continuing. “I just, I can’t be a dude anymore.” The scratching stopped.
“You can’t?” Rose questioned softly. She shifted to look at her, but she turned away just as fast. Despite the shades previous protection she feels far too clunky in the huge vehicle. She rolls down a window.
“I can’t. I just. Something ain’t right sittin in this skin, seein all my hair, hearing my voice and just, being where I am, living like this. And I know how to solve it!” She shakes her hands in front of her, as if the solution will arise from the movement. “I just. I need to be a girl Rose.”
The picking continues, but beyond that, Rose drives in silence.
“Mom got me this car as, I don’t know, a show of wealth. I got whatever I wanted. It never felt real though, there was really just one thing I think really appealed to me, regarding her.” Neither of the girls speak. “I always kind of knew there was a desire, but I never was able to explain what it was. I was too young.” She stops talking to glare at the dashboard, as if moms bottles were painted on. “I don’t know how it feels to be you, but I hope my analogy got somewhere with it.” Dove nods wordlessly. “I’ll always support you as my sister or whatever the fuck. It’s not as if puppet rump has wrecked your mind.” She turns down her street, and just as quickly turns into her driveway. She turns to her, and Dove recognizes this look she’s seen before, like all the truth has been revealed. “I would guess the freedom has allowed you to consider.” Dove can’t reply.
Level one beat.
“I don’t know why or how you assumed I wouldn’t be fine with your trans identity,- oh don’t flinch, you’re ever so dramatic- I have experienced much of my surroundings around people in the community, I’m a lesbian, we have established comfort. Do you not. Know that?? Rose asks over tea. Dove doesn’t really like it, but it’s a nice gesture she supposes.
“I mean…. I guessed??? AGh….fuck.. how was nepcat right this dude. Motherfucker this guy he guessed, I mean, didn’t, not the fact your a lesbian, go ahead if you like girls like fuck yeah that’s cool, you can uh date a girl thats so cool, um, I mean you already, I mean like, fuck, I just, neps always talking about how he’s like 90% sure your a lesbian and I’ve been defending your hono-NO THAT ITS BAD- fuck nevermind, um, I, congrats???”
“Wow.” Rose replies. Dove sweats. She can’t imagine she sweat this much before. “So who’s next?” Rose asks. She looks up from her leaf beverage.
“Huh?” Dove questions back.
“On your like, your list. Was I the first person you told?”
“I mean, there’s this dude at the art shop neps works at, I told him- oh right yeah Nepeta too. I guess I didn’t really tell that other guy, I just said I was a chick and he went with it.”
“Fascinating,” Rose replies. “You did not answer my question at all, but yeah, that’s that.”
“Oh right, yeah uh, I guess. I guess Jade and John.”
“I’m assuming not Dirk or Roxy?”
“Well, yeah no. I’m, I can’t roll down the family function hittin them with the biggest news since bread getting that public execution treatment, roll the slice out show all the kiddos with their first class tickets.”
“It’s ok Dove-“ her heart leaps with shock. Not like Nepeta hasn’t called her that before, but it’s a genuine kick to hear.
“-you can just. Take your time. Just go where you need. They’ll.” She pauses, the silence is deafening. “They’ll still be here.”
Dove smiles, a real, wide grin. The thought of Dirk aside in the light Rose is shining down on her. Genuine affirmation, a wonder.
“Yeah, that’s true. I think. I should get home. You’ll hear from me tonight though. Gotta rip the bandaid off, but I need you here to throw me something after, like a sweet saccharine youth, crying to his hot mom.”
“I worry about you sometimes dear sister.” Dove gives a hearty laugh, wipes her hands on her pants and stands up. Reaching for a handshake, but Rose stands and hugs her, something shifted, real sisterhood reached at last.
Chapter 2: DUO BATTLE: JADE HARLEY, AND JOHN EGBERT
Summary:
Dove just keeps leveling up! Real question is how her oldest friends will hold up with these announcements.
Notes:
I’m doing my best, sorry it took so long. Hope you all enjoy.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
the og friends!! dude this is a horrible name shut up ill kick you Dave
hey guys what’s popping.Already panicking dove, what’s the MATTER with you? Every time you’ve done this you’ve fallen flat on your ass, and somehow managed to kick out your own teeth, landing with your foot firmly locked into your mouth. Oh to hell with this, this is awful.
hey dude! what you got going on? how are classes?
You exhale. This is just John and Jade. It’s not gonna be a total full on shitshow.
They’ve loved you through everything. You take a deep breath. Nepeta sits next to you on the bottom bunk. The light through the window isn’t orange today, more of a purple as snow whisks around and into the pane. The cool air doesn’t make you feel better, but Nepeta’s hand on your shoulder reminds you to inhale, and the air reminds you that you can do this.
uh yeah im kickin it in school, winnin it non stop. someone call the casino, i’m running that fuckass cash cow dry of all its dairy delight, slurping up every facet of its identity, by the end of this this cow will be an impoverished hog with how ego deficient this bovines boutta be.
You can almost hear John’s deep breath on the other side as he attempts to come up with anything that could reply to her own rambling stress. Not that he’d know you were stressed, this is just how you acted whenever ANYTHING happened.
Haha yeah dave! Um. Right. So what’s going on? Why’d you reach out, it’s been like, three weeks since we heard from you!
john, is jade anywhere at the moment? like as in nearby.
You almost whimper out a tear. Almost. Nepeta, regardless, holds your trembling shoulder tighter, watching you bite your lip. He looks at you, and you feel the pressure under your eyes.
“This fucking sucks Nep.” You chuckle slightly, but he doesn’t really laugh back.
“You, you don’t have to forrrce this. I, I want you to be happy. Do you think this is a good time?”
He really cares, and it hurts how much he cares. How much he’s begging to be supportive, and how scared you are to let that happen. You want him to make you just, fucking, commit! If he could push the blade further, this pussyfooting around (haha get it?) fills you with dread, lack of action from youth has been a sign of danger. A bird, probably a crow, or a pigeon flies past the window, and it makes your chest drop. The flashes of motion nothing but a reminder of the life you left behind. At such a time, you wonder what bro is doing, what he’s thinking about, if he’s even made it without your funds, or your supplies. Nepeta’s caution reminds you of bro. You don’t like that comparison, but you hear a ping from your computer. You glance steely eyed at Neps, because you can’t just leave your friends hanging. It doesn’t matter where you’re at.
Yeah, she’s around here somewhere.
Uh, she’s currently asleep…You could consider waiting, she’s been out for a hot second. Not super long though! So she’ll probably wake up pretty soon.
30 seconds to 2 minutes.
You know it. Yeah, she’s around here somewhere. I can hear her rolling around in the other rooms so she should check her phone soon
bluhh yeah im awake!! what’s going on dave ??
a lot of stuff. i’m sorry guys, i’ve been totally just, fucked up, and then i tried to just
get a handle on all the fucked up
only for it to be harder to hold, it’s like a fuckin pool of water that just sucks major dick and it’s raining, so it just keeps expanding but your holding onto this bev and thinking “ah fuck yeah, this is the best water for me, i need this water in my life”
but there ain’t a point to shlorping up all this water when this water ungrateful as fuck, and it’s just growing isn’t it? so what can you do, when it just keeps fucking growing, and now i can’t hold it?
dave what’s wrong??? is something wrong???.
i’m transgender.
a girl.
I want to be a girl.
And the chat goes silent. Nepeta snoops over your shoulder, with pity radiating with his body heat, you begin to take deep breaths. It can’t be too bad.
Minutes pass, and then you hear a ping.
So i googled it. Dictionary dot com says you were born like this but you don’t like it?
You cry out, without really meaning to, but the relief is palpable.
yeah, nail on the head right there. You inhale shakily. Worse has happened.
well, do you know why? Not to be dismissive but what’s the cause? Can you fix it?
it’s just how i wound up from birth, just didn’t feel it till i was capable. now i’m not, not content. they’ve done studies, this. it’s better if i can be a girl. i think.
i have also googled it! if this is what you want, what do i have to say? you do what works best!
thanks.
server: DAVE STRIDER-> display name in system shift-> DOVE STRIDER.
Can i still be your best friend though?
Nice choice!
But for real though :(
why wouldn’t we be? your my bro. i don’t think bars iller of you because i got a sickass new beatbox, don’t sweat it dude.
huh. Well it’s good to hear from you. It’s also 1:49 am here, so maybe uh, we talk tomorrow with more average discussion? Me and jades movie juuuust ended a couple minutes after you texted, but then you texted! So I texted you. Goodnight!
it’s been too long. yeah man. thanks, night.
You fall backwards in bed, relief floods your body. Nepeta squeals in delight, and you just look at him with excitement, but mostly relief. It’s great to be a person seen.
LEVEL TWO: COMPLETE!
Notes:
Working hard or hardly working *kills myself* /j. Hope this chapter is good, I did lock in for it. This chapter is probably worse because I’m so exhausted and don’t really care to read it over, sorry guys.