For anyone wanting to know the full origin story for Eris and the gang, here it is!

.....................

Eris stood by the doorway in a nicely pressed, muave dress with with a little shawl to match Their mother's. They're arms crossed, they impatiently tapped their foot, trying desperately not to lose their temper at the incessant circus that was their parents married life.

"All I'm saying, Richard, is that Mauve is not a red color. The event is strictly for red and black only, and that is not at all the proper color." Their mother said sharply, pointing to Eris by the door. She didn't seem to notice the slight scowl forming on their face. Their father sighed, and did that signature eye roll that he's known to give to only the worst in his life.

"It's just a damn dress. Besides, Eris is perfect the way she is-" he began.

"They." Eris said. Their father groaned louder this time.

"Whatever. They, them, it. You're in a damn dress, what difference does it make?" He exclaimed. He turned to his wife."No one is gonna notice our clothing, you're just paranoid."

Their mother threw her hands up in defeat. "There is no arguing with you over simple things. For once I'd like it if you took me seriously, just once. Is that so hard to ask?" She asked. Their father pushed past her, angrily. "Hey, where do you thank you're going?" She demanded.

"To the limo outside. It's been waiting for hours now because you've been bitching about shades of red." He said. He stormed out past Eris, and onto the front porch, all the way to the gate where the limo was parked and waiting. They had no chauffeur this time, so the Goodoires would have to make do. Eris' mother gave them a disgusted look.

"Lets go, he'll probably be waiting for us if we stay here longer. And next time, just keep quiet about the they/them thing. You know it upsets him when you do that." She said. She grabbed Eris' arm rather roughly, and pulled them out the door. Eris silently cursed her in their head, they could feel a bruise forming where their mother held their arm.
......

The Goodoires arrived at the Newberry, Georgia Social Gala at around 7:00 pm. It was held in a special ballroom, inside the Atlanta Newberry Opera house. It was getting rather dark when they had finished giving out introductions to the other wealthy families of Atlanta. The Newberry Social as they call it, was an event held by only the richest in Georgia. You had to have a special invitation from Aeris Righspool herself, and to get in you needed to pay a 1000 dollar fee, something that would supposedly cover future events thrown by Righspool herself.

Eris had never met Aeris Righspool before, and they would not meet her tonight. Tonight, they would meet their only friend in the world. Charlton Gaslowe was a Butler, but more importantly he was Eris' butler, and also the only person they trusted at all. Charlton stood by the punch and wine bowls, conspicuously put right next to each other, and when he saw Eris he greeted them accordingly.

"Master Goodoire, its good to see you back at the Opera house." He looked around. "How are your parents finding the accommodations tonight?" He asked. Eris shrugged.

"The bitch is drunk off her ass, and the old man keeps trying to grab Emily Gerards tits, so I guess you can say it's going well." They said. "I just wish they wouldn't waste so much time bickering."

Charlton sighed. "I'm sorry to hear that, Miss Gooddoire. Hopefully they'll learn to better themselves." He said. Eris reached for the punch spoon, but Charlton made a noncommittal grunt. "I wouldn't touch any of the drinks tonight. I saw Henry Abernstein pour something in it a while ago." Eris smirked.

"He did it front of you?" They asked. "Thats ballsy."

"On the contrary, sir." Charlton patted his breast pocket. "I believe his friend Benjamin gave me quite the excuse for such behaviour tonight. I feel I have to take the man out for a drink or two after this event."

Eris laughed. "Well, now Charlton. I didn't take you for a drinker. You always seemed like a soda man to me." They said. "But aside from all that, anyone new here tonight? I'm tired of having to reintroduce myself to the same schmucks every year. And I heard there's a doctor, but there's always a doctor." Charlton nodded his head in the direction of the dance floor where group's of people milled about in a lazy fashion in beautifully tailored attire.

"Over there is Mindy Diasco. She's the doctor you've been hearing about." He said. Eris looked closer at the tight knit group, but they only saw one girl among the three men.

"All I see is a girl and three dudes. You're telling me one of those old guys is named Mindy?" They asked, chuckling. Charlton laughed along with them.

"Yes, Miss Diasco is not what you would expect a doctor to look like. Partly because she's only 16." He said. He smirked at the astounded look on Eris' face.

"Holy shit, its like Dougie Howser, but with a chick." They said. "She's even hot like Neil Patrick Harris was when he was a kid."

"You thought Neil Patrick Harris was hot when he was playing Dougie?" Asked Charlton confused. Eris ignored him.

"Ugh." They groaned. "She's surrounded by dudes. I stand no chance if she's straight."

"You stand no chance at all if you keep gawking at her like that, Miss." Charlton said. "Perhaps I could go up to her, and-" Eris put their hand on the wall, stopping Charlton in his tracks.

"Nope. stay right here. While you're right about the whole gawking at her thing, my chances will absolutely be shot to hell if I send my Grandpa to ask her out." They said. "I'll just go up and do it. Check for The Newlyweds while I'm gone, I don't want them embarrassing me."

Charlton nodded, then hesitated. "By Newlyweds, you mean your parents correct?" He asked. But Eris was already gone, halfway across the room to greet Mindy Diasco.
......

The tiny crowd surrounding Mindy Diasco was full of doctors and professionals, something that deeply intimidated Eris. Mindy wore a nice, cream dress with a floral skirt, and a tiny lotus pendant around her neck. She dressed very simple and professional, while Eris contemplated how gaudy they must look in comparison. When Eris joined them, they were talking about technical doctor things that they didn't really understand.

For a while, they just stood their a little ways behind the crowd listening in. They looked back to where Charlton was standing, and the butler gave them an encouraging thumbs up, plus an O.K sign.

Eris sighed, just get on with it you spineless coward. "So, how are you all liking the Social?" They asked. One of the men, a Dr.Berry Dougherty, turned to greet them.

"Oh, Miss Goodoire, its good to see you tonight. How are the folks at home?" He asked. Eris smiled, and lied..

"They're doing fine, Mr. Dougherty. Who's this new comer?" Eris stuck their hand out to greet Mindy. Mindy took their hand and shook it.

"I'm Mindy Diasco, Mr. Dougherty here convinced the Lady Upstairs to let me come tonight." She said, a tiny bit nervous. "It's a very nice turnout, tonight. So many brilliant doctors." She said. Another man spoke up, this one being Ron Hughes, a licensed chiropractor.

"We were just discussing doctoral colleges, weren't we Miss Diasco?" He asked. Mindy looked caught off guard, she seemed to have been more preoccupied with speaking to Eris than carrying on the previous conversation.

"Yes!" She said, rather enthusiastically. "There are a lot of good schools this season. You're Eris Goodoire, right? I'd heard you wanted to become a doctor someday." Eris shook their head.

"Well, I guess, but I'm not entirely sure if I'll be any good at it." Eris laughed. "I don't think I could get as good as you are." Mindy smiled, and waved her arm dismissively.

"Oh stop it. Everyone's been lauding me as some kind of a Goddess in the doctor world lately. I'm not all that amazing at my job, now." She said.

"Don't sell yourself short, Miss Diasco." Eris said. "I'm sure you're as amazing as everyone's been saying."

Dr.Dougherty looked down at his watch, and gasped.

"Oh no, Miss Diasco I'm afraid I and the rest of my colleagues have got to be going." He said. "Its almost time for the special Centennial Presentation at Yale. I can't be in two places at once, it seems."

"Oh, it's fine. Please, enjoy yourself. And thanks for the invite." She said. Dr.Dougherty shook her hand one last time, and he and his friends left the Social. Eris gulped, now suddenly aware of how awkward standing there must seem.

"Uh...hey!" Eris blurted. "Have you been outside yet?" They pointed to the balcony upstairs. The moon was fully out now. "It's a great view." They promised.

Mindy shook her head. "No, I haven't been outside yet. Heck, I've never even been to Georgia before today!" She said. Eris laughed.

"Today must've been quite the adventure for you, huh?" They asked, amused. "You can tell me all about it on the balcony."
........

The Opera house the Social was being held in was over 100 years old. Eris knew this because their mother wouldn't shut up about the history behind the ancient building for months before they got their first invitation from Righspool. Mindy Diasco had never been to this Opera house before, and Eris didn't think telling her lame history facts about it would be cool. Just ask her about her time here. Mindy leaned on the old, rusted railing and looked down at the rolling hills, and the sprawling forest below.

"So, do you like Georgia?" Eris asked. "I heard we're the friendliest state out of all fifty." Mindy laughed.

"Well the people here are very nice. Dr.Dougherty, Miss Righspool, you." She cupped her hands around her mouth. "I feel right at home!" She yelled. Her voice echoed throughout the forest.

Eris smiled. "Well, I'm glad you're liking it here. And you're not too bad, either. Way better than the other stuffy, rich kids who attend every year." They laughed. "At least you didn't show up with a golden poodle."

"I saw that statue! It belongs to Cassidy Righberry, right?" Mindy tried to hide her grin behind her hand. "When I first walked in, she talked to me for hours about it." Mindy puffed up her chest, and petted the air as if holding a cat. "'You can look, but don't touch my precious Snuffles.'" She said in a fake, snooty southern accent. "'Isnt he gorgeous Miss Disco?'"

Eris laughed loudly. "She calls you 'Miss Disco'?" They asked. "For me it's always 'How are you Madame Good Wire?' I've known her for five years, and at this point I'm too afraid to correct her." Mindy shook her head, giggling.

"Five years, huh? You'd think someone in this big fancy Opera house would've told her by now." She wiped tears of laughter from her eyes.
They talked for a good long while about school, and their studies, but one thing Mindy seemed to be very passionate about was her newest invention.

"I've been working on a new drug called Soundria. It's supposed to be a therapy drug, but the kicker is this:" she paused dramatically. "You use sound to activate it. Once it kicks in, you'll be calm and relaxed like never before." She said. Eris nodded dreamily.

"Sounds like the future to me." They said. "But who's gonna take this new drug, Dr.Diasco?" They smirked at her.

"People with broken hearts, and depression. Maybe even schizophrenics! It's still in the works though, and..." she trailed off. "I'm technically not supposed to be working on it." Eris perked up. "I've signed a contract with my school, and they told me no outside experiments without their advisory." She said.

"Oh. But the drug doesn't sound that dangerous, I mean the worst it could do is give someone a headache." They chuckled. "Right?"

Mindy shook her head. "If it gets in the wrong hands before I can test it, it may lead to some very dire side effects. Messing with drugs in early development is never a good thing." She said. "And because I'm not supposed to be working on it, I could get kicked out of school." She held up her pinky. "Lets keep this between you and me. Okay?" She looked at Eris with pleading eyes.

Eris hesitated for a moment, too busy staring at Mindy's serious expression to actually do the pinky swear. Oh my god, she's so pretty. "Eris?" Mindy asked, which shook them from their daze.

"Uh, right. It's a secret." They said, before quickly locking their finger around Mindy's.

Eris never told anyone about Mindy's pills.
........

“I think I’m in love, Charlton.” Eris said as they floated past him on their rubber pool floaty. Charlton stood on the side, a lemonade pitcher on a platter in one hand, and a towel draped over the other. With both hands full, he wasn’t able the swat the annoying fly buzzing in front of his face, yet he tried to answer anyway.

“Sir, you just met her yesterday. Don’t you think you’re being a bit...repetitive with this relationship?” he asked, as he wriggled his nose slightly to the left.

Eris perked their sunglasses up, and looked at Charlton quizzically. “What do you mean by ‘repetitive’?” they asked. Charlton twitched his nose.

“What I mean Miss, is that you have a certain way you go about dating. And I have to say, it’s not a very good course of action.” He said. “Each girl usually ends with some form of tears, be them angry or sad.” Eris sighed. They had to admit that Charlton was right in a sense. They weren’t really good at relationships. Or flings. Or friendships. Or really any kind of non familial relationship. Thank god for Charltons limitless patience with me.

“Well,” They said. “You may be right, but I’m no quitter. And there’s always room for improvement, right Charlton?” Charlton nodded, more so in the hopes that it would get rid of the fly than in agreement. Eris leaned over the side of their pool floaty, and ran their arms through the water in a large arc. The water drenched Charlton, but at least the fly had gone.

“Thank you, sir.” he said, gratefully. Eris smiled, and gave him a thumbs up.

“No problem my favorite butler.” They said.

“I am your only butler, madame.” He corrected. Just then, they both stopped talking as they could hear the very loud crash coming from the dining room, followed by a “Goddammit, Vivian!” from Mr. Goodoire. Eris sighed, and got out of the pool, taking the towel with them into the house.

“Stay here.” They commanded. Charlton nodded reluctantly, and stood by the poolside. Eris walked into the house, their feet slowly hitting the cold, marble floor as they made their way onto what may have been the second domestic dispute that day. Their father stood menacingly over a miss Vivian Hildegard, the housemaid. Angrily clutched in his hand was a shattered glass, what looked to have previously been a wine glass. He was hanging onto it so furiously that it bit into his hand, and blood seeped from his palm, dripping onto the newly waxed marble floor.

“How many times have I told you?” Their father asked her. Vivian had shrank down in a hunched position, holding a silver platter to defend herself with. Eris could see the angry expression on Mr.Goodoires face, and immediately upon seeing it felt a pang of annoyance at his robust anger. “You have to polish every single glass. Every. Single. One. Or they get grimy, and dusty. And no one wants to drink out of glasses with shit on them, Vivian.” He said.

Eris huffed. “Oh lay off her, old man it’s just a few glasses.” They said. Mr.Goodoire turned to face them, and Eris could see a vein popping out of his neck. “You’re always bitching about something or other, and it’s usually stupid. If you do have to complain, please do it quieter.”

“You...You have the audacity-!” He raised his hand as if to slap them, but before his hand could reach their face, Charltons hand was there to block his. Mr.Goodoire looked up, surprised to see the butler had appeared.

“I believe you have had quite enough excitement for today, sir. Please, take a nap. I will sort out miss Hildegard myself.” Mr.Goodoire snatched his hand away, and glared at Charlton. He sulked away from the scene leaving just the two of them. Vivian had snuck away long ago.

“I thought I told you to stay put.” Eris turned to him, crossing their arms.

Charlton nodded. “I know you did, but he seemed...prone to old ways back there. A repeat of something like that is something I can’t let happen again, sir.” he said.

“You know if he gets pissed enough, he’ll finally fire you right?” Eris said, seriously. Their voice held no concern or reproach, just a deadpan reminder of the power their father held over him. Charlton gulped, and nodded.

“Yes. I understand. I wouldn’t be any help to you then, would I?” he said. Eris just shook their head.

“Next time, just let me take the hit, Charlton. We’ll deal with it afterwards.” Charltons face was grim, but understanding.

“I understand. But you have to know how hard that will be, Miss.” he said. They walked up to him, and gave his cheek a painful pinch.

“Stop thinking, Charlton. It’ll do you some good for when ‘Next time’ comes.”

The next time Eris met Mindy was at the Atlanta Tricentennial banquet in celebration of the city’s founding. Eris wore a slightly green tinged dress, that was sheer but held a covering that was solid emerald underneath. It was hot, just like any other Georgia day, and the massive hills that covered the land surrounded the small party as they were packed in a rarely spotted flat, plot of land. Eris stood by the punch bowl with Charlton, their usual spot for all Goodoire affiliated parties. Charlton served people drinks, and once again shielded Eris from getting any because of another spiker. They stood next to Charlton, pulling on a dirty blonde strand that had come loose from their elegant bun, and stared not so discreetly at Miss Diasco talking to yet again more doctors.

“You really ought to stop staring, sir. The girl may think you hold a grudge, instead of affection.” Charlton whispered to them. Eris continued to stare as they answered him. Mindy wore a rose gold dress, with pink roses scrawling up the side of the dress. It was beautiful, and yet again a simple piece that made Eris feel as if they were trying to hard at these parties. Her hair was brushed back, and held in a poofy afro bun with two silver hair clips, and a gold ribbon.

“What do you think doctors like to talk about anyway, Charlton? They can’t just talk about little Timmy’s knee injury all the time, can they?” They asked. “I mean, I can’t understand half of the things they were talking about last time, and I think it totally turned her off.”

Charlton smiled as he handed a Miss Pumperfickle another glass of spiked punch. “Well,” he whispered again. “Doctors are often prone to intelligent conversation. You can’t blame her, the girl is a genius, madame.” He raised a hand at Mister Heighnsworth on the other side of the field. “Perhaps you should brush up on your medical know how, sir. It may impress her.”

Eris nodded, but then shook their head. “Wait, aren’t you supposed to tell me something different? Like ‘I should just be myself, and everything will be okay’?” They said. Charlton laughed.

“Yes, well. As I said a few days ago, you are not particularly lucky with the ladies, miss. A bit of change wouldn’t hurt you at all.” Eris chuckled.

“Well I guess I can’t change anything standing next to you.” They said. “This is the part where you shoo me away again, so that I can try to win a date with her.”

Charlton checked his watch, and smiled. “Right you are. Off you go then.” He shooed them away, and Eris walked towards Mindy and her posse of doctor friends for the second time. This time, however, Mindy spotted them immediately and practically pulled them into the little circle. She gripped their arm with slight manicured fingers, and smiled at them.

“Hey, you’re just in time to hear Dr. Dougherty’s story about Yale’s Centennial!” She said, excitedly. Eris noted she could get pretty hyper about things, they remembered how she had practically shouted her feelings at the Atlanta social. At first, Eris was so caught off guard by Mindy taking their arm, and smiling at them that they practically forgot why they even came to her in the first place. They soon recovered however, making sure to wipe the glazed look from their eyes.

“Right. The Doctors Yale thing. How did it go?” They asked. Dr. Dougherty stood proud in a black tux, with a rose medallion pinned to his coat. He straightened it, grinning happily.

“They awarded me the highest Honor a doctor can get in Georgia. The Peach Tree Doctoral Medal of Medicine.” He said. Eris had never heard of such a medal before, and didn’t even know doctors could be awarded things like that. But they whistled in an impressive tone anyway.

“Gold suits you doctor, though I bet miss Diasco here would look great with a medal on her.” They said. Mindy waved away the compliment.

“I haven’t earned a medal yet, Dr. Dougherty is amazing at his job. I don’t think I can ever catch up to his record.” She said. Dr. Dougherty smiled.

“Ah, but my dear Mindy, now that I have this medal I think you will surpass me in a matter of weeks with how fast you save people. I bet by next week, you too will have your own Peach Tree medal.” he laughed.

Mindy looked a bit uncomfortable, the smile slipped from her face. “Well, Doc this medal isn’t the last you’ll get, right? You’ll still be working in the hospitals and-”

“I am retiring Mindy.” Dr. Dougherty said simply. The other doctors around him looked shocked, and started to argue against him. But he simply raised his hand. “Now I know you all will think that me retiring is a bit extreme, but I feel fifty years is enough for me.” He said.

“Fifty years is impressive, Doctor. No wonder you got that medal.” Eris said. “You deserve it.”

Dr. Dougherty nodded. “Thank you, miss Goodoire. Although I may be quitting in the hospitals, my love of science is just too much.” He said. He then turned to Mindy, with a proud smile on his face. “I was thinking of opening a lab, one where you could develop all kinds of stuff. Of course, you will have to take it up with Darius and his cohorts, but if they say yes…”

“Then I’d have my own space, finally!” She said happily. “Oh Doc, this is a great offer. I’ve been asking Darius all month if I could finally get a lab.” Eris balked, more so at the name Darius then Mindy’s happiness.

Who the hell is Darius? They began to worry about Mindy’s dating preferences again.

They shook those thoughts away, and decided to continue their pursuits. “Well, I’m glad you’ll find a place to develop your skill, Miss.” They said. “Maybe I’ll visit sometime and see how you’re doing.”

“I’d love that, Eris!” She said.

Eris smiled. Dr. Dougherty and his fellow compatriots walked away to discuss plans of his retirement. Just like at the social, for a brief moment there was a long awkward silence among them before Eris spoke.

“Hey, we never really got to talk last week. Mainly cause I don’t have your number.” Eris smirked.

Mindy blinked, surprised. “Oh! Right. I was going to give you my number, but then we started to talk about...you know...The Promise?” She winked knowingly. Eris nodded, understanding what she meant.

“I know what you mean. How’s that little secret coming along anyway?” They asked. She looked around in search of people who may be eavesdropping, and then took a few steps towards Eris.

“Soundria is almost complete. In fact, I’ve already got a buyer who wants to try it out.” She said, quietly. That surprised Eris. “I’m not giving it to them, of course. I still haven’t tested it yet.” They nodded.

“Wow, it sounds like you’re on the road to success Miss Diasco.” They said, smiling. They were rather close. Mindy put up a hand in between them.

“If we’re going to be hanging out, you’ve got to stop calling me Miss Diasco.” She said. “Got it?’ Eris laughed, and then nodded.

“Okay Mindy, I understand.” They said.

Mindy clapped her hands happily. “I’m so excited for the lab, you have no idea how long I’ve been waiting to get my hands on legit chemistry equipment.” Eris chuckled, and thought about how cute she was when she got excited about things.

“We can talk about this new lab venture of yours later say…. at my house for dinner?” They asked. Mindy nodded again.

“I’d love to.” She said. Eris grinned, ecstatic.

“Perfect.” They said. Mindy took a pen from her dress pocket, and wrote her number on Eris’ arm in small, neat script.

“We can talk about...oh I don’t know, girl stuff over the phone. It’ll be great!” She walked away, and began to chat it up with a few more Georgia elites.

Eris stood in blissful silence for a few seconds, before they snapped back to reality with Mindy’s last words echoing in their head like a warning bell. Girl Talk. Shit. It’s pretty hard to pull off Girl Talk when you’re...not a girl. Or a boy. And it’ll be even harder if this Girl talk entails talking about boys, because while Eris is not one of them, they have never actually been into them. Oh well, the night has not started yet. Let’s see what it brings.
…………………

That night at the Goodoire mansion, Eris had informed their parents of Mindy’s visit. They were a bit confused at first, because they had never known Eris to be friendly to someone unless they wanted to date them.

“You just want to impress this poor girl, don’t you?” Their mother said. She had assumed it was some middle class, mousey type that Eris had dragged home this time, mainly because those were always the types that Eris brought to the mansion. Young, pretty and poor. Eris rolled their eyes.

“Mindy is not poor, she is a medical prodigy who already has her degree in biology and chemistry. She’s a doctor, mom.” They said. Their mom rolled their eyes back.

“So she’s the one everyone was talking about at the Social? I think I saw her, she doesn’t exactly look your type, sweetie.” She said. “But whatever. As long as she’s nice, I guess it’s okay if she comes for dinner.”

Their father came into the dining room, and greeted them noisily and drunk. “Oh please, Charlice. Do you really think her little fling is gonna last?” He said, a vodka shot in his hand. His tie was loosened, and he had obviously had more than one drink at the bar. Eris was going to correct him yet again on their pronouns, but Charlton stopped them short by glancing at them from the corner. Charlton had already set the table, and stood in the corner of the room by the head of the table, with a platter of wine and napkins. Eris bit their tongue and refrained from correcting him. This time.

“Have faith in he- Them, Richard. This girl sounds nice.” Their mother said. She looked her husband up and down disgusted, as he leaned against the back of a dining chair, desperately trying to clear his head. “She’s going to be here any minute, and you decided to get drunk before dinner?” She asked, incredulous.

“Get off my back, Charlice.” He took a look in his empty vodka glass, an groaned. “Hey asshole in the corner, get me another shot.” He demanded of Charlton. Without an ounce of venom in his voice Charlton obliged.

“Right away, Master Goodoire.” He walked into the kitchen, but not before giving Eris a warning look. They made it a note to tread lightly with their father tonight.

“Don’t you think you’ve had enough to drink? You’re going to embarrass us in front of-”

“Who gives a shit? The new broad that bitch has dragged here for dinner isn’t gonna even be here for another week.” He said. Charlton returned with another glass of vodka. “She’s just another whore our daughter brought in.” Charlton flinched a tiny bit, more so because he had to restrain himself from hitting Richard right then and there.

Eris just sighed, tired. “Well, you don’t wanna be here anyway.” They said. “Take his plate away, Charlton. He’s gonna eat in his study. Like he’s been doing for the past month and a half.” Richard scoffed, and then drunkenly staggered himself to his office.

Charlice sniffed in anger as she watched her husband leave for the thousandth time, a single tear forming in her eye. She didn’t say anything, she just tried hard not to cry right then and there, and despite her efforts to not show weakness, Eris saw her as the weakest person they had ever seen. And then, the doorbell rang. Eris looked at their mother, and smiled a vindictive grin filled with malice.

“You better dry those tears up or the guests will be embarrassed for you.” They said in a sickly sweet voice. Charlice dragged in a withering breath, her frame visibly shaking from the effort to pull herself together.

“Charlton, get the door will you?”
………

Just a heads up that this post deals with domestic abuse, so its pretty graphic this time. reader discretion is advised.

....................................

The table was glistening white under the diamond and pearl chandelier that hung above it as Eris and their mother ate dinner. Mindy had arrived a tad bit later than expected, but apologized upon arrival. She wore a different dress, this one being plain white and trimmed with black lace. It came up to her knees, and she still had her hair in that simple afro puff.

“So, Mindy. Eris says you’re a doctor? Have you saved any lives recently?” Charlice asked. Mindy nodded, while holding a buttered roll in her hand.

“Just yesterday, I had to revive this little boy with asthma after he had an attack. His little heart just completely stopped after awhile, but I managed to bring him back somehow.” She said. She shook her head sadly, despite the good ending. “The kid’s gonna have a few problems later on though. It’s not everyday you have a near death experience at the age of 10.”

“Sounds scary. I wouldn’t want to be him right about now.” Eris said. Almost dying at 10 because you suck at breathing sounds like bully fuel, to them.

“Well that’s what intensive care and therapy is for. What would we be as a society without you doctors to take care of us all?” Charlice said, she raised her glass to Mindy. MIndy waved her hand nonchalantly.

“Oh I’m sure the human race would still be here drinking wine and spirits like they are now.” She said. “This is a nice home Mrs.Goodoire. I hope to have a house twice as big as this when I move out of my parents.” Charlice smiled, proud.

“Yes, it’s a culmination of twelve years of hard work. Keep on with this doctor mess, little lady. You will find yourself a home bigger than mine in no time.” She winked. Eris rolled their eyes.

“You always tell the guests about the house, mom. Why don’t you tell her about your work.” Eris suggested. Charlice glanced at Eris warningly for a second, but then smiled sweetly.

“My work. You’re right, Eris I never do discuss my work affairs with others.” She said in an even tone. “And you also know why.” Eris sighed.

“I guess I do. Hey, I think I’m done with dinner now.” Eris pushed their plate away, even though it was half full, and Charlice pretended not to notice for the sake of Mindy.

“You can eat later then.” Charlice said, taking a sip from her wine glass.

“I’d rather not eat at all. I think I will just spend the rest of the night upstairs. Mindy, you coming?” They asked.

MIndy looked up excited. “Oh yeah, I’d like to see the rest of this beautiful mansion! I bet you’re room is like something out of a fairytale.” She said. Charlice scoffed softly in her drink, but kept her comments to herself. Eris smirked.

“You can see for yourself.” They said. Mindy followed them upstairs, and Charlice heard the soft click of the door closing. She sat alone at the dinner table, softly caressing the handle of her butter knife.
………..

Eris’ room was nothing like out of a fairytale, much to the amusement of Mindy Diasco. While Eris had the giant bedroom, with the comfy, big bed and dresser, the room was decked head to toe in posters of old musicians. Mindy took a particular shine to an old autographed picture of Elvis that was hanging up on the meridian walls over Eris’ beauty mirror.

“So you’re an Elvis fan, huh?” Mindy asked. “My dad is crazy about 50’s rock, he won’t shut up about it at parties.” Eris laughed.

“Well, he was a very popular guy, or so I’m told. I never actually met him.” Eris said. Mindy walked over to the giant bed, and ran her hand over the soft blanket and coverings.

“Oh my god.” She breathed. “You sleep on this? Every night? It feels like Heaven, Eris.”

“They don’t have good beds where you’re from?” Eris asked with a smile.

Mindy rolled over the bed, gleefully. “Not one’s made from literal clouds and angel wings!” She exclaimed. “My bed feels like a pile of dirt pretending to be fabric compared to this.” Suddenly, Mindy shot up, a serious look on her face. “Looking at all of these posters reminded me of Soundria. I’ve run into a bit of a bump in testing.” Eris sat down on the bed next to her, listening intensely. They nodded for her to continue.

“There seems to be a strange symptom that comes along with the effects of the medicine. While I made it to soothe people internally, there is definitely some external side effects.” She said. “I don’t know how to exactly define it, or explain the phenomenon to you but-” She stopped talking as they both heard a loud, and arduous knocking noise coming from downstairs.

Eris gulped, as they knew exactly what the noise was. It was repetitive, and the force of it’s impact against the walls shook the room slightly. It’s fine. He’s just burning off steam in his office. And then they heard Charlice scream from downstairs. Mindy jumped up off the bed, wary to go to the door and check downstairs.

“What’s going on down ther-?” She began to ask. It was soon cut off by the thunderous noise of their father’s feet coming up the stairs. Eris grabbed Mindy by the arm, and dragged her to safety by the bed. The door burst open furiously, and Mr. Goodoire stood angrily in the doorway with Charlice by her hair behind him. Charlton’s warning about reverting back to old ways echoed in their head for a split second, before they fully assessed to scene before them. Richard held a bottle of what looked like old cider in one hand, and Charlice’s blonde curls in the other. Charlice was crying pitifully, and by the look of her face, Richard had already taken out most of his anger on her. She sported a busted lip, and a bruised eye. Blood and tears mixed together, and mascara ran down her cheeks. All in all, she looked absolutely awful just then. Mindy shook fearfully, not able to take her eyes off of Richard.

Eris breathed in slowly, and Richard chuckled darkly. “What’s the matter, bitch? Mad because I crashed you’re little tinder date here?” He said. Eris ran a hand through their hair, pulling it from its bun. Their blonde hair fell past their shoulders in waves, and Eris looked at him with tired, strained eyes. In only a few seconds, he had pushed them to their limit.

“Where’s Charlton?” They asked, quietly. Richard took another swig from his bottle, and when he found it was empty, he threw it at the wall making Mindy jump.

“He’s taking a nap.” Richard said simply. Shit. That can mean literally anything in the state he’s in. Charlice tried to pull herself away from him gently, but Richard yanked her back with his hand, and she fell on her knees, crossing the rooms threshold. He looked at Eris then, a look of malicious intent on his face. “You’re coming with me, tonight. I signed you up for a very long trip.” He said.

“What the hell are you talking about?” Eris asked, quietly. They never raised their voice in anger, they just kept a flat, tired monotone as they talked.

“It’s a cathol-” He burped. “Catholic school. You’re going tonight, girl.”

“They.” Eris said.

“Fuck off. We both know what’s in your pants.” He said, rudely. He glanced at Mindy, cowering behind Eris. “That whore can’t stay tonight. You’ve gotta pack your bags.”

“I’m not going anywhere.” They said, confidently. Mindy reached into her pocket where her phone was.

“Siri, call 911.” She said quietly. Richard glared at her.

“You bit-” But before he could get the words out, a bat came to the back of his head, and he fell unconscious on the floor. Charlton stood in the doorway, a bat in hand and a bloody wound in his side.

“Jesus.” Eris breathed, shocked at the blood seeping through his nice, butler coat. “We need to get to a hospital.”

Eris ran to Charlton, jumping over their father’s body.

“I’ll stay here until the cops come, you just bring him to the hospital.” Mindy said. Eris didn’t waste anytime at all following her instructions, and ran outside of the mansion with their butler in hand.

……..

The hospital was just as Eris had remembered it the time they had come here. They remembered how they had come to be in a hospital bed back then, and thinking of how he was then, they almost couldn’t believe they didn’t see this coming the minute he walked in the dining room drunk off his ass. The minute they both walked into the hospital, Charlton more or less being dragged along by Eris, a nurse rushed up to them, and he was taken from their arms. Eris sat in the waiting room for two hours, staring at the tiled floor the entire time. It wasn’t until they felt a hand on the shoulder that they looked up.

“Hey, how’s he doing?” It was Mindy.

“He’s fine. Just a little shaken is all.” They said. “They told me he’s resting now. We won’t be able to see him until tomorrow.” Mindy nodded. They both sat there quietly for a few seconds. This time Mindy broke the silence.

“You know, you really ought to think about leaving them.” She said. “You’re father seems rather…”

Eris looked at her. “I can’t just leave my parents behind. That’s not how the world works, Mindy.” They said. Mindy sat up straighter.

“Well…” She began. “You gotta think of something. I mean, he said he was sending you off to Catholic school. Tonight. That doesn’t sound very good at all.” She shook her head. “And you’ve been really nice to me all week! You don’t deserve any of that man’s punishment.” Eris blinked at her sudden confidence.

“Catholic schools are tricky, Mindy. Once you put your name in the Tithe basket, there’s no getting it back out again.” They said.

“Eris, listen. Going to that Catholic school after he assaulted your friends and family is just the kind of thing he would want.” She said. “I know how men like him work. They don’t care about family at all. They care about impressions.” Mindy stood up. “Tomorrow we will think of a way to get you out of this mess. Me and that butler guy who seems to be really nice.”

Eris thought it over for awhile, and shrugged. If it will put her at ease, then fine. We can pretend there’s a solution here. And so tomorrow came. Eris hid at Mindy’s house, away from the Catholic collection bus that came to their house a few minutes after the police arrived. When the visiting nun who was supposed to collect Eris came for them, they were quickly turned away by the police, and had no idea of where they could have gone.

The nuns got word that they were probably hiding at Mindy’s house, but Mindy’s mother was very understanding of the situation, and told them off from her house as well. That day, in the hospital room, Mindy, Eris, and Charlton discussed plans for Eris’ escape.

“I overheard him talking on the phone before he went ballistic. You have a bit of time before he can properly send you off.” Charlton said.

“We have time?” Eris asked.

“He wanted to throw a party announcing your leave. You weren’t going to be there, of course, but I believe he was going to set some sort of video system up so that you yourself could say goodbye to folks from the School.” He said. He sat up in the hospital bed, sipping on a cup of tea completely relaxed. “He went crazy over something the other end had said. I’m guessing they didn’t want to set up your camera or something. It was pretty hard to hear what with him cursing them through the phone.”

“Then the party is the perfect place to escape a second time.” Mindy said. “We can’t hide you forever at my place, the nuns are bound to get to you at some point. If we hold a party before you leave, then we can escape again before they get to you.” She clapped her hands, smiling excitedly. “And I know one place they’d never look for us!”

Eris laughed. “Well this all sounds good, but like you said. We can’t hide forever.” They said.

“You’re right, sir. We can’t. But we can hide just long enough for us to get rid of the School. Maybe while we’re hiding we can negotiate with them, and explain ourselves. I doubt women of God would send a child back to a horrid man like Richard.” Charlton explained.


“How could we possibly convince them though? They’d probably just brush us off, and call me a ‘troubled’ soul or some shit.” They said. They rocked back in the chair, leaning against the bed frame. “There’s no way they’d believe a butler, a doctor, and a...whatever over Richard Goodoire, Entrepreneur of the century. And Charlice would defend that bastard till the end of time. She’s cowardly like that.”

Mindy looked a little defeated at Eris’ words, but Charlton continued on.

“I wasn’t really thinking of us as the one’s doing the convincing, actually. Perhaps a fourth party could suffice.” He said quietly. Eris looked at him, and he nodded as if confirming something. Mindy looked lost looking at them.

“What are you both going on about?” She asked.

“Vivian.” Eris said. “She could definitely convince them. We just have to make it seem like its not coming directly from us. Otherwise it won’t work.”

“And, Miss Vivian is an avid supporter of the Church. She carries a rosary with her in her maid dress everywhere she goes.” Charlton said.

“Who is Vivian?” Mindy asked.

“She’s the maid. A few days ago, Richie yelled at her for missing one of the polished cups.” Eris explained. “If we can get Vivian in on this, than maybe…”

“This might work then!” Mindy said.

“Don’t get your hopes up. We still have this party to plan, and Charlice to deal with it.” They said. “We have got to get to Vivian fast, before she decides to scram off to some other rich persons house. I wouldn’t blame her, though.”

.........

“Vivian, just hear us out on this one.” Eris pleaded. Vivian Estrada Julio Rivera was the Goodoires family maid. She worked full time, and cleaned the house top to bottom with the help of Charlton, monday through saturday. She wore a black, plain maid’s dress, and pinned her graying brown hair up in a messy bun when coming to work. Right now, she cowered again for the Nth time in a corner as one of the Goodoire members asked her for an impossible favor.

“No.” She said, bravely. “I cannot lie about this, Madame. That man will get me!” She was deathly afraid of Richard, and Eris had to convince her that Richard was nowhere near her right now. “No, no, no.” She said shaking her head. “That man is here somewhere. He told me, he watches my every move!”

Charlton shook his head in disbelief and groaned. “I can’t believe he would fill her head with lies like this.” He said. Eris shrugged.

“I’ll be honest, I didn’t think he would stoop so low either. But it is Richard.” They said. Eris placed a hand on Vivians shoulder, gently. “Vivian, Richard Goodoire is no longer in this household. He’s in prison now, where he belongs.” They tried to calm her down, and it seemed to work a little.

“He said he was watching me. That if I ever quit, I would never find work again.” She said, her voice quavering. “I don’t want to lose my job, miss.” She began to cry a little, and Eris looked down, embarrassed. They never really knew what to say when it came to tears.

“Miss Vivian, I promise, nothing is going to happen to your maid career.” Charlton said. “We made sure that Mr. Goodoire can never hurt anyone ever again. But if you don’t help us, that man will leave a lasting impression on this family. It’ll be as if he has won, despite being behind bars.” Vivian looked at him, and sniffed pitifully.

“You promise this man is gone?” She asked. Charlton nodded, smiling warmly.

“Yes, he is behind bars as we speak.” He said.

“Okay. I...I will help you. I will tell them what I have seen happen here.” She said quietly. “But remember this- You promised this man could not harm any more.” She pointed a finger at both of them. “If anything happens to me because of this man, then I will blame you.” Her voice was icy, and held no mercy. Eris nodded.

“We understand.” They said.
……

They now had a plan, one that would be executed on the fifteenth of may, at exactly 12:00 A.M. Charlton would set up the preparations in their room, while the party went on down below. That night, Eris Goodoire would be throwing a party, a final farewell bash before “she” heads off to St. Marian Gildeharts School of the Enlightened, an old Irish catholic school in the midwest. Charlice allowed for any and all of Eris’ friends to be invited, and so a few people from their school had attended the party. More than one of their past lovers had shown up, hoping to make some dramatic statement by showing off their new items. Eris pretended to care about them being there, and smiled fakely at everyone who came to greet them. It was around 9:00 when the nuns from St.Maria’s showed up to the party. Eris breathed in deeply, relaxing themselves for the onslaught of religious piety to come.

The first nun to approach them was an elderly woman with a stern face. She regarded Eris with slight contempt, probably thinking how scandalous it was for a “girl” to be wearing a dress with no sleeves or gloves to them. Eris held out their hand, properly, and greeted her. “Hello, miss. Welcome to the party, I’m glad you could make it.” They said.

Mindy eyed Eris from the corner, where she stood by the punch bowl with Vivian anxiously waiting to tell her story. Mindy gave them an encouraging nod, and Eris braced themselves. “Your mother has told me about your...confusion.” She said.

Eris restrained themselves from rolling their eyes. “Well we can’t all be girls and boys, ma’am. Have you been outside lately?” They asked. The nun squinted her eyes at Eris, wondering whether or not that was a jab at her bigoted opinion.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” She asked. Eris shrugged, and gestured toward the back of the dining room where the pool was.

“Just that Georgia air is nice during the summer. Even though it’s hot, it makes for great star gazing.” They said. The other nuns surrounding the old one had dispersed after awhile, and were now milling about, chatting it up with Eris’ school friends. “I don’t think my mother told me what your name was?” Eris said to her.

“I am Mildred Goldhue. I am the Head Sister at St.Maria’s. And your future principle, young lady.” She said. She stood tall with an air of confidence, and respect. Eris couldn’t believe their luck.

“You must have been in the sisterhood a real long time, I can almost feel God’s aura coming off of you!” They said, earnestly. Sister Goldhue looked taken aback a little, and cleared her throat.

“Well now, thank you, Madame Goodoire.” She said. “Have you...any interest in the church?” Eris sighed dreamily.

“Well, I didn’t at first. But then-” They pointed to Vivian, who immediately stood up tall at the slightest provocation toward her. “My friend, Vivian, started to tell me about God’s will, and his Angels. It really got me thinking about my past decisions.” Sister Goldhue looked over at Vivian, who waved shyly, flashing her rosary tied around her wrist intricately. Sister Goldhue saw it immediately, and smiled softly.

“My, I came to judge you too quickly, child. I should have known God would have a part in your journey.” She said. “He has one of his own right here to guide you.” Eris smiled, with equal amounts of warmth.

“Yeah, Vivian’s great.” Eris said. “She’s a really great worker, and she practically prays everywhere she goes. Why don’t you go say hi to the woman who practically raised me in God’s light?”

“I think I will do just that, Madame.” She said. “She seems...nice.”

Eris watched Sister Goldhue walk over to Vivian, who greeted the sister the minute she looked over at her. Thankfully, Sister Goldhue didn’t find that suspicious, and began to talk to Vivian about the Church. They smiled, now all that’s left is for Vivian to start talking.

The party went on for awhile, and Sister Goldhue and Vivian never left each other's sides. At around 11:00, Eris decided to sneak to their room in order to see how the preparations for the escape were coming along. When they first entered, they could not see anything because of how dark it was. Charlton had insisted on keeping the room dark to avoid suspicion from anyone down below. Eris entered their room, whispering. “Charlton?” They asked, quietly.

A small match was struck, and Charlton revealed himself sitting on the bed. “Hello, miss.” He said. In his hand, held rope and a tether. Eris walked over, and crossed their arms.

“How is everything coming along?” They asked. Charlton nodded.

“Everything is going fine. I managed to get an old friend to provide us with a car.” He said. “He should be here in a few minutes.” Eris pursed their lips. “What’s the matter sir?”

“It’s just...Are we really about to get away with this?” They asked. “I mean, there’s a lot of shit that can go wrong. All I can think about is…” They groaned.

“Everything is going to go according to plan, miss. Charlice is downstairs, and Vivian is becoming good friends with the nuns.” He said. “Mindy informed me that she hasn’t quite told the Sisters about Richard, but that at the rate she’s going she won’t need to. Sister Goldhue seems to think of her as a sort...companion? I think that was the word she used.”

“Companion?” Eris laughed. “They just met, Charlton.”

“I know, miss. But they do seem to be getting awfully close.” He said. “I believe Mindy said she spotted them holding hands by the poolside.”

Eris stood there in silence. And then it clicked. “Don’t tell me...Charlton, you don’t think…?” Charlton just shrugged.

“I don’t know sir, but she did remind me a bit of you and your romantic pool dates that you used to throw.” He said. “Maybe it’s fate.”

Eris shook their head. “Man. If they end up getting married, do you think Vivian will invite us to the wedding for setting her up?” They asked.

“Perhaps.” Charlton checked his watch. “It is almost time to enact the plan. My friend should waiting right outside the bathroom window.”

“Why the bathroom?” They asked.

“No one will be there. I made sure of it.” Charlton said.

Mindy then entered the room, knocking on the door softly to announce her presence. “It’s almost time.” She said. “Vivian and Sister Goldhue are still sitting outside together. I don’t know what they’re talking about but I made sure to remind her about Richard.”

“Well then, let’s get going.” Eris said. “We don’t have all nigh-”

“I knew it.” All three heads swiveled to the doorway, only to see one of the party goers. But one that was very familiar to Eris. “You’re up here with your new catch, probably fucking her before the night ends.”

It was Cassidy Righberry. An impossibly tipsy, Cassidy Righberry. Mindy looked confused, wondering what Cassidy was talking about, before recognizing her.

“Cassidy Righberry?” She said, confused. “Are...you drunk?”

Cassidy wore a pink, bedazzled sweetheart dress, with little hearts on the bosom. Her strawberry blonde hair was curled, and pinned up in an old fashioned bob cut. She stood about a foot taller than Eris, and right now her height was doing her any good as she swayed on her feet.

“What are you doing here?” Eris asked.

“I wondered all last week why you didn’t talk to me. Now I know.” She said.

Eris raised their hands defensively, trying to calm her down. “Cassidy-”

“You moved on so fast, Eris” Cassidy said. “You didn’t even glance in my direction the entire time you were at the social. I’m the reason you even got into the Social, Good Wire!” Eris internally groaned at how Cassidy butchered their name, again.

“Sir, I do think we should get going. My friend can get a bit...angry when kept waiting.” Charlton said.

“None of you are going anywhere.” Cassidy said. “I’m glad you’re headed off to this stupid Catholic school, Eris. I won’t have to look at you if you’re gone forever.”

“Cassidy, can we please talk about this some other time?” They pleaded.

Cassidy scoffed. “She isn’t even you’re type. I can’t believe you ditched me for some plain girl. She didn’t even come to the social dressed correctly. It was red and black only.” She said.

“I don’t know what’s going on, but we’re leaving.” Mindy said, pushing past Cassidy.

“I’m telling Ms. Goodoire. I bet she’d love to know her daughter is up here smooching on some new conquest.” Cassidy staggered after Mindy.

Eris turned to Charlton. “How the hell did she even get drunk? Who keeps spiking the punch at these things?” They asked, incredulously. Mindy ran down the stairs, in the hopes that more people would dispel Cassidy’s rage. It didn’t.

“Come back here, you home wrecker!” Cassidy shouted, which made everyone stop talking and turn their heads to the scene by the stairwell. Mindy stood on the last step, looking up at a deeply inebriate Cassidy Righberry. “You have no shame.” Cassidy spat. The nuns looked worried and concerned more so for Mindy than for Cassidy.

“Cassidy, I legit just met you a few days ago.” Mindy said, softly. “I don’t know what’s going on between you and Eris, but it’s got nothing do with me.”

Charlice barged in on the scene, furious. “What’s going on here?” She demanded. Cassidy looked at Charlice with an evil grin on her face.

“Oh you really wanna know, Mrs. G? You wanna know what your Daughter was doing a few minutes ago before I walked in?”

“Not me.” Mindy mumbled under her breath.

“She was screwing this-this pansy right here!” Cassidy pointed at Mindy accusingly. Mindy stood there, awkwardly rubbing one of her arms.

Charlice crossed her arms, angry. “Is this true, Mindy?” She asked.

“No, of course it’s not.” She said, calmly. “I feel there is no hiding it anymore. We were planning to sneak Eris out of the mansion before the nuns could take...before they left for the School.” Sister Goldhue, with Vivian closely following, came into view.

“And I bet I know why.” She said. Vivian held onto her arm. “That man. Richard Goodoire. I have been fully informed of his abuse. I, at first, thought that he was maybe...falsely imprisoned. That perhaps it was some sort of misunderstanding. But I now know he was not a God fearing man as he claimed over the phone.”

Mindy perked up. “You’re the one he was yelling at?” She asked. Sister Goldhue nodded.

“Vivian here filled me in on what exactly happened after our phone call. I am...appalled that he would use my Church as a...as a means to punish that poor child.” She sniffed a little, and Vivian said comforting words to her in spanish, patting her back softly.

Charlice uncrossed her arms, and looked at Sister Goldhue with confused eyes. “So...what? Are you not going to take Eris with you?”

“Well-” Sister Goldhue began. However she was suddenly cut off by the thunderous crash of an old, rusty red camaro crashing through the front door of the mansion, completely destroying the stairs and interior design. The guests scrambled, and screamed, running out of the way of the car. Charlton and Eris bolted down the steps, Eris grabbing Mindy and dragging her to the car quickly, and without a seconds word the doors opened and Charlton shoved them both into it. The butler got in himself, slammed the door, and the car’s tire screeched against the marble flooring, pulling some of it off revealing plaster underneath. The rusty red camaro rolled backwards, and away. It drove out of the house, onto the front lawn, and past the gates of the Goodoire estate, leaving everyone utterly confused and wanting questions.
............

“What the hell, Max?!” Charlton screamed at the driver of the rusty red camaro. Max Heighnsworth, the man driving, was a round pudgy guy in a black jacket and a torn Led Zeppelin t-shirt. He stared at the road with dark, brown eyes hidden behind a mop of messy hair. Charlton gripped the side of the car door, while angrily staring at his supposed “friend”. Max shrugged.

“I got tired of waiting. Plus there was this chick who kept making fun of the ride-” he said. He patted the steering wheel with affection.

Charlton stared at him in disbelief. “Are you serious right now?” He asked. “You could’ve ran someone over!” Max groaned, and slumped in his seat a little. He looked in the rearview to check on Eris and Mindy.

“Well, I didn’t. And besides, we got your kids out of there, and now we’re on our way.” He said.

“Where are you even taking us? Mindy said she knew a place.” Charlton asked.

“Which one is Mindy, again?” Max asked, scratching his chin.

“The one with the dark skin is Mindy.” The butler explained. “She is the Doctor I was telling you about.” Max nodded as if remembering suddenly.

“Right. Little Miss Prodigy.” He said. Eris and Mindy slept in the backseat together, Eris lazily leaning against the door frame, and Mindy slumped up next to her. “We’re heading for the shop. It’s the one place I could think of a bunch of nuns would never step foot in.”

Charlton shook his head. “I cannot believe you. I am definitely getting fired after this.” He said. Max laughed.

“You mean you had hoped that after kidnapping some elites kid, that they’d let you stay on the job?” He asked.

“You’re right. I was doomed from the start. I’m still blaming you, though.” Charlton said.

“Of course you are.” Max said, grinning. “But for a few days it’ll at least be like old times.”

Charlton smiled, fondly. “Right you are, Master Heighnsworth.”
…………..

When Eris and Mindy woke up, Max had finally stopped the car at their destination. Eris groggily opened their eyes, and tried to shift themselves in a sitting position. Mindy got up sleepily from Eris’ side, and blinked slowly. “Where are we?” She asked. “I feel like we’ve been driving for hours.”

“We have.” Charlton answered from the front seat. He unbuckled himself, and got out of the car. Eris yawned, and tried to blink the sleepiness from their eyes. Mindy did the same, and they both got out of the car on tired feet. Max had stopped in front of a small music shop called “Radio Central”, written at the top of the building in tacky red lettering with a tiny cartoon rocket on the side. It was a small little, brick building with rain stains and graffiti on the side. Posters for indie bands Eris had never heard of littered the sidewalk, and the windows of the storefront. Max took out a pair of keys.

“Welcome to Radio Central. The shittiest music store in Atlanta.” He said, sarcastically. Eris patted the side of the building before stepping inside.

“It could use a paint job.” They said.

“Woah…” Mindy breathed, as she looked around the crowded shop. The store was crammed full of old vintage CD’s and posters from the 80’s. “This place is so cool!” She squealed. Max chuckled.

“Yeah...I thought so too. Until I went broke.” He said sadly. “Now it’s a burden.” He flicked on a light, and the tiny room was suddenly alive. Eris could see what made Mindy so happy, and they had to agree. Radio Central was a wonderland for music lovers.

“This place is awesome.” They said. They spotted a record in one of Max’s “Classics” bin. “Holy shit. How did you manage to get your hands on every single Prince Album ever? I can’t see one that’s not missing here.”

“I have my ways.” Max said. “Most of ‘em were hand-me-downs from my old man. And Charlton.”

Charlton cleared his throat. “Yes, I do remember now where most of my collection went.” He said. Eris picked through some of the albums, while Mindy stared at the autographed posters on the wall.

“How did you and Charlton meet anyway? The only other person he can stand to listen to go on about Prince is me." Eris asked.

“I...used to work for Max’s family awhile back.” Charlton explained. “Before I was your butler, I was his.” Eris looked over at him.

“Oh.” They said. “How come I never-”

“It’s complicated, kid.” Max came from the back of the store. In his hand he held an old record player. “My family used to be top of the line, like yours. They fell broke a couple years back, though. And that’s how I ended up here, and Charlton ended up with you.” Eris scoffed.

“Clearly you got the better end of the deal.” They said. Twirling a Prince album between their fingers, they glanced at Mindy admiring the posters on the wall. They smiled. “You’re more of a music lover than I thought you were, huh?” They asked.

Mindy smiled sheepishly, “Well...I do love a fair bit of music. Though I doubt it’s too your level.” She said. “Your whole room is covered in posters of people I’ve never even heard of.”

“But I bet you’ve heard the songs before.” Max said. He set a record on, and the shop was filled with the dulcet tones of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way.”

“I have heard this song!” Mindy said, excitedly. “But only in really old movies.”

“It’s Frank Sinatra, my dear.” Charlton said. “He was a very splendid singer.”

“Until he dropped dead.” Eris said, rudely. “I heard he knew the mafia.”

“Oh those are just rumors. I heard it was some kind of gang.” Max said. “I mean, didn’t he live in New York for a little bit?”

“He lived in New York? I thought, he was from Chicago?” Charlton asked, confused.

“Frank Sinatra was an enigma even to his death.” Eris said, shaking their head.

“Well, wherever he was from, the folks around him must have been really lucky to hear him.” Mindy said. “I mean, just from this one song, I can tell he must have been really talented.” Charlton nodded.

“That he was, miss.” He said.

“How many records do you own, Max?” Mindy asked. Max shrugged, looking around the store.

“I have long since lost count, honey.” He said. “If I could hire someone else to just help me out with this place...I could probably tell you.”

Eris perked up. “You’re hiring?” They said.

“Sir, If I may object-” Charlton said. But both Eris and Max ignored him.

“Yeah, but only to people willing to work.” He said.

“I’m willing to work.” Eris said.

“Eris, what if they find you? You won’t exactly have time to work from your bedroom.” Mindy said, concerned. “And what if the police get involved?”

“Oh the police will definitely get involved.” Charlton said.”I have no doubt in my mind that at least one of us is seeing the inside of a jail cell.” Mindy looked at both of them frightfully.

“Wait, seriously-?!" She began.

“I am very well prepared for Prison, Miss.” Charlton explained. “Besides, we have money aside to bail us out. Or at least one of us.”

“If anything happens, I’m just gonna sell the shop, and use the money to get out somehow. I’ve got a guy who’s had his eye on this place for ages, and he would do anything for it.” Max said. “I think he even offered me money at one point, but if I’m going to jail for this, then I guess I’ll use him as my get out free card.”

“Then...why are we still going along with it?” Mindy asked.

“To help Eris, of course. I just roped Max in to help me out.” Charlton patted Max fondly on the shoulder. “Thank you for answering the call, and I’m sorry you might end up having to sell this place to get out because of me, but it means alot Master Heighnsworth.”

Max shrugged. “It’s cool, Charlton. Besides, I was gonna get rid of this place sooner or later.” He said. “It was only a matter of time.”

“Still...Something doesn’t sit right with me about this. I don’t know what it is.” Mindy said, shaking her head. “I feel like there is something else we’ve been neglecting about the plan. Not that I don’t trust you Eris, it’s just...I guess you could say this is the part of the story where some unforeseen plot twist pops up at us.” She chuckled, and then stopped. “I should probably stop, or else I’ll jinx us.”

………………

Days passed before the police finally found Eris and the gang at Radio Central, but to Mindy’s shock and surprise, they were not there to arrest her, or anyone. “Ms.Goodoire isn’t pressing charges, but she did want to speak to both of you two.” One police officer pointed to Eris and Mindy. Mindy nodded solemnly. She had a horrible feeling about this. Eris nodded nonchalantly, and followed the police officers to the squad car. Charlton and Max were free to go, but were told to not return to the Goodoire household.

They drove for what seemed like hours, before finally pulling into Eris’ driveway. There was caution tape around the whole of the front door, and where the steps were. Mindy and Eris had to pull it up over their heads in order to pass through it. Eris pushed open the front door, and standing in the entrance way waiting for them was Ms.Goodoire. In her hand she held official looking documents and a pen, a sight deadlier than a gun when it came to this family.

“Eris!” Their mother greeted them with great warmth, which they immediately knew was forced. “I’m so glad you’ve been found, honey.” She said. Eris looked at her, suspicious. Charlice then turned her gaze towards Mindy, and gave what Eris could only know as the “True Charlice Goodoire smile.” It was evil, and sly, and held the air of someone who has won a very long game. “And Mindy. I’m so glad they have found you as well, as I have a big surprise for you both.” Her voice dropped off near the end, and it was at this point the police had left. Mindy gulped, and grabbed Eris’ arm for support. So much for not jinxing them.

Charlice sighed heavily, and loudly, stretching her arms. She waved the documents around so that they could see them clearly. “I have something for you to sign, Mindy. And I think you will agree to the papers once we have our talk.” She said.

“I...I’m not signing anything.” Mindy said, determinedly. Charlice chuckled, darkly.

“Oh, but you will. If you don’t you can forget about ever being called ‘Dr.Diasco’. Sign them, or I will sue you for kidnapping my daughter.” Charlice said.

“She didn’t kidnap me, Charlice. I left on my own.” Eris said, through gritted teeth. They didn’t know what game Charlice was playing at here, but by the looks of the documents, it was clearly a very dangerous game.

Charlice scoffed. “Who are they gonna believe? Me, or some girl so confused she can’t even-”

“That’s enough!” Eris shouted. They stomped over to Charlice. “I don’t know if you know this, but we haven’t exactly been the closest on the family tree. So please, stop talking as if you’ve known me.” They said. “I don’t know if you can even call yourself a mother, seeing how you pawned me off on the butler for half my life. What gives you any right to call me your daughter other than some papers you signed 16 years ago?”

“Well I don’t think it’s going to matter anyway, daughter or not. While you’re not going away to some school, you are being held in this house. And I can do that as your legal guardian.” Charlice threatened. “Mindy, get over here and sign these papers.”

Mindy gulped. “What...what are they?” She asked, tentatively.

“A patent for your new drug, of course.” Charlice answered. “I was a bit curious about you, Mindy. My daughter was never really the type to bring in the smart kind. So I did a little digging of my own, and found out you had an advert planned for this mysterious, mind changing drug called…’Soundria’. It sounded...amazing. So I called in and…”

“No…” Mindy whispered horrified. “You...you were the buyer who wanted…”

“Yes. I wanted to buy you’re newest batch, but you said something about it being...buggy? Not ready yet? Of course, back then I was willing to wait, but now…” Charlice shook her head. “Now I want it for my own. As you can see, my daughter needs it greatly.”

Mindy looked horrified. “You’re...you’re sicker than he is! You’d give your own child untested medication as...as a punishment?” She looked close to tears.

“I don’t care if Mindy signs that piece of shit, there’s no way in hell you’re getting me to take that medicine!” Eris declared.

“It doesn’t matter, Eris…” Mindy said, horror struck. “The drug...it’s not ready yet... God what have I made…?” Mindy staggered on her feet. Eris went to her, and placed on her back. “Maybe it...maybe it won’t work. Maybe it’s a fluke...maybe...maybe…” Mindy was mumbling to herself.

“Well, it seems the poor girl is broken. Hopefully she’ll find company in her science lab. After she signs these pages.” Charlice walked over to both of them, and handed Mindy the pages which Mindy weakly grabbed at. Her eyes were glossed over, and all Eris could hear her saying was “Maybe” over and over again. “Sign the pages, Dr.Diasco.” Charlice said sweetly.

Mindy grabbed the pen in Charlice’s hand, and looked at Eris with a lost expression. “Mindy, I doubt whatever this is...is gonna be that bad.” They said. “The worst it’ll do is-”

“Give you a headache. Right.” Mindy said, deadpanned. She signed the papers, and then slowly backed away from the pages, as they fell to the floor from her hands. Mindy stumbled to the door, and Eris didn’t see her for quite awhile after that day.

Charlice happily clapped her hands together. “Yay. Now...about your punishment.” She said to Eris.

There was no one to protect Eris now. It was just them, and their deranged mother, all alone in a giant fancy mansion.
………..

The walls of Eris’ room had been stripped bare, and all that was left was the meridian hued plaster. The slight, fading green tinge looked inviting to them, and they braced themselves for whatever Charlice had planned for them next. “Now, this is much better, sweetie.” Charlice said, patronizingly. “I never understood why you wanted all those ugly posters anyway. I doubt you even actually liked any of those bands or singers. You were...what do you call it?”
Charlice stood in the doorway, dressed lavishly in a velvet red plunge dress. Eris thought she looked way to old for a dress like that, especially since she had no assets to show off anymore, but instead of playing along with Charlice’s mind games, they sat on the bed.

“Get. This. Over with.” Eris said. “I will take whatever lame ass punishment you have in store. Just like I’ve taken the other ones. There’s nothing you can do to me.” They spoke bravely. Charlice smiled sadly.

“Oh but I beg to differ.” She said. She walked over to Eris’ beauty mirror where sitting on top of it was a cassette player. Charlice pressed play on the tiny machine, and the room began to fill with the smooth sounds of Kenny G’s sax. Eris had noticed what it was immediately, and became very worried for their mother’s health just then.

“You’re gonna punish me by making me listen to Kenny G for hours on end?” They asked, jokingly. Charlice shrugged.

“Something like that. Music does wonders for the soul, you know.” Charlice said. She began to sway slightly on her feet, swinging to the music. “Your father and I used to listen to Kenny G when we were kids. He was new back then, and everyone was just...feeling the vibes from the music, as they used to say. We would sit and listen for hours to this man play jazz.” She shook her head fondly. “I never realized how much I hated music until after he left. Honestly, I don’t even know why I asked about your love of those posters. Clearly you got more than one undesirable trait from that man.” She sneered at Eris.

“So where’s this medicine?” Eris asked, snidely.

Charlice tapped the cassette player again with one nailed finger, and then left the room. She locked the door from the outside, a newly added feature Eris guessed was put into place the minute they left with their butler and friends in tow. They sat on their bed, and stared at the walls blankly, waiting for the medicine to kick in.
………..
288 hours till Surround Sound Activates
………..

On the first night, Eris could not sleep. The music was just a little too obnoxious, and it had begun to repeat itself as there were only 12 songs on the one tape. The medicine came in the form of pills, and at first Eris refused to take them. The first day, they got away with not taking any of the dreadful pills, and making it through the punishment completely fine. The second day, however, Charlice had their food drugged and laced with them. Eris soon began to feel the slight effects of Soundria.

They felt calm, and oddly sleepy. The music helped soothe them to bed, rather than annoy them, and Eris felt that even with the pills they would make it through this. The third day followed, and then the sixth. And then a week went by, and they were feeling completely and utterly alone. Charlice no longer brought food up to them, she had a tiny slot built into the bedroom door for the food.
…………..
120 hours till Surround Sound Activates
…………..

By the end of the first week, Eris was completely lost. They stared at the walls blinking rarely, but almost never falling to sleep. Through it all, they fought against the intense drowsiness, as they always had terrifying nightmares amplified by the sounds of the music. Drugged and feeling hopeless, they passed out a number of times falling into the depths of their night terrors. Charlice could hear their screams from her bedroom.
…………....
24 hours till Surround Sound Activates--->>>>Countdown ON: 24:59:00
…………………….
On the last day, Eris no longer slept in their bed. They were curled on the floor, unblinking and extremely hungry. They had tried to eat, but gave up after a while because of how heavy their bones felt. They knew the punishment could not go on forever, that their mother could not just forget about them being up here. But another part of them urged on by the voices in their dreams told them that she had long since abandoned them. The floor was very uncomfortable, and it was hard to breath for Eris, laying on their side that way. They could do nothing about it, though.
…………….
Countdown ON: 00:04:12
…………….
The day had sped by, but Eris could not tell at all. The sun had set, and in a few hours it would rise again. Charlice had the curtains removed, and the windows boarded, more so to ensure that Eris could not escape this hell rather than to add to the torture.
……………..
Countdown ON: 00:00:00 ---->>>SURROUND SOUND ON
……………………..

Eris wished that the music was gone, or that at least something else replaced its noise. They tried to remember what it was like listening to anything other than the Saxophone. As they searched their memory, they came upon a song they remembered from their childhood, and began to hum it slowly. The melody was off, and they couldn’t quite remember it because of the music from the tape. And then, by a sheer miracle that not even they could comprehend in that moment, the song changed.
……………..
SURROUND SOUND ACTIVATED

……………..
Suddenly the dulcet tones of Kenny G’s sax were over taken by George Harrison and his friends. Eris sighed in relief from the torture of the music, and began to hum along happily. They closed their eyes for the first time in days, and let the music feel over them. They imagined in their mind all of the things that the music made them feel; a panorama of color and shapes filled their mind, and they were happy for the first time in days. They slowly tapped their fingers on the ground to the song, hitting the beat everytime the chorus came in. They opened their eyes, and continued to tap, only to find that everytime they tapped little pixels would pop up from the ground in the same brightly colored orange that was in their mind.

They felt power come back into their body, not enough to fully escape the room, but enough to sway and dance to the beat of the song. They made the little pixels rise up from the ground, and they stared at its color happily. They danced freely then, letting their minds eye do the work, and suddenly the room was filled with Sunflowers. The room was dark, even with the bright glow of the pixel podiums and sunflowers. Eris wanted sunlight, like the song sang. “...Here comes the Sun…” They raised their arm slightly, a giant purple block forming from the movement. “Here comes the sun, and I’ll say…” As the bass line was struck, they felt themselves come alive again with no vigor. “It’s alright!” And with the chorus line being sung, Eris blasted the walls of their room using the purple block.

Instead of sunlight, they were greeted with the moons face, but they had been trapped in darkness for so long it didn’t matter to them. They wanted the music to be louder, they wanted other people to hear it, and based on the harried screams of Charlice Goodoire, they were heard. They looked behind them, the music blaring so loudly, and Charlice’s terrified face before them. They smiled at her, sweetly, and with new frightening eyes. Eyes that were once a dull grey, turned into a vibrant green. Pure Meridian.

With the last few minutes of the song playing, Eris raised their arm in the air, and they shot through the roof literally on a golden sunflower, smiling wickedly as Charlice screamed. They stood on the roof with the glow of their creations below lighting their path. They walked down a stairway created by their own imagination, a stairway made of purple and orange blocks fell before their feet leading to the roof, and all the way to the front lawn.

The destruction they left in their wake continued without them, however, and soon the whole house was destroyed with the power of music and dance alone. They were no longer Eris Goodoire at that moment, they had transformed to something completely insane and not all together there.

That was the day they gained their abilities, and donned the short monniker E.G.
………………
SURROUND SOUND OFF<<------DEACTIVATING….
……………………....

………………………………….

New Jersey is quite a long ways away from atlanta, and while Eris and Charlton had settled their differences on where they wanted to head to, they still had to figure out how to get there. They both stared puzzlingly at the Atlanta bus charter, plotting out just when and where they would get off at.

“You know,” Charlton began. “This would be a lot faster if you had speedster powers.” Eris nodded.

“Yeah, but having the ability to make music by myself is pretty rad, too.” They said. “I just wish Mindy could see it. Have you heard back from her yet?” Charlton shook his head.

“Everytime I call, I get the answering machine and some man who calls himself Darius will ask to leave a message.” He explained. “Why haven’t you tried to call her, sir?”

“All my shit got wrecked the night I escaped. Of course, you weren’t there but…” They said. They sat in Radio Central’s break room, Max was not there, he was off looking for new supplies for the shop. “I’m almost certain you could hear it.” Charlton nodded.

“I did. I was watching the news when the Beatles started playing throughout the whole city.” He said. “Speaking of the news, I think we may have to leave sooner than expected. Did you know there’s a...Giant Woman in a Cheerleading outfit terrorizing some parts of the city?” Eris shrugged it off.

“Eh. It’s not our problem. Besides, it’s probably just some kind of movie stunt, or something. Anyway, the world’s a crazy place.” They leaned back in their chair. “You’re just gonna have to get used to it.”

“I suppose you’re right ma’am.” He said, sighing. “But, it still concerns me a little. I would rather not run into this...Giant Lady...person.” Eris laughed.

“Yeah, well.” They stretched their arms wide. “We’re going to New Jersey. And I need new clothes.” They looked down at the torn dress they wore. It was same one from the party a month ago, they never got a chance to change at all when they were in that room.

“Yes, shopping is in order.” Charlton said. “I suppose we can go right now, and reconvene back here in an hour.”

Eris stood up, and headed for the door. “It’ll take a while, I’m feeling like I want to wear something...bright.”

They walked down the street of east atlanta. It had been about a month since they escaped. Their mother had just about given up on tracking them down, and has officially renounced them as her daughter. As of today, they were officially 17 years of age, and while not legally allowed to be on their own, no one necessarily had to know that. They had grasped a little control over their powers, and now walking down the street with a small ipod they got from Max, they decided to test it a little.



There was a voice that would always sound in Eris’ head before the song they wanted to play started. They were still getting used to the robotic sound, and were a little freaked out when it happened. Part of the reason they wanted to call Mindy so bad was to ask her questions about Soundria and their powers, but Mindy Diasco had all but disappeared from Eris’ life.

As they walked down the sidewalk, music followed them colorful images formed themselves on the walls and below Eris’ feet that perfectly captured how this particular song made them feel. They don’t exactly remember what happened the night they escaped, but they did see videos of the damage they did from other people’s perspective. They also saw people reacting to the noise of their music from all over Atlanta. They’re pretty sure it made the news, and everyone just shrugged it off as a really, really loud party.

They got strange looks from people, some just assuming they were a girl who loved Daft Punk so much she listened to it on the loudest ipod in existence. Other’s didn’t even glance their way. The world was strange, in that there were superheroes and villains all over the country. Eris had never actually seen a superhero, and they remembered hearing something on the news a few years ago about a bunch of heroes tearing a town up, but they were too busy to process that.

Now that they had their own powers, they felt that maybe they could use it to help out a little. They were never going to reach the levels of Superman, but they still had an odd gift. The only way to use said gift is for good, but before they could help people out they would have to get their own power under control. The pretty patterns that were flat and not touchable that formed on the walls and sidewalk were taking quite a bit of effort to keep flat on the ground.

Perhaps when they had full control finally, they could do the whole helping people out with music bit. But until then...Boy, they sure hoped they’ll liked Jersey.
.........

And that's about it for the origin story! If you want, you can check back kind of far and catch the first official In Stereo post if you want, but meh.