- The Making Changes Continuum - Episode One - Glass As a Form of Art - By Neo Hippy Purple - Daria is copyright 2000, MTV, a division of Viacom International, Inc. All rights reserved. Used without permission. This fanfic copyright 2000, by the girl who's alias is Neo Hippy Purple. To understand this fanfic, please read the previous fanfic in this continuum, Father Not Mine, avaliable at http://www.geocities.com/neohippypurple/mccch1fnm.txt Daria and Jane leaned silently against the padded walls in Daria's room. Just staring at nothing was a great way to lose themselves in thought. Even Trent and Quinn's entrance didn't make a difference. Helen WAS shocked that Trent was the least stunned by all of this. He had stayed downstairs to explain things to Quinn, Helen, and Jake. They couldn't belive that Trent, Jane, and all their siblings were children of Jake's half brother. Trent sat down and leaned back against the free wall, and Quinn leaned down off the bed. They stayed that way for another hour, then Daria busted out a couple of sleeping bags for Jane and Trent, who stayed over because they were too tired to go home. None of the four kids slept very much anyway. Not even Helen and Jake got much sleep. The next morning, Trent, Jane, and Daria headed back to Jane's house to explain things to Amanda, and to Summer, who was staying for a week while her kids were being tracked near there. Daria and Jane went up to Jane's room to talk. Jane: I can't belive this. We're related. Daria: Distantly. Jane: So? Daria: Yeah. That must be why I feel a connection with your family. Jane: Especially, TRENT? Daria: Actually, you can't tease me anymore about that. Not only am I over this "crush" as some would put it, which was actually sisterly affection and attraction to his looks, but it would be sick to marry him, even if he is only a distant relation. Jane: Oh... Right... Awww, Maaaaan! Daria smiled calmly and turned on the TV. They chilled for awhile, and then Helen called Daria back home. They had another family meeting. Helen: Everyone, I'd like to see about having our last name legally changed to Lane. After all, the male in question was a Lane. What do you think? Daria: Whatever. I'm cool with it because it's Jane and Trent's name, too. Quinn: But then I'll have to change my FIRST name, TOO! To something less unique, so that I wont be like a freak with a debalanced name. Daria: I didn't know there was such a word. Try considering just keeping your name. Name change is expensive enough as it is. Helen: Daria's right, Quinn. When you're eighteen, you can change your first name to whatever you want, with your own money. Right now, you are Quinn. Quinn: Ooogh! Jake: Well, I'm all for it. Helen: Okay. I'll get the forms from my office tomorrow. Right now, the family meeting is ajourned. Daria walked upstairs and dialed Jane's house. Jane: Yo! Daria: Newsflash. Daria Lane, reporting. Jane: You're getting it changed? Daria: B-I-N-G-O spells duh. Jane: Okaaaay. Cool. What does Helen think? Daria: It was her idea. Jane: She's actually taken an interest? Daria: She thinks she's more likely to make partner if her name will fit on the business cards. Jane: Damn, damned typesetters! Daria: I think you mean printing shops. Jane: Whatever. So, you'll be coming to the next Lane reunion? Daria: Like hell I will. I gotta go. Jane: Me too. You've made my painting dry and I'm not happy about it. Daria: Any time, sniffer. Bye. Jane: Later. They hang up. Jane turns to her painting, squints, and touches it, finding that it wasn't dry at all. It looked dry to her. She squints again, and it looks wet. Jane: Weird. Commercial Break. End Commercial Break. Jane woke up and got out of bed, stumbling downstairs to make coffee. She was surprised to find her dad there. Jane: Find your housekeys? Vincent: Canamara. Jane: Good. Did mom tell you about the newest Lanes? Four of them. Vincent: Quadruplets? I didn't know she was pregnant. Jane: They're full grown. Vincent: What are you talking about? Jane: You have a half brother named Jake. He has a wife and two kids. See, before your dad met mom, he was in New York and he got drunk and did the foo foo nasty with this gal named Ruth Morgendorffer. She got pregnant and had a son named Jake. They thought he was her husbands. Vincent: So I have another brother? When can I meet him? Jane: They've lived at 1111 Glenn Oaks Lane for almost two years. Vincent: Oh! THOSE Morgendorffers. Jane: And no others. Gotta go get ready for school. Vincent: You're still in school? Jane just laughs and goes upstairs. When Daria and Jane got to school, they headed to Mr. O'Neill's class. The PA came on. Ms. Li: Will Daria Morgendorffer and Quinn Morgendorffer please come to the office, immediately? Daria: Like I have a choice. She headed to the office, and met Quinn at the door. When they got in, their parents were at the desk with some papers. Daria: This about the name change? Helen: Yes. You guys have to sign these before we can change your names. I've already paid the fee, and because I'm a litigator, we can skip court. Just sign. Daria and Quinn signed, and Helen took the papers, sealed them in an envelope, said goodbye to Quinn and Daria, and tossed them in the outgoing mail. Jake followed her. They went back to their classes. When Daria got back, the class was looking at them strangely. Jane: Ms. Li was leaning against the PA button. We only heard about forms and changes and fees and court and a litigator. Daria: (to class) Quinn and I are having our last names changed. The class relaxed, visibly, probably from the relief that Daria wasn't some sadistic serial killer, and Mr. O'Neill began the class. Mr. O'Neill: We're going to be recovering Shakespear, starting with Romeo and Juliet. What familial roles did the families Capulet and Montague represent in the tragic romance? He continued blabbing on. Daria and Jane were happy to escape at the end of the day. They headed to Jane's to chill for awhile. When they got there, Daria leaned back on Jane's bed to read, and Jane picked up a brush and loaded it with paint, flicking it gently on the canvas. She missed, and got one on Daria's face. Daria: Hey! Jane: Ooops! Sorry! How did I miss the canvas? I coulda sworn I was aiming at the canvas! Daria: I'll be back. She went out into the hallway and headed towards the bathroom, meeting Trent on the way. Trent: Hey cousin. Janey flicking paint at the canvas, missed and hit you? Daria: Yep. I'm going to clean off my face, and then throw a bar of soap at her. Trent: Maybe you should tell her to get her vision tested. She's done that to me, too. Daria looked thoughtfull, and then went in to wash her face off. When she got back to Jane's room, she saw Jane still flicking paint. A few globs were on the wall, the window, and the bed. Daria stood at the door and held up her hand. Daria: Jane how many fingers am I holding up? Jane looked over and found that she couldn't quite distinguish it. She shrugged. Daria took a step foreward, clenched her fist, then unclenched it, changing the number of fingers. She did this ten times before Jane guessed how many fingers. Daria: Jane, can I ask you something? Jane: Okay. Daria: How long has your vision been like this? Jane: A few months. Daria: Jane, as your friend, I belive it is my duty to tell you that you are a moron for not geting your vision tested when it first started to slip. I want you to make an appointment with my optometrist right away. But first, put these on. She shoves her glasses at Jane. She looks skeptical, but puts them on anyway. Jane: Wow! That really helps. Daria: Just call the doctor. His number is... Trent walked by and stopped at her door, listening. Jane: I dunno, Daria... Daria: If you want to be an artist, you'll have your vision checked. Jane: I'll make an appointment right away. Trent heard this from the door and grinned. Daria sure did know how to manage Jane sometimes. Daria: In the meantime, I suggest you don't paint or read. Just take it easy. I don't want your vision to get so bad that you need surgery. Jane: Okay, if you'll come with me to the office. Daria: (Sighs) Okay. Trent smiled at this, thinking that Jane knew how to manage Daria, as well. Daria: Anyway, I think I'd better go home and get to work on that essay for O'Neill's class. Jane: Wait, what am I supposed to do about homework? Daria: Dictate it into a recorder and bring it to school. Play soothing music while you speak. The teachers will probably thank you. Just use a different tape for each assignment. Jane: You're the boss. Daria: Yes I am. Get to work or you'll get the whip. Jane: I'm the only one of us who has a whip. Daria: Damn you, blindie. Jane: Heh. Git on, now, girl. Daria: I'm going, I'm going. Wait. I'M the boss. Aw, the hell with it. She got up and left. Jane picked up the phone and dialed the number Daria gave her. Jane: Hello, I'd like to make an appointment to have my vision checked. Commercial Break. End Commercial Break. Daria and Jane walked into Dr. Hill's office, the former calm, the latter nervous. The receptionist greeted Daria warmly, and looked curiously at Jane. Daria: This is my cousin Jane. She's here to have her vision checked. It looks similar to mine. Receptionist: Ah, yes, Jane Lane. Come on back. Jane: (nervous) Can Daria come with me? Receptionist: Sure she can. They headed on back. The room was empty, and the nurse had Jane sit down in the big chair, and dropped some stinging liquid into her eyes, then left. Jane: Ow. What the hell is this? Daria: It dialates your pupils. That's why the room is dimmed. Here, look at this mirror. Jane: What the hell?! The doctor came in at that point and preformed some tests. When he was done, Jane looked even more rattled than before. The doctor began to speak. Dr. Hill: Jane, Daria's suspicions were right. You need glasses. The prescription is different, though. Daria's eyes are worse. Here you go. If you head outside today, wear these. He handed her a slip of paper and a pair of cheesy sunglasses. Jane: But... Daria: No but's. You'll pretty much go blind if you don't wear these. The plastic is darker to block out more light. Unless of course you want eye drops that sting worse than the first ones. Jane: I'll just wear these, thanks. They left. In the lobby, they went to Lenscrafters and ordered Jane's glasses, then waited. When Jane came out, she wore smaller round glasses, framed in red, with transitions lenses. Jane liked the look, and they left. Jane: I'm actually glad we came, because I still get to paint, my vision is better, I have an excuse to wear sunglasses year round, and Trent will get off my back about paint on his face. Daria: Great. This is kinda cool actually, because we're even more alike. Jane: Does it seem like our lives are turning into an episode of all my children? Daria: You actually watch that crap? Jane: Uh... The End, for now...