Memories #30-#33

[bunny_ears]

Memory #30: Coffee Cultists
Form: A strawberry tart

One of Velma's get-to-Oregon jobs once her car broke down was serving coffee at Andy's Coffee Palace in Red Bluff, California. She has the world's most annoyingly perky manager. Also a creepy church devoted to coffee. It ends with Velma having to kick their asses, since they won't take 'no, I don't drink lightless coffee grown in burial grounds, especially when offered by cults'. Thankfully, the manager collects action figures. Unfortunately, Vel is out of a job when the coffee place is sucked into shadow.

Memory #31: Being Sued by Her Parents
Form: snake fangs (2/3)

So, Velveteen is getting sued. By her parents. Based on her old contract with The Super Patriots Inc. which offered them part of her superhero income. She kept it up in her civilian life because they could out her, but she stopped. So she has to stand in a courtroom while her lawyer explains why she doesn't owe nearly a hundred thousand dollars plus 15% of her income. The judge basically said since Velveteen in good-faith retired, her contract expired and she doesn't owe her parents money. If Velveteen had any wish to reconcile with her folks, getting sued by them pretty much killed it.

Memory #32: Final Battle: Shit Gets Real
Form: paint brush

Velveteen is in the middle of a superhero battle. As the commander, with Princess as her adjunct. Of a civil war in the Super Patriots: they have South, and West and Midwest are still loyal. Velveteen is worried East might show up. One of Vel's scouts (a plastic pegasus pony) tells her shit has gotten real: they have a death. Normally supers avoid killing each other as it is a sure flag for someone gone villain, but Trick and Treat hit a super called Dead Ringer and she's dead.

Vel is floored. She didn't expect people to die for this. Vel gets a super named Cinder to amplify her voice. She makes it clear that the other side is playing for keeps, and tells the other side who their allies are. Velveteen then makes for the door. She needs to end this.

She's confronted by The Nanny, the teenaged superhero who tried to stop her getting to Oregon. Nanny is confused: she's been told her side is right, but Velveteen is also right. So she wants to switch sides with a few of her teammates. Vel tells her to wait at the Phantom Doll.

And the door is guarded by Aaron and the other flying bricks. Of course it is. He's ready to make this a Moment, but she just wants to end this. And his people left the giant statues visible. So, she captures the four supers and heads inside.

Memory #33: Meeting Santa
Form: chocolate egg (1/2)

Vel is 12 and Jackie just pulled her through a mirror with her friends. Jackie is smug about bringing them to Christmas Village. Sparkle Bright is OMGSANTA, and it's hard for Vel to not be happy for her. So, Jackie takes her to meet Santa Claus. Santa's workshop looks candy-themed but also like a real place where people work and make things. And pictures of people, like Jackie's great-grandmother. And Santa looks like... Santa, who welcomes them all. And calls Vel's friends by their real names, except he calls her Velveteen.

Vel is nervous because she didn't like Autumn's Country, and Santa treating her like a super instead of a kid also sets her on edge. So, she demands answers after Jackie takes her friends for cookies. Santa explains that Vel didn't have enough of a sense who 'Velma' was yet, because her parents didn't teach her that and gave 'Velma' away. Santa told her that she would be Velma again later, but should focus on being Velveteen now. And that she was welcome in Christmas, but they didn't need a junior hero the same way Halloween did (since their heroes were home).

Vel is reassured, though she still wants to be Velma and Velveteen both, because she's twelve and can't wait to grow up.