JUMP 12: Generic Fighting Game

Umm, are you sure this is the one you want to do...? I was kind of hoping for... more magic and less conflict?
But Daaad, you already have magic! Even if it is behind a silly transformation! I'm sure the crowds will love it! Like, really, all you've got strength wise is... posing? A zoom punch thing?
*(Excuse me, Miss Dido, Mister Shard... I'd like to request to stay behind.)
Y-yeah, of course. I don't blame you. Now Dido, time to learn how jumping works.

Age: 19
I'm eternally youthful when I don't get to pick my age help.
Location: Japan
Oh... boy. Thank goodness we can pick up languages quickly.
Background: Drop-In (Free)
It's free.

Free Things:
-"Everybody was Kung-Fu Fighting" Perk
    (Oh thank god I don't have to worry about not knowing how to fight without weapons.)
-"Taunt" Perk
    (You mean I couldn't do this without this perk...? Okay?)
-"Block" Perk
    (I couldn't do this before...?? I guess it's more effective than without.)
    (Dad, if you do nothing but block I'm gonna be super disappointed.)
-"Energy Bar" Perk
    (Um... it's... an energy bar. And when it's full I can do... things?)
    (Haven't you ever played a video game over all your jumps?)
    (Only with Steven. It wasn't like this though.)
-Iconic Outfit
    (Should I have something more flashly than my standard wear for this jump?)
    (Don't you get a weeks worth of clothes that fit each jump?)
    (Good point.)
-Passport
    (Gather your bags kiddo, we're gonna explore not!earth.)
    (Is this one flat like you thought?)
    (Hush.)

Drawbacks and Suffering
(Up to 2 drawbacks)
-Pallet Swap +100 CP
    (That's not how you spell Palette. So there's going to be a lot of people that look like me... I don't
    think I'll mind all that much, I like blending in.)
    (Heh, if their names start with D I know which one is the right one~)
-It's Delicious +100 CP
    (Ham is turned up to 11. It's cheesy, poorly acted... seems pretty safe.)
    (Just because it's cheesy doesn't mean they can't beat you up!)

Perks + Items
(1200 to spend) 900
-Open Bar -100 +/-0 CP (Free Drop-in)
    (Dad! This is a change in format! You love formats! What gives? You usually lump this with the 
    other free things!)
    (Well, um, you see, you have the option to pick a different background, so while those free things
    apply to you, this doesn't necessarily. In this jump you'll pick your own perks.)
    (Oh! Sweet! When?)
    (Let me finish first... oh, also, this is health bars.)
-Double Jump -100 CP
    (This plus the jumping ability from the magical girl jump.... hoo boy.)
-Elemental Mastery -600 CP
    (Mirrors aren't an element, don't even think about it.)
    (............ how about sand?)
    (... You're not gonna eventually learn how to manipulate temperature and make more glass, are 
    you?)
    (Noo, no...... no. Not in this jump.)
-C-C-C-C-COMBO BREAKER -300 -150 CP (Discount Drop-in)
    (I can find openings in my opponents attack, and send them flying. Takes a quarter of the energy
    bar.)
-Money -50 CP
    (500,000 dollars in cash. Kind of suspicious if you ask me...)
-Get over here -100 CP
    (It's an immobilizing attack.)
    (It really seems like you're trying to be as pacifist as possible, even in a place like this... when do I 
    come in??)

Companions
-Multi player mode -200 CP
    (Oh!)
    (Yep! Pick whatever background you want, choice points don't matter there. You'll only get 400 to
    spend on perks though.)
    (So... so no private jet?)
    ('Fraid not. That's all I got, so go choose your path now.)

Age: 21
Hahaha! I'm older, I'm older~
Background: Magical Karate Person
Dude.
Location: Japan.
I shouldn't even, uh, 'roll' for that?
Yeah, it's weird.

-Raging Demon Murder Fist -600 -300 CP (Discount Magical Karate Person)
    (... Dido you're scaring me.)
    (What? It does a lot of damage! Something you're lacking in.)
    (But... taking their souls to hell and weighing the damage based on their sins... isn't that...
    extreme?)
    (In a world like this? Probably not. It takes a whole energy bar to do, so don't worry, I can't just do 
    it whenever~)
-Cherry tap Taunt -100 CP
    (My taunt hurts~ Hehe~)

Man, 400 points sure do come and go!
Maybe because you bought the most expensive thing possible...
IT SOUNDS COOL OKAY?
... If you say so. Let the... *sigh* let the fighting begin I guess.

JUMP 11: Results.

It took quite some time
but it got better.

Dido and I communicated much more honestly after that. Up until that point, I'd been very reluctant to explain most of the contents of the warehouse. However since she told everyone the one thing I wanted to hide, it didn't really seem necessary to withhold information anymore.

Dido's rambunctious behavior was still a problem at her school, but I think she treated me better after, um, those events. We only really had conflicts when I told her she shouldn't break so many rules at school.
She uh, might have actually tried to get into a physical fight with me more than once during those times. She seems to have the same kind of determination as I do, so talking her down wasn't easy...
One time it just didn't work. That was about... um... her taste in girls, though, so I won't say much about it.

...
This is going to sound contradictory, but in retrospect I'm mostly glad Dido did what she did.
It was very easy to just avoid writing about my
... family's history
It was easy because there was no one else around to notice how I've felt. Er, to 'call me out' as it were. So it was as simple as never writing down just how much I was reminded about it.
It didn't even start with the glass sword. Natir...

Um, my point was I hadn't been handling it very well, and I tried to make it seem like I was.
And I have to thank Dido, because I've honestly never felt as ease.

... Speaking of, Dido's 16th birthday is coming up very soon.
Heeeey! Did I hear "birthday"? 
Yep... that's the day I have to go jump again.
Huh? Go... jump... does that mean you're leaving?
Well, given my options of going back ... "home" or staying...
You can't just leave without me! The heck kinda birthday present is that?? I'm not even an adult, I can't get a job, I'm sure you don't expect Dusty to raise me on their own, and you're a wreck by yourse-
Whoa, Dido, slow down, you're jumping to conclusions. Did I never teach you not to assume things? That's my bad then...
Wait, huh? I don't get it...

You're coming with me. Erm, that is, only if you'd like to come with me.
...................Ooohhhhhmygod are you serious??
I am! You seemed very interested in seeing other universes for yourself, and to be honest you're thinking more uses for things in the warehouse more than I ever really did, so... do you-
YES! Holy shit yes!
Dido! Language?
Pfft, who's gonna be offended?
* *blushes from second-hand embarrassment*
Oh, I guess... sorry Dusty. Hey, they're coming too, right?
I think so.
Whoo! And I get to keep my warehouse key??
... No, that goes away.
aw....

You're still the greatest dad, thank you so much!
I... aww... *ahem* start getting ready, we need to look at some options you'll be interested in. Ohh, I can't wait to find some magic to teach you, I've been sorely lacking in that area and I'm very excited to see your potential...

JUMP 11: Update III

I'm back from my hiatus. Apologies for the, uh, non-standard posts.
So today I thought a nice, easy lesson for Dido today would be... music!

I believe she has a basic understanding on musical connotation thanks to her school, but I don't know, maybe I could teach her how to play guitar, and-
Heey, Dad, you're not pretending none of that happened, are you?
... You... really like making this difficult, don't you?
No? Okay, mmmaybe a little, but you can't just drop it too, you know??
...........
I know. But that doesn't matter right now, it's time for your after school class, and at the very least for the next few years I'm your teacher before anything else between four 'o clock and-
Am I just your student then?
... No.
Hah, I knew i- wait what.

You're my only family first. I've had more than one family before, but you're the only one I have now. Do you understand?
... I think so.
Good. Because I think I forgot that for a short while.
... So don't try and run, please?
... Yes sir.

Thank you.

Now, talking about personal things wasn't on the agenda for today. Here, I have some basic chords written down, and- oh, the guitar's not too big for you, is it?
............ Nah, I can hold it fine.
Good, good! It used to be a ukulele, so I wasn't certain. Ah, you should let me know if it does anything weird, like uh, playing notes for you or saying words, maybe sounding like other instruments?
Wha- can it do that!? Why didn't you tell me about it?
W-Well, uh, I'm not sure, I haven't played it enough to see if it has any anomalous effects. Um, I'll explain...

Umm, Dad?

Hey, dad, snap out of it!

............................Dido...
You gotta get up! Didn't ya ever listen to what Dusty said? About staying determined or something? You gotta get going! All that they could teach me is how to be 'merciful' and monster history! They're out of lessons!
... I know my lessons aren't actually that important to you... go... play, flirt with boys, whatever it is that's normal for kids your age. Just...
Ew, boys. You know what? Everybody's Fool.
Wait what-

Tell me. I know you can't lie when my Stand's active. Why are you letting a story bother you so much?
........
Don't break your own rule about honesty now.
Silence isn't lyi-....
See, even you know it is. Now, answers.
... I thought you'd piece it together. Shard. That's our family. The family that was sent to defeat-... I can't even say her name.
Well, yeah, okay. But that's like, your ancestors or some crap, isn't it? This is the present, Dad.

.... Not my ancestors.
...Huh?
...... That's all I want to say.
W-wait, so you're-
Yes.

........................................
........................................
... Dad?
Hm?
I don't wanna seem like a complete jerk, but... that's still the past you know? It's not like you're stuck there.
... It feels like I am.
Well if that were true then how am I here??
...P-Pardon?
If you were really stuck back there then you never went through all those adventures! You never met Dingo Brando, King, the "other jumpers" not in your book, Crystal, Ruby, the Crystal Gems, Shovel Knight, or all those monsters underground! You'd never even know Castle of Glass, or Dusty, or me! 
Dido, I-
God, you're really selfish if you want to stay in a time without your own daughter!



....
She stormed out right after she said that.
I don't think she realizes that I don't want to be stuck in the past. That's why I lied. About my name, my origin... my reason for jumping in the first place. Sort of. I still want to have stories of adventures, but not to tell to anyone. There's no one left to tell.
...
Just to forget, you know?
But I can't. But it's so, so hard to. Even the mention of glass makes me think about her.
... It's terrifying and... something else entirely at the same time.

Still, maybe... maybe Dido has a point. Maybe I really am missing everything she mentioned because I'm

... I feel like I'm getting too, how to say, overemotional.
Needed to get some thoughts straight for once.

... What's tomorrow's lesson going to be?

*Ribbit

*Ribbit.
*(Well, my concern is only growing.)

*(Although Mr. Shard insists that the story told previously is a work of fiction, he seems greatly affected by it.)
*(The day after he discovered it, Miss Dido and I could not convince him to get up from his bed. The child said it wasn't an illness, however I don't believe she took into account of any mental ailments. It's... disturbing, seeing a person I saw once as a determined child now reduced to such a sorry state.)
*(... We've made our theories as to why this is, but I cannot confirm nor deny any details. I believe that is a job only Mr. Shard can complete.)

*(Until he recovers, I'll be taking over for Dido's after school lessons. Our language barrier should no longer be an issue thanks to his schooling in her early years.)
*(... In fact, I may take a hand at communicating human English as well. Let's see...)

*Si gnd bye a humm bell Froggit

* *A croak of uncertainty* 

...

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

I'm... not pleased about the entry Dido wrote down.
It's not a story I intended to share.

....

It's

important to remember it's

it's just a story and nothing more.
It's just a story.
Just a story.
A story.

It's a story I heard from my
...

It's just a story.
I wasn't there, it's just a story.

A Story My Dad Told Me

Dad's asleep.
I'm writing in Dad's journal oh my god what should I write?

My dad keeps telling a story he says is passed down in his family, and he told me that this is a secret story, and it shouldn't be told to anyone else.

So guess what?

I'm gonna tell all of you while he's sleeping.

Why?

It's a neat story, kinda. I don't see why it has to be a secret. It'll probably make him mad too.

Once upon a time, a very long time ago there was a large family of magicians. They'd inherited their  family name from the Greats of their family long past, but the current generation nor the one before it had done anything noteworthy to keep their name.

Because magicians back then had to do something to hold onto their honor or something whatever whatever.

Anyway, eventually the family were tasked by some higher group or another to do something for once in their life. It wasn't anything simple: there was this demon made of glass that they had to take down.

So, I know what you're thinking: Sweet! Can't wait to hear about how they fought valiantly and saved the world by felling the monster, right??

'Nah. They had to be boring.

The magicians, despite having freaking magic on their side, decided that they were gonna take the diplomatic route and try to make a peace treaty with the demon. And it worked! She was surprisingly agreeable with their terms!

Yeah, no. Not really.

Right at the last moment, where they thought they've finally found peace, the glass demon betrayed them and killed almost everyone. There were survivors, but only a few. 

One of the survivors of the attack was determined to get revenge for what the demon had done to his family.

So fiiinally some action happens, and it's a pretty close battle from what he says, but in the end the human magician brought her down. 

And just as he was about to deliver the finishing blow... he noticed something.

It was a reflective piece that he had broken off the demon. He saw his own face, and dropped everything to take a closer look.

He stood silent, staring at the piece for the longest time, before he decided to spare the demon's life.

I never got why. Dad said he thinks the reason was the man saw in himself everything he believed in, which was peace and certainly not demon-slaying or something like that, but... I dunno.

That's the whole thing, too. They just go their separate ways without anything other fanfare made about it.

...

His name was-

Dido?

Eh?? I thought you were--

Sleeping, I know. What are you doing up at this hour?

...Mmaaaybe I was hungry!

...Oh, is that so?

'Nah.

...Dido, go to sleep, please. I'm too tired to deal with this right now.

Okay so that didn't quite work.

Turns out the Brando's can't take me in because Dingo already has all the companions he can carry...

Dido. Did you just seriously write in my journal you were going to live with the Brando's? You know there's no way that could work...

I CAN DREAM, DAD!

... Yeah, uh, speaking of dreams... go to your room. I can't excuse you stealing my journal and trying to run off like that. Even if it couldn't work.

Bleh! You're lame!

SCREW YOU DAD

I'm gonna live with the Brandos and you can't stop me!

JUMP 11: Her Stand

Ah, here we go. Come here, Dido. Look.

Everybody's Fool








Stand User: Dido Shard.

Stats:
Destructive Power: E
Speed: D
Range: C
Durability: D
Precision: B
Developmental Potential: A

Ability: Good Enough
That's a really lame name...
Enjoy it, I didn't have a name for my ability.
Hm... so what's it good for?
... It seems to take the skill a target's best at, and makes them, uh, kinda bad at it.
The heck is that supposed to mean?? How do I even use that?
Uh, I usually just call out my stand's name. It's Castle of Glass, what I just used on you, and it-

Everybody's Fool!
Wait what!?
Hhmmm, I wonder what my dad's best at. Probably being a really big dummy. Or maybe he's really good at being boring as heck.
Uh... erm... y-yes! That! That thing you said. That's what I'm best at.
...Dad, are you lying?
No! Wha- what in the world would give you that idea??
Oh my god Dad the thing you're best at is lying??
I- I wouldn't say it's just lying per say, it's uh, well, I uh, I got a lot of social talent over my adventures, you know? A-and uh... um... Dido your stand is making me sound and feel very awkward please stop.
I can't believe my dad's such a dork! Hey, where did I come from?
Uh.............. I don't know!
Pfffffft oh my god. Is your name really D?
N-No, it's a nickname, my nam-... Dido make it stop!

* *A worried Froggit attempts to leap over to intervene. It can't hop very far in range of Everybody's Fool*
I'm so using this on everyone at school. See ya later, Dad!
DIDO DO NOT-

JUMP 11: Update II

Oh god it's happening.

Little Dido, she's 13 now, and... well, the "rebellious teen" phase is in full swing now.
That's not to say it was a sudden turn of her character. It started out as small bits of mischief: playing theme music during lessons here, sparkling and posing at her classmates there, finding a lot of hiding places when she's in trouble... it seems she also inherited my abilities to blend into crowds... and the ability to lie completely flat. Why did I even take that!?

A-anyway, it's only getting worse. She's now using these perks we share to skip classes altogether, pick some fights (even though I haven't taught her any combat yet) and worst of all, going into the warehouse and using the Force Wall to lock me out of it. There's a lot of things in there I don't want her to use. Notably SCP-914 and the failed "enhanced" mirror attempts, the Magical Girl sword, the warp pads, the mirror hat, the stash of wine...

*(Erm... Human, might I ask why you're in possession of so many dangerous objects?)
Um, well, I've uh, been a lot of places, and I sort of needed them... and I like the souvenirs...
*(Many of the objects you possess seem fragile. Might I recommend using the child-spray you picked up?)
That's... a good idea. let me just open up the Ware-
....

Miss Dido Shard, remove the force wall right now!
No way! I wanna see what this machine does with this ghost I found!
ABSOLUTELY NOT! There will be no organic matter inside wait did you just say a ghost??
Maybe I did, maybe I didn't! That's for me to know and for you to find out!
Castle of Glass!
Huh?
Your obsession is... letting me inside right now!
Wha- I... aww, man...

Thank you... don't disobey me like that again, I really don't like using such extreme measures, especially on you...
Hmph... that didn't stop you anyway.
I had to! That machine is dangerous and I have no idea how a stand would interact with 914!
Maybe if you actually explained it to me, we'd find out.
...hm... Let me check what yours does, actually...

JUMP 11: Update

Dido's a little angel.
A little hyper, bouncy angel.

It's been a little while, Dido's eight-years-old now, gonna be nine soon. She's kind, helpful, looks up to me and keeps things exciting by making me explore the city with her. Not gonna lie, it was kind of intimidating at first... but I'm a lot more comfortable about our surrounding now. Dido also loves the stories from other jumps. For some reason her favorite is the wedding from the Carnival Phantasm jump... I guess even though I couldn't leave a lot of humorous hi-jinks happened anyway... um... She's also pretty well behaved so far, though she's not the neatest child. Still, it's manageable, and kind of lovely.
... I'm just worried when-

Hey, Dad!
Oh, hello Dido! Welcome home. Got homework?
Yeah, gotta learn about planets. You know we go around the Sun?
...Huh?
Look, it says so right here! That's right, right? You're smart and smart people know this!
I-I see! You better get on that homework, we've got our own class in a while.
Oh yeah, you're right! Seeya!
Take a snack!
Thanks!

.............Huuuh.

Um, anyway, what was I saying? Right, uh...
I've studied the handbook and uh, I'm pretty worried about Dido getting older. I have an idea on what to expect... skipping school, sneaking into the warehouse, jumping buildings... There actually isn't a whole lot of destructive things that Dido could have inherited from me. As far as I can tell, there's only three worries:
Any magic from the Magical Girl jump
A Stand courtesy of the Jojo's jump.
and... the wishing power from Alice in Wonderland.

...That last one seems like the wildest of wild cards. My original plan was just to make it a rule that she shouldn't wish for anything, b-but what kind of lesson is that!? That's like saying 'never aspire for anything' and I can't just tell my child that! Plus, if this handbook's correct, she'd be more than willing to break that rule anyway...
So yeah, I'm a little worried.

JUMP 11: Rules.

Just for reference-
RULES FOR MISS DIDO SHARD:

1. I'm going to enroll you in school, and you have to follow their rules there, okay?
Okaaaay.

2. No going into the Warehouse alone.
    -With good behavior I might allow a certain time period for you to go in alone.
Oh, oh, can it be during nap time at school? It's soooo boring.
    -Absolutely no using the Warehouse during school, no exceptions.
Awww.
    -Don't use anything inside the Warehouse without permission. A lot of it's dangerous, you know.

3. I'd like to teach a few classes after school as well, probably about 2-3 hours a day? Still working on the curriculum-
The wha?
The uh, the lessons. I think a good starting point is learning languages so you can at least understand Dusty.
THE FROGGY CAN TALK?
*Ribbit.

... That's... about it, I think?
* *a very concerned croak*
*(Human, this is still a child, she'll need rules like when to sleep, how to behave...)
Oh, uh, yeah. It's been a while since I've been a kid-... ANYWAY.

4. Bed time's at 8 P.M. (that good, Dusty?)
*(I believe so.)

5. Always be honest.

6. Never hurt anyone, and apologize if you do.

7. Don't interrupt anyone if their busy cooking, teaching... sleeping?
Oh, what if I want to help??
Aw, that's... sweet...
    -Unless you want to offer help.

8. Try to be clean, please.

............
............?
Um.... any questions?
Uhhmm.... just one! Can I play with the froggy?
Their name's Dusty, and ... uhm, you should really ask them yourself.
* *an affirmative ribbit*


... This feel a lot more awkward than I thought it would be. She seems like a good kid so far though, so maybe it'll be easier the more time we spend together... and the more I study the handbook.