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Post by Daniel on Dec 2, 2007 18:56:54 GMT -5
Kira and Noah ate in silence, no longer discussing mentally. "Can we talk to each other while we're grounded? Like through the intercom or something? As one of the toys?" Kira asked suddenly. "And you can monitor what we're talking about..." Noah added hopefully.
Brent looked at Kat, figuring that it might be an OK compromise, but not wanting to say anything.
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Post by Kat-la on Dec 2, 2007 19:17:43 GMT -5
“That’s fine.” Kat said with a smile, “But that counts as a toy for each of you.” She added so they couldn’t try the whole, one toy, so half toy off for each and try to find another half toy….James and herself had managed that...but only once. She was also wondering why Brent was being so quiet but she would have to talk to him about it….leaving her to be the heavy was just unfair.
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Post by Daniel on Dec 2, 2007 19:29:13 GMT -5
Brent nodded, thinking the same thing. "No revenge-plotting of any kind," he added to Kat's statement.
"OK, then mine are drums and computer," Noah said, looking at them with eyes that were clearly waiting for them to deny him the right to the computer.
Kira also looked up, eager to see their reactions.
Brent glanced at Kat, not knowing whether they should have access to computers while they were grounded.
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Post by Kat-la on Dec 2, 2007 19:40:14 GMT -5
“Fine, but computer access will be logged and all chats and websites will be recorded and history can not be deleted.” Kat said with a smirk. “Also, computer time is down to 1 hour a day…are you sure you want that for your second toy?” She added with a smile. “And the time will not be extended for HW because you don’t have any.” She added thinking about it. That’s when Becca got up and put her stuff in the sink and headed out to the living room to practice her piano.
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Post by Daniel on Dec 2, 2007 20:26:10 GMT -5
"How about 1 hour of Internet, but we can use Word Processor for other things?" Noah asked after a second, determined to get as much out of this situation as he could.
Kira looked up at her parents hopefully. "Yeah, just so we could make documents and stuff...we couldn't even use email!" Computers were one of the only things that the Tripp kids used that were Muggle.
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Post by Kat-la on Dec 2, 2007 21:23:27 GMT -5
“Dears….your grounded for fighting….one hour of computer time and that is it. Next time, you won’t fight. Of course, instrument practice can last how ever long you want but that is it.” Kat said, “You are grounded and grounded is grounded.” She added looking at them, “And trying to push it farther will only get you into more trouble.”
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Post by Daniel on Dec 2, 2007 21:35:08 GMT -5
"Instrument practice...OK, fine," Kira said, shutting Noah up immediately with a single glare. He sent her a questioning look, but she ignored him. "My toys are computer, music recorder, intercom."
Noah thought for a second. "Computer, drums, and intercom," he said, almost the same as Kira.
If Brent didn't know better, it almost seemed as if they were planning something..."OK..." he said, half-frowning. He flicked his wand and all the other toys in their rooms disappeared.
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Post by Kat-la on Dec 2, 2007 21:49:19 GMT -5
“If you are both done, you are excused. Put your dishes in the sink and head up to your rooms please.” Kat said as she stood herself and put her dish in the pile that was washing itself. She also added the pots and pans that she had used to make the meal in, in the sink. It was magiced to wash, dry and put away the dishes so none of them had to do it. As she put the dishes in the sink, the music from the baby grand in the living room began to float through the house. While Becca had a keyboard in her room, there was a baby grand in the living room because Kat did like to play at times herself also. Now it was Beethoven’s moonlight sonata.
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Post by Daniel on Dec 2, 2007 21:55:05 GMT -5
Noah and Kira raced for the sink, but stopped and slowed down as Brent sent them a warning glare. They carefully set their dishes in the sink and headed to their rooms. Once they got there, Kira went to the intercom and said, "Agent Grounded #3, this is Agent Grounded #2, do you read?" she asked. "Affirmative, Agent Grounded #3. Do you think Agents Grounders #1 and #2 are listening to us yet?" "Postive, Agent Grounded #3. Agent Grounder #2 is eavesdropping," Kira responded. Suddenly Brent's voice was heard through the system, "Affirmative Agents Grounded #1and #2, Agent Grounder #2 is present." "DAD, YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO TELL US!" Kira yelled exasperatedly. "Why kind of agent ARE you?" "One of a kind, Agent Grounded #2."
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Post by Kat-la on Dec 2, 2007 22:12:00 GMT -5
While Brent was talking and monitoring the kids, Kat had gone out to the living room and was playing with Becca. By her song choice, alone it was easy to tell that Becca was upset. Whether it was because she blew up and realized had she exploded more she could have seriously hurt her siblings….or the fact that the simple fact that her siblings continued to fight that upset her….either way Becca was the one who was always acting like the mediator and Kat knew she didn’t appreciate the job that was handed to her.
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Post by Daniel on Dec 2, 2007 22:18:17 GMT -5
"Well, Agent Grounder #2, I'm banning you from talking to us. Go suck-up to Agent Grounder #1 for us," Kira said to Brent. Brent laughed. "When you figure out how to do that well enough to work, I will immediately un-ground you, Agent Grounded #2. If you remember correctly, I'm still grounded to the couch." Kira thought for a second. "In that case, we're making you one of us. Welcome to the group, Agent Grounded #4. I would shake your hand, but...you'd have to come up here." "That's OK, Agent #2, a virtual handshake works too." Suddenly Noah spoke up and said, "Agent Grounded #2, look inside the cookie jar." Kira didn't responded for a few seconds. Then she laughed. "Wow..." "What are you talking about?" Brent asked suspiciously.
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Post by Kat-la on Dec 2, 2007 22:23:53 GMT -5
“And all 3 of you will stay grounded if you continue to plot like this.” Kat’s voice came over the intercom. “And thanks for “Watching Over” their conversations Brent.” She added and the sarcastic bite in her voice was very audible, “Now, grounded 2 and 3, stop the plotting, or the grounding grows in time and the intercom will be banned. And no mind talking either.” She said before signing off and heading back to the piano where Becca sat….her hands were poised over the keys but she was no longer playing, simply looking down trodden, and close to tears…but yet….the tears either would not or could not come.
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Post by Daniel on Dec 2, 2007 22:31:08 GMT -5
"Yes, mother," Kira sighed. "I mean...Agent Grounder #1," she added quickly. "Listen to her, kids. Just wait the week, it won't kill you," Brent said and signed off, although he put a spell on the intercom to alert if they said certain words like 'prank', 'plot', 'revenge', 'John', 'Becca', 'dungbombs' and other things along those lines. He walked into the room with the piano and watched his wife and daughter play...or at least his daughter. Sighing, he moved to the other side of the piano and looked at Kat.
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Post by Kat-la on Dec 3, 2007 15:08:34 GMT -5
As Brent walked over though, Becca got up and walked up stairs silently opening and closing her door with a light *click*.
Kat gave a sigh and began playing a soft little tune, it sounded sad…yet…hopeful at the same time. She looked up at Brent, “I don’t know what to do…” She admitted as her fingers played across the piano. “John and Noah seem to have a sibling rivalry that surpasses that of mine and James’s. Kira seems to stand up for the sibling that is being fought with, just so she can get into a fight and Becca….I don’t know what to do about her. She hates the fighting and she’s realized that had she let her emotions continue…she could have seriously hurt one of the others and it scares her….I mean…all of our magic gets stronger when we are emotional but she doesn’t know how to control hers…” Kat confessed as she continued playing her song.
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Post by Daniel on Dec 3, 2007 16:19:10 GMT -5
"Well, I can't say that I went through the same thing when I was six...cause I didn't. At least not on this level. But they aren't bad kids...They just have competitive streaks...especially John and Noah, but then again, so do most boys. And Kira," Brent broke off, smiling. "Well, Kira's the tomboy sister I always wanted," he laughed. "Not that I don't love Em, but...when she was six and I was, what, nine?...well, she probably acted more mature than I did, so that was a bit of a wake-up call. And it's kind of like that with Becca, although she's the same age...not as dramatic..." Brent continued, starting to ramble a bit and attempting to stay focused on the conversation. "Anyway...all-in-all...they're good kids, and you're a good parent."
"Yeah, and we couldn't live without you, Mum! I mean, have you seen Da's attempt at macaroni and cheese? KAPOWIE!" Kira's voice was heard over the intercom. She had overheard the last sentence of the conversation *cough*somehow*cough* and turned on her intercom to respond. Brent rolled his eyes. "It didn't explode!" He yelled defensively, and with a flick of his wand the pair of Extendable Ears that were at the stairs were pulled out of Kira's room. "Hey!" she yelled, and Brent flicked his wand at the intercom too, turning it off. Holding the Ears, he looked at Kat. "Does she carry these around everywhere? They weren't in her room..."
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Post by Kat-la on Dec 3, 2007 20:02:19 GMT -5
Kat gave a small laugh at Kira’s comment and smiled, “Brent…I love you dearly…but she’s right…you can’t cook to save your life…or anyone else’s for that matter.” She said, “And I know…but I don’t know what to do about Becca except maybe give her space and hope things work out. And you can ask my brother…having tomboy’s for sisters isn’t always the better way to go.” She said with another small chuckle as the song coming from the piano, turned slightly more upbeat. “And I know they are good kids but competitive streaks or not…they both are going to seriously injure, or re-injure each other…”
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Post by Daniel on Dec 3, 2007 20:55:37 GMT -5
"What doesn't kill you will only make you stronger..." Brent quoted. "Oh wait...never mind. Jake's STILL a weakling..." he added after a second. "Plus, I would much rather have competitive, slightly daring kids than shy, stuck-up ones," he continued.
"Yeah! We're so much more fun that snotty rich twerps!" Noah piped up over the intercom, since Brent had only turned Kira's off. Brent rolled his eyes. "No matter how ANNOYING they can get..." he said loudly. Noah smirked in his bedroom, and answered, "Annoying or not, I've got two things you don't. A real bed to sleep on tonight, and the ability to make toast without burning the house dow-" "OK, talk to you later," Brent interrupted quickly, turning off his intercom to the room they were in. Turning back to Kat, he smiled innocently. "He was exaggerating," he said through his teeth, smile not faltering for a second.
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Post by Kat-la on Dec 4, 2007 21:27:57 GMT -5
“I rather they all get along and not try to kill each other.” Kat said before listening to Noah and giggling at her sons comment. She was giggling and laughing so hard that tears had sprung to her eyes. “What’s this about burning the house down?” She asked with a smirk when she had finally been able to control her laughter. “And I know he wasn’t exaggerating…because I’ve seen your attempts as what you perceive as cooking.”
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Post by Daniel on Dec 4, 2007 22:49:26 GMT -5
Brent smiled genuinely at her sudden change in mood, but was immediately on the defensive when she asked. "It wasn't the whole house! So the kitchen walls are a slightly different color...you didn't even notice!" Brent protested. He was silent for a second, and then grumbled, "It wasn't toast, it was eggs..."
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Post by Kat-la on Dec 5, 2007 20:53:06 GMT -5
Kat just rolled her eyes, “Brent…dear…” She said getting up and walking over to him, “I love you dearly…but if you try to cook again…The kitchen won’t be the only thing that’s another color.” She said patting his cheek, “I will not have the house burn down because you are trying to cook…if I’m not home…just do take out please.” She said kissing the spot she had patted and then walking over to the stairs, “I’m gonna check on Becca and then change. We aren’t going anywhere else today and I rather be comfortable.” She said. “Wanna check on the others?”
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Post by Daniel on Dec 5, 2007 21:42:14 GMT -5
Brent nodded, sighing. When she asked if he wanted to check on the grounded, he smirked. "Yeah, I think I will..." he started, standing up and walking over to the stairs. He went up, turning and giving Kat a small smile as he disappeared over the top and walked straight into Noah's room.
Noah jumped a foot in the air and quickly clicked the X at the top right corner of the page he was on. "'Ello, Da," he said nervously, forcing a smile. "
"What'cha doing?" Brent asked, slowly moving toward the computer.
"Oh, you know..." he mumbled. "OK...fine...I admit it...I was telling Kira how big her head looks in this one picture she sent me, and she got mad and I was actually happy that she couldn't leave her room for a week," he said rapidly.
"Be nice to your sister," Brent said with a warning raise of his eyebrows. "I'm going to check on her next...don't virtually kill each other over the computer."
Noah nodded and waited for him to leave before quickly emailing Kira to warn her that he was coming...
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Post by Kat-la on Dec 6, 2007 18:57:41 GMT -5
“Noah and Kira are chatting via messaging and Noah is warning Kira that Daddy is on his way.” Becca said as Kat opened her door. “What have I said about hacking into the computer database?” Kat asked and Becca turned to look at her, “It was just the chat server…and why should I be punished if their conversation wasn’t even private so any hacker could easily find it?” She asked and Kat pursed her lips. “Get off of the server…but I’m glad to see you in a better mood.” She said with a small smile before closing the door. She saw Brent heading to Kira’s room, “She was warned of your coming.” Kat said simply before heading to John’s room. John was easy though….he had crashed out with his guitar on his chest. Kat smiled and took the guitar and put it on the stand and turned off his light after putting his leg back on the bed. She then quietly closed the door and followed Brent to where he was in Kira’s room.
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Post by Daniel on Dec 6, 2007 19:03:35 GMT -5
Brent walked into Kira's room. She heard him and turned on her rotating chair. "Hello," she said cheerfully, before remembering that she was grounded and expected to act as such. "Dad," she added with a slight edge.
"So, what were you and Noah talking about?" he asked. Kira thought for a second. "He called me a bighead and I called him a geek and then we signed off and I was about to start practicing singing when you came in..."
Brent was impressed at how easily his children could lie, as well as how they had matched their stories even when Noah had only a minute to email her. "I see...so you wouldn't mind me checking the history on your computer?"
Kira froze for a second, and then said, "No, not at all," though gritted teeth.
Brent knelt down by the computer and looked at the recent history of her Internet. It was nothing out of the ordinary. He checked her emails...still nothing. They had been talking in code again, but nothing too strange had been said. "Well, look's fine..." he said reluctantly. "Don't stay up too late. I'll be here to make sure you're in bed in a little while." Kira nodded and waved him out the door.
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Post by Kat-la on Dec 6, 2007 22:18:07 GMT -5
“And remember Kira dear…I break codes for a living so your minor ones will not be able to stop me from understanding them. Also remember you are grounded and plans of revenge and or any plots of any kind including pranks are banned.” Kat said poking her head in with a smile. “Love you dear.” She added before pulling her head out and trying to contain her laughter as this would piss off Kira and Noah especially…but she also couldn’t deal with pranks while they were grounded either so it was a win-win situation…for her at least.
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Post by Daniel on Dec 6, 2007 22:32:12 GMT -5
"Yes, mother," Kira rolled her eyes and suddenly the door closed 'by itself'. Kira turned back to the computer and typed, 'Listen; Teg Rat 4 NEPO WON!' She smirked and thought about her mother and threats of more grounding...oh well. She was having fun as it was...even if her mother cracked codes for a living, that didn't mean she could crack codes made by six-year-olds.
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