Cindy sat in the darkness of Madison’s bedroom, her mind racing with the events of the past few days. She couldn’t believe how drastically her life had changed. The once-proud mother, active in the PTA and respected in her social circles, was now reduced to a “Little,” confined to this diminished state under the care of her own daughters. The very thought was humiliating, and she could almost hear the whispers and laughter of her old friends, mocking her downfall. Cindy Wessen, a Little—what a cruel twist of fate.
As she sat on the sofa, her thoughts spiraled further into despair. She wasn’t tired, despite the late hour. How could she sleep when her world had been turned upside down? She had always prided herself on being in control, on being the one who set the standards, who guided her family. Now, that control had been stripped away, leaving her feeling powerless and humiliated.
The sudden creak of the door opening broke her thoughts, and a bright light from the hallway pierced the darkness, making her squint. She looked toward the door, expecting to see Madison coming to further assert her dominance. But instead of the cold, calculating daughter who had left her there, she saw McKenzie standing in the doorway, her silhouette framed by the light.
For a moment, Cindy’s heart softened. McKenzie had always been the gentler of the two, the one who still seemed to see her as a mother rather than just a Little. But even that wasn’t enough to calm the storm of emotions raging inside her. She had brought these girls into the world, raised them with love and care, and now… now she was reduced to this. The anger simmered beneath the surface, mixing with her sorrow.
McKenzie’s arrival was a small relief, but it also reminded Cindy of the power her daughters now held over her. It was a power she had never anticipated, and one she was determined to challenge, even in this new, diminished form. She wasn’t about to let her daughters forget who she really was.
As McKenzie approached, Cindy straightened up slightly, her pride still intact despite everything. She wasn’t going to go down without a fight. She may have been reduced to this second-class existence, but she wasn’t going to let Madison or anyone else forget that she was still Cindy Wessen—and that she was far from defeated.
Cindy’s heart skipped a beat when she saw McKenzie enter the room. The bright lights flickered on, and the sudden change made Cindy squint. She hadn’t expected anyone to come for her so soon, especially not McKenzie. As her eldest daughter approached the habitat, bending down to peer inside, Cindy felt a mix of relief and anxiety.
“Hey, Mom,” McKenzie greeted her, a hint of surprise in her voice. “It’s still so strange to see you in a Little habitat.”
Cindy rushed to the edge of the habitat, her voice urgent. “McKenzie, thank God. I’ve been trying to get Madison to get you,” she said, her words tumbling out quickly as she tried to get her daughter’s attention.
But McKenzie shook her head slightly. “I can’t hear you, Mom,” she said, lifting the lid off the habitat. As she reached in, Cindy felt a wave of fear wash over her. Her daughter’s hand, though familiar, looked enormous from her perspective. Instinctively, every fiber of her being screamed at her to run, to hide, but she forced herself to stay put, battling the primal urge to flee. When McKenzie’s fingers gently grasped her, Cindy’s heart pounded in her chest, the feeling of being lifted both terrifying and surreal.
Once out of the habitat, McKenzie carefully uncurled her hand, allowing Cindy to sit upright in her palm. The sensation of being held like this was unnerving, but Cindy tried to maintain her composure. McKenzie’s next words caught her off guard.
“I saw Madison had left you up here. What did you do?” McKenzie asked, her tone curious but not unkind.
Cindy quickly defended herself, her voice tinged with frustration. “Nothing, I swear. She’s just being her normal rebellious self. It’s gotten worse since you left for camp. No one can tell her anything—she thinks she knows everything.”
McKenzie listened, her expression thoughtful, but when she responded, her words cut deep. “Mom, you can’t just talk to Madison like you always have. I get it, she can be a bit much at times, but you’re a Little now. You, more than anyone, should know what that means. You would never let a Little talk to you the way you speak to Madison or me.”
As she spoke, McKenzie turned off the lights to Madison’s room, plunging it back into darkness as she prepared to leave. Cindy felt a sting of bitterness at her daughter’s words. She had always been the one in control, the one who set the rules, and now she was being told to submit, to accept her new role as a Little. It was a harsh reminder of how far she had fallen, and despite McKenzie’s calm tone, the reality of her situation hit her with full force.
Cindy remained silent as McKenzie carried her out of the room, the weight of her daughter’s words heavy in her heart. She knew McKenzie was right—things had changed, and she needed to adjust. But that didn’t make it any easier to accept.
“I’m not really a little though. I’m little sized but this is just a mistake. You know this.” Cindy said
Cindy felt a lump form in her throat as McKenzie spoke. The words were heavy with truth, and they hit her harder than she’d expected. “Mom, you are a Little though,” McKenzie said, her voice gentle but firm. “I know you don’t want to be one, but you are. You’re a Little, and everything that comes along with that. Growing up, you didn’t put Littles in the best light, especially not with Madison. It’s clear where they’ve always stood with you. Madison is just treating you how you raised her to be. She’s conflicted because you’re her mother, but you’re also a Little now.”
Cindy’s heart sank further as McKenzie’s words settled in. She had always held a certain disdain for Littles, viewing them as lesser beings, and she had never been shy about expressing those views. But now, the very lessons she had instilled in her daughters were being turned against her. Madison’s harsh treatment wasn’t just rebelliousness—it was the product of the beliefs Cindy had ingrained in her.
“And what do you see?” Cindy asked, her voice trembling slightly. “When you look at me?”
McKenzie sighed, her expression softening as she looked down at her mother. “I know you’re my mom. You know we haven’t always seen eye to eye when it came to Littles. I’m not saying a Little can do anything a person can do. But I do think more highly of them than you do. Littles are more like companions to me. But Madison… Madison views Littles how you do, and that’s not going to be easy, if even possible, for me to change. That’s fourteen years of believing Littles exist to be in service to people.”
Cindy’s breath caught in her throat. She hadn’t realized how deeply her attitudes had shaped her daughters, especially Madison. The thought that she was now on the receiving end of the very beliefs she had fostered was almost too much to bear. It was a harsh and bitter irony, one that cut deeply into her pride.
McKenzie continued, her tone calm but unwavering. “I don’t know if you can change Madison’s mind, Mom. She’s been taught for so long that Littles are beneath her, and now she’s trying to reconcile that with the fact that her own mother is one. It’s going to be tough for her. But you need to understand that things have changed. You’re a Little now, and you need to find a way to make peace with that.”
Cindy nodded slowly, though the words were difficult to accept. She had always been strong, always in control, but now she was facing a reality she couldn’t change. The very foundation of her beliefs had been shattered, and she was left trying to piece together what remained of her dignity. The road ahead was uncertain, and Cindy wasn’t sure how she would navigate it. But one thing was clear: she could no longer cling to the past. She had to find a way to move forward, even if it meant accepting a role she had spent her entire life despising.
Cindy’s voice trembled with a mixture of desperation and sincerity as she tried to convey the depth of her regret. “McKenzie, I was wrong. I was so wrong. I’m sorry. You were right—all your arguments and beliefs around Littles. I just didn’t understand. They’re small, weak, and dependent,” she admitted, her words tumbling out as she sought her daughter’s forgiveness.
McKenzie paused, her expression hardened by years of conflict over this very issue. “I’m sorry it took this to open your eyes, Mom. But it’s a little late to be sorry, isn’t it? You were mean and hateful about my beliefs. And now… now, I don’t even know if you’re really sorry or if you’re just saying this because you’re in this situation,” McKenzie replied, her voice laced with hurt and skepticism as she closed Madison’s door behind them, sealing them off from the rest of the house.
Cindy’s heart sank further at her daughter’s response. She had always been so sure of her views, so convinced that she was right. Now, faced with the reality of her new existence, she realized how blind she had been. But McKenzie’s doubt stung more than she had anticipated. She could hear the pain in her daughter’s voice, the years of dismissiveness and conflict now coming back to haunt her.
“No, McKenzie, I do mean it. I truly am sorry. I’m learning,” Cindy pleaded, her voice soft but urgent. “I see now how wrong I was, how unfair I’ve been to you and to others. I want to make things right, but I don’t know how.”
McKenzie looked down at her mother, cradled in her hand, her expression unreadable. For a moment, she remained silent, as if weighing her mother’s words carefully. The tension between them was thick, a palpable reminder of the years of misunderstandings and hurt.
After a long pause, McKenzie finally spoke, her tone softer but still guarded. “Mom, it’s not going to be easy. You can’t just say you’re sorry and expect everything to change overnight. I’m glad you’re starting to see things differently, but it’s going to take time. You hurt a lot of people with your beliefs, and it’s going to take more than just words to make up for that.”
Cindy nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. “I know, McKenzie. I know I’ve got a lot to make up for. I just hope you’ll give me a chance to prove that I’m really trying.”
McKenzie sighed, the weight of the situation pressing down on her. “I’ll give you a chance, Mom. But you have to understand, this is going to be a long road. You’ve got to be patient, with yourself and with others. And you have to be willing to accept that things aren’t going to be the way they used to be.”
Cindy nodded again, grateful for even this small opening. She knew she had a lot of work ahead of her, but she was determined to do whatever it took to rebuild the relationship with her daughter and to come to terms with the new reality she was now living in.
Cindy’s heart sank as she listened to McKenzie’s words, the pain and resentment in her daughter’s voice cutting deep. “I’m sorry, I have a hard time believing you, Mom. It just feels like you’re really only sorry about not being in control anymore,” McKenzie said, her tone bitter. “You instantly tore apart my plans and said I couldn’t handle being emancipated or caring for Madison. The things I do just don’t seem to be ever good enough for you. That’s why, when we had to pick Littles, I chose Dad. You’re Madison’s Little. Dad accepted my beliefs about Littles even though they were at odds with yours. He never made me feel bad for thinking differently. But I’ve always been an afterthought to you. So, it only seemed fitting to let your favorite daughter care for you.”
Cindy felt a sharp pang of guilt as McKenzie’s words echoed in her mind. “McKenzie, I don’t have a favorite daughter. I love both of you equally. I never meant to make you think that you couldn’t handle caring for Madison or being emancipated. I just didn’t think you should have to. I hate that you have to grow up so fast.”
But McKenzie’s response was cold, almost dismissive. “Sure, Mom, whatever you say,” she replied, clearly not believing her mother’s reassurances. Cindy could feel the distance between them, a chasm that had only widened with time and misunderstandings.
As McKenzie carried her down the stairs, Cindy felt a growing sense of helplessness. She could do nothing but watch as Madison’s figure loomed larger and larger until McKenzie finally set her down on Madison’s lap, transferring her from one daughter’s care to the other’s.
Madison looked down at Cindy with a casual indifference, the shift in dynamics between the two daughters palpable. McKenzie then reached for Greg, gently picking him up and cradling him in her hand. The contrast between the way she handled her parents was stark—gentle and caring with Greg, distant and almost indifferent with Cindy.
Cindy couldn’t help but feel the weight of McKenzie’s words as she settled into Madison’s lap. The idea that she had always been an afterthought to her eldest daughter gnawed at her. She had never intended to make McKenzie feel that way, but now, it was clear that the damage had been done.
As Madison absentmindedly stroked Cindy’s back, Cindy realized that her apologies might not be enough to mend the rift between her and McKenzie. The road to rebuilding their relationship would be long and difficult, and Cindy wasn’t sure where to begin. All she could do was hope that, in time, her actions would speak louder than her words, and that she could find a way to bridge the gap between her and her daughters before it was too late.
Madison’s eyes narrowed as she watched her sister grab Greg and sit down on the couch, placing him in her lap. “Hey!” she snapped, her tone a mix of surprise and irritation.
Cindy, sensing the growing tension, tried to intervene, her voice pleading. “McKenzie, please, let’s talk about this,” she said, attempting to make her way over to McKenzie, but her small stature made it difficult to move quickly in Madison’s lap.
McKenzie, however, was resolute. “I think we’ve talked about this enough,” she replied, her tone firm and final. Without another word, she stood up, carefully cradling Greg in her hand. “I suddenly don’t feel like watching TV. Let’s go to my room, Dad,” she added, her voice softer as she addressed her father.
As McKenzie began to walk back upstairs, Cindy watched helplessly, unable to follow or stop her. The sight of McKenzie leaving with Greg left Cindy feeling even more isolated, her efforts to mend the rift between them seemingly in vain. Madison, still seated on the couch, let out an annoyed huff but didn’t try to stop her sister, focusing instead on the television.
The moment was heavy with unresolved tension, and Cindy felt the weight of it pressing down on her. She wanted desperately to reach out to McKenzie, to find a way to bridge the gap, but as she sat in Madison’s lap, she couldn’t help but feel that the distance between them was only growing wider. The reality of her new existence, with all its complications and heartache, was sinking in deeper with every passing minute.
Madison’s gaze was stern as she looked down at her mother, her expression a mix of disappointment and frustration. “You tried to talk to her, didn’t you, after I told you not to,” she said, her tone sharp. “I told you not to for a reason, Mom. You just need to listen. You made the whole thing worse. You need to give her time to cool off. I wasn’t trying to gatekeep you—she’s legit mad, and you trying to fix it is just making things worse.”
Cindy felt a knot of anxiety tightening in her chest as Madison continued, her words laced with an attitude that made Cindy feel even smaller than she already was. “If you can’t listen, I will have to sign you up for Little Obedience school and little training. Isn’t your friend Nancy Archer an instructor at Little Mart? Maybe I could get you into one of her classes,” Madison added with a smug tone, clearly relishing the control she now had.
Cindy’s eyes widened in panic. The thought of being seen by her old friends, especially someone like Nancy Archer, in her current state was mortifying. “No, wait, you wouldn’t! I can’t see my friends like this. Just think about what they would say,” she pleaded, her voice trembling with fear.
Madison’s expression didn’t soften. If anything, she seemed more determined. “Watch me,” she replied coldly. “If you can’t listen, that’s the next step. I’m not having a disobedient Little, Mom. What is it you always say? Oh yeah, ‘My patience can only wear so thin.’”
The smugness in Madison’s voice was unmistakable, and it cut Cindy deeply. She realized that her daughter was using her own words against her, words she had once used to discipline Madison. Now, the roles were reversed, and Cindy was the one on the receiving end of the harsh consequences she had once doled out.
Cindy could only nod meekly, the threat of Little Obedience school looming over her like a dark cloud. She didn’t dare argue further, knowing that any resistance might push Madison to follow through on her threat. The realization that she had lost not just her authority but also her dignity in her daughter’s eyes was almost too much to bear.
Cindy’s heart pounded as she tried to assert herself, her voice shaky. “I-I don’t need Little training. I’m your mother,” she said, desperation creeping into her tone.
Madison’s response was swift and unyielding. “Yeah, you are. And if you weren’t my mom, I would’ve already signed you up for classes. So, if you don’t want to end up in Nancy’s class, I’d better start seeing a change in that attitude of yours and some actual listening to what I tell you. You should be grateful,” she asserted, her voice firm and cold.
Cindy felt her resistance crumble under the weight of Madison’s words. “Y-yes, Madison,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. The reality of her situation was sinking in, and it was terrifying. The idea of being reduced to this, even in her own home, was almost too much to bear. She had always been the one in control, the one setting the rules, and now she was at the mercy of her daughter—a daughter who seemed more than willing to exercise that control over her.
Madison’s voice dripped with condescension as she continued. “You should be grateful that I took you in and gave you a home, Mom. You always said a Little should be appreciative and humble.”
Cindy flinched at the reminder of her own words, now turned against her. “This is my home, Madison,” she replied, trying to keep her tone as gentle as possible, not wanting to provoke her daughter further.
But Madison wasn’t done. She smiled, clearly enjoying the power she held over her mother. “The deed seems to say otherwise, Mommy-dearest. You live under mine and McKenzie’s roof now. So, it’s best you recognize your new place in the house and start appreciating all I do for you around here.”
Cindy’s heart sank even further as she realized how thoroughly Madison had turned her own teachings against her. The very values she had instilled in her daughter were now being used to control and belittle her. The words “Mommy-dearest” stung, a mocking reminder of the power shift that had taken place. Cindy knew she had to tread carefully, not just to avoid Little training, but to maintain any semblance of dignity she had left.
She nodded, her voice meek and resigned. “Thank you, Madison. I—I do appreciate everything you do,” she said, the words bitter on her tongue. She could hardly believe what she was saying, but she knew she had no choice. The power dynamics in her home had shifted irreversibly, and she had to find a way to survive in this new reality, even if it meant swallowing her pride and submitting to her own daughter’s authority.
I ……wow this chapter was just….. wow I have no words this feels like a seriously broken family……Madison was doing great ish last chapter but damn I know Cindy deserves some shit but holy cow she basically threatens her mother and now Cindy thinks both her daughters hate her I’m surprised she didn’t break down and cry after this. Greg trying to hold the family together is so needed as he’s the good guy which I hate that the narrative of families having the bad and good guy I have issues with my parents sometimes but their both good guys in my eyes so I don’t know just man this chapter hurt my heart as someone who Values family and love to a high standard but I’ll hope for the best
Yeah. This is a rough one. Pretty good example of tough parenting done wrong. You can be a firm parent but still not be dismissive about your child’s opinions. What’s wild is that kenzies right and Cindy still isn’t opening up to what she’s saying. Cindy might think she’s learning and believes she’s wrong, but the reality is that madison and kenzie are right and she’s currently only saying this because she’s a little now. Madison probably was way more aware of that but didn’t think to say anything as she expected her mom wouldn’t push it. If she had Cindy might have actually let some time go by before trying this and even figured out she isn’t sorry for the reasons she’s saying she is
I don’t know about hate but McKenzie is upset because if you remember in season one she shit on the plan McKenzie had worked hard on and left her feeling like she didn’t think she could do it.
So while McKenzie is trying to be the bigger person she is still a teenager.
Madison is more complicated I won’t spoil anyrhing
Weren’t kidding yesterday lol a lot of resentment and anger held up in Kenzie and it’s finally coming out. Glad to see that we were correct about her not sharing her moms views, and that Kenzie actually does want to help Madison’s change, but she’s not wrong that it’s going to be an uphill battle. To be honest, though, outside of the bitterness, that’s more or less how I hope a conversation between Kelli and Kayla ends up going. LIke I know it has to happen at some point, I just don’t think their relationship has any kind of strain like the Wessen family lol at most it’ll probably just be Kayla and Kelli admitting that they’re jealous of one another, Kayla jealous of Kelli when she was normal sized, and Kelli jealous of Kayla cause she gets to live her life to the fullest while Kelli has to live through her.
As for madison this chapter, I’m thinking her attitude is all dependant on her parents. She was a lot kinder when Greg was being more reasonable and listening to her, whereas she turns into this when her parents don’t listen or take her seriously, so she throws it back in their face. I do wonder if Greg and Madison kept talking while Kenzie went to get Cindy. Also curious as to what Greg and Kenzie are going to talk about now.
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Chajpter 16: The House Guests
Mr. Calhoun maintained eye contact with his eldest son for a moment longer before taking a deep breath and turning to face Mr. Hale and Roni, smiling jovially as if the heated conversation had never happened.
“Jeff! Pleasure to see you! It’s been a few months hasn’t it” spoke Mr. Calhoun as he stuck out his hand out to Mr. Hale
“Leonard” replied Mr. Hale, reciprocating the hand shake. Mr. Hale was doing a great job at keeping his rage in check, wanting to pull the larger man over the table and return the slap that he gave Joey 10 fold, but knew better than that; all that the argument between Mr. Calhoun and Joey had done was add more ammo to use against Leonard and Margaret when he finally pressed them for letting him and Kat adopt Joey.
Joey grumbled angrily as he walked around the table and sat down next to Roni, rubbing his face from where his father slapped him. Roni leaned over to check on him, having been worried throughout the entire confrontation. Roni rarely ever saw Joey get that enthralled, and even more seldom did she see his temper directed at an adult. While Joey had in the past discussed the events of his fights with his mother and father, seeing them first hand was something else entirely.
“I’m so sorry Joey…You always talked about this but…seeing it first hand, god…he’s a monster” whispered Roni as she made sure Joey’s face didn’t have any residual swelling.
“Yeah…just the perfect picture of parental affection, aren’t they” dryly mumbled Joey before having a small smile form on his face “however, I thought it did go pretty well all things considered”
Roni’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion, not fully understanding what Joey meant. Looking into his eyes, he almost seemed happy to have been hit by his dad. “Joey…you aren’t concussed are you? Cause you aren’t making any sense…” Roni quietly asked in concern while her father and the Calhoun’s exchanged pleasantries about current events, which she herself found unsettling considering what had just happened.
“Look…any time I could push that fucker over the edge I took as a win…having done it for what might be the last time…despite how much it hurt getting hit…well.,..it tells me I still was able to get to the bastard some how…and that was all I wanted” smiled Joey as he watch his mom and dad exchange nothings with Roni’s father, “I just wanted to know I could push him to the point where he had no choice to act how he really wanted to…that’s all that mattered to me”
Roni looked at Joey, still a bit confused but at least having a slight bit of clarity cross her mind. Joey knew he’d never be able to change either his fathers or his mothers mind, but he also know that he could get his father to drop his false bravado and honor for a more primal reaction. Joey being an underbred and not stooping to the same lever must have helped him realize that he was, on some level, more of a human than his father is; at the very least, he was able to win a posturing competition with his father.
“So….Jeff…” Mr. Calhoun asked, keeping Joey in his peripheral vision with minimal interest, “What brings you and Veronica to our side of the city?”
“Yes…I’m wondering this as well Jeff” echoed Mrs. Calhoun as she twirls her freshly dyed blonde hair, studying not only Mr. Hale but his daughter as well as she pursed her lips. “Did you believe that this animal was lost and needed to be returned to its owners? Because, as you may had gathered, we’re sending it away as soon as possible”
Joey wanted to stand up and yell at his mother, as a challenging grin formed on her face seeing the reaction she wanted starting to form, but stopped when Roni squeezed his hand. He looked at her to see Roni’s calming expression, and just decided to sit there quietly, stewing in his anger.
“Interesting! It would seem Veronica has been able to tame the beast” Mrs. Calhoun quipped, eliciting a giggle at her own joke and a cold stare from Roni, who was doing her best to keep her emotions in check.
“You know…it might be more productive if the kids leave the office while we talk”, cooly suggested Mr. Hale, not wanting his daughter’s emotions to either impact his own or the conversation that he is about to have with Joey’s parents.
Mr. Calhoun shot a look at his wife for trying to start more drama after she had finally got him to calm down, who in return smiled apologetically. With a frustrated sigh, Mr. Calhoun walked to the doors of the office and stuck his head out into the foyer “Santiago! Can you please come here and escort Veronica and the animal throughout the house!” called out Mr. Calhoun.
Moments later, Santiago arrived to the office to see the remnants of a tense situation, with Joey’s face still red from where his father hit him just moments ago. Shooting him a subtle sympathetic look, Santiago stepped to the side of the door and waved his hand for the two teens to follow him.
“Please, right this way Miss Veronia and Master Joey” calmly spoke Santiago, adding more emphasis to “master” as he shot his bosses a subtle, angry glare that neither seemed to care too much about.
The two follow behind Santiago, Joey never once looking away from his father and mother. Despite everything that had just happened, he wanted to make sure that, despite everything, they knew that he never broke. Joey entered the home as a human, and as far as he was concerned, he was leaving his parents’ presence as one, and that was all that he needed them to see.
Mr. Calhoun briefly followed them to the door, breathing through the anger and, though buried deep, deep down inside, pride, that was welling up inside of him as he saw his son eyeballing him as he left the room. Quickly shaking off both feelings, he menacingly whispered to Santiago as he began to follow Roni and Joey “We’re going to discuss how he got in here…”
“Very well, Senior Calhoun…I’ll bring the head of security to ensure all possibilities are discussed” stated Santiago matter-of-factly, with a hint of sarcasm as to once again reiterate the point of not leaving a spare key in an obvious hiding spot.
Once the doors close, Mr. Calhoun stands up straight, adjusting his tie and suit jacket before letting out a sigh. “Let’s see what this is really about” he thought as he turned around to see Jeff’s eyes boring into his own.
Smart of him to get Roni out of the picture. One who wears her emotions on her sleeves is probably not best to be in this kind of discussion.
Madison is generally kinder with Greg than her mother that’s a trait both daughters share.
Kelli and Kayla would have a much more subdued conversation as they have fewer issues in general.
That’s true. I guess I hadn’t really that madison and Greg haven’t really been alone with each other this one time. Kinda figured that if they were more complaint though then madison wouldn’t be as bratty or condescending, might be a false hope
And I kinda figure Kayla and Kelli would be subdued but at the same time would be really emotional since neither would expect the other to be suffering or struggling with everything. Especially Kayla with kelli
wow my spelling was all over the place lol damn phone
1) Damn, Cindy’s not adapting well to the dynamic changes, and the constant reminder that many of the issues she’s facing she taught them were brutal, I love it.
2) “I’m not really a little though” she’s still on that nonsense? Lol.
3.1) “I saw Madison had left you up here. What did you do?” that was rough, Cindy getting immediately blamed seems shitty, but us likely something she’s done to McKenzie.
3.2) McKenzie pointing out that Cindy needs to be more submissive seemed a bit off, but reminding Cindy it’s what she taught them made it a bit better.
4) “I don’t even know if you’re really sorry or if you’re just saying this because you’re in this situation,” definitely the latter, 100% if she was actually immune like sge thought her view would be unwavering.
5) “That’s fourteen years of believing Littles exist to be in service to people.” that is categorically false, you’ve established that Littles have only been around for thirteen years (since 2010) but only public knowledge for eight (since 2015).
6) it’s fucking night and day how they treat Cindy bs how they treat Greg.
7) McKenzie believing Madison was Cindy’s favourite would have been rough on her, (also adds to her claiming to be Greg’s favourite on his bio)
8) Madison looming the threat of little training over them seems so cruel, especially knowing this Nancy Archer character Cindy knew Prior.
1 and 2) yes there is a large degree of acceptance and denial onto the reality of the situation which I feel like would be pretty normal especially them as tehy had no time to mentally prepare for it.
Where in Smallara Prime someone like charity is probably on some level mentally preparing for situation. She can wrap her head around the idea of it and go through all the stages of understanding,grief, etc.
Where Cindy and Greg didn’t have that opportunity it was complete left field blindside.
Cindy is a lot of the cause of all this. Also Greg as while he wasn’t out here speaking on all this. He did kind of go along with it silently even if it was through a lack of really caring.
The inspiration for Greg is those people who just don’t really care about politics as they feel like it just doesn’t effect htem materially in there day to day life. So tehy are just kind of mostly good on it all.
He was kind of that way with Smallara in that he didn’t really spend the time or want to spend the time to get educated as from his perspective he was immune and he just didn’t care as it didn’t materially affect his day to day to life. At most he figured his daughters would maybe get one as a pet at some point.
3.1) Yes that was definitely one of those things parents do to you when you’ve gotten in trouble and the other parent is coming in and they are like what happened/ what did you do? etc. I wanted to replicate that with McKenzie.
3.2) The intent wasn’t that she wanted her to be submissive just understanding that she is a little and you preached and taught people to do XYZ and now here you are saying that doesn’t apply to me though. She wanted her to understand more that you need to accept that the rules you helped usher into reality now affect you.
4) yes this is a central theme of season 2. In that while there is love and affection between the daughters and there parents. there is also this doubt as to why are you saying this now. You didn’t believe this just 2 or 3 days ago and now you’ve completely changed your tune. That doesn’t feel right. It would be like being anti womens rights and then one day waking up and telling people i was wrong. I’m now fully pro women rights. THen just advocating hard for the opposite of what was established through your own belief system that you believe.
5) That was intentional though. As the point trying to be made to Cindy is that madison is only 14 so from basically the earliest stage in which she is getting core, foundational knowledge that she will retain and build upon for her entire life You’ve been telling her this. 14 years worth of BS. Now you expect that to change on a dime.
It also meant in the argument where people say numbers that are approximate but aren’t meant to be literal. As most people don’t memorize facts in that way to throw back in peoples faces when useful. But you are correct in regards to the timeline. It just felt weird to propose the argument in that way as it didn’t feel how a teenager would say it to me. THey would be more likely to say I think at least you’ve taught this to her for her entire life and only now you have issue as it is effecting you.
6) A leading difference would be that Greg isn’t really being hypocritical. He never really went to the girls with same veracity of opinion and thoughts on littles as Cindy did. LIke he didn’t think littles should have fully equal rights to a person. Which for there timeline isn’t a controversial take.
Cindy was doing much more. So I can understand where they would feel a bit differently. Personality wise Cindy is a bit more hardsher then Greg which probably factors in. As he’s there father and there his daughters. So of course he is going to spoil them a bit, he’s gong to melt when they bat their eyes easier or pout. Not that the didn’t sometimes discipline them. But there his little girls. So that weighs in.
7) Yeah I agree. Feeling like you are being slighted to the point where you are treated differently by your mother would be a rough and would naturally create some animosity that has resurfaced in the face of recent events and hypocrisy.
8) Yes to some extent but its also quite common now though. As they do have classes for it at little marts that can be signed up for. So its not like shes doing something that isn’t unheard of.
She could also just be using it as a threat because she knows its the last thing her mother would want is to see her friends form the community as she is now.
1&2) acceptance takes time, and denial makes sense.
The lack of warning or alarm could effect how they’re feeling they could have taken better precautions, and obviously taught their daughters better if they knew ahead if time. Even Jordan and Mr and Mrs Fitz had a discussion and they didn’t believe in Smallara.
In Charity’s case, I’m hoping her preparation includes having a pre-selected guardian that once shrunken she automatically belongs to, something not set up by Genritech so Chloe can’t pull strings to help Sara claim her, meaning Sara watches helplessly as Charity is taken to a life of a petite pampered princess, and Sara has to come to terms with the fact she’s NEVER getting her revenge.
The politics of the parents is clear, Cindy was teaching bad things, and Greg’s indifference meant they were never questioned.
3.1) I thought “it was too soon for McKenzie to start acting like a parent” /s
3.2) I understand that she’s wants her mother to obey the rules she set, but part of those rules, while not using the word specifically, did involve littles submitting to biggles.
4) I’m regally glad Cindy’s hypocrisy is getting called out ( and i do see this as hypocrisy) as you’ve probably figured out I don’t like hypocrisy going unanswered. I appreciate that the family all still loves eachother, it’s a nice, hope bringing detail.
5) I see, that’s on me for reading too much into the dialogue.
6) that sounds about right when it comes to what we know about the characters, Greg was easier on them, so they’re easier on him. Cindy was stricter, so now they are stricter.
7) I have my own issues with mothers, favouritism and slights so i can relate to McKenzie
I can think of a few other characters in your universe I’d like to see a dynamic flip for, see what feelings come up
8) I think it’s still cruel that it’s common, Genritech training people to not view themselves as people, but as property is messed up, especially from an organisation like that.
Empty threat is best case scenario, though sometimes that changes when bluffs are called.