Jordan shifted slightly in Sara’s hand as she carried him upstairs, his mind still turning over Tiffany’s words.
A date.
Not even a week into this new life, and somehow, someone had decided he needed to start dating other Littles. And, of course, no one had thought to ask him how he felt about it. Just like so many other things, decisions were being made around him—about him—without his input. It was infuriating. But more than that, it was humiliating.
“You know,” he said as Sara stepped into her room, “I don’t remember agreeing to this.”
Sara hummed as she set him down on her desk. “To what?”
“This… date. With Kelli.”
“Oh, that.” Sara waved a hand dismissively as she grabbed a hairbrush. “You already met her yesterday. You two got along fine.”
“That’s not the point, Sara.” Jordan crossed his arms. “You guys are treating me like a kid being set up on a playdate.”
Ellie flopped onto Sara’s bed, grinning as she stretched out. “That’s the fun part. Besides, it’s good for you to meet more Littles. Expand your tiny little world.”
Jordan scowled. “You do realize I used to date, right? Like, normal dating, where I actually asked people out?”
Ellie propped herself up on her elbows. “Oh, yeah? Who was the last girl you asked out?”
Jordan opened his mouth, then sighed. “Emily Brooks.”
Ellie rolled her eyes. “We know, Jordy. You and Ms. Brooks. We’ve been over this.”
Sara smirked. “Yeah, we’ve known forever. You act like it’s some big reveal.”
Ellie grinned. “Though, it does explain why she’s extra stiff around you in class. She’s either really over it or really not over it.”
Jordan groaned, rubbing his face. “That’s not the same and you know it.”
Sara sat down at her desk, glancing at him. “I get it, Jordy. I do. But Kelli’s had a rough time adjusting, just like you. You guys have a lot in common. I just figured… maybe you could help each other.”
Jordan sighed. He could tell she meant well, but that didn’t make it any less frustrating.
“I just don’t want to be treated like a project,” he muttered.
Sara softened. “You’re not. But I don’t want you to isolate yourself either.”
Ellie grinned again, her teasing tone returning. “Yeah, besides, if you hate it, you can always fake an emergency. I hear Littles are great at playing the victim.”
Jordan shot her a glare, but there was no malice in it. As much as she enjoyed pushing his buttons, there was something comforting about Ellie’s humor. It was the only thing that still felt… normal sometimes.
Still, the thought of this date gnawed at him. Was this just another step toward accepting his new life? Accepting that he wasn’t part of the world he used to know? The idea made his stomach turn.
Ellie noticed his hesitation and propped herself up further on the bed. “Look, Jordy, I know this is weird. But wouldn’t it be nice to talk to someone who actually understands what you’re going through?”
Jordan hesitated. He hadn’t really considered that. Most of his days had been spent surrounded by full-sized people who couldn’t truly relate to his struggles. Even Sara, as much as she tried, would never know what it was like to be so small, so dependent on someone else for nearly everything.
“Maybe,” he admitted, though he still wasn’t convinced.
Sara leaned forward, resting her chin in her hand. “Kelli’s pretty cool. And honestly, she could probably use a friend too. It doesn’t have to be anything serious.”
Jordan let out a long breath, rubbing his temples. “I just… I don’t want to be pushed into something.”
“We’re not pushing,” Ellie said, raising her hands in mock surrender. “Just… nudging.”
Jordan scoffed. “Feels the same from down here.”
Sara chuckled. “Fair. But trust me, if you hate it, you can always just stick close to me and I’ll bail you out.”
That, at least, was a bit reassuring. Sara wasn’t going to throw him to the wolves, even if she was the one orchestrating all of this. Still, it was hard to ignore the ever-present reality that his autonomy was limited. He could protest all he wanted, but ultimately, if Sara and Ellie decided he was going to this date, then that was that.
He looked between the two girls, both watching him with expectant expressions. Finally, he sighed. “Fine. But if it sucks, I get to say ‘I told you so’ for at least a week.”
Ellie grinned. “Deal.”
Sara nodded, satisfied. “Now, let’s get you looking nice for your big night.”
Jordan groaned. “Oh, come on.”
Ellie burst out laughing. “Hey, you agreed. No backing out now, Romeo.”
Jordan sighed again, resigning himself to whatever was coming next. Because really, what choice did he have?
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1) “Not even a week into this new life, and somehow, someone had decided he needed to start dating other Littles. And, of course, no one had thought to ask him how he felt about it. Just like so many other things, decisions were being made around him—about him—without his input. It was infuriating. But more than that, it was humiliating.” I’m glad we get to see him upset about that it reminds me of early Jordan.
2) “You know, I don’t remember agreeing to this.” – “To what?” – “This… date. With Kelli.” Could this be actual communication?
3.1) “You already met her yesterday. You two got along fine.” Sara, that doesn’t mean he wants to date her.
3.2) “That’s not the point, Sara. You guys are treating me like a kid being set up on a playdate.” somewhere between play date and arranged marriage/courtship
3.3) “That’s the fun part. Besides, it’s good for you to meet more Littles. Expand your tiny little world.” Meet and date are entirely separate matters.
4) “You do realize I used to date, right? Like, normal dating, where I actually asked people out?” well it’s different now, its not just about if Jordan likes the girl, it’s also if Sara likes her, and if Sara and her guardian get along.
5) “Oh, yeah? Who was the last girl you asked out?” – “Emily Brooks.” – “We know, Jordy. You and Ms. Brooks. We’ve been over this.” – “Yeah, we’ve known forever. You act like it’s some big reveal.” Why ask if she already knew? Was it just to rub salt in the wound?
6) “Though, it does explain why she’s extra stiff around you in class. She’s either really over it or really not over it.”such is the duality of women.
7) “I get it, Jordy. I do. But Kelli’s had a rough time adjusting, just like you. You guys have a lot in common. I just figured… maybe you could help each other.” that doesn’t mean he needs to date her.
8) “I just don’t want to be treated like a project,” then why’d he agree to it in Sara’s biology class.
9) “I hear Littles are great at playing the victim.” some would be, but not on Sara’s level, she’s extremely good at turning things around to make people look at her like she’s hard done by.
10) “Was this just another step toward accepting his new life? Accepting that he wasn’t part of the world he used to know? The idea made his stomach turn.” It would be, and I hope he keeps rebelling.
11) “wouldn’t it be nice to talk to someone who actually understands what you’re going through?” it would, still doesn’t have to be a date.
12.1) “Most of his days had been spent surrounded by full-sized people who couldn’t truly relate to his struggles” and wouldn’t care if they did.
12.2) “Even Sara, as much as she tried, would never know what it was like to be so small” Sara does not fucking try, she actively shut that down when he tried talking ot her about it.
13.1) “We’re not pushing, Just… nudging.” at his size, and social standing a nudge and push would be hard to distinguish.
13.2) “Feels the same from down here.” that’s what I’m saying
14) “Fair. But trust me, if you hate it, you can always just stick close to me and I’ll bail you out.” Will she, or will she leave him in a shitty situation she knows he wants to get away from like he did with Dayton, or Maisy?
15) “That, at least, was a bit reassuring. Sara wasn’t going to throw him to the wolves, even if she was the one orchestrating all of this” He doesn’t know that.
1) in my opinion this is Sara stepping up trying to do something that is good for Jordan because he cant see the forest before the trees.
Her intent is to do something good. I agree with you. BUt I do understand the reservations one would feel for her doing so and how it coudl be viewed negatively.
A) If I thought Sara was doing something wrong I would say but she is being a great not just good material guardian doing what is right for Jordan in his new condition and his seemingly horrible social skills for a good looking guy before and after his infection and his tendencies to shut him self in and veg which is very unhealthy as a new Little who needs to understand the new dynamic of the little world where the roles are switched and some by woman being bigger, stronger and more aggressive then men and men are much smaller and weaker then woman and are expected to do as the woman say. Not knowing this could get himself hurt someday by a little female if for some reason he has to deal with a little town or city.
B) If Jordan doesn’t want to be treated like a child then he needs to stop acting like child and stop fighting and except being a little and all his body changes and little social community changes that go with it. I think the girls are being very kind and patient with a very child like adult in Jordan who stopping around saying I don’t want ah lol. I wouldn’t be surprised if they feed him with a little baby bottle because he is acting like a baby lol.
C) Holding out doing something that will make your life better and happier because of principle is like being in a cult. Makes no sense. Pride keeping you from happiness is the same way.
1)You are right that Jordan doesn’t have the greatest social skills as he is a introvert and while he had a couple of friends is nowhere near Sara and her friends when it comes to friends.
So she is trying to pull him a bit out of shell as left to his own devices he would be pretty quiet and more reclusive. So that is true.
2) Sara could ease off a bit but Jordan could also be more open to being more social. However, its also only been 6 days. So its not like anyone little or person would realistically alter who they are all that drastically in that amount of time.
1) I think one person is to blame for this and its not Sara. You need to be looking at J Vader the catalyst for the Kelli x Jordan movement forcing Jordan into this. Manipulating things from the sidelines. Writing fan fiction supporting this reality. Sara was clearly influened by the proposed reality J Vader created. In all seriousness you aren’t wrong. The intent was more I was thinking about my time in high school and how so often it was oh these two are talking and hanging out. They must be together and dating. So I kind of went with it from that aspect as Sara and her friends are that age.
2) I picture you blindsided by the level of communication happening. But I did take some of your feedback less season and thought on it and agreed that Jordan was being a bit to soft on it. So ive actively put a bit more fight into him this season while overall still being true to his overall character of being more easy going and accepting of it all.
3) In teenage terms it does. Getting along and friendly = you like them.
3.2) Arranged marriage/courtship is probably a better way to put it. I was also thinking like setting someone up on a date would be another way to put it. But playdate seemed more humiliating.
3.3) I agree with you. I was more trying to setup the fact to them they are more the same then they are when you are older.
4) Sara would be a factor as like you said if she didn’t like the guaridan or didnt like the litlte. It wouldn’t really progress as logistically it jsut wouldn’t work. I think that would be true of most guardian/little pairings.
5) Well tehy knew he dated ms. brooks. They didn’t know she was last person he dated. They figured he may have dated someone after her.
6) it really is.
7) It doesn’t you aren’t wrong about that.
8)Because he’s a softy and a follower. And Sara being a bit more controlling nature leads Jordan to follow her direction as what he’s always done. Even with Emily he jut kind of followed her direction. HE does the same with Kelli.
9) Sara is good at putting herself in the proper light/position.
10) I’m not sure rebelling would help him though. As he would need to change the laws and structure and how people view littles as a whole. As Sara is a byproduct of the world and its beliefs. SHe did just wake up and believe what she believes.
11) I do think Jordan is getting more hung up on it then it needs to be. THe label itself doesn’t matter that much. At the end of the day he is going to a party hanging out with Kelli. If they want to call it a date does it really chagne anything? no. Sometimes it better to just let it be and fight a battle more worth fighting. But clearly Jordan didn’t follow what I would do.
12) Thats true of most people though. You don’t need to be a litlte for people to do that to you.
12.2) Well I think she does try but not in teh ways you would appreciate or want. As you two are philosophically opposed in your views.
13) That is true. Funny but true.
13.2) Jordan agreed with you.
14) Sara is a pretty good wingman.
15) Well she said she wouldn’t. HE is taking her at her word.
An Arranged marriage for this world is perfect because the guardians have to get along as well if not better then the littles because of the arrangements that have to be set up for the littles living together and possible little kids and the longer lives of littles and guardians and all the extra expenses that could come up. Ironically my dads parents had a arranged marriage and it worked out great when others they knew didn’t so like everything else it depends on two good people being matched.
1) J Vader, your days are numbered! Lol JK
I remember that from my high school, I could see Sara doing that.
2) I was shocked and shook. I’m glad he’ll get some more spine in the future, I’m not expecting him to be as spiteful as I am, but I think it’ll be an improvement.
3.2) Very true, at least she didn’t call it a breeding program.
4) I’d imagine Littles settle for their second or third romantic choice than Guardians.
5) Oh, Ok.
8) That’s very true, plus if I’m remembering right, she guilt tripped him.
9) Most girls tend to be.
10) You’re probably right.
11) I think labels do actually matter, Words have meanings for a reason, that’s why they can hurt, or heal, or really do anything at all.
12.1) but it’s amplified for littles, as most things are.
12.2) Fair assessment, but she’s definitely refused to try previously.
13.2) love it when that happens
14) Just not as good as her opinion of her self implies.
15) That’s had mixed results before.
“Littles are good at playing the victim”
Ayo wut? What kinda goofy ahh rich soc girl comment is that. Jordan is patient af because I could not imagine losing my entire lively hood, turned into property and be at the mercy, beck and call of someone who has little real world experience in comparison to me. Jordan comes from a working class house and he’s owned by a stuck up teen who sees $1k dollars as a drop in the ocean and her friend is part of a family that runs New York like Boss Tweed in Tammany hall under the guise of philanthropy while this stuff happens and then some. Probably the only time this has ever truly got on my nerves.
I agree, Lee. It seems ridiculous that teens would be given this kind of power over real people.
In this fictionalized world littles arent people and when a person is contracted with Smallara canonically when they under go metamorphosis it is viewed as a human death and the people therefore grieve the death similarly.
As the person is then reborn as a little. Which you kind of see played out in Madison’s world a bit where both daughters at times are remorseful for the loss of their parents as them as littles is different. Atleast culturally speaking.
So a teen having power over a little is similar to a teen having power over a pet dog, or a cat. Its not viewed as odd within the world as its a norm. Lesser species have always been viewed as not equal within this world. They don’t really have anything different to base things off of.
True. Sara seems like a mob boss at times.
Canonically that would more likely be Ellie.
I think you guys are being way to hard on the new Sara that has changed a lot since the first chapters and being with Chole
Out of curiousity what specifically makes it get on your nerves more in this fictionalized world then the real world? You said yourself all this happens in reality and much worse in most cases.
I would say Sara understands a 1000 dollars more then her friends do. As Sara is actually earning her own money as the money she has gets from her streaming and sponsorship deals. So she is making her own money.
Being bad is bad. Embracing the bad is worse. It’s relative. I kinda wanna know the back story of this world vs ours. Because while I understand that people here would definitely exploit others I genuinely believe that in our society our historical struggles would make us more sympathetic. In this world it seems to severely lack sympathy and genuinely be ok with exploitation. If you did on the street interviews I doubt it be the same in both worlds. The nerve comes from a person whose had it easy in a world that seems slightly off from ours be so ok with dominating someone who doesn’t deserve it. There are other stories similar to. Smallara which show a what if the people in charge saw their littles as disabled people. While the strife in this world keeps in going we tend to humanize stories easily.
I have thought about it doing a history of this world write up to give more understanding. As there are details in this world that make it different that I haven’t fully gotten into as most of the story focuses in a very small part of the world focused on Sara and her friends.
Like in this world the roman empire never fell and the countries of Europe are just states of the roman empire. But so far we haven’t talked about Europe. So its only mentioned in passing which most people didn’t catch.
The Smallara world/universe isn’t like it was the exact same and then when Smallara happens everything diverged. The entire history of the world is different at times. Some things are the same others are different. How society developed and what they chose to believe and how government structures work all different. The rights and laws arent one to one. Sometimes laws and rights parallel for easy understanding or there was no point to change it but other times they are different.
That puts the world in a different perspective. Rome being an empire that was pompous arrogant and authoritarian and slave driven makes a lot more sense and I even then religion in this world seems a lot less serious then ours as if it’s more of just a thing you just kinda vibe with instead of ours where it’s a lot more serious. Even the the US being founded in different way would be pretty interesting. Maybe one day we can see a deep dive into this alternate history. Maybe the US broke away peacefully more like Canada? Or maybe slavery never happened or wars weren’t as big or commonplace? But Rome not falling is really big in the historical sense and would have a major impact on the world both economically and political. That’s would be seriously interesting to hear about as your stories also seem to heavily discuss class as well.
Also at what points in the story is the Roman empire mentioned. I’m curious to go back and see.
episode 461 is one point.
“It felt to Jordan as if the world was already adjusting to this new normal. Where people like him were just another facet of it, he knew in time, this would be an inflection point in history. It would be up there with when the Roman Empire defeated the Huns, saving Rome or the Egyptians conquering North Africa. A race of domesticated tiny people now populated the globe, and each society was trying to adjust just how to regulate that fact.”
Could we potentially see an entire alt world historical timeline? Maybe latin is the lingua franca and Rome is still dominant. This is way interesting and can really help build the world up through a solid historical foundation. Hell I already have a head canon.
In my humble opinion you don’t want to mess with the similarity to much because it makes the relatability of the smallara world to ours less and harder for readers to guess what they would do in the same instance. Messing with history gets political which is no fun at all.