OOC: Okay, I wanted to write a HHaW fic explaining why Jojo never spoke. Reading his profile on the internet and reading about how kids with selective mutism normally can talk in other situations unless if they go through some traumatic experience, I figured there had to be MORE to Jojo's story than just not wanting to disappoint his father because he doesn't want to be mayor.
Jojo the who was quiet and shy.
Why he didn't talk, few people knew why.
But the story I tell will clear things a bit;
Just pull up a chair, listen, and sit.
Our story begins many years ago
When our young who was but a small Jojo...
For many generations, the McDodd (descendants of the founders of Whoville) have run for public office and served as mayor of the city; it was tradition for a McDodd to become Mayor. It was also tradition for the eldest child of the McDodd family to serve as a mascot and spokeschild for their parent's campaign, in hope that the child will one day become mayor himself.
Jojo, who was no older than four or less, was handed over to his mother after his father, Ned McDodd, made his speech and showed him off to the crowd as they cheered. Ned felt pride in both himself and his son, but Jojo was shy and hated being in front of the public eye. Not only that, but being on the campaigns made him weary and tired.
"Well, at least the crowd seemed to like Jojo", said Ned after stepping off the podium and walking over to his wife, Sally, "I can see him becoming a GREAT mayor some day."
"Yeah, about that," Sally said, patting her tired Jojo on the back as she held him, "Ned, I'm very proud that you've come this far and want to make a difference in this city, but don't you think Jojo is a little young to be in these campaigns?"
"Sally, I'm only doing this to show our son what its like to be on the campaign trail so that, someday, he too will understand what its like to become mayor; its family tradition."
"Thats the thing; what if he doesn't WANT to be mayor when he grows up?"
"Well he's still young, so we'll just have to wait, won't we?" Ned said in an optimistic voice, looking over at his son with pride, unable to see his son's reluctance.
"Mommy," Jojo moaned in a tired child's voice, "want Yopp."
Sally sighed with a bit of annoyance as she handed Jojo his yo-yo (yopp). "Jojo's is always tired after these campaigns. You said yourself how stressed you were after your father brought you to his campaigns and even he himself hated it."
"But I had a greater appreciation for what my dad was doing after that. So many people looked up to him and he made such a big contribution to Whoville. Ever since, I wanted to be just like him; one of the Greats."
But before Sally could protest some more, Ms. Yelp came over with her arms trying to hold as many who babies as possible.
"McDodd, when you asked me to be your campaign secretary, you didn't mention ANYTHING about being a babysitter either!"
"Sorry Ms. Yelp, things have been a bit stressful with the campaign." Ned sighed.
"I bet it is, freezing up on stage and rambling about your sock monkey after you lose the speech I helped write for you in the bathroom!"
Ned blushed at Ms. Yelp's embarrassing, yet true remark; he DID actually make a 20 minute speech about his sock monkey, which he STILL sleeps with to this day.
"Here, I'll take over from here." Sally said grabbing each of her daughters as if they were a heap of laundry (which wasn't all that uncomfortable for the babies, since whos are so flexible, but it does cause some backache for the parents holding them, and poor little Jojo underneath was getting squished). "You can take the day off now."
"I swear, if I have to work for you for another ten years, I'm going to put on weight." Ms. Yelp grumbled as she stomped off.
Sally sighed, just as tired as her son. "We should get home too, Ned." she said, taking Ned's arm and smiling at him. Despite his flaws, Sally loved her husband, none the less.
Ned had trouble sleeping that night. He didn't know why; perhaps it was the storm, or perhaps the spirit of his own father had been haunting him in his sleep. Either way, Ned decided to get up and walk around the house a bit before going back to bed.
Walking through the hallways, Ned began to think about his own father, who had never really approved of anything, not even being the mayor he was elected to be. To Ned, he had always seemed distant and reluctant about his wishes and dreams of carrying on the family tradition of being Mayor. As he came into the Hall of the Greats and looked up at his father's portrait, he regretted never asking the late McDodd if he had truly loved him.
"I'm sorry if I couldn't be everything you wanted me to be." Ned sighed, as he talked to the portrait as if it were his real father, "I just hope you're proud of me now, even with the choices I've made so far..."
Ned heard something dropped and turned around startled. It was his son, Jojo with his "yopp" on the floor with the string loop still around Jojo's little finger.
"Oh, hey Jojo. W--what are you doing up so late?"
Ned had been too busy worrying about his deceased father and his mayoral campaign to realize it was still storming outside until a flash of lightning and a hug bang of thunder filled the air. Jojo flinched and came over to Ned's side, clutching onto his leg.
"Make it stop, daddy! Make it stop!" Jojo whimpered with small tears in his big brown eyes. For a little boy which many complained had the loudest voice, one would be surprised to see him afraid of something like thunder if they didn't know him.
Even though Ned might not have been the perfect father, it didn't stop his paternal instincts from taking over and try to help comfort his son.
"Jojo, if I could make the storm less scary for you, I could, but I can't control the weather."
Jojo clung tighter to Ned's leg, burying his face in his father's fur. Ned couldn't help but feel sorry for his boy, so he knelt down and put his arm around him.
"We'll be safe in this house, Jojo." said Ned reassuringly," As your father, I will never let ANYTHING or ANYONE hurt you. I promise." Ned smiled, picked up Jojo's yo-yo, and handed it over to Jojo. "Here, maybe you can drown out the noise with a little 'Rattlesnake' from your Yopp."
Jojo smiled. The Rattlesnake was his favorite yo-yo trick; the way it skidded across his legs and made its rattling sound was like strumming the string on a bass guitar. Jojo smiled with joy before another crash of lightning sounded and the little who held onto his father, quivering.
Ned sighed, almost laughing to himself as he picked up Jojo in his arms.
"Lets get to bed. We have a big day ahead of us." Ned patted Jojo on the back as he carried the little boy to his room.
OOC: I know, not my BEST work, but the story will get more interesting, I promise. Oh, and for the Quest for Camelot fans out there, I promise after I finish this, I'll get back to Lilithian Bargain. Anywho, please R&R