Wednesday 19 October 2016 Making Black Ice Cream! Ingredients: 2 cups heavy whipping cream 1 tin sweetened condensed milk Pinch of sea salt Black gel food dye Monin caramel flavour syrup I whipped the cream until it was stiff with a stick mixer, but an electric beater would have been better. Then I poured the condensed milk onto it, the pinch of sea salt, and flavour syrup to taste. I folded it together carefully, before adding (what turned out to be) a generous amount of black gel food dye. I found that whipping the mixture, instead of stirring, helped the colour to combine with the other ingredients better. After 24 hours this should have definitely been frozen, but thanks to my freezer being as asshole, the big reveal of my creation was a fail. The taste was alright, although it mostly tasted of condensed milk. In future, I would use a stronger flavouring agent, and perhaps activated charcoal in addition to food colouring to create a darker colour. I would also make sure the freezer door was closed properly! Bah! 'Til next time, thanks for visiting! Would you try black ice cream?

2017/05 How to Make Goth Ice Cream at Home May 12, 2017 — This “goth” ice cream is not made with food coloring. Instead, it gets its deep, dark color from activated charcoal, making it very unique indeed. How to Make Goth Ice Cream at Home Posted on May 12, 2017 Vanilla Mint Activated Charcoal Ice Cream 2 cups heavy cream 1 cup milk 2/3 cup sugar 1/4 cup activated charcoal 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 1 1/2 tsp peppermint extract In a small saucepan, combine heavy cream, milk and sugar. Bring to a simmer, stirring to dissolve the sugar. When sugar has dissolved, remove from heat and whisk in activated charcoal, vanilla extract and peppermint extract. Transfer to a bowl or large measuring cup, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until cold. When mixture is cold, pour into your ice cream maker and freeze as directed. Freeze churned ice cream for at least an hour before scooping to firm it up. Makes about 1 quart.

ᴳᵒᵒᶠʸ ᴳᵒᵒᵇᵉʳˢ pt. 1 ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ "ᵀʰᵃⁿᵏˢ ᶠᵒʳ ᵐᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵉʷ ᵇᵃᵗᶜʰ ᵒᶠ ᵖᵃᵗᵗⁱᵉˢ!" ᴹʳ‧ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᶜᵃˡˡᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵒʳᵏ ᵈᵃʸ ᵉⁿᵈᵉᵈ‧ "ᴵ'ᵐ ᵒⁿ ᵐʸ ʷᵃʸ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉᵉᵗ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍᵒᵒᶠʸ ᵍᵒᵒᵇᵉʳ'ˢ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉ ᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵉᵖˡⁱᵉᵈ‧ ᴴᵉᵃʳⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒⁿᵛᵉʳˢᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈᵉᶜⁱᵈᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵃᵗᶜʰ ᵘᵖ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᶜᵃⁿ ᴵ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ?" ᴴᵉ ʰᵒᵖᵉᵈ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵇˡᵃᵇ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᵐᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵖᵃᵗᵗⁱᵉˢ‧ "ᔆᵘʳᵉ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ⸴ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ᵉᵃᶜʰ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵃ ᵗʳⁱᵖˡᵉ ᵍᵒᵒᵇᵉʳ ᵇᵉʳʳʸ ˢᵘⁿʳⁱˢᵉ‧ "ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ʰᵃᵈ ᵒⁿᵉ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ˡᵒᵒᵏˢ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᵗʰᵉᵐ ᵐᵒᵘᵗʰ ʷᵃᵗᵉʳⁱⁿᵍ‧ "ᴳᵒᵗᵗᵃ ᵇᵉ ᶜᵃʳᵉᶠᵘˡ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵉᵃᵗ ⁱᵗ ᵗᵒ ᶠᵃˢᵗ ˢᵒ ᵃˢ ᵗᵒ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ˢᵘᵍᵃʳ ʳᵘˢʰ‧‧‧" ᔆᵗⁱˡˡ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵈⁱᵛᵉˢ ⁱⁿ⸴ ⁿᵒᵗ ʰᵉᵉᵈⁱⁿᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵃʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ‧ "ᴴᵉʸ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵉᵃᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᶠᵃˢᵗ!" ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ˢᵃⁱᵈ‧ ᴬᶠᵗᵉʳ ᶠⁱⁿⁱˢʰⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ˢᵘⁿᵈᵃᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ˢᵉᶜᵒⁿᵈˢ‧ "ᴹʸ ⁱᶜᵉ⁻ᶜʳᵉᵃᵐ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵉˣᶜˡᵃⁱᵐᵉᵈ‧ "ᴺᵒ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᶠᵒʳ ʸᵒᵘ!" "ᴰᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃⁿᵒᵗʰᵉʳ?" "ᴺᵒ ᵗʰᵃⁿᵏˢ ᴾᵃᵗ‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵏᵉᵖᵗ ᵍⁱᵍᵍˡⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ˢᵘᵍᵃʳ ʳᵘˢʰ‧ "ᴵ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵘᵍᵃʳˢ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ‧‧‧" "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷʰᵉʳᵉ'ˢ ᵐʸ ⁱᶜᵉ⁻ᶜʳᵉᵃᵐ?" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ⁱⁿᵗᵉʳʳᵘᵖᵗⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ‧ "ᶜᵃⁿ ᴵ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵃ ᵇᵃᵗᶜʰ ᵒᶠ ᵏʳᵃᵇᵇʸ ᵖᵃᵗᵗⁱᵉˢ ᶠᵒʳ ᵐᵉ?" "ᴵ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ʷᵉ ˢʰᵒᵘˡᵈ ᶜᵃˡˡ ⁱᵗ ᵃ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ‧‧‧" "ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ʰᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉ ⁱᶜᵉ⁻ᶜʳᵉᵃᵐ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃⁱᵈ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵈⁱˢᵒʳⁱᵉⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵃⁿᵈ ᵘᵖʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵗᵒ ⁱᵗ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ᵃʳᵉⁿ'ᵗ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵗʳᵃⁱᵍʰᵗ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃʸˢ ʷⁱᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᵈʳᵒᵒˡ ᵒᶠᶠ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ "ᔆᵗᵃʸ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ!" "ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ˢᵗᵃʸ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ!" "ᴵ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ᴵ'ᵐ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ⸴ ᴾᵃᵗ‧" "ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵃᵘᵍʰᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ˢᵘᵈᵈᵉⁿˡʸ ᶠᵃˡᵗᵉʳᵉᵈ ⁱⁿ ᵉˣʰᵃᵘˢᵗⁱᵒⁿ‧ "ᔆᵗᵃʸ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵐᵉ ⁿᵒʷ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃˢ ᵐʸ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ⸴ ⁿᵒᵗ ᴾᵃᵗ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵘᵍᵃʳ ᶜʳᵃˢʰ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵃᶜᵗ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ʰⁱˢ ⁿᵒʳᵐᵃˡ ᵇᵉʰᵃᵛⁱᵒᵘʳ⸴ ʰᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱᵐ ˢᵃʸ ˢᵘᶜʰ ᵃ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ᵈᵒᶻⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᶠᶠ‧ "ᔆᵒʳʳʸ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ᵍᵒᵗᵗᵃ ᵍᵒ ᴾᵃᵗ‧" "ᴵᵗ'ˢ ᶠⁱⁿᵉ⸴ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ʷᵒʳʳʸ‧ ᔆᵉᵉ ʸᵒᵘ!" ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ʷᵃᵛᵉᵈ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶜᵃʳʳⁱᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵉˣᵖˡᵃⁱⁿᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵉᵛᵉʳʸᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ᵒᵘᵗ ᶜᵒˡᵈ‧ to be cont. Pt. 2

ᵀʰᵉ ᔆˡᵉᵉᵖʸ ᔆᵘⁿᵈᵃᵉˢ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ "ᴵ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉᵒʷ ᵃᵗ ˡⁱᵗᵗˡᵉ ᵈᵒᵍᵍⁱᵉˢ!" ᔆⁱⁿᵍˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ᴳᵒᵒᶠʸ ᴳᵒᵒᵇᵉʳ'ˢ ⁱᶜᵉ ᶜʳᵉᵃᵐ ᵃⁿᵈ ⁿᵒʷ‧‧‧" "ᶻᵒᵒᵐ ᶻᵒᵒᵐ ᶻᵒᵒᵐ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵒᵒⁿ ᵐᵒᵒⁿ ᵐᵒᵒⁿ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁱⁿᵗᵉʳʳᵘᵖᵗˢ ʰⁱˢ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ‧ "ᴵ ᵏⁿᵉʷ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍᵒᵒᶠʸ ᵍᵒᵒᵇᵉʳ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ᵃ ᵈᵃᵗᵉ!" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵒᵘᶜʰ‧ "ᶻᵒᵒᵐ‧‧‧" ᶠᵃᶜᵉ ᵖˡᵃⁿᵗⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᵉʸᵉ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ ⁱᵗ ˢʰᵘᵗ‧ "ᔆʷᵉᵉᵗˢ?" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˡᵉᵃⁿˢ ᵒᵛᵉʳ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵉᵃʳˢ ˢⁿᵒʳⁱⁿᵍ‧ "ᴳᵒᵗᵗᵃ ᵍᵉᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉᵈ‧‧" ᔆᵗⁱˡˡ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᵈᵉᵉᵖˡʸ⸴ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵘˢᵇᵃⁿᵈ ⁿᵉᵛᵉʳ ᵒᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ; ᵈʳᵒᵒˡ ˢᵉᵉᵖᵉᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ʰⁱˢ ᵐᵒᵘᵗʰ ᵗᵒ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ˡⁱᶠᵗᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵘᵖ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʳᵉᵐᵃⁱⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵈᵉᵃᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ʷᵒʳˡᵈ⸴ ᵈᵉᵉᵖ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵉᵗ ʰⁱᵐ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉᵈ‧ ᴵⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ˢʰᵉ ᵍᵉⁿᵗˡʸ ˢʰᵒᵒᵏ ʰⁱˢ ˢʰᵒᵘˡᵈᵉʳ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᵗᵃᵖᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᶜʰᵉᵉᵏ ᵈⁱᵈ ⁿᵒᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ‧ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᵍʳᵘᵐᵇˡᵉ ᵃˢ ˢʰᵉ ᶜᵘᵖˢ ʰⁱˢ ᶜʰᵉᵉᵏ⸴ ᵍᵉᵗᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵈʳᵒᵒˡ ᵒⁿ ʰᵉʳ ʰᵃⁿᵈ‧ ᔆʰᵉ ʳᵉᵗʳᵃᶜᵗᵉᵈ ˢᵃⁱᵈ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗʳⁱᵉᵈ ᵗᵃˡᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᶜᵒᵃˣ ʰⁱᵐ ⁿᵒʷ‧ "ᴹᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᔆʰᵉˡᵈᵒⁿ‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵃʸˢ⸴ ᶠⁱⁿᵃˡˡʸ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗ ᵗᵒ ʷᵃᵏᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵉʸᵉ ᵗᵒ‧ "ᵁⁿʰ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵇˡⁱⁿᵏᵉᵈ⸴ ʷᵉᵃʳⁱˡʸ ᵘⁿˢᵘʳᵉ‧ "ᵂᵃ⁻ᵃ⁻ᵃᵍʰ‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᵈᵃʸ!" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʰᵉˡᵖᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵘᵖ‧ "ᵂʰᵃᵗ'ˢ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿⁱⁿᵍ?" "ᴰᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳ ˡᵃˢᵗ‧‧‧" ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ˢᵃʷ ʰⁱᵐ ˢᵗᵃⁿᵈ ᵒⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵒʷⁿ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵍᵒᵒᶠʸ ᵍᵒᵒᵇᵉʳ ˢᵘⁿᵈᵃᵉ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ʷᵉ ᵃᵗᵉ ᵒᵘᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ᵒᵘʳ ᵃⁿⁿⁱᵛᵉʳˢᵃʳʸ‧‧" "ᶻᵒᵒᵐⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵒᵒⁿ⸴ ˢᵒᵘⁿᵈ ᶠᵃᵐⁱˡⁱᵃʳ?" "ᔆᵃʸ ʷʰᵃᵗ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ⁱᶜᵉ ᶜʳᵉᵃᵐ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵘᵍᵃʳ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ʷᵃⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉᵒʷ ᵃᵗ ˡⁱᵗᵗˡᵉ ᵈᵒᵍᵍⁱᵉˢ!" "ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵘⁿᵈᵉʳˢᵗᵃⁿᵈ ⁿᵒʳ ᵈᵒ ᴵ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ʰᵉᵃʳ ᵒᶠ ᵃᵍᵃⁱⁿ⸴ ᵃˢ ᴵ ʰᵒᵖᵉ ᴵ ᵈⁱᵈⁿ'ᵗ ᵃᶜᵗ ᵘᵖ‧‧"

ᴼᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵐʸ ᵐⁱⁿᵈ ⁽ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᴮᵒᵇ ᶠᵃⁿᶠⁱᶜ⁾ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ᶜᵒᵐᵖᵘᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᶠᵉ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ʷᵉⁿᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᔆᵃⁿᵈʸ ᵗᵒ ᵀᵉˣᵃˢ ˢᵒ ʰᵉ ᶠᵒᵘⁿᵈ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ᵇᵒʳᵉᵈ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵗʰᵉⁿ ˢᵃʷ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃⁿᵈ ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ‧ "ᴴᵉʸ ʷᵃⁱᵗ ᵘᵖ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃʸˢ‧ ᴴᵉ ᶜᵃᵘᵍʰᵗ ᵘᵖ ᵃⁿᵈ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ʰⁱˢ ˢⁱᵗᵘᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ‧ "ᵂᵉ'ʳᵉ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵍᵒⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵒᵒᶠʸ ᵍᵒᵒᵇᵉʳˢ! ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᵍᵒ ᶜᵒᵐᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵘˢ?" "ᔆᵘʳᵉ‧" ᔆᵒ ᵗʰᵉʸ ʷᵉⁿᵗ‧ "ᵀʳⁱᵖˡᵉ ᵍᵒᵒᵇᵉʳ ᵇᵉʳʳʸ ˢᵘⁿʳⁱˢᵉ? ᴵ'ᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ ˢᵒ ˢᵘʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘ‧‧‧" "ᴵ'ᵐ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ᵗʳʸ ⁱᵗ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁱⁿᵗᵉʳʳᵘᵖᵗᵉᵈ‧ "ᴮᵘᵗ ⁱᵗ'ˢ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵒˢᵗ‧‧‧" "ᔆᵒ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ!" "ᔆˡᵒʷ ᵈᵒʷⁿ! ᴵᵗ'ˢ ᵖᵃᶜᵏᵉᵈ ʷⁱᵗʰ ˢᵘᵍᵃʳ‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ⸴ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ⁱᵍⁿᵒʳⁱⁿᵍ⸴ ᵃᵗᵉ ᵃˡˡ ᵒᶠ ⁱᵗ‧ ᴼᶠ ᶜᵒᵘʳˢᵉ⸴ ᵗʳⁱᵖˡᵉ ᵍᵒᵒᵇᵉʳ ᵇᵉʳʳʸ ˢᵘⁿʳⁱˢᵉ; ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵉᵛᵉʳᵃᵍᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵗʰᵉ ᵐᵒˢᵗ ˢᵘᵍᵃʳ ⁱⁿ ⁱᵗ‧‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵍᵒᵗ ʰⁱᵗ ᵇʸ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵘᵍᵃʳ ʳᵘˢʰ ᑫᵘⁱᶜᵏˡʸ ᵃᵖᵖᵃʳᵉⁿᵗ ʰᵒʷ ˡᵒᵒᵖʸ‧ ᴴᵉ ᵍⁱᵍᵍˡᵉᵈ ᵘⁿˡⁱᵏᵉ ʰⁱˢ ᵘˢᵘᵃˡ ˡᵃᵘᵍʰᵗᵉʳ‧ ᴴᵉ ˢᑫᵘᵉᵃˡᵉᵈ⸴ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵉˣᶜⁱᵗᵉᵐᵉⁿᵗ‧ "ᴵ'ˡˡ ˢᵏⁱᵖ ᵐʸ ᵗʳⁱᵖˡᵉ ᵍᵒᵒᵇᵉʳ ᵇᵉʳʳʸ ˢᵘⁿʳⁱˢᵉ ᴾᵃᵗ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵘˢᵘᵃˡ?" "ᵂᵉˡˡ ᴵ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ˡᵉᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃᶠᵉ ᵃⁿᵈ ᶜᵃʳᵉᶠᵘˡ‧‧‧" ᶜᵘʳʳᵉⁿᵗˡʸ ᵗʰᵉʸ ˢᵃʷ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃᶜᵗ ᵘⁿⁿᵃᵗᵘʳᵃˡˡʸ ᶜᵃʳᵉᶠʳᵉᵉ‧ ᵀᵒ ᵈⁱᶻᶻʸ ᵗᵒ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ˢᵗᵃⁿᵈ ᵘᵖ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵒᵇᵇˡᵉᵈ⸴ ᶠˡᵃⁱˡⁱⁿᵍ ʰⁱˢ ᵃʳᵐˢ⸴ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵍⁱᵈᵈʸ‧ "ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵗʳᵘˢᵗ ᵗᵒ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵇʸ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ˢᵒ ᵖᵉʳʰᵃᵖˢ ʷᵉ'ˡˡ ᵃⁿᵒᵗʰᵉʳ ᵗⁱᵐᵉ‧‧‧" "ᴵ'ᵐ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ˢᵗᵃʸ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵇʸᵉ!" ᴾᵃᵗʳⁱᶜᵏ ʷᵃᵛᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ᵗʰᵉʸ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ᵍᵒᵒᶠʸ ᵍᵒᵒᵇᵉʳˢ‧ "ᵂʰʸ ᵈᵒ ʷᵉ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ᵏⁿᵒʷ⸴ ᴵ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏ ʷᵉ'ᵈ ʲᵘˢᵗ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ ᵍᵒ ᵗᵒ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜʰᵘᵐ ᵇᵘᶜᵏᵉᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧" "ᴱᵃᵗ ᶜʰᵘᵐ?" "ᴺᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ˡⁱᵛᵉ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ᵇᵉ ʷⁱᵗʰ ʸᵒᵘ!" "ᴵ'ˡˡ ˢᵗᵃʸ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ‧‧‧" "ʸᵃʸ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵒᵒᵏ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵗᵒ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵉᵈʳᵒᵒᵐ‧ "ᴮᵉˢᵗ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈˢ⸴ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ᵒᶠ ᵘˢ ᶠᵒʳᵉᵛᵉʳ!" "ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗʰⁱⁿᵏⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵗʳᵃⁱᵍʰᵗ ʳⁱᵍʰᵗ ⁿᵒʷ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵐᵃᵈᵉ ʷʳⁱᵗⁱⁿᵍ ⁱⁿ ᵐʸ ᵇᵒᵒᵏ ˢʰᵉˡᶠ ᵃ ᵇᵒᵒᵏ!" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵖᵒⁱⁿᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵃ ʲᵒᵘʳⁿᵃˡ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ᵐᵉᵃⁿ⸴ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ᵃ ᵈⁱᵃʳʸ?" "ᴼᵖᵉⁿ ᵃⁿᵈ ʳᵉᵃᵈ ⁱᵗ; ᵒᵖᵉⁿ ⁱᵗ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵈⁱᵈ⸴ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵃʷ ⁿᵒᵗᵉˢ ᵒᶠ ᵛᵃʳⁱᵒᵘˢ ᵖˡᵃⁿˢ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵉˣᵖᵉᶜᵗᵉᵈ ˢᶜʰᵉᵐᵉˢ ᵒʳ ᵉˣᵖᵉʳⁱᵐᵉⁿᵗˢ ᵇᵘᵗ ˢᵃʷ ᵃ ˢᶜʳᵃᵖᵇᵒᵒᵏ ᵒᶠ ᵖʰᵒᵗᵒˢ‧ ᔆᵒᵐᵉ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᶜʰⁱˡᵈʰᵒᵒᵈ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵃˡˢᵒ ᵒᶠ ᵃˡˡ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖⁱᶜᵗᵘʳᵉˢ ᵗᵃᵏᵉⁿ ʷⁱᵗʰ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵖᵘᵗ 'ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈˢ' ᵃᵇᵒᵛᵉ ⁱᵗ⸴ ᵗᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵘᵖ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖᵃᵍᵉ! "ᵂʰʸ‧‧‧" "ᴵ ᵍᵒᵗᵗᵃ ᵖʰᵒᵗᵒ ᵃˡᵇᵘᵐ ᵒᶠ ᵖᵉᵒᵖˡᵉ ⁱⁿ ᵐʸ ˡⁱᶠᵉ ᵇᵘᵗ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ᴷʳᵃᵇˢ ᵒᵘᵗ; ᴵ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ⁱᵗ ᵐᵒˢᵗˡʸ ˡᵒᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ᴷᵃʳᵉⁿ ᵏⁿᵒʷˢ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ⁱᵗ; ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ⁱᵗ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵇᵉᶜᵃᵘˢᵉ ᴵ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵇᵒʳᵉᵈ ᵉᵃʳˡⁱᵉʳ!" "ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ᵃ ᶠᵉᵉˡⁱⁿᵍ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵍᵒⁿⁿᵃ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ˢʰᵒʷ ᵐᵉ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘʳ ⁿᵒʳᵐᵃˡ ˢᵉˡᶠ‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗʳᵃⁱˡᵉᵈ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵍᵃᵛᵉ ʰⁱᵐ ᵃ ʰᵘᵍ‧ "ʸᵒᵘ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ʳᵉˢᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧" "ᴮᵘᵗ ᴵ⁻ᴵ'ᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵗⁱʳᵉᵈ; ᴵ ᵈ⁻ᵈᵒⁿ’ᵗ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ‧‧‧" "ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃⁿ ᵇᵃʳᵉˡʸ ᵏᵉᵉᵖ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵉʸᵉ ᵒᵖᵉⁿ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵃʳᵍᵘᵉᵈ ʰⁱˢ ᵖʳᵒᵗᵉˢᵗᵉᵈ ᵇᵘᵗ ⁿᵒᵗⁱᶜᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ᶠᵃˡˡⁱⁿᵍ ᵃˢˡᵉᵉᵖ⸴ ˢᵒ ʰᵉ ᵗᵘᶜᵏᵉᵈ ʰⁱᵐ ⁱⁿ ᵇᵉᵈ‧‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷᵒᵏᵉ ᵘᵖ ᵗʰᵉ ⁿᵉˣᵗ ᵐᵒʳⁿⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ʰᵃᵛⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵘᶜᵏᵉᵈ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ⁱⁿ‧ ᴴᵉ ˢˡᵉᵖᵗ ᵒⁿ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠˡᵒᵒʳ ᵇʸ ʰⁱˢ ᵇᵉᵈ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢᵃʷ ʰᵉ'ˢ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ᵈᵉᵉᵖˡʸ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᵃⁿᵈ ˡᵉᶠᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ʷᵒʳᵏ‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʷʳᵒᵗᵉ 'ᴵ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵍᵒⁿᵉ ⁿᵒʷ⸴ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ⸴ ʰᵒᵖᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ʳᵉˢᵗᵉᵈ ʷᵉˡˡ' ˢᵗⁱᶜᵏʸ ⁿᵒᵗᵉ ᵇᵉᶠᵒʳᵉ‧‧ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᶜᵒⁿᶠˡⁱᶜᵗᵉᵈ⸴ ᵏⁿᵒʷⁱⁿᵍ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵘˢᵘᵃˡˡʸ ˢᵒ ᵒᵖᵉⁿˡʸ ᵃᶠᶠᵉᶜᵗⁱᵒⁿᵃᵗᵉ‧ 'ᴵ ᵈᵒ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ʷʰᵃᵗ ʰᵉ ᵐⁱᵍʰᵗ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ᶠᵉᵉˡ ᵇᵃᵈ ⁿᵒᵗ ᵃᵗ ˡᵉᵃˢᵗ ʷⁱᵖⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵒᵐᵉ ʰⁱˢ ᵒʷⁿ ᵈʳᵒᵒˡ' ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵃ ˢⁱᵍʰ‧ "ᴴᵘʳʳʸ ᵘᵖ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʰᵉᵃʳᵈ ᵃ ʸᵉˡˡ⸴ ᵗʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵗᵒ ⁱᵍⁿᵒʳᵉ ʷᵒʳʳʸⁱⁿᵍ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ "ᴼʳᵈᵉʳ ᵘᵖ!" ᴴᵉ ˢᵃʸˢ ᵃˢ ʰᵉ ᶠⁱⁿⁱˢʰᵉᵈ ᵐᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ ᵃ ᵖᵃᵗᵗʸ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ˢᵗⁱˡˡ ʲⁱᵗᵗᵉʳʸ ᵃᵇᵒᵘᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧ 'ᔆᵒ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʷᵃⁿᵗˢ ᵗᵒ ᵇᵉ ᵐʸ ᶠʳⁱᵉⁿᵈ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᴵ ᵈᵒ ⁿᵒᵗ ʷᵃⁿᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ⁱᵗ ʷᵉⁱʳᵈ ᵇʸ ˢᵉᵉᵐⁱⁿᵍˡʸ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇˡᵘᵉ ʲᵘˢᵗ‧‧‧' ᔆᵘᵈᵈᵉⁿˡʸ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰᵗˢ ᵗʳᵃⁱˡᵉᵈ ᵒᶠᶠ ᵃˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ʰⁱᵐˢᵉˡᶠ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ⁱⁿ ᵗʰʳᵒᵘᵍʰ ᵗʰᵉ ᵈᵒᵒʳˢ⸴ ˢᵉᵉᵐⁱⁿᵍˡʸ ᵇᵃˢʰᶠᵘˡ‧ "ᴴᵉʸ⸴ ᵏⁱᵈ; ᴵ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᵘˢ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵃˡᵏ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵃˡᵒⁿᵉ‧‧" ˢᵃʸˢ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃˢ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶠᵉˡᵗ ᵖᵃⁿⁱᶜᵏᵉᵈ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵍˡᵃᵈ ʰᵉ'ˢ ⁿᵒʷ ᵇᵉᵗᵗᵉʳ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˡᵉᵗ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᶠᵒˡˡᵒʷ ʰⁱᵐ ᵒᵘᵗ‧ "ᴺᵒʷ ᵗʰᵉⁿ; ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵏⁿᵒʷ ᵒʳ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳ ᵃˡˡ ᵒᶠ ʷʰᵃᵗ'ˢ ˢᵃⁱᵈ⸴ ˡᵃˢᵗ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢⁱᵍʰᵉᵈ‧ "ᴵ ᵈᵒⁿ'ᵗ ᵉᵛᵉⁿ ʳᵉᶜᵃˡˡ ⁱᶠ ᵍᵒᵒᶠʸ ᵍᵒᵒᵇᵉʳˢ ᵍᵒᵒᵈ⸴ ᵇᵘᵗ ᶠⁱʳˢᵗ ᴵ ʷᵃⁿⁿᵃ ˢᵃʸ ˢ⁻ˢᵒʳʳʸ ⁱᶠ‧‧‧" "ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ‧‧‧" "ᴵ'ᵐ ⁿᵒᵗ ᶠⁱⁿⁱˢʰᵉᵈ!" ᴴᵉ ˢᵃⁱᵈ⸴ ⁱⁿ ʰⁱˢ ᵘˢᵘᵃˡ ᵗᵒⁿᵉ ᵒᶠ ˢᵖᵉᵃᵏⁱⁿᵍ‧ "ᔆᵒʳʳʸ ⁱ⁻ⁱᶠ ˡᵃˢᵗ ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗ ⁱᶠ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵐᵘˢᵗ'ᵛᵉ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉⁿᵉᵈ‧ ᴵ ʲᵘˢᵗ ⁿᵉᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵃᵏᵉ ˢᵘʳᵉ ⁱᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵘⁿᵈᵃᵉ ᵈⁱᵈ‧‧‧" ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵃʷ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵉˣᵖʳᵉˢˢⁱᵒⁿ ᵒᶠ ᶜᵒⁿᶠˡⁱᶜᵗᵉᵈ ᶠᵉᵉˡⁱⁿᵍˢ‧ "ᵂʰᵃᵗ⸴ ᵏⁱᵈ‽" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵉᵐᵉᵐᵇᵉʳᵉᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ʲᵒᵘʳⁿᵃˡ ᵃⁿᵈ ʰᵒʷ ʰᵒⁿᵉˢᵗ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ᵃᶜᵗᵉᵈ ʷʰᵉⁿ ⁿᵒᵗ ˢⁱˡˡʸ‧ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᵍᵉᵗ ʷᵒʳʳⁱᵉᵈ ⁿᵒʷ‧ "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵗᵃˡᵏ ᵗᵒ ᵐᵉ! ᵀᵉˡˡ ᵐᵉ ʷʰᵃᵗ'ˢ ᵍᵒᵗ ʸᵒᵘ; ᵒʰ ᵍʳᵉᵃᵗ⸴ ʷʰᵃᵗ ᵈⁱᵈ ᴵ ᵈᵒ‧‧‧" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ˢʰⁱᶠᵗᵉᵈ ˢˡⁱᵍʰᵗˡʸ‧ "ᵂᵉˡˡ ᴵ'ᵛᵉ ᵍᵒᵗ ᵐʸ ᶠᵃⁱʳ ˢʰᵃʳᵉ ᵒᶠ ˢᵘᵍᵃʳ ʳᵘˢʰ‧‧‧" "ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ᵍᵉᵗ ᵒⁿ ʷⁱᵗʰ ⁱᵗ!" "ʸᵒᵘ ᵈʳᵒᵒˡ ʷʰᵉⁿ ʸᵒᵘ ˢˡᵉᵉᵖ!" ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ'ˢ ᵇˡᵘʳᵗⁱⁿᵍ ᵒᵘᵗ ⁿᵒʷ‧ ᴹᵒᵘᵗʰ ᵃᵍᵃᵖᵉ⸴ ᴾˡᵃⁿᵏᵗᵒⁿ'ˢ ˢᵗᵃʳᵗˡᵉᵈ ᵇʸ ᵗʰᵉ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵇᵘʳˢᵗ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ˢᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ‧ "ᵂʰᵃᵗ‽" ᴴᵉ ʸᵉˡˡᵉᵈ ᵃˢ ᔆᵖᵒⁿᵍᵉᵇᵒᵇ ʳᵃⁿ ᵇᵃᶜᵏ ᵗᵒ ʷᵒʳᵏ‧ 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚍 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚝: 𝟽𝟷𝟿

CHIP ON THE SHOULDERS xiii (By NeuroFabulous) Chip and Sandy hovered at the edge of the room, their eyes wide with curiosity. "What happens when you have your wisdom teeth out?" Chip asked, his voice a soft whisper. Sandy shrugged, her own interest piqued. "They take them out so they don't hurt you," she said, her voice thoughtful. "But I don't know what it's like." Karen's eyes remained on Plankton's face, her thumb tracing gentle circles on his palm. "It's not always easy," she murmured. "Especially for someone like him." Her gaze flickered to Chip, her expression serious. "Remember, buddy, everyone experiences things differently. We have to be patient and understand." Chip nodded, his gaze never leaving Plankton's sleeping form. He was fascinated by his dad's autism, the way it made him see the world so uniquely. He was eager to learn more, to be there for him in ways he never knew were needed. Sandy sat beside them, her eyes on the chessboard, lost in thought. "I've heard of autism before," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But I didn't know it could affect Plankton." Karen nodded, her eyes never leaving her husband's face. "It's part of who he is," she murmured. "It's not always easy, but it's what makes him special." Her gaze softened as she looked at Chip. "And it's important we learn to support each other, especially when things are tough." Karen stands up, getting vanilla ice cream from the freezer. With a spoon in hand, she wakes Plankton up gently, her touch featherlight on his shoulder. "Hey," she whispers, her voice a gentle nudge. "You need to wake up for a moment." Plankton's antennae twitch, his sleepy eye opening to find Karen's smiling face. "Wha?" he mumbles, the gauze in his mouth making his words indistinct. "Ice cream," she whispers, holding up the bowl. His eyes widen slightly, the mention of the cold, soothing treat cutting through the haze of his anesthesia-induced sleep. "For the swelling," she reminds him gently, her voice a soft caress. "Let's get rid of the gauze first.." With trembling hands, Plankton reaches for the gauze in his mouth, his antennae quivering slightly. Karen's hand guides his, her touch a gentle reminder of her presence. He pulls it out with a grimace, his mouth feeling strange without the pressure. The formerly white gauze is stained pink. Karen takes it from him, her movements swift and efficient. "Here," she says, her voice a soft whisper. "Let's get you some ice cream." She brings the spoon to his mouth. Plankton's eye widens. He opens his mouth, his antennae drooping with exhaustion. He makes a contented noise, his antennae twitching slightly. "Mmm," he murmurs, his voice barely a whisper. Karen feeds him another spoonful when his antennae perk up slightly, his sleepy gaze locking on hers. "It's okay," she soothes, her voice a gentle whisper. "You can eat." "Mmph," he mumbles. The coldness of the ice cream is a shock to his sensitive mouth, but the sweetness soon overpowers the discomfort. His antennae twitch with each spoonful, his eye slowly focusing. "Manilla cweam," he murmurs, the words barely coherent. Karen smiles, her eyes shining with relief. He takes another bite, the creaminess of the ice cream coating his tongue. "Mmph," he sighs, his antennae drooping with contentment. Karen chuckles softly, her hand steady as she feeds him. Chip watches as Plankton's eyelid flutters. "He's really tired, huh?" he says, his voice small. Sandy nods, a knowing smile on her face. "Yeah, but the ice cream will help with the swelling," she assures him. Karen nods, her movements careful as she feeds Plankton another spoonful. "It's important to stay ahead of the pain," she whispers. "And I think he enjoys it too." Her eyes sparkle with mirth, the tension of the day briefly forgotten as they watch Plankton's sleepy indulgence. Plankton's antennae twitch, his eye half-lidded as he savors the ice cream. The sweetness of the vanilla is a soothing contrast to the metallic tang of his mouth, the coldness a gentle reprieve from the surgery. Each spoonful is a battle against his need for sleep, his body demanding rest while his taste buds revel in the creamy delight. Karen's hands are gentle, her touch steady as she feeds him, her eyes always on his face, watching for any signs of pain or distress. Chip sits beside them, his eyes widening with every spoonful. "Dad's really out of it, isn't he?" he whispers to Sandy. Karen nods, her smile soft. "The anesthesia can do that," she says. "But the ice cream will help with the swelling." Plankton's antennae twitch as his eyes struggle to stay open, the weight of sleep crushing down on him. Each spoonful of ice cream is a tiny victory, a brief reprieve from the siren's call of his bed. He mumbles something incoherent, his antennae drooping. "What was that?" Karen asks, leaning closer to hear him better. "M'tired," he manages, his voice slurred. Chip giggles softly at his father's sleepy state, his own energy a stark contrast to the slumber that threatens to consume Plankton. "You can sleep soon," Karen soothes, her voice a gentle reminder. "But let's fi-" But Plankton's antennae droop, his eye slipping closed once more. His snores fill the quiet room, a comforting rhythm that speaks of his deep rest. Karen sighs, her hand pausing mid-air with the spoon of ice cream. "C'mon, Plank..." He stirs slightly, his antennae twitching. "Mmh?" he mumbles, his voice a sleepy whisper. Karen's smile is patient, her love for him shining through her eyes. "Just a little more," she coaxes, her voice gentle. "For the swelling." She helps him sit up straighter. The coldness of the ice cream is a jolt to his senses, his eye opening wider. He nods, his antennae perking up slightly. "Okay," he murmurs, his voice still thick with sleep. Karen continues to feed him, her movements slow and deliberate. Each spoonful is a battle won, his eyelid fighting to stay open. "You're doing great," she whispers, her thumb brushing his hand. Sandy and Chip watch Plankton's struggle. Chip's eyes are wide, taking in every detail. Karen's hand is a steady presence. But Plankton's body fights back, each spoonful a challenge to stay awake. He takes a deep breath, his antennas fluttering as he tries to focus on the taste of the vanilla ice cream. "M'okay," he murmurs, his voice barely above a whisper. But his eyelid droops, the weight of sleep too much to resist. Karen's eyes fill with determination. She'll get him through this. She feeds him another spoonful, her voice a gentle chant. "Keep going, Plankton. You can do it." His antennae quiver slightly as he tastes the ice cream, his eye blinking slowly. "M'tryin'," he whispers, the words almost lost. Karen's voice is a soft mantra, her words a gentle push to keep him conscious. "Just a little more," she coaxes, her hand steady as she brings the spoon to his lips. Plankton's antennae twitch, his eye sliding closed again. "Mmph," he protests, his voice a sleepy mumble. The coldness of the ice cream is a jolt to his sluggish system, his body instinctively swallowing. Karen's voice is a gentle coax, her touch a comforting presence. "You can do it," she whispers, her eyes filled with love and determination. "Just a few more bites." But Plankton's body has other plans. His antennae twitch with each spoonful, his eyelid a battleground between staying awake and giving in to sleep. "Mmh," he murmurs, his voice barely audible. "Tired." Karen's eyes never leave his face, her smile filled with compassion. "I know, Plankton," she whispers. "But we need to finish this." She holds the spoon to his mouth, her eyes filled with understanding. Plankton's antennae twitch slightly, his eye opening with difficulty. "Mmh?" he mumbles, his voice a sleepy echo of his exhaustion. Karen's voice is a gentle reminder. "Just a little more, sweetie," she says, her tone filled with love and concern. She holds the spoon to his mouth again, her expression a silent plea for his cooperation. Plankton's antennae wobble, his eye barely open. He takes another bite, his antennae drooping with each spoonful. "Almost done," she whispers, her hands steady. "You're doing so well." He nods slightly, his antennae twitching with the effort to stay awake. "Mmph," he mumbles, his voice a sleepy grumble. The ice cream is a sweet torment, his mouth watering with each tiny bite. "M'tired," he whispers, his antennae quivering. Karen's eyes are soft with understanding. She knows the struggle of his autistic brain to process the world, even in sleep. "Just a little more," she soothes, her voice a whispered promise of rest. She feeds him another spoonful, his eye fluttering shut again. The sweetness of the vanilla ice cream is a siren's call to his senses, briefly keeping his consciousness afloat. "Mm," he murmurs, his antennae twitching slightly. The coldness of the treat is a stark contrast to the warmth of his sleepiness. Karen's voice is a gentle guiding light, her words a soothing melody to his sluggish mind. "You're doing great," she whispers, her smile a soft ray of comfort in the dimly lit room. "Al-" But Plankton's antennae droop, his eye slipping closed once more. His snores return, deep and rhythmic. Karen sighs, her eyes soft with love. "Okay," she whispers, setting the spoon aside. "You've had enough." Her voice is a gentle goodbye to the waking world as she helps him lie down, his body a deadweight against the couch cushions.