The Heather/Damsel Chronicles
Set in the near-future of the year 2020, The Heather/Damsel Chronicles focuses on the eponymous characters Heather and Damsel Morgendorffer, the twin daughters of Daria and Jane Morgendorffer. A primary supporting character is Cherry Lane, who lives with her guardian and uncle, Trent Lane.
The series is broken up into thirteen chapter story arcs, much like the original Daria cartoon was made up of thirteen episode seasons. At this point, the first story arc is nearing completion. Each chapter begins with a quoted song lyric, intended to either highlight the personality of a main character, elicit an emotional response appropriate to the events of the chapter, or both.
The series is written by NightGoblyn.
Background[edit]
The series is based on the timeline in which Daria and Jane graduate high school in the year 2000. At the time the story begins, both have become highly successful in their chosen fields and are wealthy enough to purchase a mansion in the exclusive Crewe Neck community. However, their success has come with a price: Jane spends much of her time away from home, Daria is unhappy that her commercial works have so dramatically upstaged her social commentary, and there is considerable strain on their marriage.
To further complicate matters, Daria has decided to uproot the family from their home in New York City and return to Lawndale. Her stated reason is that NYC is unsafe for her family, but Heather feels that she is personally responsible for the move. As the story moves on it becomes apparent that there is definitely more going on than is revealed at first glance. As Heather herself says later on: "We all keep secrets, Damsel. It’s what Morgendorffers do best."
Previously, in the H/DC[edit]
Senior Citizen - In this prequel to the Chronicles, Quinn prepares herself for her first day at school as a senior. Old friendships change, new friends are made, and the unstable Morgendorffer home life gets shakier.
Quinndy-Lou Who - Daria comes home for the Holidays, and once she has taken full stock of the situation, she decides to give the Barksdale clan a Christmas they'll never forget.
Story One[edit]
Welcome to Lawndale (1:01) - The Morgendorffers move from NYC to Lawndale, into a mansion in the Crewe Neck community specially designed by Fashionable House Realty, Inc. After moving the family goes out for pizza.
Cherry Bomb (1:02) - First day of high school: Damsel joins a clique and Heather meets a new friend . . . and the Flying Monkeys. Quinn takes the girls out to dinner so Daria can have some personal time with a certain someone.
Memory Lane (1:03) - Once again finding themselves victimized by their parents' busy work schedules, the twins get shuffled off to stay at Cherry's for the evening. While there, Uncle Trent takes them on a guided tour down memory lane . . . but not all questions are answered.
Laugh, Clown, Laugh (1:04) - Turning away from Heather for a moment, here is the story of Damsel's introduction to the Renaissance Society and the wild world of Lawndale High. Much to her sorrow some equations turn out to be harder to solve than others.
Pair Shaped (1:05) - With the Homecoming game and dance right around the corner, a young high schooler’s fancy turns lightly to thoughts of love. In some cases, replace ‘love’ with extreme irritation, angst and pining, or a crisis of confidence.
Sub Vino, Sub Rosa (1:06) - The ancient Romans believed that things done in drunken revelry should stay secret . . . sort of an ancient 'What happens in Rome, stays in Rome' philosophy. In the post modern era, our heroines must decide which is worse: shopping for the dance, the dance, or the honesty that comes from the vine.
Powers Trip (1:07) - Cherry Lane attempts to track down her elusive quarry through the jungles of Lawndale High and accidentally gets a deeper look at the Morgendorffer Madness than she wanted. All this while dealing with the backdrop of madcap movie madness.
Haunted (1:08) - It's Halloween in Lawndale, time for all the ghosts and spectres to rear their ugly little heads and cavort in public. Plus, there's a cool costume party at the Zon . . . to which Cherry and Damsel conspire to drag Heather by hook or by crook.
Snow Place Like Home (1:09) - A freak blizzard blows into Lawndale and the twins are missing. Their family braves the storm to find them, and discovers that there are more storms brewing than the one outside.
Bitter Harvest (1:10) - It's Thanksgiving Day, a lovely time for families to come together and share a meal and the warmth of family togetherness. This can't end well.
Clique, Clique, Boom! (1:11) - Damsel's rival Jessica spins a web of half-truths and lies in an attempt to claw her way to the top of the social ladder. Meanwhile, Jane and Heather are confronted by an angry Daria who has discoved that they are concealing something from her.
Yule be Sorry (1:12) - TBA
Monkey See, Monkey Do (1:13) - TBA
Story Two[edit]
Road Rage (2:01) - TBA
The Truth Shall Set You Free (2:02) - TBA
Damsel in Distress (2:03) - TBA
Escape from New York (2:04) - TBA
Original Characters[edit]
Lawndale High School Faculty - So far, the following faculty members have been revealed: Anthony DeMartino (principal), Takahashi Shiori (Japanese language teacher), Mr. Miller (English teacher), Coach Strickland (girls' PE teacher, track team coach), Coach Kevin Thompson (boys' PE teacher, football team coach)
Canon Characters Revisited[edit]
Daria Morgendorffer - Daria is a successful author, having published five Melody Powers novels (two of which have been made into movies before the series begins), two books of short stories, and several essays. Her parenting seems to be an attempt at Saint Amy style intervention, but when stressed she shows more of Jake's influence. It is interesting to note that she has shown none of Helen's parenting habits, and her household displays none of the mercenary haggling that was so prevalent in her childhood home. Daria has also developed a drinking problem, something that seems to deeply worry Jane.
Jane Morgendorffer - Jane spent a great deal of time on the road during the first years of her marriage, and now feels guilty for becoming a Wandering Lane instead of staying home and being a responsible parent. Her choice to take Daria's last name and her occasional comments about 'being in a real family now' shows that she still feels some animosity towards her parents and older siblings, with the exception of Trent. She still gets called out of town occasionally, but for the most part she tries to stay home and provide a stabilizing influence on the Morgendorffer household.
Quinn Morgendorffer - Quinn studied architecture and interior design in college, and has managed to turn that education into a real estate empire. Fashionable House Realty, Inc. is a Fortune 500 company, with Quinn still owning approximately sixty percent of the shares she is both owner and CEO. She still tries to get away occasionally to see her nieces and sister, but such trips happen less frequently than she would like.
Trent Lane - Trent is now the music teacher at Lawndale High School. He is, in general, a much more alert and responsible person than he was in his twenties. He is the legal guardian of his niece, Cherish "Cherry" Lane.
Stacy Rowe - Stacy attended college with Quinn, the two maintaining their friendship after the Fashion Club collapsed. Not a lot of information has been revealed about Stacy at this time. It is known that she is an accomplished martial artist, and that she provided training for Heather and Damsel when they were younger. Based on that, she has mastered at least three martial arts: Muy Thai, Shotokan Karate, and Tai Chi.
Cameos and In-Jokes[edit]
This series is liberally peppered with both cameo appearances by other authors' original characters and pop-culture references. A few examples include the appearance of TAG's version of Scarlett as a minor character, Quinn's comment to Heather about the family's aunt/niece tradition (a C.E. Forman reference), Cherry's yellow vespa scooter, and a blizzard of movie references and quotes.