Homework at the Brownstone.

[jakeem_thunder]

Per usual, Jakeem is attempting to do all the homework he was set during the holidays the night before he goes back to school. If only the Thunderbolt knew anything about quadratic equations or writing essays

Comments

[midnite_md]

Silently, and without drawing attention to himself, Dr. Cross enters the kitchen, listening to the young ones' conversation, making his way toward the refrigerator himself.

[_jaded_one_]

Jennie's gaze flickers over toward Pieter, then she mixes her salad with her fork, all innocent. "Boy, I'd hate to be the person who takes out the trash around here. I mean, unless you have those gloves that Blue Beetle made for us. Otherwise...whoa, I hope you're not interested in having kids."

[jakeem_thunder]

Jakeem pauses, about to take a bite of pizza. "What makes you say that?"

[_jaded_one_]

"Well, you just started working here, right? I mean, pretty new, right?" She stands, takes the salad bowl to the sink to rinse it out. "So you might not know that we have some weird stuff around here. Not just regular lettuce makes a girl turn green."

She winks at Dr. Cross.

[jakeem_thunder]

"Very funny," Jakeem says unimpressed. "I've been here a while, FYI. And I don't think I've ever seen Ma use gloves to put out the trash."

Might be something to keep in mind though. I mean . . . you can never be too careful.

"What else might make you turn green?"

[midnite_md]

Dr. Pieter Cross is not a winker, and even if he was, winking is somewhat useless behind the goggles he has to wear to allow him to see in normal light. He makes no show of noticing Jade's gesture as he prepares to make sandwiches.

"Many things, Jakeem," he finally pipes up, in his deep, authoritative voice. "An exceptional amount of high-fructose corn syrup common in many popular carbonated beverages, high concentrations of riboflavin found in certain breakfast cereals, and, by way of example, the cheese on that pizza of mine you're eating. It's an artificially engineered substance I've designed to help counteract the acne-causing agents in the greasier foods, but it's still in the experimental stages. Turning a pale shade of green is still a potential side effect."

His manner is so clinical that even Jade might wonder if he's playing along or telling the truth.

[jakeem_thunder]

Jakeem pauses halfway through a mouthful of pizza. "Mu-nite," he says swallowing hurriedly. "Din' oh ou wah dere."

Oops. It occurs to Jakeem that swallowing might have been a mistake. He puts the slice of pizza down carefully. "Um. These potential side effects . . . they, uh, how potential are they?"

[midnite_md]

"Oh, don't worry. It's nothing a little invasive surgery couldn't reverse if it got out of hand. You should be fine."

[jakeem_thunder]

Invasive surgery? Jakeem has definitely lost his appetite.

"Um, yeah. Think I'll go finish my homework," he says, pushing the pizza box across the table. "Catch you guys later."

[jsaboss]

*Half-obliviously nodding to everyone, a very bleary Mr. Terrific makes his way to the fridge and unearths the slice of key lime pie he's had stashed for a couple days for when he knew he'd want it.*

[_jaded_one_]

Jade barely, just barely, keeps from giggling herself sick as she puts the bowl and fork into the dishwasher. She's totally hugging him later. But as Mr. Terrific enters, she pauses. "Hey, um, T, want some coffee?"

[jsaboss]

Hmm? Oh, thanks, Jennie. Been trying to update case files.

Any of you want some pie?

*He extends the tray to reveal it in all its bright, green goodness.*

I think I have enough here to share.

[jakeem_thunder]

...

"I'll pass, thanks."

[jsaboss]

*Michael knows he's missing something. He takes a bite while looking quizzically at them.*

That's fine. Suit yourself. This is really good, though. Ma made it herself.

[jakeem_thunder]

At this point, Jakeem doesn't even trust Ma's cooking. "I'm good. Guess I'll see y'all later."

[jsaboss]

*Confused, Michael turns to look at Jade and Mid-Nite.*

He's turning down pie. This isn't some sort of nefarious eveil scheme, is it? Because I need nefarious evil schemes to make appointments this week.