Tommy and Shrio- Sunday Afternoon

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The two newest room mates in the mansion manged to have a rather long conversation for them about the pointlessness of General Education and the dread of Power Training. Shiro even shows off his mutation twice and Tommy doesn't say a thing.



"I have never wanted a literary character to get rabies as much as I do you," Shiro said angrily to his open copy of Their Eyes Were Watching God. "Just die and be over with it already."

Of course, Tommy walked in at the worst possible point in that little speech, coming out of his room and into the common to grab a bottle of water. He paused, bottle in hand, looking at him with a raised eyebrow. "I'm certainly hoping that was not directed at me."

"Depends," Shiro replied, flipping the page. "Do you nickname yourself after snacks?"

Tommy cocked his head so he could see what book Shiro was reading and nodded in sympathy. "Ahh..Tea Cake. Annoying isn't he? Found the entire book sappy and overdone, but good underlying themes."

"Yes, I get it. White men hate Black men, Black men hate Black women." Ever the literary scholar. "General education needs to not be."

Well, he wouldn’t have been that crass but Tommy nodded. "Well, as long as you got them, that's really all you need." Coming closer he gave the other a curious look. "General Ed that bad huh? Even in...what are you majoring in?"

"I am studying cartooning at a prestigious art school," Shiro answered, just a little bit haughtily. "And they require me to read so-called literature 'classics' in order to complete my degree. It is . . . a necessary but aggravating evil, I suppose."

Shrugging off the haughty tone, Tommy moved over to plop down on a couch opposite him. "That' pretty simple Gen Ed then. I read that last year in high school."

"Maybe they do not think that artists are literate." Shiro shrugged. "Or if the film and video major is any indication, that we are all too stoned to read anything advanced."

"But if it's art school, why worry? You obviously have the talent to get in, what
does academics matter?" It was a honest question and posed as one as Tommy leaned back, taking a long gulp of water.

"Oh, I'm not worried about getting an A," Shiro clarified with a scoff, "I just don't like it. So I take my satisfaction where I can get it. Like when major characters die."

Tommy couldn't help a small laugh. " Whatever gives you kicks man."

Even though he only had a few more pages left, Shiro couldn't keep his concentration on the book anymore. He dog-eared the page and put the book down, and then got up to get something to eat from the kitchen. "I take them where I can. How about you? Have you found anything worth venturing out of here for?"

Tommy followed him with his eyes as he shrugged. "Found the library bout the only place beside the required physio. Tell me, is the kitchen always such a frightening place? I can't go in there without getting traumatized."

Shiro spotted a package of popcorn one the top shield and frowned. Damn being short. He pushed down with his power, floating up a few inches so he could grab it. "It does seem to be a black hole for trauma," he admitted, landing.

"Tell me, does the green-haired chick always come in for the kill after making you food?" Instead of commenting, Tommy bit his lip and turned his head at the use of power.

It was one of those sealed metal pans that would pop when placed in the fireplace or on the stovetop. Shiro walked back to the couch, heating it up with just his hand. "She is evil," he warned Tommy as the kernels began to pop. "A wonderful person, but evil."

Tommy took a long gulp of water to busy himself. "Evil huh? What did she do to you?"

"She has not done anything lately. But watch out for her if you want to keep to yourself. She goes for the throat if she smells selfishness. Popcorn?" He carefully opened the package and handed it over to Tommy.

Rolling his eyes, Tommy took a small handful, dumping it in his lap as it was still pretty hot. "Wonderful. Should I expect a knock on my door?"

Shiro shook his head. "She is not a hunter, no. In general, even the nosier people here do not actively seek out people to pester. But if they find the opportunity, they will take it," he said wryly. "But don't let that frighten you."

"More reason for me to stay put. I have had enough lectures since I got here to account for a whole school year." Sighing, he leaned back into the couch and passed the popcorn back. "Thanks."

A well placed display of your mutation tends to get people to shut up," Shiro suggested.

Now that made him flinch. "They can go on a field trip to the park then. "


"Have you started powers training yet?" Shiro asked, his tone hinting at concern.

"I'm waiting until I'm completely healed as per the red heads, which should be soon. My arm and leg have regained a quite a bit of muscle so my physio should end soon. I wanted to be ready."

Shiro nodded thoughtfully. "Dreading it?" he hazarded.

"I won't lie to you. Of course." Tommy sighed and closed his eyes.

"As far as the lessons go, they are not bad," Shiro said reassuringly. "They do not push you if you are not holding back, especially if you are just beginning. They are not easy, mind you, but they are not terrible. As for the psychological state you have to be in, well . . . I have no good advice."

He opened one eye to give Shiro a'ya right' look. "Let's not talk about psychological. Please. I am anxious to learn about these power of mine and will do whatever they ask. But I don't think I will ever look forward to it."

Shiro shrugged. He'd never felt one way or another about his powers when he was younger. They were a part of him as much as his arms and legs were. But he could understand Tommy's reluctance. "You are enrolling in high school here too, right?"

Closing his eyes again, Tommy nodded. "Yeah. Can't really leave the crowds so might as well."

And Shiro couldn't imagine what Tommy felt about that. "Take any of Miss Munroe's classes," he said, opting not to discuss the obvious subject. "She's a brilliant woman."

Sighing and feeling that the conversation was becoming to forced for his liking, Tommy stood up slowly. "Thanks, I'll remember that. Woman with the white hair right?"

At least they'd gotten somewhere. "Yes. She teaches history and government." There really wasn't much else to say, so Shiro picked up his book and mustered up the courage to finish reading it.

Tommy nodded before moving back into his room, water bottle still in hand as he munched a few remaining pieces of popcorn. That hadn't been so bad...not at all.