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[[ sorry on holiday - be back saturday/friday]]

I sighed "Unfortunatly not, otherwise i'd shove anything at him," I giggled then switched the tune to 'temptation' by Cradle of Filth, "...and there is some horrid music out there too." I stared at Richard's checks that were fading stillI put my head in my arms on the table, "It's beautiful, isn't it..." Richard smiled at Gene.

I looked at Gene strangly, "Don't listen to music..." I lean back and stop playing with my hair, "...How were you socailised?" I had never heard of anyone not listening to music before, "Music is the beauty..."
I started hugging Gene again, "I'm sorry," I said carefully looking round, as the whole class was now staring at us, Michella's load voice not helping.

"We are not very social people, I suppose. My parents very rarely make appointments for company. Until recently I was educated at home to reduce the influence other children might have on me. The parenting style they have developed for me is very specific and draws from Katherine's experience as a Sociologist and Gerald's experience as a Psychologist. By denying me the influence of aberrant culture and those marked by it, they gain complete control of my mental development and behavioral tendencies." Gene became quieter as he spoke. People were staring. He was drawing attention to himself and that always ended poorly. Gene looked down at his hands which had balled into fists on his desk. He growls softly, made uncomfortable by the realization that even his new friends must think him strange now. Undoubtedly they would soon make awkward excuses and want nothing more to do with him. "I have only been allowed to attend a public school because they have come to realize I am unable to comfortably interact with strangers. I become too withdrawn and react irrationally when approached. This is highly unusual and not conducive to a successful future career. And their own careers are far too demanding for them to keep up with my developmental needs alone." At this point Gene was narrating in a monotone, repeating almost word for word the dictation he'd listened to Katherine recording.

Gene looks up at them both, clearly surprised by their reactions. But most surprised by Richard who had not only taken his hand but had kissed it. He did not even know how to react... was he embarrassed? Pleased? Displeased? Perplexed; he was perplexed. These two truly were unlike what he had come to expect by dealing with others. He thought quietly about what Richard had said. He had never thought of his parents as caring. Caring was an emotional word and emotions were nothing more than roadblocks to rational thought. But Richard had not yet told him anything untrue; perhaps he just understood things better than Gene did. "Maybe you are right. I would like to believe that." The bell rang to signify the end of the school day and Gene was glad for it. It had been a very strange day and he very much wanted to escape the eyes of other students. He needed time to compose himself. "Michella, is it still alright if I come with you? I will understand of course if it is not possible."

For the first time, Gene actually was a little embarrassed. His face felt warm... was he honestly blushing? What an unreasonable reaction. Still, he had certainly never had anyone tell him they would do anything. He had not an inkling what to say to something like that. And so he did not even try. "I am just coming home with you. For a little while. Michella offered and I very much think I would like to." Gene smiled a little.

It could not possibly be normal for people to kiss one another as Richard had kissed his cheek. Gene could think of no other time he had seen such behavior. His parents never kissed in front of him at all and what students he had seen kissing... well, this was nothing like those situations. Gene realized he was staring at Richard in wide eyed silence and mentally shook himself. Still blushing and still refusing to acknowledge it, Gene rose from his seat and took his bag from Richard. Perhaps they were simply a very affectionate family. Michella had stroked his hair. Maybe it was not very different from that. Was he just over thinking it all? He would simply have to adapt to his strange new friends. That thought in mind, Gene quickly and before he could change his mind placed a kiss on Richard's cheek. Then he smiled awkwardly and said, "Yes, of course. Let us go and find your sister." Gene aimed to sound as though nothing out of the ordinary had taken place, but he had missed his mark and instead sounded just the slightest bit nervous. Well, it could not be helped. He tried again, this time more successfully. "What is your other sister's name? How many siblings do you have?"

Gene had begun to follow Richard, albeit at a more sedate pace. He had wanted to ask how one could have three or four siblings, but instead chose to just watch as Richard approached a young girl, knelt and began to yell. Was he angry? No, he did not really seem to be. Gene stopped in his tracks when a second girl ran from a classroom, collided with the first and... and simply merged with her. "No, no that cannot be real." Gene whispered to himself, staring at the now singular girl. Gene willed himself to accept what he had just seen; was it really any more strange than his own ability? Yes! The part of him that was still having trouble accepting any of it cried out. But if this was only delusion, then so was everything else. Gene finally took his eyes off the girl to look back at Michella, then forward to Richard. If it came to accepting all or nothing, he wanted it all. He forced a smile onto his face and this time even managed to sound much more at ease than he actually felt when he spoke to Sakura. "Hello, my name is Gene. I am friends with your siblings. It is nice to meet you."