Ben10 & Digimon Tamers
Heroes and Humanity
Part 01: Heroes and Humanity
Chapter 14
Originally Written: Wednesday February 1, 2012 3:05AM; February 2, 2012 12:25PM; Sunday February 05, 2012 1:08AM to 1.28AM; Wednesday February 1, 2012 3:05AM to Sunday February 05, 2012 1:28AM
Jenrya stood at the front doorway of his apartment. Janyuu sat on the couch next to his mother talking quietly. A newscast concerning a certain intelligent human he knew played on the television. A few days back Albedo agreed to an IQ test and also demanded that he be given another harder exam. If he remembered right, Albedo was currently up to PH.D level in math and physics. He was making it look like he wasn't even trying. At his request the testing company kept non crucial information secret and from the eyes of the public.
Albedo had them wrapped around his finger. A person as smart as him hasn't shown up in forever. The prefecture was dying to keep him. All Albedo had to say was that he'd walk away and the agency was kissing his feet.
Janyuu whistled. "Over 212 IQ. The test officially doesn't even go that high."
"And they believe it's higher than that." His mother spoke, "What a blessed and gifted young man."
"I'll say."
Henry walked by quietly, "Hey," he muttered.
Janyuu looked back at him, "Good afternoon. Have you heard about this kid?"
Henry nodded. Of course he had. "A lot of people are talking about it." He shrugged his shoulders.
"It's amazing."
"I hear he's only sixteen." Henry put his hands in his pocket.
"Good gracious. The upcoming generation of kids are going to go far."
His mom nodded in agreement.
"Maybe." He muttered.
Luckily Henry managed to get by without any altercations or too much distracting conversation. He slipped into his room quietly. He looked over to his bed and smiled. Albedo slept peacefully next to a thick science textbook. Henry had to admit that he didn't understand a thing in it. Albedo's education and intelligence level was at least 10 years above and beyond his own.
At his computer, Suzie sat humming and ignoring that same picture on his desk. An episode of Digimon played, the computer's volume low enough that it wouldn't disturb Albedo.
"What are you doing in here?"
She pointed back to Henry's guest. "He called me. Said he was hungry." She never once turned away from the computer. "How long has he been here?"
Henry closed the door behind him again and sat on the bed next to Albedo, "None of your business."
"I can tell daddy you know?"
"But you won't. I know you're sick of seeing us fight."
Suzie turned around, "He's so mean. How can you like him?"
"You know who else is mean?"
She shook her head.
"Rika."
Suzie snickered. She turned back to the computer. "So are you and him doing that 'dating thing'?" She wiggled her fingers
Henry looked down at Albedo. His eyes softened. He didn't like thinking about that. It shouldn't be something one would think about so intensely anyway. He placed a hand on Albedo's hair. He hung out with Albedo a lot because he made good company. He wasn't overly talkative or overly dramatic and emotional. In fact, if he thought about it, Albedo was a bit robotic. For him however, anything that wasn't blinding rage suited him just fine.
He wondered how many people assumed the same of him and Albedo. If Suzie was only thirteen saw it, older people had to as well. Assuming they weren't as dumb as Albedo claimed them all to be.
"No." Albedo muttered, still half asleep. He pushed the textbook over enough so he could roll over towards the window once more.
Henry held in a frown. That was fine. He probably wasn't ready for such commitment anyway.
Suzie snickered once more.
A disappointing anger built up in Henry. "Out."
She looked back at Henry pouting.
"Out." He muttered again.
"Fine. Fine. Sheesh." She picked up her stuff and giggled at Henry before she left.
Albedo rolled on his back and looked at Henry, "You're angry again."
"No I'm not."
"You growl a little when you're angry."
Henry growled, "Shut up."
"You're so emotional."
"And you're too robotic."
"That reminds me, I should call my AI wielding acquaintances and double check that we're still on for taking over the world."
"You say the craziest things," Henry shook his head.
Albedo shrugged, then yawned, "Is everyone you know so nosy?"
Henry sat on the bed, "It's not that bad..."
Albedo scoffed.
"It's not." Henry scowled.
"All I see are people who are trying to atone for their mistakes."
"Can we not..." Henry sighed.
"She asked me if I was secretly like Trang."
"What?"
"Because supposedly I'm a jerk."
Henry growled and flopped back on the bed, "I'm going to wring her neck."
"If I said that-"
"Suzie's family. Only family hurts family."
Albedo sat up, "Was Trang family too? Because your family sucks. I don't think they even noticed you left."
"My family's never been as bad as him." Henry raised his voice slightly. "They never laid their hands on me like he did." He stared at Albedo focusing on his eyes. The red was mesmerizing & intimidating. He was glad Albedo wasn't a true interrogator.
Albedo laid back down. "I see."
Henry folded his arms, "I don't know what you could possibly want to know. Go back to studying." He reached for the textbook and dropped it on Albedo's stomach.
"Studying?" Albedo picked up the book, "This is light reading."
Henry groaned and turned over, "Your ego is showing."
"As it should." Albedo smirked.
Henry groaned again.
Albedo laid back down, opening the book. He stared up at the ceiling looking at the lights, 'How odd...I can't make him do it as easily anymore.' Albedo frowned, 'Disappointing, I wonder if it relies on something more than emotion?'