Title: Kindergarten
Author: trin_chardin
Summary: What if the characters of Reloaded went to kindergarten together?
Categories: AU/Humor
Author's Notes: Thanks for all the lovely reviews and welcome-backs. It's good to be back, too. ^_^ Missed you, guys, terribly. School is a terrible thing. *shudders* And as promised, this chapter is dedicated to cronus and Sabine (thinkin' of Griffin and Sabine? ^o^), first to know the Keymaker for who he is. Based his name on Maynard Keynes (studyin' for Eco does that). ~_^ And for clarification, 1) "hn" is a non-committal response; 2) not to sure if ol' Archie even has an accent; and 3) the new kids are also kindergarteners, though I had to upgrade li'l bro Bane to fill the class (think brainchild ^_^). ...And the idea for this chapter comes from Power of Three. ^_^ [Check out the Construct! http://www.constructfic.org/]
Disclaimer: I don't own the Matrix concept or anyone/anything in it.
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Kindergarten
Chapter 14 - Attack of the Twins, Part Two
Sparks stifled a yawn as his teacher went on his usual tirade of opportunities and open doors. No day could start without -that- lecture. Niobe shifted slightly in her seat, arching an eyebrow at him. He smirked and looked back at his teacher. But, today couldn't be as tedious as it usually was, what with the new additions to his class. Recess, for one thing, should be great fun. You could get a good game going, which doesn't happen that often when you have a bunch of nerds and creepy weirdos in your class. Even though the two classes had the same recess, the teachers tried to keep them apart so as to avoid any mix-ups. No fun that. Nowadays, he only saw Niobe and Ghost in the afternoons once they'd had lunch. And at times, not even. The sandy-haired boy idly wondered what they could do at recess.
As ideas raced through his head, he watched his classmates. Niobe, being the obedient girl she was, listened politely to the lecture. Link and Morpheus, however, had no qualms of talking in loud whispers about Link's new toy car. Their supposedly soft voices would have annoyed anyone else. But, little could cause the cousins Jones and Brown to react. Today, they were joined by their other cousin, Smith. The boy's younger brother was also with them. That one had taken a test to skip him up from pre-school. But, no matter how smart he was said to be, his baby talk threw him in sharp contrast of his companions. Now, for instance, he fidgeted in his seat, while the other three just sat in their chairs with stoic faces.
The row ahead of them provided a nice interval. A timid-looking boy was struggling to keep awake, helped by the gentle prodding of his seatmate. If he remembered correctly from what Niobe had told him, that was Neo and Trin. So, that would make the other dark-haired girl, Perse. A nasty piece of goods, according to Niobe. Blunt as always, his friend. Always said exactly what she meant. And she definitely didn't like the hoity-toity members of her sex. From the polished look of this one, she definitely fell under that class. The boy next to her seemed to be just as bad. Here, he was the one who danced attention to his seatmate. He whispered in her ear, while she alternated between grooming herself and her porcelain doll.
If those four were an alternate of girl and boy, the next set was split in a war of colors and attitudes. The two in front of the prissy pair were worse than Jones and Brown if such a thing was possible. Like brick walls those two. At least, Jones and Brown talked to each other at times. Jackson and Johnson were joined at the hip, but didn't seem to speak at all. In their dark blazers and pants, they were the exact opposite of their new seatmates. The white-clothed twins were noisy as hell with faces that were just as expressive. As of the moment, their faces had identical looks of mischief that did not bode well for the J-pair.
And lastly, up front were the nerds as he and Link liked to call them. Front and center, West and Hamann. Poor Ghost had been placed next to West. The only consolation he could have was that West wasn't as chatty or cryptic as Hamann. The latter seemed to be getting along fine with Locke though. They actually seemed to be debating about the merits of what Mr. Keynes was talking about. Sheesh.
"Alright!"
Finally, was the unspoken sigh of most of the gathered students. The teacher actually rubbed his hands together as he cheerfully spoke of the day's lesson. Sparks rolled his eyes at Niobe, who tried to look reproachful. Her laughing eyes betrayed her though.
"Today, we're going to play with numbers! Doesn't that sound like fun? Can I have some volunteers?" The man asked enthusiastically. "One? Two?"
The twins smirked as they swaggered up front, hands shoved in pockets. They were given the numbers of their names to hold. Then, the pair leaned lazily against the teacher's desk. Trinity was called up front for the next number with a sleepy Neo in tow for the one that followed. Not wanting to be left out, Perse raised her hand, along with that of a reluctant Mero. West and Hamann soon joined them. But, before Sparks could sink low in his seat, he was called on as well. Niobe smirked at his scowl.
"Okay! Call out your numbers, children," said their teacher.
"A one...and a two...and a...," the twins sang out, grinning.
"Three," Trinity said primly, arching an eyebrow at them.
"Four," Neo yawned with a sleepy smile on his face.
"Five," Perse purred.
"Six," Mero enunciated in a bored-li'l-Frenchman tone.
"Seven...eight," West and Hamann calmly chimed in.
"Nine." Sparks rolled his eyes. Ghost actually snickered.
"And when there is nothing, what do you have?" The teacher asked the entire class, holding his hands out to them for the answer.
"Zero," they chorused.
"Excellent!" He beamed.
The man took the numbers back and placed them along the blackboard for them to see. As a guide apparently for he then started to scurry about, handing them pieces of paper.
"Now, I want you to paint-in-numbers! Isn't that wonderful?"
His students doubtfully studied the assorted sketches with their white spaces and neatly printed numbers. Before they could question him however, he went on with his instructions.
"Push back your chairs and sit on the floor so everyone has room!" He said happily. "Put out the newspapers, don't make a mess, and most important of all..." He gave his original class a significant look.
"Share what you have," they said in unison.
"Good, good," he grinned widely at everyone.
After they'd fixed the paints, the class sprawled on the floor and watched as their teacher wrote the name of a color next to each number. A fat zero had been tacked on in the end in colored chalk. That done, he puttered about, hovering above them and humming like a big bumblebee.
Some went industriously to work, like the nerds and the creepies. Others, like the girls, proceeded with more care than the others' mindless diligence. Neo seemed to finish his in a flash and had fallen fast asleep on the floor with a patch of blue over one eye. Sparks himself carelessly painted with his usual flair. Not far from him, Mero looked just as bored with the whole endeavor. But, it was the twins that were an interesting sight to watch.
The two had thrown their paint slap-dash into the sheets of paper, yet somehow kept their clothes an immaculate white. Now, they showed more dedication in quietly painting pictures on their seatmates' backs. Their wide grins didn't go unnoticed by the majority of their classmates. The nerds were too involved in their work and Mr. Keynes himself seemed oblivious. But, the other creepies were quite aware, and they actually smirked in approval. It seemed like no love was lost between them and their J-counterparts.
"Well, are we all done, class?" Asked their teacher. "Neo, would you like to show yours?"
The boy jerked up and blinked in surprise. Only after Trinity whispered an explanation to him did he scramble to his feet with his face red in embarrassment. But, the giggles of his classmates were soon replaced by a dropping of mouths at the sight of the intricate shading and mixing of colors in his work.
"That's a very nice picture, Neo. Let's post it at the center of the bulletin board."
Neo blushed at the praise and shuffled back to his seat next to Trinity, whose proud smile turned him a deeper shade of red. Perse could only pout at the cooler reception of Mero's picture. A "Renaissance replica" was their teacher's only comment. But, the next piece sent her and half of the class in confusion. With the exception of the creepies, Sparks and the others leaned forward to peer at it.
"Ah...Smith, didn't you understand my instructions?" Mr. Keynes asked, bewildered.
"Yes, but you should know that the only numbers that truly matter are one and zero."
Sparks and Link exchanged grins and snickered loudly, whereas the rest of the creepies just nodded simultaneously in agreement of Smith's statement.
"Well, to each his own, I suppose," said their teacher, shrugging after another look at the black and white picture. "Now, why don't we post the other pictures on the board - "
But, before he could continue, the suddenly aware Jackson and Johnson leapt for the twins. The class crowded around them as a free-for-all broke out between the four. Outside, a clap of thunder was heard. Then, the lights went out. That was when the shrieking and shouting started.
Author: trin_chardin
Summary: What if the characters of Reloaded went to kindergarten together?
Categories: AU/Humor
Author's Notes: Thanks for all the lovely reviews and welcome-backs. It's good to be back, too. ^_^ Missed you, guys, terribly. School is a terrible thing. *shudders* And as promised, this chapter is dedicated to cronus and Sabine (thinkin' of Griffin and Sabine? ^o^), first to know the Keymaker for who he is. Based his name on Maynard Keynes (studyin' for Eco does that). ~_^ And for clarification, 1) "hn" is a non-committal response; 2) not to sure if ol' Archie even has an accent; and 3) the new kids are also kindergarteners, though I had to upgrade li'l bro Bane to fill the class (think brainchild ^_^). ...And the idea for this chapter comes from Power of Three. ^_^ [Check out the Construct! http://www.constructfic.org/]
Disclaimer: I don't own the Matrix concept or anyone/anything in it.
-----
Kindergarten
Chapter 14 - Attack of the Twins, Part Two
Sparks stifled a yawn as his teacher went on his usual tirade of opportunities and open doors. No day could start without -that- lecture. Niobe shifted slightly in her seat, arching an eyebrow at him. He smirked and looked back at his teacher. But, today couldn't be as tedious as it usually was, what with the new additions to his class. Recess, for one thing, should be great fun. You could get a good game going, which doesn't happen that often when you have a bunch of nerds and creepy weirdos in your class. Even though the two classes had the same recess, the teachers tried to keep them apart so as to avoid any mix-ups. No fun that. Nowadays, he only saw Niobe and Ghost in the afternoons once they'd had lunch. And at times, not even. The sandy-haired boy idly wondered what they could do at recess.
As ideas raced through his head, he watched his classmates. Niobe, being the obedient girl she was, listened politely to the lecture. Link and Morpheus, however, had no qualms of talking in loud whispers about Link's new toy car. Their supposedly soft voices would have annoyed anyone else. But, little could cause the cousins Jones and Brown to react. Today, they were joined by their other cousin, Smith. The boy's younger brother was also with them. That one had taken a test to skip him up from pre-school. But, no matter how smart he was said to be, his baby talk threw him in sharp contrast of his companions. Now, for instance, he fidgeted in his seat, while the other three just sat in their chairs with stoic faces.
The row ahead of them provided a nice interval. A timid-looking boy was struggling to keep awake, helped by the gentle prodding of his seatmate. If he remembered correctly from what Niobe had told him, that was Neo and Trin. So, that would make the other dark-haired girl, Perse. A nasty piece of goods, according to Niobe. Blunt as always, his friend. Always said exactly what she meant. And she definitely didn't like the hoity-toity members of her sex. From the polished look of this one, she definitely fell under that class. The boy next to her seemed to be just as bad. Here, he was the one who danced attention to his seatmate. He whispered in her ear, while she alternated between grooming herself and her porcelain doll.
If those four were an alternate of girl and boy, the next set was split in a war of colors and attitudes. The two in front of the prissy pair were worse than Jones and Brown if such a thing was possible. Like brick walls those two. At least, Jones and Brown talked to each other at times. Jackson and Johnson were joined at the hip, but didn't seem to speak at all. In their dark blazers and pants, they were the exact opposite of their new seatmates. The white-clothed twins were noisy as hell with faces that were just as expressive. As of the moment, their faces had identical looks of mischief that did not bode well for the J-pair.
And lastly, up front were the nerds as he and Link liked to call them. Front and center, West and Hamann. Poor Ghost had been placed next to West. The only consolation he could have was that West wasn't as chatty or cryptic as Hamann. The latter seemed to be getting along fine with Locke though. They actually seemed to be debating about the merits of what Mr. Keynes was talking about. Sheesh.
"Alright!"
Finally, was the unspoken sigh of most of the gathered students. The teacher actually rubbed his hands together as he cheerfully spoke of the day's lesson. Sparks rolled his eyes at Niobe, who tried to look reproachful. Her laughing eyes betrayed her though.
"Today, we're going to play with numbers! Doesn't that sound like fun? Can I have some volunteers?" The man asked enthusiastically. "One? Two?"
The twins smirked as they swaggered up front, hands shoved in pockets. They were given the numbers of their names to hold. Then, the pair leaned lazily against the teacher's desk. Trinity was called up front for the next number with a sleepy Neo in tow for the one that followed. Not wanting to be left out, Perse raised her hand, along with that of a reluctant Mero. West and Hamann soon joined them. But, before Sparks could sink low in his seat, he was called on as well. Niobe smirked at his scowl.
"Okay! Call out your numbers, children," said their teacher.
"A one...and a two...and a...," the twins sang out, grinning.
"Three," Trinity said primly, arching an eyebrow at them.
"Four," Neo yawned with a sleepy smile on his face.
"Five," Perse purred.
"Six," Mero enunciated in a bored-li'l-Frenchman tone.
"Seven...eight," West and Hamann calmly chimed in.
"Nine." Sparks rolled his eyes. Ghost actually snickered.
"And when there is nothing, what do you have?" The teacher asked the entire class, holding his hands out to them for the answer.
"Zero," they chorused.
"Excellent!" He beamed.
The man took the numbers back and placed them along the blackboard for them to see. As a guide apparently for he then started to scurry about, handing them pieces of paper.
"Now, I want you to paint-in-numbers! Isn't that wonderful?"
His students doubtfully studied the assorted sketches with their white spaces and neatly printed numbers. Before they could question him however, he went on with his instructions.
"Push back your chairs and sit on the floor so everyone has room!" He said happily. "Put out the newspapers, don't make a mess, and most important of all..." He gave his original class a significant look.
"Share what you have," they said in unison.
"Good, good," he grinned widely at everyone.
After they'd fixed the paints, the class sprawled on the floor and watched as their teacher wrote the name of a color next to each number. A fat zero had been tacked on in the end in colored chalk. That done, he puttered about, hovering above them and humming like a big bumblebee.
Some went industriously to work, like the nerds and the creepies. Others, like the girls, proceeded with more care than the others' mindless diligence. Neo seemed to finish his in a flash and had fallen fast asleep on the floor with a patch of blue over one eye. Sparks himself carelessly painted with his usual flair. Not far from him, Mero looked just as bored with the whole endeavor. But, it was the twins that were an interesting sight to watch.
The two had thrown their paint slap-dash into the sheets of paper, yet somehow kept their clothes an immaculate white. Now, they showed more dedication in quietly painting pictures on their seatmates' backs. Their wide grins didn't go unnoticed by the majority of their classmates. The nerds were too involved in their work and Mr. Keynes himself seemed oblivious. But, the other creepies were quite aware, and they actually smirked in approval. It seemed like no love was lost between them and their J-counterparts.
"Well, are we all done, class?" Asked their teacher. "Neo, would you like to show yours?"
The boy jerked up and blinked in surprise. Only after Trinity whispered an explanation to him did he scramble to his feet with his face red in embarrassment. But, the giggles of his classmates were soon replaced by a dropping of mouths at the sight of the intricate shading and mixing of colors in his work.
"That's a very nice picture, Neo. Let's post it at the center of the bulletin board."
Neo blushed at the praise and shuffled back to his seat next to Trinity, whose proud smile turned him a deeper shade of red. Perse could only pout at the cooler reception of Mero's picture. A "Renaissance replica" was their teacher's only comment. But, the next piece sent her and half of the class in confusion. With the exception of the creepies, Sparks and the others leaned forward to peer at it.
"Ah...Smith, didn't you understand my instructions?" Mr. Keynes asked, bewildered.
"Yes, but you should know that the only numbers that truly matter are one and zero."
Sparks and Link exchanged grins and snickered loudly, whereas the rest of the creepies just nodded simultaneously in agreement of Smith's statement.
"Well, to each his own, I suppose," said their teacher, shrugging after another look at the black and white picture. "Now, why don't we post the other pictures on the board - "
But, before he could continue, the suddenly aware Jackson and Johnson leapt for the twins. The class crowded around them as a free-for-all broke out between the four. Outside, a clap of thunder was heard. Then, the lights went out. That was when the shrieking and shouting started.