Title: Kindergarten
Author: trin_chardin
Summary: What if the characters of the Matrix went to kindergarten together?
Categories: AU/Humor
Author's Notes: This is a brief prelude for those who wanted to see rebel-Neo in action. ~_^ Sorry, if I went for another lengthy sybbatical. The muses have not been kind as of late. My apologies. ~_~ Credit for this chapter goes to Dionysus with the introduction of a few new characters. ...And is there anyone who could post the Christmas fanart for me? ~_^ Just mail me please. [Check out the Construct! http://www.constructfic.org/]
Disclaimer: I don't own the Matrix concept or anyone/anything in it.
-----
Kindergarten
Chapter 16 - A New Teacher & Then Some
It had been a week since the attack of the sentient rubber balls.
Line formation had become a quiet affair. After the destruction of the classroom, both classes had been relocated. They now formed two straight lines near the gym every weekday morning. No teacher stood with them. Instead, an omnious-looking principal watched from his office. Hawk-like eyes glared at them from between the blinds. They'd gained a reputation for scaring off teachers. Now, none of the regulars wanted to handle them, and there weren't any substitutes as of the moment. The past few days had Principal Archie managing them. They hadn't been good days, more like kindergarten boot camp sans the push-ups - and only because school rules forbade such punishment.
After the last bell had rung, the man himself walked out of his office to look down at them in disapproval. He sniffed and checked his watch before turning to the gates with narrowed eyes. Just as the bell rang again to signal the first class, a couple came in through the iron grilles of the entrance.
An Indian man led them, coming to a stop before the principal with an apologetic smile. While he caught his breath, the woman with him - presumedly his wife - stood at his side with stoic face and rounded belly. She had followed the man at a slower, but no less brisk, pace and seemed to wait for him to speak on their part. Principal Archie wasn't as tolerant and coughed loudly.
"Ah, my apologies for our tardiness. You see, the train was - "
"You are Rama-Kandra, correct? The new teacher?"
"That is right." The man smiled, unpeturbed at the interruption.
"And this is your wife, who applied for a secretarial position?"
The principal glanced at the dark-skinned woman who just nodded in response.
"Well, here's your class list. I believe we've already discussed all pertinent details over the phone, including the small matter of today's guest?" The bearded man arched his eyebrow at the other.
"Yes, you have," the man agreed, taking the sheet of paper.
"Then, that'll be all. ...If I believed in such a concept as luck, I'd wish you had some in excess," the other noted dryly. Turning back to the woman, he gave her a curt nod. "If you'll follow me."
He left without another word, the woman just a step behind. She'd given her husband a dubious look before leaving, but he'd just shrugged his shoulders, still smiling as he turned to face his students.
"Good morning, class."
"Good morning, teacher," they chorused dutifully.
"As you know, I am your teacher. You may call me Teacher Rama. ...Now, if we'll all just go inside, we can get acquainted."
After which, the man herded the children into the concrete structure next to them. Moving past the gymnastic mats and basketball court, he opened the door to an extra storeroom. Instead of desks and chairs, they had benches and long tables. There was also an old blackboard leaning against the paint-peeled wall, placed precariously atop a lopsided desk.
As the class shuffled into their seats, their teacher called the roll. When that was done, he smiled at them, not saying a word for a long time. Uncertain of how to respond to such exuberance, his students shifted uneasily in their seats. Then, there was a knock on the door and the man clapped his hands excitedly.
"Ah! Our guest has arrived!" He moved to get the door. "For today, you see, is no ordinary day. It is a great honor for my first day as your teacher to coincide with - "
He paused as he threw the door open with great flair and a bright smile.
"Mr. Neo's birthday! Happy Birthday to you," the man started to sing.
The mother of the boy in question entered the room with a bemused expression. This certainly hadn't been the sort of classroom she'd expected when the school principal had directed her there. She set two bakery boxes on the table with a wary eye at its blackboard companion, then turned to the class. Beckoning her blushing son over, she positioned him in front of her and joined the teacher in his rather enthusiastic rendition of the birthday song.
When that was done, the class excitedly went to the table to see what sweets had been brought. Neo's friends, of course, were polite enough to greet him before doing so. But, the others had no shame in ignoring the celebrant and jockeying for a spot near the teacher's table. Even Smith had a sweet tooth. But, Neo was too flustered by Trin's quick peck on the cheek to notice that the majority of his classmates were more interested in the treats to come than in him.
His mother had just opened the first box and taken out a cake. After lighting the candles, she set it on one of the long tables so that the children could gather around to oh-and-ah over the colored sprinkles and sparkler candles.
"Come here, son," Neo's mother said. "Make a wish."
As Neo came close to do so, one of the twins suddenly shouted.
"Hey! That's my name! I'm One! You're not! You...you...you name-stoler!"
And sure enough, there in neat blue icing was the greeting:
Happy Birthday, One!
Author: trin_chardin
Summary: What if the characters of the Matrix went to kindergarten together?
Categories: AU/Humor
Author's Notes: This is a brief prelude for those who wanted to see rebel-Neo in action. ~_^ Sorry, if I went for another lengthy sybbatical. The muses have not been kind as of late. My apologies. ~_~ Credit for this chapter goes to Dionysus with the introduction of a few new characters. ...And is there anyone who could post the Christmas fanart for me? ~_^ Just mail me please. [Check out the Construct! http://www.constructfic.org/]
Disclaimer: I don't own the Matrix concept or anyone/anything in it.
-----
Kindergarten
Chapter 16 - A New Teacher & Then Some
It had been a week since the attack of the sentient rubber balls.
Line formation had become a quiet affair. After the destruction of the classroom, both classes had been relocated. They now formed two straight lines near the gym every weekday morning. No teacher stood with them. Instead, an omnious-looking principal watched from his office. Hawk-like eyes glared at them from between the blinds. They'd gained a reputation for scaring off teachers. Now, none of the regulars wanted to handle them, and there weren't any substitutes as of the moment. The past few days had Principal Archie managing them. They hadn't been good days, more like kindergarten boot camp sans the push-ups - and only because school rules forbade such punishment.
After the last bell had rung, the man himself walked out of his office to look down at them in disapproval. He sniffed and checked his watch before turning to the gates with narrowed eyes. Just as the bell rang again to signal the first class, a couple came in through the iron grilles of the entrance.
An Indian man led them, coming to a stop before the principal with an apologetic smile. While he caught his breath, the woman with him - presumedly his wife - stood at his side with stoic face and rounded belly. She had followed the man at a slower, but no less brisk, pace and seemed to wait for him to speak on their part. Principal Archie wasn't as tolerant and coughed loudly.
"Ah, my apologies for our tardiness. You see, the train was - "
"You are Rama-Kandra, correct? The new teacher?"
"That is right." The man smiled, unpeturbed at the interruption.
"And this is your wife, who applied for a secretarial position?"
The principal glanced at the dark-skinned woman who just nodded in response.
"Well, here's your class list. I believe we've already discussed all pertinent details over the phone, including the small matter of today's guest?" The bearded man arched his eyebrow at the other.
"Yes, you have," the man agreed, taking the sheet of paper.
"Then, that'll be all. ...If I believed in such a concept as luck, I'd wish you had some in excess," the other noted dryly. Turning back to the woman, he gave her a curt nod. "If you'll follow me."
He left without another word, the woman just a step behind. She'd given her husband a dubious look before leaving, but he'd just shrugged his shoulders, still smiling as he turned to face his students.
"Good morning, class."
"Good morning, teacher," they chorused dutifully.
"As you know, I am your teacher. You may call me Teacher Rama. ...Now, if we'll all just go inside, we can get acquainted."
After which, the man herded the children into the concrete structure next to them. Moving past the gymnastic mats and basketball court, he opened the door to an extra storeroom. Instead of desks and chairs, they had benches and long tables. There was also an old blackboard leaning against the paint-peeled wall, placed precariously atop a lopsided desk.
As the class shuffled into their seats, their teacher called the roll. When that was done, he smiled at them, not saying a word for a long time. Uncertain of how to respond to such exuberance, his students shifted uneasily in their seats. Then, there was a knock on the door and the man clapped his hands excitedly.
"Ah! Our guest has arrived!" He moved to get the door. "For today, you see, is no ordinary day. It is a great honor for my first day as your teacher to coincide with - "
He paused as he threw the door open with great flair and a bright smile.
"Mr. Neo's birthday! Happy Birthday to you," the man started to sing.
The mother of the boy in question entered the room with a bemused expression. This certainly hadn't been the sort of classroom she'd expected when the school principal had directed her there. She set two bakery boxes on the table with a wary eye at its blackboard companion, then turned to the class. Beckoning her blushing son over, she positioned him in front of her and joined the teacher in his rather enthusiastic rendition of the birthday song.
When that was done, the class excitedly went to the table to see what sweets had been brought. Neo's friends, of course, were polite enough to greet him before doing so. But, the others had no shame in ignoring the celebrant and jockeying for a spot near the teacher's table. Even Smith had a sweet tooth. But, Neo was too flustered by Trin's quick peck on the cheek to notice that the majority of his classmates were more interested in the treats to come than in him.
His mother had just opened the first box and taken out a cake. After lighting the candles, she set it on one of the long tables so that the children could gather around to oh-and-ah over the colored sprinkles and sparkler candles.
"Come here, son," Neo's mother said. "Make a wish."
As Neo came close to do so, one of the twins suddenly shouted.
"Hey! That's my name! I'm One! You're not! You...you...you name-stoler!"
And sure enough, there in neat blue icing was the greeting:
Happy Birthday, One!