video

[the_prodigal_son]

It was my birthday on the first.

I think.

[That's it. That's all he has to say.

He doesn't even look that excited.]

Comments

[video]

[tofudog]

...Oh.

[Beast Boy is quickly learning that his ideas of what a killer looks like are way off base.]

You want to find her, someday?

[video]

[the_prodigal_son]

Professor Xavier said I probably can't. He said I've been asleep for a really long time and maybe she's not alive anymore.

[video]

[tofudog]

How long?

[He isn't sure he wants to know the answer.]

[video]

[the_prodigal_son]

[He grimaces.]

It was 1960 when I got stuck in... stasis. When they found me the city didn't look anything like I remembered... And I don't recognize anything out here. Everything's... New.

I don't think I aged, though. So I guess I'm still four.

[It's just sad how casually he states all of this. It's hesitant, but... Mostly because he doesn't like speaking much.]

[video]

[tofudog]

You're FOUR?

Dude. I don't wanna be the guy to tell you, but you mighta grown up while you were under.

[Joking about it isn't very appropriate, maybe, but it's how he handles things.]

Re: [video]

[the_prodigal_son]

H-huh?

[Good job, BB, you spooked him. He looks himself over curiously, and then shakes his head.]

I've been this old since I was two. Fontaine wanted me done as fast as possible, so... All my childhood happened in a year or so.

[video]

[tofudog]

[He wants to know more, but it's obviously not a great topic for Jack. Just as well that a new priority rears its head for Beast Boy.]

You missed out on so much! The sixties? You've never even seen Star Wars?!

[Those scientist guys went too far]

[video]

[the_prodigal_son]

More like the fifties, I wasn't in America for the sixties...

[A pause.]

Star Wars?

[Jack Wynand grew up on a farmhouse. Even he doesn't know jack about movies.

Haha, Jack.]

[video]

[tofudog]

Uh, only the best story ever told. Okay, so, it all happens "a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away." There's this Empire, right, and they're totally evil. And in this galaxy there's a thing called The Force that's like magic, except it's in everyone. Only this order called the Jedi can--

Actually, you know what? Forget your plans for tonight! We're taking over the rec room.

[video]

[the_prodigal_son]

[Way to confuse the hell out of him he's not even sure if this is a book or something.]

Won't there be people in the rec room? I don't know about people. I... Uh.... [Cue puppy eyes.]. Bad things tend to happen when I'm near people.

[video]

[tofudog]

[SORRY JACK.]

It'll be fiiiine. They can watch too!

[video]

[the_prodigal_son]

That's not what I... Meant.

[His hands tighten on his wrench.]

It's been a.. Long time since anyone was near me and I didn't have to kill them. I'm not ready yet. I don't think.

Could we do it in my room instead? I don't share it with anyone.

[video]

[tofudog]

Oh.

[Yikes.]

Okay, two questions:

[He holds up one finger]

Do you have a TV in your room? Aaand

[He raises another]

One-to-ten, how likely is it I'm gonna make it out of your room in one piece?

[video]

[the_prodigal_son]

Uhh...

[Hm.]

I don't have a TV but it'd... fit, if you can get one.

And... I won't hurt you. I promise.

[Even if he looks super nervous.]

[video]

[tofudog]

[Beast Boy isn't that worried. He doesn't know what Jack's power is, but he's gone up against some pretty tough enemies. Anyway, he'd never forgive himself for letting the poor soul go another day without knowing Obi Wan's heroic sacrifice.]

Okay, new plan. It's still early enough that there'll be like, no one in the rec room. We go, get the TV, and then tonight? Private viewing. No one's going to miss it for just a little while.

[video]

[the_prodigal_son]

[Well, this gets a bit smile out of him.]

I can carry the TV. I'm really strong...

[Strong enough to smash a golf club through someone's skull. He shudders.]

...I can carry huge guns all by myself. Like grenade launchers. For ages.

[video]

[tofudog]

You got it!

[He's... just going to ignore the grenade launchers thing. Has this guy seen more action than he has? Because it's kind of sounding like it.]

So that's your mutation, super strength?

[video]

[the_prodigal_son]

Uhh... I think it's that my everything is the best it can be. I'm just... Built for living. I can go forever without eating or sleeping or smoking too and run for a long time... I can't get drunk though, that's harder.

...And I don't know how much of it is natural. I used to have more but they were from drugs, I guess they wore off on me or something. Maybe they'd come back if I smoked...

[This boy has seen a lot of action.]

[video]

[tofudog]

You smoke? You drink? Coool.

[Beast Boy no]

Hold on--they can make powers? And give them like medicine?

Re: [video]

[the_prodigal_son]

'Course I smoke and drink. I'm an adult!

[No you're not, Jack.]

And... Back in Rapture they sold powers like candy. Fontaine made them with the same scientists that made me. But they weren't... Stable... And...

[He glances down at his wrench.]

I don't want to talk about Rapture.

[video]

[tofudog]

[Someday, Beast Boy wants to hear Jack's story. But today is not that day.]

Are we even allowed to have that stuff? I mean, it's a school...

[video]

[the_prodigal_son]

I don't know. But I'm gonna get some anyway. I wanna smoke.

[Jack no]

Do you want some if I get it?

[Jack no]

[video]

[tofudog]

Uh, yeah!

[Is that even a question? They don't let him do that stuff at home!]

[video]

[the_prodigal_son]

[He raises his brows a bit. Even Jack Wynand started early on smokes and booze, though, so it's mostly the enthusiasm that surprises him.]

They don't taste that good, don't expect anything amazing. But I'll see if I can teach you how to smoke without killing yourself.

[Somewhere in the afterlife Andrew Ryan suddenly feels twice as disappointed by his son.]

[video]

[tofudog]

Oh man, this is so cool!

[Surprised? This is forbidden fruit, Jack! Until today, Beast Boy assumed he'd never get a chance to try either! It's not like he could go buy some without everyone freaking out over his mutation.]

Don't even worry about it, dude. Loads of people do it, how hard can it be?