Acorns and Butterflies

Part 11

Five was ten years old when his body began to reject American food.

For some reason, every time he brushed his teeth... he would vomit.

Grace found him in the bathroom, gagging over the American toothpaste, and said, "Oh dear. I'll tell your father."

"What is the meaning of this, Xodó?" Sir Reginald said. "Does your palate not agree with an American diet?"

Five glared at him and shrugged.

"Hmm," Sir Reginald said. "I do not know what Frost Midgets such as yourself would typically consume... Grace, change your menu to suit a Frost Giant, won't you? Perhaps it will be close enough."

"I understand, sir," Grace said. "I have consulted The Database and confirmed that a frost giant can typically consume an Asgardian diet with no problems."

"Very well," Sir Reginald said. "The Asgardians are proto humans. You should be able to make something of their menu with American ingredients."

"Yessir," Grace said. "I'll do my best."

"Wait!" Five said. "I'm a Frost Midget? What does that mean?"

"Never you mind, child," Sir Reginald said. "Just eat your food like a good boy, hmm? I don't want you to starve to death."

Five was eleven years old the first time he accidentally switched genders.

"The heck?!" Vanya said "You... you're copying me?"

"I'm not trying to copy you!" Five said. "It just... it was instinct!"

They were taking a bath together and Five was only admiring their differences.

"That's really creepy?" Vanya said. "Can you stop copying me, please? Only, um, only Allison is allowed to... um... to look like me?"

"Okay!" Five said. "But I don't know how to turn it off?"

Grace came into the bathroom and said, "Oh dear! Puberty!"

"Mom!" Vanya whined. "Xodó is copying me! He's copying me!"

"It was an accident!" Five protested.

"That's alright, sweetie," Grace said. "I understand that you don't know how to control your magic yet."

"It isn't magic," Five said. "It's SCIENCE!"

"Yeah Mom!" Vanya said, glowing blue and white. "It's SCIENCE!"

Vanya accidentally killed Grace, but Five knew how to fix it. He just... decided he wanted Grace not to be broken and she glowed and put herself back together.

"Wow!" Vanya said. "You can control Time?!"

"I can?" Five said. "Um... I don't think that was Time. I think it was-"

"Settle down, children," Grace said. "Xodó, honey? Will you please get out of the bathtub?"

"Huh?" Five said. "Why?"

"You are too old to take a bath with your sister," Grace said. "Please listen to your mother?"

"Oh," Five said. "Sure."

That was also the first time he teleported. As an eleven year old, Five had many talents.

"COME BACK!" Vanya screamed. "Why are you making him leave, Mom?! I don't want to take a bath by myself!"