V. Unknown Subject

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V. Unknown Subject


        "There's cereal in the cabinet and eggs in the fridge," James greets Juniper from behind a newspaper as she wanders into the kitchen, rubbing her eyes from sleep. "I'm making a grocery run at nine. If you've got requests, speak now or forever hold your peace."

"No requests," June says, almost immediate.

"Low maintenance," James comments, raising a brow.

She shrugs. "I try."

James folds his paper, carries an empty mug to the sink, and rinses it out. A minute later ━ at nine o'clock on the dot ━ June is alone in the kitchen. As she pours herself a bowl of cereal, she gets lost in her head. All four other Naturals are a puzzle to her, ones she wants ━ and plans ━ to solve. She's running over Regina's attributes, her quirks, her ability to lie when ━

"I have no idea what those Cheerios did to you, but I'm sure they're very, very sorry," Chris says as he slides into the seat next to June at the kitchen table.

"What?"

"You've been stirring them into submission for a good five minutes," he tells her, amused. "It's spoon violence, is what it is."

Shaking her head and (unfortunately) fighting a smile, June picks up a Cheerio and flicks it at the boy. Chris catches it easily, smirking as he pops it into his mouth.

"So, which one of us was it this time?" he asks, tilting his head.

Suddenly, Juniper becomes very interested in her Cheerios.

"Come on, Colorado. When your brain starts profiling, your face starts broadcasting a mix of concentration, curiosity, and calm." Chris pauses, waiting for a response. He doesn't get one; June takes a big bite of cereal instead. "The muscles in your neck relax," he continues, voice slightly softer. "Your lips turn ever so subtly down. Your head tilts slightly to one side, and you get crow's-feet at the corners of your eyes."

June sets her spoon calmly in her bowl. "I do not get crow's-feet."

Chris helps himself to her spoon ━ and a bite of cereal. "Anyone ever tell you you're cute when you're annoyed?"

"I hope I'm not interrupting," Regina snarks, strolling in. She approaches the table with her ever-present smirk resting on her features, before stealing the cereal box. She begins to eat right out of the carton. "Actually, that's not true. Whatever's going on here, I am absolutely delighted to interrupt it."

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