The Academy of S.I.D.E.

No. 22: Aberration

History class was always a wild ride for Janus.

Not just because he'd seen the Library now, and had borrowed (read: stolen) enough books to know that the U.S. government did actually know who Deep Throat was, and not just because Anomaly history itself was fascinating. It was because he got to witness Kai messing with the professor in the greatest ways.

"I wish that whatever quiz we have in the near future got cancelled and replaced with an ice cream party," Kai announced, wandering in five minutes late as usual. Elliot slammed their head on their desk.

"Chin up, love," Janus said quietly, patting them on the back. "He's just trying to raise morale."

"I cannot believe I'm related to him," Elliot mumbled.

"Only very, very, distantly. You're on two separate branches of the Stokes line." Janus stretched. "Plus, it's not like you don't use your powers for getting out of work, either."

Elliot sat up. "Jan, there is a difference between being able to speak any language and mimic anyone's voice, and wishing things into existence without worrying about the consequences."

"Mm-hmm, and what about the consequences of mimicking Dr. Picani's voice in order to get out of class? Don't you think that little stunt could've cost our dear doctor greatly?"

"Could you talk normal every once and a while?" Elliot said tiredly.

"I will once you finally dump that asshole boyfriend of yours."

"Micheal is not---"

Janus let out a giant groan. "I don't need to be a living lie detector to know that whatever will come out of your mouth next is going to be bullshit."

"He's not a bad person," Elliot continued.

The bitter taste didn't come this time---probably because the poor kid actually believed it. "Now, Elliot, you know I'm not an expert on awful boyfriends, seeing as the only one I've ever had is an angel---"

"I wouldn't exactly use that term to describe Remus."

"But you simply must get rid of Micheal, pronto. He barely pays any attention to you, he gets angry at you when you don't spend time with him, and he's pretty much a complete---"

"Janus? Janus Kapoor?"

He twisted around in his seat, seeing a woman in a pressed uniform standing there. "Yes?"

"You're needed," she told him.

Janus smirked and stood. "S'cuse me for a second, Elliot."

"Have fun," they called as he sauntered out of the classroom.

.........

"What's this all about, Doctor?" Janus asked, closing the door to Picani's office behind him.

"I'm guessing you already know the drill by now."

Janus sighed. "Really, can't we time these things better? I just brought in a newbie barely a month ago, and I'm going to fail Coding if I miss another class."

"This Aberration is a pretty urgent case," Dr. Picani told him, sitting forward. "Her name's Leloni Marks. She's twelve years old, doesn't have the best home life---"

"Not a lot of Aberrations have the best home life, or do I need to remind you what Patton had just escaped from when I found him?" Janus cut in. "And let's not forget what me and Persephone had to deal with until last year."

"Masquerade, she can destroy things using her voice alone," Picani said quietly. "We were able to find her because she blew up her house."

Janus paused, then sat down. "And she's twelve?"