The Academy of S.I.D.E.

No. 28: This Weird American Holiday

"In conclusion, the universe is a fascinating place in which we should make it our mission to learn enough about it as possible," Logan finished. "Virgil, any thoughts?"

Virgil lifted his head. "I'm sorry, I was daydreaming about a universe where I didn't have to listen to this."

Logan let out an exasperated sigh. "Virgil, if you want to pass your Physics class, you have to actually study for your Physics class. Why did you even come to me for help if you weren't going to listen?"

"I didn't know you were going to go on a ramble," Virgil responded. "'Sides, I only came down to the lab because I was hoping that your little sibling would be here. You just assumed that I needed help with school and wouldn't let me correct you."

"If you were looking for Quinn, then the lab was a poor choice," Logan said, folding his arms. "They're barely ever in here. You would've had more luck in the Field Skills building."

"Actually, I invited them here to give me a hand with Andi," Sophia called, not looking up from the vaguely hominoid robot she was working on. "I need to figure out how much charge they're going to need on a daily basis, and considering Quinn's powers, I thought it'd be only prudent to let them help out."

Logan gestured to her. "There she is. My sister with an IQ of one hundred and ninety-two. My sister who is smart enough to turn the figurative dial all the way back to brainless and considers it a good idea to let our deranged sibling assist her with her life's work."

"I have enough sense to know that Quinn can be controlled if you use the right precautions," Sophia countered.

"You have a 192 IQ?" Virgil repeated.

"That's not even the most impressive," she told him. "The smartest Jacobi in recorded history had an IQ of 207. She helped Edison with the lightbulb, from what I can recall."

"If by 'helped,' you mean 'she came up with it, but let him take the credit because Anomalies must stay hidden and sexism,' then yes," Logan said, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "When exactly is Quinn going to---"

SLAM!

"WHAT IS UP, EINSTEINS!" a thin kid who looked like a shorter version of Logan and Sophia (just with fancily-styled hair and a Guardians of the Galaxy tee) shouted, throwing finger guns into the air. "I am HERE and I am READY TO ROLL, bitches!"

"Sophia, please tell me when the child is finished," Logan announced, starting to walk out of the lab. "I'll come back later when the air isn't quite as chaotic."

"Oh, c'mon, Nerdy Wolverine, stick around!" Quinn cheered, linking their elbow with his. "It's been ages since I've talked to my big bro properly, and you've got a new buddy that you need to introduce me to!"

"Ah. Yes. That." Logan adjusted his glasses. "Virgil, I'd like you to meet Quinn---the least Jacobi of all of the Jacobis out there, including those like Nadia who haven't inherited the family powers."

"Okay, first of all, rude, and second of all, I'm still gifted."

"132 is barely gifted."

"Says you!"

Virgil held out his hand. "Hey. I'm Virgil."

"Nice to meet you, dude," Quinn said, shaking his hand vigorously. "I'm Quinn Jacobi, known on the field as---" They let go of Virgil's hand and struck a pose--- "Friction."

He gave them a blank stare.

"Y'know?" they added. "'Cause my powers have to do with electricity, and electricity is caused by friction?"