TOSoP 44

Tweek watched father and son El leave before turning to Brainy with a thoughtful expression.

"In retrospect though, the Enforcers et cetera have made a lot of bad decisions lately. But someone like Kal in there might have a bettering effect on them, don't you think?"

For a moment Brainy thought of Superman; his cape and symbol along with his iconic goodness that was remembered and celebrated more than a thousand years later.

But, as he had often thought, Kal-El wasn't Clark and couldn't be Superman as long as he stayed under the red sun of Krypton.

Instead he thought of Kal-El; his smile, his energy and his outgoing personality. He thought of the many fights they had been in together against those like Brainiac and other psychotic Kryptonians. He thought of how Kal-El let Zel-Kar bully him because it made her happy, and how he treated Wisdom as an equal despite her initial efforts against him doing so.

All the memories made Brainy smile.

"Yeah, someone like Kal-El could have a great effect on the world."

Tweek nodded energetically.

"The way you affect one person can affect the whole world. I'm sure we would all be much worse for wear if you hadn't come along."

"But... I've done nothing but cause trouble," Brainy scratched his cheek in confusion.

Tweek stared at Brainy, checked his ears for wax and stared some more.

"Trouble? You outed Brainiac as the S.O.B – no offense – that he was, destroyed him, put a corrupt council behind bars, helped this Princess Wisdom by bringing some light into her life, inspired half the population of this city to stand up for themselves, gave Jor and Laura a second son, helped to win an epic Ringlets game, become Martha's second brother, and made Kal-El probably the happiest I've seen him since 'Smarty' disappeared.

"And for me alone you've brought me out of my hermitage and reunited me with the people I love. I haven't been this happy in years and it's only been a day." He leaned in and winked. "If that's the kind of trouble you bring I'm half tempted to keep you to myself so I can get more of it."

Brainy blushed a moment but then smiled.

"Sorry, but I'm spoken for."

"Damn…" Tweek straightened and stomped his foot with a disappointed, childish pout. "Oh well, can't blame a guy for trying: but if you ever change your mind you know where to find me most days."

Brainy glanced at the time.

"Speaking of which we should probably get going so no one comes looking for you and find out you never went home last night."

"Besides Dickhead and his ilk, and Jor, of course, when he's not busy, I don't get visitors very often. I doubt anyone besides that clerk we phoned before we left even realizes I'm gone," said Tweek with a smile but it seemed sad to Brainy.

"His ilk?" Brainy questioned.

"His Dickhead in training. Other council members not quite up to par with his brand of manipulation. Can't say I'm going to miss the bastard dropping in on me unannounced with his demands and such."

"We're all pretty lucky he won't be demanding anything from anyone any time soon," Brainy agreed just before doorbell rang.

Laura walked by them with Martha to answer the door.

"Ah, good morning Pri-Nox."

"Good morning, Laura El," Pri-Nox bent her head slightly before leaning in to the child with a smile. "Good morning, sweetie."

Martha giggled when the councilwoman made a funny face for her.

"What brings you over so early?" asked Laura.

"I was hoping to speak with Jor-El and Brainiac Five, er, Brainy. I wasn't able to talk the other council members into having a ceremony so I thought I'd deliver their medals of valor and bravery myself," Pri-Nox patted her pocket with her only usable hand, while her other arm was stuck in a cast and sling.

"You just missed Jor-El, but Brainy is still here. Come in," said Laura, stepping aside to let her through.

Hearing them talk in the living room, Tweek turned to Brainy.

"Were you guys expecting company this early?" He walked into the living room and stopped in his tracks the moment he saw her, pulling Brainy back into the hall to whisper into his ear. "Who's the cutie in the glasses?"

"That's Pri-Nox," Brainy answered simply, walking back to the living room.

As he considered the name, Tweek followed him but then froze when he looked at her again.

"Pri-Nox... the councilwoman! Oh no; they did notice I left!" He spotted her looking at him. "Hide me!" He ducked behind Brainy.

"You're taller then me," Brainy grumbled, sighing when Tweek simply crouched down instead of trying to find a new hiding spot.

Pri-Nox walked over to them.

"Good morning, Brainy. Who's your friend?"

"Tweek," Brainy attempted to move to the side to let her see, but Tweek held the Coluan in place.

"You mean the scientist Twen-Cam? I was told he was eccentric – I never thought he was the shy type," Pri-Nox giggled.

Tweek peeked over Brainy's shoulder.

"She's giggling, is that a good sign?"

"She can hear you. Why don't you ask her yourself?" Brainy asked in a low whisper.

Pri-Nox extended her hand to Tweek.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you Twen-Cam. I am Councilwoman Pri-Nox."

Tweek held on to Brainy for safety but shook her hand.

"Yeah, I guess we've never really met before. You must've been appointed after my… exile, so to speak. I remember your name on a couple of things they sent me though. Usually the ones I liked working on. And, um, you can call me Tweek if you want, Lady Councilwoman."

"Then please call me Pri-Nox, Tweek, and I'm glad we haven't completely bored you during your slave labor for the council," Pri-Nox smiled brightly at him. "I understand that they still haven't lifted your restrictions about coming into town yet even though many of the former Head of Council's laws are being revoked? My fellow council members have refused to let you move your work into the city but I am working on them letting you live and roam wherever you want." She gave him a wink. "Could you give me an estimate on where you would like to live so I can warn the neighborhood?"

For a moment, Tweek didn't release Pri-Nox's good hand.

"...I like this lady! Anywhere near here would be great. I miss hanging out with Jor and Laura and I'd like to play with Martha some days."

As he released her hand, Pri-Nox giggled, glancing back to where Martha was.

"I know, isn't she adorable? And I'll see what I can do about getting you somewhere to live around here." She turned to Brainy. "On behalf of the council I would like to award you this medal of bravery and valor on behalf of Krypton on numerous occasions." Using her one hand she pinned the medal onto Brainy's shirt. "There is also one for Jor-El, for protecting Princess Wisdom, but I suppose that will have to wait for another time."

"See, I told you it's a good thing you came here. Now you and Jor are heroes!" Tweek cheered, leaning over Brainy's shoulder.

For a moment Pri-Nox looked mildly angry.

"Whoever said it wasn't a good thing Brainy came here? His very presence and shining example has begun so much change in the political system alone! If he were a full citizen of Krypton people were talking about electing him to the council."

"Shining example?" Brainy slowly questioned before his eyes widened in horror. "The council?"

Tweek jumped up in excitement, and for a moment Brainy thought he was going to start dancing.

"That would be awesome! Then he'd have to stay with us! Can we make him a citizen somehow?"

"I'm not a politician!" Brainy protested.

"That's exactly why you would make a great politician," commented Tweek.

Brainy tried to reason. "I know nothing about politics... Well, actually, I know a lot about it but have no practical experience. Why would anyone think that was a good idea?"

"How do you get experience without digging in and giving something a go? Besides, do you think they know anything about politics? No offense, Pri-Nox," Tweek added the last part hastily.

"Maybe, but one should start with something small. Not on the board that rules an entire planet…" Brainy grumbled.

Ignoring them for the most part, Pri-Nox shrugged and paused to consider it.

"Well, his becoming a citizen would be relatively easy since he's a descendant of Krypton's Brainiac. It would just be a matter of filling out a bunch of paperwork. Though it would probably be better if he applied for dual citizenship since he's also Coluan, but I wouldn't feel comfortable doing that without Princess Wisdom here to make sure her parents don't try to use it as a way to abduct him."

"…But if it gets you abducted by Coluan royalty I'll leave it for now," Tweek looked Pri-Nox over now that he was no longer hiding. "Hey, is your arm alright?"

Pri-Nox absently rubbed her sling with her good hand.

"My arm is still a little sore from when I got shot. I'm supposed to let it rest for another week so it heals properly."

"When did you get shot?" asked Brainy.

"When the former chairman tried to take Princess Wisdom and I hostage at Kal-El's Ringlet game. I tried to shoot him with my guard's weapon but one of his followers blocked him and then another shot me. Luckily the former councilman wanted to kill me publicly, or I'd probably be dead now," Pri-Nox chuckled, gazing distractedly up at the ceiling as she spoke.

Tweek's jaw dropped.

"Dude, lady, you got some guts! Are you sure you shouldn't be getting a medal?"

Pri-Nox blushed. "Me? Oh no, that wouldn't be appropriate – plus I was only doing my duty."

"Yeah, but you actually fought back against that psycho. With a blaster. To save hostages. When he was threatening to kill you publicly. I think that qualifies as above and beyond the call of duty. Most council members I've met would've been cowering in a corner or trying to turn it to their favor. Glad to know you aren't most council members," Tweek beamed at her.

This only caused the councilwoman to blush more.

"Thank you, but I doubt that's going to happen. My remaining fellow council members are annoyed at me for going to the game to begin with."

Confused, Tweek scratched his head.

"Why? They not like having actual fun?"

"I think they have forgotten fun exists since we have to work so hard to regain the trust of the people after all the mistakes of the former head of council and his followers, plus the former chairman and his followers and the corruption in the Enforcers…" Pri-Nox sighed. "It's been very hectic."

"Sounds like it. But you know, reconnecting with the people themselves is a pretty good way to do that… so I say your doing a bang up job so far," Tweek smiled again.

Pri-Nox blushed again.

"Thank you. I'm actually going to a play tomorrow to speak with a few people. It's based on an Earth author... William Shakespoone, I think it was." She glanced at the clock. "But I have to get to the meeting with the head of the Enforcers." She bowed her head slightly. "It was very nice to meet you."

"Nice meeting you too. Hope to see you again some time," Tweek shook her hand.

"Well, if you're going to be here I'll be dropping by again to give Jor-El his medal," Pri-Nox smiled. "And play with Martha."

"Do you think you could join us for dinner?" asked Laura.

"I wouldn't want to impose," Pri-Nox began,

"You would be doing no such thing. You can even sit next to Martha if you want," Laura tempted, holding up her child; who almost seemed to bat her eyelashes at them.

All of Pri-Nox's willpower caved in.

"How can I possibly say no to that face? I'll see you at dinner then."

"Wonderful! I'll make sure Jor-El is here to get his medal. Have a good day, Pri-Nox," said Laura, walking Pri-Nox to the door.

When they were gone Brainy turned to Tweek.

"Nice, isn't she?"

"Very. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, even with all of your praise, but a girl that would get shot with a blaster and then try to turn one on her assailant wasn't it. And she loves children. You got to respect a woman like that," Tweek looked tempted to dance, his hands taking the incentive to do so on their own.

Brainy nodded. "She earned my respect the day I met her and she yelled at one of the councilmen not to call me an 'it'. She's also the one who told me Brainiac's weakness and she pretty much saved me from being arrested on two different occasions."

This only made the rest of Tweek's body join in his dance.

"Yeah, that is one classy, gutsy lady. But for some reason I can't think of a good nickname for her. She doesn't strike me as a 'sweet cheeks' or a 'doll', and 'toots' is just too... unbecoming."

This made Brainy smile, "I'm sure you'll think of something. Shall we go?"

Tweek stopped dancing to rub his hands together in anticipation.

"Sure, as soon as we get the food."

Right on cue, Laura came in with their lunches.

"Have a good day you two." She kissed their foreheads. "See you this evening."

"Right!" Tweek cheered and paused. "Wait, isn't Pri-Nox coming tonight too?"

"Yes, I invited her," Laura nodded.

"Oh... so I guess that means I should take another shower if I work up a sweat, huh? That whole 'etiquette' thing," Tweek frowned.

"That would be appreciated, Tweek," Laura nodded again.

"Even if we don't break a sweat," Brainy added.

They found Tweek's current board and took off for Tweek's lab, going slower this time so Tweek could look over the city and see how much it had changed. Soon, people on the streets started to stop and stare up at them as they passed overhead.

Noticing their stares, Tweek glared down at them.

"You'd think they'd never seen a guy riding a flying metal board before."