Not easy being green

[Tobias Blythe]

Tobias yawned as he stumbed down the stairs, still in his pajamas and still green.

[George Blythe]

"Tobias!" George said from his position on the sofa, from which he was eating some toast, drinking coffee and reading two books at the same time. "You look very fresh this morning."

[Tobias Blythe]

"I look like a celery," Tobias grumbled. "Do I have to go to school today?"

[George Blythe]

"A, uh, very hip celery?" George tried. "Of course you have to go. It's school." He shoved some toast into his mouth and chewed and swallowed. "You want some breakfast?"

[Tobias Blythe]

"But I'm green," Tobias protested. "It won't make that much of a difference if I start later."

[George Blythe]

George frowned. "Why would starting later affect your being green? And I bet everyone is some sort of color. It looks like it's a fairly contagious thing."

[Tobias Blythe]

"Starting later won't effect my education," Tobias clarified. "And I bet everyone isn't. It's going to be bad enough being the new kid without also being the green one."

[George Blythe]

"It'll be a conversation point." George pointed out helpfully. "And you're going. I don't want you missing any more school than you have to. And today you don't have to."

[Tobias Blythe]

"What if I start tomorrow, even if I'm still green?" Tobias asked. "Then I'd only miss one day. That wouldn't matter."

[George Blythe]

"But then you may as well start today." George removed the carefully balanced books from his knee, and stood up, clapping his hands together. "Right. You, uh, need anything for school?"

[Tobias Blythe]

"But--" Tobias realized that he didn't have an argument beyond "But I don't want to!" and gave up. "Lunch. Or money for lunch."

[George Blythe]

George searched in his pocket and shoved some money towards his son. "I don't think we've got much food in. Haven't got round to groceries yet." He smiled. "Good luck."

[Tobias Blythe]

"Thanks," Tobias mumbled, turning to head back up the stairs.

[George Blythe]

"You, ah, want me to walk you?" George moved towards the stairs awkwardly, his puce coloring showing up disgustingly in the morning light.

[Tobias Blythe]

Tobias stopped and turned, giving his dad a Look. "I'm not five." He brightenned, looking hopeful. "Could I take the car?"

[George Blythe]

"I know you're not..." George paused. And frowned. "I, uh, guess?" He looked at his son, perhaps sizing up whether he thought it'd be safe. "Ask Conrad?"

[Tobias Blythe]

"Why?" Tobias asked. "It's not his car."

[George Blythe]

"It's, uh..." George floundered, looking about as though he expected a fellow APE to jump out and save him. "Uh, go on then." He said finally with a smile. "Just, uh, be careful, right?" And he fled to the kitchen before his son could ask any more of him. "Have a good day!" he managed to call as he went.

((out))

[Tobias Blythe]

"I need the keys!" Tobias called after him before heading upstairs to change.