Jon was in a small office room with a table set up in the center. Sitting at the table were three people idly chatting: Mr. Jones, clad in his black suit, and an unfamiliar man and woman in civilian clothes. The man wore a very casual T-shirt and jeans combo, and the way he sat with his legs spread made him look like the kind of person Jon could just hang out with and chat about sports. In contrast, the woman wore a classy button-down shirt, knee-length skirt, and sheer pantyhose, leading to shiny black pumps, and she sat with a no-nonsense tense body pose... Wait, when did Jon start caring about what people were wearing?
He blinked. It was pretty much the same way he'd addressed putting on his own clothes: analyzing exactly what they were and what message they would send.
A cold shiver passed down his spine as he realized Dr. Bradford did something else while he was unconscious. She'd altered his brain in another way. He could see the tactical advantage to reflexively analyzing people's clothes and body language. It would make him a better superhero. It would also make him act more like a girl.
They finished up their conversation as he approached.
Mr. Jones smiled. "Ah, there she is now. Sinead, William, I'd like you to meet Linda Lee Danvers, our newest and most promising asset. Miss Danvers, meet your foster parents: the Smythes."
"It's nice to meet you," Jon said, doing the polite gesture that felt natural. He would normally reach out a hand to shake theirs, and he thought for a second that's what he was doing. Instead, he bowed his head, daintily lifted the corners of his skirt with three fingers, crossed his right foot in front of his left foot and knelt in a polite curtsy. As he rose, he realized what he'd done, comprehending the demure feminine act programmed into his brain, and felt his cheeks heat.
"It's nice to meet such a polite young girl," Sinead said, winking at him as she spoke the final word.
Wait... Did they know? Did they know Jon wasn't really a girl? And he was sent in here dressed like this? Heat positively flooded his cheeks, and he shot an accusatory glare at Mr. Jones.
Mr. Jones stared coldly back at him. He steepled his fingers. "Mr. and Mrs. Smythe are old friends of mine. They're doing me a kind favor in taking you under their wing, Miss Danvers. I just know you would never let me down."
Jon silently fumed behind his default smile.
"John asked me to assist in your training," Sinead said, indicating Mr. Jones as she said 'John'.
That was enough to throw Jon off. His name was Jon? Was the stone uncreative or did that mean something? Was it a coincidence?
"I have been a schoolteacher for many years at St. Therese's School for Girls. I have educated hundreds of young women," Sinead continued. "I'm sure I could even teach one as unique as you in the fine arts of womanhood."
Oh, so... she was going to train Jon how to act like a girl? That would make sense if Jon was going to be Supergirl, and he supposed it was preferable to learn some things the old fashioned way than having Dr. Bradford just dump them in his head, but he did not look forward to the prospect of learning 'the fine arts of womanhood'. That sounded like the least enjoyable subject he could possibly learn, and he had a cousin once try to explain quantum physics to him!
William let out a short laugh of derision. "Oh, come on! You honestly expect me to believe that that is a guy? Please! She's the girliest girl I've ever seen! John, you're pranking us!"
Jon awkwardly smoothed out his skirt. Wow, not only did they know, William didn't believe it. That was a new level of embarrassment he didn't even know existed.
"John told us Linda is an undercover female impersonator, and I believe him," Sinead said faithfully. She shot her husband an annoyed look. "John wouldn't lie to us."
Jon opened his mouth to tell the truth, but, thanks to the dialog protocol, was only able to say, "I'm a girl, silly."
Great...
"Miss Danvers' appearance has been sculpted by one of the finest surgeons in the country," Mr. Jones said. "She looks and sounds exactly like a young lady... but for one feature, which we left her."
"And what 'feature' is that?" William asked, raising an eyebrow skeptically.
Sinead nudged her husband. "It's her... his... You know."
Their gazes lowered to Jon's crotch.
Oh, God, they were actually talking about Jon's penis. He was in a room with people, who were not his doctor, who were discussing his penis. He just wanted the world to open up and swallow him whole. And his face had that idiotic smile, like he was fine with it all.
Mr. Jones cleared his throat. "Miss Danvers' reproductive traits are beside the point. In all other respects, her appearance is flawless and will not present any problem. In the interests of her training, I must insist that you treat her exactly as you would any of your students."
"That won't be an issue, John." Sinead smiled. Seeing William still staring at Jon's crotch, she elbowed him. "Will it, honey?"
"No, dear." William shook his head and looked carefully at Jon's eyes. "Welcome... to the family... Linda."
