Chapter Text
Nathan was trying to get his GED… again.
He’d been having the crow dream again. The one where his bandmates were dead, torn apart by ravenous crows, a brutal way to go. Nathan was left alone, unable to keep the band going solo. He ended up having to work a regular day job like a regular jack-off. Only unlike a lot of regular jack-offs, Nathan didn’t have shit to his name. No education, no skills beyond being the brutalist, most exceptional lead singer/songwriter in the known universe. So, his regular job sucked. It paid shit and his boss was shit and the people he had to deal with were shit.
He couldn’t let that happen.
So, he was trying again to get his GED. At least if he had that, then maybe his worst-case scenario job would be something that didn’t make him want to peal his own skin off. Though that was unlikely. The only thing he was good at and enjoyed was music, and if he couldn’t do that, then what was the point?
“Ah, there you are.”
Nathan jumped; Charles was right behind him. Damn ninja robot.
“Uh, yeah.” Nathan surreptitiously put his arm over the book he was taking notes from.
“I couldn’t find you in the usual places. The other boys are playing golf, they seemed… to notice that you weren’t around.”
“Just, uh, catching up on some reading.” Nathan wanted to put his head through the desk. He didn’t want anyone to know he was doing this again. Last time, they’d all made a fuss and the pressure from the fuss had led him to walk into the exam and freak out.
He needed to do this alone and quietly this time, then maybe he could actually write something in the exam. Charles stared hard at him, glancing down at the book partially hidden by Nathan’s arm and the three other books on the desk.
“I see.” Charles straightened his jacket. “Well, always good to read more. I won’t interrupt you further.”
Charles left.
Nathan spent the rest of the day in the library. He ordered his lunch and dinner at his desk. The books were hard. Everything took so long to read and then read again and then again to understand it all. The words all seemed to run together. He considered getting a tutor again. The klokateer who’d helped him with the maths side of it last time had been helpful. More helpful than a book, anyway.
“Still here?”
Nathan jumped again before turning and seeing Charles behind him again. Only this time Charles’ jacket was gone and in his arms he had a laptop and a plate of food.
“I thought you wouldn’t mind some company.”
“I’m just reading.” Nathan frowned as Charles sat opposite him at the desk and opened up the laptop. “Don’t need nuffing.”
“I’m just going to take care of some emails.” Charles smiled an odd smile, smug but also friendly. Nathan shrugged and turned back to the book.
They ‘worked’ together in companionable silence for half an hour before Charles broke it. He leaned back in his chair with an overly dramatic sigh and picked up a forkful of whatever the hell was on his plate. He made loud thinking noises, the kind actors on tv made when they were trying to send the message to the audience that they were puzzling something out.
Nathan glanced up. Charles was actually stroking his chin.
“Genetically modified crops and livestock offer the possibility of greater yield and food quality, reductions in pesticide use, and higher profits for agricultural businesses.” Charles didn’t look at him.
What the hell was he on about?
“Some view them as a way to help reduce world hunger by increasing food production and reducing losses to pests and varying environmental conditions. Each year, industrial agriculture relies more heavily on genetically modified crops.”
Why the hell was Charles talking about farming?
“There are some concerns about our increasing use of genetically modified crops and livestock, including their safety for human consumption and their effects on the environment.”
“What are you talking about?” Nathan eventually snapped. Putting the book down harder than he meant to.
“So, if genetically modified crops were to be banned, what could be the largest negative impact on humans? What a conundrum. What do you think?”
“About crops?”
“What could be the largest negative impact on humans?” Charles said, still looking smug. “It’s either going to be the introduction of new allergens into the food supply; the loss of genetic diversity in food crops, a decrease in food production worldwide or an increase in the number of beneficial insects.”
“Are you starting a farm?” Nathan frowned. “Dethklok Crops?”
“No, I just want your thoughts on this issue.”
“If they banned science crops?”
“Exactly. Out of the options I listed, what do you think the biggest impact would be?”
“I dunno.”
“Think about it. These are crops designed to produce a bigger yield. They are strong against pests and poor weather. What would happen if they stopped being grown?”
“We’d have less crops.” Nathan said, still confused.
“Exactly, so that would be…”
“Bad.”
“Yes, but which of the options I mentioned?”
“A decrease in food whatsit.”
“Yes, perfect, well done. Thank you, Nathan.”
“Uh sure, don’t mention it.”
“If it’s not too much trouble, I’ve also got this math issue I could use some help with…” Charles stood up and came around to Nathan’s side of the desk.