Fang

[Toxstrike]

Sunday afternoons were always busy at the dojo. Ellis-sensei was personally teaching the black belts so they could become sensei themselves. Jeanette had been to more than a few of these lessons, so none of the students reacted to her presence. She timed this exactly, the class was just a moment from dispersing, so she knealt on the floor, waiting.

It was almost fifteen minutes before the last student left, and her father locked the door. Her stomache was churning, but discipline kept an almost neutral look on her face. Of course, he saw right through it. He knealt down beside her and smiled, "I know that look. Whajyou do?"

She didn't look up, "I found out I'm..." She faltered. This was supposed to be the easy part, but she couldn't figure out a way of saying this without feeling like she needed to explain herself.

"You're what?" His time as a sensei had perfected that 'teacher' tone. He'd used it on at least one student every year, and Jeanette never realized just how powerful it is.

"Venomous." She sounded like every student who answered that phrase, afraid and confused.

Her father, however, just raised his eyes, and then smiled slightly, "Is that so? How'd you find that out? Some sort of test they didn't run when we had you checked out?"

"Uh, no. I, um, I bit someone." She paused for a second, but then quickly blurted out, "But he was immune, totally."

And with that, his tone changed, "Why did you bite him then? I know you weren't fighting, because I know you wouldn't have to resort to that."

Her head sank, "Because I didn't know I was. And, I wanted to find out."

"Is he a classmate?" She nodded in affimative to him, and he nodded back, before the smile came back to his face, "So he's okay then?"

"Yeah, he, uh, shook it right off." She began to ease up slightly.

He began to chuckle a little, "You never could resist finding your limits the hard way, huh? Just like when we caught you in that silly costume on the roof. Or that broken wrist. At least you didn't hurt him."

"So, it's okay then?" She finally smiled at him as he nodded.

"Yeah, just, tell you what, let me tell your mom. I don't think it'd be a good idea to tell her how you found out." He smiled at her, oblivious to the door that opened as he finished his sentence.

"How she found what out?" her mother was about halfway through the room, moving with short, but quick steps.

"I found a new power. Venom." Jeanette put up a brave front.

"Yeah, apparently she matched some sort of profile from the FBSA. They wanted to check before it came up and she hurt someone with it." Her dad had the lie already figured out.

Her mother just shook her head, "I swear, they think they're above the law. Profiling? I'll have to put in a complaint."

Her father stood up, "Hun, it prevented a problem. Don't worry about it. Besides, she said it's just through a bite. Right, 'Nette?" Jeanette nodded quickly, and looked down at her watch.

"Hey, sorry, I made some plans with friends. I just really wanted to let you guys know what's going on. Okay?" She stood and hugged her dad.

"Alright, have fun." Her dad smiled as he returned the hug.

"And behave." Her mom opened her arms for a hug, which Jeanette gave her, "And for heaven's sake Jeanette, I gave you a coat for a reason. Wear it. Fall's in full swing."

"Okay mom. I will. Promise. Bye." And she was out the door, emergency averted.