[ He’s trying not to think too much about them, but he’s more despondent than worried. It’s not an improvement, which is why the alien is a welcome distraction. ]

Brainiac 5 is a title? Like Lord or King?

[ He looks askance, but Robbie can’t decide if he’s scandalized about what an awful nerd-title it is or the fact that Borgface is alien royalty.

But he rolls his eyes hard at Brainy. ]

God, so much to say and only the first one really lands, you know? I’ll give it my best shot.

You don’t get to just announce that you’re Brainy. I don’t try to walk into a room all “my friends call me Sexy.”

[ A beat, and then he mimes rewinding his gesticulations. ]

Does this mean we’re friends?

[ Rewind. ]

But, oh, Lord Grey Matter the Fifth, such abbreviating is a hanging offense!

[ Rewind. ]

If you aren’t blue, I’m not calling you Brainy, bub.

[ He pokes Brainy in the shoulder for finality and moves closer to look at the device. ]

Hey, is there writing on that? I want to see if the linguistic voodoo works on text.