Even though Mikah’s expression is every bit as sour as everyone else’s, he takes a moment to compose himself with a deep breath and forces a smile. Considering how smoothly he does it, and with such a convincing end result, this is clearly a well-practiced mask.
Walking back over close with the group once more, quietly clearing his throat as he does so, he speaks up when he’s nearby, although perhaps a touch louder than is entirely necessary.
“Now now, it doesn’t do us any good to stew over it right now. Even if we knew who it was and where this lab is, it’s not like we should run over and burn down half the city right this very moment.” As Mikah says this, Miss Calculated is one of the first of the gathered throng to snap out of her violent reverie.
“Ah, c-certainly. It will take some time to analyze everything that is already in place and to come up with effective-” As Miss Calculated is winding up her response, not entirely able to hide her nervousness, Mark holds his hand up once again, this time around at least attempting to hold back his laughter.“Now, now, don’t worry. I understand it can’t be done overnight. And, of course, I’ll cover the costs of everything. First things first though, figure out what safety measures you’ll need in place so you can begin work on that reactor in earnest. “As a prototype, I’m sure you’ll only want to work on just the one at first, but I am very eager to see when you’re satisfied enough to install multiple units w
“Here, here, pick out which ones you guys want.” Lucas has a clearly enthusiastic tone as he manages to smoothly pull himself up into a crouch out of his previously leisurely seated position, leaning forward a bit as he holds the boomer-bouquet out before him. There is a grand total of zero percent chance that he could have managed this little maneuver without his enhanced proprioception.While he had addressed both Jonathan and Dan as well, his positioning makes it quite clear that his main focus is on ensuring that Willy gets first dibs.Not one to disappoint, Willy does take the offer seriously, putting careful deliberation into his selections. After a bit of a delay, he leans forward, gently biting and tugging out one of the longer yet more slender wooden w
“Oh, the Thieves of Elsewhere? Hmm, they do have a rather solid reputation, don’t they? Wait, just how many connections have you managed to make already, Lucas? It can’t all just be coincidences, can it? ...Wait, you have a connection with Alley Cat, don’t you!? What is it!?” When Mark draws this conclusion, he’s fighting back laughter as he asks Lucas for clarification.“Wha-? How did you guess!? I haven’t even met them yet, Mary just introduced us over the phone, though, so why should..?” Lucas’s confused expression as he answers is making his face scrunch up to a rather comical degree.“Ha! You’re going to give them a bunch of money for something, aren’t you!? So <
As Lucas starts heading in the direction of the men’s room, Miss Chievous seems inspired by the mention of pending photography, deciding to give Sylph her own photoshoot first.Pulling out her phone, she doesn’t even hesitate to interrupt Dan’s ongoing canine conversation.“Dan! Dan! Dan! Ask Sylph for me if I can take her picture too!” As Miss Chievous excitedly shouts out her request, he pauses in the middle of undoing the chaotic braiding of his hair, clearly surprised by the sudden address.After a slight delay, he snorts softly and proceeds to whistle the request to her majesty.Between Sylph’s cheerful little song accompanied by her fluffing her feathers and dancing a bi
As Lucas goes to resume walking towards the men’s rooms, Jonathan seems to hesitate for a moment. Noticing this, Lucas chuckles and slaps him on the shoulder, holding his strength back just barely enough so that it only stings slightly.“What, ya don’t wanna go hang out with a buncha supervillains without me? Heh, come on, we haven’t really had any chances to talk, anywho. Shit’s been pretty crazy lately, yeah?” Following Lucas’s teasing and invitation, Jonathan has a clear look of relief, starting to nod in agreement as Lucas finishes his broad observation of recent events.While he hardly appreciated getting hit, it was clearly preferable to heading back to continue triggering his social anxiety.“Yeah, it’s&helli
“All right. We got this, now to go get it over with. Man, this’d be so much easier without Mikah around, though.” After saying this, Lucas pauses for a moment, takes a deep breath, and slowly exhales it before heading to the door. As he starts reaching for the handle, he looks over his shoulder at Jonathan, speaking up one more time before pulling the door open for him. “Whelp, here goes nuttin’, yeah?” Jonathan similarly takes a deep breath, even slapping his cheeks twice before nodding at Lucas and heading out the door.[...Maybe the two of you ARE stressing over Mikah as much as I am.]
After some more time spent in hearty laughter, Miss Calculated eventually takes her glasses off with her left hand, reaching up with her right hand to wipe away the few good-humored tears which formed during her bout of hysterics. “All right, all right. We get it Chi, erm, I guess I can just openly say Maria now, huh? I’m so used to not saying it in front of others, it’s more liberating than I would have expected, hmm.” Before Miss Calculated even puts her glasses back on, she turns her attention over to Miss Chievous, lightly scolding her with a laughing tone that turns contemplative by the end.Miss Chievous gives one last firm, yet equally ineffective, kick at Lucas’s ankle. With a dissatisfied snort, she takes half of a step back, standin
Shortly after Dan has exited the front of Faunahorde, he shifts the contents of his right hand over so as to hold both objects with his left hand, and then goes to whistle with the assistance of his now free right hand. However, before he actually starts, the door is shoved open by a small amount by Franz, now reared up on his hind legs and leaning to the side to stick his snoot out the gap of the door in order to bark at Dan inquisitively.Dan pauses in his movements and turns around to face the questioning doggo, mindful not to move his head too much so as not to disturb her majesty’s roost.Apparently, Franz is satisfied with the answer Dan quietly gives him, as he shoves the door open further and dashes the few steps over to stand alongside Dan, with his tail wag