Going back a bit, narratively speaking, to right around when Miss Calculated cant-cursed Miss Chievous, then took a seat on the padded armchair Lucas had previously occupied.
Now that Miss Chievous is the last of the loiterers left vertically aligned, she looks at her lounging possibilities. They are, unfortunately, relatively lacking, as all of the possible places are settled by her colleagues. Left with limited alternatives, she selects the most undeniably logical solution; beleaguering pitiful little ill-fated Jonathan.
Since she at least bears a modicum of respect for the fact that he’s in the middle of playing a game, she sits on the arm of his chair and l
After a bit of time spent peacefully playing phone games, Miss Chievous’s attention is pulled over by her sister indirectly mentioning her vitzlite tool technology. She keeps quiet as their conversation continues, but decides to chime in after Miss Calculated is struck silent from Mark dragging Alley Cat’s powers into the mix.“You wanna use my knife first, or are you gonna go straight to using yours?” When Miss Chievous suddenly asks this in a slightly raised voice, both Jonathan and Miss Calculated flinch with surprise. Amused by Jonathan’s startlement, Miss Chievous elbows him once while snickering, earning a brief side-eyed glare paired with a huff from him.The M & M couch had quieted down ever since Mark finished his happily scheming
Miss Calculated slowly inhales, holds, then exhales a deep breath before speaking once more.“I… Yes, thank you. You’re right. Today’s just been, well, rather overwhelming. It has been borderline surreal, and I’m half expecting some sort of reversal to happen at any moment.” After Miss Calculated makes this guilty admission, both Mark and Mikah chuckle. Mikah has a distant look for a few seconds, then chuckles with a smile.“I was only around for, what, roughly half of it all? If even? Even still, that was enough to see how crazy of a day it’s been. Really, it sure feels like there’s a whirlwind of chaos around the Lynn family, hmm?” As
Mikah looks from Miss Calculated over to the approaching service bot, then back to Miss Calculated again, holding back laughter the whole time.“Well, I guess we’re about to find out if there’s at least a decent chance of it working, hmm?” While Mikah is teasingly asking this, Miss Calculated is busy twisting a few rings around the vitzlite end of her utility knife, telescoping the handle into itself by a small amount. Once she finishes aligning the safety locks, a small rocker switch that was previously recessed in the handle pops out, located such that it is directly under her thumb when she holds the Viblade in a ready-to-use position.“Mm, exactly. I have no idea
With their grand, trollish, entrance complete, Lucas and Miss Masher walk over to rejoin the others. Two notable details about them, apart from the fact that they’re now in workwear, complete with work boots; Miss Masher is carrying the sisterhood’s black insulated messenger bag, and Lucas’s previously slicked-back-with-gel hairstyle has been aggressively tousled.Now that the waiting period has passed, Jonathan pauses his game once again, shuts off his phone, and tucks it safely away within one of his inner suit jacket pockets. Once he actually looks up at Lucas, he snerks involuntarily.“Wh-what the hell happened to your h-hair!?” Afte
After Lucas gives Willy a few comforting pats, he holds his arms outstretched before him.“Here, buddy, lemme pick ya up. It’s gonna be tight in here, don’t want no one steppin’ on ya.” Once Lucas makes this offer, Willy barks agreeably and climbs up Lucas’s chest, resting his front paws over Lucas’s shoulder, with his snoot between them, holding the chew toys dangling over Lucas’s back.After Lucas takes a moment to melt a little, he makes sure his left forearm is securely under Willy’s rump. He slowly stands back up again, ensuring the awkward long boi is staying comfortably in place, which he is.As the rest of the group files into the elevat
Post important pupper protective equipment placement, Mikah pulls Mark and Miss Calculated’s masks out of his pocket, as well as Mark’s phone. Not inclined to walk around while the elevator is still in motion, he holds onto Mark’s belongings for now. But, he does hold out Miss Calculated’s mask towards her.“Here you are, Mary. I imagine that all of you want to have your masks on in advance before getting there.” After Mikah says this, Miss Calculated turns to face him. Before she manages to secure a solid one-armed carry for the box of miscellaneous contents that she’s carrying, Miss Chievous claims it on her behalf.“Oh, thanks, both of you.” By the time Miss Calculated finished saying this and turns her attention fro
Lucas is still staring past Miss Calculated’s shoulder, transfixed by the recently revealed wreckage of racks, robots, ruined remnants of remodelings, promotional materials, and more. As the elevator doors finish sliding all the way open, he clears his throat before speaking up.“Hey, uh, Marsha? Are ya gonna be busy the next few days?” Lucas asks in a deadpan voice as he slowly blinks.“...I guess I am gonna be, now. Seems I’m havin’ a protein shake for dinner tonight. Eheh…” Miss Masher matches Lucas’s tone at first while staring past Miss Calculated’s other shoulder, but she gains a simultaneously delighted and dangerous smile when she starts chuckling. Although, the smile is hidden from sight, courtesy of her
Meanwhile, as the mannequin madness is mounting, Mark and Miss Calculated amble out of 23’s way when it reaches the clear space around the elevators.23 brings the decommissioned bot over near the boomerang pile, gingerly setting it down so it is sitting upright next to another inactive bot, which is missing an arm. Behind the two inactive bots is a modestly measured mound of a motley mix of miscellaneous machine materials in myriad magnitudes of mottled marring. At least, they’re ruined by wealthy people’s standards. Miss Calculated began eyeing the collection hungrily once she noticed it, as her eyes were previously fixed on the robot in 23’s arms without paying any attention to anything else.Latest Chapter