Later...30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQEgA79Q2P
30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2AhSk8Yp6
You put the broom back into the closet and walk back to the bar area, greeting Cyn as you walk in.
"Hi, Cyn."
Cyn sets down the duster and smiles as she turns to look at you. "Hello, Y/N."
You slide into your usual spot at the bar, resting your arms on the counter. "Busy today?"
Cyn tilts her head slightly. "Moderate activity. Some dusting. Some polishing." She pauses, then adds, "Light sigh."
You huff a small laugh. "Sounds thrilling."
Cyn picks up a glass, inspecting it before giving it another wipe with a clean cloth. "And you?"
You shrug. "Same as always. Cleaning, avoiding getting yelled at, and trying not to twitch myself into breaking something important."
Cyn nods slowly. "Understandable. Careful movements recommended."
For a moment, there’s a comfortable silence between you two. The distant hum of drones working, the occasional clatter of dishes, and the ever-present murmur of humans in the background fill the space.
Then, Cyn speaks again. "James was… loud."
You glance at her, then exhale through your nose. "Yeah. He was."
Cyn's fingers tap lightly against the counter. "Did not intervene. Would not be… effective."
You nod. "Yeah, me neither."
More silence.
Cyn tilts her head. "Chuckle. Y/N is not the one being yelled at today. Small victory."
You smirk. "Right? Feels kinda nice."
Cyn nods. "Momentary reprieve."
You rest your head against your hand, watching as Cyn continues to wipe down the bar. "So… how long before J shows up to be a pain?"
Cyn doesn't miss a beat. "Imminent."
You groan. Cyn grins and says, "Giggle."
Right on cue, the door swings open with a dramatic creak, and J saunters in like she owns the place. Which, to be fair, she probably thinks she does.
"Well, well, well," J drawls, placing a hand on her hip. "Look at you two, slacking off like a couple of useless—oh wait, that’s just Y/N."
You roll your eyes. "Wow, J. You really know how to make someone feel special."
J grins, hopping up onto a stool with unnecessary flair. "Oh, I try." She leans forward, resting her chin on her hands. "So, what exactly are you two doing? Plotting something? Hiding from work? Gossiping about how stunningly competent I am?"
Cyn, completely unfazed, sets down the glass she was cleaning. "Idle conversation. Mild banter. J’s arrival was anticipated."
J’s visor flickers with amusement. "Of course it was. My presence demands attention, after all."
You sigh, rubbing your temples. "J, do you ever take a break?"
J shrugs. "Not when there are so many opportunities to annoy you, Y/N. Gotta stay dedicated."
Cyn tilts her head. "Y/N is not currently malfunctioning. No stuttering. No excessive twitching." She pauses. "Perhaps J is improving Y/N’s functionality."
Your visor flickers. "That’s not how that works."
J smirks. "Aw, you’re welcome, Loser."
A moment of silence.
"Where's N?" J finally asks.
Cyn's visor flickers. She shrugs.
You look at J. "You don't think Tessa's using him as a cuddle drone do you?"
J shrugs. "Like I would know."
Another moment of silence.
"Stop looking at me like I know the answer!" J snapped.
You roll your eyes and turn away.
Cyn taps her fingers against the counter. "N is likely still with Tessa. Prolonged absence suggests sustained interaction."
J huffs, crossing her arms. "Or he got himself stuck in a closet somewhere again. Wouldn’t be the first time."
You smirk. "That was pretty funny last time."
J’s visor flickers as she grins. "Oh yeah, especially when he panicked and tried to pick the lock with a spoon."
Cyn tilts her head. "Ineffective method."
You nod. "Extremely. But hey, he tried."
Another brief silence.
J drums her fingers against the bar, looking increasingly impatient. "Okay, but seriously, how long does it take to give someone medicine? Either Tessa’s using him as a cuddle drone or—" She pauses, then waves a hand. "Eh, whatever. Not my problem."
You raise a brow. "Sounds like you want to check on him."
J scoffs. "Please. I just don’t want to deal with him whining later about how nobody came to look for him if he did get stuck somewhere."
Another moment of silence.
J clicks her tongue. "Alright. Fine. Let’s go make sure he’s not trapped under a pile of blankets or something."
You stand up with a sigh. "Guess that means we’re all going, huh?"
J blinks. "Yup."
You roll your eyes as the three of you leave the bar, heading toward Tessa’s room.
Upon arriving at Tessa's room, you open the door. Tessa and N, who are on the floor playing with the doll house, look up.
"Is it lunchtime yet?" Tessa asks curiously.
J pushes you aside. "Move, Loser."
J looks down at N. "So. This is where you've been."
N laughs sheepishly. "Yeah... I was told to make sure Tessa doesn't leave her room again like last time."
J raises a brow. "So you’re basically a glorified babysitter now?"
N grins. "I mean, I don’t mind! We’ve been having fun!" He gestures toward the dollhouse. "Look! I’m playing as the heroic drone who rescues the poor humans from the evil—uh…" He hesitates, looking at Tessa for help.
Tessa smirks. "The evil feral Roombas."
Cyn tilts her head. "Unconventional antagonists."
Tessa grins. "Right? They swarm in droves. You wouldn't stand a chance."
J snorts. "Yeah, yeah, sounds terrifying."
"Ahem."
You, Cyn and J turn around.
"And just what are you three doing?" Louisa asks.
J clears her throat, stepping forward before anyone could speak up. "We just hadn't seen N all day."
J looks back at you and Cyn with a glare that probably said "You owe me big time for this."
J turned back to Louisa with a smile. "You see, Mrs. Elliott, we meant no trouble at all. We were just making sure our fellow drone was being useful."
Louisa eyes the three of you suspiciously before shifting her gaze toward N, who sits frozen with an awkward smile.
"Useful, you say?" she muses, tapping her lace fan against her palm. "And yet, I find him playing with dolls instead of doing actual work."
N sits up a little straighter. "I-It’s part of the job! Tessa needed entertainment so she wouldn’t get bored and try to leave again!"
Tessa, still sitting cross-legged on the floor, crosses her arms. "Yeah, mum. Would ya rather I sneak out again?"
Louisa’s eyes narrow. "Don’t test me, young lady."
J clears her throat, stepping forward again with her best I am a very responsible drone expression. "Rest assured, Mrs. Elliott, we will make sure N remains as productive as possible while carrying out his task."
Louisa stares at her for a long moment, before finally exhaling in irritation. "Fine. But if I see any of you slacking off again...you will regret it."
With that, she turns on her heel and walks off down the hall.
The moment she’s out of earshot, you let out a breath you didn’t even realize you were holding.
J rolls her eyes and crosses her arms. "Well, that was fun."
N finally relaxes, slumping slightly. "Phew… Thanks, J. That could’ve been way worse."
Tessa snickers. "I dunno, I think it would've been funny to see you try to explain your way out of that one, N."
N laughs nervously. "I would’ve panicked so hard."
J sighs. "Alright, well, now that we know you’re not locked in a closet or buried under a pile of blankets, I’m leaving."30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwJhTmO1eT
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