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.

“Right… Even if we knew where it is, which will certainly be a challenge all of its own, getting in is a whole other matter, let alone doing it SAFELY. This will take a long time, even in a best-case scenario…” When Miss Calculated trails off in a dissatisfied tone, Mikah nods a few times.

Similarly, Dan gives an affirmative hum, looking up at her from his seated position, still resting his back against the wall.

“Exactly. What matters most is that Willy is now safe and sound. We can all do what information gathering we can in the meantime, but stressing over it right this moment won’t help us any. ...I’m not used to seeing other people also get worked up like this for an animal’s sake… Even though rushing won’t help us any, the sooner we get there, the sooner we can help those that are still trapped there… But, we’d have to make sure we do it right, or it could just make an even bigger mess.” While Dan is saying this, he gently pets the top of Willy’s head a few times, at least what he can comfortably reach of it, from what sticks out of the tangle of the Lynn family hug pile.

Lucas slowly sits upright, but he still keeps his arms wrapped around the scrawny hound.

“Wait, didn’t a lotta people see us with him today? Shit, that means that asshole probably knows where he is now.” When Lucas says this, Willy makes a low whine and rubs his head against Lucas’s chest.

“...I imagine you understood that, but he just said he doesn’t blame you.” Right before Dan said this, he had retracted his gaze from Miss Calculated and brought it back down to the Lynn limb lump next to him.

Willy turns a bit within what limited mobility he is currently granted, so as to be facing Dan, and makes a series of subvocalizations in his direction.

“...It seems that what people he did see during his time there are probably too cowardly to come running out to try to claim him right away. But, there’s a good chance that they’ll still try to at least watch him, waiting for an opportunity to covertly snag him.” Dan does at least have the social grace to slowly turn his gaze over the nearby crowd while providing this translation.

Even the divine bird congregation is quietly paying attention to the conversation at this point.

Needless to say, Miss Calculated, Lucas, and Jonathan are keenly focused on what he’s saying.

“The question is, will they be entirely focused on Willy, or will they, perhaps, track Lucas and Jonathan back home, even if Willy isn’t with them. If they had enough individuals capable of tracking multiple parties at once, I imagine they would have already found Willy before now, though.

“So, I feel it is a safe assumption that what potential kidnappers they do send will exclusively follow his trail. Unfortunately, I don’t think it is very safe for Willy to casually go back home with you, unless you’re confident you’ll all be sufficiently safe and vigilant overnight.” As Miss Calculated makes her speculations out loud, both Lucas and Jonathan flinch.

“Yeah, uh, no. You saw what Jon was like wakin’ up from just a little nap earlier, I won’t pretend I’m much better. I don’t think any amount of locks on the door is gonna matter to anyone smart enough to give a dog supersmarts, an’ probably won’t stop their minions, either. Fuck.” Initially, Lucas was looking up at Miss Calculated while answering her, but before long his attention is directed at Willy once more, taking on a sorrowful expression as he mulls the situation over.

“There’s always a handful of wary eyes keeping a lookout at Faunahorde, and he’s more than welcome to stay. But, I understand not having him stay there all of the time. Eventually, they’ll figure out a good way of getting to him, if they only have one problem to solve.” As Dan extends this offer, Miss Calculated hums and speaks up before anyone else has a chance to react.

“Yes, regularly changing whose company he is in will increase the difficulty of them coming up with a concrete plan. Or, I should say, irregularly. Staying unpredictable would be in our best interests. Hmm… Perhaps my next project focus should be on 23’s upgrades first and foremost. With the reactor, it won’t have any downtime, and equipping it with various weaponry will be just as simple as any other part upgrade.

“I won’t pretend like I’m not personally motivated already, all I ask is for you to cover the cost of materials, Lucas. Since we won’t know what we’re dealing with until it’s too late, I’ll be sure to do as varied of an array as possible. However, ideally, we’ll subdue at least one of these potential pursuers, so we can interrogate them.” As Miss Calculated extends her own offer as well, Mark’s attention snaps to her with the mentioning of a ‘reactor’.

Lucas nods a few times, but before he has a chance to verbally answer, Mark beats him to it.

“Reactor? Oh goodness, I remember hearing about that proposal of yours before, I almost tried getting in touch with you as soon as I gave it one look. We didn’t have enough liquid assets to be comfortable doing any sizable investments at the time, but…” As Mark says this, his gaze briefly shifts to Lucas before turning back to Miss Calculated.

Miss Calculated turns to look back at Mark, subconsciously raising a questioning eyebrow.

She opens her mouth, quietly shuts it, and repeats these actions once again before Mikah chuckles.

“Go on, there’s no need to be shy. I think we’re all past the point of needing to bother with introductions now, and it’s fair to say we’re all on board. She’d never admit it herself, but even Josephine was about ready to go grab a violin and flatten a few city blocks.” When Mikah outs her, Josephine is briefly startled and shoots him a dirty look. It isn’t very long-lived though, considering she just quietly turns her gaze away when Mark starts chuckling with good humor.

Miss Calculated is similarly embarrassed, but she manages to suppress it from visibly showing.

“Ahem, well. Any and all funding would be wonderful, but if I may be so bold; more than anything, I need room to work in. My little workshop at home is… rather overfilled, as it is. The parts I would need to assemble, the equipment I would need to set up, and just the sheer room to actually go about my work without worrying about tripping over something would be integral to working on something this, er, potentially hazardous. But, I also understand if you wouldn’t want something that could be so dangerous ri-” As Miss Calculated starts backpedaling before even completely asking for lab space, Mark holds up a hand while laughing.

“What isn’t dangerous in this day and age? How many people in this group alone could kill most if not everyone else here if they wanted to do so badly enough? You’d be at the most risk of all, and I believe it is fair to say I’d expect you to ensure the outer periphery of such an area was secure in advance, in the event of any accidents.” When Mark points this out, Miss Calculated’s face starts to light up, but he continues further before she even manages to begin her response.

“Hmm, the 15th floor has all of the spare service bot equipment, and is where any units that are not currently in use stay dormant. I imagine that if there is anyone that wouldn’t be bothered by a few inactive bots standing around nearby, it would be you. They should be able to re-arrange things enough, for now at least, to set up a decent amount of space for you, and we can work on something else for the long term, if you’re so inclined, at our leisure.” As Mark makes this offer, Mikah has a highly amused expression, while Miss Calculated is visibly excited by the prospects.

Mark then gains a sly look, grinning a bit evilly, and Mikah barely stifles a laugh.

“Of course, if you were planning on setting up a proper lab on one of my floors, it would only make sense that you increased the security of the whole building while you’re at it.” And there it is, the real reason Mark is feeling so generous.

-----

Lucas total kills: 7

Lucas total deaths: 11

Lucas total assists: 1

Lucas current GDV: 16.90

Lucas's fame level: 5.0* (Already beginning to receive authentic global attention. His local levels are effectively maxed.)

Lucas's hero suspicion level: 2.5* (More than just passing suspicion for many paranoid individuals, numerous people have realized he's an impulsive idiot.)

Jonathan total kills: 7

Jonathan total deaths: 2

Jonathan current GDV: 5.78

Jonathan's fame level: 2.5* (What fame he does have is predominantly local.)

Jonathan's hero suspicion level: 3.0* (More than just overly-paranoid people are suspicious at this point.)

Willy's fame level: 1.5* (Anonymous meme fame, local fame primarily as 'Xenoclast's dog', but some strangers know him as William/Willy now.)

Supervillain social circle size: 14 (Forget you, Ji Soo, I’m not mentioning you anymore, until you contact Lucas again.)

-----

Little character theater:

Jonathan is still crouching down next to Willy, but he is now upright and leaning back against the wall, with only one arm gently wrapped around Willy. His attention keeps flicking from the group of speaking people nearby, to looking out the huge glass windows of the storefront. He at least keeps making a point of glancing at whoever is speaking when the speaker changes, before becoming vigilant once more.

Willy has gone back to his conversation with Dan, as Dan completely lost interest when the subject changed to inorganic matters, and had resumed asking him questions.

Lucas is just perpetually struggling not to repeatedly ask Dan what they’re talking about, having trouble paying attention to the conversation he at least has some degree of understanding of without a translator.

427 hasn’t made much progress in his lab research, but he didn’t really expect to in this short of a timeframe, not to mention with such limited information.

Author, looking up after writing their note about Ji Soo: What? Even I’m getting tired of waiting, it’s only funny for so long.

Mr. Quacks, now settled down on top of Jonathan’s head, equally vigilant for potential threats to their four-legged family member: Quack!