Controlled Variables
"How's everythin'?"
Roonie asked, leaning against my desk.
"Not great," I answered, gesturing to the piles of rough diagrams I drew out for this unknown species.
"You've been busy. I passed by the nurse's office, talked to Tania and she told me you have not visited in a week."
"I've been busy, Roonie."
My voice was ruder than I expected. I flinched inwardly.
I let out a sigh. Juggling everything all at once—the arena, the staff, everything else. And now this.
The exhaustion showed on my face.
I looked at Roonie from the corner of my eye. He held the paper draft, looking at the clumsy drawing.
"Sorry about that, Roonie."
"Nah, it's all cool."
He crossed his arms, the paper he once held floated back down on the desk.
No sound came out.
"My communication watch isn't working. Can you take a look at it?"
"What am I? Your personal mechanic?"
I rolled my eyes, "Don't get me started."
I pulled open the drawer, taking out the malfunctioning device and tossing it on top of the desk.
He picked it up, analysing it.
"What seems to be an issue?"
"Shouldn't you already know what's wrong?" I retorted.
"I'm an engineer, not a psychic who can tell what's wrong with one look. Doctor. Lumaris, my wrist is hurting, give me my diagnosis right now. See?"
I turned to look back at him, rolling my eyes for the second time today in his presence.
"It was lagging. I suppose it's because I dropped it a few weeks ago and when I did want to use it, it wasn't working properly. The impact damaged the internal synchronizer."
Roonie looked up at me.
"You already opened it?"
"No. The lag only occurs when the communication module activates."
I brought back my focus on the creature, going through the GOU archives Hornet had given me access to.
"Hey," he fiddled with the machine. "How is the new recruit doing? White Watch."
"Her? She is doing fine."
"I heard that Spawn beat the shit out of her."
"She'll recover."
"Still rough."
My eyes snapped over to Roonie who was focussed on the device in hand, unscrewing the tiny bolts of the device.
"Part of hero work," I said, voice strained.
"And Hornet did nothing?"
My jaw tightened.
"What was he supposed to do?"
"I don't know. Said something…"
My fingers curled up, nails digging into my palm.
"He did. He did stop Spawn."
"After she beat the shit out of White Watch?"
Snap.
"Since when were you interested in recruitment reports?"
He finally looked up from the device, looking at me with concern.
"You okay?"
"Yeah-I am fine."
Why did everyone suddenly care about that bit—
"Did something happen?"
"No. No. I am just frustrated with this mess."
I picked up the clutter of paper and threw it down.
Oof.
Roonie was quick to crouch down, picking up the mess. I pushed the chair away from the desk. away from the desk and stood up. I lowered myself, picking up the papers.
We both placed the papers back on the desk. My gaze lowered when I felt Roonie watching me. Was my behaviour too apparent?
I bit my lower lip. Hornet noticed my behaviour around White Watch. And now, Roonie was also suspecting.
"Stella, are you really okay?"
I cleared my throat before nodding my head.
"Really? Does it work? Are you stressed? Should I make ya a cup of coffee?"
I nodded once again. Anything that would make him less suspicious of me—agitated because of that vile woman.
I kept my head low, unable to make eye contact.
I wasn't like this before.
Ever since that woman joined the arena, keeping control had become harder.
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