Chapter 36 - Yes.

[Incoming. Bzzt...]

Wraith Hunter, Mark, and Josephine all fall into an incredibly similar conversation loop as the last cycle. As this is going on, Mikah has begun making his way outside.

One main difference, well, apart from Lucas and Jonathan's differences, is that Dan actually got included. Feeling less awkward this time, even with the bird nesting on top of his head, he tries to get more information out of Lucas.

"Well, I guess I owe you a thank you. I'm sure you know who I am, but I fear it isn't mutual?" As Dan cautiously ventures into the terrifying realm of starting a conversation with a human, Mark can't help paying a bit of attention to their interaction. It's not every day he gets to see his antisocial friend start up small talk with an impulsive goof and an even more awkward than him dork.

"Oh! Oh! He's Xenoclast, and I'm Jackknife!" Apparently, when he is speaking to someone who has their own brand of awkwardness, Jonathan finds some courage. Getting a snort of laughter out of Lucas, he gets a light backhand slap against one of his legs, causing him to stagger back a few steps. Not that this diminishes his grin at all.

"At least wait until we're registered before trying to brag to an established supervillain, you dork." Lucas makes a show of sighing, but he still can't resist chuckling a bit more before continuing. "Anyway, I'm Lucas and he's Jon, er, Jonathan." Throughout their exchange, Lucas's gaze keeps drifting up to the fluffy little colorful bird.

Mark lets out a partially restrained laugh while half paying attention to their antics. Noticing his action, Josephine glances over at them and develops a small smile when she sees the situation.

After hearing their answers, Dan looks thoughtful for a few moments and then nods his head, getting a warning chirp from Sylph. Disturbing her is a criminal offense, after all.

Lucas is greatly amused by the clear display of who's in charge, wistfully longing to yield scritches unto the supreme being. Having recently arrived nearby, Mikah bursts out laughing.

"You can just ask, Lucas." Immediately outing him right on the spot, Mikah continues chuckling. He holds one hand over his mouth, not that it does much to hide his highly entertained smile. Lucas glares at him briefly before his attention turns back up to the coveted fluffy, colorful plumage.

"Why you gotta do me dirty like that, Mikah? Ahem, Dan, no, Black Ash Snow, may I hold your bird?" As Lucas asks these questions, he starts raising his cupped together hands in front of him. His expression is rather pious, regarding the one true ruler with the exact right amount of fervent worship.

Since Wraith Hunter has noticed the arrival of a new person, there was a brief lull in their conversation. Thanks to this, everyone clearly heard Mikah followed by Lucas, as well as seeing his act of reverence. Lucas has even shifted his position so he is kneeling instead of sitting, further adding to the image of veneration.

Jonathan is the first to crack, nearly doubling over from his hysterical laughter. Most of the others present follow suit in their own fashions, leaving an immobile Lucas and Dan facing each other.

Dan even cracks slightly, laughing softly. He then whistles a little bit, getting a reaction from her majesty. Sylph fluffs up her feathers and gives a happy trill, then deigns to fly down and lands in Lucas's outstretched hands.

The sheer unbridled joy writ across Lucas's face is a whole new brand of pure bliss. Mark can't help but want to capture the scene, pulling his phone back out again and snapping a few photos at a few different angles, laughing the whole time.

Poor Mikah just had to endure an excited pterodactyl screech from Lucas's mind.

427 is both struggling and suffering in his own ways.

Lucas devolves his questionable intellect even further, babbling inane cuteness at his newfound god. There are repeated instances of "so smol" and "pretty lady" mixed in with the largely nonsensical drivel.

As Sylph basks in the attention, Dan even translates some of the nonsense for her, pleasing her further. Fluttering a bit, she increases her fluff factor and nuzzles her head against Lucas's thumb, to his great delight. With how happy both parties are, Dan even translates Sylph's responses back to Lucas, although it's primarily comprised of just saying "Yes" to Lucas's praise. Not that that disappoints him in any way.

Before long, Jonathan has caved to his own desires and has also leaned over to give her a few little scritches.

While the others were certainly amused by these antics, they fall back into their own conversation, introducing Wrath Hunter and Mikah to each other.

Jonathan has a thoughtful expression for a few moments then fishes around in the pockets of his cargo pants, pulling out Mr. Quacks. Holding him up near Sylph, his suspicions are confirmed; Sylph is a little smaller than Mr. Quacks is. This newfound fact makes Lucas and Jonathan laugh a bit, although Dan is rather confused. Not that he'd openly admit it.

Off to the side, Mikah laughs briefly but doesn't call anyone out.

Unfortunately, time and human needs disrupt the euphoric experience. Both Lucas and Jonathan's stomachs declare mutiny.

Now that mass is over, Lucas begrudgingly offers Sylph back up to Dan. She flies up and decides it's playtime again, going off on a merry adventure into the depths of his braid.

Almost as if on queue, Mark starts winding up to invite everyone out for dinner but he gets intercepted by Lucas.

"Well, if you'll excuse us, Jonathan and I have some business to attend to. And a really busy day tomorrow. Oh, uhh, who wants to take care of our friend here?" As Lucas is saying this, the captive starts to flail beneath him once again.

"I can take care of that, one moment." Dan turns to face Faunahorde and brings his fingers to his lips, making a long and sharp whistle.

Lucas makes a small expectant gasp and intently watches the glass door.

After just a few moments indeed, a large German Shepard gets up on its hind legs and uses its front paws to shove the door open. Once it's come outside, it runs over to sit down in front of Dan and look up at him inquisitively.

Mikah and 427 have now received another pterodactyl screech assault.

"Oh my god, look at you. Who's a good boy? It's you! You're such a good boy!" As Lucas's IQ plummets once again, assuming it ever rose in the first place, he holds his outstretched arms in front of him. He looks up at Dan expectantly as he asks "May I?"

Jonathan and Dan laugh a bit, the others at this point are already desensitized and are busy making dinner plans. Wraith Hunter is even borrowing Mark's phone to call the driver's older brother to join them. Oh, and to take care of the contents of the truck and the captive too. But mainly for dinner, which Dan has to go to whether he wants to or not.

Dan smiles a bit and makes a few low growling sounds at the earnest pupper before him. The good boy's tail is now wagging so much it's nearly a blur. "Go on Franz."

With his instructions as well as Lucas's request received, he turns around to face Lucas. In their seated positions, they are nearly at eye level with each other. Giving one brief happy bark, he lunges forward into Lucas's waiting arms.

Poor Mikah and 427 have now received yet another pterodactyl screech assault.

The cuddles and pets turn into a belly rub before long. Jonathan gives a few pets as well, but then he elbows Lucas's shoulder to bring him back on task. He's seriously hungry.

Lucas whines a bit but does ultimately decide to actually behave vaguely like an adult. He's also really hungry. He shifts a bunch of his weight into his left hand, firmly planted between the driver's shoulder blades. Scooting backward a bit, he works his way into a crouched position, still holding the driver down for the dog to take his place.

Once the pup has assumed the position, Lucas lets go and stands up. The driver seems to be under the impression this is his chance and starts to lift his upper body. The dog rears up a bit before stomping down with his front paws onto the man's shoulders, slamming him back into the asphalt. Delighted with his new game, the dog's tail is nearly a blur from wagging so much, yet again.

The abused human-shaped toy raises one hand up, roughly in Lucas's direction. With one lone finger standing tall. This hand is promptly stomped right back down into the asphalt by Lucas, not holding any strength back. There's even a little cracking sound, he might have managed to break a knuckle or two.

As Lucas dusts himself off, there is a small shower of dog fur. It seems Franz hasn't finished shedding his winter coat, no wonder Dan is such a mess.

Lucas mentally runs over tomorrow's itinerary to remind himself why he can't just stay here and keep playing with the pup before him. Mikah chuckles a bit as he does so.

"Well, you certainly weren't kidding. I'd recommend starting with your phones and then registering your organization, some realtors give discounts if you're registered." Mikah gives a friendly suggestion, accidentally slipping into work mode. Lucas smiles at him and gives a nod in thanks.

Mark is currently patting himself down looking for a pen, eventually being handed one by Mikah. Pulling out another business card, he starts writing down a series of names and numbers in a small, neat script.

"Oh, I'll send you the pictures once you have your phone. Hey Wraith, should I give him your number too?" Mark has already finished writing down his own, Josephine's, Mikah's, and Dan's numbers with their names printed neatly beside them.

"Hmm? Sure thing, can you squeeze in my boss's as well? I'm sure he'd like to at the very least treat him to a meal as thanks for his help." After agreeing, Wraith Hunter then also narrates Iron Spirit's information.

Lucas is a bit stunned by this inadvertent supervillain social networking, getting a few more chuckles from Mikah.

'Oh, maybe I can coax animal pictures out of Dan on a regular basis. Nice.'

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Lucas kills this chapter: 0

Lucas total kills: 6

Lucas deaths this chapter: 0

Lucas total deaths: 10

Lucas current GDV: 5.59 (+.01 +.01 +.01 = +.03 net change)

Jonathan kills this chapter: 0

Jonathan total kills: 4

Jonathan deaths this chapter: 0

Jonathan total deaths: 2

Jonathan current GDV: 1.51 (+.01 +.01 = +.02 net change)

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Little character theater:

Jonathan is about ready to start gnawing on Lucas's arm in hunger.

Lucas, still knocking some of the dog fur off of his clothes: Heheh, best day ever.

427, finding remaining silent the greatest challenge of his existence: […!!! !!!]

Author nodding with their arms crossed: Lucas stands firm in his priorities, being the fact that they're all good animals and deserve his undivided affection. Oh, and playing with the concrete pole was pretty important too, I'm sure. Dork.

Mr.. Quacks, satisfied with his superior size: Quack.