Chapter 143 - Werk It!

After a few more moments of this high-speed information exchange, the bot turns back around to return to the kiosk, while 23 proceeds to rejoin the group on their way to the employee-only elevator.

[Remember, Jonathan covertly informed you that he saw Mikah notice all of you.]

‘Oh, right, I should call to tell ‘em we’re here.’

When they’ve nearly reached the doors to the elevator, Lucas pulls out his phone, leisurely scrolling through his contacts in pursuit of ‘MARK’.

The little electronic display over the elevator doors is steadily ticking down floor numbers, showing the soon-arriving villain’s progress. When it reaches ‘3’ 427 makes a thoughtful hum before speaking up.

[All right, it’s just Mark and Mikah in there, and they’ll obviously be here soon. I’ll have my mute on, but not my deafen, so I’ll still know what’s going on. ...Good luck and, well, in case Mikah hangs around while you are off breaking stuff; have fun. ...Bzzt...]

As Lucas keeps his finger hovering over the call contact button, he takes a moment to take in a deep breath, and attempt to clear his mind. After briefly centering himself, he decides to put on a little performance.

‘Gee, it sure would be funny if Mark stepped out of that elevator and saw us without knowin’ that we’re already here first.’

“Hey, anyone wanna make a bet if Mark’s on that elevator or not? I totally bet he is.” While Lucas tries to goad anyone, but mostly Miss Chievous, into a bet that they’re sure to lose, no one takes the bait.

“Pff, no way. You sound way too confident.” Miss Chievous snorted first before answering, and Jonathan stifles a laugh.

“Tch, you’re no fun.” Shortly after Lucas tongue-clicks and then voices his dissatisfaction, the elevator’s floor number shifts to a ‘1’. At least he managed a naturally fitting reason as to why he didn’t bother making the call yet.

‘Man, if it’s just some random designer all by themself they’d probably shit a brick if they suddenly saw a whole bunch of strangers just standing in front of the elevator, ha!’

Even though Lucas set up this mental scenario, in truth, the group is reasonably congregated off to the side, with Lucas standing the closest to the side of the incoming elevator.

‘Kinda surprised there’s just two with how big the buildin’ is. I guess they never really expected it to have heavy traffic. ...Will this be a problem once my HQ is up and runnin’?’

The doors of the recently arrived elevator had begun slowly sliding open while Lucas was mid-thought. Before long, Mikah is revealed, wearing an amused smile as he stands near the elevator control panel. In the center of the elevator stands Mark with a resting bitch face, which transitions into a surprised expression upon seeing the nearby group.

It seems Mikah agreed with Lucas’s sentiment that it would be funny if Mark were unaware of their awaiting presence. The quick glare Mark gives Mikah and the stifled laugh he makes in response further reinforces this theory.

Whereas Mikah is still dressed in the same somewhat practical outfit that he ran errands in earlier, Mark’s current attire… Stands out, and is decidedly impractical in nature.

With enough padding that nearly manages to puts his chest on par with Natalie’s, he’s in a deep blue sleeveless dress with a sweetheart neckline, every last square inch of which is completely covered in similarly dark blue sequins. Worn coiled around his upper arms is a peacock feather boa, the ends of which are hanging down well past his knees. Despite the several-inch tall stiletto heels, which are similarly completely covered in the same style of dark blue sequins, lifting him over seven feet tall in total, the most notable thing of all is the alarmingly high slit up the left side of the dress.

Needless to say, his makeup game is similarly on point, the palette of which is perfectly color-matched for the ensemble.

‘Holy shit dude, pulled out all the stops much? I’m almost surprised he isn’t wearing a wig too. I guess trolling potential new friends is as good of an excuse as any to dress up, but sheesh.’

“Whelp, guess I don’t gotta call ya to tell you we’re here. ‘Sup Mark? I see how it is though, the ladies get the full show.” Lucas uses a light tone for his greeting, wearing a big, playful, smile.

Mark composes himself from his brief surprise in short order, adopting his own smile.

Mikah, however, is shaking as he struggles not to laugh. Even though he’s holding a hand over his mouth, there is the occasional flash of white from his teeth between his fingers thanks to his movements.

‘...This has gotta be one of your favorite parts of hangin’ out with Mark, eh Mikah? All the various reactions have gotta be priceless.’

Before Lucas is even done thinking that at Mikah, Mikah has already made eye contact with him and nods an agreement, still fighting to maintain his barely repressed silence.

Miss Chievous has made some inarticulate high-pitched noise, which could perhaps be best described as being ‘thrilled’.

Miss Masher has mostly locked up, and she is openly staring at Mark, her open mouth hanging slack-jawed.

Jonathan blinks at Mark a few times before thawing enough to nod and gives a quiet and polite “H-hello a-again”.

23 is patiently standing in the back, unresponsive, and Willy has started walking up towards the front of the lineup.

Miss Calculated is faster than Willy though, reaching out with her right hand towards Mark, wearing a polite and professional smile.

“Good afternoon Mind Flare, it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” As Miss Calculated shares her greeting, Mark turns his attention to her, reaching out his own hand for a handshake.

“Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. The pleasure is mine, Miss Calculated. And, I believe congratulations are in order, little Mr. Lynn?” While Mark maintains a similarly polite and professional tone to his greeting throughout his handshake, once he lets go he already has a gossipy note to his low voice as he turns to face Jonathan, his smile broadening.

Miss Masher’s shocked expression has been redirected towards her more responsible sister, not really altering in any way apart from the direction it is aimed in.

‘Oh? Oh, that’s not just being polite, Calc’s gotta be at least a little famous too, eh?’

Jonathan flinches a bit and hunches forward from the sudden attention, but his genuine smile belies how he really feels about the subject.

“Y-yeah, hehe, thanks.” While Jonathan is as shy as ever, Mark’s smile softens a bit while looking down at him. His focus doesn’t stay there for long though, as Miss Masher has finally thawed enough to give a reaction.

“Why didn’t you say anything Calc!? Agh! It’s my first time meeting anyone more famous than you! Just look at what I’m wearing! I don’t even have anything for a signature! Hello Mind Flare! Wait, how are you friends with my rival!?” While Miss Masher is in a tizzy, everyone present doesn’t have much time for their laughter from her antics before Miss Chievous chimes in.

“ARE YOU GOING COMMANDO RIGHT NOW!?” Apparently, Miss Chievous’s attention is focused on Mark’s heavily exposed left thigh.

‘DAMNIT! I WAS TRYING NOT TO THINK ABOUT THAT!’

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Lucas total kills: 7

Lucas total deaths: 11

Lucas total assists: 1

Lucas current GDV: 16.87 (+.01 net change)

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: 5.77

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 (Sheesh Ji Soo, hurry up already.)

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Little character theater:

Jonathan, flinching once again, with his line of sight involuntarily shifting over as well: Why would you ever ask that of anyone!?

Willy, finishing walking over and sitting down near Mark’s feet, but can’t bring himself to try to get anyone’s attention as they’re all too busy processing the two more chaotic members of the Sisterhood of Evil’s reactions.

Lucas, laughing after his initial frustration: Leave it to Maria to ask a celebrity that as the very first thing she says to them!

427, glad he has his mute: ‘Oh my god, Miss Chievous…’

Author, cackling: Big Chi energy!

Mr. Quacks, working up the nerve to find out the answer to the question himself: Quack...?