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<span class="mu-g">“The maid, or the rug?”</span> Benga asked.
<span class="mu-r">“Hopefully both.”</span> Araña muttered.
<span class="mu-r">“Uh…”</span>
Everyone turned to stare at Ember, who'd somehow been forgotten in the fallout of that banter bomb.
<span class="mu-r">“What am I supposed to be doing, exactly?”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“I’m glad you asked. I need you to make something for me.”</span>
—--------
Upon returning to Cherry Hill, you were pleased to find that the Morlocks were still deep in their discussion about sprucing up the park.
They hadn’t even noticed your return until Ester pointed you out. And judging by their reactions, they also noticed how you brought three more strangers into their midst.
Murmurs rippled throughout the group of mutants as they gawked at their new guests. The Thief Girls took it in stride, but Ember seemed to tense at their scrutiny.
<span class="mu-g">“Guys, it’s okay. Me and Iara know them.”</span> Glass announced, pushing his way through the gathering crowd. <span class="mu-g">“You’re Gloria’s fixers, right?”</span>
<span class="mu-g">“We work for him now.”</span> Benga declared, inclining her head towards you.
<span class="mu-r">“Glass guy! How’s it hanging? I didn’t know this whole set-up was your idea.”</span> Araña said, looking amused. <span class="mu-r">“I bet you miss staying at Gloria’s hotel. A soft warm bed, a roof over your head, free room service…”</span>
The other Morlocks looked immediately envious.
<span class="mu-g">“I will admit, it was pretty cozy. I’ve never stayed at a place that fancy before. Especially not for free.”</span> Glass said, ignoring the stares he was getting from everyone else. <span class="mu-g">“If you’re still in contact with Gloria, would you mind thanking her for me?”</span>
A devilish grin spread across Araña’s face, then.
<span class="mu-r">“Why don’t you do it yourself? Better yet, I think you should do it in person. I’m sure she’d love to have you over again.”</span>
<span class="mu-g">“Oh no, I wouldn’t want to impose-”</span>
Glass’ modesty held up for all of two seconds until Benga cut in.
<span class="mu-g">“She said she’d handle your travel expenses and reserve a room for you if you ever wanted to drop by again. I think you should take her up on her offer.”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“It’d be rude not to~.”</span> Araña added.
Glass glanced between both of them for a moment, noting the intensity in their gazes. If he wasn’t fully aware of all the eyes on him before, he certainly was now.
<span class="mu-g">“I, uh…I guess you’re right. It would be nice to stay at Gloria’s hotel again. Let her know that I’ll drop by after we’ve gotten settled over here.”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“Will do, boss.”</span> Araña said, pulling down her sunglasses to wink at the Morlock leader.
At that moment, the mutant onlookers let out playful exclamations of excitement, as if they were witnessing something truly scandalous. Glass tried to get them to calm down, but there was no hiding his embarrassment at the situation. And it didn’t help that everyone was feeding off of Screwball’s frantic energy. You supposed she'd more than earned her status as an influencer.
(Cont.)