Masa con Papas: Proxy's Memory

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

Dr. Strangelove Part I
[Thirteenth Reading Intermission]
CW: None

Perspective: Manzana Judgment.

You’ve had a lot thrown your way in the past 24 hours. Zinnia, your first date in god knows how long, your cousins dragging you into their horseshit.

But now it’s quiet.

You take in the air around you as the sunset cracks the edge of the ocean. You’re a bit photosensitive so you can’t really be out for long but… these little moments are your favorite.

You don’t get to enjoy the peace for long.

Your phone starts to ring at you. Your body drags in defiance as you check the caller ID.

It’s Needle from work, probably important.

You put on your best face despite being exhausted.

Manzana: What's up?

Needle: Hey! Wanted to check up on you. You left the lab early..

Manzana: Had plans, sent you a heads up the week before.

Needle: Ah! Forgot about that… everything go okay with that?

Manzana: Yeah…

Needle: You sure? You sound tired.

Manzana: Kinda had a bit of a busy night. I…

Should probably explain, might be good for you honestly.

I don’t need to say anything...

*Yeah but like… you know.*

What?

Today was supposed to be a work day.

Oh shi-

Needle: Hello? You still there?

Manzana: Yeah, just handling some things. Went on a date last night an-

Needle: Wait, a date? For real?

Manzana: It’s not a big deal or anything…

Needle: It is! I haven’t seen you on a real date ever! What’s their name? Are they cute? You stayed the night with them didn’t you?

Manzana: I’ll give you the details in person but no, we wrapped up a little before midnight and then I had a bit of an impromptu meetup with a relative who’s in town.

Needle: Is your mom around? She usually is a bit more planned out than that…

Manzana: No, my cousin…

Needle: The cool one? You gotta introduce me properly sometime.

Manzana: I wouldn’t call him that but…

Needle: Course not, if you know someone long enough they stop being cool. Are you staying with him right now?

Manzana: Sort of. Him, his brother, a few associates. Seems to be some sort of meetup, potential business prospect.

Needle: Is he dragging you in because he wants a favor? How much is he paying?

Manzana: He’s not…

Needle: Better not be anything big.

Manzana: Hard to say yet but… there’s a reason you called right?

Manzana: You didn’t call me just to hear all the details of my night.

Needle: Well… yes and no?

Manzana: Okay.

Needle: Wanted to check up on you mostly, but also wanted to ask if you took some stuff home with you.

Manzana: What stuff?

Needle: A couple of relics.. The construct husk and polearm? Took those back for tinkering I’m guessing?

Manzana: The… um…

Needle: Zana?

Manzana: Right, fuck uh…

Manzana: So the restoration process went in a bit of a surprising direction, have Platino on observation duty.

Needle: Wait, did you reactivate it?

Manzana: Something like that. It’s a little tricky to explain but…

You can Invite her over, I’ll explain while you figure out stuff.

Are you sure? This isn't really on you...

*Yeah. Kept an eye on Zinnia just fine, they’re pretty chill. One of those old smug but sad types. I’ll cover you.*

Manzana: Honestly if you don’t mind could you drop by? Plat can relay anything for me, I need to figure out how involved I want to be with this job.

Needle: Easy. I’ve just gotta handle a few things over here first but I’ll be at your place in the afternoon.

Manzana: I’ll see if I can be there for it, no promises.

Needle: Mm. You don’t need to rush if you’re spending time with family right now.

Manzana: I mean… we’re not really that close or anything.

Needle: Still, you could use a break. Don’t see you do anything like that ever.

Manzana: Mm…

Needle: When you’re wrapped up we should meet. Really do want to hear about how that date went.

Needle: Need to know if you’ll be taking more nights off.

Manzana: We’ll see…

Needle: If you ditch me I’m going to offer your roommate to hang out with me instead.

Yes please.

Needle: Thinking of a horror film. He likes spooky stuff, right?

Manzana: Sometimes.

Needle: I mean he lives with you so…

You hear a dorky little snort from the other end. It’s adorable.

Fucker.

Hehe…

Manzana: I didn’t hear that…

Needle: Hey, I’m a fan too. That look you’re going for? Nailed it, suits you perfect

Manzana: I had to design or commission a lot of it myself so…

Needle:  Maybe you’re willing to take up a job for a little dragon who needs a new wardrobe? Could be fun….

Manzana: We’ll see…

Manzana: I’ll try to be over at some point but like I said, no promises.I’ll see if they’ll let me take some time to handle things. You keep me updated if anything else comes up.

Needle: Will do. See you in a few hours. Have fun alright?

Manzana: Mm, see you..

You wait until you hear her hang up.

You gotta loosen up you know

Mm… It's hard to.

You gonna actually show up?

We’ll see…. Don’t think she needs to be dragged into a mess like this but…

You hear a knocking on the doorway behind you. You turn to see Mercury peeking out, giving you a little wave.

Mercury: Did you spend the night out here? Hopefully weren’t sleeping out in the cold.

Manzana: I’ll be fine, don’t need sleep anyway.

Mercury: I mean I used to think that too bu-

Manzana: As in biologically speaking. Angel poisoning.

Mercury: Ah… my bad. Anyway I wanted to see how you were doing, offer breakfast. You kinda kept to yourself a lot last night. You’re Geezer’s friend, right?

Manzana: Cousin technically, same with Charon too it looks like.

Mercury: I can see it. Into the whole magic thing too or…?

Manzana: In my own way. What about you? Friend, collaborator, babysitter?

Mercury: Bit of all three really. Anyway… you want to come inside? Fenton’s making pancakes…

Manzana:... Yeah. I’ll bite.