Upon noticing Dan and Sylph’s arrival, Lucas immediately begins frantically waving at them, as if there existed some possible timeline in which they wouldn’t notice the large crowd of conspicuous people milling about. And going about it all rather noisily, to boot.

Lucas works his way over to the edge of the group, continuing a few steps past its periphery. As Dan walks over towards the gathering, Lucas holds his hands up in front of him, cupped together, fervently awaiting her majesty’s glorious audience. The simultaneously hopeful and questioning look on his face, combined with this posture, is all the clues that Dan needs to guess what his heart’s true desire is.

Quietly whistling up to his benevolent monarch, Dan passes along Lucas’s obvious request before he even finishes making it all the way over to the high-profile collective of supervillains. Accepting the petitioning of her adoring subject, Sylph fluffs up a bit and then flies over to Lucas’s awaiting hands, settling down between his cupped palms.

Preening a bit under his attention, Sylph enjoys a repeat of yesterday’s time of worship, being scritched and praised to her heart’s content. Even though Dan doesn’t work as a translator this time around, they establish a sufficient understanding between them without his aid.

While initially, all three sisters were still processing the arrival of additional supervillain celebrities with varying degrees of surprise and awe, seeing Lucas with Sylph manages to be even more attention-catching.

Miss Masher and Miss Chievous are fully diverted, now clustering around Lucas and joining in the ceremony of giving Sylph the outpouring of attention she rightfully deserves. At least, she thinks so, and her worshipers seem inclined to agree.

Dan gives a neutral “‘Afternoon” once he’s near the main group, smiling briefly at the group of three idiots fawning over a certain spoiled bird, erm, the supreme being, as he passes them. Now that he’s in normal conversation range with the rest of the group, it isn’t long before his attention is wholly focused on Willy.

Although Lucas’s attention has higher priorities at the moment, he does occasionally notice various subvocalizations at the edge of his hearing, the source of which is alternating between Dan and Willy.

Miss Calculated and Jonathan both can’t resist sneaking a few glances at Sylph, but, ultimately, their attention stays on the multiple famous figures in attendance.

Currently, there are effectively two groups and two outliers. The three pious devotees with their tiny ruler are at a bit of a distance away from the others.

23 is still silently standing in its original position at the edge of the main group.

And, lastly, poor Mikah has backed off again to lean against the wall the elevators are built into, a bit of a distance away, but still watching the group, even managing to interact occasionally from his remote location. This many people grouped up, and the… Sheer volume of some of their thoughts, it’s almost impressive he can manage this much.

When it’s clear from Dan’s movements that he’s about to just sit right on the ground next to Willy, leaning against the same wall as Mikah, Mark interrupts him by reaching over with the Black Ash Snow simulacrum, shaking it in front of him a few times while chuckling.

Much like shaking a toy in front of a dog, Mark gains Dan’s attention in this fashion, making him laugh a bit harder thanks to the similarity.

“Wait… This..?” With Dan’s focus successfully diverted, he reaches over to take the chew toy, beginning to turn it over in his hands while looking it over. Before long, he’s tugging on it with both hands, apparently testing the strength of the various seams. Throughout all of this, he has an oddly serious expression on his face.

“See? Aren’t they atrocious? Hmph, sometimes when I spam message you, Daniel, it’s because of something I know you’d like, you know. Anyway, we absolutely should make better versions. We can even make little interchangeable clothes! Oh, oh, matching outfits for various pets to go along with their favorite villain dolls!” While Mark is saying this, Dan seems satisfied with the inspection of his diminutive replica, gently handing it off to Willy, and reaching over to take the mini Mind Flare out of Mark’s hands unceremoniously.

“They are actually pretty well made. Looks like they’re assembled by hand, probably by bots, of course. All the seams are a sturdy backstitch, the material is probably a low-grade nano-enhanced fabric.” After saying this, Dan notices Mark tapping his foot, then looks up at his face.

After blinking twice, Dan realizes where Mark’s focus really was.

“Oh, yeah, they’re hideous. They’re just good for being gnawed on, they don’t really look like us. You know how dumb some toys can get, I don’t really even think about what they look like by now.” While Dan manages a solid recovery despite his rather dismissive tone, Mikah, Josephine, and even Jonathan all chuckle a few times.

Mark smiles and nods vigorously.

“Of course. Hmph, I’d rather just get a few extra bots than run them through a manufacturing facility, anyway. Can always find a use for a few extra, when they aren’t busy with that. Hmm, should I run a design contest or just offer bonuses for each accepted proposal…” Now that Mark is in his own little world of planning out his superior line of dolls, Josephine and Mikah’s laughter has grown louder.

Deciding to take the plunge, Miss Calculated adjusts her glasses and steps over to be a bit closer to Mark and Dan. After quietly clearing her throat, she holds up her head in a confident pose.

“If you are interested, I could analyze one of them in-depth to determine exactly what they are made of, inside and out, as well as suggest potential structural improvements. I can account for material costs as well when making the evaluations. Although, I will be the first to admit that I won’t be much help in terms of aesthetics.

“If you wish to consider offering an elite line utilizing some of the fabric you use in the enhanced line of suits, with a small sample I would be able to estimate the degree of durability increase, after some thorough testing. Of course, I’d also supply calculations of manufacturing costs for each set of materials, and retail pricing recommendations accordingly for optimal profit at those price points, while keeping said pricing within an acceptable range for a ‘toy’.” While Miss Calculated is offering her services, Dan has completed his surveyal of the miniature Mind Flare, casually dropping it on the ground next to Willy, and smoothly claiming the tiny Josephine from Mark’s hands.

Although Dan’s line of sight is continually on the object in his hands, his body positioning, as well as the angle he’s holding his head, does make it clear that he’s listening to Miss Calculated. But, of course, he’s known Mark long enough to know that HE doesn’t need to be the one to answer her, and he makes no attempts at speaking up.

“Oh, that would be perfect! Hmm, later I’ll go make legal drum up an appropriate NDA for our enhanced fabric. As far as I’m aware, the only other int supe that has had full information on the materials involved is the creator, who died in some conflict or another, I didn’t bother looking into it. Hmm, if you wish to utilize it in any of your future inventions, I’m sure we could arrange some sort of license or royalties system or something. If I can trust anyone to follow the terms of a contract, I’m sure it’s you!” With Mark’s response, Miss Calculated’s initially professional smile grows into a more genuine one.

Considering she doesn’t even flinch at the mentioning of the other int supe no longer being among the living, perhaps she was already aware, or she just simply doesn’t care. Only she can say, and why would she bother to tell us?

-----

Lucas total kills: 7

Lucas total deaths: 11

Lucas total assists: 1

Lucas current GDV: 16.88

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.)

-----

Little character theater:

Jonathan had walked over so as to be standing by Willy’s side, opposite Dan, while everyone else was talking. Now, he is squatting down to pet Willy, so he isn’t just standing around awkwardly while the adults are talking. While also ignoring whatever it is that is happening over by Lucas, of course.

Willy’s enthusiastically wagging tail is practically a blur thanks to his sheer delight, though he is mostly patiently waiting until the conversation is over to continue speaking with Dan, since the subject matter is relevant to him.

Lucas, his initial delight over being able to once again swear fealty to the one true ruler of the city waning slightly: Oh shit, Dan and Willy are talking without me! Come back here, that’s my furbaby you’re talking to! I wanna hear what he has to say too!

427 is busy doing the mental equivalent of a facepalm. However that works. Lucas certainly manages to compel him to do it regularly.

Author, sighing softly: I know Sylph is best bird and all, but come on now Lucas!

Mr. Quacks, sitting on Jonathan’s shoulder, keeping him company during this awkward social gathering time: Quack.