I’m bracing myself.

I’ve been bracing myself all day.

Honestly, if it were different circumstances, I don’t think I’d come within a hundred feet of it. But after the auto-conbini events and the creepy resolution that mystery had, there’s no helping it. I have to go to the Magitek section of the east wing. I have to look at the products they have to show us.

Even though Magitek Corporation is known mostly for its bizarre, gimmicky medieval fantasy-themed electronics and contraptions, it’s still the second largest technology company in the world, with a devoted fanbase and subsidiaries in almost every field. I even hear in the Great Lakes they’re building a pirate ship-styled ferry that’s supposed to take thousands around to the various islands for summer vacation stops.That’s right, Magitek has entered the cruise ship industry.

It’s the second in the world, but unlike Blyth, Sakaguchi, Dennis, Seftali, or any of the other notable tech companies, it doesn’t produce home computers of any sort. That makes me think that they have some more business brewing behind the scenes than we know of, and that worries me greatly. In Magitek’s case, they have a dedicated following that loves its branding and IP, to the point that its early 00s mascot Pepper Knight got a four-part video game series and a Saturday morning cartoon. To be fair, she was one of the cutest mascots ever conceived, but what I mean here is that if bad actors have really gotten ahold of Magitek in any way, it’s going to be a really tough road in convincing the people of Atlanta (and the world) that, hey, your favorite company is manipulating you in a quest to take control of everything (like, more than normal).

So here I am, trying to ignore all the annoying banners showing off jousting lances that can shoot confetti for parties or tomato timers that glow brighter as time starts to run out, and focusing exclusively on things that might look suspicious.

Like that right there.

A knight robot. It is shaped like a suit of armor, and holding a lance (presumably one that does not shoot confetti). The robot is being advertised as “Sir Guard-a-lot.” There isn’t any creepy monitoring, at least being directly advertised or anything, but the thing that looks suspicious to me is the fact it exists at all.

Like, it looks like a shoddily put-together prototype that only was made once word of the Sakaguchi Knights got leaked. People are actually excited for that one, but this piece of junk, er, “guard-a-lot robot,” is one of the dumbest things I’ve seen in a while. I wouldn’t be surprised if they actually just yanked a suit of armor out of the nearest haunted house theme park ride and hoped people wouldn’t ask why the robot isn’t moving around.

Some people are still snapping pics and stuff, though, so maybe I give humanity too much credit. In fact, someone is taking a picture right now, with the flash on their camera up way high. Ouch.

“Get outta the way, will ya?”

I turn my head to look at the rude dude next to me.

It’s Larkins.

Next to him are two women in low-cut business suits, clearly “booth babes” that are for some reason accompanying him. Rather than a suit like I’m wearing, he’s in a hawaiian t-shirt, two buttons opened and exposing his hairy chest, along with khaki shorts.

This is the first time I’ve ever seen him outside of work clothes. And now that I know, I will never be able to forget this.

“Harding,” he says, his annoyed tone from before quickly erasing itself. “Glad to see you here. What’s happening?”

“Just browsing,” I say.

“I thought you hated Magitek,” he says. How does he remember that?

“Uh, I’m browsing even the stuff I hate,” I respond. “What are you doing?”

“What am I doin’?” He gives a toothy grin and puts his hands behind the two women. They look at me with as little emotion as could possibly be mustered in a human being. “I’m just browsing, too. I’ve been doing a little ‘investment searching.’ Looking out for companies that might make me a lotta dough. And maybe a little more, eh, girls?” They make no motion other than to put their hands behind his shoulders and continue staring at me.

“I thought you were doing some business for the company this week,” I say.

“Nah, not anymore. That stuff’s over. Now it’s just me and these lovelies and whatever I care to do. Lotta good tech here at the expo, Harding. You got any spare cash to put in any of this stuff? Seed money’s a powerful thing these days.”

“No, I’m just about broke,” I say. “I could sure use a raise.”

He glares at me. “We ain’t talking about work today, Harding. We’re on vacation this week. No bank, just fun. You got that?”

“S-sorry.”

“Anyway,” he says, his mood lightening back up. “You ready for the party tonight?”

“Party...?”

“Yeah, you know, the dinner party I’m hosting tonight at the Le Pêcher restaurant at the top of Peach Towers. Everyone who’s someone’s gonna be there. Been telling you about it for weeks, Harding.”

I have... no clue what he’s talking about... “Oh yeah, that one. And I’m invited?”

“Yeah, if you wanna go,” he says. “Why don’t you come and bring that Kaori chick too?”

Me, go to a fancy business party? That sounds horrible, but... I don’t think this is optional... “Oh, um, I can go I guess... But my friend--” I cough loudly. “--KARINA will be too busy. She’s helping her dad with stuff around here.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever. Just come on by before seven, and wear your best dinner jacket.”

“Dinner jacket...?”

He glares at me again. “Don’t tell me a kid like you doesn’t have a dinner jacket.” I shake my head. “What the hell’s the world coming to these days... Don’t worry, I got you covered. My daughter made me get her one when she was a teen that should fit you. Course, she wore it maybe twice, for her Business Club parties. Trying to become the President of the club. Then she quit anyway because she met a boy who ‘started a band.’ What a pain. A real darling, though. Takes after her mother.”

Ignoring the unexpected familial revelations I didn’t really want to hear, all I say is, “Thanks, Mr. Larkins.”

“Looking forward to helping you move up in the world.” He’s brimming with joy to his core from the fact that I said yes. I don’t get it, but at least he isn’t super angry I guess.

Larkins shambles off with the two ladies by his side.

And now I’m way too bored with Magitek to keep browsing in here.