Duty Calls: Sasha X Clank

Sasha Phyronix sleeps at a desk in her study, and the rising sun shines through the window. A sizeable amount of paperwork is clumsily piled in the right corner, and a nearby empty coffee cup lies at the left. There's a faint ring of dried coffee on the desk near it. She stirs, noticing her cell phone reflecting in the morning light. With blurred eyes, she picks it up, piecing together the story as she tries to wake up.

Clank:

Hello, Sasha. I wished to make contact with you to make sure everything was all right. You left in quite the hurry last night.

Sent 10 hours ago

She groans at the memory. The four of them, Ratchet, Talwyn, Clank, and she, were supposed to meet up to go on a double date. However, when they did, Sasha was given an urgent message that there were important political affairs that needed to be dealt with. The others understood, knowing that if it required the mayor's personal attention, it must have been important.

She hurried home, only to find that her young secretary had taken time off due to food poisoning. Without notifying the office. Considering this intern's track record, "food poisoning" probably translates to "got carried away at last night's college party". And so Sasha found herself neck deep in paperwork.

Me:

Everything's fine here. I swear I'm going to have to replace that secretary though. Just have a lot to catch up on.

Sent 9 hours ago

Clank:

That is good to hear. I will leave you to your work. Let me know if I can offer my assistance.

Sent 9 hours ago

Sasha managed to finish a bit of it, thanks to caffeine, but must have fallen asleep at her desk according to the cramp in her neck. She lets out a defeated sigh as she glances at the paperwork left, and gets up to shower.

A piece of toast here, a toothbrush there, and a quick change of clothes. Her usual, purple uniform is rejected in favor of a baggy white shirt and grey leggings, and her gold headband is removed as well. It's not like she's expecting visitors today anyway, so might as well dress comfortably.

Just as the thought enters her mind, there's a gentle knock on the door. Of course.

She looks through the peephole, only to find nothing there. Confused, she turns away from the door. The stress must have gotten to her worse than she thought. As she steps away towards the kitchen for that toast she left on the counter, there's a voice.

"It is me, Sasha."

Oh crap. Why him? Why now, with toast crumbs on her face and no proper clothing? But she can't turn him away now, and she can't deny that she would like his company.

"Oh, uh, hello Clank. I'll let you in."

The door opens, and Clank steps inside the living room. He looks at her with a smile on his face, and sits down on a simple couch. Sasha returns the smile, a bit embarrassed at the current situation.

"Sorry I haven't had the chance to freshen up, I just woke up thirty minutes ago."

"It is all right, Sasha. I do not mind your current appearance at all. My concerns are elsewhere at the moment."

Clank focuses on her, scanning her. Sasha's face burns at the words. I do not mind your appearance. Her heart warms at the thought. She's in her most comfortable, her most private mode of herself, and Clank doesn't mind. No makeup, no uniform, no decorations. Just Sasha.

A moment passes, and he speaks up. There's a worried look on his face.

"I assume you did not sleep well last night? That work must have taken a toll on you."

Sasha's face drops a bit. Her exhaustion must be pretty noticeable. Maybe I can play this off?

"Yeah, there was certainly a lot of it. I've been working on it though."

"Have you made substantial progress?"

"I'm about halfway through."

"Do you recall that I can detect the lie in your voice? Please be honest with me."

A defeated sigh, and a quick correction. She really can't lie to him, regardless of that ability of his. She drops herself on the couch next to him, and the black cloth cradles her back.

"About a fourth of the way through. I thought I could go through it quicker, but I must have been more tired than I thought."

"Perhaps I could offer my assistance? I do not mind spending time with you, regardless of the activity."

"I'd like the company, sure. What about Ratchet and Talwyn, are they upset?"

"About last night? No. They encouraged me to visit you this morning."

"Wait, really?"

"Yes, in his own teasing words,"

Clank stands, pressing a button on his chest, and an audio recording plays.

"Come on, pal, go check on her. You know you want to."

Sasha smiles. She can practically hear the smug grin that must have been on Ratchet's face. Clank cuts off the recording, bringing his attention back to the present. He jumps off of the couch, taking a step towards her office. Offering his hand to Sasha, He turns toward her.

"So, shall we finish your task together?"

Sasha gives a warm smile, grateful for the little robot and everything he does for her.

"I'd like that."

…

Hours later, the mountain of intimidating bureaucratic nonsense is reduced to neatly organized stacks, placed in the proper channels and ready to be passed on to wherever they need to go. Sasha leans back in her chair, and Clank sits at her side in his own.

"Thanks again, Clank. I don't know what I'd do without you. I want to do the best I can, but there's only so much one person can do."

"You may have important duties as mayor, but I do not mind offering my assistance if you need it."

Making eye contact, he continues as he takes Sasha's hand.

"I will always be there for you, Sasha, in both matters of business and personal affairs."

The metal hand around her own gives a comforting squeeze.

"That is my duty to you."