The steam was clouding his glasses again. Ugh. Professor Elvin Gadd wiped away the vapor, one more time. This was something that would not be missed.

Honey lemon with a dose of ginger. At a refreshing 128 degree Celcius.

Absolutely perfect.

"So, how are you, Elvin?" Dressed to the nines as usual, Peach looked absolutely stunning with the sun shining on her in the castle study.

"I can't say that I'm well, Peach. I have to say it; I'm concerned about the ROBs."

"Did something go wrong in their production?"

"No, it's everything that's gone right." Elvin looked at the ROB behind him. A red mandible idly next to his head. "You asked me to repurpose the ROB a couple of months ago. I dropped everything and just as you asked; the new ROBs had lasers. Then you asked me to make them stronger. And give them explosives. And I did. You asked me to make sure they could tear through steel like a hot knife through butter. And I did. And they can."

A line of white hearts was three inches from his nose. The orange liquid had dozens of bubbles stirring about.

"Just say it, Elvin."

"I can't do this anymore, Peach."

Bubbles popped; droplets leaped out of the cup in a small shower of stinging his cheeks. The cup was shaking, about to burst—No...that was just her hand rattling.

"So...when do you want to leave?"

"L-Leave?" He squinted. "Peach, I'm not going anywhere. Especially not now. Is that what you think I came to do? I could never-"

The teacup shattered across the floor as it scattered drink and ceramic alike. Peach slumped over on the table. Exhaling.

"Please, do not scare me like that again, Elvin."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to give you the impression I was handing in my notice." He looked at the ROB. "Cleaning measures, go!"

The ROBs eyes lit up yellow. hosing out water. Its hexagonal base hovered over the puddle, emitting a heat that made Elvin excuse himself from the table. A multi-functional buddy indeed.

"Peach, surely you must need other things besides weapons. What about defense measures? I'm sure I could make the ROBs useful in some way, maybe flares or chaffs."

"Do whatever you think is best; just let me keep the weaponized ROBs you already made."

"I'm not a monster Peach, I don't want my legacy to be killing machines. I'm a scientist, not a warmonger."

"That wasn't bargaining, Elvin."

The ROB scanned the area. Some of the spill was underneath the table. The mandibles reached out to the glass.

Peach grabbed its arm and pulled it back, wisps of smoke rose into the air.

"I see. Homing Mode, activate!"

The ROB rolled back to Elvin, a coin-sized imprint in its arm.

"You can come to my lab tomorrow to discuss everything. Promise me you won't use them unless absolutely necessary. Those things are dangerous. Plenty capable of slaughtering Koopas. Don't do that. I mean it. "

"You have my word."

"Well, that's it, I supposed. See you tomorrow, Peach. Please be careful. "

"I will, Elvin."

Blast, the tea was getting cold.


Peach stepped on the floor. The remaining tea steamed up into smoke in seconds. Porcelain, however, was a different story. No reason to let such fine craftsmanship be tarnished. Whatever missing pieces could be filled in later. There were much bigger issues than a broken teacup.

She tapped her brooch. The aquamarine gem flipped upward.

Peach drew her finger back, looking at the Bit.

"You have caused so much trouble. I just want you to know that."

She twirled the tiny gray block around. I need to go to a place of high Bit activity. Learn from someone how they work.

The air started swirling in the middle of the study.

And maybe find that last Bit.


Beginning Of Sweet Dreams

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