NC didn't want to talk.

However, judging the look on his mentor's face, it was either start talking or he would call in U-1146 without so much as batting an eyelash. Again, NC was astounded that his mentor actually wasn't as lazy as he thought he was. The thought that Normal Cell could possibly threaten him rankled NC, but he had no choice. As much as he would have loved to put Normal Cell back in his place, he didn't exactly have the same physique or standing as he had when he was Cancer.

No, instead he was just as normal and plain like the rest of his cell type.

The only thing that could serve him now was old fashioned lying.

It took a millisecond to think about it before he said, "Won't you get in trouble for making a mutation? Even though it's benign, some cells might become suspicious—especially those white blood cell freaks."

Slowly, the Normal Cell relaxed his posture a bit—a sure sign that NC's tactic was working. Emboldened by such progress, NC decided to add a little flair to make this whole scene a little dramatic.

"I've talked to some cute platelets before I came back to the apartment and they talked about a particular cell… Cancer."

Although it hurt him to say it, seeing Normal Cell blanch at that name was somewhat gratifying. It was through that physical reaction that NC knew that he got his creator right where he wanted him.

"I'm guessing that he wasn't at all a benign mutation."

It took a moment, but Normal Cell nodded in assent as he began to follow NC's train of thought. Both normal cells backed down from their rigid postures and slumped against their chosen seats agin. A quick glance assured NC that the spare macrophages and other immune cells that had been watching their little tiff had gone back to work and their conversations. Despite his proud demeanor, NC found himself sighing out a breath of relief that Normal Cell happened to not notice or cared to comment on.

As Normal Cell looked off into the distance, he began to recall the events that happened previously to Cancer's predecessor.

"You're right." Normal Cell murmured. He glanced into NC's eyes, as if he was apologizing for his mistake. "Even though it has been cycles, the threat of cancer still has some sects of white blood cells worried. They've been keeping the operation hush-hush, but… It's just…"

Normal Cell looked a little too subdued, as if contemplating something worrying. Regardless of what NC initially thought of him, he knew that Normal Cell was far more perceptive than he let on. Reading the emotions of others was a speciality of his—a skill that NC shared with him, seeing that they were mere replicas of each other.

Well, aside from the benign mutation concerning his eyes, that is.

That stupid mutation that had him almost getting caught.

He should have known that it would have gotten in trouble one day. NC knew that as soon as possible, he should fulfill his lie and get some contacts. It would be a pain to get recognized by even more resilient cells like those dumb Killer Ts or those NK Cells…

Before NC could think more on his mutation, he suddenly felt two arms encase his shoulders, his mentor leaning into him. For a moment, NC thought about pushing his mentor to the side, but decided against it. Even though it was mortifying to be hugged in an area surrounded by a manner of white blood cells, he knew that he had to keep up this charade. Begrudgingly, he reciprocated the action, the grimace on his face betraying his true thoughts on the matter.

When NC caught sight of a macrophage giggling in the corner, he shot her a dirty look before focusing on Normal Cell's voice that blubbered and floundered like he was overcome with heavy emotion.

"Call me overbearing, but I'm worried about you!"

At that, NC couldn't help but pull away from his mentor. In disbelief, NC watched as the older normal cell's eyes were filling with tears, some of which were busy dribbling down his face and onto his white shirt. It was such a humiliating sight that NC didn't think about his next action.

NC dug in his pocket and pulled out the handkerchief that the young platelet had given him. A cursory glance laid his suspicions to rest: it was clean and ready for use, if a little worn and wrinkly since he accidentally balled it up when journeying to the infirmary.

Making sure to look like he wasn't too put out, he shoved the cloth in front of Normal Cell's face. After a few bouts of obnoxious sniffling and crying into the handkerchief, his mentor finally stilled and wiped the rest of his bodily fluids.

As NC watched, he couldn't help the rush of irritation and anger course through his organelles.

Okay, looks like he was wrong about Normal Cell. He clearly didn't have the same intellect or way of thinking as him. Normal Cell must have been delusional to think that NC needed worrying about. Instead, Normal Cell should be worried about himself and the body if he so wished.

Despite those thoughts, however, NC inclined his head and asked, through gritted teeth and a curl in his lips, "Worried about me?"

Normal Cell emphatically nodded his head. After blowing one final time, he sent a questioning look towards NC's direction. The question remained unsaid: there was no way NC was going to touch that thing.

"Get it cleaned as soon as possible."

A part of NC died a little on the inside that Little Miss Red and himself were going to eventually touch something that was contaminated with whatever happened to be dribbling inside of Normal Cell's body and out his nose.

Gross.

NC gestured for Normal Cell to put it away and once he had done so, Normal Cell focused once more for NC to pay close attention to his words. In a low voice, a voice that NC didn't think he would have ever associated with his mentor, Normal Cell gave his mentee a warning.

"It's not a good thing to lie. I know that you've been recently created, but I can't have you displaying bad habits so early on in development." Normal Cell's deep brown eyes seemed to pierce through NC's soul. There was… fondness in his mentor's eyes… as if he truly cared about NC's well being. "Look, 1998, I know that white blood cells aren't the kindest of cells, but lying to them is only going to result in some terrible things later on. What's the harm in telling them that your eyes are nothing more than a benign mutation?"

NC's eyes widened.

This was bad. If he didn't nip this conversation in the bud, this would only spell disaster for everyone. And by everyone, he meant only him because there was only so much that he could do as a normal cell before getting killed by the immune system.

"B-because—!"

Because he wanted to meet his pretty erythrocyte on his own terms.

Because he wanted to catch his neutrophil off guard.

Because he wanted to have something in his life for once—FOR ONCE—that he alone could control.

Because his lime green eyes were the only unique thing about him and to have his mentor take credit for that was humiliating.

Because—

"—I did it for you!"

Normal Cell blinked at the sudden burst. Elsewhere, some macrophages and other injured white blood cells looked on; some were amused while others looked concerned. As Normal Cell waved them off with a cheerful smile, NC steeled himself for more acting.

"NC-1816, I lied for you." NC forced his eyes to take on a shimmering quality, as if overtaken with strong emotions that he would rather not name. "If… if they found out that I had a benign mutation shortly after the last time Cancer appeared, don't you think that would be suspicious?" NC gestured towards the immune cells that were idly milling about their business, taking no notice of the two normal cells in their midst. "They… they could take me away from you! And I'm… I'm…" NC's eyes looked troubled and he shuddered, as if he were in the throes of hysteria and melancholy. "I'm so new to the world and I need you as my mentor to be my guide until I can finally own an apartment of my own and start replicating one day."

NC's eyes held Normal Cell's gaze in an imploring look.

"Don't you want to see me succeed?"

There was no hesitation on Normal Cell's part.

"Of course I want to see you succeed!"

"Then?"

NC hoped to any of the supernatural forces that governed the body that Normal Cell would take the easy way out. There was only so much brown nosing and simpering that NC wanted to do and he would not be happy if Normal Cell continued to badger him.

His mentor nodded a little to himself before addressing his replica.

"I'll let this lie slide, but—"

Normal Cell grasped NC's arm in a grip that was deceptively strong. Briefly, NC wondered if his mentor could take him down in a fight before brushing that strange thought aside. Even if Normal Cell could, he would still be no match compared to his previous, better form. Normal Cell shook NC a little to capture his attention once again.

"—you have to promise me that you won't do it again."

NC could have rolled his eyes, but he acquiesced with enough grace so that his mentor won't have to pick at him anymore.

"Fine. I'll make sure to be as polite and truthful to the white blood cells if I ever happen to come across them again."

And, if he played his cards right, then he would.

Soon.

Normal Cell tightened his grasp just the tiniest bit before sighing and letting go. For a moment, Normal Cell stared down at his shoes—a sure sign that he was using all of his nucleus' functions to think hard about something. Whatever the case, NC didn't want to try his luck again. He was already on thin ice with his mentor. One wrong move and he could seriously jeopardize his 'good' standing.

Finally—

"We should… we should see if the red blood cell is okay."

As a unit, they both walked into the room of Little Miss Red.