MePhone found the workers were very chatty, and he could hold a conversation pretty well. The task was checked complete by Mecintosh (who had to use his mouth from a lack of limbs. MePhone was curious as to how he held a pen within the mouth on his screen, and then began to wonder if he could do the same.)
He looked back at the paper. MeMaps and visiting the SkyView Wing remained. Since he was now interested in the SkyView Wing, he decided to do two tasks at once and decided to use MeMaps to visit the SkyView Wing.
He slowly entered the room, surprised on how bright it was. But it wasn't an unpleasant brightness like before, no. This was beautiful. The room was illuminated in pink, orange, and yellow, with a small bit of purple mixed within. He looked up.
Clouds.
Clouds trapped behind a thick layer of artificial glass. The clouds looked so real, they seemed so soft to touch, and yet they were a goal he could not yet reach.
"[Ahem.]"
MePhone looked to the voice. It was another worker, the name reading "MeTag #44." His face was hidden behind a grey mask, with the bitten apple printed right on the front. He came to MePhone, holding a white pen with a blue cap.
"[I've come to mark your task as complete. And I can see you've used MeMaps as well. Cobs will be pleased.]" There was no soul in his voice.
MePhone handed him the paper, and he checked off the two tasks. He handed the sheet back, bowed once and headed to the door.
"[I will be waiting just outside. Join me when you are finished and I will take you back to Mr. Cobs.]"
The door slid open, and shut again as he stepped out. MePhone looked back to the sky. It made him calm. It gave him another feeling as well. A new feeling. A desire for something. He closed his hands tightly and he stared into the wonderous sky. It wasn't just a SkyView Wing, it was a castle; mighty and high.
He flopped into the grass, feeding that thought. The MeTag was a knight, worthy of a mighty blade. MePhone rode next to him, astride a hefty and trusty steed. They galloped through the grasslands, hooves thudding against the ground, as the sun beamed on them as it descended into the hills.
"Here comes the dragon!" MePhone cried. "Charge the beast on my call!"
"Sir, yessir!"
The dragon, huge and yellow, swooped into view. A glimmer like glass sparkled from its scales, and the dragon let out a ground shaking roar. It exhaled a spire of white fire, hot enough to melt the coldest of mountains. Working with the MeTag knight, they forced the dragon to flee.
"MePhone, get up!"
MePhone was knocked awake by the force of an object colliding with his side. He sat up, dazed and confused. The sky was dark, and Cobs stood above him, his glasses shining from the light of MePhone's screen. He scowled.
"What do you think you're doing? You were supposed to be done with your tasks three hours ago!"
"How long have you worn glasses?"
Cobs stared at him. "Wh...Get up, right now." He grabbed MePhone by the wrist and forced him to his feet. "I can't have you stuck being so unobservant. You're due for an upgrade."
MePhone spotted something on the ground. He picked it up. It was a sheet of blank paper. He thought of Mecintosh, and how he was able to use his mouth. Curiosity taking over, he opened his mouth and shoved the paper into it. He chomped on the paper, the unpleasant texture swirling around in his mouth. MeTag #44 stared at him whilst following next to him.
MePhone carefully spat the soggy paper onto his hand, slapped it onto MeTag #44's collar and said, "Get yourself something nice."
MeTag #44 stared at the soggy paper as it slowly fell into pieces. "[Sir...]"
MePhone chuckled.
As Cobs dragged him back to the office, he thought about the feeling. Eating...It felt nice. It was fun! He liked the way the paper felt in his mouth, even if it tasted and felt a little gross. He wanted to stick more things in his mouth.
Cobs had pulled him back to the first room MePhone had seen. "Sit."
MePhone sat down, and Cobs started typing at a laptop.
Kicking his feet, he smiled a bit smugly. "Got any snacks?"
Cobs sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "4, you are the highest advancement in technology...That doesn't need to eat!"
"But I'm hungry..."
"You can't get hungry. Now sit still for a moment. And could you bother to lie down? I need to see if it actually fits."
"If...what fits?"
"Just lie down." Cobs sounded a bit irritated so, since MePhone wanted to be good, he decided to lie down as per Cobs' word. "Alright."
MePhone stared up at the ceiling with more wonder and awe than before. Two large poles lowered from the ceiling, holding something thin in their grasp. MePhone didn't know what it was, but it was a gift. A gift from his father.
"It will protect you," Cob's voice had said.
It was like a Paladin's gift from the heavens. MePhone reached for it, a small smile spreading across his face. Cobs was angry, but he did care. He wanted MePhone to be safe, and that's why he refused his free roam yet. He wanted to protect him. He wanted to care for him.
Cobs loved him.
