𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧

14 - nanomachines, son

The dim room was filled with the comforting crackling of the fireplace, interspersed with the soft hush of whispered conversations. Y/n reclined on a couch, its embroidered cushions cradling her form. Guizhong sat across from her, curiosity evident in her eyes, though there seemed to be a shadow lurking in their depths.

"My family, huh?" Y/n mused, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Let's start with my lovely older brother Xenon. He's got the charm of a cactus and the volume of a jackhammer. But hey, at least he's a pretty good figure skater."

A smile flickered on Guizhong's face, yet her eyes betrayed a fleeting emotion – was it recognition or just a fleeting memory? She quickly masked it with curiosity. "Your father?"

"Freyr," Y/n said, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips. "He's the epitome of chill. I swear, nothing ever fazes him. It's both impressive and infuriating. He just never seems to take anything seriously. Plus, he's got more secrets than a locked vault. Makes me wonder if I even know him at all."

A subtle furrow marred Guizhong's brow at the mention of Freyr. "Your mother?" she prompted, her voice slightly strained.

A distant, melancholic look came into Y/n's eyes. "I never truly got to know her. She left the world just as I entered it." Suddenly alert, Y/n noticed the visible flinch that crossed Guizhong's face. "Guizhong? Everything alright?"

A soft sigh escaped Guizhong's lips. "Just a fleeting headache... Memories can be a tricky thing, can't they?" she mused, her voice distant, almost wistful.

Before Y/n could delve further, the moment was interrupted by the comedic entrance of Cloud Retainer, who got smacked by a pillow Y/n had absentmindedly tossed into the air.

"SHIT-"

"Hey! I must express my utmost disdain for your actions of propelling a pillow in my direction upon my arrival!"

"Hehe...Sowwie...Anyways! Forgive me for asking, but what was it that made you abandon your mountain of solitude? I mean, it must have been something really important, like Rex Lapis showing up and dragging you out, otherwise you would've stayed there forever—"

Cloud retainer crossed her arms with a huff.

"I expect you to clean this mansion thoroughly, as we are expecting esteemed guests to arrive tomorrow morning."

"Okay Mom," Y/n said as Cloud Retainer left.

"Jarvis," she commanded, "Clean the mansion please!"

Jarvis responded with, "Yes, master. I'm sure it will be a pleasure to spend my day cleaning up your mess."

"You and your genius mind, Y/n! Of course you'd think of building a robot to help you do your chores - who else could be so lazy and yet so resourceful?" Guizhong said, astonished.

"I'm not lazy, I'm just efficient." Y/n replied, a smirk playing on her lips. She watched as a robot diligently vacuumed the carpets, dusted the shelves, and even mopped the floors with a seemingly endless energy.

"Oh no! This corner is a disaster! You must be exhausted from all of this work, Jarvis!" She exclaimed, pointing to a particularly dirty corner of the room.

"Yes, I'm exhausted from the thought of cleaning up after you," Jarvis replied in a robotic voice, "It's quite a chore."

Y/n laughed as she watched the robot continue to work, its long robotic arms moving with a grace that almost made it seem human-like. It was truly an amazing sight.

**********
(next morning)

*BANG*

"RISE AND SHINE, SLEEPYHEAD."