It's in the eyes. Always the eyes.

Chapter Eleven| Helping Hand

         The basement was a maze of circuits, wires, and the faint hum of machinery, a stark contrast to the cozy, lived-in feel of the rest of the Bandicoot home. Penny had come to appreciate this place, despite its cluttered appearance. It was where Coco's brilliance shone brightest, and today, Penny was eager to assist her in fixing the large computer that had been on the fritz for weeks.

Coco, with her characteristic enthusiasm, was already knee-deep in the problem, her fingers flying over the keyboard as the screen continued to flash error messages. Penny watched closely, holding a screwdriver in one hand and a set of pliers in the other, ready to jump in when needed.

As they worked, the two fell into an easy rhythm of conversation. Coco recounted their recent adventures with a mix of excitement and nostalgia, and Penny found herself laughing at the more absurd moments—like the time Crash had accidentally triggered one of Coco's traps meant for intruders, only to emerge with nothing more than a sheepish grin and a few singed fur patches.

"So, what's your latest project?" Penny asked, her curiosity piqued as she handed Coco another tool.

Coco paused, her eyes lighting up. "Oh, it's a new AI system I'm designing. It's supposed to predict energy fluctuations across different dimensions, so we can be better prepared for any surprises."

Penny nodded, impressed but not entirely surprised. Coco was always thinking several steps ahead. "That sounds... really complicated. But I know if anyone can pull it off, it's you."

Coco smiled, a bit of pride in her expression as she glanced at Penny. "Thanks, Penny. And what about you? How's your embroidery coming along?"

Penny's face brightened as she thought of her latest project. "It's going well! I've been working on a new design for the dining room tablecloth. Crash suggested adding some of the fruits from the Wumpa Islands—figured it might be a nice touch."

Coco chuckled, nodding in approval. "Sounds perfect. You've really got a knack for it, you know? And it's nice to have something so personal decorating our home."

The warmth in Coco's words made Penny's heart swell. She had always admired Coco for her intelligence and ingenuity, but moments like this, when they shared stories and worked side by side, deepened her appreciation. This was more than just fixing a computer; it was building a connection, a friendship that felt as natural as breathing.

Finally, after what felt like countless hours of tinkering, coding, and troubleshooting, the large monitor in front of them flickered to life. The advanced operating system loaded smoothly, the once persistent error messages now completely gone. Coco, unable to contain her excitement, threw her arms up in the air and let out a triumphant cheer.

"Yes! We did it!" she exclaimed, her voice echoing with joy through the basement.

Penny, who had been holding her breath in anticipation, broke into a wide grin. The satisfaction of seeing their hard work pay off was palpable, and she couldn't help but feel a deep sense of accomplishment.

Coco turned to Penny, her expression one of genuine gratitude. "Thanks for the help, Penny! I don't know if I could've done this so quickly without you."