I Am Learning, Ph1LzA

Just an Egg

Michael was crying as quietly as his surprise, relief and longing would let him. Ph1LzA could hear Tubbo_ comforting him, as well as Nikki and Sam. Quackity breathed out a murmur of Las Nevadas words, but this time none of them sounded like curses to Ph1LzA. Trixtin's fingers had stiffened in his hair, and now she was staring at the screen, holding very still.

Ranboo continued leading Techno through the garage to another elevator a good distance from the one they'd exited. This one looked very clean and polished; they could see a distorted reflection of Techno in the metal walls. He was just as tall as Ranboo, who now pushed a button marked "O". From its high position, the Crows could infer this meant Ranboo and Techno were going very high up.

"Someone might stop the elevator." Ranboo eventually remarked. "You'll have to fight them if they do."

Techno did not reply, but the reflection nodded. Silence again filled the elevator, and all the audience turned their eyes on the numbers counting upwards in a screen beside the sliding doors. -3...-2...-1...0...1....

The elevator paused. Ranboo's reflected hand twitched. The door opened to reveal a young woman in neat, flower-printed clothes, with glasses and a stack of papers in her hands. She stepped in without looking, and only saw Techno after she had entered fully.

Her reaction was not as they had expected. "Oh!" She giggled. "Is this one not skinned yet?" She glanced at Ranboo. "I've never seen one without its skin before. Is this what they look like underneath?" She peered at Techno's frame. "So sturdy..." She mused.

Ranboo hesitated a beat before replying. "This one is going to the top. Orders from on high. After all, have to give the master the best."

"How exciting!" The woman flashed a bright smile. It made Ph1LzA wince. "So you get to see our head? You must tell me what he's like if we ever bump into each other again." She turned her back to Techno, facing the door.

They stood in complete silence a while longer, while the numbers counted up. 2...3...4...5. The doors slid open and three men in suits got in. They made similar remarks about Techno, and received the same cautious reply from Ranboo, whom they did not appear to recognize.

6. The woman got off. 7...8. Two of the men got off. Ranboo glanced nervously at the final remaining intruder, who stood calmly in front of the doors, humming to himself.

9...10...11...12...13. "Which floor is yours?" Ranboo asked. He'd been shifting from one foot to the other for a while.

The man didn't seem to hear him at first. He swayed languidly from side to side as one does when they are immersed in a train of thought, and continued humming. Ranboo repeated the question.

"Oh?" He looked back at Ranboo. "Oh, the Office floor. I have a report for Sir Billiam."

Though he was not with them, Ph1LzA felt the blood drain from his face. He was certain Ranboo would be panicking inside, and hoped heartily the young man would be able to hold himself together. A dull ache manifested itself in his hands, and he realized he was gripping the arms of his wheelchair with the strength of fright.

To his surprise, Ranboo seemed to instantly calm. He bowed to the man. "Forgive me, Skeppy, I did not recognize you."

By Ph1LzA's side, Quackity spluttered, "Why?!" Whatever he was referring to, Ph1LzA was almost certain he agreed with the consternated Crow.

Skeppy, his black hair combed back and his fidgeting fingers tapping against the black silk pants he wore, only smiled and looked away. In a moment, he had returned to gently swaying and was humming his tune again. The group remained in silence until the doors finally slid apart to set them upon the Office floor.