[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/EzQI717.png[/img][/center]
Hoshiko took it better than expected. What a champ, honestly, especially compared to how naked Pyralis’s expressions and emotions were. Xuan-Yu let out a low whistle at the sheer animosity that came outta bumfuck nowhere, then returned his attention to the ever-hungryin’ punch-lass. [b]“Yup, like I said, keep up the effort but cut down on the sugar,”[/b] he replied, flashing his teeth. [b]“Fuel’s gotta be good or you’ll turn spherical, kiddo.”[/b]

A thought struck, and he continued. [b]“If you’re playing minimum wage delivery girl though, package up a couple big boxes o’ fried chicken and bring them to the hangar. Y'know, so that…”[/b]

Convenient that Elise popped up for the ride. Did she really know what he was doing, or was she just there because she was too lazy to get her own beer? Didn’t matter. It worked out.

[b]“…Elise doesn’t have to. And no, I don’t think anyone’d mind.”[/b] He raised his voice to respond to Louisa, [b]“Of course I am! The company can afford the hit either way!”[/b]

And without further explanation, Xuan-Yu strode off, leaving Seraphima to stare, Norika to seethe, and Teodora to deal with the inflamed tempers of firecrotch over there. Whatever expression he had on his face faded as the cafeteria became further and further away, the man now more concerned about the state of his shoulders after this as 64 cans of beer weighed upon him. His gait remained steady all the way to the hangar though, all the way to one of the AI-assisted airlifts that had carried him down to the battlefield beforehand. With his foot, he popped the backdoor open and dropped the cases in with a heavy thunk, then leaned against side of the VTOL aircraft and pulled out his earpiece from his pockets.

[b]“Evening, boss. Going on a trip back down to Earth. You’re welcome for the PR or whatever.”[/b]

There wasn’t much need for him to await a response. He jammed the earpiece back into his pockets, then turned to face Elise once more, his arms crossed, eyes flickering down to her shorts and t-shirt combo.

[b]“So you gonna go out like that?”[/b]