Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Sylvia clapped along, grinning. "Honestly, you didn't have to say the second part."

...

After Orson passed Rupert's message along to Chris, he casually mentioned

Rupert's current state.

As soon as Chris heard, he handed off the event to someone else.

"I'll go with you to check on him."

"Yeah."

The two of them walked outside. The rain was still coming down in buckets.

Orson pulled out an umbrella.

Chris raised an eyebrow. “Orson, always prepared. Classic you."

"A friend gave it to me—"

With a sharp click, the automatic umbrella snapped open. Both of them stared at the inside of the umbrella and blurted out at the same time:

"Shit."

"Shit. Actually, an enemy gave it to me," Orson growled.

Chris squinted up. "Zion's still salty about you decking him at that party? You sure you wanna use this thing?"

The inside of the umbrella was plastered with a full-body print of Zion, looking way too smug for anyone's comfort.

Orson took a deep breath to steady himself, trying to channel his professional composure.

insane. Let's just use

"Sure."

agreed, though he already

the umbrella over their heads, both of them felt

holographic-depending on the

just standing there, but the second they tilted

of Zion wildly

up

umbrella felt disturbingly like holding Zion's

it worse, the handle itself was placed at an awkward

on

made a face. "Didn't know Zion had such... flair for drama.

"You

"You hold it."

"No, you."

resigned sigh.

praying he wouldn't get some kind of eye

them huddled as far from

from a window, laughing so hard he nearly fell

his name, he spun around, face snapping back to the

"Yes, sir."

car, feeling stuffy with the rain pounding outside. She spotted

vending machine

grabbed her umbrella and

message, telling her to select again After a few tries, she was about to give up when a hand teached over her shoulder, tapping a tiny

You're

familiar voice jolted Sylvia. She glanced up at the glass and saw the reflection of

Rupert.

of tobacco. It seemed like even the wind

leaned in to finally read the