“Nil, Stan, good morning.”
She’s tapping away at her tablet. Stan says a dirty joke—something about how he’d “tap that”—for a greeting while we sit side by side. When she finally lifts her head, her eyes pass over Stan first, then go to me.
I don’t know what to say or do when she looks like she’s checking how I’m stillalive. But Stan does all the talking for us.
“Y’know, doc, our morning could be even better if you and Nil make a Stan sandwich,” he says.
I huff a short laugh, but it looks like Em didn’t catch the joke.
She continues as if she didn’t hear it. “Today, we’ll be trying the introduction of the new formula of Kys.”
Em lifts a pretty big black capsule. When I look at it, it doesn’t remind me of the little white pills Clo forced down my throat in exchange for my sister’s safety.
But when I see Stan through my peripherals, his leg is bouncing again.
“This is the stabilized compound,” Em says. “Kys without the destructive elements. In theory, it enhances physical recovery, cognitive clarity, but may also cause emotional interference.”
She hands us one each.
“Once more, I should emphasize,” she adds, clearing her throat and straightening her posture, “that these are all in theory.”
Stan’s foot taps. I place my hand on his thigh. His gaze goes to mine.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Em’s attention hit straight to where my hand rests, then up to my face. “Is something the matter?” Em asks.
“Nope,” Stan says fast. “Well…”
“What is it?” Em probes.
Stan pinches the pill and places it near his lips. “Pretty big for a pill, don’t ya think, doc?”
Em nods. “It is a slightly, relatively larger size.”
“It’s very…phallic.” Stan stifles a laugh. I stifle a groan.
Em tilts her head, creasing her brows. “It’s the shape of a common capsule.”
“Yeah, sure, a capsule withbig dick energy.”
“I can reassureyou that a capsule could not contain…” Em counters, pausing with a confused frown. “That sort of energy.”
“Ocean Eyes.” Stan nudges me. “Back me up here. Tell her it’s suggestive.”
I deny that fast with a head shake.
Stan sighs loudly. “You two are no fun right now.”
“I must inform you both…” Em keeps going. “Compound Eleven dissolves cleanly, supports neural balance, and contains no dependency triggers, but if there are any side effects, please inform me right away.”
Stan raises his hand. “Super important question. If I swallow this and suddenly find you irresistibly hot, is that a side effect you can manage for me, or…?”
“That is unrelated to the support I can provide for you.”
“You sayin’ I already find you hot, doc?”
“I said nothing of the sort.”
He beams. “You’d be right, though.”
