“My wise prince, it was life-changing,” Stan says. “Nil made mirrors hot.”
Idris deepens his brows. “I’m not too sure I want context to that.”
Em taps into her tablet. “Slept deeply and for longer than previously reported,” she says as she types, “and reflective surfaces were perceived as a heated source.”
I frown, trying to ignore Stan’s giggles. Idris sighs in the middle of a laugh and takes the tablet from Em.
Staring at Idris, Em looks confused for a second before she composes herself. “I suppose it’s time we start with the routine dose and scans.”
There’s a tray on the counter with two familiar black capsules resting in a shallow dish.
Stan holds his up to his eye. “Hello again, jumbo vitamin D.”
“It doesn’t contain that,” Em says.
“What does this big guy keep inside then, doc?”
“Please take the pill, Stan,” she says.
He gives me a sideways grin. “You heard the doctor, Ocean Eyes.”
I toss mine back with a swallow of water from the cup she hands me. It goes down easy. So does his.
Em watches our throats move. “We’ll give it a moment to absorb, then proceed with neural scans.”
As soon as Stan takes his seat, Em fits the headgear on him.
Idris comes to stand beside her, glancing at the tablet as the scanner whirrs to life. Numbers start crawling up the screen.
“Heart rate slightly elevated,” Idris notes. “Still within range.”
“Respiration appears stable,” Em adds. “No abnormal spikes in neural activity so far.”
Stan beams. “Hear that, Nil? Perfectly normal brain. Against all odds.”
“Standard,” Em reminds him. “Not perfect.”
Stan pouts. “Doc, please. We talked about this. My ego.”
The scanner pings. Em taps the screen. “That’s sufficient.”
Idris takes the headgear off of Stan, who takes Em’s teacup and sips it with a satisfied sigh.
“Nil,” Em calls, raising a brow at the tea thief. “It’s your turn.”
I sit down. Idris holds the headgear and puts it on me.
Em steps closer and starts checking the sensors. Her fingers feel impersonal. But my chest still thuds.
I can feel Stan watching. He sidles up to my side of the chair. “You got this, babe,” he whispers.
Heat crawls up my chest when he’s this close to me.
“You’re turning red, Nil…” Idris eyes me. “Any dizziness? Strange sensations?”
I swallow. My mouth feels dry, but not from the pill. “No.”
He nods. Em steps back, tablet in hand. “Hold still,” she says. “We’re starting the scan.”
