Installing Pop-Up Blocker

Chapter 1

"Did they now?" Connor asked knowing by the tone alone that there was more the story.

"Oh yes, the three of them claim to have found her tied off in the backyard of an abandoned home in LaSalle Park." Connor frowned.

Stress ^^^ 48%

"Was she okay?" He asked, preparing for the worst. Markus titled his head like he could hear the rise in Connor's stress level.

"Oh yes, she has been making an amazing recovery, eating everything those three put in front of her." Then there was the smile again. "She has even been responding to her new name. Want to take a guess?"

"Let me think, did they name her Jerry?"

"Alice, actually." Connor let out a humorous huff at the mirth clear on Makus' face. Through it all he had not ceased painting, constantly cleaning brushes, mixing pigments and applying to the canvas with his eyelids firmly clamped shut.

"What are you painting?" Connor asked, pushing up from his leaning spot to stand directly over Markus' shoulder. He gently dragged his fingers across Markus collarbone, feeling the soft fabric wrinkle under his touch. The canvas he was working on had darkened edges yet brilliant blue glow. In the center were the markings of, what Connor guessed was, a base sketch for two sets of hands. Created in seemingly random swipes of every color in the rainbow, yet from away became a set pair of blue and red hands. Upon the blue palms was the white-hot looking wax, dripping down from a candle held up by the red hands.

"Reparations in place of amnesty" Markus replied, applying bright swaths of white.

"Is that the subject of your speech tomorrow?" Markus nodded with a hummed affirmatively.

"Are you ready?" Connor asked, though he already knew the answer, Markus smiled.

"Aren't I always," Sarcasm, Markus always wore sarcasm well. "Yes, everything is set to go. North saw my speech and offered up her edits, Simon helped tone down some of the more... aggressive notes and Josh is currently settling the politicians in. Hopefully, his presence will prepare them for the subject at hand." It was a rather cunning plan, even if Josh confided quietly his hatred for being a paid yes man.

"Is Josh excited to finally reuse his hospitality programming?" Markus let out a loud snort, "We all have our skills we can fall back on when needed. Though I think the irony of your question is lost on you, Mr. Detective." Sarcasm, good he could deal with that.

Stress v 40%

"Speaking of, your PL600 housekeeper android wants you to recharge tonight." With a stutter, Markus froze, breaking up what would have been a beautiful brush stroke. Eyes opening suddenly, Markus was tense, shoulder tight, he was upset. Why?

Stress ^^^ 60%

Connor took a step back, shoving his hands back into his pockets. Markus' eyes bounced around as he thought over something, before closing his eyes and continued to paint.

"How do you manage to do that?" Connor finally asked, barely above a whisper, afraid of making Markus more upset. Instead, Markus opened up his green eye, looking over his shoulder with a warm smile. "I've told you before, " He said with good humor "Carl would have me simply close my eyes and focus on an emotional theme, what I produce is always a surprise."

Connor felt the wires in his neck again, the electricity tickling his throat. His nails began to bite into his palms again. "I mean--" An electric pop sliced into his words "how do you focus on the emotions? How do you--" Feel?

Markus opened both eyes, his brows creasing, setting in a slight wrinkle. Placing his brush down he turned his body around to face Connor. The light hitting his back, casting a shadow over his features.