[ A potted plant is waiting outside Dr. Worm's door. The entire plant seems to be sucking the light from the hallway into it, and it is wrapped in a mist of shadows. The leaves are a deep dark green; the stems have been neatly tamed, so the resulting black flowers form a heart. A few golden vines have been nestled through and peek between the petals.
A (janitorial) delivery cyberspider has gotten distracted by the cyberspider chat and forgotten to scuttle away from the scene.]
Dr Worm opens the door, looking left to right and then down, heart-shaped pupils widening with surprise. They crouch to better inspect it, mouth ever so slightly open.
'Hi sweetie, what's this?' They ask the cyberspider, carefully touching the leaves of the plant as though in awe.
(@the-janitor-esc )
[ The plant's leaves are very smooth, waxy, and strangely warm.]
*startling a little and wobbling around on their spidery legs* This: Delivery. Requested by: The Janitor (─‿‿─) - #003 (Go)
Flushing with pleasure, they kiss the cyberspider's forehead (or thereabouts) and scoop the plant up carefully, setting it upon their desk.
'Please thank them and tell them I love them. They can come to mine whenever they're ready for our date...'
*chirping, pleased with themself* Message: Will deliver. The Janitor: On lawn, working. Delivery: Started. *starting to scuttle off to go inform TJ, but also getting stuck a couple floors down because they're checking the group messages again* (─‿‿─) - #003 (Go)
*coming across #003 on their way from a different delivery* Go: Delivery? - #451 (Bauble)
Delivery: ??? Delivery: !!! *continuing on their way with #451* (─‿‿─) - #003 (Go)
*is serving warm drinks to staff on the lawn* Everything alright?
Delivery: Cyberspider 003 - #451 (Bauble)
Delivery: Message from Dr. Worm. *playing a recording of Dr. Worm's voice* Message: Delivered. (─‿‿─) - #003 (Go)
Very good. *finishing up so they can go see Dr. Worm*
Dr Worm is dreamily running their fingers over the edge of the pot, admiring the plant with their heart-shaped pupils. They're wearing a softer green sweater-vest than usual, and they have a few bandages peeking out from the collar of their shirt, on their right shoulder.
Beside them is a cup of tea, with steam rising and forming heart shaped in the air. Their fingers tap the china of the teacup delicately.
*dodging around the Center mayhem and making their way up to Dr. Worm's, still in their butler uniform* *knocking on Dr. Worm's door*
Dr Worm blinks in surprise and opens the door, lighting up with joy.
'Jan! My beautiful!' They exclaim, beaming.
'Come in, love! You look just perfect - what have you been up to today? Do you want some food? A kiss? A hug? Something else?'
Hello, James. I was hosting a garden party for the staff earlier.
*stepping inside, looking at Dr. Worm curiously*
I'm fine right now; your pupils are strangely shaped today, sweetheart.
'You were? Oh, I didn't know! Wait, I might have been with Percival at the time...' They laugh.
'Oh! Yeah, we took some of the love potion earlier. I mean, if any day is right, it's today, surely! You're looking incredibly attractive.' Their voice is bright, and they beam at TJ.
'To what do I owe the pleasure of your lovely visit, my love?'
(more to themself than Dr. Worm) Oh, love potion.
*reaching out to put an arm around Dr. Worm, starting to walk further in and over toward the nearest seating*
As you say, it isn't just any day, and it has been away since we could spend time together.
They make a happy noise and follow TJ's guidance to the big armchairs in front of their desk.
'Happy Valentines day, my dearest Jan. Hmm... where /did/ I put your present...?'
They frown in an absent-minded way, reaching to hold TJ's hand.
*settling down in one of the armchairs and picking Dr. Worm up to settle them on their lap*
I'm not sure, but I see a "gift" right here. (flirty)
Dr Worm's heart rate increases noticeably.
'Oh my-' They gasp, happily surprised. 'Wh-wh- have you been practicing that? You're.. I love you. So very strong...' Their head seems to be wandering a little bit, but their fingers reach to touch TJ's jaw, gentle.
*letting their arms rest around Dr. Worm's waist while they listen to the change in heartrate and lean into the touch at their jaw*
I did not practice; that was purely quick thinking and sincerity.
'Mmm... you're just that good at everything, aren't you?'
Dr Worm leans in to give them a kiss. 'You're the best at everything. Including stealing my heart, apparently. Happy Valentine's day, my most perfect Jan <3' They giggle. It appears that this is a new version of the love potion.
'Soo... you're dressed very handsomely today... now... as a reward, where is your present...?' The last question is almost to themself, they try to remember where they put it.
Happy Valentine's Day, my sweet James. (sincere)
*purring at the kiss and endeared by the giggling*
Well, I had to look the part for the Garden Party; I was serving drinks and snacks and leftover potted plants, so a butler vibe was a must. And, everyone looks good in a suit, of course. (playful)
*watching Dr. Worm try to work out where the wayward present is while casually leaning against them*
Did you like your plant? It took a while to create...and the mist is finally harmless, thankfully.
They nuzzle TJ's shoulder and then press kisses to it.
'You look especially good in a suit, though.' They compliment is accompanied by a gentle squeeze to the waist. Dr Worm takes to running one of their hands over TJ's chest.
'I love the plant. It's gorgeous. I'm going to take the best possible care of it! It's so incredibly thoughtful.'
Dr Worm realises where they put TJ's present, and disentangles themself from TJ. From the top drawer of a filing cabinet, they withdraw a pink box tied with a massive red ribbon, and present it to them. 'Here you go, dear.'
Contained within is an open-ended cuboid with sides of brilliant, pure gold. Upon closer inspection, the sides are held together with a series of small clasps. Undoing these causes the cuboid to unfold into a large square, about 2x2m. This, however, is the less interesting thing about it, because the unenclosed sides of the cuboid are a brilliant sky-blue, and the fluffy edge of a cloud is visible on the left. More importantly, perhaps, is the fact that the cloud is /moving/. Idly drifting over the blue as though blown by a gentle breeze.
'What do you think?' Dr Worm asks, a touch nervously.
