Barley, have you ever had a crush on Piper? You seem to spend a lot of time with her!
"No."
....Thank goodness Piper wasn't here for the quick and flat way he had said that. He'd never hear the end of it. He looked up to the rafters of his bar for a few seconds and back before he continued.
"That is, if you met her the way I did, you'd understand why I'm saying that."
He gave a metallic sigh.
"My very first recollection is being so... filled with ire because Byron and Piper were arguing. I was but a rudimentary sort of novelty mechanical mixer at the time, how embarrassing... they so were cutthroat in their abrasive conversation, I was sure I was going to be caught in the crossfire once it inevitably escalated to a physical fight. I wasn't aware it was the norm around these parts, much less was an actual Brawler! I could have been destroyed! Or worse yet, my bar could have been."
He shook his head at the recording. But then he smiled.
"Of course, I told them to ease off for the very first time, and they realized that I was going against my programming to tell them they were being public nuisances. It's nowhere near the last time either, but the rest is history!"
...He may have been skipping a good, rocky bulk of their bond. But that's a story for another day.
"That said, I do love her lots, just not in the way you might be thinking... or hoping?"
What's your favorite foods? (In Barley's case, any foods you wish you could eat in particular?)
Piper: Ohhh, I love the taste of... victory. ♡
Piper: Heehee, but really. It's no secret I have a sweet tooth. It's dangerous for me to run my own shop, isn't it?
Byron: I'm not picky at all.. I like fresh, herbal flavors in food just as much as richer meats, and I'm willing to try anything, especially over Piper's overly sweet confections.
Piper: Oh, please.
Barley: Hmm, the first thing that comes to mind would have to be...
Piper: It's okay, you can say my baking, sweetheart, Byron can handle it.
Byron: Oh, please.
Barley: No, that's not it...
Byron: Aha. You're more interested in my mixtures? I knew you'd have peak taste.
Barley: Ah, no. Not that either.
Piper: Ha!
Byron: You're so petty. Hm. I suppose it'd make sense for you to want to taste your own drinks that you serve, Barley.
Barley: ...
Barley: The pizza that Ash makes. They look so focused when they do. The most content I've seen him. I'd love to taste it fresh.
Byron: ...
Piper: Oh, you naughty thing! You've been fantasizing. Heeheehee!
Barley: Since when has mere observations equate to fantasizing!?
Piper: It's very intent observation, is all I'm saying!
"Oooh," Piper brightened up at the question. "This sounds fun!"
Barley let out a robotic hum. "I sense like this would lead to a mean spirited gossip session between you two."
"It's alright," Piper said. "You can let people know you don't like Lou."
"I don't dislike him!" Barley said, "I don't understand his business practices, is all. Who sells snow cones at an icy resort?..." He muttered the last question.
"I haven't interacted with him much. I talk to Mr. P and Gale more often." Byron offered.
"Funny, are Mr. P and Gale robots?" Piper asked.
Byron side-eyed her. "You haven't even given an opinion on anyone."
"Let me see..." Piper mused. "My favorite robot after Barley is Pearl. I love baking with her! She's so sweet. Very dusty, but that's not her fault."
"Nani's among the most respectable Brawlers in the park. She's kind. R-T makes for good conversation. Sprout knows a lot about plants, so despite its age, I don't find talking with it dull at all." Byron listed.
"I agree," Barley said, "Though R-T tends to let job details creep up in conversation often."
"Pot and kettle?" Piper giggled lightly. "I think 8-Bit complains so much. He does have a lot to deal with, but I couldn't imagine having a permanent chip on my shoulder. How dreadful to be small and wrathful all of the time."
The trio chuckled.
"Darryl's a frequent customer." Barley continued. "He tells stories well and while he may be loud, he's not disruptful." His expression got annoyed. "Like Stu."
Piper laughed.
Byron spoke up. "I could only imagine his behavior. I'd like to venture a guess. Do you prefer when he's drunk?"
Barley sighed. "Yes. He holds still for longer. Though, I will admit. He's far better behaved with that band of his and his daughters."
Piper nodded. "Improvement comes in different forms. From yourself or others. I'm glad Stu found friends and family."
Byron took a drink of tea. "I believe that's the kindest thing I've ever heard you say."
"You're keeping track?" Piper asked.
"It's rare enough to note," he answered carelessly.
"Ha!" Piper scoffed. "Anyway, is that all?"
"Hmm," Barley started.
"Well, it's all who matters," Piper handwaved as she stood up quickly. "Pardon me, I hear my timer going off."
Interesting... the serum seems like quite the marvel of science if it can do so many things. How did it affect the bots? Barley in particular?
"Ah, I do adore the recognition of my efforts. Truly.
I believe Barley would like to answer that second topic. (You should see his 'subtle' hints.) Thus, I'll let him take center stage, Anon."
...
"Wonderful question!"
"A Robot's element can be rounded out with other abilities. Darryl and Nani (to some people's surprise) can bulk themselves up and take a hefty hit.
Rico and I can heal ourselves in different ways, and so on and so forth.
Just like non-metallic Brawlers, it all comes down to personality."
"I can manifest bottles with either searing liquids or delicious healing tonic for my allies. Quite the handy ability, for both a brawler and a bartender!"
byron, how does the serum work? like do the non human brawlers like ruffs or crow take it as well?
"Have I piqued your interest?" He asked with a hint of delight on his face.
He was right in the middle of giving his pet snakes their feeder mice when he saw this, so he continued to take his time on finishing said task.
Once Tox and Ton were nice and full, Byron went to go wash his hands. He dried them, and then sat down.
Then, Byron begun to speak.
"While I won't reveal everything about the Serum, I will still give you a general rundown. The Serum is what makes a Brawler a Brawler, so yes. Everybody does take it. It gives us the ability to heal quickly, as well as gradually give us what may be referred to as 'soul powers.'
"Some Brawlers have more changes than others. Our very own dear Piper, for example, gained the power to let herself glide high when she's feeling particularly jovial. You can see this in battle after many accurate shots.
"Crow exhibits more of a physical change. He's a man turned into a... crow, in case you couldn't guess."
Byron looked around subtly.
"If you buy into Starr Park's marketing, Ruffs is a canine alien who happened to land here, nothing more, nothing less. If you're vigilant, you might hear whispers among the crowd that he's actually an old military dog who was picked up and given the serum. In other words, a complete reversal to what Crow is; an animal turned into a man."
The snake owner's gaze sharpened. "The Higher Ups were playing around with the extent of what my creation can do, and Squeak and Eve came from his altered DNA."
He sighed softly and adjusted himself in his seat. "Only baseless rumors, of course, ones of which you didn't hear from me."
Hello! I was wondering how old all of you are? If you don't mind asking, of course!
"I believe I possess the equivalent knowledge of a human in their late 40s to early 50s, however, as a Robot who is constantly learning about experiences, I'm... nowhere near that age. Perhaps one day.."
~
"My turn to ask you a personal question~! Hmm, what's your biggest fear?"
"You gave your best fight, Lady Piper. Shelly's a formidable opponent. In any battle, it seems."
"Yes, yes, congratss! We can't all be winners in this world, Piper. Not even in this Trio. You cost us a Townsfolk Sweep, Dear."
"Give your lingo parroting a break, Byron. It's so unbecoming."
"Right. As unbecoming as whining about losing is on you."
"I seem to recall all of us agreeing this popularity contest is frivulous. Casting our votes would be for fun. Now you two are both squabbling over it. The most unbecoming, I'd say."
"........"
"........"
"I also recall beating my own opponent by the largest margin, eh, Byron?"
"Oh, that's right~ Squeak giving you troubles, Byron?"
"Laugh it up, laugh it up. Hope we don't face off in Round Two, Barley. For your sake."
The giftshop's bells rung when a certain blonde baker walked into the store.
Piper hummed a delightful little Halloween tune as she made her way through the store.
She carried a basket of sweets at hand and looked over the cute and spooky Halloween decor. She was heading straight to the counter... but then a delightful little bat knick-knack did catch her eye. She stopped at an aisle, picking up the critter decoration.
How adorable!
~~~
☆ Townsfolk~Triad 🌂🧁
The bell ringing alerted the cashier to hide her scrapbook and wait until the customer came to the counter.Whenever Colette was alone in the giftshop, she would be doodling or writing fanfics of other brawlers as a way to kill time without her boss knowing that she isn’t on task. Thanks to spooky month there are more things to do, like decorating the giftshop or doing things with her friends, like jack-o-lanterns, but she has already decorated the store, she’s working at the moment and the prank of the year can’t be prepared while at work, so all left to do is to estimate how long it’ll take to prepare it when the time comes.
As soon as Piper felt that the bat ornament was a soft and slightly heavy plush, she knew she was going to buy it.
Halloween was splendid. Spooky pastries were always a blast to decorate! Shame it only came once a year, unless somebody wanted a creepy cake for a sporadic reason in the middle of the year. Those were silly.
She turned to make way for the counter again, and saw one of the teens at the register, staring straight at her. “Oh!”
Piper quickly placed the gourd-wearing worker as Colette. The horns jutting out of the pumpkin was an easy giveaway. She’s dressed up!
The sniper smiled in amusement and arrived at the check out center with the bat at hand.
“Hello. I’m talking to Edgar, aren’t I?” She jested lightly.
Staring straight yet not looking anywhere while fidgeting with her hands, but stopping at the more than familiar face that came out from an aisle, Piper! She’s always so pretty and eye catching.
Colette rested her arms on the counter as Piper came closer, even with her face covered by the pumpkin, it’s easy to tell that’s she’s happy, the tail waving is only an extra way of showing it even if unintentional.
“Hi! I could be Edgar if that’s what you want.” She knows that it wasn’t serious, but she wouldn’t hesitate for Piper.
"I want you to be Colette," she told her with a light smile.
The lady picked her arm with the basket up, and looked down as Colette reacted to that.
"I got you something, my dear. For you and your trio." She put the bat plush on the counter so Colette can scan it whenever she got the chance, and reached into the basket.
Three tasty cupcakes stored safely in a tin, all Halloween themed.
One was chocolate, and emulated a tombstone. A sugary, skeletal hand was popped out, and a miniature chocolate tree completed the image.
One was red velvet, and looked like a murder scene. Red topping flowed down sharp, clear shards of candy glass and cascaded over white frosting.
The last one was a pumpkin cupcake, with green frosting and odd bits and pieces sticking out, like a bat wing, an eyeball, a spider. It's a Witch's brew!
Piper placed it on the counter as well, looking at Colette expectantly.
"You get first pick, Colette. Which one's your favorite?"
The giftshop's bells rung when a certain blonde baker walked into the store.
Piper hummed a delightful little Halloween tune as she made her way through the store.
She carried a basket of sweets at hand and looked over the cute and spooky Halloween decor. She was heading straight to the counter... but then a delightful little bat knick-knack did catch her eye. She stopped at an aisle, picking up the critter decoration.
How adorable!
~~~
☆ Townsfolk~Triad 🌂🧁
The bell ringing alerted the cashier to hide her scrapbook and wait until the customer came to the counter.
Whenever Colette was alone in the giftshop, she would be doodling or writing fanfics of other brawlers as a way to kill time without her boss knowing that she isn't on task.
Thanks to spooky month there are more things to do, like decorating the giftshop or doing things with her friends, like jack-o-lanterns, but she has already decorated the store, she’s working at the moment and the prank of the year can’t be prepared while at work, so all left to do is to estimate how long it’ll take to prepare it when the time comes.
As soon as Piper felt that the bat ornament was a soft and slightly heavy plush, she knew she was going to buy it.
Halloween was splendid. Spooky pastries were always a blast to decorate! Shame it only came once a year, unless somebody wanted a creepy cake for a sporadic reason in the middle of the year. Those were silly.
She turned to make way for the counter again, and saw one of the teens at the register, staring straight at her. "Oh!"
Piper quickly placed the gourd-wearing worker as Colette. The horns jutting out of the pumpkin was an easy giveaway. She's dressed up!
The sniper smiled in amusement and arrived at the check out center with the bat at hand.
"Hello. I'm talking to Edgar, aren't I?" She jested lightly.
Barley blinked as he watched the trio of little critters scurry off. What just--?
Were those rats? Actual talking rats? The poor bot could only muster confusion, not even disgust as anyone would consider the norm for any establishment owner... or anyone who lived in Starr Park.
(Of course there ARE talking dogs and birds, and sentient, organic lifeforms that shouldn't be sentient, but... um, well, this was different, somehow. Barley was sure of it.)
Oh, just wait until Ash hears about this.
If he wasn't the one who trained those rats to talk in the first place??
Byron had the essentials he needed packed up in his kit on his back. Everything for sample collecting, testing, a few basic ingredients...
He ran through a mental checklist as he locked the entrance to his store. If need be, he could pick anything else he required from the Biodome. He was sure that Rosa wouldn't complain, even if she weren't compromised at the moment. Bea said it was possible to leave anyway, so--
"Closing for the day, honey, or have you finally filed for bankruptcy?"
Byron finished locking up before turning around. "Oh, Piper. Still holding onto that silly assumption of yours? Obviously, the answer is the former option."
Piper placed a hand to her cheek. "Oh, but you usually lament over every penny lost. What's so important that you'd willingly miss out on fifteen dollars?"
"My dear, you haven't heard?" Byron looked at her, 'surprised.'
The Southern belle put a hand on her hip. "Heard what?"
"The Biodome and its current patrons are in peril. Here I thought you were always up to date..." Byron shook his head in disbelief.
"Why, of course, I've heard about that." Piper tsked. Oh, that man was doubly as irksome today, wasn't he?
"Then, you should know where I'm headed." He shrugged, then began to walk off. His cane tapped against the streets as he stepped away.
Piper fell into pace beside him, far from done with her interrogation. "Oh, so they're paying you handsomely, is that it?"
"I'm appalled at you, Piper." Byron said. He couldn't believe it actually slipped his mind to inform Bea about his prices. She should know his services wouldn't be free, but he wouldn't be surprised if the scientist thought he was performing charity work. Byron cleared his throat. "Is it really so difficult to believe that I have 'common decency?'"
"Hmm..." Piper smiled, putting a finger to her chin as she pretended to really think about that question. There was some little hint there, she knew. "Yes!"
Byron looked ahead with a curling smile. "It isn't my place to judge if you're simply that heartless."
"Oh, spare me." She chuckled.
"I, am the martyr of this Park." He said, "I understand if you fail to see things the way I do, my dear, but do not mistake your greed for mine."
Byron could be somewhat amusing if he tried. Piper's laugh rung out as they continued walking together.
It took her a minute to regain her composure with one final sigh.
Then she looked up and saw the glass structure of the Biodome not so far away. So he was indeed headed there...
She glanced over at him fleetingly. Deep in thought, staring straight ahead to his destination. He was serious about the situation.
Something personal, perhaps. Or... blackmail? But who could have anything on him?
"Byron! Oh, and hi, Piper!" Bea greeted. She was sitting at a bench.
"Hello," Byron muttered a greeting.
Piper waved. Not blackmail. Incapable of it. "Good afternoon, Bea. I hope you're as well as you could be, given the dreadful situation. I'm so sorry..."
The assistant smiled, feeling a tiny bit better at that. "Thanks, Piper." She looked between the two. "I'm ready to go in when you are, Byron. ...Are you going to join us too, Piper?"
"...I'm afraid not." Piper shook her head. "I'm sorry. I feel unbefitting for this venture. Of course, if you find you need use of my skillset, simply let me know."
Bea nodded. Some relief off her shoulders. It was comforting to be reminded that she wasn't alone. "Thanks so much." She said genuinely.
Piper smiled at her sweetly.
Byron and she exchanged a look.
"You'll succeed." She said, matter of factly.
"I know." he replied.
With curt nods, Byron addressed Bea with a gesture towards the Biodome. "Lead the way."
Piper watched the two disappear into the foliage-themed building.
Byron hummed after Bea finished the summary of her plight over the last few days. They were in his office, both on opposite sides of his desk. He was sitting in his chair while she had been pacing.
If this were anywhere but Starr Park, and he were anybody but Byron, his head would be reeling. Thankfully, those weren't the cases.
But, there was one thing that bothered him out of all of this.
"So, you came to me as a last resort?"
Byron sighed silently, leaning back. She asked Belle for help first? Clearly, a way to reverse this mess is an anti-serum to what caused their transformation, not brute force or thievery. But he supposed that sneaking out was what Bea was looking for in the first place.
Bea looked at him incredulously, before shaking off that surprise. She felt like making an outcry on that statement wouldn't do well to win him over.
"Well," she answered instead. She felt like a kid in front of a principal. "I didn't want to risk any of the affected Brawlers getting out. Some are nocturnal, some aren't, so it wasn't easy sneaking out. There's a hole in the ceiling, and I think the only reason why none of the others have gotten out is because Belle's been on the lookout. She's not letting anyone past her. " Bea rambled, her anxiousness getting the best of her.
He swiveled his chair to face the side, feeling the loss of interest grow over this case.
"Well, insects are your thing, aren't they? You're a clever gal. You'll figure something out." He said nonchalantly.
The entomologist let her mouth fall open in surprise at his dismissal. And disgust. And she was fed up.
"How could you be such an asshole!?" Bea exclaimed, astounded by how much force was in that outburst. There was so much built up on her side. She hasn't had a chance to let anything out.
Byron was side-eyeing her with a passive look. Eyes just slightly more narrowed than usual. He said nothing.
The audacity to be the one offended! She continued, full force.
"I shouldn't have to be begging you to show some common decency. Rosa and Sprout, and Meg, and Belle, and Mr. P, a-and Edgar, and Rico...." Guilt trailed from her frustrations. "Oh, Gods," she buried her face into her hands. "They're all mutated because of me!..."
Byron blinked.
At the back of his mind, he was glad that Bea wasn't noticing his brief loss of composure, but quickly shoved that down.
He turned his chair to face the wall behind his desk, running through the tale Bea told him.
He knew Edgar had grown to taking with sparring with Rosa, El Primo and Fang, but he didn't think the fondness had grown to participating in the Biodome's grand opening.
And Belle? Since when has she ever shown an interest in learning about natural properties of flora, or even appreciating things like colors and scenery?
Oh, like you know her so well.
...
Byron frowned. How maddening. That one piece of information to truly turn his outlook around. How dreadfully typical.
Here he was, following along with this trite circumstance. At the very least, he could add another tally to the 'inventing another substance for an impossible goal' count.
He swiveled back around to face Bea, who was still treating herself to a mental beatdown.
"Fine, Bea."
"Why did you change your mind?" Bea asked.
The assistant looked up in confusion.
"I'll help you out." He leaned on a hand. One of his fingers tapping impatiently against his cheek. "Are you happy?"
"You've touched my heart," Byron said in the driest tone Bea has ever heard.
She was upset, because he still had the same inconsiderate tone, but she was also confused, because how much truth did his sarcastic statement hold? Since, embarrassingly enough, she was so close to crying in front of him.
It frustrated Bea to have to work with as insufferable as Byron. Nevertheless, she commented nothing further. With how finicky he seemed, it would be in her best interest.
This was for everyone in that Biodome, and she could be a little tough if it meant one step closer to resolving this mess.
To be successful, one should know when to take up responsibility, when to let it lay on the ground, and how to pin it on a different party.
Byron knew how to do all three.
He'd be lying if he said if he didn't enjoy it, though you'd never be able to tell. You see, words were akin to... mixtures. (Pardon the livelihood-specific metaphor.)
He could make mention of his strict parents who brought him along to social events, where he honed his silver tongue and was the start of what crafted him into the man he is today...
Mere drops to garner sympathy.
It was no lie either. Yes, his parents were strict. Yes, social events as a 'bright young man' were his beginning. Did he dislike who he was today, as a whole? Absolutely not.
As for the minute details, deep digging would be needed to secure the facts, but you should have the common sense by that time to know that no matter what words were exchanged between yourself and him, you would never truly uncover what you needed to know. Not unless Byron decided you could have that intel.
In this Park, he could count the amount of people that could hold a light to the mastery of his conversation control on one hand.
His fellow members in his Trio, as a topline example. Mortis himself makes a third. Look at that, he could even count them all on only the fingers that didn’t possess rings. Hilarious.
For all the others, they varied. He didn’t have to put forth much effort for one reason or another. Naiveté, stubborn, they didn’t want to play his games, or even simpler, they were not worth his time. (And for the very rare few, they were on a safe list.)
Today, one of the Brawlers who fit in the naïve category stood before him. She looked absolutely bedraggled, fatigued, and very frazzled.
“Bea,” he smiled, as if nothing were out of the ordinary. If she wanted comforting words, she visited the wrong Townsfolk member. “Welcome. What can I interest you in today?”
She sighed. Her usual bright demeanor wasn’t present. “Have you heard about the Biodome, Byron? Please say you have.”
Oh, this had his name written all over this, didn't it?
...Don't you think you're making light of the situation?
"I take it you're new around here, Sugar?" Piper asked, "We're Brawlers. There's always one dastardly thing or another happening in the park. Whatever it may be, it's downright impossible to kill us."
It was a matter of fact.
Just because a little bit of gossip is exchanged between her and Bea regularly, or that Rosa would provide and even started to grow a few plants at her request for pastry ingredients didn't change anything about that detail.
Everyone would be involved in one way or another come different Seasons. The couple she was on good terms with (or the rest of the tour group for that matter) was no different.
...
"...Oh, well if you're worrying about it so much.." She sighed, "Perhaps I can check in on the place..."
She contemplated this, and her current state of being. Regardless of her earlier jest, Piper enjoyed not being a mutant.
"Or perhaps, I'll go a step further. I'll seek out a certain salesman and see if he can do anything about this. I'd say it's about time he be pulled out of hiding, wherever he is."
Her mind was made up, and when it was, there was no stopping the sniper.
