Calliope checked her potion supply as she awaited the sea marigolds from Lukas. She then checked the time. “…He was early the last two labors,” she muttered. “The deadline’s approaching and-.”
“MISTRESS!” called a scared Lukas’ voice.
“…That’s not a good sign.” Calliope swam up the pit to see Lukas with a bouquet of eight sea marigolds. “Ah! There you are! I was worried you for…” she trailed off when she saw Sam Brooke guzzling a whole pot of coffee. “…Ms. Brooke?” Sam put the coffee pot down.
“WORK’SALLDONEFORTHEDAY!” she said at hyper speed. “IGOTTAGOFINDSOMETHINGELSETODO!”
“Samantha Brooke, are you okay?” asked Calliope.
“Oh, me?! Never better! I got so much done! Ooh! I’m gonna go shear the kelp and prune the sea sheep!” She then pulled out a sword with teeth running in a circuit around the blade and swam off at top speed, impressive for a sea urchin. By now, everyone was watching the commotion.
“…Staff meeting, everyone!” said Calliope. Everyone gathered, sans Sam. “All right, who was in charge of coffee and what kind of coffee did they make?”
“I was in charge today,” replied Sly. “Maria said coffee was expressly forbidden for Sam.”
“I did say that,” confirmed Maria. “Remember? She’s been on a medically-ordered caffeine hiatus. What did you make her, Sly?”
“Well, there was a bag that said Express-0, so I used that,” answered Sly.
“Express-0?” quizzed Faye.
“…You still got the bag?” asked Calliope. Sly pulled out the bag and Calliope goggled in horror when she finished reading the label. Maria blinked.
“…Boss, is that-?”
“It’s that triple-six espresso that nice succubus gifted after paying through the nose for her deal!” confirmed Calliope. “Sly, there isn’t even an X in the word! Where did you find it?!”
“You left your locker open,” explained Sly. “I thought you wanted everyone to have it.” Maria pinched the bridge of her nose.
“This is why I’m so anal about spelling!” she grumbled. Everyone then heard Sam shriek in caffeinated crazy and guessed she had a smile on her face worthy of a crazy person.
“…Faye, would you bring Lukas’ sea marigolds to my locker?” asked Calliope. “Make sure there’s eight in that bouquet.”
“Oui, Madame,” replied Faye. Lukas gave Faye the flowers and Faye double-checked. “…Oui, there’s eight.” He then swam off to Calliope’s locker.
“Come join us in wrangling Sam when you’re done, okay?” Calliope called after Faye. “We need to restrain her while those of us with clothes still have them on.”
“Oof! What a chase!” sighed Calliope as she and Lukas settled into the bath.
“Who knew a sea urchin could move that fast, Mistress?” muttered Lukas as he rested his head on Calliope’s shoulder. A tentacle then draped itself on his shoulder as Calliope pulled Lukas closer to her.
“It’s a good thing Maria lent us her rope.” Calliope chuckled. “…Lukas…”
“Yes, Mistress?”
“Do you imagine your future with any…hair decorations?”
“Hair flowers, specifically,” replied Lukas. “Nice, lovely, full flowers all gathered on the side of my head. …You know, I’m starting to piece together your questions.”
“You might get confirmation, might not,” purred Calliope. “Who knows?” She then booped Lukas’ nose with the tip of a tentacle. “Let’s find out, hm?”