✧⁠*~ Chap 3 - Gossip ~*✧⁠

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Robyn reached the medical bay, promptly standing outside and lifting her knuckles to the large metal door. With a curt knock or two, Anya opened up.

The doctor's eyes widened as she met Robyn's gaze, her lips curving into a meek smile.

"Oh! Hey, Robyn,"

She hummed serenely, fully opening the sturdy metal door to allow the janitor inside.

"What brings you to the med-bay?"

The dark haired woman murmured, turning back to the medicine shelves she was organising, patiently awaiting Robyn's response.

"Ah, yea... It's about Daisuke-"

Robyn's tone was sheepish and giddy, twiddling her thumbs while she spoke to the doctor.

Not even five minutes after Robyn left Anya's office after chatting about the young electrician, another knock sounded on the metallic door. Anya chuckled quietly to herself, assuming it was mere coincidence. The doe-eyed woman got up and opened the door once more to see who it was, smiling politely still.

"Oh, Sage. Come on in."

Anya voiced mildly yet friendly, stepping to the side to invite Sage in.

"What did you come to me for?"

The kind lady questioned attentively. Sage scratched the back of her neck shyly, finding her voice before parting her lips to speak.

"Uhm-... It's about Curly."

Anya lent her ear to Sage, listening to the chef's mutterings and offering advice when appropriate. As she did for Robyn. However, she didn't expect Robyn to come back after Sage left.. and Sage to come back after Robyn left- This happened about six more times before Anya grew mildly irritated.

With a huff, Anya got up, waiting right behind the med-bay door with her arms crossed. Once Robyn came by again, Anya pulled her inside, shushing her as she waited for Sage to arrive, doing the exact same to the brown haired chef. Sitting the two women down, Anya turned to them with an almost motherly frown.

"What is it with you two?"

She raised a brow, hands on her hips, her Brown sandals tapping on the metal-plated floor. Sage and Robyn looked at each other reluctantly before sighing, almost speaking in unison.

"'It's about' Curly-"

"'It's about' Daisuke-"

Robyn and Sage looked at each other, both wide-eyed with their expressions twisting into silly smiles.

"'No way!'"

They said in unison once more, giggling like school girls, Anya joining in. The three sat down around each other in a 'gossip circle' of sorts, chatter filling the sterile air of the medical office.

"Both of you have crushes?!"

Anya chirped, her dark eyes sparkling with interest.

"I-I- wouldn't call it a crush-"

Sage mumbled, looking away. Robyn on the other hand, practically hollered.

"Well, I do! Daisuke is soooo cute!"

Sage and Anya gasped, tittering simultaneously.

"Daisuke?! I see it! You two would be so cute!"

Anya cooed adoringly, resting her head in her hands. She and Robyn then turned to Sage, eyes wide.

"Go on! Tell us about Captain Curlyyy!"

Robyn snickered, grinning ear to ear, her features laced with playfulness. Sage hid her face beneath her patterned, green hair-bandana, averting the other two womens' gazes.

"I.. he's seems so sweet- And kind, and cheerful... And he said my cooking was good! But I'm really scared at the same time- what if I'm just delusional?!"

The med-bay fell silent, save for the tick of the digital clock on Anya's desk and the stifled sound of Robyn trying not to burst into laughter.

"...Sweetie, you're in love-"

Anya whispered, giggling with Robyn before Sage whined in mock agony.

"Nooooo! Guys, stop! Curly would totally be scared away-"

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the med-bay's metal door, followed by male voices... It was Swansea.. and Daisuke! The girls immediately hushed and huddled up to the door, trying to make out the muffled words of the two men. Their ears pressed against the cold metal.

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It sounded like Swansea was showing Daisuke where the electrical wires ran all across the Tulpar, neatly located in shallow trenches on either side of the walkway.

"You see? We need to regularly check these wires to make sure the connections are still functioning and won't cause any electrical hazards."

Daisuke nodded curtly, his dark eyes wide with interest and curiosity.

"Aye aye, Swansea! But... How often do we need to check 'em?"

"Twice a month."

Daisuke practically gagged, clapping his palm over his heart in an exaggerated motion, playfully taken aback.

"Twice a month?! That's too oftennn!"

Swansea simply rolled his eyes with an irked grumble, the stout man crossed his arms over his chest.

"Not my fault you're lazy-"

The two men then walked past the med-bay, hearing the muffled whispers and giggles coming from within. Daisuke looked over, blushing as he imagined Robyn talking about him. Was he delusional? Maybe. Lovesick? Definitely.

Swansea cast a sidelong glance towards Daisuke, only to notice the young man's rosy cheeks.

"Who's got you swooning like a turtle dove, son?"

The older man's lips quirking into a grin. Daisuke pulled his Hawaiian shirt, covered with hibiscus and palm tree print, up over his chin, trying to sink beneath the collar.

"W-whaaat? I wasn't swooning..!! It's just.. uh- it's just really hot! Yea-! Just me? Phew- I'm sweatin'..!"

The young man deflected, receiving an displeased groan from Swansea. The dirty-blonde man clapped Daisuke on the shoulder with an audible whack, the two continuing down the hallway. Just before turning the corner, the two men heard the girls giggle once more, causing Daisuke to blush even deeper while coaxing a snort from grumpy ol' Swansea.

꒰⁠⑅꒱⁠˖⁠♡--------------------⁠♡˖⁠꒰⁠⑅꒱Feel Free To Point Out Grammar Mistakes And Inconsistencies In The Comments