"So..." Chris started as he looked at his friend/coworker. "Do we get started as soon as we get to work?"

Frank shifted the guitar that was strapped to his pack. The Persona User was carrying a full load, consisting of his guitar and a skateboard (both hooked to his backpack), as well as his school books. "Well... just give me a few seconds..." The human said as he reached for the front door of his home/workplace.

Both the woren and the Persona User walked into The Reverse Edge, letting the entrance bell jingle as the door swung inward. Frank silently stashed his gear in the back room before coming out with two gray smocks in his hand. The Persona User cleared his throat and cupped his hands around his mouth.

"I'm home!!!" Frank yelled, but not loud enough to be considered rude.

Upstairs in the living area, Neko-Chan's ears swiveled to the sound of Frank's voice. Immediately, she dropped her fish sandwich onto a plate as both her tails began to wave spastically.

"MYAH!!! Frank's home!!!" The Nekomata took off running from the kitchen and into the hallway. The catgirl raced down the stairs, out into the store, skidded around a display, and promptly pounced the Persona User, sending him sprawling to the ground. Chris and Jess just watched the entire scene unfold, and just doubled over in a fit of laughter.

"Meow! Frank!" Neko-Chan looked down at the Persona User that she was perched atop of. "Myah! It's great to see you again! Purr..."

Frank looked at the catgirl and noticed that both her tails were waving around happily. "It's great to see you too, Neko-Chan... but..."

"Myah?" Neko-Chan said in confusion as she looked the Persona User in the face.

"Heh..." If Frank could have, he'd have rubbed the back of his neck at that moment. "If it's not you... it's Kate. If it's not Kate, then it's you. What is it about me?"

"Myah... you're just fun to pounce! Purr... Besides, I missed you all day..." Neko-Chan leaned closer to the Persona User and let out a low purr.

"Heh... that's a good explanation... but... off now? Chris and I have some work to do..." Frank said as he looked back at the purring demoness.

"Meow... okay..." Neko-Chan said as she hopped off the Persona User. Frank took a couple of minutes to regain his composure before hopping up and dusting himself off.

Chris just chuckled as his tail continued to wave in amusement. "At least you only get pounced... Diane tackles me all the time... I don't mind though..."

Jess looked from her son and to Chris as her ears batted slightly. "Anyway... I'm going to rest a little bit... Chris, I'll be back down later to close for you..."

Frank looked at his friend and offered a smile. "So she's having dinner at your house, huh... Good luck man..."

"Heh..." Chris said as he ran a hand through his jet-black hair. By now, his ears and his tail were beginning to twitch nervously. "Thanks... I'm sure it'll go over well... Anyway..." The woren motioned over to the R&D room before tying his smock on.

"Right... the bowgun..." Frank replied as he tied his own smock over his t-shirt, after he had removed his uniform jacket. "I'll get the plans ready... Chris... I'm gonna need you to keep an eye on the front while I do that, okay?

"Sure thing... Hey... When's Diane supposed to be here anyway?" The woren was looking at the Persona User, who was currently sketching the layout of the new weapon.

"About... fifteen minutes from now... Yeah... that's it." Frank said as he gathered some parts for the bowgun prototype.

"Well then..." Chris cracked his knuckles as he glanced at the plans. "Let's get started, shall we?"

Both the woren and the human talked amongst themselves as they cut down parts and such to custom fit the weapon. Sure enough, after fifteen minutes later, the bell attached to the door jingled.

"Heya Neko-Chan..." Diane said as she passed the catgirl on her way in. The female woren grabbed a smock from behind the counter and tied it on as she looked at the Nekomata. "Ya know where Chris 'n Frank are?"

In the development room, both the woren and the human looked at one another, and began to store the plans and the parts.

"Myah! Diane! They're in the R&D room." Neko-Chan said as both her tails waved around.

R&D room? Hrm... I wonder... "Thanks Neko-Chan..." Diane made her way over to the Research and Development room. As she pulled aside the curtain, Frank and Chris had just managed to get everything put away.

"Hey you two..." Diane said with a grin as she leaned against the door frame. Her tail was flicking lightly as she eyed the Persona User and her boyfriend.

"Um... Hi Diane..." Chris said as he ran a hand through his hair.

"Whatcha two doing?" The female woren asked as she glanced around the room.

"Nothing... Just talking, that's all..." Frank replied as he and Chris made their way to the doorway.

"Really?" Diane said as her ears perked. "About what?"

"Nothing important... C'mon... let's get to work..." Chris said as he planted a light kiss on his girlfriend's forehead, before going back out to the showroom.

Nothin' important, huh? Those two are hidin' somethin'... If I kin get one o' them alone... Diane followed both of them out, but was unable to worm anything out of either one for the rest of her shift.

Back to Main | Back to Chapter Index