After a brief discussion with a Lifer in the labs, Tuck was well on his way to checking out a W-type golem. There'd been a flyer slipped under his door asking for volunteers for this particular golem, and after getting the rundown he was ready to go.

Herryk was even more excited.

<It will be fun.>

I'm sure - but you're gonna have to entertain yourself, I got minipet duty and they're real assholes about it if you run late. Not that I've ever been late, but --

<Theodore.>

Tuck slowly tapped his information into the W-type pod, brow furrowed with concentration.

Okay, okay.

The pod hummed to life, and there was a building excitement thrumming in Tuck's skull until suddenly, it was gone.

Tuck wasn't sure what he was expecting, but when the pod hissed open and a very large, very dark, very long-haired brawny man stepped out wearing a loincloth and boots and aught else, Tuck bit back a laugh.

"Now you behave yourself. I'm going to situate you in the minipet lab with me while I do some work, and you can even help if you want to - just. Don't go scarin' everyone, dude. I don't know if... well."

Herryk was all white toothed-smiles and rippling muscle.

"It is good, yes? This is Herryk, and this is also Herryk's fine body - and does Tuck not enjoy Herryk's chain of runes? Just as it is on weapon-Herryk, so too it is on golem-Herryk."

He beamed at his bonded, reaching out to robustly clap the other man on the shoulder. Tuck wheezed quietly under his breath before taking a step back, a huge smile on his face.

"Yeah, man. It's.. real awesome. Lets go, like I said, I got work to do and they're --"

"Real assholes if Theodore runs late. Herryk heard."

The draugr took a moment to straighten his cape before running a broad palm over his jaw, looking intently introspective as if contemplating something world-altering.

"What?"

"Herryk's cheeks are very scratchy."

Tuck rolled his eyes and placed a palm against his weapon's back, urging him forward with a slight press.

"Dude. Lets go."

The trip to the labs - particularly to where the minipets were kept - took no time at all. However, it was filled with a million questions.

"Herryk would like to see the beach. Can Herryk go to the beach? Hmm? Does Theodore think that Herryk can visit the haunted house in this golem-body? Can Theodore and Herryk spar while Herryk is in this golem-body? Would that not be fun, Theodore? Does Theodore want to race Herryk on the beach? Herryk would win, but there is no shame in such a thing."

"Maybe next time we can go to the beach - or if you behave this time around, you can go to the beach yourself. Dude, do not go to the haunted house or we are never doing this again. Did you see how much it costs to fix golems? Five thousand dollars to start. You hear me? It would take me like, I don't know, like two or three years to pay that back. Same answer for sparring, Herryk - ain't gonna happen. It would be fun, but I don't want to run the risk of something happening to either one of us. Next time we can run on the beach, okay? Just remember we only got an hour before time is up, and an hour is just long enough for me to do some s**t cleaning before running you back to the pods or however the hell this works."

Herryk's steps slowed, and he eventually came to a stop in the middle of the hall. A small lab tech scurried past, eyes wide and mouth open.

Tuck squared off in front of Herryk, jaw clenched. His brows slowly crept skyward, one arcing higher than the other.

A huge smile broke across Herryk's face. He gave the other man a knowing look, blue eyes glowing bright.

"Theodore is afraid."

Tuck's eyes narrowed. "Ain't afraid," he scoffed, sounding entirely too defensive. "I just want you to be careful. If things go wrong, they probably ain't gonna give us a second chance. Besides, this is an opportunity for us to make some extra money. That's always good, right?"

Herryk tossed his dark hair over his shoulder with a flourish before giving Theodore a knowing look.

Tuck's eyes narrowed further.

"Fine, Theodore, yes, fine. Theodore is not afraid or nervous or worried. Theodore is on a schedule."

The draugr held up his hands.

"Yeah. Theodore ... I'm on a schedule. Now let's go."

It didn't take long for them to reach the minipet labs, and the instant the draugr saw them he nearly combusted. The furry ones seemed to particularly draw him, and as Tuck got to work cleaning out the various tanks, Herryk kept the minipets occupied.

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