OFF Color 21

         312 sighed, putting a hand on xi’s head. Today had not been a good day. Not only had the alarm gone off twice, but xi’s boss had come back injured. Xi had been forced to attend to her wounds, which weren’t all that severe, though she’d acted like she’d been dying.
         On days like this, xi had to remind himself why xi was doing this. Though Lotu was a tough boss, often abusive, she always made sure those that assisted her got the most sugar. Xi grinned, thinking about those days she was in a good mood. She’d always given xir an entire bag of sugar. Xi smiled at the memory.
         Xi turned the corner, headed to the kitchens. Though xi would much prefer sugar, Lotu was not in a giving mood today, so xi had to make due. There should be something nice in the kitchens: perhaps some sweet apples or cherries. Xi grinned, thinking of the juicy fruit.
         Locked in his daydream of sugar and fruits, xi swung the kitchen door open. Xi gasped at the sight of the Batter, but that was all xi managed to get out before a bat came straight at him.

         “Oh my god, that was 312,” 126 gasped. “No, this is bad. This is very bad. Lotu is going to be furious.” Xi put a hand on xir chest, trying to control xir breathing, but xir’s panic was getting the best of xir.
         The Batter glanced at xir, then back at the body on the floor. He sighed and bent to pick up the unfortunate Elsen. With a grunt, he scooped xir up and lay xir next to 126 on the counter.
         “At least we don’t have to worry about running into xir anymore,” he said. “I’m going to make my way to the roof. You should stay here.”
         126 nodded, removing the bag of peas from xir head. “Be careful,” xi warned. “Lotu is not as easy as she looks. But your bat is gray, so you should have an advantage.”
         “Thanks,” the Batter replied simply. “Take care of yourself.” With that, he was gone.
         126 watched him leave, the door swinging behind him. This whole thing was his fault, xi realized was a frown. But if anyone could beat Lotu and put everything right it was him.

         The ride up the lift was frustrating. The Batter sighed, waiting for the numbers to scroll. Something told him this wouldn’t be the same fight he’d had at the mines.
He swung the bat a few times, preparing himself. He might have felt better if his add-ons were still with him, but there was nothing to be done about that right now. The Judge might have some advice for him regarding this. But right now was not the time to worry about whether or not he would do well without his add-ons. Right now was the time to prepare.
         The lift sped along, the numbers speeding by. 999975, 999985, 999995…this was it. Floor 999999 pinged, and the doors slid open. This was it. He took a deep breath and stepped off onto the roof.