Pepper looked at Wilson and was happy to see a small grin had formed on his roommates face. He shifted his weight in his seat and felt the fae crystal in his pocket. The lightbulb came on and he felt as if the moment was a perfect opportunity for the two to share the special occasion together.

  “You wanna help me install this fae crystal?”

  Wilson didn’t display a huge amount of emotion, but rather shrugged and titled his head. “Sure.”

  The two got up and made their way back over to Mala. Pepper grabbed hold of the railing and was about to step up onto the metal stairs when he paused. He looked down at his hands and then looked over to Wilson’s.

  “Say… you want to do me the favor of removing Mala’s power core?”

  “Sure.” Wilson replied again.

  His roommate started to make his way up to the metal platform that granted them access through Mala’s side rib cage panel access. Pepper had redesigned the interior core portion so that the chest and back metal plating were one solid piece. He had welded two cross beams to reinforce the center plating but left both sides as the main access points.

  Pepper was tempted to try and outsmart his competition by placing his rune cards in other portions of Mala’s body. The extra size allowed for far more opportunities to do so, but Pepper didn’t feel confident enough to take such a risk in a new league with competitors he had not fought against yet. Everything up to that point was focused on the central cores of the golem’s being maintained in the chest / upper torso portion, and Pepper decided to leave it as such.

  Pepper watched as Wilson leaned his head in and began to exam his work. “You could do a better job at cable management.” Wilson chimed in.

  Pepper formed a deadpan expression and the comment chaffed against his spirit. “Yeah… I know… I didn’t want to waste time and…”

  He didn’t have a chance to finished as Wilson cut him off. “Cable management is never a waste of time. If anything, it’s the pinnacle of efficiency in regards to time management and the return on your investment.”

  “The pinnacle of efficiency…” Pepper softly said with a long sigh at the end. He couldn’t argue with that. He knew he had wasted some time in preparing the nightmare variation for Mala, and with the Regional Invitation getting closer every day, he regretted not being more proactive.

  “Torx screwdriver.” Wilson instructed him.

  Pepper couldn’t help but notice the firm tone that was added to Wilson’s statement. He quickly shifted over and found the hand tool and then passed it up to his roommate. Wilson’s small hand reached deep inside the golem core and his body twisted around to get at the hard to reach brackets.

  Eventually Wilson slowly guided the Dark Matter – Hellion Light out of the access panel. He handed the core over to Pepper and they both walked over to the counter and set the powerful device down. To Pepper’s surprise, Wilson grabbed hold of the core and turned the card onto its long edge. The far end and two small area’s that looked like port adaptors. Wilson’s finger tapped on the upper portion.

  “Here… your fae crystal will install right here on the fusion wall.”

  Wilson handed the core over to Pepper and he simultaneously retrieved the fae crystal out of his pocket. He slowly guided the crystal down. A strong sense of satisfaction as each of the items had been fabricated with perfect measurements.

  “Engineering done right.” Pepper muttered.

  “You can say that again.” Wilson softly added.

  There was a soft audible click as the crystals adapter base set down inside the cards port docking area. Pepper then pointed to the front and back portions of the power core. “This is where I connect the cross-relay to right?” He asked.

  “Yeah, the tubing runs through this Hexidrive valve here, and here.” Wilson added while pointing to each side of the adapter.

  “Crap… I don’t think I have any extra Hexidrive tubing here in the workshop.” He paused and sighed. “Screw it, I’ll just run down to Jay’s and crab a small foot of it. Even if I screw up on the measurements, that should give me plenty of extra in case I need to recut a piece, or two.”

  Pepper was about to move on to re-installing the power core when Wilson stopped him. “What are you planning on using for runes?”

  Pepper didn’t hesitate in disclosing such information to his roommate. The likelihood that they would be selected to face off was slim to none. “Well… I was planning to use the same ones I had used for my KBVS match. A Koto Force Blast, a Dark Dwarf Energy Strike, and my Modified Dark Dwarf Gravity rune. I picked up a Centaur Elemental Expansion Rune and am planning to modify it by adding in a small piece of Titanium alloy number 5. Additionally, the Celestial Enchantment is going to basically serve as a psyonic defense rune.”

  “Because you don’t want to waste two rune slots by having a psyonic rune, and a psyonic defense rune and just want the general protection the Celestial Enchantment offers.”

  Pepper snapped his fingers and finished them off with a finger pointed towards Wilson. “Precisely.”

  To his surprise, Wilson quickly turned around and climbed back up the metal steps and looked inside Mala’s access panel. “Well, if you’re going to the store, then we should pick you up some copper mesh compression cable wraps as well.”

  We? Pepper thought to himself. But, he ignored that part and curiously asked about this copper mesh product. “Why would you suggest that?”

  “Well… for starters. The Celestial Enchantment rune does act like a psyonic defense rune. It will protect you by roughly 40-50%. Which isn’t bad. However, if you add a splicer adapter onto the enchantment rune, and solder it to the copper mesh compression cable wraps, it will basically add a protective barrier over all your cables. This can increase your defensive protection to a rating of roughly 80% effective.”

  “Holy crap…. I hadn’t even thought about that.”

  “But.” Wilson lifted his finger up and slowly closed his eyes. His head rolled for a brief moment before he continued. “We then add a second splicer adaptor and connect your Celestial Enchantment and Elemental Expansion rune together.”

  Pepper’s eyes widened and his mind instantly realized what Wilson was getting at. “The elemental expansion will then have psyonic properties infused within it as well!”

  “Precisely. Not only can you expand the titanium alloy into items, such as a shield or hammer. But now they will be infused with psyonic effects and can act as an offensive imbued weapon.”

  Pepper was practically speechless and could feel the excitement coursing through his body. “Dude! This is a whole other level of epic awesome dope… ness!”

  “I know. Now you know why I love TCG so much. Little details can make a big difference.”

  “No shit Squints! This is huge.” Pepper reached up and ran his fingers through his hair. “You know what, let’s just head to Jay’s now and grab these items. This is giving me a whole new surge of energy and I wanna ride this wave of momentum as long as I can.”

  “Okay.”

  Pepper started to grab his things and prepare to leave when he paused. “You wanna come?”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah, come on! Let’s go grab this stuff and make an adventure out of it.”

  There seemed to be a slight delay in Wilson responding. A slight sign of hesitation and nervousness came over Wilson’s expression until he added. “Can we also swing by the card store on our way back?”

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  “Sure.”

  Pepper practically didn’t even get his reply out when Wilson was practically racing down the metal steps and out the workshop door. “I have to get my wallet!” He called back while bursting through the workshop door.

  The buzz podz arrived and picked them both up. Pepper had a slight feeling of regret that he couldn’t ride his bike down to Jay’s. But the excitement in Wilson’s face helped erase it and he made it a point to enjoy the moment as it was.

  The more he reflected on the moment, the more he appreciated having Wilson around. It didn’t take long of reflecting through the memories for him to realize how the friendship dynamic of the house had changed from what it started out as. Having Wilson come spend time with him in the workshop, reminding him of a key piece of insight he had overlooked, made their connection even deeper.

  A slow turn into the parking lot of Jay’s supply store and Pepper keyed in on something that he normally wouldn’t have noticed. Everyone is drinking Big D Energy… He turned from left to right, Every person he saw either entering or leaving the store seemed to be carrying, or consuming one. Okay seriously? That kid has to be 7 years old, there is no reason…

  He didn’t even get a chance to finish his thought when the automated voice notified them. “You have arrived at your destination.”

  “Come on, let’s go! The quicker we can be out of here the faster we can get to the card store!”

  Pepper couldn’t help but chuckle. The fact that Wilson was starting to be more comfortable with adding emphasis and emotion to their conversations only left him enjoying them. “I’m coming, I’m coming.” Pretty sure the card store isn’t going anywhere Squints.

  As soon as he finished his thought, he realized his parental mode was re-engaging itself. A small knot formed in his stomach. He quickly tried to divert course and avoid taking another step in that direction.

  They walked to the door and a slight decompression sound hissed. The entrance doors slowly gliding open and they were greeted by an audible sound which played overhead. “Gnomes Rule!”

  “What was that?”

  Pepper looked directly down the aisle and tried to read the signs to best determine which route they should take to get the items he needed. “I dunno, some automatic greeting or something.” Pepper had kept his gaze focused towards the depths of the store when Wilson’s statement pulled him away from his focus.

  “Woa… did they make your face big enough?”

  “What are you talking….” Pepper slowly turned to see what Wilson was referring to and became speechless when he saw it. A ginormous cardboard cutout of his face gazing down upon the entry way. He immediately recognized the photo from his time spent with Avway, but that wasn’t all.

  Someone had modified the image to where it appeared he was holding a special can of Big D Energy. A bright beaming smile on his face, which he was pretty sure was also edited. But it was the added white bubble text box added just over to the side of his face that made his blood boil.

  He didn’t wait another second and immediately tapped his holodex to life and video called Ryan. To his surprise, the video call only rang twice before his old neighbor answered the call. A split second later his screen loaded to show Ryan with a giant smile on his face.

  “Ryan!”

  His neighbor was wearing a large straw hat, black sunglasses, and a giant white coating of sunscreen over his nose. “Of hey there Pep, whatcha got going on down there aye?”

  “What do you mean, what? Look at this!” Pepper immediately punched the button to switch the camera around and showed the giant cardboard display.

  “Oh, I know right, it’s awesome isn’t it?” Ryan finished with an even larger smile than when the call had started.

  “Are you serious? I love having a full 12 incher?”

  “Well, I know for me personally I prefer the big girth can, but we can easily get that swapped out for you Pepper if you want.”

  “No Ryan, that… Ahhh! That isn’t it. You know what… forget it, just… just forget it.”

  “Well, you know Pep, most people tend to prefer the larger Big D’s. But if you want, we can shrink you back down to the average size.”

  “It’s… this… this has nothing to do with the size of the can Ryan.”

  “It doesn’t? Huh, well now I’m super confused, aye. You know, it’s not always how much Big D you have, but how often you’re enjoying the Big D. Some people prefer having it morning, noon, and maybe a midafternoon dabble, that is… depending on the work schedule.”

  “Ryan… just… look, I get you want to use me as a poster boy, and I really appreciate the sponsorship and the commissions and everything. But can we please just, not manipulate photos, or, you know… make references to the size and frequency of… Big D?”

  Ryan smiled as if it all clicked. “I get it… this is a self-esteem thing. You’re self-conscious about how you look. Just so you know Pep, you don’t need to worry about a thing. You’re one handsome fella there and you got nothing to worry about.”

  “Self-conscious? You think, that I think, that I am ugly?”

  “Well, you know, I uhh… it isn’t?” Ryan reached up and removed his sunglasses as a giant confused expression came over him.

  “No… I. Uhh… I am referring to how similar your advertising is towards the… male… appendage.”

  Ryan’s confusion quickly shifted to that of distorted disgust. “Pepper for the love of good old Canadian syrup and gorgeous moose. Can you get your mind out of the gutter and stay focused on what Big D Energy is. I thought we were having a professional conversation here aye, and here you go bringing up an erect wrench… being full-torqued, mid-torqued, or not being torqued has nothing to do with our energy drink.”

  “Of really… then why is everything always… referencing…”

  To Pepper’s surprise he didn’t even get a chance to finish as Ryan cut him off. “Aye… you listen here Pepper. I love having you a part of Big D Energy. But I am trying to enjoy the first vacation in years. A large part of that is from you and how great people are responding to you. Now I don’t know if this is some kind of joke or something, but please remember that the D stands for Duck… not… the other thing there aye. Now, maybe you’ve had a little too much Big D and need to take a break. Too much of a good thing is a bad thing, don’t you know.”

  They said their goodbyes and Pepper took a deep breath. He felt his jaw clench and he quickly turned away from the eerily giant display of himself. “Come on… let’s get this over with.”

  “Okay…” Wilson added.

  They started to head further into the store and Pepper was shocked when he swore he overheard a kids voice call out to their parents. “Mom, there’s the Big D guy.” It didn’t take more than a second for the parent to respond. “Sure is hun.”

  Please don’t come talk to me… please don’t come talk to me. He said in a mantra for the rest of their walk to the aisle they needed. He finally turned the aisle but skidded to a quick halt as he almost ran right in to the store owner.

  Jay yelled out with wide eyes. He immediately grabbed hold of his chest and took deep breathes. “Sweet corn on the cob kid, you practically scared me half to death.”

  “Uhh, sorry Jay. I should have taken the corner slower.”

  Jay waved his dismissively and appeared to be recomposing himself quickly. “Oh, you’re fine. It just startled me. Not as bad as that giant poster board of your face though. Ha!” Jay finished with slapping his hand against his leg.

  It’s almost as if he knew I hated that photo… He thought to himself as he narrowed his gaze on Jay. “Ha… ha.”

  Jay snorted and shook his head. “Anyway… so, what brings you in today?”

  Pepper snapped his hand and pointed his finger over to Wilson who was quietly standing just off to his side. Wilson pressed his glasses further up his nose and calmly answered. “Copper mesh compression cable wraps, and some hexidrive cross-relay tubing.”

  “That stuff.” Pepper immediately stated once Wilson was done.

  Jay smiled and then pointed behind them. “Aisle 37, about mid-way down and you’ll find the copper mesh. Then bump up to Aisle 18, right side, closer to the front and should be next to the valve couplers.” Jay started to slowly walk off. “I’d show you but unfortunately have to go deal with something. You guys take care and be sure to come swing by again soon.”

  “Thanks Jay.” Pepper replied.

  The two headed in the direction Jay had guided them and found the items with little difficulty. Pepper’s arms were fully loaded as they made their way towards the checkout stand. He stood there in line and his eyes caught sight of the cooler filled with Big D Energy.

  Screw it, why not. “Hey Squints, why don’t you grab us two Big D’s and through them up on the belt.”

  “Okay.” Wilson opened the door and then paused. “Which flavor should I grab?”

  “Whichever one you want man.”

  Pepper would soon regret that decision. Wilson had practically finished his can by the time the Buzz Podz arrived to take them to the card store. His roommate was practically bouncing up and down and talking a mile a minute.

  “I’m really need to pull the latest trap card that was in this latest release.” Wilsons head snapped from one side of the car to the other. “Or! If I could grab a demonic material card, Void Plexium! Infercassium! Scortanic! Uhhhhhhh.” Wilson’s body melted back into the seat of the vehicle. His face looked like he was practically drooling over the thought of opening up the packs of cards he intended to buy.

  “You know what though… a new golem wouldn’t be bad either! Get Dimi’s Frost Dragon! That is the last golem I need to complete my entire dragon collection! Especially if it’s an ultra rare diamond inlayed prism holographic numbered collector’s edition!” Wilson had his finger pointed up in the air as if he was making a declaration to the universe. His face was riddled with strain as he had practically exhausted all his oxygen by making the statement.

  Wilson took a giant breath, but noticed they were turning in to the parking lot of the card store. In the blink of an eye, he lunged for the large glass paneling of the buzz podz. His hands planted firmly against the window while his nose and face smooshed as close as they could.

  “We’re here!” Wilson exclaimed and started to act as if he was panting like a dog.

  I’m never giving him caffeine again. Pepper thought. “I’ll wait here.”

  He wasn’t sure if Wilson had even heard him. The door had not even fully opened and Wilson was out the door and sprinting towards the store as fast as his legs could carry him. Pepper leaned his head back and felt it come to a rest on the back of the seat.

  He could of swore he had just closed his eyes for a second, but the next thing he knew, Wilson came clambering back in. “We can go, we can go, we can go! Bwahahahaha.”

  The look on Wilson’s face was practically diabolical. Pepper could have sworn that Wilson would have set the world on fire if it meant he could get another few packs of cards. Pepper just watched as Wilson plunged his hands into the plastic bag. Wilson’s fingers gently wrapping around the first pack of many and he brought the foil package in front of his face. “They’re mine! All mine! Bwahahahaha!”