#rp14

Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency

@drsmokescreen

“I’m bein’ one-hundred percent honest.” The minibot pats at the base of a towering snowman, doing his best to pack the snow in. “Spike says if you put a hat on a snowman, it’ll come to life. There’s even a song about it. My only problem--” he pauses to pick up one of Sparkplug’s spare hard hats and holds it out to Smokescreen, “--is I made him too big and I can’t reach his head. That’s where you come in. What do you say?”

Four hours into the drive, and even Helena had started to question whether Marta’s sanity would make it. The wrappers for every one of the snacks meant to get them both there and back now scattered at the twin sisters’ feet. Marta seemed to shuffle to some new, strange sitting position every couple of minutes. Cue the occasional groan, gazing out the window and drumming her fingers. The only thing that seemed to keep Marta from snapping was the fact that both of their familiars were in cages in the back seat, lounging in the filtered sunlight as the highway rumbled beneath them.

Not that Helena could totally blame her. Though she didn’t show it on the outside, internally she was starting to get a little antsy herself. The last time the sisters had stepped into Josiah’s office, it was solely for the sake of establishing their professional relationship. Beyond that, all communications had been limited to encrypted emails and text messages filtered through Helena’s phone.

Now, apparently whatever Josiah needed to discuss with them completely bypassed addressing it over a phone call and had jumped straight into the territory of meeting in-person. With her sister glowering out the window at the rolling hills and trees, Helena reached over and tapped her shoulder. It was enough to make Marta’s head whip around, brows high and expectant. Helena signed with one hand,

“Come now, Lulu, There’s no point in asking that kooky old doctor for romantic advice when I already offered you mine. If you’re looking for self-confidence, I’m a profreshional--no, I’m the profreshional!”