#sticky!!!

Chewing his bottom lip thoughtfully, Felix nodded. ‘’I know one thing for sure Boss. It’s sticky...’’.  With a curious expression on her face, Briar leaned forward slightly, getting closer to the unidentified puddle. ‘’Do you think it’s dangerous?! It smells good, I’ll give it that’’. Reaching a hand down, Felix dragged one finger through the gooey liquid, before lifting it up and examining it closely. ‘‘It tingles a little, but in a good way? I think it needs more experiments done though, We have like lab equipment right?’‘. 

As Briar went to reply, another voice interrupted her suddenly. ‘‘Ah, Captain. Might I inquire as to what in Law’s name is going on here?’‘. Jumping to her feet quickly, Briar turned and waved cheerily to the newcomer, pointing her free hand at the strange substance. ‘‘We found a puddle, Felix and me! So we’re trying to identify it, see?’‘. Felix piped up helpfully from the floor; ‘‘It’s sticky!’‘. With an sudden plot forming in his head, Max fought to keep himself calm as he watched the scene in front of him. 

‘‘I see. Did you think to wear gloves before touching it? Or perhaps, to bring a testing kit with you, or maybe even to ask someone else what it could be?’‘. As Briar shook her head happily, Max groaned loudly, dragging a hand down his face, pinching the bridge of his nose dramatically. He continued. voice strained slightly. ‘‘I’m well aware you didn’t ask, because if you had, I would have told you, and we wouldn’t be having this discussion.’‘. As he paused to take a breath, Felix piped up again, his tone joking and light. ‘‘Ah ew Max, was this you?? I wouldn’t have gone near it if I’d known, eugh, gross!’‘. 

Briar snickered softly, causing Max’s face to redden slightly. Clearing his throat, he threw a bottle of water at Felix, catching him in the chest with a satisfying oof sound as the air was knocked out of him. He allowed himself a small smirk before continuing. ‘‘That happens to be a rather old, rather potent batch of Raptidon acid you’re playing with. Parvati and I were looking into it as a way to clean some of the old grease off of the engine to lower the risk of it catching fire spontaneously. But I’m glad you found it entertaining, Mr Millstone. I’d wash that finger sooner rather than later if I were you. It takes a little while to get going, but when it does, well. I’ll just say I’m very glad I’m not you right now...’‘. 

As Max finished speaking, Felix stood up shakily, face suddenly pale, clutching the bottle of water to his chest like his life depended on it. After a second, he ran, sprinting for the stairs headed for the bathroom with a terrifying speed. Max watched him go and nodded, satisfied, before turning back to Briar, who was gazing at the space Felix had been occupying with a look of open mouthed horror. Clearing his throat, he spoke again, in a much softer tone. ‘‘I lied.’‘. Briar shot a confused look at him, prompting him to continue. ‘‘It isn’t rapt acid. I lied. It’s just some drying Purpleberry punch, see? The bottle rolled over there. I dropped it earlier, I was just coming back to clean it up now’’. 

Upon seeing the disappointed, upset look on Briars face, Max felt a twinge in his chest. After a second, he dropped his head slightly, inexplicably ashamed. ‘‘I’m sorry Captain, I mean, Briar... I’ll tell Felix the truth, once I’ve actually cleared this up...’‘. Briar didn’t reply, she just giggled softly. Snapping his head up, Max looked right at her, eyes registering a wide grin and playful eyes as she giggled again, barely able to contain the tidal wave of laughter she was fighting to keep down. ‘‘You knew all along. Well played Captain, I must say I didn’t expect that from you at all’‘. After her fit of laughter subsided, she struck a triumphant pose, hands on hips like a comic book hero. ‘‘I had you going there, huh Max? Of course I knew, what, you think I just don’t have a sense of smell or something?’‘. Max grinned back at her, her pure smile was infectious and even he wasn’t immune. Shaking his head, he picked up the bottle. The whole thing was sticky. 

I decided to try something a little different, but I’m not sure how well it works :/ 

Idiot in Chief, Captain Briar Marriet is here! I’ve not written her before, but hopefully this reads okay. I hope you like it :D