When Luna saw her idol standing there in the flesh, she thought she might faint.
For a moment her heart felt like it had stopped.
Dominic Wyrmsworth was a person she had dreamed of meeting since she first picked up a soldering iron for her first drone, was here.
At first, the shock had nearly overwhelmed her, but once the dizziness passed, excitement flooded in.
’I got to see the schematics of her work. I actually got to see it,’ she thought, hugging herself inside.
The thrill of getting a peek into Dominica’s designs alone was worth it.
Even if things felt strange, even if Lucius seemed wary, she couldn’t deny this was a dream come true.
’And all I had to do was show her my burner project,’ Luna thought, shaking her head in disbelief.
She wouldn’t show her current project, and she doubted that her idol showed her current project too... everybody liked to keep their cards close to their chest after all.
That was nothing compared to what she had just gained.
With Lucius’s help, she had been slowly setting up an online shop.
Their watchers had been pushing her to do it for a month now, begging her to sell her prototypes instead of just showing them off on streams.
Thanks to their endless donations, she could now say with confidence that her first proper line would be ready by the time they went on their next raid.
Now, after getting a glimpse of Dominica’s systems, Luna realized just how much more she had to learn.
Her drones were clever, yes, but they were still rough.
Dominica’s designs had refinement and experience.
Luna bowed slightly, her face hot with admiration.
"Thank you for showing me your project. They’re as amazing as always."
Dominica’s lips curved into a smile.
"And so were yours. I never really caught your name," she said softly, tilting her head.
"Luna..."
But before she could finish, Dominica blinked.
Her eyes widened, as though a lock had just clicked open in her mind.
"Oh, so you’re that popular streamer," she said with a sudden smile, one that seemed far too knowing.
She pressed a button and the projection around them flickered off, plunging the lab into a softer light.
"I’ve heard plenty about you. In fact, I’ve even watched some of your streams."
Her gaze shifted toward Lucius. "And I’m guessing that must be your boyfriend."
"...Right." Luna forced herself to smile, even though the directness of the question threw her off. "That’s Lucius."
Dominica’s smile widened. "It’s nice to see two talented people sticking together. I hope your relationship lasts long."
Her tone was warm and encouraging as if she really wished it.
But then she leaned closer, her lips nearly brushing Luna’s ear, she whispered words meant only for her.
"If you aren’t feeling it anymore," Dominica whispered, "I’m here for you, sweetheart."
Luna’s entire body went rigid. Her breath caught.
For a moment she thought she had misheard.
But no, she had heard it clear.
The words rang in her ears, echoing too loudly.
She turned to stare at Dominica in shock.
Wasn’t she married?
Happily married, if the interviews and articles were anything to go by?
Why would she say something like that?
Lucius chose that moment to step forward, with a proud grin on his face.
"Thanks for offering to help her out in making her drone. Really, it’s appreciated." His arm slid around Luna’s shoulder as if to emphasize his point. "But I have plans with her right about now."
Dominica only tilted her head.
"I don’t want to get in the way of any of your plans," she said smoothly.
Already, she was pulling her disguise back on, slipping the hood over her hair, sliding her glasses into place.
"But I’ll be here if Miss Luna wants to find me."
That was it.
The two of them left the lab together.
The moment Luna stepped back into the cooler air of the shop, her body sagged in relief.
She hadn’t realized how tense she’d been inside that lab until she left it.
Her stomach twisted with unease.
’I don’t know why, but she made me feel... uncomfortable,’ Luna admitted to herself.
The whisper, the smile, the way she looked at her — none of it felt like the woman she had admired for so long.
I guess our role models aren’t all that we chalk them out to be, she thought grimly.
Disappointment welled in her chest.
But she forced herself to shake it off.
Who cared? In the end, she had gotten what she came for.
She’d seen enough of Dominica’s systems to inspire a complete upgrade to her own drones.
That alone was worth the discomfort.
Lucius glanced at her as they walked out. "So are we going to continue shopping or...?"
"What shopping?" Luna asked, grabbing his wrist and tugging him along so suddenly he nearly stumbled. "I’ve got a brand-new idea! I need to get home and plot it out right now!"
Her voice bubbled with energy.
Lucius groaned inwardly, dragged along like a stubborn dog on a leash.
’Great. She’s inspired. That means more sleepless nights, more solder burns, and more stress for me.’
Still... he smiled. At least she hadn’t sacrificed her project.
She had even managed to get something from Dominica without handing over too much.
She would probably rebuild her drone stronger.
It was a win.
But a win that meant more stress for him.
’Seems like I’m never escaping this stress,’ he thought bitterly. ’Hopefully there isn’t another cringe moment waiting for us out there.’
The thought no sooner crossed his mind than Luna barreled straight into someone just outside the shop.
She collided hard, almost bouncing off the person’s chest.
She stumbled, blinking up at them.
The man was wearing a suit.
Not just any suit though, it was was sleek and metallic like armor.
It looked like a miniature mecha had been slimmed down into formal wear, which was actually smart
"Ah..." the man blinked in surprise. His eyes landed on her face. "Who the hel... Luna?"
Lucius dragged his hand down his face.
’Called it.’ he thought in despair.