Stress Test Anon Part 11

>Surprisingly, neither Lulu or Sammy seem to care all that much about the fact that your apprentice is a woman, instead being glad that you're finally getting the help you need there.
>Sammy laughs when you point this out, "Master, it's not like you chose a woman specifically" she says with a slightly exasperated tone "Lulu and I both know you well enough to know that you'd never do anything to hurt us if you can help it, Master" She says before booping you on the nose.
>"Have you met her yet?" Lulu asks, and despite what Sammy had said, you've know Lulu long enough to be able to hear her trying to hide the nervousness in her voice as clear as day.
>"Ah, not yet" You reply, trying to keep the fact that you noticed Lulu's worry hidden "I was only informed that I'd be taking her on after I clocked out yesterday, I'll be meeting her the day after tomorrow when I head back in" You explain.
>"Ah, that reminds me, are you feeling up to going shopping with us tomorrow, Master, we do still have to visit Maryanne after all, may as well kill two birds with one stone?" Sammy chips in, giggling as she sees you cringe at the reminder of the upcoming chewing out you're more likely to receive from Maryanne.
>"May as well," you groan in a manner that is not at all petulant "Just rip off the Band-Aid quickly, as it were"
>The rest of the night is spent on casual conversation and a lovely dinner with the three of you enjoying some of your backlog of Our Sleepless City before going to bed.

>"IS THIS YOUR IDEA OF A FUCKING JOKE!" Maryanne roars as soon as she sees you, stomping over with a look that would probably kill you if looks were capable of doing such a thing, grabbing you by the collar and dragging you down to eye level as soon as she's in grabbing distance, her robotic arm holding you firmly in place.
>"Please, Madam, remember your blood Pressure" A worried Voice says behind her, and you barely recognize the Nandroid that Tobias had tried to use against you.
>Gone was her Maid Dress, replaced with a Sterling Standard issue work smock and jumpsuit, with her hair done up in a top knot rather than a side braid.
>"Oh, Hello Mr. Anonymous!" Lucy says is a chipper tone as she notices you are the Person Maryanne is holding in a death grip "Are you the "Prettyboy moron" Madam has been ranting about all week?"
>You almost fall over as Maryanne suddenly releases you, turning around to glare at Lucy, who sheepishly chuckles in reply.
>Deciding to save yourself any further pain, you begin to speak "Ah, it was either give her to you or let Tobias have her, because there's no way I could have reasonably taken her on" you explain calmly "No offense, Lucy"
>Lucy shakes her head "No no, it's perfectly reasonable, Maryanne has told me a lot" at this she seems to slightly fidget "Would it be possible for me to meet Lulu?" she asks with obvious trepidation.
>Before you can say a word, the Doors to Maryanne's shop open and Sammy happily strides in, Lulu following close behind "Master, The Groceries have been loaded into the Car, has Maryanne finished throttling you yet?" Sammy asked with obvious humor, giggling to herself as Lulu let out a sigh, though they both stopped cold at the sight of Lucy.
>"Ah, hello" Lucy says awkwardly "You must be Lulu"
>The Tension in the air is sudden and palpable as the two of them approached each other.
>Finally, Lucy speaks.
>"I'm so sorry for all the trouble I caused you and your owner" she says, regret clear in her voice.
>Lulu surprises you by shaking her head and taking Lucy's hand "You aren't to blame for that at all" she says firmly "There's nothing you need to ask forgiveness for"
>Lucy smiles before hugging Lulu, who after being shocked for a second hugs back.
>Unfortunately for you, the heartwarming scene is broken when Marryanne sees the cane you're leaning on and the fire leaps back into her eyes.
>But despite the chewing out you mechanic friend gives you, you can't really feel all that bad.

>The woman standing outside of your office next to Bradbury is only about a head shorter than you, her auburn hair done up in a neat little bun and her work attire lacking a single out of place thread.
>Soft Grey eyes immediately scan your face as you approach, though she's doing her best to keep her face neutral.
>"Hello Bradbury, I assume this in my new apprentice" you say in the same clipped businesslike tone you always use when talking to the uptight woman.
>"Indeed, I'll leave you to your introductions then" She says before turning to the woman "Just make sure that you send all the Paperwork to the proper places, Ms. Ozmond" she says flatly before leaving the two of you.
>Rolling your eyes at the woman's retreating back, you turn to your apprentice and give your best attempt at a charming smile, but as it isn't Lulu or Sammy on the receiving end it probably comes odd as more of a grimacing smirk.
>"I'm Anonymous, and for the time being I'll be your mentor" You say, trying your best to be welcoming "Today will mostly be overlooking protocol and work safety, but if we can get through everything quickly enough we might have time for a Stress Test before clock out"
>"Ah, it's a pleasure to meet you Mr. Anonymous! I'm Dorothy Ozmond, and it's a pleasure to be working with you" She says in a honeyed voice dripping with enthusiasm
>"Please call me Anon, and I'm sorry to sat that you'll not be seeing and scarecrows or cowardly lions here Ms Ozmond, just a whole bunch of tin men" You say in an attempt at humor, only to receive a confused blank stare in return.
>"You know, like in the Wizard of Oz?" you ask
>"Ah, I've never seen that film unfortunately" Dorothy replied, immediately making you feel very old despite the fact that the woman couldn't be any more than five years younger than you "And I'd be ever so happy if you could call me Dorothy, Anon" she said kindly
.>"Right, then let's get to work, Dorothy" you say before opening the door to your office and letting her inside.