Victor Valentine Character Story 1 (with Marion)

[iridesenescence]

Location: Lab 02

Victor: ... Another failure. The recent experiments to produce ability-type crystals have all been rather fruitless. 

Hm... Perhaps I shall seek Nova’s opinion. 

Location: Lab 03

Victor: Nova, pardon my intrusion.

Jacqueline: Ah~! It's Victor-chama~!

Victor: Oh? Hello there. Were you organising the lab with the cleaning robots, Marion?

Marion: It’s nothing as sophisticated as organising. We’re just tidying up, since Nova always makes such a mess. 

Anyway, what’re you doing here? Nova isn’t here, so if you needed him for something, that’s too bad. 

Victor: I came to hear Nova’s opinion on some experiments I was doing... But you say he isn’t here?

Hm. Since you’re around, I presume Nova intends to return soon. After all, you would have no reason to be idling away here otherwise. 

Thus, I shall wait for his return. 

Marion: Your habit of making deductions like that is gross. 

Jack: Marion, guests should be warmly welcomed... 

Marion: ... This guy is no guest. 

Jack: Victor, shall I brew you an espresso?

Victor: Ah, thank you as always. Please do. 

Jack: Please wait a moment...

Jacqueline: Jacqueline will help out too~!

Victor: Marion, would you like me to assist with the organisation of the shelf? I believe I’m more well-versed in Nova’s research. 

Marion: Don’t enter my line of sight, you. 

Victor: My, you’re in an even worse mood than usual. Is it because Nova didn’t shower you in affection?

Marion: No, it’s because of you. 

Victor: Oh? But this is hardly the first time we’ve been alone together — not by a long shot. 

Marion: Things are obviously different from other times. 

I’m stuck with you twenty-four seven now. At least spare me from seeing your face on my off days. 

Victor: Hm, I’d say twenty-four seven is somewhat of an exaggeration. We conduct patrols separately, and I spend most of my time in the lab. 

It’s true that we see each other on a daily basis, but the amount of time we actually spend together... 

Marion: Augh, forget it. That part of you is gross. 

How about taking a moment to think about other peoples’ feelings before opening your mouth... Right, I guess that isn’t possible for you. 

Victor: Hm... 

Jack: Apologies for keeping you waiting. 

Jacqueline: The cup is hot, so be careful~!

Victor: Thank you very much. 

... Fufu, the espressos you two brew is always delicious. 

Jack: Thank you very much.

Marion: Well, of course. Jack is perfect at everything he does. 

Victor: (Indeed, because he’s programmed that way. That’s how robots are.)

(... Is what I would like to comment, but I suppose anything I say will only further displease Marion, so it would be best to stay silent.)

Jack: Victor, please make yourself at home. 

Marion, could you pass me that bag?

Marion: Sure. ... Can I throw this out? I think it’s meant to be trashed. 

Jack: Everything on the floor is unneeded. If they are not cleared out periodically, they will just keep piling up... 

Marion: Gotcha, then I’ll trash it all. Nova always falls asleep on the floor, so we need to make sure it’s clean. Though sleeping on the floor is unhygienic in itself... 

Victor: It’s almost as if you and the robots are a family, Marion. 

Marion: What?

Victor: Ah, pardon the sudden comment. It slipped out, since your conversation was the spitting image of an average family. 

Marion: We are family. Nova, Jack and Jacqueline are my family. 

There’re lots of people who go visit their family on their off days, aren’t there? So that’s why I’m here. 

Nova’s always busy with his research and rarely leaves the lab, so I thought I’d be able to spend some time with him and the others here. but... 

Victor: A father who shuts himself in his lab, hm? Fufu, that’s tough to deal with. 

Oswald was the same. Nova and I used to head to his lab to play... 

Marion: There you go again, talking about Oswald. That grin of yours is gross. 

Anyway, can't you do something other than research, at least on your off days? 

Victor: Something... other than research? Hm, perhaps like substance collecting?

Marion: Isn’t that part of your research too? Honestly, the fact that researching substances is your hobby is seriously weird. 

Jack: Marion, I have received a message from Nova.

“Something urgent came up, so I don’t think I’ll make it back to the lab anytime soon. Sorry.”...

Marion: I see... Well, things always turn out like this, so whatever. 

Victor: (Marion’s eyebrows are more creased than usual. It would appear that he is disappointed.)

(And it would seem I, too, have lost the chance to speak with Nova.)

Marion, it appears neither of us will be able to fulfill our objectives. 

And at the same time, it seems I now have unexpected amounts of free time. Whatever shall I do... 

Jack: What about heading outside for a change of pace? 

Victor: Heading outside, you say...?

Hm, that could be nice. It is often said that occasional breathers are necessary. 

Yes, let’s see... What about going bug hunting to obtain research specimens? 

Jack: Very well, I will prepare the nets and bug containers...

Jacqueline: It would be nice if you could join him, Marion-chama~!

Marion: No way. I’m not going. 

Victor: Marion, a change in atmosphere may help dispel frustration and sadness. ... Of course, I say that as a general statement. 

Marion: No, I’m not sad or anything... 

Jack: Getting along with your roommate is an important part of cohabitation, you know... 

Marion: Still. I’ll never go bug-catching. 

Victor: Then I assume you have no objections to simply purchasing them? Specimens can be procured from stores, after all. 

Marion: Wha? How did we end up...!

Jack: Take care and have a safe trip, Marion!

Jacqueline: Have a safe trip~!

Marion: ...... 

Victor: (It seems he struggles to oppose the cleaning robots. Fufu, he’s just like a child.)

Well then, Marion. Let’s enjoy a meaningful day off, shall we?