Uprising
Page 62
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"I can't believe this," Michaels complained in a loud voice. "A meeting at this hour? Absurd!"
"You've been a member of the advisory council for, what? Two days? And you're already complaining about meetings?" Claudia walked with the newest member, continuing the bickering of earlier in the day.
"Don't try and tell me that this doesn't bother you," he said, wagging his finger at her as they walked.
She got the urge to grab his finger and twist. Instead, she replied, "I understand how important the advisory council's job is. We control what happens in Haven, and such a task sometimes requires odd hours."
Michaels threw back his head and laughed. "Do you really think what we say matters? Even a little? If Citizen One isn't controlling everything, it's Wresh and the rest of the Inquisitors!"
Claudia stopped and glared at him. "That's not true."
"Really, do you think so? Because, you know, I've only been in the council for two days," he said sarcastically. "I can't possibly have noticed how easily Wresh trampled over anything you, Myers, or Dunlevy said."
Claudia fumed. "Whatever." She turned and walked down the hallway towards the elevator.
The feeling of smug satisfaction warmed his temperament, and with a smirk he followed a short distance behind. He knew she'd be in a foul mood, and as much fun as it'd be to exacerbate it-
The thought ran incomplete as Michaels collided with a servant coming out of one of the side Inquisition office rooms carrying a small bucket of water and some rags.
The rags fell harmlessly to the ground. Unfortunately, the bucket overturned, spilling a large quantity of dingy, lukewarm water all over him.
His mood soured again as he was drenched to the skin. Shocked, Michaels looked down at his wet clothing and turned a furious glare up towards his assailant. His anger mingled with surprise and confusion.
"You! Wh-what the hell are you doing here?"
Jeffrey gazed at him with dull, lifeless eyes. "I was cleaning. I'm sorry I spilled. I will clean it up." He awkwardly bent over and grabbed the dirty rags from the ground and dabbed at the damp floor. He stood up and started dabbing at Michaels' soaked shirt with the wet rags.
Michaels' eyes went wide, and he pushed the servant away. "What the hell are you doing? Stop it! Just-"
He stopped as he heard the sounds of laughter from down the hallway. Claudia had turned around, watching. She shook her head back and forth, amused at his plight. Michaels grimaced and returned his glare to the servant, who stood staring off into nothing with his mouth hanging open.
Michaels let out a long sigh. Claudia was hiding a smile behind her hand, still shaking with laughter. "The council meeting won't wait, Citizen Michaels," she called sweetly down the hall to him.
Even though it was said to irritate, he realized she was correct. "Look," he said to the servant, whose name he was too distracted to remember. "Bring me a towel and a dry shirt." He pointed down the hallway to the elevator. "Take that elevator up to the highest floor. I'll be in that room. Go."
The servant nodded and shuffled off down the way, heading over towards the living area. Michaels, still dripping, moved down towards Claudia, who waited in the elevator, smirking at him. After informing the receptionist to allow the servant to come up, he stepped inside. He tried very hard to ignore Claudia, who continued to snicker at his expense.