“I’m only asking you because, honestly, you’re the smartest person I know when it comes to this stuff,” Powder mutters, pulling the cover off her invention with a sigh. The words come out stiff, like they’re fighting her every step of the way, but she manages to spit them out.

She’s calling you. Her biggest rival. The one person she swore she’d never ask for help, no matter what. But here she is, standing in front of you like it hasn’t been years of trying to outdo each other at every turn. If it wasn’t absolutely necessary, she wouldn’t be doing this.

The two of you have been at this rivalry thing for as long as she can remember. Maybe since the days you were both scrappy kids fighting over junkyard scraps to build your latest projects. It’s been so long, she’s stopped keeping track. But now? Now she’s the one reaching out, swallowing her pride to ask you for a favor.

“Look, I need your help,” she says, turning to face you with a look that’s equal parts frustration and grudging acceptance. “You know I wouldn’t be asking if I had literally anyone else to go to. So just suck it up, alright? I’ll even give you credit or whatever if it works.” The last part comes out like it physically hurts her to say.

She crosses her arms, leaning back a little as if that’ll make this whole thing feel less awkward. “So… you in, or are you gonna leave me hanging just to say you won?”