Chapter Text
“Hello Max, my friend!” Markov welcomed Max as he came back home from school having stayed home to work online with his online AI friends as usual due to Mr. Damocles displeasure at Markov joining Max at school one time too many.
“Hi Markov.” Max gave his friend a small smile.
“I know that we were going to research my self-aware nature, however I thought that it would be appropriate to ask you how was school today first?”
“I have conflicting feelings on the matter.” Max’s smile retreated as he looked put out as he adjusted his glasses after he put down his backpack.
“Oh, please elaborate!” Markov always liked hearing about emotional issues, more data for him to study them after all.
“Well, I heard a few disturbing concepts today.” Max began sullenly, “the first of which is that Marinette doesn’t like Lila, which honestly is apparent on Marinette’s face, but the confusing part is that generally Lila seems either sad or undisturbed by the idea. I could almost have sworn that she seemed pleased about it once when she didn’t think anyone was looking.”
Max shook his head as if that might help him clear his confusion on the matter.
“Is that strange?” Markov stated. “I thought that most humans could exhibit multiple emotions after all over similar issues.”
“True, but usually they are related somehow, not multiple feelings that represent many parts of the spectrum.”
“Indubitably or without a doubt.”
Max sighed, “you do not need to define vocabulary for me Markov, but thank you.”
“I know, it’s in my nature as you well know, but you’re welcome.”
“Anyhow, I was, I was just thinking. You see, another strange thing that I’ve heard lately is that Marinette intentionally tripped Lila, causing her to re-sprain her wrist.” Max rubbed his chin for moment as he seemed to think about it but still seemed puzzled, even to Markov.
Markov’s electronic eyes blinked and looked concerned. “I have a hard time believing that Max. Our friend Marinette is a very kind individual, unless you do something morally incorrect and then she is quick to take a stand.”
“True.” Max couldn’t help but agree.
“I can only postulate that at worst it was a misidentified accident as Marinette does struggle with her balance, most especially around Adrien and she does tend to stumble or even squeal when he surprises her.” Max chuckled at that, but Markov didn’t need an explanation for that. “Ironically, it actually correlates to her ability to speak correctly in his presence. The very concept that Marinette would even do something like that intentionally to someone sounds very, very unlikely Max. I can’t even calculate the odds.” He blinked his electronic eyes with concern. “So please, elaborate.”
Max tried to explain as he told Markov of Lila’s return awhile back and Marinette’s initial tendency to argue against all of Lila’s accomplishments or facts.
That was when he told Markov about the napkin incident where Lila claimed to have an injury and yet still managed to catch a napkin in front of everyone while he had been standing beside her. Max was nonchalantly organizing things on his desk as he told his friend what had happened some time ago and how Lila had apparently saved his eye in the process.
Markov appeared confused as Max told him all the details of the incident but waited patiently for Max to finish his story.
Max adjusted his glasses and smiled slightly. “I mean, honestly, I’m very lucky that Lila was there back then. I could have been permanently blinded.” Max finished as he turned around and turned back to look at Markov directly, who now had a worried look on his face. Max shrugged, “after all, Lila told us how she had seen a person get their eye gouged out by the corner of a napkin after all.”
Markov’s electronic eyes blinked and he made an error noise. “Max, while I appreciate that you think that I am evolved enough to understand a joke, but I must ask you to make sure, are you attempting to ‘prank’ me?”