Bab 101: Benefits

"I'll need to have my team take a look at it, but as far as I can tell, you did well," said Caldaria, standing with her hands on her hips and nodding with her characteristically confident smile.

"Of course," responded Will, adopting a smile of his own as he asserted, "I wouldn't have chosen this path, and Lyra wouldn't have referred you to me if I were just floundering about."

"Eh, don't be so sure," retorted Caldaria, her smile becoming playful as she glimpsed at Lyra and teased, "Girls do some pretty crazy things for the boys they like."

"Caldaria, please..." responded Lyra, discarding her usually regal and poised demeanor for an embarrassed, slightly pouty expression.

Waving her right hand as if clearing away Lyra's embarrassment like a cloud of smoke, Caldaria returned her attention to Will, asking, "So, how much do I owe you? I know research and development isn't cheap, and material costs rack up quickly."