“Makes sense if you’ve ever met a koala,” Lunis stated. “They’re happy no matter what.”
“Are you inferring that happiness is linked to intelligence, or lack thereof?” Evan asked absentmindedly, his attention on the device in his hand as he played Animal Crossing.
“If that were the case, you’d be as happy as a lark,” Wilder joked.
“Studies have proven that there isn’t a correlation between intelligence and happiness,” Mahkah explained from his place sitting cross-legged on the floor. He was also using an electronic device—a Kindle e-reader. “However, it’s important to note that those with higher IQs have more avenues for finding and maintaining happiness. They have the ability to find coping mechanisms when things are hard. There are many factors to consider, like the fact that higher intelligence usually results in better health, which would lead to better life satisfaction.”
“Would you stop reading Psychology Today?” Evan teased, still playing his game.
“You make some excellent points, Mahkah,” Mama Jamba said from her place on an elegant chaise lounge next to the roaring fire on the opposite side of the room. “Many believe that ignorance is bliss, but that’s not usually the case. Less knowledge means fewer options.” She went back to sketching on her notepad, which was always with her lately.
Trin strode into the sitting room and paused in the doorway at the sight of all the dragonriders lounging and playing on devices. At her heels was the cyborg dog, NO10JO. “I brought you all some refreshments.”
“Thank you.” Sophia stretched and put down her phone.
Trin’s gears made noise as she set the tray of finger food down on the coffee table.
“Oh, let’s watch the video on angler fish,” Lunis said with his head still hovering over Wilder’s shoulder.
“Trin, if Sophia would move over, then you could take a break and play games with me,” Evan offered as he stretched out and took up more of the sofa.
Sophia shot him a scowl. “I couldn’t take up any less space here, Dork Face.”
Trin shook her head. “I prefer not to use devices.”
“Oh, because you have one in your head and all?” Evan insensitively asked.
Sophia slapped his leg. “Show some respect, would you?” She knew that the cyborg was still—always—sensitive about the fact that she was mostly composed of wires and bolts and magitech.
“I am showing respect,” Evan stated. “I’m pretty certain that Trin knows she has iPhone technology in her as well as other handy-dandy stuff.”
“They aren’t as handy as you think,” Trin said dryly.
Evan straightened and pulled his feet off Sophia. “I think it’s marvelous. You’re way cooler than the rest of us.” He patted the couch, automatically calling NO10JO over. “I mean, look at this guy. He’s the best dog in the world. Not boring like all those other animals who can’t do cool stuff.” He affectionately patted the dog on the head, and a moment later, NO10JO transformed into a foot stool.
Evan let out a howl of satisfied laughter. “See what I mean! He’s awesome and thoughtful.” He glanced at Sophia. “He knows you’ve been hogging all the space on the communal couch and is trying to help out. Isn’t that sweet?”
“He is thoughtful and knows that I’m about to cut you if you put your feet on me one more time,” she threatened. “That dog is trying to keep you alive.”
Evan nodded and redirected his attention. “It’s okay though, boy. I would rather have you than the convenience of a place to put my feet up.”
With a poof of sorts, NO10JO shapeshifted back to his usual form with bolts and metal plates and wires.
“That’s nice of you,” Trin said, her voice suddenly sensitive.
“Well, I’m nice,” Evan stated smugly. “Just ask my wife. She’ll tell you that I’m the best lover in the world. Very giving.”
Wilder laughed. “You haven’t seen her since your wedding day when you got married and left her on Roya Lane five minutes later, according to Sophia.”
“But we sealed the deal with a passionate kiss,” Evan argued.
“It was a handshake,” Sophia corrected.
When Evan reached for a cream cheese and cucumber sandwich, Trin’s robotic hand stretched across the several feet separating them and slapped him. He pulled his arm back and gave her a look of offense.
“What did you do that for, woman?” he asked, his eyes wide.
Her gaze took on one of surprise. “Oh, well, you didn’t wash your hands first.”
Sophia eyed the housekeeper and read something else under her expression.
“Evan hasn’t washed his hands in three decades,” Wilder stated flatly. “How is today any different than any other?”
“Ha-ha,” Evan said with no humor. “And my hands are plenty clean.” He gave Trin a careful look as he reached for a sandwich again. This time she didn’t slap him, although the look of irritation was still heavy on her face.
“Oh, there’s a new branch of Amazon that’s come out of Roya Lane,” Sophia said while reading a press release from the House of Fourteen.
“Like you need anything to further your Amazon addiction,” Evan teased and put his feet back on the couch, taking up most of the space again.
“I do,” Sophia stated. “And this will make impulse buying even better. Wild, didn’t you say you needed a new pair of shoes?”
He glanced up, obviously engrossed in whatever he and Lunis were watching on YouTube. “Yeah, what are those cool shoes that all the kids are wearing? Didn’t you call them Converse something or another?”
“Yep,” Sophia stated. “They’re Chuck Taylors. What size are you?”
“You should know that about your man,” Evan quipped.
“Your wife doesn’t know what your last name is,” Wilder insulted.
“Well, she knows the important stuff,” Evan countered.
“Like to stay far away from you, as evidenced by the fact that you haven’t heard from her since the wedding done for purely logistical reasons,” Wilder stated.
Trin let out a high-pitched, sudden laugh that was completely uncharacteristic for her. When everyone, including Mother Nature, gave her strange looks, her face turned red and steam spilled from her ears. She rushed from the room while muttering something about smelling something burning.
“Anyone else sense that something isn’t right with Trin?” Wilder asked.
“Or everything is right with her and she’s dealing with things the way humans do,” Mama Jamba offered.
“By having steam shoot out of our ears?” Evan asked. “That seems more like a way that a dragon deals with things.”
“These are nostrils,” Lunis stated, then huffed and made smoke issue from his.
Wilder waved the smoke away while coughing. “Hey, buddy. Can we not do that when we’re sharing screen time?”
“Sure thing,” Lunis agreed. “Let’s watch the Zefrank video on hummingbirds. I can imagine the weird facts we’ll learn about their mating habits and killer ways with their knife beaks.”