Mikhailis tilted the small vial in his hand, watching steam rise as if the brew inside held whispers of morning. The faint sunlight streamed through gaps in the lab's ceiling, painting warm stripes across his desk and illuminating specks of floating dust. He took a careful sip, allowing the tea's warmth to slide down his throat, gently erasing the last lingering traces of sleep.
Stretching back in his worn chair with a contented sigh, he let his eyes roam the cluttered room. Books stacked haphazardly leaned like tired soldiers, while vials of various colors glinted from their shelves like distant stars. The quiet hum of the room's machinery made him smile faintly, each whir and click feeling familiar and soothing.
"So, Rodion..." he began, a playful smirk quirking the corner of his lips. He tilted his head slightly, looking at the empty air as if the AI had a physical form floating nearby. "How's our wonderfully fruitful plan doing today?"
