The newly completed portable laboratory-or portable laboratory corner-welcomed its first experiment in an atmosphere of calm. The exceedingly honored test subject was Ruger himself, while the true heavyweight playing a vital role in the experiment was the great God of Spirit Fur's first assistant for this session, His Excellency Stray Hair One.
"Master, I'm a little nervous..."
A strand of hair trembled at one corner of the old workbench, like an earthworm constantly wriggling.
Sitting on the workbench, Ruger glanced at it, but could no longer be bothered to respond.
Aisijin and Big Silly Hum had already left, along with all those cheerful hairs. They had stayed well away from this roofless laboratory corner in the Bedroom Space to avoid disturbing Ruger and Stray Hair One.
Based on the number Stray Hair One felt confident handling, Ruger selected a patch of hair on the outside of his thigh whose spirituality met the requirements. The good news was that Stray Hair One could sense one more suitable patch of hair than last time. Of course, that number would soon drop again.
"My brave servant, are you ready?"
Ruger spoke in a deep voice. He still remembered all those hairs that had drifted down beside the bed and gone to waste last time.
Stray Hair One gave a sharp shudder, instantly turning from a wavy hair into a straight one.
"Master, I can do it! I know I can!" As Stray Hair One spoke, its confidence faltered a little. "I... perhaps... a few fewer would be fine too. A little more this way, then a little more that way... that would make it a little less. Hmm... we could reduce it a little more..."
Ruger noticed that, in its indecision, it was once again showing a tendency to tie itself into a