Hera worked tirelessly until midnight, her focus solely on addressing the Nordaran rival. Finally, she packed up her things and headed home.
As she entered her darkened living room, a sudden movement caught her attention. A figure, clad in a ridiculous panda onesie with pointed ears, sat on her couch, watching TV.
Hera's heart racing, she shouted, "What the—?!" Fear and adrenaline coursed through her veins as she lunged at the intruder.
The panda-clad figure yelped, scrambling to defend itself. Hera tackled them to the floor, pins flying.
Just as she was about to deliver a decisive blow, the panda's headgear slipped, revealing Michael's goofy grin.
"Gotcha, Hera!" Michael exclaimed, his eyes sparkling.
Hera rolled her eyes, laughing. "You're disgusting. What's with the panda getup?"
Michael chuckled, standing up. "Just keeping things fresh, sis. You know, mixing business with pleasure... and ridiculous costumes."
Hera shook her head. "You're gross. And those ears! Are you trying to attract every creepy crawly in the neighborhood?"
Michael adjusted the pointed ears. "Hey, these are stylish. I'm starting a new trend."
Hera snorted. "You're starting a new trend in weirdness, maybe."
Michael pretended offense. "Hey, I resent that. I'm a fashion icon."
Hera playfully hit him. "You're an icon of something, all right."
Michael shot back, "At least I don't wear those awful Calonian scarves."
Hera gasped. "My scarves are elegant!
Michael countered, "Elegant? They make you look like a walking tablecloth."
Hera feigned outrage. "That's it, I'm never sharing my chocolates with you again."
Michael grinned mischievously. "Too late, I already found your stash."
Hera's eyes widened. "You wouldn't!"
Michael chuckled. "Already did. They're amazing, by the way."
Hera pretended outrage. "You're dead to me."
Michael mocked a funeral march. "Dun-dun-dun-dun, Hera's chocolates are gone."
Hera playfully pushed him. "You're such a brat."
As they caught their breath, Hera's expression turned serious. "We have a situation in Nordara. Brief me."
Michael's grin faded, replaced by a focused gaze. "I've got the intel right here."
Together, they delved into the night's strategy session.
***
Hera woke up exhausted and groggy, her body protesting the previous night's late strategy session. She moved slowly and lazily to the kitchen, craving a revitalizing cup of coffee. The morning sunlight streaming through the windows only seemed to highlight her fatigue.
As she reached for the door, a sudden clatter from the garden caught her attention. Hera's curiosity piqued, she stepped outside, blinking in the bright light.
The serene morning atmosphere quickly turned chaotic. A water splash out of nowhere sent Hera tumbling into the mud. She yelped, shocked and disheveled, her hair now a muddy mess.
"War!" Hera shouted, eyes scanning for the culprit. Michael, grinning mischievously, stood behind a nearby water gun, looking like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
"You're going down," Hera declared, advancing on Michael.
Michael took off, laughing, as Hera chased him around the garden. Water guns blazed, and the air filled with shrieks and laughter. They splashed each other mercilessly, mud flying everywhere.
At one point, Hera slipped and landed on her butt, mud squelching beneath her. Michael, trying to stifle his giggles, accidentally sprayed himself in the face.
Hera collapsed onto the grass, holding her sides. "Truce!" she cried, gasping for breath.
Michael, equally exhausted, dropped his water gun. "Uncle!"
Just as they collapsed, exhausted and giggling, Mary and two board members appeared at the garden entrance.
Their faces fell as they took in the scene: Hera and Michael, covered in mud and grinning like lunatics. Mary's eyes widened.
"What... happened?" Thompson asked, choking back laughter.
Patel shook his head. "It looks like a tactical operation gone wrong. Or a reenactment of the Great Mud Wars."
Hera and Michael exchanged sheepish glances, their laughter intensifying.
"Uh, just... stress relief," Hera managed, wiping mud from her face.
Michael nodded vigorously. "Team-building exercise."
Thompson chuckled. "Well, I think you've built a strong team... of mud-wrestlers."
Patel added, "And a compelling case for hazard pay."
Mary smiled. "I think we've found a new corporate team-building strategy."
The group erupted into laughter, Hera and Michael's embarrassment forgotten.
As they cleaned up, Hera whispered to Michael, "You owe me."
Michael grinned. "Already planning the next attack."
Mary chimed in, "And I'm documenting this for the company newsletter."
Hera playfully rolled her eyes. "Great, just what I need. Mud-splattered infamy."
Michael chuckled. "You're just mad because I won."
Hera raised an eyebrow. "Oh, I'm just getting started."
The banter continued as they headed inside, mud-stained and laughing.