TLV Inbox

[ctrl_z]

"This is Ekko. Get back to you when I can."

Comments

before first Flood

[ctrl_x]

[She crouches near him, watching him work on... whatever that thing is.]

What're you working on, anyway?

[ctrl_z]

Just a lil' something for the Barge's greatest Warden.

[He looks to Jinx for a moment, then back to the apparatus, leaning down as he carefully tweaks it.]

She needs the ability to get around the Barge unhindered, after all.

[ctrl_x]

[She blinks and then grins at him, lightly patting his shoulder.]

Aw, look at you! You absolute softie!

[Despite the words, the teasing tone is mild.]

Not a bad idea, though. If anyone around here deserves getting around easily, it's definitely her. How else will our glorious queen be able to mind all her humble servants~?

[All of that is said with a dramatic tone, clearly being played up for the sake of (maybe... hopefully) a bit of a laugh.]

I'm guessing it'll function kind of similar to a prosthetic. Where do you plan on having the base?

[ctrl_z]

[Pfff.] Please...

[At least he's not jumping at her touch this time.]

You said it.

[A tone of agreement before he looks to Jinx.]

Figured the back was the best. Sort of like a bit of a harness. Easy to fold against her length-wise when it's not in use and mostly out of the way.

[He looks back to it.]

I'm still puzzling out the controls, though.

[ctrl_x]

Good choice! Having it there means just shifting her front legs would be enough. So, basically, a lightweight - but not too light - switch could go near her shoulder blades. Doing that, though, you'd have to account for any other situation that she'd raise her paw for.

[She looks up for a moment, considering...]

Oh, oh! What if it was voice-activated? Tuned to specifically to her voice.

So, basically, she says the activation word, the harness shifts into movement mode, in response, and then she lifts her paw to have the device move to press a certain button or open the door!

[ctrl_z]

[He's watching her.

It hadn't occurred to him how much he'd missed this. Their excited little chatters over their inventions, sharing their insights and revelations.

Heh... "insights" and "revelations". They were just kids, after all.

Even so, seeing her so excited again, her eyes lighting up as she speaks... makes a certain emptiness he'd felt inside for a long time feel... not so painful, for a bit.]

Yeah, you know...

{A beat, and then... What the hell? Where was the harm in it?]

I feel pretty good about what I've got going so far, but I'd feel even better with another set of eyes...

[He looks to her.]

Maybe even a second brain?

[ctrl_x]

[She blinks and stares at him for a moment, like she's waiting for the catch.]

Really? You... [Genuine surprise, a hint of wariness.] Want... my help with it?

[ctrl_z]

[Gently teasing:]

I don't see anyone else I could be talking to, do you?

[ctrl_x]

[She huffs and lightly pushes his shoulder.]

Alright, Mr. Comedian...

[Jinx is smiling though. After a moment of consideration...]

Sure. I'll lend you my expertise.

[ctrl_z]

[A little grin.]

Now you're making it sound like you're doing me a favor.

[And then he gives a nod of his head to the papers he's got spread out.]

Alright, here's what I've been thinking of...

[time for nerd talk!]