voice

[deem]

Hey guys, can you hear me?

[YoRHa unit 9S, forever uncertain as to whether he's thinking at people properly]

I just wanted to let you know that 2B and I are doing renovations on that old house on the western side of the island. At the moment there's no water or electricity so it's probably not the most hospitable for humans...

But once it's in working order, this'll give us an outpost in this area.

Also we were discussing some hands-free lights for working in the dark. Devices like that would come in handy, right? Are there any other types of equipment you could use? Seems like during our downtime, that's something to work on. Maybe we can also establish what resources we've got at our disposal, too. We're a team and all, right?

[Now that they're not dealing with invading hostiles, it seems to him it's time to put his technical skills to work]

[ooc: Feel free to thread-hop/jack, let's get geared up]

Comments

[talim]

That's a wide generalization. It might be true, but I care about you, you know. You as a person.

[ 9s has indeed frustrated him before, but it was also jude being frustrated with himself. frustrated with his lack of ability to make him understand. ]

[deem]

Yeah, and I care about you.

[Julius did say some friends actually need to hear these things so maybe it's a good idea to state it?]

But I've only ever seen you be kind to people, so I'm pretty sure my point stands.

[talim]

[ that simple statement (and surely a platonic one) has jude blushing to the tips of his ears. he's glad he's on the other end of a telepathic connection rather than face to face for once. ]

... Thanks, Nines. That means a lot to me.

I'll leave you to it, okay? Just tell me if you need anything at all.

[ a pause. ]

Including your jacket.

[deem]

[He's seen enough of Jude turning festive shades of red to wonder what's going on with that... But that's one less instance for him to analyze]

I said I'd remind you, right? It may not be the sort of thing YoRHa would normally do, but...

[But Jude's important, so he'll try]

I'll be okay without the jacket, but I wouldn't mind getting your thoughts on how the house is coming along. The Bunker wasn't exactly comparable to something like this, and I don't know if any of the others'd want to stay here too, but in case they did, I'd want to make sure it's comfortable.

[talim]

Hmm...

[ jude hums in thought. at the very least, this is a good distraction from 9s saying such sincere and heartfelt things. it seems so... sudden, like there was some sort of trigger, a catalyst.

whatever it might be, jude tries to push the issue from his mind for the time being. ]

So are you asking me to come over and take a look? Because that's the impression I'm getting.

[deem]

[There was, of course, some advice he had gotten... Not that he'd point out he asked Julius how to respond to a friend wanting to know how important they were to him.

The more he'd thought about it, the more uncertain he was, until he simply had to get some input]

Well, if you wouldn't mind... When you're not busy, that is.

There's still a lot of work to be done, but I'm pretty used to conditions that're different from this. I don't know what's needed other than water and electricity.

[talim]

[ for what might truly be the 100th time: ]

I'm never too busy for you.

[deem]

[And yet he will continue to never take it for granted]

In that case, let me know when I can meet you.

You're safe from the boars if I'm around.

[talim]

It's a bit of a hike, so how about meeting me halfway?

And I promise I'll be more careful this time.

[deem]

You sure? I can cover ground pretty fast, even if I don't have that pop-up-behind-others trick you've got.

[You kids and your fancy pivots that snap]

[talim]

I'm not letting you carry me again, if that's what you're getting at.

[deem]

That's not what I meant, but was it really that bad?

[talim]

[ jude instantly regrets his choice of words. if only 9s knew how nice it was. ]

... No. Not at all. I just don't want to trouble you again.

[deem]

That's not possible.

[Just a fact, plain and simple]

[talim]

Are you sure?

[deem]

Within a reasonable degree of scientific certainty.

[talim]

[ jude heaves a sigh. there's just no winning with him. ]

Come on over.

[deem]

Alright, give me around ten minutes or so...

This place is pretty big, all things considered.

[For an island floating in the middle of a sea surrounded by The Void]

[talim]

Will do. I'll be outside.

[ and jude is, right outside that navy blue shack of his. ]

[deem]

[True to his estimate, 9S shows up in a little over ten minutes. When he slows from a darting pace that actually causes motion blurs, he shakes some stray leaves out of the pink t-shirt 2B gave him before he approaches Jude]

Weather's not too bad today, actually...

[He glances up at the sky]

[talim]

[ jude just sort of stares at him, looking rather perplexed. ]

I've never seen you in that before.

[ is pink really 9s' color... ? huh. meanwhile, jude's lab coat is missing, but he's wearing 9s' jacket instead. ]

[deem]

Probably because it's usually under my coat.

[Now free of leaves and a twig or two, 9S smooths a hand over the baby-pink material]

2B bought it for me.

[He's legitimately proud of this shirt okay Jude...]

[talim]

[ okay, so whether pink is 9s' color or not, that's still adorable. jude can't help but smile, lips quirking upward. ]

Well, that was... thoughtful. I wouldn't have expected that, but it's. Unique.

[ he looks so... cute. jude is sort of glad he's borrowing his jacket just because elize would be proud that 9s is a true pinkist. he wishes he could meet her. ]

So, we'd better get going.

[deem]

Back where we're from, we talked about something we'd like to do after the war, and...that's what we decided. Buying shirts, I mean.

[Or at least, 9S had wanted to buy her a shirt]

I got her a blue one, but I haven't seen her wear it yet.

[There's no masking a small measure of disappointment, but he smooths it away and moves right along]

So I know you were worried about it, but...it'd still be faster if I carried you. Plus with the boars in the area, the closer you are, the safer you are.

[talim]

[ jude's job is reassuring people; it's just what he does. 9s, of course, is no exception. ]

I'm sure she's just saving it for a special occasion. I know 2B would treasure anything that came from you.

[ in response to 9s' proposal, jude makes a thoughtful sound, staring up at the sky and considering it. sure, it's a little embarrassing, but it is true that they'd get there at least twice as fast, maybe more. ]

You don't have to worry about my safety. But...

[ jude colors light pink, wringing his wrist with his hand in a nervous tic. ]

On your back this time?