[Seasons IC Inbox][un: haagentus]

[godofdust]

You've reached Guizhong! I'm probably busy, so leave me a message, won't you?

Permanent Catch-All Log

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[Action]

[forkeroni]

[Boothill could still see the internal warnings that came with losing a damned arm. Wires and segments had been yanked apart, so while the automatic shut down of his body halted a lot of his vital fluids from leaking out completely, it was still a bit sluggish. It also still too some time for their crew to even get back to the city, so Boothill was definitely a lot worse for wear than he wanted to be. But it could also have been so much worse.

Still, he needed this fixed now and he really only trusted one person in this damned place to do that and he currently rapt his knuckles on her door, bright blue fluid dribbling slowly onto the floor. He leaned against the doorway, his busted arm tucked underneath the one still attached.]

[godofdust]

[Not expecting any visitors and knowing few who would call on her without first calling ahead, Guizhong moves to the door fairly swiftly and opens it expecting to find Zhongli there, or perhaps Wriothesley or Asami.

Instead, she gets a very rough-looking cyborg with oil and other internal fluids soaking down his torso and dripping onto the hallway floor, and her hands immediately fly to her mouth.]

Boothill?

[Oh, of all the..?! It takes a moment for her to recognise that the arm he's carrying is his.]

What happened to you? What are you doing here?

[She takes the arm off him and then gets in under the one he still has attached, taking him into the sitting room. Guizhong appears to keep a clean house, though it's only because most of her mess is confined to the space inside the large, ornate teapot sitting on the coffee table.]

Sit. Sit down. Let me-- Oh, where to even start--

[forkeroni]

's kinda a long story, Miss Guizhong.

[Honestly, he felt really bad now that she was at the door and fussing over him. But he was also just so damn tired by now. His brain actually ran on some of that blue fluid, after all, and it wasn't getting a lot at the moment. Just enough to keep him "alive".]

Sorry for not callin' sooner. Just uh... holy forkeroni, when's the last time I... Nevermind, uh...

[He sat down, rubbing his face. His thoughts were sluggish and all over the place.]

Needed help, Miss Guizhong. Yer the only one I trust to... to... [He weakly gestured to his shoulder and the arm in her hands.] reattach that. If it's not too badly damaged.

[godofdust]

[She looks exasperated for a moment. He could have gone anywhere else - even the Research Centre would have been equipped to take care of this - and yet... he's here now, and hardly looks in any condition to be moved anywhere else.]

All right. All right.

[First thing's first...

Guizhong lifts his hat off his head and places it on top of the teapot, sets the arm down, then she shifts some cushions on one end of the couch and urges him to lay down.] On your side, let's try and stop this leaking... [She sits down next to him and gently moves his hair away from his face, then catches her lower lip between her teeth as she looks over the damage to his shoulder.]

This blue fluid - what is it?

[forkeroni]

[Just because Ellipsa was taking care of the sudden influx of transplants, doesn't mean Boothill is gonna trust such an organization. He doesn't trust a lot these days, but Guizhong was on that list and so, here he was.

He blinked in confusion when she removed his hat, but then he understood what she was doing and laid down on his side against the pillows. He grunted lightly, eyes blinking slowly.]

's what keeps me goin'. [A long filtered sigh.] 'member that I told you I'm a cyborg? Means some part o' me is still human an' organic. [With his good arm, he tapped his temple.] Still got the ol' noggin. Brains don't last long without blood so the doc who did all o' this used a synthetic type fluid that doubles as both fuel and uh... [Hold on, give him a second... ah, yes.] oxygenated blood.

[Which probably sounded worse than it was, so he was quick to add:]

Can usually replenish on my own. Don't think this place has any to spare, anyway.

[So, yanno, even if he needed a transfusion, he wasn't expecting to get one.]

[godofdust]

What I'm hearing is that this is rather important and it would be a good idea for you to not lose any more of it.

[Which is why she has him on his side, though she can see that it's still oozing out of the torn joint and connections at his shoulder at a slow pace. Guizhong's expression scrunches into a wince.]

Are you in any pain?

[While he answers that, she picks up his arm to have a look at the torn end. It looks very unpleasant and there's a lot of damage... Probably the most delicate work she's ever had to do, and it would call for some very precise instruments.

Luckily, she thinks she has just what she needs.]

[forkeroni]

[Well, he wasn't gonna argue with that.]

No pain. Thank fork.

[Because he certainly didn't want to find out just how much pain came with getting your whole arm ripped off other than: A Lot.]

[godofdust]

Good. You stay put right there.

[Guizhong sets the arm down again and stands, then pauses and crouches down next to the couch, smiling reassuringly at him.]

I'm going to take care of you, all right? So try not to worry.

[Then she stands, hurrying into an adjoining room with light steps to grab a few things. She isn't gone long, and she sets everything out on the coffee table and the floor once she gets back again.]

All right... hmm. Now, what to start with... You've made rather a mess of yourself.

[forkeroni]

Yeah, yeah...

[Not like he had the energy to go anywhere now. He just about used up what he had getting here. But, when she smiled at him like that, he sighed and offered her a smile back. No need to get an attitude with her just because he was tired.]

Wasn't worryin', Miss Guizhong. Always knew I was in capable hands.

[He had the grace to look sheepish at her words.]

Not like I fudgin' meant to!

[godofdust]

I'm sure I'd be rather concerned if you'd done this to yourself deliberately, dear.

[She has another look at the arm. Aside from the torn end it seems relatively undamaged, and she supposes she should work on reconnecting all the little tubes and points of contact inside it first of all.

Guizhong picks up a couple of tools. She tucks one behind her ear and sticks another between her teeth, then with the third one her hand she drags the corner of the coffee table close to the couch with the other and perches on it like a stool.]

Tell me if anything feels funny.

[No need to tell him he's probably the most sophisticated piece of machinery she's ever worked on. If she didn't think she could do it, she wouldn't take the risk.

The first thing she does is try to reconnect the tubes that the blue fluid is running through. She clamps each of the ends first and there's very little slack, with some muttered cussing from her as she fiddles with the connection point. Eventually, though, she's able to take the small clamps off and puffs out a sound of relief as the repair doesn't spring a leak.]

I think that is going to be the easiest part... Don't try to move it yet, I've just hooked it back up to your circulatory system.

[forkeroni]

[Boothill knew the drill, this isn't his first repair job nor would it be his last. Although, he would like it to be minor stuff from here on out. So, he stayed still, keeping quiet unless asked a question.

Once the circulatory system was hooked back up, Boothill couldn't help the slight jolt. He certainly felt that one. Nothing painful but a bit like a rush to his head as the blood began to circulate a little better now that it wasn't just going out of him.]

Oh, fudge... felt that. 'S a good thing though, don't worry, darlin'.

[godofdust]

[She does flinch a little when he jumps, then lets out a small giggle.]

Goodness. You almost gave me a fright.

[Guizhong gives his hair another soothing pet, briefly rubbing the side of her thumb against his temple. The poor thing. Even if he wasn't in any pain he still looked utterly dreadful.]

It's going to get a bit trickier now. Just stay very still.

[Whoever designed him to begin with was an artist, to be sure, but with the way his arm had been torn off it isn't a case of simply slotting things back together.

Guizhong works quietly and diligently for the next hour or so, reconnecting the frayed ends of wires and delicate cables. Her brow is almost permanently furrowed for the duration, and every now and then as she uses her unusual set of tools there is a small spark of golden light.]

Try to move your fingers. Very carefully now.

[The shoulder is still not fully connected to his torso, just a mass of exposed wiring that has been painstakingly soldered back together.]

[forkeroni]

Sorry 'bout that.

[Obviously, he didn't meant to startle her too. Boothill couldn't help but still himself when she pet his hair, soothing it back a touch and rubbing his temple. She was a compassionate soul, she was. He wasn't totally used to it, and it reminded him too much of his past, but he couldn't find it in himself to stop her either. Even his doc was weirdly nice for the work she did.

Once the hour passed and he felt like he was going to fall asleep (he didn't need sleep but keeping still was boring, okay?), he blinked himself into a more alert state when she spoke. His always locked on eyes moved to his arm and then to her.]

You know, you can take a break. I ain't goin' nowhere.

[Still, he did as told. His fingers moved slowly and with stilted movements, it was to be expected as hands and fingers were always a bit harder to fine tune. But, the fact that he could move them at all was a good sign.]

[godofdust]

Hmm...

[She frowns as she watches the way his fingers move. Not what she wanted to see, but more or less what she expected given how much of a mess his shoulder is in.]

Don't be silly. I've started and I mean to finish.

[But she is getting a little cross-eyed looking at all these wires. Guizhong leans back and rests her weight on the heels of her hands, closing her eyes and rolling her shoulders slightly to try and ease some tension out of them.]

Perhaps I should fetch something to drink, though. Can I get you anything?

[forkeroni]

I said take a break, not forkin' stop altogether.

[Boothill huffed, chancing a moment to prop himself up on his elbow. He may not feel tension and stiffness like that anymore, but he wasn't really wanting to be horizontal the whole time.]

Got anythin' with alcohol?

[godofdust]

[She clicks her tongue against the roof of her mouth.]

If I had not spent the last hour trying to reattach your arm to your body, Mr. Boothill, I would say you should not be drinking alcohol in your condition.

[And she's still not sure, but maybe his body processes it differently? He's clearly not... human, or not entirely human in any case. While he shifts position she absent-mindedly pats his head, running her fingers gently over his hair.]

But I believe that I have some osmanthus wine. Someone dear to me enjoys it, so I always keep some available.

[forkeroni]

[Wine? Well, he shouldn't complain. She was patching him, as she said. So, instead of making the face he wanted to make, Boothill nodded.]

Guess I can try it. Not typically a wine person. An' don't you worry 'bout havin' alcohol like this. This body o' mine will just process it as fuel.

[He couldn't even get drunk anymore. Boothill didn't lift his hand to move hers in case it messed up the still messed up parts, but he did tilt his head a little.]

What's with you and my hair, missy?

[godofdust]

Ah hah, well then.

[That sounds like a good thing rather than something to worry about, but before she can move to get up he asks her that question and she settles back into place, giving his hair another light pet.]

Mm... You've had a very rough day, and whether you were afraid or not, I think that someone who has had that kind of day deserves a little bit of comfort. [Gently, she tucks his hair behind his ear.] And I would dare say I have grown rather fond of you.

[forkeroni]

Trust me. [He started with a slight huff, working himself upright and making sure not to move his arm as it was still in the process of being repaired.] I've had worse days than this.

[Much worse. But, her last sentence had him sputtering slightly and he felt his cheeks even begin to warm. Why was a cyborg who couldn't cry be able to blush? Who knows, aside from that cheeky mechanic having a sense of humor probably.]

F-Fond o' me?

[godofdust]

[As he moves she clicks her tongue and fusses, propping a few cushions under his elbow so his shoulder isn't carrying any weight. Can't have everything being supported by a few wires and tubes, undoing all her hard work!

Then she looks at him and laughs, his surprise at her fondness of him bringing a spark of genuine joy, and she gently pats him on the head.]

Of course, sweetheart. What, do you think I put in this kind of work for just anybody?

[forkeroni]

W-Well, no! But I...

[Boothill wasn't sure what to say to that. He allowed her to fuss over his arm, taking those few minutes to consider his next words.]

I ain't nobody to be fond of.

[He had friends and acquaintances, of course. He teamed up with that Knight of Beauty a few times now and even earned himself a six hour lecture once. He had enjoyed working with Dan Heng and now lived with him here in Ellipsa but... thinking someone was fond of him was just not something he considered.]

[godofdust]

Nonsense.

[She smiles at him and then pushes herself up straight, moving off to get the wine and a glass. Since there's still work to do she won't be partaking herself, though she does get herself some water.

Osmanthus wine had been a favourite of Morax's when she was still alive and she had been lucky enough to be able to procure it here, but he doesn't think he'd mind her using some for this.]

Now, here you go. [Guizhong offers him the glass.] You can tell me when to stop pouring.

Holiday Present Delivery

[soundsperfect]

[Guizhongs got a new set of tools (cause you can never have enough spares) and a miniature airship that she can dismantle and build.]

Event - Wrapped in Gold

[forkeroni]

[Boothill looked down at himself once he noticed the glow. The biggest one was on his chest, at his heart. It seemed to come out of the seams of his metal body. Actually, all of his joints and parts where things could be connected were glowing faintly. His lips curled in distaste.]

Now what in tarnation is this s'pposed to be? I ain't s'pposed to glow, I ain't no firefly.

[godofdust]

It's not- oh!

[Guizhong is glowing as well. Her steps falter as she looks down at her body, a shining line slashed across her entire torso from hip to shoulder. She puts her hand to it with a troubled frown, then reaches out to take Boothill's hand in hers.]

It... it must just be part of the tests. We'll manage.

[forkeroni]

[He can't help but let his eyes linger on that slash across her body like that. Boothill had an idea what that was now that he got a different example of the same phenomenon. But, instead of saying anything, he nodded and lifted her tiny hand in his to pat gently.

Then, they moved forward toward the old castle ahead. A heavy feeling began to sit on him the closer they got, a feeling he was all too familiar with. Boothill clenched his jaw and ignored it for now.

Until...

`Is your time here really more important than your hunt? What would she think?`]

What the fork-?!

[That was his voice.]

[godofdust]

[She tries not to think about it, but he might see the way she brushes her hand against the glow as if she's trying to remove it. When he pats her hand she looks up at him with a weak smile.

Guizhong isn't afraid, but it's difficult to not feel ill at ease as they get closer to the castle. She jumps slightly when he suddenly speaks up, having grown used to the silence, and frowns at him slightly in confusion.]

What is it..?

[forkeroni]

[Did she not hear it? Boothill frowned as well but shook his head.]

Nuthin'. The castle just givin' me the jeepers creepers, I guess.

[What exactly did these place want from him? Constantly bringing up his past. Like he could ever stray from his Path. Pfft.]

[godofdust]

[She frowns, holding on to his hand a little tighter.

Had she heard it? She'd heard... something, but the word weren't clear. Maybe she was just too distracted by the glowing line scored across her entire torso.]

Should we keep going?