[Seasons IC Inbox][un: haagentus]

[godofdust]

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

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[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.