Someone Didn't Pay the Electric Bill

[out_of_order]

WHO: Cal Kestis, Kaz Brekker, Asterope Glass, Merrin and whoever might want to drop by
WHERE: Not-Temba/Sh'Ka's Power Station and related areas
WHAT: Cal's assembled a team to work on restoring the power and maybe establish communication from the other city
WHEN: End of August to mid-September OMG WHY IS IT SEPTEMBER ALREADY
WARNINGS: Kaz N/A


Basecamp was set up within some of the offices of the power station, with a space for a rudimentary campfire outside if people wanted to heat up food or water to drink or use in general, or just enjoy the fresh air at night. Cal had brought along a couple of portable space heaters he'd cobbled together in case things got too cool inside at night, free for anyone's use.

The first day had mainly consisted of setting up a space for them to stay in and unloading whatever they'd managed to bring by way of equipment and rations, and a bit of territory scouting to see what was available for them. While the water plant, wherever that was, would have to be another project entirely, at least water itself was available, if requiring a bit of a walk from the station. Kyle's buddy system would be recommended, mainly out of concern for the large creatures that have been known to dwell within the wooded areas not far from there.

The power plant itself would be the next thing to look at to see what might need repairs, and if parts would be needed from the other city. Cal had Reeve's notes to share as well as previous experience in working on power restoration for Temba, and the similarities between the cities would make things at least a little easier. The most tedious part would be inspecting the connecting lines to make sure there wouldn't be any damaged areas that might cause problems if they went ahead and turned everything on. This would take the longest time, so the inspections would be divided up in sections, and they'd check back in after each one. The option to swap out between engineers would also be there so no one would be stuck with any one task, and Merrin would be able to bring them back and forth as she got more familiar with the layout of things.

It would be a lot of work and effort, but if there were things worth learning here, getting this done would be a key part to it.


((OOC: Feel free to treat this as a mingle and task sort of thing! Working on stuff? Taking a break? Getting chased by bunnyboars? Dropping off care packages for your hard-working engineers and friends? Do it do it do it! I will post an update on progress once I get some infos~))

Comments

[pleiade]

"A rebel? What kind of a rebel are you?" She's still very curious about him, about how he lives and works and exists, in this strange world, given his background.

Maybe it's easier to concentrate on him than on herself, with everything she's shared and how he's reacted to it.

[in_extremis]

Oh, now, that wouldn't do. She had already stripped Tony of some of his armor, he wasn't about to just start talking about himself for nothing. He gave her a slow, impish grin, like he was waiting for her to realize some mistake she had made in opening that particular door, and when she didn't close it fast enough he answered, "Whatever kind makes your heart beat, sweetheart."

Maybe their worlds weren't as different and she made them sound, and, hey, they both liked music. Presumably. Twinkle Twinkle couldn't have been the only thing that transcended the barrier between Earths. Tony tipped carefully closer to nudge her shoulder with his own in encouragement and tried in a low, lilting purr, "I'd sell my soul, for you, babe..For money to burn, for you.." He watched closely for any sign of recognition as he sang, giddily ready to jump to his feet and belt if she was on board.

[pleiade]

See, here's the thing: when he nudges her, when he makes that one moment of real physical contact, she leans in and rests her head on his shoulder. Like, she knows that wasn't an invitation, but she's taking it as one all the same and here she is now.

"Don't sell your soul, it's worth a whole lot more than you'd be getting."

[in_extremis]

"Oh, uh--..." This wasn't exactly what Tony had expected her to do with an invitation to rock out. Maybe Billy Idol hadn't survived the war where she was from. Maybe she was just very good at communicating the support she actually needed, and Tony shouldn't be taking it for granted, because he was evidently floundering.

After a frozen moment of surprised hesitation, Tony shifted to welcome her more comfortably with an arm draped around her where he could still gesture with a loose wrist hung from her shoulder. "Hey, you can't buy a particle accelerator or a baby bottle without my name on it back home, I've never made a bad deal in my life, I've got this," he insisted, mostly so it still felt light when his voice dropped slightly to ask, "You okay?"

[pleiade]

Asterope? Good at communicating? No, absolutely the opposite. She's unable to ask, but Tony's intuited well enough for himself. That arm around her is just perfect. She relaxes into it, letting out a contented sigh, closing her eyes.

"Yeah, okay. Are you okay?"

[in_extremis]

As long as the information was tactile, Tony was usually at his best, but this signalled very much not okay to him so he was left hesitating again despite his own pre-programmed answer already prepared behind his teeth and forcing its way out with a breath, "Always." Not that he knew how to ask now, leaving him settling his weight on his free hand and awkwardly searching for somewhere else to direct his restless focus, landing on the alien stars again with a distracted frown and idly humming his song so it didn't get too quiet for either of them. He knew he wasn't going anywhere in the dark anyway.