[Open Video]

[plate_builder]

[The video starts awkwardly, as if whoever is starting it isn't used to using the communicator device. Perhaps for some that might have a very clear reason behind if if they recognize a few details. First of these was that the room the video was being shot in was clearly the Restoration Committee building, also known as the large room for organization that one Reeve Tuesti had set up for rebuilding and improvement plans. Second of these was the fact that there was clearly one Mister Reeve Tuesti sitting on a less than comfortable looking stool facing a table with a surface tilted some thirty to forty degrees up from horizontal, hands moving with a ruler and pencil as his voice mumbled indistinctly to himself and he drew lines on it. And, thirdly, there was the fact that the video was clearly shot from only a few feet above the floor, as opposed to a height that would make sense for anyone that lived here save perhaps the droids and the actual culprit: Mini-C.

The video of Reeve continues for a moment before turning away to face the feline's face as he turns and walks away, a door soon closing behind him and leaving him standing with the communicator camera pointed at himself, still recording, while he sat just inside Reeve's room.]

D'ye ken wha tha was? One ah tha most pathetic sad sack sights me wee eyehs hae evah seen.

[The cat shakes his head and then takes a deep breath. He talks more slowly from then on, clearly struggling to suppress his accent to talk more like his creator's more 'refined' tones. Really, the point is to sound more easily recognizable, he gets that these humans don't always get him]

That's been the sight ah've had of him for two days now. All mah efforts ain't managed to get him to eat regular or sleep enough. Most days it's a mite hard to get him ta take care o'imself. It's a good thin' he made me, cause I take care of him. But ya see, he ain't been all right since a thing happened.

[How weird, that it would be a little robot cat to announce this sort of thing.]

Poe. He be gone. Gone gone this time, ain't no listing on the ships or comms. When Reeve found out, well, ah could not keep him from tryin' ta distract himself. Which meant more work. And less sleep. And less food.

Ah need help. Used ta be ah was a good influence on gettin' him to be careful and healthy and all them wee things that make the big thing that is living as a person. Cept he ain't listening to me no more. What do ah do? Ah need help getting him ta sleep and eat.

Annae advice? Or perhaps can some ah'ya lads and lasses help me haul him inta being himself agin? Or at least gettin' him ta take serious the whole 'food and sleep make humans run' thing?

Comments

[sinistral]

Interesting. [He's sincere about that! Bucky can't recall ever hearing anything of the type, though his memory is not the most reliable.]

So if he's the king, please tell me you're not the court jester.

[plate_builder]

My mother would tell me the stories when I was little. All sorts of fairy creatures. None of them real, sadly.

[Court jester? Reeve snorts as he finishes his piece of bread.]

I don't know. My life is a bit of a joke recently.

[sinistral]

That seems like it would make a pleasant memory.

[Every bite Reeve eats is a victory! The Soldier is glad he'd asked Mini for food suggestions.]

Again I'll ask: how can I assist?

[plate_builder]

[Well that's the bread down, and he needs to finish the soup.]

I don't know how to cure a broken heart. I never have.

[sinistral]

[Still, it's progress.]

I wouldn't know, either. Not the kind of break you've had. [He understands this kind of heartbreak on an academic level and has witnessed it secondhand through others, but the Soldier has found himself unable to experience the kind of attraction and connection that leads to what Reeve currently feels.]

I don't know if anything I could say would be truly useful to you.

[plate_builder]

I suppose company is helpful. Mini doesn't much know what to do with me, as you could see.

[Mini huffed from the bedroom, clearly listening in.]

[sinistral]

I might not be much better. [The Soldier felt it only fair to give the warning.] But I don't mind helping you with food and company, if you will accept my presence. I— have done similar things before. Kept someone company.

[plate_builder]

I will always welcome your company, Soldat. We could both stand to have it from time to time.

[And this was clearly one of those times.]

[sinistral]

Perhaps so. [If nothing else, getting Reeve to eat at somewhat regular intervals should help.]

I do wonder when you will decide I'm too frustrating. Hopefully not before I've gotten you at least some supplies.

[plate_builder]

[This? This was helping too.]

I don't think I could be frustrated by you, Soldat. YOu have been nothing but a supportive friend. And you clearly care.

[sinistral]

[Is this one extremely awkward looking assassin? Yes. Yes it is. Reeve will probably easily pick up on how awkward compliments feel.]

I did partly conspire with your associate. But I hold you in esteem. I wanted to try to help you.

[Awkward...]

[plate_builder]

[Yes, he's seen the same in Vincent before.]

I do not doubt that. Mini conspires far better than I do. I do not know who taught him that. But I thank you. The help means a lot.

[sinistral]

In this specific case, it may not have been a bad thing. I would want him to contact me if you were in danger. Or pain.

[He glances at the door to the other room before looking back to Reeve.]

He wanted you to consider sleeping as well. I don't know how you feel about that.

[plate_builder]

Should I also contact you in those specific times?

[Sleeping wasn't easy though. Reeve sighed and shook his head.]

You must understand, I'm not used to the quiet anymore. I'm used to breathing in the room, and Mini doesn't breathe.

[sinistral]

If you think you can beat your partner to the communicator.

[Mini seems to have more sense of concern about Reeve's person than Reeve does himself.

The Soldier considers that next statement for a long moment before answering.]

Did I not say I could keep you company? If you need.

[plate_builder]

What?

[Reeve's eyes darted toward where Mini was hiding, then started to pat at his pockets. And... Ah.]

OF course he took it. But if you're willing to stay for that, I would thank you for it.

[sinistral]

Hopefully I've not angered him by outing him. But I'm glad he did take it, because I wouldn't have known your situation otherwise.

[Would Mini trust the Soldier after this? Perhaps, but perhaps not. Still, it's Reeve's trust that's more important at the moment.]

I will stay.

[plate_builder]

You've done what you've done for my good. He'll forgive you.

[But the confirmation earns a smile from Reeve.]

Thank you. I just... Might need to get some rest and consider leaving Temba for a bit, while I let myself recover.

[sinistral]

As I hope you will, for my conspiring with him.

[At least Reeve seems receptive to help, rather than arguing. Maybe he's truly more tired than he looks. Or maybe there's a level of trust here that the Soldier isn't entirely sure he's earned.]

I have been working to clear some rubble from buildings in Sh'Ka. If you desire to camp there.

[plate_builder]

I hardly consider feeding me to be conspiring. It is... a kindness.

[No, the man has earned this trust, twice over. Reeve perhaps trusts too easily, but he does trust.]

That... That would be nice. If nothing else, I'm a great portable fire starter. My materia are good for that much. If you'd truly welcome the company.

[sinistral]

I am glad you take it as such.

[Not that he thought Reeve would be mean, but emotional matters can be stressful.]

You have stayed with me before and I had no objection. Why would I change my mind now?

[plate_builder]

Last time you were taking care of me because...

[Wait. Oh, he gets it.]

I suppose that situation was much like this.

[sinistral]

Similar, perhaps. But with a marked lack of falling stone leaves and the need for maintenance. [A thoughtful pause.] Unless you think digging around in my arm would help you.

[plate_builder]

I would not ask for that, whether it would comfort me or not, if it would upset you.

[Because stressing out his friend would be the worst choice ever. He would not approve.]

[sinistral]

If it was a means to help you, I would. But if you are not desperate for that distraction, perhaps it is best left alone.

[For both their comfort, really.]