[Video]

[out_of_order]

[A flare of light, a glimpse of sky. A groan in pain and a perhaps familiar if panicked beeping.

There's a brief glimpse of the little bipedal droid as he dashes by while the tablet settles, still propped up at an angle, although at most they only capture the edge of a pair of boots.]

-ow, ow... Great timing as usual. Yeah BeeDee, I'm fine, I'm-

[The boots shift, accompanied by an off-screen hiss as Cal sucks in a sharp breath, and for a moment he stills, a thoughtful silence settling in. It's broken by BD-1's scrabbling about, pausing before his boxlike head dips down to peer directly into the communicator's camera. He hoots inquiringly.]

...Hm? What is it, buddy?

[Those boots drag themselves off-screen, and then the camera moves as it's picked up. Cal frowns a moment before his brow eases with a weary smile.]

Hey Temba.

Comments

[text]

[in_extremis]

That's what you've got? 'Hey Temba'? You're grounded. I'm grounding you.

[out_of_order]

[Look, he'll take the time to text just for you.]

Best I could come up with while my brain settled.

Sorry. How long?

[in_extremis]

Honestly, it sounds like we should ask BD, you're freaking him out, too, he should make the call.

[okay, okaaay]

Long enough. Maybe a week. Do you remember?

[out_of_order]

I am apologizing profusely to BD as we speak.

A week? Yeah, that's long enough around here. I'm...remembering. It's like another lifetime.

text;

[sinistral]

Rough landing?

[out_of_order]

Rough everything. Still alive. Can't complain.

[sinistral]

Alive helps. But sometimes it hurts like a bear.

[out_of_order]

Yep. Sure does.

[Having a hole in you definitely underlines that.]

[crystalmaster]

Uh, hi. Are you okay?

[out_of_order]

Been better.

[crystalmaster]

So what happened?

[out_of_order]

Oh, you know, infiltrate enemy fortress, reclaim stolen artifact, find out you've bitten off far more than you can chew and hastily make your escape.

[Video]

[only_an_echo]

BeeDee? Cal.

You look awful.

[That's it, that's the greeting.]

[Video]

[out_of_order]

[Cal snorts lightly.]

Thanks.

...good to see you to, Echo.

[Video]

[only_an_echo]

It's been a while.

[A faint huff of a laugh can be heard in his voice to disguise his concern, but he gets to business as usual.]

In need of some assistance?

[Video]

[out_of_order]

That long?

[Cal winces a little at that.]

...I might.

Audio

[doubled_speed]

Caliente, welcome back. What you want for dinner since you've been redoomed to our companionship? Gotta give you some commiseration munchies.

[out_of_order]

Thanks Tommy. I think the company's the better part of the deal.

Right now anything greasy is sounding really good. I don't think I've eaten since before the mission I was on.

[doubled_speed]

Hey, at least there is a better part?

Greasy it is. Some people brought back some nice fatty meat from a hunt. I'll see about trying to mince it up, make some burgers.

Video

[plate_builder]

Should ah say 'welcome back' or feel bad ya didn't get tah fully escape?

Kept yah space clean, fah mah friend BD.

[out_of_order]

Guess it depends on how you look at it. Thanks though. Sentiment's still appreciated.

[Cal offers a crooked smile.]

And we both appreciate that.

[plate_builder]

Wanted yah both to come back. Was hopin'.

Video

[beyourzoomer]

[Her eyes are wide as can be as she stares at her tablet.]

Holy shit, is that -- do you have a robot? Like an actual robot?

[out_of_order]

[Cal chuckles.]

Yeah, that's my buddy. Hey BeeDee, say hi.

[He turns the communicator so the little droid can come over again to hoot a greeting.]

[beyourzoomer]

[He's so cute!]

Hi, BeeDee!