Network (Video)

[happybeeps]

[Poe appears to be in one of the ships, trusting the locks to keep Kylo Ren out. He's sitting cross legged, quickly turning the camera to face his newest acquisitions, a cobbled together droid, similar to the boxy simple design of a MSE-droid, and painted to match BB-8's colours. BB-8 seems very curious about his new companion, nudging it and giving a series of cheerful beeps.]

We've got a new friend here who needs a name. Anyone have any ideas?

Comments

[happybeeps]

I don't know what half those words mean.

[But he can gather the gist of it.]

I promise you, BB-8 is my closest friend. A pilot and their astromech- it's an important bond. You gotta have trust.

[doubled_speed]

Why? What do they do?

[happybeeps]

They navigate. And preform in flight repairs. Starfighters don't have the longest life spans. When we go out we go out quick. Astromechs choose their pilots carefully. They won't fly with someone they don't trust.

[doubled_speed]

How do they develop trust of strangers?

[happybeeps]

They're pretty good judges of character. And droids talk. People get certain reputations.

[doubled_speed]

They talk to each other? People allow that? Surprising, when they don't seem to have much a choice but to hang out with you guys.

[happybeeps]

Mm, of course. They have friends. Romances, even.

One of the pilots in my squadron had some trouble finding an astromech to fly with her. She lost hers in a fight, and then another. No one would pair up with her, they thought she was cursed.

[doubled_speed]

Romances?

[Oh no. Tommy now stans these droids even more.]

They're probably not wrong.

[happybeeps]

Romances, yeah.

[BB-8 gives a shy sort of head tilt, which then turns to something more melancholy. Because the two stories are more related than they might seem on the surface. Poe gives him an apologetic pat.]

I know, Buddy.

[doubled_speed]

Uh, huh.

[He considers Poe and BB-8 thoughtfully.]

You two are almost cute together.

[happybeeps]

[Poe's cheeks flush a bit, but he doesn't shy away from his droid, making sure to give the new one a reassuring pat as well.]

...Thanks, kid.

[doubled_speed]

[Dude, don't flush like that. He'll think you thought he was flirting.]

No problem, Space-Shatner

[happybeeps]

[No no no. They definitely don't have that kind of relationship. But cute isn't something Poe's really used to being called. Not in that context at least.]

You could probably drop the space part.

[doubled_speed]

Nah. I like it. It’s more fun to call you what I call you. Can you ask BB-8 if I can give him a nickname.

[happybeeps]

[The droid gives a whistle and Poe nods.]

He can understand you, I only need to translate one way. He wants to know what it would be.

[doubled_speed]

Webble.

[He can explain but why?]

[happybeeps]

[BB-8 gives a curious head tilt, like he doesn't quite understand, but he very clearly nods his head plate, giving an affirmative chirp.]

[doubled_speed]

[Fuck it’s too cute to not tell him.]

You’re shaped like this kid’s you back home. Webbles. They wobble but they don’t fall down. They were my favorite when I was little.

[happybeeps]

[Poe chuckles, and BB-8 gives a pointed kind of wobbly dance as if to show he understands, chattering up at Poe.]

He approves.

[doubled_speed]

[Also one of the only toys he got from Nana before she died. So serious fondness. One of the few toys he ever had there.]

I’m glad.

[happybeeps]

[The droid gives another series of droidspeak, evidently asking for Tommy's name again as Poe supplies-]

It's Tommy.

[BB-8's head swivels towards the camera then and gives a pointed string of beeps.]

That's your name.

[doubled_speed]

[Interesting]

Hey, repeat that like, ten times? I guess how fast you say it matters? If not then change up the speed. Will help me learn it to recognize it when you say it at different speeds.

[happybeeps]

[There we go. The kid's finally interested in learning droidspeak. Poe gives a knowing sort of smirk, and BB-8 repeats the string, over and over, with a few variances in speed and tone.]

[doubled_speed]

Okay. I think I’ve got it little guy. Can the the other droid call me that too?

[happybeeps]

[It swivels a bit, and Poe lowers the camera. They're still fairly quiet compared to BB-8, but they recognizes when they're being spoken to, parroting the same string of beeps in a questioning tone. It's voice is distinct from BB-8's, but the sound should be recognizable if Tommy's really getting the hang of it.]