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[plate_builder]

[From the first moment the video is on, it's clear Reeve hasn't had NEARLY enough sleep. But isn't that just his way? Still, he looks positively exhausted today, and the video includes Mini-C pushing a cup of something steaming to Reeve's hand. The man doesn't even seem to notice as he lifts it and takes a hearty sip before starting.]

Good afternoon all. I would like to let everyone know that through the diligent work of several individuals here, power has been restored to a larger portion of the city. Please extend your thanks to Tony, Echo, and Cal for all their hard work.

[Reeve himself does not wish thanks. He just wishes to keep working.]

There have been some issues, of course. There are, as always, issues with breaks in the power supply network. Therefore we ask for your help and feedback. If there are buildings you are finding have issues with power supply, please advise me, or drop a physical message at the Restoration Committee building, just south east of the fountain. There are likely areas we still need to work on power lines to, and it will take time for us to survey to figure out where they are.

Also, I would like to offer myself as assistance to anyone whose ship currently lacks an engineer. I've been trying to do what I can for the damage in our crash landing, however I've only been able to deal with external issues on the ships I cannot access.

[Another long sip of his water.]

Of course, with water and power in a better place now than it was when we arrived, my question becomes what projects of comfort we might turn to here in Temba. Yes, I know our greater goal of returning home, but I find myself in need of projects.

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[beholding_archivist]

[ While Jon may not look thrilled, he also doesn't look appalled either. His expression is a neutral one, just as the setting he replies from is utterly neutral: Just another desolate room in one of the plenty desolate buildings. The most obvious piece of the picture is Tony's brightly colored, shiny gauntlet, half resting in Jon's arms, half being held like a tool. It's a heavy piece of equipment, don't judge him. ]

Tony informed me that you need someone to use his glove to- Map out some infrastructure.

[ Yeah, those... Were the words. But somehow they sound utterly wrong to Jon now that he has used them himself and the doubtful look he casts down at the piece of armor unfortunately isn't hidden from the camera. ]

[plate_builder]

[Ah. Jon. Seemed that Tony had strong armed the man into the confrontation so to speak.]

Yes. He had alluded to a tool that would be useful with subsurface surveying. Being his technology I imagine it must be quite useful.

[And really, he doesn't know what to say about any of this.]

The narration shall fix its previous error

[beholding_archivist]

It is.

[ Jon says, looking back up from the apparently not brightly colored, yet still fantastically shiny gauntlet. The easy admiration for Tony's work isn't missed either. ]

... Right. Seeing that Tony won't be able to use it for a while, he entrusted me with it and I am learning to use it to the best of my capabilities. Therefore I will assist you in that matter.

[plate_builder]

[Oh Jon, if only this wasn't so tense.]

We can set up short appointments to evaluate areas as needed. Or, if it will record the data independently and it can be gathered and output, I could provide instructions on where and Tony could help with the how.

[beholding_archivist]

[ Jon takes a deep breath. ]

Whatever works best, I suppose.

I... Will admit that architecture has never been a strong suit of mine. I can use the glove, but at least at the moment I don't know what to even look for.

[plate_builder]

In this situation it's less a matter of architecture and more infrastructure or city planning. When we know where things are underground, we can better handle repairs if something goes wrong.

So my goal is to find a way to survey things. In addition, we might find areas underground, like the calibration tunnels but different. They might hold useful answers for us.

[beholding_archivist]

Right. I at least can see the reason in that - And I believe I get the idea. Get scans of the buildings and what lies beneath, create a map that isn't just ruins and roads and look out for old, long abandoned tunnels that were once used to transfer prisoners to the harbor and ship them off to Australia.

[ A pause, and an inhale. ]

So. Where do we start?

[plate_builder]

[Well now, being in each other's company again? A hard thing to fathom.]

That is exactly the idea. Though I must ask, what is Australia? Is that another planet?

[Damn non-Earthlings, right? Still, Reeve is considering carefully.]

I think we start with either me coming by the library, or however you wish to call it these days, or you come here so we can test to see if Tony's work will do what I need.

[beholding_archivist]

[ Another pause follows here before Jon releases a sigh through his own tension. ]

It certainly is- A Place.

[ Australia, that is. There are certainly people willing to claim the continent presents a whole different world in itself. Jon shakes his head lightly. ]

Not important right now. I will come over and we can get this taken care of.

[ He will consider being offended in Tony's stead for this apparent doubt in Tony's creation. Better than trying to think what he would call the library. 'Den of the local monster' feels... Somewhat too appropriate. ]

[plate_builder]

[True enough. Quite the monster, by controlling others. But Reeve has seen worse.]

Once we figure out how to make it all work, it might well be something you can do without me. You won't be forced to be in my presence.

[beholding_archivist]

[ There's always room for worse. And yet it doesn't negate the fact...

At some point between his previous and this message, Jon has begun walking, wearing the gauntlet on his left hand while carrying the phone in the other and now casting a frown down on it. ]

Am I being forced?

[ A direct question that would easily have been compelling had it been asked in person. As it is, all it causes is a crackle of static to distort the screen for a few short moments. ]

[plate_builder]

I could not, and would not, seek to force my presence upon you. However, I do expect you're only doing this as a favor to him.

[To Tony.]

Interesting. make note of where you are. There might be interference there, we'll want to evaluate that.

[beholding_archivist]

[ The frown lingers. ]

Tony.

[ There. He says it for you. ]

And I don't owe my boyfriend any favors, just as he doesn't owe me any. Tony merely informed me that this needs to be done and left the decision to me. My offer to assist was my own choice.

[ It's that simple. ]

As for that interference...

[ A pause, then: ]

No. Never mind. I can see your building up ahead.

[plate_builder]

[Wow, Jon, that's a very possessive term to use. But Reeve doesn't mention it or flinch away from the declaration.]

Thank you. I shall heat some water. I think I have tea around here somewhere.

[It isn't his favorite, but he keeps some around anyway.]

[beholding_archivist]

[ Don't flinch away from reality, Reeve. But rest assured that Jon is still getting used to the term himself. Though he does frown a little at the offer of tea. Tea that, apparently, is around there somewhere. Which isn't a very reassuring thing to hear.

He can't exactly hide the huffed little sigh. ]

... Jesus. I'm not coming over for tea. Especially if that means you need to track it down to its hiding place first. I know it sounds unbelievable, but I can survive without tea for a while.

[ And having actually arrived, Jon ends the video feed and knocks at the door of the building once before entering. ]

Also I am here.

[plate_builder]

[The reality is the one they have created. It doesn't mean he has to like it, Jon. Or the tension. Jon knocking at the door comes as Reeve's half under a table, banging his head and wincing. Then he's rushing for the door. Which he opens with a wince.]

It's called hospitality. My mother raised me to believe in it.

[beholding_archivist]

[ The door opening has Jon look up at the other man. He doesn't tilt his head back enough to not have him peer over his glasses, however, and the raised brow may be a little more prominent that way. ]

Believing in something doesn't automatically make one adept in a matter. Let me just say that being offered something in a way that makes it sound like some long-forgotten leftovers left catching dust in a corner for months is not necessarily appealing.

[ Just a little piece of advice, offered with a small, if not somewhat tense smile. And a moment later, Jon brings up his gauntlet-wearing hand, palm up, between them. ]

I believe we have some work to get done.

[plate_builder]

[No, he's not adept in it, but Reeve sighs. He's trying.]

I care about the gestures. But no one comes to me for tea. And Mini tidies up sometimes, when I leave things out. AS you can see...

[He gestures around. The walls are covered in sketches and diagrams. HIs table covered in papers and notebooks and other tools. There aren't a lot of clear pieces of space, save a hotplate where he clearly heats the water for his drink.]

But yes, we can work. Any chance you know how to direct the gauntlet to do subsurface scans?

[beholding_archivist]

[ Come on now. No need to flaunt your brilliance and how you actually have knowledge and abilities to be of use around here. Jon is well aware that the only reason he can actually do anything for a change is because Tony can't properly use his own devices at the moment.

Hence, he doesn't comment on the state of the place and rather turns his attention to the gauntlet, flipping it around so the palm faces down while pulling out his phone again with the other hand and turning it on. No, he still hasn't changed the selfie of Tony the man has set up as his phone background. ]

No one comes to me for tea, either. They come expecting books.

[ He muses, his attention on the screen of his phone as the glove comes to life, the centerpiece set into its palm glowing. ]

There. It's scanning.

[plate_builder]

[Yes, Tony would be the sort to put his picture on someone's phone, wouldn't he? That was just the person he was. And Reeve was unbothered by the image or reminder. What was the point.]

How intriguing.

[He moves closer to try and see what is going on.]

That man is just a touch to bright. It's amazing.

[beholding_archivist]

...he certainly is.

[ Jon muses softly in reply, almost to himself as his attention on the screen of his phone, attempting to understand. Eventually, he shakes his head with a small sigh, admitting defeat. ]

I barely know what I am looking at here.

[plate_builder]

May I?

[Reeve gestures for the phone. The readings might make more sens to him, seeing as he knew what he was looking for.]

If it's right, I could even fine tune it."

[beholding_archivist]

[ Jon doesn't argue and simple hands the phone over while keeping his hand with the gauntlet steady. ]

It's mostly numbers...

[plate_builder]

[Indeed it is. Reeve does some mumbling under his breath, all verbal math, and yeah. There it is.]

This is good. Very good. Come here.

[He's directing Jon to follow him toward the back room which is his residence, and gestures toward the sink there.]

Hold the gauntlet in this area.

[beholding_archivist]

[ And Jon follows the directions, even if a little awkwardly. After all, he hasn't come here for a tour through Reeve's living space. He will just remind himself that they are doing important work here. Which isn't necessarily wrong.

It's the praise that leaves him a little flustered, which he may not show due to remaining puzzled. ]

So I take it this does produce the results you need.