|[ 041 ]|

[cold_dry_pieces]

|[Video]|

[Nothing special to see here, just a slightly out-of-focus view of Rudy at work. He's fitting a metal armature into a cast plastic hand, alternately shaving paper-thin bits of flesh-colored rubber away and checking how the pieces measure up.

There's a sharp rap on the door, and he sets the work down, standing a little straighter as it opens. The nurse in the doorway has a folder in hand, and she starts to say something as she takes a step in.

Or, at least, she tries to. He watches her fruitlessly wave her hand up and down a moment, looking for a break in the invisible barrier.]

Just leave it on the floor. I'll get it later.

[Once she slides it in a few inches and shuts the office door, he goes back to his prosthetic, enjoying the peace and quiet.]

Comments

video;

[dignity_misery]

[She hates this curse, because of how much it reminds her of the years she lost. How many days she spent lying on the floor. Watching Barbet work while he ignored her, while her ghost was cut off from the world.]

This angle is terrible.

[Most of her end of the video is dominated by the wrinkle of a bed sheet and her dark hair, just one brown eye peering out.]

video;

[cold_dry_pieces]

I didn't realize it was on.

[Now he's got the device in hand, so it's much nearer his face and in better focus.]

No visitors, but conversation is okay, I guess?

video;

[dignity_misery]

I didn't think you'd want to talk.

[A slow blink, looking away.]

video;

[cold_dry_pieces]

What makes you say that?

video;

[dignity_misery]

You were working.

video;

[cold_dry_pieces]

I was.

[A slight shrug.]

But I don't mind the occasional break. Besides, I doubt I can make it out of the building for a lunch break, at this rate.

video;

[dignity_misery]

I was watching.

[The underlying point being that she had been enjoying watching.]

Lunch might be difficult, if you want it served.

video;

[cold_dry_pieces]

I could probably get it thrown to me.

video;

[dignity_misery]

[Very faintly amused,]

Are you a good catch, Mr. Cooper?

video;

[cold_dry_pieces]

Well, I'd like to think so.

Are you on your own today?

video;

[dignity_misery]

[That wasn't quite what she meant, but her smile gets a little wider and she shifts, sitting up to lean her back against the headboard of her bed.]

Not by choice.

video;

[cold_dry_pieces]

[It's an intentional misunderstanding on his part. He mirrors the smile.]

Today, at least, that might go without saying.

video;

[dignity_misery]

It might, I'm not enjoying it.

[Which makes the moment of humor a welcome change from the moping she's been doing.]

video;

[cold_dry_pieces]

There's nothing wrong with a little solitude.

Though, I suspect my patients would disagree.

video;

[dignity_misery]

Solitude, no. [Isolation. Yes.] But I like to touch.

[It kept her mind off of certain things.]

video;

[cold_dry_pieces]

Sooner or later everyone runs into a curse that seems specifically designed to annoy them.

video;

[dignity_misery]

The odds are good for that, considering the frequency and variety.

[She knows. It doesn't change the fact that she is painfully lonely with this distance imposed between herself and others.]

video;

[cold_dry_pieces]

Maybe next week you'll end up stuck to someone.

video;

[dignity_misery]

That could be nice.

video;

[cold_dry_pieces]

Depends who you're stuck on, doesn't it?

video;

[dignity_misery]

Maybe. I'm not very picky.

[She could make them be quiet, if she really needed to. Although she wasn't against making them cry either, if they weren't open to having fun.]

video;

[cold_dry_pieces]

[Just the slightest raised eyebrow.]

Fair enough.

video;

[dignity_misery]

The handcuffs were the first curse I saw here.

[She shouldn't smile like she's implying something, but she is apparently incapable of behaving herself.]

video;

[cold_dry_pieces]

Was it? I'm not sure I've had the pleasure.

[Don't ever behave, Carla, he has so few sources of amusement.]

video;

[dignity_misery]

It was that guy who knocked me out on the street, and some friend of his.

[She sounds entirely too fond when talking about someone who was going to beat her unconscious.]

I've seen it on a few people, they never seem very pleased.

video;

[cold_dry_pieces]

I guess handcuffs have a bad rap.

You don't sound too upset about being chained to someone who beat you up.

video;

[dignity_misery]

It was just the first I saw, I haven't had a turn yet either. My first curse was the fights.

[Which... she hadn't realized was a curse, considering it was perfectly normal for her to pick them with strangers on the street.]

I like to fight. [She tilts her head,] I include it in 'touching.'

video;

[cold_dry_pieces]

That's a generous definition.

video;

[dignity_misery]

That's a word that doesn't get applied to me much.

video;

[cold_dry_pieces]

Is that a point of pride?

video;

[dignity_misery]

I know that I'm greedy.

[It had gotten her into so much trouble.]

I won't lie about it.

video;

[cold_dry_pieces]

Then at least you're honest.

video;

[dignity_misery]

When it suits me.

video;

[nohometown]

[Sephiroth doesn't mind the curse, fine with staying in his laboratory, alone.

He does tend to watch the network, as it's a good way to gauge what's going on in the city, though he doesn't always reply.

His world has prosthetics as well, though they're different.]

Hello.

It's a more lifelike prosthetic than I'm used to seeing. Is it your design?

video;

[cold_dry_pieces]

Yes, though I'd say it's typical of the prostheses from my world.

Do you have a medical background?

video;

[nohometown]

I see.

No, my background is military and scientific, but more focused on chemistry and research.

video;

[cold_dry_pieces]

I see. Generally people only ask if they've a professional interest.

I'd be happy to show you more examples, if you're interested. Though a visit would have to wait.

video;

[nohometown]

I'm interested in many things. I likely won't have another opportunity to learn of other worlds.

I'd enjoy that. And yes, today would not be ideal. [His own bubble is rather large, if not evident when he's alone in the lab.] I seem to have no shortage of free time here. Let me know when would be convenient for you.

video;

[cold_dry_pieces]

That's one way to look at it.

Any weekday when there isn't a curse, usually, is fine. I have patients, of course, but not so many that I can't make time to show off.

video;

[nohometown]

Yes, though certainly not the only way to look at it. [He does find this place taxing, but he tries to find ways to occupy his mind so he doesn't grow restless.]

Of course. Where is it that you're located, precisely? The hospital? Or do you have your own clinic?

My name is Sephiroth.

video;

[cold_dry_pieces]

In the hospital. If you ask at the front desk, they'll be able to direct you.

My name is Rudy Cooper.

video;

[nohometown]

Simple enough. I've been there before. I look forward to it.

[He inclines his head.] A pleasure to meet you. Have you been here long?

video;

[cold_dry_pieces]

Just past two years.