I'll warn you that some of it pays in muffins rather than money at the moment, but if you've got a good appetite, stop by whenever you're free. I'm staying at The Bluebird on 21st Street.
[ Muffins sounds great. She needs a lot of carbs for her main line of work, after all. Besides, the Dome pays out its Unkillable Loudmouth well enough that she's hardly hurting for cash. ]
I'll come by tomorrow morning. Thanks.
[ She... hadn't expected to be invited to his motel room, and a morning visit has a very different connotation than an evening one could potentially carry. She errs on the side of caution, with a healthy supply of nope.
Anyway, dawn arrives... and then a handful more hours pass. After checking in with the unconcerned teenager managing the front office, Kimiko is helpfully equipped with his room number. (It probably shouldn't be that easy to get it. He might want to move at some point.) Balancing a paper tray filled with two mid-sized cups of coffee from the diner a few minutes down the street, she makes her way across the car park, onto the step, and knocks on the door. ]
[ Cid has the privilege of having all of zero thoughts about the optics of the situation. He's spent the past several years living in a hole in the ground, where his office doubles as a bedroom, so he hadn't particularly considered that his motel room might read a bit differently. As things stand, people are in and out of there at all hours of the day.
When Kimiko arrives, she might hear an unfamiliar voice from inside, muffled by the door.
...have any children of your own, Cid?
I have to get that is Cid's only response. When he opens the door, he greets Kimiko with a friendly nod. ] Right on time. Celeste, this is my new apprentice, Kimiko. She might be helping with Allie's leg the next time you stop by.
[ Celeste, a woman about Cid's age, smiles as Cid steps out of the way to let her get outside. She's got a sleepy toddler balanced against her shoulder, the metal of a prosthetic foot sticking out from Allie's sweatpants. Don't let him work you too hard, dear.
Cid huffs, gestures for Kimiko to come inside. ] Come on out of the cold, lass. Is one of those for me, or are you just not much of a morning person?
[ Cid's motel room is more workshop than bedroom. The bed's been pushed right up against the wall to allow for the largest possible space, two mismatched desks side-by-side forming a work table. There's little additional shelving that isn't taken up by tools, projects, and scavenged parts.
Just as he warned, there is indeed a giant basket of muffins taking up what's left of his kitchenette counter. ]
Sorry about the mess. It's usually tidier than this, but I've got to move it all into a proper workshop and I haven't got the joolies to pay someone to handle the grunt work.
[ Kimiko isn't really inclined to any time of day over another. Mix a chemical cocktail that gives you superpowers with a childhood spent conducting guerrilla warfare as an indoctrinated terrorist and you've got a recipe for, well, not needing a lot of sleep. Being able, and trained, to go without. She likes coffee for the warmth more than anything. One is set down for him to grab. She reaches into her pocket, pulls out a few packets of cream and sugar, leaves them alongside.
New apprentice wins a smile from her, if a slightly shy one. Celeste and Allie are given a nod — hello, goodbye — and it's only when the door is closed behind them that Kimiko removes her coat, mittens.
The mess isn't an issue. If anything, it makes her feel better about being invited into his motel room.
Communication comes from her phone, same as usual. Next time, she'll remember to bring a notebook to write in. That feels more apprentice-y. ]
It's okay. I can help you move. I'm stronger than I look.
[ Despite his teasing, Cid does grab the second cup, emptying one of the little cream packets into it with a little nod of thanks.
He didn't exactly ask her about the apprentice thing, so it's good to know that she's not too bothered by it. Cid has the tendency to decide things without properly consulting anyone, for better or worse.
He leans in to squint at her phone. ]
I don't doubt you can manage a few boxes. I was going to let you have your pick of projects and leave you to it... [ He gestures toward the shelf. Was he just going to let her be unsupervised in his room while he makes trips back and forth? Sure was. ] But if you want to help with the moving, I won't say no. Best I can offer in return is a free lunch and a favour, mind. And you'd be stuck with me the whole time. Downsides all around.
[ He offers her a wry smile. He's not trying to discourage her — having a bit of help would be a godsend — but he'd hate to have her think he'd dragged her all the way out here just to help him move. ]
[ Leaving her to make the decision on her own is a bit... interesting, isn't it? She has no strong feelings either way on helping move versus sitting here and getting up to her elbows in one of his projects, but there's the creeping sense of — something. For the Shining Light, this would have been a test for her to fail. And who knows what tiresome, vulgar vitriol Butcher would have masked in some saccharine Dick van Dyke-coated pleasantness?
A brief glance over the shelves, the half-finished projects laid out. Frenchie wouldn't have wanted to help someone move when there are toys for him to play with. And it's clear Cid is providing a service to his clientele that's more valuable than just being a pack mule. She wanted to know if she could do more, right? More than fight, more than shield, more than carry. There's no bad time to start finding out. So, a bit shyly, she gestures toward the shelves, the work desks.
She's officially rescinding the offer to carry boxes. She'll stay here. ]
[ In the time since their run-in, it would have been easy enough to let this new contact wither on her phone without a concrete reason to reach out. Except—
There's something to be said for someone immediately proving themselves reliable on first meeting. It's a little check-mark in Cid's column, the kind of unconscious assessment Lune might have jotted down for one of her colleagues: Proven in the field, can hold their own. Trustworthy(?) And so there’s that perpetual curiosity needling at her to learn a little more about him, and one particular question he asked in jest and which, she thinks, she could still circle back to. ]
[ why is livio dressed up like a cupid and at cid's door? well, frankly, he needs money. especially after his wallet got stolen by giovanni from pokemon. he won't recognize this is cid's place until it's too late. so, he knocks on the door, candygram in hand. at least he doesn't have to dance this time!! ]
[ he will have to sing, which is making him question all his life choices up until this point, but... surely it won't be that humiliating. ]
[ There's an audible sigh from inside, then heavy footsteps as Cid walks toward the door. He's already grumbling as he makes his way: ] See here Miss Hazel, I've told you already, your television isn't broken you've just got to turn it... on.
[ Cid is standing in the doorway, dressed in jeans and a long sleeved shirt, both of which are liberally streaked with grease. He's stopped wiping his hands mid-motion so that he can look over the... situation.
He raises his eyebrows. ] Livio. What's all this about?
[ there's a look of abject horror dawning on livio's face as he notices it's cid's door, and somehow he never considered that he'd know the person he's supposed to deliver a candygram to. this is the worst case scenario. he's already been teased!! he's never going to live this down! ]
Er--- d-delivery.... fer you.
[ he opts to ignore the order to sing entirely and shoves a parcel of sweets at cid ]
[ Now that he thinks of it, he's seen some of these being inflicted on other people. While he doesn't really expect one for himself, it's the delivery person that's more of a surprise than anything.
No one who's old enough to be interested in him is going to bother with something like a secret admirer, but he can think of one person who might decide that it's the best way to make an offer. ]
Right, sure. Very secret. [ He takes the chocolate and, after a moment's bemused consideration, he decides to take pity on poor Livio as well. ] Do you want to come inside and put on a proper shirt before you freeze your tits off?
[ He thinks the man doth protest too much. Cid raises an eyebrow, but he decides to let it rest for the moment. If it is some sort of crush, it's harmless enough... assuming Livio doesn't give himself frostbite.
He steps out of the doorway, expecting Livio to follow and close the door behind him. ] I won't tell your mum if that's what you're worried about.
[ Cid's motel room is clean but cluttered. There are several boxes piled up in front of the tiny eat-in kitchen, clearly packed to be moved. His bed has been pushed to the corner, as out of the way as it can be, to allow space for a makeshift workbench covered in tools and a few small mechanical projects (a prosthetic hand, a small, non-functional robot, and a model boat).
Despite all his huffing, Cid himself has gone straight for the kitchen to put a kettle on. ] I don't have any wine, so tea will have to do you. Have a seat wherever you like. [ A pause. ] You've got pants on under that, haven't you?
[ livio doesn't even realize cid thinks it's from him, he's a bit of a dingus that way. he's still mortified by this entire situation, but he follows meekly after cid into the motel room, closing the door politely, then looking around in interest at the workbench, tools, and projects ]
Yer always makin' fun of me....
[ he mutters in response, almost under his breath. ]
[ livio doesn't usually drink tea, but he's not going to complain. especially since it's warm, and he's freezing ]
Tea is fine. And I--- I do have pants on!!
[ that's the only thing he's managed to sneak under this terrible costume ]
[ He could have been delivering for someone else, Cid supposes. He seems embarrassed enough about the whole affair that he probably wouldn't have worked up the gumption on his own.
He is reminding Cid more and more of Goetz, however, for better or worse. If anyone whose reproach might actually get to Cid, it's Goetz.
He sighs, turns to face the other man and braces his hands on the edge of the kitchen counter. ] It's because I'm a mean old bastard.
[ This is as close as he comes to an apology. It's really pretty bad. At least he lets the pants comment go with little more than a quick grin. ] Well, now that we've got that sorted... This isn't your usual work, is it? I don't imagine the candies are all that heavy.
[ livio says at once!! don't think of yourself like this cid!! (nevermind it was kind of tongue in cheek). just because he likes to tease, doesn't make him a bastard. ]
[ in livio's mind, anyway. he won't stand for cid disparaging himself, apparently. loser. ]
No, I usually work in construction. But I got my wallet stolen recently. [ which is very embarrassing for a guy with enhanced senses. ] So I need the joolies.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
194 - 6275.
[ in reference to this ]
text from: 822 - 2762.
Are you still looking for some help?
It's Kimiko.
We met a few weeks ago.
I put together your music box.
[ Maybe she's a bit nervous, reaching out. ]
no subject
I'll warn you that some of it pays in muffins rather than money at the moment, but if you've got a good appetite, stop by whenever you're free. I'm staying at The Bluebird on 21st Street.
→ action.
I'll come by tomorrow morning.
Thanks.
[ She... hadn't expected to be invited to his motel room, and a morning visit has a very different connotation than an evening one could potentially carry. She errs on the side of caution, with a healthy supply of nope.
Anyway, dawn arrives... and then a handful more hours pass. After checking in with the unconcerned teenager managing the front office, Kimiko is helpfully equipped with his room number. (It probably shouldn't be that easy to get it. He might want to move at some point.) Balancing a paper tray filled with two mid-sized cups of coffee from the diner a few minutes down the street, she makes her way across the car park, onto the step, and knocks on the door. ]
no subject
When Kimiko arrives, she might hear an unfamiliar voice from inside, muffled by the door.
...have any children of your own, Cid?
I have to get that is Cid's only response. When he opens the door, he greets Kimiko with a friendly nod. ] Right on time. Celeste, this is my new apprentice, Kimiko. She might be helping with Allie's leg the next time you stop by.
[ Celeste, a woman about Cid's age, smiles as Cid steps out of the way to let her get outside. She's got a sleepy toddler balanced against her shoulder, the metal of a prosthetic foot sticking out from Allie's sweatpants. Don't let him work you too hard, dear.
Cid huffs, gestures for Kimiko to come inside. ] Come on out of the cold, lass. Is one of those for me, or are you just not much of a morning person?
[ Cid's motel room is more workshop than bedroom. The bed's been pushed right up against the wall to allow for the largest possible space, two mismatched desks side-by-side forming a work table. There's little additional shelving that isn't taken up by tools, projects, and scavenged parts.
Just as he warned, there is indeed a giant basket of muffins taking up what's left of his kitchenette counter. ]
Sorry about the mess. It's usually tidier than this, but I've got to move it all into a proper workshop and I haven't got the joolies to pay someone to handle the grunt work.
no subject
New apprentice wins a smile from her, if a slightly shy one. Celeste and Allie are given a nod — hello, goodbye — and it's only when the door is closed behind them that Kimiko removes her coat, mittens.
The mess isn't an issue. If anything, it makes her feel better about being invited into his motel room.
Communication comes from her phone, same as usual. Next time, she'll remember to bring a notebook to write in. That feels more apprentice-y. ]
It's okay.
I can help you move. I'm stronger than I look.
What are we doing today?
sorry i've been so slow work has been nuts
He didn't exactly ask her about the apprentice thing, so it's good to know that she's not too bothered by it. Cid has the tendency to decide things without properly consulting anyone, for better or worse.
He leans in to squint at her phone. ]
I don't doubt you can manage a few boxes. I was going to let you have your pick of projects and leave you to it... [ He gestures toward the shelf. Was he just going to let her be unsupervised in his room while he makes trips back and forth? Sure was. ] But if you want to help with the moving, I won't say no. Best I can offer in return is a free lunch and a favour, mind. And you'd be stuck with me the whole time. Downsides all around.
[ He offers her a wry smile. He's not trying to discourage her — having a bit of help would be a godsend — but he'd hate to have her think he'd dragged her all the way out here just to help him move. ]
no worries!
A brief glance over the shelves, the half-finished projects laid out. Frenchie wouldn't have wanted to help someone move when there are toys for him to play with. And it's clear Cid is providing a service to his clientele that's more valuable than just being a pack mule. She wanted to know if she could do more, right? More than fight, more than shield, more than carry. There's no bad time to start finding out. So, a bit shyly, she gestures toward the shelves, the work desks.
She's officially rescinding the offer to carry boxes. She'll stay here. ]
text.
There's something to be said for someone immediately proving themselves reliable on first meeting. It's a little check-mark in Cid's column, the kind of unconscious assessment Lune might have jotted down for one of her colleagues: Proven in the field, can hold their own. Trustworthy(?) And so there’s that perpetual curiosity needling at her to learn a little more about him, and one particular question he asked in jest and which, she thinks, she could still circle back to. ]
So what is your preferred breakfast?
Cordialement,
Lune.
no subject
no subject
no subject
Just tell me where and when and I'm all yours.
no subject
[ She tags the message with the diner's address at the Pavilion. And she'll be there, right on time. Even a little early. ]
action;
[ he will have to sing, which is making him question all his life choices up until this point, but... surely it won't be that humiliating. ]
[ s u r e l y ]
no subject
[ Cid is standing in the doorway, dressed in jeans and a long sleeved shirt, both of which are liberally streaked with grease. He's stopped wiping his hands mid-motion so that he can look over the... situation.
He raises his eyebrows. ] Livio. What's all this about?
no subject
Er--- d-delivery.... fer you.
[ he opts to ignore the order to sing entirely and shoves a parcel of sweets at cid ]
From.... a secret admirer.
[ why can't the floor open to swallow him up? ]
no subject
No one who's old enough to be interested in him is going to bother with something like a secret admirer, but he can think of one person who might decide that it's the best way to make an offer. ]
Right, sure. Very secret. [ He takes the chocolate and, after a moment's bemused consideration, he decides to take pity on poor Livio as well. ] Do you want to come inside and put on a proper shirt before you freeze your tits off?
no subject
I don't know who it is!
[ before he asks. he's just the delivery cupid boy. ]
[ but he takes pity on livio, inviting him in, and livio, after furtively glancing to his left and to his right ]
Would that be okay?
[ cid's technically his last delivery anyway. and he is freezing.... ]
no subject
He steps out of the doorway, expecting Livio to follow and close the door behind him. ] I won't tell your mum if that's what you're worried about.
[ Cid's motel room is clean but cluttered. There are several boxes piled up in front of the tiny eat-in kitchen, clearly packed to be moved. His bed has been pushed to the corner, as out of the way as it can be, to allow space for a makeshift workbench covered in tools and a few small mechanical projects (a prosthetic hand, a small, non-functional robot, and a model boat).
Despite all his huffing, Cid himself has gone straight for the kitchen to put a kettle on. ] I don't have any wine, so tea will have to do you. Have a seat wherever you like. [ A pause. ] You've got pants on under that, haven't you?
no subject
Yer always makin' fun of me....
[ he mutters in response, almost under his breath. ]
[ livio doesn't usually drink tea, but he's not going to complain. especially since it's warm, and he's freezing ]
Tea is fine. And I--- I do have pants on!!
[ that's the only thing he's managed to sneak under this terrible costume ]
no subject
He is reminding Cid more and more of Goetz, however, for better or worse. If anyone whose reproach might actually get to Cid, it's Goetz.
He sighs, turns to face the other man and braces his hands on the edge of the kitchen counter. ] It's because I'm a mean old bastard.
[ This is as close as he comes to an apology. It's really pretty bad. At least he lets the pants comment go with little more than a quick grin. ] Well, now that we've got that sorted... This isn't your usual work, is it? I don't imagine the candies are all that heavy.
[ What are they feeding this man. ]
no subject
[ livio says at once!! don't think of yourself like this cid!! (nevermind it was kind of tongue in cheek). just because he likes to tease, doesn't make him a bastard. ]
[ in livio's mind, anyway. he won't stand for cid disparaging himself, apparently. loser. ]
No, I usually work in construction. But I got my wallet stolen recently. [ which is very embarrassing for a guy with enhanced senses. ] So I need the joolies.
[ anyway, moving on.... ]
Interestin' setup ya got here, mister Cid.