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. ]
That's the one I'd pick too. [ Cid replies with a laugh. He pats her on the shoulder. ] Alright, take your pick and have at it. I'll only ask that you don't steal anything — most of these people have got little enough as it is — and if you can't fix what you've taken, just don't lose any parts. I'll help you with it. I don't expect that either of us know everything.
[ Cid's expression softens a bit on that. She's shy enough about getting into this sort of thing; he doesn't need her thinking she'll be in trouble if she can't get something sorted.
Could he be a fool for trusting someone he barely knows? Probably. But he's never quite managed to rid himself of this particular soft spot. ]
The payment for it is all yours when it's done. [ He holds out a hand for her to shake. ] Deal?
[ The hand on her shoulder feels like a bit more than nothing; warm, friendly. Her quiet smile doesn't go away, instead tilting and becoming something a bit more comfortable. And then, taking his hand as offered. Her handshake isn't as soft as someone might assume when looking at her — although her hand might be half the size of his, there's an unusual amount of strength behind it.
She signs, rather than types — ] Deal.
[ The project she ends up choosing is rebuilding a wheelchair that had been torn into individual parts, some of them nearly unrecognisable. The wheel spokes straighten easily enough under her fingers, the backing easily reinforced with thin metal plates. She ends up rifling through a spare parts bins she finds in the corner (without asking!), jury-rigging what doesn't have an accessible part. Once or twice, she has to go back a step or two, remove a part, adjust an inch or a screw or a filament, and try again.
She thinks of Charles, a little, and it's a very warming feeling to accompany her work. If it was his chair, she'd want it to be incredibly safe, infallibly functional, so she puts the same amount of work for — whoever needs it, for the hope it helps.
By the time he gets back from his fourth or fifth moving trip, she's testing the chair by, uh, doing doughnuts between the work desks, front wheels in the air. The chair is as sturdy as it is versatile, that much is clear. ]
[ He's going to have to ask her to teach him some of those hand gestures later on. She's not the only person he's run into who might have a use for them, and it's got to be much easier than typing everything out on her phone all of the time.
The new workshop's not all that far from where he's currently staying, so Cid manages to make a few trips over the next few hours. Every time he returns to the motel room, he checks up on how Kimiko is doing, offering another pat on the shoulder or a word of encouragement about how it's looking, but mostly keeping his nose out of it unless she's really going too far in the wrong direction, or if asks him to look at something. Cid's always been of the opinion that the best way to learn is to do things for one's self, even if it means making a mistake here and there.
To her credit, she's tenacious. Clever. He's glad that she's not particularly interested in theft, or he'd really have been in trouble with this one.
By the time he makes the last trip back, there's a faint crease between his brows, though it's got nothing to do with present company. His dour expression softens when he gets a look at her, chair completed. He's clearly proud of her, but gods forbid he say that. ]
Oi. Didn't I say no fun allowed? [ Teasing. He said nothing of the sort.
Cid rubs at his left shoulder, rolling it absently against the heel of his palm. That's about all of the moving he's going to be able to do without putting an ice pack on it, and it's his own fault. ] Ready for me to have a look? If it's all good, we can drop it off, then go and get some thing to eat. Unless you've got to be getting back?
[ The front wheels come back down gently when he admonishes her. His oi, for a brief moment, leaves a beat of panic in between the notches of her spine; but the voice is different, the face is kinder, the words are teasing. There's an agreeable little nod as she rises from the chair, sets the kickstand down. With it locked in a stationary position, she gives him a quick demonstration of the functionality — up to and including the mechanised joystick control on the left arm that can turn the wheels. (That part was repaired back to basic operation, not engineered from scratch, and might still need Cid to smooth out some of the crudeness. Way beyond her capabilities.)
All in all, it's a much nicer way to spend her time. All she's getting is muffins and lunch, she knows, but it only takes her a second or two of consideration to realise she doesn't miss the Dome at all.
He asks if she needs to be getting back, she spreads her fingers, shakes her head — no.
Types out, once he's done his examination: ] Pizza?
[ He means it, too. Any mistakes she might have made weren't for lack of care or attention.
They close up shop and deliver the chair to a man who goes by Teddy on the first floor. He's a bit of a grump, even by Cid's standards, but he's nice enough to Kimiko. Cid introduces her as his apprentices, tells the man that she's handled the repair, but he doesn't otherwise intervene. Teddy pays her half in cookies and half in joolies, and then they're off again. ]
[ 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.
[ It had been tongue in cheek, hardly meant, but Cid shoots him an indecipherable look before his expression finally settles on something like resignation. Gods. He's too sweet by half. Even teasing the man is like kicking a puppy.
The kettle whistles somewhere behind him, and Cid turns away to get the tea together. Construction, sure. That does explain it. ] Shame about your wallet. What's your going rate? I'm putting something together at the moment, and I could use a carpenter.
[ He walks over to Livio with two steaming mugs of tea in hand. ] Here. Mind your fingers, it's hot. [ Cid sounds annoyed, but it's mostly directed at himself for fussing over a grown man. ]
Not mister, just Cid. I've been doing some repairs for the neighbors, is all. I'll be moving it all out to the workshop soon enough. [ He inclines his head. ] It's lucky that my knack's come in handy all the way out here, eh?
[ livio endures the look in silence, though he looks mildly embarrassed. was that more teasing and he reacted like a doofus? yes, absolutely, he is a doofus. ]
10 Joolies an hour.
[ is he giving cid a big discount because cid was nice to him? maybe so. ] I got some carpentry skills. [ nothing to write home about, but surely worth 10 joolies an hour ]
... Thanks.
[ he doesn't seem to mind the heat of the mug, but puts it down on the nearest available surface to cool down. ] That's kind of ya of to help out. [ even more proof that cid is actually a sweetheart ] And yeah, real handy. Bet lots of people would pay for yer work.
10 -- was there anything in that wallet of yours when it was stolen?
[ Cid's not normally one to haggle for a higher price when he hasn't got all that much to spare, but it's one thing to take a discount from someone who's got the coin to spare, and another to to take advantage of Livio trying to be too generous.
He sits on the edge of one of his work tables and sets his own cup of tea aside to cool down. ]
Before you get teary-eyed, I don't work for free -- and neither should you. If you don't want to haggle for more joolies, you'll take a favor as well. One that I'll expect you to call in when you have need of it. Understood?
[ He's starting to see how Livio gets himself into these situations.
Cid reaches for his own cup, though he does take care not to burn himself. It's interesting that Livio had barely flinched, considering how hot it is, but that's something he files away for later.
He's receptive though, Cid will give him that, even despite Livio's grumbling. ]
Good lad. [ Sorry Livio, he talks to most guys like this. ] How soon can you start?
Aye, it's not that sort of work. [ Cid favors him with another quick grin. Isabelle would have just loved Livio. Would have made him rich, too, if he could ever get past that propensity toward blushing.
Cid makes his way over to the shelf, patting Livio on the shoulder as he passes. ] If you're eager to be on, go on. The tea's not so good you need to scald yourself to finish it.
[ He's not the sort of man who finds it easy to sit still, so he's going to find something to tinker with. Daylight's burning. ]
[ flushing again, predictably, at cid's grin and teasing. he's such an easy mark. ]
No, it's fine, I can stay an' finish this...
[ really, he'd prefer to delay going back to "work" as much as possible. even if that means burning himself. is cid even going to finish his own tea? ]
![[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. ]
no subject
[ Cid's expression softens a bit on that. She's shy enough about getting into this sort of thing; he doesn't need her thinking she'll be in trouble if she can't get something sorted.
Could he be a fool for trusting someone he barely knows? Probably. But he's never quite managed to rid himself of this particular soft spot. ]
The payment for it is all yours when it's done. [ He holds out a hand for her to shake. ] Deal?
no subject
She signs, rather than types — ] Deal.
[ The project she ends up choosing is rebuilding a wheelchair that had been torn into individual parts, some of them nearly unrecognisable. The wheel spokes straighten easily enough under her fingers, the backing easily reinforced with thin metal plates. She ends up rifling through a spare parts bins she finds in the corner (without asking!), jury-rigging what doesn't have an accessible part. Once or twice, she has to go back a step or two, remove a part, adjust an inch or a screw or a filament, and try again.
She thinks of Charles, a little, and it's a very warming feeling to accompany her work. If it was his chair, she'd want it to be incredibly safe, infallibly functional, so she puts the same amount of work for — whoever needs it, for the hope it helps.
By the time he gets back from his fourth or fifth moving trip, she's testing the chair by, uh, doing doughnuts between the work desks, front wheels in the air. The chair is as sturdy as it is versatile, that much is clear. ]
no subject
The new workshop's not all that far from where he's currently staying, so Cid manages to make a few trips over the next few hours. Every time he returns to the motel room, he checks up on how Kimiko is doing, offering another pat on the shoulder or a word of encouragement about how it's looking, but mostly keeping his nose out of it unless she's really going too far in the wrong direction, or if asks him to look at something. Cid's always been of the opinion that the best way to learn is to do things for one's self, even if it means making a mistake here and there.
To her credit, she's tenacious. Clever. He's glad that she's not particularly interested in theft, or he'd really have been in trouble with this one.
By the time he makes the last trip back, there's a faint crease between his brows, though it's got nothing to do with present company. His dour expression softens when he gets a look at her, chair completed. He's clearly proud of her, but gods forbid he say that. ]
Oi. Didn't I say no fun allowed? [ Teasing. He said nothing of the sort.
Cid rubs at his left shoulder, rolling it absently against the heel of his palm. That's about all of the moving he's going to be able to do without putting an ice pack on it, and it's his own fault. ] Ready for me to have a look? If it's all good, we can drop it off, then go and get some thing to eat. Unless you've got to be getting back?
moving toward a wrap? 🎀
All in all, it's a much nicer way to spend her time. All she's getting is muffins and lunch, she knows, but it only takes her a second or two of consideration to realise she doesn't miss the Dome at all.
He asks if she needs to be getting back, she spreads her fingers, shakes her head — no.
Types out, once he's done his examination: ] Pizza?
wrapped 🎀
[ He means it, too. Any mistakes she might have made weren't for lack of care or attention.
They close up shop and deliver the chair to a man who goes by Teddy on the first floor. He's a bit of a grump, even by Cid's standards, but he's nice enough to Kimiko. Cid introduces her as his apprentices, tells the man that she's handled the repair, but he doesn't otherwise intervene. Teddy pays her half in cookies and half in joolies, and then they're off again. ]
Lunch is on you, then? [ Cid teases.
It's a good start, all told. ]
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.
no subject
The kettle whistles somewhere behind him, and Cid turns away to get the tea together. Construction, sure. That does explain it. ] Shame about your wallet. What's your going rate? I'm putting something together at the moment, and I could use a carpenter.
[ He walks over to Livio with two steaming mugs of tea in hand. ] Here. Mind your fingers, it's hot. [ Cid sounds annoyed, but it's mostly directed at himself for fussing over a grown man. ]
Not mister, just Cid. I've been doing some repairs for the neighbors, is all. I'll be moving it all out to the workshop soon enough. [ He inclines his head. ] It's lucky that my knack's come in handy all the way out here, eh?
no subject
10 Joolies an hour.
[ is he giving cid a big discount because cid was nice to him? maybe so. ] I got some carpentry skills. [ nothing to write home about, but surely worth 10 joolies an hour ]
... Thanks.
[ he doesn't seem to mind the heat of the mug, but puts it down on the nearest available surface to cool down. ] That's kind of ya of to help out. [ even more proof that cid is actually a sweetheart ] And yeah, real handy. Bet lots of people would pay for yer work.
no subject
[ Cid's not normally one to haggle for a higher price when he hasn't got all that much to spare, but it's one thing to take a discount from someone who's got the coin to spare, and another to to take advantage of Livio trying to be too generous.
He sits on the edge of one of his work tables and sets his own cup of tea aside to cool down. ]
Before you get teary-eyed, I don't work for free -- and neither should you. If you don't want to haggle for more joolies, you'll take a favor as well. One that I'll expect you to call in when you have need of it. Understood?
no subject
[ he's a little too shy to say the word "friend", but really, the gist is the same. he doesn't mind giving an extreme discount for a good price. ]
[ (which may be why he didn't have a lot of money to steal in the first place...) ]
I ain't teary-eyed!! [ defensively. someone's used to being teased about this ] But yeah, that sounds like a good deal ta me. Understood.
[ he takes a sip of his own tea, not minding that it's still a bit too hot ]
no subject
Cid reaches for his own cup, though he does take care not to burn himself. It's interesting that Livio had barely flinched, considering how hot it is, but that's something he files away for later.
He's receptive though, Cid will give him that, even despite Livio's grumbling. ]
Good lad. [ Sorry Livio, he talks to most guys like this. ] How soon can you start?
no subject
[ he is a good lad.... thank you cid ]
Er--- maybe tomorrow. When I'm not in this outfit.
[ that's the only thing holding him back. he'd much rather be doing menial labour than being a candyogram deliveryman. outfit and all ]
starting to wrap? 🎀
Cid makes his way over to the shelf, patting Livio on the shoulder as he passes. ] If you're eager to be on, go on. The tea's not so good you need to scald yourself to finish it.
[ He's not the sort of man who finds it easy to sit still, so he's going to find something to tinker with. Daylight's burning. ]
🎀!
[ flushing again, predictably, at cid's grin and teasing. he's such an easy mark. ]
No, it's fine, I can stay an' finish this...
[ really, he'd prefer to delay going back to "work" as much as possible. even if that means burning himself. is cid even going to finish his own tea? ]
[ oh well. maybe livio shouldn't keep him.... ]