doandordie | IC Inbox

[Maybe giving them their space was working out better. Cassian had been trying not to press or make himself obvious around them. He just nods, looking over at Bodhi briefly but mainly just walking at a comfortable pace with him.]

I don't doubt you, Bodhi.

[Soft, an agreement as much as an addition as he focuses on the sidewalk ahead of them. He hesitates to add more, but decides to risk it.]

I know you're strong enough and smart enough to look out for yourself.

[He licks his lips idly.]

If it helps at all... things have gone exactly as anticipated. He's not broken my trust. And--I've learned some things, in confidence, that support him being trustworthy.

[Bodhi pauses.] If you're concerned about something--someone--can you at least tell me first?

Communication really hasn't been my strong suit, has it?

[There's a wry smile briefly on his face, and he still keeps his eyes on their surroundings, rubbing the side of his neck. Bodhi mentions in confidence, and for all Cassian wants to press, he doesn't. This isn't the time.]

I will, and I won't go behind your back again.

[He lets the silence hang for half a block before talking again. He really is glad Bodhi's getting help, that it's going well for him, even if the concern he felt had yet to go down. Not because of Bodhi, or even Ren, but the nature of minds themselves.]

How's progress with the droid going?

You're allowed to have weaknesses.

[He shoves his hands in his pockets, shoulders slumping some as they walk. Things still feel a bit awkward, for lack of knowing how else to describe it, but it's the sort that feels promising. There's not really been a point where things have felt 'normal' in regard to the two of them--they hadn't known each other long enough before, and over the past few months things have been varying levels of tenuous.

But Cassian is still important, someone he knows he can rely on despite their disagreements.]

I was actually going to ask if you'd be willing to give me a hand, if you have the time. It could be whenever.

I have time. [And if he didn't, he would make time. He glances over to Bodhi, and despite how things have been, he reaches an arm over behind his back, giving his far arm a brief squeeze before dropping his hand again.]

I'd enjoy the chance to work on something actual progress can be made on.

[It's brief, but there's enough time for Bodhi to lean into it slightly. He's hopeful that their friendship can get back on a better track at this point. Rather than saying that, he focuses on the droid.]

I've been working on it often, but I've come to a part where things can go one way or another-- [Given the nature of the project, he's been able to take a creative license to an extent.] --so I'd like a second opinion.

Yeah? I'm looking forward to seeing the progress you've made. I've been curious how it looks. I've only ever seen one of them in action.

[An unwielding thing, its legs long and thin, its head sharp and calculating. He liked it, for all its oddities, but the ones in Eudio were nothing like the droids of their galaxy. They didn't have personality. They just reminded him of the Empire's protocol bound droids, and even lower down the rung. Just machines, more or less controlled by a very simple AI, with only basic commands and critical thinking.

He had plans to make sure Bodhi's droid lived, assuming he let Cassian give it that freedom.]

I can get another box of parts, if you end up needing extra of anything. Apparently these things never really got of the ground.

It might be necessary. I'm not sure yet.

[There's no point in elaborating without having the droid in front of them. As it is, he's not sure that he'll do more today than show Cassian and get input. He's too exhausted to actually tinker, and if Cassian agrees with the conclusion he's come to, he's going to have to take apart what he has to improve the structure.]

Do you need to stop anywhere before home?

[He gives a shake of his head, and then realizes Bodhi might not see it-]

No, I'm just looking forward to getting back [He trails off before saying something along the lines of somewhere safe. But it's nice to hear Bodhi call the place home, even if it's just a word for the quiet place they share in the city of nonsense and uncertainty.]

I'll make a run sometime later this week.

Okay.

[Bodhi doesn't say much else as they head back, but ultimately the walk doesn't take a long time. Once they're inside the house, Bodhi leads Cassian to his room--it's sparse, with only a bed and minimal furniture. Stuffed animal tucked against the wall on top of the bed, floor covered in small mechanical pieces.

There's a clear trail, though, with an open epicenter where Bodhi's obviously been sitting on the floor while working. Sitting back down, he lifts up the torso of the canine droid. It's barely more than the framework and essential parts needed to allow it to walk; there's still hours upon hours of more work to do, especially if he is to get it to the level of functionality that he wants.]

This is what I have so far. Its mobility is stilted, awkward, and prone to falling over if it doesn't stall entirely. [The woes of working with low-grade tech.] There are two options. I can revamp the legs and attempt to improve things that way. Or, with extra parts, elongate the torso to add an additional pair, which I think might increase stability and efficiency.

[Cassian takes care not to disturb any of Bodhi's organization as he follows him into the room, crouching to get a closer look at the frame he's built, tracing certain paths of mechanization with his fingers and studying the connections.]

Can you run a basic gait for me?

[He wanted to see how the legs moved, but he could already see what Bodhi meant, studying the form thoughtfully.]

It would take some cycle reworking- a few tweaks, but I think you could definitely get the flow smooth for three sets. It shouldn't be difficult to get hold of the parts you need. I think you should go for it.

Your analysis is solid. It's an unsteady design as it is, and you would need entirely new joint structure to get the same results otherwise. I know where you could get some stronger actuators as well, if you want to strengthen its stride and movements. Give it a bit more precision.

[He boots up the droid, and when it walks, it's shaky, unbalanced, and winds up stumbling into Bodhi's hands.]

It's like these droids were designed for an aesthetic appeal only. [It's a bit confusing, if only because the operation is just so impractical.]

I'll reconfigure it later, then. Where can I get them?

I think in a fashion they were. They're designed to mimic an organic, and as we've learned, that isn't nearly as efficient for what we make use of them for.

[He watches the droid, and even with its faults, is pleased to see how far Bodhi has come on his own. He sits in front of Bodhi, running his fingers over one of the tools set out.]

There are a few spare boxes of these droids in lock up at work. I'll bring one of them home tomorrow. Do you want an extra hand dismantling any of it?

[Even as he's saying it, though, Cassian is openly admiring his handiwork. The praise he offers isn't an overabundance, just a simple acknowledgement.]

You've done a good job with the repairs to this droid.

[Bodhi swells with pride, quite pleased with having earned the compliment. He boots down the droid, placing it somewhere safe.]

I do, but maybe not right now. [It's delicate work, and he doesn't trust his hands after a certain level of exhaustion.] I'll let you know when I'm ready.

[Cassian watches Bodhi put the droid up, reaching over to put a hand on his shoulder and give his shoulder a squeeze.]

I'll be around when you are.

[Bodhi offers a small smile, a brief flick of his gaze to Cassian, before focusing on the scattered parts around him.]

Thank you, Cassian.

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