Like an oversized kitchen appliance the Doctor Vendy chimed it's ending jingle and narration as Carla was released, the door slid open. "I mean duh. What's not to like?" Her head swiveled. "Should have named myself Honey for those flies."
"Honestly I think she's still just that. A leftover from Cornell. And don't worry she can't have many more years. The clocks fuckin tickin now." With the vendy noises silent her voice was much clearer. On the surface Carla was back to normal, motor function at a hundred percent, no bone breakage, no scars and only slightly shaken up. Gotta watch that heart rate. She might've seemed a bit distant however, and her usual, maxed out cheerleader pep was dulled considerably. Carla could feel this, and was hoping she could turn it back on herself, but like having to weather the shame of retreat, it was going to take some time to get her bright energy back.
"I don't know Steven," She sighed heavily, making her way to his side while pulling bobby pins out of her hair. "It looks really different in there from the Das days. They got a free foundation and fucked with it." She squinted as she tried to put her experience into words. "I'm not a botanist, so I can't really explain. I wasn't there long enough to blink back in."
"Honestly really glad I didn't blink right into that boy in the elevator. Don't realize the nasty bullet he dodged." Carla looked back to the entrance to the med unit, and then mumbled. "Uhh, don't tell him either."
"I can give you some details. But I'm hoping this caught most of it." Carla carefully pulled off her giant pearl earrings, which doubled as a recording device while she was undercover.
"Honestly I think she's still just that. A leftover from Cornell. And don't worry she can't have many more years. The clocks fuckin tickin now." With the vendy noises silent her voice was much clearer. On the surface Carla was back to normal, motor function at a hundred percent, no bone breakage, no scars and only slightly shaken up. Gotta watch that heart rate. She might've seemed a bit distant however, and her usual, maxed out cheerleader pep was dulled considerably. Carla could feel this, and was hoping she could turn it back on herself, but like having to weather the shame of retreat, it was going to take some time to get her bright energy back.
"I don't know Steven," She sighed heavily, making her way to his side while pulling bobby pins out of her hair. "It looks really different in there from the Das days. They got a free foundation and fucked with it." She squinted as she tried to put her experience into words. "I'm not a botanist, so I can't really explain. I wasn't there long enough to blink back in."
"Honestly really glad I didn't blink right into that boy in the elevator. Don't realize the nasty bullet he dodged." Carla looked back to the entrance to the med unit, and then mumbled. "Uhh, don't tell him either."
"I can give you some details. But I'm hoping this caught most of it." Carla carefully pulled off her giant pearl earrings, which doubled as a recording device while she was undercover.
A huff of laughter left Steven’s nose at Carla’s scathing words on the Hub Boss as his eyes trailed over Carla’s form. He took the few steps to close the distance, marvelling at how well Vendy’s could mend the flesh so easily, his fingers flexing slightly as he almost brought them to the torn cloth of her shoulder to rub away at the drying blood. He’d paid extra to not leave any scars physically, and smiled slightly when under the crusting flecks of brown and red, Carla’s skin was how it always was again.
“So they changes a few things? So what?” Steven rolled his eyes, as he took the pearl earrings from Carla’s hand. “We’ll just fix what they fucked up when the time comes anyway.” He said a little dismissively as he slipped the pearls into his pocket before gently taking her hand in his and tugged at her lightly to follow.
“And Cassius is fine, yeah? He’s safe and you're safe.” He squeezed her hand in reassurance as he led her back to the elevator. The handholding was mostly for Carla of course, but the constant pulse of her heart Steven could hear and feel so vividly from the point of contact was maybe… a little reassuring for him as well.
No one was dead.
“But first, shower and food before we get into the debrief, ok?” He gently squeezed her hand once more (for Carla’s sake, of course) as he punched the floor his office was on, his prosthetic fingers tapping the side of his leg as the lift made the short journey out of the basement and up to the top floor. Thankfully, the main lifts didn’t go to the rooftops, it was only accessible by separate lift near his office or a set of emergency stairs that were so heavily monitored, that even the dust levels had their own readouts. He took the second lift, with Carla in tow and after a few security precautions taken, the two went up the finally floor to Steven’s abode.
-
[15:45]
The elevator doors opened with a ding, and the two were greeted by the open air, flat roof, the expansive night sky and the glistening, lush view of the Orange District still in full swing below. Steven took a deep breath as he stared out at the view, almost preparing himself for something before he gently tugged Carla once more to turn around and make their way over to what seemed to be an amalgamation mostly plants and flora with an orange structure peaking out in-between the leaves.
The entrance was just after the wall of plants, which served mostly for privacy to a simple orange cubic building made of concrete and glass. Steven’s hand lingered on the door handle for a moment longer than necessary after he unlocked it, before he took the final plunge, opened the door and invited Carla in.
His first guest in almost 10 years.
“You can leave your shoes by the door. Got some slippers too if your weird about that kinda thing..” He hummed softly as he began to slip off his own shoes and sock, feet flexing against the cool greys of the floor before walking down the softly lit, short hallway into the main living space. Where the hallway was the height of a single story, this room ceiling was double the height, lined with a row of three, large circular skylights.
Facing the tall glass wall that lined one side of the room and looked out to the pool and garden beyond was a large U-shaped inset couch in the floor, obviously meant to be used for entertainment, but instead, the table was littered with what looked a half dissected UG bot and a laptop running diagnostics. The rest of the room looked like it would be quite the room if it had been fully furnished, but alas there were several boxes that lined the side wall, some open as if Steven had only taken out the essentials and not unpacked his things for over a year and a half since his return….
By the look on Steven’s face, his gnarled lip creasing more as he grimaced on the not super messy but kinda embarrassing to him sight of living out of boxes still, that seemed to be 100% the case.
“You… want to shower first or eat? The …bathroom looks better than this, yeah?”
“So they changes a few things? So what?” Steven rolled his eyes, as he took the pearl earrings from Carla’s hand. “We’ll just fix what they fucked up when the time comes anyway.” He said a little dismissively as he slipped the pearls into his pocket before gently taking her hand in his and tugged at her lightly to follow.
“And Cassius is fine, yeah? He’s safe and you're safe.” He squeezed her hand in reassurance as he led her back to the elevator. The handholding was mostly for Carla of course, but the constant pulse of her heart Steven could hear and feel so vividly from the point of contact was maybe… a little reassuring for him as well.
No one was dead.
“But first, shower and food before we get into the debrief, ok?” He gently squeezed her hand once more (for Carla’s sake, of course) as he punched the floor his office was on, his prosthetic fingers tapping the side of his leg as the lift made the short journey out of the basement and up to the top floor. Thankfully, the main lifts didn’t go to the rooftops, it was only accessible by separate lift near his office or a set of emergency stairs that were so heavily monitored, that even the dust levels had their own readouts. He took the second lift, with Carla in tow and after a few security precautions taken, the two went up the finally floor to Steven’s abode.
-
[15:45]
The elevator doors opened with a ding, and the two were greeted by the open air, flat roof, the expansive night sky and the glistening, lush view of the Orange District still in full swing below. Steven took a deep breath as he stared out at the view, almost preparing himself for something before he gently tugged Carla once more to turn around and make their way over to what seemed to be an amalgamation mostly plants and flora with an orange structure peaking out in-between the leaves.
The entrance was just after the wall of plants, which served mostly for privacy to a simple orange cubic building made of concrete and glass. Steven’s hand lingered on the door handle for a moment longer than necessary after he unlocked it, before he took the final plunge, opened the door and invited Carla in.
His first guest in almost 10 years.
“You can leave your shoes by the door. Got some slippers too if your weird about that kinda thing..” He hummed softly as he began to slip off his own shoes and sock, feet flexing against the cool greys of the floor before walking down the softly lit, short hallway into the main living space. Where the hallway was the height of a single story, this room ceiling was double the height, lined with a row of three, large circular skylights.
Facing the tall glass wall that lined one side of the room and looked out to the pool and garden beyond was a large U-shaped inset couch in the floor, obviously meant to be used for entertainment, but instead, the table was littered with what looked a half dissected UG bot and a laptop running diagnostics. The rest of the room looked like it would be quite the room if it had been fully furnished, but alas there were several boxes that lined the side wall, some open as if Steven had only taken out the essentials and not unpacked his things for over a year and a half since his return….
By the look on Steven’s face, his gnarled lip creasing more as he grimaced on the not super messy but kinda embarrassing to him sight of living out of boxes still, that seemed to be 100% the case.
“You… want to shower first or eat? The …bathroom looks better than this, yeah?”
"Yeah. Yeah okay." Carla blinked at Stevens's dismissive comments. Maybe fresh out of the vendy wasn't the best time to start a debrief. Carla allowed Steven to guide her without any second thought or hesitation. Moving felt strange, like her bones had been locked up for ages, yes the pain was gone, but she could remember feeling it outside her present body, fresh in her mind. Was this what that ghost limb sensation felt like? Carla felt invasive for staring over to Stevens's prosthetic arm, so she quickly looked over to the hand which covered her own.
She squeezed back a little, his presence was indeed warm and reassuring- the glowing nails were cute too. There wasn't any conversation to have, she'd said enough already and all else that came to mind was overly critical- and nobody wanted to hear that mess. The ambient sounds of Orange were rather nice as they traveled through the HQ.
Finally out of FM territory and deep into UG, Carla felt a sense of safety she hadn't experienced in a while. She could let her guard down and stop looking over her shoulder every second. It felt good to have Steven at her side, who'd grown as a leader and a friend. He was going to do great things for them.
.
Carla was all the more speechless being welcomed into his living space. "All this green! Ah! I've missed it." She smiled, "More proof life just thrives better here." Despite it's lack of guest comforts, she was able to fully relax when she entered. "Oh thank god-" There was a huge sigh of relief as she pulled the long zipper on the back of her boots. She kicked them off and left them on the floor- "Oop!" before hurriedly doubling back to neatly scoop them, stand them up, and place them together out of the way.
"Shower please!" Carla wandered around impressed by the living space, and curious what was in the packed boxes. She peeked in as she passed. "Hehee- you planning on leaving in a hurry hon?"
She leaned to one side to peek down a hall, asking where the bathroom was before disappearing for a long while to clean herself up.
Not having to cram into a stall was a nice change of pace. She indulged in Stevens circular free standing shower, taking a little more time than usual to get cleaned up. Carla found the clothes meant for her for the evening; an oversized UG hoodie, shorts, silk wrap. Maybe everything fit Steven fine but it was a bit too big for her, Carla didn't mind, it was much more comfortable than stiff dress shirts and twill skirt, and that stupid wig.
"Steve-n?" Carla said softly as she reemerged into the living space, not wanting to interrupt him if he was doing anything important. But her stomach growling seemed to announce her even louder. "Haaaaaaa ahhhhhh, yeah hi that's me."
She squeezed back a little, his presence was indeed warm and reassuring- the glowing nails were cute too. There wasn't any conversation to have, she'd said enough already and all else that came to mind was overly critical- and nobody wanted to hear that mess. The ambient sounds of Orange were rather nice as they traveled through the HQ.
Finally out of FM territory and deep into UG, Carla felt a sense of safety she hadn't experienced in a while. She could let her guard down and stop looking over her shoulder every second. It felt good to have Steven at her side, who'd grown as a leader and a friend. He was going to do great things for them.
.
Carla was all the more speechless being welcomed into his living space. "All this green! Ah! I've missed it." She smiled, "More proof life just thrives better here." Despite it's lack of guest comforts, she was able to fully relax when she entered. "Oh thank god-" There was a huge sigh of relief as she pulled the long zipper on the back of her boots. She kicked them off and left them on the floor- "Oop!" before hurriedly doubling back to neatly scoop them, stand them up, and place them together out of the way.
"Shower please!" Carla wandered around impressed by the living space, and curious what was in the packed boxes. She peeked in as she passed. "Hehee- you planning on leaving in a hurry hon?"
She leaned to one side to peek down a hall, asking where the bathroom was before disappearing for a long while to clean herself up.
Not having to cram into a stall was a nice change of pace. She indulged in Stevens circular free standing shower, taking a little more time than usual to get cleaned up. Carla found the clothes meant for her for the evening; an oversized UG hoodie, shorts, silk wrap. Maybe everything fit Steven fine but it was a bit too big for her, Carla didn't mind, it was much more comfortable than stiff dress shirts and twill skirt, and that stupid wig.
"Steve-n?" Carla said softly as she reemerged into the living space, not wanting to interrupt him if he was doing anything important. But her stomach growling seemed to announce her even louder. "Haaaaaaa ahhhhhh, yeah hi that's me."
Steven slightly stiffened when Carla did bring up the boxes before he tutted and rolled his eyes.
“I’ve just been busy, and unpacking is a long ting, ya know?” Steven grumbled as he led Carla through to the next hallway and up the stairs to the main bathroom. He left the room once Carla has a towel and supplies and dipped to his room to gather her some clothes she could wear that wouldn’t be covered in blood. The shower has its own walls for privacy, so Steven just walked back into the bathroom and left the clothes neatly by the sink, and paid the showering UG no mind.
Once he was back downstairs, Steven let out of breath as he took in the living room once more, before he decided the best thing to clear up was probably the table by the sofa. It only took a bit to organize, clear and wipe down space for them to eat and not get crumbs on the circuits of the open UG bot he had been working on. He then looked at the sofa… and began fluffing the pillows and folded the blanket he had haphazardly draped over one of the arms….
---
By the time Carla was done with her shower and downstairs again, the seating area was looking a lot smarter that it had earlier.
“Everything ok? The clothes fit?” Came Steven’s voice behind Carla, a large paper bag in one hand and cutlery and a roll of kitchen roll in the other. The food had arrived and he had to go down a few floors to get it but it seemed it got here at the right time.
He walked past Carla and gave her a quick once over, nose crinkling a little with mirth at the image of someone wearing his clothes and them being too big. Oh, how the tables have turned. He casually skipped the steps and just step onto the sofa, placed the bag down, and then patted space next to him for Carla to sit.
“I didn’t know what to get you so I got you a burger and a burrito…” He’d eat whatever was left over if she couldn't finish both, he thought to himself as he began to lay all the food out.
“I’ve just been busy, and unpacking is a long ting, ya know?” Steven grumbled as he led Carla through to the next hallway and up the stairs to the main bathroom. He left the room once Carla has a towel and supplies and dipped to his room to gather her some clothes she could wear that wouldn’t be covered in blood. The shower has its own walls for privacy, so Steven just walked back into the bathroom and left the clothes neatly by the sink, and paid the showering UG no mind.
Once he was back downstairs, Steven let out of breath as he took in the living room once more, before he decided the best thing to clear up was probably the table by the sofa. It only took a bit to organize, clear and wipe down space for them to eat and not get crumbs on the circuits of the open UG bot he had been working on. He then looked at the sofa… and began fluffing the pillows and folded the blanket he had haphazardly draped over one of the arms….
---
By the time Carla was done with her shower and downstairs again, the seating area was looking a lot smarter that it had earlier.
“Everything ok? The clothes fit?” Came Steven’s voice behind Carla, a large paper bag in one hand and cutlery and a roll of kitchen roll in the other. The food had arrived and he had to go down a few floors to get it but it seemed it got here at the right time.
He walked past Carla and gave her a quick once over, nose crinkling a little with mirth at the image of someone wearing his clothes and them being too big. Oh, how the tables have turned. He casually skipped the steps and just step onto the sofa, placed the bag down, and then patted space next to him for Carla to sit.
“I didn’t know what to get you so I got you a burger and a burrito…” He’d eat whatever was left over if she couldn't finish both, he thought to himself as he began to lay all the food out.
Carla’s eyes narrowed as she caught the slight amusement, and she understood; she was small in big clothes- ha ha amusing every time- but probably especially for him. There was a creeping smile as she craned her neck toward him. “You see something funny? Huh Rizzle?” Her little laugh echoed in the big space and she dropped herself into the couch next to Steven.
Nothing worked to lift spirits quite like the promise of food- and this food smelled so indulgent. “Ungh god, its been so long-” Carla sighed in relief and adjusted in the cushions, tucking her legs under her to bring the bag closer- untying the knot. “But yeah everything was great! Damn that shower- I might just show up again for that. Could fall asleep in there. Hehe~”
Carla helped set food items aside, she knew she was fully capable of eating both a fully loaded burger with a fried egg and potato stuffed burrito on her own. But she cut both things in half- to make it seem like she was going to share- or at least give Steven a chance to taste some before it all disappeared. She immediately grabbed a fist full of napkins and began to dig in, there was no question now about how comfortable she was. Carla made a very long, very loud satisfied groan of approval once she bit into the burger- her eyes fluttered as they rolled back and she immediately covered her stuffed mouth with a hand. “Th- thanks, by the way.” She hummed some muffled giggles with her mouth full.
“Cool statement piece-” She gestured out to the most prominent thing in the living space- the UG bot chassis laid out on the table. “What's this project about?”
Nothing worked to lift spirits quite like the promise of food- and this food smelled so indulgent. “Ungh god, its been so long-” Carla sighed in relief and adjusted in the cushions, tucking her legs under her to bring the bag closer- untying the knot. “But yeah everything was great! Damn that shower- I might just show up again for that. Could fall asleep in there. Hehe~”
Carla helped set food items aside, she knew she was fully capable of eating both a fully loaded burger with a fried egg and potato stuffed burrito on her own. But she cut both things in half- to make it seem like she was going to share- or at least give Steven a chance to taste some before it all disappeared. She immediately grabbed a fist full of napkins and began to dig in, there was no question now about how comfortable she was. Carla made a very long, very loud satisfied groan of approval once she bit into the burger- her eyes fluttered as they rolled back and she immediately covered her stuffed mouth with a hand. “Th- thanks, by the way.” She hummed some muffled giggles with her mouth full.
“Cool statement piece-” She gestured out to the most prominent thing in the living space- the UG bot chassis laid out on the table. “What's this project about?”
Steven made a loud, disgusted noise in the back of his throat at his old moniker and his eyes rolled so hard, his head rolled with them. “Wow, shut up.” He snorted as he threw Carla a disgusted look. “You know Valentine called me ‘Mr O-Rizzle’ when I was on a job? Wot an absolute bellend.”
The older man tucked a foot under him as he made himself comfortable on the long, plush sofa. “I know right, I thought I was misremembering how good that shower was- “ It was one of the things that was hard to forget after years of cold washes in rivers. “Man, you’re making me wanna take one now.” Steven laughed as he watched Carla sort herself out.
He hadn’t expected her to cut her food in half, and maybe if this was before his ‘trip away’, he’d let her eat in peace. However, it was now and now Steven leaned across to take half of the burger, took a small bite out of it before he placed it back, leaving the rest to Carla.
“No worries. You need it… And if you’re still hungry after, I got some lollies in the freeze afterwards.” He spoke after he swallowed, lips curling up in a little grin. He untucked his foot from under him as his eyes followed Carla’s gesture, grin broadening even more as he spots the little bot.
Well, little was an understatement The UG bot was a foot and a half wide and cracked open wires and parts organized neatly and out of both of their reach.
“Ah, you remember these, rights? These are my babies. They fixed up quite a bit of UG after the war and looked after repairs.” Steven couldn’t help but sound a little proud of them. “I’m thinking of bringing them back! For maintenance, y’ know? Plus its nice to not worry about fucking shit up in a fight if they are nearby.”
“Craig didn’t know how to maintain em so they were put into cold storage, but I’ve had a little time here and there to work on an updated operating system and maybe a few upgrades~”
The older man tucked a foot under him as he made himself comfortable on the long, plush sofa. “I know right, I thought I was misremembering how good that shower was- “ It was one of the things that was hard to forget after years of cold washes in rivers. “Man, you’re making me wanna take one now.” Steven laughed as he watched Carla sort herself out.
He hadn’t expected her to cut her food in half, and maybe if this was before his ‘trip away’, he’d let her eat in peace. However, it was now and now Steven leaned across to take half of the burger, took a small bite out of it before he placed it back, leaving the rest to Carla.
“No worries. You need it… And if you’re still hungry after, I got some lollies in the freeze afterwards.” He spoke after he swallowed, lips curling up in a little grin. He untucked his foot from under him as his eyes followed Carla’s gesture, grin broadening even more as he spots the little bot.
Well, little was an understatement The UG bot was a foot and a half wide and cracked open wires and parts organized neatly and out of both of their reach.
“Ah, you remember these, rights? These are my babies. They fixed up quite a bit of UG after the war and looked after repairs.” Steven couldn’t help but sound a little proud of them. “I’m thinking of bringing them back! For maintenance, y’ know? Plus its nice to not worry about fucking shit up in a fight if they are nearby.”
“Craig didn’t know how to maintain em so they were put into cold storage, but I’ve had a little time here and there to work on an updated operating system and maybe a few upgrades~”
Carla snickered with her hand over her mouth, delighted by Stevens' predictable reaction at the old name.
"He is such a fuckin bellend." She said with her mouth full. Carla wanted to try the word on for size, it was fun to say, Steven probably got a kick out of it since she sounded so very American despite being island native.
She didn't seem to slow down as she picked out handfuls of fries and easily put them away. "I hope all this does the job, but we'll see." She snickered about needing more food, staring back at the open bot.
The tiny acrobat knew the basics of bot maintenance, but very little about the actual inner workings. At least the wires and insides made sense to Steven, surely they'd be up and running in a matter of time. "The passion project. Yeah, I remember these little guys."
"Did you give these babies any names?"
"He is such a fuckin bellend." She said with her mouth full. Carla wanted to try the word on for size, it was fun to say, Steven probably got a kick out of it since she sounded so very American despite being island native.
She didn't seem to slow down as she picked out handfuls of fries and easily put them away. "I hope all this does the job, but we'll see." She snickered about needing more food, staring back at the open bot.
The tiny acrobat knew the basics of bot maintenance, but very little about the actual inner workings. At least the wires and insides made sense to Steven, surely they'd be up and running in a matter of time. "The passion project. Yeah, I remember these little guys."
"Did you give these babies any names?"
Steven couldn't help but snort a little at Carla, really wanting to ask her if she even knew what bellend meant, but left it alone to see if she would use it again unprompted.
“I can make you something if you’re still hungry for something hot.” He offered, even though cold sweet treats were still on the table. He hadn’t cooked for anyone really since he came back, but it had been such a joy to have any ingredients at his fingertips, though sometimes he did miss the thrill of tracking and hunting for his meals.
Steven’s gaze moved to the partially dismantled robot, eyes skimming the laptop screen for just a moment before moving back to Carla, his fingers flexed restlessly for a moment before settling down - Right now wasn't the moment to multitask.
“UGB’s is what I called them for short, but since there were so many, I just followed it up by a serial number.” he shrugged as he leaned over and pressed a few keys on his keyboard to approve something before turning the laptop away from him.
“Plus some arseholes broke them from time to time so you know, anything more sentimental than that and I’d probably get upset.” Well, more upset than he did when it used to happen.
“But it’d be nice to have something up and running to make life just a bit smoother round here, you know?”
“I can make you something if you’re still hungry for something hot.” He offered, even though cold sweet treats were still on the table. He hadn’t cooked for anyone really since he came back, but it had been such a joy to have any ingredients at his fingertips, though sometimes he did miss the thrill of tracking and hunting for his meals.
Steven’s gaze moved to the partially dismantled robot, eyes skimming the laptop screen for just a moment before moving back to Carla, his fingers flexed restlessly for a moment before settling down - Right now wasn't the moment to multitask.
“UGB’s is what I called them for short, but since there were so many, I just followed it up by a serial number.” he shrugged as he leaned over and pressed a few keys on his keyboard to approve something before turning the laptop away from him.
“Plus some arseholes broke them from time to time so you know, anything more sentimental than that and I’d probably get upset.” Well, more upset than he did when it used to happen.
“But it’d be nice to have something up and running to make life just a bit smoother round here, you know?”
Carla snorted as well since of course she didn't know what the word meant, it just sounded funny, and there were never too many ways to say 'Fuck Frankie Valentine'.
She finally began to slow down her eating. Cleaned up, full and comfortable it's almost as if she forgot where she was just a few hours ago. Watching Steven tap the keyboard reminded her she should check her messages. The real ones meant for Carla and not Lindy, from the people that were important to her, the ones she hadn't been able too talk to truthfully for months.
"Hmm. Well, I think, maybe you should name them." Carla thought, "Then they get to know they're special. Well if they don't know then we know." She reached out to pat the bot on the head. "An important part of UG like the rest of us."
"And if I catch anyone fucking with them I'm putting their asses in a compactor." She huffed a little laugh through her nose, tilted her head thinking on the circumstances that brought her into Stevens's home. Carla was going to have to account for those eventually, but everything was comfortable for now.
She had finished off her burger and moved on to the burrito, peeling off the wrapper. "Wait a sec, what kinda stuff do you cook here?"
She finally began to slow down her eating. Cleaned up, full and comfortable it's almost as if she forgot where she was just a few hours ago. Watching Steven tap the keyboard reminded her she should check her messages. The real ones meant for Carla and not Lindy, from the people that were important to her, the ones she hadn't been able too talk to truthfully for months.
"Hmm. Well, I think, maybe you should name them." Carla thought, "Then they get to know they're special. Well if they don't know then we know." She reached out to pat the bot on the head. "An important part of UG like the rest of us."
"And if I catch anyone fucking with them I'm putting their asses in a compactor." She huffed a little laugh through her nose, tilted her head thinking on the circumstances that brought her into Stevens's home. Carla was going to have to account for those eventually, but everything was comfortable for now.
She had finished off her burger and moved on to the burrito, peeling off the wrapper. "Wait a sec, what kinda stuff do you cook here?"
“I’m … not very good at coming up with names…” Steven huffed as he watched Carla pat the bot. Everyone knew he’d made them, that was the reason that some shitheads thought they were ok to break. They weren’t a ‘limited resource’ like the other bots on this island. They weren’t ‘special’ enough, even if they could repair buildings and streets with a mix of the recycler tech and nanotechnology…
“Thanks. I'm sure they’d appreciate that.” He smiled warmly at the younger UG, eyes nearly closing with content. It was always nice to know someone had their back if he couldn't be there for them. He unfurled a little and let his legs stretch out a bit, his toes unconsciously wiggling to an unheard beat. Steven’s eyes opened again at the inquiry, shoulder rolling with a shrug as he answered:
“I can follow a recipe if you give me one… Like, I've been cooking for myself for years now…I cooked for the BBQ we had a while back.” That was normal, right? He learned to cook from a young age, being a latch-free kid and all with spare time on his hands… And it wasn't like he was a ‘master chef’ or anything but he felt he was decent by his standards…
“I, er… Can cook you breakfast if you’re staying the night if you want?” He gave a noncommittal shrug, not really knowing the other's plans after this. “You got something you want to eat?”
“Thanks. I'm sure they’d appreciate that.” He smiled warmly at the younger UG, eyes nearly closing with content. It was always nice to know someone had their back if he couldn't be there for them. He unfurled a little and let his legs stretch out a bit, his toes unconsciously wiggling to an unheard beat. Steven’s eyes opened again at the inquiry, shoulder rolling with a shrug as he answered:
“I can follow a recipe if you give me one… Like, I've been cooking for myself for years now…I cooked for the BBQ we had a while back.” That was normal, right? He learned to cook from a young age, being a latch-free kid and all with spare time on his hands… And it wasn't like he was a ‘master chef’ or anything but he felt he was decent by his standards…
“I, er… Can cook you breakfast if you’re staying the night if you want?” He gave a noncommittal shrug, not really knowing the other's plans after this. “You got something you want to eat?”
"Oh goodness no, I got everything I need right now." She thought for a moment on spending the night, it sounded nice to her. But she immediately shook her head, declining as to not feel more intrusive on Stevens's privacy. "This is more than enough. You saved my life tonight." In more ways than one.
"Man. I'm still sad I missed out on that grilling." She huffed a frustrated sigh through her nose, remembering the summertime sadness of losing the volleyball match with Zakiya.
"But nah, not like that, just y'know." She shrugged, poking some burrito filling back into it's tortilla, and sucking sauce from her finger. "What you make for yourself when it's just you around." She realized that must be all the time for Steven, she was one of the few who lived with family.
"Well, when I get the house to myself," Carla decided to tell her tale anyway. "I make this badass mac and cheese. Two layers, heavy cream, bread crumbs, bacon, crisp up the top in the ovennnn." She flicked her wrist as if she were tossing spices on a dish. "Top it with a little basil and green onion from the gardens? And Good Golly Miss Molly-" She made a 'spicy meatball' gesture, kissing her fingers and giggling. "So bad for you- hehe-"
"I'll bring you some." Carla exchanged a genuine smile with her Boss. "Or I'll just send you the recipe, we can compare if you make it."
"Man. I'm still sad I missed out on that grilling." She huffed a frustrated sigh through her nose, remembering the summertime sadness of losing the volleyball match with Zakiya.
"But nah, not like that, just y'know." She shrugged, poking some burrito filling back into it's tortilla, and sucking sauce from her finger. "What you make for yourself when it's just you around." She realized that must be all the time for Steven, she was one of the few who lived with family.
"Well, when I get the house to myself," Carla decided to tell her tale anyway. "I make this badass mac and cheese. Two layers, heavy cream, bread crumbs, bacon, crisp up the top in the ovennnn." She flicked her wrist as if she were tossing spices on a dish. "Top it with a little basil and green onion from the gardens? And Good Golly Miss Molly-" She made a 'spicy meatball' gesture, kissing her fingers and giggling. "So bad for you- hehe-"
"I'll bring you some." Carla exchanged a genuine smile with her Boss. "Or I'll just send you the recipe, we can compare if you make it."
“Yeah, no. I get yah.” Steven inclined his head in one very slow nod and gave another small shrug of his shoulders- They were probably too old for sleepovers… probably? Plus, it wasn't like Carla had to trek through the jungles at night or anything to get back to hers unarmed or anything.
“Well, you snooze, ya lose.” He grinned as he closed his eyes and patted his stomach, remembering all the BBQ he and that bandito girl ate. “And that squid was freshly caught too, just for that day. You know, some UG would of killed to have something cooked by me…” He said with a pensive voice while not so secretly an eye cracked open to see Carla’s expression, to see if she was buying his act.
“Cook for myself? …” That… was a hard question. He found himself still craving things from ‘the other island’ that couldn't translate in flavour, missed eating as much Kelp at times even though he knew he couldn’t - too much and he’d just feel sick…
“Mac and cheese?” Steven smiled as he leaned in a little and listened to all the little tricks and flairs she added to the recipe - a light drum of fingers tapped out a light beat against Steven’s thigh as he logged down the ingredients in his mind - heavy cream tap tap bread crumbs ta-tap tap- The fingers stopped when Carla offered a recipe and Steven smiled sweetly back, the joy infecting his laugh a little as he replied:
“You could do both, that way I get to taste how it ‘meant to be’ and I can try to make it by myself when I’m missing you.” He teased as he thought for a moment about a ‘normal’ thing he liked to cook rather than a ‘survival’ he had to cook just to eat…
“This is going to sound lame, but like baked beans on some thick and soft buttered toast with a little cheese, a little dash of Worcestershire sauce and a little hit of tabasco sauce is one of my go-to’s if I don't have a lot of time, but I need to eat” His smile turned a little sheepish at the very simple meal, but it seemed like heaven when he could finally make it again after all these years.
“Well, you snooze, ya lose.” He grinned as he closed his eyes and patted his stomach, remembering all the BBQ he and that bandito girl ate. “And that squid was freshly caught too, just for that day. You know, some UG would of killed to have something cooked by me…” He said with a pensive voice while not so secretly an eye cracked open to see Carla’s expression, to see if she was buying his act.
“Cook for myself? …” That… was a hard question. He found himself still craving things from ‘the other island’ that couldn't translate in flavour, missed eating as much Kelp at times even though he knew he couldn’t - too much and he’d just feel sick…
“Mac and cheese?” Steven smiled as he leaned in a little and listened to all the little tricks and flairs she added to the recipe - a light drum of fingers tapped out a light beat against Steven’s thigh as he logged down the ingredients in his mind - heavy cream tap tap bread crumbs ta-tap tap- The fingers stopped when Carla offered a recipe and Steven smiled sweetly back, the joy infecting his laugh a little as he replied:
“You could do both, that way I get to taste how it ‘meant to be’ and I can try to make it by myself when I’m missing you.” He teased as he thought for a moment about a ‘normal’ thing he liked to cook rather than a ‘survival’ he had to cook just to eat…
“This is going to sound lame, but like baked beans on some thick and soft buttered toast with a little cheese, a little dash of Worcestershire sauce and a little hit of tabasco sauce is one of my go-to’s if I don't have a lot of time, but I need to eat” His smile turned a little sheepish at the very simple meal, but it seemed like heaven when he could finally make it again after all these years.
"Aww, when you miss me?" She said with great emphasis to make sure it wasn't understated. Carla pointed at Stevens middle as she giggled. "You're gonna get chunky cuz that'll be- All. The. Time." She hummed and put away the last of her burrito. Two whole meals demolished by one tiny lady. She was relieved to have good food for the first time in weeks, and Carla sighed as she made a neat little stack of empty take out boxes.
Stevens humble food reveal made her feel warm, there was something comforting about it. "That sounds cute, not hard at all." She brought her feet up into the couch cushion, hugging her legs to her chest, tilting her head to rest on her knees. "Also not gonna put you in a coma after, hehe! I'd try it."
"On homemade bread too tho? Mm hmm!" Carlas bubbly demeanor subsided, and she grew quiet as she observed Steven next to her. His glowing eyes and many scars.
"Man, it's nice to be back." She said after a few beats of silence, a bit quieter now that she was still. "Nice to not have to sleep with one eye open, y'know?" Carla figured he did know, very well in fact.
Stevens humble food reveal made her feel warm, there was something comforting about it. "That sounds cute, not hard at all." She brought her feet up into the couch cushion, hugging her legs to her chest, tilting her head to rest on her knees. "Also not gonna put you in a coma after, hehe! I'd try it."
"On homemade bread too tho? Mm hmm!" Carlas bubbly demeanor subsided, and she grew quiet as she observed Steven next to her. His glowing eyes and many scars.
"Man, it's nice to be back." She said after a few beats of silence, a bit quieter now that she was still. "Nice to not have to sleep with one eye open, y'know?" Carla figured he did know, very well in fact.
“Yeah.“ Steven said in a moment of pure honesty as he blinked owlishly as the teasing, lips pressed into a line for a moment before he gave a shrug of his shoulders. He was allowed to miss people if he wanted and it was good to let them know sometimes. He rolled his eyes at the pointing though, slapping her finger away gently.
“I’ve never made bread before…” He admitted, his baking skills not really up to par with his cooking skills. “Maybe you can teach me that too someday.” He hummed as he nodded his head in agreement with ‘being back’.
Carla had been gone for a while now, stuck behind enemy lines with no direct backup. It must have been…. rough. He huffed a little agreeing with her once more as he let his eyes drift back to her.
Steven made a little noise in the back of his throat, mostly in thought as he made a decision. He sat up a little straighter and turned his body towards the other UG and held his arms out, hands motioning for her to come closer to him.
“I’ve never made bread before…” He admitted, his baking skills not really up to par with his cooking skills. “Maybe you can teach me that too someday.” He hummed as he nodded his head in agreement with ‘being back’.
Carla had been gone for a while now, stuck behind enemy lines with no direct backup. It must have been…. rough. He huffed a little agreeing with her once more as he let his eyes drift back to her.
Steven made a little noise in the back of his throat, mostly in thought as he made a decision. He sat up a little straighter and turned his body towards the other UG and held his arms out, hands motioning for her to come closer to him.
"Bread isn't hard. Just takes some patience, trial and error." Carla absently answered, looking down at her own feet, "Once you get it down though. There's so much you can make. Mama taught me. She used to be……….. really good at it." There was a brief pause at that mention, not noticing Stevens shift until she looked up at the sound of something.
There was a look of surprise from Carla, never really having been close to Steven in that way. She felt a flutter in her chest, and a rush of heat to her face. But despite the surprise Carla climbed on the cushions towards him. She reached out to hug Steven around the middle, pressing her cheek against him and sinking into the embrace.
There were some moments of shifting before she was still and quiet.
There was a look of surprise from Carla, never really having been close to Steven in that way. She felt a flutter in her chest, and a rush of heat to her face. But despite the surprise Carla climbed on the cushions towards him. She reached out to hug Steven around the middle, pressing her cheek against him and sinking into the embrace.
There were some moments of shifting before she was still and quiet.
A tiny huff of relieved laughter escaped Steven as Carla hugged him round his middle, his arms instantly came up around her to embrace her properly. He rubbed small circles into her back and side as he listened to Carla’s heartbeat, and gave her a squeeze now and then.
He was so glad she was back in one piece.
“Hey, Carla.” He said softly, after a few minutes, giving her another small squeeze.
“...”
…
Ah…
Carla was asleep.
----
After a few moments of rearranging and trying to get a sleeping Carla to let go of him and failing, Steven was able to at least get into a comfortable position, grab a blanket to cover the two of them and turn off the lights with his phone.
Steven had enough leverage at least to detach his arm and set it to charge for the night, his fingers massaged into the stump of his right for a little while before closing his eyes himself, not really wanting to play about with his phone or do any work.
He was happy to be in the moment, being a small comfort to his friend for a while and would try another escape attempted when her grip was a little looser.
He was so glad she was back in one piece.
“Hey, Carla.” He said softly, after a few minutes, giving her another small squeeze.
“...”
…
Ah…
Carla was asleep.
----
After a few moments of rearranging and trying to get a sleeping Carla to let go of him and failing, Steven was able to at least get into a comfortable position, grab a blanket to cover the two of them and turn off the lights with his phone.
Steven had enough leverage at least to detach his arm and set it to charge for the night, his fingers massaged into the stump of his right for a little while before closing his eyes himself, not really wanting to play about with his phone or do any work.
He was happy to be in the moment, being a small comfort to his friend for a while and would try another escape attempted when her grip was a little looser.
📢‼️‼️‼️‼️🎉🕴️🕴️🕴️🕴️🎉🏋️♀️🏋️♀️🎉😝😝🤸♀️🎺🎺🎺😝🙌💪🦾👯♂️👯♂️👯♀️👯♀️🎉😝😝🎉🎉
Finished!!!
Finished!!!
Moderators: AJ_89 Steven (played by Robo-Craig) QnQ Hide Miyagawa (played by Monoclejack)
