[ There's only a brief moment of half-startled double checking before he blinks it away and renews his smile. ]
Thanks.
[ That good luck has him practically floating back to the worksite, fizzy warmth blending smoothly into technical calm to produce even-keeled euphoria. He's doing what he's supposed to do.
The search doesn't take long. There's an adjustable wrench set next to a stack of uninstalled plumbing. He tosses it for a spin when he picks it up for the mindless satisfaction of the slap of cool weight against his palm. If only his shop teacher could see him now.
When he comes back, he barely skirts her tentacle to get to the robot, focused on the most efficient route. ]
Okay. [ He exhales through his nose and sets the wrench to the first bolt, mechanism clicking as he spins it to fit. ] Here goes nothing.
[ He applies a pulse of steady pressure to the wrench handle, feeling through the feedback. His forehead gains a new, faint line as he nods, then braces his hand on the robot's shoulder as he shifts his grip on the handle down half an inch and pushes, muscles of his arm standing out taut. Nothing happens for a few seconds, and then the bolt twists. Krouse grins.
What are you doing? The bot asks, politely, trowel buried in the earth. ]
no subject
Thanks.
[ That good luck has him practically floating back to the worksite, fizzy warmth blending smoothly into technical calm to produce even-keeled euphoria. He's doing what he's supposed to do.
The search doesn't take long. There's an adjustable wrench set next to a stack of uninstalled plumbing. He tosses it for a spin when he picks it up for the mindless satisfaction of the slap of cool weight against his palm. If only his shop teacher could see him now.
When he comes back, he barely skirts her tentacle to get to the robot, focused on the most efficient route. ]
Okay. [ He exhales through his nose and sets the wrench to the first bolt, mechanism clicking as he spins it to fit. ] Here goes nothing.
[ He applies a pulse of steady pressure to the wrench handle, feeling through the feedback. His forehead gains a new, faint line as he nods, then braces his hand on the robot's shoulder as he shifts his grip on the handle down half an inch and pushes, muscles of his arm standing out taut. Nothing happens for a few seconds, and then the bolt twists. Krouse grins.
What are you doing? The bot asks, politely, trowel buried in the earth. ]
Diagnostic check. Don't worry about it.