for striker_eureka

[gipsy_danger]

((starting here))

True to her word, Gipsy waits.

Of course, she can't do much other than that -- she's fairly constrained by previous injuries, and though her arm has been reattached and repaired she still can't quite walk on her own. This, Gipsy makes abundantly clear in beeps and grumbles, but it's mostly ignored because there's nothing they can do about it quite yet. Progress is being made, but it's not nearly fast enough for her satisfaction.

It's why she's grumpy as hell when he comes the next day; beeps decidedly irritated and far too loud for someone that had been drifting solo with a jaeger the previous day.

(( other conclusions Here. ))

Comments

[striker_eureka]

Well, he figured if she was mad, she'd beep at him a few more times, strident and obnoxious. She's never been afraid to make her displeasure known when it comes down to it.

No, in no way is Gipsy 'soft.' She's a big girl who has thoughts and feelings just like anyone else, and Herc can respect that. He likes that about her, that she's not an unfeeling automaton, or cocky and obnoxious, or snobby and aloof.

He hums happily, leaning back against her helmet again and holding his water loosely against his chest. "Good. I'm glad they're treating you right."

[gipsy_danger]

...Gipsy does enjoy expressing herself with her beeps when unable to communicate directly.

There's the slightest pressure against his back; Gipsy 'leans' into him, though it's more like a shifting of a panel or two in order to press metal to human, and it's gone in moments and sliding back into place with a click.

[striker_eureka]

He smiles when he feels her shift against his back, and he cranes his neck around so he can see her optical sensors a little better.

"Was that you being friendly, or am I bothering you? I can move if you'd like."

[gipsy_danger]

Ugh.

Gipsy makes a frustrated noise. Questions like that are hard to answer when not connected -- it's not a simple yes or no answer. She doesn't want him to move or leave or anything like that. It was a play at mild affection, but she doesn't know how to properly convey it.

She'd kill for a vocal processor right about now.

[striker_eureka]

Herc seems to realize his mistake and he laughs a little.

"Alright, let's try this. One beep for 'yes, I'm bothering you,' and two beeps for 'no, I was just being friendly.' Sound doable?"

[gipsy_danger]

Better. She can handle that.

She beeps twice, one right after the other.

[striker_eureka]

He grins to himself, leaning back against her helmet a little.

"Well thank you, darling, I'm glad to know you like me around."

[gipsy_danger]

She's beginning to like that term of endearment he's taken to calling her, and she makes a pleased little noise when he says it, then settles in to let him rest against her massive helm for the time being. She doesn't know how long he has or what other duties he needs to attend to -- she just knows that she's enjoying his presence, even without the drift.

[striker_eureka]

Hercules gets comfortable, stuffing the wrappers from his lunch into his pocket and stretching out his legs, crossing his ankles as he settles down. Gipsy is surprisingly comfortable, actually, and if they weren't in the middle of a crowded docking bay, he might even manage to doze off against her.

Herc has developed the admirable skill of falling asleep at the drop of a hat that all soldiers seem to have. It makes the short nights easier, because whenever he has a moment of downtime, out he goes, like a light.

But it would be rude to sleep on Gipsy when he's here to visit her, so he just lets himself fall back into easy conversation, this time about movies he vaguely remembers watching Before.

[gipsy_danger]

She wouldn't mind if he did, really. She doesn't think he gets enough rest as it is -- she would encourage a nap, if he thought he'd be able to sleep there without falling off.

She's equally pleased to be privy about movie conversation though, and whirrs quietly as a response -- more.

[striker_eureka]

His hand idly skims over the metal plating he's sitting on, stroking her shoulder in a wide arc. He doubt she can really feel it but it's soothing for him too, so he continues as he discusses the adaptations of comics he used to read, and how excited he was when they started coming out right after he graduated from college.

Does she even understand the concept of college? Of school in general? He has no idea. Next time they Drift, he'll ask her.

[gipsy_danger]

She can only feel the pressure; light touches are harder for her sensors to register. She's vaguely aware he's doing something, but it's hard to tell what.

There's a lot of things he talks about that Gipsy doesn't really 'get'. She won't stop listening, though. She purrs at him softly, his words lulling her into pleased contentment.

[striker_eureka]

It's basically just what he does when he pats the control panel inside her helm; a fond little touch to remind her he likes her.

Herc's not really sure how long he's been sitting here with Gipsy, but it's been long enough that the maintenance shift way down on the ground has had time to switch from morning to afternoon, and he really should be going.

"Well, Gipsy my dear, I think I need to be going now." He levers himself reluctantly to his feet, still leaning against her helm.

[gipsy_danger]

Gipsy's concept of time is different than his -- she hadn't noticed the shift change until he stands up.

She whines a little -- must you?

[striker_eureka]

"I know, love, I know. I like spending time with you too."

He leans his hand against her helm a little more firmly, just so she can feel him there.

"I'll come see you tomorrow, though. Would you like that?"

[gipsy_danger]

That she can feel. Sensors pick up pressure and heat, and she registers the print of his hand on her helm.

She beeps at him, a lilting sound that indicates a yes.

[striker_eureka]

"Alright, tomorrow it is."

He gives her another little lean against her helm and then carefully makes his way over to the gangplank so he can clamber off her.

[gipsy_danger]

She sighs a whistle in farewell, then settles in to await his return the next day.

She's starting to regret not letting him drift with her -- but really, it's for the best.

[striker_eureka]

All is still quiet on the Western Front (though technically Hong Kong is Eastern...) the next day, so Herc swings by Gipsy's hangar nice and early, clambering up onto her shoulder with his suit already on. He's fully expecting to Drift again with her.

"Good morning, young lady. How are we feeling today?"

[gipsy_danger]

She's 'awake' and waiting for him, a little restless and anxious. She wasn't expecting him that early but still, she's happy to see him. She beeps quietly in greeting, sensors registering his presence before she can 'see' him.

[striker_eureka]

"Are you going to let me drift with you this morning, or am I going to have to perch on your shoulder and talk at you again?"

He makes it sound like a bad thing, but really, Herc doesn't mind. He enjoyed their time together yesterday, and doing it again today would be plenty relaxing for him.

[gipsy_danger]

Gipsy gives him a disgruntled beep.

What did we decide yesterday about yes and no questions, Herc...

[striker_eureka]

"Oh, I'm sorry love. Here." He puts on his helmet and steps into place, feeling the conn-pod surge around him and the connections fire up.

3...2...1...

And he's being whipped backwards through his own mind, a dizzying array of memories and thoughts slipping past until he's cradled in a kind of limbo where there is no definite end to him and start to her.

Now we can talk properly.

[gipsy_danger]

Disjointed memories and disembodied voices filter through Gipsy's link as she's thrown into the Drift; his and hers intermingle until they are one, both left open, raw, and vulnerable to one another.

We need a better system of communication. You seem unable to ask me yes and no questions.

She doesn't sound mad, though. Just amused.

[striker_eureka]

It's a failing of mine, my apologies.

Likewise, he seems more amused than anything else. I'll try harder in the future.