1. [Action]

[rewritethis]

[Here's a short blond kid wandering rather stiffly around campus, pestering anyone who looks even slightly engineering-minded:]

Uh, 'scuse me. You know if there're any mechanics around here? Or if you are one, could you do me a favour? I'm not - well, I guess I am low on money now... but I'll work something out.

[Because if there's one thing more annoying than being unexpectedly and unwillingly propelled to a parallel world, it's being unexpectedly propelled to a parallel world where your arm won't stay on properly. Ed can in fact speak from experience since both have happened to him in the past day or so, and he's really pissed off about it. More than usual, even.

He mentally takes stock yet again, in the hope that his situation will make a little more sense the fifth or sixth time through. So... he woke up, definitely not dead. That's a bad start. And then he went and enrolled in the first group he bumped into that remotely resembled a military, which just goes to show he hasn't learned anything. Shortly after that, after they left him to his own devices for the rest of the day, was when his arm fell off. What was it doing here in the first place, anyway? And his leg? He supposes it's better than not having them at all, but...

Nope, no more sense. Oh well. Maybe if he walks around long enough and bugs enough people, someone will take pity on him. And it serves the additional purpose of familiarising himself with these new surroundings, he tells himself, because he hates feeling as useless as this.]

Comments

[bot_builder]

Yeah, like I said: loyalty chips. Always use them.

You really don't understand the subtler side of things, do you?

[He straightens.] Ok, that's all I can do with my current supplies. It looks like the screws at the shoulder-joint popped out somehow--stripped themselves or unscrewed themselves through use, I don't know--when I get some new ones to replace them, the arm should be usable again. But.

[Jack wags a finger at Ed.] This thing is going to need some major work soon. One of the struts is broken, and several others are getting weak. A number of the still-present screws need to be replaced. One of the plates is cracked. The elbow joint itself might need replacing. Whatever you've been doing with it, stop. At least until someone's done a thorough overhaul of it.

[rewritethis]

[A shade more serious than the way he's been talking up until now:] No, I get it. You're ashamed, and you want to separate yourself from the rest of the world by pretending that reality is gonna rearrange itself to suit you if you just pick the right words. But reality doesn't care what you say, and it's better all round if you don't try to prove otherwise. So why put yourself to the trouble?

[That's just by the by, though. Ed lifts the arm up gingerly and privately thinks: it's been in worse condition, what's the problem?] Well, that can wait. When do you think you can get some new ones?

1/3

[bot_builder]

[Jack scowls pretty deeply.] Because reality is going to learn to care. [Yes, he realizes after he says it that it sounds stupid. It's cool though, because it's megalomaniacally-stupid, not just... stupid-stupid. Yeah.]

2/3

[bot_builder]

[He's just going to look awkward for a minute.]

3/3

[bot_builder]

[Then he's fine again, and shrugs.] Eh. I'll swipe em next time I'm in engineering class. So... I guess [gives a soon-ish date].

[rewritethis]

[Ooookay.

Meh, jerkishness aside, the guy has been helpful. He'll just have to keep the arm somewhere out of the way in the meantime, he figures.] I guess I'll just meet you back here, then. Honestly, thanks a lot - uh - [And it just now occurs to him that the guy might have a name other than "the guy". Oh well.]

...But don't think I owe you anything extra! One favour, that's all!

[bot_builder]

Sure thing. If that arm ever breaks for real, lemme know. I'd love to take it apart. [...He says as if that isn't utterly creeptastic.]

[And Jack smiles, just a tad unpleasantly again.] Oh, I won't forget, don't worry. I'll be sure to be it count.