“Sorry Rena, my mistake, I could use some advice on R&D too if you don’t mind?”
Seeing the other smile now, the CEO is smiling softly too. The laughter and excitement that seemed to radiate from the other now, it made Rias happy to see for sure. Though the being called Boss did feel off a bit.
“Well guards and security is always a good thing to have, and well good for making sure our weaponry works effectively in the field by experts, it would be useful.”
Rias pondered aloud, but in her mind she was going to wonder if she could trust bandits, but Rena seemed trustworthy and eager. If she had survived this long with them, then she’d have to give them the benefit of the doubt, even if they only ended up joining for the guns and fighting.
Rias did tilt her head to one side at the other’s comment of not being a people person. Which while Rias did her best to radiate confidence, when it came to people it wasn’t always the way she really was around people.
“I have to say I think you are very brave, having come here to see about Atlas coming back and talking with me.”
She was doing her best to encourage and compliment the other female. A small chuckle from her lips now, she had experienced enough of Pandora to get a taste of how it drives one’s mind to a place they would probably not want it to go to. She may not have been around it for as long as Rena, but it had dealt it’s scars to her too.
“Yeah, I think you are extremely strong to have survived, I know I wouldn’t have been able to keep my mind this long. having almost lost it after being here for an afternoon. But it seems getting away might be the best thing for us.”
This would be the moment a small little ball like robot would roll herself into the room and up to Rias before even realising someone else was here too. Of course the robot curious asked Rias who it was that was here, the CEO kneeling down to the little one.
“Gortys, this is Rena she’s going to be joining us to go to Promethea. Our new Head of Sciences and Advice giver for R&D though possibly head of that too maybe?” Rias looked up at Rena hopefully as Gortys rolled over to say hello.
“Say no more,” Rena assured with a nod. “Honestly... All you really need to do is point me in the direction you want this company to go and I’ll getcha there. I can even mildly direct builders when it comes to Atlas guns! Hyperion asked R&D to work on gun effects for some time, so I have rudimentary understanding of guns... Specifically, how they should be working with the elemental compounds. So you have that, too! Along with...anything else. Personally, I’m always fond of biology, evolutionary biology, and what genetics we can tamper with.” A pause. “...I used to do a lot of mutantion side projects, is what I’m saying.”
Note to self for later: has Rias seen any dragons around? There should be dragons... Surely Silverstreak and Apophis would’ve survived the crash of Helios? Thoughts like this make her anxious, but they should be enough of a hardy bunch to survive...she hopes.
“Okay, so. Pops. He’s a robotics expert, best I’ve ever known. He’d make any circuitry board sing... I wouldn’t put it past him.” Rena pulls out a dirty old ECHO device, clicking it on with an incredible rendition of a near-full scale map of Pandora. “Pyrotech and Meowzer are bandit leaders that typically work out of the Dead Sands, but they wander Pandora quite a bit. Gained quite the following, too! No idea why they didn’t shoot me dead at first meeting, but... We’re cool now.
“Finally, I know a man called Doc- Scott- over in the upper North. Got one of my bots and... Well, not sure of his entire medical history, but he fixes my glasses.” Rena tapped the wire frames on her face. “An optometrist and ophthalmologist all in one. So... Hey! If anyone else needs glasses, he’s a start. But, uh... If you need an actually useful doctor, I’ll hit him up and ask his full qualifications.” She’d understand if Rias had some, ah, concerns.
...Though it sinks in that Rias payed her a compliment and Rena looks up with surprise, blinking at her. Huh? What? Did she.....mean that? Might as well assume she did.
“Oh... Um! Thanks. Yeah... Definitely the better decision I’ve made in my life.” There’s cogs turning in her head, but they stop when a...ball rolls in? A metal ball? What is-?
Her eyes widen just so, lips parted as she stares at Gortys. It’s hard to pin any other emotion aside from shock...but tears gather in her eyes?! Rena puts her hands up, covering her mouth and nose. Oh my stars. That’s the cutest fucking droid she’s ever seen. Rena loathes crying in front of others, but Rias is so quickly forgotten in honor of Gortys.
“Oh my... Hi there,” she manages, crouching down to Gortys’ level, no hesitation. “You’re adorable.”