Rattle The Stars

|| Jim | 29 | Mechanic | Gadgets Garage || Look at you! Glowing like a solar fire. You're something special, Jim. You're gonna rattle the stars, you are!

[jimbostardust]

Totally Normal - Mirhawks

It’s totally normal...totally and completely normal to casually meet up with someone for coffee on your lunch break. There’s totally and completely nothing wrong with that. 

So why is Jim sitting at a table by the window practically vibrating his leg is shaking so much? He considered telling Boo about the crazy night he had when he got home, but thought better of it, considering everything about what happened. 

He ordered a spiced hot chocolate, and took a sip way too quickly because he was too impatient. So when Liza finally walked in the door, he was nursing a little burnt patch on the tip of his tongue. 

He sat straighter, chewing on the inside of his cheek, “hello again.” 

[jimbostardust]

Late Night Repairs - Mirhawks

@liza-mirage

Jim was certain he'd locked the door to the garage. He was at least 80% positive. And yet, he'd heard the door click and the definite rustle of someone touching the pamphlets on the front desk. He very quickly wheeled himself out from under the bed of the pick-up he was working on for the folks down at the stables and stood up. Dusting off his knees.

"H'lo?" he called, twirling the oily socket wrench in his hands, "Sorry, I've just closed things up for the evening. We'll be here tomorrow, though." He peered through to the front desk, not immediately seeing anyone. He gripped the wrench tighter, holding it in front of himself, as he stepped into the room. "Hello?"

[liza-mirage]

jimbostardust​:

Jim was actually grateful for the opportunity to talk about himself. Usually he sidestepped this conversation, quickly (and often not politely) excusing himself from anyone who asked about his past, but he felt this unconscious tug, like being near Liza made him want to open up. And to be totally fair, he’s already shared this much, why not everything else too? 

“There was a fire,” he began, apprehensively, and that was all he could manage before his body remembered he shouldn’t be telling people this. Specifically strangers with a knowledge of tech! He nodding for her to follow him to the door, unlocking and opening it. He looked at the ground, away from her, and gestured vaguely to the garage, “I gotta clean up and get out of here, maybe we could talk about this some other time.” 

Liza stopped where she was. The instinct was to do what he said, to leave, to acquiesce. It was obviously a sore topic for him, and she didn’t intend to push, or pry, but she also didn’t want this to end yet. She had been hiding for so long, and leaving like that would only make her anxious. They had to part on good terms otherwise she’d be terrified he’d tell someone. 

“No, wait.” She said, stepping away from him and further into the room, “I can help you. I feel bad for breaking in and keeping you, let me help you clean, so you can get home.” She offered, immediately picking up the WD40 and different pieces he’d used to fix her - setting them back where she had found them from. 

[jimbostardust]

Jim sighed, okay so the normal tactics used to shoo someone will not work on her. That’s good to know. Exhaustion started settling into his movements as he began thinking of home; of his bed, and the leftover take away in the fridge, and the cat. He needs to get home before she curls up in bed, because they’ve worked up to sniffing but not petting yet, and he’s willing to play the long game for some cuddles.

“It’s not a big deal,” he lied, trying not to think too much about the implications of allowing a burglar stay for a tune up, but whatever, that’s a tomorrow problem. Definitely. “Really, I’ll take care of it, but, I mean it. Let’s talk again soon, okay?” 

[jimbostardust]

Late Night Repairs - Mirhawks

@liza-mirage

Jim was certain he'd locked the door to the garage. He was at least 80% positive. And yet, he'd heard the door click and the definite rustle of someone touching the pamphlets on the front desk. He very quickly wheeled himself out from under the bed of the pick-up he was working on for the folks down at the stables and stood up. Dusting off his knees.

"H'lo?" he called, twirling the oily socket wrench in his hands, "Sorry, I've just closed things up for the evening. We'll be here tomorrow, though." He peered through to the front desk, not immediately seeing anyone. He gripped the wrench tighter, holding it in front of himself, as he stepped into the room. "Hello?"

[liza-mirage]

jimbostardust​:

They are…a lot closer than Jim thought they’d be. She’s touching his neck and arm. tracing the lines on his body that he indicated for her. He hasn’t been this close to someone in a really long time. So she was a burglar ten seconds ago, no one’s perfect. Jim’s done way worse, and will probably do worse still before death catches up with him.

100%

“Oh!” If she put some distance between them, it would’ve been much more obvious how he retracted his hands from her, stepping back. That was something to process. 

He’d been talking to her–she’d been talking to him totally normally, like she was a regular human being. 

He blinked, chewing the inside of his cheek. “Uh…cool. Cool, cool, cool.” 

There it was. She couldn’t fault him for the reaction, she knew she was an oddity, if not one of a kind. Most people wouldn’t in their lifetimes come across someone who was 100% android, and not cyborg like the man in front of her. 

He recovered quickly though, and she smiled, practically able to see the cogs turning in his brain as he thought over how to continue the conversation. She knew the closeness they had shared before likely wouldn’t be replicated, but it had been nice for a moment. A memory to store away when she was lonesome. 

“Do you mind if I ask how you... your injury? It must have been difficult to repair yourself. I’ve struggled with much less, if today didn’t make that obvious.” She said, gesturing to his hand. 

[jimbostardust]

Jim was actually grateful for the opportunity to talk about himself. Usually he sidestepped this conversation, quickly (and often not politely) excusing himself from anyone who asked about his past, but he felt this unconscious tug, like being near Liza made him want to open up. And to be totally fair, he’s already shared this much, why not everything else too? 

“There was a fire,” he began, apprehensively, and that was all he could manage before his body remembered he shouldn’t be telling people this. Specifically strangers with a knowledge of tech! He nodding for her to follow him to the door, unlocking and opening it. He looked at the ground, away from her, and gestured vaguely to the garage, “I gotta clean up and get out of here, maybe we could talk about this some other time.” 

[boointhenight]

jimbostardust·:

The Cat Came Back || Bookins

Jim was making pancakes. Because, really, there’s never a wrong time to have pancakes. However, there is a wrong way to make pancakes, and Jim has succeeded in making a double stack of burnt, soggy, lump-filled disks of dough. He has managed to not only fill the apartment with smoke, and smack the hell out of the alarm until he had to just unplug it, but also pretty badly burn his fingers after trying and failing to flip one of them without a spatula. 

He was dumping the evidence of his disastrous attempt at feeding himself when Boo walked in. He poked his head out of the kitchen, looking guilty as he fanned the remainder of the smoke with a dish rag, out of sight. 

“Oh, ah–no? No I’m not,” he said, looking down at the cat, who was definitely judging him. Not just, figuratively, he totally saw it roll its eyes. Can cats roll their eyes? “He’s cute.” 

.

Boo wasn’t bothered by all the smoke in the kitchen as she’d had more than her fair share of kitchen disasters and understood it well. (There was a reason she served and she did not cook in all her years in food service.) It wasn’t actively on fire at the moment, so she counted that as a win. Far more pressing was the cat staring at the both of them. 

The cat absolutely gave Boo a look like ‘this is where you’ve been living’ which made her flush slightly. 

“Ah, good, that’s good. So, Jim, this is…well ok I’ve mostly just been calling her ‘the cat’ or speaking to her directly whenever she shows up, but she’s gone running with me through the forest sometimes. Cat, this is my roommate Jim.”

It felt weird to introduce them like this, but she knew it would have been weirder not to introduce anyone. “And I guess she’s here now?”

[jimbostardust]

Jim crouched down before the creature, getting the very odd feeling that he is being read for filth. He cocked his head to the side, quirking an eyebrow.  He offered her a peaceable hand to sniff and she turned her nose up at it. Wounded, he retracted his hand and huffed, feeling rejected.

“Well, hi Cat.” He greeted regardless. He will get to scritch her head. He’s willing to play the long game on that. 

He turned back to Boo, looking back at the mess he made of the kitchen, “I’m sorry about this, I opened the windows to let the smoke out. I think I should maybe stick to oatmeal, ramen, and chicken nuggets.” 

[boointhenight]

The Cat Came Back || Bookins

@jimbostardust​

Boo had only been at part of the lantern festival as she’d needed to head to her evening shift at Pizza Planet to close that night, so she hadn’t seen the crazy thing happen with the trees. But she sure heard about it. It seemed like everyone who came in to get food after that point was talking about it, what it meant, and whether or not people’s wishes were coming true. 

For Boo, it meant something a little more frustratingly practical. There was definitely no way she was running through the woods now and even if she did make it onto the demon committee it would be almost impossible to get to the cave. 

But she wasn’t going to worry about that now. She still had her regular life to live, research to do, and a shift at Tiana’s to get to. 

She was thinking of leaving a little early when she opened the door of her apartment and stopped. On her front doorstep was a cat. A cat she recognized all too well. Who without a by your leave walked straight into the apartment and hopped up on the couch to lay down. 

“Hey, uh, Jim? You’re not allergic to cats are you?”

[cat]

[jimbostardust]

Jim was making pancakes. Because, really, there’s never a wrong time to have pancakes. However, there is a wrong way to make pancakes, and Jim has succeeded in making a double stack of burnt, soggy, lump-filled disks of dough. He has managed to not only fill the apartment with smoke, and smack the hell out of the alarm until he had to just unplug it, but also pretty badly burn his fingers after trying and failing to flip one of them without a spatula. 

He was dumping the evidence of his disastrous attempt at feeding himself when Boo walked in. He poked his head out of the kitchen, looking guilty as he fanned the remainder of the smoke with a dish rag, out of sight. 

“Oh, ah--no? No I’m not,” he said, looking down at the cat, who was definitely judging him. Not just, figuratively, he totally saw it roll its eyes. Can cats roll their eyes? “He’s cute.” 

[jimbostardust]

Late Night Repairs - Mirhawks

@liza-mirage

Jim was certain he'd locked the door to the garage. He was at least 80% positive. And yet, he'd heard the door click and the definite rustle of someone touching the pamphlets on the front desk. He very quickly wheeled himself out from under the bed of the pick-up he was working on for the folks down at the stables and stood up. Dusting off his knees.

"H'lo?" he called, twirling the oily socket wrench in his hands, "Sorry, I've just closed things up for the evening. We'll be here tomorrow, though." He peered through to the front desk, not immediately seeing anyone. He gripped the wrench tighter, holding it in front of himself, as he stepped into the room. "Hello?"

[jimbostardust]

liza-mirage​:

Liza’s processing slowed, flickering between the thought that maybe she was being flirted with, warring with the disbelief that someone would flirt with her. Yes, she knew she was built to be attractive to at lease one man, but she hadn’t exactly thought about these sorts of things since leaving. 

Then she caught that word - cyborgs. He thought she was only partially artificial. She could continue with that lie, tell him it was only her hip, her leg maybe at a push, but that tasted sour in her mouth. He was being genuine, showing her a part of himself he clearly didn’t advertise, she couldn’t repay that with dishonesty. She touched his temple, running her fingertips down his neck to the back of his hand, feeling how solid the tendons were. 

If he had done this himself, he was far more talented than she’d given him credit for. She caught his question and brought his hand up to the back of her neck where there was a panel that was almost impossible to see, but perceptible to touch. She stepped close to him so he could reach, guiding his fingers over the palm-sized area, framed by a little ridge, and slightly different skin texture. 

“100%.” She answered, moving his hand away in case he got a little too curious. 

They are...a lot closer than Jim thought they’d be. She’s touching his neck and arm. tracing the lines on his body that he indicated for her. He hasn’t been this close to someone in a really long time. So she was a burglar ten seconds ago, no one’s perfect. Jim’s done way worse, and will probably do worse still before death catches up with him.

100%

“Oh!” If she put some distance between them, it would’ve been much more obvious how he retracted his hands from her, stepping back. That was something to process. 

He’d been talking to her--she’d been talking to him totally normally, like she was a regular human being. 

He blinked, chewing the inside of his cheek. “Uh...cool. Cool, cool, cool.” 

[jimbostardust]

Late Night Repairs - Mirhawks

@liza-mirage

Jim was certain he'd locked the door to the garage. He was at least 80% positive. And yet, he'd heard the door click and the definite rustle of someone touching the pamphlets on the front desk. He very quickly wheeled himself out from under the bed of the pick-up he was working on for the folks down at the stables and stood up. Dusting off his knees.

"H'lo?" he called, twirling the oily socket wrench in his hands, "Sorry, I've just closed things up for the evening. We'll be here tomorrow, though." He peered through to the front desk, not immediately seeing anyone. He gripped the wrench tighter, holding it in front of himself, as he stepped into the room. "Hello?"

[jimbostardust]

liza-mirage​:

.

Liza looked down at the man between her knees and immediately looked back up again, focusing on the wall ahead of her, and not how that sent a ripple, not dissimilar to the shocks she felt from a short-circuit  through her body. She allowed him to manipulate her body, feeling much more relaxed now her leg worked the way she expected it to. 

She inhaled when he touched her, supplying more air to her fans. Then he asked where she was getting her stuff and she huffed a relieved little laugh. “Why? Do you want to stock up in case I get injured again, or do you have your own project you’re working on?” She asked, tucking her hair behind her ear, levelling her gaze with his. She’d already shown him more than she intended, showing him where to get high-end parts like hers made her a little antsy. If he had skill enough to fix her without knowing exactly what she was, and ambitious enough to work it out on his own, she could be creating a monster by giving away all her secrets. 

“Well, sure,” Jim said smoothly, “if it means I get to see you again. I’ve met a cyborgs before so...” Jim chewed his lip, reaching out and then hesitating, hovering over her hand, “Uh, feel right here,” he said, running his finger over the invisible wire that ran down his temple, leaning in so she could reach out and touch it. Fiddling with it too much made his eye unfocus so he blinked that away quickly, “And here,” he said offering her his hand running his forefinger over the top of it, where ordinarily you’d feel the tendons that hold everything together. She’d be able to tell that they weren’t as malleable. She’d know his secret too. 

“How much of you is...uh,” he flushed, is this...inappropriate to ask? “I just mean, like, if we’re talking percentages, I’m maybe like, 5%? I was in an accident and pretty much only this area was affected,” be hovered a hand from his temple down his arm to his knuckles, “I needed to get creative if I wanted to keep using my hands.” 

[jimbostardust]

Late Night Repairs - Mirhawks

@liza-mirage

Jim was certain he'd locked the door to the garage. He was at least 80% positive. And yet, he'd heard the door click and the definite rustle of someone touching the pamphlets on the front desk. He very quickly wheeled himself out from under the bed of the pick-up he was working on for the folks down at the stables and stood up. Dusting off his knees.

"H'lo?" he called, twirling the oily socket wrench in his hands, "Sorry, I've just closed things up for the evening. We'll be here tomorrow, though." He peered through to the front desk, not immediately seeing anyone. He gripped the wrench tighter, holding it in front of himself, as he stepped into the room. "Hello?"

[jimbostardust]

liza-mirage​:

jimbostardust​:

“I can help, I’ll just grab some things and be right back, stay there,” he went into the garage and grabbed some tools, dumping them at her feet and kneeling down. “I’m going to have to touch you, okay? Just, stay still,” he very delicately prodded the… “wound” to find the root of the problem. “Are you in…do you feel any pain?” he asked as he worked, adjusting her hip, from where it had fallen slack at the joint, and tightening the bolt that holds it together. 

“I need…uh,” he flushed, “I’m going to need to kind of, hug you, okay?” he said ghosting his hands over her hips, and making a motion to indicate he needed to apply pressure to put things back into their proper places. “Ready? And…there.” he felt the gentle click of the joint recalibrating and pulled away, rubbing the back of his neck. “Alright, you should try walking, and then we can use this,” he held up the can of WD-40, “to make sure everything works alright. I’m not really much of a sew-er, or whatever, but I can try and get that hole patched, but, I don’t think I have anything sturdier than thread, unless you want a fiberglass belt of some kind?” 

Liza was nervous to answer his questions, perching on the stool, but she’d already come this far. “Yes, I feel pain, but I can switch it off. I have done so already today.” She said, feeling oddly warmed at the way he told her what he was planning to do. She’d been worked on before, repaired while still switched on, and she had never quite known what was coming next. 

She looked down at him as he hugged her, feeling a little speechless at the hands so firmly on her hips. Her fans kicked into motion and she saw a little alert that informed her her core temperature had risen. She didn’t know if Jim could hear them - they always seemed so loud to her. 

She felt the moment he reconnected her leg properly and made a small slightly mechanical grunt at the unpleasant sensation. He pulled away and Liza already felt a little colder for the lack of contact. She stood up, as he suggested, and walked a few steps, feeling the metal parts grate against one another. Her mobility was there, though, it was just the WD-40 that she needed now. 

“No, the…” -skin, flesh…they seemed too primal, too off-putting- “…that’s fine. I have a putty at home that seals it.” She said, pulling aside her shirt to show her collarbone, a thin, slightly lighter line there from another scrape she’d had. “It’s the mechanics that are a little trickier for me to reach.” She said. 

“I heard it,” he said, before she could indicate where the WD-40 needed to be applied. He got onto his knees in front of her applying it where it was needed, and then sort of awkwardly patting her thigh, “alright, lift?” he asked, helping her raise her knee and settle it back down. “Okay, good. you should be good.” 

He lifted himself up, brushing his hands on his jeans. When she showed him her neck, Jim, without meaning to, reached out at touched the “scar” there, fascinated by it. It really looked like a natural scar. “Where are you getting your stuff?” he asked, pulling away and fiddling with the bottle in his hand, playing catch with himself and not looking at her. There was something...tense in the room now that made him clear his throat. But, he couldn’t stop his curiosity. If she knew where to get cool, high-end materials, it’d change the game on the things he’s simply tinkering at. 

[jimbostardust]

Late Night Repairs - Mirhawks

@liza-mirage

Jim was certain he'd locked the door to the garage. He was at least 80% positive. And yet, he'd heard the door click and the definite rustle of someone touching the pamphlets on the front desk. He very quickly wheeled himself out from under the bed of the pick-up he was working on for the folks down at the stables and stood up. Dusting off his knees.

"H'lo?" he called, twirling the oily socket wrench in his hands, "Sorry, I've just closed things up for the evening. We'll be here tomorrow, though." He peered through to the front desk, not immediately seeing anyone. He gripped the wrench tighter, holding it in front of himself, as he stepped into the room. "Hello?"

[jimbostardust]

liza-mirage​:

jimbostardust​:

Late Night Repairs - Mirhawks

Liza took the stool and sat, her leg staying awkwardly almost-straight. She ducked her head and lifted her shirt, pulling down the side of her skirt to show the damage to her hip, where the silicone skin had torn, and revealed a dent in her silver chassis beneath. She glanced up at Jim then to see his reaction. 

“Like I said, you cannot tell anyone.” She said, trying to meet his eyes to convey what she needed him to understand. There was a moment of silence, Liza registering the few cars that drove past, and focused on a spider spinning a web in the corner. It was easier that way, holding her clothing out of the way of the damage, focusing on the small things she could look at, as opposed to studying Jim’s reaction, second guessing whether he’d tell or not. 

“Can you help or not?” She asked, glancing back at him once again, briefly. 

Jim didn’t react when she moved her shirt to confirm what he already thought. “Don’t worry about that,” he said gently, “you’re not the only one.” He didn’t need to share who among them also has a similar problem, but her secret’s definitely safe. 

“I can help, I’ll just grab some things and be right back, stay there,” he went into the garage and grabbed some tools, dumping them at her feet and kneeling down. “I’m going to have to touch you, okay? Just, stay still,” he very delicately prodded the... “wound” to find the root of the problem. “Are you in...do you feel any pain?” he asked as he worked, adjusting her hip, from where it had fallen slack at the joint, and tightening the bolt that holds it together. 

“I need...uh,” he flushed, “I’m going to need to kind of, hug you, okay?” he said ghosting his hands over her hips, and making a motion to indicate he needed to apply pressure to put things back into their proper places. “Ready? And...there.” he felt the gentle click of the joint recalibrating andpulled away, rubbing the back of his neck. “Alright, you should try walking, and then we can use this,” he held up the can of WD-40, “to make sure everything works alright. I’m not really much of a sew-er, or whatever, but I can try and get that hole patched, but, I don’t think I have anything sturdier than thread, unless you want a fiberglass belt of some kind?” 

[fi-fitz-flynn]

Drink Me In {Jim & Flynn}

Flynn had to go to work. He had an honest 9 to 5 job. While it wasn’t 9 to 5 but the fact he had a honest job. He kind of hated it.

Flynn missed driving around the streets, his own schedule.

Which mean when his shift was done, well he was more than pleased to get a drink or two. And with a co-worker now. Why not. Flynn was going have to live here for awhile he might as well make the best of it.

“So where did you come from?” Flynn asked as he ordered a couple beers for them.

@jimbostardust​

[jimbostardust]

Jim shrugged off his jacket, laying it on the stool next to him, “Surrey - I went to school there,” he replied, nodding politely at the bartender who was already filling their pints. It was a vague enough truth, that it was safe to share. He didn’t mention where exactly, or his mom, or the Inn, but he did think of them. 

He chewed the inside of his cheek, shifting focus, “what about you? I know we’re both kind of newbies here, I’m still not used to it,  I thought Reigate looked like a postcard, but this place is kind of ridiculous.”

As soon as there was a pint in his hand, Jim took a long, grateful sip, downing about a quarter of it. He swiped the foam from his top lip as casually as he could and snorted at his own ungracefulness.

[jimbostardust]

Roomies - Bookins

@boointhenight

Finding a roommate was easier than Jim had imagined. There happened to be someone looking, for cheap, in a reasonably close part of town, who seemed like they weren't a serial killer. Three wins as far as he was concerned. He showed up as early, without being a total dick and making her wake up at the crack of dawn to buzz him in, he'd been kipping on trains for long enough, he'd like to have a room to be in. Even if he was still figuring out the whole "bed" thing.

The apartment was nice, if not, fairly empty. The couch looked squishy and worn, the way the best possible couches are. He wanted to flop down on it and sink all the way in. The rest of the place was pretty bare bones. He set down his backpack and duffle at the door. Toeing off his shoes as well. He scanned the dvd collection and smiled, "Do you like black and white movies?" he asked, poking one of the cases, "There's this horror movie, "Them!" about radioactive ants from 1954 that I like. It's kind of, not scary by modern standards, but they built these giant remote operated killer ants that move and stuff."

[jimbostardust]

Iboointhenight​:

jimbostardust​:

.

“Yeah, sort of. I’m a grad student studying demonology. Specifically I’m looking at symbiotic demon-human relationships, demon resettlement, and if there are any cases of successful human-demon splits post possession that allowed both to develop independent identities, stuff like that. But grad school is expensive and if I teach a couple classes than it covers some of the cost. The worst is that as a first year in the department, I get shoved with all the classes nobody else wants. So, that means right now I’m trapped teaching an 8 am Intro to Stats class - aka the fastest way to become the most hated person in the school.”

Hopefully next year she’d be able to at least teach something like Intro to Demonology or something else that was at least in her field. Or if she was going to teach stats, it had to be an afternoon class. These morning classes were going to kill her if she had to keep them up.

“But because teaching doesn’t cover all of it, I also walk dogs and work shifts at Pizza Planet, so you’re not crazy if you’re just always smelling pizza. I swear it seeps into my pores. Usually I’m working closing at Pizza Planet so I get back pretty late.”

“Oh, wow that’s really cool,” Jim said, taking another sip, “ he supposed he never thought of what happens to the demon after they’ve been exorcised, or what happens when the demon’s not like the one in The Exorcist and doesn’t make your head spin around and and splatter pea soup on all the walls. Do demons have rights? Sounds like if they do, Boo is the one who is going to figure that out. 

“Professor Boo: Intro To Stats Lecturer,” Jim said, chuckling against the rim of his mug. “That’s funny.” As Boo listed off all of her odd jobs, Jim started to feel dizzy. He can hardly face having to report in to Gadget’s six days a week. He can’t even imagine, going to class, teaching class, and slinging pizza all on the same day. No wonder they share a caffeine addiction.  

“I literally bow down to your stamina, I don’t know how you do it,” he said, leaning on the counter, “that sounds miserable. If I come in and see you passed out on the floor, I won’t panic, I’ll just put a pillow very gently under your head.”

[jimbostardust]

Late Night Repairs - Mirhawks

@liza-mirage

Jim was certain he'd locked the door to the garage. He was at least 80% positive. And yet, he'd heard the door click and the definite rustle of someone touching the pamphlets on the front desk. He very quickly wheeled himself out from under the bed of the pick-up he was working on for the folks down at the stables and stood up. Dusting off his knees.

"H'lo?" he called, twirling the oily socket wrench in his hands, "Sorry, I've just closed things up for the evening. We'll be here tomorrow, though." He peered through to the front desk, not immediately seeing anyone. He gripped the wrench tighter, holding it in front of himself, as he stepped into the room. "Hello?"

[jimbostardust]

liza-mirage​:

jimbostardust​:

👽

Liza’s processors were whirring a mile a minute at the man’s questions. On the one hand, she knew repairing her hip herself was going to be cumbersome. It wasn’t easy to reach, and she would have to use mirrors or cameras, and getting them set up wasn’t ideal. It would be difficult, and ran the risk of doing more damage than she had originally started with.

On the other hand this man was a stranger. If he knew he could tell people, and there was no guarantee he’d even know what he was doing anyway. Well, given that he worked here she hoped he had some knowledge, and the things she needed doing weren’t exactly difficult, just difficult to reach on your own. 

He didn’t know her name, or where she worked, or anything about her, and even though she looked distinctive, things like her hair colour and eye colour could be changed through her programming. If she truly needed to start again, she could. It wouldn’t be ideal, but she could. She could give herself any qualifications, any name, anything she needed to make a comfortable life for herself somewhere else. Only, she’d come to like it here. 

What sold it for her, was seeing the unnatural way her leg was positioned in the reflection of the window as she tried to fidget. Too stiff, immobile, more like a mannequin than a human. 

“If I show you-” She started, eyes darting up to his wide and slightly panicked, “-you cannot tell anyone.” She said. 

Jim bit the inside of his cheek; thinking. She’d definitely piqued his interest with that, and if she was desperate enough to sneak into the shop and steal supplies, it must be something really good. “Do you have it with you?” he asked, looking around to see if there was room anywhere for something to be stashed quickly out of view. 

He stepped out from behind the counter and carried with him the stool they keep by the register, he offered it to her. “Why don’t you have a seat and you can show me where the damage is,” he said, he may be jumping to conclusions just a little, but he has a hunch. 

[jimbostardust]

Roomies - Bookins

@boointhenight

Finding a roommate was easier than Jim had imagined. There happened to be someone looking, for cheap, in a reasonably close part of town, who seemed like they weren't a serial killer. Three wins as far as he was concerned. He showed up as early, without being a total dick and making her wake up at the crack of dawn to buzz him in, he'd been kipping on trains for long enough, he'd like to have a room to be in. Even if he was still figuring out the whole "bed" thing.

The apartment was nice, if not, fairly empty. The couch looked squishy and worn, the way the best possible couches are. He wanted to flop down on it and sink all the way in. The rest of the place was pretty bare bones. He set down his backpack and duffle at the door. Toeing off his shoes as well. He scanned the dvd collection and smiled, "Do you like black and white movies?" he asked, poking one of the cases, "There's this horror movie, "Them!" about radioactive ants from 1954 that I like. It's kind of, not scary by modern standards, but they built these giant remote operated killer ants that move and stuff."

[boointhenight]

jimbostardust·:

”American Werewolf in London doesn’t get half as much credit as it should for being the first werewolf movie to successfully attempt a full on screen shift. Like, he fully turns into a wolf, and filming that took days of prep and millions of dollars, but they still did it, because they could, and because they were pushing the boundaries of what people can create, and invent, and that’s why it’s so cool? I dunno that’s probably really corny.“

"I am definitely a coffee person,” he replied, “I know I’m a bad brit, cus I’m supposed to bathe in tea or something, but I actually can’t stand it? And it doesn’t keep me awake, so what’s the point, right?”

.

“No judgement here, I’m obviously coffee all the way. Tea is for when I’m sick or pretending to be fancy af.” It was definitely left over from playing tea party as a kid, but tea was a drink for occasion as at either end of the spectrum. “Also I have a problematic addiction to Coke so that’s always around. Feel free to have some, we can just trade off on buying replacements if you do.”

She poured a mug out for Jim and handed it over before dumping a sizable dollop of both milk and sugar into her own. 

“But yeah, I think that’s awesome. I don’t know a ton about the behind the scenes stuff of movies, but you can definitely tell the difference. The practical effects just hold up way better and look way less corny these days than the old CGI stuff. And you know give it five years and the CGI stuff we’re doing now is going to look cheesy as fuck.”

[jimbostardust]

Jim's brain took several seconds to catch on that Boo was saying she had an addiction to soda, so he just nodded awkwardly until he snorted at his own stupidity and went, "oh, yeah, happy to do that. All forms of caffeine are good forms of caffeine for my brain- 'cept tea. Tea can fuck off." He very gratefully took the steaming mug from Boo and gulped down as much as he could handle before wincing at the bitterness. Oh yeah, he really needed that.

"I can't wait to see it, whatever new thing they invent that blows the stuff we have out of the water. It's going to be very cool," he agrees, setting his mug down in front of him.

"So you're a teacher, yeah? That's what you said on the phone," He picked at a callous on his thumb absently and offered her a polite wince. He can't imagine teaching, seems like the kind of job only for the bravest of people. He'd probably be rage quitting and tearing his hear out by week three.

[jimbostardust]

Late Night Repairs - Mirhawks

@liza-mirage

Jim was certain he'd locked the door to the garage. He was at least 80% positive. And yet, he'd heard the door click and the definite rustle of someone touching the pamphlets on the front desk. He very quickly wheeled himself out from under the bed of the pick-up he was working on for the folks down at the stables and stood up. Dusting off his knees.

"H'lo?" he called, twirling the oily socket wrench in his hands, "Sorry, I've just closed things up for the evening. We'll be here tomorrow, though." He peered through to the front desk, not immediately seeing anyone. He gripped the wrench tighter, holding it in front of himself, as he stepped into the room. "Hello?"

[liza-mirage]

jimbostardust​:

Late Night Repairs - Mirhawks

@liza-mirage

Jim was certain he’d locked the door to the garage. He was at least 80% positive. And yet, he’d heard the door click and the definite rustle of someone touching the pamphlets on the front desk. He very quickly wheeled himself out from under the bed of the pick-up he was working on for the folks down at the stables and stood up. Dusting off his knees.

“H'lo?” he called, twirling the oily socket wrench in his hands, “Sorry, I’ve just closed things up for the evening. We’ll be here tomorrow, though.” He peered through to the front desk, not immediately seeing anyone. He gripped the wrench tighter, holding it in front of himself, as he stepped into the room. “Hello?”

Mirage generally liked to obey human laws wherever possible, but there weren’t exactly A&E departments for people like her. She had to make do where she could, and something had definitely knocked loose when she’d bumped into her desk earlier, something in her hip that was making her gait more stiff and robotic than she felt comfortable with.  She’d checked her supplies at home, and didn’t have anything appropriate to do her own patch job, and surely no human would be working at the garage this late. And it wasn’t as if she planned to steal. She’d gotten cash out to leave behind, double the value of the parts she needed. 

Only, there was someone still working. And he’d heard her. She froze, stopping as still as possible. “I’m sorry, it’s very urgent that I get these parts. I’ll compensate you fairly for the inconvenience.” She said, still holding small bag of bolts and large can of WD40. 

[jimbostardust]

Jim lowered his guard, seeing the woman standing in the middle of the room with what looked to be £14.50 in merchandise, and looking kind of desperate. He chewed his lip, thinking it over. Technically he could ring her up and just explain what happened later. Even though he really shouldn't. But he'd rather she leave quickly and without conflict, than argue with her and risk her snooping around. And, aren't you supposed to deescalate burglary situations? Are they being robbed? When he walked by the door, it wasn't locked, but the closed sign was turned around, leading him to believe he probably did lock it.

But now, he was kind of curious. Squinting at the items trying to figure out what she needed them for. He sighed, "Can you pay cash? I've already closed the credit card sales for the day." He'd just let someone know that someone came in after close and rather than argue with her, let her pay for what she needed and sent her on her way. He took the items from her, typing in their prices and then rebagging them.

There was something about this woman, a...stillness about her as she waits for him to be done. And the things she picked, are to repair joints, like rusty door hinges. But a creaky door isn't urgent. That leaves, prosthetic joints. or some kind of biotech. And, Jim, as unsubtle as he is, is really curious to see it. "So, what're you working on, anyway? Must be, uh, really important, if you need this stuff so badly. I could help you out you know. If you show me."

[the-name-is-chip]

jimbostardust​:

the-name-is-chip​:

Rule Break || OPEN

Jim turned to look at the kid. Dammit. He didn’t check well enough to see if anyone was looking when he grabbed a pair of socks and slipped it up his sleeve. He had every intention to make it up to the shop owner when Gadget cuts his first check. Until then, he can’t be free-wheeling it around in his docs, and the socks he has need to be put out of their misery. He also really needed a new shirt without so many grease stains. He’s used to the laundry twice trying to make his white shirts white again, with absolutely no success. There’s also a fringed leather jacket with a skull and crossbones on the back that he’d kill for. But, he’s definitely not going to get away with that now.

“Hm?” Jim played dumb, “what’re you talking about? I didn’t see anything.”

.

Shit, you heard about those hypothetical scenarioes, like– what would YOU do if you saw a shoplifter? Chip had always known exactly what he would do. At least, he said he’d catch the bastard, duh!

But he balked a little as the guy lied right to his face. His eyes glanced around. Man, did no one see that…? Just him? 

But Chip had to stick to his guns. He couldn’t just walk away, that wasn’t the RAS way! He was a beacon of justice!

“You– look, man. Be chill. I saw you put those socks up your sleeve,” said Chip after gathering his bravery. 

[jimbostardust]

Jim ran his tongue over his teeth. Thinking. Of course he was caught by some do-gooder hero type kid, and not the mind your own business kind. Was everyone in this town just pretending that the clouds are made of cotton candy and true love conquers all? Or are they all actually drinking the cool-aid? Jim's seen Children of the Corn. He knows things.

Which is why instead of fighting this kid over what he did or didn't steal, he slipped the socks from his sleeve, shushing him and keeping his voice low, "Oh, right, those socks. I just, uh, wanted my hands free. To look around, you know? But, I remembered I don't actually need them anyway. So we're good," he gave the kid a pointed look, "right?"

[jimbostardust]

Roomies - Bookins

@boointhenight

Finding a roommate was easier than Jim had imagined. There happened to be someone looking, for cheap, in a reasonably close part of town, who seemed like they weren't a serial killer. Three wins as far as he was concerned. He showed up as early, without being a total dick and making her wake up at the crack of dawn to buzz him in, he'd been kipping on trains for long enough, he'd like to have a room to be in. Even if he was still figuring out the whole "bed" thing.

The apartment was nice, if not, fairly empty. The couch looked squishy and worn, the way the best possible couches are. He wanted to flop down on it and sink all the way in. The rest of the place was pretty bare bones. He set down his backpack and duffle at the door. Toeing off his shoes as well. He scanned the dvd collection and smiled, "Do you like black and white movies?" he asked, poking one of the cases, "There's this horror movie, "Them!" about radioactive ants from 1954 that I like. It's kind of, not scary by modern standards, but they built these giant remote operated killer ants that move and stuff."

[boointhenight]

jimbostardust·:

Roomies - Bookins

"Yeah, sure,” Jim had seen a bunch of horror movies at this point. A few have even said he looked like a young Skeet Ulrich from Scream but he’s not sure he completely sees it. “What’s your favorite one?” he asked following her into the kitchen, drawn in by the smell of coffee. If he could survive on coffee alone, he would. He’s tried, even.

“I like monster ones, slashers are cool and all, like Halloween and Friday the 13th are fun, but I like The Thing, Alien, Day of the Dead, Jurassic Park, Jaws, anything that has practical effects. I like figuring out how they made it work - like in Day of the Dead when Rhodes does his famous ‘choke on it!’ line, they used actual pig guts from a butcher for his body, but apparently it smelt foul because they didn’t keep it refrigerated well enough while shooting, so he’s holding his breath while he shouts it which is why he had such a weird strain to his voice; super fucking gnarly. And, I’m sure you know that the shark in Jaws was constantly breaking down, but Spielberg wanted it to do dumb shit like walk on land and attack people on the beach and chase them and shit. But, since the robot kept breaking he had to cut all that, so the reason Jaws is actually a good movie is because Spielberg was forced to scrap all of his really bad ideas.”

.

As soon as he started talking in depth about horror and rambling on the subject, she felt the last of any new roommate tension begin to fade. Anyone with taste that good would probably last at least a couple weeks before she scared him away by talking about demons or coming into the apartment late at night covered in dirt and leaves from the forest. Hopefully anyway. 

“I’m totally with you on monster movies, and slashers are probably top of my list. I grade in front of shitty slashers all the time since it makes stats problem sets way more bearable to put up with. But I love stuff like Scream, Halloween, Alien, anytime you’ve got a competent final girl is awesome. But also some of the more comedy horror stuff like An American Werewolf in London and Cabin in the Woods are amazing. What got you into trying to figure out the practical effects stuff?”

As the coffee finished brewing, she poured herself a large mug. “You a coffee guy or a tea guy?”

[jimbostardust]

"American Werewolf in London doesn't get half as much credit as it should for being the first werewolf movie to successfully attempt a full on screen shift. Like, he fully turns into a wolf, and filming that took days of prep and millions of dollars, but they still did it, because they could, and because they were pushing the boundaries of what people can create, and invent, and that's why it's so cool? I dunno that's probably really corny."

"I am definitely a coffee person," he replied, "I know I'm a bad brit, cus I'm supposed to bathe in tea or something, but I actually can't stand it? And it doesn't keep me awake, so what's the point, right?"

[jimbostardust]

Roomies - Bookins

@boointhenight

Finding a roommate was easier than Jim had imagined. There happened to be someone looking, for cheap, in a reasonably close part of town, who seemed like they weren't a serial killer. Three wins as far as he was concerned. He showed up as early, without being a total dick and making her wake up at the crack of dawn to buzz him in, he'd been kipping on trains for long enough, he'd like to have a room to be in. Even if he was still figuring out the whole "bed" thing.

The apartment was nice, if not, fairly empty. The couch looked squishy and worn, the way the best possible couches are. He wanted to flop down on it and sink all the way in. The rest of the place was pretty bare bones. He set down his backpack and duffle at the door. Toeing off his shoes as well. He scanned the dvd collection and smiled, "Do you like black and white movies?" he asked, poking one of the cases, "There's this horror movie, "Them!" about radioactive ants from 1954 that I like. It's kind of, not scary by modern standards, but they built these giant remote operated killer ants that move and stuff."

[boointhenight]

So, it was time for Boo to get another roommate. She’d rather live on her own, but even with the combined salaries from her different job, she was barely scraping by. Unfortunately, she tended to weird out most potential roommates so they didn’t last long before they started looking for ‘other options’ and she was left posting yet another ad. This one though seemed promising. She’d forced herself up early just in case, which turned out to be a good move, but it didn’t take him long to move in his stuff. 

She had just stepped into the kitchen to start the coffeemaker when she heard his question, and he rose several points in her estimation. “I haven’t seen that one yet, but it sounds cool. I haven’t seen a ton of black and white movies, but that’s mostly an access thing. You a horror movie fan?”

[jimbostardust]

"Yeah, sure," Jim had seen a bunch of horror movies at this point. A few have even said he looked like a young Skeet Ulrich from Scream but he's not sure he completely sees it. "What's your favorite one?" he asked following her into the kitchen, drawn in by the smell of coffee. If he could survive on coffee alone, he would. He's tried, even.

"I like monster ones, slashers are cool and all, like Halloween and Friday the 13th are fun, but I like The Thing, Alien, Day of the Dead, Jurassic Park, Jaws, anything that has practical effects. I like figuring out how they made it work - like in Day of the Dead when Rhodes does his famous 'choke on it!' line, they used actual pig guts from a butcher for his body, but apparently it smelt foul because they didn't keep it refrigerated well enough while shooting, so he's holding his breath while he shouts it which is why he had such a weird strain to his voice; super fucking gnarly. And, I'm sure you know that the shark in Jaws was constantly breaking down, but Spielberg wanted it to do dumb shit like walk on land and attack people on the beach and chase them and shit. But, since the robot kept breaking he had to cut all that, so the reason Jaws is actually a good movie is because Spielberg was forced to scrap all of his really bad ideas."