Metalwork pt. II. -- 2 characters in 1 post

[galen_erso]

Today, the bypass stairs leading from the lake area upstairs are a bit hard to navigate, as Teja and Galen are moving the thing they had been constructing upstairs, to install it on Galen's and Bodhi's balcony. If you are in a hurry going up or down, please excuse them for a moment while they get the copper pipes and rolls of rubber tubes and crates of odd little steampunk-y implements out of your way.


[[tinytag: galen erso]]

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[imthepilot]

Bodhi lingers, trying to help and at the same time, trying not to get in the way. There's a lot going on with the contraption and he doesn't want to lift it by the wrong section and break something. Not until Galen's had a chance to explain it to him.

So mostly he tries to keep a pair of curious kittens out of the way. Nahts and Kyber want to help.

[galen_erso]

"Can you bring up that box of -- Kyber, no, please, darling cat-child, not in there!"

Galen is still trying to argue with cats, as by his book, they are liminally sentient, nothing like bantha or suchlike creatures.

"Yes, that box he wanted to get into."

Galen himself is carefully carrying a delicate array of soldered copper tubes, tiny windmills, and crystals interspersed with solar panels in a beautiful pattern.

[imthepilot]

"Kyber, come here." Bodhi grabs the kitten by the scruff of the next and tucks the struggling monster inside his shirt. He'll have scratches later but at least Kyber won't get stepped on. Or break anything. At least Nahts is better at not being in the way. "I've got it."

[galen_erso]

"Excellent!"

Galen is carefully making hisnway upstairs with his complex contraption.

[imthepilot]

Bodhi ducks ahead, Nahts chasing him. He manages to squeeze past Teja's broad shoulder to open the door ahead of them.

[galen_erso]

Teja is carrying a bunch of copper pipes, numbered in Roman and Aurebesh both; sawn to very precise lengths. "Your rooms are pleasant," he comments. "For the rest, we can install a small winch; I brought the ropes and tackle needed."

Galen follows, and immediately begins to fix the thing he had been so gingerly carrying to a specific corner of the balcony. It fits precisely, snug against the railing as if it was a part of it.

[imthepilot]

"Thank you." Bodhi smiles, unsure what else to say. He's never seen anyone's room except for the one he stayed in when he first came. And it wasn't very nice. "The Bar was very kind to give us somewhere with such a big kitchen."

He pulls Kyber out of his shirt and puts the wriggling kitten out. "Go play in the bedroom." He throws a little ball with a bell through the door and the two kittens trip over themselves to chase it. "How can I help?"

[galen_erso]

Teja is already starting to put up the winch.

Galen turns his head. "Can you lay out the pipes Teja brought up by number and give them to me when I ask for them?"

[imthepilot]

"I can do that." Bodhi makes himself useful, laying the pipes out.

[galen_erso]

"Can you give me number nine?" Galen asks, after a while.

[imthepilot]

Bodhi passes the pipes across in order as requested, moving pots out of the way where needed.

After a while, Myrrh comes up the ramp, perching out of the way to watch.

[galen_erso]

Galen works fast and efficiently while Teja brings up the last parts with the winch. The whole contraption blends beautifully with the railing of the balcony, with the kyber controlled core pieces sitting neatly in the corners.

[imthepilot]

Seeing his part done, Bodhi steps back out of the way, patting Myrrh in passing. He slips inside and comes back with a jug of chilled meiloorun juice, pouring glasses for them. It may not be that hot a day but it's warmer than Bodhi's use to.

[galen_erso]

Galen screws the last few pieces in place while Teja is affixing horizontal slats of wood around the pipe that leads down to the rain water vat which feeds the system.

"Thank you," Galen says, taking a glass of juice and smiling at Bodhi, sweaty and happy.

[imthepilot]

He offers a glass to Teja when he's done. "So, can you explain how it works? Without me needing to be a scientist?" He's a solidly good ships mechanic and a interstellar navigator but that might not help knowing Galen.

[galen_erso]

Teja takes the glass while Count, his grey cat, ascend the small staircase that those slats have turned into.

"The crystals are tuned to the life force of the plants, so will deliver water not as the pot ground falls dry but as the plant starts being at its best -- plants from dry places will not be over-watered. The windmill drives the little pump here which brings up water from the vat one the plunger in here sinks below that mark, and the smaller windmills are there to turn the main one into the wind at the right angle. Except that one; that one exists to amuse the cats."

It has fluttering streamers.

[imthepilot]

Bodhi fetches a bowl of water and some tuna for Count.

He smiles at the little windmill and its streamer. "I'm sure they'll love it. Even if we have the replace the streamers every once in a while."

"So the crystals will know if plants are too dry or too wet? That's wonderful. It won't waste any water. I know we have plenty but I still worry."

[galen_erso]

"Yes, that is the point," Galen says. "Healthy equilibrium. Balance."

Count politely locks his chops in thanks, then takes a bite of tuna.

[imthepilot]

"Balance." Bodhi smiles and nods. Yes, that as resonance with him. He touches Galen's arm, his hand brushing down to tangle his fingers with Galen's.

He nods to Teja, a little embarrassed when he realises he's being sappy in front of someone else. "Thank you for all your help. This is wonderful."

It doesn't take long for the kittens to smell the fish so he fetches bowls for them too. So Count doesn't have to fight them for it.

[galen_erso]

"I like working on such things," Teja says, "especially as Galen said the concept may be expanded to be used in my people's gardens, in Gotland."

Galen watches the cats, not letting go of Bodhi's fingers.

"I would very much like to do that. Low-tech solutions for simple lives, with a few crystals sneaked in. Jay's little droids promised me crystals from their own world; so I would not leave kyber for archaeologists from the future to find. Who knows what those crystals would read like in their machines."

[imthepilot]

Bodhi's fingers curls tight around Galen's, glad for his lover's support. He knows he doesn't need to be shy around Teja but there's still a part of him that's unsure about being so open.

"Then I'm glad we could provide a proof of the concept." He turns to Galen. "I didn't know there was anyone here working with droids. Other than your sparring partner, Teja."

[galen_erso]

"They live in the garage underneath the bar," Galen says. "But one or two might be willing to come and help me with larger projects. They are small and round and on repulsors, not legs."

[imthepilot]

"I hope the cats doesn't chase them." Bodhi smiles, watching as Kyber discovers the streamers on the little windmill.

[galen_erso]

"If anything, the droids would find that very funny," Galen says, smiling at the kitten carefully stalking the fluttering wheel.

[imthepilot]

Nahts has decided to stalk Kyber's tail instead. Bodhi watches smiling as the inevitable pounce. "Then they're very welcome. So Teja? Do you plan to visit Gotland soon?"

[ostro_goth]

"I do," he says, "to bring blades for their sickles, made like a Japanese kama -- I promised Wachis. He didn't believe me they were so much better. And I would gladly take the two of you, so my friends may meet Galen, and so he can think aloud about irrigation."

[imthepilot]

"I'd like that. Very much." Bodhi looks to Galen, squeezing his hand lightly. "If you want to come?" Again, he doesn't want to presume.

[galen_erso]

"Of course I do," Galen says. "To meet Kyber's mother, to begin with. And all the children you've been talking about."

[imthepilot]

Bodhi smiles warmly and kisses Galen's cheek (while Teja's not watching). "I'd like that too. And to thank them, for how well they looked after me. I'll be... in a better way this time. And I can be of more help."

[galen_erso]

"You can cook for them all!" Galen suggests.

[imthepilot]

"I'd love to. It only seems fair, after they took such good care of me." He looks to Teja. "Do you think it would be welcomed? If I bought strange food from other worlds?"

[ostro_goth]

"Of course it would be," Teja says, "especially if there were sweet things, too, for the children to enjoy."

[imthepilot]

"That can be arranged." Bodhi smiles warmly. "How soon before we go?" How long does he have to prepare?

[galen_erso]

"I just need a data pad to take notes," Galen says. "Erm, make that notebook and pen. We can come along whenever Teja is ready."

"I am ready," Teja says.

[imthepilot]

Bodhi hesitates, biting his lip. "Can we wait, just till tomorrow? That way I have time to cook for them. I know I can get food from the bar but- it's not the same as cooking it myself. And can we take Myrrh and Kyber? Or should I organise food for them while we're away?"

[ostro_goth]

"We can wait," Teja says. "Of course we can. As long as you want to. And yes, the cats can come along. I will bring Nahts, also."

[imthepilot]

"Oh good." Bodhi visibly relaxes. "I'd worry about leaving Kyber alone. He has a knack for getting into trouble."

You can already see the cogs turning in his head, planning food. "Is there anything more I can help with here? If not, I'll go down to the bar and fetch some ingredients."

[galen_erso]

"No, we just need to put the pots in their places now," Galen says. "Do go ahead and get the food ready and packed in hampers."

"I have a horse that can help carry things," Teja says.

[imthepilot]

"Thank you, Teja. I hadn't thought of that."

Bodhi smiles brightly to Galen, pressing a swift kiss on his cheek and squeezing his hand before darting to the door. He stops halfway. "Would you like anything? Should I bring you up some lunch?"

[ostro_goth]

"Yes, please!" they both say, smiling at Bodhi in very different but still fond ways.

[imthepilot]

Bodhi smiles and heads downstairs with a skip in his step, careful to close the door so the kittens don't follow him.