o3 ☢ but i'm good at being uncomfortable so i can't stop changing all the time

[aggressively]

[ as always with a banner post, the opener cues up a half uncomfortable, awkward smile. sincere, but still twitchy. bruce: never going to like public speaking, thanks. ]

I spent some spare time lately messing with my communicator, and I thought I'd share the benefits.

[ more: he's been reminding himself to do this since speaking to ros, but 'the pretty red haired woman with the hungry smile who can't read inspired this' seems a little too much. better to be a bored scientist tinkering with things. ]

I thought it might be useful to have a-- reading function on these things, so to speak. It's not the most elegant job, but I can show my work if anyone else wants to keep going on something a little more structured.

...Anyway. The program I threw together reads text posts aloud. [ in something that sounds a lot like betty's voice, because bruce is a dork. ] I know language barriers aren't much of an issue here, and I can't promise an attached dictionary, but it's something.

[ he hesitates. ]

We're all very focused on the immediate, and we should be. But it might not hurt to add a few more-- non-essential projects to the pile, just to make life a little more comfortable. [ not that he doesn't want to be home-- well, all right, some of him doesn't-- but of all people, bruce understands the need to make something good happen, see tangible and rewarding results for your efforts in between everything else. ]

...Right.

[ the half smile bruce turns towards his communicator is particularly pained, now. there really should be a lost and found okay, so he doesn't have to do something like this to keep from feeling wasteful and more than a little cowardly. ]

Last jump, I received a few things I don't need. If anyone wants them, I'll leave them all in a box outside 006 » 029. First come, first serve.

( 1 ) ipod, filled with jazz.
( 1 ) yoga mat
( 1 ) set bongo drums
( 1 ) large bag marijuana

[ and now his eyebrows draw together. ]

Don't say it, Tony. [ that probably guarantees trolling. reverse psychology for fun and profit, and banner out. ]

l o c k e d / a x v e n g e r s

We should probably all talk. Briefing?

[ because they've lost people, and they've gained others-- time to touch base. past time. ]

l o c k e d / a x v e n g e r s

Comments

same on bruce's end

[aggressively]

[ bruce is not the warmest seeming guy in general-- not unfriendly, per se, more just wary and huddled in on himself. kids, though, get a little less awkward than adults. ]

Would you like a copy?

[culver]

[no worries, as soon as he starts talking to her directly, her entire demeanor changes. her shoulders hunch a little and her wings press close to her back. the amount of awkward in this conversation just went up at least 40%.

but she nods all the same, hesitantly.]

[aggressively]

[ bruce's smile back is the most reassuring one he has in his arsenal-- not the best in the world, but he can deal better with other awkward people. it's the personable ones who weird him out the most. ]

I'll send it over? Then just click on the command that comes up, and it should settle into gear.

[culver]

[nill is normally pretty personable--when the other person is female, of course. but his smile helps and her posture relaxes just a smidgen. another nod; okay, she could click.

and once it's in she tries it on the text he'd attached, and her face lights up at hearing (what she thinks is) betty's voice. well that was super nice!! but what is marijuana bruce.]

[aggressively]

[ bruce's smile goes brighter as it clearly works out on that end, nodding a little in satisfaction.

and marijuana is something to ask tony stark about. ]

[culver]

[she can't just leave him hanging, so she carefully plunks out:]

tha
Thank you [capitalization how does it work]

hjdfsjfds nill why are you so cute. WHY.

[aggressively]

[ this time bruce's grin is wide and pleased, genuine. (still shy, but baby steps.) ]

You're welcome. [ and this one is a hunch, but given she hasn't said a word: ] If you'd like, I can rig up a second function-- make your text talk for you, as well. Just in case.

because lolita or something

[culver]

[her eyes go a bit wide. what--oh no, that would be. imposing. she'd owe him something. but he was offering.

she's unsure. she wants to say yes, but the idea of imposing like that doesn't sit well with her, even when it's imposing on a complete stranger.]

well IT WORKS

[aggressively]

[ hoping he's reading her right, bruce tries to look as non-threatening as possible. ]

It's not a trade, you won't owe me anything-- in fact, I'll put it in writing if you want.

good to know

[culver]

[it helps, to be honest. a little.

haha, "in writing." that makes the corners of her lips quirk upwards. okay, he wasn't so bad. she just shakes her head, but then:]

please

[aggressively]

I can get it worked up in a couple days and send it to you, does that work?

[culver]

[her smile doesn't lose its shy edge, but she nods. yes, that would be excellent.

oh right--]

i am nill

[aggressively]

[ progress. bruce keeps his smile gentle, nods. ]

Bruce.

[culver]

[bruce. that was a nice name. she... she remembers it from somewhere. her eyes widen a fraction.]

betty ?

[aggressively]

...is my girlfriend. You know Betty?

[ his face gets all weird and squishy when he says 'girlfriend'. it's a true love thing. ]

[culver]

[oh no true love something nill has no experience with]

my friend

[aggressively]

She's good at that.

[ more fondness look, betty makes bruce go stupid and bambi eyed. ]

Very good at that, lucky for me.

[culver]

[aw this is adorable]

yes she is