MEI LING BUILT THIS IN A CAVE! WITH A BOX OF SCRAPS!

[proverbmachine]

[Mei is on the penultimate floor of the building, working intently at a large table, surrounded by all manner of electronic parts, currently armed with a soldering iron. She's abandoned all fashion in favor of a practical tank top and jeans for working. These, as well as large portions of her exposed arms and face, are smudged with grease and

Comments

[justhalnow]

[smoooookes and watches. he's just drifting around again, being old and grumpy, as usual.] You know... in theory, I knew this was something you were qualified for, but I never pictured you doing such work.

[proverbmachine]

[looks up and does a double take]

Woah, Otacon, what happened to you?

[justhalnow]

[smiles faintly] 2026 happened. Or was in the process of happening when the Nexus caught me. [He was used to that reaction by now.]

[proverbmachine]

Oh, I see. [still looks surprised]

I just never thought I'd see the day when you of all people would be smoking!

[justhalnow]

Oh, hm. [looks at his cigarette. he'd forgotten it was there... this is probably how addiction starts or something.] Got curious. Spent my entire life avoiding vices and substance, watch someone who didn't smoke for a decade... [shrugs] I don't get the appeal yet, but it's nice to do something with my hands.

[meanders closer] What're you working on?

[proverbmachine]

[smirks] Wow, wonder what Snake had to say about it, considering all the hell you used to give him about it.

[looks back at her project proudly]

Satellite receiver.

[justhalnow]

I've only met one, who didn't mind too much. I'm hardly on good terms with the Snakes anyway.

... Satellite receiver. [tilts head, blinks at it] Don't they usually have entire contracted teams to make those?

[proverbmachine]

Really? [looks disappointed] I always thought you were inseparable.

[shrugs] Oh, it's not a really complicated one or anything. Completely basic really.

[justhalnow]

[more faint smiling] We were. [vague]

What's it for though? Do you think there are any satellites up there to tap into anyway?

[proverbmachine]

Of course you were. [smiles with a slight tease.] But... what happened?

[picks up a discarded piece and fiddles with it.] For the second question, I'm being optimistic. For the first part... [smiles sheepishly] I missed TV.

[justhalnow]

He died. [blows out a long stream of smoke, totally blank-faced]

[laughs a little] I see... There's probably a room here with a working television, though knowing the Nexus, entering it would curse you in some way.

[proverbmachine]

[!!!! Now she feels really bad.] Oh... Oh gosh. I'm so sorry, I had no idea.

[still feels embarrassed, but tries to go on] Probably. Making things is a good way to keep busy though.

[justhalnow]

[waves hand] Don't worry about it. Had to happen eventually.

True enough. If you need any programming done, let me know. I'm usually in the library.

[proverbmachine]

I know but... I'm just sorry to have brought it up. It can't be easy with so many of them still around here.

... Thanks. If anybody can solve a tough programming problem, it's you. [grins a little]

[justhalnow]

It's much harder for them. [He smile turned a little dark.] Whenever I talk with them, I tend to upset them without trying.

It's less about my own expertise as it is about having come from farther down the timeline. Technological science marches on.

[proverbmachine]

I guess that would be a little strange... [Even Mei feels a little weird, honestly, since this Otacon seems so... bitter. So she doesn't elaborate.]

[brightens up] Oh, don't be silly! You probably could have done something like this when you were still in college.