Waiting Room

[mend_and_defend]

There are a number of surprisingly well-dressed programs waiting outside the Principal Office medbay.

They are well-dressed because they just came from a wedding.

They're waiting because the COMMAND.COM is giving birth in there.

They're waiting outside because when Hack poked his head in earlier he nearly went deaf from the screaming

Comments

[mend_and_defend]

A few nanos later, the medbay door slides open, and Bob steps out. He's looking more than a little strung out, and there are some interesting bruises on his right hand... but he's beaming so hugely that the top of his head might be in danger of falling off.

He's also carefully cradling a small bundle in his arms.

[a1enzo]

Enzo's pounce-reflex is trying to resurface, but fortunately, he's gotten good at restraining it, because that would be a really bad idea. He darts over to Bob, though, beaming from him to the bundle and, for a rare moment, speechless.

[mend_and_defend]

Bob shifts the bundle just a little, and a tiny turquoise face comes into view, with unfocused brown eyes blinking sleepily up at the world.

"Say hi to your uncle, Mairi."

[a1enzo]

She's tiny, but not as tiny as he's been fearing. Humans are born about her size, and they do fine.

She's fine.

She's beautiful.

"Hi, Mairi!"

[notascreensaver]

AndrAIa's on her feet next, quickly followed by her husband, who stands behind her while she looks down in awe at the bundle containing her niece.

"Bob, she's gorgeous."

[mend_and_defend]

Bob just nods, still smiling. It's one thing to have scanned her code, but to actually see her, to hold her in his arms...

Suddenly, the person he's been waiting to meet for over a year is real, and she's here. It's... there are no words for this.

[nullofscience]

You can't guess at the relief on Welman's...face? Well anyway, he was about to move closer when...hmmm. Bit too many exposed parts on this machine.

*Plomp!*

The null hit the floor squirming and immediately went over to check on little Mairi himself, climbing Mt. Bob and everything to get right to her.

"Hi, ummm... I know I don't look the right way, but...I'm your grandpa."

He extends his front end to touch her hand, as a bodied person might offer a finger.

[mend_and_defend]

Fact: A newborn baby has a remarkably strong grip.

Fact: A newborn baby will instinctively grab onto anything placed in the palm of her hand.

Result: Welman may be having a 'Nibbles' flashback right about now.

[nullofscience]

Ack! Null-squirm and sudden pull-out!

Wow, that brought back memories. Squishy memories. Welman shook his null-head.

"Very strong grip on that one. And...she tastes like her father."

And other things. A line from Dr. Strangelove occurs to mind...

[mend_and_defend]

.

.

.

"...thanks?"

[nullofscience]

No problem, Bob. We aim to please!

"Also like errrm...bodily fluids. Not a taste I ever wanted to be acquainted with...nor that hint of gold in the middle."

Wait, so color has a taste now?

[l33t_mouse]

A grinning Mouse bends slightly so she's about eye-to-eye with Mairi. "I c'n tell, you're gonna be a handful when ya get t'walkin', aren't ya? Yes y'are!"

[mend_and_defend]

Mairi squirms and lets out a soft cry. There's viral code very close to her and she wants it to go away please.

[l33t_mouse]

Mouse doesn't know why the baby starts getting fussy when she's close up (although she'll suss it out later), but she figures that maybe she ought to keep her distance now. That she does, stepping back out of range and giving Bob a "we need to talk later" kind of look. Although what with all the goings-on he may not notice.

[mend_and_defend]

Bob lifts Mairi close to him, making soothing noises both aloud and in keytoolspeak. "Shhhh, Mairi, it's okay, Daddy's here..."

(Part of him is quietly boggling. 'Daddy.' I'm a father. A father.)

[ami_imperfect]

Dani stands on tiptoe more towards the outer edge of the circle, trying to get a good view of the baby. She could phase right through somebody if she wanted to, but that would be impolite.