[007 ☿] Dream a little dream

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[It's been a rainy dream, as Mizuno Ami (aged seven) walks home. Her backpack looks quite plump and full, probably due to the extra books she brings to have something to focus on during lunch.

Some things distract even her.

Ami hops across a few small puddles then, after a quick thought to decide it's alright, she hops across a much larger one. She sails through the air- and clears her target! All dry. She giggles in satisfaction.

The rain has stopped by now and there's a playground nearby, where the ground and equipment are somehow dry enough to use. Ami has a long time before Mama will be home, and she knows the people who live around here and play at this spot.

She can finish her homework after dinner (and she really will). Right now, she really wants to play. She climbs carefully into the seat of one of the swings, which turns out to be a touch too high for her and she pumps her legs but barely gets up momentum.

She might need a little help. She could also use a friend to play with.]

Comments

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[As long as she has clear instructions to follow, she can do anything! Ami screws up her face in concentration and pieces together the bot bit by bit. She can already hardly wait to show it off.]

[bot-builder.livejournal.com]

[The bot's coming together nicely! You've done a good job so far.]

Alright, we should connect the brain to the bot's "nervous system." I should start the soldering. Do you want to help after I show you how it works? [His sense of child safety is great!]

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[Hey, she's allowed to use the oven at home. As long as she's careful. And she even has adult supervision right here! It's fine.]

Can I watch you first, please? I want to make sure I do it right.

[bot-builder.livejournal.com]

Alright. Let me place the wires when it's your turn, to make sure you're connecting the right components.

The wires get set up like this, and you hold the soldering gun like this. [He demonstrates.] Oh yeah, that bit that does the soldering, that's really hot. Don't touch that. Learned that the hard way.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[She holds the gun carefully once he gives her the chance to, lips pursed in concentration.]

I won't touch it. I'll be careful. [It turns out to be a bit much for her despite her reassurances, and the gun wavers dangerously in her hand.]

[bot-builder.livejournal.com]

[He notices that this might not be working out. You're kind of his friend? Yes. So you hurting yourself at his instigation... probably a bad idea.]

That's probably a bit heavy for a kid. Tell you what, let me help you support it. [He reaches for the gun.]

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[With his hand to steady it, the work goes much easier. No danger of being hurt or burned now. Ami keeps working very earnestly, though she smiles quietly to herself. It feels like working on a project with Papa - something she'd really like to do some day.]

Thank you. It's working a lot better now, I think.

[bot-builder.livejournal.com]

Great! Once we're done with this, we can paint it. I'll have to cover its eye sensors with something. Don't want to blind it.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

We can use paper. That way, the paint will only get on the paper if some spills.

[Ami leans back a little to admire her work so far. It's an accomplished feeling, seeing the end result start to take shape and knowing she had a hand in it. Knowing she made something.]

See you tomorrow :)

[bot-builder.livejournal.com]

Yeah, paper'll work. Paint will definitely get on it though, because we're using spray paint. It's the only way to paint robots. It'll give the paint job a nice smooth finish.

kk! sleep well!

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

Will it be shiny? [Apparently, Ami is a normal little girl after all.]

If it's shiny, it will look more like a fish swimming through water. [Or, the daughter of an artist who thinks about these things.]

Sorry, rl kept happening yesterday

[bot-builder.livejournal.com]

[He thinks about this seriously.] It will be at least a little shiny... If you're not happy with the shine, we can always wax it.

no worries! <3

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

Let's finish first, and then we'll decide. [She finishes the last few pieces she has.]

[bot-builder.livejournal.com]

[He looks the bot over. Satisfied, he fits the eyes with little paper coverings.] Alright, stand back. Don't want to get paint all over yourself. [He starts spraying the bot with blue paint.]

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[Ami take several exaggerated steps backward until she's at a safe distance away.]

I'm ready!

[bot-builder.livejournal.com]

[The paint dries quickly and soon he's finished. He picks the paper out of the bot's eyes and steps back to give you a clear view.] What do you think? Shiny enough?

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

Mmmhmm! It'll look just like looking into the water. [A glimmer here and there as it darts about on its tasks. She likes it. She likes it a lot.]

[bot-builder.livejournal.com]

Great! What are you going to call it? [He still can't get over the fact that somebody likes his bots. This is so awesome!]

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[Well, you know, even now Ami has a hobby, and it's astronomy.]

Caloris! [One of the most notable features of planet Mercury, which is why she's familiar with it.]

[bot-builder.livejournal.com]

[Jack has limited knowledge of astronomy, and assumes you just made that name up. But hey! It's still cool! He shows you how to set the alarm feature as he switches Caloris on.]

[The bot wiggles, then floats up a couple feet off the ground. Its eyes light up and it speaks in a robotic voice:] Hello!

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

Perfect!

[That's all the attention Jack gets for several minutes as Ami looks over the bot from different angles as she talks to it.]

Nice to meet you, Mr. Caloris.

[bot-builder.livejournal.com]

[The koi-bot follows your movements with interest.] What are you doing?

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

I just wanted to see everything.

[bot-builder.livejournal.com]

Oh! And is everything where it belongs? [It twists all around for you.]

[Jack grins a little sheepishly.] I suppose I should let you two get acquainted with each other. [He turns to leave.]

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

Wait! [Ami turns abruptly back to Jack, and smiles brightly.]

Thank you! I couldn't have built him without you! It was really nice of you to help me.

[She adds in a smaller, confiding voice.] His middle name is Jack.