“I always wanted one growing up, but Grandpa couldn’t afford it and wouldn’t build it.It was a waste of money and parts to him.”She hummed as she put the scooter back in the place she had gotten Boss to prepare for her.The helmet and pads were stowed on it.
“You don’t sound like your childhood was fun.”
“Oh, definitely not, but I learned a lot.I was put to work as soon as my casts were off and stitches removed.”
He hugged her again.She smiled.“Are you going to do that every time I mention my childhood?”
“Probably.I was built and came into the world as an adult.That kind of cruelty to someone so small fills me with rage and a strange urge to care for you.”He rubbed her back.“Well, that urge isn’t that strange.It feels particularly right.”
“I have to go wash my hands,” she muttered, holding her hands away from him.“I don’t want to get you dirty.”
He chuckled.“I appreciate that, but I am washable.Did you want to have dinner in the food court or somewhere special?”
“Everywhere here is special.”
“Dinner under the stars.”
She leaned back and smiled.“That does sound special.”
“I have created a new outfit for you.Something a little prettier.”
“This outfit is pretty.You saw what I was wearing when I arrived.”
He chuckled.“Fair enough.This is an outfit I would enjoy seeing on you.”
“Okay, as long as I get to wash my hands first.”
He smoothed his hands down her back.She leaned in but still didn’t touch him.He sighed.“Fine, go wash up.Cleaning station twenty metres back and to the right.”
She smiled and headed back to get the axle grease traces off her hand.It took a sonic scrubber as well as cleanser and water, but she got her arms clean to the elbow.
She pulled her bodysuit back into normal lines and returned to the start of her workspace, where Birun was looking at her tablet.“You have quite a few projects listed here.”
“And I will have hundreds more.Some use the same parts.Some need other items on the list to be made first.”
“So, you are organized.Nebel wasn’t sure what you did and what your grandfather did.They all blended together.”
She shrugged.“That makes sense.So, where are we going for dinner?”
He grinned.“To my quarters.There is a light show tonight, and I thought it would be pleasant to watch it and have a nice meal.It is only you and me here, so I have to make date nights special.”
“Oh, you got into the Terran archive.”
He chuckled, and they began the walk back to his quarters.The workshop closed behind them, and he looked her over as they walked.“I think you might need some coveralls.”
She started laughing and knew her white suit with the black skirt was covered with smudges from a variety of substances.
She felt a touch on her mind, and he grinned.It was obvious that he understood what she was.It was such a relief to have one person who knew her inside and out.
“Not quite, but we will work on it.”
She looked at him with a frown, and he gave her an innocent smile.
The clothing he had prepared for her was a deep blue dress with white trim.She let her hair swing loose and walked out of the bathroom, doing a little twirl.The wide skirt flared out and away from her before settling.The little blue slippers let her twist and spin happily.
Birun was wearing a skirt in dark charcoal, and he had little gold clips in his hair.This felt like a prom; all she was missing was a corsage.
He looked at her and smiled.“I wanted something a little sturdier for you.”
