Stark Industries, Monday

[endsthegame]

Monday saw Ender back at work, his focus this time mostly on the arc reactor, poking and prodding and adjusting. He thought he'd found a way to work with the metal that laid at its core, but he was in no rush to arrogantly claim he'd had it done.

Instead, he took to the holographic projector, attempting simulations, and running through various incarnations of the device with an expert eye.

[[ open! ]]

Comments

[momslilassassin]

"Ho, Ender," Ben said, beaming. "Aravis is back."

[endsthegame]

Ender pressed a button, shutting off the holographic system. "And how hard did you run?"

[momslilassassin]

"Not at all," Ben said airily. "It's just good to see her."

[endsthegame]

"I'm going to take that as 'a leisurely trot'," Ender replied. "No bribes today?"

[momslilassassin]

"The last time I saw you, you threatened to dye my underwear," Ben said. In a hypothetical where Ben had clearly been the brat first. "No bribes for you today."

[endsthegame]

"So if I were to play nice, would that mean you'd bring me coffee?"

Also purely hypothetical.

"By your own logic."

[momslilassassin]

"Are you calling my logic illogical?" Ben asked, leaning against the counter.

[endsthegame]

"No, Skywalker," Ender replied, sounding amused, "I'm saying your logic is your own."

[momslilassassin]

Ben looked mollified. "Then maybe I'll bring you coffee."

[endsthegame]

"We'll see."

He walked towards the counter. "So how are you, Ben?"

[momslilassassin]

"Kind of at loose ends without classes," he said, "but I'm making progress on the droid."

[endsthegame]

"Because the classes occupy so much of your time," he said, wryly. "How far are you?"

[momslilassassin]

"The basics are done," he said. "I'm working on the programming." He smiled. "And will be for the next three years or so."

[endsthegame]

"So you'll be busy until you're a senior," Ender observed, "I'm sure your teachers will be grateful."

[momslilassassin]

"I'm sure the teachers wish you'd find something to keep you busy, too," Ben teased.

[endsthegame]

"I've got plenty to do," Ender returned, "Even your grandfather seems willing to contribute."

[momslilassassin]

Ben's eyebrows went up. "He did? What did he give you?"

[endsthegame]

"Giving me some interesting problems to work on in regards to space travel," he returned. "Part make-up exam, part educational project..."

[momslilassassin]

"Granddad has a strange sense of humor sometimes," Ben decided. "I'm glad he found something you're interested in."

[endsthegame]

"It's all useful," Ender said, wryly. "I think he was trying to save me from firing any of the guns; it's appreciated, anyway."

[momslilassassin]

Ben blinked. "Granddad did that? Really?"

Anakin had never struck him as cutting people any slack.

[endsthegame]

"I think you should cut your grandfather some slack."

[momslilassassin]

"Really?" Now Ben looked really surprised. "Since when?"

[endsthegame]

"He isn't," Ender announced, "A complete tool."

Not that he'd ever thought of Anakin Skywalker as a tool himself, but Ben should catch his drift.

[momslilassassin]

Ben smiled. "Is he growing on you?"