XIII

[punsofiron]

[There is a lot of static and wonky reception when Cambot first comes on.]

Th--I thin--at---id it.

[The camera finally focuses, catching the edge of a nearby bookshelf; Cambot is sitting in Liz's lap.]

Thank you so much, Gypsy. Are you okay Cambot?

[Cambot starts to hover. He's a little wobbly at first, but he steadies out quickly and turns to look at Liz, visibly relieved and now, well, human again.]

There we go. Hey, I'm really sorry about that. [Slowly, Cambot bobs up and down in an acknowledging nod. Liz smiles and turns to look directly at the camera.]

I owe you guys an apology too. I just...I dunno, Discord just really got under my skin. I really didn't mean anything I said while he was here and...I'm sorry I said them.

Comments

[itsjustthebots]

It's no problem! A lot easier to work on Cambot now that we're back to normal, lemme tell ya.

[punsofiron]

No kidding. Being a pony was kind of awesome, but it's nice to have thumbs again.

Er, no offense.

[itsjustthebots]

None taken!

[verygassy]

It's ok, Liz! I understand. Discord was a jerk.

[punsofiron]

Understatement of the year, ladies and gentlemen.

[milliondollarpipes]

Hey, don't sweat it, kid. Good to have ya back.

[punsofiron]

It's good to be back.

[milliondollarpipes]

I bet.

[If he's being a little more taciturn than usual, the reason becomes clear when he waves off his Cambot, which departs immediately. Shortly thereafter there's a knock at her door.]

[punsofiron]

[And after a brief pause, and then she answers. She doesn't look all that surprised to see him, either.]

Hey, Mister Finevoice.

[milliondollarpipes]

[He really just came down to make sure she was okay - sure, he already knew that, but there's a difference between talkin' to someone through a screen and actually seein' 'em. He smiles a little when she opens the door, showing about as much relief as you'll probably ever get out of him.]

Hey, Iron. Just thought I'd swing by. [He glances briefly over her shoulder into the room, checking to see if she's got company.] The kid in?

[punsofiron]

[She sees that relief there, Finevoice.]

I think he went down to the library.

Come on in.

[milliondollarpipes]

[Curses. Foiled.]

[He enters, turning to look at her as she closes the door. She doesn't look too much worse for the wear. He's glad she was only under a short time, at least, if the whole damn thing had to happen at all.]

It is good to see ya feelin' better again, kid. [Translation: he was worried sick about you.]

[punsofiron]

Well you know me, I bounce back fast.

[Her smile fades after a moment, turning more serious.] ...Listen, Mister Finevoice...what I said before...

[milliondollarpipes]

[Yeah, that. Harvey takes a seat on the bed, for lack of another place, and pats the spot next to him.]

Ah, c'mon, kid. I told ya not to worry about it.

[punsofiron]

No, really...

[She comes over and sits next to him.] I just want you to know...I'm glad that you've been around to look after us.

[She smiles a little sheepishly] I guess in a way you kind of are like an honorary dad to me. I don't mind it at all.

[milliondollarpipes]

[For all his counseling of the rest of the team, Harvey's never really been one to open up about himself. Which is probably why he'll never say aloud just how much hearing that from her means to him. When she's done, he smiles warmly and reaches out to pull her into a hug. His voice is quiet when he speaks, expressing more than his words.]

Thanks, Iron.

[punsofiron]

[icanhastail]

I think we all did that.

[punsofiron]

Yeah, apparently I missed a big adventure down there.

[icanhastail]

[GROAN. Time to bury his head in his hands.]

I'm never going to be able to forget that, am I?

[punsofiron]

Sorry. It's not the first time somebody's tried to mess with the Satellite and...let's just say I'd rather not get used to that.

[icanhastail]

I never wanted to mess with it in the first place! That bastard decided to go after me.

[If he ever sees dragonchicken again, he's getting a punch in the nose.]

[punsofiron]

Hey I know, alright? I know.

[icanhastail]

Yeah, but it's still frustrating.

[He might've come to terms with what he is, but he very deliberately chooses not to follow that path. Being forced to... yeah, not happy.]

How'd they get you back?

[punsofiron]

I know.

[A pause, then she smirks a little, nodding her head toward Linkara off-camera.] The power of love.

[icanhastail]

[Awwwww. He smiles at that, 'cause that's actually very good to hear.] And they say that doesn't mean anything. All those doubters should get their feet out of their mouths.

[thesilenthero]

It's quite alright, miss. It seems as if everyone was having similar troubles.

[punsofiron]

I'm getting that impression. Sounds like Discord wasn't exactly a ray of sunshine on anybody's day.