distantpagesandpapercuts:
the-perfect-scientist:
distantpagesandpapercuts:
There’s a small moment of confusion on her face before it is replaced with the same recognition. Kira smiles a bit, impressed that he remembered her at all.
Even if incorrectly, it was close enough.
“Kira, but yeah.” She nods happily, “It’s been awhile, I honestly didn’t expect to see you ever again!” A small giggle escapes her, “I’m afraid I cannot recall your name, I’m horrible with names. But I remember, from Concord right?”
Carlos was shocked when she immediately offered the coffee
and before he could even utter a word she was gone. Oh, dammit… she really didn’t
have to cater to him. He… he wasn’t worth it. He was really just trying to make
small-talk and be funny (at his own expense). He couldn’t help but think that
he shouldn’t have said anything.
As ordered though, he didn’t make any complaint. He just
gave her an awkward smile and a nod in thanks as he took the cup. When she
asked him what he wanted he hesitated for a moment. He had to drink the coffee
now, of course, but it would be an awful waste if it wasn’t done anywhere close
to the way he liked it.
“Um, if… if it wouldn’t put you out too much, some sugar and
a bit of milk would be great,” he admitted softly. He cleared his throat a
little anxiously. “Um, if… it’s up to you how much you are willing to pay for
the books. I, uh… I hate to say this, but the old city isn’t fun trying to
navigate through. I’m not sure how often I’d make it through to come to Diamond
City. The business… it needs to be worth it… do you understand what I’m saying?”
God, he hoped he didn’t sound mean or anything. He thought it was a reasonable
response but who knew with some people.
He took the cup, but seemed so out of place still. She wasn’t exactly a hostess she deduced. Perhaps it just wasn’t in her to wait on others. Though dammit she tried.
Kira nods to his request, heading back to the kitchenette and shuffling around in the cabinets that hung above it.
“Yes I understand. You want a price worth going through the death trap that is the old ruins right outside this town.” She smiles bringing him a small ceramic bowl of sugar and a milk bottle. “Feel free. Don’t drink much milk myself in all honesty.”
She sits in a seat next to him, taking her black tea in hand. Blowing into her cup gently, she takes a sip.
“It’s difficult getting here. I’m not asking you to go out of your way to bring me these books of course. Just saying that if you happen upon any and are heading my way anyhow, I’d be happy to pay you for it. In fact, you can just leave them for me here or in Goodneighbor if I’m not home. I’m sure I could leave money for you. Doctor Sun would be happy to deal with you for me if I’m not home. Now… as for price…” Kira huffs, leaning back in her chair and crossing her legs. Thinking upon something that may interest him. Something fair.
After all, it was just scrap to others anyway. And most of the time worth nothing at all.
“How about… twenty caps for books that can be fixed? But at that price I cannot guarantee that I’ll be able to buy all that you may bring me for good chunks of caps. And I have to be able to use them. I rewrite the parts that were burnt off, but I cannot write an entire novel. You know? If you find anything pre war, I’ll give you fifty each.” Kira offers. Books were her weakness, she may be too generous. But even if he asked for more, Kira would likely be open ears.
Carlos just watched her and listened as he listened to her.
He tried to be discrete with how much sugar he put in his coffee – he really liked sugar, but he didn’t want
to seem like some kind of pig with it. He realized he probably should cut back
anyway – it wasn’t exactly easy for him to get dental care anymore.
However, Carlos found himself shocked by Kira’s offer. Twenty
caps? That was two nights at the Dugout Inn, or a noodle bowl from that
malfunctioning robot in the market. If Carlos were to bring even a couple of
those books, along with his usual salvage he could take a load off and spend a
few days in Diamond City. He might not… but he could! And if he found a pre-war book tucked away in a suitcase or
something? It’d be even better!
“I… uh, are you sure? That’s – er, I mean, that’s pretty
generous of you,” he told her truthfully. He might be shooting himself in the
foot asking that, but he’d rather there not be a falling out or anything later
if she regretted the price.
The Perfect Scientist 