DAY 19 MONTH JELLY

[sciencegirl]

Video

[Entrapta plants herself in front of the screen, holding eight tools at once in various locks of hair with her protective bug-mask pushed up on her head. She's got gloves now and her orange hoodie is accompanied by a purple shirt (she traded for one early on). Because she's the height of fashion, obviously.]

Hiiii! I know there are some very competent builders and makers out there. I'm still finalizing my chores robot-

[Two little robot clampers reach into the bottom of the screen. They make little 'grabby' motions, then withdraw.]

-Everyone, say hi to Sandra! Sandra, beep hi to everyone.

[Sandra beeps. That probably means 'hello'.]

I collected some data from the last stop we were at, thanks to both on-site observations and salvaged scrap, and I've started to get a better handle on hard-light technology! Think of all the applications! We could make temporary protective shields when you don't have someone with those abilities around. Or even drones that can carry a holographic generator into a place where you wouldn't normally be able to access, and you could work on something through a VR headset. Or you could generate an illusion to hide a location while you rest and plan! And that's just a few examples. The potential for mobile field generators is endless.

But I need some help working out some of the missing information. Some of you even have your own version of that technology or have ways to adapt it to be compatible with magic.

[The links two tools together, because that's the way to symbolize compatibility here one would guess.]

I also wanted to ask some of the fighters what they'd want out of practice, if I were, say, to build something with very specific specs. I was talking to someone about that sort of thing and she's not wrong about training resources.

Comments

[sciencegirl]

Oh yeah! I can make those. [She tosses her wrench up and catches it with the hair that's been holding it.] I've made things like them before. But here I have access to some of the best minds I've ever encountered! I could do even more with their help, and maybe even faster!

[The train should have asked before taking them, but she can't deny being pleased to have met all these people.]

I do have the parts set aside for that mini-ballista by the way!

[flatteries]

.. Wait, you do?

[ Inigo was already surprised a moment ago, but maybe even moreso at this. It sounded like she had been so busy, he really didn't think she'd remember!

But it's a good kind of surprise. The kind that makes him smile a moment later, even with a tiny hint of something pink on his cheeks. ]

You remembered? I can't believe you had the time to gather those parts between everything else! That's so sweet of you!

[sciencegirl]

Of course I did! I wouldn't want to get in anyone's way of learning.

Who knows, it might actually help you out one day!

But you might want to warn people when you try it out, so no one takes a surprise rock to the head. Though I bet that there are some people who'd want to try shooting or catching them, so that might also work out.

[flatteries]

I can actually already think of one person who might be into that. [ There's a hint of amusement in his voice, though he mostly just still sounds really happy. ]

I'll make sure to keep it around once it's done. Like you said-- you never know when stuff is going to come in handy, right? Maybe you having made it will indirectly save my life one day. Then I'll really owe you one.

[sciencegirl]

It's no problem! I'll let you know as soon as it's done.

[She's just ping-ponging between twenty different projects. If she could slow down for a minute and finish one lbr this wouldn't take more than a couple of hours.]

[flatteries]

[ Alas, if only Inigo knew..

But he has no true idea of just how chaotic Entrapta's mind can be. Oh, well, at least he's patient. Even if it takes a while to finish, it's not like he's going to mind.

In fact: ]

I feel like I should do something to repay you though.

[ Even if it's just a small thing to her! It still doesn't feel fair to let her do so much for the train and not do something in return. ]

Is there anything I can help with?

[sciencegirl]

Do you practice in the gym? I need to have recordings of people practicing for one of my projects.

[She's going to build her guardian bot and needs lots of practice.]

[flatteries]

Yeah. [ Often enough that this request almost sounds a little too easy to be doing something in return for her, but he nods all the same. ]

Usually together with Tidus. Do you know him? We have pretty different fighting styles, in case that helps your project.

[sciencegirl]

Ohh! More data. That sounds incredible! Thanks. I need all the information I can get. The robots I built before were tough enough that they were difficult for elemental Princesses to beat alone. Two or more could do it together, though. I don't think I can exceed that strength level, but I don't really need to if I want to provide individual challenges or promote teamwork.

Teamwork on my end, too! I've been on my own so long [other than working with Hordak] that I'm looking forward to this.

[flatteries]

Right! You shouldn't have to be on your own, Entrapta. You're such a sweet girl!

[ Look, this isn't even flattery. Inigo always just throws around compliments like this like it's nothing - coupled with a smile that's mirrored in his tone. ]

Though I don't think I'm quite at elemental princess level. [ Whatever that means. ] That's not a problem, is it?

[sciencegirl]

That's nice of you to say. I usually just try to be practical and look at things realistically.

Oh, right! Elemental Princesses are Princesses that have powers based in either elements or 'forces of nature'. Say, the ones that deal in the ocean or controlling plantlife. They're usually connected to a Runestone that gives them implicit access to the magic of the planet. Not all Princesses are Elemental. I'm not.

[flatteries]

Ah, I suppose that does make the name make a lot of sen--

[ ...

Wait. ]

Entrapta, you're a princess?!

[sciencegirl]

Ah! Did I forget to mention that? I am! I'm endowed with Etherian magic and I have my own castle and kingdom. My kingdom isn't exactly densely populated, though, and my castle doesn't have a lot of human servants. Just the kitchen staff. But I've always been an important part of the Etherian maker's community!

[flatteries]

That's..

[ What does he even say.

He can't even say that Entrapta doesn't seem very princess-like, because honestly, Inigo of all people would be a hypocrite with that exact statement. ]

I.. Forgive me, milady! I should have minded my manners more while talking to you, in that case! I truly hope I haven't offended you in the least.. [ LOOK AT THAT INSTANT CHANGE. Like flipping a mental switch that makes the formal talk come out. ]

[sciencegirl]

...

I was never offended.

What's going on?

[She doesn't get it. It's not like she's Mermista or anything. She doesn't need special treatment.]

I'm not that kind of Princess, don't worry. I never learned any manners. [Like this is a good thing.]

[flatteries]

[ Like that's a good thing.

It makes Inigo pause, at the very least. ]

You didn't?

[ He seems pretty baffled by that idea. ]

Why not?

[sciencegirl]

Because I spent my time learning robots and enjoying things I liked!

I'm not always the best with people, but I would rather them be friends with me for me and not because I'm being some kind of premeditated nice to them.

[It's not exactly fake. It's just so practiced and that practice could be used for more productive things.]

[flatteries]

...

[ Well, that does explain certain things about Entrapta.

Not necessarily bad things, but things all the same. ]

You're lucky. [ Inigo decides on after a few moments, grinning a bit. Trying to steer the topic back to something lighter, a bit more fun. ] I'm a prince, and I never got to skip out on my manners lessons.

[ Even though he wanted to do things he enjoyed instead too! ]

[sciencegirl]

If it helps, I have a friend who didn't get to, either. Her name is Glimmer.

She still acts the way she wants to when she's with her friends. You're doing fine, okay! I promise.

[flatteries]

O-- Okay.

[ Hear that slight stammer? Inigo wasn't quite expecting this to be turned around into a motivational sort of thing aimed towards him, and it temporarily renders the boy a bit shy, a slight pink hue on his cheeks. ]

But if Frederick ever appears here on the train, you have to promise to not tell him about anything I said or did, alright? He'd kill me!

[sciencegirl]

Sure!




Who's Frederick again?

[She's going to be great at not telling him.]

[flatteries]

[ Thanks, Entrapta.

Just. Thanks. ]

Don't worry about it. [ He waves a hand. ] Just don't mention me to any stern-looking guy you meet, right? [ A VERY GREAT DESCRIPTION THERE, INIGO. ]

[sciencegirl]

I know lots of stern looking guys. They're usually not as bad as people expect! I'm sure he'd forgive you if he knew you were making people happy.

[flatteries]

I.. Ah, well, I'm not.. too sure about that. They're rather intimidating..

[ Mostly since it's been so long since Inigo had any meaningful interaction with Frederick as the Royal Vassal Turned Royal Nanny that his memories are old enough to have been influenced by tiny child perception. ]

Though I admire your unwavering faith in the world and the people around us, Entrapta! [ Maybe said a tad formally still, but he means it, judging by the way he smiles. ] It's one of your most charming points.

[sciencegirl]

I don't know if I'd call it faith. Most of my statements have been backed by frequent observation by various friend groups I've either been a part of or observed at a distance. Both with healthy and unhealthy dynamics.

To be honest, sometimes when people are 'bad' I see a lot of potential in the ability to connect with them. Nnnnot always? But a lot of the time it's there!

No matter if that badness is just treating people casually, which is fine anyway [she pshws at the idea it's not] to being way too obsessive about success or perfection.