[Network] @hotstud_xxx; video | Day 52, evening [open]

[rubikscomplex]

[The video feed will show the inside of a tool shed where a small, flying robot is moving around in the dim light cast by the tablet.]

Hey, Trinity! Wibblelips! Look what I found. It flies, it screams, it's alive. It also happens to be the reason I'm stuck in a shed for the night. Now, I got a screwdriver.

[The screwdriver is held up into view in a pink-gloved hand.]

And I got a hammer.

[The screwdriver is set down and the hammer is picked up to show.]

It's a hammer of justice. It's a hammer of warning. And it's going to be the hammer I take to that freaking thing unless you tell me how to get it to stop screaming in my face. Hiro, you needed some robot parts, right? Might be able to get you some.

Comments

[rubikscomplex]

Did you say please and pet his head?

[phaseshifter]

Worse.

I gave him a hug.

You could, um, try saying please? But I wouldn't pet him, he might interpret it as an act of aggression.

[rubikscomplex]

If I hug that thing, it will be with a blanket and packing tape, kid. How about playing with him? I'm thinking lacrosse. He looks about the right size for standing in for the ball. That's totally non-aggressive.

[phaseshifter]

I don't know what lacrosse is, but I'm pretty sure that if you use Dumpy like a ball that's going to at least get you a minor concussion when he bonks your head. Is it really that difficult for you to ask him nicely to stop?

[rubikscomplex]

It would be physically painful.

[ And he doesn't want to give her the satisfaction. ]

[phaseshifter]

Mmmhmm. A lot like something exploding in your face.

[rubikscomplex]

Worse than that. It would be like ripping out my heart. Literally. We all know you're doing it metaphorically each time I hit on you and you reject me.

[phaseshifter]

[ The flattest stare. ]

I would really, really appreciate it if you would find someone else to use as your cover for your feelings about Doctor Epps. Anyone else.

[rubikscomplex]

My feelings for... What are you talking about?

[ Achievement unlocked? House sounds genuinely confused. He's all for non sequiturs to shift a conversation, but that's so far out of left field, it's not even in the ballpark. ]

[phaseshifter]

Doctor Epps. Clayton. Sh-shoot, should I have made this private? It's just that - that, um - you're not subtle.

Not at all.

Sorry.

[rubikscomplex]

You think I have a crush on Epps...

[ There's silence for a few seconds, then a burst of very, very unkind laughter. ]

Well, now, this I gotta hear. All right, Trin. Tell me why you think that. Make it good. Lay out the evidence. I wanna make sure we've got everything on the table.

[phaseshifter]

Well, you bring him up an awful lot. And you seem to have a sort of - the whole rivalry thing you have going on, you know? All very 'please notice me.' And you spoke about him with such love when you were talking about his time with Jane! It was plain to see how much you were pining for him.

[ Oh, and Angel can't help but wonder if that's why Dr. Hotforclayton is so mean to her? Did he see Clayton flirting?

IT ALL MAKES SENSE. ]

voice - @claytonator hello don't mind me

[dr_unconscious]

[...Okay, he can't resist.]

It's true. The whole time he was travelin' with me an' I couldn't have a moment to myself. Man's awful determined--jus' a lil' shy in public, y'know?

[WINK WONK]

@Mnemosyne; voice

[bookofnope]

[See, this is what happens when he ends up owing people favours...]

I can confirm this. That night at the shed will never be purged from my suffering mind.

[phaseshifter]

Oh my god. Was there pining? Wistful sighs?

[rubikscomplex]

[ Screw both of these assholes. They want to play it like that? Fine. ]

Damn. And I thought we were keeping all of this quiet on account of Enoch.

[dr_unconscious]

Aw, don't worry 'bout him. Enoch's a tough guy. Handles rejection a lot better 'n you do.
Angel, you know what I had t' do to get this guy off my case? Poor ol' Beckett had t' field 'em for me. It was rough, let me tell ya. Never get yerself caught up in a love triangle, you hear me? Ain't as pretty as it sounds.

[phaseshifter]

I don't - I don't intend on getting caught up in any, um. For shame, Doctor -- [still can't say it] -- H! When I told you not to lose hope, I didn't mean you should start stalking people.

I'm very sorry, Doctor Epps.

[rubikscomplex]

Hey, Epps is used to being stalked. At least I didn't go kidnapping him. Now, Brian. Jesus. I dunno what it is about Epps, maybe just that mangrit smell, but he's just got all the guys after him.

Think I saw Count Dracula up there checking out his neck a little too long for it just to be about drinking his blood.

[bookofnope]

Oh? Enlighten us, Doctor, what is it exactly that mangrit smells like that excites you so much? Honestly, what would I do with his neck, of all things?

[phaseshifter]

...Oh, dear. He does strike me as, um, the - the persistent type.

@Spoiler ; voice

[spoileralert]

That actually explains a lot of questions I've had about Dr. Hot Stud.

[phaseshifter]

You suspected, too?

Add it to your information document!

[rubikscomplex]

God, my secret's out. Now what am I going to do? Damn it, Spoiler. Let a guy have his secrets.

[spoileralert]

You have plenty of secrets, doc. Heck, I'm even keeping some for you.

[ Just the one, but she does like sounding scary. ]