Mission 6b - Let's get ready to rumble!!!

Megumi replies, feeling more comfortable, "Usually my time is spent on threat response and training. There is some aspects of fun in training and improving myself." her thoughts flash back to Jacques for a split second, "But traveling actually sounds like a lot of fun, to explore the world through new perspectives, and embrace new and unique cultures. One of these days it will be a reality, but it would be more fun with a companion."

Pretti grins at MK’s reply. She also takes her hand. “You were there while these sexy legs were just hunks-a-metal... or... ore. Oh, I don’t know the process.

“But Three-Pie-Oh definitely noticed you at my bedside when he started on me. I’m glad you’re joining me today. It’ll be nice for the Doc to see us together.”

She doesn’t wait for MK to challenge that statement.

“Okay, ya got me. I like showing you off.”

Thoughts on yesterday keep invading Pretti’s head. But they face tough competition: the feel of MK’s voice and the touch of her hand and the memories of the spark that began their relationship. Pretti may not fully realize how right she was that Marie should travel with her. Alone, only the thoughts of Setsuko’s violent murder would plague her mind.

Megumi blushes before weakly saying, "I am." she tries to be a bit braver, speaking up, "I am ready to live with more joy in my life. Even if its small things, like drinks or shows, it won't be fun without the right company."

It had been some time since MK hinted at the thing she doesn’t want to talk about. Between exiting the transport and entering the Doc’s office, Pretti says to MK, “You know you can tell me anything. Even if I don’t ask.

“And I’m thinking, maybe I’m wrong to hide stuff from you... like what I went through yesterday. I’m gonna have to tell Three-Pie-Oh straight up when he checks on me, y’know. You can be there with me or hang in the waiting room, and I’m fine either way. I really couldn’t have handled being alone on the way up. I was a lot needier than usual today.

“If you have it rough, for whatever reason, feel free to tell me what you wanna tell me. I can just listen without a word if it’s what you need.” Pretti leaves it at that for now, lingering by the ladies’ room door in the lobby, in case MK wants to talk in private before Pretti checks in.

"As long as you are okay when the same happens to me," Megumi giggles playfully, "The force is a rewarding job, with a lot of unpredictably. But at least now, even if we need to navigate busy schedules, there is something to look forward to on what free time we are given."

((Nice!!! Love the Threepio avatar!!!))

Pretti removes her jacket and skirt. She still has a tee shirt on which features some prominent female Brightworld characters on it. The shirt can be hiked up to expose where flesh meets metal, at the waist, if need be.

((Does she need to be hooked up to a life support system? I mean, is her metal pelvis coming off with the legs? That’s what I picture happening.))

Once able to speak, Pretti says, “Only one? I mean, ha-ha, how’d that get there?” She isn’t sure that being shot is something you get to fluff off as a joke.

As for the anything-else question… “What do you have in mind? I am curious as to what you were working on when I came in here.”

Pretti is definitely interested in the air tank. But... “You mean like an air tank in my legs? Where would the tank go? I love the idea of swimming without worrying about drowning, but… is this tank going to be something obvious?”

Pretti wants to ‘pass for human’ from the waist up.

”Strictly interior? So my body—waist up—will appear cyber-free?” Pretti is pretty sure Threepio knows how important it is to her to be ‘herself’ from the waist up. Yeah, she accepted the cyber eyes... and synthetic skin makes operations easier, she suspects. She doesn’t really want to know how much of her insides are wire and metal.

If the tank won’t show, she’s interested and will ask follow-ups: “Will the tank be like gills, converting water so I can breathe while submerged? Or does the oxygen somehow keep replenishing, like from the carbon dioxide I exhale? I guess ‘limited supply’ is more obvious, but then how would the tank fill?”

She also will of course want to know the cost, and if her body can handle it. ((I have no idea what my 0.57 essence means, aside from that being a terribly low number.))

”I just want to, on the outside, waist-up... y’know.” Does Pretti really want to explain how she likes to hold MK? Stare in a mirror and pretend there’s flesh below the waist?

Or just skip to the part that swimming sounds fun!

“Well, if you’re gonna open me up, I’ll spend the thirteen-five for the full three hours. Only if this is a hundred percent internal. If I have to have an intake valve popping outta my sternum or something, I’d rather not undergo the operation.

“I do love the idea of swimming underwater without gear. This is second only to gills!” Figuring it doesn’t hurt to ask: “Are gills an option? Or will they be someday?”

“All internal.” That is Pretti’s understanding. She will pay the 13500 for the tank. She does remember the bio option for the gills, and may look into a gill option another time.

“Let’s do it. Oh, but it is an oxygen tank, right? Would breathing helium give somebody a really high-pitched voice?” She’s amused by the thought, but not enough to laugh at her own joke.

“So all internal... but just a hole? Like, in my torso? Where would that be?”

Pretti is uneasy, but at the same time, curious. Intrigued, in fact. If a bikini strap can cover the hole…

Pretti replies, “Okay, Threepio… for the full thirteen-five then. If you’re gonna put an oxygen tank in me, it may as well be the best my body can support.”

She removes her shirt, then slides her right hand up her right side, then reaches under her breasts to her left side. She’s feeling for what seems less awkward for her dominant hand. She repeats…

Patting her left side, she says decisively, “Third nipple goes here…” Pretti turns to MK, and adds, “…but only with Marie’s consent.”

She then says to MK, “We can afford it. I can definitely see the potential benefits beyond deep-sea diving. But do you have any reservations?”

Pretti smiles at MK from the operating table. “I just want to make sure you’re fine with it, sweetie. If an upgrade would ever hurt my look, I know you’d tell me.”

To Threepio, “We’re doing this, then!”