thefolder | Whistle while you work

Entry tags:

Whistle while you work

Who: Hiccup (

wheeljackofalltrades)
What: Hiccup and Wheeljack craft Hiccup a new prosthetic foot to replace his rusted old one.
When: 09/03, evening
Where: Hiccup's Apartment in the Purity District

[After many long, late night shifts, Hiccup finally did it. He raised up enough- more than enough, really- funds to take care of the cost of materials for building his new foot. Work had been slow as of late, and picked up sharply with the new influx of Chosen over the past week, finally pushing him over the edge. After going over everything needed with Wheeljack he already stopped buy and bought the necessary supplies, hauling them home in his makeshift wagon. Today would have been the day he really would have appreciated Ikkakumon's strength, but Fearless had holed himself up in Hic's bedroom ever since his confrontation with Donnie and Marley at the Karaoke Bar. A single hour of work turned into three for the viking, and by the time he made it home he was already bushed.
Not bushed enough to get to work, though.

With a sigh he picked up his Terminal and turned it on, sending a quick audio message to You and Wheeljack.]

I've got all the parts and everything's set up back at my apartment. You guys can come over whenever you're ready.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Aside from work, he'd barely seen the kid lately. Not that it was bad--he could tell Hiccup was focused on getting that leg back to the way it should be. As far as prosthetic legs can go. He'd put aside a few bits himself to help towards it, giving Hiccup spare change if he needed any.

All in all, he just had to wait for when Hiccup had everything put together. And when that call came in, he answers. And from the sound of it, he's eating. As usual.]

We'll be right over, kid.

[With You slung onto his shoulder like a backpack, he heads to the Purity district, apple in hand as he makes his way to Hiccup's room. Making a leg inside an apartment building? Could be...more interesting. Could definitely be less too.]

[Hiccup opted to wait in the den area, seated on the couch with one of his makeshift blueprints that he drew up in hand. Of course Fearless wasn't going to offer to help at all, but somehow that was a relief. He knew that even if Fearless wanted to help out he might just get in their way anyway.

Frowning, he turns the blueprint around a few times before sighing and rolling it up. Over the stress of needing a new leg built and Fearless' dramatics, he hadn't really been able to come up with a great design. It was....practical enough, but still just as primitive as his old one.]

[Thing about Wreckers is...when invited, they're not overly cordial. Meaning, knocking isn't going to happen. The doorknob turns as Wheeljack walks in, already seeing Hiccup fixed on the couch.

Make yourself at home, Wheeljack. What are manners?

As far as blueprints go, Wheeljack had some ideas in his head, which is usually how his planning too place. Robots didn't have access to paper and datapads weren't really accessable NOW. But given the chance, he can make some edits.]

Your little runt not joinin' in the fun today?

[He picks You up by the scruff of her neck and drops her, as she lands like a cat and hurries over to Hiccup.]

Are these your blueprints? Wow...I couldn't even make these if I WANTED to!

[That catches the man's attention as he makes his way to the back of the couch, getting a look-see.]

Hm. Practical.

[Hiccup gives a short nod, spreading the paper out on his knees so You and Wheeljack can see it better.]

Yeah, don't worry about it though. I know these aren't all that much compared to what you know how to build, but...it's the best I know how to do.

[He shrugs a little before leaning back against the couch, staring at his own designs thoughtfully. Nothing had been jumping out at him since he got started trying to come up with a prototype, so he'd been hoping that Wheeljack had something planned up his sleeve for him.]

Hey, schematics are schematics, kid. Blueprints; a startin' point.

[He takes his jacket off, throwing it on the back of the couch as he lays it out in front of them.]

I think I can make a few tweaks.

Yeah? That'd be a big help if you could.

[He scoots forward a bit and moves to spread the blueprint out on the table in front of the couch before dropping his chin into his hand.]

I'm just not sure where to start.

[And almost in the blink of an eye, Wheeljack's already getting to work, measuring out metal and pulling Hiccup up to his feet. He's got to measure things, son. We're going to be here awhile, so might as well get it on the first go.]

Hold still.

[He crouches down, holding his thumb to the area the prosthetic starts, taking his own little mental measurements. Maybe he could work around what Hiccup already had. The kid seemed proud of what Gobber had made for him...so maybe keep that on the inside. It'd be easier than completely replacing it.]

Gonna need some welding tools.

[Hiccup blinked when Wheeljack hauled him to his feet, but he patiently remained still so he could take the measurements needed. He gave a short nod to the boxes of supplies he had brought home from town that were currently stashed in the corner.]

I got everything you told me to in those boxes over there. ..Probably more than we needed, but you know.

[He'll get those bits back eventually, and it's not like he got totally cleaned out. That extra cash Jinx gave him would come in handy, given he didn't forget he owed her one.]

[At hearing that, Wheeljack's all smirks, getting back to a standing position. His hand sets itself on the kid's head, ruffling that hair a moment before going to get the supplies.]

Good thing ya live alone here. We might be makin' some noise.

[He pulls out some sheet metal, and laying out the empty space in front of him with all the equipment he'll need.]

So...your memory that flashed on the thing. That how you--?

[He nodded to the leg as he got out the welding supplies.]

[Smiling a bit when he ruffles his hair Hiccup nods, glancing down at his foot without moving his head.]

Yeah. I don't really remember a whole lot about it. I didn't even feel it. One minute I was on Toothless' back, and the next I was back home in bed.

[Speaking of, Hiccup hadn't really thought a whole lot about how he and Fearless literally lived totally alone in the apartment. Not just the apartment, but the entire district was always totally empty except for them.
Maybe that's why Fearless' recent absence from anything to do with him was so hard to accustom himself to.]

[Wheeljack's finishing setting up the equipment, getting his headgear and gloves on. When you're human, you've got to substitute. Or so You told him.]

Usually how most battles play out, actually. I don't remember half of em--was conked out somehow.

Still won, so that's all that matters.

[There's a little smirk at that, starting up the welder.]

Do me a favour and get some water in a huge bowl.

[With a chuckle Hiccup nods and steps off into the kitchen, stepping carefully around the boxes of supplies. He's sure that by now Fearless has heard that they have company, but he certainly hasn't gone out of his way at all to say hello.

It doesn't take him long to return, setting the bowl down on the table where Wheeljack can reach it.]

Anything else?

[Wheeljack watches out of the corner of his eye. Maybe just as a habit--but that was a habit only reserved for people that he...well, cared about.

Something to smirk to himself about, I guess. When the water is brought over, he nods in approval at him, then to the couch.]

Make yourself comfortable. Might need a set of hands in the future, but I've got this for now.

[Hiccup nods himself before stepping back over to the couch, sitting down with a sigh. He holds his leg out so Wheeljack can get to work, eager to watch. He always got the best tricks of the trade from watching Gobber work at the lathe for hours on end, and he can only imagine he'll get the same experience watching Wheeljack work as well.]

[And Wheeljack went to work. Really, it was like a completely different person (bot?) took hold of the equipment. Wheeljack was focused, and his hands moved rather swiftly and accurately. He opened some windows to vent out the heat, bent the metal into angles only a pro could do...and often brought Hiccup over to teach him if he felt it was within his skill level.]

Don't twist it too far, you'll risk breakin' it. Not really fond of startin' over.

[His hand seemed to guide Hiccup's just in case, turning the metal to make an almost right angle seamlessly.]

[Hiccup watched silently as Wheeljack worked, brought back to the time when he would spend hours watching Gobber work on weapons. Wheeljack seemed to have the same passion for his work as the viking did, and that alone was enough to impress Hiccup. With every part that the man allowed him to work with he did it with the utmost attention to detail and care as he could muster. Even being as young as he is, the amount of things he's actually build in a smithy have proven to be invaluable experience for stuff like this. Not like he could build a robotic leg all on his own, but just being able to get his hands into the guts of the thing was fascinating to him.

He could only imagine the look on Gobber's face if he could see this.]

[Hiccup was different than anyone he'd met. Most mechanics...blacksmiths--ones who worked in a forge. They were built for it. Guys like Hiccup, they'd be put in the library or some lower caste job. It was just how Cybertron worked.

But seeing him doing blacksmith work, and with that kind of enthusiasm...

It was nice to see. He continued to work, shaping the sheet metal into a boot shape, measuring it up to Hiccup's leg every so often. It'd taken it's basic form by now, actually starting to look like...well, an actual leg.]

Hope you don't mind, but I'm puttin' some extras in this thing.

[Remember Arcee's warning?]

[Oh he remembers. How could he forget?

In spite of that, though, he smiles, nodding his head to the side.]

Not at all. Whatever you think works, works.

[Just don't, you know. Blow him up or something.]

[There's a smirk in return, his eyes practically dancing. Ever since Hiccup came back to town looking like he went to the pit and back, he'd been thinking of getting the kid some kind of weapon.

Something small, something he could handle.

There's a nod, going back to work--just keeping it in mind.

He couldn't make it until after the leg was attached, but...

It'd be something. He keeps up the work, starting to weld the leg onto the already-existing one that was on Hiccup's leg. It was less painful this way, and it would make it more stable.]

[Hiccup watches intently with his chin in his hand, committing everything he sees to memory. If he ever does make it back to Berk he plans to tell Gobber all about the new things he learned from Wheeljack. ...Nnnnot like he'd really believe him, but if he could show him....then it was worth a shot, right?]

[The work continues on, Wheeljack's hands stained from grease and ash--the floor around them not looking much better. Granted there's a tarp, thankfully. Wheeljack eventually gives Hiccup something to work on--tightening parts until they feel comfortable for him while he works on...something else.

It isn't until he's done that he twirls it in his hand, revealing a very small, very easy to handle knife.]

Kid. I'm givin' you this right...

[He traces the small 'box' area of the leg skeleton, where a compartment had yet to go.]

Right here. In case ya need it.

[Hiccup raises his eyebrows as he regards the knife in Wheeljack's hand, giving a slight nod.]

Got it.

[That could definitely come in handy. He remembers when he had to fight that Myotismon near the Dark Field...and ended up having to beat the bats that were attacking him back with his leg. It wasn't the prettiest thing in the world, but it worked.

An actual weapon would be a lot more useful.

He can't help but chuckle though, looking back up at Wheeljack.]

You think Arcee will have anything to say about that?

[He can see Hiccup's silent approval, and he can't help but crack a smirk on those scarred lips. It was funny how the two were on the same wavelength. They couldn't have been any more different if they tried.]

[But at the question, those blue eyes flick back up to the kid.]

'Course not.

[And then his hand pauses, looking at the knife and flipping it a few times, thinking it over again.]

...Oooor maybe we just won't tell her.

Not yet.

[A snicker escapes the boy as he shakes his head a bit, running a hand through his hair.]

Sounds like a plan. I doubt she'll be hard pressed to recognize your handy work at a glance, though.

[That gets a laugh out of him as he starts adding the outer metal casing of the leg.]

As long as it looks like a leg.

[You know, that's impressive. ..You know, being able to make it ACTUALLY look like a leg, and all. Technology is amazing, isn't it?]

I'll say I'm really impressed, Wheeljack. Really.

[Millions of years being a robotic nation help out a lot with that. You humans and your baby species. Still, Wheeljack can't help but smile, his own eyes glittering down at his 'creation'.]

Nothin' to it, kid. Not the same as my work back home, but it'll do.

[After a little more tinkering, he steps back, to judge it from afar.]

Lemme see how ya walk in it, kid. Tell me if it's too heavy.

[Wow, that time really flew by. With a nod Hiccup shifts his weight and carefully leans over a bit on the new leg, testing how it feels as it supports him. So far so good- it doesn't feel too different from his old one. That's probably because he hasn't tried walking with it yet.

After a pause he takes a cautious step forwards, carefully lifting his leg to judge how heavy it is. It's surprisingly light, especially since it's got more metal on it than his old one. In fact, he'd dare say it might even be lighter than what he had before. He continues going and walks across to the other end of the room, blinking as his gaze wanders back down to it.

Carefully, he reaches down and feels the top of the prosthetic, murmuring.]

It...it feels more like.....an actual foot than I expected.

[It sure did. In fact, by the time they finish, it's long been dark. Wheeljack heads over to the window, opening it up to let the hot air now vent out. Wiping the sweat from his brow, he turns towards Hiccup to see how that leg adapts to him, eyebrow perked.

And to his surprise, Hiccup adapts very well--dare say, even better than he thought. He'd made the metal as thin as possible, to give it a more lightweight feel to it. It couldn't take a beating from a cybertronian by far, but...it would be sturdier.]

Heh, looks like you got some practice with your old mentor's. Just consider it an improvement.

[He tosses the mallet in his hand, walking over and tapping the leg with it.]

Won't be rustin' any time soon.

[That's a relief to hear. With a new leg and his mobility returned, it feels as if a weight has been taken off the boy's shoulders. Sure he still has his unruly partner to deal with, but the pressure isn't nearly as bad as it was before.

He walks back over to the couch, getting used to the feel of the leg as he reaches up to scratch the top of You's head.]

Thanks for coming and helping me out, you guys. Is there anything I can do to repay you?

[He wouldn't ever say it, but he's glad to see the kid's spirit's lifted at least a little. Maybe he knew what it was like having an unruly partner--he was one once.

You was napping on the couch at the time, so when Hiccup's hand stratches her head, she leans into it, hears flicking a few times.]

Oooh yeah, that's the ticket!!

[Meanwhile, Wheeljack's busy cleaning up. Payment? He...really hadn't thought about it. But it does make him pause a moment.]

Bah, I'm no good at that kinda stuff. Consider it paid, cause Wreckers... just look out for each other.

[That's right, he called you a Wrecker.]

[..Oh. What with having a brand new leg and everything seemingly going right for the first time in a while, Hiccup doesn't feel bad about letting a bright smile spread across his face.]

...Right.

[Getting front row seat to the actual process he went through to build the thing was a regular treat too, so the boy still can't help but feel like he owes him somehow.]

Well if you guys do ever need anything, let me know.

[And it causes a smile back--although he's quick to hide it. Call it pride, or maybe just a fond friendship. Either way, he's keeping that secret to himself.]

Yeeep.

[He gives a two fingered salute, before stopping halfway. No sooner had he stopped, than his hand went down on Hiccup's hair, ruffling it playfully before going to pick up You from the couch. By now, the Gazimon is drowsy, and he has to zip her up inside his coat as a free carry-pack.]

Lemme know if there's any kinks to work out.

I will.

[He almost regrets the fact that Fearless had to miss all of this. Of course it was his own fault for holing himself up in the bedroom, and he wasn't about to try and drag him out of there. Hiccup reaches up to brush his hair down slightly with a lopsided grin.]

Guess I'll be seeing you guys around, then?

[It was hard not to smile at that. He got to put his skills to good use--to make something for once since his transformation. In essence...it felt good.

And to see Hiccup's face like that...]

You bet. Keep in touch, kid.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Whistle while you work

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

SORRY THIS ESCAPED MY INBOX

IT'S OK

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

agh sorry Hic's paid ran out so I don't have many icons to work with

No worries bb!

no subject

no subject