marcato | (no subject)

(no subject)

WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, SATURNSCHILD. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 001.00.653.90 * SATURNSCHILD has joined 001.00.653.90 <saturnschild> Hello. <saturnschild>** I'm listening.

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[He stares at her for several beats. His eyes are sharper now, like a letter opener pealing back envelope after envelope.]

Yes.

[And then his gaze softens.]

Red and green. Correct?

[He hand falls, but her gaze doesn't. She meets his cutting eyes with her own empty set, and then offers the tiniest bit of an even emptier smile. The dumbest person in the world wouldn't be able to buy that there was any joy in that smile, and she knows for certain now that Aunamee isn't anywhere close to being the dumbest.]

The watch is an eye, but there are two hands. Two pupils. I think it's fitting. [Now she finally looks away, looking out across his shop once more.] I know you can get it right, the way you work. But it doesn't have to be done by his birthday. I didn't remember in time to let you work properly.

[It's uncanny how much this girl reminds him of a younger, less-polished version of himself. When he hesitates this time, it's not because he's choosing his words -- it's because he's lost in his memories, in the faint buzz of his childhood.

He mirrors her smile, just as blank. Then he fills his eyes with life.

Maybe he doesn't need to be afraid of their similarities. Maybe he can use them.]

I'll have it ready in two days. Will that be enough?

[Oh, would you look at that. He was empty, then he wasn't. That was beautiful, really... It was something she needed to learn, if she ever wanted hold up her end of the promise. She needed to...

Absently she drifts a "step" forward, once more seemingly transfixed by him rather that the ticking of his work.]

That would be perfect. September 2nd, right in time. Thank you, Mr. Watchmaker. I knew I wouldn't be a mistake to leave it to you.

[He feels a surge of pride at that compliment. I knew it wouldn't be a mistake to leave it to you. Because he doesn't make mistakes. Because he's fastidious and hard-working.

Because he's perfect.]

You're very welcome, Rachel. I'm glad to help.

[A split second pause.]

Before you leave, will you tell me about your sewing practice? Is it going well?

[Being honest, she's pretty sure she could start to leave and still be done with the conversation before she actually got out of the shop, but she isn't aching to book it out of there when someone is actually showing an interest. Well, someone that wasn't Danny. He didn't count.]

Mhm. I'm able to sew as well as I did before, if I work a little harder, and take breaks now and then... It's worth it. I've been able to fix all sorts of things.

You don't like to leave things incomplete. Is that right?

[He says the words carefully, watching for her reaction. He keeps his hands folded together.]

That's why you fix things.

[The lack of reaction may be interesting -- this sort of mindset...it's only natural, isn't it? Ray had been completely honest when she'd suggested his increased obsessiveness over his watches was normal.]

Incomplete...or incorrect. If I can make something [mine. mine, mine, mine] better than it was...I like to fix what I can.

I'm the same way. But I don't need to tell you that.

[He smiles again, casting a glance behind him at the back room.]

I should be going. I've got a lot of work to do on your doctor's watch.

[Her head bobs in a gentle nod and she starts the arduous process of backtracking out of the shop. It was her that should be going, after all. Mr. Watchmaker was going to be here, all busy and stuff. Lucky.

Oh wait, she's actually forgetting something important, isn't she...]

-- ah. Um. Do you have an estimated cost...? I know customs are different...

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