Work Text:
"Hmm. Maybe I've got to get you a small robot drone or something to keep you company."
"That's not a bad idea. I could use it to follow you around and make sure you don't get into trouble. Where are you, anyway?"
It's not exactly like you could keep it a secret; Esra had been watching with passing curiosity when you first started picking up various bits of scrap while exploring, then morphing into quiet intrigue when it started piling up. You had to ask for certain data chips from him after your runs, where he sorted, cleaned, and tagged everything you brought back. It hardly took long at all for him to realize what you were up to.
It... was really heartwarming. Figuratively, of course. And you didn't seem to want to bring attention to it, so he simply let you work until it was finished.
Currently, you were sitting a little off to the side of your makeshift sleeping corner, tinkering away on a low table. It was just about done, now, but you kept messing with it and occasionally removing some parts while mumbling to yourself.
"Esra?"
Oh. Is it time?
"Yes?" He says, sounding entirely like he was pretending not to know anything and failing catastrophically. So he was excited, sue him! Or don't, since that concept doesn't particularly exist anymore.
"I have something for you to try out, but I need to see if it even connects." You say, holding up the makeshift drone and tilting it around under the light. Under your breath, he catches you muttering, "or if it works at all."
His holosphere projection spun rapidly, brightening for a moment as he says, "Of course!"
Esra clicks open a connection panel, watching with bated breath (figuratively) while you take the neatly bundled cord and plug it into the drone. You patiently held it as he ran a few scans, diagnostics, tests of mobility — ah! There we go!
The rotors of the drone spin up, and it rises a few centimeters from your hand-perch. He settles it so you can unplug the cord, then takes off again for some test flight rotations.
You lean against the wall with crossed arms, smiling.
"I take it there's no problems?" You ask.
"Hardly! You certainly haven't lost any knowledge in the small robotics department," Esra quips, recalling one of the more recent recovered memories he put together for you. "I think this will do just perfectly."
"That's good," you say, tension melting from your shoulders. "Now you can have two different views of the planet while I walk my feet off."
Esra swoops the little drone close, gently bumping the front camera into the side of your upper arm. You chuckle. It immediately gets logged into his Corrector > favorite sounds > laughter folder. "I can pester you more efficiently, now, too." He says, a clear undertone of a mischievous smile in his voice. You look away, smiling, and nudge the drone back with your elbow (which gives him the chance to test reorientation after a minor collision).
"Whatever you like," you deflect, moving back to your work spot and tidying up. "I think I'll make another short round around the ruins before turning in for the night. You coming?"
"Absolutely." As if he'd ever say no.