Within two days, Ren had adjusted to his comfortable routine under Viktor. Wake up, stretch, attach the leg, stretch again, and sketch improvements for his limb until Viktor came. And when Viktor did show up, he would drink his breakfast smoothie and head out for strength and balance training. All the while, Viktor would lecture him on the parts of his new limb, the superiority of metal to flesh, and other mechanical maintenance information Viktor had deemed important. If Ren were being honest through, he only paid attention to half of what Viktor would say. He was a citizen of Zaun, and in Ren's mind, that alone was all the mechanical knowledge he would need. Additionally, the extra brain space that Ren would have been spent on listening to Viktor was instead better spent on thinking up his own theme music he would find a way to blare as he introduced his new leg to the world. Only the break for lunch would put his personal soundtrack on pause, and lunch would, again, be smoothies.
Smoothies. Every breakfast, every lunch, and even every dinner had been smoothies. Always damn smoothies. At first, Ren though it was because his stomach may still be recovering and not be ready for solid food, but then he realized that Viktor himself didn't eat solid food. He knew that Viktor wouldn't have absconded from food out of solidarity for him, so something had to be off. His suspicions grew as Viktor placed another set of lunch smoothies on the table between them.
Ren sat down and sloshed the smoothie around his glass.
"I don't mean to sound ungrateful," Ren said.
"But you are about to." Viktor completed.
"No," said Ren, "I was going to say that I had a question. Aren't you science types the kind of people who love question?"
"Ask your question, N-12." Viktor said dryly.
"OK, Ren will ask his question. Why is it that we always drink smoothies? Do you have some hidden agenda to drown the world in liquid fruit or something? Do you not know how to cook?"
"I know how to cook! Smoothies are more efficient. There is no need to waste time with excessive preparation or waiting for ovens to reach adequate temperatures or reading cookbooks."
"You, you don't know how to cook, do you?"
"I will not repeat myself. I know how to cook."
"Can you prove it? I think the scientist in you would be proud I am questioning the world around me."
"He is more annoyed. I do not need to prove anything to you. You are my guest."
"Fine, I won't ask again, but I will go on assuming you don't know how to cook."
Ren finished his smoothie with a smug expression on his face.
Viktor scowled.
"You doubt my ability," Viktor said, "then I shall make a bargain with you. I shall make you a meal once you are able to walk across the beam without leaning on the crutch within the next two days."
"Prepare to eat those words and something that isn't a smoothie." Ren said as he got to his feet.
He walked over to the beam and stepped up, using the crutch as support.
"No crutch." Viktor said.
"I know," Ren replied, "just needed it for a quick boost."
Ren straightened himself up and took his weight off the crutch. But rather than dropping it, he held it in his hands perpendicular to his chest and began to walk. Step by step, he inched across the beam. The crutch wobbled as Ren fought to maintain balance. His thigh above the prosthetic shook from the unaccustomed strain of his full weight. Despite all the shaking, Ren kept his eyes focused firmly on the wall before him.
He took in more detail with each step.
The wall is a dull metal.
Step.
It looks like numbers and lines were painted here, but I can't tell what they mean.
Step.
That trail of rust looks like a creepy long finger.
Step.
Those rivets look new, I wonder if that part had been replaced?
Step.
That scorch mark is pretty big.
By now Ren had made it more than half way across the beam and a soft humming noise was snaking its way from his lips.
With a killer rocket leg, I bet I could cause scorch marks like that.
Step.
I bet I could stop things with it really well too.
Step.
I could smash that smoothie machine and then I wouldn't have to drink those damn smoothies again.
Step.
Then I could dash lighting fast to the store and buy real food.
Step.
And then we can cook it together, as equals.
Step.
Ren went to put his next foot forward, but found that there was no beam left. He immediately lowered his crutch for support again.
"There," he said after a long sigh, "I did it. So, what's for dinner."
"Nothing." Viktor said.
"But, you said, if I could do the beam you'd cook."
"I did, but tomorrow's procedure requires you have an empty stomach."
"Procedure?"
"You are ready to receive your robotic enhancement."
Ren visage of anger quickly snapped of one of joy.
"I'm ready," he repeated, "Oh yes! Flame strike leg, here I come."
In his excitement, Ren lost balance and fell to the floor. Viktor sighed as he looked down at the kid.
Physically ready. Mentally, still in need of improvement.
Author''s note:
If you folks like playing League of Legends (which I think you do) and like to watch other people play, why don't you check out my friend's channel BeardBox. He plays League and many other cool games. We appreciate your support and wish you luck on the Rift.
Link:
channel/UCT-bJHvjneS7lSUOt31XkxA
