"Timmy, Brian! Hello!" Orisa smiled in her way as she opened the door. "It is good to see you."
"Sorry we're late, there was a huge traffic back up and the lines were running super slow," Brian apologized as the brothers followed Orisa into the building and toward the main shop. "I heard it was some sort of riot or something? I don't really-"
Entering the huge warehouse turned robotics lab/ workshop, Brian froze. Inside the building was a huge truck. It was lightly armored and was the kind designed to haul some sort of large cargo long distances, the type with a food prep station and beds and such. The cargo of this particular truck was obvious, as the large back doors were opened, and its ramp extended.
Nestled in the back of the truck, in some sort of cradle, was a massive suit of powered armor. It was a dull silver in color, it's surface marred my dents and scratches, weld lines and even armor patches. This suit of Crusader armor had seen battle. And a lot of it.
Cables connected to the armor and snaked out, linking with Efi's computers, where the girl, herself, stood talking to a tall, well built woman. She was probably close to six feet tall, and was broad with clear muscle. However, it didn't detract from her appearance in any way. In fact, if anything, it made her look like some sort of light brown haired valkyrie.
"Ah! Perfect timing!" Efi looked up, noticing the brothers standing in the doorway. "Timmy, I could use some help with this rocket system!"
"Rocket system?!" Timmy jumped up and down a couple of times before running to the pair.
"I fear they will be absorbed in their work for a while. Would you care for tea? I recently acquired a tin of that darjeeling tea you mentioned liking," Orisa lowered her head slightly in embarrassment.
"Oh, you didn't need to go out of your way to do that," Brian smiled at the omnic. "But I would love to try it."
"I happened to come across it while doing the grocery shopping for Efi," Orisa giggles quietly. "If I left it up to her, all Efi would eat would be Luci-Ohs, and pizza."
"Well, nothing wrong with pizza," Brian laughed. "It's a staple for growing children. They would wither and die without it."
"You are as bad as she is," Orisa shook her head as she opened the door to the small tea room that had been set up for Brian while he waited for Timmy's endeavours with Efi to be done. This time, however, the room had another occupant.
"Greetings, my friend!" an extremely large, well muscled man stood with an equally massive smile of his face. His one good eye twinkled with mirth, the other, a white orb, lined with the scar that ran down his face. He was an older man, white hair, and a great white beard and moustache.
"Brian, this is Reinhardt Wilhelm, he is the man that uses that armor that Efi and Bridgette were working on, Orisa introduced the man. "Mister Wilhelm, this is Brian, my friend, and the older brother to that boy that Efi told you about that had exceptional skill in rocketry."
"Excellent!" Reinhardt reached a massive hand forward, clasping with Brian's as he shook. "I am most pleased if you would both call me Reinhardt. Mister Wilhelm makes me sound old."
"Certainly, Reinhardt," Orisa bowed her head slightly before moving to the small tea station. "I shall put on tea. While I was out today, I picked up some fresh bread from the bakery down the street. Also, I have some cheeses that I have been informed are quite good. And for later, I have some cakes."
"Orisa, you over do it every time," Brian laughed as he sat at the small table.
"My apologies," Orisa said sheepishly. "I do not often get the opportunity to have guests, so I get excited."
"Ha, ha!" Reinhardt laughed loudly as he dropped back into his own chair. "I am sure young Brian and I can handle whatever you may throw at us, eh?" The man gave Brian a friendly wink.
"You can just try to keep up," Brian grinned, taking an almost instant liking to the man.
"Oh ho! Quite brave for such a little man!" Reinhardt grinned back, slapping Brian on the shoulder. "And more solid than he would seem?"
Inwardly, Brian cursed himself. Reinhardt was a big man. And strong. When he slapped Brian on the shoulder, he unconsciously tensed more than he should have.
"Well, I enjoy exercising and such. Gotta keep a good core if I'm going to keep my little brother from blowing himself up!"
"Ha! Good lad!" Reinhardt nodded as Orisa returned with the tea set.
This tea set was a nice one that Brian had given her as a belated birthday present. It had belonged to his and Timmy's mother, but they never used it, and Efi and Orisa's set was old and battered. Besides, the brothers wanted to show some appreciation for being such good friends.
Well, Brian did. Timmy's mind never stopped long enough to consider those things.
Taking a cup and swirling the tea slightly, Brian looked at the large man. "What brings a Crusader all the way to Numbani, by truck?"
"Oh, we had an airlift," Reinhardt laughed. "It would be an incredibly long drive from Germany, all the way here! But we are here to assist a friend in getting set up in her new home. And since we were here, we...well, Bridgette, thought it would be a good chance to speak with Efi. She is a talented engineer and enjoys 'talking shop' with new people."
"Well, then she should get along with Timmy, then," Brian snorted with amusement. "Assuming she can get a word in when he gets going."
"Ha!" Reinhardt laughed deeply as he held out his tea cup. "I do not foresee an issue there! Skol!"