October 2003 (continued & concluded)
"So I can order one of these now, & have it delivered next year?"
The tech sighed. "Yes. Though I don't know why you don't want it now. Once it is ready, it's ready."
"Oh, it's to be a gift for my wife. We just moved into our first home, and hope to have a first child soon." He beamed, as if suspecting something his wife did not acknowledge yet. "But Trelweny doesn't have many friends. Not that can always be there for her. She needs friends. At least one friend... one that will always be there for her, but keep her on her toes too." Mischief danced in his blue eyes, as an impish expression spread over his face making him look like a little boy with a wonderful, devious secret. "See, she won't be expecting anything on Halloween. The first of October, maybe, but not the last." Here he winked conspiritorally at the other man. "Keeping her guessing keeps everything fresh."
The tech almost cracked a smile but reigned himself in. "As you wish. Now, let us get the specifics. We mostly make females here."
"Female is fine." Timex watched with interest as the tech marked the settings into the computer.
"Height?" "Five foot eight." Again that little boy getting into mischief smile. "I want Trel to have to look up to her, but still be shorter than me."
The tech rolled his eyes, sighing as he inputed the choice. "Skin tone?"
"Black." Dancing blue eyes narrowed watching the screen imputed sample rendering. "No. No. Black. Like the color. Like ebony." Acquiesting, the tech frowned in frustration. "It's kind of an inside joke... Trel treats everyone the same & as an artist of sorts gets upset that colors aren't used properly when describing people, and those few that are close aren't acceptable to use. I think if she can say that the gaiacom is black with noone being able to say otherwise she'll be tickled." He chuckled, tickled himself at using such an old phrase.
"Hair?" "Honey-blonde, like Trelweny's. Maybe some red too. Long but short. At least past the shoulders but not to the waist. Maybe in an interesting cut." A preliminary exmple appeared on the screen. "Yeah! That looks good!"
"Clothing?" "Sexy Witch." The man raised an eyebrow at him. Timex laughed. "Hey! I'll have to look at it too!"
((grr... accidently deleted end of post just before I 'submitted' it. I'll try to rewrite it another day.))
The tech sighed. Probably wondering what else this man would say. "Color for the clothing?" "Royal blue." Timex answered quickly. Even as the labtech moved to mark it, Timex frowned lightly. "No. Something else. Blue will be too obvious it's from me... I want this Gaiacom to be special. Maybe a different shade of blue. Perhaps a blue green?" The little boy look was back but this time more plaintive. "Could I see a color chart? Preferably in the blue tones?"
Not hiding an exsperated sigh the tech toggled a button and the blue range of colors came up on the screen. Timex had to repeatedly pull his eyes away from the primary & royal blue shades to look over the others. "That one." He finally chose, pointing. "It will look great against the black skin, don't you think."
"Aqua." The man noted dutifully, not batting an eye. "Yes, I think it will stand out well."
Timex smiled, thrilled that he got past the hard choice of colors. Shades had never been something he was good with. Part of why he stuck to basic colors himself; primarily blue, black, & white. Green was nice too, & red when he could see it. Green & red were Trelweny's colors. That was what made this blue-green shade so appealing: it was like mixing themselves together.
A thought hit him & his blue eyes lit up. "Any way you could color the tips of her hair to match her clothes? That would be neat."
"Certainly. Not a problem." the tech's actions belied his words as he made exagerated efforts in adding the specifications. Timex, if he noticed, overlooked this jibe as he did the others. "Eye color?" "Let's stick with the aqua. It's a nice color."
"Lip Color?" "Coral. Trelweny loves coral lipstick when she wears any." Impish twinkle.
"She is permitted two specialities or abilities. Do you have a preference?" Timex's brow furrowed in thought. "Conjuration for one... Do you have a list I can pick through? Maybe narrowing it down to witch-worthy skills?"
Shaking his head & sighing once again, the tech ran the appropriate search, stiffening as Timex rested his hand on the tech's chair to lean over & look at the screen. "Hexing! That sounds like fun! I'll take that one!"
"Very good." Choices selected. "Would you like any special features?" Without being asked he brought up the list.
Timex scanned it, fidgeting a little. As fun as this was he was beginning to get restless & a little bored. "Wings, definately. And a dangling crystal necklace. Sexy. Hanging at her bustline." The tech rolled his eyes & Timex laughed.
"Now we come to the manner of payment." The tech tallied the sale & quoted the total to his 'customer', who merely nodded & reached in his pocket for his wallet. A perplexed look crossed the tech's face; Surprise that there was not shock on the other's.
"That sounds about right to me. Figured the price as best I could at home with your catalogs. Expected the things I changed last minute added to the cost."
Slowly, "Ye-es." The thought that he might have missjudged the man slowly flickered. Timex pulled out a wad of bills, counting through them. The facility worker's eyes threatened to buldge out of their sockets. "There you are then." The young man handed the exact amount to his 'guide', putting the rest away. Blinking the tech shook his head to bring himself back to the moment & automatically processed the sale, the facility's computers accepting the money & taking it off to wherever it went. "She'll be ready for next Halloween then?"
"Certainly. Shall we call you in advance?" His attitude was greatly improved now. Timex smiled wryly, showing he noticed the change. "Only if you call the cell phone number on the form. Remember: it's a surprise."
"Yes. Of course, sir." Timex smiled at that, his blue eyes dancing even as he repressed a sigh. When would people stop judging so much by appearances? "I'll see you out." "Thanks. I'd appretiate it." Common curtesy, for Timex rarely became lost.
Reaching the main doors, Timex turned to the tech with questions in his eyes. "I forgot to fill out her personality." It was not quite a whine, more self depreciating that he might not have done everything as perfectly as he had hoped.
"Not a problem sir. Since she was a witch the basic witch personality was selected automatically. Stereotype of course: Strong willed, female rights, cocky, standoffish, loyal, mysterious. I can still put in modifications if you like. No charge. I forgot to ask you a preference." A slight trace of self-reproach touches his voice.
Timex was nodding however. "That sounds good. Just make sure she's not a femi-nazi. Trel wouldn't be able to stand that. Don't forget a dash of good & nice." The crooked smile & mischivious boy look was back. This time the tech smiled in return, glad to be part of the joke. "Stereotypically witches aren't thought of as nice & trustworthy folk. She needs to be at least a little of those or she won't make a very good friend for Trelweny. Don't want to lose the purpose in the fun."
"No, sir. We don't."
Shaking the facility worker's hand heartily Timex clapped him easily on the back. "Thanks for your time. I look forward to seeing her make an appearance."
With a jaunty wave, Timex headed for home. Shaking his head in wonder the tech watched him disappear before going inside & shutting the door.
((*cries* omg. scared myself. Accidentally deleted the wrong post. Thank goodness I could find it by going back enough to copy it. ))
Here is where the story of Myranda will be recorded; both the known story & the unknown story. Of course, once it is read it will no longer be unknown. Still, the full true story as far as anyone knows is only known to the Gaiacom databases and security cameras. At least in the case of Myranda's ordering, programming, and things of that nature. I suppose when we leave this life we can inquire of Timex himself, but until that time these recordings of his visits to the Gaiacom facility will have to suffice.
