6th Screw [Action/Video] - Backdated to the 9th

[all_wound_up]

[Action - Ichiban Market, Virgo District]

[It's been a few days since the market from home appeared in Hinoto-Ri, and Nano's taking full advantage of the convenience and familiarity of the location.  She spends a good few hours shopping around for various ingredients and household necessities, filling up her shopping bags with soy sauce, daikon radish, leeks, miso, rice, and all sorts of other ingredients common to traditional Japanese meals.  Feeling very at ease here in a place that's almost second nature to her, she hums cheerily to herself while she's collecting everything.

Unfortunately, after she's paid for everything and is carrying everything out in a large brown paper bag, her nice casual shopping trip takes a turn for the worse.  Right after emerging from the store, and completely without warning, Nano's left arm falls completely limp.  She lets out a surprised yell as the grocery bag goes tumbling from her arms, its contents spilling out all over the sidewalk.  Immediately recognizing something as deeply wrong, Nano glances around quickly and starts to scramble to pick everything up with her one good arm.]

[Video]

[Eventually Nano makes it home, and after no small amount of privately worrying and panicking, she turns on the COMP to reach out for some help.  It's not help she particularly wants to ask for, but she has no idea what's wrong or how to fix it on her own.  She's doing her best to hide the fact that one arm is completely out of commission, aiming the shot at her face only.]

U-um... I hate to impose, but is there anyone out there who knows a lot about fixing things?  My, um...

[She glances around the room briefly before returning her gaze to the camera.]

My television is broken!

Comments

[second_destiny]

...That's true. Normal eight-year-olds are a handful already.

Okay, well, let me take a look at your arm. This works out better, because I have some experience with robotics. It was just mobile suits in my case, though, not androids.

[all_wound_up]

All right.

[Her expression darkens again just a bit as the conversation loops back around to this topic, but she knows it's for the best. Nano rolls up her sleeve and slides open an access panel on her arm that blends seamlessly into her robotic 'skin,' exposing a mesh of gears and some electrical components. Her inner construction is more or less that of a sophisticated engine, controlled by a central computer that serves as her brain.]

[second_destiny]

[Asem leans in close, and shines a small flashlight into the opening.]

Anything I should keep an eye out for?

[all_wound_up]

I don't know. I've always had maintenance and things done while I was asleep before.

[It's the only way the Professor would be able to install so many dumb attachments in her. As it turns out, however, it's just a loose connection due to a frayed wire.]

[second_destiny]

Oh.

[A few seconds pass. Then...]

Looks like a frayed wire is the problem. Do you have any replacements, or should I run out and buy some?

[all_wound_up]

I don't, I'm sorry. I never even thought this sort of thing would be a problem. I guess I took the Professor for granted...

[second_destiny]

It's okay. Going out and buying one that'll work is a piece of cake.

[all_wound_up]

I'll wait here, if that's all right.

[Nano smiles and blushes a little.]

...Thank you for helping me, Asem-san.

[second_destiny]

Of course. What are friends for?

[all_wound_up]

So you'll still be my friend, even though I'm a...

[She still can't quite say it herself. And she's pretty sure she knows the answer, but she needs to hear it from him.]

[second_destiny]

Nothing's changed. Not at all. I don't care if you're human or not, you're still a friend.

[all_wound_up]

[Nano nods, smiling warmly and clasping her head over her heart.]

I'm glad we're friends.