Tick Tock Part Three - Dock

A Unique Recruit

With all that work to do, Reed decided to just grab a sandwich to go from a little shop down the street. Nines made the order as he drove, so it was ready to pick up as he entered. He was touched to find that Nines had also ordered him a proper coffee to drink with his lunch. What he'd done to deserve such treatment, he had no idea, but he wasn't about to argue with free coffee. He ate as he worked, eyes closing blissfully as he sipped his coffee. He drank it slowly, savouring the extra punch it delivered. Decaf was fine. He was used to it now. However, it would never truly beat a proper coffee. Nines' lips quirked occasionally as he secretly watched from behind his monitor. There were few things he liked more than watching Reed enjoying his coffee. He sat a little straighter as he noted the blonde android hovering anxiously on the edge of the bullpen.

"Gavin, your recruit has arrived," he prompted quietly as he nodded towards the WR600. Nines wasn't sure whether he'd forgotten where Reed sat, or if he was just too worried about interrupting him to approach. He seemed jittery, eyes darting this way and that as he twiddled his fingers. Reed turned his chair a little before grabbing a few things and crossing the busy room to meet him. The WR600 looked relieved as his gaze fell upon him, ducking his head in a timid greeting and smiling nervously as he waited.

"Ralph! How are you doing?" Reed asked kindly as they finally met. Those scars never escaped his notice. Maybe that's why he had such a fellow feeling for him. They were both damaged goods, though Ralph looked like he'd been through far worse than him. The damage to his skull plating had been so severe at one point that the artificial skin had never fully healed over. He had one long, jagged line of white across his left temple, and two more thicker ones on his cheek where the plating beneath had warped out of shape. Reed hadn't asked what happened, just like Ralph hadn't asked about his nose.

"Ralph is-I-I am fine! Thank you for asking." Ralph winced a little at his slip-up, hazel eyes wary of judgement. Reed gave him a small clap on the shoulder, a reassurance that he didn't have to worry. It was a little odd, talking about yourself in the third person, but he could tell it was a habit he was doing his best to break. "Ralph-I...I would like some advice." His brow pinched in frustration as he let out another deep sigh. His instinct was always to speak as he used to. In the dark time. The time before he'd been found. Before he'd been helped. Reed nodded his understanding as he led the way to a quiet room on the second floor. It was a small office with a table and comfortable chairs. A sort of informal meeting room.

"That's why we have these meetings. What's on your mind? Anything you want to talk about before we get started?" Reed's green eyes were earnest as they sat, as if he actually wanted to know. As if he cared about Ralph's feelings and wellbeing. It made him feel more at ease. Reed noticed instantly. It was rare for Ralph to relax his shoulders. Usually, he'd either be rigid or twitchy, but right now he was calm. He waited patiently. Rushing him would do no good. It would just make him anxious. He knew certain officers would likely object to having someone like Ralph on the force. He'd seen it during training, too. Other trainees had complained constantly. Ralph was odd. He was timid. He was twitchy. There was something wrong with him. Reed had asked Nines about it, but his assurance that he had all of his mental faculties was good enough for him. Hell, I'm hardly the shining example of mental stability.

"I am finding it hard to...to bond with my colleagues. They think I am strange. They don't see how hard Ralph tries!" Hurt laced his tone as he spoke. Reed felt his insides drop. He looked so sad, like a kicked puppy. Reed nodded for him to continue. "I know I...I am a good officer...My previous software errors have been patched and updated! Ralph's hardware has been reinforced! I have passed the required training, and yet..." His brow pinching almost forlornly as he trailed off. People are assholes to those who are different...Reed knew he'd probably have to have a talk with the other recruits to get things smoothed over, but there had to be something he could do for Ralph's self-esteem. He crossed his legs as he thought things over.