Conversations: Platonic (IC)

[Fox]

"Prototype driver coil," the engineer supplied, gesturing at the transparent spiral. "Testing nonlethal beam weaponry for another project. Real thing will be more compact, but easier to work above scale. Mostly just toy with it sometimes. Not likely to be built into personal armament, so not a priority. And armor...." Mara shrugged. "Too broad a category. Useful and practical, so it's popular. Methods and quality far more important. Good to be unique, of course. But can find many ways to do that."

[Raveled]

Jessica glanced at the workbench, taking in the evident tools, partly assembled pieces, and scrap (though as with mos good workbenches the different wasn't all that clear) instinctively trying to put the entire mechanism together in her head. While her brain ticked over, she absently refastened the sleeve of her undersuit. After a minute or so of quiet she decided that she wouldn't figure out Mara's design anytime soon and changed the topic as deftly as she could. The pair of young geniuses chatted about noting in particular for maybe three-quarters of an hour, but eventually Jessica decided that it was time to get. There was a spring in her step that hadn't been there before, though, and as she did a quick check of her suit's systems she paused to give Mara another hug. "Thanks again," she said. "I just... really needed to talk things over with someone."