[psl] Maine & York sign language lessons

[howkickassiam]

[ It hadn't been very long since Maine's injury. York and Delta had seen him in the infirmary now and then, whenever they went in for checkups. It hadn't escaped their notice that Maine didn't seem to be recovering as quickly or as well as York had. And, though Maine had never been a man of many words before all of this had happened, it bothered York that he seemingly had no way to communicate other than gestures and growls.

He sat and observed one such session in the infirmary until a nurse shooed him away. As he left, he felt the mental pressure from Delta that came when Delta wanted to interject some sort of unwanted thought at him. ]

What is it, D?

[ Delta's response came quickly and wordlessly, an impression instead of being verbal: sign language. ]

What? What do you mean, sign language?

I have been doing research in my spare time and I believe it would be helpful for Maine if we were able to teach him sign language.

Wait, we? I don't know any sign language, D.

But I have been learning. When you've been asleep.

[ And that was how it came to be that York spent the next couple of weeks cramming sign language lessons.

Now it was just a matter of figuring out how to broach the topic with Maine.

Somehow he had the idea it was best for the Project's leaders not to realize Maine was learning any sign language—it seemed like the kind of thing they would put pressure on him for if he didn't do it well. So York waited until after dinner one night, then went and approached Maine as he was preparing to dump his tray. ]

Hey, there, Maine. I was wondering if we could have a little chat. You know, walk and talk on the way back to quarters.

Comments

[bloodbathing]

[ Returning to the Mother of Invention has been far more humbling than Maine would like. The civilian doctors back on the Angel On My Shoulder didn't want him to leave so soon. Maine suspects that they didn't want him going back to active duty at all. But he did leave, ferried back by one of the Project's own pelicans, and now…

Well, now everything fucking sucks.

He's not cleared for missions yet. Has no idea when he will be. So he spends his time doing as much training as he's permitted. Makes regular visits to Recovery One — not because he wants to, but because the ship's doctors insist that he must. They poke and prod and try to get him to speak, and Maine grits his teeth and bears it. What else can he do?

He eats his meals alone or with Wash. That, at least, hasn't changed. What has changed is how much longer it takes him to finish. The alternating numbness and pain make every bite its own challenge. He's just finished up one such meal when York, of all people, approaches him out of nowhere.

Maine stares at York for a moment. Then he glances around, as though he's expecting this is a set-up for a prank. Finding nothing suspicious, he looks back to York and raises an eyebrow: "Seriously?" ]

[howkickassiam]

[ York gestures toward the door, with a bob of his head. ]

Yeah, well, I mean, I'll be talking. You can listen. Or not. Up to you.

[ He hopes Maine will listen, but it's not like they were ever buddies or anything before this. ]

[bloodbathing]

[ Maine considers it for a few seconds longer. Waits for the crack of a smile, or perhaps for someone to try and sneak up behind him. When nothing of the sort happens, Maine shrugs, dumps his tray, and nods.

Sure, he'll walk with York. ]

[howkickassiam]

All right.

[ They begin down the hallway, and York waits until traffic clears up a bit before beginning to talk. ]

I was wondering what you think of learning sign language. It doesn't really seem like the Project is doing much to help in that regard, so...

[ He gives Delta a mental nudge and the hologram appears beside him. ]

York and I have been learning in order to facilitate teaching you. If you are indeed interested.

[bloodbathing]

[ If York volunteered to teach him synchronized swimming, Maine would probably be just as surprised. He stares at York for a moment, utterly baffled, then looks to Delta. The AI, at least, Maine can trust to not be pulling some stupid joke. But it doesn't answer why.

And of course, Maine has no way to ask, "Why?" All he can do is shake his head, nod, or look really fucking confused.

He settles for looking really fucking confused. Squints at York and tilts his head to the side, questioning. Hoping that York (or perhaps Delta) can figure out that Maine wants an explanation for the offer. ]

[howkickassiam]

[ Maine looks really confused. York hadn't expected that reaction. Nevertheless, he shrugs. ]

If you want to be able to communicate with anyone, I mean.

[ He pauses. That might not be the carrot-on-a-stick for Maine that it is for him. ]

I mean, I know you're getting an AI of your own soon, but in the meantime, this could be good. And actually, having learned some, it's pretty cool. It's a great way to let someone know what you plan to do without needing to make any noise.

[bloodbathing]

[ Still no answer to why. Still no clue as to York's motivation. Maine presses his lips together, carefully keeping his frustration from clouding his expression. Wash would understand what Maine wanted to know. But Maine can't rely on Wash to be his translator until he gets an AI.

And regardless of why York is offering, it's not a bad idea. Could still be an elaborate prank of some sort. However, Maine doubts that Delta would go along with it. Doesn't seem the type.

So, after a few more seconds of silence, Maine finally nods in acceptance. ]

[howkickassiam]

All right, awesome! I'm glad you decided to go for it.

[ They're still walking the hallways. York looks behind them for a moment, as thought checking whether they're being followed. ]

All right, well, no better time but the present, huh? You want to go to one of our quarters and we can start you with some easy stuff.

[bloodbathing]

[ It's not what Maine intended to do during his free after-meal time. However, if this is a prank, it seems as though this will be the moment it comes to a head. Might as well get it over with.

And if it's not a prank? … Then yeah, might as well get to it.

Maine nods and points at York: "Your quarters." ]

[howkickassiam]

Oh, yeah, absolutely.

[ York tends to chatter when he's nervous...or, really, anytime. And that's what he does now, explains the ins and outs of how Delta got to thinking about this being a possibility, and how he found York a great online tutorial to start learning. And how they found out American Sign is different from British Sign, and how American Sign is actually more related to French Sign... ]

...it's a whole thing.

[ He finishes up speaking as they reach his quarters, and he thumbs the lock open to allow Maine to come in. ]