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[forwardmomentum]

Miles here. I know our medical staff here is limited, but does anyone on board have any experience with orthopedics? Due to a recent unforeseen medical development, some old physical problems have resurfaced, and I'm in need of a pair of leg braces. I've got brittle bones, and they help keep my legs from breaking quite so easily. I could do without the limp, too. I haven't needed the braces the last few years until now, so naturally, I don't have them here.

I don't expect anyone to make a pro bono offer, but I'd be happy to work out some kind of a trade. Just...sooner rather than later.

Comments

[hirotohero]

Fourteen.

[ He tries to say it casually, but there's a mix of pride and fight me mixed into his voice that he can't keep down. High school had been miserable for him, people who didn't like it that a kid was overachieving and blasting through every course level while also claiming it was too simple.

He swallows down the urge to add that he's turning fifteen in a couple months. It would feel like taking away from what he's done. ]

This is what I'm good at. I want to make things to help people, keep them safe.

[forwardmomentum]

Oh yeah? That's pretty admirable.

[ not naive, not childish. it's a cause miles believes in -- his methods are different and often erratic, but that kind of service has always been important to miles. and he doesn't doubt hiro means it. miles flashes him a sharp grin, jerking his chin up. ]

And teach them not to underestimate you while you're at it, eh?

[ oh, miles knows all about that kind of need to prove yourself. ]

[hirotohero]

People at my university don't really underestimate me anymore. Anyone who got into- [ Callaghan's program. ] -into the advanced science programs has earned it. I demo'd my microbots to get my scholarship and I was up against a lot of people.

[ And then they were stolen and carved out another hole in his family. He swallows down the guilt before it makes him feel sick by focusing on the task at hand. ]

What sort of brace are you used to? Could you sketch it out so I can get an idea of where to improve on it?

[forwardmomentum]

Good. [ miles grins a little wider before his expression dissolves into something more thoughtful, his brow wrinkling. ] I can try. They were originally constructed to mitigate the risk of a break and keep my legs from growing crooked until I stopped growing enough for them to be replaced with plastic synthetics. Which they were. Until my resurgence.

[ yeah he's still not thrilled about that. miles grabs an old report and turns it over, tapping a pen against his chin before he scribbles something out. he's not much of an artist, but he manages to sketch out something that looks sort of like this, except, you know, more Future. miles frowns slightly. ]

I don't know if that's enough to go by. You might want to see if any of the med techs have any experience with orthopedics.

[hirotohero]

[ Hiro takes the drawing and rubs his face as he studies it, falling into Design mode quite quickly. ]

No offense but those things look they were made for the purpose of getting you beaten up. Function doesn't mean crap if you don't give it a good form.

[ He quickly sketches an alternative design, a more streamlined piece that merges the ankle and calf straps into a more solid piece with less angular supports. ]

Does that look like something you'd wear? I'll look up stuff about orthotics to make sure it's structurally sound but I want it to look cool, too.

[forwardmomentum]

[ miles lets out a dry chuckle. ]

Oh, believe me, they'd have beat me up anyway. But I wouldn't say no to something a little sleeker. [ he watches hiro sketch out his design, leaning over to get a good look at it. he gets an approving grin from hiro, eyes lighting up. ] Very nice. Very sleek. I like it.

[hirotohero]

Yeah but if they wouldn't have beaten you up for the braces if they hadn't looked so... clinical.

[ He makes a face and adds in a few personal notes in a chickenscratch shorthand. ]

All I really need now is two things. A scan of your legs so I can print it to your proportions and... [ Now he really grins. ]

What kind of paintjob you want. Personally I like cherry red but that might now be fore everyone.

[forwardmomentum]

[ hiro's enthusiasm for the design prospects is a little infectious, and miles gives him a brilliant half-grin. ]

The medbay's got recent scans, you can check with them. I'll send them a message granting them a release of medical records. Red's a little conspicuous for my tastes -- got anything in matte black?

[ it's been a long time since he had to wear braces for anything resembling a combat or recon mission, so he'd rather keep it subtle. ]