Volume

Date/Timing: 2 January 2015
Setting: Jaeger Proving Grounds; Kodiak, AK, United States
== Revised text ==
"That's downright rude, head. Not how I want to start a new year," Tendo groans, rolling over very, very slowly and cracking an eye he's certain is bloodshot. "Oh /man. It /can't be that early."
The clock on the desk across his tiny room screams 05:37 in migraine-red LCD digits.
"Ohh ... shit."
The tiny 'PM' next to the numbers glows.
He giggles and his eyes tear. "Soldiers know how to paaaaar-tay ...," he sighs as he oozes off the mattress and claws his way to the sink for a fistful of aspirin and a tall glass of water.
After ten minutes the room stops reeling, but the pounding which woke him in the first place hasn't. 
"That's music, not my hangover," he mumbles. Tendo shoves off the edge of the sink and walks (carefully) to the door and follows the racket to the next room along the hall.
He stops cold halfway there. "That's not racket: that's Stiff Little Fingers. What. The. Hell."
He finishes the trip, knocks.
He knocks again, louder.
He gives in and pounds on the steel with his fist.
The occupant finally opens the door, looking surly, and the volume jumps at least another ten decibels. 
Tendo's eyes feel like they're bouncing with each snap of the snare drum.
"Yes?" the guy asks in a crisp, annoyed British accent. The dark circles under his eyes would make the most gothic goth proud and he's leaning on both a cane and the doorframe to stay upright. He clearly gives Tendo a once-over and blushes when it registers Tendo's standing there in only a t-shirt and boxers before politely focusing on his face.
"How can you stand this much noise in the shape you're in? You look like I feel," Tendo blurts.
"I beg your pardon," the guy huffs, but makes no effort to straighten up.
"Your hangover. Have you even /slept yet?"
The guy manages to look even more offended, which is pretty miraculous.
The volume suddenly drops and Mr Offended peers over his shoulder.
""I warned you someone would notice,"" calls a monstrously thick Scottish accent.
Offended huffs, turns back to Tendo as an equally exhausted-looking redhead appears next to him.
"Sorry about that, mate. The racket actually helps us concentrate."
"You're not hungover?" says Tendo, squinting.
"Of course not," scoffs Offended.
"I /almost wish," sighs Scotch, "but we're working overnight."
"Ugh, that bites."
"Tell us about it."
"Excuse me, but I have to get back to work," mumbles Offended and he pivots and vanishes into the depths of the room.
Scotch runs a hand through his hair. "Sorry to bother you. We'll watch the volume from now on."
"Thanks, brother." Tendo yawns. "Say, you and your, uh, partner want to join me for breakfast tomorrow? Being neighbors and all, we should probably get to know each other better."
"Brilliant idea. How's seven-hundred tickle ye? We need to be back at the labs by eight."
"That sounds great. Meet you at the caf?"
"We'll be there."
"Great. See you!" Tendo bobs his head—mistake!—picks his way down the hall, across his room, and /straight back into bed and unconsciousness.
.
Tendo—showered, shaved, and /very spiffy—collects his breakfast, scans the cafeteria for red hair, and spots the proper mop at the far end, near the exit.
Scotch notices him at almost the same moment and waves him over.
Tendo saunters across the space, slides in at the table, greets, "Good morning."
The odd couple looks like they got at least a little sleep the night before.
"Same to you, sir," chirps Scotch.
Offended grunts into a mug of coffee.
"Now, we weren't properly introduced last night. I'm Tendo Choi, working logistics."
"Edan Reid," says Scotch. "Breach physics and sensor design."
"Charmed," replies Tendo.
"Doctor Hermann Gottlieb," grumbles Offended. "Jaeger software."
Tendo bobs his head, then squints. "Waitaminute."
Gottlieb raises an eyebrow.
"/You're Gottlieb-the-programmer?"
"You seem surprised."
"I /am surprised, man. Considering your legend status, I was expecting somebody a /lot older. You're maybe my age."
Reid gently elbows Gottlieb. "/Told you you had a rep as a god."
Gottlieb's lips bend into something which might just, barely, qualify as a smile.
.
== Original text ==
"That's downright rude, head. Not how I want to start a new year," Tendo groans, rolling over very, very slowly and cracking an eye he's certain is bloodshot. "Oh man. It can't be that early."
The clock on the desk across his tiny room screams 05:37 in migraine-red LCD digits.
"Ohh ... shit."
The tiny 'PM' next to the numbers is illuminated.
He giggles and his eyes tear. "Soldiers know how to party ...," he sighs as he oozes off the mattress and claws his way to the sink for a fistful of aspirin and a tall glass of water.
After ten minutes the room stops reeling but the pounding which woke him in the first place hasn't. "That's music, not my hangover," he mumbles. [Tendo] shoves off the edge of the sink and walks (carefully) to the door and follows the racket to the next room along the hall.
He knocks.
He knocks again, louder.
He gives in and pounds on the steel with his fist.
The occupant finally opens the door, looking surly, and the volume jumps at least another ten decibels. Tendo's eyes feel like they're bouncing with each snap of the snare drum.
"Yes?" the guy asks in a crisp, annoyed British accent. The dark circles under his eyes would make the most gothic goth proud and he's leaning on both a cane and the doorframe to stay upright. He clearly gives Tendo a once-over and blushes when it registers his visitor stands in the corridor wearing only a t-shirt and boxers before politely focusing on Tendo's face.
"How can you stand this noise in the shape you're in, brother? You look like I feel," Tendo blurts.
"I beg your pardon," the guy huffs, but makes no effort to straighten up.
"Your hangover. Have you even slept yet?"
The guy manages to look even more offended, which is pretty miraculous.
"Waitaminute," Tendo says with a squint before the other man can open his mouth. "I didn't see you at the party. Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever seen you before." He offers his hand. "I'm Tendo Choi. These slavedrivers have me working logistics."
The other guy sighs and returns a firm, dry shake. "Doctor Hermann Gottlieb. I'm working on the operating system and AI for the Jaegers."
Tendo whistles and Gottlieb raises an eyebrow in response. "You're that guy?"
"You seem surprised."
"I am surprised, man. People were talking about you like you were some kind of crotchety old professor. You're maybe my age. And you're listening to ... this." Tendo waves a limp hand toward the room behind Gottlieb.
Gottlieb's lips bend into something which might just, barely, qualify as a smile. "I believe it's the accent and the emphasis on work over play." He yawns so widely behind his hand his jaw cracks. "Excuse me," he says quietly.
"You're excused," Tendo laughs. "It's nice meeting you, Doctor, but please turn it down or put on headphones or maybe get some rest. Everyone else on this hall is probably trying to sleep off the party."
"My apologies for disturbing you, Mister Choi. I'll adjust the volume." Gottlieb pries himself off the door frame and wobbles a bit as he shifts his weight.
"You're thinking of going back to work." Tendo shakes his head and shoos the doctor back into his room. "Don't. Seriously, brother, go to bed."
"Thank you for your concern," Gottlieb sniffs, but ruins the effect by yawning again. "Perhaps I will do just that." He turns and starts to close the door.
Tendo sticks out his bare foot, hoping it doesn't get crushed. "Say, you want to do breakfast tomorrow? I don't know about you, but I'll be in the mood for some serious food and I like to get to know my neighbors."
Gottlieb hesitates, then says, "I would enjoy that, I think. Would oh-seven-hundred be too early? I need to be in the coding department by oh-eight-hundred."
"That'll be just fine, Doctor. See you in the morning."
Gottlieb nods and Tendo waves more cheerily than he feels as the door closes. A moment later, the noise from Gottlieb's room stops.
"Great. Now I can sleep this the rest of the way off," Tendo mumbles as he hauls himself back into his quarters. "Breakfast should be interesting. That guy must have a hell of a story to tell."
He sets his alarm and is out cold again in minutes.
Category:Ficlet
Category:New Year's celebrations (mention)
Category:Hangovers
Category:Hermann
Category:Kodiak (setting)
Category:Tendo
Category:Tendo (ficlet)
Category:Hermann (ficlet)
Category:Hermann (description)
Category:Music
Category:Hermann's music
Category:Jaeger programme (mention)
Category:Hermann is a programmer
Category:Food
Category:Jaeger AI (mention)
Category:Tendo is a logistician