logah | Tutoring Sollux @ The Corner Cafe (open to Nepeta and Kanaya)

Dirk had arrived at the cafe early and settled in at his regular table. He had a bunch of tools and supplies scattered over the table, as well as a cup of coffee, and another box of things on the floor next to him. He was seriously behind on his commissions, both for his robots and smuppets, and he was using this extra bit of time to catch up. (Why the hell someone wanted a custom smuppet made of vinyl was beyond him, but he didn't question his customers. Vinyl was a bitch to sew, though, and he was considering taking it off the list of available materials. He'd already pricked his fingers one too many times.)

He also had Jane's birthday gift to finish, and he didn't want that to be a rush job. Most of the physical body was done, at least, he just needed to fine tune some of the coding. (He wasn't going to let Jane end up with another abomination like Lil' Hal.)

He dropped the finished smuppet in the box on the floor, then leaned back in his chair and rubbed at his eyes under his shades. Maybe not sleeping was finally starting to catch up with him... He downed the rest of his coffee. No time for a break. He needed to finish at least one more order before Sollux arrived for his tutoring.

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Kanaya was wiping down tables when her eye caught on Dirk's sewing supplies. She couldn't help but continue shooting glances his way as she worked. She knew she couldn't just abandon her duties, but once her break hit she grabbed a drink and made her way over.

"Um... I apologize if my approach is unwelcome, but if you'd like it, I have some advice to offer on how to improve your technique. Honestly, there's a much more efficient way to go about what you're attempting."

Dirk looked up, a little startled by Kanaya's approach. He'd sort of spaced out while he was working (hand sewing was a pretty mindless task, and he found more interesting ways to occupy himself when he spaced...), but she dragged him back to himself.

It took him a moment to reorient and figure out what she was talking about. He tore his gaze away from hers and looked down at the half finished smuppet in his hands. Thankfully, this one wasn't made of vinyl, but his fingers were still protesting.

"That would be great." He eventually admitted, a little reluctantly. "Thanks."

He set the puppet down on the table and gestured for her to sit across from him. "Name's Dirk."

"I'm Kanaya," she said with a polite smile, and settled into the offered seat. "Your work is actually fairly professional, but, if you don't mind me demonstrating with this," she said, picking up a few scraps and plucking a threaded needle from the pin cushion. "The duration of your labor will be cut down significantly provided you arrange the pieces in this fashion from the beginning." She laid out the pieces on the table and pinned them together, and cut around the shape.

"For the stuffed plush you're creating, I'd recommend this technique." She sewed a few stitches, tugged to make sure they were holding, and continued more slowly, scooting her chair closer and tilting it towards Dirk so he could see. "This stitch is a bit harder to grasp then some of the more simple ones, but it saves you time and, in the end, the intersecting joint offers more reinforced seams than the one you've been using. Oh, also, you'll get sharper edge if you snip the extra fabric from the corners."

She sped up again and soon had a completed sleeve in her hand. She turned it inside out, puzzling at the bulbous shape it would make were it properly stuffed. "May I inquire as to what this creature is? I don't believe I've ever observed something quite like it."

Dirk watched closely, going as far as lowering his shades to get a proper look at what she was doing. He'd need to practice a bit, but it didn't look too complicated, and she seemed to know what she was talking out. The finished product did look better than some of his own pieces.

He hesitated briefly before answering her question. "It's a puppet. Custom order."

He picked up a few scraps and tried to replicate the technique she'd shown him. He held out the pieces he'd sewn together. "This look right?"

Kanaya saw a flash of orange before Dirk nudged his shades back into place. She had met people with similarly strange eye colors, so she didn't question it. Besides, he could be wearing contacts. His shades looked anime enough to convince her he would.

She looked over the piece and hummed. "Yes, that's about right. Make sure you keep the stitches even and tight -- see where you went a little wider here? -- and it should turn out properly." She tied off the end of her piece and set it down.

"Are these plushes the only manner of puppets you make?" she asked, reaching for her drink. "Or do you produce others, like ventriloquist dummies?"

He nodded along with her instructions, humming softly as he filed the information away. He didn't often take advice from strangers, but he was glad for Kanaya's help.

"I got it." He answered, flashing her a barely there smile. "Thanks."

He lifted his own coffee for a drink, only to remember it was empty and set it back down with a sigh.

"Usually just these guys." He answered, once again leaning back in his chair. "But I could make a ventriloquist dummy, if someone wanted to order one. I'm decent at using them, don't see why I wouldn't be able to make one up."

She gave a quick smile in return, sharp teeth poking into her lower lip.

"I see." She sat silently for a few moments and then said, "I'm going to purchase something to eat while I'm on break. Would you mind if I return to this table and sketch once I've done so?"

He was a little surprised by the offer, but he nodded none-the-less. He had to admit to himself he wasn't exactly the most social person, and it wasn't often that a stranger actually wanted to spend time with him.

"Sure. As long as you don't mind I have to keep working."

"That's perfectly suitable; I have a project to occupy myself with as well."

She soon returned with a sandwich, a small bowl of chili, and her sketchbook. She flipped it open to a new page, blowing on spoonfuls while she worked out the final details of Feferi's many-layered dress. It was pink and frilly, but Kanaya had made sure to add elegant curves in the bodice, giving the fun look an underlying sophisticated vibe.

Dirk didn't get distracted easily when he was working, but he found he couldn't concentrate with Kanaya sitting at the table with him. Not because of anything she was doing, but just because he wasn't used to having anyone but Dave around while he was working.

He forced himself to focus, he really did need to get some work done.

He finished most of his next smuppet order before deciding he needed a break. He stood, dumping his supplies on the table, and stretched his arms over his head.

"I'm going to get a coffee." He paused, unsure in a way he usually wasn't. "Do you want one?"

"No, but thank you for the offer. I still have about half of my tea left. Besides," she glanced at the wristwatch she wore during work. "I have to return behind the counter in a moment."

She flipped her sketchbook closed and placed her dirty dishes in the return area, then waved at Dirk as she walked into the back room. "It was pleasant to work near someone else for a change."

Tutoring Sollux @ The Corner Cafe (open to Nepeta and Kanaya)

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