Video; open + locks, a few hours after the earthquakes

[where_the_hearth_is]

[The video pans across a table completely covered in muffins, arranged into neat, cheery baskets, artistically arranged by color in a shallow pyramid. There are all manner of strange and strangely healthy flavors: raspberry lime muffins, zucchini basil muffins, blue corn muffins, ginger pumpkin muffins, and more. A little mechanical droid carefully adds another batch to the pile, still hot and steaming faintly. When the smooth voice comes, it is quiet, uncertain, almost ashamed.]

...I think I made too many muffins.

Does. Um. Anyone want some?

[Privated separately to Wanda, Dr. Orpheus, Loki, and Lucifer. Its sounds nervous.]

Is there any magical method that would guarantee perfectly repairing architectural damage?

Comments

[video]

[scarlet_kitsch]

Perfectly repairing architectural damage... [tilts her head, considering] Hmmm, well, magic can do just about anything, so I don't see why a spell couldn't provide you with that...

[shakes her head] Sadly, it would be beyond my ability. [Said somewhat bitterly. It hurts her amped up pride to admit that.]

[video]

[where_the_hearth_is]

Thank you for information.

[video]

[scarlet_kitsch]

[That polite but curt response peaks her interest.]

I'm curious. Why did you want to know? I thought you were self-maintaining. Is something wrong? [a little concerned now]

Re: [video]

[where_the_hearth_is]

The earthquakes.

At home, they were not a concern.

Most of the damage in the habitable areas is purely cosmetic, things fallen from shelves and so on, but my servers exist in a vast sprawl of honeycombs underground. They are...more worrisome.

[video] piques not peaks, dammit!

[scarlet_kitsch]

Oh, right! [Of course. That makes sense. The earthquakes hadn't been pleasant but easy enough to shake off once they were over. She'd never given any thought to how they might of affected someone tied to the ground.]

I'm sorry I can't help you with that. Maybe someone else can? I've heard of a man called Howl Jenkins Pendragon. I don't know if he's still here but apparently he claims to be a powerful sorcerer.

[She'd suggest contacting Loki. However his recently power woes could cause House even more problems instead of offering a solution.]

[video]

[where_the_hearth_is]

Oh. I spoke to him about opera recently.

I will make inquiries. Thank you.

[video]

[scarlet_kitsch]

No problem. I wish I could be more helpful. [apologetic smile]

Ah! [light bulb moment] I can do something else for you though. I've finally gathered everything I need to help you with your wards. If you're still interested, that is.

Re: [video]

[where_the_hearth_is]

Oh yes, of course, thank you.

In a few days, perhaps? I must focus on repairs now.

[video]

[scarlet_kitsch]

Okay. I'll be there when you're ready.

Re: [video]

[where_the_hearth_is]

Thank you, miss.

[video]

[scarlet_kitsch]

[There is something about House's tone that bothers Wanda. Even though perfectly polite, it (she?) sounds nervous, almost scared. In fact, Wanda finds herself struck by the sudden and powerful urge to hug House. Which, of course, is just ridiculous! How do you hug a House? And it's a machine, isn't it? Self-aware, sure, but still a machine. It can't need reassurance... can it? Wanda is so conflicted. Perhaps if she'd been from an alternate life, where she'd loved and even married an artificial being, then she would know the right thing to say or do. But she wasn't, so she didn't.]

House, I... um... Well, just take care of yourself, okay? And call me if you need anything, anything at all. I'll help if I can.

Re: [video]

[where_the_hearth_is]

[A little more warmly]

I will try, thank you. And I shall keep your offer in mind.