Gathered the Ingredients

Caine's been grumpy today. There's something going in with the hardware he's on, I can't begin to try to attempt to think about fixing that stuff. My job clearance is strictly for keeping Caine company.

He's on my screen, pouting. He has a digital cast on one of his legs to remind him to not use certain parts of his program. I guess it's like putting blinders on a horse?

If I put on my headset I could probably see the signatures scribbled on the cast.

He better have saved a space for me to sign.

I'm going over more paperwork- there's a new packet at my door every day, asking about everything from Caine's temperament to how many doors are in the circus- when I hear the webcam activate. Caine looks me over and his voice comes out of the little speakers, a bit warped but still understandable.

"Can I ask you a personal question?"

I'm erasing the word 'pouty' and trying to think of a nicer word. "Depends on how personal it is."

"How do your glasses stay on your face?"

"Uh."

I take my glasses off and hold them to the webcam for Caine to see. On the monitor he's sitting up, more alert, his little notepad and pencil in hand (it delights me to no end that he's left-handed. Like me).

"This part between the lenses kinda holds them up on my nose, but the arms-" I bend one back and forth- "hold my glasses up by sitting on my ears."

The webcam aperture widens.

"You have ears?"

On the monitor Caine's lower jaw has dropped. He looks stunned. It's hard to not laugh. I turn so he can see the right side of my head, where I keep my hair short. I point to my ear. "I have two of 'em. Had 'em the whole time, sweetie."

I swear the webcam tilts along with Caine's head on the monitor. It shouldn't be able to do that. He's looking at me with wide, curious eyes.

"Can I see the other one?"

Why not. I turn and move to shove my unruly mop of purple hair out of the way when he stops me.

"Wait- can you do it slowly?"

Caine doesn't have a face. When he blushes, his molars get a pink tinge. They're fully magenta as he stammers "f-f-for research, for my e-education, of course!"

I put on the most sultry face I can muster and slllllowly tuck my hair behind my ear for the webcam. With my most Cate Blanchett voice I tease, "how's that?"

I look at the monitor. I'm surprised to see him reaching out and making a motion with his hand.

"I wish I could do that."

I chuckle and go back to my regular voice. "You'd need hair. And ears."

"No, I mean. I wish I could touch you."

We stare at each other. The PC tower's fan suddenly goes into overdrive as Caine, blush enveloping both jaws, squeaks out "I'm gonna redesign your avatar yup I think maybe for funsies just fun silly wacky things yes okay a one-time deal something with ears so I"

I pick up the microphone and bring it close to my lips. "Caine."

He freezes.

"It's your circus, do what you want." I wink at the camera. "You weirdo."

Caine sputters and jabbers. I put the mic back and stand up and against my better judgement I press a little chaste kiss to his webcam.