Pesky Robin

Frankenstein observed the area around him, keeping an eye out for the enemy. His body remained tense, his ears straining for any unwanted sounds while his blue gaze flickered around him. It was early today. Too early.

But then again, she always lurked about at the crack of dawn.

Deeming it safe, Frankenstein determinedly sprang up from his hiding spot and crouched low. He took great care to avoid the windows as he crab walked, pressing up against the wall.

A slight breeze wafted through, and he looked up with wide eyes. Who had opened the window? No one else was here but him and…

...the Master.

His heart stilled. Oh no. His Master had opened up the window, not aware of the dangers that lurked outside! Frankenstein had to move fast before she took advantage of the opportunity!

He lunged for the window, his hand outstretched and ready to slam the window closed. Just a little bit more! He was almost there and he and his Master would be safe-

"CHIRP!"

Frankenstein stumbled to a halt, glaring in defeat at the little robin that was perched oh so innocently on the window sill. She cocked her dark head, ruffling her feathers as she eyed him.

"Right, you," he growled, glaring at her. Every morning, it was the same thing with this pesky female robin. He did not know how, but she always seemed to know about his movements. She was always lurking around the corner, reminding him that she was to be fed.

The bird feeders were a success, much to his satisfaction. Many birds would flock to eat at the seeds and nuts he placed in the contraptions he had made, and they provided his Master with a more livelier view of the outside world. He had never seen a more serene look on his Master's face then he did then. Such an accomplishment filled him with joy and satisfaction. He had to admit that the birds would sometimes fill him with a sense of peace as well.

But at the moment, in the early morning, Frankenstein did not feel any peace at the moment.

It turned out that many birds liked many different seeds. The robins were the most frequent of visitors. He would often see many robins visiting and taking over the feeders. Frankenstein did not mind. In fact, the chirping robins were almost enjoyable.

Almost.

The only downside was that the robins became intelligent.

Increasingly intelligent.

Over the past few weeks, the robins became familiar with the only two occupants in the large mansion. They knew that the tall blonde man was the giver of treats, and one particular robin knew that Frankenstein would supply her with different treats if her song was loud enough.

If Frankenstein had known that feeding that robin grubs would lead him to this, he would have burned the feeder a long time ago.

No! No, no. He mustn't think that way! Master loved the birds, even the pesky robin that stalked Frankenstein at the crack of dawn and demanded her breakfast. Robins only had a life expectancy of three years, right?

He could live with serving the loud robin freshly dug up grubs from the garden...every single morning.

But if she was ignored, she would get louder. She would stalk Frankenstein until she had her grubs. He could not step one foot out of the mansion without being hounded by the female robin.

He just would have to move fast least she wake up the Master. Heaven forbid that Master wake up because of her heckling!

Frankenstein could not help but think that it was far too early for this anyway.

"CHIRP!"

"I'm coming!" he snapped, turning on his heel and heading downstairs. He glanced out the window to see the robin following him.

Two minutes later, Frankenstein was kneeling down in the dirt, shoveling through the soil.

"CHIRP!"

He glared up at the robin, flicking shovel full of dirt at her. But the robin merely hoped to a different part of the bush she was residing in, watching him with beady eyes. Well, the stillness of his early morning was somewhat shattered by the constant chirping.

"I already fed you," he grumbled, pulling at a particular difficult weed as he searched for the disgusting grubs. He pointed at the birdfeeder. "Go bother your mate."

His only response he received was a chirp.

He huffed, deciding that the best option at the moment was to ignore the annoying sound and keep tending to his plants while he picked at some grubs.

Grumbling, he shifted through the dirt, picking at the disgusting round grubs and placing them in the bucket with a 'plunk.' Sitting back on his heels, he huffed, glaring at the robin that was perched on a nearby branch.

She chirped at him, ruffling her feathers.

He scowled. "Don't you think you've had enough?" he demanded.

She cocked her head, her loud chirping resuming.

"Enough! Stop!" he exclaimed, rushing to his feet. "Do you want to wake up the Master? It's too early for this!" He huffed, picking up the bucket. "The early bird gets the worm, but the pesky robin gets the grub." With a finale glare, he dumped the squirming grubs into the feeder. "You are possibly the most spoiled robin in existence!"

"CHEEP!"

He narrowed his eyes. "I am not cheap," he exclaimed. "The amount of seeds it takes to feed you and your feathery friends is going to run me dry." He ran a hand through his hair, reminding himself that the Master enjoyed the birds. What was one pesky robin anyway?

A robin that made him afraid to step foot outside.

The robin merely flew off of her branch and soared on to the feeder. Not even bothering to give Frankenstein one final glance, she ate her meal.

With another huff, Frankenstein grabbed the bucket and trudged back indoors. He should get some tea ready for the Master, just in case. He had never known or even seen the Noblesse sleep, but he did not want to chance the robin accidentally waking his Master up.

All throughout, Frankenstein could not help but grumble about the robin as he wheeled the tea cart into the room Master usually resided in. He bowed his head in greeting. "Good morning, Master," he said. He noted with satisfaction how Raizel was observing the colorful birds outside the window.

Glancing at Frankenstein, Raizel tilted his head, his lips twitching in amusement.

Frankenstein blinked, startled.

Was Master...grinning?

"Frankenstein," Raizel started. "Were you arguing with a robin?"