I own nothing. Please review. Steam Powered Giraffe Fanfiction. This takes place roughly 100 years or so in the future.
Chapter 3
She didn't remember falling asleep. She didn't know what had awoken her but in the darkness Melody stirred and sat up from her place on the floor. Rain was pounding outside, she could hear it. Like a constant singing beat in her ears. A bit of light from the lamps outside broke through the boarded up window in the room. Melody moved her hand to rub at her face and it bumped something metal beside her. Her eyes adjusted slowly as she looked at the metal form lying silently beside her. His orange mustache seemed to glow. Hatchworth, the name came into her mind. This was Hatchworth.
A soft murmur came from her other side "Rabb'ts pet." A voice cooed softly, as metal feeling hand ran down her back in a gentle soothing fashion. Melody almost shouted at the unexpected touch but instead quietly found the courage to look behind her. The female automaton had retracted her hand and once more appeared in stasis. Rabbit, this is Rabbit. A voice in her mind said calming her. She was Melody, she was with Rabbit and Hatchworth, she was safe.
She half settled down once more on the floor between the automatons when another name popped into her mind. The Spine, where was he? Sitting up once more she looked around in the dark. There was a hiss of steam slightly and she turned towards the sound. There was the Spine, silently watching like a green eyed guardian and Melody felt a twinge in her chest for a moment. Though what she felt she did not know. He was sitting in a chair, legs kicked up on an overturned table. His guitar was resting gently in one hand, half on his lap. The trivial amounts of light that came in danced across his face, shimmering. Small puffs of steam escaped from his neck.
Only after she had been sitting up a bit did Melody register just how cold the room felt. At least on her upper half. Her lower half still sitting between a sleeping, if you can call stasis sleeping, Rabbit and Hatchworth, who were both giving off heat from their chests, it was nice and cozy warm.
"S..Spine?" She whispered to him, not know what else to do.
His green eyes turned towards her. She hadn't thought he was asleep but he was slow in replying, perhaps he was lost in thought. "Melody, is everything alright?" His deep voice asked her in a whisper.
Melody blinked for a moment before nodding. She didn't have the words to explain what she was thinking or feeling.
A small smile tugged at the corners of the Spine's mouth and he brought the guitar up into his hands, filling the room with sweet and gentle chords. Melody blinked and started to yawn as The Spine's fingers danced over the instrument making it sing so beautiful, so very calming.
After a few minutes Melody was asleep once more between Hatchworth and Rabbit. Spine played for a little longer. This has been Peter "Petra" Walters the 8th favorite lullaby. The Spine let his mind wander even as his finger's softly continued the tune with no name. She had been the last of the Walters. It was eighty years ago, before the third Great War, that changed everything. The war that came was swift and unexpected. Bombs had rained from the sky in a highly practiced attack all at the same time in several different time zones across the nation. Walter Manor has been a causality of the first attack; nothing was left but a smoking crater. The Spine couldn't feel guilty yet he did. Petra, the Walter workers, everything and everyone was gone in a moment.
And the band has been playing a gig at the time. It had taken them days to get back to the house. Not that they could have stopped a bomb but Spine often wondered if they should have been destroyed then too. Now they lived a rather nomadic automaton life. They traveled from place to place, city to city with no real destination in mind. They played music in exchange for meager fees that paid for the most basic of upkeep and survival. Spine stopped playing and ran a hand over his face. The band had just barely been making ends meet but now with a human to look after he wasn't sure how long they could keep going. Not to mention the "Family" wanting to murder and terminate them all. He sighed, with a flush of hot steam from his neck vents.
He closed his eyes for a moment and Petra's memory came into his mind, suddenly the girl with brown hair and green eyes was not standing in front of him, but a blonde girl with blue eyes that perfectly over laid in the memory. The Spine forced his eyes open and stood, walking quietly over to study Melody as she slept. This didn't make any sense and as far as the Spine knew, it was impossible. Other than the hair and eyes being different colors, she looked just like Peter "Petra" Walter the 8th. Melody was identical, even down to the little spot on her cheek.
Had Rabbit noticed? What that why she was so insistence on calling Melody pet? Pet had been Rabbit's nickname for Petra. The Spine's mind whirled with memories he hadn't thought of in years and he collapsed back into the chair.
"What's this one?" Spine heard Rabbit ask as he slowly came out of stasis. The Spine reached a hand up to rub at his face. He had not intended to go into stasis last night. They didn't need to sleep like humans did but it was a good way to conserve water and oil.
"And this one?" Rabbit said again, her voice switching from excitement to quiet anticipation.
"E." Melody answered. Spine focused on the sound. Rabbit and Melody were on the floor. Rabbit on her knees, Melody sitting more comfy cross legged. Rabbit was showing a piece of paper to Melody. At the humans reply Rabbit smiled and put the piece of paper down.
"Right! Now show me, where on the melodica is E?" Rabbit said holding out her small piano like, hand held musical instrument.
Melody hesitated before reaching out to push the key down; Rabbit rewarded her correct answer by blowing air into the chamber making the note, Melody pushed, sound.
"Good Job!" Rabbit praised going to pick up another piece of paper. The Spine decided to step in.
"What are you two doing?" He asked curiously, coming over to duo. He still couldn't shake how much Melody looked like Walter the 8th.
"I'm t-t-teaching Rabbit's pet music notes. She needs to know them cuz she's going to be our band gimmick." Rabbit said very matter of fact.
Spine decided to skip scolding Rabbit for not using Melody's name and turned his attention towards the girl. "Good morning Melody."
"Good morning Spine." Melody smiled but her tummy grumbled causing Spine to frown. He looked around the room. "Rabbit, where is Hatchworth?"
"Hatchy went to get some clean water. Here what about this one pet?" Rabbit fumbled with the little slips of papers once more.
Spine nodded and let Rabbit get back to her game with Melody. The little tin can they kept there merger earnings in was out on the table. Spine picked up and poured what was left into his hand. The washer shaped coins with strange markings landed on his palm. He counted it almost instantly. Two dollars and 43 cents. They had run off last night before getting paid, and even if he risked going back they wouldn't be paid due to the damage done to the dressing room back stage.
The Spine began to think, weighting options. They were in the fifth district of the city. The best course of action would be to get train tickets for all of them and get out of this district. But tickets cost money, another gig or two should get them enough but unless they were going to carry Melody the whole time, she would need shoes at the very least. But on the brighter side, the Spine was sure some of Rabbit's costumes could be altered to fit Melody better.
Hatchworth returned interrupting the Spine's thoughts. "Here we go, water for everyone. Here's one for you Rabbit, and for you Melody and one for you Spine." He said passing out bottles of fresh clean water.
[We need to talk about Melody.] Spine pinged over the wifi signal to Rabbit and Hatchworth.
[We're not getting rid of Rabbit's pet, Spine.] Rabbit replied firmly, as she drank her water, filling her boiler.
[You're right, we aren't getting rid of Melody, but she needs a few things and I'm not sure where to get the money for them.] Spine replied.
[What about Forgotten alley? We should try there.] Hatchworth offered.
Spine nodded that was a very good idea. After a few more minutes of talking the group got up to go out. Rabbit began going through her spare costumes, she pulled some out and placed a top hat on Melody's head and a black coat around her to help keep her warm.
Her original brown trench coat was thrown into another pile that Hatchworth was carrying. Spine scooped her into his arms and out the door they went. On their way to Forgotten alley.
************************Forgotten Alley*************************************
Forgotten alley was a long and twisting grimy back street in one of the more rundown parts of the city. Anything and everything a bot could unload you could find it there. All manner of people intermixed here. Homeless humans right alongside homeless bots. As they entered the alley Spine made a note they would be heading right to a garment merchant. As much as Rabbit hated to part with any of her costumes, a trade would be the best way to get shoes. They had not gone far down the street when the Spine saw what he was looking for. A second hand garment shop.
He set Melody down with a simple command to stay close to him. Rabbit was already distracted by a jewelry cart on the other side of the narrow alley he didn't want Melody to get distracted and lost.
"Pardon me sir. I have some garments I am looking to trade." The Spine spoke to the run down looking cybernoid in front of him. An elderly man who certainly had a hard life, if his scared skin, one cybernetic eye and replaced arms were any indication.
"Trade hm? Let's see what you got." He said as Hatchworth came over, the shop keep began going through the costumes and clothes they had. "Not much call for outfits like this down here and they are well used. What did you want for them?" He asked the Spine.
The Spine turned and nodded towards Melody. "She needs shoes. Something sturdy and long wearing. Boots perhaps." The cybernoids man looked at Melody up and down then back to the Spine. Hatchworth being relieved of his burden had joined Rabbit in sight-seeing/ window shopping.
"I've got something I think will work well. Hold on." He went back into the shop and returned a moment later with some scuffled up but high quality leather boots. "See if these fit."
Melody sat on a small cushioned seat outside the shop and Spine bent down placing a shoe on each foot and lacing them. She stood and Spine checked the fit before saying, "Try walking around, see how they feel."
Melody took a few hesitant steps before breaking out into a smile and doing a twirl. "They feel great. Thank you Spine!" Seeing she now had shoes Rabbit grabbed Melody to bring her over to see the robotic fish being sold in the window of another shop.
Spine turned back to finish the sale with the old man when he spoke. "It's a good trade." The cyber enhanced man said before lowering his voice. "I know a guy, should have anything else you want to sell." His eyes were pointed directed right at Melody's back. "Little thing like that and fully human, the price you could get…"
Spine gazed down at the man, steam hissing from his neck, his eyes as cold as chiseled emeralds. The man held up his hands. "Just an offer." He argued weakly as the Spine moved to join his friends across the road. He had forgotten just how bad this new world was.
"Spiny! Look at all this cool stuff!" Rabbit said half covered in cheap fake jewelry.
"Put it back Rabbit." He said and Rabbit pouted but obeyed. "I have another stop to make."
Spine walked down the alley with Hatchworth and Rabbit stopping at nearly every stall or shop window to look at what was being offered. There was a man waving robot arms offering upgrade for a reasonable price. A automaton selling used furniture. A stall filled with alabaster china made of plaster and paint. Robotic companion birds that sing on command. A seller of "rare" painting most likely painted last week. The Spine did stop at a food cart and used one of the precious dollars they had left to buy Melody a croquet to eat. It was hot and warmed her fingers nicely before she took a steaming bite. The crispy hash brown like fried potato outside gave way to a juice filled interior stuffed with meat.
The deeper they went into the Forgotten alley the more crowded it became. As Melody munched her croquet her pace had been slowed. She had just finished eating it when… "Hello pretty miss!" A bot said leaping out in front of her from a store doorway. He was a brass faced automaton, with some green of rust around his eyes. Bits of silver metal showed on his cheeks and nose. He had on a tight black pants and a black shirt trimmed with red. Also he was wearing a top had with brass goggles on it. He smiled playfully at her, even though the grin was slightly lopsided. "I couldn't help but notice you. At least your beautiful long blonde hair. That's a rare color. Fancy a trim? We buy hair here for wigs." His voice kept shifting tones and he seemed a bit stalled in his movement manners.
"Melody!" Spine called from about twenty five feet, away looking back at her.
"I have to go." She told the funny sounding voiced robot.
"You just think about it. I'll be here." The random bot said. It crossed his arms as Melody went to join the bot that had called her. The silver automation looked at him frowning and leaned down to speak with the girl. Hare felt bad, poor thing was getting scolded. Oh well, he thought pasting a grin back on his face, time to try and lure the next customer.
Melody stayed behind Spine. Her face was down cast. She felt horrible that he had scolded her to stay close to him as he requested. Rabbit and Hatchworth tried to cheer her but they were both easily distracted by all the things around them. Spine wasn't feeling much better. Melody was taking his concern and lecture about safety much harder than she should have but it just wasn't safe for her to wander too far away.
Finally he found the shop he was looking for. Going in Melody followed. It was a dusty little place. Shelf after shelf was filled to the brim with plastic boxes full of funny little chips. "Pardon me sir. I have a book I would like to sell."
"I don't pay much for chips. What do you have?" The dark eyed automaton asked from behind the desk.
The Spine reached into his pocket and pulled out a paper book. It was old and well loved. "Now that is something!" The robot bookkeeper said coming to take a closer look. "You don't see paper books much anymore. Hm…The old man and the sea. All the pages seem to be here. Yes I will buy this from you."
The Spine looked so sad turning over his book to the man for some cash. But the moment he saw Melody looking at him, he smiled. "Done, now let's go find Rabbit and Hatchworth." But as they stepped back out into the street, Melody couldn't help feeling that it was a fake smile.
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