AN: No beta we die like hilichurls


"This is very impressive, Cookie. Not to mention your size has increased exponentially." in her office, Noelle smiled as Jean inspected Cookie's new form, visibly intrigued.

◤I'm thankful that you think as much, Maestra Jean,◢ Jean would have to get used to her new voice soon. It wasn't unpleasant, just unusual. She didn't sound as robotic anymore. She supposed that was a good thing and how bright Noelle's smile was as she gazed at Cookie. ◤The new form takes a bit of getting used to, but being in it makes me feel very capable.◢

"I see. I look forward to seeing your capabilities firsthand, though I have some questions to ask before that."

◤Please, fire away, Maestra Jean.◢

"Your previous form. What happened to it?" Jean asked the robot. "I am happy to see that you've upgraded yourself, but I can't help but think about it."

She needed something to tell the people that gave them Cookie in the first place, after all. She needed to know what to say to them once they saw that Cookie wasn't the same Roomba she was when she first arrived.

◤Do you mean this form, Maestra?◢

Jean dismissed her thoughts and went back to look at Cookie- wait.

"Cookie?" it wasn't Jean that spoke up that time.

It was Noelle. She had a surprised expression, just like the Acting Grandmaster.

They were staring at Cookie, as she had been just a night before. Circular, wide, with the same robotic voice she had always had these past many months.

◤As you can see, this form is not dead.◢

"I… I see. I take it you can alternate between forms?"

◤Correct,◢ Jean blinked, and in an instant, accompanied by the sounds of shifting machinery, Cookie's new egg-shaped form was there. ◤I can switch between them at any time and condition I wish. Though, I initially wanted to dismiss that form."

Jean slowly nodded. 'Cookie's speech patterns are somewhat more human in this form. Or is it perhaps because of the time she's spent with humans?' she thought. Either way, she was delighted by this discovery.

Though the last part of what Cookie said intrigued her. "You wanted to disregard your Roomba form? Why? And why didn't you go through with it?"

Cookie's outer shell took a bit of a red hue, she was embarrassed. 'Huh, so that's where her color indicator went.' Instead of indicating thought or the process, it now seemed to indicate emotion.

◤I told Maestro Wagner that I wanted the process to be irreversible, and then he called the idea dumb.◢

"I see." Jean sweatdropped.

Cookie nodded. ◤Maestro Wagner told me that the past is essential, and we must be reminded of what we were once, to be better for the future.◢

"Ah, that is certainly true." Noelle clapped excitedly.

◤Only stupid people don't reflect on their past to imagine their future. I remember he said another word, but the knights had warned me never to say such language so I will refrain."

"Well… Wagner does have those tendencies."

Noelle scratched her cheek. She wasn't wrong. Barbatos knows how many times Noelle had given deliveries to the blacksmith while chewing out his apprentice.

"That too is certainly true."


After a while of conversing with Jean and ensuring her that Cookie would take care of her new form, as well as offer her minimal work to help give her time to get used to her new form, Cookie and Noelle walked out of the office with a smile and a bow.

Well, Noelle did. The only way they could tell that Cookie smiled was with the digital lines that served as eyes on her surface.

Noelle turned her head to Cookie as they walked. It would take a bit of getting used to not looking down since Cookie was easily at her eye level now.

"So, Mister Wagner helped you build your new form?"

◤Correct. Maestro Wagner was very strict, yet informative and kind with his way of delivering information.◢

"I'm surprised he agreed so easily."

◤As am I, Maestra Noelle. I had mora prepared, yet the first time I asked him for his services he agreed in an instant.◢

Noelle smiled. "How nice of him," she nodded. "I can't imagine having a new form all of a sudden would feel very comfortable at first."

Noelle imagined it as something similar to waking up in a different body after a good night's sleep. Surely something like this wouldn't ever happen, but she read about it in a book one night and frankly, the idea of it scared her.

◤I… would be lying if I said I had gotten used to it right away. I admit I had trouble with it at first.◢

"Anything I can help if? I would love to assist you with your new form."

Cookie shook her round head. ◤That is not needed, Maestra Noelle. Or rather, I do not wish for additional assistance.◢

"Oh? And why not?"

◤Getting used to my new form, my new body, and my new functions and capabilities is an act that I believe should only involve myself. If I were to rely on anyone else for such an action, much less Maestra Noelle herself, then I have no right calling myself your assistant.◢

Noelle couldn't resist the urge and glomped her robot. "Ah, you're so adorable!"

◤Yes, Maestra Noelle. More affection, please.◢

Noelle would certainly give it to her. She was growing up so well. Though a certain part of Noelle felt sad that Cookie was becoming… what was the word, oh right, independent.

She was reminded of the time she had stopped relying on the other maids for help when she was still learning. She too had grown independent through such an action, and now here she was.

Cookie would surely go through the same process, and she couldn't wait to see her little robot grow.

"Well, I for one, cannot wait to see your new functions and capabilities."

◤I agree. I wish to show Maestra Noelle what I can offer now.◢

Albeit in a different form, Cookie was still the same Roomba that Noelle had all but raised. Cookie wanted to show off, and of course, Noelle was at the very top of her list.

The sound of a stomach rumbling pulled both of them out of their thoughts. Cookie turned towards Noelle, who was staring hard in front of her, as stiff as stone. Though the tip of her ears was red.

◤Though, may I suggest having breakfast first, Maestra Noelle?◢

Noelle adopted a shaky and embarrassed smile as she turned towards Cookie with a blush.

"That sounds grand."


"It's a good thing you came just in time. They're not making more batches of breakfast, but they did have some left." Hertha put a tray down in front of the maid.

"Thank you, Miss Hertha."

"Don't sweat it, Noelle. Eat up alright?"

"I will."

Noelle was pleasantly surprised. On the way to the cafeteria, they quickly realized that breakfast time was just about to end. If that information, the pair rushed to the cafeteria. They dreaded it when all of the tables were clean and the room was derived of people

Yet, she quickly breathed a sigh of relief when she saw all but one table had been occupied. And at the table were three very familiar faces. She had just seen them an hour ago after all.

"If I remember correctly you don't have any tasks until this afternoon, correct?" Huffman asked, to which Noelle nodded. "Then take it slow. No need to rush your meal. I'm sure they wouldn't mind."

And that was true. The staff of the Knights of Favonius would make many exceptions for the maid in a heartbeat should she ask. She helped them out time and time again, the least they could do is make sure Noelle was well-cared for if the maid wouldn't let them do anything else.

Noelle nodded. "I will, Mister Huffman."

"Speaking of rushing meals, still not done, Bruce?" Hertha turned to the knight beside her.

Bruce shrugged. "I told you I'd take a while. I told you to go without me." he tilted his head towards his almost empty tray."

"Nah, I can wait. From what I can see you're almost done, anyway. Plus, I'm not leaving without Noelle."

"Sounds like a plan." Bruce nodded.

"How did you know that I don't have any tasks until this afternoon, Mister Huffman?" Noelle asked as she took a sip of her tea.

"Master Jean told me." Huffman replied curtly. Gaze focused on the clipboard on his side of the table.

◤I had been wondering about this before but Maestro Huffman has a lot of responsibility.◢ Cookie commented from her spot standing behind Noelle.

She would've looked like Noelle's bodyguard if Cookie didn't look so… Cookie-like.

"She does. And I am grateful for any tasks she gives me as it is an opportunity to lighten her load at least a little," Huffman nodded. "Some of which I believe you will be given a chance to do as well, Cookie."

Cookie grew intrigued. ◤Come again?◢

"You heard me. With your new form, I am to gauge your capabilities if they are deemed suitable to help out the Knights even further," he tapped his clipboard. "Should you possess the capabilities necessary, I will deem you suitable for a higher order of work. Similar to the tasks Noelle is doing every day. Going out of Headquarters too could be in the realm of possibility."

Cookie didn't have a face, but everyone in the vicinity could see that she was very happy.

"But, you could always refuse. This responsibility will be more than you are already given. The option for refusal is-"

◤No, I would like to have more,◢ Cookie adamantly said. Everyone smiled. They all knew that Huffman was only saying it just because he had to. Everyone that knew Cookie even the slightest knew that she would never refuse more work. ◤I want to be of service. I would never reject such an offer. I am a robot whose duty is to clean to my core. To deny my nature is to deny myself.◢

"Wonderful. We just need you to take a short test or two and we'll be set."

◤Cookie predicted as much.◢

"A test? What, are you gonna test her intelligence or something?" Bruce snickered.

Huffman sighed and shook his head. "Don't be foolish. I know that's not something you give to Cookie."

"That's not something you give to someone that has practically an entire library's knowledge at their beck and call." Hertha nodded.

"Then, what is her test?" Noelle asked. Hopefully, it wasn't anything too dangerous.

When Master Varka had made her a knight, she first had to carry an absurd amount of crates filled with ores from one side of Mondstadt to the gate. So much that even she had trouble lifting them all. She finished the job, of course.

Good times.

"Nothing too hard. Just a simple test to see what Cookie's new form can offer. The deadline is about a week from now so there is no need to rush-"

◤I wish to do it as soon as possible.◢ Cookie told Huffman.

Huffman chuckled. It was surreal. She was almost as stubborn as Noelle. Then again, they have been spending a lot of time with each other ever since Cookie was assigned to her.

"If you say so. We'll start after breakfast," he put his clipboard down and stared at Cookie with a stern gaze. "Just remember. I will judge fairly and accordingly. I will not be playing favorites."

◤Of course. Maestro Huffman must be impartial.◢ Cookie nodded.

This was an opportunity, after all. An opportunity to be closer to her Maestra's line of work and responsibility. An opportunity to understand her Maestra, and in turn, care for her even more effectively.

Her goal was to be the Maid for the Wondermaid, after all. It was and always will be her greatest aspiration, motivation, and inspiration. Her Maestra had worked hard to get where she was right now. And she had to work even harder to reach her ultimate goal of being a knight.

She couldn't call herself her Maestra's assistant if she didn't display half of her Maestra's prowess!

◤What can Cookie do for you?◢