Prt. 9

The 'swimming' as 10 had put it had actually turned out to be merely waddling in knee deep water well the taller male and the short female splashed eachother with the cool liquid; squealing or laughing with each playful chilling gesture. The 'punk could swim just fine but usually preferred not to and was only doing this because he had wanted to expose the female to something awe inspiring like how it felt to feel the odd sensation that was water; observing the girl closely in case she wandered to far. The female was new and didn't know how to properly keep herself afloat so 10 was trying to give her some freedom to explore well having the responsibility of caring after her.

The two kept this game up for quite sometime well 11 observed on from the stairs with a light smile on his face. His brother was pretty reserved with his antics and rarely played like this. Sure they horsed around as bros but innocent play like this wasn't really something most of them did. After they all had gone through the new-born stage, the innocence and curiosity was lost greatly so simple play wasn't seen much in this house.

But 13 seemed to be more than just innocently curious like a new-born ragdoll was at this stage in life. She was attentive, she was clearly adventurous because she didn't hesitant to new things, there was a aura of insight to her and all around the small teal eyed female just seemed to be a gentle soul that wasn't looking for anything but to learn and find herself right now. It was very admirable and 11 chuckled to how greatly she contrasted the taller male playing with her; opposites but still seemed to be enjoying eachother's company. Maybe this female was going to do some good in the house even if nothing happened between her and 10. She was doing a fine job just making him more at ease and just open to playing.

"10…11…You boys stop goofing around and come inside now," came the voice of Marcus suddenly as he poked his head out of the window and looked to his boys, smiling at the small scene of 10 and 13 playing together, "And bring 13 in as well. I'm going to be leaving soon and Lizzie with be off shortly so she wants to spend sometime with you. Something about needing a audience for her new project."

A mixed reaction from the stitchpunks followed as 10 seemed eager, well 11 gave a soft groan and 13 was just a bit confused. But they complied as 10 helped 13 out form the water and dried her off to his best ability with his scarf, not caring as he was more concerned with making sure the female was comfortably. It was a good thing that it was still so early in the day as the sun was high and warm, so 10 only had to do his best and than lead the short female back to the home that 11 had already gone back into.

Once inside the two watched as Marcus rushed a bit to gather himself together and tried to get ready for heading off to his job as a apprentice. It was almost comical as he tried to get his shoes on well attempting to get into his coat and was only spared from hurting himself when Lizzie approached and settled him by fixing the coat herself.

"Thank you Liz," the male said with a sheepish look and finally got himself in order by getting his shoes on, grabbing a small case very similar to a small doctor bag as he moved to the door.

"No trouble hun," his wife replied and placed a light kiss to his lips as he opened the door to leave. He returned it in a light gesture but still seemed very happy through the smile on his face. Than the two parted and Lizzie lightly shooed him off with her own kind expression, "Now go on before you're late and he makes you stay into the night again. I'll be here waiting."

"I know you will be," he replied back and only stooped to kiss her hand and than say his good-byes to the creations in the home. "You all behave yourself for Lizzie and I'll see everyone later."

"Take care of yourself Father," 10 replied quickly with a wave well 12 and 11 who were simply sitting on the first step on the stairway said simple farewells until their creator would return later that day. 13 watched closely and mimicked the boys by giving a wave and with that Marcus was off and out the door.

Lizzie sighed deeply to seeing her husband off to his work as usually down quickly got out of it as she turned to the small ones and gave a smile. "Come along now. I got something important to do and need other input on how I'm doing." The stitchpunks nodded and were quick to follow Lizzie as she went into the den where she and Marcus practiced their music often. It was a fairly open room with benches, a couch and some chairs but clever was a place that was used mainly for entertainment. 13 didn't know it but Lizzie was a very successful singer and actress that was use to hosting at parties so this room indeed was often used.

"Okay, everyone get on board so I can put you onto the coffee table," the human female coaxed the four ragdolls and lowered her hands down for them to get into. 10 and 13 got into one and 12 got into the other quickly well 11 decided to be random and simply held onto Lizzie's dress sleeve when she brought her arms back up; a single small pale male dangling off her wrist that was right under where 12 sat shaking his head in disbelieve. The elder brother was merely hiding his face behind a hand and the only female creation was watching and giggling lightly to seeing 11 swinging from her maker's dress sleeve.

The human herself didn't seem to mind so much as she chuckled and brought her handful to the table beside the couch and one large chair, setting them down gently once 11 had hopped down from his fun. The other three got off steadily and just got themselves placed into comfortable positions before Lizzie could get started with what it was she had to show them. 12 sat simply on the table with his legs crossed, little 11 was laying on his back looking at the human from a upside down position and their older brother was sitting at the edge of the table letting his legs hang off the edge lazily. 13 seemed a bit confused but finally figured herself out and layed down on her belly well resting her chin on the palm of both of her hands.

"Alright…Now I'm going to sing a piece from the new play I'm going to be in very shortly and I would really like your honest opinion of how it sounds and if I seem to fit the part," Lizzie explained to the ragdolls and most just nodded in understanding, but 13 of course seemed lost and couldn't help but ask a question.

"Lizzie? What is a play? And further more, what is singing?"

The human smiled at her first daughter like creation and kneeled down before her so that their level was a bit more even, though she still was towering over the small female with a kind face. "A play is a place where people like myself dressing up in different clothing called costumes and do tricks or show off talents like dancing or singing for the enjoyment of others sweetie. Most plays tell a story and it's an actor, which is me, job to entertain others by making them think I'm someone else. It's like going on an adventure without really having to go anywhere."

13 seemed to understand well enough as she nodded and visualized all that was told to her. Lizzie could go on adventures without having to go anywhere and could be someone else entirely? What type of power was this for someone to posses?

"As for what singing is," Lizzie continued with a single light poke to the females head and smiled to her bewildered expression, "I think it would be easier to show you than try to explain it. Just relax, don't speak and listening carful. You may like what you experience."

13 became intrigued greatly and watched as her maker moved away and back up some before single standing before the creations on her husband and the one of herself. She loved to perform for them and well she didn't really need to practice like she made it sound or even really need to be told it was good, Lizzie was a kind spirit and wanted to bond with these children as much as possible. One day wasn't going to be here anymore and wanted to know that she hadn't missed anytime she could have given to them.

She inhaled briefly and than began her song, 10 instantly becoming transfixed with her voice and just smiling whether like a idiot well 13 tensed and her eyes widened to what she was witnessing take place; this was singing and it was beautiful.

"Who knows when love begins? Who knows what makes it start?" she began to sing out beautifully and so full of life. Lizzie was born to do this and it showed right here and now even in this simple home without any music to accompany her. It was a strong, amazing and angelic tone that some considered hard to match. "One day it's simply there; alive inside your heart. It slips into your thoughts. It infiltrates your soul. It takes you by surprise. Then seizes full control…"

12 and 11 listened on with light smiles to their face at Lizze's talent and spirit innocently, well their brother 10 was full engaged into what was pouring out from the human he viewed as someone like a mother to him. She was more than just a good singer to him, heck she wasn't even just amazing to him. Lizzie was as close to perfection as he had ever seen and this is where he saw it more than anywhere. Not in her beautiful voice, not in her body as she moved lightly to the sung but the emotion and soul she poured out into it piece that she did. She portrayed pain, harmonized with anger, danced with sorrow and spread love into any melody or tone one dared placed before her. In his mind as a student, there wasn't anything she couldn't do.

"Try to deny it and try to protest," she sung on as if the voice of reason to a troubled being that simply had lost their way with love; possibly from pain of losing or just seeing/feeling it for the first time. She was getting the message through clearly, "But love won't let you go, once you've been possessed. Love never dies, love never falters. Once it has spoken; love is yours."

Course now the more the tall 'punk born from a machine but raised in warmth and safety listened to what Lizzie was telling through the song, the more his eyes slowly trailed to 13 laying down just a very foot, more like a couple inches really from him. She was so small, so delicate in appearance and just appeared so perfectly petite and pretty. Even her claws seemed so softly made for her in her small hands; it made 10 call into question his own appearance for a moment.

He wasn't so considered about his pale fabric since his own brother had it but immediately his eyes went right to his hands; bigger to match his height, made from nothing but strong metals of a copper palm, a dark tip for knuckles and than the bright red claws only to be contrasted by the single sharp razor like blades for the one finger. Why would Marcus give him this but not his own brothers?

Than he looked to the flame tattoos designed right into his wrists and ankles; 11 had green and black striped arms with a single green patch around a leg to bear his number and 12 had arms of completely different colors to go along with his brothers but again nothing like what 10 had; why? The only thing left to his knowledge was the red glow of his eyes and he had no idea why this was.

Some failed attempted Marcus had had for night vision on his creation and this was the end result? It seemed logical as no one else had them and he saw this as a good thing because it made the daylight hours more difficult to handle but there was still the question of why his own maker and father won't answer why his design was so vastly different from his siblings. Now it only seemed more so as he compared himself to the small female that had been designed to be loved, mostly for the male seeing every flaw within himself.

13 was so beautiful, so pure and serene and 10 was nothing like this. He honestly was a little distant and reserved but in a matter of minutes the small lady had managed to get the reluctant male out of his shell and openly play with her. Was there honestly something more than just friendship in his soul already for her?

"Love never fades. Love never alters," he listened on from Lizzie's voice guiding him in the right direction and to help him not to panic over the brief stirring inside of his heart. Longing, joy, or perhaps this deeper emotion that she spoke of but 10 was calmly figuring it out. "Hearts may get broken; love endures. And soon as you submit; surrender flesh and bone. That love takes on a life, much bigger than your own."

Was this true? 10 dared to wonder as he slowly inched himself closer to 13 and seemed to grow more afraid the closer he got to her. If he submitted to whatever this feeling was inside of himself than would it go away only to become something much stronger over time? Any bigger and the pale one thought his mechanical worker were going to burst! Course that didn't stop him from inching ever close to her in a gingerly fashion…

"It uses you at whim and drives you to despair. And forces you to feel, more joy than you can bear."

Oh how true that single verse felt inside of 10 as he moved one more time and was just within reach of 13 who hadn't seemed to notice the pale larger one yet. Unfortaunelty his brothers had and were smiling in a almost knowing way to what theor older bro was up to, and sadely for him, they wanted to see how this was going to end up.

"Love gives you pleasure and love brings you pain," rang the voice beautifully as 10 stooped in his movements and drummed a hand on the table nervously as he calculated his next move, whatever it was.

"And yet when both are gone..."
"Love will still remain…"

"Okay, you can do this 10," he told himself as he stopped drumming and lightly rose the hand up before moving it towards 13 ever so slowly, it shaking slightly as though he was that honest to life afraid to touch her with his blade. 11 and 12 we're now both deeply engrossed in what was happening and even the younger was leaning forward slightly in attentive behavior to what was going to transpire next.

10's hand came closer and closer to 13's shoulder and only seemed to shake with more nervous tremors as the elder tried to stay calm but his body was listening. Just a few more centimeters…

"Yes 10?"

The male in question startled and quickly pulled withdrew his hand away and placed it behind his head like he was rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. Said female who had questioned him was merely looking over her shoulder towards 10 and leaning her head to one side in confusing. Hadn't he been reaching out to tap her shoulder to get her attention? This was the only thought in 13's head on why the other had been acting like he had.

"Once it has spoken; love is yours. Love never dies. Love never alters"

"Oh come on!" 11 softly hissed to his brothers retreat from the small advance, "Reach out and touch her like we ALL know you want to! She's right there in front of you for pete-sake!"

12 chuckled to older brothers angry muttering that none but himself could hear and lightly poked the other in the stomach to get his attention. "Told you he'd back out before getting one second from feeling her fabric. I think I win this bet my dear older little brother."

11 glared to his younger brother that ironically towered over him and gave him a light kick in the side (his position on his back making this very easy). 12 gave a soft yelp and held his side but was silenced when the smaller smirked and pointed towards the ones they had been watching so closely.

"Looks like she's going to take to initiative."

12's brow lowered in confusion to this but he looked over as hinted and his silver eyes widened greatly to the scene he was watching. 13 was a daring lass indeed…

"Hearts may get broken; love endures." Lizzie sang on peaceful and clearly well watching the scene with a smile. 13 seemed to take after her completely, "Hearts may get broken; love never dies. Love will continue…"

10 had been ready to apologize for his behavior and make a good excuse as to why he had seemed to be reaching for her, which of course he had when he suddenly felt a weight added to his front that was small and softer than his own burlap. Blinking in absolute surprise, the tall male looked down and his slanted pupils widened like saucers to what had just happened. 13 for some unknown reason had moved herself from off her belly and had gently crawled right into 10's arms and front, laying her head just under his button and purring quietly to how secure she felt there.

The elders of the 'punks was a little unsure how to proceed from here and he tensed heavily to having something so small within his grasp but amazing once again she just seemed to know and moved 10's arms around herself gently to hold her like a blanket, liking the warmth that he strangely emanated and purring even more profoundly to her content comfort.

12 eyes were about as big as they could go and his mouth only hung open stupidly to seeing 10 not only accept the hold but almost caved into it by resting his head just on top on 13's own with a soft smile that the female couldn't see as they watched Lizze but felt it. And it made her smile back.

"That's a win for myself I believe young fellow-o," 11 smugly said to his brother as he used his hand to quickly close 12's open mouth with a sneer, "The bet was what again? Loser has to clean up the other's messes for a week?"

"Oh shut your little hole," 12 gruffed with a heavy shove to 11 face to get he out other the glaring younger's own. 11 merely shrugged and kept his smugness going as he returned to his former position and the two brothers returned to watching the human instead of the two ragdolls now cuddling lightly to the happy song.

"Love keeps on beating; when you're gone," came the words but 10 was only now only paying half attention to them, more focused on the small beautiful bundle that had strangely been the one to seek HIM out. What was 13; what was this amazing creature that didn't shudder to his hold and actually seemed to what it? And also, why did the stirring in his middle suddenly still as soon as she was within his grasp?

"Love never dies…Once it is in you."

10 didn't know what his feeling for 13 were yet but one thing was clear in his mind as he held her securely and protectively like she seemed to be wishing for; he knew that he cared about her deeply already. She was quickly becoming a friend and he was going to protect this and let whatever this was play through. There was no rush for anything more than friends right now; this simple feeling holding her was more than enough for now.

"Love may be fleeting; love lives on. Love may be fleeting; Love lives on..."

10 certainly hoped so; he honestly hopped so…