Clockwork (Private)

[ZX-MetalMonster]

Casimir ventured outside and made his way home only once night fell, hoping to go unnoticed and hide himself in the darkness of the poorly light, narrow streets that most citizen feared to take. The golden light of street lamps and shop fronts still reached him through occasional passages that linked the bright world of the wealthy and the shady path he followed. He always made sure to look forward and not turn to glance at the well dressed men and women who roamed the city in search of amusement at this late hour, but this night his eyes strayed towards them to catch a glimpse of their cheer. He did not envy them for their riches or even for the luxuries that would soon be granted to them in the grandiose buildings of the city. However he saw something tempting and desirable in the way they walked side by side, talking among themselves, close friends, parents with their children and men with ladies on their arm. Even as he continued on his way the buzz of their voices followed him and the image he'd stolen in the brief moment while he allowed his eyes to turn to them staid engraved in his mind.

 

Hurrying his pace, Casimir lowered his head, the hood of his coat falling over his forehead to better conceal his face. He placed his hands in the large pockets of the coat and without taking them out, simply by pressing them against the palm of his hand and by slipping them through his fingers, counted the coins he had earned that day. The small golden chips had so little value in his eyes that he would have easily thrown them all to the first beggar he passed if they weren't necessary for him to stay in the cold, empty room he occupied when he was not at work.

The only job that had been available for a man such as himself was by no means a pleasant one but even with his apathy to the golden coins he still felt inspired to every day approach the factory and work. He knew the need to work was not something his creator had integrated in his nature but something that had formed in him as another side product of his misfortune. He kept himself busy with hard labour not to gain wealth but only to keep his mind preoccupied, to keep his thoughts from gathering around memories he was trying to forget.

 

As he continued on his way 'home', the voices grew more quiet until finally they died out and made way for absolute silence. Now he was safe of other people and their curious eyes that could search for his face, still he easily grew uncomfortable, suddenly feeling that he is not in a city but rather a labyrinth, a concrete prison where no other soul could come to him. Without warning a chill ran down his spine and the fine components of his mechanism clicked from the sudden shifting of his body. He hoped, even pleaded silently for something to distract him now the way his work did and breathed a sigh of relief when such a sort of thing was given to him.

The soft, quiet sound of someone crying echoed along the narrow path that ran between the tall buildings and Casimir stopped, listened carefully. It took him no more than a moment to determine from which direction the noise originated from and curious to find it's source he altered his plans and headed towards it.

[ayais]

Hayden day started just like every other playing cards with his so called friends and talking about poticites and gosspie he was so bord of his life. He could not wait till it was dark so he could work on his latest project he had made a small skill steam power robot unlike anything anyone every seen .but he keep that prize in his pocket at all times.

 

The only good thing about being a aristocrat is that no one batted an eye if he took naps or sleep in late. He was on his way to his hidden workshop when one of his father friend had far to much to drink and led him out to the alley way. The man give Hayden a licuor flilled kiss and slitd his hands down hayden pants “good news your going to be under my study..” the man purred and walked back inside.

 

Hayden stop in his trace .. father can’t really make me can he..” He was of age after all being under someone study was all part of coming of age but it meant living with the man .. to Hayden it seem like a claver way to inslave hight brow boys and girls for a year or two . “my workshop…” he wonder if he be on lock down for the next to years . How would he move it how would he hide it. He checked his pockets only to find he was gone.. “no..!” he started having a panic attack he was shivering and broke down in tears .. little bow… no… he closed his eyes as tear feel . how could he get him back it’s a good thing he still had the key to him around his neck . “bow… “ he called out unsure of what to do.. he would have.. to go to the man.. and get him back even if that meant selling him self .

[ZX-MetalMonster]

Casimir's heavy footsteps were audible as he lurked through the shadowy passages, he was hoping to see whoever was crying without being seen himself and so he tried to be more quiet. With the boots he had on and the sheer weight and size of his body though it was difficult to be stealthy and he knew that the sound of his footsteps would announce his approach.

It took no more than a couple of minutes of searching through the narrow paths to find the man who's sobs were echoing through the air. Casimir stopped upon seeing the stranger and for a long moment only observed him from the cover of darkness, well hidden by his coat and it's hood, but then convinced himself he had good reason to come closer. The upset man had no reason to cause him trouble and he was confident that he's never met him before so he could reveal his face to him without fear of being recognized as a bad man.

 

Once beside the crying man Casimir realized what a great height difference there was between them, he was towering over the other male and he knew that must had made him seem intimidating and that was not what he wanted now. He parted his lips to speak but a rough sound closer to a groan formed in his throat so he paused and started again.

-"Are you alright?" Casimir asked, his raspy voice quiet because he was afraid someone else might be near by who could overhear him speak. Now close enough to the smaller man he had a chance to study his features, or at least attempt to despite how his face was changed from crying. He tilted his head while he waited for a reply and not even for a moment did his gaze stray from the distressed stranger.

[ayais]

Of course Hayden could hear the footsteps but he was to upset to care his body was limp he was trying to breath and clam down he started to feel his dream would be hopless here . Its not like he could just runaway and start a new life despit everything else he still love his family no matter what they did he still loved them it was part of the reson he played his part so well during the day. Bow his little robot was going to chang there minds about inventing as soon as he was done. He notice a hooded man come close by not really caring what the man was going to do him. The man came closer he seem to get larger the closer he got. “I have no money on me if that’s what your after…” he said to the man he did not know his face he wonder if the man was not all human he could hear all most a cling as the man walked . He could see the other face and shock his head “ no but.. your hurt.. come with me…” he was takeing a big risk going up to a nearby shack and and breathing in to a metal tub the door unlock in side was a grand work shop . he had a small windup arm make tea for them . “ sit .. your leg.. let me see it.. “ he said thinking it was just a bad brace.

[ZX-MetalMonster]

Casimir's features deformed into a grimace when the stranger assured him that he had no money or anything he could steal. He hated the assumption that he would harm the man for a few pieces of gold or for worthless coins like the ones that rested in his pocket. However he understood why this was expected of him, after all no one but criminals walked along dark streets at night dressed the way he was and because he still remembered the things he'd done in the past, Casimir agreed it was justice the stranger was treating him as a thief and a dangerous man.

 

The smaller man confirmed with his answer what was obvious, that not everything was alright and Casimir meant to question him further and find out what was upsetting him but didn't have a chance. The stranger noticed that he was hurt, or rather that he was not functioning properly after years without having his mechanisms fixed or at least properly cleaned and maintained. It made him nervous that this weakness of his was so easy to note and he feared the other man had realized that he isn't human.

 

He watched in silence while the other man unlocked the work shop and once he was granted access inside he followed the stranger but at every moment staid a distance behind him. When asked to sit and show the other his leg he took a few steps back, adding to that already existing gap between them, and pulled his unbuttoned coat more over his chest to better conceal himself. He feared the other man knew something, that he intended to gather evidence that he was a machine so that he could inform other people who would hurt him. Despite being so much bigger and unquestionably stronger Casimir was afraid of this small man, afraid of having his mechanical body revealed to someone and outwardly he seemed tense and defensive.

 

-"I'm fine... I don't need help." He assured and his voice that was by it's nature rough and somewhat unpleasant sounded especially grim and hinted at his slowly rising panic. Casimir knew himself well, he'd learned long ago what could trigger him to hurt another person and he started to fear for the strangers well-being as much as for his own. However, upon looking around again he could assured himself that if necessary he could simply run away without causing any trouble. He didn't want to harm the small male and was glad to know he wouldn't have to.

[ayais]

Hayden looked over his workshop making sure no one came in and everthing was in place . he place his hand on a chest it open slowlying it was far more like a larg tool box in side . he put on his coat and goggles . “you do need help.. .. .i can hear your leg let me see it..” he said placing his hand on the man cheek “ its okay.. so long as you tell no one of my workshop.. that’s all I ask.. I may soon not have time or use for it..”

[ZX-MetalMonster]

Casimir only grew more nervous when the human approached and pressure built up inside of his skull as he panicked, he glanced back at the exit and thought again of running and forgetting about the man who he'd found crying. The human's gentle touch kept him in place however and as the young man admitted the workshop was a secret Casimir understood he wasn't the only one who could be hurt and loose something from this encounter. Feeling more secure now that he knew they were on even ground, he sighed deeply but sat down as he was instructed before.

 

Despite not resisting the smaller man's wish to fix him any more he still was unwilling to reveal any more of his body than was necessary and so he refused to even take off his coat. He knew which leg was the one that made too much noise and revealed him when he walked through the dark so he simply pulled up one pant leg and leaned back with his arms crossed over his chest, allowing the other to do whatever he planed.

[ayais]

Hayden saw that the larg man was nervous still how could someone so larg be afird of him? He smiled at the man this was the 1st time somone else was in his work shop. A small tray of tea was pushed over . “ He picked up a cup and started to sip on it “ here.. it should sooth your thort. “ He said then offering his on cup to the man just in case he still didn’t trust him.

 

He saw the full meichal leg.”wow.. its beauful broken but still.” He started to clean it off checking all the blots and gears . he started to take out anything that was broken . “your going to need a new leg with in a year or so.. of I get my friend back I may have time to make you one..” he said thinking about his small robot bow he was still worred .

[ZX-MetalMonster]

Casimir caught on to how the human was attempting to be friendly or at least calm him and help him feel more secure, however after being isolated and suspicious of people for a very long time he couldn't relax so easily when another person was near by. He glanced at the offered cup of tea but did nothing else, he couldn't accept the drink but couldn't explain why either. It still would had been polite of him to thank the other man for the offer but it didn't even cross his mind that he could be friendly in return.

 

Having been fixed and improved countless times it didn't unsettle Casimir that someone was altering his body, though the person doing it now was a stranger and he was still unsure if he could trust the man. He watched the human carefully while he worked and took note of the broken parts he was removing to make sure he wasn't secretly doing anything besides that. At least it seemed the man knew how to repair a mechanical piece such as this so at least there was no reason to worry that he would accidentally cause some sort of damage.

 

-"What has happened to your friend?" Casimir looked up from his limb that was being repaired to observe the human in stead. He wondered if this was why he'd been crying before, because he was separated from a friend.

Despite having resisted being examined before he was now willing to play along and have the smaller male find or build a replacement for his faulty leg still he knew he wouldn't gather enough gold from the work he had. In stead Casimir hoped to help the human with this issue that was causing him so much suffering in exchange.

[ayais]

He made his googles zoom in to get a closer look using a small heated blad to fix the small cracks in his leg. Hayden then did one last check on the man leg . before takeing off his googles . It was clar the man didn’t come come a place of manors he wonder what his story was.

 

“How dose that feel he asked . “ looking at his work as he wipe some swat off his brow .

When he heard him ask about his friend all hayden did was sight.

 

“I was carless and he was taken.. I have to get him back…” he looked down and took a breath “ do you know what studying under someone is?” he asked “ he took him to ensure I would be his student and work for him.

[ZX-MetalMonster]

As soon as the human was finished with his work and gave him enough space Casimir rose to his feet. He didn't fear the old limb would fail him now and so shifted his weight and paced around the smaller man while to test if he'd done a good job repairing the robotic limb. There wasn't much anyone could do to make the piece of machinery into what it once was but now as Casimir walked no loud sound accompanied his steps and he was satisfied.

 

-"It's good." He replied briefly and now searching for a way to repay the human he returned to the chair and sat down again.

 

-"I know what it means." Casimir confirmed and a note of anger slipped into his already naturally rough voice. He began to understand now why the other male had been crying and even though the human was a stranger and meant nothing to him he disliked that someone had put him in this situation.

 

-"If this person stole from you so easily what makes you think they will return your friend once you give into what they want?" Casimir asked to remind the human that he was dealing with a dishonest man who most likely wouldn't make this a fair trade.

[ayais]

He smiled it was something new to work on a person . “ am glad “ he noticed that it was not nearly as loud and it seem more like a normal leg . He sighed “he is a creep but he a rich creep .” He spoke still feeling very upset

 

“I didn’t think any one knew about him should have been more careful . he sighed “ I have to try I have to get him back .. I can send him to a fellow invonter I been penpals with for awhile he will keep him safe..” He was worried as he pulled out the small chain out form under his shirt to play with a Diamond shaped key. “ he cant do anything to him with out this..

[ZX-MetalMonster]

From his seat across the human Casimir studied the key he started to play with and it gave him a better idea of what his lost friend was like. He considered pointing out how a machine can be destroyed without being activated but he knew the smaller man had enough to worry about even without that reminder.

 

-"Do you want me to help you?" Casimir offered after a brief pause having had enough of watching the human be so upset. His own nature wouldn't allow him to sit idle for much longer, he wanted to either be sent home while he could still use the darkness of the night to sneak through the streets or be given a task, something to do for the other male. A part of him, the one that had been most important to his creator and made him an useful tool already knew a way to resolve this problem, however he wouldn't do something so extreme if it wasn't necessary.

[ayais]

When Casmire offered his help his eyes light up “ you would do that for me?” He was very surprise he didn’t know this man but seem how he was lurking in the shadow maybe he could steal him . “ right .. could you get him back for me.. he showed him the blue print of bow he seem so real like a tiny fairy in a fantasy book. “I can take you to the man house.. if you could seek in .. and find him maybe I can detract him for you.. “

[ZX-MetalMonster]

Casimir frowned slightly at the enthusiasm and surprise in the human's voice and was tempted to point out how he wasn't doing this out of any sort of fondness for him. He couldn't even call himself a good, honest man, it was too much to expect him to be offering a helping hand out of the kindness of his heart. Casimir was only repaying the younger man for repairing a part of him and was making sure he could leave without owing him anything.

 

Looking through the blueprints the human provided him with, Casimir paid attention only to details that helped him learn how the small robot looked. He didn't bother studying the part of the blueprints that revealed the construction of the tiny machine since he knew he would understand very little.

 

-"Just show me his house, I don't need a distraction... you'll only be a nuisance to me if you're there." Casimir didn't bother to be polite when speaking to the smaller male and as he headed towards the door he even watched him with an expression more unpleasant and grim than the one he'd exhibited for most of the night. He understood how the human assumed he could sneak into the house and retrieve his creation without being seen because he'd witnessed him hide in the darkness and emerge from the shadows. However it was clear just from Casimir's size that it would be difficult for him to go unnoticed inside someone's home and this is why he was ready to use other methods to accomplish the task given to him.

[ayais]

Hayden nodded at Casimire “ right.. bring him back to me.” He walked out of the lap heading to the man house “ you are going to get him and do noting else’s?” Hayden looked back at Casmir if any thing happen to the man that took him it will cause much trouble in my fake life he said hoping the other would understand he wonder if he could ask Casimire to if he knew of were one would look for the serenity stone it was ony a myth but in order to get complet Bow Hayden needed it .

[ZX-MetalMonster]

As they walked through the city Casimir changed his pace according to the areas they passed through, rushing by places where he was exposed in the light and walking more slowly and comfortably when they were in the shadows. There were few people left in the streets and those seemed to all be drunks or the kind who never mixed with high society and this told Casimir that it must be very late at night and also that in a couple of hours the sun would be up.

 

-"I'll try to take him without being seen... if I fail at that, I'll make sure whoever found me is unable to send guards after me or chase me themselves... I won't hurt anyone... don't worry." Casimir assured the human so he wouldn't worry. He'd originally planed to properly silence anyone who saw him but he understood how that would cause trouble for the smaller male and decided against it.

 

Once they arrived at the man's house and it was time for him to get to work he paused and spared a minute to talk to the human. "Go back to your workshop, I'll come there and bring you your friend... if I don't appear tonight it only means it became light outside before I could come to you, just wait for me again when the sun sets." He instructed and waited for the young man to leave, reluctant to do anything while he was still there. Casimir had memorized the route they'd followed and was confident he knew how to return to the workshop without being led.

[ayais]

He was not used to being out this late normally he would be heading back home form his workshop. He walked Closer to Casmir keeping up with him .He smiled not hearing any sound coming form the man leg he was proud of him self . Once they got to the man house he heard his instructed and nodded “ Be carful. He walked back home to his work shop . Hayden started to draw up plans for Casmir new leg before setting a clock and falling asleep . If Casmire didn’t wake him the clock would and he would have to go in to his fake life.

[ZX-MetalMonster]

Casimir spared a moment to watch the human leave for his workshop though he knew he could observe him for only a very small fraction of the way back, he wondered if the young man would be safe walking through the city alone at such late hour but when everything was taken into consideration he still believed he was better off out in the city than with him, watching him break in and steal.

 

Walking around the large house in search of a way in, Casimir was carefully to make it impossible for anyone who might be inside to catch a glimpse of him even though all lights were off except for what he could guess was one large room on the second floor. He noticed after a while of sneaking around a partially open window and while he couldn't simply push it open he managed to break the part of the mechanism keeping him from coming in and shortly found himself in what seemed like a small bedroom. He wasted no time in beginning his search for the humans little friend, first scanning the room he found himself in, not bothered by the dark, and only once he was sure the small machine wasn't there carefully entered the hallway and moved to the next chamber. Casimir started to worry that he would have bad luck and have to go up the stairs and come closer to the part of the house where he assumed the owner was, but just as this thought made him frown he spotted the tiny machine. The man who'd stolen him from the young human seemed to not have realized the potential of the creation as he'd apparently only thrown him on the closes shelf.

 

With the human's small friend now in his pocket Casimir exited the building where he'd entered and started to hurry back to the young man's workshop. He took note of how it was nearly dawn and while he preferred to go home he knew he would barely make it even to the workshop before the sun was up. It seemed he would simply have to count on the small male allowing him to spend the day there.

 

Casimir wasn't surprised to find the human asleep and was indecisive between walking him up to show him how he'd retrieved his machine and letting him rest. In the end though he simply found himself a seat and took the tiny robot out form his pocket to hold it gently and study it's structure.