forum Metal Mind, Plastic Heart

Started May 26, 2020 by @ElderGodSwimwithGamers group

tune

"O-oh," Marrior said, looking startled. "Thank you! You don't have to; I don't want to be a bother."
All the same, his mouth "watered" at the sight of the deliscious-looking food lying about the kitchen.

"It's not a bother at all." Robert motioned on screen for Marrior to take a seat at the table, turning to start cooking.
"Sebbie, could you start cutting these for me?" Sebastian nodded, stepping forward and taking a knife to help Robert cook for Marrior.

"Hey, no!" Marrior protested. "Let me do that!" He held out his hand for the knife.
His previous owners all had wanted him to do everything, so he had learned to look for things that needed to be done without asking.

"Marrior, we're the ones making this food for you. You can sit down, I've done this plenty of times before, don't worry!" Sebastian was careful not to give Marrior a direct order, simply giving him the option to sit down.
"He's got this. He's well past the stages of cutting himself while he tries to show off."
"Hey! It was one time, okay?!"

Marrior clenched his hands behind his hack so that he wouldn't try and grab the knife to do it himself. A little voice in the back of his mind egged at him, telling him to get to work so that his master would be happy. No, he told himself.
"Are you sure you only cut yourself once?" He asked, trying to distract himself.

"Only once," Sebastian admitted. He looked at Marrior a moment, pausing in his cutting. "I enjoy helping Robert," he explained. "I enjoy helping most everyone here." He gave Marrior a gentle smile.

Marrior returned his smile, although it was weak and half-hearted. This was all so strange and weird. The serving instincts that had kept him alive were screaming at him to help. He tried to hold them back. This was all so new…
"Are you sure it was just once? Not more times? Because with that posture, holding the knife… well, it's a miracle that you've only cut yourself once." He tried to joke.

Sebastian have a small chuckle. He could see how much Marrior was struggling with this. It hurt him to see someone in so much distress. Anyone else would have punished Marrior for what he had said, but not Sebastian.
"Mm, Robert makes sure I'm not cutting for too long." Sebastian finished what he had been given, Robert taking the knife away now. Sebastian stepped over to Marrior.
"Better?" He asked gently.

"I'm fine," Marrior said, although it was only half true. "I mean, I will be."
He offered a weak smile. "So… are you gonna eat anything?" He asked, trying to change the subject.

"I might," Sebastian admitted. He sat down at the table, leaving the other chair open for Marrior. An open invitation. Sebastian was so careful not to tell Marrior he had to do something.

"O-okay." Marrior stood in the corner awkwardly for a moment. What should he do? Should he sit? Should he try to help? This freedom to do what he wanted wasn't something he was used to, and he wasn't sure what to do… the last time he had been free to do whatever was before his sister had gotten sick.
Finally, he sat down, fidgeting with his hands.

Sebastian sat quietly in his seat, hands folded in his lap. Eventually, Robert finished cooking, carrying a plate over for Marrior. Lamb and plum compote.
"Enjoy!" Robert said with a grin.

"This is for me?" Marrior asked, looking surprised. A pleased warmth flashed through him, and he bowed his head to hide a small smile.
"Thank you," he said softly.

"You're welcome! Now eat up, it's easier to taste when it's warm." Sebastian smiled gently, leaning back in his chair.

"A-alright." Hesitantly, Marrior picked up a fork and cut a piece of meat. He brought it up to his mouth and ate it.
He was pleasantly surprised at the burst of flavor that filled his mouth when he did. He hadn't tasted food in so long, it felt wonderful.

Sebastian smiled a bit at the look on Marrior's face as he ate, leaning back in his chair.
"Do you like it?" He asked, seemingly happy himself.

Marrior nodded, too overwhelmed to say anything. If he had tear ducts, he would have had teary eyes. The food was amazing, and it brought back happy memories. He smiled slightly, composed himself, and nodded.
"It's really good, thank you," he said softly.

Sebastian grinned, nodding.
"I'm glad!"
"You're welcome here any time during the day you might want food or company." Robert was cleaning up after cooking, turning a moment to Marrior. Sebastian nodded again.
"Yes. I suppose you'll have to get used to life like this now. I hope you don't mind." He grinned again.

“I- okay,” Marrior said softly. He wasn’t sure what to look at, or what to do with his hands. “Why do you do things like this?” He asked finally. “Treat robots like this? Aren’t you afraid that they might try to kill you if given enough freedom?” He had seen robots do that, many times before.

Sebastian was quiet a moment.
"I treat robots like this because they were human once too. And… Well, those here understand that the only reason they have this freedom is me protecting them. Even if we aren't friends, there's an understanding that this is the safest place for them. And if anyone ever did try, I know most here would try to stop them. It's still a possibility, but it's one I've accepted."

*That’s a lot of faith in beings who aren’t even human anymore,” Marrior thought, but didn’t say that. After all, this guy probably had his reasons.
He finished eating in silence, unsure of what to say to break it.

Sebastian stayed quiet as Marrior ate. When he finished, he looked up with a gentle smile.
"Would you like to continue the tour? Or do you prefer retiring for the night?"

“I- we can continue,” Marrior said, stumbling through his words awkwardly. “Do you want me to take care of the dishes?”

"No, it's fine. Here, let's get going." Sebastian stood, smiling softly. "There are only a few more places for me to show you."

"Alright." Marrior set the plate down. His conscience pricked at him, telling him to help clean up and not be a burden, but he did his best to shove the voice back and follow Sebastian.