Chapter Text
You circle around your workspace, flinging everything you'll need into your rolling equipment case. Greedly sipping your energy-giving drink as you double check you had everything necessary for the repairs in mind for today. Idling messing with your neck accessory as you attempted to fully pull yourself together. It was proving a bit hard to get your gear all together this morning. Though to be fair to yourself, you usually don’t start your work day this early. You’ve already started a parts list for repairs and the additional information that came with the contract. Two hours of work completed before breakfast off site? What a busy day.
You weren’t planning on starting the work day this early, you usually didn’t, but you were slightly excited for this job site. The celestial bar attendants were a welcome change in pace from the customers you usually dealt with. Sun was so bubbly and friendly to talk to, even when he was clearly nervous. He carried conversations smoothly with a clear intelligence and passion. Sun wasn’t like any A.I. you’ve worked around before. Moon, well you didn’t know what to think of him yet, just like how you didn’t know what to think of this contract yet. However, the idea of being able to get to know the two of them better made you a bit excited. Besides, this was a big contract with alot to do! Not to mention the horrible commute delays in that part of town. No one could fault you for wanting to start on what you could as soon as possible. Or, at least, that’s what you’re telling yourself.
There wasn’t much you could work on at the moment. Most of the appliances you saw were going to need cosmetic and/or internal parts ordered, if not a whole uplift. Both from wear and tear and neglect over the years, a frustrating combo to deal with. You were going to have to get a proper assorted list of everything that needed and the serial codes to properly order the parts. And said parts will take a few weeks to arrive. But there was something you wouldn’t have to wait to start fixing, the security camera network.
Cameras are so well spread and such a common fix that you already had plenty of spare parts and experience for both analog and digital setups. Normally you would have to make an extra trip to the jobsite to see what type of setup they’re running, but not with this one. Thankfully FazCo sent you a helpful itemized list of all the items installed at their property. They were running a CCTV wired analog camera system. Considered a tad outdated, but very useful for 24/7 feeds and larger properties. You tried to not think about how this location didn’t fit either criteria for too long though as you packed another spool of coaxial cable, just in case.
“Coaxial cables, cat6, ethernet cables, multimeter..” You mumble to yourself, making sure there was enough on you to not only fix any cameras on the fritzs, but issues with power outlets or the DVR.
“I think that should be everything, what you think Mini?” Mini considers the pile of wires and gear he’s made himself comfortable on before giving you a hesitant double click of his teeth. Air escapes through your nose, “now I just think you’re telling me no just so you can lay down longer.” A series of offended chatters reach your ears as you let out a light chuckle, reaching down to cup him in your hands. “Hmm, then what do you think we’re missing?”
Before Mini could give you any sort of answer, a shocked voice from behind approaches you. “Gli dèi sopra! Did ya even go home last night?” Da Boss began analyzing you up and down, looking for signs of an all-nighter.
“Nah, I’m just here way too early. Figured it’ll be good to go over when there’s people being served, to better test the video feeds.” Shrugging towards him as you continue, “Besides, the sooner I get through that horrible commute, the better.” Totally no other reasons at all.
“Hmm, so dat’s what’s on de agenda list for de day? No?” Your agreeing nod is cut off when he asks you something you hadn’t thought of yet.
“How ya gonna check the camera feeds if ya still have not repaired your old laptop yet?”
Ah.
You forgot why you were spending so much time in the office recently.
Da Boss must of been able to read the face you made because he was shooting the most unpressed look he could muster before scoffing. “A tech who can’t even find time to fix deir own damn equipment! Stai scherzando.”
You stood up a bit straighter as heat lightly nipped at your cheeks, defending yourself. “Hey! I’ve already fixed it… It’s just bad at doing anything involving a Wi-Fi connection now. A slightly weak defense if your boss’ unchanged facial expression was anything to go off. “It’s just old. There’s only so much you can do technology ages aside from replaying everything. My desktop works just fine for when I need it.” Your defensive pose begins cracking due to the mischievous smirk forming on your lips as you quip “Besides, Timmy has two laptops he’s never minded sharing before.”
Your boss’ face scrunchies up as he mumbles “Dat poor doormat.” Laughter emits from the two of you for a moment as Da Boss swats at your head with his tablet. “I just got on de others about dat, now I have to get on ya too?”
To your surprise, as you cover your head from the playful swats, the tablet is pressed into your hands. You look at him with confusion as he fully lets go of the device, saying. “Use dis instead of poor Timmothy’s gear, eh? Just put it on my desk before ya call it a night, alright?”
You smile widely as you place the tablet safely in the equipment case. Zipping it up grabbing the security badge off your desk as you joke “Thanks, Timmy owes you one.” You gave a hurried wave behind you as you left, chuckling as you heard a muffed “Ya all do!”
You and your trusted companion share eye contact before Mini turns his fading painted cheeks towards one of the clocks in a questioning manner. “I know it's early, but I want to be there to see how things run during peak business hours. We need to know a baseline if we are expected to help increase sales.” He chatters softly, pressing closer to you as you reach the doors. “Ah, I doubt it’ll be that busy pal.” With a reassuring smile, you push out into the glaring daylight, picking up your pace. After all, the security camera system wasn’t going to fix itself.
-----
Maybe coming early in the day was a mistake you briefly thought to yourself as you weaved through the morning traffic. Accidentally bumping into a few people with your equipment as you moved along, slightly distracted. As you approached the familiar building you realized you may have underestimated how busy the place would be. For every one person leaving, you saw two more walking in. Great.
No bell greeted your entrance due to a nice couple holding the door open for you. That didn’t stop a familiar voice greeting you across the crowd however.
“Welcome back! We weren’t expecting the bestest technician to return so so soon! Oh! And you brought little Mini along as well! Hello again.” Mini gave a single delighted click of his teeth as Sundrop’s rays spun around his face.
“Of course I did! Mini goes where I go, I couldn’t do my job nearly as well without him.” You spoke while venturing over to the side, not wanting to get in the way of the customers. Propping your equipment case against the counter to give your arms a break.
Speaking of doing jobs, you stood to the side fully absorbed watching the pair do theirs. It was like watching an energetic dance, all of which happening behind the counter. The two moved unnaturally fast and in-sync with one another. It looked like they came close to crashing into one another more than once while you watched, but they always slid gracefully past. Bending and flexing in strange ways throughout their performance. Sun even did a little twirl around Moon at one point while similarity twirling steamed milk into a cup.
Sun was set at the register. Taking both order requests and payments. As soon as he got one, Moon began the brewers and blenders for the caffeinated concoctions. Once the base of the drink was complete Sundrop poured it. You watched as depending on the drink, either Sundrop would finish it and hand it off or they would pass it to their co-part. The solar bot worked on the drinks that needed a few pumps of flavor or a quick pour of milk. While Moon seemed to handle the more time consuming ones to mix. You watched as they handled three drinks at the same time. One of which you couldn’t even recall everything asked for it, but they of course had no issues recalling it. You didn’t miss the slight smile from the Nighttime Bar Attendant as he set the brew for the cup of tea either. No matter who completed the drink, Sundrop always handed them back with a smile.
You were broken out of your trance by a question that almost sounds accusatory. “What’s that?” You looked up to the lunar animatronic, who had fixed you with a glare.
“What’s what?” Questing back, feeling Mini shift into a defensive pose in response to the sharpening glare.
“The case. Next to you. What’s in it?” A slight growl was at the end of the deep voiced animatronic’s words. You briefly looked to Sun for any sort of aid, but he didn’t seem to notice. Fully engrossed with his role at the counter.
“Oh. This? It just has the equipment needed for the repairs today.”
“What repairs?” Both attendants ask simultaneously, both sets of eyes boring into you. Moon’s glare momentarily shifted onto Mini, who’s defensive pose only grew more agitated, before returning to you. “Umm, I was planning on fixing the issues with the camera system? Is that an issue?”
Sun lightheartedly laughs, “Nope! I don’t see an issue with that.” You look over to Moon- who’s glaze has softened, but still narrowed at you- as he gives a light nod.
“Cool. Cool.” You awkwardly fidget with the case before grabbing Da Boss’ tablet. You were not about to let some A.I. with a nightcap on cause your confidence to crumble! “I’m going to need access to the camera feed to do everything. Think you can help me out?”
Moon froze in the middle of passing off a drink to Sun. His stare narrows at your now outstretched arm holding the tablet. Watching as the nightcap topped head tilts 90 degrees to one side then mechanically to the other, looking at sundrop. Sun’s rays flutter a moment before Moon comically deflates on himself with an artificial huff.
“Moony will be able to help you best! Just place it down on the counter so he can grab it.” Sun cheerfully instructs. Why he couldn’t grab it from your hands, you weren't sure. Maybe it was a food safety thing? You briefly ponder as you place the tablet flat on the counter.
Moon was quick at granting you the needed permissions and getting back to his drink making dance with Sun. You pulled up the helpful layout on the tablet to assess just what you were working with. There seemed to be a total of eleven cameras. There were four placed around the actual shop, three placed in the back storage area behind the counter, two in a room in the back- most likely a storage area of sorts- you haven’t yet seen, and two more cameras that weren’t showing where they were placed. Only one of those cameras in the unknown area worked, and it was just a static feed of a narrow hallway with some stairs turning just out of sight.
There were also two other cameras offline. One in the smaller closed space and the other located in the storage space behind the front. Scrolling through the camera feeds you took note of a few visual interferences. Static claimed a few of the active feeds, some feeds being more staticy than others, along with one feed being warped. Most likely from a cracked lens or poor wiring.
You pressed your lips together as you watched through the camera pointed towards the front of the business. The service counter being top center with your form just barely visible in the corner. The film grain wasn’t too bad on this one you noted, looking for any sort of pattern to the interferences.
Your attention was pulled from the screen by Mini making a few clicks. Once he had your attention, he re-directed it to Sun. Sun was currently in the middle of a ramble of all the drinks he likes. Which, by the sounds of it, He was listing everything they offered on the menu. Moon, without looking up, took over the conversation.
“Did you like the drink you bought last time?”
The customer hmmed thoughtfully. “Kinda. It was a bit too bitter.”
“Would you like something sweet?”
“Something sweet would be nice.” The customer spoke before they quickly raised a finger. “Not too sweet, I don't wanna be drinking watered-down sugar!"
Moon and Sun exchange glances before sharing a nod. SunDrop suggested some sort of ‘flat white’ drink with a pump of vanilla. To which the customer gave a bored “I guess”.
Better them dealing with customers than me, you think, turning back down to the camera feed. Your moment of entertainment was quickly shelved as you cut your eyes at the tablet. To your confusion, the camera now had you center frame. “What the-” You began to mumble as you circled through the other feeds. Sure enough, the rest showed no changes.
“How did it-” you softly said to noone, brows knitting up in confusion.
“How did what?”
“Ah-!” You jumped forward. Poor Mini just barely hanging on in your panic.
You whip around to see a highly amused Moon leaning his front over the counter in the spot you were before you panicked. “Wha- Moon!!” You whine as you give the tall lunar animatronic your attention. “You nearly gave me a heart attack!”
“Sorry.” Moon stood back up to his slouched pose, chuckling all the while.
Sun chimed in, still attentively eyeing the customer line, giggling freely. “He’s not. Trust me.” Moon turned a sharp glare to his counterpart before fully turning back to the blender with a slight smile.
“You’ld both be okay with me starting working on some of the cameras in the back, right?”
“Of course Tech!” Sun Cheerly replied, looking over to you as he waved off another customer. “There's a step ladder besides the ingredient rack too if you need it. Feel free to ask if you need anything else though!”
A small smile forms at the shorthand of your title. “Thanks Sun! Will do.”
-----
The next few hours went by fast in the celestial themed location. You and Mini had busied yourselves in the back. Re-wiring a few cameras and fixing a burnt-out power outlet hidden in the corner of the room. You knew the celestial duo were being kept busy as well. The sounds of metal clinkling and liquids being poured barely slowed down. It didn’t stop Sun from momentarily peeking around the corner to give you and Mini a friendly wave or smile from time to time, however. The occasional suspicious movement of the cameras didn’t go unnoticed by you either.
“Hmm. I think that’s everything here Mini.” You say focusing on taking the few steps down back towards the familiar ground. “Think all that's left is to do is the front and check the server rack.”
Mini gave a singular agreeable click of his teeth as you firmly place both legs on the floor. You had barely had them both flat on the ground before a noise rudely caught both of your attentions.
The most monotone, yet teasing “boo” sounded right besides your face. You flinch in the opposite direction only for your body to collide with a firm form behind you. At the same time, Mini blindly leaps forward back onto the ladder. Slowly working your way down from the brief shock, you were able to recognize the intruder-or rather cackling robot- behind you.
“Moon! What is with you jumpscaring me today?” You question as the lunar robot’s shoulders continued to rise and fall with his artificial laughter. His optics full of mirth as Mini eyes him down.
He makes a non committal noise- in between his soft laughter- before replying.
“Your reactions are entertaining. Waited until you got off the ladder. You’re a jumper.”
“I don’t know how to feel about you waiting to scare me while I was on the ladder.” You admit as you stare up at his nightcap-wearing face in shock. You watch as his optics flick to your neckerchief styled scarf for a lingering moment before his gaze returns to enjoy the look on your face.
The audacity of this clown-
“Anyways-” you say as you turn away from him. “-I’m gonna check out the service floor cameras now.”
Moon sluggishly followed-still chuckling- as you walked out to a calmer environment than the one you walked into this morning. Sun was quick to cheerly greet the three of you as he meticulously wipes all the surfaces he could reach.
“... yeah Spooky the Lunar Barista here was no help.”
“Ooo! Are we giving out nicknames now!?” Sun excitedly asks. “We should come up with one’s for you and Mini!”
Moon rolls his eyes, clearly becoming bored of this conversation already. “Has one. Tech.”
“Well that’s not really creative.” Sun pouted at his counterpart.
“Ah, you don’t have too. I’m just here doing my job.” You explain as you glare at the camera that shifted you to center frame earlier. “Tech is fine as a shorthand, really!”
“Nonsense! If you are going to be here often then we should come up with nicknames for you too. Maybe Mocha because you’re so sweet! Oh! Or maybe Lottie! All the college aged kids get those; must be a drink for smart people.”
“More like stressed people.” You chuckle.
SunDrop continues his rambling, trying to compare you to different coffees- even going so far as to start comparing you to some of the appliances- as you set up the step ladder under a camera by the stage. It looked like only two would actually need any real work done in this area.
“Teacup.” To both your and Sun’s shock, Moon cut in mid-ramble to throw his nightcap into the nickname ring.
“What?” you ask, looking away from the wiring you were just doing.
“You are a teacup.” Moon deadpans.
“How? Explain that please.”
“Fragile. Rattled easily. Moon chuckles as Sun cuts in with an anxious tone.
“-and they’re really pretty! Tea has played an integral part in many cultures too!”
You don’t miss the way Sun elbows his drink-making partner in the side while he tries to save the conversation. Moon’s grin only grows sharper as another chuckle escapes his voicebox. “Should I chai another nickname? Or can we kettle on Tech?” Moon questions Sun outloud but stares at you.
You deadpan back at him. “Please don’t ever become a comedian. Your pun game is lacking. If you can even call it that.”
“Oh, no no. The ‘pun game’ was never his forte on the stage anywho!"
Pausing your fiddling with the second camera, you shoot a questioning brow at SunDrop as he approaches you. "On the stage?"
"Oh yes! Me and MoonDrop are more than just bar attendants, we are entertainers as well! I have a library full of skits, puns, and magic tricks in my soft drive- " As he says this he reaches his hand behind your head. With a flourish he manifests a screwdriver from behind your ear. Your gasp of awe quickly becomes one of indignation when you realize it's one of yours that you keep in your tool sheath. "-and Moonie has the most beautiful voice a voice box can produce!"
"Oh really? Well, when are you gonna serenade me Moonie?~" You tease using Sun’s nickname for his lunar pair.
He hmms in thought as he turns away from Sun’s growing grin. “I don’t ‘serenade’ anymore tech.”
“Not even hymn a few notes?” You ask cautiously, noting his sober tone. “No.”
Sun speaks up to fill in the dead air between the three of you. “We have not entertained guests aside from behind the counter in quite some time. MoonDrop especially. We still practice though! I love sneaking in tricks and jokes to customers from time to time.”
“That’s a shame. The piano busted or something? I’ll learn how to tune a piano if it means I get a full show for free.”
“Oh that would be lovely! But I’m afraid the piano is not the issue. FazCo deems us better of use behind the counter during the day.”
“Well, then I’ll have to change their minds.” You scoff in mock righteousness which earns a smile from both animatronics.
“I’ll give you a full show when FazCo dismisses you. Happy?”
“Very. I’ll be holding you to that!” You turn yourself slightly on the ladder to point an accusing finger towards the grinning bot.
“Oh when we perform again you should join me! It’d be so so much fun! I could even teach you some jokes!”
“Maybe. I would love to see both of your acts some day, but I don’t think I should be apart of them. Though learning some jokes would be a nice way for me and Mini to pass the time.” Mini gave an agreeable nod.
After making sure Mini has a good grasp of the new wiring for the system you fold back up the step ladder. Turning your body to fully face the celestial drink attendants. Sun seemed to be talking with Moon about what jokes he should teach you in giddy excitement. Moon would look slightly annoyed if it wasn’t for his soft smile tugging at the corner of his faceplate.
“Noticed any issues with the server at all?” You cut in as Mini walks on the ceiling towards the back with the new cables in his mouth.
“Nope! All our connections and cross communication channels have been stable and clear! If a bit slow.”
“That’s good at least- wait, cross communication channels?”
“Wait. You don’t know about our shared A.I. link?” Moon looks at you in disbelief.
You awkwardly shift -feeling like a kid who didn’t study before a test. A test you were dead set on never having to take. “Um, no? I don’t really know much about how you two work.” You admit, “But I know plenty about server racks!”
Sun grin widens as he looks over to moon, cheekily replying “Tech is here for the appliances and other workings, silly!”
Moon was staring at you much like how he did this morning. Felt like he was trying to silently interrogate you. You turned your gaze back towards Sun with an uneasy shift of your feet.
“So, where’s the server rack located?”
“In the room there in the back. Can’t miss it! Oh, but it is a bit.. dirty currently. Haven’t had time to properly clean it. Sorry.” The yellow bot looked genuinely ashamed of the mess in there. Fingers twitching with the thought of space. The way this guy cleans though, you doubt your ‘dirty’ and his were the same. Patting his shoulder to reassure the bot. “I’m sure it’s not that bad, but thanks for the warning.”
Mini was waiting on the door with all the new cables ends in their mouth. When you opened the door, both of your mouths went a-gape.
It was that bad.
It was nothing like the area’s you’ve seen so far. It wasn’t dirty persay- minus a cobweb here or there- but it was definitely a mess. Crates and bags were stacked half haphazardly throughout the smaller room. Empty tins, cups, and bolts littered the floor. Framing the back wall was a large door-most likely leading to an alley for rubbish removal and supply shipments. Speaking of rubbish, in a dimly lit corner there was a pile of robotics. Discarded arms and body plates-far to small to be spares for the celestial duo- poked out of the unrectifiable heap of metal. A heavy chill settled on your spine, the room’s chill slowly creeping out from the open door. The room even has its own theme song! In the form of an overworked cooling fan and ominous clanking, of course.
“...”
“Yikes.” You whistle into the eerie room with accompanying chatter from Mini. Sharing an uneasy glace as you settle by the noisy server rack.
The server rack appeared in fair condition on the outside, but opening it up revealed layers upon layers of built up dust. Thankfully, the rack didn’t require as much work elsewhere. Mini was helping with re-routing all the newly wired cameras while you were clearing out the cooling fans. The process took no more than 20 minutes. Once you were satisfied (and most definitely covered in dust) with the content hymn of the server, you took note of a dent lower on the rack.
Now it wasn’t anything negatively affecting the tower yet, but it could in the future. Plus, it just doesn’t look nice. “You wanna give that nasty dent a re-shaping?” You ask as you lower Mini to the bent metal. Mini clicked in affirmation as his right symbol started to heat up. You gave your little friend a few pats on his top hat as you stood back up.
“I’ll be in the front talking to the duo while re-checking the feeds. Just come back over once you’re done torching it.” Mini gave a click of his teeth in agreement as you exited. Taking a breath of relief as the eerie feeling dissipates as you walk out of the room. Noting of the still mostly dead coffee shop in front of you as you walk up to the pair.
"Alright, that should do it. How's the link communication speed now?"
Sun spun his head around as Moon clocked his to the side at an unnatural angle. "Oh so so much better! There's basically no interference anymo-" Sun cut himself off with a loud gasp. Sharply turning his head, appearing backwards, as he addressed his counterpart. "MoonDrop! You can't- That-! Ugh!"
He turned back to you- exasperation crossing his artificial features- crouching down so he could be more at your level. "Perhaps you should go put some more dust on those fans." He playfully whispers at a still audible tone. In the corner of your eye you can make out Moon lazily holding a thumb down. Emitting an audio clip of a crowd booing from his voicebox.
You couldn’t stop the bubble of laughter in your throat at the two’s antics even as you look away to bring up the live feed. Your smile flattered as one of the cameras you worked on suddenly swivels in one direction. You knew that these were designed to be able to swivel slightly, but you still didn’t know what causes it. You were thinking maybe it was motion or noise activated but currently it was facing an empty corner in the quiet coffee shop.
You spent a few moments with it until you finally got the camera to stop venturing to random places. Just before switching to a different feed, you pause, groaning out loud. The camera swiveled into the corner again! Did these things have a mind of their own? Could they maybe, not? Your irritated scowl shifting to an unimpress deadpan as a familiar chuckle sounds behind you.
“Hmm. What's wrong Teacup?”
“Just the cameras being finicky. They keep swiveling unprompted and I can’t call it good until the re-test come back functioning!” You couldn’t help the annoyed tone at the end of your words. This was an easy task you’ve done plenty of times before. Never had you had such an obnoxious issue with checking the live feeds though!
“I know a trick. Let me look at it.” Moon held out his palm in between you two, never crossing an invisible barrier, gesturing you to hand it over.
“Oh yeah?” You ask, playfully raising a brow as Moon gave half nod. Placing the tablet down on the counter for him. “Show me, I’ll love to see it magically work for yo-”
As if on cue, the moment the tablet was settled into Moon’s hands, the feed snapped to its correct position. Your shocked self being perfectly in frame as you gape up at the now smug lunar barista.
“...How?” You began. Moon was quick to cut off any other questions you had forming. “Sorry. All tricks are stored in the nightcap. I cannot share.”
To toy with you more he looms over you slightly from behind the counter. His head looking to the side just enough that the fuzzy pom pom at the end bats you in the face. Your first attempts to palm it away is rewarded with a ball of white fur back in your face with an accompanying cackle Your fingers wrapped around the nightcap right above the pom pom. Moon’s optics shifting first to your fingers, then to your scarf.
“Hmm. I wouldn't do that.” He warned softly as your smirk widens. “Oh but this silly cap has so much knowledge! I really should learn from it.”
He reached up with his free hand to hold down his cap against your light tugging. “It would not look good on you.” Speaking as his faceplate begins to tilt more.
You mocked hurt, bringing one hand up to your chest as you slowly slinked to your knees. “Oh! How you wound me! And I thought the pain of ignorance would be the thing to do me in!”
Moon’s faceplate was completely upside down, aiding you in your quest lower to the floor, as you held on to his cap.
“You should join Sun’s act. You’ld look good as a jester.” Moon teased.
In a swift motion, you completely dropped to the floor- jerking over to the side- and dragging the nightcap with you.
“I’d say I look even better with this on.” You proudly gloat, SunDrop’s audible giggles causing your smile to widen. It was Moon’s turn to look at you gobsmacked.
Moon lazily swipes as you lean away from his attempts. The tablet is forgotten as you and Moon devolve deeper into your game of keep-away. His hands lazily brushes past the pom pom at the end a few times, but he never fully latches on. He soon switches to full on ponce towards you, a panicked yelp leaving you as you quickly jerk away. You side hits into the counter in his failed attempt. You dodge a few more half baked lunges as you take back up the tablet. None of the feeds were shifting to empty corners this time around! You all too proudly waved the end of your borrowed accessory above your head up towards the scowling bot.
“This cap has so many tricks up it! Know where I can get my own?”
Before Moon could reply, chattering caught your attention. It appeared Mini was all done on his end too and was currently watching from the room in the back. Walking into the chilly, dimly lit back, with MoonDrop close behind. You picked up your dear repair bot companion as he wildly looked between the nightcap on your head and the robot looming behind you. You took a quick peek inside the eerie extra storage room one last time as you asked out loud.
“What? Think I look good in the nightcap or the Nighttime Bar Attendant looks better without it.”
You felt a shiver run down your spine as weight settled on the end of the nightcap. The creepy storage room you were looking in only seemed to cause the hair on the back of your neck to stand up more so and send your nerves into high alert. You jerked away from the weight, feeling the fabric of your scarf to go taut. That only made things worse. The sudden constricting feeling around your neck caused a full on panic, barely registering the question or agitated chattering. You harshly ducked out of your scarf, stumbling further into the foreboding storage room. You looked up to see Moon frozen in the doorway with his hand still lazily outstretched, your scarf hanging from his fingers. Both of his eyes were that unsettling scarlet red from yesterday.
A laugh escapes you as your adrenaline spike starts to wane. Pulling the nightcap off your head and offering it back to who it belonged to. “Trade you?”
The looming robot looked at you for a moment before his optics shifted all black with small red pin prick glowering down at your outstretched hand.
Before you could react, his whole form rapidly shifted towards you. You watch as your scarf slips out of blue tipped fingers. Only, the sound filling your adrenaline-pounding ears when it hit the floor wasn’t the expected soft thud, but a muffled plastic cla-conk noise. The curled fingers that briefly engulf your vision blurring from their speed. The dark pressing down on your form suddenly retreats as a bright flame shoots out in front of you, obscuring the silver, navy, and grey mass lunging at you.
You blink.
When your eyes open again, you’re on the floor. Mini was on your lap aggressively clicking his teeth at the bot on the floor in front of you. There was a familiar voice anxiously speaking, but you couldn’t make out the words through the pounding in your ears. There was barely anything you could coherently understand. The last few seconds barely seem to register as your hands shook with the starry fabric clutched in your fist. A fresh soreness barely registering in your upper forearm.
The only thought that was coherent in your head was:
This might be your worst jobsite yet.