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With all the new bots coming into the manor, Springs was finding it hard to keep up. It wasn’t that she didn’t like them. They seemed nice, if not a little loud. But new people were always difficult to gauge, and that made her nervous. But that didn’t stop her from trying!
Butterfly had started a sewing circle. That was less about sewing and more a quiet time for bots to be together. Many sewed or made other crafts. Some just sat, watching and talking here or there. Six had recommended nervous bots sit in and try to get their feet wet. So Springs tried.
Stepping into the room, she nearly ran out when she saw she was late. Everyone was already sitting and talking and working. Worse, they turned to look at her when she came in. It would be rude to stay, wouldn’t it? Turning, Springs reached for the door.
“We’ve still got room,” called Butterfly. Getting up, she found another cushion as everyone spread out and shifted a little to make room for one more. Digging through a pile of them, she searched for one she hoped the new bot would like best. Holding up a bright pink one, she smiled as warmly as her broken porcelain would allow.
Springs froze for a moment, watching everyone. Smiling, she nodded and stepped into the room. It would be rude to leave now. She’d just sit a while. That’d be fine. Sitting next to Butterfly on the cushion, she fumbled with her hands. She didn’t really sew as they did, and she didn’t have anything.
But no one tried to make her or even asked her what she made. Instead, they talked about what they were working on, from scarves, bags, or things that weren’t even crafts like dancing. She listened for a while, not sure what to say. Everytime she thought she could try, they had moved on to something else and it wouldn’t make any sense to say it now. So she sat a while longer and listened.
She wasn’t the only one not talking. There were a few others that sat quietly, maybe speaking a few words here or there or simply listening while they worked on whatever was in their hands. It made her feel better, but she didn’t feel like she quite belonged yet.
“You like cute clothes, right, Springs?” Suddenly asked Butterfly. Surprising the poor bot. Looking at her, Butterfly smiled again and nodded her dress.
Her head snapped up from watching Butterfly’s hands to her face. “Um, yeah.” She tugged her dress a little bit. She tried to explain it, but she was nervous. Instead, she just stuttered and stammered as she tried to point things out on her dress.
“Like this?” Asked another bot, holding up a sketch of a long dress with a puffed out and pleated skirt.
Springs grinned. “Yeah! That’s really pretty! Did you draw that?” When they nodded, she beamed. “That’s really cool! Sometimes I wish I could sew like that. But,” she ruffled a few layers of her skirt for effect, “that would be a lot of work. And I’d be afraid of all the stitches falling out.” She continued to go on a moment longer before steam rushed through her vents, and she ducked her head.
Butterfly smiled and stood up from her cushion. Brushing out her dress, she walked to the large wardrobe someone had made for her. “Making clothes takes a lot of time, but it’s worth it if you ever want to learn,” she offered. Opening up the wardrobe she carefully looked through the clothes hanging up. It was a riot of colour inside, full to bursting with dresses and sweaters, slacks and anything else she had made. “But you don’t have to either.” She pulled out a pink dress with a large decorative skirt, like flower petals. “There’s always dresses in here looking for a home.” Stepping over, she offered Springs a hand to her feet.
Springs stood up, confused at first, then shocked. “I couldn’t!” Sure, there was the prom dress, but she couldn’t just take a dress from Butterfly.
“That’s why I make them. I couldn’t possibly wear all of these.” It was a little big, but nothing a quick take in couldn’t fix. Getting Springs up on a little stool, she started to measure her to take in the dress. “And I always love when people get excited about what I make for them.”
A small smile and Springs held her hands, twisting them a little. “If you’re sure?” When Butterfly nodded, she beamed. “It’s beautiful. Almost like a fairy dress! Oh, I have the perfect ribbons for my hair to match the skirt! I could look just like a fairy.” There she went again. But she didn’t feel so out of place. Looking around, the other bots were smiling. She didn’t feel so out of place here. “Thank you.”
Butterfly looked up briefly from pinning the dress in place and grinned. There may have been a thank you for the dress, but she knew it was for more than that. Springs just needed to be reminded she belonged just like the rest of them.