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The tunes of guitar chords sound from just outside Eientei. Tewi plucks and strums the strings, getting a feel for a hobby she hasn’t indulged in quite some time. The arrival of Reisen has added a noticeable bit of extra stress to her daily routine, so she figured bringing back an old distraction would help her relax.
It isn’t long before she manages to retune the strings. Already she’s producing some decent melodies, fueled by pure muscle memory. A few of her rabbits who aren’t busy working gather around to watch and listen. Then, all of a sudden, they scatter.
“Hey, where are you all-” Tewi begins.
Then she hears that rough metal clicking, and immediately knows what’s behind her. She turns around to see Reisen standing there. She fidgets with her metal arms. Her eyes and expression are as empty as ever.
“And what do you want?” Tewi asks with disdain.
“I asked Master Eirin why you were using that, and she told me to ask you,” Reisen answers.
“Uh huh…” Tewi looks away from her and continues plucking the strings. “Well, it’s something to keep me busy. A distraction.”
“You don’t have any work to do?”
“Not right now. And neither do you, I take it?”
“Correct.”
“Well… You got any hobbies?”
“What’s a hobby?”
Tewi’s eyelid twitches. “You trying to mess with me, Scrap Rabbit?”
“No.” Her voice is just as deadpan as ever.
Tewi sighs. “Alright… Well, it’s just something you do to keep yourself entertained when you aren’t working. So you don’t get bored. I like to play music. You know what music is, right Junk Bunny?”
“Yes. They used to have drummers help with organizing soldiers in a unit, but that practice fell out of favor a while ago. We were still taught about it.”
Tewi stares at her. “Do you… Listen to actual music?”
“No.”
“Do you soldiers seriously not have time for anything fun?”
“We did. Many of my comrades would play cards or other games. I didn’t. Too many other obligations to attend.”
“No wonder you broke and left…” Tewi mutters.
The sound of metal scratching together interrupts Tewi’s strumming as Reisen’s fist clenches. Her eyes seem to have narrowed ever so slightly.
“S-Sorry…” Tewi says quietly. Reisen seems to relax. “You can sit down, by the way.” Reisen does so, taking a seat in front of Tewi, where the other rabbits once were, before being scared off. “So… You like it so far?”
“I don’t understand the question.”
“Do you not know what happiness feels like? Don’t answer that, by the way. Just…” Tewi gives up and resumes her playing.
It's a simple melody that she had commit to memory long ago. One that she can still play just about flawlessly. As she plays, she finds herself lost in the music. All the stress and annoyance fades away, eased by the soothing sounds of the notes, alongside a bit of pride at her own ability.
When she looks up, she sees Reisen’s eyes still fixed on her. But they look a bit different. Wider, with her mouth just barely agape. A slightly softened version of her usual expression. Though, Tewi can only catch a glimpse of it before it hardens again. But it doesn’t harden fully.
“So?” Tewi begins. “You enjoy that? And be honest.”
“I did,” Reisen says. “It sounds… Pleasant.”
“Hmph.” Tewi grins, satisfaction further welling up inside her. “We really do gotta find you a hobby.”
She points toward the guitar. “Can I try-”
“No you cannot!” Tewi cuts her off, pulling the guitar closer to herself and away from Reisen. “I don’t need those metal arms of your breaking the strings!”
“Ah…” Reisen lowers her hand.
“…But, maybe we can find something else. Heh, maybe drums?”
“I wouldn’t mind trying.”
“We’ll see later, then.” Tewi situates herself to be comfortable again. “Anyway, I guess you got your answer, didn’t you? You can go now.”
“Do I have to?”
This catches Tewi off-guard. It’s the first time she’s ever seen Reisen not immediately, unquestioningly, listen to a request. Looking closer, she notices a bit of a sparkle in Reisen’s eyes. “She really did like it, huh?” Tewi thinks to herself.
She then shrugs. “Eh, guess not.”
And so, Tewi keeps playing, and Reisen keeps listening. Before long, even the other rabbits rejoin. As the sun vanishes and the rabbits light the lanterns, Tewi’s one woman concert keeps going into the night. Fueled by a passion for the song, and the pleasure of seeing a rare hint of emotion creep onto the face of that cold, unnerving cyborg.
It’s the happiest both her and Reisen have felt in a long time.