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Alyx looked around for CPs before prowling to the junkyard.
She knew she shouldn't be out here, but she needed spare parts for a project. It was going to be great.
She tossed some stuff that was clearly broken or useless. She didn't have use for junk.
She tossed a broken hammer aside then winced as a bright light hit her eye. She looked and saw a metal curved object with some sort of plastic on the end. Curious, she pushed stuff around it aside and picked it up.
It was connected to a box.
The box was wooden with some sort of picture carved into it. A flower of some sort.
Even more curious, she inspected all sides if the box, including the handle. She turned it but nothing happened.
She looks around before running back to base.
"Dad!" She calls out. "Dad?"
"Over here, baby!" Eli calls out.
She runs over to where his voice is coming from, then glares as she sees who is with him. "Dr. Mossman..."
Judith sighs. "Hello Alyx, did you have fun out there?" She asks, wishing they could have a civil conversation just once.
"Fine." Alyx replies curtly. She hugs Eli quickly before holding the box up. "Dad, what is this? I found it."
Eli gasps, gently taking the box. "I didn't think these existed anymore...this is amazing."
Judith can't help but scoff. "Eli, it's just a music box, relax."
Music box?
"What's a music box?" Alyx asks.
"It's this, baby." Eli says, holding the box up. "You turn the handle and there's things in there that make music." Eli turns the handle a few times, then open the top of the box, revealing a beautiful melody.
Alyx gasps quietly as she takes it, listening to the tune it played. "This...this is beautiful."
"They're very rare now, so you got lucky." Eli smiles.
Alyx spends the rest of the night winding the music box and staring at it, wondering what it was like when these boxes were everywhere.