[Rabbit's response comes quickly, barely a pause before the copper automaton's crooked smile is shining in her direction, head tilting with an audible click.]
Y-ya know ya can just call me Rabbit, Your Majesty. Titles an' honors like t-that are meant for more human-types. I'm just a humble robut hopin' t' serve his l-l-lo-lovely Queen.
An' I don't mind in th' slightest. I'll hop on over real soon.
[the response from Elizabeth is straight away, correcting him on this point that people seemed to be getting wrong.] I'm am no queen, the title of monarch is my younger brother's and long may he rule. I am the Duchess of Anjou. [her pronunciation in french is flawless, as usual. For she's been speaking nothing but french for so long now. It's all automatic, lip service of a woman whose perfected such.]
I am not... at Hatfield. [she sighed.] I am staying at... 'Sanctuary' if you know of it, with the Lady Helen -- who has been so kind as to let me stay.
[she couldn't stay in that palace, couldn't be surrounded by all those memories. It hurt so much.]
[Hey, she's a queenie in his clockwork heart all the same, but she'll get no argument out of this particular metal man. He simply obliges her request with another twitching smile of his copper lips and a bow of his head.]
I'm familiar with b-b-both Th'Sanctuary and Miss Helen, so that'll be no problem there.
What're ya in th' mood for t'day? Just a bit of singin' or some playin' on th' side as well?
[It's a kind gesture, but not one that Rabbit really needs. He prefers to see genuine emotions, whether they are happy or sad, because what is the point of feeling if you can't reach out and fully embrace all of it?]
Until then. [And with a grin, he's gone, connection severing.
It's nearly an hour or so later, well past noon, when Rabbit finally ambles up on creaking knees to Helen's place of residence. He's been by Sanctuary a few times, peeked inside, said his hellos, but never truly spent a lot of time in the place, despite all of the offers to come over and kick up his feet. Even with his passion for performing and entertaining crowds, Rabbit is a private 'bot through and through. At the end of the day, he just wants to curl up alone in his room (or sometimes with his brothers or a special friend) to simply listen to his own thoughts.
When he finally arrives, there's a curt knock on Elizabeth's door, some person announcing Rabbit's presence just outside of her room.]
[Elizabeth is still in her seat by the window, sewing in her lap -- and the same smile is there again when she turns to the call. She's as close as she could be to happy about anything, something at all. Little things, that were simple and were without complication.]
[And with a polite tip of his hat and strange goggles to the woman so kind to announce his presence, Rabbit enters the room with a few heavy, clanking steps, a soft puff of steam slipping from his mouth as his copper head tilts to the side at the sight of Elizabeth, his favorite black bag in hand.
Without wasting another moment in front of the obvious royalty (look at that posture!), he bows, sweeping his hat off with a performer's expressive flourish.]
R-R-R-Rabbit Walter at yer service! [And straightening with a creak of his back, Rabbit trained his mismatched glowing eyes on the former queen, giving them both the opportunity to see each other in person for the first time
( ... )
[He's so bright, so colourful. To her, he's so utterly unreal that she just wants to touch him to see if he was another one of those fanciful dreams she had to escape for awhile. Only he was too out of the usual to be of anything she could possibly dream up, no matter how much she drank.
For a brief moment, she's dazzled, just watching all that he was move about for the simple marvel that was.] Master Walter, thank you so much for coming.
[she pretended she didn't have the faint bruising here and there on her neck, that all was fine. She'd perfected that.] Really, I am so happy to see you. [and the words didn't ring as false as they might of.]
[Rabbit nearly corrects her, to grin and say that Master Walter is his Pappy and he's always simply been known as Rabbit even if he technically is the oldest Walter still living, but already he is catching on that he should just grin and bear her need for formality. If anything, the copper 'bot understands the need to follow some traditions or social etiquette that has been engrained into one's character since birth (or creation in his case), even with the changing times and the general lack of manners around the newer generations.
So he lets it be, taking a few noisy steps closer to the woman to close some of that distance between them. If he notices the bruising, he says nothing, optics falling upon it so fast and briefly that she'd hardly even notice if he did.]
Nuthin' t' thank me for. I was b-b-built t' make humans happy, t' give 'em a bit o' merriment an' thrill durin' their d-day t' day lives. If there's ever a time ya feel ya need a lil' R-R-Rabbit in your day t' get through it, ya can always r-r-ring me up. I'll come'a
( ... )
[She's doing her best to try, she didn't want to be miserable in someone elses house. Even in France, she tried, and it was easier when she heard nothing of her husband. So all that he is is taken on face value for the moment.]
Oh no, the only service I would have is the one where we are kind too each other. That is all. [Elizabeth set her sewing aside before she rose and came up to him.
Which that was just to look at him more. He was just so... well, beautiful, in the oddest way. ] You are so many parts, as are we all, but so much more obviously. You are so... utterly fascinating, Rabbit. Do not let me ask you questions, or we shall be hear till the sun rises again. [because under it all was still that keen mind that wanted to pick apart and learn. Just quieter now.] You certainly thrill, I will give you that.
Friends then? Is that w-what ya mean? [Or is that a bit presumptuous considering he is just a simple artificial being and she's a freaking former queen?] Cause I'm al-always happy t' make new friends, if ya like.
[Rabbit's posture straightens even further as the elegant woman rises, presenting himself for her own visual delight. The closer that she gets, the more noticeable the particular noises of his body would become. There's the continuous clickclickclick of his clockwork gears turning in rhythm, the low bubbling boil of the water in his boiler, the gentle hum of his power core, and, of course, the occasional hiss of steam released from his vents. Rabbit's body, being the first and oldest, is quite noisy when right up close to him in person.]
Can't say I've b-been called fascinatin' in quite some time, but t-t-thanks. My brothers look a bit-bit more human-like, I know my appearance can unsettle some folks.
I hate t' tempt ya, b-but I love t' talk. [His crooked grin widens, teeth flashing charmingly as his obvious enthusiasm
( ... )
'Friends'? [She lets the word hang for awhile, sit on the tip of her tongue. Hangs there like the edge of a blade. The word has stopped meaning anything a lot time ago.] That sounds grand, I should like that.
[Not that she very good at having anyone close. But she says it for his benefit really. He didn't know better after all, and it was nice to pretend everything was so simple for the moment, that she was anywhere near capable of that.] Oh I could think of something far more poetic if it suited, for surely fascinating is so poor a term. [she's still peering all over, taking it all in piece by careful piece.] So common for someone so uncommon. Surely far more colourful, perhaps I should say your eyes are as colourful as the glass in Notre Dame? Or like the great window in my brother's palace in white hall. [she stepped back a little, realising she'd leant in far beyond was near proper.] Ah forgive me, I did not mean to be so impolite.
[she gave him space, and then gestured behind her, to the seats she'd set up.] Sit, please, my
( ... )
[Maybe ol' Queenie will find a bit of comfort with a non-human companion, a pieced-together creature made strictly to make real people smile, never to judge or put himself first over others (though some of that was only programming, the rest of it came from his own sparking personality instead). If anything, Rabbit could easily provide a nice escape from the coldness that reality provided with his songs and stories and general charm. He's like a drug, only slightly less detrimental to your health.]
No no, not impolite at all. Flattery is never im-impolite, though I don't think my eyes could ever compare t' th' shinin' stars I see reflectin' in yours, but I 'preciate th' compliment all th' same. Gonna get me blushin' with all these k-k-kind words.
[Creaking over to the seat provided, Rabbit lowers himself slowly, huffing a little at the usual aching pain in his knees that only continued to get worse as time went by. The absolute joy of growing older, right? His bag dropped carefully at his side before the copper automaton leaned
( ... )
[That made her smile, it had been such a long time since she'd heard anything so pleasant. Out of thanks, and a great deal of curiosity, she gently brushed her fingers across what looking like the top of his cheek bone... plate? Hardly knew the proper term for it. Not that is mattered she supposed.]
Such a charming one you are, saying such things to a lady, careful you'll break my heart. [it's teasing, always so teasing. She'd been like this once, all the time. When she had more hope for herself and her situation.]
I hardly know where to start... [she picked up her sewing again, settling it in her lap.] What's your favourite song to perform then?
[The copper 'bot's 'cheek' was surprisingly warm to the touch, firm and metal, of course, but not nearly as cool as the rest of his chassis. At the brush of her fingers, Rabbit could hardly stop a soft burst of warm steam to shoot from his vents across her hand, the glow in his eyes immediately dimming as a stupidly content smile slipped across his crooked lips.
Oh. Oh. That felt very nice. It's been a very long time since Rabbit has had a pretty lady petting him.]
Uh, I, uh.... [His glowing optics blinked, head shaking a little to get the gears in his head turning properly again.] N-nah, I ain't that kinda 'bot. Loyal t' th' end. Usually I'm th' one t' end up with a broken heart, so n-no worries there, beautiful. [It was a startlingly honest confession, but Rabbit said it casually, with a touch of aloofness, in the hopes it wouldn't come out sounding quite so sad as it could be taken as.
But favorite song? That was terribly easy to pick out and it related quite directly to the conversation at hand.] I wrote a lil' song called
( ... )
[She couldn't help but laugh at the steam. How so much like his reactions were to a humans, but yet so different. Made it easier to tell in some regards. But amusing to her all the same because she'd never heard the term 'letting off steam' so literally. All the same, her hand lingered, he just looked so content like that, or as far as she was learning of him. Her son had been so content, once.]
Loyal? There are greater crimes. [her hand dropped, and it was sad to her, no matter how it was phrased and in what tone, because perhaps more than any other, she understood what it was to watch people slip away. The intent stayed where perhaps the words did not] You ought to be careful then, hearts can be so strong, but so easily taken from you.
Well then, I would like to hear such. I do like love songs, as only a woman can. [there's another smile, warm, for him.]
[Rabbit's response comes quickly, barely a pause before the copper automaton's crooked smile is shining in her direction, head tilting with an audible click.]
Y-ya know ya can just call me Rabbit, Your Majesty. Titles an' honors like t-that are meant for more human-types. I'm just a humble robut hopin' t' serve his l-l-lo-lovely Queen.
An' I don't mind in th' slightest. I'll hop on over real soon.
Reply
I am not... at Hatfield. [she sighed.] I am staying at... 'Sanctuary' if you know of it, with the Lady Helen -- who has been so kind as to let me stay.
[she couldn't stay in that palace, couldn't be surrounded by all those memories. It hurt so much.]
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I'm familiar with b-b-both Th'Sanctuary and Miss Helen, so that'll be no problem there.
What're ya in th' mood for t'day? Just a bit of singin' or some playin' on th' side as well?
Reply
[she manages a smile, it's practised and it lacks any real warmth, but she's trying, he's being kind so she can try to give it in return.]
Whatever you feel like, I'd enjoy it all.
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Until then. [And with a grin, he's gone, connection severing.
It's nearly an hour or so later, well past noon, when Rabbit finally ambles up on creaking knees to Helen's place of residence. He's been by Sanctuary a few times, peeked inside, said his hellos, but never truly spent a lot of time in the place, despite all of the offers to come over and kick up his feet. Even with his passion for performing and entertaining crowds, Rabbit is a private 'bot through and through. At the end of the day, he just wants to curl up alone in his room (or sometimes with his brothers or a special friend) to simply listen to his own thoughts.
When he finally arrives, there's a curt knock on Elizabeth's door, some person announcing Rabbit's presence just outside of her room.]
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Please, enter.
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Without wasting another moment in front of the obvious royalty (look at that posture!), he bows, sweeping his hat off with a performer's expressive flourish.]
R-R-R-Rabbit Walter at yer service! [And straightening with a creak of his back, Rabbit trained his mismatched glowing eyes on the former queen, giving them both the opportunity to see each other in person for the first time ( ... )
Reply
For a brief moment, she's dazzled, just watching all that he was move about for the simple marvel that was.] Master Walter, thank you so much for coming.
[she pretended she didn't have the faint bruising here and there on her neck, that all was fine. She'd perfected that.] Really, I am so happy to see you. [and the words didn't ring as false as they might of.]
Reply
So he lets it be, taking a few noisy steps closer to the woman to close some of that distance between them. If he notices the bruising, he says nothing, optics falling upon it so fast and briefly that she'd hardly even notice if he did.]
Nuthin' t' thank me for. I was b-b-built t' make humans happy, t' give 'em a bit o' merriment an' thrill durin' their d-day t' day lives. If there's ever a time ya feel ya need a lil' R-R-Rabbit in your day t' get through it, ya can always r-r-ring me up. I'll come'a ( ... )
Reply
Oh no, the only service I would have is the one where we are kind too each other. That is all. [Elizabeth set her sewing aside before she rose and came up to him.
Which that was just to look at him more. He was just so... well, beautiful, in the oddest way. ] You are so many parts, as are we all, but so much more obviously. You are so... utterly fascinating, Rabbit. Do not let me ask you questions, or we shall be hear till the sun rises again. [because under it all was still that keen mind that wanted to pick apart and learn. Just quieter now.] You certainly thrill, I will give you that.
Reply
[Rabbit's posture straightens even further as the elegant woman rises, presenting himself for her own visual delight. The closer that she gets, the more noticeable the particular noises of his body would become. There's the continuous clickclickclick of his clockwork gears turning in rhythm, the low bubbling boil of the water in his boiler, the gentle hum of his power core, and, of course, the occasional hiss of steam released from his vents. Rabbit's body, being the first and oldest, is quite noisy when right up close to him in person.]
Can't say I've b-been called fascinatin' in quite some time, but t-t-thanks. My brothers look a bit-bit more human-like, I know my appearance can unsettle some folks.
I hate t' tempt ya, b-but I love t' talk. [His crooked grin widens, teeth flashing charmingly as his obvious enthusiasm ( ... )
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[Not that she very good at having anyone close. But she says it for his benefit really. He didn't know better after all, and it was nice to pretend everything was so simple for the moment, that she was anywhere near capable of that.] Oh I could think of something far more poetic if it suited, for surely fascinating is so poor a term. [she's still peering all over, taking it all in piece by careful piece.] So common for someone so uncommon. Surely far more colourful, perhaps I should say your eyes are as colourful as the glass in Notre Dame? Or like the great window in my brother's palace in white hall. [she stepped back a little, realising she'd leant in far beyond was near proper.] Ah forgive me, I did not mean to be so impolite.
[she gave him space, and then gestured behind her, to the seats she'd set up.] Sit, please, my ( ... )
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No no, not impolite at all. Flattery is never im-impolite, though I don't think my eyes could ever compare t' th' shinin' stars I see reflectin' in yours, but I 'preciate th' compliment all th' same. Gonna get me blushin' with all these k-k-kind words.
[Creaking over to the seat provided, Rabbit lowers himself slowly, huffing a little at the usual aching pain in his knees that only continued to get worse as time went by. The absolute joy of growing older, right? His bag dropped carefully at his side before the copper automaton leaned ( ... )
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Such a charming one you are, saying such things to a lady, careful you'll break my heart. [it's teasing, always so teasing. She'd been like this once, all the time. When she had more hope for herself and her situation.]
I hardly know where to start... [she picked up her sewing again, settling it in her lap.] What's your favourite song to perform then?
Reply
Oh. Oh. That felt very nice. It's been a very long time since Rabbit has had a pretty lady petting him.]
Uh, I, uh.... [His glowing optics blinked, head shaking a little to get the gears in his head turning properly again.] N-nah, I ain't that kinda 'bot. Loyal t' th' end. Usually I'm th' one t' end up with a broken heart, so n-no worries there, beautiful. [It was a startlingly honest confession, but Rabbit said it casually, with a touch of aloofness, in the hopes it wouldn't come out sounding quite so sad as it could be taken as.
But favorite song? That was terribly easy to pick out and it related quite directly to the conversation at hand.] I wrote a lil' song called ( ... )
Reply
Loyal? There are greater crimes. [her hand dropped, and it was sad to her, no matter how it was phrased and in what tone, because perhaps more than any other, she understood what it was to watch people slip away. The intent stayed where perhaps the words did not] You ought to be careful then, hearts can be so strong, but so easily taken from you.
Well then, I would like to hear such. I do like love songs, as only a woman can. [there's another smile, warm, for him.]
Reply
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