Metal Besties & MORE!

Hiya! Kaia the Metal Amy here! This is an askblog for multiple upgraded former Metal Fighters! Come down and chat with us!♡ NO EGGMANS ALLOWED! /j

[refractory-facsimiles]

♡Welcome♡

Just call me Kaia! Formerly model EMF-4r, codename Metal Amy Kai, I was originally built on the Northstar Islands before being remade, remodeled, and repurposed on a different archipelago that I left behind a while ago. I wanted to get away from the Eggman Empire and took back the White Chaos Emerald in the process, which currently remains firmly in my care. And I brought friends and family, too! Come hang with us!

Pleased to meetcha, hugs welcome, and please check out the rules and more under this cut!

Ground rules (they're pretty simple)

1. Be friendly and keep it SFW! I don't bite, pinky promise, but creeps get an instant metal Piko Piko (Ban) Hammer.

2. No Eggmans allowed! (OOC: /lighthearted /largely joking)

3. Pink text is mine! Text colors for the others will be shown further down for the other robots sharing the blog! We'll always use the colors we chose to reply to you.

4. Crossover is welcome, but at the same time, continuity here will be flexible for the sake of fun!

That's all of them for now! Let's have fun, okay? Send me an ask or anything anytime!♡

Here's my design!

More later!

♡My Tumblr family!♡

Others sharing the blog!

Ryze/Metal Trip Kai

Machina/Metal Tails

Fellow units!

Mom/Toaster

Echo/Mecha Sonic Mk3

Copper/Metal Crystal

Metal Sonic/ametalsonic

Rusty/Mecha Sonic Mk1

Big Red/themetalknuckles

Mecha Sonic Mk2, Typhon, Brass, and Shard the Mecha Sonic Mk3

Mecha Knuckles

TD/Tails Doll

Luna/Silver Sonic 3.0

And last but not least...

Grandma Julia Robotnik (Mama Robotnik)

Entries subject to change!♡

[doctor-blue-blur]

@refractory-facsimiles

-Morning dawns upon the base of one Dr. Hedge. As the sun rises, so too does a robot modeled in the vein of a sungazer lizard. Winnie's optics slowly glow awake, the mechanical reptile letting out a soft yawn from the comfort of her new charging bed.-

The full body scanner would be empty, and its computer would be off. Maintenance must've finished a long time ago from the looks of things.

Amy-Bot had long been out. It was continuing its mission to scavenge.

[refractory-facsimiles]

(Prev)

Thank you. Do you think tomorrow will be better, since it's a free day?

[doctor-blue-blur]

<Free day equates to the doctor checking up on all machinery that he's made that still operates. What is likely is that all units are returning back for mandatory check-up.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

As long as it is calm, I'm okay with that. I'm so tired.

[doctor-blue-blur]

<We shall rest soon enough.>

The two would finally get to the base, with the door being open.

<Ah.>

It didn't look phased by the entrance being left open.

[refractory-facsimiles]

...I don't think I left that open... Did you?

-Wait, she realized... It was something else.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

<This is a guess, but there are still some units unaccounted for. Hence the open door. The doctor is likely checking in on their locations.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

Well, let's not keep him waiting...

-Winnie slowly walked into the base, hand-in-hand with Amy-Bot.-

Dr. Hedge?

[doctor-blue-blur]

The blue hedgehog once again had his goggles and coat on. He was on the computer, and sure enough, he was checking on the computer where he was looking at some moving dots...though they were moving slowly.

Hey there. Amy-Bot, I need you to check on the remaining units.

<Affirmative.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

H-hi doctor...

-Winnie shuffled over to him.-

How did you sleep? Sorry that we kept you waiting.

[doctor-blue-blur]

Okay, I guess.

Amy-Bot left the base once again, leaving Winnie with the blue doctor.

[refractory-facsimiles]

We had...an incident in a nearby town... We were going shopping, but neither of us had any money. By the time we realized it, they were calling people on us. I suspect...them.

[doctor-blue-blur]

Dr. Hedge was silent as he stopped what he was doing.

R.A.I.D. That wasn't good. That meant they were already implementing themselves in other places. Meaning that they could slowly be surrounded by...

He grabbed his hands and started wringing them.

...Good thing I decided to bring all units here.

What? So you can watch them all fail?

...no, you little shit, they won't-

I only say the truth. After all, I am indeed a MUCH superior creator than you could ever be.

You are gone.

And so am I.

...

Dr. Hedge put his hands to his head.

Okay. We'll figure it out. Just means-

You suck.

-that I need to spend a bit more time fine-tuning some things-

Sure, do that I guess.

-in order to prepare.

[refractory-facsimiles]

-Winnie put her hands to her head, still taking the situation rather hardly herself.-

So...we're staying and fighting? Or do we run?

...All this because I still felt bad about the wheelchair... What a mess...

Maybe next time you should listen to your master when he says—

Do NOT start the "master" talk with me. Not applicable.

[doctor-blue-blur]

I've let R.A.I.D know about this location long enough...we'll need to relocate everything soon.

For someone who can't really run, you sure do love to run away from everything~

....no. Don't do that yet. Someone is in the room.

Clicking a few buttons, he changed it to differents dots, these ones now resembling buildings. A few had been crossed out already. One of the dots would be gold, with the crossed out dots being nearby. In fact, the available ones were farther away from the gold building.

But just in case they decide to work quickly, preparation to fight is in order.

[refractory-facsimiles]

-Winnie prepared her laser spear for the coming battle.-

I'll do it. I feel responsible, and I don't want them hurting us. So I'll fight. I only wish you didn't have to sit on the sidelines.

-She looked to him worriedly.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

Again, might not actually happen...but one can never be too prepared, right? And, I'll be fine.

Has Jerry ever done it? No. Does that mean he'd never? Also no.

Better safe than sorry.

[refractory-facsimiles]

Right... I'll check around the outside...

[doctor-blue-blur]

@refractory-facsimiles

-Morning dawns upon the base of one Dr. Hedge. As the sun rises, so too does a robot modeled in the vein of a sungazer lizard. Winnie's optics slowly glow awake, the mechanical reptile letting out a soft yawn from the comfort of her new charging bed.-

The full body scanner would be empty, and its computer would be off. Maintenance must've finished a long time ago from the looks of things.

Amy-Bot had long been out. It was continuing its mission to scavenge.

[refractory-facsimiles]

(Prev)

Thank you. Do you think tomorrow will be better, since it's a free day?

[doctor-blue-blur]

<Free day equates to the doctor checking up on all machinery that he's made that still operates. What is likely is that all units are returning back for mandatory check-up.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

As long as it is calm, I'm okay with that. I'm so tired.

[doctor-blue-blur]

<We shall rest soon enough.>

The two would finally get to the base, with the door being open.

<Ah.>

It didn't look phased by the entrance being left open.

[refractory-facsimiles]

...I don't think I left that open... Did you?

-Wait, she realized... It was something else.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

<This is a guess, but there are still some units unaccounted for. Hence the open door. The doctor is likely checking in on their locations.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

Well, let's not keep him waiting...

-Winnie slowly walked into the base, hand-in-hand with Amy-Bot.-

Dr. Hedge?

[doctor-blue-blur]

The blue hedgehog once again had his goggles and coat on. He was on the computer, and sure enough, he was checking on the computer where he was looking at some moving dots...though they were moving slowly.

Hey there. Amy-Bot, I need you to check on the remaining units.

<Affirmative.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

H-hi doctor...

-Winnie shuffled over to him.-

How did you sleep? Sorry that we kept you waiting.

[doctor-blue-blur]

Okay, I guess.

Amy-Bot left the base once again, leaving Winnie with the blue doctor.

[refractory-facsimiles]

We had...an incident in a nearby town... We were going shopping, but neither of us had any money. By the time we realized it, they were calling people on us. I suspect...them.

[doctor-blue-blur]

Dr. Hedge was silent as he stopped what he was doing.

R.A.I.D. That wasn't good. That meant they were already implementing themselves in other places. Meaning that they could slowly be surrounded by...

He grabbed his hands and started wringing them.

...Good thing I decided to bring all units here.

What? So you can watch them all fail?

...no, you little shit, they won't-

I only say the truth. After all, I am indeed a MUCH superior creator than you could ever be.

You are gone.

And so am I.

...

Dr. Hedge put his hands to his head.

Okay. We'll figure it out. Just means-

You suck.

-that I need to spend a bit more time fine-tuning some things-

Sure, do that I guess.

-in order to prepare.

[refractory-facsimiles]

-Winnie put her hands to her head, still taking the situation rather hardly herself.-

So...we're staying and fighting? Or do we run?

...All this because I still felt bad about the wheelchair... What a mess...

Maybe next time you should listen to your master when he says—

Do NOT start the "master" talk with me. Not applicable.

[doctor-blue-blur]

I've let R.A.I.D know about this location long enough...we'll need to relocate everything soon.

For someone who can't really run, you sure do love to run away from everything~

....no. Don't do that yet. Someone is in the room.

Clicking a few buttons, he changed it to differents dots, these ones now resembling buildings. A few had been crossed out already. One of the dots would be gold, with the crossed out dots being nearby. In fact, the available ones were farther away from the gold building.

But just in case they decide to work quickly, preparation to fight is in order.

[refractory-facsimiles]

-Winnie prepared her laser spear for the coming battle.-

I'll do it. I feel responsible, and I don't want them hurting us. So I'll fight. I only wish you didn't have to sit on the sidelines.

-She looked to him worriedly.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

@refractory-facsimiles

-Morning dawns upon the base of one Dr. Hedge. As the sun rises, so too does a robot modeled in the vein of a sungazer lizard. Winnie's optics slowly glow awake, the mechanical reptile letting out a soft yawn from the comfort of her new charging bed.-

The full body scanner would be empty, and its computer would be off. Maintenance must've finished a long time ago from the looks of things.

Amy-Bot had long been out. It was continuing its mission to scavenge.

[refractory-facsimiles]

(Prev)

Thank you. Do you think tomorrow will be better, since it's a free day?

[doctor-blue-blur]

<Free day equates to the doctor checking up on all machinery that he's made that still operates. What is likely is that all units are returning back for mandatory check-up.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

As long as it is calm, I'm okay with that. I'm so tired.

[doctor-blue-blur]

<We shall rest soon enough.>

The two would finally get to the base, with the door being open.

<Ah.>

It didn't look phased by the entrance being left open.

[refractory-facsimiles]

...I don't think I left that open... Did you?

-Wait, she realized... It was something else.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

<This is a guess, but there are still some units unaccounted for. Hence the open door. The doctor is likely checking in on their locations.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

Well, let's not keep him waiting...

-Winnie slowly walked into the base, hand-in-hand with Amy-Bot.-

Dr. Hedge?

[doctor-blue-blur]

The blue hedgehog once again had his goggles and coat on. He was on the computer, and sure enough, he was checking on the computer where he was looking at some moving dots...though they were moving slowly.

Hey there. Amy-Bot, I need you to check on the remaining units.

<Affirmative.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

H-hi doctor...

-Winnie shuffled over to him.-

How did you sleep? Sorry that we kept you waiting.

[doctor-blue-blur]

Okay, I guess.

Amy-Bot left the base once again, leaving Winnie with the blue doctor.

[refractory-facsimiles]

We had...an incident in a nearby town... We were going shopping, but neither of us had any money. By the time we realized it, they were calling people on us. I suspect...them.

[doctor-blue-blur]

Dr. Hedge was silent as he stopped what he was doing.

R.A.I.D. That wasn't good. That meant they were already implementing themselves in other places. Meaning that they could slowly be surrounded by...

He grabbed his hands and started wringing them.

...Good thing I decided to bring all units here.

What? So you can watch them all fail?

...no, you little shit, they won't-

I only say the truth. After all, I am indeed a MUCH superior creator than you could ever be.

You are gone.

And so am I.

...

Dr. Hedge put his hands to his head.

Okay. We'll figure it out. Just means-

You suck.

-that I need to spend a bit more time fine-tuning some things-

Sure, do that I guess.

-in order to prepare.

[refractory-facsimiles]

-Winnie put her hands to her head, still taking the situation rather hardly herself.-

So...we're staying and fighting? Or do we run?

...All this because I still felt bad about the wheelchair... What a mess...

Maybe next time you should listen to your master when he says—

Do NOT start the "master" talk with me. Not applicable.

[doctor-blue-blur]

@refractory-facsimiles

-Morning dawns upon the base of one Dr. Hedge. As the sun rises, so too does a robot modeled in the vein of a sungazer lizard. Winnie's optics slowly glow awake, the mechanical reptile letting out a soft yawn from the comfort of her new charging bed.-

The full body scanner would be empty, and its computer would be off. Maintenance must've finished a long time ago from the looks of things.

Amy-Bot had long been out. It was continuing its mission to scavenge.

[refractory-facsimiles]

(Prev)

Thank you. Do you think tomorrow will be better, since it's a free day?

[doctor-blue-blur]

<Free day equates to the doctor checking up on all machinery that he's made that still operates. What is likely is that all units are returning back for mandatory check-up.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

As long as it is calm, I'm okay with that. I'm so tired.

[doctor-blue-blur]

<We shall rest soon enough.>

The two would finally get to the base, with the door being open.

<Ah.>

It didn't look phased by the entrance being left open.

[refractory-facsimiles]

...I don't think I left that open... Did you?

-Wait, she realized... It was something else.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

<This is a guess, but there are still some units unaccounted for. Hence the open door. The doctor is likely checking in on their locations.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

Well, let's not keep him waiting...

-Winnie slowly walked into the base, hand-in-hand with Amy-Bot.-

Dr. Hedge?

[doctor-blue-blur]

The blue hedgehog once again had his goggles and coat on. He was on the computer, and sure enough, he was checking on the computer where he was looking at some moving dots...though they were moving slowly.

Hey there. Amy-Bot, I need you to check on the remaining units.

<Affirmative.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

H-hi doctor...

-Winnie shuffled over to him.-

How did you sleep? Sorry that we kept you waiting.

[doctor-blue-blur]

Okay, I guess.

Amy-Bot left the base once again, leaving Winnie with the blue doctor.

[refractory-facsimiles]

We had...an incident in a nearby town... We were going shopping, but neither of us had any money. By the time we realized it, they were calling people on us. I suspect...them.

[doctor-blue-blur]

@refractory-facsimiles

-Morning dawns upon the base of one Dr. Hedge. As the sun rises, so too does a robot modeled in the vein of a sungazer lizard. Winnie's optics slowly glow awake, the mechanical reptile letting out a soft yawn from the comfort of her new charging bed.-

The full body scanner would be empty, and its computer would be off. Maintenance must've finished a long time ago from the looks of things.

Amy-Bot had long been out. It was continuing its mission to scavenge.

[refractory-facsimiles]

(Prev)

Thank you. Do you think tomorrow will be better, since it's a free day?

[doctor-blue-blur]

<Free day equates to the doctor checking up on all machinery that he's made that still operates. What is likely is that all units are returning back for mandatory check-up.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

As long as it is calm, I'm okay with that. I'm so tired.

[doctor-blue-blur]

<We shall rest soon enough.>

The two would finally get to the base, with the door being open.

<Ah.>

It didn't look phased by the entrance being left open.

[refractory-facsimiles]

...I don't think I left that open... Did you?

-Wait, she realized... It was something else.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

<This is a guess, but there are still some units unaccounted for. Hence the open door. The doctor is likely checking in on their locations.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

Well, let's not keep him waiting...

-Winnie slowly walked into the base, hand-in-hand with Amy-Bot.-

Dr. Hedge?

[doctor-blue-blur]

The blue hedgehog once again had his goggles and coat on. He was on the computer, and sure enough, he was checking on the computer where he was looking at some moving dots...though they were moving slowly.

Hey there. Amy-Bot, I need you to check on the remaining units.

<Affirmative.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

H-hi doctor...

-Winnie shuffled over to him.-

How did you sleep? Sorry that we kept you waiting.

[doctor-blue-blur]

@refractory-facsimiles

-Morning dawns upon the base of one Dr. Hedge. As the sun rises, so too does a robot modeled in the vein of a sungazer lizard. Winnie's optics slowly glow awake, the mechanical reptile letting out a soft yawn from the comfort of her new charging bed.-

The full body scanner would be empty, and its computer would be off. Maintenance must've finished a long time ago from the looks of things.

Amy-Bot had long been out. It was continuing its mission to scavenge.

[refractory-facsimiles]

(Prev)

Thank you. Do you think tomorrow will be better, since it's a free day?

[doctor-blue-blur]

<Free day equates to the doctor checking up on all machinery that he's made that still operates. What is likely is that all units are returning back for mandatory check-up.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

As long as it is calm, I'm okay with that. I'm so tired.

[doctor-blue-blur]

<We shall rest soon enough.>

The two would finally get to the base, with the door being open.

<Ah.>

It didn't look phased by the entrance being left open.

[refractory-facsimiles]

...I don't think I left that open... Did you?

-Wait, she realized... It was something else.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

<This is a guess, but there are still some units unaccounted for. Hence the open door. The doctor is likely checking in on their locations.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

Well, let's not keep him waiting...

-Winnie slowly walked into the base, hand-in-hand with Amy-Bot.-

Dr. Hedge?

[doctor-blue-blur]

@refractory-facsimiles

-Morning dawns upon the base of one Dr. Hedge. As the sun rises, so too does a robot modeled in the vein of a sungazer lizard. Winnie's optics slowly glow awake, the mechanical reptile letting out a soft yawn from the comfort of her new charging bed.-

The full body scanner would be empty, and its computer would be off. Maintenance must've finished a long time ago from the looks of things.

Amy-Bot had long been out. It was continuing its mission to scavenge.

[refractory-facsimiles]

(Prev)

Thank you. Do you think tomorrow will be better, since it's a free day?

[doctor-blue-blur]

<Free day equates to the doctor checking up on all machinery that he's made that still operates. What is likely is that all units are returning back for mandatory check-up.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

As long as it is calm, I'm okay with that. I'm so tired.

[doctor-blue-blur]

<We shall rest soon enough.>

The two would finally get to the base, with the door being open.

<Ah.>

It didn't look phased by the entrance being left open.

[refractory-facsimiles]

...I don't think I left that open... Did you?

-Wait, she realized... It was something else.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

@refractory-facsimiles

-Morning dawns upon the base of one Dr. Hedge. As the sun rises, so too does a robot modeled in the vein of a sungazer lizard. Winnie's optics slowly glow awake, the mechanical reptile letting out a soft yawn from the comfort of her new charging bed.-

The full body scanner would be empty, and its computer would be off. Maintenance must've finished a long time ago from the looks of things.

Amy-Bot had long been out. It was continuing its mission to scavenge.

[refractory-facsimiles]

(Prev)

Thank you. Do you think tomorrow will be better, since it's a free day?

[doctor-blue-blur]

<Free day equates to the doctor checking up on all machinery that he's made that still operates. What is likely is that all units are returning back for mandatory check-up.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

As long as it is calm, I'm okay with that. I'm so tired.

[doctor-blue-blur]

@refractory-facsimiles

-Morning dawns upon the base of one Dr. Hedge. As the sun rises, so too does a robot modeled in the vein of a sungazer lizard. Winnie's optics slowly glow awake, the mechanical reptile letting out a soft yawn from the comfort of her new charging bed.-

The full body scanner would be empty, and its computer would be off. Maintenance must've finished a long time ago from the looks of things.

Amy-Bot had long been out. It was continuing its mission to scavenge.

[refractory-facsimiles]

(Prev)

Thank you. Do you think tomorrow will be better, since it's a free day?

[doctor-blue-blur]

@refractory-facsimiles

-Morning dawns upon the base of one Dr. Hedge. As the sun rises, so too does a robot modeled in the vein of a sungazer lizard. Winnie's optics slowly glow awake, the mechanical reptile letting out a soft yawn from the comfort of her new charging bed.-

The full body scanner would be empty, and its computer would be off. Maintenance must've finished a long time ago from the looks of things.

Amy-Bot had long been out. It was continuing its mission to scavenge.

[refractory-facsimiles]

(Prev)

Do you see any good shops to check out? Some of these stores look too tempting not to visit for a—awwww, that's a cute dress! Look, in that window off to the right!

[doctor-blue-blur]

<...Priorities, Winnie. Priorities.>

It would look at the window that Winnie was talking about.

<I...suppose so?>

[refractory-facsimiles]

...If you wanted to browse after we got those wheels, we could... You're right, though. Priorities.

...I think blue would look good on you-

[doctor-blue-blur]

<Why would I...>

Something told it that this wasn't actually about what it wanted, but rather what Winnie wanted.

But they came here for a reason, nothing else. But the day had already been...stressful enough for Winnie. It saw what stress did to Dr. Hedge, and if Winnie was similar to him...

<....sure, I would "want" to browse afterwards.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

Alright. Maybe it'll help us both calm down from the day...

-She decided to focus on helping Amy-Bot look for a good parts shop. Best knock out the important stuff quick.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

As the two went searching, there would soon be a bike shop up ahead, as well as a parts shop around the same row.

[refractory-facsimiles]

Ah, would these do? The bike shop has some sizable wheels for sure...

[doctor-blue-blur]

<It needs to be a size where the chair won't be too low, but also not too high. I do not have the schematics for a wheelchair so specific size needed is unknown.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

Hmm... How big were the ones on the old chair? What diameter?

-Winnie asked as she walked up to the door.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

It looked at the wheels that it could see so far in the store.

Hm.

It pointed at one of the bikes at the window.

<It was similar to this set of wheels.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

-Turning to see the same bike, Winnie examined it with a smile.-

Ah! Great! We can ask if they have more of those then!

-With that, she entered the store.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

The person at the cash register would be a woman sporting a long lilac dress and a yellow wool cardigan. She was fiddling with her thumbs absent-mindedly.

Amy-Bot walked over to the lady, who jumped a bit when she noticed it.

〔Hello there! Do you have any more wheels like the ones over there at the window?〕

"Oh- uh, sorry, which bike is it?"

〔It's the blue one on the left.〕

She peered over to the left window, as if trying to memorize the bike's appearance.

"Do we have spares...? U-Um, I can go check in the back. Do you...have the bike with you?"

[refractory-facsimiles]

We...don't. I-I mean, it's not quite for a bike, but... S-sorry, is this an odd request?

-Winnie found her blush panels lighting up from nervousness.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

The cashier was confused now.

"Not for a bike? Wha..."

At times, she would be glancing at a phone before back to the two.

She must be someone who recently started working here.

[refractory-facsimiles]

You see, we're building a new wheelchair for a friend of ours. Please, t-take your time. There's no rush.

[doctor-blue-blur]

"You're on planning on bike wheels....for a wheelchair?"

〔Mhm!〕

"...O-Okay."

The woman would go to the back of the room, opening a door and going through it.

[refractory-facsimiles]

...I kinda feel bad for her. Poor lady must not have been expecting this order.

-Irises dotted Winnie's irises as she said this, thoroughly awkward.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

<I don't think anyone would be expecting it.>

Amy-Bot stared at the door, waiting.

[refractory-facsimiles]

Perhaps... Perhaps.

-Winnie twiddled her thumbs and hummed a bit.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

The lady came back soon enough.

"Okay so...we still have some wheels left. That'll be 57.63 if you want them."

[refractory-facsimiles]

Ah, yes. Sister, are you able to handle that?

[doctor-blue-blur]

<. . .>

She completely forgot.

Things have to be paid for.

"Uhhh, helllooo?"

[refractory-facsimiles]

-Winnie's irises dilated.-

Uh...I'm so sorry, could you excuse us for a moment, please?

-Taking Amy-Bot aside, she desperately whispered,-

Please tell me we have a way to pay for this. Or at least have a way to get in touch with the doctor about it.

[doctor-blue-blur]

She whispered back:

〔This is my first time going into a store. We don't exactly live in a city or anything. I...kinda forgot people pay for their stuff.〕

Uh oh.

[refractory-facsimiles]

Wh-what do we do...???

[doctor-blue-blur]

〔...I-I don't know.〕

The cashier was starting to realize what was happening.

"...You..forgot to bring money, didn't you?"

[refractory-facsimiles]

-Winnie bowed apologetically.-

Y-yes, I'm so sorry...after all the trouble you went through, too...

[doctor-blue-blur]

The lady looked at the register, then at Winnie, then at the door. She did a few times.

"...Just give me a moment."

She returned to the back room.

[refractory-facsimiles]

...We're in trouble, aren't we...

-Winnie's posture slumped fearfully.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

<Seeing this town, the only way we're in deep trouble is if we decide to steal the bike at the front.>

....Actually-

If they're going to get in trouble anyway...

[refractory-facsimiles]

...Do we really want to do that...? Maybe I'm just catastrophizing and we just need to find another way forward...

-Winnie gripped Amy-Bot's hand, trying to deter her. She did NOT want either of them branded a thief tonight...even if she didn't know what else to do except just leave quietly empty-handed. The doctor would probably be furious.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

<...You have a point. Committing larceny will put a target on our backs.>

Guess it's either to wait or to leave.

[refractory-facsimiles]

-Winnie looked to the front door, then to the one in back. What was going on in there? She tried to internally tune her hearing and ascertain what was happening. Maybe it would give her some peace of mind...?-

-Oh, what was she doing? There was a high likelihood leaving was better anyway. Even if nothing was going on, the lady had been through enough.-

-Slowly, she slid a foot away from the counter...but what would she hear?-

[doctor-blue-blur]

It was muffled, but you could hear someone speaking; it would be the cashier.

"What do you MEAN?"

. . .

"Okay, as I said before, bots are IN the store. Didn't you say that-"

. . .

"...okay okay fine. I'll get them. But why?"

. . .

"...you've heard the news though, right? I don't want that to happen here."

. . .

"Yeah yeah, I'm getting them...can't believe you're actually..."

[refractory-facsimiles]

...Let's jet.

-Winnie hurried out of the store with Amy-Bot in tow and legged it. In the moment, everything felt like one huge mistake. She regretted everything about this visit. She just wanted to hide, and where better than home...-

[doctor-blue-blur]

Amy-Bot looked confused as it ran with Winnie.

<Where are we going? What did you hear?>

[refractory-facsimiles]

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

-Winnie quietly repeated these words over and over, scared out of her wits as she bolted out of town with her sister in tow.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

<. . .>

Something clicked, and it quickly stopped Winnie by getting in front of her once they were a good enough distance away...and hugged her.

No, it had no clue what to say, but maybe this would help distract her.

[refractory-facsimiles]

-Winnie hugged her back tightly.-

What do we do? What do we do? What do we do? What do we do?

[doctor-blue-blur]

What did Winnie do first...

<First thing we do is calm down. We are away from the town now. We are back where we started.>

Were they? Doesn't matter right now.

<...No one will get you here.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

N...no one...?

-Winnie looked into Amy-Bot's eyes with digital tears in her own.-

...What will the doctor say? We already got into deep-enough water with RAID before this. All this because of one little error... This wasn't what I wanted for us at all.

[doctor-blue-blur]

<....Has the doctor ever chastised you for anything you've done that he didn't agree with? Or raised his voice at you in anger over something small? Has he ever made you feel like nothing you do is ever enough...? Like nothing will compare to the others, even though he refuses to see them when they're RIGHT there...?>

She paused for a minute.

<Throughout what you've told me, and from what I've seen between you both...it will be okay. He will not be angered, and will be understanding towards you.>

<You are safe.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

What about you, Amy-Bot...? Why are you so calm? I dragged you into this, too...

[doctor-blue-blur]

She lightly put a hand on Winnie's head, rubbing it. She seemed to be petting Winnie.

<You told me that [everything is going to be okay]. I choose to believe you, sister. Just as you should also choose to believe in those words. Yes, there is some explaining that must be done. Yes, the doctor may not be happy. [So what?] We have each other as support, don't we?>

[refractory-facsimiles]

You're...right.

-The petting seemed to calm Winnie down. Her blush panels lit up softly as she leaned into it. Slowly, she nodded.-

We...should still h-head home, shouldn't we? He might...might worry if we're not back b-before he wakes.

[doctor-blue-blur]

....Those two only got more and more similar.

Once Winnie had calmed down, Amy-Bot let go, took her by the hand, and started walking.

<He will not worry. He knows we will be fine. We should go anyways to check up on him. See if he's reverted back to his usual self.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

Yeah... Do we fly, or do we walk? Probably walk, right?

[doctor-blue-blur]

<Depends on your preference, and how quick you would like to return.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

-...Winnie decided she might as well just fly, and popped out her jetpack to resume the trip home.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

@refractory-facsimiles

-Morning dawns upon the base of one Dr. Hedge. As the sun rises, so too does a robot modeled in the vein of a sungazer lizard. Winnie's optics slowly glow awake, the mechanical reptile letting out a soft yawn from the comfort of her new charging bed.-

The full body scanner would be empty, and its computer would be off. Maintenance must've finished a long time ago from the looks of things.

Amy-Bot had long been out. It was continuing its mission to scavenge.

[refractory-facsimiles]

(Prev)

Do you see any good shops to check out? Some of these stores look too tempting not to visit for a—awwww, that's a cute dress! Look, in that window off to the right!

[doctor-blue-blur]

<...Priorities, Winnie. Priorities.>

It would look at the window that Winnie was talking about.

<I...suppose so?>

[refractory-facsimiles]

...If you wanted to browse after we got those wheels, we could... You're right, though. Priorities.

...I think blue would look good on you-

[doctor-blue-blur]

<Why would I...>

Something told it that this wasn't actually about what it wanted, but rather what Winnie wanted.

But they came here for a reason, nothing else. But the day had already been...stressful enough for Winnie. It saw what stress did to Dr. Hedge, and if Winnie was similar to him...

<....sure, I would "want" to browse afterwards.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

Alright. Maybe it'll help us both calm down from the day...

-She decided to focus on helping Amy-Bot look for a good parts shop. Best knock out the important stuff quick.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

As the two went searching, there would soon be a bike shop up ahead, as well as a parts shop around the same row.

[refractory-facsimiles]

Ah, would these do? The bike shop has some sizable wheels for sure...

[doctor-blue-blur]

<It needs to be a size where the chair won't be too low, but also not too high. I do not have the schematics for a wheelchair so specific size needed is unknown.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

Hmm... How big were the ones on the old chair? What diameter?

-Winnie asked as she walked up to the door.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

It looked at the wheels that it could see so far in the store.

Hm.

It pointed at one of the bikes at the window.

<It was similar to this set of wheels.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

-Turning to see the same bike, Winnie examined it with a smile.-

Ah! Great! We can ask if they have more of those then!

-With that, she entered the store.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

The person at the cash register would be a woman sporting a long lilac dress and a yellow wool cardigan. She was fiddling with her thumbs absent-mindedly.

Amy-Bot walked over to the lady, who jumped a bit when she noticed it.

〔Hello there! Do you have any more wheels like the ones over there at the window?〕

"Oh- uh, sorry, which bike is it?"

〔It's the blue one on the left.〕

She peered over to the left window, as if trying to memorize the bike's appearance.

"Do we have spares...? U-Um, I can go check in the back. Do you...have the bike with you?"

[refractory-facsimiles]

We...don't. I-I mean, it's not quite for a bike, but... S-sorry, is this an odd request?

-Winnie found her blush panels lighting up from nervousness.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

The cashier was confused now.

"Not for a bike? Wha..."

At times, she would be glancing at a phone before back to the two.

She must be someone who recently started working here.

[refractory-facsimiles]

You see, we're building a new wheelchair for a friend of ours. Please, t-take your time. There's no rush.

[doctor-blue-blur]

"You're on planning on bike wheels....for a wheelchair?"

〔Mhm!〕

"...O-Okay."

The woman would go to the back of the room, opening a door and going through it.

[refractory-facsimiles]

...I kinda feel bad for her. Poor lady must not have been expecting this order.

-Irises dotted Winnie's irises as she said this, thoroughly awkward.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

<I don't think anyone would be expecting it.>

Amy-Bot stared at the door, waiting.

[refractory-facsimiles]

Perhaps... Perhaps.

-Winnie twiddled her thumbs and hummed a bit.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

The lady came back soon enough.

"Okay so...we still have some wheels left. That'll be 57.63 if you want them."

[refractory-facsimiles]

Ah, yes. Sister, are you able to handle that?

[doctor-blue-blur]

<. . .>

She completely forgot.

Things have to be paid for.

"Uhhh, helllooo?"

[refractory-facsimiles]

-Winnie's irises dilated.-

Uh...I'm so sorry, could you excuse us for a moment, please?

-Taking Amy-Bot aside, she desperately whispered,-

Please tell me we have a way to pay for this. Or at least have a way to get in touch with the doctor about it.

[doctor-blue-blur]

She whispered back:

〔This is my first time going into a store. We don't exactly live in a city or anything. I...kinda forgot people pay for their stuff.〕

Uh oh.

[refractory-facsimiles]

Wh-what do we do...???

[doctor-blue-blur]

〔...I-I don't know.〕

The cashier was starting to realize what was happening.

"...You..forgot to bring money, didn't you?"

[refractory-facsimiles]

-Winnie bowed apologetically.-

Y-yes, I'm so sorry...after all the trouble you went through, too...

[doctor-blue-blur]

The lady looked at the register, then at Winnie, then at the door. She did a few times.

"...Just give me a moment."

She returned to the back room.

[refractory-facsimiles]

...We're in trouble, aren't we...

-Winnie's posture slumped fearfully.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

<Seeing this town, the only way we're in deep trouble is if we decide to steal the bike at the front.>

....Actually-

If they're going to get in trouble anyway...

[refractory-facsimiles]

...Do we really want to do that...? Maybe I'm just catastrophizing and we just need to find another way forward...

-Winnie gripped Amy-Bot's hand, trying to deter her. She did NOT want either of them branded a thief tonight...even if she didn't know what else to do except just leave quietly empty-handed. The doctor would probably be furious.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

<...You have a point. Committing larceny will put a target on our backs.>

Guess it's either to wait or to leave.

[refractory-facsimiles]

-Winnie looked to the front door, then to the one in back. What was going on in there? She tried to internally tune her hearing and ascertain what was happening. Maybe it would give her some peace of mind...?-

-Oh, what was she doing? There was a high likelihood leaving was better anyway. Even if nothing was going on, the lady had been through enough.-

-Slowly, she slid a foot away from the counter...but what would she hear?-

[doctor-blue-blur]

It was muffled, but you could hear someone speaking; it would be the cashier.

"What do you MEAN?"

. . .

"Okay, as I said before, bots are IN the store. Didn't you say that-"

. . .

"...okay okay fine. I'll get them. But why?"

. . .

"...you've heard the news though, right? I don't want that to happen here."

. . .

"Yeah yeah, I'm getting them...can't believe you're actually..."

[refractory-facsimiles]

...Let's jet.

-Winnie hurried out of the store with Amy-Bot in tow and legged it. In the moment, everything felt like one huge mistake. She regretted everything about this visit. She just wanted to hide, and where better than home...-

[doctor-blue-blur]

Amy-Bot looked confused as it ran with Winnie.

<Where are we going? What did you hear?>

[refractory-facsimiles]

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

-Winnie quietly repeated these words over and over, scared out of her wits as she bolted out of town with her sister in tow.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

<. . .>

Something clicked, and it quickly stopped Winnie by getting in front of her once they were a good enough distance away...and hugged her.

No, it had no clue what to say, but maybe this would help distract her.

[refractory-facsimiles]

-Winnie hugged her back tightly.-

What do we do? What do we do? What do we do? What do we do?

[doctor-blue-blur]

What did Winnie do first...

<First thing we do is calm down. We are away from the town now. We are back where we started.>

Were they? Doesn't matter right now.

<...No one will get you here.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

N...no one...?

-Winnie looked into Amy-Bot's eyes with digital tears in her own.-

...What will the doctor say? We already got into deep-enough water with RAID before this. All this because of one little error... This wasn't what I wanted for us at all.

[doctor-blue-blur]

<....Has the doctor ever chastised you for anything you've done that he didn't agree with? Or raised his voice at you in anger over something small? Has he ever made you feel like nothing you do is ever enough...? Like nothing will compare to the others, even though he refuses to see them when they're RIGHT there...?>

She paused for a minute.

<Throughout what you've told me, and from what I've seen between you both...it will be okay. He will not be angered, and will be understanding towards you.>

<You are safe.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

What about you, Amy-Bot...? Why are you so calm? I dragged you into this, too...

[doctor-blue-blur]

She lightly put a hand on Winnie's head, rubbing it. She seemed to be petting Winnie.

<You told me that [everything is going to be okay]. I choose to believe you, sister. Just as you should also choose to believe in those words. Yes, there is some explaining that must be done. Yes, the doctor may not be happy. [So what?] We have each other as support, don't we?>

[refractory-facsimiles]

You're...right.

-The petting seemed to calm Winnie down. Her blush panels lit up softly as she leaned into it. Slowly, she nodded.-

We...should still h-head home, shouldn't we? He might...might worry if we're not back b-before he wakes.

[doctor-blue-blur]

....Those two only got more and more similar.

Once Winnie had calmed down, Amy-Bot let go, took her by the hand, and started walking.

<He will not worry. He knows we will be fine. We should go anyways to check up on him. See if he's reverted back to his usual self.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

Yeah... Do we fly, or do we walk? Probably walk, right?

[doctor-blue-blur]

@refractory-facsimiles

-Morning dawns upon the base of one Dr. Hedge. As the sun rises, so too does a robot modeled in the vein of a sungazer lizard. Winnie's optics slowly glow awake, the mechanical reptile letting out a soft yawn from the comfort of her new charging bed.-

The full body scanner would be empty, and its computer would be off. Maintenance must've finished a long time ago from the looks of things.

Amy-Bot had long been out. It was continuing its mission to scavenge.

[refractory-facsimiles]

(Prev)

Do you see any good shops to check out? Some of these stores look too tempting not to visit for a—awwww, that's a cute dress! Look, in that window off to the right!

[doctor-blue-blur]

<...Priorities, Winnie. Priorities.>

It would look at the window that Winnie was talking about.

<I...suppose so?>

[refractory-facsimiles]

...If you wanted to browse after we got those wheels, we could... You're right, though. Priorities.

...I think blue would look good on you-

[doctor-blue-blur]

<Why would I...>

Something told it that this wasn't actually about what it wanted, but rather what Winnie wanted.

But they came here for a reason, nothing else. But the day had already been...stressful enough for Winnie. It saw what stress did to Dr. Hedge, and if Winnie was similar to him...

<....sure, I would "want" to browse afterwards.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

Alright. Maybe it'll help us both calm down from the day...

-She decided to focus on helping Amy-Bot look for a good parts shop. Best knock out the important stuff quick.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

As the two went searching, there would soon be a bike shop up ahead, as well as a parts shop around the same row.

[refractory-facsimiles]

Ah, would these do? The bike shop has some sizable wheels for sure...

[doctor-blue-blur]

<It needs to be a size where the chair won't be too low, but also not too high. I do not have the schematics for a wheelchair so specific size needed is unknown.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

Hmm... How big were the ones on the old chair? What diameter?

-Winnie asked as she walked up to the door.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

It looked at the wheels that it could see so far in the store.

Hm.

It pointed at one of the bikes at the window.

<It was similar to this set of wheels.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

-Turning to see the same bike, Winnie examined it with a smile.-

Ah! Great! We can ask if they have more of those then!

-With that, she entered the store.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

The person at the cash register would be a woman sporting a long lilac dress and a yellow wool cardigan. She was fiddling with her thumbs absent-mindedly.

Amy-Bot walked over to the lady, who jumped a bit when she noticed it.

〔Hello there! Do you have any more wheels like the ones over there at the window?〕

"Oh- uh, sorry, which bike is it?"

〔It's the blue one on the left.〕

She peered over to the left window, as if trying to memorize the bike's appearance.

"Do we have spares...? U-Um, I can go check in the back. Do you...have the bike with you?"

[refractory-facsimiles]

We...don't. I-I mean, it's not quite for a bike, but... S-sorry, is this an odd request?

-Winnie found her blush panels lighting up from nervousness.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

The cashier was confused now.

"Not for a bike? Wha..."

At times, she would be glancing at a phone before back to the two.

She must be someone who recently started working here.

[refractory-facsimiles]

You see, we're building a new wheelchair for a friend of ours. Please, t-take your time. There's no rush.

[doctor-blue-blur]

"You're on planning on bike wheels....for a wheelchair?"

〔Mhm!〕

"...O-Okay."

The woman would go to the back of the room, opening a door and going through it.

[refractory-facsimiles]

...I kinda feel bad for her. Poor lady must not have been expecting this order.

-Irises dotted Winnie's irises as she said this, thoroughly awkward.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

<I don't think anyone would be expecting it.>

Amy-Bot stared at the door, waiting.

[refractory-facsimiles]

Perhaps... Perhaps.

-Winnie twiddled her thumbs and hummed a bit.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

The lady came back soon enough.

"Okay so...we still have some wheels left. That'll be 57.63 if you want them."

[refractory-facsimiles]

Ah, yes. Sister, are you able to handle that?

[doctor-blue-blur]

<. . .>

She completely forgot.

Things have to be paid for.

"Uhhh, helllooo?"

[refractory-facsimiles]

-Winnie's irises dilated.-

Uh...I'm so sorry, could you excuse us for a moment, please?

-Taking Amy-Bot aside, she desperately whispered,-

Please tell me we have a way to pay for this. Or at least have a way to get in touch with the doctor about it.

[doctor-blue-blur]

She whispered back:

〔This is my first time going into a store. We don't exactly live in a city or anything. I...kinda forgot people pay for their stuff.〕

Uh oh.

[refractory-facsimiles]

Wh-what do we do...???

[doctor-blue-blur]

〔...I-I don't know.〕

The cashier was starting to realize what was happening.

"...You..forgot to bring money, didn't you?"

[refractory-facsimiles]

-Winnie bowed apologetically.-

Y-yes, I'm so sorry...after all the trouble you went through, too...

[doctor-blue-blur]

The lady looked at the register, then at Winnie, then at the door. She did a few times.

"...Just give me a moment."

She returned to the back room.

[refractory-facsimiles]

...We're in trouble, aren't we...

-Winnie's posture slumped fearfully.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

<Seeing this town, the only way we're in deep trouble is if we decide to steal the bike at the front.>

....Actually-

If they're going to get in trouble anyway...

[refractory-facsimiles]

...Do we really want to do that...? Maybe I'm just catastrophizing and we just need to find another way forward...

-Winnie gripped Amy-Bot's hand, trying to deter her. She did NOT want either of them branded a thief tonight...even if she didn't know what else to do except just leave quietly empty-handed. The doctor would probably be furious.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

<...You have a point. Committing larceny will put a target on our backs.>

Guess it's either to wait or to leave.

[refractory-facsimiles]

-Winnie looked to the front door, then to the one in back. What was going on in there? She tried to internally tune her hearing and ascertain what was happening. Maybe it would give her some peace of mind...?-

-Oh, what was she doing? There was a high likelihood leaving was better anyway. Even if nothing was going on, the lady had been through enough.-

-Slowly, she slid a foot away from the counter...but what would she hear?-

[doctor-blue-blur]

It was muffled, but you could hear someone speaking; it would be the cashier.

"What do you MEAN?"

. . .

"Okay, as I said before, bots are IN the store. Didn't you say that-"

. . .

"...okay okay fine. I'll get them. But why?"

. . .

"...you've heard the news though, right? I don't want that to happen here."

. . .

"Yeah yeah, I'm getting them...can't believe you're actually..."

[refractory-facsimiles]

...Let's jet.

-Winnie hurried out of the store with Amy-Bot in tow and legged it. In the moment, everything felt like one huge mistake. She regretted everything about this visit. She just wanted to hide, and where better than home...-

[doctor-blue-blur]

Amy-Bot looked confused as it ran with Winnie.

<Where are we going? What did you hear?>

[refractory-facsimiles]

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

-Winnie quietly repeated these words over and over, scared out of her wits as she bolted out of town with her sister in tow.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

<. . .>

Something clicked, and it quickly stopped Winnie by getting in front of her once they were a good enough distance away...and hugged her.

No, it had no clue what to say, but maybe this would help distract her.

[refractory-facsimiles]

-Winnie hugged her back tightly.-

What do we do? What do we do? What do we do? What do we do?

[doctor-blue-blur]

What did Winnie do first...

<First thing we do is calm down. We are away from the town now. We are back where we started.>

Were they? Doesn't matter right now.

<...No one will get you here.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

N...no one...?

-Winnie looked into Amy-Bot's eyes with digital tears in her own.-

...What will the doctor say? We already got into deep-enough water with RAID before this. All this because of one little error... This wasn't what I wanted for us at all.

[doctor-blue-blur]

<....Has the doctor ever chastised you for anything you've done that he didn't agree with? Or raised his voice at you in anger over something small? Has he ever made you feel like nothing you do is ever enough...? Like nothing will compare to the others, even though he refuses to see them when they're RIGHT there...?>

She paused for a minute.

<Throughout what you've told me, and from what I've seen between you both...it will be okay. He will not be angered, and will be understanding towards you.>

<You are safe.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

What about you, Amy-Bot...? Why are you so calm? I dragged you into this, too...

[doctor-blue-blur]

She lightly put a hand on Winnie's head, rubbing it. She seemed to be petting Winnie.

<You told me that [everything is going to be okay]. I choose to believe you, sister. Just as you should also choose to believe in those words. Yes, there is some explaining that must be done. Yes, the doctor may not be happy. [So what?] We have each other as support, don't we?>

[refractory-facsimiles]

You're...right.

-The petting seemed to calm Winnie down. Her blush panels lit up softly as she leaned into it. Slowly, she nodded.-

We...should still h-head home, shouldn't we? He might...might worry if we're not back b-before he wakes.

[doctor-blue-blur]

@refractory-facsimiles

-Morning dawns upon the base of one Dr. Hedge. As the sun rises, so too does a robot modeled in the vein of a sungazer lizard. Winnie's optics slowly glow awake, the mechanical reptile letting out a soft yawn from the comfort of her new charging bed.-

The full body scanner would be empty, and its computer would be off. Maintenance must've finished a long time ago from the looks of things.

Amy-Bot had long been out. It was continuing its mission to scavenge.

[refractory-facsimiles]

(Prev)

Do you see any good shops to check out? Some of these stores look too tempting not to visit for a—awwww, that's a cute dress! Look, in that window off to the right!

[doctor-blue-blur]

<...Priorities, Winnie. Priorities.>

It would look at the window that Winnie was talking about.

<I...suppose so?>

[refractory-facsimiles]

...If you wanted to browse after we got those wheels, we could... You're right, though. Priorities.

...I think blue would look good on you-

[doctor-blue-blur]

<Why would I...>

Something told it that this wasn't actually about what it wanted, but rather what Winnie wanted.

But they came here for a reason, nothing else. But the day had already been...stressful enough for Winnie. It saw what stress did to Dr. Hedge, and if Winnie was similar to him...

<....sure, I would "want" to browse afterwards.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

Alright. Maybe it'll help us both calm down from the day...

-She decided to focus on helping Amy-Bot look for a good parts shop. Best knock out the important stuff quick.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

As the two went searching, there would soon be a bike shop up ahead, as well as a parts shop around the same row.

[refractory-facsimiles]

Ah, would these do? The bike shop has some sizable wheels for sure...

[doctor-blue-blur]

<It needs to be a size where the chair won't be too low, but also not too high. I do not have the schematics for a wheelchair so specific size needed is unknown.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

Hmm... How big were the ones on the old chair? What diameter?

-Winnie asked as she walked up to the door.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

It looked at the wheels that it could see so far in the store.

Hm.

It pointed at one of the bikes at the window.

<It was similar to this set of wheels.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

-Turning to see the same bike, Winnie examined it with a smile.-

Ah! Great! We can ask if they have more of those then!

-With that, she entered the store.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

The person at the cash register would be a woman sporting a long lilac dress and a yellow wool cardigan. She was fiddling with her thumbs absent-mindedly.

Amy-Bot walked over to the lady, who jumped a bit when she noticed it.

〔Hello there! Do you have any more wheels like the ones over there at the window?〕

"Oh- uh, sorry, which bike is it?"

〔It's the blue one on the left.〕

She peered over to the left window, as if trying to memorize the bike's appearance.

"Do we have spares...? U-Um, I can go check in the back. Do you...have the bike with you?"

[refractory-facsimiles]

We...don't. I-I mean, it's not quite for a bike, but... S-sorry, is this an odd request?

-Winnie found her blush panels lighting up from nervousness.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

The cashier was confused now.

"Not for a bike? Wha..."

At times, she would be glancing at a phone before back to the two.

She must be someone who recently started working here.

[refractory-facsimiles]

You see, we're building a new wheelchair for a friend of ours. Please, t-take your time. There's no rush.

[doctor-blue-blur]

"You're on planning on bike wheels....for a wheelchair?"

〔Mhm!〕

"...O-Okay."

The woman would go to the back of the room, opening a door and going through it.

[refractory-facsimiles]

...I kinda feel bad for her. Poor lady must not have been expecting this order.

-Irises dotted Winnie's irises as she said this, thoroughly awkward.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

<I don't think anyone would be expecting it.>

Amy-Bot stared at the door, waiting.

[refractory-facsimiles]

Perhaps... Perhaps.

-Winnie twiddled her thumbs and hummed a bit.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

The lady came back soon enough.

"Okay so...we still have some wheels left. That'll be 57.63 if you want them."

[refractory-facsimiles]

Ah, yes. Sister, are you able to handle that?

[doctor-blue-blur]

<. . .>

She completely forgot.

Things have to be paid for.

"Uhhh, helllooo?"

[refractory-facsimiles]

-Winnie's irises dilated.-

Uh...I'm so sorry, could you excuse us for a moment, please?

-Taking Amy-Bot aside, she desperately whispered,-

Please tell me we have a way to pay for this. Or at least have a way to get in touch with the doctor about it.

[doctor-blue-blur]

She whispered back:

〔This is my first time going into a store. We don't exactly live in a city or anything. I...kinda forgot people pay for their stuff.〕

Uh oh.

[refractory-facsimiles]

Wh-what do we do...???

[doctor-blue-blur]

〔...I-I don't know.〕

The cashier was starting to realize what was happening.

"...You..forgot to bring money, didn't you?"

[refractory-facsimiles]

-Winnie bowed apologetically.-

Y-yes, I'm so sorry...after all the trouble you went through, too...

[doctor-blue-blur]

The lady looked at the register, then at Winnie, then at the door. She did a few times.

"...Just give me a moment."

She returned to the back room.

[refractory-facsimiles]

...We're in trouble, aren't we...

-Winnie's posture slumped fearfully.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

<Seeing this town, the only way we're in deep trouble is if we decide to steal the bike at the front.>

....Actually-

If they're going to get in trouble anyway...

[refractory-facsimiles]

...Do we really want to do that...? Maybe I'm just catastrophizing and we just need to find another way forward...

-Winnie gripped Amy-Bot's hand, trying to deter her. She did NOT want either of them branded a thief tonight...even if she didn't know what else to do except just leave quietly empty-handed. The doctor would probably be furious.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

<...You have a point. Committing larceny will put a target on our backs.>

Guess it's either to wait or to leave.

[refractory-facsimiles]

-Winnie looked to the front door, then to the one in back. What was going on in there? She tried to internally tune her hearing and ascertain what was happening. Maybe it would give her some peace of mind...?-

-Oh, what was she doing? There was a high likelihood leaving was better anyway. Even if nothing was going on, the lady had been through enough.-

-Slowly, she slid a foot away from the counter...but what would she hear?-

[doctor-blue-blur]

It was muffled, but you could hear someone speaking; it would be the cashier.

"What do you MEAN?"

. . .

"Okay, as I said before, bots are IN the store. Didn't you say that-"

. . .

"...okay okay fine. I'll get them. But why?"

. . .

"...you've heard the news though, right? I don't want that to happen here."

. . .

"Yeah yeah, I'm getting them...can't believe you're actually..."

[refractory-facsimiles]

...Let's jet.

-Winnie hurried out of the store with Amy-Bot in tow and legged it. In the moment, everything felt like one huge mistake. She regretted everything about this visit. She just wanted to hide, and where better than home...-

[doctor-blue-blur]

Amy-Bot looked confused as it ran with Winnie.

<Where are we going? What did you hear?>

[refractory-facsimiles]

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

-Winnie quietly repeated these words over and over, scared out of her wits as she bolted out of town with her sister in tow.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

<. . .>

Something clicked, and it quickly stopped Winnie by getting in front of her once they were a good enough distance away...and hugged her.

No, it had no clue what to say, but maybe this would help distract her.

[refractory-facsimiles]

-Winnie hugged her back tightly.-

What do we do? What do we do? What do we do? What do we do?

[doctor-blue-blur]

What did Winnie do first...

<First thing we do is calm down. We are away from the town now. We are back where we started.>

Were they? Doesn't matter right now.

<...No one will get you here.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

N...no one...?

-Winnie looked into Amy-Bot's eyes with digital tears in her own.-

...What will the doctor say? We already got into deep-enough water with RAID before this. All this because of one little error... This wasn't what I wanted for us at all.

[doctor-blue-blur]

<....Has the doctor ever chastised you for anything you've done that he didn't agree with? Or raised his voice at you in anger over something small? Has he ever made you feel like nothing you do is ever enough...? Like nothing will compare to the others, even though he refuses to see them when they're RIGHT there...?>

She paused for a minute.

<Throughout what you've told me, and from what I've seen between you both...it will be okay. He will not be angered, and will be understanding towards you.>

<You are safe.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

What about you, Amy-Bot...? Why are you so calm? I dragged you into this, too...

[doctor-blue-blur]

@refractory-facsimiles

-Morning dawns upon the base of one Dr. Hedge. As the sun rises, so too does a robot modeled in the vein of a sungazer lizard. Winnie's optics slowly glow awake, the mechanical reptile letting out a soft yawn from the comfort of her new charging bed.-

The full body scanner would be empty, and its computer would be off. Maintenance must've finished a long time ago from the looks of things.

Amy-Bot had long been out. It was continuing its mission to scavenge.

[refractory-facsimiles]

(Prev)

Do you see any good shops to check out? Some of these stores look too tempting not to visit for a—awwww, that's a cute dress! Look, in that window off to the right!

[doctor-blue-blur]

<...Priorities, Winnie. Priorities.>

It would look at the window that Winnie was talking about.

<I...suppose so?>

[refractory-facsimiles]

...If you wanted to browse after we got those wheels, we could... You're right, though. Priorities.

...I think blue would look good on you-

[doctor-blue-blur]

<Why would I...>

Something told it that this wasn't actually about what it wanted, but rather what Winnie wanted.

But they came here for a reason, nothing else. But the day had already been...stressful enough for Winnie. It saw what stress did to Dr. Hedge, and if Winnie was similar to him...

<....sure, I would "want" to browse afterwards.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

Alright. Maybe it'll help us both calm down from the day...

-She decided to focus on helping Amy-Bot look for a good parts shop. Best knock out the important stuff quick.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

As the two went searching, there would soon be a bike shop up ahead, as well as a parts shop around the same row.

[refractory-facsimiles]

Ah, would these do? The bike shop has some sizable wheels for sure...

[doctor-blue-blur]

<It needs to be a size where the chair won't be too low, but also not too high. I do not have the schematics for a wheelchair so specific size needed is unknown.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

Hmm... How big were the ones on the old chair? What diameter?

-Winnie asked as she walked up to the door.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

It looked at the wheels that it could see so far in the store.

Hm.

It pointed at one of the bikes at the window.

<It was similar to this set of wheels.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

-Turning to see the same bike, Winnie examined it with a smile.-

Ah! Great! We can ask if they have more of those then!

-With that, she entered the store.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

The person at the cash register would be a woman sporting a long lilac dress and a yellow wool cardigan. She was fiddling with her thumbs absent-mindedly.

Amy-Bot walked over to the lady, who jumped a bit when she noticed it.

〔Hello there! Do you have any more wheels like the ones over there at the window?〕

"Oh- uh, sorry, which bike is it?"

〔It's the blue one on the left.〕

She peered over to the left window, as if trying to memorize the bike's appearance.

"Do we have spares...? U-Um, I can go check in the back. Do you...have the bike with you?"

[refractory-facsimiles]

We...don't. I-I mean, it's not quite for a bike, but... S-sorry, is this an odd request?

-Winnie found her blush panels lighting up from nervousness.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

The cashier was confused now.

"Not for a bike? Wha..."

At times, she would be glancing at a phone before back to the two.

She must be someone who recently started working here.

[refractory-facsimiles]

You see, we're building a new wheelchair for a friend of ours. Please, t-take your time. There's no rush.

[doctor-blue-blur]

"You're on planning on bike wheels....for a wheelchair?"

〔Mhm!〕

"...O-Okay."

The woman would go to the back of the room, opening a door and going through it.

[refractory-facsimiles]

...I kinda feel bad for her. Poor lady must not have been expecting this order.

-Irises dotted Winnie's irises as she said this, thoroughly awkward.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

<I don't think anyone would be expecting it.>

Amy-Bot stared at the door, waiting.

[refractory-facsimiles]

Perhaps... Perhaps.

-Winnie twiddled her thumbs and hummed a bit.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

The lady came back soon enough.

"Okay so...we still have some wheels left. That'll be 57.63 if you want them."

[refractory-facsimiles]

Ah, yes. Sister, are you able to handle that?

[doctor-blue-blur]

<. . .>

She completely forgot.

Things have to be paid for.

"Uhhh, helllooo?"

[refractory-facsimiles]

-Winnie's irises dilated.-

Uh...I'm so sorry, could you excuse us for a moment, please?

-Taking Amy-Bot aside, she desperately whispered,-

Please tell me we have a way to pay for this. Or at least have a way to get in touch with the doctor about it.

[doctor-blue-blur]

She whispered back:

〔This is my first time going into a store. We don't exactly live in a city or anything. I...kinda forgot people pay for their stuff.〕

Uh oh.

[refractory-facsimiles]

Wh-what do we do...???

[doctor-blue-blur]

〔...I-I don't know.〕

The cashier was starting to realize what was happening.

"...You..forgot to bring money, didn't you?"

[refractory-facsimiles]

-Winnie bowed apologetically.-

Y-yes, I'm so sorry...after all the trouble you went through, too...

[doctor-blue-blur]

The lady looked at the register, then at Winnie, then at the door. She did a few times.

"...Just give me a moment."

She returned to the back room.

[refractory-facsimiles]

...We're in trouble, aren't we...

-Winnie's posture slumped fearfully.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

<Seeing this town, the only way we're in deep trouble is if we decide to steal the bike at the front.>

....Actually-

If they're going to get in trouble anyway...

[refractory-facsimiles]

...Do we really want to do that...? Maybe I'm just catastrophizing and we just need to find another way forward...

-Winnie gripped Amy-Bot's hand, trying to deter her. She did NOT want either of them branded a thief tonight...even if she didn't know what else to do except just leave quietly empty-handed. The doctor would probably be furious.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

<...You have a point. Committing larceny will put a target on our backs.>

Guess it's either to wait or to leave.

[refractory-facsimiles]

-Winnie looked to the front door, then to the one in back. What was going on in there? She tried to internally tune her hearing and ascertain what was happening. Maybe it would give her some peace of mind...?-

-Oh, what was she doing? There was a high likelihood leaving was better anyway. Even if nothing was going on, the lady had been through enough.-

-Slowly, she slid a foot away from the counter...but what would she hear?-

[doctor-blue-blur]

It was muffled, but you could hear someone speaking; it would be the cashier.

"What do you MEAN?"

. . .

"Okay, as I said before, bots are IN the store. Didn't you say that-"

. . .

"...okay okay fine. I'll get them. But why?"

. . .

"...you've heard the news though, right? I don't want that to happen here."

. . .

"Yeah yeah, I'm getting them...can't believe you're actually..."

[refractory-facsimiles]

...Let's jet.

-Winnie hurried out of the store with Amy-Bot in tow and legged it. In the moment, everything felt like one huge mistake. She regretted everything about this visit. She just wanted to hide, and where better than home...-

[doctor-blue-blur]

Amy-Bot looked confused as it ran with Winnie.

<Where are we going? What did you hear?>

[refractory-facsimiles]

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

-Winnie quietly repeated these words over and over, scared out of her wits as she bolted out of town with her sister in tow.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

<. . .>

Something clicked, and it quickly stopped Winnie by getting in front of her once they were a good enough distance away...and hugged her.

No, it had no clue what to say, but maybe this would help distract her.

[refractory-facsimiles]

-Winnie hugged her back tightly.-

What do we do? What do we do? What do we do? What do we do?

[doctor-blue-blur]

What did Winnie do first...

<First thing we do is calm down. We are away from the town now. We are back where we started.>

Were they? Doesn't matter right now.

<...No one will get you here.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

N...no one...?

-Winnie looked into Amy-Bot's eyes with digital tears in her own.-

...What will the doctor say? We already got into deep-enough water with RAID before this. All this because of one little error... This wasn't what I wanted for us at all.

[doctor-blue-blur]

@refractory-facsimiles

-Morning dawns upon the base of one Dr. Hedge. As the sun rises, so too does a robot modeled in the vein of a sungazer lizard. Winnie's optics slowly glow awake, the mechanical reptile letting out a soft yawn from the comfort of her new charging bed.-

The full body scanner would be empty, and its computer would be off. Maintenance must've finished a long time ago from the looks of things.

Amy-Bot had long been out. It was continuing its mission to scavenge.

[refractory-facsimiles]

(Prev)

Do you see any good shops to check out? Some of these stores look too tempting not to visit for a—awwww, that's a cute dress! Look, in that window off to the right!

[doctor-blue-blur]

<...Priorities, Winnie. Priorities.>

It would look at the window that Winnie was talking about.

<I...suppose so?>

[refractory-facsimiles]

...If you wanted to browse after we got those wheels, we could... You're right, though. Priorities.

...I think blue would look good on you-

[doctor-blue-blur]

<Why would I...>

Something told it that this wasn't actually about what it wanted, but rather what Winnie wanted.

But they came here for a reason, nothing else. But the day had already been...stressful enough for Winnie. It saw what stress did to Dr. Hedge, and if Winnie was similar to him...

<....sure, I would "want" to browse afterwards.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

Alright. Maybe it'll help us both calm down from the day...

-She decided to focus on helping Amy-Bot look for a good parts shop. Best knock out the important stuff quick.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

As the two went searching, there would soon be a bike shop up ahead, as well as a parts shop around the same row.

[refractory-facsimiles]

Ah, would these do? The bike shop has some sizable wheels for sure...

[doctor-blue-blur]

<It needs to be a size where the chair won't be too low, but also not too high. I do not have the schematics for a wheelchair so specific size needed is unknown.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

Hmm... How big were the ones on the old chair? What diameter?

-Winnie asked as she walked up to the door.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

It looked at the wheels that it could see so far in the store.

Hm.

It pointed at one of the bikes at the window.

<It was similar to this set of wheels.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

-Turning to see the same bike, Winnie examined it with a smile.-

Ah! Great! We can ask if they have more of those then!

-With that, she entered the store.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

The person at the cash register would be a woman sporting a long lilac dress and a yellow wool cardigan. She was fiddling with her thumbs absent-mindedly.

Amy-Bot walked over to the lady, who jumped a bit when she noticed it.

〔Hello there! Do you have any more wheels like the ones over there at the window?〕

"Oh- uh, sorry, which bike is it?"

〔It's the blue one on the left.〕

She peered over to the left window, as if trying to memorize the bike's appearance.

"Do we have spares...? U-Um, I can go check in the back. Do you...have the bike with you?"

[refractory-facsimiles]

We...don't. I-I mean, it's not quite for a bike, but... S-sorry, is this an odd request?

-Winnie found her blush panels lighting up from nervousness.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

The cashier was confused now.

"Not for a bike? Wha..."

At times, she would be glancing at a phone before back to the two.

She must be someone who recently started working here.

[refractory-facsimiles]

You see, we're building a new wheelchair for a friend of ours. Please, t-take your time. There's no rush.

[doctor-blue-blur]

"You're on planning on bike wheels....for a wheelchair?"

〔Mhm!〕

"...O-Okay."

The woman would go to the back of the room, opening a door and going through it.

[refractory-facsimiles]

...I kinda feel bad for her. Poor lady must not have been expecting this order.

-Irises dotted Winnie's irises as she said this, thoroughly awkward.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

<I don't think anyone would be expecting it.>

Amy-Bot stared at the door, waiting.

[refractory-facsimiles]

Perhaps... Perhaps.

-Winnie twiddled her thumbs and hummed a bit.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

The lady came back soon enough.

"Okay so...we still have some wheels left. That'll be 57.63 if you want them."

[refractory-facsimiles]

Ah, yes. Sister, are you able to handle that?

[doctor-blue-blur]

<. . .>

She completely forgot.

Things have to be paid for.

"Uhhh, helllooo?"

[refractory-facsimiles]

-Winnie's irises dilated.-

Uh...I'm so sorry, could you excuse us for a moment, please?

-Taking Amy-Bot aside, she desperately whispered,-

Please tell me we have a way to pay for this. Or at least have a way to get in touch with the doctor about it.

[doctor-blue-blur]

She whispered back:

〔This is my first time going into a store. We don't exactly live in a city or anything. I...kinda forgot people pay for their stuff.〕

Uh oh.

[refractory-facsimiles]

Wh-what do we do...???

[doctor-blue-blur]

〔...I-I don't know.〕

The cashier was starting to realize what was happening.

"...You..forgot to bring money, didn't you?"

[refractory-facsimiles]

-Winnie bowed apologetically.-

Y-yes, I'm so sorry...after all the trouble you went through, too...

[doctor-blue-blur]

The lady looked at the register, then at Winnie, then at the door. She did a few times.

"...Just give me a moment."

She returned to the back room.

[refractory-facsimiles]

...We're in trouble, aren't we...

-Winnie's posture slumped fearfully.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

<Seeing this town, the only way we're in deep trouble is if we decide to steal the bike at the front.>

....Actually-

If they're going to get in trouble anyway...

[refractory-facsimiles]

...Do we really want to do that...? Maybe I'm just catastrophizing and we just need to find another way forward...

-Winnie gripped Amy-Bot's hand, trying to deter her. She did NOT want either of them branded a thief tonight...even if she didn't know what else to do except just leave quietly empty-handed. The doctor would probably be furious.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

<...You have a point. Committing larceny will put a target on our backs.>

Guess it's either to wait or to leave.

[refractory-facsimiles]

-Winnie looked to the front door, then to the one in back. What was going on in there? She tried to internally tune her hearing and ascertain what was happening. Maybe it would give her some peace of mind...?-

-Oh, what was she doing? There was a high likelihood leaving was better anyway. Even if nothing was going on, the lady had been through enough.-

-Slowly, she slid a foot away from the counter...but what would she hear?-

[doctor-blue-blur]

It was muffled, but you could hear someone speaking; it would be the cashier.

"What do you MEAN?"

. . .

"Okay, as I said before, bots are IN the store. Didn't you say that-"

. . .

"...okay okay fine. I'll get them. But why?"

. . .

"...you've heard the news though, right? I don't want that to happen here."

. . .

"Yeah yeah, I'm getting them...can't believe you're actually..."

[refractory-facsimiles]

...Let's jet.

-Winnie hurried out of the store with Amy-Bot in tow and legged it. In the moment, everything felt like one huge mistake. She regretted everything about this visit. She just wanted to hide, and where better than home...-

[doctor-blue-blur]

Amy-Bot looked confused as it ran with Winnie.

<Where are we going? What did you hear?>

[refractory-facsimiles]

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

-Winnie quietly repeated these words over and over, scared out of her wits as she bolted out of town with her sister in tow.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

<. . .>

Something clicked, and it quickly stopped Winnie by getting in front of her once they were a good enough distance away...and hugged her.

No, it had no clue what to say, but maybe this would help distract her.

[refractory-facsimiles]

-Winnie hugged her back tightly.-

What do we do? What do we do? What do we do? What do we do?

[doctor-blue-blur]

@refractory-facsimiles

-Morning dawns upon the base of one Dr. Hedge. As the sun rises, so too does a robot modeled in the vein of a sungazer lizard. Winnie's optics slowly glow awake, the mechanical reptile letting out a soft yawn from the comfort of her new charging bed.-

The full body scanner would be empty, and its computer would be off. Maintenance must've finished a long time ago from the looks of things.

Amy-Bot had long been out. It was continuing its mission to scavenge.

[refractory-facsimiles]

(Prev)

Do you see any good shops to check out? Some of these stores look too tempting not to visit for a—awwww, that's a cute dress! Look, in that window off to the right!

[doctor-blue-blur]

<...Priorities, Winnie. Priorities.>

It would look at the window that Winnie was talking about.

<I...suppose so?>

[refractory-facsimiles]

...If you wanted to browse after we got those wheels, we could... You're right, though. Priorities.

...I think blue would look good on you-

[doctor-blue-blur]

<Why would I...>

Something told it that this wasn't actually about what it wanted, but rather what Winnie wanted.

But they came here for a reason, nothing else. But the day had already been...stressful enough for Winnie. It saw what stress did to Dr. Hedge, and if Winnie was similar to him...

<....sure, I would "want" to browse afterwards.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

Alright. Maybe it'll help us both calm down from the day...

-She decided to focus on helping Amy-Bot look for a good parts shop. Best knock out the important stuff quick.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

As the two went searching, there would soon be a bike shop up ahead, as well as a parts shop around the same row.

[refractory-facsimiles]

Ah, would these do? The bike shop has some sizable wheels for sure...

[doctor-blue-blur]

<It needs to be a size where the chair won't be too low, but also not too high. I do not have the schematics for a wheelchair so specific size needed is unknown.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

Hmm... How big were the ones on the old chair? What diameter?

-Winnie asked as she walked up to the door.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

It looked at the wheels that it could see so far in the store.

Hm.

It pointed at one of the bikes at the window.

<It was similar to this set of wheels.>

[refractory-facsimiles]

-Turning to see the same bike, Winnie examined it with a smile.-

Ah! Great! We can ask if they have more of those then!

-With that, she entered the store.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

The person at the cash register would be a woman sporting a long lilac dress and a yellow wool cardigan. She was fiddling with her thumbs absent-mindedly.

Amy-Bot walked over to the lady, who jumped a bit when she noticed it.

〔Hello there! Do you have any more wheels like the ones over there at the window?〕

"Oh- uh, sorry, which bike is it?"

〔It's the blue one on the left.〕

She peered over to the left window, as if trying to memorize the bike's appearance.

"Do we have spares...? U-Um, I can go check in the back. Do you...have the bike with you?"

[refractory-facsimiles]

We...don't. I-I mean, it's not quite for a bike, but... S-sorry, is this an odd request?

-Winnie found her blush panels lighting up from nervousness.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

The cashier was confused now.

"Not for a bike? Wha..."

At times, she would be glancing at a phone before back to the two.

She must be someone who recently started working here.

[refractory-facsimiles]

You see, we're building a new wheelchair for a friend of ours. Please, t-take your time. There's no rush.

[doctor-blue-blur]

"You're on planning on bike wheels....for a wheelchair?"

〔Mhm!〕

"...O-Okay."

The woman would go to the back of the room, opening a door and going through it.

[refractory-facsimiles]

...I kinda feel bad for her. Poor lady must not have been expecting this order.

-Irises dotted Winnie's irises as she said this, thoroughly awkward.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

<I don't think anyone would be expecting it.>

Amy-Bot stared at the door, waiting.

[refractory-facsimiles]

Perhaps... Perhaps.

-Winnie twiddled her thumbs and hummed a bit.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

The lady came back soon enough.

"Okay so...we still have some wheels left. That'll be 57.63 if you want them."

[refractory-facsimiles]

Ah, yes. Sister, are you able to handle that?

[doctor-blue-blur]

<. . .>

She completely forgot.

Things have to be paid for.

"Uhhh, helllooo?"

[refractory-facsimiles]

-Winnie's irises dilated.-

Uh...I'm so sorry, could you excuse us for a moment, please?

-Taking Amy-Bot aside, she desperately whispered,-

Please tell me we have a way to pay for this. Or at least have a way to get in touch with the doctor about it.

[doctor-blue-blur]

She whispered back:

〔This is my first time going into a store. We don't exactly live in a city or anything. I...kinda forgot people pay for their stuff.〕

Uh oh.

[refractory-facsimiles]

Wh-what do we do...???

[doctor-blue-blur]

〔...I-I don't know.〕

The cashier was starting to realize what was happening.

"...You..forgot to bring money, didn't you?"

[refractory-facsimiles]

-Winnie bowed apologetically.-

Y-yes, I'm so sorry...after all the trouble you went through, too...

[doctor-blue-blur]

The lady looked at the register, then at Winnie, then at the door. She did a few times.

"...Just give me a moment."

She returned to the back room.

[refractory-facsimiles]

...We're in trouble, aren't we...

-Winnie's posture slumped fearfully.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

<Seeing this town, the only way we're in deep trouble is if we decide to steal the bike at the front.>

....Actually-

If they're going to get in trouble anyway...

[refractory-facsimiles]

...Do we really want to do that...? Maybe I'm just catastrophizing and we just need to find another way forward...

-Winnie gripped Amy-Bot's hand, trying to deter her. She did NOT want either of them branded a thief tonight...even if she didn't know what else to do except just leave quietly empty-handed. The doctor would probably be furious.-

[doctor-blue-blur]

<...You have a point. Committing larceny will put a target on our backs.>

Guess it's either to wait or to leave.

[refractory-facsimiles]

-Winnie looked to the front door, then to the one in back. What was going on in there? She tried to internally tune her hearing and ascertain what was happening. Maybe it would give her some peace of mind...?-

-Oh, what was she doing? There was a high likelihood leaving was better anyway. Even if nothing was going on, the lady had been through enough.-

-Slowly, she slid a foot away from the counter...but what would she hear?-

[doctor-blue-blur]

It was muffled, but you could hear someone speaking; it would be the cashier.

"What do you MEAN?"

. . .

"Okay, as I said before, bots are IN the store. Didn't you say that-"

. . .

"...okay okay fine. I'll get them. But why?"

. . .

"...you've heard the news though, right? I don't want that to happen here."

. . .

"Yeah yeah, I'm getting them...can't believe you're actually..."

[refractory-facsimiles]

...Let's jet.

-Winnie hurried out of the store with Amy-Bot in tow and legged it. In the moment, everything felt like one huge mistake. She regretted everything about this visit. She just wanted to hide, and where better than home...-

[doctor-blue-blur]

Amy-Bot looked confused as it ran with Winnie.

<Where are we going? What did you hear?>

[refractory-facsimiles]

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

-Winnie quietly repeated these words over and over, scared out of her wits as she bolted out of town with her sister in tow.-