I need motivation to write again, so here's the next scene of my "Agatha builds a Dingbot before she gets the locket" AU:
Proto is a stalwart friend, at least. It accompanies her everywhere, disguised as a slightly odd pocket watch, and running her fingers over the smooth brass of its casing sometimes helps her stay calm enough to ward off the headaches. It helps her sneak cookies out of Lilith’s cookie jar, and plot revenge against bullies. It listens to her when she talks, whether she's raving in anger or giggling in excitement, and gives little encouraging dingdingding! noises. It learns to tell when she’s getting a little too emotional, and pinch her to cut off whatever train of thought was leading her towards a headache. It's there for her in a way no one else has ever been – not that Adam and Lilith aren't there for her in their own way, but they're her parents, it's not the same.
Proto may be her only friend, but she's certain it's the best friend she could possibly have.
Unfortunately, while Proto is incredibly helpful in a variety of different contexts, it isn't really much use when she getting mugged by two men in an alley. Not as it is now, at least. She’s sure she could make some improvements. Maybe she could even alter it to be able to get her locket ba- ow!
Ah. Proto pinched her. Probably for the best. She’s already late, and considering how awful today has been already… Well, the last thing she needs is another headache.
She wipes her face as she hurries toward the University, using the opportunity to whisper, “I don't suppose there's any chance you could find them and retrieve my locket?” It taps her twice for no. “Oh, well,” she sighs. Maybe if she just acts like it's nothing but a minor inconvenience, she'll stop wanting to burst into tears.
She's mostly presentable by the time she reaches Mister Tock, but that goes out the window when he tells her she's late – after making her even later – and by the time she reaches the lab she's a crying mess again. For heaven's sake, she yells at poor Dr. Glassvitch.
He's always been a kind soul, though, and takes it in stride. It really seems like things might be looking up – you know, if you ignore the fact that her locket is missing, which she is trying very hard to do – when Dr. Merlot strides in with an even more sour expression than usual, and the news that the Baron is on his way for a surprise inspection.
Agatha does as she's done her whole life: she wipes her eyes, grits her teeth, rolls up her sleeves, and gets to work.
