The Girl and Her Machine

Chapter 6- An Ally

Jameson looked down with kind eyes, the same eyes he shared with his sister yet containing the same boisterous energy he always had.
    “ Dani, look at you! You’ve grown!” The charming smile was delicious to see, a welcome reprieve to what the previous experience which was stifling to say the least. The young man was tall, like his sister matching her height, but was rather muscular for his age. Many could peg him as a sportsman but he worked long hard days in the coal mining facilities closer to the onyx mountains. His weathered hands pulled her into a breathless hug. Jameson squeezing her close as her pinned arms attempted to pat his own in a call to attention to his unintended trap. “ That’s, that’s enough Jameson,” her winded voice making it through her face deep in his chest though her ears red. She was awfully yet joyously pinned and she simply wanted it to not be so awkward. 
    “ It is so good to see you little sis,” he chuckled, squeezing, though the words didn’t help but make her heart plummet. Jack’s words ringing in her ears about needing to find someone to court, yet realizing she was nothing to anyone in that area of relationships. The disappointment trickled to her features. “ Yes! How are you this fine evening? How was your last trip to the coal mines?” Her rosy cheeks cooled quickly to her normal tone as she studied him. It seemed like bits of earth clung to him, as if he was some sort of similar scape to remind the dust of home, not wanting to unlatch themselves in the clean environment of the manor. 
She stepped back from the hug dusting herself off as bits of it stuck to her. His deep voice ensued, she was sure that it wasn’t this deep before he left. How long has he been gone? 
“ Not so smoothly, we had a few mine collapses but we have a good foreman who can read the earth before it happens so we've had little to none casualties usually.” He said proudly, “ though your brother came to me and asked me to be an aid to his financial negotiations in the coal mines. He said he wanted to expand the industry not just weapons but ammunition as well.” He chuckled happily, “ and because of it they made me an overseer of the operations. Isn’t that incredible?” 
Dani mused at the thought though nodding to his remark. It was another decision that he chose not to share. Was it possible he was worried about her not spending enough time learning from Madame Bellaruse? Her stomach curled from the memory of just minutes ago, the more her thoughts tracked it, the more perplexing her behavior became. So few people are so blunt yet demanding, they were simple but frighteningly personal requests. Shivers crawled up her skin but she continued to smile, not letting the worry reach her eyes . 
“ Where are your arrangements then Jameson?” She asked quickly, “ Home, here, Jack was excited to give me my old room back. Much nicer than the sleeping lofts some of us have. Imagine, twenty guys sharing a room with the opportunity to have a freezing shower once week.” Dani wrinkled her nose, the thought of the smell nasty, Jameson leaned in cupping his mouth and whispered, “ In the eight months I’ve been there I’ve met men that haven’t showered in a year. They claim the dirt is good for ya, healthy, they’re a nasty lot really. Breathed through my mouth each time one of them came through the room.” He stepped back the cheeriness shining from him, “Luckily they got to bunk together! Ha! Was such a relief when I found out no one else could take their stench but themselves.” He chuckled, “ Oh we will talk more about this at dinner Dani, I haven’t seen my sister yet and Jack is as elusive as always. Some things never change.” He sighed, placing his hands on his hips, “ Oh, speaking of things not changing, have you finally got Charlie up and going Dani?” 
She nodded quickly as the little owl escaped from her pocket taking his cue, “ Nice to formally meet you Mr. Jameson, Dani has told me many pleasant things about you.” Dani’s ears flushed once more as she nudged Charlie, Jameson eyebrows shooting up with an intrigued look. “ Now Charlie I’ve heard good things but pleasant things are on a whole new level. One to take seriously.” Dani cleared her throat, “ Charlie has taken into formalities quite a bit, but his grammar and word usage is...directly from the dictionary, he chooses flavor over common language if that makes sense.” She excused the being hovering around her nudge, the posh little owl hooting then chuckled. “ Indeed, everyday conversations need fuller language to bask in discussion, wouldn’t you agree?” Jameson nodded understandingly, “ I get your point Dani, well said little owl. It’s a big compliment from your kind believe me, many robots down at the mines don't even enjoy conversation they just work hard is all, the whole lot of them, sad really. Wish they were more like you.” He shook his head, realizing he was rambling once again, “ Ah wait, yes, Dani my sister, have you seen my sister anywhere? You two were normally attached to the hip. 
“ Oh about that-,” Dani started though her eyes floated over Jameson’s shoulder, to a certain young man , with dark hair and oddly tight and short clothing walking down the hall with a pace that noted curiosity but agitation. The clothing was oddly familiar, in fact she remembered receiving the clean contents of that outfit but a few days ago. Breath caught, her violet eyes startled yet bouncing from excitement. It was up, he was up, he was alive. Why wasn’t she calling it a him? What was her problem? “ I’ll hav- wait a moment,” Jameson glanced over his shoulder to see no one, the boy had slunk into the next adjoining hallway, “Problem Dani?” He intervened, waving his hand over her face, his eyes unsure with concern.” Are you alright Dani, it looks like you saw a ghost.” He said, snapping his fingers in front of her to draw her eyes back to him. She did, her gaze abrupt, “ Ah well, you see, I feel that I have?” She said starting then walking around Jameson leaving his other questions hanging in the air, “ I’ll be right back James dont dont go anywhere,” She waved to him then sprinted towards the direction where the mysterious humanoid had traveled. 
Jameson grunted folding his arms, “Not the welcome home I thought I’d get.” He grumbled to himself before heading down to the main hall to find the dining area where he was arranged to meet Jack, according to his letter of summons. He looked back down as he clasped at a parchment of paper and unfolded. “ It feels about the right time,” He mumbled, then fished in his other pocket to pull out his pocket watch flipping open the brass clasp.  He jeered quietly to himself, “ Seems like I’m making the master of the house wait on me this time.” Then left towards that direction in an easy but thoughtful stride. 
    Dani rushed down the halls but could only see glimpses of said humanoid in the corner of her eye or just as he turned the corner down the hall. She panted her face beginning to flush from the effort, if only she didn’t wear such heavy combat boots she’d sworn she'd already have him by now. 
“ Looks like we have a hunt,”  she mumbled, she placed her goggles over her eyes, speaking over her pants, “ Charlie, bring up schematics and his position and sent it over,” she said tapping her finger on the outside rim of her goggles. Charlie was able to project holograms of where people were beyond the walls. Each person is more like a silhouette of golden lines but enough features to differentiate between them. She was able to catch two in silver lighting which was reserved for mechanical beings. One was Charlie who zipped ahead of her, and two was the humanoid racing down the stairs. 
She waved her hand and skirted around the maids that were busy cleaning and preparing the place for future guests and residents. Dani heard the voices of the other little children that resided there calling her name, wishing for her attention, she quickly called back to them in passing, promising to spend time with them later. 
The chase ensued. 
She noted that the being was quick and agile on his feet, and was at this point most likely disarmed or else he would have tried something, anything, to get out of there. 
She motioned with her fingers for Charlie to go ahead. 
    Charlie zoomed past the stranger, catching his attention. He skidded to a halt to the flying thing in front of him, his eyes resting on him. Dani caught up to the boy, doing her best to be stealthy.The boy reached out his hand holding it out to the little robot, only for the small Dani girl to pounce and tackle him to the floor. She took her work chisel and pressed it against his throat, his eyes staring into hers as the lenses adapted almost quicker than a human’s focusing on Dani and her features. 
    Dani cleared her throat, almost losing her voice, as she witnessed, her hours of revival work, had paid off. That meant two things, she was incredibly skilled, and she knows how to work with Tower creatures. Both important, both must remain a secret.
    The tip of the chisel blade pressed in though didn’t cut, her hand cautious, “ Friend or Foe?” She panted, the words staggered. Goodness what she wouldn’t give to be at least a bit more intimidating right now.
    The creature cocked his head to the side, its brilliant sky blue but mixed green started at her, the gaze heavy and hard yet not hostile.  She hadn’t noticed that hue before. Was it because he was on instead of dormant? 
    “ Friend or Foe?” He repeated, echoing her words, though confusion was obvious in his voice. She tried again, “ Yes, Friend or Foe?” She asked once more though a bit shrill, something wasn’t adding up. He raised his hand slowly, and pushed the chisel away from his neck. She let him, watching him cautiously. “You don’t know our language do you?” She mumbled putting the chisel away in her pocket. “ And you don’t know what I said.”
    Dani thought carefully, she didn’t think of it before, but it would be a good reason why the Tower guards minded their own business and would often not speak to the citizens. Very few ever did. Maybe after enough time occupying a few learned the language. A good thought, a note for later. 
    “ Ally.” He finally responded after some time. Dani’s eyes widened at his speech. It was smooth, wasn’t jarring at all, he sounded so human. There was depth in his voice that she couldn’t duplicate with Charlie. How advanced was he?
    “ Ally, Ally is a Friend. You’re a friend.” She nodded her breath. She got off of him, feeling sheepish at this point. She pointed to herself, “I’m Dani, I’m a friend.” She pointed to him in turn, “ You are?” He propped himself up against the wall sitting up now his features took a kinder light, he shook his head and pulled out his wrist with a number on the inside of it. 0000.