Regretevator Pirates AU

Rat problem ?

Kasper clutched his lantern tightly, squinting into the dim shadows of the wine cellar as he descended the worn, creaky steps. His father's gruff voice still echoed in his ears: "Go on, boy. Check for rats. No sense in you sittin' idle while I work." 

The cellar had always given Kasper the creeps, with its damp air and dark corners, but the rustling sounds had seemed worse lately, gnawing at his Father's nerves, it was only a matter of time before he'd send his poor boy looking.

He felt his stomach twist as he stepped onto the cold, uneven stone floor of the cellar. Shadows seemed to creep along the walls, and every drip from the ceiling sounded like the sinister patter of rat feet. 

He was petrified. It wasn't fair, Kasper thought, shivering as he peered into the gloom. But he knew there was no refusing his father's orders.

As he walked, he held his breath, expecting to see a scurrying tail or the gleam of beady eyes. But instead, he spotted something small and silver tucked in a dusty corner, half-buried in crates. It looked like a child... but different. Metal skin, whirring gears in its chest, eyes like tiny dots blinking in surprise when he shined his light into them.

"H-hello?" Kasper managed, his voice barely a whisper.

But at the sound, the little metal figure jolted upright, whirring and clanking in panic as it tried to dart behind the nearest crate. 

Kasper watched, wide-eyed, as it scrambled along the floor, a tangle of gears and thin, metal limbs, quick as a rabbit fleeing from a fox.

"Wait!" Kasper called, taking a few careful steps, trying not to frighten it further. But the strange creature didn't stop. It dashed between wine barrels, its footsteps a soft tap-tap-tap on the cold stone floor, only pausing to peer at him with beady eyes before bolting again.

He followed quietly, manoeuvring around stacks of crates and barrels, his curiosity outweighing his fear. 

Eventually, he managed to edge it into a corner, where it pressed itself back, as if trying to disappear into the wall. The creature's head flickered like a frightened ember, and its small voice trembled as it whimpered, "Please... please don't hurt me."

Kasper felt a pang of guilt. He'd never thought of himself as frightening, but he must have seemed like a giant to this poor little thing. He knelt down slowly, setting the lantern on the ground to cast a softer light. 

Keeping his hands visible and his voice gentle, he whispered, "I- I'm not going to hurt you.. I promise.."

The robot's whirring slowed as it looked at him, still trembling but no longer trying to flee. Its expression was tentative, almost hopeful. "You... won't?" it snivelled, Kasper watched as it's trembling gradually faded, but a haunted look remained in its eyes.

He tilted his head, trying to understand. "Why... why did you think I'd hurt you?" he asked softly.

The little robot hesitated, its gears clicking nervously as it looked down, almost as if ashamed. "There was... someone else," it murmured. "A bigger one, like you. He came down here before. He yelled a lot... stomped around. I was so afraid he'd find me.." it choked out.

Kasper's stomach twisted, he didn't need to ask who it was. There was only one other person who came down here yelling and stomping. "You mean my father?" he whispered, brows furrowed.

The robot wasn't sure what the word meant, but it nodded slowly, its small metal hands clutched close to its chest. "He... he scares me.."

Kasper gave a small, understanding nod, his expression softening. "It's okay, He scares me too.." he admitted, glancing toward the cellar steps as if expecting his father's voice to boom down at any second, "But he's not going to hurt you, I won't tell him," he promised, giving a friendly smile.

The robot didn't respond.

"I'm.. um, I'm Kasper, okay? what's your name?" the boy asked gently, trying to break the tension.

The robot remained quiet, but after a moment, it looked up, almost shyly. "Lampert," it said, as if testing the name. "I... I think it's Lampert.."

Kasper's face lit up, his heart racing with excitement. "Lampert!" he repeated, grinning. "I like it! It's a good name."

Eagerly, he reached out, his hands open, wanting to grasp Lampert's small, metal hands. "I've never had a friend like you before!" he grinned, his excitement bubbling over.

But the sudden movement startled Lampert. And the robot flinched, shrinking back against the wall.

Kasper froze, his heart sinking. "Oh—oh, I'm sorry," he whispered, quickly pulling his hands back. "I didn't mean to scare you... I just got excited.." he sat still, giving Lampert space. 

He watched the little robot with a soft, hopeful smile, looking over it's expression as it twitched, almost studying it, tense, still, but no longer pressed against the wall.

A moment passed, then another. Lampert hesitated, its eyes flicking from Kasper's face to his outstretched hands. 

Then slowly, it raised one small, metal hand and reached forward, stopping just inches away. It lingered there, uncertain, but Kasper stayed perfectly still, waiting with his heart in his throat.

Then, with a shy determination, Lampert placed its cool, metal fingers into Kasper's hand. And the boy's heart swelled as he gently curled his fingers around Lampert's, careful not to squeeze too tightly.

"See?" he whispered, a warm smile spreading across his face. "I told you... I'm not going go hurt you.."

Lampert's eyes softened, and Kasper thought he saw a hint of something like relief there—a glimmer of trust.

In that quiet, damp cellar, holding his new friend's hand, Kasper felt a connection stronger than any he'd ever felt before.

"I— I think.. we're going to be good friends, Lampert.."

. . . 

. . . 

. . . 

"...What's a "friend"?"