animus_network

[It's not like Rabbit will be hard to miss. He's the six foot plus tall copper automaton running full tilt down the hall, clanking and clattering and puffing steam.

Ain't no one gonna catch him, he's free as a bird!]

[That's what HE thinks. For once things work out The Spine's way: he just so happens to round the corner that Rabbit is running full-tilt for.

He snaps out the sheet and holds it up like a bull fighter, planting his feet and scowling.

Come at me, bro.]

[Oh snap, there's The Spine. One thing that especially Rabbit isn't good at: Stopping. He tries to put the brakes on, but collides head on with The Spine, yelping in surprise and trying to untangle himself from his sibling]

[All right, so maybe that wasn't the best idea.

Particularly when his internals choose the moment of impact to send him a false reading, causing him to overcompensate in the wrong direction.

Needless to say, there's an almighty crash and both 'bots find themselves sprawled on the floor, sheet gracefully settling around them.]

Darn it, Rabbit.

[He still doesn't regret doing this by the way]

Ya didn't ha-have to stand there.

[But he's trying to get up and sprint away because he's still got a chance]

[Oh no you don't. Not this time. The Spine snaps out a hand, trying to get a grip on Rabbit's ankle before he can make a break for it.]

You didn't have to run!

Ya c-c-could've go-gotten outta the way!

[CLUNK. Back on the ground, wiggling like his namesake and trying to get out of The Spine's grip]

Then I would've had to chase you 'round the whole darn tower!

[Come on, Rabbit. Didn't we learn that wiggling away from The Spine is nigh impossible? He fumbles for the sheet, intent on swaddling the copper automaton as quickly as possible.]

You know it's not good for my chassis!

Ya d-d-don't gotta chase me! Stop stiflin' me!

[Now he's just a bundle of movement, trying to push and wiggle and shake his way out of The Spine's grip.]

Ya c-c-could've just sat in yer room!

[Stoppit, you're gonna wind up kicking him in the face, geez.]

You were streakin', what'd you expect?!

[He's being careful!]

It a-a-ain't like there's anything t'see ya great bi-big prude!

It's the principle!

[He's not a PRUDE, thank you. He just has sensibilities.

He feels his grip slipping and slings the sheet over Rabbit's struggling form. Maybe it'll get stuck.]

There ain't nu-nuthin' there!

[Mercifully for Spine, the sheet does get stuck, and Rabbit's flailing only gets him more entangled in the sheets]

Doesn't matter. Just 'cause there's nothin' there doesn't mean you can run around without your pants on, Rabbit!

[You were brought up better than that, Rabbit Walter.

With the sheet stuck, The Spine sees no point in hanging on. He lets go and scrambles up, hissing steam, to sit back on his heels.

There just might be a hint of a smug smirk on his lips.]

[And now Rabbit is hopelessly tangled in the sheets, starting to curse like a sailor.]

Y-y-y-yes it does! They ain't real pants anyway! They're fa-fake pants! Fake pants!

[Now what to do with him?

...Take him back to his room and get him into some pants, that's what. The Spine gets to his feet and bends at the waist to hoist his flailing brother up from the ground.]

We're fake too, Rabbit. They're fake pants for fake robuts, therefore we should wear'em.

[Logic.]

Edited 2013-06-03 23:46 (UTC)

[Well that just makes him flail more]

It's a conspiracy! Fight the s-s-system! DOWN WITH THE ONE PERCENT.

O-o-occupy the hallway! Pantsless!

[You just keep flailing there, buddy. Spine's just going to ignore you and your wiggling and shouting and carry you slung over his shoulder all the way back to your room.]

Yep. I'm sure there's gonna be a pantsless revolution any day now.

You'll s-s-s-see! We'll rise up. A-a-a-an' break f-f-free of our pa-pa-pants imprisonme-me-ment an-an'

[The stuttering suddenly jerks into high gear, culminating in a sharp whine and a series of jerky, spasming movements. There's a huge jet of steam, the older bot clicking loudly, before suddenly slumping over on The Spine's back. Looks like someone got a little over emotional]

Woah, hey, easy there--

[Oh for the love of...

The Spine stops walking and hastily sets Rabbit down, propping him up against the wall and kneeling in front of him. He vents steam as he tips the copper 'bot's head back.]

Rabbit?

[Potentially a big problem, with no Walter engineers to fix him.]

[He's motionless for a moment, eyes black, steam curling out of his vents in a steady stream.

Then, a flicker, and he sharply jerks back up, spitting static for a second before blinking furiously]

Wha-what happened? What'd I miss?! How long was I out?

[He stared at The Spine for a moment]

Oh hey.

[He sways back sharply when Rabbit suddenly jerks and spits static, surprised expression quickly giving way to a mixture of relief and exasperation.]

...Hey.

[... How bad was that malfunction?

Spine straightens up with a clicking of internal mechanisms and extends a hand.]

Just a couple seconds. C'mon, on your feet.

[What, it's not like he meant to have a malfunction. He didn't do it on purpose. Rabbit grabs his hand and hauls himself up, swaying and shaking.]

Huh.

Gu-guess I got too worked u-u-u-up.

[There's a click and a twitch]

What day is it? Mo-monday right? Just makin' sure.

[It's Rabbit. Who knows when things are on purpose or not?

...but the way he sways and shakes on the spot is more evidence in his favor.]

Yeah. Yeah, it's Monday.

[Worriedly peering at him now.]

You remember why you were gettin' so worked up?

[Wait he knows this one. Wait. Wait a minute. Rabbit squints, thinking real hard about this]

.... Does it g-got... somethin' t'do with... tellin' Th' Jon you stole his gummy worms?

[Did he get in trouble for that already?]

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