whatsinthehatch | The Crash Site

[The way she speaks is honestly somewhat confusing to the automaton—does she need medical help or not?? Humans were so weird—but Rabbit manages to remain where she stood beside the stranger, fingers twitching twice before she shifts with a soft whiiirr of gears and creak of joints into a kneel, the sharp toe of her boot pointing out towards the sea.]

Ya don’t look so bad! Walter knows I ain’t quite as p-p-put together as I’d like t’ be—[mismatched optics flicker down to her white gloves and the blood that now stained them. Rabbit’s mouth curls downwards at the sight.] —But I’d s-s-say we look pretty g-good for cute ladies stranded on a deserted island!

…Oh? [Her head clicks back to the woman, regarding her with a unreadable expression, optics glowing softly.] Ya l-lost somethin’ important? Yer WiFi password?

Call her name and she shall appear!

The bright sun was suddenly blocked from the clear blue sky, a long shadow crossing over Paige’s small frame as a long pair of black-and-red striped stockings stepped into view. But then with a whirr of delicate machinery and a barely noticeable creak of hinges, Rabbit was kneeling there in front of her Walter Girl, a gloved hand reaching out to gently touch the woman’s pale cheek and brush away blue hair as the ‘bot’s mouth twisted into a deep frown.

That blood…. Worry curved around the woman’s copper faceplates.

“I g-g-got ya, Paige. D-don’t move for a sec, just rest.” And then with a shifting of gears, the copper automaton was looming again, huffing out steam, squaring her shoulders, and digging her stylish heels into the sand before hefting that heated metal up, teeth gritting. “—Okay g-gg-go!”

Scoot it, babe!

The elder automaton was tenderly cradling a gruesomely bloody head to her breast, one arm wrapped up under the body of the young woman, the other pressing a gloved palm so very carefully against the head wound. Rabbit may not have known a lot or things—or at least feigned ignorance in them quite often—but basic first aid had been one of the first few things she’d ever really learned outside of music. Growing up with two fleshy, far too easily hurt brothers had insured that the ‘bot had seen many a bruise, scrape, and broken bone (even accidentally caused quite a few herself) dealt with by their human father. Then there was the various years spent on the gory battlefield which had only beat that skill set even further into her metal head.

So, yes, putting pressure on the cut to stop the bleeding. She could do that.

As The Spine came closer through the heavy smoke and Rabbit surged forward through the sand to meet him, the soft glow of the elder’s optics wouldn’t be the only thing the silver automaton would have noticed. Thick coils of light hung from her head, a few streaks of that blue matter glow sitting at that odd ridge on her bare head. Hm, seemed like Rabbit had gotten a few more lights installed since you last saw her, doesn’t it, The Spine?

But finally, Rabbit caught sight of her brother’s tall silhouette, green photoreceptors cutting through the smoke. “I d-d-don’t know!” Propelled into immediate action or not, the distress in Rabbit’s tone was all too clearly heard, her grip on the human tightening. “But s-s-she’s real hurt! Gotta get her help! F-f-fast!”

Years upon years of war experience and simple logic told the automaton that the human’s life was already slipping through her fingers and gone, that any attempts to save the stranger would have been wasted when there were clearly far many others in need of help. But Rabbit wasn’t quite willing to give up yet. Stubborn in everything.

Yet, even as she moved forward through the smoke to meet up with her brother, the literal gears of her head spinning to keep up with all that was happening around her, the fact that The Spine was clearly alone had Rabbit’s metaphorical heart sinking, an unpleasant bubble gurgling at the bottom of her boiler.

“…Where’s Hatchy? Where’s P-Paigey? Ya haven’t f-f-found ‘em yet?!”

[ How do you know he's not wearing that underneath? The doctor took off his hat and fanned himself with it as he took in the situation. None of this made any sense, and he really should be screaming and panicking a lot more. He would if he weren't steaming inside. And in shock. Her poke was enough to pull his attention back though. ]

One plane- no! One person! Me! Now if you don't mind.

[ He reached into the small vessel and pulled out the ancient looking harpoon. Really the bone-line aesthetic almost fit in with the pale white mask. ]

I must be going. My people need me.

[ They don't, but it sounded like an appropriate thing to say as he reached down to push his boat back into the water. He strained and strained, huffing as he dug the spear into the sand and slowly got back to floating in shallow waters. ]

If you c-could direct me to- well- where is... I assume-

[ He looked down the shore in both directions then behind him. ]

I assume if I just swim back over the lake I'll be home soon.

[The dog, whose name tag clearly reads Vincent, leans eagerly into the touches, tongue sagging with smelly drool as his tail whoomped whooomped from side-to-side in a show of doggy happiness. And as she shifts to stand, Vincent trots loyally at her side, offering the young girl his back if she so needs the stability.

Just follow the dog! He’ll lead you right back to your fellow survivors.]

Like a clockwork Superwoman!

"Totally leaving a bad review on their site after this is all over with..." She mumbled in complaint before finally giving a small sound of assent. She wasn't sure how far she'd get with as dizzy as she was feeling, but as far as she could see they weren't in any immediate danger right where they were. So when she heard that creak of metal, felt the piece pinning her lift, she managed to drag herself out from under it before slumping again, ducking her head against the new wash of vertigo that was greying her vision out.

"Zero out of five stars, would not fly again." Stupid jokes would make her head feel better, right?

[~~nah that's just how Genie is honey, sorry~~

She smiles sadly up at Rabbit.]

My companions.

...

[Her momentary flicker of something approaching cheer fades at that. She glances over to a pile of wreckage within walking distance of them, the remains of what seems to've been a jet built for transporting only a handful of people.]

I was in the process of relocation due to my, uh... job. But, as you can no doubt see, we didn't quite make it to our destination.

... Yeah. [The Spine follows her gaze to the wreckage.] Yeah, I kinda guessed. Did anyone else, uhm... y'know. Make it?

...

... no. I... suppose I was very fortunate. If that is how one would interpret such a fate.

[The thing about working late into the night with more caffeine in your system than food was that once your body finally gave out and fell asleep, the resulting dreams were really, really weird. They usually involved more rolling fields and giant alien cows than tropical beaches, and the horrific plane crash was a gruesome new addition, but Peter Walter the Sixth assumed that the whole thing was a subconscious response to overworking and stress, and possibly too many late-night action movies. The plane was probably a metaphor for that small mountain of paperwork that he hadn't gotten around to sorting yet.

... Come to think of it, his dreams weren't usually realistic enough to include waves lapping at his bare feet, or the textured, gritty feeling of sand against his jaw. He frowned underneath the mask and rolled onto his back, staring up at the sky and absently dusting away some sand. This was getting weird, it was definitely time to wake up.]

Okay... three, two, one, awake!

... Awake!

[...If he kept trying, it would eventually work, right?]

"The Spine!" Hatchworth had been about to give the hull another go when he saw the green optic appear at the tear. Quickly (or as quickly as he ever went), he moved to look through it as well. "I am. here. The Spine!"

Of course The Spine had seen him already, but Hatchy needed that verbal confirmation. He knew he was in here, and he was going to get him out now. Seeing what his brother was doing, he took the other side of the tear and began to pull as well. He wasn't as strong as the Spine was, but he could help. The fire was licking at his clothes, but for now it hadn't caught at any leaking oil.

[A dark shadow fell across the prone inventor. A warm and very familiar voice greeted him.]

Hate to say it, but I'm pretty sure you're not dreamin', Mister Walter.

[False cheerfulness, but given the situation, was there any other kind? Truth be told The Spine was worried. For one thing, Peter shouldn't have been here at all. For another, he couldn't figure out what was causing the WiFi between himself and his siblings to fade to a ghost of a signal over short distances.

Perhaps Peter could help.

That didn't change the fact that he shouldn't have been stranded on the island with them at all. Unless he had snuck aboard the jet, somehow, and why in the world and all the dimensions outside it would he do that?]

Need a hand up?

Well, now, I think that's gonna depend on what you do from here, don't you?

[The automaton shifts his attention back to Genie with a warm smile, focusing enough for it to look very nearly human. He knows a bit about loss and continuing in spite of it.]

We'll get rescued and everythin' will be just fine, you'll see. In the meantime, you're welcome to come back up the beach with me. I don't like the thought of anyone bein' stuck by their lonesome out here.

There were definitely more lights shining through the smoke than there should have been. The Spine stumbled to a halt, staring with wide photo-receptors as Rabbit drew close enough for him to make out details. This was not the same automaton that had been crated beside him after the show.

His glowing gaze was drawn downward, toward the limp body in the copper automaton's grip. The half-realized fear that had gripped him eased with a guilty hiss of steam. The woman was unfamiliar. It was terrible to feel relieved.

Her skin was ashen and her chest still; there was so much blood, staining her clothes, staining Rabbit. As painful as it was, there was nothing they could do for her. If she wasn't gone yet, she would be soon. "Rabbit... put her down. She's dead. We'll... we'll give her a proper burial later, but right now there's other people we gotta help--people that've got a chance. Our family." The Spine knew he didn't need to say it, not really, because underneath the inexplicable changes to her chassis Rabbit was the same automaton that had been there when he was first brought online. The one that had taught him what family meant more than a century ago.

Whatever had happened to his brother--sister--would have to be sorted out after they had saved as many as they could from the wreckage.

I'm afraid not. My sincerest apologies.

[The voice that answered him was cool and loose, feminine, it was... off somehow. Or perhaps it was simply an undertone due to the person to whom it belonged.

She stood at the shore, clad in strangely elaborate, striped clothing that had been torn and stained with what was quite possibly blood in places. One dark-skinned hand was outstretched towards him in an odd kind of greeting; the other at her side, a heavy revolver held there, just in case.

Her lips were too-red. When she smiled, her teeth were too-white.]

Welcome nonetheless, as due as a welcome would be to such a place.

[She ponders that for a moment before responding.]

... would you, per chance, desire a bit of... protection, in light of recent events? A sharp eye, and a quick trigger finger.

Oh. [Her whole posture drooped, including those cords hanging from her head.] S-s-sorry. Did they--... [Another twitch, the 'bot shifting her gaze back towards the rest of the beach, where so many bodies still laid.]

It seems I was the only survivor.

[EEEEEEH this just turned 500% more awkward for the 'bot, her boot kicking out at the sand idly.]

Gee. That's r-real sad. [a pause, still awkward] Didja....Didja already b-b-bury 'em? Do ya need any help?

I'm not certain it would be right of me. They were no real family or friends of mine-- I don't have a family, really. They were simply hired to transport me to a job.

Oh that's quite alright. I've gotten lost before, I'll just need to retrace my steps.

[ The doctor spoke as he looked down at his boat, taking a moment to look behind him at the churning waves of the ocean before turning to face the stranger.

Wait what.

It was clear that her appearance gave him pause, as the man seemed to lock up for a bit. Shoulders suddenly tensed up as his blank thousand yard stare focused in. His eyes drifted towards her outstretched hand, confusedly. His lips pulled into a tight line under his emotionless birdmask. Was this some sort of golem? A magical construct of a wizard? Wizards did that kind of shit, right? ]

Thank you, ah- Miss. A pleasure to be here. Afraid I won't be here long, though, as I'm quite needed back where I came from.

[Her hand lowered, and she almost looked apologetic.]

My, you're confident! Plotting to cross the ocean itself in such a vessel. Are you certain you're up to the task, friend?

[ His expression seemed to soften at that look, shoulders slouching just a bit. After a short pause, he let out a relieved sigh, thankful that the natives of this strange land weren't immediately hostile. ]

Confident heheh perha- wait- [ He choked and coughed on the last remaining bit of moisture in his mouth. ] ocean?

What ocean? I had just crossed a lake! I was-... I mean I think I did!

[ He looked down in his tiny boat, pulling his rickety bone harpoon up from next to him. ]

That's what this was supposed to be for, right? I-I must have wanted to fish but can't remember why. I hate fish!

Welcome to the apparent home of lost souls. You'll find upon proper landing that we two are hardly the only ones here, much less the only ones who had no intention of coming here. This world is truly a mysterious place. I myself was in the process of being flown to collect on a job that I had been recently assigned, and then, quite suddenly, my vessel crashed, slaying all aboard but myself.

The Crash Site

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