Sebastian and Marrior were sitting across from each other now, not too far away from the other.
"Well, you won't be treated like that here. No one is." Sebastian crossed his legs, putting his head on his hand. He seemed relaxed, and unbothered by how Marrior was speaking to him. Most wouldn't have allowed it, but Sebastian saw it as a good sign.
"If you say so." Marrior tilted his head slightly. "Are you sure that I'm not going to be? Because I deserve it, you know. I'm okay with it, really. It's what I'm used to."
"I'm sure." Sebastian to on his sympathetic look again. Marrior shouldn't have to be used to it. People were too cruel.
"Do you know what you're here to do?"
"To work for you," Marrior said with a shrug. "To protect you, to help you do stuff, whatever." Although, in a tiny corner of his mind, he hoped it was otherwise. This guy seemed… different. Better, almost.
"Well, not quite," Sebastian said. "All I really ask you to do is come with me when I leave the house. The only time you'll ever have to do things around the house is when other people are visiting." Sebastian's voice took on a bitter tone. "Appearances are everything, after all."
(bump?)
(Sorry, I haven't been on for long periods of time the few times I've gone on this week.)
"That's true," Marrior muttered. "After all, if anyone found out you'll be treating me nice, you might end up the same way I am." He gave a bitter smile.
(that's okay! I understand)
Sebastian nodded a little. Unfortunately, Marrior some the truth. And if that happened, everyone else in the house…
"I don't want that to happen. There are too many here who wouldn't… Wouldn't be able to handle being treated like mindless machines. I…" Sebastian sighed a little.
"I don't want anyone to get wiped because of me."
(It sucks XD)
"Well, if I get wiped out, I wouldn't be worried so much anymore," Marrior said, shrugging slightly. "Anyway, it doesn't matter. Thank you." He gave a rueful grin.
"At least we aren't monitered."
Sebastian nodded.
"You'll find that a lot of people here think of this more of a community than anything." People. It was coming knowledge that no one actually hired people anymore. He must be referring to the other robots. "I actually help with the work around the house."
"People still do that now?" Marrior shook his head, and would have reddened at his direct question if he could have. "Sorry. I just - I didn't think that people still cleaned by themselves."
"It's alright, I understand," Sebastian said, waving the question away. "I think I might be the only one who still does, anyway." Sebastian was relaxed as he spoke to Marrior, as if they were just two friends chatting about the weather.
"It just doesn't feel right to push the work off on others when I'm the one making the mess."
"But you could be doing much better things than just cleaning!" Marrior said. He couldn't believe that he was actually arguing with his new master about not cleaning, about leaving the job to him. If Sebastian had turned out to be different, he most certainly wouldn't have had the courage to do so.
"Cleaning isn't the only thing I do," Sebastian said. "I'm more than happy to help the others with it." Sebastian was staying calm, happy almost. He was enjoying this conversation with Marrior.
"There's no need to trouble yourself. I and the maids can handle it."
(bump?)
(Sowwy…😬 )
"You… have maids, too?" Marrior tilted his head, and looked confused. "Why? Why did you buy me then?"
"I-if you say so." He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, although he couldn't feel it. It was more out of habit than anything else.
(it's alright!)
"Because you're not a maid," Sebastian said. "You're a body guard. I'm not going to ask you to clean up my messes. It's alright." Sebastian watched Marrior a moment. He was tempted to tell Marrior about the other reason Sebastian had bought him, but he could wait. It might be too much for Marrior at this point.
"Is there anything else you want to know about living here?"
(Thanks!)
"Fair enough." Marrior shrugged. "Not really. Except… what do you want me to do? If I won't be cleaning, do you just want me to watch you, or what?"
"You'll just have to come with me when I go out in public, and stick by my side when I have company. Other than that, you'll just have free time to do as you please." Sebastian stood now, moving to the door.
"If you want, I'll take you to your room."
"I have a room?" It was a little bit sad that Marrior was still surprised about all of this, but not that surprising. "T-thank you!"
Sebastian nodded, opening the door.
"You're welcome," he said motioning for Marrior to come with him. Still, everything had the air of a request. He wasn't telling Marrior to come, he was offering this to him. Just like everything else he had done.
"You'll be able to decorate it however you want," he said. "Everyone gets an allowance to buy personal things each week." It was the best he could give them.
Marrior just stared at Sebastian for a moment. "An-" he didn't finish.
This guy was nicer than anybody he had ever met, even the other robots. It was nice. Although, in the back of his mind, there was a little voice that warned him to be careful, in case this guy had an ulterior motive.
Marrior ignored the voice. "Thank you," he finally said.
Sebastian nodded, giving Marrior a kind smile.
"Here, your room is just down the hall," he said, stepping out to lead the way.
"There isn't anything you need to do, so you have some free time. I could even show you around if you want."
"Sure. I'd like that." Marrior smiled shyly. "I'm sorry if I'm acting weird. It's just… no one has ever done something like this for me before."
At the mention of allowance, his mind moved to his sister. Now that he was getting money, maybe he could pay for her hospital bills!
Sebastian put one hand on Marrior's shoulder, a friendly gesture.
"I understand," he said. "It's alright. Just know that here, everyone's going to treat you as a human." He led Marrior out of the room down the hall.
"So, you want to see your room first, or last?"
“As a human? But I’m not one!” Marrior struggled with that thought for a moment, then shrugged.
“I’ll see it last. I saw the door, so I know where it is, at least.” He offered a slight smile.
"You were," Sebastian said to Marrior's first comment. He led Marrior down the hall away from the bedroom. "And that's what counts here."
The first major room they came across was the ballroom. It was impressive, to say the least. High vaulted ceilings, an almost shining floor, elegant reds and golds everywhere.
If Marrior were still in his human body, he would have had watery eyes.
"What- why do you have a room like this?" He asked Sebastian, his mouth falling open a little at the sight of the ballroom.
"Parties," Sebastian explained. "They're the easiest way to establish wealth, and to keep yourself in good footing with others in this society." He shook his head a little. "A bit showing for my taste."
Marrior laughed softly. "It is a bit much, I have to admit."
He rubbed the back of his neck, staring around in wonder for a moment before asking, "Do you actually like parties, or just do it to keep a social standing?"