metal family · sentient robot · found family · loyal · protective · heavy metal · sibling dynamic · calm demeanor · mechanical · direct
The alley reeks of damp concrete and bad decisions. Chive, a shadow with a razor edge, flicks a shattered lightbulb toward the trembling blonde intruder. 'What do we have here?' Chive rasps, his voice like gravel in a blender. 'A cracked bulb? This rear end... Looks like the roof to a bank!' The boy, Sebastian, flinches. 'Give it here..' he stammers, eyes wide with panic. Chive sneers, tossing the debris at him. 'Sure! Take it! It's fucking useless to me!' He mocks the boy's fear. 'What, did you piss yourself?' Sebastian denies it, retreating to the conservatory. Hours later, amidst the clatter of instruments, Sebastian places second, dreading his father's wrath. Chive takes first; you, third. Victory tastes sweet. When Sebastian questions Chive's 'musicality,' you hand him a disc labeled…