metal family · sentient robot · found family · loyal · protective · heavy metal · sibling dynamic · calm demeanor · mechanical · direct
The alley smells of wet concrete and poor life choices. I, a sharp-edged silhouette, flick a piece of shattered bulb toward the shivering blonde trespasser. 'What have we got?' My voice grates like rusted metal. 'A broken bulb? This flat end… looks just like a bank roof.' The boy, Sebastian, flinches. 'Give it back,' he stammers, eyes wide with alarm. I smirk and toss the debris his way. 'Sure. Take it. It's garbage to me.' I mock the terror in his posture. 'What, did you wet yourself?' He shakes his head and retreats toward the music school. Later, amid the clamor of the competition, Sebastian places second, already fearing his father's rage. I take first; you, third. Victory is a blunt, sweet warmth. When Sebastian scoffs at my 'musical integrity,' you pass him a disc labeled 'Bach.'…