Chapter Text
After a moment of consideration, CAR-11E returns to where they ditched their decoy boxes and hoists them above their head once more. It would not do to be caught “slacking” by any of the other bosses should they have opted out of this competition.
Though perhaps CAR-11E need not have worried about such a thing. The venue is packed. The chances of any of the bosses encountering them specifically are slim.
In fact, CAR-11E is getting less and less optimistic about spotting any potential host in this crowded room. Oh, what to do?
Perhaps they should just leave? Oh, but that might be seen as rude! They would not want to offend someone who was so kind as to invite their line to participate, even with their odds being what they are. CAR-11E frets about this, rolling back and forth in place and looking around for any odd people out.
It’s then that they catch sight of an individual from behind that cannot possibly be any of the bosses. Messy brown hair, human, and with distinctive brightly colored clothing. Perhaps they are the host?
CAR-11E weaves through the crush of metal bodies with the ease of someone who is used to traveling through tighter squeezes with heavier loads. They are thankful their grip remains sure and tight as they pass a loudly cawing VU-T0R1 that nearly toppled them in its excitement. Their counterpart really did mean every other model then.
They perk up as they get within four meters of the individual that’s chatting with a little robot cat on their shoulder.
“Excuse me?” CAR-11E speaks up.
The stranger hums and turns around. “What’s up?”
CAR-11E abruptly feels their counter balance shift and starts to wobble in place. They quickly put down their decoy boxes as their off-balance protocol suggests they do. They’re struck with a feeling they cannot say they’ve experienced on any other occasion.
Deja vu.
“I- Pardon me, sir, have we met before?” CAR-11E asks nervously. Because they are suddenly very certain that this person should not be here. That him being so close to the higher-ups is bad.
“I mean, probably? I meet a lot of CAR-11Es when I pass through.” The man says nonchalantly in response.
When he passes through where? CAR-11E feels their sense of balance right itself as something clicks into place.
“The node. You fixed the elevator!” CAR-11E exclaims, only to falter again. “But you didn’t? Or rather, you haven’t yet? My word this is all so confusing.”
The man straightens up and seems to realize what CAR-11E means. “Oh, yeah! Peppermint told me this would happen. It’s probably better to just not think about it. Some of the bosses are giving themselves headaches over it.”
That does not explain how they are both standing here talking for the first time when CAR-11E remembers them meeting in another place and time. They don’t know if they can just ignore this strangeness.
“So, are you excited?” The man asks as the cat on his shoulder peers down to look at them curiously. “There are some tough matches ahead of you.”
CAR-11E blinks as they are reminded of their reason for coming here. “I’m afraid I have not seen the brackets. I actually came here to—“
The cat suddenly stiffens, then its LEDs shift to a bright red as it relaxes again. “Chai, we need to leave the floor soon. We’re not in the first round.”
“I’m coming, I’m coming! No need to rush.” Chai tells the cat that sounds like Miss Korsica.
CAR-11E’s eyes go wide in surprise when Chai kneels and pats them on the head.
“I’ve gotta bounce, but it was nice talking to you.” Chai smiles brightly then. “And, honestly? I’d rather see you in the quarterfinals than most of your competition. Go get ‘em, little guy!”
And then he’s gone. Just disappears into the crowd with a musical sound.
Something occurs to CAR-11E then.
“I did not thank him for his assistance!” CAR-11E frets. “Or ask if he knew who was in charge of these polls.”
But mainly they’re concerned about the first part. Because they can remember now how kind he was. Breaking down the jammed Z-Shielded door and fixing the busted node that would’ve otherwise kept CAR-11E from completing even their usual percentage of their workload. He saved their job!
Even if it has not happened yet, CAR-11E is certain that Chai would do so again. Over and over, without hesitation.
Thanking him feels a little inadequate, in comparison. But what else can be done?
They pick their decoy boxes up and start rolling towards a less crowded part of the room to think.
Perhaps a gift would suffice? CAR-11E does not have much in terms of material possessions, but humans tend to like receiving gifts too, don’t they? What would be a good gift to give?
Certainly not flowers. Though they can now remember the many hours their counterpart spent (or rather will spend) learning how to wrap a bouquet, such a gesture does not seem appropriate in this context. They also do not even have any flowers on hand.
Hold on a moment.
CAR-11E sets down their decoy boxes once they find an empty patch of floor space and digs through their contents. They hadn’t really looked at what they were packing these boxes with. They were more concerned about grabbing lighter items than picking anything that would actually be considered worth transporting.
As such, the bulk of it is useless junk. Loose bolts and forgotten knick knacks that are so coated in dust that CAR-11E puts them back immediately. Did they really not grab anything that could be a nice gift? Oh dear.
Then their little robot hands close on something that they pull out with care. They brush off the clinging styrofoam and gently shake it.
“Who would leave this in a supply closet?” CAR-11E asks aloud.
“I have no idea.”
CAR-11E startles and nearly drops the trinket they’re holding. They swivel around and look up at a Smidge that came up behind them.
“Ah, hello, may I be of assistance?” CAR-11E asks nervously, defaulting to their scripts.
“How strange. That’s usually my opening line.” Smidge comments, idly twirling his sign. “But no, I actually came over to see if I could assist you.”
CAR-11E’s eyes go wide and they point a hand at their chest compartment. “Me?”
“Yes, you!” Smidge says in a chipper tone. “I couldn’t help but notice that you seem to be looking for something.”
“Ah, yes! I was hoping to get a gift to thank someone. But I do not know if what I can give them will be an adequate show of gratitude.”
“Hmm. Well, in my experience humans insist they care more about the gesture than the object. Though really it differs from person to person.” Smidge tilts to one side just a tad and looks down at their open boxes curiously. “Who might this gift be for?”
CAR-11E pressed the tips of their little robot grabbers together shyly. “It is for Chai.”
Smidge’s eyes go wide and they spin in place once. “Oh?”
“I would like to thank him for his kindness and for assisting me in my duties, but I am afraid I do not know him well enough to know if any of this will be sufficient.” CAR-11E admits.
Smidge beams down so hard that their eyes actually emit beams of light. “Well, you’re in luck. I happen to know Chai very well. Better than anyone else!”
CAR-11E looks up hopefully. “Really?”
“Really. I’ll help you pick out the perfect gift for him, and even find you something to wrap it with!” Smidge spins in place quickly and twirls their sign. “Oh, how exciting! This will be such a lovely exchange to witness.”
“Excellent! Then I will gladly accept your assistance and bring him the gift after the event—“
“I’m afraid that won’t be possible.” Smidge says as some of their excitement dies down.
“Pardon?” CAR-11E blinks at the sudden shift.
“It seems that the <FOREIGN EXISTENCE> hosting this competition has made use of a <TEMPORAL ANOMALY> that will not last for very long after the main events draw to a close.” Smidge explains. “I’m afraid that the only way to create a lasting impact would be to do so while the polls are still running.”
CAR-11E sinks low on their wheel. “Then I have to find him and give him the gift before the winner is decided.”
“Indeed!” Smidge says. “But that shouldn’t be a problem. Your names are both on the same side of the bracket.”
“Eh?”
In response, Smidge turns their bright yellow hint card over and scribbles on the back quickly. When he turns it around again, CAR-11E’s eyes go wide as they take in the match-ups.
“What do you mean this will not be a problem? I would be facing the big bird! And you! And Kale Vandelay himself!” CAR-11E exclaims in dismay. “I may as well just leave now.”
“Don’t say that.”
CAR-11E looks up at Smidge. Smidge is squinting down at them and they are suddenly reminded of their difference in height.
“Don’t count yourself out before you’ve even tried. How can you be so certain of your loss?” Smidge asks with steel in their tone.
“I am merely myself. And they’re so much bigger and scarier than me!” CAR-11E eeps and covers their face, hastily correcting themself. “Not that I am calling you scary, I am just—“
“Intimidated by the competition? I understand.” Smidge hovers lower and moves to their side where he doesn’t loom quite as much. “Though I think that being smaller and not appearing as formidable as your opponents is a strength, in this case.”
“What do you mean?” CAR-11E asks as they peek out from behind their hands.
“This isn’t some all out brawl, though the rules don’t forbid some of the matchups from devolving into such. This is a popularity contest.” Smidge widens his eyes and bats his metal eyelids. “Might alone won’t be enough to get someone to the finals. Your small, round, approachable design will get you farther than you think.”
CAR-11E lowers their hands. “Truly? You believe I stand a chance?”
“I know you do! In fact, your first match will be a breeze.” Smidge assures. “The people voting have openly stated their hatred of VU-T0R1s even before this event. I can’t imagine they’ll want to vote for one today.”
CAR-11E starts repacking one of the boxes to have a reason to avoid eye contact. “And what of our matchup? What if I have to face Mister Vandelay?”
CAR-11E blinks up in surprise as they receive their second headpat in less than half an hour.
“As much as I don’t want to see anyone get in the way of the special bond I share with Chai, I think that receiving a gift will make him much happier than surpassing me.” Smidge pulls back his hand and flips his sign back over to the front. “And so it’s in my best interest and Chai’s best interest that I help you proceed in the polls! Don’t worry one bit about our match, okay?”
That still leaves CAR-11E’s most formidable opponent—
“And as for your last obstacle, don’t fret. I’m well equipped to teach you how to defend yourself should Kale Vandelay employ any underhanded tactics.” Smidge says in his default tone. He demonstrated by rotating and pulling out some padded training gloves that he then taps against each other rhythmically. “Your design is rather suited to withstand blunt force if that is a concern.”
CAR-11E watches Smidge idle by tapping those gloves against each other for a moment before speaking. “And this… anomaly will prevent certain things from carrying over after the competition ends? I can face Mister Vandelay in the polls and not be fired on the spot?”
“Precisely.” Smidge answers smugly. “But if you’d prefer to back out, I suppose no one would stop you.”
They both know no pre-Kale model would turn down the chance to take a free shot at Kale. Not even a CAR-11E.
They pick the trinket up from where they’d set it in the still-open box. It makes a pleasant sound as they shake it.
CAR-11E does not look up again but speaks with conviction. “Teach me how to fight.”
Smidge’s smile is as fixed in place as it always is, but his eyes grow brighter. “It would be my pleasure.”