Sarotti has a minion!

Guardian the Guardian of Hearts

Imperfect…

“FOOL! I told you to check the material before using it to build..” those are the first word I hear as soon as my wires are connected. And something feels weird – as though I am missing something.

Why?
Well seems my Schematic was buggy, so as you will see I was created with a missing spot on my chest. Not that I care - but they did, for with this missing spot comes another "problem" for those persons on Yun enterprises that control all created Steamwork pets - not only do I have a missing spot shaped like a heart on my chest and so they do not think I’ll be of any use to anybody.

What a disaster
Steamwork pets are supposed to be perfect - the metal smooth and complete, no flaws. So this whole in my chest is a problem for the constructors. The young apprentice, who was supposed to check all material before putting it into the machine, got hit hard on the head and now has to get back to the earlier stages of the construction. Still, I have this weird shaped whole in my chest and also feel awkward.

“You there, step out of the line” looking left and right I sight and step out of the line of freshly created Steamwork pets. The main engineer comes over and looks at me. “You know, we have no use for you! You’re not perfect. Nobody will want you” and with this he gestures towards the doors. “There will be a transport to the recycling building waiting for you” he says harshly.

~Wait… what? Recycling? ~
I bend my head and leave, but as soon as I am out of sight something inside me stirres. I am not going to be recycled. Yes, I may be imperfect but that is no reason to be recycled. Looking left, then right I hide behind some material boxes – those are perfect smooth metal bars – no weird shaped wholes are on those…
There I wait until I see the recycling car leave with some old metals and pieces as well as old, worn out Steamwork pets.
I sneak out of the construction building and decide to find my own way.

A new friend…

Silently leaving Ziara City I can see another dome a few miles away and decide to head towards it. Peaking in I can see a sort of park, with a blue tree in the middle. I really feel drawn towards that tree – it looks as imperfect as I feel with the wind howling though the whole in my chest. All around me a cheery faces, kids on swings, couples on benches. I sit down at the foot of the blue tree and watch. Wondering why this whole on my chest seems to make me ~imperfect~ and ~not wanted~.

“Hey you”
(Invalid img)a rasping voice above me says. Unwillingly I look around at who is disturbing my thoughts. “Yes,” the voice rasps again “what’s that on your chest?”. Putting my paws in front of my whole I keep looking up and try to figure out who is talking to me. “I am here” my eyes still trying to find the person who talk I see a bird sitting in one of the branches “yes it’s me talking” rasps the bird, hopping down placing itself on my knee. “So tell me, tinbox – what’s that you’re covering with your paw?”
“Nothing” I answer, maybe a bit to quickly “that’s nothing. And I do not know why I should talk to you, anyway.” I turn away and the bird waits a second before hoping in front of me again. “Well tinbox, maybe you should talk to me, because I am able to help you with your issue” cackling the bird looks at me.
Turning away once again I look over my shoulder “I am not a tinbox, I am a Steamwork pet – perfect. And you are?” “Oh sorry, perfect tinbox” cackles the bird. “I am Guardian.” Still holding the paw to the whole in my chest I turn to the bird “Guardian? Guardian of what?” I raise my eyebrow and wait for a satisfying answer. “I am Guardian” repeats the bird “Guardian of hearts – so what are you covering there, tinbox?”
Lowering my paw I show this so called “Guardian” what has been hidden beneath it. Cackling the bird hops closer and takes a loot “oh you’re missing a heart” he says. The word echoes through my head. “A what?” I ask. “A heart – at least that’s what that shape in your chest looks like”. This word is still echoing in my head so I repeat “a heart… so what do you need a heart for?”

Fluttering away from the tree Guardian explains “the heart is the home of your soul – but in your case – I’d say you need it to close that gap in your chest – so come one!” I lift myself up from the ground murmur “a heart” and follow that fluttering bird. “You’re sure I need one? I’m not sure if that gap is something bad…”
So I follow Guardian back towards Ziara, where he makes sure, we board a ship towards te sacred lands. While on board, he explains, what I will need a heart for.

the search for a heart…

“Oi – that was a taff landing” rubbing the dent that the bump left on my back I get up. “So why exactly are we here?” I ask Guardian who flutters out of the aircraft and lands on my shoulder. “Well” he cackles “we’re going to see the oracle and ask her if she has an idea where we can get you a heart – so the wind will not blow though your chest any longer”. With the peak of his beak he point towards a Tower. “That’s where we will find her”

Silently we both look up at the lighted tower. “Okay” I say, “let’s go”. We enter the tower and follow the lighted steps up ‘til we reach the top. Blinded by the light I close my eyes entering this circular room and stand still. Before I can open my eyes I hear a warm voice “Hello little one, I am the Oracle of the Sacred Lands.” squinting I try to open my eyes “hello” I answer, still unable to see properly. ”So how can I help you, little one?” slowly my eyes catch a shade I focus on until it becomes clear, that I am talking to a woman sitting on a little chair smiling in my direction. I step closer and look at her smiling face “the tinbox needs a heart” comes the now familiar, rasping voice from my shoulder “thought you could help us with that one” hopping up to her feet Guardian looks up at the Oracle.

”So this is why you’ve come here? the Oracle asks. I nod. “I want a heart and I want to be able to feel something. Can you help me?” silently I ask, looking at the floor. “Actually” Guardian throws in “what she really need a heart for is to stop the wind blowing though her chest. Kind of hard to sleep if she keeps on howling like an empty bottle.”
I look at the Oracle who seems to snigger a bit. ”Well, I might not be the right person to help, but I am sure I can give you some advice” the Oracle continues first of all – I do not have much experience with Steamwork – but I maybe know someone who has just what you’re looking for.” with growing hope I look at her. “That would be so nice, if you could give advice, I really want a heart and feel something.” I say as she hands over a card where another part of Subta is crossed. I take it and look at her “thank you”, I say. ”Do not hope for to much, it might not be as easy as you think to get what you want, little one. And if you now close your eyes I can port you and your charming friend here to your destination!” with this she moves her huge wand and the tower blurs out of sight.

And we stumble upon grass and a nice smell surrounds us. When I open my eyes I see benches and a really fat man in a hut, who smiles and waves at us. ”Hello, are you hungry? I am Pete – an excellent cook” he introduces himself. “No thanks, not hungry” I start answering but Guardian interrupts “speak for yourself, I am hungry – so feed me” with this the lands in front of Pete who laughs and tosses some crumbs to Guardian, ”So who are you and what are you doing here? Pete interrogates while Guardian gobbles his food down. I hand over the plan I still hold in my hand. “We’re here, so I can get a heart. I am looking for this place”, I say and see Pete’s smile falter. ”If you wanna try your luck – it would be this way” pointing towards a large hill of junk and bulk ”but do not expect him to be helpful or generous.”

Slowly turning towards the rotten smelling hill with the greenish color I swallow and steo through the fence and towards the hill…

Watching all the junk and garbage closely I realize an ancient looking, shaped thin in the midst of the hill and feel drawn towards it. Stepping closer I stretch my hand towards this item and are near to touching it when…
… suddenly the hill starts to move…

And growls…

“What do we have here? Does the junk now bring itself to me? This all MINE!” I hestitate and take a step back. “No, I am here, because I was told, you may be able to help me. And I think that’s correct.” Again I try to stretch my hand towards the shining object, but the green part of the hill – which I now see is a sort of creature – growls again.
”I said this is all MINE! I back away another step. “But look you do not understand - I am looking for a heart and I think, this might just be my heart – you’re sitting upon.” A massive paw stretches and picks the shiny object out of the garbage. With a smile the creature turns to me.

(Invalid img)”You mean this?” it asks smiling and as I nodd it adds ”that’s MINE – so why should I give it to you? Me, the recycle beast… I am not easily giving items away – so why do you think I should give this to you?” I feel so drawn to the shiny thing in his paw, I step closer and stretch out a hand “I think, this may be my heart” I try to explain and show him my chest “see, it seems to fit in there – so can I please have it?” I ask hopefully. ”I do not think so – I love my items. I never give them away. But maybe we can trade. I’ll hand it over if you can bring me enough items. with this he slams a list into my hand. “I can try, but I really want my heart. I want to be able to feel.” I say. ”Well then you better get going” growls the recycle beast.

I step back, take a look at my heart I nod “I’ll be back, as soon, as possible” I promise and turn to run back towards the small hut, where Guardian is still eating. “Okay, let’s get going” I yell at him. “This… Recycle beast has my heart and I want to get it. All I have to do is bring him those items” showing the list to Pete he smiles and hands me a basket.

Three days later we’re back at Pete’s hut with a basket full of items – all the items the recycle beast asked for in exchange for my heart. I leave Guardian with Pete (he is always hungry), take a breath and step into the junk yard.
There, in front of this huge pile of junk stands a little girl, crying.
”Oh you’re back” growls the green beast, looking curiously at me as I nod. “Yes I am back” I say, handing over my basket which the creature grabs greedily and checks the stuff that is inside.”Seems you got everything I’ve asked for. You can get your requested item” it says and then turns to the little sobbing girl ”you get gone – you have not what I want. You’re not getting your dolly back.” With this it turns back to me and holds out the shiny, heart shaped object. I take a step closer, but then I hear a sob from the little girl and turn towards her. “What happened?” I ask her. Blowing her nose she looks at me and stammers “I lost my doll. And it’s here and I can not get it b-b-back.” I look at her and see another tear running over her cheek. Feeling miserable I turn to the recycle beast. “Can I also exchange my basket for the doll?” I ask silently. ”Well if you wish to” comes the answer ”but know you’re not going to get another change to collect items for me for a long time” I swallow and close my eyes. My heart…

“Okay, I’ll take the doll then” I say.

Dropping my heart back into the pile the recycle beast searches a minute, then pulls out the little rag doll and stuffs this into my hand. ”you’re sure? it growls and I nod and turn away – trying no to think about the shiny heart I’ve lost.
I bend down to the crying girl, hesitate for a second and then hold the doll out to her. “There you go” I say and see her tears stop, her eyes grow bright. Pulling up her nose she stares at me and reaches out for the little rag doll I still hold. With a very wet smile she snatches the doll out of my hand and hugs it. “Thank you” she whispers and then turns and runs away, the little doll clutched to her breast.

”You get out of here, now. And do not come back so soon. the beast growls behind my back and without looking back I hurry off towards Pete and Guardian.

Maybe, someday I will get my heart….

Credits: Profile by: Ringo
Art was done by the talented MoondustDreams

pictures of Oracle, Recycle Beast and Minion by subeta

picture of the little doll Beren

Credits: Profile by: Ringo