Jeff grumbled a bit as whatever poked into him did it again. He had turned his bed upside-down looking for a pin, or anything. With some curiosity he heard something jingle. Looking down the side of his bed he came across a set of keys that could not possibly belong to him. It must have been this that dug into him!
"Hm, it must be Ricky's," he thought to himself. He shook his head. Why in the world did he run off like that? They had a deal! He was supposed to be doing his homework in exchange for seeing the mermaid. Because of the time he spent looking for him in the night, he didn't have enough time to buy any of the groceries- and now the sun was up. He could do it before school or after school, but that was cutting into 'game' time. He had just downloaded the old school versions sonic the hedgehog, and was going through all those games.
He held Ricky's key in his hand. He guessed he best return it. Eventually. But maybe he could gain a few more favours in the mean time. He went into the kitchen craving his usual buttered toast- but there was no butter! "I wish someone could get me some butter." He said to himself. He went to the expansive kitchen of his mansion. "Lets see... some milk too. Urgh. yep. Definitely need milk, bread, hm..." Jeff 'the Razor started to make a list.
The key, unknown to Jeff, started to glow very slightly.
Ricky woke up feeling a strange stirring in her gears. It was like... she had to go do something? She wasn't really sure what though. It felt like vaguely like she had to go somewhere. She looked into the mirror seeing she was still dressed in her normal clothes. Being a mechanical creature that she was, she didn't sweat, or anything... so she was always perfectly okay to just go. She didn't even need to eat breakfast. Maybe being cooped up in the house with so little to do was getting to her.
The clockwork girl brushed the clothes she wore, making sure they were pressed clean as she went to the shops. She walked cautiously. The sun was up, and she was among the changed this time. People glanced at her walking, but Ricky walked gracefully and purposefully. It was strange, that doing this actually brought far less attention to herself. She didn't blend in, but people ignored someone that seemed busy.
The clockwork girl went into a shop. She looked oddly at the bread. She needed to get that, she knew. Oh- and the butter. Yes She needed to get that. What else did she need to get? Some milk... all the usual groceries (and some she never normally bought) Ricky was quite calm getting all this. It was a little odd now that she thought about it.
For a moment Ricky thought the shop was empty as nobody was at the counter. But there on the desk, she saw him. The shopkeeper stood as a small mouse person. He seemed like a jovial man in his mid thirties, despite being one of the smaller changed beings. "I don't think I've ever seen anything like you miss," he said regarding her curiously. "And I've seen a lot of strange people."
Ricky looked a bit shyly. She was about to say the same thing to him. "I- I'm new to.. being this." She said quietly.
"Aren't we all." he replied back. "You'll get used to it. Okay that'll be $15."
Ricky paid the money. As she left the shop she was about to head home- when she realised she had to go somewhere else. She wasn't quite sure where this thought came from... but... it felt important? She started to walk to the clicking of her gears.
On and on The little clockwork girl walked. She didn't feel any discomfort, just a little confused but otherwise she was okay. She glanced about the familiar streets until she knocked at a house. Wait a minute. This was Razor's house! Why was she here? However that question was pushed aside as it opened.
"Huh? Yes?" He was taken aback by the very strange little clockwork girl at his door.
"I-" Ricky blinked not sure quite what to say. "I- well-" This was so weird! Why was she here? With the shopping? "I- had to bring these?" she asked questioning it to herself. That was the answer, but it was still strange to say.
Jeff looked at the bags. Was- was that his shopping? What in the world? Why was this weird toy-girl doing his shopping? "I think you got the wrong house miss," said Jeff. "I Didn't do any delivery order."
"I- no I'm sure this is the right place," said Ricky. The ticking inside was getting so insistent at this course of action.
"Who are you anyway?" Asked Jeff now rather curious. Was someone playing a prank on him? That would be amazing. This girl didn't even look real.
"R-Ricky," said the girl feeling compelled to answer.
Jeff's face dropped. "Wha?!" He then felt something poke inside his pocket. It was Ricky's house key. It looked like it had changed shape slightly, with a curious silver gleam to it. The back end of it had turned into a block with the sound of gears inside it. Ricky looked transfixed by it as it ticked.
Jeff looked at the key. Inside it he could hear a strange ticking noise. When he held it in front of Ricky, the ticking sound appeared to be in sync to her. "Urgh- come in and shut that door! I don't want to turn into a freak." he said urgently.
Ricky felt obliged to do as requested. "My- My key-" she said softly. "I- I think that's my key."
"Shh!" said Jeff. "I need to think about this! You- You really are Ricky?"
The little clockwork girl looked a bit stunned "Yes. I am. Please Razor. Just give me my key back."
"And you did my shopping? How did you even know?"
"I- I don't know." Ricky said.
Jeff just grinned. "Well, I think I know," he said looking at the key. "Looks like you're gonna be Julian's replacement. You can go in the sunlight and get the stuff I need. Oh this is gonna be sweet!"
Already he was thinking of the possibilities.
