Not long after she had shouted, a loud slamming noise came from the direction of the dressing room. From what Delphina could tell, Jenkins had just bounced off the wardrobe door after turning sharply to go back in.
She almost felt bad. But seriously, who forgets socks when sorting out an outfit?
Tutting to herself, she shook her head and sat on the bed. Listening out for Jenkins, waiting for it to rotate those orbicular buttocks back into the bedroom.
Apologies, young Lady. I brought the socks back with me to your dressing room by accident.
Extending out its 'arms' from the sides in a telescopic fashion, Jenkins held out an ultramarine blue leather belt that had a series of buckles and sliding loops, and finally, the blessed pair of long cotton socks.
Practically snatching the socks out of the automaton's hands first, Delphina jammed the trousers into them to keep the legs from ruching as the boots were put on. Swiftly knotting the laces at the tops, she gave the boots a few test kicks to see if there would be any discomfort.
"Perfect!"
Please stand up, and I'll attach the belt for you, young Lady.
Complying with Jenkins' request, Delphina stood just in front of the automaton and lifted her arms slightly.
The belt was tightened just above the hip-gores of the leather jump and latched to the side so the belt could be undone easily. The presumed sword sheath loops were now buckled so that it could be worn on her left-hand side, and would remain at an angle that wouldn't interfere with her movement.
Though she'd certainly have to be careful if she turned around too fast, at least by choosing a shorter sword, she would be less likely to have any 'wide-load' accidents.
Laughing at the imagined chaos that might occur if she sideswiped a vase or plant pot whilst unaware, Delphina stepped past Jenkins to prevent any further fussing over her outfit.
"Lead the way, my rotund little friend!"
Just a moment, young Lady. You don't want to forget your brother's calendar or your gloves. I will hold onto your sword for now as well.
Also, I am not little. I chose this form for functionality purposes temporarily. As such, I feel insecure. I believe I asked you not to comment on my stature previously.
Looking somewhat bemused, Delphina turned back to face Jenkins again.
"Ah? Yes, gloves would be good. Thank you Jenkins, and I apologise. Firstly, you're simply too cute like that, and secondly, I utterly forgot after how much went on yesterday. I'll not bring it up again."
The automaton appeared to stare at her for a moment before extending its limbs- they elongated and thickened, causing its eye level to rise. As it did so, the rounded torso broadened and contracted to become more tapered. The head followed, becoming more aggressive-looking to match the new angular look.
Jenkins now resembled a bipedal ant soldier; it had a neck and everything. Delphina's adorable B-8-bubble was no more.
Handing over the driving gloves it had prepared for this outfit with its newly formed digits. She simply stared on, dumbfounded at these new changes. This resulted in Jenkins having to pick up each one of her slack hands and place the gloves on for her instead.
Watching the automaton having to now lean over to do this, Delphina realised she didn't actually know how tall she was. It didn't seem important. But Jenkins was now what must be at least a foot taller than her. Seeing this, a competitive spirit awoke within her unknowingly.
Narrowing her eyes at the grey-toned leather driving gloves being fastened at her wrists, she noticed Jenkins hadn't mentioned the interface bracelet No.69 had given her. Whilst it was an interesting observation, she no longer had the luxury of time to think about it.
"Is that your… Military form?"
Having successfully donned both gloves for her, Jenkins turned Delphina's wrists over to ensure a snug fit. Bringing its head up so they were each at eye-level with the other, it nodded.
Perhaps you will find me less cute like this, my Lady.
No longer tottering on stilted legs or rolling, Jenkins released her wrists and simply strode past her to open up the bedroom door. Oddly, despite now having articulate (if pointy) hands and digits, its legs still lacked feet. Instead, they ended as a couple of rather sharp-looking claws.
"Yeah, I'm never letting that get me changed whilst I'm unaware ever again."
Jenkins' ant-like transformation was now solidified in her brain as its 'real' form.
Shrugging her shoulders, Delphina followed after the automaton. She felt that with Jenkin's greatly increased stride length, the travel to the 'back door' would be significantly faster.
Thankfully so, as they had ended up dawdling longer than she wanted earlier in the bedroom.
When they arrived at the door, however, Jenkins reached out with one of its hands to escort her over the threshold. And continued to escort her down the hallway, in the opposite direction from the dining room she had entered just yesterday.
"Jenkins, I'm pretty sure you said yourself; I will not follow you through any of these doors after you have been guided for the first time. I stay only in the Heirs Wing at all other times."
As Delphina was finishing parroting Jenkins' stilted speech, the automaton almost seemed to stumble for a moment. But that had to have been her imagination, as when she turned to look at it in confusion, nothing seemed amiss.
I am carrying one of your weapons, my Lady. Until I am relinquished from holding on to it, I must be by your side at all times. It is a House Rule.
Also, you will be having breakfast in the Orangery today. It takes a different path from the back-most door to reach there. So I would have had to guide you from the Wing anyway, my Lady.
Furrowing her brows, Delphina was at a loss as to why she hadn't been informed of this information earlier. Had Jenkins itself gotten distracted with what went on after she woke up? Usually, butlers or the like would rattle off the day's information like nobody's business as soon as their liege had awoke.
"Why the Orangery? Any breakfast room would have done."
Young Master Pietro requested the change first thing this morning.
Falling into silence as they continued down the new and varied corridors and hallways, Delphina wasn't truly paying attention to the various decorations or the automata as they bowed when they passed.
Her mind was stuck on the fact that Pietro had last-minute changed their breakfast location.
Perhaps she was still being too sceptical, but his behaviour had put her back on edge. What was supposed to be a relaxed and informative breakfast was now shaping up to be another series of tests she'd have to produce.
Glancing down at her left hand that Jenkins was holding in escort, Delphina rapped her free hand on the air just down by her thigh. Only to watch as No.69's screen swung in front of her eyes, originally coming from behind her.
[Here I am!]
[Don't worry, Delphina. I have been here the whole time! I understand you cannot communicate right now, let me analyse why you might have called for me again!]