The new A1 hurried into his designer’s workshop, scared. He had been finished for a few weeks, but was consistently being belittled by his second eldest sibling, Fredrick Banbury. His eldest sibling had made numerous attempts to get Banbury to leave the newbuild alone, especially since there was another one that was nearing completion. But Banbury hadn’t a care and continued belittling the recently built 1564.
The engine in question continued in his attempt to hide in the least visible corner of the workshop, before coming to an abrupt halt, bumping into something.
He panicked, scared. He didn’t know what he could have possibly bumped into, until he looked up.
His eyes caught sight of another engine, one who’s condition was somewhat deteriorating by this point. Before the other engine could say a word, a flurry of apologies left the young A1’s mouth; his stress increasing tenfold.
“Stop. Stop right there.” the voice sounded somewhat hoarse due to a lack of use, but it did the trick and 1564 stopped his apology ramble almost instantly.
“I’m not going to hurt you,” the engine stated, soft. “What’s on your mind, little one?”
“Banbury…” 1564 murmured, voice shaking despite his numerous attempts at controlling it. “He hates me or something.”
The other engine frowned, deep in thought.
“Well..” he stated slowly, trying to find the words. “Banbury is an idiot.”
“Great Northern seems to agree with you. But Banbury won’t listen.” the new engine murmered, before his face shifted into something akin to a pout. “Who are you, anyways? You look like me, but Northern never said anything about another sibling.”
“Did he now?” the other engine ground out, still frowning. “Well, that’s because he’s an idiot as well. My name is Gordon, the prototype for our class.”
The younger engine looked at his actual eldest brother, curious, seemingly forgetting the drama that Banbury had caused. This while Gordon sized up his newest brother in turn.
He couldn’t explain it, but perhaps it was the engine’s nervousness when he had accidentally bumped into him, but the first of the A1s felt a surge of protectiveness throughout his frames. He would try- to the best of his ability- to protect the young engine as best as he could.
The sound of another engine puffing closer could be heard increasing in volume and the younger A1 froze stiff.
“So this is where the small fry hides.” came the mocking voice of a very specific A1.
“Leave him alone, Banbury. Can’t you see you’ve done enough damage as is?” Gordon’s voice echoed throughout the workshop, causing the mechanics to halt work and pay attention to the confrontation between the three engines.
The other A1 scoffed. “This one’s supposed to be working, not whimpering in a corner.”
“He would be working if you didn’t bully him.” the eldest of the trio returned and Banbury briefly looked shocked, before scoffing once more.
“And what’s your problem, prototype?” the engine sneered. “I thought you were sent to the scrapyard.”
Both 1564’s and Gordon’s eyes narrowed. Mentioning the scrapyard in general was a bit of a taboo amongst the engines, it was frowned upon, even.
Banbury was about to continue, when he got cut off by a loud voice.
“That is enough!”
All three engines looked to the direction of where the voice came from and froze once they realised it was the chief mechanical engineer, and their designer, himself walking towards them.
“Banbury, out. Now. We will be talking later.” the man demanded, to which the engine in question slinked off and left the workshop; his face a much brighter red than before.
“Now then.” the designer turned to face his other engines. “What exactly was going on?”
“Banbury was being a hastle to the newbuild, sir.” Gordon explained. “He caused him to run off here, and he bumped into me. Banbury followed him, apparently.”
“1564, is this true?”
“Y- yes it is, sir.” the other engine confirmed.
“I will have a good talk to him about his recent behaviour.” the man stated, voice hard. “I will allow you the rest of the day off, 1564, but tomorrow you are expected to pick up your regular duties.”
“Yes sir, thank you sir!” the newbuild smiled, albeit weakly.
“As for you, Gordon.” the man turned to the experimental engine. “I still am unsure of what to do with you, but maybe someone else does have use for you. If this is the case, I will have you restored to perfect working order.”
“I understand sir.” the engine sighed. It had been like this ever since Great Northern had been finished, not knowing if he was going to get scrapped.
“I hope someone finds use for you, Gordon.” 1564 murmured quietly. “I think you’re a great big brother!”
Gordon smiled at his youngest brother, blushing slightly. “Thank you. Although, I’ve been in this status quo for at least a year now, who knows what will happen?”
