Work Text:
One man's trash is another man's treasure, they say. A grin took over Cam’s face as he beheld all of the goods he scored when the homeowner finally decided to go through the boxes in the attic, practically salivating at the sheer amount of stuff. Though he preferred his trash to be soggy and questionable in origin, the dusty posters and dated trinkets were more than enough to satisfy him.
Through the corner of his eye he could see Timothy Timepiece staring, no doubt unimpressed by the enthusiasm he displayed for his newest belongings, but Cam brushed it off easily enough. He was just about to gorge himself on the feast before him when–
“Cameron.” a raspy, feminine voice said.
There was only one object in the entire house who addressed him like that.
Cam turned around to see Lady Memoria standing before him, her posture impeccable as always, her robotic dog nowhere to be seen.
“Memoria,” he said, “what are you doing all the way down here?”
Her air had changed after the homeowner had successfully sorted through all of the memorabilia stashed in the attic, she took deeper breaths and seemed more at peace than ever. But she looked up at Cam with all the seriousness in the world, her perfectly arched eyebrows furrowed.
“You were given a necklace yesterday. I'm here to retrieve it.” she cut straight to the chase, looking at Cam expectantly.
“A necklace? Yeah, I remember it,” he also remembered the last time he was able to eat metal, a rare delicacy he made sure to savour each time, “why do you want it though? The homeowner threw it away.”
Memoria’s frown deepened, “Yes, they did, but I'm sure you understand how foolish a decision it was.”
Cam thought back to the necklace, it looked to be an antique, and on the end of the chain was a small round pendant with a heart-shaped glass cutout that revealed a clock inside. Definitely one of the prettiest things he'd received to date.
“You've never been one to hold on to things,” Cam held out the clock necklace, still clean thanks to being stuffed between papers. Memoria looked relieved to see it.
Truth be told, Cam didn't want to give up the necklace. Metal trash was a rare commodity for him; the homeowner collected bottle caps and soda tabs, the foils covering chocolates were too small to enjoy, and canned food tins were never enough to satisfy him. This necklace was the first proper metal piece in a long time.
But Memoria wanted it and Cam would be lying if he ever said he could deny her what she asked of him. She was always so refined and poised, she carried herself with confidence and grace and she rarely ever asked for favours, making demands instead. Cam liked all of those things about her and more, but he was never much of a talker and his words came out either clunky and awkward or laced with layers upon layers of sarcasm and snark. He could never say all those things aloud so he conveyed them through his actions instead.
Lady Memoria took the necklace and her eyes softened, a change so small it almost went unnoticed.
“Oh I won’t be holding on to it, but I shall be giving it to someone who will appreciate its value.” Memoria then turned to face Timothy Timepiece, who had been not-so-subtly watching them since Cam pulled out the clock.
“I want you to keep it, Timothy, it will still work once you change its batteries.” She gave the necklace to the cat-clock, whose ears and tail were perked up in excitement.
“You’re really giving it to me?” he questioned, and when Memoria nodded, he beamed, “Thank you, my lady!”
Timothy walked away, already toying with the clock pendant and muttering to himself about getting batteries from Jerry.
Lady Memoria turned back to Cam, “I’m sorry for taking it from you, I know how much you were looking forward to the metal.”
“It’s whatever,” Cam shrugged, but he knew Memoria saw right through him. She always did.
“I’ll find something just as good if not better for you within the following days, Cameron,” She offered.
Cam rubbed the back of his neck, “You don't have to do all that, I said it was fine…”
“I insist,” She said, “It’s the least I could do for you.”
Memoria turned around to leave, saying her goodbye to Cam right before she went up the stairs and back into the attic.
When Cam stared at his trash haul, currently down an item, he felt disappointed at the loss, but he didn't regret giving it up to Memoria.
He couldn't deny her anything.