Part 10 of the Robot Princess web novel, stay tuned for the next parts which will be posted in the next few days

Read the previous part here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45563757/

Story is mine, written by  fallout19980

Saturday, 8th October, 2028
Franz purchased the machine after examining it further. Hot goods like this are rare and to the aspiring engineer they are as important as food and water.
“Give it a shot man. If you dig it, you can get it.”
Did cost a pretty penny. G-moldmakers are quality products after all. With a little bit of cleaning it was like good as new. Having a slashed budget, the less cynical side of Franz viewed it as an opportunity to cut down the junk spending and focus more on better dieting with just the essentials. The cynical part of him that dominated demanded cried out for more dopamine from caffeinated drinks, cigarettes, and junk food.
The day the new equipment was set to arrive, Franz’s mother, Anna, scolded him.
“Franz, you’re spending too much money on your silly hobby! It’s turning into an obsession, my lord. At this rate you’ll start cutting down on food and rent just to feed it.”
A caring mother, Anna encouraged her son to adopt a healthier lifestyle but didn’t go beyond words. They loved and cared for each other albeit with a relationship that felt like walking on a razor’s edge at times.
“Franz, it is important for young people to stay healthy. You’re in your prime and you’ve got a whole sea of possibilities laid out in front of you. You’re smart, you’ve got a good job and you’re ambitious. You’re in a growing industry working for a good company just imagine what you can do, I didn’t have that chance when I was your age, don’t stop before you pass the finish line. You’ll be happier and more productive when you’re healthier. That is just a fact, I am sorry, but it is.”
She lectured him during breakfast. Franz loathed that. For Franz, when you’re at the table and enjoying your meal you shouldn’t be bludgeoned with reprimands. His breakfast was poached eggs and avocado on toast, he ate it, made agreeing noises and half-empty promises.
“You’re not listening to me, are you?”
“I am, I’m just not talking much cuz my mouth’s full.”
“But you’re not paying attention to what I’m saying! Franz I can see you don’t care but I’m trying to help you here. All you’re doing is sitting, looking at me and going hmm, mmm, yes mom. Do you remember what I JUST said?”
“I do, I’m not interrupting your monologue cuz my mouth’s full, mother.”
Why bother?
“Finish your breakfast and clean the dishes, please. I’ll go check on my girlfriends and maybe we’ll go to a café, I need fresh air. Do you want to come with me, dear?”
“Nah, not really.”
Anna loved her son dearly but didn’t like what had become of him. Anna believed children should spend their time outdoors under the guise of the sunny sky, playing ball games, getting in trouble over silly things, drawing inappropriate imagery in public areas and doing sleepovers. Franz’s school years were that of torment from bullies with Anna’s visits to the principal and calls to his tormentors’ parents amounting to nothing. So, Franz spent his time indoors, playing video games, watching TV and reading media he pirated from torrent websites, taking a particular interest in tech, primarily robotics.
Looking at their family photos, Anna remembered her son’s early antics, sitting with his legs crossed in the living room, wearing a tank top, shorts and socks and creating Frankenstein monstrosities. That’s where his pocket money went. Creating little bots for his amusement. Little robot people doing whatever he wanted them to do.
“He’s in control.” she thought to herself. “Maybe that’s why he likes them so much.”
Ever since Mia had adapted to using the arm, Anna stopped going to her son’s room to clean and water the plants. Last time it waved at her and wanted to chat about Plato’s theory of the human soul. She gave it the bird and walked away in disgust. She didn’t want him to make robots. She wanted him to become a manager. A shareholder. To live off a passive income and be a family man.
Some phone calls later and Anna had a plan.
“I’m going to meet with the ladies at Felipe’s, then I’m gonna do some shopping.” she brandished a slip of paper with her intended purchases. “Is there anything you want, dear?”
“Just some energy drinks. Hmm, do you mind if you make shepherd’s pie next Friday or on the weekend?”
“I really don't like you drinking those, I'm happy to cook for you but I won't be buying you that sludge, it's going to rot your insides!"
“I got it mom. I got it.”
"Alright sweetheart, please try not to stare at that computer screen all day again"
She planted a kiss to his cheek and left, leaving a pink lipstick mark. The house was totally at his disposal.
He finished his breakfast and glanced at his phone, Cain would be stopping by to drop off the machine. The whole situation had him on edge, the legality of the matter aside a thousand dollars was a lot of money for Franz. The equipment he was purchasing would normally command a much higher price than what he was getting it for so the fear of there being something wrong with it added onto his anxiety. Not to mention that if there was something wrong he was sure replacement parts would cost as much as what he was paying for the thing and might not even be available for purchase.
He rubbed his temples as he walked into his room and was immediately greeted by Mia. He’d begun work on her upper body, the chest and neck shells were works in progress, all he had to do was install higher quality drivers to make sure she could perform fluid movement…and create the rest of her upper body. Like a child she’d have to learn fluid motor function one day at a time. He calculated that if he reduced distractions to a minimum and put his ass into it he’d have an upper body for her ready and functional circa the next couple of weeks.
“Hey Franz! I heard the front door open and close. Your mother went out?”
“Yeah she did. She’s meeting with some friends then she’s going to go shopping. It's for the best, I've got someone coming over.”
“Oh, a friend from work, or do you have a girl coming over?”
“A girl? Certainly, you know I'm quite the ladies man.”
“O-oh...”
“That was a joke, Mia. I was being sarcastic, but your response made it sound like you wouldn't be too excited if that actually were the case.”
“No no it's not that at all, I know it's something normal for guys to do so I wouldn't be upset or anything. I was just ummm... hoping that we could spend some time working on my code.”
“Well then you're in luck, I'm gonna be hanging out with you all day today.”
“Oooh that's great! So who's going to be coming over if you don't mind me asking?”
“Someone from work, he's dropping off something that I think you'll really like, especially if it works out the way I want it to. But if things don't go that way then I might be spending a lot more time with you cuz I'll be on house arrest or even worse.”
“What!? House arrest!?”
“Sorry, sorry, honestly I should try and stop with these bad jokes, my sense of humor usually doesn't get people laughing so I shouldn't expect you to find it humorous”
“O-oh ok then...”
Franz and Mia sat in an awkward silence for a few moments, Franz staring at his phone and Mia filling in a sketchbook with doodles. Suddenly his phone rang and he swiped to answer it before the first ring finished.
“Franz here.”
“Yooo brah!” Cain's shrill voice exploded from the phone. Franz pulled back a few inches from the phone and contemplated his decision-making before giving a reply.
“Hey, when are you arriving?” Franz said with a hint of impatience.
“I'm already here!”
“I'll be down in a second.”