Chapter Text
You were given a pair of glasses, a strange new technology called dateviators, that meant you could interact with the personifications of various objects in your home. There was one thing that you’d figured out while introducing yourself to the myriad of people you didn’t know you shared a house with. You weren’t good at following the script. Actually, you might have already known about that, it took you years to figure out what your part was supposed to be on the social script that everyone else seemed to be born with a copy of. But these were inanimate objects and concepts you were speaking to. Why would human social norms apply? And to a certain extent, they didn’t. But sometimes it seemed like when you were speaking to a member of the household, you were supposed to be answering a multiple choice question, and somehow you always said the thing that wasn’t an option. You were left with a lot of long pauses as they stared at you in surprise.
A good example happened shortly after using the dateviators on your breaker box. A man built to be on the cover of romance novels came over to greet you. Volt. He oozed charm, but instead of feeling flattered, you just kept thinking about what it was a cover for. People don’t usually come in this strong with charm without some ulterior motive. Like a used car salesman. That layer of artifice and charm was just going to make it harder to actually get to know him. Soon enough you could see flickers of hesitation in his eyes as he gauged your reaction. He’s probably never met someone who didn’t immediately melt for him.
Then another man approached. The dark and brooding type. They are both dressed in a similar fashion, décor of wires and switches and plugs. Jeez these two are certainly a pair. Volt introduces him as Eddie. Eddie immediately has disdain for you, dismissing your existence. You have enough experience with the rest of the household to not take offense to this. It was always something more to do with what they were going through, than an actual dislike of you. How could they dislike you if they don’t even know you? At this point you’re not sure if any of them really did know you, even those who had already professed their love.
Eddie starts to address Volt, but you interrupt. Hey, he was rude first.
“So how”, you gesture between them, “does this work? Like the club is the breaker box but looking at the two of you, you’re more than that. It’s not just the breaker box, you’re the wires in the house” you look around you, then at Volt’s hair “and the electricity inside them?”
Eddie sputters a bit, while a shocked Volt tries to recover “Well, you see” he says before you cut him off.
You tilt your head and examine them. “The glasses say I only used one charge. I thought it was for the breaker box, just a singular item. When I used them on the Hanks they were a cluster of 5 hangers, so it made sense that five of them appeared. Curt and Rod being from two objects, curtain and a rod. And of course all doors are Dorian, so multiple things can be one person” You start tapping your mouth with your finger as you contemplate, slowly circling them and examining the two. “But you two” you hum under your breath in contemplation. “You’re two, but you’re one”.
Eddie gives a ragged inhale of breath while, Volt is staring at you, mouth agape. Eddie’s face becomes stormy. “Volt, deal with this” before he stalks off.
Volt has recovered enough to try his charm again, but it’s shaky. “Well, well, well. You certainly are a surprise. Are all humans as perceptive as you?”
You purse your lips. “No two are the same” you say, and then smile.
A small frown appears on his face. “Will you really be coming here just to pick us apart while refusing to reveal anything about yourself?”
This earns him a genuine smile from you. “What do you want to know? Go for it, don’t hold back”
This gets one of those seductive smiles in response. You sigh. “If you actually want to know something about me for real, I will answer. But if the question is just an innuendo, you’ll get about as serious a response as the question deserves.”
There might be a flash of anger across his face, but it passes quickly. He takes a deep breath then seems to consider. He lets the mask down for a bit. “What are your intentions with us, with what you think you know about us?”
“I don’t really know anything do I? You both seem upset about what was only my conjecture. That was not my intention. My intention is to know you better. Same as with everyone else. Know you better. Help you if I can. You’re my home. A part of it, anyway.”
This doesn’t seem to be what he was expecting, but he seems calmer now. He nods to himself a bit. “Well, if you are to know us better, then a good place to start would be to join us for the evening. You can see the performances we host. Observe how the household comes here to relax, the atmosphere we try to provide to allow for that. Perhaps indulge in some libations?” by the end of this he’s smiling, with just a hint of that flirtatious nature. Perhaps holding back the rest.
You smile back. “That sounds nice.”
“Allow me to show you to your table for the evening” he says while guiding you across the floor. You see a couple of people give you little waves of recognition. You wave back. When he shows you to a large booth you hope some of them will join you. It’s going to feel weird sitting at this large of a table by yourself.
“I’ll have some drinks sent over, on the house. What would you like?”
“Oh, um. I don’t really drink. Can’t really drink. Just seltzer and lime?” you say
You’ve surprised him again. There’s that face, the face people make when you say you don’t drink. They don’t want to ask why, but they want to ask why. It’s hard not to answer preemptively, instead of just letting them make assumptions. But it’s not something anyone should have to explain, so you hold off.
“Of course, I’ll have that sent right over.” He says quickly striding away.