Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Brooklyn would start her new job meeting Sam and Tom through work, however she seems to find herself more lonely than ever. After high school and university… she became more focused on work than actual connections… she’d do her tasks and soon jokingly ask a customer out, not realizing they took it seriously. Flustered, she gave the refund… losing her job to ai was like a punch to the stomach… she thought she was finally ready to stand on her own, what would her sister think?

Sam adding her on thincord and suddenly she looked in while adding her, she sees and unfamiliar user.. tinfoilhat? The conversation was weird, till she heard the drone against her window… only for it to shatter through her very doors window… she knows for a fact she can’t afford repairs… not while she just lost her job..

When she opens the box to find the glasses she examined them, all that for some odd pair of sunglasses? She’d put them on hoping to look in the mirror to make sure she doesn’t look dumb in them… only to look up and see Skylar…

Now… her story had finally begun…

Brooklyn woke up thinking everything was a dream, till she saw the Datevators… was she seriously not dreaming? She contemplated on what exactly to do next… should she put them on again? Or should she just try and send them back to wherever the hell they came from?….

The more important question is… was she ready for love of any kind after…

“…”

The buzz of her phone caught her attention, a text from her older sister.

“Hey sis, hope the new job’s treating you well! Congratulations, I’m so proud of you!”

A lump caught in her throat, her sister couldn’t find out how fast she got replaced by ai… not now… Brook looked at the Dateviators again… and gone onto thincord, the user tinfoilhat’s message… she saw the logo on that drone… she needed answers… and she was going to get them…

When she put them on she was met with Skylar’s cheerful voice, a feeling of uneasiness, but determination… whatever the hell was happening, she was going to figure something out, like she always does. She gone on to befriend Betty and Diana… she looked towards the vent wondering if that counted to… she was surprised when it did count her own vents as a datable. Looking up to the ceiling only to be met with Florence & Celia, both of them were very kind to her… who would’ve known she had the ceiling as mayor in her own house? She did see others go into her office but she decided to just wait to find them later. She eventually talked with Sam, despite her not believing her words, she felt ridiculous regardless… she decided to talk to Skylar again.

“Hey how’s your day going! I think of this stuff a lot.”

“It’s… going ok, I guess?”

“Okay is better than awful! How about a nice menu? I have lots of different ones, all different styles! Here’s the main one!”

“Huh…?”

“Oh right! No fourth wall breaking here…”

Despite Brooklyn’s confusion, she clears her throat and pulls the usual cheerful expression.

“Welcome! What can I do for you?”

“Uh… maybe talk about you?”

“Oh oh oh! Let’s! There’s lots I can chat about! Me!”

“Uh… first off… how… does the whole ‘dating objects’ thing work?”

“My favorite subject! What do you wanna know about my lore?”

Is that how she phrases it?

“How do the dateviators work in the first place?”

“Vibrations.”

“That’s it?”

“I’m being overly simplistic. Have you heard of string theory?”

“Yeah.”

“Datevators function on that theory, thing theory theorizes that at a large enough scales, all objects and concepts coalesce into their own one-dimensional wavelength that unifies all of that type of object throughout the universe!”

“Intriguing…”

“Any object that makes up any specific wavelength is connected to all other objects on that wavelength - which by virtue of being complex enough then forms a gestalt consciousness. Humans just never had a way of speaking with those consciousness until now!”

“What’s ‘gestalt’?”

Soon the conversation would go into more exploration into how the Datevators worked, Brooklyn seeming to grasp more understanding that’s to Skylar’s help.

“What do you think about that?”

“I think… it makes perfect sense!”

“Yes… listen, I’m glad you asked me about this… you see my inner workings are based on some very specific tech that was created by one of Valdivian’s founders… I’m gonna show you my insides… ya ready?”

“Uh… ready…”

Skylar points toward her own dateviators, and invites her to look closely. A small space just between the earpiece. Brooklyn looks surprised at how it’s working like this.

“This is my suspension. It keeps these dateviators running. It’s… not doing great…”

“Why would glasses have suspension? Isn’t that for cars?”

“Ding, ding!! That’s exactly the thing… it’s a very special type of suspension. A Suspension of Disbelief.”

“Oh…”

“I know… I’m a sad pair of lenses here. Basically it works super hard to make everything in this little love experiment work.”

Brooklyn seems more worried for Skylar, she had no idea how complex this really was till now… no wonder she can talk to objects, let alone a pair of glasses.

“But it’s strained, really strained, with all the wild things going on around here! Talking to objects? Objects having names and hidden lives and sexy human bodies and everything? I can barely handle it!”

“How can I help? There has to be a way I can help you.”

“Just… give it a little love. Anyway…”

Brooklyn looked away, and thought about it, Skylar seems more pleased.

“Ah! You just believed in her, so she feels strengthened.”

Brooklyn only gives a bit of a nervous smile.

“Thanks for that… it really means a lot to me.”

“Hey.. no problem! Anything to help out.”

Skylar smiles warmly at her and lets her go. She’s now left with her thoughts as she takes off the dateviators… if believing in Skylar was enough to keep her going, it would be worth it… but now she had more questions…

Chapter Text

Why her? Why out of all the employees did she end up with them? If she ever has the courage to talk to this tinfoilhat person again, she’ll know… she’ll make sure of it. She decided to put the dateviators in her drawer, luckily she kept her… ‘stuff’ her ex friends gave her as a joke in a bag. If Valdivian was looking for these, then she’ll have to keep them hidden for now till she figures things out. She laidback in her bed, her blankets covering her in warmth, as she drifts off to sleep.

The next day she looks at her phone, nothing from anyone. She sighs as she felt herself grow hungry. She wonders if there are any interesting objects in the kitchen other than her kitchen appliances. She needed to use the Datevators carefully each day, five per day… five objects that is… she wonders… that vent guy earlier… he seemed startled… maybe she should try again… she looks around for a vent finding one in her living room. Focusing the Datevators, she saw the hands and eyes.

“What do you think?”

“You won’t come out of there and let me see you?”

“No, this is for the best.”

He clears his throat as she shifts a bit nervously.

“Hello. I am Hector Valentino Airnesto Condicionado. At your service. Ventilation, airflow… sometimes colloquially as ‘HVAC’.”

“Ah, I’m Brooklyn, uh…”

“No need to introduce yourself, you are well known here by now.”

“I- I am? Ah- well it’s nice to meet you- or… hear you…”

“Yes! To hear me. I would wish you to understand, and if not understand then at least believe me when I say that hearing me is the most pleasurable way to meet for both of us.”

She blushed as she didn’t realize her company would be valued to this degree… was she really so separated from the outside world that she would grow flustered at any given compliment?

“Seeing me… well, it’s not a compliment to me… and it would be a great disappointment for you. My greatest wish is to give you pleasure. Ah. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Tell me. How much do you think about me?”

“Hm?”

“Now, yes. I understand that our meeting in this way is so very new. For both of us. I truly never expected to be able to speak to you this way, face to fac… grate. I have accustomed myself to the seemingly unavoidable reality that you would always be human and I would just be… this.”

She felt bad for Hector, she wasn’t sure what else to say.

“But even as this, I have dreamed. And I would know… how much do you think about me?”

“Uh… honestly, I’m really grateful. I love the AC when it get too hot… I don’t necessarily like being sweaty… hehe…”

This is how she responds? Seriously??? She desperately just wants to bury herself in the ground or something…

“Ah, and do you, I have noticed, I so look forward to you coming home on those hot summer days outside, the look on your face when you feel the first blast of the chilled air upon opening the door.”

“Oh yes, it is quite refreshing.. I appreciate it so much after being outside for a long sunny day with… oh… right…”

“Yes. And when it is cold outside, and you walk in and you can slowly warm up and remove your coat, your hat… you can begin to get comfortable and relax into the evening ahead of you.”

“You sound like a fan of relaxing too.”

“I don’t relax for myself. I..I can’t. But for you, there is almost nothing I wouldn’t do to help you relax. To watch the play of warm and cool across your skin. I’m ahead of myself, I just… never thought I would get to say this, and to say it to you.”

“Oh-“

“Let me explain. You are the prime feature of my thoughts. Whatever power courses through me I turn to your pleasure. Whatever warmth or coolness i possess, I direct in full to your comfort. I wanted to meet you here, through the grates, because I wanted you to hear my voice. I want you to hear the melodies and resonance I create through these ducts and know that it is all and only another gift it honors me to offer you.”

“My-“

“I watch the play of air over your skin, and I feel deep joy that I have the air to give you. I adjusted my own temperature and my intensity until o see the flush of contentment spread across your face, and then, I rest in contentment of my own. I never thought I’d be able to say this, and in a way you could truly understand. And now I have. My god… now I have.”

“Laying it on a bit thick there…”

“It is. I know it! My god, you think I don’t know it? Who have carried this all inside me on my own this whole time? How long have you been here? How long have I been here? And never to have been able to say??”

“…”

“It’s a lot.”

“Your really into me huh?”

“I wonder sometimes about how I knew it was you. What was the moment, what was the sensation that told me… you were IT.”

Brooklyn would gulp a bit, she felt her heart racing, she wasn’t sure if she was creeped out or into it…. It’s been such a long time… after awhile, she’d be polite, after she was done talking to him, she let out a sigh. She still felt her heart racing… was it thrill or unease? She needs to figure out who else to talk to… or what else… she looks towards the living room, to the piano… she’s never played.. however she made sure it looked its best…. She wonders if she could use the Datevators on it… however decided against it… sitting on the stool, faced towards the door, she could leave… but she was sure the door was jammed at the moment, and didn’t know why. She looked towards the globe, maybe talking to it might work out? She wonders what they could be like… looking down at the ground as she thought for a moment…. Till she saw the strangely shaped shadow… there wasn’t any light on… and there weren't any windows behind the globe…

Chapter Text

Does a shadow count? Maybe it does…. She laughed to herself, as she got up and examined the shadow, adjusting the Datevators, surely it won’t work. She focused on the shadow, joking that maybe it would end up being one of those odd shadow monsters in horror movies she’s seen once, or was it just one? As the Datevators focused , she was suddenly surrounded by it. She looks around, now feeling uneasy… she knew someone was there… but she couldn’t make anything out… maybe this was a bad idea…. The sudden voice caught her by surprise.

“As the light fades and dusk draws, all hope becomes despair.”

She freezes, unsure how to respond… yet so curious… she tries looking around again… nothing… where are they?

“Do you wish to proceed?”

She thought carefully… It’s potentially possible that this could be a dangerous situation… yet if there was intent to harm her… wouldn’t they have attempted to harm her by now? She took a deep breath and held her hands together to reassure herself…

“Yes….”

“Is that so?”

She heard them close by… her heart beating faster, she hopes she made the right choice.

“Let regret not fill your heart then.”

She’s definitely regretting it….

“HARK! For your greatest fears manifest in yours truly!”

The monstrous creature appeared before her, the terrifying amalgam of bones both human and animal, Grotesque clawed fingers, and seething, swirling shadow. She stepped back only to trip and fall, a pained hiss as she did, only to look up at them…

“From brazen earth… to the heavens most incorrigible… The shadows quiver… the shadows quake and quail! Light has no purchase here! For I am…”

Brooklyn was unsure of this thing’s intentions, putting her arm in front of her in case anything happened. Looks like she’d be the first and last person seen with the Datevators. She prepared for the worst to happen.

“…xxXShadowl0rd420Xxx!”

She sat there, staring at him for a while, till it finally clicked in her head… she overreacted… she lowered her arm and laughed softly, she was so relieved… the shadow seemed confused. She clears her throat and gets off the ground. Wiping herself off.

“Uh… Sweet handle! Hehe…”

“Of course! I am darkness incarnate!”

His handle reminded her of her own little phase from when she was in middle school, she laughed to herself at how embarrassing it was, but looking back, it seems less embarrassing compared to an actual shadow in front of her, she wonders how the younger version of herself would react.

“From now on, you are my Penumbra!”

“Penumbra?”

“Penumbra! I am the umbra, the darkest core. You are the Penumbra. My companion accent shade. Like an outer Shadow cast from an eclipse.”

She thought about it and shrugged.

“Sure, sign me up!”

“…Yesssssss!”

Did he sound excited just now?

“Few hahahaha!”

Ok, now that’s caught her attention, she definitely invested now on what he has planned. Also it’s less scary now.

“So tell me, penumbra, what brings you to the call of night?”

“Hm… it’s not night though…”

“It’s not?”

“No… if anything I just noticed a an oddly shaped shadow exactly like the globe.”

“Did you find that out on your own? Or did you use a hint?”

“Where would I get hint? You literally stuck out like a sore thumb in the middle of the day.”

“Observant! I enjoy those who observe.”

“I- thanks?”

“You appear to be romancing the objects in your domicile… I see. You are embarked on a most interesting quest quest.”

“Ah! It’s nothing like that! I’m not looking to romance anyone at all…”

“My mistake then… apologies penumbra.”

She’d simply nodded as her face was already covered with her spreading blush at the mention of romance.

“However, it is quite trivial compared to mine!”

“What do you mean?”

“Take a moment to empty your mind and heart. Bask in the shadows and remember. That sinking feeling you get when you turn off the lights as you return to your bedroom.”

What is he talking about now?

“Then this eerie primal instinct to hasten yourself kicks in while your heart begins to rumble with fear. That, my friend, is but a lick of what true darkness can do.”

Does… he think she’s scared of the dark? Sure maybe a bit when she was in kindergarten at one point, but she doesn’t really mind. At least not now as an adult that is.

“Um… I actually kinda love the darkness… I always try to keep the lights down. Helps me sleep better…”

“Mmmm… you help my power grow…”

“Power?”

“But with that said… im afraid to say my power is waning. If not for your summoning ritual, I may be…”

He’s pulling this act together so easily, she starts to wonder how long he’s been doing this for…

“Nay. Such thoughts are wasteful. Anyhow, I have been waiting in the abyss in search of a companion.”

She smirked as she laughed.

“Like romantically?”

He gets caught off guard as she begins to laugh, since he caught her off guard by the topic, she’s returning the favor.

“Such feelings are… unnecessary. Although, not unwelcomed.”

“Hehe.. I see, I see.. good to know.”

“You see, the essence of darkness must be discussed before obtained. I have been waiting eons for a worthy conversational partner.”

Now that just sounds lonely… yet again she can’t exactly judge him… she’s been alone for who knows how long now…

“Our sinister lamentations in pure nightfall will serve as the dark ritual and bring forth my armaments!”

“Armaments?”

“Just think of them as parts to my true self.”

“Ok got ya.”

“However, I have long lost them back during the Great Cataclysm.”

Brooklyn nods, as she processes his words, he’s definitely interesting to talk to… not to mention how interesting the situation is.

“Alright, I have zero questions what-“

“You… are not curious about my dark powers? My special lore?”

She paused, he seemed disappointed, if she could tell correctly…

“…it is rather special.”

Hearing this, she thought about, honestly, she was willing to help him. It’s not like she didn’t have any questions….

“Maybe a little…”

“Phew. I mean I would have questions meeting any other phantasmal haunting. What troubles you, my Penumbra?”

“Hmm… the special armor?”

“I’ll have you know that these aren’t just any normal raiments. They have no physical form. My armor is of a corporeal shade. But after I obtain just a single piece of it, the pressure of my dark aura will rise exponentially!”

“How exactly do we find the armor parts?”

“As I said, by having conversations we initiate the ritual. Join me in darkness and my power shall inevitably return.”

“What happens when you get your full armor?”

“I descend into the vantablack pools and reemerge as my true awesome form! Fwa hahahaha!”

“Hm..”

“I sense your curiosity! Stay close, penumbra, and you shall someday see.”

“And the Great Cataclysm?”

“A tragedy that befelled my comrades….”

“Oh…”

“Before it was a peaceful time. My fellow denizens of the dark and I conversed in the shadows. Then suddenly… a great power beyond any of ours divided us.”

“Really? That sounds horrible…”

“I have not seen my allies since. And at the same time, my armaments was lost.”

“…what was this power?”

“Its is an unexplainable force beyond reason. But that won’t matter once I’m at full strength…..”

“Well… if you ever wanna talk about it… I’m free when you want to.”

He looks at her, she couldn’t tell if he was glaring or something else… a chill went down her spine as she wasn’t yet used to this monstrous thing in her own house…. Yet again what can she expect from a shadow? Wait…. NEVERMIND!

Maybe… she should lighten the mood…

“Your moniker….”

“Ah- while it may appear childish, it is a title that bears significance to me. Even creatures of the dark are entitled to nostalgia. And it’s relatively continues to capture my very essence!”

“Mhm…”

“Lord of Shadows!”

“And the x’s and 420?”

“Signature embellishments. You’d be surprised how popular of an identity Shadowlord is.”

“I can imagine.”

“Can’t just have anybody proclaim they are the true lord of shadows! Which is why I leave my mark as such.”

“Hm…”

Brooklyn tries to think of other questions but can’t think of anything, only to notice he’s fallen silent, a nod to himself as if acknowledging something.

“Ah! Can this be?”

He spreads his arms wide making Brooklyn step back due to how huge he was and his arms being in hitting range if not careful… however it looked as if he were receiving something.

“Yes, the dark power begins to creep and coarse through me! Fw ahahahahaha!”

“The dark power you mentioned?”

“Yeeess!!”

The sudden agreement startles her, however he extends a hand to her, however not as an offer of any gesture but in character of his Shadow lord persona.

“I knew I had a good feeling about you, penumbra. A piece of my armament has returned! My soul quivers with might!”

Wait, is she supposed to praise him or something?…. Eh…. Alright… she’ll play along, besides it’s just them right?

“It’s true my Lord! You look very mighty and sexy.”

“Oho.”

“Ah! Sorry-“

Was that last part not appropriate?

“That’s… exactly the idea!”

Thank fucking god, if she was wrong about his intentions, she would’ve probably thought of dying in a hole of embarrassment.

“I thank you for awakening me.”

“…uh… no problem….”

“Encountering you has been the most exciting even in a very long time.”

She felt her face heat up, she felt heart heart beating faster again, she shook it off though… she just met him… so she shouldn’t be feeling such things. Didn’t she say to herself she didn’t want to date anyone?

“For now, I shall relinquish you. Return to your quest.”

“…Right… thank you my lord.”

“Oh, and no need to reinvite the light. You’re now a denizen of darkness, after all! Unless… being in the dark brings about a fearful sensation that tickles your heart too fiercely.”

“I’m not-“

“Farewell! Fwa ahahaha!”

And just like that, she was back in her house, the darkness replaced by the light of the sun. The warm glow of it against her skin… she was curious about this shadow lord guy… but for now, she decided to try and focus on other objects, she remembered clearly Skylar said she could only speak to one object only once before going onto the next. She thought of where else to look…. Maybe her room again? She was unsure… she went back to her bedroom looking around seeing if there would be any objects she’d specifically want to meet today…. She gone for her dresser, but all she heard was a voice and nothing…. She looked around… that was weird… were the Dateviators glitching a bit? She’ll have to talk it out with Skylar later…. Two charges left… who to meet next…. Brooklyn looks at the mirror but went for one of her closests… a triangle, books, boxes, towel animal, and holiday decorations…. She groans in frustration…. What to pick till the next day…. She decides on the triangle. Can’t be that back right?
She was so wrong….

Chapter Text

Her last charge used on Skylar herself. Her beaming smile making Brooklyn feel at ease after the conversation with Tina.

“So, how do dateables talk to each other?”

“I’ll be honest… we’re not speaking English right now.”

“What? Like Japanese or something like that?”

“Nah, ya know, not quite… the speeds at which objects and concepts think is both faster and slower than the rate at which humans think and speak. Faster in that objects have instantaneous consciousness throughout their different forms in the universe… and slower in that the timelines for them can stretch into eons…”

“Wow.”

“All that to say part of my job is making sure that we can all understand each other. Which means I’m processing their speech and rate of thought at a completely different timeline than yours!”

“That’s- huh…. Alright…”

“Sooooo necessarily… we’re not really talking in English…”

“Is it possible for me to learn it?”

Skylar lets out a light laugh and pats her shoulder.

“Maybe… one day I can teach you! What do you think about that?”

After some consideration, Brooklyn nods.

“I think it actually makes perfect sense, I mean I couldn’t speak to furniture or items before, but this does explain a bit on how I’m able to.”

“All right… um… my suspension just gave a little wiggle!”

“Let me see.”

Brooklyn was hoping that the suspension was steady, hoping it wasn’t going to snap out of nowhere. However seeing it, it buoyed somehow, happier? Than she’d last seen her.

“You believed in her again, so she feels even stronger. Thanks for that… it really means a lot to me.”

Before Brooklyn could say anything, Skylar was gone. Left alone no charges left, she took off the Dateviators, placing them in the drawer…. Wondering what exactly she’s going to encounter tomorrow….

The next morning she stretched as she got up, taking the Dateviators out, thinking of which object to go for next… she thinks back to that Shadow Lord…. She heads down stairs and looks at the shadow, still there despite it being early morning. She’d focus them on the shadow and gets practically jump scared by him greeting her in his own unique fashion of throwing his arms wide open as he calls out to her.

“The light dim and the shadows reign supreme! The doors of the abyss open for yours truly. Ah! A dark day to you, my Penumbra.”

“Uh… hi…”

“Oh! I have something I want to show you.”

“What is it?”

“Evidence of my power returning!”

“Really?”

“Yes really! During our previous exchange, you questioned if our discussion was monumental in any way. Now, observe closely.”

Brooklyn awaited patiently, awkward silence falling over her like a blanket.

“Come to me, servants of the night!”

He stands still, arms spread wide with his head tilted up. He seems to be waiting? Brooklyn trying not to be rude and perhaps give him a chance to show off his ‘dark power’. Nothing was happening… just when she was about to speak. He turned to something she couldn’t quite make out. He pointed triumphantly.

“There! Do you feel them?”

She felt them tickling her leg, she wasn’t expecting it.

“GAH!”

“Fwa hahahaha!”

Once she realized when they were, her startled expression turned to excitement. They were silverfish!

“Awww I love silverfish, sorry if I scared you little guys.”

“Yeeess!!”

She smiled at his excitement, and played along again. As if on muscle memory, she put one hand on her heart while the other extended as if to offer something in her hand.

“Glory be to the shroud of darkness… Shadow Lord!”

He seemed to beam at that, and she smiled. She was genuinely having fun.

“Witness my power! Witness my mercy!”

“Hm?”

“Begone, you pests!”

With that sliver fish with a swipe of his clawed hand, the insect minions scatter away into nothingness. She couldn’t help but be a bit bummed the silverfish were now gone… but she turned her attention back to shadow lord.

“There. They shall not intrude your presence again.”

“I don’t mind, even if you send them my way I think their cute.”

With her saying that she failed to notice the golden like blush…

“However, I do show thanks for your mercy my Lord of Shadows.”

“I am merciful for your thankness, granted human. Most merciful of thankness most bountiful! Fwa hahhahaha!”

She let out a light laugh, as she heard him continue on.

“I have to say, penumbra, I’m quite surprised.”

“Hm? How so?”

“Your familiarity of the dark is… unexpected. But there is something that is dragging you in the opposite direction. This resistance to the caliginosity must be reversed.”

“Oh? Uh… I guess I have been familiar with the darkness before… but I guess I could learn more about them with you?...”

“Perhaps your soul is not attuned properly. Hmmm. Training is in order.”

“Training huh…. Hm… alright, give me all the training you got!”

“Yesss….”

She wonders what exact training he’s referring to… perhaps physical, mental… either way, can be that bad.

“Conversation will keep darkness in our mind tempered and in our control. Just as you participate in the labors of light, surely you partake in the leisures of darkness as well.”

Wait….

“What activities do you enact in the shadows? Regale me with every detail, Penumbra.”

What is she supposed to say? She can’t just say sleep…. Yes she doomscolls but rarely… to stop herself from over thinking to the point she can’t sleep… she… oh no….. just… give a vague answer…

“…Private stuff…”

“Elaborate.”

“I’d rather not.”

“What’s the matter? “Stuff” is hardly a sufficient description.”

Her face was getting more red by the second of thinking about it….

“Answer me properly, Penumbra.”

She couldn’t…. But…. He’s so insistent… why… why would he do this…..? She just wished she said she slept.

“I’m… you know…”

“Excuse me?”

“I’m not gonna say it again.”

“I feel as though this conversation is actually reversing my power.”

What? How can a simple… bastard…. Cornering her like a small animal….

“I’m not-“

“Penumbra.”

“I’m touching myself in places ok?!”

“Oh I know.”

“FUCKER WHAT?!…”

“I just wanted to hear you admit it.”

“…”

“The sound that escaped you echo far, you know. I wouldn’t be surprised if every object in this house has heard them.”

He heard a sound from Brooklyn as she used her own hoodie to cover her face…

“Oh my god this is embarrassing…. Something or someone kill me…. Please…”

With that he panicked, seeing her so embarrassed like this was a bit amusing, but not to the point of wanting death itself.

“You are just exhibiting good health. Nothing to be ashamed about.”

His clawed finger lowered her hoodie as her face was still clearly red. She was so much smaller than him his finger was able to hold her face up. He made sure not to scratch her accidentally.

“If I may be upfront…. Each breath you let out during is admittedly adorable.”

Something inside her obviously awaking something in her at that point… but she tried to keep her composure… obviously curious in how much he’s heard, and what exactly he thought.

“Wait… but if I recall correctly… my door is mostly closed…”

“Ah! Well- you’re very vocal-“

“But I’m actually very quiet when I’m touching myself…. WAIT A FUCKING MINUTE!”

“Oh shit-“

“You were watching me weren’t you?!”

“I- well I’m a shadow, being in one place gets rather boring-“

“NO EXCUSE TO BE A PERV!”

“CAN’T WE DROP THE TOPIC?! IF ANYTHING YOUR ADORABLE WHEN YOU INDULGED IN SUCH PLEASURES-“

“Eh-“

“Uh-“

A quick silence before Brooklyn eventually looks at Shadow Lord, a clear blush pink on her face, while she finally notices the yellow tints in on his skull. Wrapping her head around it…. So this thing has been spying on her during those times? If anything she doesn’t feel comfortable doing that now, especially since everyone in this house knows her every move….. she runs her hand through her short hair…. Clearly flustered and a bit aroused if she was being honest…. But she looked at him up and down, a human definitely couldn’t handle something like that…. Wait why was she thinking that?!

“Why not go on and explain? You already said I was adorable…. So what else?”

“I will when I’m ready.”

“Seriously dude…. You need a better excuse than that.”

“Ugh…..”

What was going on with her? She wasn’t a monster fucker, besides he’s literally way larger than her in general… only imagining it… NO NO NO! They weren’t like that, for fuck sake they both just recently met…. Why was she already hot and bothered by this? Calm down, that’s all she needs to do, calm down… besides she’s not the type to just sleep with someone she barely knows.

“I’m greatful to you for providing me me insight into your life. Behold: our corrupted bond grows!”

“Though it wasn’t really a secret to you… I shall behold you my lord, for I shall do my very best to become one with the shadows.”

He was caught off guard, she didn’t meant to. His arms throwing open once more, she’s growing used to this with him. It’s actually pretty amusing how much he’s into his role.

“I feel it, another piece of my dark armament! It courses through my once dazed body - rejuvenating to the next stage!”

“…”

“Ah! Fwa hahahaha! Excellent. My form is stronger… yet still incomplete.”

“And… when it is?”

He looked at Brooklyn as her question catches him off guard.

“Hm? Oh. Uh.”

“Hm?”

“We’ll have to resume the ritual another night. I must become more adept to this newly returned strength. Until next time, Penumbra.”

“But-“

“Oh and I do hope you have a pleasant rest. You’ll need to conjure as much void aura as you can for our next ritual.”

“Hey, wait a second-“

“Fwa hahahahaha!”

Annnnd it happened again…. She sighs, looking around, looking at the vents, maybe she’ll try the globe now. When she sees the red-haired traveler lift her goggles to peek at her, there’s a friendly air about her that makes her want to ask about her stories.

“Now… b’y m’love you looks some lost. Where y’longs to?”

“Buy your love?”

Brooklyn quickly covered her mouth, she didn’t mean to say it.

“Haha! Sorry, sorry. Sometimes my accent comes out when I’m excited. I was made in Newfoundland, ya see. This Little Rock riiiight…”

She spins around to point at one of the patches on her sleeves, well since she’s a globe it makes scene.

“Here! Friendliest fol you’ll ever meet, but the dialect can be a little much for some. I’ll try to speak plain for ya. Name’s Gaia, by the way.”

“Oh, I’m Brooklyn. I’m from Coolsville.”

“Ah that makes sense with that accent I’m hearin’ on ya.”

She sighs, as Brooklyn wonders.

“It’s a right shame, though… See, I got all these countries and rivers and seas on my Jacket. It’s a collection I been workin’ on. And I know the names, but I don’t really know the Places, y’know?”

“Oooooh I see.”

“I mean, heck, I got ‘em all memorized even. United States, Canada, Mexico, Panama, the works. But without a story behind it, they all feel so far away. You think they’d be in arm’s reach, considering they’re on my sleeves. But it’s brain problems. I just can’t pin anything down without context.”

“I can understand that, sometimes it’s frustrating not knowing the stories behind places, or cultures, languages. It’s hard.”

“I know! The reason I ask where you’re from is so I can shape the places in my mind with some kinda meaning. ‘Cause it feels like unchecked boxes! Oh jeez, here I go, talkin’ your ear off. Sorry about that…”

“No no, I get it. Sometimes it’s difficult, and sometimes you want to but can’t exactly got to experience it.”

“Yes! I want told to the others, but I think I’m too forward…”

“That can’t be. You seem so nice Gaia!”

“It’s not just being nice… I come up to the others so I can ask about ‘em. Get to know ‘em who they are. But before I can get to the point I always go spoutin’ off about somethin’ or other - like telling ‘em factoids I’ve heard about what I imagine their home to be.”

“Oh, ohhhh… ok I see. I get what you mean, curiosity can get the better of you sometimes. Getting to know people isn’t easy for me either.”

“It’s hard, isn’t it?! I can see why you’d need to practice for dating. It’s just too easy to mess up. Say one wrong thing and poof! They’re gone! It’s so frustrating!!!””

“That’s how it goes… unfortunately… hence why I tend to keep to myself… more often…”

“Ah I see! Oh woah! I just had the best idea!”

“Oh?”

“You’re talkin’ to many of the people, meetin’ and speakin’ with em! I’m sure those folks come from other places right? Travelers if you know what I’m sayin’! Why don’t you ask ‘em what they’re about?”

“Ooooh I see, you want me to get to know them so you can know more about other places!”

“Yeees! Would you do that for me?”

Brooklyn thought about it, and decided that would be a better way to motivate her to talk to more objects around the house.

“That’d be perfect! I’ll do it.”

“Really?! Aw, I appreciate it! Really saves me a lot of hemmin’ and hawin’!”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be back with someone who knows about the places you’re curious to know about.”

With that she’d leave Gaia and think of which object to talk to next. Maybe someone familiar… like… Maggie!

Chapter Text

“Oh hello again. Come for more roomers? Looking for more suspects?”

“Actually… I wanted to see if your interested in developing or relationship clearly. Or further… whatever is fine.”

“Oh, I see. I can do that. I’m hard at work on my current case… I’ve been hoping for a breakthrough. Sometimes I get so wrapped up that I start seeing everyone through the lens of a mystery!”

“Are you really a detective?”

“I am! Maggie M. Glassbury at your service! Perhaps you’ve heard of me? I’ve acquired a modest reputation as a result of some of my previous work.”

“What are a couple of your best-known cases?”

Maggie puts her hands on her hips, and smiles, radiating with pride. Brooklyn remembers reading a few mystery books and watching some movies, it’s interesting to know that a detective can find any mysteries in her own home without her knowledge.

“Why, it was I who solved the mystery of the missing sock!”

“That was you?”

“A brief interview with the stackable and a chat with Dirk was all it took to sort that case out, the sock was in the depths of Harper’s hamper.”

With the two names Dirk and and Harper, she’s thinking Dirk and Harper were in the laundry room, guessing Harper was the hamper… she’ll have to get to know her soon.

“I’m glad someone’s got to the bottom of it.”

“I also cracked the caper of the self-generating dust rabbits.”

Is that even a mystery? And where are the dust rabbits coming from when she cleans up the house a bit?

“Really? Where do they all come from?”

“Static electricity. It causes particles to accumulate around pieces of hair. Your hair, to be exact. They form undisturbed in dead air pockets. That’s why they hang out under the couch.”

“Ooooh under the couch, I keep forgetting about that… my hair, you say?”

“It matched the evidence, and I ruled out every other possibility. By the power of deductive reasoning, I determined you were in fact the culprit.”

“Makes sense, there’s really no getting around you.”

“I pride myself on that!”

“What mystery are you trying to solve?”

“Lately I’ve been taxing my lens to the utmost on a very interesting case. I’m trying to get to the bottom of a mysterious love letter! It was delivered to Dorian last night.”

“Hm… Dorian has a secret admirer huh? any other clues? What else you got?”

“At approximately 2AM, an unknown suspect dropped off a letter for Dorian. Upon opening it, Dorian discovered that it carried clear romantic intent! It was clear they were asking him out. It describes how his protective yet gentle pressure had won over the writer’s heart.”

“Hm…”

With that she worked with Maggie to help her and Dorian find out who it was, someone named Mitchell, afterwards she’d feel her phone buzz. It was David Most in the work app… honestly she couldn’t care less for a workplace that fired her for ai… but… she wondered…. What if she…?

The tall corporate woman in front of her had her hands on her hips and stared her down. Something about her made her think she did something wrong and has to do her best to win back her approval quickly, like a powerful person who can easily destroy a person’s life and career in just one word.

“Come to rub it in?”

“Huh?”

“Hm? This was gonna be my big chance to prove myself. This was gonna be the job that changed everything, and then Valdivian decided that Ai is a wave for the future, and why do we need real working people for these job at all?”

Why does she sound like her when she first got fired? Well ok… maybe she’s still bitter… but she doesn’t know why but…

“And YOU large-brained genius that you are, TRAIN my REPLACEMENT.”

“Whoa hold up… I didn’t train anyone or- anything? I don’t even know who you are.”

“Insult to injury, wow. Well whatever. We’re both in th e same boat now.”

“I didn’t mean- ok…. Calm… I’m calm… I’m not happy an ai replaced me either, I had no idea I was training an ai. I didn’t even know.”

“Mhm, Valdivian has no use for either of us, and you got me into this mess, so you’re gonna be there to get me out of it.”

“… I guess that sounds goo-“

“Times wasting. Let’s start over shall we? Icebreaker—your name and a fun fact. Name’s Wilhelmina Work. Friends call me Willi.”

So she what? The embodiment of work itself? Either way, Brooklyn wasn’t judging anything at this point…

“You and I aren’t friends, but in the spirit of team-building you can call me Willi. As for my fun fact—I speak 6 languages and am fluent in 4.”

“Huh… that’s actually really neat..”

“Thank you, now you.”

“Ahem! I’m Brooklyn Wood Foster… uh…. Oh! I once earned a pizza party for my first grade class by reading 100 books in a year.”

“I probably would have gone with something more recent, but that is heartwarming and relatable. Shows initiative and ambition, too. Well done.”

Brooklyn was happy about that memory… even though in the first grade her and her old best friend came up with the plan, only she was determined enough to read while her friend grew bored.. it was thanks to her imagination that she thought of creative ways to continue reading books, something about training her mind….

“Well, that’s done now… let’s see what else is on the agenda for today.”

Willi pulled out her phone, interesting… Brooklyn didn’t think other objects were able to have these things, yet again, phonenicia was able to access the internet… so….

“Guess we’re onto scope now.”

Brooklyn was used to working a lot… and she doesn’t feel good knowing it was her that caused someone else the job, who knows, a person could have a kid to look after… her brain immediately went into an automatic work mode. Since she’s focused on her work for so long.

“Good idea—we should define the terms of our relationship and set a plan. Best to be prepared.”

“Very good. Maybe you’re not as hopeless as I thought. Here’s the deal: I had a job. You cost me that job. I AM your job, so you don’t have a job either. Tables turning etc, etc. So you and I are going to meet every day until we figure out where I’m landing next. Since this is YOUR fault, and you have nothing better to do, you owe it to me to be here for this.”

“I…. Appreciate the opportunity to make this right. I won’t disappoint you again.”

“Good. You get this straightened out and I might develop some respect for you. I’ve got some interviews lined up with some places around the house.”

“Alright…”

“First one’s with Hanks Ltd.”

“Who now?”

“Hanger in your bedroom closet, those hanks. Do a little research before you show up so you don’t embarrass us.”

“Ah! Right, will do.”

“Meeting adjourned.”

With that she let out a breath of relief, her phone buzzed again. Thiscord, probably Sam. Going in she finally saw it. Tinfoilhat’s user popping up with a message.

tinfoilhat:
Impressive news out of Valfest. Really too bad that particular partnership is about to hit a rough patch.

tinfoilhat:
But then David’s never been great at partnerships.

Brooklyn:
Me neither, but there are other things we are going to discuss.

tinfoilhat:
Right! Right. I’ve seen you’ve been testing out the prototype.

As she types she immediately pauses, they can see her? She quickly looks around. Nobody, no cameras, drones…

Brooklyn:
You can see me?

tinfoilhat:
I have remote access. Allows me to analyze the back-end system data.

tinfoilhat:
What’d you think, I’d just hand over absolute control of the device this powerful?

Brooklyn:
Ok fair, but also… why the hell send something that seems so important to me?

tinfoilhat:
I had no other choice. Every other Valdivian employee’s allegiance was unknowable — except you.

Brooklyn:
As in my own personal info is out there???

tinfoilhat:
Look… I know protecting the prototype isn’t exactly a responsibility you asked for… or necessarily want… but I’m trusting you to protect them.

Trusting a random stranger? Seriously? This is the most dumbest plan this person could’ve come up with yet… what if she wasn’t the one to trust and gave them right back? Then what?

Wait….

Would that be what Skylar wants…?
She thought for a moment… taking off the Dateviators, as if looking at a person sympathetically after a serious conversation… looking back at the chat… till finally typing.

Brooklyn:
You can count on me. She’s not going anywhere without my knowledge.

tinfoilhat:
I knew you were trustworthy. Your private HR records said as much!

Brooklyn:
Wait, you have access to those?

tinfoilhat:
Anyway, it’s not safe to talk. I will return when the signal is secure.

Before she could type in the chat he went offline. She was left there, more questions than answers…. She exits out of thiscord and sighs…. Heading up to her room, thinking about the hanks…. Her hangers… research time. She looks at her empty closet, noting to clean her clothes later, she focuses. The five himbos flexing infront of her. When they saw her, she could practically feel the excitement they have.

Chapter Text

“Yoooo! Check it!”

“Quick dudes clean up the digs! We’ve got company!”

“Some real fine company… if you know what I’m sayin’.”

“How’s it hangin’ homie?!”

Taken aback, she gets a bit overwhelmed with the attention, only to repeat to herself that she needs to get to know them before she meets Willi next time.

“Uh… all good… fam!”

God that’s awkward…

“Word!”

“Oh, that’s FACTS, amigo! Well, what are you waitin for? Slide in here and take a load off!”

“And anything else you wanna take off…”

“Welcome: to the extremest dojo in the pad! The perfect place to sit back, chillax and recharge your batts.”

“Hell yeah!”

“Uh… are you flirting with me?”

“Hell yeah… you’re a snacc, baby.”

“Don’t mind Hank no. 3. His game is super cringe.”

“Lowkey embarrassing, Hank no. 3!”

“Right now you’re hanging with the wildest, dopest, GNARLIEST squad of bussin athletes around, homie!”

“THE HANKS”

“Uh… wait… so, who’s who?”

“Oh man! You don’t know?!”

“Ok I got that, but how do I tell you all apart if you have the same name?”

“Numbers are kickass!”

They stand in formation in their own unique pose to introduce themselves, they must do this often if asked the same question over and over again.

“I’m Hank number 1!”

“I’m Hank number 2!!”

“I’m Hank number 3!!!”

“I’m Hank number 4!!!!”

“And I’m Hank number 5!!!!!”

“Were the HANKS!!”

“Brought to you by Red Bowl!”

“Huh… that’s explains a lot.”

“COOL!!!”

“What are you guys getting up to in here? Seems pretty… sporty.”

“That’s right! Were the wildest, most fearless, GNARLIEST squad of extreme athletes in the house.”

“We base jump — we lava board — we cheese roll.”

“If something is hot enough, we’ll right it all… night… long…”

“Eheh….”

“We laugh in the face of danger!”

“Even though we probably shouldn’t…”

“We tasted the adrenaline of them all!”

“Hmm… what does it taste like?”

“Believe it or not: grape!”

“You wouldn’t think that, but it’s actually true.”

“Oh, ok..”

“High key slaps, brahhh!”

“You guys are just adrenaline junkies aren’t ya?”

“Oh we’re way beyond junkies, hot stuff.”

“It’s legit insane - but no cap we live here with you!!”

“We’re casa roomies, amigo!”

“Hmmm… I guess having roommates isn’t so bad…”

“Right?! Life’s way more Gucci with friends!”

“Or friends with benefits…”

“…”

“That’s why we partnered with Red Bowl!”

“What is Red Bowl anyway?”

“Red bowl’s our sponsor, brah!”

“Got it.”

“They’re not just a sponsor, they’re our fam.”

“They fuel our adventures?”

“They provide our wicked gear — get our exploits killer exposure — and provide the best medical support when things get gnarly.”

“And let’s be real, they do get gnarly.”

“If by gnarly you mean dope af!!!”

“Sounds… like a great partnership!”

“Through every stunt, they’ve always got our backs!”

“We high key love it all, homie!”

“Seems like you’re all geared up for an adventure.”

“Yup! A broski ALWAYS prepares!”

“You never know when a ripping thermal or vase jump opportunity is gonna come your way! Yeah!!”

“Sounds exciting!”

“IT IS!”

For them at least she means… she really does not think she’s the adventure type… if anything she’s comfortable where she is, a good movie and some food can count as a good day in her book. The only adventure she’d might have is to an amusement park.

“Speaking of which…”

“We were just about to head out for a little Hank Gliding.”

“It’s just like hang gliding but with us!”

“You know!”

“THE HANKS!”

“What do you think? Wanna come? It high key slaps, homie! You in?!”

“Uh…. Ok but how high key does it slap?”

“It’s goated brah!”

“What do you say??”

“I dunno, I… oh why not! Sure. Uh, sounds… RAD!”

Fine, she’ll try it out, despite them being hangers, how bad could it be?

“SWEEEEEEET!!!”

“You’re one adventurous spirit!”

“We love it!!!”

“Epic! Just remember to stay focused and trust the wind.”

“And hold onto me real tight.”

“Follow our lead, and we’ll be shredding thermals in no time. Get ready to soar, house homie!”

“Hanks… AWWWAAAAAYYYYY!”

After words she couldn’t help but smile at that, it was actually pretty fun…. She does question how exactly she was able to pull that off, another question for Skylar when the Dateviators are charged. Another buzz of her phone from her the work app. Seeing how drunk David is… something told her he’s having a tough night…. Either way, she exited out and took off the Dateviators, and got into bed.

The morning came, and she was determined to get to know more of the objects, if anything she’s living with them, so she might as well get to know them.
But first….

“Yoooooo yoyoyoyo! How’s it going!”

“Pretty good! I think I’m getting the hang of this.”

“Yes..”

“So, this may be an awkward question… but if someone were to like… physically… touch an object… what exactly am I doing?”

“When a dateable object falls in love with you, it might speak to you in terms of what humans might think of as ‘sex’. It’s not.”

“Oh?”

“It’s more that your two consciousnesses are intertwining in that vibrational aether caused by the focus of my lenses. You’re not having sex with your furniture.”

“Okay, I’m kinda relieved honestly, that image does not look good in my head…”

“Good. What do you think about that?”

“Honestly, makes sense, an awkward amount of sense…. But, it does.”

“Nice! Thank you! Oh… my suspension. What’s she’s saying?”

Looking at her Dateviators, Brooklyn looks closely at her suspension of disbelief, Skylar beams at her, her eyes glimmering behind her glasses—are those happy tears? She looked for a moment she was contemplating hugging her, but managed to keep her arms at her sides, her hands curled into excited fists.

“Yes! You did it! My suspension of disbelief has been upheld! She’s in there right now feeling great. It kinda itches but it’s okay. I love it!”

“I’m so happy for you Skylar!”

Something seems to dawn on Skylar, as her smile softens, her eyes warm and inviting, fixated on Brooklyn.

“I love you.”

“What…?”

“Will you accept it?”

‘Oh no…’

Brooklyn looks saddened as Skylar said those words… as much as she would love to accept Skylar’s feelings for her… she doesn’t feel the same…. If anything Skylar reminds her of….

“Skylar… I… I’m sorry… but… maybe… we shouldn’t be too close.. considering you and I were basically tutorial friends.”

Skylar though a bit disappointed, sighs.

“Yeah, you’re probably right, don’t want to get too close to the tutorial lady, Friend-zoned it is!”

“I’m glad you understand.”

“No problem!”

“Oh right… uh, there seems to be some type of glitch with my dresser when I interact with it.”

“Huh? You sure?”

“Yeah, it was weird, I don’t know if that’s a bug or supposed to happen.”

“Definitely not, how about you check it out.”

With that Skylar left, and Brooklyn looks around her room, looking at the dresser, the sudden appearance of a glitch like figure appears, frightened she immediately took off the Dateviators. She questioned what the hell that was… remembering Skylar, she put them back on.

“Yeah… that’s not supposed to happen.”

“My dresser looks… glitchy now…”

“Hm… I’ll look into this a bit more, while you, go back to getting to know everyone around the house.”

“You sure?”

“Positive, now then, go go!”

Skylar leaves her sight, as she looks at the dresser… an uneasy feeling creeping in… she quickly turns to something else… she looks in the closet, remembering about her clothes, she doesn’t want to wear the same clothes forever… however she notices an odd red shirt she was sure wasn’t there before… how strange… with that she left it there, going to the laundry room. However before she thought of taking her clothes out, she thought of what Maggie said… maybe she should get to know Harper… only to find two objects, who were fighting on the spot, out of reflex she covered her ears.

“DO YOU THINK IM STUPID?! YOU THINK I CAN’T SEE WHATS GOING ON RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME!?”

“I never said you were stupid but I am starting to think you’re INSANE!”

“IF I'M INSANE ITS BECAUSE YOU MAKE ME THAT WAY!”

“OH YEAH, WITHOUT ME IN YOUR LIFE YOU’D BE REAL FUCKING NORMAL HUH?! LIKE YOU DON'T CLING TO LITERALLY ANYONE IN YOUR LIFE THE SAME WAY!”

“I WOULDN'T HAVE TO CLING IF YOU WOULD STAY WHERE I CAN SEE YOU!”

“I AM HERE LITERALLY EVERYDAY! I CANT HAVE A MINUTE TO MYSELF?!”

Brooklyn knew this was going to be a loooonnng day….. and getting to know these two….

After talking with these two for a couple of days and breaking them up, Brooklyn immediately friendzoned Harper when she tried to get together with her, as for Dirk he’s Clarence now? Though she’s weirded out at how she didn’t notice a full body pillow in her own closet, she just friend zoned him as well…. At least she won’t have to worry about the two fighting in there….

She did get a text from tinfoilhat after David’s little drunk spat in the work app, turns out he figured out the prototype, or Skylar, was indeed missing… not only does she have to worry about looking like an insane person talking to objects in her house… but now David is hunting her down for the Dateviators. The only thing she isn’t surprised at is how tinfoilhat made the Dateviators…. Maybe the guy was
Lonely or something… she did have to admit it was awesome though… technically like this is actually pretty cool.

One charge left…. She wonders who to talk to…. Hector maybe…? Willi, hanks…. Shadow lord….

She found herself standing in front of the familiar shadow, finding herself back in the darkness. Instead of feeling uneasy, she’s actually found an odd comfort in it.

“Welcome back, my dark ally! Come let the next trial commence!”

“Hehe! Give me all the trials you got.”

“The trial of the letters begins…”

“Letters?”

“Back before the great cataclysm, my comrades and I would partake in spirit-shackling activities. Some have lasted several nights. Others, simply gave up counting.”

“Oh my… well I guess I’m good with that, oh lord of darkness!”

“Let the game of shadows begin! I present to you the following-“

“Hang man?”

“This is “The Hanged man.” Now choose your letter!”

She laughs a bit, she hasn’t played this since she was kid when she was bored with her sister, she would often play music in the background to make it more intense too. As if it was some boss battle in a video game. The obvious answer was shadow, but she played along, she was probably enjoying this way too much… but even the most boring looking games can be fun with the right friends. Though he was smug about she actually thought of a way to stump him. She looked at him, and the fear she once felt when looking at him gradually disappeared, getting to know him more was more fun. Hell even- wait a minute!

“Alright, guess.”

“Hmm… how thoughtful of you penumbra! The obvious answer is, “you’re cool!”

“Pfft, hahaha!”

“Wha-?”

“That’s… heh… that’s not the answer… you’re wrong.”

“What is the answer then?”

“You’re cute.”

He fell silent trying to process what she said her answer was.

“…Oh… well… I see the you’ve chosen the path of flattery.”

“Are you… embarrassed?”

“No!”

“You are! You’re face or- skull makes it obvious.”

“That’s just-“

“Pffft hahaha!”

Brooklyn laughed as she grew more flustered by her teasing, honest that just made her less scared of him, and more interested in who he is as a…. Person?… beast?… object?…. It’s all confusing…

“It’s fine, I don’t mind. Sometimes that’s a good thing. You don’t always have to be cool ya know.”

“What makes you say that?”

“Well, sometimes you just need downtime from that… it’s kinda hard to explain… obviously I’m not as cool as you, but-“

“What?! You’re very cool!”

Brooklyn paused, looking at him, a faint blush on her face, the Shadow lord seemingly getting what he just impulsively did.

“Uh, I mean… not as cool as me… but as your lord of shadows, you are most definitely cool.”

“Wow… uh… thanks… haven’t been complimented like that in a awhile.”

The brief silence that falls between them was enough to let the shadow lord think… even looking at her now, he seemed more… interested in knowing her.

“Well as your lord of shadows I shall tell you not to think of yourself otherwise.”

“Thanks… I appreciate that.”

“So tell me penumbra, what exactly makes you think otherwise?”

“Hm? Oh… well… it’s just… I tend to be a bit of a workaholic, don’t have many friends nowadays… I just… keep to myself I guess…”

Brooklyn says a bit awkwardly… almost self-deprecating. As shadow lord ponders for a bit, before he eventually found his words.

“…Hm…. Well, I’m very glad to have met you. You are a much appreciated companion.”

“Hehe… thanks..”

“It’s been eons since I’ve played “the hanged man!” You are are one of the first to manage to throw me off in awhile. Last time, I engaged in a mighty face-off with LunarKnight that lasted until sunrise! Ooooh, it was legendary!”

“…LunarKnight?”

“An old comrade. From before The Great Cataclysm.”

“Were you two close?”

“He was a former shade of mine, if you get what I mean. Our conversations gathered more shadows than any other void dweller. The lord of shadows and his loyal knight. Us two were perceived as an eternal pair.”

“…what happened..?”

“The Great Cataclysm.”

Brooklyn, decades to sit down and look back at him, as if she were to be talking about something emotionally serious, like a friend who’s willing to listen when someone is down.

“I’m all ears.”

“…Very well… I suppose a proper explanation is owed. Tell me penumbra, what do you presume to be a power more fearsome than darkness?”

She to a moment to think, as she thought of a way to answer.

“Light?”

“We don’t live in a world of whimsical tales and fantasy. Not anymore at least. The overwhelming phantasmic force that realigned the unified lives of my comrades and I is… Time….”

“… Drifted apart…”

“There was no one moment or act that caused it. One night, I was with Lunar and my friends. Joyfully conversing about whatever came to our minds. Time crept into our dark haven.”

Sympathy reaches Brooklyn’s eyes, she gets the feeling… but… in a different way…

“Distance. A symptom. And then many nights later, lunar no longer wished to be by my side. Boredom came next. My friends too less and less interest in our nightly discussions….. they too left… one by one…”

“Then you were alone….”

A mutual understanding comes between the two, regardless of one being human, while the other object… who can say they weren’t one in the same boat?

“You may think it cruel of them for leaving… without a proper goodbye… but i respected all of my friends’ decisions. Even Lunar’s. I don’t harbor any wrathful thoughts against any of them. I just think back to those days fondly….. And wonder why time had to come for us…. We were happy… I was happy.”

“….Shadow… I’m sorry that happened to you…”

“Shed not a tear for me, penumbra. Time comes for us all in ways we don’t expect.”

“I get the feeling….”

The silence was enough for Shadow lord to taken in a deep breath, as he composed himself.

“Normally, I’d celebrate triumphantly at obtaining another armament… that’ll be all for today, Penumbra… thank you for listening to my tale….”

“You take care of yourself while I’m away…. I promise to come back to help you find another armament.”

“….Thank you…”

With that, she was back, alone, the Dateviators no longer having any charge… just her there…. Alone… in the nighttime of her home. She realized how much she missed her old friends as well… she wished she had done something back then…. Then maybe things wouldn’t have… felt apart the way things did…. Though it wasn’t her fault… she couldn’t help it…. Going back to her room, only to place the Dateviators on the bedside table… laying in her bed… she gone through her photo gallery… an old picture she uploaded awhile back… some high schoolers around a table enjoying a dice game in silly costumes… she smiled as she remembered that day fondly… unaware that the future had something in store that would tear each of them apart.

—

“NO FAIR YOU CHEATED!”

“Nuh uh! You’re just bad.”

Amy and Zoey bickered over a dice game as a young Brooklyn laughed.

“Come now you two, why must we fight among ourselves, we’re all a team, this is simply a team exercise! Might I remind you all of that? What would our lord think?”

“Whatever… if anything I’m not the one who keeps cheating.”

“I didn’t cheat, it is a dice game Amy.”

Megan sighs, practically giving up. Sarah who was the more quieter one of the group, seemed annoyed to at the argument.

“Hey servant of the Shadows, what do you think?”

Sarah asked Brooklyn as Amy and Zoey finally stopped bickering to look over. Brooklyn playing her character, as she then gets up and takes Zoey’s hand and gestures it up.

“Our winner today is our enchantress!”

Amy grumbles in defeat, as Zoey hums with satisfaction.

Brooklyn and her friends were always into playing their characters, together they looked ridiculous, but they had fun. Brooklyn playing as a right hand for the supposed shadow king in their roleplay, Megan as a Captain of the guards, Zoey the Enchantress, Amy the assassin for would do the bidding of the darkness, and Sarah the guardian of the realm of darkness. They all had the idea since they were kids when they picked up a book upon a certain world, where they imagined what it would be like to serve the lord of shadows. Their backstories were perfect, their friendship was strong… together they helped one another succeed, and somehow managed to implement even their real life duties to their fun acts. However everyone grows up eventually….

Chapter Text

Waking up, she thought back to Shadow… thinking of his tale with his friends… how time caught them one by one… looking at the Dateviators, she pondered… What other types of objects experienced what she had? And how many of them wanted to be seen and appreciated…?

She put on the Dateviators and with a determined face she was willing to help out any object if needed… she wasn’t going to let anyone, or… anything down. She’s going to help Shadow, and whoever is next. She stared at the shadow. Taking a deep breath and she was in front of him again. He wasn’t his usual dark cheery self… perhaps last night was more… personal than she thought…

“Dark tidings, penumbra.”

“My Lord.”

She would jokingly curtsy before him, catching him of guard.

“Ah- please don’t do that..…. But the news I carry may be troubling to you.”

“What is it?”

“I have, uh, found the final armament piece…”

“Wait, really? That’s good! Wait-….”

She’d replay him saying it noticing a hesitation in his voice… hell even his… body? Language shows it….

“You don’t sound happy about it….”

“Once I don it, my true power will be unleashed…. With that, my final form shall be revealed.”

“…”

“You may be surprised by who I become….”

Despite feeling a sadness she didn’t know she had… she wouldn’t let it change her mind of what she learned and came to like about him… perhaps these feelings were more than just what she thought were simply mere friendship…. But… she’ll keep herself at bay for now… she needed to be sure…..

“Regardless…. You’re still my friend, shadow… besides I bet you’re even cooler than this form!”

“Thank you… it is imperative to me that you understand that your presence was most welcomed. Our conversations have been a highlight to my dark days.”

“Heh… highlight huh?”

“It seems my vernacular has become more flexible as our bond tightened…”

He bowed his head silently before he began his incantation.

“The die is cast. Let us begin.”

Brooklyn nods, as they stand a bit nervous but sure, nothing would change her mind…. She won’t leave…

“The whispers of the void, heed my call! Bend to my will and reforge my soul! Let darkness incarnate reign supreme once more!”

He vanished from her view in the flash of dark smoke.

“Woah- shad-“

“It is complete.”

Holy…. Shit…. HES CUTE!!!! She tries her best to keep herself composed… despite what she sees infront of her. Wait, this kinda solves her solution to her worries, so if that was just one of his forms… oh yeah…. She’s definitely into him. REGARDLESS! She steps a bit closer to examine him.

“Shadow..?”

“As I suspected… you wouldn’t recognize my form as it is now…. It’s me. xxXShadowl0rd420Xxx. But my real name is skips.”

“Honestly… your names pretty cool not gonna lie.”

“I thought you wouldn’t take me seriously if i appeared to you like this.”

“Oh come on… I’m not one to judge…”

“I see… uh… if you have any questions… ask… what do you wanna know?”

“Ok… I’m just gonna go down the line… who is shadow lord then?”

“It’s a handle. You know like an online name? My friends and I would chat online using DIM.”

“DIM?”

“Oh DOL Instant Messenger.”

“Then what’s DOL?”

“Darkness online… are you too young to know what that is?”

“Well… technically I do… but me my friends would mostly just host club meetings.”

“You’re friends?”

“Uh… old ones…”

“Ah… I see…”

“So skips… is your actual name, right? You’re not trying to joke or-“

“No, that’s my real name, Skips Shadley.”

“This is the real you then…”

“Yep… told you you’d hate it….”

“Hey, I never said that.”

“I’m not actually the lord of all shadows.”

“Noticed….”

“My friends and I love roleplaying, so we made characters to chat as.”

“The armaments then are…”

“Not real. But wasn’t it nice feeling like you were making progress?”

“So… the rituals…”

“I was… excited to talk to someone again…”

“God damn it… I’m gonna cry that’s actually so cute…”

“Ah gross! Er… well… maybe that’s ok…”

“Ah sorry… ok ok… focus… so… who’s LunarKnight?”

“His name was Benji… is benji… he’s the one who invited me to the group.”

“That chatroom right?”

“Yeah really encouraging with everyone’s roleplay. Especially mine..”

“Do you miss him?”

“I think i miss our time together more so than him. Does that make sense? I hope wherever he is, he’s happy…”

“….”

Brooklyn would think of those times she missed her old friends… if anything she probably feels the same…. Missing time laughing and pretending… but never really the times when…

“He… probably misses you, too.”

“Yeah, probably.”

“So the great cataclysm… was…”

“That’s actually the most accurate thing I’ve said…”

“The rift is real to?”

“It was slow… and sudden at the same time. Maybe it was happening the whole time.. but didn’t notice. But it doesn’t matter. The fact is… all my friends stopped hanging out with me. We just grew apart.”

“….thats life for ya…”

“Guess I was hoping that didn’t apply to me. Being unalive and all.”

“Fair.”

“How do you accept your friends, aren’t your friends anymore?”

Brooklyn wasn’t exactly expecting that one…she grew quiet… as she thought about it…. How everything blew up… and could never be fixed….

“It…. Happens… and I think… I get everything now…”

“So… are you mad at me?”

“… what? No…. What made you think I was?”

“Cool. You still wanna hang out with me?”

“Of course, why wouldn’t I?”

“That makes me happy.”

“So what do you want to do now?”

“We can do whatever. Chat, play hangman, chill. After all we don’t have to worry about time anymore.”

“Why’s that silly?”

“Because I’m going to turn you into a shadow.”

“….I’m sorry… what?”

“Now that I’m up to full power I can reconfigure you. That way, we’ll be together forever.”

“Hold up time out, I thought it was all made up!”

“Yeah, but the powers of darkness are very real. Now become untethered and enter the void!”

“Not like this!”

“It’ll be fine! You’re not like the others. You won’t leave me like they did. Like Benji did.”

She felt her heart racing, thinking of her sister… what would she think? She wouldn’t even know…

“And we’ll be together forever. Trust me.”

“Stop-“

“Penumbra, it’s alright-“

When he noticed the tears falling on her face he hesitates to take her hand to comfort her.

“Penumbra I-“

“You… you need to move on!”

She immediately backs away, a look of fear and perhaps sorrow… genuine regret even….

“…”

“I can’t… I can’t leave everything behind… I just can’t…”

“…Penumbra…”

“I’m sorry… but… I can’t… I’m… sorry…”

“Penumbra- Wait!”

She immediately took off her Dateviators to get herself out of there, she could feel her chest rise and fall, breathing heavily as she nearly left her sister alone…. She couldn’t leave her only family alone…. She just couldn’t… not when she’s been there for her, for so long…. She sat there… against the door, huddled into herself…

Meanwhile Skips was left there… in the darkness alone…. Thinking back to conversations the two had together. And how kind she was, and how much fun she seemed to have…

“I… really did enjoy talking with you… I’m sorry…”

His mind wanders off to his friends…

“….I just hope this didn’t drive you away……”

Chapter Text

It’s been quite some time since Brooklyn met with skips, if anything she went ahead to meet more dateables, helping them, befriending them. Each one more interesting, or problematic… but boosting her confidence more and more… however no matter how much she thought of how things left off with skips…. She couldn’t face him…. She opened a door to a small closet upstairs, it had a tool box some boxes and…. Hm…

When she focused on the breaker box with the Dateviators, she was suddenly in a club like place. The dark doors swings open, the place looking more stimulating, the classic speak easy club welcoming her in… now she just felt underdressed…. However she did enjoy some of the live music that drifts languidly from the velvet red stage… even the audience were enjoying it… giving a pure vibe to it… the gentle clink of cocktails in glasses clinking from the wooden bar… she decided to just try and blend in. This place is f half bad….

“Well now, what a delightful surprise.”

“Huh-“

“A brand new patron!”

Jigs up… so much for blending in…. The unwanted attention making her a bit flustered.

“I live here, actually.”

“Really? Are you sure? I find that hard to believe, since this is the first time I’ve seen you here.”

He takes her hand, kissing the back of it, a shiver runs through her…. Clearly she wasn’t prepared for a guy like him tonight….

“Trust me, I would never forget such a striking face.”

“Striking, huh?… alright… you win. Names Brooklyn… I decided to check this… place? Out…”

“Hm, I imagine it would be quite difficult to focus on anything else with you around.. you seem like you want to distract yourself.”

She tensed at that… he barely knew her yet he can already read her like an open book….

“I don’t know what you’re talking about…”

“Hm… well you have quite the reputation around the house, hence why when I heard about the girl with glasses…. I assumed that’d be you… live wire.”

“Word spreads around quick….”

“Indeed, and I’m eager to explore what you might have in store for myself….”

“…”

“But we’re getting ahead of ourselves! Where are my manners? My name is Volt.”

He extends his hand this time.. the very air between her and him changed… a conduit of pure, dangerous, sexual energy…. Something she didn’t exactly expect…

“Now I truly feel underdressed for the occasion…”

She took his hand, helping her up from her seat.

“It’s a pleasure to officially make your acquaintance.”

Brooklyn though a bit stand offish, felt Volt’s arm slip around her waist, not expecting such a bold more early on.

“Woah.”

“Welcome to the Breaker Box, the pinnacle of luxury and entertainment, and the most exclusive club in the house. Impressive, isn’t it?”

“There’s more than one in my house?”

“Why would there be when we have everything you could want right here?”

She’d quickly notice the flickering lights, so it was happening here to… there were often time where when she did use electrics in the house or turn on a light, the power always acts weird… maybe she could help fix it since she’s here.

“That happens here too….”

“What? Oh, that? That was nothing, just a little surge. With this much energy coursing around, it’s bound to happen from time to time.”

“Volt.”

The tired man that came up from behind them, sounding annoyed, frustrated even…. When she saw him, she grew curious when he wiped his hands on a rag, he must be the guy in charge of fixing up the place…

“Eddie! Just in time to meet our guest.”

“The human? What’s she doing here?”

“I’d imagine if we don’t poison the mood… they’ll be joining us for the headliner show. Joining us for tonight’s show I hope.”

“Pretty sure I didn’t say that….”

“Ah but you didn’t have to. I can tell you’re looking for the kind of thrilling evening only the breaker box can provide!”

“Right… have fun with that… I finished the patch. I’m clocking out. Not my best work, but it’ll hold for the show.”

“Ah, I see. And… you’re sure you’re… feeling alright?”

“I-… I’m fine, just… don’t over do it.”

When Eddie turns away, Brooklyn grew even more curious…

“Is he alright?”

“Of course! Eddie always is… his ‘human skills’ leave something to be desired. Best to simply give him some space. Back to the matter at hand—tonight’s show! Shall I set you up at one of our VIP tables?”

“Are you… sure you don’t have to check on Eddie?”

“That’s very thoughtful of you, but I assure you what Eddie really needs is space.”

She’s not convinced… by his demeanor alone… he isn’t going to let her check on him so easily… she’ll play along for now till she gets a chance to talk with Eddie alone.

“Okay… if you say so.”

When she was seated, volt took the stage.

“Good evening, you scofflaws and ducky whatsits! Looks like Johnny Splash is gonna be singing for us tonight! Be warned patrons, you might get wet.”

“Booo….”

“Hi everybody, I’m Johnny splash. I’ve got a song for you all tonight, one from the heart. And tonight it’ll be a cappella because my voice is the greatest instrument of them all.”

After some time, she spotted Eddie nursing a solitary cocktail at the bar… she looks around, no volt in sight… now or never.

“Show’s over, club’s closed.”

“I just wanted to check on you.”

“What? Why?”

“You seemed… upset earlier.”

“I wasn’t. Happy? You can go now. Are you always this oblivious?”

This guy….

“Are you always this much of an asshole?”

“Cute. Now get out, I’ve got work to do.”

Unfortunately she did have to leave…. However it looks like she’ll have to be more upfront with helping out… She doesn’t like how this is being covered up…. So… she’ll just have to come back again.

The next time Dateviators were charged back up, Brooklyn decided to come prepared…. Last time she wasn’t prepared… looking through her clothes… as if Clarence was going to help… she tried to go to Skylar but Lucinda came out instead….

“Heeeellllo Brooklyn!”

“Hey… look I am not going to be talking with you about… well… you… right now… I just need to find some proper clothes for the breaker box this time… I felt really out of place last time….”

“Ooooh? Why not try the amazing red shirt I made for you Brooklyn dear?”

“Wait… you put this in here?”

“In hopes you’d wear it yes… however, do you really want to look like an outsider in a club?”

She looks at the shirt, a bit hesitant….

“What would even go with this?”

“I’ve got a few ideas.~”

Oh boy…..

After some time, and looking in the mirror, the red shirt really did look… interesting… however she didn’t feel comfortable with the way the middle was split down… she decided to wear something underneath… at least it was only a black top to show the red shirt… she had no idea she had some black pants to go with it…. Yet again, she never really cared for her looks before…
When she pushed open the door to the breaker box, she looks around… the first thing to grab her attention wasn’t the music this time… she heard aggravated whispering of a heated argument… when she went closer, she could hear Eddie and Volt.

“You should be resting.”

“I’ll add it the list.”

“Eddie.”

“There’s no time, alright? There’s too much to do, and unless you want to blow a fuse…”

“We’re not going to blow a fuse. Though, you might if you don’t relax. Everything is well in hand.”

“…fine. Just a few hours, but only if you swear you’ll keep me updated.”

“Have I ever failed you before? Obviously not.”

“I’m serious, Volt. If it gets worse, you come get me.”

He doesn’t look convinced at all… Eddie only turns blowing right past Brooklyn with barely a nod….

“Ah, live wire!”

She’d notice now Volt’s whole demeanor shifts as he finally notices her. However she’s not convinced…. Something is going on…. Why is he ignoring it?

“How delightful. You’re back. Along with a unique look…”

“Might as well dress appropriately for a club… I hope I didn’t interrupt anything… important….”

“Hm? Oh, nothing of consequence. Administrative responsibilities, you know. I wouldn’t want to bore you with the details.”

She’d notice his eyes immediately shoot toward the lights behind her.

“Can I set you up with a table? The show doesn’t start until later, though I imagine we can find something to the time…”

“…sure…. Let’s get situated…”

The lights buzzed again, yep… this definitely isn’t just a simple flicker…

“Ah, my apologies, live wire. As much as I’m enjoying our conversation, there are a few things I must attend to. It’s nearly time to open for the show. Allow me to show you to your seat.”

The seat doesn’t feel like hers, even as the power continues to surge and ebb. The lights flicker, the bulbs buzz and drone. The crowd thickens and murmurs anxiously, beginning to grow restless… till volt takes the stage… even as the show goes on, her attention lies elsewhere….
She’d go to leave after the show… but she notices Eddie… quietly closing the door to the back room and shuffling to the bar to fix his drink… alright… go time.

“Eddie, how are you?”

“…oh for fuck sake, what do you want…”

“Is it just you closing up?”

“Obvious question time… fun…”

“Ok.. I’ll cut to the chase then. I was looking for you.”

“What? Why?”

“Something strange is happening here, and i know for a fact it’s not just flickering light…”

“….Why do you think that? Did something happen?”

“Weird things keep happening with the power. He says it’s nothing… but it doesn’t seem like nothing… if anything I don’t like how he treats
It.”

“What kind?”

“Specifics… lights flickering, buzzing sound… the power seems… unstable…

“So you came here to… what?”

“Two words. Fix it.”

“Ha. Right. Well, good luck with that.”

“Eddie, come on… if anything, I think you’ll need a human touch, literally… and technically I’m supposed to look after you guys..”

“What the hell do you expect me to do about it? Volt’s the one who runs the power here. If there’s a problem, let him handle it.”

She’s had enough of this…

“If he could… he would’ve, he’s in over his head.”

“Huh… you’re smarter than you look. You actually care about this… don’t you?”

“Yes, I do. Never think otherwise.”

“Dammit. You’re not going to let this go are you?”

“No, I’m not. Even if you kick me out over and over again.”

Eddie sighs.

“I’m gonna regret this… how are you with tools?”

“Not… great… but I could avoid setting shit on fire.”

“Eh… good enough… come back after tonight ready to work.”

“What kind?”

“Do you want to help or not?”

“Right, got it. I’ll be there. Sheesh… just asking..”

“Better. You got what you came for right? Can i finish my drink in peace?”

“Enjoy.”

“Thank you.”

With that she left feeling satisfied, though the work hasn’t yet started, she felt confident that she’ll get it done…. She had no idea the shadow that was spying on her without her noticing…
The next time she came back, she wasn’t as formally dressed, if she’s going to do some handy work, she’ll she might as well have the right attire for it, she also doesn’t want to accidentally rip or stain anything on the fancy red shirt Lucinda made. The breaker box lifeless as it was closed, she pushed through and saw Eddie, nursing his usual cocktail.

“You actually showed up. Guess I lose.”

“I said I would, nothing is fixing itself.”

“Good to know. A little inconvenient for me, but good to know. Made a bet. I was pretty sure you’d back out.”

“I’m not afraid to work. If anything, I like getting things done.”

“We’ll see about that.”

‘This jerk!’

“As long as you’re here, might as well get to it. There’s a lot to do before we open.”

“Lets get started then. No better time than the present.”

“Usually I take care of all the maintenance after hours. But we’ve been so slammed lately, there just hasn’t been enough time. Things breaking down faster than I can get to them. And trying to do anything while the club is open is essentially pointless.”

“Too many distractions… not to mention people- objects, will question things… stalling time.”

“Exactly. It’s exhausting.”

When they both get to work, she’s quick to help out.. after some time she’s left alone, she gets a latter to replace a dead bulb, or was it the other one?

“Wait! Be careful, that’s not-!”

“Wha- Woah!”

The latter gives out, as she prepares to fall to the ground, only for Eddie to catch her. The light bulb she took out was shattered on the ground…

“Stable…”

“Ehehe….”

“Are you alright?”

She found his icey demeanor melt away for a second… as she steadies herself…

“I’m good, uh… you can let go of me now.”

As he released her, she looked at the loose floor bored, so that’s what caused the latter to give out… an annoyed sigh coming from her. Eddies face contorts back into its customary gruff expression.

“That was unbelievably careless. What were you trying to do exactly?”

“Uh… replacing the light bulb, like you said!”

“The one behind the bar.”

“My bad then, I’ll fix the floor bored.”

“Just pay more attention.”

“Yes sir. Got it.”

She’d adjust her shirt a bit, making sure she doesn’t need to patch up later.

“You’re… you’re sure you’re not hurt?”

She looked at Eddie then back at herself, shaking her head.

“Im good, even a small scratch wouldn’t bother me if it did. Oh… and… thanks… for catching me.”

“You’re welcome. Let’s not make a habit of it.”

“Don’t plan to, now how about we get back to work?”

“Behind the bar this time?”

“Yes, behind the bar.”

The next phase of their work proceeded without her falling this time, the last few pieces of work being handled without further accidents. She’d stretch a bit as she help finish.

“Now that was a good chunk of work done.”

“You seem so sure.”

“Eh… not really, but I know it’s not just gonna be handled in one night. I actually kinda had fun doing this. Working with our hands that is.”

“You’ve done… surprisingly adequate work. Mostly.”

“Well, I had a good teacher to guide me through it.”

“No, you had an excellent teacher. If you only had a ‘pretty good’ teacher, you probably would have electrocuted yourself… twice.”

“Eh…. Fair…”

“And we did get through more of the to-do list than i expected. That’s probably good enough for today if you want to… you know… head out.”

“I know you had fun too, I can tell.”

“Oh yeah?”

“You didn’t kick me out, that’s how I can tell.”

“Heh… I suppose… or maybe I’m just tired. I’m sure I’ll be better tomorrow, enough to have the satisfaction of doing so.”

“Huh… that’s the first time I’ve seen you smile. Looks better than that frown you always have when I come in.”

“Don’t get used to it.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow night then.”

As she left, she felt herself growing more exhausted, doing such work coming back to bite her. She doesn’t even bother changing her clothes. The Dateviators on her bedside table, her tired body relaxing into her bed, letting herself rest for tomorrow.

However within the lenses of the Dateviators, better sat beside her, stroking her head as she rests. Dorian standing there, protecting her from anything outside… Betty however noticed Dorian’s expression…

“Something bothering you?”

“…I’ve noticed a shadow following her around…”

Skylar seemed to notice as well, but she never brought it up to Brooklyn… sometimes she did notice, but shook it off…. Skylar walked up to Dorian.

“Is he outside or inside the room?”

“…Not even a door could keep him out.. unfortunately…”

“I see… curt, rod.”

“Got it.”

“Ah-“

“Hey there skips, how’s it going?”

“Uh…. Sorry… I didn’t mean.”

“It’s alright… last time the two of you talked… it kinda… went south…”

“…”

“Do you want me to try and make her talk to you?”

“…no… I was just… checking if she’s doing alright…”

“…”

Skylar crossed her arms, trying to think of what to do… it was obvious these two had their issues, but if Brooklyn can’t talk with him again then what? She can’t keep avoiding him forever. Betty looks at Brooklyn, then looking up to skips…

“Would you like to see how she is?”

“What?”

“She’s currently asleep, though you won’t be able to talk to her… i won’t tell her you were here… right Dorian?”

“As long as he doesn’t do any funny business, it’s fine.”

Though hesitant, skips eventually sat beside Brooklyn’s sleeping form, as Betty smiles as Brooklyn looked to be sound asleep.

“She’s sleeping in her clothes.”

“She…. Recently helped Eddie with maintenance.”

“The breaker box. To be specific.”

He nodded as he looked back at her. His hand unintentionally graced her face… making her shiver…

“She’s been overworking herself lately… her sleep patterns have been showing it more… I can’t help but get worried for her…”

“Seriously?”

“Like I said… since she’s last talked to you… things have gone… nevermind… but she wasn’t lying when she said she couldn’t turn into a shadow for you… her sister is important to her… from what I know… she’s her only family… as far as I’m aware..”

“That… makes sense…”

Brooklyn shifts in her sleep, Betty trying to reassure her as she slept.

“Poor thing…. Probably a nightmare…”

All he could do was make sure she’s alright… it’s not like the shadows could give her a better dream… he wanted to talk to her again… he wanted….

A blush spreads on his face… realizing something… Skylar and Betty noticed. Betty smiling at how cute it was, while Skylar was thinking of how to motivate Brooklyn to talk to Skips again after this recent development… even though it was only one dateable that could potentially bloom into love, she was willing to try.

Chapter Text

As Brooklyn yawns, stretching as she did. After a bit, she notices how she slept in her clothes instead of her pajamas, she grumbles a bit, she’s done this many times before when she wares herself out to the point she does bother getting ready for bed properly. It’s starting to become a habit of hers. She goes into her bathroom and prepares a bit of a bath, while the bath fills up, she gets some clean clothes to wear for the day. She tries to relax as she sat there in the tub… however her mind doesn’t let her, going back to her promise to help Eddie later tonight, Phoenicia over heating for random reasons, Bodhi adjusting to the current times, Celia and Florence, though cute how they obviously like each other, they both need a push in the right direction. So many objects… she sighs, not knowing how much more she’s going to do…. She lays her head back, frustrated… till her mind wanders back to skips… she left him like that…. Could she ever face him again after panicking like that? As much as she would love to be there for him…. She can’t just leave everything behind without anyone’s notice… Sam, her sister… growing up with her she was practically her mother… she worked her ass off to make sure she still managed to become a good person, unlike their parents…. A lot of thearpy… a lot…. She huddled to herself, her own bare body vulnerable along with her current state of mind… as soon as she was done with her bath she dried up and put on the clothes she had planned out… brushing her teeth, and washing her face a bit to make sure she’s fully prepared for today’s possible occurrences.

Grabbing the Dateviators off her bedside table, she also grabbed her phone, feeling heat against her phone case. She used the Dateviators, Phoenicia appearing right in front of her.

“Alert: Device overheating. Self shut down in progress.”

“Did I leave too many apps open?”

“What are the signs for heat stroke? Someone Valdivisearch it.”

“Hey, calm down! What do you currently need?”

“Do you have any idea how stuffy it is inside a pocket? AIR, I need air. Cold air. A vent, a fan, the freezer even! Quick, I can’t afford to lose another camera lens!”

“Let’s go to Freddy, I’m sure he’s able to help.”

Brooklyn hurries over to the refrigerator, quickly placing her down.

“Hey, are you ok? You look like you just ran a mile. And Phoenician’s in my cheese tray… something’s up because she ain’t food last time I checked…”

“She’s been having over heating alerts for awhile now… she asked me to try and cool her down.”

“Wait, she’s overheating again? Phoenicia, you know you can’t keep going like this. You need rest! You have to-“

“Ah! Could we save the lecture for when I’m not ten seconds away from self destruct?! C’mon! C’mon! Oh, c’mon! I’ve got pixels poppin’ up all over the place! No, no, no, no, no, no, no! I’m too young to need a screen replacement! This cheese tray is NOT cold enough!”

“Ok… hang on let’s get you in the freezer.”

“Phew! You’re so thoughtful, thank you.”

“I’ll stay here as long as you need. Take your time.”

Brooklyn pulls the chair from the table and sits on it, crossing her legs as she leans a bit.

“Wow, you like… actually care, don’t you?”

“Why wouldn’t I? You’re not just my phone, you’re important to me.”

“You know, in my experience, humans only say that when they want something. Forget I said anything. My wires are all crossed right now, I’m just talking nonsense.”

“Is the cold air helping you feel better?

“A little. The company sure doesn’t hurt. Thanks for taking care of me and bringing me over to Freddy.”

“You don’t need to thank me, that’s just what you do for people you… care about…”

“Oh! Careful, I just cooled down! You’re gunna get me all fired up again!”

“Better not chance it, I’m already on full blast!”

“Haha sorry Freddy, you’re right. And I’m sorry I snapped at you. You know I can’t think straight when I’m in full meltdown like that.”

“That’s ok, I’m just glad you’re feeling better now. This has been happening a lot more lately. You need to start taking better care of yourself-“

“Ah, you’re right! I really should invest in more breathable case!”

“…”

“…”

“Haha what can I say, I’m a device of habit. But I’ll get right on it. Thanks for looking out!”

“Is it normal you overheat this much? To the point you have to go to Freddy?”

“Ummm… it’s kind of uhh… complicated.”

“Pfft”

“Shut it.”

“No, it’s not normal.”

“Maybe it’s not your normal but-“

“It’s nobody’s normal.”

“It’s my normal, okay?!”

“Exactly. And that’s. Not. Normal.”

“Ungh it is for me!”

“It shouldn’t be.”

“Well it is!”

“It doesn’t have to be.”

“…..”

“So… do you want to talk about what’s going on?”

“What? Nothing’s going on. I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Then explain why you keep overheating.”

“Oh, come on I already told you! It’s just that damn battery. That’s just the lot I was dealt in the factory. We’ve all got our faults.”

“At one point I thought the charger was the problem.”

“Oh uh… right, well yeah same thing. The charger is the reason my battery started degrading.”

“But only because it already had a fault, right?”

“Huh?”

“Your battery. You said it was faulty when it was put in. So which is it? Was it faulty to start or did the charger damage it?”

“It’s umm… well it’s… it’s obviously a whole chain reaction thing! It started with a fault but it went undetected for a while, you know? But a few surges from that charger and it just couldn’t hold up.”

“So a degraded battery? That’s what you’re going with?”

“Phoenicia, it’s not a faulty battery, last I checked, I threw away the charger and got a new one, also checked your current present and your fine. There’s no way this current charger is also faulty.”

“What is it with all the questions? Geez!”

“What was it before that, a faulty sensor, right? And before that the spyware scare. You even blamed a system update once I think.”

“Hold up, she did?”

“Yeah, and let’s be honest, Phoenicia, this has gone on long enough. You need to start being honest about what’s really happening here. If not with everyone else, at least yourself.”

“ENOUGH! So I’ve got a few problems, who doesn’t? It’s not like it’s affecting my work right? My brand is bigger than ever, I’m doing crazy numbers every live, I’ve got offers and sponsorships pouring in, everyone loves my content! How could I not be good? Just look at the comments on any of my videos.”

“Phoenicia, have you even thought about yourself though? Just because you’re successful doesn’t mean you’re not dealing with current struggles offline. And if I’m being honest, you sound like you’re overworking yourself.”

“You’re one to talk.”

“Excuse me?”

“Brooklyn, I’ve been your phone for how long now? And you’ve been work focused since the end of your high school year. Not to mention now!”

“Hey, don’t turn that around on me. This is about you.”

“If anything I help my fans laugh, I help them feel confident.”

“You do care for them right?”

“Of course I do. Do you think I put in all this effort just for myself?”

Brooklyn and Freddy grumbled in irritation almost at the same time.

“So close to the point.”

“Hm… let’s say you are giving advice on burnout, what exact advice would you give?”

“Well, the only way to really deal with burn out is to rest. Did you know sometimes it can take years to fully recover? Especially when you’re trying to force yourself to just push through it! The harder you push, the longer it takes to come back from it. Your processors can only take so much without rest- oh… oh. Ooooooh!”

“I think we’ve had a break through…”

“Looks like you needed to give yourself that advice.”

“You’re right. About all of it. I just didn’t want to see it but, you’re right. I’ve been pushing so hard for so long. My followers mean everything to me. But it can’t be my everything, can it?”

“It shouldn’t be, you deserve more than that.”

“I deserve… more… I think I… need some time to think. Come by later? I’m going to shut down for a while.”

She shuts down, and Brooklyn sighs. Freddy and her alone while Phoenicia is shut off.

“You know… you should also probably take that advice to heart.”

“Hm?”

“You’ve been running around the house helping other objects, as if you’re trying to avoid something. But I’m guessing it’s not just burn out… is it?”

“Freddy, I’m fine.”

“Are you? Cause… when you helped me out, you looked terrified… even afterwards when we made up, you still looked stressed out.”

“Freddy…”

“Is it a certain object in the house?”

“What? No.”

“Really? Cause you look more like your running away from a certain problem.”

“I-…. I don’t wanna talk about it…”

“At least take care of yourself…. Ok cool kid?”

“I… I will… I’ll see you around…”

“…”

Freddy disappears as she sits there and sighs, before checking up on the other objects, she did notice the lurking shadow, but when she shakes her head or rubs her eyes, it’s just a normal shadow. It was clear her mind wasn’t going to let it go. It’s been so long since she’s found someone who caught her interest… she was still in her little roleplay era.. despite it, her and them seemed to get along till actually talking about relationships, something serious unlike their little fantasy world… it was obvious they weren’t looking for someone like her… she unfortunately decided to try facing real life outside of her little hobby… which only caused her friends to question things…
Without her around… Amy and Zoey argued more… Megan and Sarah seemed concerned… until it finally imploded…

“Hey!”

“Eh- oh hey Amy-“

“Why haven’t you been coming by lately? I thought you were in for this weeks ritual to the lord?”

“Uh… well.. just some exams and stuff…”

“We’ll test our knowledge together than! What’s the problem?”

“Look… maybe… I just… don’t want to be by the lord of shadow’s side all the time.”

“What?”

“Sometimes you have to face reality you know?”

Amy was taken aback a bit till Megan came up.

“Brook… were worried… is it about that girl? She’s been all you talked about since she entered our year.”

“Well… maybe I should just stop being apart of the club then.”

“Brook-“

“Just, let me live my life.”

She walked away from the club that day… after two months or three… she heard the club disbanded.. obviously she went to check on the others, turns out Megan was moving away, and Sarah was transferring to another school, an opportunity she couldn’t pass up on. Meanwhile Amy refused to talk to her, and Zoey decided to focus on her studies as well. She wondered if she stayed, would she have been able to say goodbye to Megan and Sarah? Would she still be able to talk to Amy? She’ll never know…
The memories would play as she gone back to Eddie to help, doing her best to not make it obvious she’s focused on something else. She saw Volt and Eddie cared for each other… the next night she went to the breaker box… she wore the red shirt, however she found her old necklace, it was a birthday gift from Megan when she turned 15, the red and silver stuck out to her, it fit perfectly with the redshirt. With that she thanks Megan though she’s not here, and heads towards the breaker box. The doors opened and the audience chattering away.
Volt noticed her right away.

“Live wire! You look ravishing, as usual.

“Hey..”

“Do we have the pleasure of your company for another evening? Be honest you enjoyed yourself so much last time you couldn’t stay away. Am I right?”

“The club is nice, but that’s not what keeps me coming back…”

“Is that so? What is it that has captured your attentions, then?”

More like what she’s trying to avoid her attention from…

“Uh… I think you know.”

“Do I now? Perhaps you should enlighten me, just to be sure.”

“I’d rather not…”

“Hm…. Well I was hoping you’d come by today. What do you say we enjoy it a little more closely together, hm?”

He extended his hand out to her, as he is near the dance floor.

“Care to dance?”

“Fair warning, I’m terrible at dancing.”

“No worries, you’ll have me here to guide you.”

He leads her onto the floor, not once losing her eyes. However as she looks down for a second feeling proud that she’s able to not mess up.

“I think I’m getting the hang of this.”

“You’re a natural, penumbra.”

She instantly froze only to end up knocking herself over only for someone to catch her. She shakes her head, and wonders if she heard that right…

“What did you call me?”

She looks at the person before her thinking she saw Skips for a moment, only to blink and see Volt. Why… why was her mind playing tricks on her now? Why would they go back to Skips and that nickname he gave her?

“I… I called you Live wire? Is something the matter?”

She looks away, almost like looking for someone in the crowd… but somehow disappointed despite purposefully avoiding them… she knew who she was looking for… yet she couldn’t face him… now her thoughts were making her think she sees or hears him….

“I’m… I’m fine… I think I need to sit down…”

The song ends as she pulls away, walking towards a table to sit down, Volt’s face looking disappointed… after some time… she wasn’t paying attention… her thoughts wander back to Skips every time she tries to think of something else. The way him and her had a moment of weakness together… how he called her Penumbra… how much fun she had… she couldn’t get him out of her head… even the way he…
Oh…. Oh….. she…. Like, likes him…. The blush that spreads across her face as she realizes how much she likes him…. Even without his monstrous form, she still liked him… how could he feel the same after she ran away like that? There’s no way she could face him…. Or… could she?
The power surges violently, catching her attention, the system buzzes, cracking and flaring. As she saw Volt drop to a knee and clutches his belly… the surge rages until the very room skews to shake when suddenly everything goes black. Brooklyn gets up hurriedly, bumping into a few things while she tries to manage her way in the darkness, looking for Eddie, it was obvious him and Volt needed her help more than ever. But she couldn’t manage and other than the audience’s panic, confusion along with the scrape of chairs… some bumping into her, almost knocking the Dateviators off her face a few times.
Till she felt someone help her by grabbing her hand… they helped her get up and begun taking her somewhere, when looking up, her eyes managed to adjust to see the familiar shadow.

“Skips?”

“Let’s get you to Volt and Eddie… this is the only time I’m able to do this in the dark.”

“But why- why are you helping me? After I ran away like a-“

“Hey!”

He grabs her by her shoulders and looks her in the eyes. Though a blush spreads across his face… he was taking the current situation seriously.

“I’m not angry with you, I’m not even upset. But right now, you need help getting to Volt and Eddie and I’m here to help you.”

“Skips…”

He then takes her hand again. He smiles, the genuine yet awkward smile on his face, makes her heart race, even in moments of crisis…

“We can talk about it when you’re ready… just let me help you right now… ok?”

With that she felt her heart skip a beat, and nodded allowing him to help her through the pitch black darkness of the breaker box, to hear two other familiar voices. Skips lets go of her hand and she stops. She wonders why he isn’t coming with her.

“Skips, why aren’t you-?”

“You got it from Penumbra, I’ll see you around.”

“Wait- please.”

She grabs his hand in desperate attempt to make him stay. Despite the chill of his hands, she didn’t want to let go again.

“You’re forgetting I’m a shadow, light can make it more difficult for me to talk with you. Not to mention who needs you most right now-“

“Skips-“

“We’ll meet again at the same place we always meet. I’ll be waiting for you.”

She stood there, wanting to say something, but heard Volt and Eddie’s voices… she shook her head and looked back at skips.

“I’ll come find you later, i promise.”

“See you then.”

With that he was gone, as she made her way over to Volt and Eddie.

“You… you have to… stop, Eddie.”

“No, I can get it back. Just… just give me a minute to recharge. I… I can- ungh.”

She made it to some back room, some forgotten corner. The electrical power grid hangs on the wall, with Eddie Slumped against it. The two men looking exhausted, Eddie… looking dangerously so… he fiddled with the grid controls.

“Stop, Eddie please. Just let me go out. You’re going to fry yourself completely!”

“I said no, Volt.

“Eddie…”

“I can fix this…”

“Eddie…”

“Fuck sake Volt, I’m not letting you go out, ok?! We both know what that could mean and I’m not… I can’t… I can’t go back to being alone. I can’t lose you.”

“You can’t keep splitting yourself like this. If you do, then….”

When Bolt finally notices Brooklyn, he moved to stand. Eddie holds him back.

“It’s fine, she deserves to know.”

“What’s happening to you guys? You two aren’t hurt are you?”

“I… I’m failing. The power is failing, and I can’t stop it.”

Eddie leans back against the grid controls, his posture crooked and jagged. He seems ready to combust from the inside, but years of control are keeping him standing… for now… Brooklyn worries more, looking at the two.

“It was slow enough at first I didn’t even notice it. Small fluctuations, random surges… the entire house depends on my power, and it’s my job to keep it stable for them. To keep them all safe. I had to work harder to compensate, I thought I could outlast it, it would all balance out. But it only made things worse. Even more unstable. So I had to push even harder just to keep up. And then it just became… normal. To always be completely drained, barely hanging on. I don’t know how long it took me to realize that it was my fault to begin with. My… faulty wire. I was the problem. But I couldn’t stop. They still needed me.”

“What about what you needed?”

“Exactly. They needed me, and I needed help. So… I gave it to myself. I… I split myself. So there was more to go around. I made Volt. He was my fix.”

“You’re one and that same thing…”

“We’re not one thing. But we’re not two things. We’re connected. Ungh!”

“Eddie!”

“This club has to run. It’s power. It’s light and music and heat and energy. It’s everything. And I have to have volt make it work. I… I made him. It was supposed to be temporary. It only slowed things down by spreading out power.”

“But then even that became too much. And now maintaining me is draining him just as much as…”

“Just stop, I already told you.”

“Eddie, they still need you. It’s my job to protect you. Even from yourself.”

“We’re not doing it, it’s too risky!”

“Just tell me so we can figure this out together. What must happen!”

“The faulty wire.”

“Volt, don’t!”

“You have to fix the wire and reset the system.”

“If you do that, volt could disappear. I don’t know if could bring him back! Please, you can’t!”

“If Volt is a part of you, then you’ll never lose him.”

“Easy to say when you’re not the one who has to go through it. You don’t know what it was like…”

“Keeping people together? Or keeping yourself together?”

“…”

“Eddie, you and Volt care about each other… and if anything happens…. Whatever happens… you don’t have to go through it alone… I’m here….”

“It’s the only fix left, Eddie. We have to try.”

Eddie sat there… hesitant, but finally nods…

“You remember where the tools are? I’ll…. Walk you through what to do.”

“You’re doing great, almost there.”

“Wait. Fuck. Are we sure we have to do this?”

“Quite. It’s time, Eddie.”

“Fine, fine alright just… before… that. I just wanted to thank you. For being here. I guess.”

“Alright… ready?”

“Whatever… just do it before I change my mind.”

With that she allows Eddie to lead her through the process, patient and attentive despite his reservations. When she’s finished, he gives her the nod… and she take it from there… the dim light around Eddie and Volt blinks out completely, leaving her in total Darkness. For a few moments, everything is quiet and dark. And then, a rustle… the lights turn on. She looks around.

“Hello?”

“Over here…”

She sees Eddie sitting at the bar, looking haggard but with a light in his eyes she’s never seen before.

“Oof, hey there live wire.”

She remembers Volt called her Live wire… but shakes it off. Taking a seat next to him.

“Hey yourself. How are you feeling?”

“I… feel good. I’m pretty tired. But after a reset that’s normal. I don’t know. I just feel… stable. I’d almost forgotten what this felt like.”

“….and…. Volt?”

“Eddie, isn’t there something you wanted to talk about first?”

“….Fine… you… were… right…”

“Wait… you’re admitting you were wrong?”

“Let me finish… I was… holding on so tight to the way I thought things had to be. I didn’t realize all that did was trap both of us in a situation that wasn’t working. And honestly, I’m not sure I would ever have been able to see it. If it wasn’t for you.”

“What he means is he’s quite taken with you.”

“Volt….”

“We both are. But I’m sure you already knew that, look at you!”

“Wait…. As in…”

“As in.”

“As in do we really have to spell it out?”

She thought about it… and thought back to skips…. Though many would love a chance for dating two guy… but… she doesn’t want to… her heart belonging to someone else….

“By the looks on your face Live wire, something tells me you have someone else in mind.”

“You’ve noticed huh?”

“Your heart wasn’t exactly ours to begin with. Not to mention you were obvious from the start.”

“Look, if there’s anything I’ve learned, is that sometimes, facing the reality is tricky… Brooklyn, I think you know what I’m getting at right?”

She looks back to Volt and Eddie and only smiled, Getting up from her seat.

“I hope that’s alright with you two…”

“Any relationship with you, is a relationship worth keeping.”

For one final time Volt took her hand and kissed it.

“Eh… well, Volt is right in that regard. Better off friends than enemies… am I right?”

“Yeah. I like the sound of that.”

When she said goodbye to Volt and Eddie, she looked to see how many charges she had left. One last charge… Hopefully Lucinda wasn’t going to block her this time. She rushes downstairs. Her heart races with each one more determined than the last. Till finally she was in front of the familiar shadow, despite how dark it was… she took a deep breath… focusing on the Dateviators… as she found herself ready to talk to him again. The familiar shadow appears in her view…

He looks at her, a bit stunned, as if not expecting her to come by so soon. However that didn’t stop him from speaking up, as Brooklyn was already frozen, already had a bunch of scenarios in her head… so many apologies she thinks she needed to give…. Only to be snapped out of it as soon as her speaks.

“Oh hey… did you sleep well?”

“Uh… I… not really…”

“Tell me about it… I was thinking about you… if you’ve been getting better rest since our first talks… communing better with the darkness. And I thought… what if I ruined it last time?”

“Wait what?! If anything I’m sorry!…. I freaked out on you… and you didn’t deserve that… I was… terrified I guess…. Leaving my family behind…”

“I’m sorry for trying to turn you into a shadow… when you first spoke to me… I was so excited.. you were the first person to talk to me in ages and played along when I was Shadow lord.”

“It was fun…..it really was… despite being terrified at first… I grew to like it.”

Brooklyn held her arm… a faint blush spreading on her face… a smile slowly forming. Talking about her emotions was one thing she had difficulties dealing with.

“…I was… happy to play along, it was fun… it truly was…”

“…I didn’t want to lose you too.”

“but I’m here… right now.”

“I know… but I realized something… my biggest fear has always been time. Time spent with those i cherish. And time taking that away… but shouldn’t be afraid of time.”

He took her hands in his, a slight shiver due to the cold, but Brooklyn never took her hands away. Looking her in the eyes.

“I should be celebrating it!”

“Yes! Everytime spent together… is worth it. Even if it’s so little.”

“I always miss the old days, but I’ve got so much more to look forward to! I shouldn’t be afraid to make new memories!”

“Waaait! I bet there’s a thiscord server you could join. Trust me there’s many communities that would love you!”

“I’ll have to learn what that is! I’m really behind the times, huh….”

“Pfft either way, I get it..”

“With all that too, I hope you’ll still stop by for a chat.”

Brooklyn smiles, looking at Skips with genuine care in her eyes.

“Of course I will, wouldn’t wanna miss out.”

“Sweet!…. Thanks… for everything…”

With that her and skips awkwardly look away from each other… it was only when he spoke up, she turned her attention back to him.

“Hey. Can I make another confession?”

“Oh? You’re so mysterious…”

“Heh. I know. So… sorry, it’s just…”

Brooklyn noticed he was having a hard time, till she thought of an idea.

“Come on…”

“What would Shadow lord say?”

“Huh? Oh! Ahem. Although my dark core is frozen, I admit to growing fond of you by my side, penumbra.”

She laughs a bit… but she still looks at him with so much love, she couldn’t look away.

“Will you eclipse your heart over mine?”

“You know… I thought you’d never ask!”

“Oh! Sure! I did though! You need not reciprocate right away.”

“Skips, I’ve been ready… i just… needed a little push I guess… hehe…”

“Hehe. I don’t know why, but I’m just so happy. It feels nice to get it off my chest. So… what now?”

“How about I teach you how thiscord works first…”

“Sounds exciting! Wait what the hell?! I think the name xxXShadowl0rdXxx” is taken???”

Brooklyn laughs as Skips freaks out, eventually helping him out in the end. Who would’ve known she’d fall for the shadow lord? Or… her own shadow…

Chapter Text

The more Brooklyn meet with each object, the more confident she felt, with skips and her now dating and learning to move on together, she was so sure she would be able to help Skylar and everyone around the house. However, the knees of realization was a bit of a shock, as she wasn’t sure about how that could possibly work. She couldn’t realize Skylar until she realized everyone else… just when she thought things couldn’t get anymore complicated…. Thankfully she gets to see the recipes, she first checked Skips, she wasn’t even close…. She grumbled to herself… but thought of everyone else. Was realizing everyone else really something she should do? She’s not against it, but what if one of them was too stubborn and decided to stay? So many things coming to mind along with how many objects exactly should she meet before realizing Skylar herself… even skips… does he even want to be realized?

In the attic Brooklyn would be going through some things that a recently discovered object or embodiment of her memories or something, named Lady Memoria. She’s been helping her along with Cam and Art, sorting with what exactly to toss and what exactly to keep. Looking though her old photos, her childhood being more embarrassing than she thought. However she can’t help but look at how much imagination. Even her diploma, she obviously hung it up since she earned it.

“Oh my goodness, this is your last item. It’s your graduation day! From high school. We were all so proud of you. And look who else was there with you. It’s Teddy.”

“Heh, yeah… my sister got him all stitched up for that day. Even now he’s still such a nice guy.”

“With you forever and always. However, I can’t help but see your smile is a little forced.”

“Senior year isn’t necessarily a year I like talking about….”

“Right right! What about this one?”

“Hm… I’ll hang it up on the wall, I mean, being able to graduate is already a good achievement.”

“I know just where it should go!”

“Excellent. This concludes our last culling… and you have done what I asked perfectly. Your walls are absolutely bursting with your memories. So much better than being bursting with them myself.”

“And what exactly happens when there’s no memories left?”

“Oh I won’t be flying away any time soon… you can still find me in the halls of this house… being gone from the attic - now among the world at last… I couldn’t be more grateful.”

“I’m actually glad I was able to hang up some memories. Maybe I can get to make new ones and put them on the walls some day.”

“That sounds lovely Brooklyn dear. But… seeing you now I can’t help but worry.”

“Hm? What do you mean?”

“I’m your memories darling. I know a lot of things, even now I know.”

“I see… can we not talk infront of well… those two?”

Lady Memoria looks at Art and Cam and nods.

“Of course, I’m free whenever you want.”

“Thank you….”

“I’m quite sad to say that it’s over. I did not expect to enjoy getting though all that with you… but you are very pleasant company. And existing on my own now, unencumbered by ‘stuff’… I can’t even tell you how good that feels. Thank you for making it possible.”

“I’m glad. Even if only for small amounts of time.”

“I’m happy to hear that. Again, I’m here to talk when you need darling.”

“Thank you Memoria.”

With that her final charge was used. Skips and her agreed not to spend too much time with each other, since she does have to meet more and help more objects. As she was about to take off the Dateviators, she saw a glowing ball…. She hasn’t seen this till now… the Dateviators didn’t have any charge… so… why did it pop up now? She looked at it closely, only mistakenly use the Dateviators. Seeing the see through woman before her. She blinks as she looks to the being before her. Floating… she’s heard ghosts were in her house… but… she didn’t think they counted as an object for the Dateviators…. She couldn’t help but be fascinated by the ghost… she looked to be straight from the 80’s. As her eyes lock onto hers, a chill runs down her spine. Though she felt a tingle of apprehension, the ghost seemed more elated.

“Ohmigod Ohmigod Ohmigod Ohmigod! HHHHHIIII!!!!”

“Whoa…”

Brooklyn slowly smiles as she was quick to rub her eyes and realize it was real, that’s when she noticed she was able to take off the Dateviators and she could still see her. Meaning the no charge rule made no exceptions. Not even for ghosts…. Oh well.

“Hi.”

“Hey! Yeah! Hi!… um… what?”

Brooklyn felt nervous about this, and was already showing it, placing the Dateviators on her head like how you’d place a headband for aesthetic purposes. Trying to act cool but failing miserably.

“Uhhhh… I dunno! Hehe! Ohmigod what are you, where are you from, do you like ice cream, this is the best day ever.”

“Wait… meeting me is the best day ever? I’m meeting a ghost right now, if anything meeting you is the best day ever!”

“Oooooh a ghost lover huh?”

“Well, technically I do like the supernatural stuff, but never in my life did I think I’d meet an actual ghost! This is so cool!”

“Hehe! If anything it is a good thing! I’ve just been up here, all by myself for GOD I don’t even KNOW how long! You’d be amazed at how bad my sense of time is. Like it’s actually kind of crazy. I can’t even tell the difference between a minute and a month.”

“So you’ve been here… for so long.. wait does that mean like nobody- somebody came and ran away scared?”

“Couple of times…. But it’s good you aren’t one of them, because it’s so boring not talking to anyone! I’m so happy right now!”

“I’m glad you’re happy, and I am definitely already wanting to become best friends with you! Like-“

“I know right?! Me to! You look so cool by the way, like the outfit and hair!”

“Thanks I like the jacket it looks amazing!”

“Thank you thank you! ACK! Where was i?! Life as you might know it is kinda a complicated proposition for me. Don’t know if you can tell, I hide it pretty well… Ohmigod I rhymed! HA! That’s amazing! Honestly it’s amazing to even be able to speak, because a lot of the time, I can’t make sounds? Which is weird?”

“That does sound weird.”

“And a lot of the time, like most of the time, I think I’m invisible because nobody can see me? And that’s super weird because… I’m totally real. You know, I mean, I think I am. So why wouldn’t I be? Because if I can think, I must have a brain or a consciousness somewhere.”

“Focus…”

“Right! Yes, sorry, I just am SO EXCITED! Ehehe! My name is Zoey. I know, I know, it’s the coolest name ever. I actually picked it myself! My name when I was alive was something dull like Lucinda or like Elvis or something, I don’t remember…”

“Lucinda huh…?”

“But the moment I died, I picked the name Zoey. It was one of the ways I made myself feel better about being dead!”

“Oh…”

“So yeah, I’m a ghost! I’m totally dead, which is probably why you felt cold when you first saw me.”

“Huh… I actually thought that was skips… but I guess not.”

“Because you can see me!! Which is basically the coolest thing that’s happened ever in the history of the world! Except of course for me dying, which was equally awesome because being a ghost is THE BEST!!”

“You would think people would want to meet ghosts, I mean I’ve always wanted to meet one!”

“And I’ve always wanted to meet a human! Well, I mean, I’ve met lots of humans before. But like, in my ghost form. It feels… different…”

“I can imagine.”

“Hey listen, something’s happening… I don’t always have control over when I evaporate, and it kinda feels like I’m about to just cease to be here right now so… such a bummer, I wanna talk to yyooouuu…”

“I do to. When can I see you again?”

“Just um, same time here in the attic I’m not going anywhere, just.. come back and see me again, ok??? This is gonna be so cool hah no pun intended because I’m cold?”

Brooklyn sees Zoey begin to fade, her voice growing fainter. Their time almost up.

“Ooooh here I go… see ya later!!”

“I’ll be back, I promise!”

With that, Zoey was simply… gone… Brooklyn standing there alone, but instead of a sense of unease that a literal ghost was in her own house, she was actually ecstatic? She specifically remembered when she was kid she would wonder if her own home was haunted, but it was squeaky clean of anything potential murders or dead people in general, the reason being her old friends talking about potential ghosts existing among them without realizing it. Though over the years her beliefs in that rumor was wearing thin, it came back stronger as soon as she saw Zoey right in front of her. The child version of herself would’ve had a field day that it was actually true. It was really a shame she couldn’t excitedly tell skips. However when her phone buzzed, she knew who else to talk to!

Sam:
Heeeey Brook! How’s it going?

Brooklyn:
Oooh you won’t believe me when I say it but!
There’s a literal ghost in my house!

Sam:
What? Wait, first talking to objects and now ghosts?
You sure you’re not pulling my leg here?

Brooklyn:
Honestly I’m hoping this isn’t like a fever dream! Cause little me would be jumping for joy!

Sam:
I bet. Wow, so you’re basically romanticizing a ghost huh?

Brooklyn:
What? No, remember I already have a boyfriend, we talked about him.

Sam:
Right, right that shadow boy, but there’s always room for a poly relationship ya know?

Brooklyn:
Sorry but no, if anything it would have to be more mutual if anything. She may look amazing, but I’m staying loyal to Skips.

Sam:
The ghost is a girl?! Omg!
That’s even better!

Brooklyn:
Yeah, yeah she is, but how cool is it that there’s an actual ghost in my house?!

Sam:
Honestly I would’ve ran away scared.
But I get what you mean. ;)

Brooklyn:
I’m not fucking a ghost, Sam.

Sam:
Uh huh, sure…
I gotta go, have to wake up early tomorrow.

Brooklyn:
Alright, I’ll let you rest. Night Sammy!

Sam:
Aw you stoooop!
Good night Brookie! >;p

Brooklyn laughs, as she turns off her phone and puts it on the charger. Going to sleep satisfied.
In the morning, Skylar and Betty would notice how Brooklyn was sleeping in today, they couldn’t help but be a bit worried that she was over doing it again with helping objects.

“There’s nothing wrong with her sleep patterns…”

“Hmm, maybe she stayed up too late, she shouldn’t sleep too long…”

“I wonder why she’s sleeping in today…”

Betty and Skylar would hear Dorian talking to Skips, looks like Brooklyn left the door open. Forgetting to close it. Skylar walks over to listen in.

“She seemed excited to talk about something last night, she forgot to shut the door. If you’re worried about her, I’m sure she’s fine.”

“You sure?”

“Of course, if anything, I wouldn’t lie about her being excited, but I would criticize her for not shutting the door so I’d be able to block whatever wants to come in.”

“Hmm, what would she be so excited about so late at night?”

Skylar would come in, making her presence known.

“Heeey you two, what’s going on?”

“Skylar, I was just coming to see Brooklyn but saw her door was open, she usually have it closed. I was a bit concerned.”

“No worries she’s just sleeping in for some reason.”

“Not some reason!”

Phoenicia would chime in catching Skylar and Skips attention.

“I know I shouldn’t be snooping buuuut since you guys are worried, she was so excited to talk about finding a ghost in the attic last night!”

“A ghost?”

“Yeeeep! No worries Shadow boy! I understand your worries, but she’s fine, just that she got so excited she talked about it with her friend.”

Skips would look at Brooklyn as Skylar asked for more details. She was that excited she couldn’t wait to talk to him about it, he knows he agreed to allow her to spend some time away so she could meet some more objects to talk to and help… but why does he feel a bit jealous that she’s talking to her friend about it when he knows it’s nothing to get jealous over? He shook it off, reasoning that it could’ve been that there was no charge in the Dateviators to talk to him after talking to a literal ghost. Besides, it was actually pretty cool how she found an actual ghost.
As Skips was reasoning with himself, he heard the rustle of blanket and the noise of a tired Brooklyn slowly waking up. Even Skylar and Phoenicia stopped talking.

“Oh she’s awake! Hurry pretend like we weren’t talking about her!”

Skips was caught off guard by Phoenicia’s words even Skylar was stunned. If anything, he was only here to check on her. Not like he hasn’t before.
When she put on the Dateviators she noticed the odd shadow right away after fully waking up. He didn’t move but he told himself to stay cool.
When Brooklyn finally used the Dateviators on him, she was a bit shocked it was actually him.

“Skips?”

“Hey… sleep well?”

“Uh… yeah… you’re here early in the morning.”

“Actually it’s nearly…”

“Oh, whoops… I probably stayed up too late… my bad….”

“Uh huh… attuning yourself further in the shadows?”

“I guess you can say that. Oh! WAIT! I have exciting news! I couldn’t tell you yesterday because the Dateviators ran out of charge.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Mhm! I found a ghost in the attic yesterday! I was done helping Memoria with sorting through and hanging up stuff, a sudden glowing ball appeared, but the Dateviators had no charge. I was disappointed for a second, but then she just appeared! Like right in front of me!”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah! And she looked so cool and she was so nice too-“

As Brooklyn talked, Skips’s mind eased away the jealousy he once had, as he suspected. She would’ve told him right away, she couldn’t due to the charge running out. He was happy hearing she would have told him if she could. He loved hearing how happy she was even talking about it, even the fact that when she was a kid she loved the idea of ghosts being real. Soon the conversation would turn to how they’re characters, Shadow Lord and her character would meet and what relationship they had.

“Hmm… I was thinking about changing her to be more of a…. Fuck… what’s that word again?”

“It’s fine, no need to rush. Either way, when we do roleplay as our characters again, we can come up with the most random shit and I’d still be down.”

“Hehe, good to know. But I’d still like to have a clear understanding about our characters before we go further in lore. I wouldn't want to make you uncomfortable, my Umbra.”

Skips eyes widen a bit, his familiar yellow blush coming across his face.

“M-my Umbra?”

“You did say you were my Umbra, while I’m your Penumbra… did you only want that to be for roleplay?”

“No, no, no! It’s perfect! If anything it’s only fair you call me that since… well… I use it all the time…”

“Oh uh- good to know.. I mean it’s either that or Darling would work.”

“Darling?!”

“Too cheesy?”

“N-no, it’s…. Fine… penumbra…”

“Hehe! You’re too easy to fluster sometimes.”

“You think I don’t know that?”

She’d laugh as his head on her shoulder, the curtains closed to keep the sunlight out. He loved a lot of things about her. He couldn’t help but fall deeper in love with her. He’s surprised that she hasn’t gone for any of the other objects in the house… heck, she even zoned Valt and Eddie just to see him and end up together that day…. And those two were admittedly attractive. He’d even question how he managed to pull her to begin with. Either way, in the end… he’s happy she’s with him at the end of the day…

Chapter Text

“Hey! You came back! I’m so happy you came back. Being up here in the attic, it feels like people only come up for a little bit of time and then… they try to leave as soon as they can because, I don’t know, for some reason, a lot of people think attics are scary? I’ve never felt that way, for me it’s like a playground up here.”

“Yeah, for some reason people are afraid of going up into attics. I personally think it’s thanks to horror movies. They make it more horrifying in some way.”

“That makes sense I guess… It's been awhile since I’ve watched any movies… I do wish people would stay longer though. Even if they can’t see me, it would be nice just to watch them. Like Human TV! Jeez, I wish I had a TV. Wait! Hey, now that I’m thinking about it, how can YOU see me??”

“Hm… I’m not sure exactly…”

“Yeah, I mean I used to watch you move boxes around and search for that same amazing Christmas sweater every year… though you have stopped coming by lately… but you’ve never even looked at me before! Like, through me, which is cool, but never… at me.”

“The glasses on my head aka the Dateviators probably helped a bit.”

“Whoa. AWSOME. Tell me everything.”

“Well, they let me directly acknowledge a thing’s existence-“

“Oh, ok, you say “thing.” Thing, not person. So does that mean…”

“Uh… yeah… doors, walls, chairs, windows…. Shadows… all of it!”

“That’s… THAT’S… if i wasn’t already dead I would absolutely just die from the coolness of this! You can talk to anything? Anything you want, you just put on the glasses and you can talk to it? Like it’s REAL?”

“Well… yeah, I even found love because of it… it’s very much real.”

“Wait… so then how are you talking to me? Because I’m not a thing… then I guess I’m something in between and thing and a person… you’re noticing now, so like, wow… I feel. I feel so happy, but it’s-it’s weird… I think I feel sad?”

“That’s ok… sad is pretty normal, sometimes. I mean… I kinda get what you mean…”

“Oh, really? That’s good to hear. I felt sad a lot when I was alive but since I died, I’ve been mostly happy all the time and I haven’t had to think about the stuff that used to make me so sad. I think there’s something about being a ghost that makes things harder to feel? Like, sadness can feel so heavy sometimes and if I can’t even lift the latch on the attic window… how am I gonna lift something as heavy as sadness right? It would just fall right through me! That’s kind of funny. I guess that’s funny.”

“That’s more sad than anything… if I’m being honest with you….”

“…yeah… but your glasses. This idea that you can talk to anything, to anybody, like… does it feel like you have friends? …what does it feel like to have friends?”

“It… feels pretty nice…”

“Aw man I would love that… oh boy, ok. This is weird. I’m having another feeling… I think?”

“Why don’t you tell me about it?”

“It’s so strange. Like I said, I’m so happy! Like, I’m so happy to have met you, I’m loving that you’re here, I can’t wait to play the games and I want to show you how I can go through the wall if I really concentrate… because that honestly is amazing, and the most amazing part is that when I go through that wall I end up right back in this same room again! Like I’m in this crazy loop where everywhere I go there I am?”

“So you can’t leave this room is what you’re saying?”

“Nope! But.. I want… it.”

“Hm? “It”? What do you mean?”

“I want what you… have. I want the glasses?”

“I don’t necessarily think they are mine to give… they were given and entrusted to me…”

“Yeah, that’s okay… maybe I want… to talk. With these others around me. Maybe I want what you have. I want to have friends, too.”

“Ah I see, so what you’re saying is you’re lonely…”

“Ohmigod that’s it! I… I am lonely. And if I could have all these friends, why did I not even know they were all here! You know, they can’t see me because nobody can see me, cuz, DEAD… and I can’t see them because I don’t have the glasses, or because, again, dead. And I’m… lonely. It’s tough stuff!”

Brooklyn feels bad for Zoey, not being able to talk to anyone for so long…. It sounds so… lonely, sad even…. She decided to help her with her emotions, before disappearing again, she’d come back after talking to other objects, figuring out how she died… despite Zoey disappearing again and again after figuring something out, she’d come back. After finding Bodhi, finding the necklace. Showing it to Zoey, uncovering her memories, finding out who she was before becoming a ghost. Finding out about Rudy, the seance… trying to contact his father, he got frustrated at her, even though it wasn’t her fault.

She fell… and her neck broke… the description of how it happened… it made her feel angry, sad… Rudy put it in the time capsule… figuring out how she died… because of him… and now she’s stuck because of him… she left Zoey alone, giving her time to think…. Brooklyn felt so many emotions… so many things… so many thoughts running through her own mind….
She couldn’t shake it off… she continued to talk to other objects… but… Brooklyn seemed more distracted. So distracted that she ended up not using her last charge…. Brooklyn unable to sleep… messed with the Dateviators… she reflects on so many things before having them. How she was all alone, after her high school and college years. College was just a bunch of temporary friendships… none of them stuck…. None like the old ones she had in high school… where her and her friends would mess around… being kids… even she was a kid… a stupid one for going for a dumb crush over her own friends… she never trusted love after that… she thought she was ready she thought that girl would be… special in her life… but… no… she blew it with that one to… she traded her friends for a pointless struggle… she could forgive herself for it… they mean the world to her… and she just dumped them like they meant nothing… the tears swelled up in her eyes… she couldn’t hold them back anymore. How could she? The amount of guilt she felt afterwards was so strong, she couldn’t even say sorry… she wasn’t even able to till it was too late… her tears soaking her sheets as her tears fall, the loneliness she felt afterwards… she felt like she deserved it… she deserved to be alone after pushing them away like that… even as an adult now… she feels guilty… so fucking guilty…

A small chill crossed her skin, as she started to calm down… her blurred vision because of her tears… she looked to see the familiar odd shaped shadow in her room, she tried to wipe away her tear and clear her throat as best she could… she didn’t want him to worry. Checking the Dateviators, secretly hoping there was no change… hesitant but surely putting on the Dateviators, and the Shadow in front of her came to view.

“Hey!… my Umbra- um… when did you come in?-

Without warning he hugged her, she grew confused but before she could ask why he was hugging her, the tears started rolling down again… she tried to stop them… but… it couldn’t be helped… she cried in his embrace, as he didn’t say a thing. He didn’t have to… hearing her cry was the last thing he wanted to hear… he was never good with talking about his feelings… and she doesn’t like facing hers… he was hoping that would change the more she interacted and talked with him…
What she didn’t know was that when she was crying earlier, she was repeatedly saying sorry, over and over again…
She sounded like she was in pain saying it, her sorrow that was building up over the years finally coming out… her guilt… it never truly went away… it wouldn’t go away… being held felt wrong… yet… she needed it most.

“I’m sorry… I’m so fucking sorry…”

“It’s ok… I’m here Brooklyn… it’s alright…”

“I pushed them all away… it’s all my fault… how could I be so selfish…?”

Skips didn’t know what to say, all he did was lay there with a crying Brooklyn. As he hears her mumbling and sobbing… how she wanted to apologize… but she couldn’t… it was already too late…
He kissed her forehead as he listened and held her close, hoping that was enough before the last charge of the Dateviators runs out. Eventually drifting off in the process, her energy depleted as her body began wanting rest. Skips wiping the what’s left of her tears away. Though this wasn’t Brooklyn’s best moment, she knows she couldn’t hide herself away from the shadows, if anything he was always there and she didn’t know it till receiving the Dateviators. Who knows how many times he’s seen her in her worst moments? Guess that’s the quirks of being in a relationship… you get to see your partner at their worst, and see if you would support them no matter what… even being vulnerable around them….

The Dateviators eventually ran out of charge and skips were gone… though she placed the Dateviators on her side table and laid back down… she still felt the chilling presence of him…. It somehow brings her comfort…. Knowing he’s there without seeing him… she closed her eyes, finally allowing herself to rest, for even in the lens of dateviators, he was still there. He wasn’t going to leave her alone tonight. Not like this…