When Four Becomes Five
Written by RadRapo
Part 1/2: Sit A Bit, Settle In
"And just where are they going?" Radio questioned, pointing his antenna to the window inquisitively. The others were quick to follow, gazing out for themselves.
"I don't think I caught that," Toaster admitted, but in thought, "Although, it's not like them to, I'm pretty sure."
"But they just got here!" Blanky cried, distraught, "Did we do something wrong? Do they hate us?!"
"They probably just forgot something, that's all!" Kirby reasoned, in a gruff tone, "Look! They haven't packed up anything."
"Then why are they all going?" Toaster wondered, "Surely if that's the case, they don't need everyone!"
"Oh, calm down, you low watts," Finally spoke Air Conditioner. "They're just going to the store. Not a big deal. They'll be back before you know it."
"They have plenty of food, though!" Toaster said back, not believing it at first.
"... Not that kind of store, Toaster. Jeez."
"Oh, yeah?" Radio challenged, hopping off the windowsill to face AC, "Then what kinda "store" are we talking about?!" Before AC could answer, another of the appliances joined the group, one more beloved.
"You fellas haven't heard the news?" TV began, his on-screen persona displaying a portly man in his thirties, "They're off to the Mall in the City! Looks like our Master's become quite the bookworm!"
"... We have books," Radio dismissed, sounding rather disappointed. "What more does he need, a library? Sheesh…"
"Believe me, they wouldn't go to the Mall for some books, Loudmouth!" TV laughed it off, before starting again, matching his words with imagery, "No, see, the Master likes to read anytime! Even at night, when it's dark." He was really trying to get them to figure it out on their own.
"... Why not use the ceiling light?" Blanky bravely asked.
"I don't know, too much on the little guy?" TV shrugged, finding that his tactics weren't working. He was going to have to be more obvious. He changed the scene to where his persona stood next to a pedestal, an object upon it, but covered in a sheet. "So, their alternative is: to go to the Mall, to bring in one of THESE!" At his last word, he unveiled the object, revealing a generic lamp of some kind.
At last, there was an outcry of a reaction, although Kirby's was far more muted compared to the sheer panic Blanky, Toaster and Radio were experiencing in various degrees. AC rolled his eyes knowingly, shaking side to side in a means of disapproval.
"Why must they get like this every time?" He muttered under his breath.
It was a few hours later, and the more vocal reactors of the news still didn't feel prepared for who, or what, would be joining their company. While unable to envision different lamp models, they could certainly see different personality possibilities.
"I hope it's nice…" Blanky pleaded quietly.
"I hope it's not pompous," Radio couldn't help but jeer.
"I hope it's not obnoxious," Kirby grumbled, though halfheartedly.
"Well I'm sure that, no matter what, he… She… It," Toaster conceded, trying to sound sure of himself all the same, "Will at least be reasonable." He paused for a moment. "I mean, what's the worst that can happen? There's plenty of us and only one of… Them."
"You guys act like it's gonna come and take your places," AC tried to sound unamused, but failed. "Are you listening to yourselves? Could a lamp toast bread? Play music? Clean the floor? Keep someone warm? C'mon, get real. Especially you, Kirby; I thought you were better than this by now." All Kirby could do was huff and look away.
"Maybe if they… If they…" Toaster tried to refute, but wasn't able to form a solid argument. Just as he'd hopefully found something, Blanky heard the car approaching.
"They're back!" He yelled. Without hesitation, everyone went back to their spots, freezing. Internally, they (or at least, some of them) shivered in anticipation.
Sure enough, not long later did they hear the return of the Master and his parents, all sounding quite satisfied with their purchase. Sounds of cutting open a cardboard box, the shuffling around of a styrofoam mold, and ejection of an electronic were all heard by the appliances.
The moment the family went upstairs, they unfroze, crowding around the box that was left behind. Like most boxes that would house a store-bought appliance, it used photographic art displaying the appearance of one. In this case, what they saw was a brass, bell-shaded gooseneck lamp, most likely built for desks and such.
"It doesn't…" Blanky spoke, though quietly to not attract the attention of the family, "Look all that scary. I wonder if it likes hugs..."
"Just have to wait and see," Radio mused to himself, having an unusual guarded demeanor, "It'll surely show it's true colors soon."
"Well, you never know," Toaster replied, having realized something, "With any luck, they might not end up like us - never waking up."
"Of course it'll wake up, eventually!" TV had to add, though brushing off their words, "But I know we're all gonna be fine. Remember when Toaster came along? How you all were in a tizzy about him?"
Toaster gasped, somewhat offended. "They were?!"
"Just imagine what that lamp might be feeling like," TV continued, crossing his avatar's arms, "Not so nice, now is it?" Toaster's expression turned guilty.
"You're right, it isn't…" He admitted. He turned to the others. "You guys really…? From a little toaster like me?" His responses were just as guilty, barely carrying a cohesive statement. Toaster sighed.
"Well, TV's right; we need a new approach to this," He said again, this time more certain. He promptly pushed the box over to its side, jumping on top of it.
"I say that whoever is up there-" He pointed his lever to the stairs, toward the second floor, "-Should be given a warm, toasty welcome. Besides, what's better than a good first impression?"
"Maybe it'll be nice," Blanky thought about this, before turning hopeful, "If we're nice to it first! I like that idea!"
"I suppose it's worth a shot," Radio commented in hesitation, then adding in a low tone, "At least if anything happens, we'll have an alibi…"
"I heard that!" Toaster gave Radio a dark look, "I don't want to hear another word of doubt from any of you… Including myself. It's not fair to our new companion, and it's not fair to the Master!"
"Finally, one of you is speaking sense again," AC mused.
"Air Conditioner, with all due respect," Toaster's retort came fast this time, "Shut up."
AC was stunned, but did so anyway with an irate expression.
When night came, the appliances were in their rightful places, while the family had gone to sleep. When the coast was clear, Toaster unfroze and, while giving a small goodbye pat at the breadbox with a whispered "I'll be back", he leapt down from his countertop. He pursued the stairs, having little issue climbing them to the second floor.
Very carefully did he open the door to the Master's room, just enough so that he could see inside. Unsurprisingly, he found Radio and Blanky out of their spots, both gazing upon the newcomer lamp sitting upon the Master's nightstand.
Less importantly, the Master had dozed off from reading, leaving the lamp still switched on. Most importantly, the lamp itself hadn't woken up.
"Anything?" Toaster whispered to the other two. Both shook in a 'no'. "Maybe we're being a bit too eager about this. I don't think any appliance can wake up this quickly…" The other two, Blanky moreso, seemed to agree.
"Yeah, let's give it time," Blanky whispered back, with a smile, "It'll wake up to say hello when it's ready to."
"Right…" Toaster nodded, before bidding the two goodnight and leaving to return to his post.
That night turned to days, which then turned to weeks. As time passed, slowly they began to lose hope that the lamp would wake up at all, fated to being alike to some other appliances in the cottage. By this point, it was less relief and more sadness. As a result, they checked in on it less and less, until finally, they stopped altogether.
"Maybe if we hadn't been so judgmental, they would've…" Toaster mused to himself from his counter, regrettably. "I can only imagine how I toughed through it…"
Another night came, another night spent with the Master falling asleep while reading something. In the same room, Blanky and Radio slept in their spots, the former as the Master's additional blanket, the latter across the room on a dresser. They'd grown accustomed to the Master's behavior, so the ever-present light of the lamp at night did little to ruin their forty winks.
It was here when, after a while, Blanky awoke, unsure as to why at first.
"But I always sleep well…" He whispered to himself, before realizing how dark the room was. Glancing over to the nightstand, the lamp that had been placed there almost a month ago was gone. He nearly gasped in realization. As carefully as he could, he left the bed, going over to where Radio was, trying to wake him.
"Hnn, what is it? Don't you know what time it-" Radio started in his low volume, before looking over to where Blanky pointed, stopping entirely. "Oh my God."
The two started a somewhat frantic search through the second floor. Unknownst to them, downstairs was the lamp, who had already explored the rooms above. Currently, he was taking note of the main room's surroundings, using his light to find his way around. He'd poke and prod at various things with his prongs, all in the sake of curiosity.
From the continual change in the light's direction, AC found himself awakening.
"Hey," He spoke out towards the source, the contrast not letting him see the figure of the aforementioned, "Could ya cool it with that light? I'm tryin' to sleep." For a moment, he grimaced as the light came directly at him, before shutting off.
"Sorry about that!" Came a casual call, before a few hops were heard, followed by what sounded like falling over with a yelp. "Oh, I didn't think that one through… How am I going to see?" From this, AC realized something.
"Say, you're that lamp they wouldn't shut up about," He coolly said with a small laugh, "They started to think you weren't going to wake up. But look at that, you pulled through!"
"I don't know exactly what you mean by that, exactly," The lamp replied, getting up again, "But thanks, I think! Now, I'm off to continue my task… And hopefully not trip again."
"And what task would that be, I wonder?" AC asked, though in sarcasm.
"Looking around, of course!" The lamp had taken him seriously, "Haven't you ever wondered about your surroundings?"
"No," AC spoke dryly. To this, the lamp merely chuckled.
"You're weird, Mr… Ah…"
"Air Conditioner."
"Right! Well, I'm off, Mr. Air Conditioner! Sleep well!" To this, AC raised a vent-brow in the lamp's general direction, before calling it good and trying to resume sleep.
In the same room, TV and Kirby had heard the conversation, though the former had decided to not intervene, in order to not overwhelm the lamp. The latter simply peeked from the slightly ajar closet door. He didn't want to be seen talking to that… Thing.
Onwards into the kitchen, slowly the lamp had been able to adjust to the darkness, taking in the sight of the new location with as much wonder as everywhere else before. He noticed a sink and cringed, remembering the way the one in the upstairs bathroom functioned. He quickly ignored it.
When on the counter, he nosed around until he saw Toaster. He approached and stood right in front of him, gazing into his chrome, only to see his reflection. It reminded him of the mirrors. Before he could wave to himself, Toaster stirred, unfreezing as he awoke.
From the face directly in front of him, he let out a startled gasp. In turn, the lamp jumped backward in reflex, finding himself plummeting to the floor. Once Toaster collected himself, he came over to the edge, finding the dazed lamp right below. All at once, Toaster understood.
"It's you!" He leapt after the lamp, his joy making him unable to resist embracing him by the gooseneck for a moment, to the bewilderment of the recipient. "It's you! You're here! You're awake! Oh, thank goodness! Wait…" He promptly let go, before starting again, giving the lamp some space.
"Has anyone else seen you yet? Please tell me I'm not the last to know." At last, the lamp overcame his confusion, finding his voice again.
"I don't think so?" He began, "Gosh, Mr. Air Conditioner wasn't joking about what he said. Is me… "Waking up"," he paused, using his prongs to air quote, "Really that world-shattering?"
"It's just that," Toaster went to reply, though found it in himself to settle down, "You've been here for almost a month, and this is the first time you've… You've, uh..." He struggled to explain it. Then, he recalled something the lamp had said. ""Mr." Air Conditioner?"
"Yeah!" The lamp nodded, forgetting about the rest, "Have you not met him? He's a little weird, but also a funny guy!"
"Oh no, I know him," Toaster deterred, before continuing, "Oh! By the way, I'm Toaster! It's nice to finally meet you!"
"Hello, Mr. Toaster!" The lamp gave a small wave with his plug.
"No no, it's just Toaster."
"Okay, Just Toaster!" Toaster made a face, before heaving a sigh.
"Let's… Try this again..."
Not long after Toaster managed to get his name through the lamp's head, he was about to ask about the lamp's name, but was interrupted. Zooming down the stairs' banister came Radio and Blanky, who made sure the former didn't fall. After floating to the floor, the two began to search the main room.
Toaster and the lamp looked on at first, before Toaster asked them with a controlled volume, "What're you two doing?"
"What's it look like we're doing, Slots?" Radio chimed in immediately, "We're trying to find the lamp- Oh." He and Blanky both stopped when they noticed the very thing they'd been looking for all long was next to Toaster.
""Slots"?" The lamp asked Toaster, confused, "But didn't you just say that-"
"I'll explain later," Toaster groaned, as Blanky and Radio approached. From here, the lamp got to know their names as well, Blanky relieved that he seemed friendly, though Radio still had a somewhat defensive stance when all was said and done.
From everything going on, finally did Kirby have a feasible excuse to go see the newcomer, coming out of the closet with an irritated-sounding "What's with all the racket? Are you trying to wake up the Masters and Mistress?"
Intimidated, the lamp dove to hide behind Toaster, peeking out from the side and lowering himself.
"Oh, it's awake, I see," Kirby started again, "Of course it had to be in the middle of the night." A moment after, he did what none of the rest had managed to do, pointing his prongs at the lamp. "Who are you, anyway?"
The voice that had come out of the lamp in response was too quiet to hear. All they got out of it was "-Sir."
"What?"
The lamp forced himself to speak up, to the best of his ability given his terror. "I-I'm… I'm Lampy, sir. I don't mean to… Uh, cause any trouble..."
"Oh, lay off of him, Kirby!" Toaster flung his levers at the vacuum, "He didn't know any better! I mean, I wouldn't have either!" While undeterred, Kirby moved a foot back. Toward Lampy, Toaster lowered his voice. "It's okay, Lampy. That's just Kirby. He's always like this, but he won't hurt you."
"And you're sure about that?" Lampy said back.
"Yeah!" Blanky chimed in, "He may seem like a grouch, but if you get to know him, he's actually a big softie!" Kirby let out a huff, before turning away entirely.
"I'm not an anything," He said, "I'm going back to sleep. If they find you out of place, it's not my problem." As he disappeared back into his closet, Lampy finally came out of hiding.
"What does he mean by that?" He found his confidence slowly returning. "Masters? Mistress? Finding us out of place?"
"Well, you see-..." Radio had begun to explain, before it sunk in, "You really have no idea, do you?" Lampy shook his head, genuinely lost. "Oh, boy…" He was going to start again, but heard something. "Uh oh. Someone's coming." The appliances, aside from Lampy, began to panic.
"And only Toaster's supposed to be here! We have to hide!" Blanky gasped. Afterwards, Toaster leapt to his counter, while Blanky and Radio both went somewhere non-suspicious - Blanky hiding in the chair of the main room, and Radio deciding on a shelf in the same area. Lampy was left alone.
"Hey, what does all this mean?!" He called out.
"It means we have to freeze!" Toaster uttered, before doing so himself. From this, Lampy seemed to understand, nodding.
"Oh, okay!" Promptly, he froze, but fell to his side with a thunk. Internally, Toaster cringed.
He didn't just… Freeze in the middle of the floor, did he? He heard Radio.
Yup… Toaster replied.
That naive son of a gun… I got an idea. As one of the family members, the Mistress, came down the steps, Radio suddenly started playing a drama, to disguise what had been really going down. The Mistress noticed, going over to him, mystified.
Quick, Blanky, while she's distracted! Take Lampy back upstairs! Toaster said. To his relief, Blanky wasted no time, unfreezing and crawling over to Lampy. He tried to get him to unfreeze, but to no avail. Instead, Blanky started carrying him up the stairs while the Mistress fiddled with Radio until he finally shut off.
Meanwhile, internally, Kirby was having a hearty laugh from in his closet. TV was amazed by the sight. AC wasn't surprised.
When upstairs, Blanky placed Lampy back in his spot on the nightstand, switching him on, and lay upon the bed of the Master, proceeding to freeze.
We're saved! He announced.
Oh, that's a relief, Toaster was heard, Radio, that was very risky. But… I'm glad you did it.
And how! Radio added, Let's hope no more trouble comes our way, because I'm going back to sleep!
I like that idea… Toaster admitted, Goodnight everyone. After some goodnight responses, he turned in.
Meanwhile, after minutes of silence, Lampy unfroze, confused as to where he was. He vaguely recalled being carried, but that was about it. "I really should pay more attention," He whispered to himself.
Not long after, he spotted Radio entering the room, having made sure it was safe. Noticing Lampy unfrozen, he looked up towards him and muttered, "Never again. Next time, you're on your own.".
"I don't think I understand, Radio," Lampy began to inquire, fortunately still in a low volume, "What happened? What did I do wrong? I froze, like Toaster said to!"
"Alright, I'll give you that much," Radio relented, managing to hop on top of the dresser, "Listen. As appliances, we have our designated... "Spots". When Humans come around, like the Masters and Mistress, we are to be frozen at those spots. We can't afford to confuse them too much by, say, randomly being found in the middle of the floor."
"Okay, I think I get it!" Lampy nodded, understanding, "But why do we need to be frozen? Why can't we say hello to them?"
"... Yikes," Radio drooped at first, "I don't think I've ever heard a question like that before. You've got a lot to learn, kid."
"Then, teach me!" Radio emitted a sigh. Luckily for him, Blanky had been overhearing everything, and unfroze to speak up.
"It's against the rules," He said, though wasn't happy to admit it, "Believe me, I've wished that I could stay unfrozen around the Master, but we just can't. The Humans would get scared!"
"But we wouldn't hurt them," Lampy reasoned.
"It doesn't matter," Radio added, "What they don't understand, they fear. And before you mention "helping them understand", that sort of thing just won't fly. They aren't like you, and they aren't like us. They... Won't want to understand."
"That's a shame..." Lampy lamented, but didn't push further than that. Eventually, they bid each other goodnight, and settled down to sleep at long last.
Except, Lampy wasn't tired. Although grasping that night was for sleeping, he found himself still quite energized; it was most likely a side-effect of awakening at this time. Having learned his lesson, he dared not to leave the room, instead switching himself off and sinking into his thoughts. Whenever he noticed the Master shifting position, his new instinct was to freeze.
This kept up for hours.