Two, Then Three
Written by RadRapo
Part 1/2: Yes, He Is My Master
The day started as others before it had; the Sun rose, casting light through the windows. From the office room upstairs, came a somber, but vintage tune, emitted from the speaker of Radio. Following it was a newscast, reflecting a similar mood, if not sounding dreary more than anything else.
"Good morning to yet another boring day, of our boring lives," He began. "Would you look at that? The arrival of the Master and Mistress is soon, I'm sure. I wonder what that couple will do this time; loaf around and watch some television? Go outside for some fresh air? Or perhaps it's too hot, and they'll keep the air conditioning at max."
"Maybe they'll want to give the place a good cleaning, it's been months, you say," He let out a dry chuckle. "Well, thanks to our grumpy, but diligent housemate, we've kept the place clean all year round. They wonder how it's possible. What do we tell them? Anyway..."
"They certainly won't be wanting to hear the news," He continued once more. "They won't want to listen to any music, and they won't even want an alarm. This, I know for a fact. I am to sit on a shelf, collecting dust - like a knick-knack that a packrat has trouble letting go of. What's the point of me being here?" He sighed. "I just want to know..."
From downstairs, Air Conditioner heard it all. He could surmise that Kirby and TV did as well. He wore a somewhat concerned expression as he eyed each of their spots: The closet, and next to the fireplace.
"He's moping again..." He uttered, now talking over the broadcaster. "I mean, I get it. I wouldn't like to be ignored by the Master and Mistress either."
"Every Summer, it's the same old thing," TV switched his screen on, displaying his Human avatar. He crossed his arms and tsked in pity. "Poor guy feels outmoded. One step away from a scrapyard. Then again, he might... Rather have that." There was a scoff from the closet. It opened, the vacuum rolling out.
"Well, I like not having to be used a lot when they're here." He mentioned, a little too proudly.
"Isn't that because you never take a break from chores?" AC couldn't help but smirk, but lightly. "But when they show up, you finally chill out your germophobia. They make messes, but you do nothing about it unless they need you to."
Kirby avoided his gaze suddenly. "How would you know that?"
"I see what goes on here, you know; I pay close attention to this cottage," AC replied, coolly. "That, and you're always telling the screen and dial-face when it's time for cleaning. And where. And how. And why. Especially this time of year. It's almost cute, how you want things to look presentable-"
"Alright, that's enough out of you!" Kirby raised his voice and hastily rolled off somewhere else. AC pouted, even if the other wouldn't see it.
"Aw c'mon, my succulent, don't give me the cold shoulder..."
"Shut off, you blowhard!" AC merely laughed.
"Whoops, I made him all flustered," He muttered, before going back to the original topic. "Well, dontcha think it's about time to cheer up that GE? He's playing more blues." What he said was true. The other two appliances thought about it.
"I would, believe me!" TV responded first. "But I'm pretty sure he wouldn't want to hear it. You fellas might not be able to tell, but he glares daggers at me every time we cross paths!"
"Isn't that like, every day?"
"Yes!" AC groaned, then looked over at Kirby again. He went to open his mouth, but didn't get the chance to say anything.
"No," He was blunt, decisive. "Before coming here, he was a pompous idiot. His high horse could've reached the Moon. What if he needs this?"
"I don't think anyone needs whatever he's going through!" TV disagreed. As if to prove a point, Kirby roved over to the staircase.
"What's wrong with this picture?" He simply asked. TV's persona scratched his head in wonder.
"What's the matter? I could climb up that, no problem!"
"I probably could too, if I wasn't designed to be in a wall," AC mused in agreement. "And if I were in your place, I wouldn't hold anything back from trying. What's stopping you, then?"
"Vacuums aren't made for stairs." Was Kirby's answer. When no response came, he let out a small yell of frustration. "Oh, forget it! I don't need this." From there, he went back into his closet. The sound of blues music filled the cottage once again.
"I really do worry about him; and him, too," AC lowered his voice as to not let the departed vacuum hear, as he gazed at the closet, then to the ceiling. Finally, he looked at TV. "You sure you can't try?"
"I have, and nothing gets through to the guy," TV lamented. "He won't even tell me what I've done wrong. If it has anything to do with stealing his thunder, well... I can't help that."
"... He really does feel outmoded."
A yellow electric blanket stayed by the side of the infant, who was a few months old. Today, the parents were doing something out of the ordinary. Most of it he had to listen to, which was understandable - only when it was just him and little Rob, could he reveal himself to keep the tot company.
Of course, he wouldn't dare call him by name, as it was the second-to-ultimate taboo of the Rules. To the fuzzy blanket, he was his Master.
During a moment of privacy, the living room's table lamp chimed in. "That time of year again..."
"What do you mean?" The voice of the electric blanket was just as baby-sounding as the Master's own, minus the gibberish. Another lamp, a floor variety, answered.
"They're going out to their Summer cottage. That's the time of year." A look of worry crossed the blanket's face.
"Why's that?!"
"Relax, Blanket," The table lamp couldn't help but smirk. "Humans just like their vacations. We'll be getting one here soon." The fuzzy appliance made a face, as though wanting to correct him on his name - which was Blanky, by the way! - but there was no point. Every time he tried, they always brushed it off.
"Three months of doing whatever we want!" Chimed in the floor lamp again. From above, a ceiling light & fan began to laugh.
"Oh, please invite me to the parties!"
"You're already there! You're always so early!"
"And last to leave! Actually, I don't think you ever do..." All three lamps continued with their mirth. However, Blanky wasn't so assured. He couldn't help but glance over at the baby next to him, the bundle of joy nestled snugly in the carrier.
"But... What about the Master?" To the question, the lighting appliances all rolled their eyes.
"Ah, the kid? He'll be fine; that's what parents are for!" The table lamp answered. The words only fell on deaf ears, for Blanky could recall instances where it was he who made sure of that.
Perhaps the others just don't realize how fickle the older Master and Mistress are, he decided.
Then, the table lamp got an idea. "Say, if you're so concerned about his wellbeing, go along! What harm could it bring?" At last, Blanky lit up, breaking away from the carrier.
"Go along..." He echoed at first, before he beamed. "Yeah! I think I'll do that!" He turned back to the infant, reaching out a soft corner of fabric for him. "I'm going too, Master! I'll be there, and you'll be safe! After all, it's always better to bring a friend..." With some light babbling, the gesture was returned.
Just then, all the appliances in the room had to freeze, the adult Humans appearing. One of them scooped up the carrier, noticing how Blanky was clung onto by their son. They remarked with a chuckle about how "he really wants the blanket to go too", and went on their way. With the closing and locking of the door, the lamps sprang back to life.
"Ohhh, you're so bad." Remarked the ceiling light in a snide fashion.
"Why's that?" The table lamp asked.
"That Cottage is a place of No Return. Once you go there, you never come back. Why, last time they took appliances, it was a radio, a TV, and a vacuum... Never heard from them again. Some say they've been driven crazy! That Blanket is as good as gone; the poor thing will never survive."
"Oh, huh. Whoops."
The ride out to the fabled Cottage couldn't have taken more than an hour, but to Blanky, it felt a whole lot longer. Still, he played with and watched over the Master. At the very least, the electric blanket already felt more assured that the infant was in safe hands... Folds? Close enough.
Briefly however, he couldn't help but wonder what other machines resided there. Probably a few lighting ones, some kitchen, things that clean, and most likely some sort of temperature regulation. Now, Blanky's best strengths were with heating; but he knew that, like all things, it's best in moderation.
Therefore, cooling should follow the same principle.
Due to this thought, he knew that he was bound to see a whole household of others soon! He smiled - if there was anything Blanky wasn't, it was shy. Plus, it was always nice to meet more folks. In any case, they ought to be more humble than the ones back at the apartment.
Three months where they can do what they want? Well, then consider it as Blanky's time of solace. Though he knew he hasn't been around for long, they could be so draining...
Suddenly, the car parked. He couldn't hold back a quiet gasp. "Are we there yet?" He whispered, going unnoticed by the semi-distracted parents. Blanky looked through the car window, his dial pressing against the glass. There, not far from their location, was a little house. His eyes widened from adoration.
"It's so cute...! This must be it!" He turned back to the tot in the carrier. "We're here, Master! We're here! Oh gosh, I'm so excited!" When the parents went to exit the car, Blanky cheerily nestled into the carrier with the Master, freezing.
As eager as he was, he refrained from sneaking glances as the two were taken inside. The mother remarked something about how the place looked "as clean as ever". Well, that was good to know.
Eventually, things settled down, as now the parents became occupied by the sudden need of renovating one of the rooms. The office was going to be moved next door, within the bedroom, in order to become a nursery. Why they never came up here to do so ahead of time was beyond Blanky's knowledge.
The yellow electric blanket proceeded back downstairs (after letting the Master know, of course), using this opportunity to acquaint himself with the cottage residents. Along the way, he saw various lighting appliances, usually in the ceiling or along the wall. None of them reacted to his presence, which was a relief.
Even if he was all for meeting lamps who weren't like those back at the apartment, he couldn't help but be weary.
Scanning the living room, he noticed a TV, a radio on the shelf, and an AC unit in the window. The kitchen also held very little promise. It was a lot less diverse than he was expecting, but he would take what he can get. If they remained strangely still, however, then that would be an entirely different, more disappointing matter.
"Hello? Is anyone here?" He called, quietly.
"Hello there." Blanky turned to the source of the voice, finding that AC had unfroze. "Welcome to the McGroarty Cottage. I'm Air Conditioner." The TV turned his screen on, hobbling over to join them.
"I've been called TV around here!" He added, his avatar doing a small bow. "But Rabbit Ears will do, if you prefer! It's nice to meet someone new, for a change!" Blanky began to smile, giving both a wave.
"Oh, thank you! It's nice to meet you too! I'm Blanky, and I come from the City! Though, I came here because of..." While the electric blanket conversed, Radio watched from the shelf, switched on but silent. It was hard to tell what he was thinking, or feeling.
Finally, he jumped down, sneaking upstairs to what was once the office room. The parents were busy, so he managed to take a gander at the carrier, hopping onto its rim. It was one thing from a distance, but it was something else to see the infant up close. His dial needle began to falter from its North position.
The baby looked just like...
Radio turned away, but just as he tried to leave, he felt his antenna being tugged. He nearly froze until he realized that the hand was far too tiny to have been one of the adults. Plus, what kind of fool would grab him by the antenna, anyway? Well, only the kind that didn't know any better.
Looking a second time, he found himself losing it even more. At this tiny thing's age, it probably didn't mean much, but... Glancing at the adults in the room, who were trying to build a crib from a DIY kit, he managed to speak, of course in a low tone.
"Sorry, kid. I gotta go n-now. I just can't, uh... M-Maybe later." He carefully freed his antenna from the grip, then hastily exited. When out of earshot, he briefly resumed. "Mother of Roosevelt. He's a father now. Oh my God. Please let there be hope for me."
Blanky was able to settle in quite well amongst the native machines, almost too well in Kirby's opinion. He hadn't left his closet since earlier, but could still sneak a peek through the ajar door whenever the idea struck him. In fact, he was sure that Blanky didn't know of his existence, and as much as it would've been nice if that were to change... This was probably for the best.
It could've just been him, but the blanket seemed a bit... Ah, how to say it... Soft. As for Kirby, he considered himself to be the opposite. Plus, he wasn't sure if he felt capable of handling himself well around the newcomer of the family.
So, as long as he stayed in here for the next three months, is never used during this time, and kept quiet, the blanket would leave with the Master, Mistress, and their child... Three months. That was nothing, he knew it!
... Or, someone from the outside could rat out his one and only hiding spot. By slamming the door open. By dragging him out with the winding of an antenna ear around his stem. By laughing like a man who's lost their mind.
TV was one such guy. "C'mon Kirby, come out of your little cave, and say hello!"
Seriously, how could he betray him like this? Kirby thought the guy had his back! What had he done lately? Was it his way of getting payback for all those chore days? Oh, when this was over, he had half a mind to take the idiot out behind the cottage for a discussion - with his handle and plug. Of all the things-
"And it only took 15 minutes," AC noted, with a small laugh. "A new record!"
It was only 15 minutes? Not even an hour?! Oh, this is the worst day of his life. This is so embarrassing, he hated this to the core. If there was a God, please end the pain of social constructs by rupturing his-
"Oh, hello, Kirby! I didn't know you were in there! Are you the one who keeps everything so spotless? I'm very impressed; you must work so hard!"
Kirby's mind went silent, and for a short while, he had no idea what to do or say. Was he dying? ... No, he internally sighed warily. Then, despite being too far away, he began to notice a bit of warmth, a pinch of cheer. The blanket's demeanor was almost contagious. Almost. In the end, Kirby managed to retain his own stoic, uninterested stance as he replied.
"... Thanks." He peered over at the staircase, finding Radio sitting upon the lowest step. Quickly, he rolled up to the stairwell, before yanking him from his spot. Carrying the almost yelling Bakelite, he brought him over to the group. Blanky wasn't quite sure how to take what was going on, but figured the vacuum meant well.
"What's the meaning of this?" Radio was asking, in a livid manner, fidgeting relentlessly. "Set me down!" He shut up as Kirby did so, but face-to-face with the bewildered electric blanket. The smaller appliance twitched as Kirby spoke.
"Your turn, Dial-Face."
"Oh, yes! Meet Radio!" TV agreed, nodding. "He's the oldest of our little clan!"
"Yeah, he's basically a fossil..." Kirby couldn't help but add. At least it was helping to ease his own awkward tension.
"Excuse me?!" Radio turned to the both of them, "28 isn't that old! I still have a wilder spirit than the both of you combined!"
"Wow...!" He paused when he heard Blanky's surprise, facing him again when he continued. "You're the oldest? I'm just a week and a half! It's an honor, Radio!" The Bakelite began to swell in pride.
"... Well, when you put it like that," He chuckled, "I'm just thrilled to see my wisdom noticed!"
"Does he even have any?" AC quirked an eyebrow. Kirby and Radio answered at the same time. It left Blanky confused.
"Yes!"
"No."