(Sorry for the re-uploads, this document was giving me a hard time.)

So, this chapter I'm introducing an original character but they're not supposed to play a big role and won't be too involved with the main plot.

I tend to dislike when OCs are a huge part of fanfiction so I thought I'd clear that up.

Back to it!

Initial completion: September 6, 2021

Bright and early in the morning and Silver was awake just before the sun could sneak into the room. But as warm and hopeful as a new day could be today was simply not a day he looked forward to. Silver groaned as he rolled out of the bed and readied himself for whatever today had in store for him.

But he tried putting negative thoughts aside as he went through the hallway.

He found Sarah already up and more than ready for the day. She was just about to put on her mob cap when she caught Silver as he entered the room rather sluggishly.

"Good morning," she greeted warmly.

Her genuine smile lifted his spirits just a bit, encouraging him to give a slight smile in return, "Likewise, lass."

She motioned to the stairs, "Shall we?"

He nodded with a sigh and she led him up to the second floor while he gingerly followed.

He still wasn't sure about letting all of these people see him. What if they somehow knew who he was, or spend the entire time gawking at his cybernetics as so many others had before?

He shook his head, again trying to free himself of those thoughts. Maybe it wasn't so bad, at least he was on the upper floor and wouldn't be moving from room to room being seen by any random diners that came in.

As the two went up the creaking stairs Sarah began to speak. "I know this is an inn, but I think it's important to help people when they need it," she explained. "Most of the folks on this floor are older and will need help with some basic tasks. Getting dressed, cleaning their room, and the like. Everyone already knows B.E.N. and he knows the ropes so he'll be fine."

The moment she finished talking was when they had finally reached the top of the steps and Silver got a full eye of just how many rooms were up here.

There were significantly more rooms upstairs than downstairs, making him instantly think he should have expected this considering there was no dining area to take up the space in here. But that realization did not relieve him enough to stop a disapproving look from spreading on his face.

"Aren't you coming?"

Sarah's voice brought him back to reality, where he had stopped walking and instead took a step back. He cleared his throat and tried not to let on how much he wanted to jump off the banister and get out of there.

"Well, eh… ya see, lass, I was jus' wonderin' if, eh…" His hand rubbed the back of his neck as his mind scrambled for words. "If maybe, perhaps I could, eh… work out 'ere in th' hall, yeah?"

Sarah almost smiled, "I'd be glad to let you but as you can see, the people that need help are in the rooms, not out here."

Silver frowned, "But lass, ye know I-"

"I know," she interrupted. "But these folks are old. Some of them can't remember much and most of them can't see well anymore."

Silver thought about this argument and it did make sense. What were the chances of his secret coming out?

However, he still wanted out, "I don't know, lass…"

"You did agree to this arrangement already," she reminded him.

Silver huffed at the comment, "Didn't t'ink I signed up to work in an ol' folks home."

Sarah's expression quickly hardened. "But you did sign up to help me, and that entails helping my clients."

His face scrunched up, not happy with this development, "What would th' likes o' me want to do wit' carin' fer a boatload of wrinkled strangers?"

Sarah furrowed her brow and brought her hands to her hips. "You ought to know to have respect for the elderly and disabled."

"Sure," he answered with a quick nod, "… but what's 'at got to do wit' brushin' their teeth for 'em?"

Sarah somehow looked even angrier and was clearly losing her patience. "It's either helping up here or downstairs with B.E.N., neither of which are any problem for me." Her finger pointed down at the space between them, "But you are working at this inn and you are working today."

Silver stared back into her heated expression, her posture did not even flinch as he towered over her.

But he let out a huffed sigh before relaxing his face and shutting his mouth. He wasn't about to blow his perfectly fine cover over this.

Better these strangers than that robot.

As the morning began Silver followed Sarah around, openly displaying his reluctance of people seeing him and his distaste for these particular chores.

The first room, fortunately for him, housed an old blind man. While this was something of a relief he was so frail he needed help to get dressed and move to the chair. Silver tried to avoid touching this man with his cybernetic arm and did so successfully, relieved that this room was done.

But Sarah was definitely less than pleased with how flighty her assistant was being.

The second room had a woman with a dozen eyes but she did not speak. Sarah helped her dress as Silver tidied the bed, but this woman would not take her many eyes off of him the entire time. Silver tried ignoring it until eventually Sarah politely asked her to stop.

While he was internally grateful for this he was still being stubborn. Sarah tried to be patient with his sour attitude and only became stern with him whenever he was particularly difficult.

Things weren't going too bad so far, but who knew how long this luck would last.

The third room had an older woman who was very short with dull green skin and white and silver hair which Sarah helped brush.

"Okay," she said as she put the brush down, "I think we're finished here."

Silver let out a sigh of relief as he finished making the bed, to which Sarah only rolled her eyes. She briefly bid the woman goodbye but was stopped before they could leave the room.

"Pardon me, Sarah," the woman said. "I don't suppose you'd like to join me today?" Her wrinkled hands lifted a box onto her little table and opened it to reveal a folded wooden board and chess pieces.

Sarah sighed, "I'm sorry, Deb. You know I'm busy."

Deb waved her hand. "I know, dear," she reassured. "But I'll always ask, just in case."

This gave Silver a bright idea.

"How's about I join ya, ma'am?" he asked with a wide grin.

Deb's face quickly lit up. Sarah's did not.

"We've got people to tend to, John," she sternly reminded him. She definitely knew he was just trying to get out of work, but Silver still swiftly seated himself across from Deb.

"Ah, c'mon, lass. Takin' care o' people's got more to it 'an jus' gettin' 'em dressed and fed, surely." He began helping Deb set up the board and pieces before adding, "Jus' a few quick matches wit' th' lovely lady an' I'll be right with ya."

Sarah brought her hands to her hips as she glared at him. It seemed she was about to say something but Deb spoke up.

"Just for a bit, Sarah. I'll make sure he gets back to you like a good boy."

Silver gave the lady a thankful smile while they continued setting up.

Sarah remained silent before she heard the front door accompanied by a loud and familiar voice.

"G-o-o-o-o-o-d morning, everybody! Sorry I'm late, you just gotta love those detours, huh? Mrs. Hawkins?"

She recognized B.E.N. and let out a frustrated sigh.

"Thirty minutes," she told Silver. "If you don't find me I'll find you."

He gave her a big smile and quickly nodded.

She gazed at him, a frown still present as she took the broom and left.

Silver turned to Deb and let out a relieved sigh as she quickly moved her first pawn. "I can beat you twice in thirty minutes," she said confidently.

While he was initially surprised, Silver just as quickly moved one of his own pawns with a grin of his own.

"We'll see about 'at."

Now, Silver wasn't one to play games too often, but he did consider himself quite apt at chess.

However, he was finding himself stuck, trapped, and cornered by this elderly lady again and again. Their half-hour was almost up and Deb had beaten him three times.

"Checkmate, Johnny boy," she said with a smirk.

Silver leaned back in his chair and smacked himself on the forehead, "Can't say I remember when's th' las' time I lost at chess so pathetically."

She laughed as she began putting the pieces away. "I was the chess champion of many local tournaments back in my day, you know. My body might be senile but my brain is sharp as ever," she said, pointing a finger to her temple.

Silver raised an eyebrow and began to help her pick up the board. "Well, I guess I'll have to come back an' try to dethrone you sometime, won't I?" he playfully challenged.

"Would you?" she said enthusiastically. "That'd be a pleasant change of pace."

Silver stood up from the chair and gave her a quizzical look. Someone wanted his company? "Don't ya get company from Sarah or th' others?" he asked.

Deb placed her box back on the shelf as she answered, "I go visit the others myself, usually for chess or to join them in what they do. I mostly ask Sarah so that she can take a little break." She shrugged. "But she's usually too busy to do anything outside of work. Poor thing doesn't even have time for herself, that's why I'm so glad you're helping her."

Silver scratched his head, slightly confused, "Then why'd ya ask me to join ya if ye t'ink she needs more help?"

"As I said, I like a change of pace, and I am always looking for new opponents," she said with a smirk as she returned to her seat. "After all, just because we're a boatload of wrinkled folks doesn't mean we have to be strangers."

Silver's eyes widened, realizing he had completely forgotten how concerned he was about today, as Deb gave him a knowing smile.

Sarah suddenly stepped into the doorframe, arms crossed, "Time's up, John."

Silver rubbed the back of his neck. He still didn't really want to do these caregiving chores but perhaps he was being too stubborn before. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if people saw him, and they might not judge him so quickly.

Deb didn't.

"Do come back soon, John," she smiled brightly as she waved.

He turned back and gave a small bow as he smiled in return, "If th' landlady wishes it." With that, Silver waltzed out of the room and into the hallway as a pensive Sarah followed.