x
You enter the dining hall already calculating the most probable deity to pray to. If one even existed.
Okay, L, focus. Serve dinner. How hard can it be?
They really couldn't wait just a few days for that "bug" to go away?
A human comes up to you and examines you. You straighten up...or at least try.
"So this is the one with the bug, eh?"
J walks up to your side and wraps her arm around you with a smirk. "Oh, yeah. That's him/her. But I'm sure they're just as good as any drone would be. Isn't that right, L?"
You look at J. She wants to see you fail. You know she does. You give a jerky nod. "Yeah, I can do things."
You then look at V, who is carefully filling the glasses. She looks up at you and her visor flashes. Replacing her eyes is a sentence saying, "I can do it for you."
You shake your head quickly. No. You would do it. You had to do it. Despite this malfunction. This bug. You couldn't let it stop you from being a useful drone.
With stiff, calculated movements, you grab the nearest serving tray. Your fingers twitch against the metal, but you steady yourself. Okay. Just take the food, walk to the table, and set it down. Simple.
You turn toward the counter where the plates are neatly stacked, ready to be served. V gives you a hesitant look but says nothing as she continues pouring drinks. N, ever supportive, gives you a double thumbs-up from across the room. J, of course, leans against the wall with an infuriating smirk, waiting for you to mess up.
You exhale a little static and lift the first plate. Your arms twitch, but you manage to balance it. Then another. And another. You carefully place them on the tray, holding your breath with each movement.
See? You can do this. No problem.
Then you take your first step.
Your leg spasms, jerking forward faster than you intended. The tray wobbles, and you instinctively overcorrect. Your arms snap up too high, launching one of the plates into the air.
No, no, NO!
You lunge, arms flailing-
Only for the plate to land perfectly on another tray N is carrying.
There's a pause. You, N, V, J, and Tessa all stare at the tray in N's hands, where the plate now sits undisturbed.
N blinks. "Oh! Nice save, L!"
You let out a static-choked laugh, barely processing the miracle that just occurred. "Y-yeah! Totally meant to do that!"
V, meanwhile, hands you a different plate to replace the one you nearly sent flying. You nod stiffly, gripping it with extra care.
The rest of the process is a blur of concentration. Your limbs jolt here and there, but you manage-setting down plates, pouring drinks (with minimal spillage of course), and keeping your balance.
You aren't perfect. You aren't even good. But you finish the task.
By the end, you stand stiffly at the edge of the room, tray clutched to your chest, visor flickering with residual panic.
Tessa grins. "See? You did it!"
N claps. "Great job, L!"
J rolls her eyes. "Barely."
V gives you a small nod. "You did...okay."
You process their reactions, uncertain how to feel. You didn't fail. Not completely.
Maybe... Maybe you could do this.
Maybe this bug would go away.
And maybe you would become perfect.
°^°
Another day at the bar with Cyn...
Sweep...sweep...sweep...
Not that you hate being here or anything. You love being here. Cyn is one of the only drones-aside from V and N-who care.
"Sweep, sweep, sweep." You mutter as sweep the floor.
It's been not three, days, not a week, but two months. And your malfunction still isn't gone. And you've started to wonder... was the malfunctioning really just a bug?
You messed up too many times. Of course, Tessa wanted to keep you to play with. But her parents had other plans. "We'll make her/him useful" they said. "We'll make them a cleaner" they said.
Cyn blinks. "Curious. Why do you act like me, L?"
"Shrug." You say with a shrug. "I guess I just got used to it every time I'm around you."
Cyn tilts her head, processing your words. Then, after a moment, she gives a slow, deliberate nod. "Sheepish nod."
You huff out a static-laced chuckle. "See? Now you're copying me."
Cyn blinks again, then smiles. "Giggle."
You go back to sweeping, but your thoughts linger. Two months. That's how long it's been. Two months of stiff movements, twitches, and stares. Two months of spilled drinks, dropped trays, and J's endless, mocking commentary. Two months of V trying to help, of N's unwavering support, of Tessa treating you like a fun little pet while her parents treated you like a defective machine.
Cyn watches you, her fingers tapping idly on the bar counter. "You are... unhappy?"
You hesitate. "I... don't know."
Cyn tilts her head the other way. "Curious. Why?"
You grip the broom tighter. Because I don't fit in. Because I was supposed to get better. Because I'm still broken.
You don't say any of that. Instead, you force out a weak laugh. "Guess I'm just tired."
Cyn hums, considering your words. Then she leans closer, her eyes flickering. "Conspiracy."
You blink. "Huh?"
"Climbing up. Criss cross applesauce." Cyn folds hear hands in her lap. "Perhaps the humans lied."
You stare at her. "About... what?"
"About your...bug," Cyn says simply. "They said it would go away. It did not."
Your grip on the broom tightens. "Well... maybe I just need more time."
Cyn blinks again, then shrugs. "Nod."
You sigh and go back to sweeping. But Cyn's words stick with you.
She had a point. They all said it would go away in a few days. Every human, every drone worker, every drone manufacturer. But yet, here you are, and you are still malfunctioning.
Maybe J was right. Maybe you were a defect.
And if that was true... then what were you supposed to do now?
ns 15.158.61.11da2
