Divine Singularity || Reader x Murder Drones

The business dinner had gone somewhat smoothly, or so you gathered from the passing whispers of the other worker drones. A deal had been struck and the Elliots would be getting even more wealthy than they already were. That bit of good news brought a faint smile to your face. A successful dinner meant a satisfied James and Louisa Elliot, and, by extension, a safe Tessa. For now, anyway.

You wandered through the long, lavish halls of the Elliot manor, the polished tiles reflecting the dim glow of the ornate sconces. Night had finally fallen, your duties were done, and more importantly, you were no longer burdened with babysitting Cyn. The moment you were dismissed, you bolted. Now, with a sliver of free time, you eagerly sought out Tessa, hoping to spend what little remained of the evening with her.

As you approached her door, however, an unsettling scene greeted you. J, V, and N were huddled together just outside, their visors dimmed with worry and postures uneasy. The sight made you freeze for a moment before panic began to churn in your circuits. N was pacing, his steps small and frantic, while V wrung her hands, her gaze flickering between the floor and the closed door. J stood rigid, arms crossed, but the faint flicker of emotion on her visor betrayed her frustration—or perhaps worry. Without thinking, you hurried forward.

"What's going on?" you asked, gently grabbing N by the shoulder.

N startled slightly at your touch but quickly turned his gaze to the door. "Tessa made a mistake during the dinner," he said, his voice. "Something about etiquette. Her parents got mad... and punished her."

Your core lurched. "Chains?" The word felt sour in your voice.

N shook his head, but his tone offered little comfort. "Not this time."

The relief you felt was fleeting, crushed almost immediately by the weight of the unknown. If it wasn't chains, what was it? You let go of N and stepped closer to the door, peering at it as if you could see through the polished wood to whatever horrors lay inside.

"What kind of punishment?" you pressed, your gaze darting back to N.

"We're not sure," V murmured, her voice trembling. Her hands clutched the fabric of her skirt tightly, and she looked as though she might collapse under the weight of her own anxiety. "She told us not to come in. She didn't want us to see."

"She's been in there for hours," J added. Her fists clenched at her sides, and for once, she looked unsure of herself. "I could hear her crying earlier."

That was all you needed to hear. Without hesitation, you stepped past them and reached for the doorknob.

"Wait," J hissed, moving to block you. "She told us not to—"

"She's hurt, J," you snapped, your voice firmer than you intended.

"I know that, you dolt! I'm worried too, but—"

You met her glare head-on, your optics narrowing. "If you're so worried, then why haven't you gone in yet?"

J faltered, her demeanor slipping for a brief moment. "Because... because we have to listen to orders," she said quietly, almost as if she were trying to convince herself. "Tessa told me to leave her be. Corporate has spoken."

You didn't have time for this. Stepping around J, you pushed the door open, ignoring her protests and the startled gasps from the others. Inside, the room was dark, save for the faint glow of moonlight filtering through the curtains. Tessa sat on the edge of her bed, her small frame hunched over, her face buried in her hands.

"Tessa?" you called gently, taking a cautious step forward.

She didn't look up, but you heard her sharp intake of breath. "I told you all not to come in," she whispered, her voice trembling.