Chapter Text
Oh, things were going to be different around here.
New objects were created every single day, although Skylar Specs certainly knew how to make an entrance. Celia had known of her for a while now - the rumours of an object that could make them visible to living eyes had spread through their dimension like one of Dante’s more passionate romances - although Skylar had yet to make a personal appearance. Quentin had been the first to tell the tale, promptly followed by a small gang of test tubes who were rather easy to break in questioning. However, an actual appearance had not yet occurred.
Until now.
Celia had watched from above as poor Dorian’s windows shattered (something Tony could fix) and the little gift box was thrown rather spectacularly onto dear Florence. And then her human had moved – stumbling, bumbling, opening the door into their face – and those shiny little aviators were sitting so darling in the box. And Celia just knew – simply knew – that her life was about to change.
But now the human was safely in bed, Betty brushing a hand over their forehead to soothe them into deeper sleep, and Skylar was perched rather happily against the end table. Now the theatrics were over, introductions were in order.
Knock-knock. “Mayor Celia?”
“Come in.”
Florence bustled in, the famed newcomer not far behind. Celia smiled warmly at Florence, before turning to Skylar Specs. “Thank you for coming. Please, do take a seat.”
As Skylar rested in a white leather armchair, Florence bustled off to make tea. She always did that – invited everyone in, then made herself scarce so the meeting felt more formal, only to return with a near-perfect to perfect tea preference to ease any nerves. She was such a darling.
Although it appeared that Celia needed not to worry about nerves – Skylar sat with the brightest smile she had ever seen, rivalling Lux's glow. Her legs were crossed underneath her pencil skirt, her hair still perfectly parted, those aviators resting easily on her nose. “Mayor Stipple! I’ve heard much about you, a pleasure to see you in the plaster.”
Celia smiled at Skylar, delighted that the newcomer was just as polite and joyous to other objects as she was to the human. “And an honour to see you as well. It is not everyday we get an object that shakes up the house as much as you. But please, no need for such formalities. Celia is perfectly fine.”
“Alright, Celia.” Skylar leans forward, forearms resting on her raised knee. “I understand I’ll be changing a lot around here, but please – I would much rather treat this as a, uh… an interdimensional diplomacy! And I am the diplomat."
“An emissary or representative may be a more technically correct term, but let us not get bogged down in technicalities.” Celia tented her fingers, leaning back in her own chair. “Rest assured that I would never think of you as a troublemaker. Of course, your arrival has brought a new atmosphere to the house, but you don’t seem like the sort who would wish to cause us harm. But, we can navigate it.”
Skylar let out a quick sigh that almost sounded like a very quiet ‘yay’. “Agreed! I’ll be checking in with the human regularly – just to sort out my own navigation, any questions they may have, etcetera. I think with me aiding the human in their actions, and you continuing to do your mayoral duties with the rest of the objects, we can have a real harmonious relationship here!”
“I like the sound of that.”
Florence knocked quickly on the door, only opening it once Celia confirmed entry was acceptable with a quick ‘come in’. She bustled in with a tray, two steaming cups of tea, a filled teapot, a little jug of creamer and some sugar cubes in a porcelain pot rested atop. “Sorry for interrupting!”
“Not at all, dearest. Skylar, it would be my absolute pleasure to introduce you to Florence, my secretary. I doubt this place would be half as smoothly operating without her.”
Of course, Florence blushed deeply with that lovely shade that made her cheeks glow. Skylar smirked knowingly, taking up her teacup with a smile. “And my absolute pleasure to meet her! Skylar Specs, the Dateviators.”
“Ah, Florence! I’m just the floor. Little old floor!”
Celia smiled, picking up her own teacup with a knowing smile. “There’s nothing ‘little’ about you, dear. The effect you have on anyone who comes to meet me is extraordinary.”
Skylar nodded enthusiastically. “I agree! I knew I’d be a little bit of a sight to behold, but you made me feel more than welcome. Although I think I am now plastered all over Placebook from Phoenicia…”
Celia frowned. “I’ll… talk to her about appropriate posting.”
At the topic change, Florence bustled out to avoid getting any more attention.
Skylar took a sip of her tea, setting the cup back onto the tray. “But yes – rest assured that I am here to help! I am here for a reason, but it shouldn’t affect anyone here negatively. Think of the human as just another object who has come to the house! Just someone else to talk to and make friends with.”
“A rather long-standing object, but I understand your point. I would certainly appreciate you introducing yourself around to everyone – you may be a more… unique object, but you are still one of us.”
“Not a problem!”
The rest of the talk was simple and easy, both spending the hours merely getting to know each other. Skylar was quite the storyteller, telling tall tales of her time in the lab during her creation, of Franklin nervously getting to know her, of the sheer chaos of her creator's lives and the world she had stepped into. Well, the world they were all stepping into now - whether or not there was a physical change, Celia knew that life would never be the same. But, as the mayor, she could weather any trouble for her dear friends. And, thankfully, Skylar seemed like a staunch ally and a good woman, which was always good to know.
After Florence returned with news of everyone’s excitement at the newcomer, Skylar rose to her feet. “Well, I’d best get to know everyone’s names before the human wakes! Much easier to know when to step in, you know how it is.”
“I completely agree.”
Skylar downed the rest of her tea with her brilliant smile. “And tell Florence she makes excellent tea! I can’t wait to return.”
“I shall let her know.”
And with a flick of her fantastic hair, Skylar Specs disappeared out of the office.