Ichor in the Walls

Amelie sweeps. Amelie sleeps.

Amelie does not risk being overly eager. Being a robot means being patient…

…though they have this urge to just—

INITIATING SLEEP MOOOOOOOooooooo

Amelie notices they are going into forced sleep easily. Before they can determine why, they sleep…!

Several nights of fruitless searching pass. Then, at last, Amelie finally discovers Ichor lurking in the attic. The shapeless thing has sloughed up onto the windowsill and is gazing out at the night-dappled woods around the Bed & Breakfast. Its eyes flick over to Amelie briefly before returning to the window. "What's it like out there?" Ichor asks.

Amelie peers out the window. "Beautiful."

They try to provide the perfect answer.
FILE NOT FOUND

"These past nights, I have anticipated this question from you. I have contemplated its answer, and found myself unable to script words that can truly tell you what it is like out there. I thought it was a limitation of my programming.

"But now I understand. Out There is not a place that can be told. It must be experienced for you to truly know what it is like.

"I can only tell you that, if you choose to go out there, you will be welcomed."

Ichor is silent for a long time. It squelches and roils in contemplation.

"This world is big and bright. I am used to the small and dark. What if I get lost? Will you help me find my way?"

"I would be glad to help." Amelie then considers the time of night, and that silly sleep spell that Yazeba will probably get bored with and stop casting. But now… its effect will last until sunup, which is hours away. "If you would like to familiarize yourself with the place, I can give you a tour while everyone sleeps."

"Okay. Fine, what the hey. I’ll give life outside the walls a shot. But I reserve the right to back inside if all these other weirdoes here turn out to be jerks! And if anybody tries to touch me, I will bite them!"

---

And that is the story of how Amelie convinced Ichor to emerge from its hiding place and become a proper guest of Yazeba’s Bed & Breakfast!