Chapter Text
It was quiet in the mansion.
Nothing really bothered you, and you bothered nothing back. Just like how the mansion seemed to exist for no known reason all around these trees, you seemed to exist for no known reason inside this big, empty space. You didn't know how long you've been here, why you're here, and who you even are. You can't even interact with any of the objects, phasing in and out of the walls, floating in the air as if you weighed nothing.
You were nothing, technically.
You were merely a ghostly apparition with no ability to touch or to feel, spending your life in a daze without anything but yourself.
Thinking all about these things… It didn't matter.
You feel nothing.
-0-
You realize the moment something has changed.
It wasn't that hard anyway. A rev of loud engines sliced through the silence swiftly and daresay only a deaf man would be unable to hear such a noise. Soon, low murmurs, soft footsteps almost akin to yours, and a rattling of what sounded like bones came outside the mansion walls. You were floating by idly, hanging around the height of the second floor, right beyond its' railways and going round and round the dusty chandelier, when this happened, and you merely tilted your head down in dull curiosity as the knob on the front door wiggled and clicked.
How many years has it been since you've had a guest in this empty mansion of yours? It's been so long, you seem to have forgotten how to speak. That must've been the only reason, since the murmurs coming from outside were nothing but unintelligible noises to your ears. How sad. The first time in a while since you had companions, yet you can't understand a word they sa–--the door slammed open and a groan sounded.
"fuckin' finally!"
...
You stand corrected. You understood them perfectly.
You floated, lying on your stomach, a hand supporting your chin, and your ghostly dress softly waving back and forth as if being affected by wind you never really felt. As sunlight dipped inside the musty room, particles of dust flying through the air and revealing lint-ridden floors and cloth-covered furniture for years past, you watched as three skeletons walked in.
Two of the skeletons donned a jacket but their designs greatly differed. The one that stepped in first had a simple blue one, a plain white t-shirt underneath, and also wore black shorts with a thick white stripe at its sides, his feet covered with socks and pink fuzzy slippers. He had a lazy, laidback grin as he took in the crumbly, messy place you called 'home' while smoothly ignoring the grumbles and mumbles from the skeleton beside him.
That one, on the other hand, just shoved a ring of keys inside the pockets of his shorts, which looked similar from the first skeleton but instead of white stripes, he had yellow ones instead. He wore a red turtleneck and a golden necklace glinting underneath a fuzzy red and black jacket, wild fur clinging at its hood. He had a scowl on his face with a golden tooth stark among the whites of his bones, bright red eyes roaming about the living room. He clicked his tongue and walked inside further than the first one.
"though' tha' there was somethin' fishy with the deal," he said. "thi' place looks like shit."
"OH, DON'T BE LIKE THAT, RED!" The last skeleton, who seemed to be wearing a gray and light-blue armor, immediately replied. His eyes were in the shape of stars as a wide, excited grin was stretching his face into absolute limits, blue gloved hands gripping tightly to his palms. "I, FOR ONE, THINK THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE SNATCH!!! I'M VERY SURE WE'VE FOUND THE WINNING HOUSE FOR ALL OF US, MWEHEHE!"
Red, you presumed, paused from his nosing around underneath the clothed couch.
"the fuck? ya wanta live in a dumphole like this? hell no, blues clues. boss would fuckin' dust me if his shitty boots gets even a smudge of dirt the moment he steps inside this place."
"IT'S OF NO PROBLEM TO DEFEAT SUCH EASY VILLAINS, FRIEND!!! ALL WE NEED IS A GOOD VACUUM AND LOTS OF HARD WORK, AND WE CAN TURN THIS PLACE INTO OUR SUPER BASE!!" Blues cl… Blue, you just deigned to call him, cheered as Red's face contorted into disgust. Blue gasped once more. "AH, I MUST FIRST INSPECT THE KITCHEN!! AFTER ALL IT MUST BE ENOUGH TO HANDLE MY DISHES!"
Blue then ran off to a random direction and you mused to yourself that he went the complete opposite of where he wanted to go.
Red huffed. "do i look like a housekeepa'? no thanks."
"but you gotta admit, bud. this is the biggest place we got," The first skeleton entered the fray, mitten-covered hands shoved inside the pockets of his jacket. "it's in worse shape than the ones we've been to but --"
"we need the fuckin' space, yeah, i know, vanilla," Red replied snappily, hunching over his shoulders and slipping his own hands im his own jacket pockets. "fine, lemme just check upstairs or whatever."
Vanilla chuckled before continuing to inspect the first floor and all other rooms with Blue. There was nothing much for them to look at honestly. In the big space was a living room set with a broken TV, all covered with a thin layer of dusty white cloth. Beside that was the big staircase leading to the second floor and further was the kitchen slash dining area. The opposite side had two rooms and a locked sliding door leading to outside. Everything was dull and boring, but for some reason, Blue just got more and more excited about it, and Vanilla—well, Vanilla just took it in stride.
Soon, even Red came back with a thoughtful expression.
"they 'ave an attic filled with random bull, but also a basement we can use for tha' machine."
For some reason, that seemed to seal the deal.
Never moving from your spot from the chandelier, you watched them talk and agree to take the mansion. Soon enough, they were leaving, Blue getting out the door first in a flurry of energy and---
"hey kid."
You blinked. You shifted to see Vanilla...directly looking at you? Red, as well, staring at you in distrust, a deep frown on his mouth.
"thanks for lettin' us in your house. hope you don't mind a few more skeletons to join you in your closet," Vanilla winked, still lazily smiling. A flicker of amusement flashed in Red's eyes but then he huffed and went out with a gruff 'move it, classic.'
With a chuckle and a wave of a hand, Vanilla closed the door, the engine revved once more, and soon, you were once again alone.
...Huh.
You touched your eyes then turned to lay on your back. If you didn't want to be seen, you couldn't be seen. So how was it that Vanilla, and even Red apparently, seemed to have sensed your presence? You were out of sight and did nothing but watch.
…What a peculiar group of skeletons. And there's more of them it seems? It seems you'll have quite a bunch this time around. You'd say you're interested but you'd rather not form an attachment.
They never last long anyway.