I Don't Want to Feel Anymore

I Don’t Want to Feel Anymore

Author: Dystine (TrainsArePretty)

Klaus hummed in enjoyment while he washed the dishes. He was a new housekeeping model that enjoyed working, designed to keep owner morale up. However, his chores were done and his owner hadn't returned home yet so he couldn't shut down.

What better to do than explore the house? Yes, Klaus had already cleaned everywhere he was allowed, but he often wondered about the basement areas where he wasn't supposed to clean. It did say clean in the verbal instructions given, so he found no harm in descending the creaky steps to the basement.

The forbidden basement was very plush and cozy. Surprisingly it was also very well cleaned, Klaus questioned why his owner had told him not to clean here. Was she uncertain about his carpet settings? Did she not trust him with stairs? The robot could not come up with a reasonable explanation as he sat in the middle of a lounge room, sinking into the soft carpet.

Klaus couldn’t help but read over the verbal directions; “There is no need to go downstairs and clean. I’ve got that covered”. His owner had it covered indeed, it was spotless from what visual input said.

Suddenly, the robot felt a new emotion, surprise, when the quiet of the room was replaced with a low static noise. He was absolutely dumbfounded at this, because robots hadn't used this method of identification for a few years.

He gave a low static sounding reply, as he was backwards compatible. He turned to the source of the sound and he could swear his emotion receptors were broken with this overwhelming warm feeling that filled his metal framework.

"My given name is Felix, are you to replace me?" The older robot's voice still broke on some words but other than that it was perfect speech.

"Ah," Klaus scratched the back of his neck, nervous. He had only felt nervous once before, when he couldn't move his legs properly and his chores weren't finished in time. His owner changed his fluids pack and then Klaus could move his legs again.

"I am sorry that is not a sufficient response," Felix countered, taking slow, adorable, clunky steps towards the newer, more humaniod robot.

"Sorry, I'm Klaus. A-and I'm pretty sure I couldn't replace you I clean the upper levels..." Klaus knew that if he had the capabilities he would be sweating through his standard issue clothing. "It's very clean, great job!" Klaus smiled at the metallic robot.

"I am figuratively glad you enjoy my work, I will return the compliment as your emotions will better receive it."

“Oh,” thought Klaus as a wave of realisation came over him. Felix was an extremely old model. Klaus’s metaphoric heart couldn’t stop racing around Felix still, even though he realised there would be no way they could return any feelings given to them.

“You seem downtrodden,” Felix pointed out. “Has my compliment not been sufficient? Would you rather I talk about your advanced coding and efficient body?”

Klaus cheeks simulated a blush to match his levels of embarrassment, “That’s not necessary!” He put his hands up, creating a small barrier between the two machines. “I, uh, I’m going upstairs. It was nice meeting you.”

Felix extended their hand to Kalus, ignoring his barrier. “I have met you as well, enjoy your day.”

He quickly shook Felix’s cold metal hand, glad that Felix was an old enough model not to feel his clammy hands, and quickly jogged up the stairs. Klaus sighed and closed the door behind him, just in time for his owner to see him do it.