DOCTOR BITCHCRAFT

Context: it is 8's First Day Alive (as a segment) and he is Not Very Impressed about it. Also for the purposes of this fic, Webby is 21 and he died in an explosion before Sumeru AQ or something. #truth

“We have no qualms about sedating you should you prove uncooperative,” says 35.

Would they really? Zandik’s gaze darts between the others, focusing on the ones with visible eyes to try to judge the truthfulness of this. After a moment, 21 lets out a short, explosive sigh. “It’s the truth,” he says with reproach.

Zandik blinks. 21 understood what he was trying to say without forcing him to use his words. Usually people act like he’s absolutely impossible to figure out, and furthermore like his own inscrutability is something Zandik is doing to them. It sinks in a little more that these really are his other selves. Slowly, he scoots his legs back down. When 25 reaches for his throat again, Zandik lets him feel it.

“It doesn't seem to be a physical issue,” 25 reports, sounding bored.

The others stare at Zandik dubiously. “I thought our silent phase was when we were nine,” says 45.

“Now, now, it’s only his first day, he’s bound to be overwhelmed,” says the old man reasonably. “As 21 was kind enough to remind us, he spent his first day among us biting indiscriminately.”