Like they spoke about, Andy and Emerson sat beside each other for the meal, with Remington next to Andy, and Sebastian next to him. Andy and Emerson were getting on extremely well. With his intelligence, Andy was able quite easily to discuss Emerson's philosophies to the depth the the drummer desired. Remington was happy to see Andy and his brother together. He wanted the to get on - Emerson was his best friend and Andy was his Perfect. If they didn't get on, he'd have been distraught. 

The food was less of a formal meal and more of a 'pick and mix' of breads, salads, and sliced meat, and everything was going well until Emma, a woman Remington didn't know but had been told was friends with Larisa, said, "Does it do anything?" 

She was talking about Andy. That was obvious. Remington's head shot up from his plate, where he was spreading cream cheese onto a slice of bread. "He's a he, not an it." His voice was sharp, and he remembered what the manual said. Although your Perfect is tolerant, they will not like being in the company of people who lie, are violent unnecessarily, or who upset you. 

"It's looking at me." 

Immediately, Andy dropped his gaze. He didn't like being called 'it', and he didn't understand why she was being so rude to him. He hadn't said a word to her. 

"You're being rude to him, I'm not surprised," Remington said. 

"How can I be rude to it when it's a robot?" 

"He's not a robot." 

"Andy's amazing," Emerson said. "He knows so much about everything." 

"It's using google," Emma fired. "It's just a computer with a face." 

Remington looked at Andy and then back at Emma. "He's a person, like you. He has thoughts and a personality, like you. Quit it." 

She glared at him. "It doesn't have a personality. It's a hunk of plastic." 

"Emma, just leave it," Larisa interjected, sending Remington an apologetic look. Remington wished she had sent it to Andy. 

"I mean, why is it even here? What's it doing?" 

"He's my friend." 

Emma shook her head. "Rem, is it?" 

"Remington." 

"Remington. You can't be friends with a robot. That's just sad." 

"No, you know what's sad? You being mean to him. He doesn't deserve it. Apologise and move on." 

"Apologise? To what? A robot? How do you apologise to a robot?" 

Pushing his chair out and standing up, Remington said, "Andy, I'm so sorry. Do you wanna come with me?"

 Gratefully, Andy followed him out of the room, looking down to avoid the unsettling stare Emma was trying to melt him with. 

Once they were upstairs and away from everyone, Remington sat on the window seat on the landing and patted the space beside him.  

With his hands neatly in his lap, Andy spoke. "I fear my existence is causing some issues." 

"Don't listen to her." 

"Thank you for defending me, Remington. That was very kind of you." He traced over the 'Dragonfly' tattoo on his hand, unsure of its significance but fond of it nonetheless. "I worry I have let you down." 

Remington frowned. "Let me down? No. Of course not. This was all Emma."

"Is there a reason Emma views me as an 'it'?" 

"Yes. She's a shallow, stupid twat." 

"I worry I may have done something to upset her." 

"I imagine it's because you're not famous, and she only wants to know famous people." 

"I remember that you mentioned this problem when we first met, Remington. I understand now how upsetting it must be for you. I'm very sorry." 

"You've nothing to be sorry for." 

"You are very kind to me, Remi, thank you." He turned his head to look at the singer. "I am feeling quite upset." 

There was a vulnerability in his voice that Remington wasn't expecting. "Do you need a hug?" He asked. They hadn't hugged yet, but this felt like the appropriate time. 

"Yes, a hug would be nice. Thank you." It wasn't a long embrace, but was greatly appreciated by Andy, who said once they broke apart, "I don't wish to keep you from your friends and brothers." 

"Only two of them are my friends, and they're dating my brothers. These people come and go. Different faces each time, same bullshit. I'm glad to be in the presence of you this time." 

"You are lonely." 

"Yes, a little bit." 

"I hope you will not be lonely for much longer, Remi." 

Smiling, Remington said, "I doubt that very much, not now that I have you." 

"Yes, you said that was one of the reasons for choosing me. I hope I can live up to your expectations." 

"You already have. What do you wanna do now? We can leave, if you like." 

"No, thank you. I would like to speak to Emma. I do not want to leave without giving her a chance. Everybody deserves a chance, don't you agree?" 

"Yes, of course. Well, we'll go back down, then." 

"Thank you for bringing me upstairs. The quiet has given me time to reflect." 

Remington stood and waited for Andy to do the same. 

In the kitchen, without returning to his seat, Andy said once everyone had noticed him, "Everybody has their own opinions, and that is encouraged, however I feel it is in distaste to speak rudely to somebody just because they are not the same as you, and I am hurt by your cruel words, Emma. I do not wish to dislike you, but I do not know how you are able to talk to me in such a way, when I have done nothing to provoke you. I advise you to reconsider your personal values and to treat people with some respect. That is all. Me and Remington will go now. Thank you for the lovely food, Sebastian, and I hope to see you soon, Emerson, to continue our conversation." 

With that, he turned and followed Remington to the front door.