Everyone in the house has some musical talent. It comes with the territory of being an alternate-universe version of a music-maker.

But, funnily enough, Mason was the only one who was genuinely skilled at playing the guitar. Oh, yes, Matt loves their fiddle and Nathan is wonderful on the bass, but nobody can shred and strum quite like Mason.

So, imagine the sheer shock on everyone's faces when they heard the sound of a gentle acoustic guitar coming from outside, while Mason was standing in the living room.

There were two others in the living room – Parker and Max. The three looked at each other before peeking out through the window. A voice gentle as a morning breeze brought a melody that intertwined with the string-lucking sound.

Family trees don't need to be organic,

The branches you graft are as equally valid...

There was a person sitting on the front porch, quietly playing and singing. They had a multitude of pins on their denim jacket, and vibrant rainbow eyeshadow peeked out from behind their glasses. They seemed young, with an unmatched optimism in their bright hazel eyes.

So if your party of one's world is pallid,

Go plant some paladins packing a palette!

"I'm gonna go talk to them," said Mason. They just had to know who this mysterious guitarist stranger was.

As Parker rapidly shook their head, Mason strutted out the front door, their patchwork lab coat flowing behind them.

"Hello," they said to the mystery person. "You're quite good at that."

"Thanks!" replied the guitarist, giving a wide grin! "Been learning since fifth grade."

Mason raised their eyebrows. If this person was an adult, that would definitely be quite a number of years. "Impressive! My name's Mason, what's yours?"

"Kai!" they answered.

Something clicked in Mason's mind. "Are- are you... a new housemate?"

"That I am," they responded with a laugh. "Surprised it took you this long to figure it out, though! Aren't you supposed to be a doctor? You know... a smart person?"

Mason reeled a bit from Kai's snark. "I- wh- look, I studied at Two Point!"

The two laughed a bit. Mason stood up after a couple more minutes of conversation. "Come on, then," they said. "It's getting late, let's go inside."

Kai smiled as they stepped through the door.

---

And if you haven't guessed by now Kai is from the Shine Through music video! They will MOST LIKELY NOT appear in the original book, but I just think they're neat :)

Also, yes, I gave them the most stereotypical non-binary name ever, what're you gonna do about it lol