[PUNCH CLOCK ANIMAL] ASHTRAY

[skinstealer]

The status of knighthood meant that you were allowed to "interact" with nobility, and in fact were encouraged to. It's a novelty, but one that makes the wealthy feel like true monarchs. This is the recurring story of these festivities with charity drives attached, to play security to make sure the poor have a chance to hold out their tin cups and gain a little from those with excess golden melt from their pockets. Bucket sits bored, resisting any urge to fuss or tap the ornament work and tableware nicely nested in front of them. They can't help but look over outside the circle of aristocrats they and their Aunt were surrounded by, it looked so much more fun....
 
Aunt Ali drums her fingers on the back of Bucket’s chair, looking over her relative with a disdainful expression before returning to her seat at the table. An ornately dressed selected sips at her wine as she watches Bucket, having chosen to coil on top of a floor pillow over a typical chair. 
  

????: What are you staring at, dear?
BUCKET: I simply wonder what it's like to celebrate on the other side of these celebrations. 

 

 

BUCKET: The entire town is here, it's such a shame to not share their enjoyment... is that odd?
????: Their enjoyment is more akin to roughhousing than celebration. 
????: Isn't that right, Ali?
ALI: You're on the clock Bucket, if you wanted to talk to the whole town you shouldn't have taken this job.
BUCKET: I should learn of the people I am here to protect.
ALI: Mm, that's the folks we're with right now. Talk with them. 
ALI: They got plenty to say.
????: We're so happy to have you here, indulge in our company! 
????: Besides, someone of your status belongs here. 
????: After all, it's an elite job, for an elite knight.
BUCKET: I would not call myself an elite by any means but... I do appreciate the compliments when they come.
????: Good! Take them, our words hold more weight than anything you'd find on the other side of the room. 
????: Lots of meaningless fluff and crass words, that's all you'd find over there.
BUCKET: Mm... there's so many of them over there though which I must admit makes it appealing. 
BUCKET: I'd like to be at a fancy party with so many at least once.
????: Trust me, it's not all that exciting. You'd spend one moment over there and wish you were back at this very table.
BUCKET: I'm sure there's a few sensible folks in the mix and... admittedly I'd like to dance with someone in general. 
BUCKET: Nobody really seems to want to dance with me over here.
????: Dancing is- 

 

  
The snake is cut off by some chatter nearby raising in volume, some voices sounding outright disgusted. Bucket leans over, trying to get a look. 
 

BUCKET: I think there may be a legitimate work related concern about to come into the front of things.
????: Mm...sounds like there's an unwanted guest.
BUCKET: If it escalates I'll step in-

  
Aunt Ali interrupts.
 

ALI: I can handle it if things get too bad, for now entertain these kind folks who invited us.
????: Yes, please do! I'm sure whatever it is will get sorted. 

 


They sneak a peek over when they think nobody would catch them. There’s a flash of bright green visible between the people milling about, Bucket tailing the wandering green with their eyes. The green seems to be getting shoved around, moving abruptly between person to person, the occasional startled squeak coming through.



Bucket tries to slink away from the table toward the fuss, taking the opportunity while the selected is too distracted with drinking her wine, starting up conversation with Aunt Ali.

Inside the crowd is a pinitelle, covered up only by its cloth flaps. 
 

???? (2): It's not even wearing any clothes!
???? (3): Disgusting...how did it even get over here?

  


Bucket rushes in as the pinitelle tries to scoot back away from the crowd, only for people to poke and pull at its flaps. 
 

???? (1): Stop it...I don't know how I got here either...!

 
Bucket intervenes, just before things can get ugly. 
 

BUCKET: Town knight, what's the disturbance?
???? (1): I... 

 
It looks up, panicking as soon as it saw them. 
 

???? (2): A pervert snuck into the party. 

 
Someone hisses, prodding a finger into the pinitelle's cheek. 
 

???? (1): I d-don't have any clothes, I didn't mean to come here-!
BUCKET: Please do not invoke physical harassment, I'll escort them out of here.
???? (1): W-wait, I can't go outside!
???? (3): See? It won't leave!