[SIDESTORY] Morbit Oneshots

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

           

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 Just Pre-Date Banter- 2020
       B. Comorant, Crankshaft Rafflesian One-Sot, Canon, Takes Place Before the Main Thread
   CW: None
       As the Title Says. May Possibly have a Follow Up.

---

Lex watches the time tick away on her watch, leaning on the fence just on the outskirts of her neighborhood in anticipation for her date to arrive. It's 15 after what was originally planned, but she wasn't too worried yet....

20...

25....

God she needed to get a cell phone....

Almost 30 minutes in, a striking blue construct in a sporty outfit sprinting into view. She waved at her from a distance and got a jokey salute in return. 

Lex: You showed up!

Dotty: I said I would! Sorry for being late, work kept me a bit longer than I'd like.

Lex: That's all good, figured it was something like that. What happened?

Dotty: Did a course on dueling safety, lots of questions which is good but also meant going a little over to cover everything. You know the drill. 

Lex: That why you're not in your usual uniform?

Dotty: Yep. Refs don't have the same type of protection that's standardized for duelists so it's no good for explaining. 

Lex: It's cute, like that part especially.

She points to Dotty's collar. It covers the lower half of her face and carries a distinct toothy pattern. 

Dotty: Asked for that specifically when I got this made, seen some people do something similar and thought it'd be fun you know?

Lex: Makes you look like a vampire. Low key goth.

Dotty: Just a little splash of it. You got anything like that on your uniform? 

Lex: Nah, my dueling outfit is pretty standard. I wanna get a fancy custom one like yours though if I ever get sponsored. Like, something unique. 

Dotty: You'll get there. Today been good for you?

Lex: Not really... but it's already getting better. 

Dotty's earpieces lowered the slightest at the compliment. 

Dotty: We'll make today nice for us. What's up though?

Lex: Just feeling a bit off lately, it'll go away. Don't wanna derail things too much though.

Dotty: You can talk about it a little, don't mind at all.

Lex: Nah not yet... just wanna focus on this right now if it's okay. Been a bit since we've gone out like this, that okay?

Dotty: Yeah, whenever you feel up for it. Sorry I've been so busy this month...

Lex: No worries! You know you can talk about your stuff too, I know work gets stressful for you.

Dotty: Just a little, lots of getting yelled at that I "got the ruling wrong." or that I "step in too much" and it's annoying. I'm not going to look away when someone is going for kidney punches. Not for anybody.

Lex: Not even me?

The rabbit smirked.

Dotty: Especially not you.

Lex: Figures.

Dotty: Nothing personal but I'm scared what'd you do in a fight with no rules.

Lex: No that's super fair! You should be!

Dotty: Bastard.... anyway sorry for derailing things so hard.

Lex: No it's fine! Like... I like hearing you talk about life stuff. You don't do that enough.

Dotty: Same. You're the only one I get to really do this sort of thing. For now though I wanna get back to business. 

Lex: Oh? Date plans?

Dotty: Big ones. I say we deviate from our usual a bit. 

Lex: Yeah? 

Dotty: We go to town a bit. Grab a bite, see a show, yell in the parking lot after. Stay out just a little late.

Lex: Yeah! Absolutely! I know where the closest stop is, I can cover fare.

Dotty: I'll cover the way back. Dinner too. 

Lex: Yeah well... I'll cover tickets. Snacks too.

Dotty: I'm not letting you buy snacks at the theater. We're sneaking shit in. That everything?

Lex: Yeah. Ready to roll?

Dotty: Let's do this.

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

 

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Two Flowers - 2020
B.Comorant, Masa con Papas/Corazones related.
CW: None
A fiend and a knight acknowledge their growing feelings for each other. 

---

Arabis and Zinnia were settled down by a small campfire in the middle of a natural clearing deep in the woods. The two sat comfortably in silence, with Zinnia regularly glancing over at the tall spider-like fiend. 

Arabis: If you have something on your mind you can spill it.

Zinnia: Right, might I ask you for a favor?

Arabis: Hmm?

Zinnia: May I lean on your shoulder? Feeling tired.

Arabis: You’ve been doing that quite a bit.

Zinnia: Have I now?

Arabis: Yes and it somewhat confuses me.

Zinnia: If you would like me to stop I can.

Arabis: It’s not that, you’re fine and I do not mind it-

Zinnia immediately rests their head on Arabis’ shoulder. 

Zinnia: Thank you, continue. 

Arabis sighs. 

Arabis: I don’t understand you getting this comfortable about me.

Zinnia: Do you seriously want me to back off? I really can.

Arabis: I find it rather suspicious. Why? 

Zinnia: It’s hard to say, but I feel like I can let down my guard around you.
 
Arabis: Around a monstrous creature like myself? 

Zinnia: Mmhmm.

Arabis: One that’s dreaded by those who pass through the woods I live in? Who’s kind is seen as an omen of bad things to happen by most?

Zinnia: Yes.

Arabis: One who towers over you and could poison you in your sleep with a single bite?

Zinnia: You’ve had many opportunities to do it and yet you haven’t. Plus I beat you in a fight already. 

The spider rolled his eyes. 

Arabis: I suppose you have. I don’t understand how frankly. Or why you didn’t slay me on the spot after.

Zinnia: You seemed more scared than anything. I wasn’t going to kill someone who fought in self defense.

Arabis: I assumed you were an assassin like many other knights who came before you. 

Zinnia: And you are justified for thinking so, I imagine this is a regular issue for you.

Arabis: It’s frustrating…. but not as frustrating as trying to figure you out.

Zinnia scooted up while resting on Arabis’ shoulder.

Zinnia: I’m sure you will. You’re a bit of an enigma to me too.

Arabis: Why would that be?

Zinnia: You’re a hermit and yet you go out of your way to dress well, and speak elegantly, and well….

Arabis: Are you surprised that a monster like myself is capable of all that?

Zinnia: No. It’s just not common for someone who actively chooses to live alone.

Arabis: I did not choose to live distant from others, I simply do so because going into town alone will make the paranoid and superstitious people whip out the torches and muskets. 

Zinnia: It’s a real shame. I’m sure that if they got to know you they’d warm up fast.

Arabis: I don’t need their praise or their company.

Zinnia: Yet you don’t seem to mind mine too much.

Arabis: You’re different. You aren’t afraid of me for reasons I cannot comprehend. You insist on being close and eating in the same room. I don’t think I get you.

Zinnia: I’m just a humble dog. 

Arabis: Yes. A strange one. 

Zinnia: If you’d really like to know though I can tell you. 

Arabis: I would like to hear a reason yes. 

Zinnia: I just find your company incredibly pleasant. 

Arabis: Is that all?

Zinnia: And you’re pretty. 

Arabis: Do not jest at my expense. 

Zinnia: I’m not.

Arabis: Pretty. 

Zinnia: Yes? I meant that. You’re quite the looker.

Arabis: No. Why are you playing this cruel game?

Zinnia’s ears flopped down.

Zinnia: There’s no game…

Arabis: The only reason anyone would say something like that is to toy with my emotions. 

Zinnia: I swear to you I don’t want to hurt you, I adore your company.

Arabis: No.

Zinnia: Enough that I perhaps was hoping you’d stick around after my quest is over.

Arabis: ….. 

Zinnia: You do not have to of course.

Arabis: ……

Zinnia: I went and made it all weird didn’t I? I’m sorry… I can stop now. 

Arabis: … 

Zinnia: Please don’t be mad at me.

Arabis: I’m not angry at you, I’m processing things, so please give me a moment to get my thoughts together into something cohesive. 

Zinnia: Alright.

Arabis sat quietly with his thoughts for a good while before finally coming up with a response.

Arabis: I just want full confirmation. Your statements were all genuine.  Not a single one was made as a joke.

Zinnia: Yes! I mean… yes. 

Arabis: Not one.

Zinnia: Ningun, not a single line. 

Arabis: You really like me. 

Zinnia nodded. 

Arabis: You are such a strange knight. Hold out your hand for a moment. 

Zinnia: Of course.

They held out their hand. Arabis reached out and grabbed it. Zinnia’s ears perked up immediately. 

Arabis: Have you thought about this? 

Zinnia: It’s kept me up a couple of nights frankly.

Arabis: It excites you to hold hands with an ancient monster who could poison you with a kiss?

Zinnia: I would take the risk for you, but only if you would like to. 

Arabis: Mm. I suppose I’m willing to give this a shot.

Zinnia: What exactly?

Arabis: Being… close like this to someone else. It’s not something I imagined possible for me so please be patient. I will need time and I will make mistakes. 

Zinnia: You’re willing to-

Arabis: Yes. I’d like to take things slowly though, I’m not familiar with any of this.

Zinnia: of course.

Arabis: Truth be told, I found myself getting butterflies anytime you’ve been willing to make contact with me.

Zinnia: Really?

Arabis: Mm. Even more so the time we were forced to share the one bed available at the Inn. You know you hugged me in your sleep?

Zinnia: Ah… I’m quite sorry about that.

Arabis: It’s fine. I guess I just wonder if you would like to try that arrangement again. It’d be good for my health frankly, I’m cold blooded and we’re getting close to being up north. 

Zinnia: Will you be okay?

Arabis: Maybe. My kind hibernates when our temperatures are too low but with the help of a brave mammal willing to hold me the entire time it might be possible. 

Zinnia: I will carry you if I must.

Arabis: Mm. On a side note it’s kind of late.

Zinnia: If you need to rest you can.

Arabis: Will you come with me? You may hold me if you’d like.

Zinnia: Of course.

Arabis: Just give me a little longer to process this and we’ll head off.

Zinnia: Take your time. 

The dog went back to leaning on the spider’s shoulder. This time Arabis put his hand through Zinnia’s hair and stroked to help them get comfortable.

Both of them slept very comfortably that night.

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

A Rival Appears in a Inconvenient Place - 2020
Comorant, Masa/Crankshaft
CW: None
[b]Geezer Encounters His Rival at the Fair.[/b]

---

You find yourself in a particularly odd spot at the local fair. You make eye contact with your rival, a little too much to avoid the confrontation ahead.

You're surrounded by people.

She wouldn't want to instigate a fight right now right?

Still she's tracking you with her glance, there's no way not to acknowledge this. You shuffle toward the side off path, away from the big crowds to avoid any complications with civilians. 

She doesn't break eye contact from you, walking with you the entire way.

You both stand in the awkward dampness of a nearby alley.

Manzana breaks the silence. 

Manzana: Fancy meeting you here today.... so this is the part where we get to yes?

Geezer: 'Scuse me?

Manzana: You looked at me first and you sure didn't seem like you were ready to look the other way. Just wish it wasn't where we'd cause a scene frankly.

Geezer: You never looked away either, figured you wanted to pick a fight yourself. 

Manzana: At the fair? No, I've got better manners than this.

Geezer: Same. 

Manzana: I suppose that makes us a couple of well dressed jackasses standing in a gross corner. 

Geezer: That a compliment?

Manzana: That's the only one you'll get. You dress better than your little mentor at least.

Geezer: Same to you, no offense. 

Manzana: Ali would smite you on the spot for that comment. 

Geezer: So would my grandma.

Manzana: I take it at this point we're not big on the idea of killing each other in a place of pleasantries then. 

Geezer: Absolutely not. 

Manzana: If I see you outside the fair though I will not hesitate to fight you on the spot.

Geezer: If it's what you gotta do, it's what you gotta do. Course hard to say what that means with you uh... your practices.

Manzana: Oh?

Geezer: You sell all sorts of forbidden arcane knowledge to big money corporations, I know how you work.

Manzana: You're effectively a mercenary, you are in no place to judge me. 

Geezer: I curate who I work for. I dunno, you gotta be aware of what the shit you do does to folks right?

Manzana: I sell tools of war, if I don't someone else will do does it matter?

Geezer: A little, it's kind of some high grade messed up blasting someone with the shit that comes out of your dealings.

Manzana: Most of it never sees any sort of formal deployment. 

Geezer: Does see a lot of under the table sales though. Monte's pretty interested in particular I hear. You don't mind that kind of potential blood on your hands?

Manzana: All I'm doing is sharing knowledge for a fee. Once it's out of my hands there is no blood.

Geezer: Yeah?

Manzana: Mm. There's a big gap between my trade and yours. I'm sure you've earned yourself no good sleep being a knight and having to strike down people yourself. 

Geezer: I don't pick a fight unless I feel the cause is right. 

Manzana: You don't feel any guilt raiding lords? 

Geezer: Lords are hella corrupt. 

Manzana: Were the people who work for them as bad though? Or were they just other mercs looking for a job like yourself.

Geezer: They signed up to protect corrupt leadership. I wish it didn't have to go the way it did, but I'm not sorry. 

Manzana: Cold. 

Geezer: Yeah well... 

Manzana: You're in no place to feel like you're better than me. 

Geezer: You know for someone who didn't want to throw hands, you're pretty quick to talk shit.

Manzana: Ah, are you having a change of heart? If that's so I know a better spot for us to duel. 

Geezer: See I'd take you up on that but I paid good money for these fair tickets and I don't know if I wanna burn that sort of cash like this.

Manzana: Admittedly I also don't want to miss out on this. What a tough spot, might have to reschedule.

Geezer: I mean if you're serious about the idea, we can hold it off to after hours. 

Manzana: ....

Geezer: Up to you. I know it's not a real holiday but we can hold a truce til we're out yeah?

Manzana: I suppose so. 

You offer her a hand. 

Manzana: What's this?

Geezer: Formality. Truce til we're both away from the fairgrounds. 

Manzana takes your hand.

Manzana: I'll accept these terms for now. 

Geezer: See? Easy. 

Manzana: I would like you to take me to the caramel corn booth though before we go off our separate ways however. I've been having trouble finding it...

Geezer: I can do that much. No problem at all. 

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

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[i][b]Jam Goes on a Date
Comorant, Crankshaft Rafflesian
CW: None
Jam goes on a solo date with Dotty.[/b][/i]

---

You are Jam, chaos elemental and not-rabbit extraordinaire. 

 

You're in the middle of your first official date.

 

The others were kind of circumstantial.... sharing a body means you occasionally have to bail the other person you're living with out of some potential blunders.

 

Not that you mind anyway, feels good to help out. 

 

You're a bit of a secret wingman in the middle of all this. Sorta. 

 

Now you and Dotty are in the middle of the Beachside Shopping Center, a big hub by the surf and sand where tons of people spend their hours off of work looking for a good time with friends and a hot meal after work.

 

There's a bit of everything here really.

 

Dotty holds your hand as the two of you walk around together. It's cold, metal, and just a little on the rusty side but it's still kind of nice. 

 

You kinda wish you made your existence public earlier. You'd been kind of in the background for so long that not even Lex was sure you actually existed despite sharing a head. 

 

You could have a while ago if you really wanted...

 

Maybe.

 

Would have spared me a lot of anxiety when I just don't remember doing stuff.

 

Real sorry about that.

 

You know you've been quiet on a side note like... you should probably say something?

 

You clear your throat and look over at Dotty. God she's so much taller than you.

 

Yeah and you like that.

 

Never said I didn't. You like that too.

 

Heh...

 

Jam: So you  hand out here pretty often right? Like, with Lex and all that right?

 

Dotty: Mmhmm! It's a good place to relax after work. Have you been here before?

 

Jam: Only as an observer really. Lots of brunch and dinners, browsing around, shopping, occasional visits to the arcade... more Lex in general. She's pretty big on them. 

 

Dotty: Yeah, we go there sometimes but I've always been more into the analog stuff you know? Pinball, skee-ball, crane games, that sort. I'm pretty good at them actually

 

Jam: You know how to win at those cranes? Never been any good at them.

 

Dotty: Yeah! Pretty solid at them, used to play them a ton after work you know?

 

Jam: Think you could win me a prize? 

 

Dotty: Don't see why not. We can stop by the arcade later and I can work a bit of my magic. Get you a big old bear or something.

 

Jam: Nice. I used to be alright at carnival style stuff but I haven't done that sort of thing in so long that I don't know if I still could honestly...

 

Dotty: We could give it a shot sometime. Darkest Night festival is a month away so... you know.

Jam: Mm?

Dotty: If you wanna hang out there. Lex is coming for sure, might as well join in right?

 

Jam: We haven't even gone this far on the first date and you're already inviting me on the second one? Am I doing that good?

 

Dotty: Maybe. Might just be a sucker for a pretty face. 

 

Jam: Dang, you beat me to the punch on that one. See why Lex likes you so much.

 

Dotty: What's that mean?

 

Jam: You're just really nice to be around. Makes me happy.

 

Dotty: That's sweet.

 

Jam: Mean it! She's been willing to go out more, gotten so much braver since she met you. Before that she'd go to work, go to practice, and then bum out the rest of the day unless she had a match. You've done a lot for her, and I wanna be part of that too..

 

Dotty: Now you're just going to make me all red.

 

She gave your hand a squeeze.

 

Jam: It's true, I don't lie about things like that.

 

Dotty:... How come Lex isn't as open about stuff like this as much? Like...

 

Jam: Thinks you're too cool. I mean you're cool but she thinks you're like....

Dotty: "Too Cool" for sappy stuff like that.

Jam: Yep, doesn't wanna seem like a lamer.

Dotty: Nobody's a lamer.. and I'm really not that cool.

Jam: Sure you are.

Dotty: I mean... If I didn't meet you two I'd probably be bumming it out in front of my desktop poking at tomorrow's paperwork and forums.

 

Jam: You hang out on forums?

 

Dotty: Yeah! A little. Just some dorky stuff mostly. 

 

Jam: Wasn't in on that conversation. Some kind of hobby, just like talking to people, what's the deal there?

 

Dotty: It's not that important! Anyway I wanna get to know you since... well I guess you've always been here.

 

Jam: I mean not ALWAYS but long enough that I've been here since you two both met.

 

Dotty: How much did you watch? Were you just there sitting in on everything quietly?

 

Jam: A good amount of it. Just making sure stuff went okay you know? Not trying to snoop like that.

Dotty: No I get you, can't see you being nosy just for the sake of it.

 Jam: Not gonna lie, got a little bit jealous at times though.

 

Dotty: Now you don't gotta be. 

 

Jam: Now I don't..... anyway sorry for talking so much, you wanna get going?

 

Dotty: Yeah! But we don't gotta stop talking, I wanna hear everything. 

 

Jam: You sure? God, where do I even start?

 

Dotty: Anywhere. 

 

Jam: Hehe, you did this to yourself. So..... I was born 23 years ago in a factory on the outskirts of Capital City, it was a cold day in fall.

 

Oh my fucking god. Jam!

 

She said anywhere!

 

Dotty laughed just a little at your awful joke. 

 

Dotty: Guess I did say anywhere huh?

 

Jam: You want me to skip around a little?

 

Dotty: Just a bit. Get to the meat of things

 

Jam: I'll give you the abridged version then. I went through a bunch of years of public school with Lex, a weird puberty, became two people, a English major that kind of went nowhere, and then met a wonderful person... and now I'm face to face with them on a date for the first time. Hoping for a happily ever after somewhere.

 

Dotty: I'd like that too... 

Jam: Missed a bunch of details here and there but I can cover those. 

Dotty: Sounds good. So whatcha wanna do out here?

Jam: Honestly? Kinda wanna do some clothes shopping. Need more stuff in my style..

Dotty: Yeah, sounds good. What type of thing you into?

Jam: Shades, jackets, fur trimmings on coats, uh... a lot of witchy vibe stuff? Personally like my hair kinda fluffier than this but It'll have to do.
You know a shop for that?

Dotty: I know a few. 

Jam: Nice, let's get going then. I wanna look cool.

Dotty: You already do. 

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

 

---

Jam Goes on a Date: Aftermath
Comorant, Crankshaft Rafflesian
CW: None
Jam continues their date with Dotty.

---

Jam: Hey Dotty, how's this look?

 

Dotty: Good I think, you tempted to pick it up?

 

Jam: Not sure yet. Don't know if orange is a good color on me like this. 

 

Dotty: You have a preference?

 

Jam: I'm big into reds and browns personally. Like a lot of stuff with a fur element you know?

 

Dotty: You got fancy tastes?

 

Jam: Nope, just cozy you know? I like how soft and warm that sort of thing is...

 

Dotty: I get that. You know it's usually pretty warm around here though right?

 

Jam: Yeah but there's still some winter and the sea breeze on the beach gets pretty chilly and all so... it has some use right?

 

Dotty: I guess that's fair. You have any clothes of your own?

 

Jam: Not really? But I get to input a lot on what Lex and I wear these days so that's something. Today I mostly got to pick though.

 

Dotty: That why you're rocking the white and blue hair?

 

Jam: Yeah. Lex likes it too but I think it's a nice dye option you know?

 

Dotty: Looks great honestly. You know I gotta wonder.

 

Jam: Hmm? 

 

Dotty: Don't know if this is intrusive but uh... I mean I've been meaning to ask for awhile?

 

Jam: Go ahead, no worries.

 

Dotty: What's your natural hair color? Don't think I've seen you two every go a day without dyeing it. 

 

Jam: Never?

 

Dotty: Wouldn't be able to tell honestly! Changes so often.

 

Jam: It's just brown. Like kind of a mid brown? Not super super dark but darker.

 

Dotty: I always figured it'd be blonde or maybe white or something. 

 

Jam: Used to be lighter as a kid but it darkened up. Happens to a lot of us dops you know?

 

Dotty: Were you around when Lex was a kid?

 

Jam: Sorta? Like kind of dormant so... I have a lot of the same memories I guess? Aw jeez hold on...

 

Jam takes a look at the price tag of the jacket.

 

Dotty: Something wrong?

 

Jam: This is hella expensive.

 

Dotty: Jackets tend to be.

 

Jam: How does Lex have so many? 

 

Dotty: She gets them thrift shopping. Guessing it's out of your budget?

 

Jam: I mean I could but that'd be like, all my money for this trip you know? Not up for that. 

 

Dotty: I get you.

 

Jam: Like we wouldn't be able to do anything after. Gonna pass on that one.

 

Dotty: I feel you.

 

You look through the rack and find something a little closer to your price range. 

 

Jam: You think this is good?

 

Dotty: That'd look cute on you, why?

 

Jam: Let me try this on. You tell me something about you too.

 

Dotty: Oh? Like what?

 

Jam: Like... what is your little mouth thingie? It's like a sticker right?

 

Dotty: It's a spray actually. 

 

Jam: Yeah but what is it? Is it an overbite, a smile, what's the deal with that?

 

Dotty: It was supposed to be a smile with a gap between the middle teeth but everyone seems to think it's something different? 

 

Jam: Huh. Was betting on it being an overbite. 

 

Dotty: It's whatever you really want it to be. Used to have a mouth plate apparently but... I don't want it to just be a blank mouth you know? So I filled it in to have a smile similar to later rancher units.

 

Jam: Makes sense. So like... what are you supposed to be?

 

Dotty: Huh?

 

Jam: Like, you got these ears right? Are you supposed to be based on something?

 

Dotty: Oh! I mean... a cat technically? Like one of those weird grinning cats from the fairy tales. 

 

Jam: Like that one book?

 

Dotty: Think so yeah. For some reason whoever designed a lot of constructs from the era I was made really was into that sort of thing. Fairly tales, especially ones that come from unknown origin. 

 

Jam: Wild... it's a good look though. Cute.

 

Dotty: You think so? I got mixed feelings honestly but hearing someone say they like it always helps. 

 

Jam: Yeah, it's really cool honestly. 

 

You spend some time looking in the mirror.

 

Jam: You think this coat looks good?

 

Dotty: Turn around?

 

You do so.

 

Jam: How is it?

 

Dotty: Cute honestly. I dig it.

 

Jam: Nice.

 

Dotty: You wanna pick that up?

 

Jam: Honestly? Yeah. Especially if you like it.

 

Dotty: That's sweet...

 

Jam: You're sweet! 

 

Dotty's turn away.

 

Dotty: Shit, I don't have a real comeback ready.

 

Jam: You just gonna take the compliment and run?

 

Dotty: Yeah. Yeah actually...

 

You reach for her hand. She accepts it.

 

Lex: Good, you deserve that. 

 

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

---

Hares - 2021
B.Comorant, Masa con Papas
CW: Implications of Abuse
Geezer and Manzana have a talk

---

 Geezer arrived in front of a wall between pathways, Manzana sitting there in anticipation of his arrival. 
 
Geezer: Hey cool, you're here on time.

 Manzana: You're a couple minutes late.
 
Geezer: Had trouble finding a spot to park, sorry about that. Glad you made it though.

 Manzana: So, what do you want? 

 Geezer: Just figured that we could talk, you know? You're a Judgment too and all so-

 Manzana: Don't make the mistake of assuming I was granted that title like you were.

 Geezer: I mean Aunt Ali raised you right? Why wouldn't you be part of the family?

 Manzana: There are no familial ties here, it's strictly business. 

 Geezer: That's hella weird.
 
Manzana: That's the truth of the situation. Alighieri Judgment is my mentor and not much more. I owe her a certain respect for what she's done but we've never really pushed our relationship past student and teacher.

 Geezer: So you didn't get a crest or nothing?

 Manzana: I'm not a knight so... no. 
 
Geezer: What's that on your hat then?

 Manzana: An accessory for brand purposes. Don't make too much of it.

 Geezer: You design that yourself?

 Manzana shot Geezer a glare. 
 
Geezer: I'm just asking, genuine question.

 Manzana: I hired someone to handle the final look but the initial concept is mine.

 Geezer: I dig it. Minimalist in a good way. You’ve done a good job.

 Manzana rolls her eyes. 
 
Manzana: Back to the question, what's your real reason. Are you here to pick a fight? Maybe try to convince me to join you to live in whatever backwater town you and your family stick to?

 Geezer: Not quite.

 Manzana: Then what?
 
Geezer: I guess I just figured that since we both got today off maybe we could get to know each other past our usual routine of clashing swords and all. 

 Manzana: Normally I'd laugh in your face but... I'm tired, so I'll humor it. 

 Geezer: Really?
 
The construct seemed genuinely surprised.

 Manzana: You didn't bring any weapons with you so I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. 

 Geezer: So how are we gonna do this?
 
Manzana: You may ask me a question and I'll respond and ask another in return. My condition is I get the first and last question and I have a right to decline an answer at any point.

 Geezer: I can work with that. So-
 
Manzana: So I'll ask first. I want truthful answers.

 Geezer: Alright.
 
Manzana: Why did Erica choose you over anyone else?
 
Geezer: Honestly? Hard to say really but... guess she just saw a lot of potential in me and that I wasn't in the best situation before. What about you and Ali?

 Manzana: I had a talent for witchcraft despite what little resources I had living on the street. She needed a squire who could help her with her equipment as a knight and I was apparently good enough.

 Geezer: She was also looking around these parts around the same time too? Why?
 
Manzana: That's a second question, answer mine first. How old were you when Erica adopted you?

 Geezer: 13-ish going 14. You?
 
Manzana: Same about. I remember seeing you with her around the time I was brought in by Ali.

 Geezer: Really? 
 
Manzana: She pointed your mentor out in the crowd and you were with her. I find that interesting timing-wise.

 Geezer: What are you playing at?
 
Manzana: That's another question so let me ask you first. Why did you agree?
 
Geezer: I was happy at the idea of having a real home and... I got that. What were you talking about with timing?

 Manzana: I have a few theories regarding that.

 Geezer: Yeah? Like?

 Manzana: Another question but I'll allow it. I don't think it's a coincidence that we both were picked up by two rival knights around the same time in the same region. Neither of them are locals of the area. Makes you think, no?

 Geezer: I don't think I like what you're getting at.
 
Manzana: Neither do I. Let me ask you a couple of questions now since you asked two. 

 Geezer: Alright.

 Manzana: Does Erica care about you?

 Geezer: Course she does. Treats me as if I were her own you know? Never had that.

 Manzana: How can you know for sure? 
 
Geezer: You can just feel it you know? Like... I can't put it into words but anytime I visit her it's with the same enthusiasm as her own flesh and blood and that's just... nice.

 Manzana: Interesting response..
 
Geezer: Real talk. Did Ali care about you?

 Manzana: In her own way, though I know we were never as close as being family. She did quite a bit though to get me as far as I am today and I'm grateful for that. Tell me this, if she cared about you so much why did your whole body get replaced?

 Geezer: That had nothing to do with her at all.

 Manzana: She clearly didn't protect you enough.
 
Geezer: It was out of her hands, don't blame her for my own mistake. Did Ali protect you?

 Manzana: I decline to answer. Are you frustrated?

 Geezer: Little bit, you're really starting to push some buttons today. You frustrated?

 Manzana: Depends on how you answer the next question. Do you think there's a possibility one of us was adopted by the other's mentor out of spite?

 Geezer: I really hope not.
 
Manzana: That doesn't answer my question. 
 
Geezer: I mean... I guess the timing is kinda sus...

 Manzana: So you do think it's possible.
 
Geezer: What about you? It's your theory, what do you think?

 Manzana: One of us absolutely was adopted out of a petty rivalry. The big question of the night is do you think it's you or me?

 Geezer: I really don't wanna answer that..
 
Manzana: Regardless of whether your "grandmother" made you feel cared for or not, knowing how intense her grudge against my mentor you could absolutely see it. Even if she made you feel warm and welcome, she's just as much the type of person who'd pull something like that as Ali if not worse. 

 Geezer: What makes you so sure it's not Ali?
 
Manzana: Because Ali didn't bother to make it seem like anything more than business. Ali let people know the hell she put me through. Ali had a job she needed filled and in exchange she gave me a place to live and the resources to become my own person when our long term collaboration is done.

 Geezer: Sounds like it was cold and distant.
 
Manzana: It was more genuine than anything you had.

 Geezer: ......... 
 
Manzana: You done talking? 
 
Geezer No just... thinking.

 Manzana: About what now?
 
Geezer: What did she put you through? What the fuck did Ali do to you to make you this cold?

 Manzana: She cracked a few eggs to get what she needed done. That's how she did it and that's what I need to do too.

 Geezer: .....

 Manzana: Honestly? People like you piss me off. Pollyanna piece of shit. You think you worked hard? You think you're special because grandma said you were?

 Geezer: You don't know-
 
Manzana: What you've been through? I really don't care. It clearly didn't do enough for you. Anyway, this all turned out to be a big waste of time anyway.

 Geezer: I'm sorry.

 Manzana: Don't apologize, you knew what you were walking into and you accepted my terms. I was promised the last question so I'm going to get my answer and then leave. Do you hate me now?

 Geezer: I'm hella mad, don't get me wrong but.. I dunno right now. I'm kinda just upset. Partly at you, partly at myself, partly at a few bad thought loops you've dropped on me. As far as genuinely hating you though? I think you want me to say yes, and I'm not giving you that inch.

 Manzana made an audible sigh before jumping down from the wall she was sitting on. 

 Geezer: You walking out?
 
Manzana: I'm taking a breather. It's for your own good.

 Manzana walked off down the street.
 
Geezer: Doubt it’s any good for you though.

[skinstealer]

An Old Man's Cooking - 2020
Ringor Mortis, Vest Party (Pre-Sleepwalker)
CW: drugs, alcohol, abuse, mentions of death and torture.
Flynt and Melvin share an evening meal.

---

Melvin’s sitting in his usual armchair, oversized to anyone but him. He had made the call to stay back at the base with Flynt while the rest of the crew went off on some kind of shopping trip, and seems more than content to just kick back and rest.  Flynt flops onto the sofa near him with a plate of chips, just as ready to bum it out and get a little quiet time. 

FLYNT: You think they're up to anything exciting?
MELVIN: Most likely just looking at expensive jewels and booze. 

He yawns, stretching out his claws. 

MELVIN: Ashton will get his wine as usual, Huck will get his beer, and Leo will get his vodka...I don't even want to know what Muriel drinks.
FLYNT: Muriel drinks fermented poison to scare off the kids. Probably.
MELVIN: I wouldn't even be surprised at this point. 

He shivers. 

MELVIN: This conversation never leaves this room, obviously.
FLYNT: To our graves. 
FLYNT: Honestly though, they stockpile like they're expecting the world to end.
MELVIN: And mow through their stockpile just as quickly...

The de’moneres’ face softens, looking over warmly at the OBJ. 

MELVIN: I'm glad you're starting to move away from that yourself, you know.
FLYNT: Yeah well.... I'm trying my best there. Was hard at first.
MELVIN: Is Leo giving you any hell about it still?
FLYNT: Little bit, thinks I'm going too soft.
MELVIN: He doesn't know the first thing about "soft", don't let that get to you.
FLYNT: I try not to, just praying he doesn't heckle me on the clock.
MELVIN: If he does, you come to me and I'll sort him straight. 
FLYNT: You don't gotta do that for me.
MELVIN: I don't, but I will if you ask. 
MELVIN: It's your choice, but if it gets severe again, I'm not going to stand by and do nothing.
FLYNT: It's appreciated...
FLYNT: ...Don't know why he's been worse.
MELVIN: ...Does he know about the therapy?
FLYNT: Not yet.
MELVIN: That's...probably for the best.
FLYNT: Wish I didn't have to keep quiet but... you know him.
MELVIN: My door is always open, even if you just need to get a break for a little.
FLYNT: Thanks. Things been any better on your end?
MELVIN: Well, my wife's still distressed that I've been coming home roughed up...it's hard to lie to her and the kids, but I can't drag them into this, you know?
FLYNT: Yeah... they catching on at all?

Melvin nods, looking defeated. 

MELVIN: The kids have stopped asking questions in general, and don't seem to want to talk about it at all.
FLYNT: You should take some time off for them. 
FLYNT: Refresh things with all of them a bit.
MELVIN: With how busy Stope's kept us? 
MELVIN: This is the first day off we've had in weeks, and my wife couldn't find a good way to get out of work on such short notice. Kids have school.
FLYNT: Got no idea why Stope's been on us this hard...
FLYNT: You ever think of transferring to less dangerous work?
MELVIN: All the time, every day.
FLYNT: What's been stopping you?
MELVIN: I'm not exactly in this job by choice.
FLYNT: Yeah?
MELVIN: I got caught up in some mob business years ago, and I was given a choice. 

He holds up two fingers, counting down. 

MELVIN: Let my family be killed as punishment for what I'd done, or work for Stope for the rest of my life.
FLYNT: How'd you piss off stope that bad?
MELVIN: I caught the attention of one of his guys, same job that you and I are in now, just before he had a proper team for it- that came with Leo. 
MELVIN: I got stalked for a good while, and when I found out, I did what I had to to defend my family. 
MELVIN: In return, I got slammed into his job.
FLYNT: I'm sorry.

Melvin shakes his head, dismissing it.

MELVIN: I've been here a long time. It is what it is.
FLYNT: I'd be willing to cover a few days for you at some point if it gets you some time off.

His gentle smile returns just as quickly as it left, reassuring Flynt immediately. 

MELVIN: You don't have to do that, but...I'm selfish enough to take that offer. Thank you.
FLYNT: Mm. You've helped me plenty of times, it's worth returning the offer.
MELVIN: You're a kind man, Flynt...too kind for this kind of work.
FLYNT: My hands are just as dirty as anyone else's here, I just don't wanna be like that forever. I know you don't either.
MELVIN: ...how'd you even get in this business to begin with? 
MELVIN: You don't strike me as the type that wants to beat down on people either.
FLYNT: Didn't really have anywhere else to go, got in through Leo.

Melvin nods, leaning back and closing his eyes. 

MELVIN:...you know, if we ever were able to get out of here- and I don't mean just out of the job, I mean Monte entirely- I don't think my wife would protest much if you came with us.
FLYNT: Wouldn't mind leaving this place with a friend, just gotta find the right moment to ditch this mob business.
MELVIN: I can tell you're good with kids too, seeing how you handle helping out with Stope's daughter. 
MELVIN: Pretty sure mine would love you.
FLYNT: Surprised how well that's gone, honestly.
MELVIN: She's a lonely kid, never got along well with her siblings, practically ever since she hatched. 
MELVIN: I've been here longer than she's been alive, and you're one of the first friends she's ever been allowed to have.
FLYNT: Yeah, hard to believe she's from the same line as Stope. Good kid.
MELVIN: If we ever get out of here, we should try and come back for her too someday.
FLYNT: You think she'd be alright with that? Know she doesn't do well with her family but...
MELVIN: Maybe not now, when she's so young...but when she's older, we should at least offer the option.
FLYNT: Yeah.
MELVIN: I probably shouldn't get too latched onto this idea, though...but I don't think I can help it, at this point. It hurts not to dream of something other than this.
FLYNT: I'm with you if we ever find a good out to this.
MELVIN: What would you do, if you ever got out with us?
FLYNT: Find some honest work, a small quiet little place, maybe with a pet.
MELVIN: A pet, huh? Guess that makes a lot of sense for you...what kind, big, small, fluffy, what?
FLYNT: Something easy, no good with big jumpy animals.
MELVIN: You could hold something big in one hand, though. They still startle you that bad?
FLYNT: Big animals?
MELVIN: Yeah, like... 

He gestures to Flynt's massive hands. 

MELVIN: If there was ever a fight with something big, I'd say you'd win it.
FLYNT: That's a fair point. Probably.
MELVIN: Still, small animals are sweet...my kids keep asking me for one of those patchy things, somewhere in the middle size-wise.
FLYNT: Patchy?
MELVIN: Yeah, one of those critters with the quilts on their backs.
FLYNT: Think I saw one at a local fair once. Those legal to own?
MELVIN: Some regions use them as therapy animals, so I'd imagine so.
FLYNT: I could get used to one, maybe.
MELVIN: I hear they nibble on fingers sometimes, though. Not biting, just...nibbling.
FLYNT: You trying to pitch one to me or something?
MELVIN: I dunno, I think they could be a good fit for you. You seem like the type to appreciate the soft things in life.
FLYNT: It'd be a nice way to retire from this kind of work.
MELVIN: If my kids ended up getting one, I'd probably end up giving it walks for them...guess it'd just be us guys walking our living quilts.
FLYNT: I'd be fine with that, living in the same neighborhood.
MELVIN: You'd make a fine neighbor, Flynt.

Melvin smiles, all warmth. 

MELVIN: I'm sure no matter where you end up, you're going to make a positive impact on someone's life. 
MELVIN: You're just that kind of person, even now...and you deserve an out to this, a situation where you can let yourself really be that person.

Flynt can’t help but smile back, just the smallest bit. 

FLYNT: It's good to hear that from someone. One day we're gonna get out of this.
MELVIN: One way or another, right?
FLYNT: Mmhmm. We'll find our escape to Luxson, I know a few folks who can start us off maybe.
MELVIN: You have people waiting for you there?
FLYNT: Hopefully. Had an offer a while back, praying they're still willing.
MELVIN: What are they like, over there?
FLYNT: Mm? What do you mean?
MELVIN: The people you knew.
FLYNT: Softer than this... absolutely not a bad thing.
MELVIN: You think I'd get along with them at all?
FLYNT: Honestly, yeah.
MELVIN: Go on. Tell me about them.
FLYNT: Most of who I know, I met through the infestation. 
FLYNT: Offered to help me settle in after, but I went with Leo instead.
MELVIN: We'll get you back to them.
FLYNT: You're coming too.
MELVIN: It sounds like a nice happily ever after, doesn't it? 
MELVIN: No more breaking kneecaps or coming home with bruises and cuts.
FLYNT: No more worrying about getting shot at through your windows or meeting quotas...
MELVIN: No more horrible alcohol and cigar smell.
FLYNT: I'm okay with that.

There’s a comfortable silence between the two of them, Flynt taking the opportunity to munch some chips. 

MELVIN: Can I ask you to promise me something, Flynt?
FLYNT: Mm?
MELVIN: When we get out of here, can we promise to keep going to therapy? 
MELVIN: Both of us, not just you on the hook here.
FLYNT: Yeah. We'll motivate each other to find docs in Luxson.
MELVIN: I'm no expert, experience has taught me that even when we move, this will follow us.
FLYNT: We'll be safe if we stick to a busy enough area.
MELVIN: Yes well...I meant more internally. We could go to whatever utopic afterlife people believe in and still carry the weight.
FLYNT: Then we'll make it up to the world somehow.
MELVIN: Maybe find some kind of way to make a positive change, to pay up for all we've done here.
FLYNT: Finally get to put it all behind us.
MELVIN: Guessing you wouldn't keep in touch with anybody else here, if that's not too much to assume.
FLYNT: Not a lot of people here for me these days.
MELVIN: I hate to be blunt, but... 

He glances away, averting his eyes. 

MELVIN: Leo's not going to let you go without a fight, if he finds out. 
MELVIN: I hate that you're even in that situation to begin with, but I can see it coming.
FLYNT: He had his chance. 
FLYNT: I don't like where things have been with him and he's making it clear he's not gonna make the effort.
MELVIN: That's the best attitude to have here. 
MELVIN: You deserve a hell of a lot better than the way he treats you, and...I'm glad that therapy has helped with that.
FLYNT: I just don't get why he's turned so hard.
MELVIN: Do you want the honest answer?
FLYNT: Mm.
MELVIN: There hasn't really...been a turn, Flynt.
FLYNT: Yeah...
MELVIN: You were in a war together, things were different then. 
MELVIN: A lot of his tendencies probably came off more as prowess in combat and fending off the plague, and you weren't aware of the fact that they'd extend beyond that. 
MELVIN: He showed you the parts of himself that he knew you would like, and when he was sure you wouldn't leave, well...
FLYNT: Yeah. You're probably right on most of that.
MELVIN: The fact that he's practically in control of your living situation doesn't help, either. 
MELVIN: That kind of power imbalance always leads to trouble, even with the best intentions.
FLYNT: I don't want to have to fight him honestly, he's gonna take it as far as possible.
MELVIN: If it happens, I'll try to be there to help. I know you probably want to keep this between him and yourself, but...
FLYNT: I just don't want anyone in the crossfire.
MELVIN: What's he going to do? Shoot me?
FLYNT: I wouldn't tempt him.
MELVIN: I could lay him flat with a backhand.
FLYNT: He'd absolutely hold a grudge.
MELVIN: Without a doubt, but what could he really do in the long run? He doesn't know where my family is and I intend to keep it that way.
FLYNT: You'd have to be ready to get out immediately if you did that.
MELVIN: Then I'll save it as a last resort.
FLYNT: Yeah.
MELVIN: But mark my words, if he tries to pick a fight with you on you leaving when I’m around, he's getting a bruise he won't soon forget.
FLYNT: I appreciate you looking out for me like that.
MELVIN: Someone has to make sure this place doesn't harden you up entirely, right?
FLYNT: Yeah. Don't think it has yet.
MELVIN: And I don't think it will. 

He reaches out to pat the OBJ's shoulder. 

MELVIN: We're going to get you back home.
FLYNT: You'll really try to come too?
MELVIN: Of course. 

He nods, smiling wide. 

MELVIN: I want you to be able to meet my family properly, and to have a friend like you in a safe future...that would be a dream for a raggedy man like me.
FLYNT: I got no complaints about those plans.
MELVIN: We'll have to-

He stops talking, an ear twitching as the faint sound of people coming up the steps can be heard in the distance.

MELVIN: ...we'll have to discuss more of this later.
FLYNT: They back already?
MELVIN: They shouldn't be... 

He tries to relax, keeping his posture natural as the door unlocks. The familiar sound of hooves on hardwood echoes as Leo walks up the steps, holding a bag of equally familiar bottles. 

LEO: Just stopping in for a sec, dropping these off...don't want to get caught with the good stuff in the car. 
LEO: Ashton drives like a fucking maniac.

Flynt tries his best to keep casual, hiding the tension creeping in all over his body. 

FLYNT: They'd accuse him of being too friendly with the liquids huh?
LEO: Yeah, and bastard would probably make me pay the fines. 

He leans over and kisses Flynt on the forehead, rattling the bag of bottles a bit. 

LEO: You and me, we can catch up later and unwind, right?
FLYNT: Yeah, you have fun out there and we'll figure out what to do after.
LEO: Still don't understand why you won't come with. 
LEO: You used to be a hell of a lot more fun, you know.
FLYNT: Trying to break a few bad spending habits, meet a few personal resolutions.
LEO: And what'd those resolutions be?
FLYNT: Not dropping the same kind of money I used to on stuff to inhale.
LEO: What, you think that stuff's bad for you now or something? 
LEO: I only directed you to the good shit, you know that.
FLYNT: Money can go toward better things.
LEO: Tch.

He pulls away, making a bit of a face. 

LEO: You really are no fun. 

He turns to Melvin, glaring. 

LEO: Stop filling my boyfriend's head with your old man shit. 

The older de'moneres holds his hands up and said nothing, returning the glare. Flynt stays quiet, still trying to hide any sign of feeling tense with all he can muster.

LEO: Whatever. 

He tosses the bag of bottles on the couch, not caring that they clank together. 

LEO: You two go ahead and be boring, I'm going out and making use of my day off. 
LEO: Have fun playing board games or whatever the hell you get up to.

Flynt looks over at Melvin, catching him making a face at the de'moneres behind his back, more of a sneer than anything silly. The OBJ pretends not to notice, keeping his voice even.

FLYNT: You stay safe out there Leo. We'll talk about things more after.

LEO: Yeah, yeah. 

Leo waves a hand dismissively, slamming the door behind him. Flynt takes a moment to wait, making sure that he’s gone. 

MELVIN: ...coast is clear, I think.
FLYNT: We're good?
MELVIN: As good as it gets, with that son of a bitch. 

Melvin exhales hard. 

MELVIN: Are you alright?
FLYNT: Yeah. Thanks. 
MELVIN: You sure? That whiplash was...something, but not unexpected, I suppose.
FLYNT: I'm getting used to it. 
FLYNT: Won't be something I deal with forever though..
MELVIN: Well...I'm proud of you for standing your ground, there. 
MELVIN: Moving away from using, both the booze and the harder stuff, is incredibly difficult, and I can't imagine it's easy on you.
FLYNT: It gets a bit easier with each day.
MELVIN: How's it feel?
FLYNT: I can tell you I don't miss the hangover after.
MELVIN: I used for a while, years back when I first got into this job- did I ever tell you about that?
FLYNT: You mentioned it a few times, not in full detail.
MELVIN: People I worked with here got me into it, and it made me a person I didn't want to be. 
MELVIN: Once my first kid was born, I realized I had to clean up or risk being a terrible father to him, and I couldn't deal with the thought of that. 
MELVIN: My wife supported me the whole way through, and still checks up on me...it's not that she doesn't trust me, but she wants to make sure I stay clean, and is looking out for me. 
MELVIN: She's just like that.
FLYNT: And you've been able to keep good about it this whole time?
MELVIN: Well, I've slipped. Everybody slips. 

The de’moneres shrugs, looking just a little tired at that. 

MELVIN: But having someone to look out for me helps.
FLYNT: You don't mind helping me out if I slip too yeah?
MELVIN: Of course not- but when we get to Luxson, you should seek out a bigger support network than just me.
FLYNT: Yeah, I got people there. Just hoping they'd take me back.
MELVIN: I have a feeling that they will, just by knowing you. 
MELVIN: Some people had to have given you a lot of love for you to turn out like you did, and I mean that genuinely. 
MELVIN: I don't see enough of it out here.
FLYNT: I guess I just don't want this city to swallow me. Does a number on most folks.
MELVIN: It's corrupt, from the ground up. The very man we work for is an affront to what a god should be. 
MELVIN: The fact that Fallow itself rejects him is enough proof of that, and its entire faith is based on benevolence and forgiveness.
FLYNT: Wish XXI had the guts to actually do something. 
MELVIN: Luxson is a good zone, but XXI is...well, spineless, if I'm being blunt.
FLYNT: You're right, I'm not gonna stop you on that.
MELVIN: It's a miracle that Luxson even survived the plague to begin with- people like you are rare, people willing and able to handle horrors, and I'm willing to bet that you weren't exactly picked by choice so much as you just...being there, and available. 
MELVIN: Please, correct me if I'm wrong.
FLYNT: I didn't have a lot of options at the time. 
FLYNT: Got in a lot of trouble when it started, was that or nothing.
MELVIN: Family troubles?
FLYNT: ...Little more complicated than that.
MELVIN: Well...You don't have to go into painful memories if you don't want to, but I'm always open to hearing what's on your mind, both past and present.
FLYNT: I wanna be able to open up about it some day. I'm just not sure if I can yet.
MELVIN: The door's always open, Flynt.
FLYNT: I'll work my way up to it, if you don't mind.
MELVIN: Please, I don't mind at all. 
MELVIN: You don't have to worry about me pushing an issue unless it's for your health.
FLYNT: I appreciate that a ton.
MELVIN: Though, if you ever get yourself in trouble, I am going to call you out on it. I imagine you'd do the same for me.
FLYNT: Yeah, I can promise that much.
MELVIN: Good. 

He rises out of his chair, stretching out. 

MELVIN: Well, we've got a few hours before the rest of them come home, I'd bet...I should probably make us some early dinner.
FLYNT: That sounds nice, honestly. You gonna be good for that?
MELVIN: We should have enough in our kitchen to make something, though it won't be fancy. 
MELVIN: Most likely a simple pasta, if you're alright with that.
FLYNT: That's more than enough.
MELVIN: Cmon, then. You can sit and talk with me while I work.

Flynt follows close behind as they head to the tiny kitchen, barely enough floor space for them both to stand together. Whoever had designed their base of operations clearly didn’t expect anyone to actually cook there, the room little more than food storage and an obligatory oven and sink, just to call it some semblance of a kitchen.

FLYNT: We got sauce yeah?
MELVIN: Mm, though I'll have to spare you the charcoal chunks. 
MELVIN: I love them, but I figure you don't have the taste for them. 
MELVIN: Very much a de'moneres thing.
FLYNT: Yeah, don't think I can get much out of them.

Melvin pulls out a chair for Flynt to sit in as he starts prep. 

MELVIN: I'll save them for my own plate, then- do OBJ have anything they particularly enjoy in their diets?
FLYNT: Most things are fine. 

He sits down, hands on his knees. 

FLYNT: Honestly I'm just glad for the quiet time.
MELVIN: Same...besides, we don't get time to bond like this enough. 
MELVIN: I love my family, but it's nice to have a friend outside of them as well.
FLYNT: I'm just glad to have someone to talk to, Leo's no good for real conversation.
MELVIN: Oh? What's the average talk like?
FLYNT: You got a bit of a glance earlier
MELVIN: Lots of pressuring, potential emotional whiplash, insults?
FLYNT: Yeah…
MELVIN: Hmph. 
MELVIN: I'd say he needs a lesson in manners, but I'd honestly hate to see him cover that sleaze up in polite words. 

The de’moneres gets out a box of pasta, waiting for the water to boil. 

MELVIN: At least now, you can see him for what he is. 
MELVIN: The fact that he doesn't even try to cover it up anymore says a lot about him, but...red flags are easier to see when there's no rose tinted glasses.
FLYNT: He doesn't want to communicate on any of this at all. 
FLYNT: Not expecting this to last more than it has to.
MELVIN: No looking back if you can help it- only good way to do that is reflection, and even then you have to use moderation or else, you'll get stuck in it.

He drums his claws on the counter. 

MELVIN: I'm guessing your therapist's already told you as much though, yeah?
FLYNT: A good amount yeah.
MELVIN: Good. That whole clinic is full of good professionals, I wouldn't've recommended it otherwise. 
MELVIN: Have the coping techniques been of any help?
FLYNT: Yeah, like I said, it gets easier everyday.
MELVIN: Anything you've been struggling with in particular?
FLYNT: I'm not exactly the happiest person around... so there's regularly that.
MELVIN: And yet, here I've been able to get a smile out of you. Give yourself credit.
FLYNT: Yeah. You got me there.
MELVIN: I can understand that, though...there are some days where I can't muster up a positive attitude no matter how much I try. 
MELVIN: I could blame the city for all of that, but I know a good chunk of it is just the way my mind is at this point. 

He pours the pasta into the now boiling water. 

MELVIN: Not that that can't change, you know?
FLYNT: Don't think it's too late. 
FLYNT: Getting out of here would probably help you a ton.
MELVIN: And the same for you. 
MELVIN: Can you imagine what it'd be like, being able to take up proper hobbies?
FLYNT: You don't do much besides work, I'm guessing?

He nods, stirring the pot. 

MELVIN: I used to garden, when I had my old job. 
MELVIN: Have you ever tried?
FLYNT: Nah, never had an opportunity. 
FLYNT: Used to work indoors mostly.
MELVIN: Oh? Doing what, if it's alright to ask.
FLYNT: Security for a lab, making sure nothing got robbed at night.
MELVIN: Muscle, then...I mean, I've never seen an OBJ with arms like that, and certainly not as strong. 
MELVIN: You'd be a shoo in for literally anything to do with it. 
FLYNT: I had a lot of help.... pretty much how I ended up here too.
MELVIN: You planning to try something different when you move out of this city, or keep up with the heavy lifting?
FLYNT: It's what I'm good at, don't have an education in a lot of other stuff.
MELVIN: Never too late to pick something new up, though.
FLYNT: Yeah. Don't know what I'd do though.
MELVIN: Hmm...any hobbies before this?
FLYNT: Nothing that'd be worth much to employers.
MELVIN: Tell me anyway, you'd be surprised at what's applicable.
FLYNT: Mostly just watched a lot of movies, still try to sneak some in here and there.
MELVIN: Any kind in particular stand out to you? 
MELVIN: Genres, tropes, things like that?
FLYNT: Like a lot of the older stuff, there's an appeal to the limited film and tinny audio.
MELVIN: Ahhh, old black and whites...you know there's actually a lot of classics shot here in Monte? 
MELVIN: A bit too violent for my tastes, but there's a pretty big movie industry if you know where to look.
FLYNT: Yeah, I’m a bit familiar. Always wanted to see what it's like shooting a film.
MELVIN: Maybe we can sneak off and see if we can find one before we move out.
FLYNT: You think they'd let us on set to watch?
MELVIN: Oh, no. We'd have to be covert.
FLYNT: Nothing we're not already used to.
MELVIN: I can't imagine it'd be harder than the average mission, with far less risk. 
MELVIN: Could be a fun outing.
FLYNT: How'd we get them to not notice we're messing around?
MELVIN: I mean, we could just flash our credentials. No one messes with Stope's people.
FLYNT: Fair enough, might just work out.
MELVIN: Could make things a little tense, though...hm. You got any ideas?
FLYNT: We could tell them we're hired security.
MELVIN: You think they'd stop to check, or would we sell it on appearances alone?
FLYNT: They wouldn't question, we look intimidating enough.
MELVIN: Hm...how high would you estimate the risk of being recognized? 
MELVIN: I'm sure we have a reputation among the other mobs.
FLYNT: If we lay low and don't make eye contact nobody will notice too much.
MELVIN: Maybe we could get you a hat.
FLYNT: Hat could help.
MELVIN: Have to find something that works with those horns of yours, though. We'll have to shop at a proper hearts outlet with that kind of curve.
FLYNT: Yeah... now that you mention it, I'd be pretty recognizable in general. 
FLYNT: Needs to be a huge hat.
MELVIN: A glamorous sunhat, perhaps.

Melvin smirks, working on straining the pasta now.

FLYNT: Yeah, that'll fool them. Just passing by.
MELVIN: Would sunglasses add to the effect, or just look silly, do you think?
FLYNT: I don't got eyes. They'll notice that.
MELVIN: I've seen stranger trends in this city, and I've seen plenty of OBJ try to go for a glasses look.
FLYNT: ...Why?
MELVIN: Beats me. Familiarity, I suppose. 
MELVIN: How much sauce do you like on your pasta?
FLYNT: Get me as much as you can.
MELVIN: That's what I like to hear. Cheese on top?
FLYNT: Please.
MELVIN: You got it.

Melvin starts plating the pasta, giving both servings a healthy dose of sauce and cheese sprinkled on top. He pulls a stick of charcoal out of the spice cabinet to top his own, grating some shavings on. 

MELVIN: Annnd there we go. 

He brings the plates over and settles down, making sure to pass Flynt a fork- large enough for him to wield properly. 

MELVIN: Dig in.

Flynt takes the fork in hand, smiling just a little.

FLYNT: Really appreciate it. Thanks.
MELVIN: No problem, my friend. 
MELVIN: Ah- we need drinks.

He gets back up, rifling through the fridge. 

MELVIN: Ugh, these people...there's only half a thing of juice left, the rest is all booze. 
MELVIN: I don't know how anyone survives in this team. Care to split what's there? 
FLYNT: Yeah, you can take the bigger half if you'd like.

Flynt takes a bite. The pasta’s nearly perfectly cooked, and the sauce is flavorful. Melvin pours the two of them drinks, making sure to keep them even. 

MELVIN: It's not a half if one's bigger, you know.
FLYNT: Fair, you know what I mean... also this is great, as a side note.

Melvin passes the cup over, careful not to spill. 

MELVIN: Just pasta out of a box, sauce out of a jar...but it's nice to have someone cook for you, isn't it?
FLYNT: Yeah.. you got it right either way and you put in the effort.
MELVIN: I love to cook for my family when I get the chance- most of it's stuff like this, out of the box. 
MELVIN: But they love it all the same, even if my wife's is leagues better. 
MELVIN: The thought counts for a lot.
FLYNT: You show that you care.
MELVIN: You know any cooking yourself?
FLYNT: Don't know much more than eggs.
MELVIN: Eggs are good breakfast. 
MELVIN: Nothing says that you care about somebody quite like making them eggs in the morning.
FLYNT: You think so?
MELVIN: Mhm. Don't sell yourself short- eggs can carry just as much meaning as any other meal.
FLYNT: You saying this from experience?
MELVIN: My wife makes the best sunny side up.
FLYNT: She cooks you breakfast sometimes?
MELVIN: Sometimes she wakes up before dawn, just to try and catch me before I sneak out for work. 
MELVIN: Makes sure I eat, she knows I'd just take something barely substantial on the way.
FLYNT: You not good about eating on your own?
MELVIN: Not as much as I should be, especially for a guy as big as I am. 

He pokes at his bicep. 

MELVIN: I need to keep my strength up better if I want to make sure I can do my job, and while she doesn't know the nature of it...she knows that much. 
MELVIN: So, she makes sure I eat.
FLYNT: I'm gonna do her a favor and make sure you get food in the tank too.

He laughs, pointing his fork at the OBJ. 

MELVIN: She'll warm up to you real fast, I can just tell.
FLYNT: Good, I wanna keep on good terms with you and your family, especially if we do make it out.
MELVIN: I don't think you'll have any trouble with that, not one bit- and I want to get to know your family as well, whoever that may be for you...even if anyone qualifying as that is someone you've yet to meet.
FLYNT: Don't know if I'd call any of them family, but I'd be glad if there's someone that cares that much left.
MELVIN: That's something they don't teach here in Monte. 
MELVIN: Chosen family is just as good as blood ties, if not better a lot of the time. 
MELVIN: When you're in a better place, you'll be able to make those choices.
FLYNT: I'd settle for any kind of family, long as I don't gotta deal with more getting shot at.
MELVIN: No blood waiting for you back there at all, though? 

He takes a bite of his pasta, swallowing before continuing. 

MELVIN: Feel free to pass on the question.
FLYNT: None. You got anyone in Luxson?
MELVIN: None myself. The only blood I have aside from my children is my father, and I have no plans of saying goodbye to him.
FLYNT: Not on the best terms, yeah?
MELVIN: He's a big supporter of the caste system, even though we're on the lower end. 
MELVIN: If I hadn't married another graftelle, he would have treated me even worse than he already does.
FLYNT: Caste system is all levels of screwed up, to be honest.
MELVIN: I hate that I'm enforcing it in any way.
FLYNT: You won't have to forever.
MELVIN: And neither will you. 

He takes a sip of his drink, thinking to himself. 

MELVIN: You know, I think I have an idea for future work.
FLYNT: Lay it on me.
MELVIN: So obviously our job here revolves around muscle. 
MELVIN: We break kneecaps and make sure operations go well- and we could seek out employment along those lines in cleaner ways without any violence, sure. Working on construction sites, heavy lifting in general...  

He points his fork at Flynt again. 

MELVIN: But you know what else we do a lot of? 
FLYNT: We talk about wanting to do something better?
MELVIN: Well, yes. 

He can’t help but snort a bit. 

MELVIN: But I mean on the job.
FLYNT: We look big and menacing?
MELVIN: We keep our eyes open. 
MELVIN: We try to pick up on details that nobody else does, and scope out areas to make sure they're safe. 
MELVIN: A lot of communities could use sharp eyes like that.
FLYNT: You think they might want a couple of watchmen?
MELVIN: I was thinking more on the lines of sleuthing.
FLYNT: Detective work?
MELVIN: Exactly. Private, of course. 
MELVIN: I don't think either of us would do well with authority figures, at this point.
FLYNT: Definitely private. Anything else would get us investigated thanks to the mob shit, and I don’t want to deal with that hanging over us.
MELVIN: Our background would prevent anything like that, and I honestly don't trust anyone in that kind of power to actually send people on cases that matter.
FLYNT: Yeah. We'll have to avoid getting negative attention either way but a private business seems like the better option here.
MELVIN: Sounds like you're taking to the idea already.
FLYNT: It'd be something I can do and tons cleaner than our current job.
MELVIN: Besides, it'd be like something out of your movies. I think it might just be a perfect fit.
FLYNT: Never thought I'd be living a film like that.
MELVIN: Can you see yourself in that role?
FLYNT: I can make it work.
MELVIN: You've already got the coat for it and everything. 
MELVIN: Besides...that whole...scrap ability of yours, isn't it? 
MELVIN: The powers that you and Leo have?
FLYNT: Yeah. What about it exactly?
MELVIN: I imagine that's got to come in handy with something like that.
FLYNT: Guess it would, don't wanna have to use it more than I gotta but I have the option.
MELVIN: Not a fan of it?
FLYNT: Gets a bit spooky sometimes, you know?
MELVIN: How so?
FLYNT: Ghosts. Sometimes you gotta deal with them.
MELVIN: I've only heard stories, never seen any myself...you have, I'm guessing.
FLYNT: Plenty, more than anyone would really want to. 
FLYNT: This place is cursed like that.
MELVIN: What are they like, if it's alright to ask.
FLYNT: A lot of them are just sad honestly.
MELVIN: Mmm...is there anything to be done for them?
FLYNT: Sometimes. Taking them somewhere peaceful.
MELVIN: And do they just...remain there?
FLYNT: Hopefully. If it's nice enough it'll be good for them.
MELVIN: Is there ever an actual end, once someone hits that point?
FLYNT: No idea. Don't like the idea of a definitive end, personally.
MELVIN: You'd want to live on forever in some form, then?
FLYNT: I'd like to think I just don't stop existing altogether maybe. 
FLYNT: Oblivion is a nasty thought.
MELVIN: I think you live on through the people who love you, the stories you tell, and the impact you leave behind.

He sets his fork down, finishing his pasta. 

MELVIN: I hope that mine is a positive one.
FLYNT: Hope so too. I think you will.
MELVIN: I've done a lot of terrible things, but I do have a family that I love very, very much- and I figure that must count for something.
FLYNT: They'll understand once you're out of here.
MELVIN: You think so, even after everything? 
MELVIN: I mean, I'm sure my wife suspects already, but to hear it from my own mouth…
FLYNT: You were looking out for them. 
FLYNT: You clearly don't enjoy this line of work.
MELVIN: Even then, I've gotten caught up in it just as much as any of the others.
FLYNT: Won't be like that forever.
MELVIN: Mm...but for now, it certainly is. 

He takes his plate to the sink, rinsing it off. 

MELVIN: And for tonight at the very least, we get a little break. 
MELVIN: What would you like to do now?
FLYNT: Not sure, didn't think we'd get this much time off at all.
MELVIN: I'd say we have at least two hours to burn, one if we're particularly unlucky.
FLYNT: What can we get done in that?
MELVIN: Hmm...how about a walk?
FLYNT: I can do that.
MELVIN: I'll try to get you back in time for the gang coming back, though...as much as I'd like to spend the night roaming around, I don't want you getting yelled at.
FLYNT: Appreciate it. You wrapped up with everything in here for now?
MELVIN: Think so, after I rinse off your plate.

He holds out a hand, Flynt handing his plate over. 

FLYNT: Gotta cover our tracks, huh?
MELVIN: I'm sure you'd be thoroughly mocked for eating an old man's cooking…
FLYNT: They’re the ones missing out.

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

Sabbath - 2021
Comorant, Masa con Papas
CW: Implied physical and emotional abuse.
Erica finds a Rabbit in the Storage Room.

---

 

You're Erica Judgment, gunslinger knight extraordinaire...

 

At least you were, these days you consider yourself mostly retired. 

 

Admittedly it's in a bit of a loose sense of the word but you sure don't travel the world hunting abominations like you used to.

 

These days you've taken over the family duty of watching over the Judgment house, something you know you got down more than any of your relatives.

 

Part of that, of course, is keeping inventory and taking care of the old family storage room, a massive armory of tools, loot, and archived information saved for future generations.

 

For the most part it's been standard routine, a few things are out of place but you figure your grandkids must've shuffled things around at some point...

 

At least you figured in the moment.

 

You hear a fumbling in the corner. 

 

Erica: Charon! Geezer! You there?

 

There's an immediate whimper, one that's vaguely familiar but not one you recognize as either of your grandkids.

 

You hear the sounds of someone trying to get back onto their feet and failing miserably. You creep around the corner quietly, you can make out the top of the head from behind a counter.

 

You manage to get close enough that if they tried to book it you'd pin them easily. 

 

Erica: You stay there, got no idea how you managed to break in here but if you don't wanna make things hard for yourself you'll keep calm while I escort you out. 

 

You see their ears perk up slightly, vaguely rabbity. 

 

???: ...Mom?

 

Their tone immediately hits you in a hard way.

 

Erica: ...Bucket?

 

You immediately scramble over to get a proper look at them, a metal rabbit on the ground shaking.

 

???: Sorry for making a mess, I've been locked in here for a long time... couldn't figure a way out.

 

You shake your head and offer a hand to them immediately.

 

Erica: No worries, lets get you out of here kiddo.

 

???: Kiddo?

 

Erica: What, you don't like that?

 

???: I dunno.. feel too old to be called something like that. 

 

Erica: Fair, sorry about that. Kind of a old habit.

 

???: It's fine...

 

They grab onto your hand, you help pull them up. They're wobbly.

 

Erica: You doing okay there?

 

???: Trying my best, starving honestly....

 

Erica: Yeah? Hungry?

 

???: Yeah...

 

Erica: Lets see what we have in the fridge then...

 

The two of you quickly scoot to the kitchen, you can worry about cleaning up the storage room later. The mystery rabbit sits down in the middle of the kitchen, fussing about with the table cloth to pass the time. 

 

You take a look inside the fridge.

 

Erica: You up for pie?

 

???: Sure, what kind?

 

Erica: Some recipes from overseas my grandsons took a crack at, they're out right now but you'll get to meet them soon. Very fruity, ¿querés?

 

???: Yes please! If it's okay...

 

Erica: It's nothing, don't sweat.

 

You take the pie to the kitchen counter and start getting a slice ready.

 

Erica: You want a big slice or a small one?

 

You hear a shy muttering you can't make out.

 

Erica: Can't hear you, gotta speak up!

 

???: Big please... 

 

You cut the slice and served it to them with a plate and fork.

 

Erica: There you go kiddo, just for you.

 

They took a big bite with zero hesitation. The poor thing clearly wasn't lying about being in there for a while if they were that hungry.

 

Erica: You like that?

 

They look at you with a mouthful, unable to speak fully.

 

???: Mmm!

 

Erica: So tell me about yourself a little yeah? Not often I find a stranger in my own home.

 

They pause for a moment. 

 

???: Stranger? I mean... I guess so... I don't feel like one.

 

Erica: Guess you did just call me mom like it was nothing. 

 

???: I mean... it feels right in my head. That's probably weird though.

 

Erica: Doesn't bother me as much as you'd think, you got a name?

 

???: Don't think so. Don't remember all that much outside of this house and the woods around.

 

Erica: No family or anything?

 

???: I mean... I remember you pretty well, and I remember there being someone else. You're a lot older though... I feel like I missed out on a lot. 

 

You go quiet for a bit, they didn't look any older than your grandkids so there's no way they could have possibly been around that long right?

 

You might've heard a story about something like this but...

 

You'd need to fish around to confirm.

 

???: Is everything okay?

 

Erica: Just thinking, sorry about that. Who's the other person?

 

???: My partner! You'd know them, dog just like you, really strong too. Long hair, dyed it pretty often. 

 

Erica: Bucket..?

 

???: Mmhmm! We trained together for years, two of us had been through a lot... stuff got weird though. You two started arguing a lot.. hated that a ton.

 

Erica: Yeah... I'm sorry about that.

 

???: Still really hurts, honestly? Just started thinking about running away, felt like you just couldn't really get me no matter how much I tried to talk to you.

 

Erica: ....

 

???: Didn't see as much of you after that. Two of us started training with Ali instead.. really pushed us to the brink once we really got more committed to the idea.

 

???: Think we ended up crying a lot after our sessions. 

 

???: Then one day Ali wanted to test us. Pulled out the biggest hunk of metal we'd ever seen. Worst fuck up we've ever done-

 

They stopped themselves.

 

???: Sorry, didn't mean to swear like that in front of you...

 

Erica: It's fine, keep going. 

 

???: She was swinging so big and hard she could hit us from across the clearing, kept really putting the pressure on us. Scared she'd straight up kill us. Did my best to block it, really did but I couldn't take it...

 

Erica: You tried clashing with her?

 

???: All we could do in the moment, chunked us both super hard for that. They barely made it out with their life, if it wasn't for whatever magic she had they would've survived. Told us to keep it a secret if they wanted to still train the "real way"... guess they never told you. Wasn't as lucky myself though...

 

Erica: What'd you mean?

 

???: They couldn't fix me without a complete reforging of the blade. Shelved me in the storage room for a bit, never came back for me though. Guess I can't blame them though, did an awful job in the end...

 

Their tone goes incredibly somber. 

 

You place your hand on their head. 

 

Erica: Bucket's got a lot going on these days, it's been hard for them to come back.

 

???: Are they okay?

 

Erica: Hard to say honestly kiddo.... guessing with all you've said though you don't have anywhere to go huh?

 

They shake their head.

 

???: Not really no, got no clue where to start either.

 

Erica: Well worst case scenario, you can stick around here. We got rooms to spare and I wouldn't mind extra company. Grandkids are always busy during the day so it helps.

 

???: You wouldn't mind that?

 

Erica: Nah. We need a name for you though. 

 

???: Need to think on that one..

 

Erica: First thing your gut feels good about.

 

???: I mean... there's Sabbath. They were considering it but thought it was too much...

 

Erica: Honestly it has a nice ring to it, how do you feel about it? 

 

???: It's kind of nice...

 

Erica: Then we'll go with that for now. Sound good?

 

Sabbath: Mm.. 

 

Sabbath goes quiet, focused on finishing their slice of pie and scraping at the leftover crust and cream stuck on the plate for a good while.

 

Erica: You need another slice?

 

Sabbath: Mm....

 

Erica: Use your words, kiddo.

 

Sabbath: Yes, please. 

 

You grabbed their plate and went back to the counter to serve them another slice.

 

Erica: Gotta make sure to tell Geezer and Charon how much you liked it when they get back. Gonna have to introduce ya'll to each other, especially if you decide to stick around.

 

Sabbath: Of course. You're sure it's okay? 

 

Erica: Yeah, treat this place as your own home.

 

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

Apple Cider - 2021
Comorant, Masa, Crankshaft
CW: Mention of Death
Manzana takes it easy for a night.

---

 

You're Manzana.

 

Under most circumstances you are the master of magic, top of your field in all things supernatural.

 

You take great pride in this frankly, it takes a lot of work to get as far as you did.

 

The training straight from hell, the hours, the tiresome task of sweet talking executives and selling them on the idea that maybe they shouldn't build theme parks on cursed land. 

 

It pays well, it builds reputation, and it gets you invites to big fancy parties that you can't help but get increasingly sick of...

 

But for now you are back home in your private little slice of Plaza, the region you were born in.

 

You're not alone of course, Platino is keeping you company. He's your... friend? Business partner?

 

Regardless you've known him for some good time at this point and you don't think he'll leave anytime soon.

 

Your feelings are always a little conflicted. On one hand he's a ghost in your head with all the caveats.

 

On the other hand your pool of familiar faces in life are otherwise your "mother", your thickheaded rival, and a couple of others you don't get to see often enough.

 

Right now though that ghost in your head is crashed on your couch watching god knows what.

 

You lean over the sofa taking a peek at the telly for a bit- you're not entirely sure what's going on but it's some hot garbage.

 

He seemingly doesn't notice you at first, but eventually looks up at you.

 

Platino: Sup?

 

Manzana: Not much really. You settled in fine.

 

Platino: Gotta take advantage whenever we get a little time off right? No offense but traveling as much as you do is a pretty intensive job.

 

Manzana: Puts me ahead of the competition, not apologizing for that.

 

Platino: It's hell bad for my sleep and joints, those hotel beds get pretty rough you know?

 

Manzana: Can't always be booking luxury, you'll manage. Tonight's not going to be much better anyway, don't have a second bed set up so you'll just have to use the living room. Don't you normally just vacate and go all ghost by now anyway?

 

Platino: Normally, but you got so much weird supernatural crap in your house I don't wanna take the risk at night.

 

Manzana: What do you mean?

 

Platino: Leaving a body unattended in a place where there's a real chance you'll be intercepted by some otherworldly nightmare is a way to lose it really fast. 

 

Manzana: Thought it strained you to stay in this world full time.

 

Platino: Not if I plan things out a little, just gotta live things a little nocturnal right? It's pretty common in this region anyway...

 

Manzana: If you're under 30 and depressed maybe.

 

Platino: You're under 30 and depressed, don't even start.

 

You grumble to yourself.

 

Platino: Anyway if I'm not around in the mornings don't sweat things too much, I'll be back by the time the sun starts setting. 

 

Manzana: I'm not worried, you can do whatever you want.

 

Platino: You sure? Won't miss having someone to talk to at your desk?

 

Manzana: I'll be fine, I can rubber duck off anything else really. 

 

Platino: Sure. 

 

You look back at the television for a moment, a scene of a child in a cave telling a washed up skeleton about their day plays in front of you. 

 

Manzana: What the fuck are you watching?

 

Platino: Not sure? Your cable box is pretty weird, never even heard of half the shit listed. Like earlier I saw this weird ass thing that... actually you wanna sit down for this?

 

Manzana: I'm fine here, continue?

 

Platino: I don't even know what went on. Guy claims to be some sort of government professional but not sure I really buy that? There's a lady who just walks around with a piece of wood everywhere... everyone acts so weird that it made my skin crawl a little.

 

Manzana: TV setups here tend to pick up on weird stuff like that...You going to be okay?

 

Platino: Me? I mean yeah no, it's obviously all fiction but I dunno. Gonna be thinking about that for some.... 

 

Manzana: Maybe you should take a break? 

 

Platino: I dunno, feeling pretty comfortable watching stuff like this but feels like going through channels is some wild russian roulette you know?

 

Manzana: I mean... I got a movie collection if you really need something. 

 

Platino: Since when?

 

Manzana: A good while actually, collect a lot of local stuff while traveling based on recommendations.. you've never seen the shelf?

 

Platino: I try not to look through your things like that. 

 

Manzana: For the best. In this case though it's better than you freaking yourself out late at night because you decided to watch something a little incomprehensible to the flesh. 

 

Platino: See when you put it like that, I feel like I got out easy.

 

Manzana: You probably did, that TV setup is super cursed. 

 

Platino: Why do you even have something like that?

 

Manzana: Work.

 

Platino: You're not going to go into any more detail than that?

 

Manzana: Don't really need to, you figure it out from there.

 

Platino: Gotta say I'm not used to you being a cryptic bastard like that. Full of surprises today. Guess that's not too hard though when you keep things so close to the vest, yeah?

 

Manzana: I've got my way of doing things. 

 

Platino: Now that I think of it, there's a lot of things about you I don't know like... do you even have a birthday? Never seen that come up really.

 

Manzana: Don't really celebrate it.

 

Platino: Yeah? Why not?

 

Manzana: Overlaps with some unpleasant stuff so I just.. don't.

 

Platino: What do you mean?

 

Manzana: Had someone important pass away the day of one year, still leaves me kinda fucked. If it's okay I don't really want to go into it more than that though. Tend not to tell people the day since they're tempted to surprise me in some way.

 

Platino: I can get that.

 

Manzana: Only three people really know about this; you, me, and her. Keep it like that.

 

Platino: That big a secret? And you're sharing it with me? Dang...

 

Manzana: At this point I feel like I can trust you with something like that, you're good about keeping quiet.

 

Platino: Before you were the only person I could talk to, now I actually COULD go spreading it. 

 

Manzana: You won't and I don't want you joking about doing it. 

 

Platino: I mean you're right. 

 

Manzana: I'm serious too.

 

Platino: I know you are. 

 

Manzana: It's... pretty hard for me to open up. Haven't had the best track record with people in the past really so... don't waste this. 

 

Platino makes room on the couch and pats down on the cushion, prompting you to sit next to him. You shake your head.

 

Manzana: I'm good. Just... don't make me regret this. 

 

Platino: Lips sealed. 

 

You peek at the screen again, you can't help but be a little put off by the imagery in front of you.

 

Manzana: I should go get you something better to watch. Spare yourself.

 

Platino: Yeah... you gonna join me? Could order a pizza, make it a real movie night. 

 

Manzana: Maybe. 

 

Platino: Wouldn't be a bad way to start your break. Just two friends, a couple of tapes, and a deep dish. Get yourself some of your favorites and bam, easy night.

 

Friends.

 

Manzana: Needed to figure out dinner anyway, fridge isn't properly stocked since we're usually away from here. 

 

Platino: Then it's settled right? 

 

Manzana: On a few ground rules. No hugging me if you get scared, no falling asleep on my shoulder, and if you make a mess you pick it up. Easy?

 

Platino: Easy. 

 

Manzana: Give me a few minutes and I'll call the delivery place... 

 

Platino: You take as much time as you need, I'll just be here. 

 

Manzana: I'll be quick about it. 

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

Midnight Toast - 2021
BaftComorant, Crankshaft Rafflesian
CW: None
Two Supernatural Rabbits have a heart to heart about past days.


 

Spice: Targe went up ahead to handle some stuff with the van, finished packing up everything. The bunch of you are doing alright?

 

Jam: Yeah, mostly.

 

Spice: Ah, she tuckered out. 

 

Jam: Yeah, whole thing was a little too much for her, I think. Doesn't really do the big social setting stuff like this.

 

Spice: Poor thing. 

 

Jam: She'll be fine though, I think she had fun. Really appreciate you two inviting us out here, haven't done a big city festival in a long time, especially one with a proper witch meetup.

 

Spice: Surprised by how hard you went in on it, just needed a couple extra hands with the booth and then you came full outfit with guns blazing. You really make that outfit yourself?

 

Jam: Dotty gave us some help but yeah, Lex and I managed to scrape something together last second.

 

Spice: No kidding, gave you two days. Hope you weren't busting your ass for this.

 

Jam: Only a bit, we didn't have time to do a real dye job unfortunately so we had to go out with our hair all natural. Would've really brought the look together to splash some color..

 

Spice: Don't think anyone noticed, you uh... kinda helped us sell a lot of stuff today actually? We never get that much attention at these things.

 

Jam: Guessing that means you got another opportunity down the line?

 

Spice: I mean if you want, you're already a part of the staff at our little mall setup so....

 

Jam: Then you know where to call. 

 

Spice: Honestly though I should've expected that much, the customers love the two of you. 

 

Jam: Do they?

 

Spice: Yeah actually, the online reviews of the place bring you up a good bit. The rabbit in the swirly shades! They're so helpful and nice! They're so fun to talk to! It's good stuff. Lex’s been good since she jumped in too, people love the sweet clumsy rat who suplexed a shoplifter.

 

Jam: Really still appreciate that you came in clutch with the job offer.

Spice: You did me a favor honestly. I like working with people I know I can trust if I can and you really came through too. Hella scary when you’re going from selling stuff online to setting up an actual physical storefront.

Jam: I do my best. 

 

Spice: The two of you do good, it’s why we brought you along.  High key you were kinda popping off hard. Shit with the sign was nuts, they came running to our booth.

 

Jam: They got so hyped over the sign. Glad Lex tagged in to help me do that.

 

Spice: I swear to god I've never seen people so enamored with someone spinning cardboard before.

 

Jam: Then Dotty came in with the worm and, and...

 

Spice: That audience went apeshit! They fucking loved the worm!

 

Jam: You know some of them tried to give me their number after that?

 

Spice: You serious? 

 

Jam: I am! Funniest thing I've seen. 

 

Spice: No idea how you managed to keep that energy going the whole time.

 

Jam: The audience fuels me, they love a confident rabbit and their lucky oversized worm on a string. Wallet is stuffed with flirtations. 

 

Spice: You took people's numbers?!

 

Jam: Course I did, wallet's stuffed. 

 

Spice: You're... you're not gonna call them back right?

 

Jam: Nah, it's pretty great though. 

 

Jam: Gotta say while not having Lex around the past months was hard, one of the nicer things was catching up with you though.

 

Spice: Yeah... honestly kinda surprised you're still not pissed at me though.

 

Jam: I mean it was on me too, you know? I just... I dunno. 

 

Spice: Yeah... 

 

Jam: Like, Lex would just go into these depressive slumps and I'd have to take over from there, you know? Most people in the circle didn't seem to notice though.

 

Spice: To be fair you and Lex were kind of in the background for a good while. Ya'll were so quiet. 

 

Jam: Yeah but like.. you managed to catch on that I wasn't Lex right?

 

Spice: Yeah.

 

Jam: And... you weren't weird about it. You were really cool and... I guess my first real friend. 

 

Spice: That just makes me feel worse about it. 

 

Jam: Don't beat yourself up over it, I was pretty damn shitty about it. I dunno...

 

Jam: Lex kinda blacked out for a couple of weeks and I got stupid really fast. Asked you out even though you were clearly still recovering from kind of a rough place with Targe and...

 

Spice: I mean I took the offer. Hell I feel like I did you more dirty than anything you know?

 

Jam: You weren't doing great....

 

Spice: Yeah. And I kinda used you as a bandage when you really deserved better you know? I liked you but not in the same way I was and still am with Targe. 

 

Jam: I just wanted to spend more time and really... I dunno, keep a friend in my life I guess. Didn't think about you or if Lex would've been okay with this sort of thing you know? Hell I kinda was assuming a lot like...

 

Spice: Assuming?

 

Jam: I don't think I ever really straight up told you that I wasn't Lex you know?

 

Spice: I mean... I knew.

 

Jam: Yeah but at the most we kinda just vagued through it and you had figured it out you know?

 

Spice: You’d ask me stuff that pretty much confirmed it. "If I wasn't who I said I was, would you be mad?"

 

Jam: I was scared as hell. You looked me dead in the eye and went "Yes." before doing a flip. 

 

Spice: That sounds like young me...

 

Jam: I was crying! That was the hardest question I'd asked and you just did a you! Laughed so hard I couldn't breath!

 

Spice: Almost died too!

 

Jam: You did! We were right next to the stairs!

 

Spice: You almost died!

 

Jam: Fucking tried to take me with you!

 

Spice: Accident, swear on my life.

 

Jam: Gay bunny bitch. 

 

Spice: WHOOOOOA! When did you get a mouth like that?

 

Jam: Dotty. 

 

Spice: ...Really?

 

He looks over at her sweet sleeping face leaned on your shoulder.

 

Jam: Swears like a sailor, you didn't know that?

 

Jam: She's so fucking cool.

 

Spice: Would've never thought it honestly, she seems so nice..

 

Jam: She is, she's just... a very distinct kind of sweet. 

 

Jam: Anyway though I dunno, it was nice to be accepted like that...

 

Spice: I mean, I still kinda ruined things in the end.

 

Jam: You were honest! You weren't clicking with the relationship and you wanted to just be friends and... I didn't really take it well at all. I handled it super poorly.

 

Spice: I mean it makes sense that you felt hurt after that...

 

Jam: I said some worrying ass shit and then ghosted you for the rest of college!

 

Jam: You came running over to our dorm asking if we were okay and... 

 

Jam: Lex just happened to be there and answered and wasn't doing all that great herself at the time...

 

Jam: And... you kinda just sat with her and comforted her through it even though you knew it wasn't me.

 

Spice: ......

 

Jam: Even when I went off the rails you still tried to take care of us. Hell that's how she became good friends with you and Targe.

 

Jam: You both took care of her, makes me happy you know?

 

Jam: Kid had just gone through some personal loss stuff, fell off with a bunch of her high school friends, and what she had left just... moved all the way to the other side of the region.

 

Spice: Yeah well... I dunno. I just hurt you a lot and hoped that you still just.. I dunno. I wanted to still be friends.

 

Jam: I mean I... I was just kinda nasty for a bit. One day I had to sub in for Lex and you managed to catch on. Tried to talk to me, apologize and just... 

 

Jam: I played dumb, acted like I had no idea what you were talking about and insisted it was just Lex, kinda just puposfully made you feel weird and awkward.

 

Spice: Yeah.. that really hurt a lot in that moment. Tried to tell myself that maybe I did make a mistake but uh... Lex didn't remember a lick of that when I talked to her the day after. Cut kinda deep no lie.

 

Jam: Poor thing had to deal with the aftermath of my shit too, she REALLY didn't deserve that.

 

Jam: I guess just... being rejected like that made me worry it was over. When relationships fell off for us in high school we just never really talked to that person again you know?

 

Jam: We never go back to being friends the way we used to... 

 

Jam: I didn't want to be alone again.Looking back I assumed a ton and made it so much worse...

 

Spice: I mean I wouldn't sweat it like that you know? Good amount of blame is on me too and really.. We were all kinda dumbass teens. Just barely out of high school and figuring things out and neither of us were really in the best mental space.

 

Spice: And at the end of the day I think we're better friends than we were back then. 

 

Spice: You're a good person at heart, a good person who was going through a lot emotionally at the time. 

 

Spice: I dunno, just... 

 

Spice: Don't beat yourself up so hard. 

 

Jam: I usually don't but it's really hard not to on this one. 

 

Jam: But you're right honestly. Been enough since then that we can kinda bury it behind.

 

Spice looks over at Dotty.

 

Spice: Can't believe she managed to sleep through that..

 

Jam: She works pretty hard, she deserves it. 

 

Spice: Gonna feel bad waking her up when Targe comes back with the van.

 

Jam: We can carry her. 

 

Spice: She's a head taller than you and almost three times as heavy.

 

Jam: Lex can help me.

 

Spice: Does it work like that? 

 

Jam: Maybe, Lex is pretty buff when she wants to be. Honestly I should let her back soon anyway, getting pretty tired after all that.

 

Spice: Ah right, you don't last too long on your own huh?

 

Jam: Nope, I already pushed myself way too hard today. That said I'll stick around until Targe shows up, let things settle down before throwing her back to the front. Cool with that?

 

Spice: Yeah. Appreciate this talk, think we both needed that.

 

Jam: Think so too, got a lot of weight off my shoulders after that, you know?

 

Jam: I'm finally free.

 

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

---

Sketchbooks - 2021
BaftComorant, Crankshaft Rafflesian
CW: Mention of Parasites, Discussion of Past Trauma
Dotty to Lex about A lot of Shit Actually
 

---

 Lex: Whatcha doing?

 Dotty: Nothing...

 Lex: You drawing?

 Dotty: It's not done...

 Lex: Oh wow, that looks good...  

 Dotty: That? That's just a doodle...

 Lex: How come you never told me you draw?

 Dotty: Never really got super into it until recently, like... while you were gone. before that it was really just a bunch of casual doodles at work...

 Lex: Makes sense... 

 Dotty: Mostly done with this one though, still gotta put the ears in. 

 Lex: I'm digging it a lot so far. That's a pretty distinct style...

 Dotty: It's okay.. I can do a lot better than that if I try. 

 Lex: Oh?

 Dotty: Let me find a good one...
 She leans on your shoulder. You try to speed through faster. You're not used to others seeing your art.

 Lex: You do a lot of stuff in ink...

 Dotty: Yeah. Apparently I used to do this for fun on the side before uh... stuff happened. When I got back into the groove of things it kinda felt natural. Took a few months to really get comfortable again but... I think I'm doing pretty good honestly.

 Lex: Yeah, a lot of these are really pretty...

 Dotty: You haven't seen the darker ones yet... keep those in a separate book.

 Lex: You gotta show me those too then, I love that kind of stuff....

 Dotty: It's... a little more complicated for me.

 Lex: What do you mean?

 Dotty: So I've been going to a therapist for a good while now. While you were gone a lot of memories started popping up.

 Lex: Right, we talked about this a little.. you never really went into a lot of detail though.

 Dotty: I know, told you I would but I've... it's been pretty hard. Before I couldn't think of anything about the old me as well.. me. Now I don't know anymore. A lot of feelings pouring in that I didn't know I had I guess.

 Lex: What kind of feelings? Like, if you're okay with talking about it right now.

 Dotty: A lot of anxiety about the future, a lot of being lonely... a lot of warm and cozy stuff too though. There were people who meant a lot to me back then and... it's weird? Even though I can't remember them clearly I can still remember how they made me feel pretty well... miss them a ton.

 Lex: You know who they are? Like, names or something?

 Dotty: Nope, can't even remember faces sometimes. Just that they were really important to me.

 Lex: We can go look for them, you know?

 Dotty: I mean... I don't know if any of them are still around. It's been a heck of a long time you know?

 Dotty: And if they are... maybe I didn't matter so much to them... they would've looked for me at some point after I got brought back.

 Lex: Maybe they don't know? You haven't been in big news lately right?

 Dotty: I mean Erica tracked me down eventually.

 Lex: Uh... who was that again?

 Dotty: Geezer's grandma, the cowboy. 

 Lex: Right.. scary old lady...

 Dotty: Actually remembered some stuff about her not too long ago. She hasn't aged that badly actually? Just a little more grey and tired... in hindsight I'm not sure she's actually a dog?

 Lex: What do you mean?

 Dotty: Like... I met her decades ago. 

 Lex: I mean she looks sorta old.

 Dotty: Right but... like 50 years ago maybe? 

 Lex: Some folks age way slower than others, not that weird. 

 Dotty: She's a ruffneck though, she's already pretty late in her lifespan.

 Lex: Maybe a hybrid? I dunno.. 
 
Dotty: Either way, had a good number of memories with her there. She was with someone else a couple of times actually? Kind of a tall person, did a drawing of them actually...
 

 Lex: Pretty... That's a lot of ink, looks like it took awhile to make.

 Dotty: A little... never really got to my point on this. Therapist wanted me to start writing down what I remember but it was always kinda hard to keep up with it. Friend of mine said I could try drawing it instead and well.. stuff happened really.

 Lex: And this is someone you met way back then?

 Dotty: Yep. Can't remember her name much but she was really nice and we hung out whenever she was in town. Was always pretty sickly though... She had these glowing red eyes. Some of the memories are... weird though?

 Lex: What do you mean weird?

 Dotty: Like.. I remember one day I was visiting her and Erica. Erica had gone out to pick up something to make dinner so the two of us just relaxed together. She was doing kinda bad that day though, excused herself for a bit and went to her room. She took a good while so I went to check on her. Saw her body on the floor, scared the heck out of me...

 Lex: Wait, you found her dead?!

 Dotty: Thought I did! But something about her really looked off like... I dunno, it freaked me the fuck out I was gonna call emergency services when something grabbed me? I look over and I see the door try to close itself. 
 
Dotty: Managed to stop it in time for a moment, got a look inside and... there was some sort of weird fuzzy blob. Pitch black, looked... scared? We made eye contact for a short moment and I guess it just clicked together that it was her... pretty sure it was.
 

 Dotty: After that it managed to shut the door and lock it. Heard her voice from inside frantically asking me to leave... Didn't know what to do at that point. Erica made it back shortly after. Told me to go home.

 Lex: What happened after that?

 Dotty: She kinda just went quiet for a week. I'd pop in but Erica wouldn't let me in. Then after she just drops by looking like nothing had happened. Seemed really embarrassed by the whole situation, said she had some sort of condition that was parasitic or something? Came over here since there's a lot of research on Plaza for uh... angelic infestations, I guess was the wording.

 Dotty: We still hung out a little bit after that but... my memories end pretty shortly after. I hope she's okay...

 Lex: I mean... we can do some sleuthing right? I know a guy or two. 

 Dotty: We've already got a ton on our plates these days, I dunno...

 Lex: I can put some stuff aside, gotta look out for you and all that.

 Dotty: Look out for me how? 

 Lex: I dunno.. you always bailed me out of all sorts of scraps and trouble though. If you really wanna find out all this stuff about who you were and who these people are I can pitch in there.

 Dotty: Might not even want to see my face after all this time..

 Lex: Sure they do, hard not to like you.

 Dotty: Still, I wouldn't be able to remember the bulk of things so... I think it'd make them more sad than anything.

 Lex: Think they'd be more happy just to know that you're okay and you went out of your way to find them all.

 Dotty: Lots of those folks were in jobs that involved a lot of trouble and risking their own lives. We might have to go through some actual hell.

 Lex: You think I wouldn't shank someone for you? I'll do it! I'll do it and you can't fucking stop me!

 Dotty: I hope you don't have to! Anyway, I guess I can give it a shot, but...

 Lex: No buts! If you wanna do this even a little, I'm down to go that extra mile. Jam would be too and I can ask around my own groups if they know where we could start! I know it'd be a lot of work and it could take a long ass time but you're worth that. If these people meant so much they're worth that too!
 You can't help but smile even if there's a little bit of a somberness over you right now.

 Dotty: You'd really jump at anything to help me out...

 Lex: Nothing less, I'm your personal bastard.
 You lean over to nuzzle up to her, and she returns it with full enthusiasm. 

 Dotty: I wanna collect a bit more of what I forgot a bit first before we meet anyone, and I... I guess I wanna show you everything too but..

 Lex: Gonna take some time yeah?

 Dotty: Yeah... there's a lot of heavy stuff and I got them all collected in these sketchbooks but... I wanna be ready before I bring them up.

 Lex: No rush at all okay? I know this is all pretty big for you so don't think we got any deadline for this.

 Dotty: I'm hoping so... still don't wanna wait too long, people move and a lot are probably pretty old by now if they're still around..

 Lex: We got this, don't you worry... Oh! Jam and I made a pie together... should be almost done by now. You wanna take a break from what you're doing and curl up on the couch a bit?

 Dotty: Yeah, just a minute. Gotta check up on some texts if that's okay?

 Lex: You're good, got a few minutes before the pie should be ready anyway. Don't take too long though, might get cold.

 Dotty: Mmm... I'll be over quick.
 You check on your texts, a lot of messages from your friend who's in the middle of their date. You reply to them and pocket the phone. 
 You hurry on over to the other room where your rabbity partner is waiting for you.
 You're glad to have had so many good folks around in your life.

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

Paella - 2021
Comorant , Crankshaft Rafflesian
CW: None
A Rabbity Bastard and a Bastardly Rabbit have a talk while making dinner.

Lex: Paella...
 
Jam: Mmhmm..

 Lex: That's looking so good...

 Jam: Yeah, took a lot of time and a little help from a good friend, but...

 Lex: I mean you did most of the work, I kinda just nudged here and there.

 Jam: You did a lot, couldn't do something that needs this kind of work all on my own. 

 Lex: So what's the occasion anyway? Never really told me why you wanted to make a fancy dinner tonight.

 Jam: Well for starters, we both promised that we'd get better about eating healthy and I wanna make good on that.

 Lex: Yeeeah. We used to dump so much cash on fast food...

 Jam: Exactly, left us hell broke too. 

 Lex: Yeah... honestly I don't wanna go back to the days of barely making it by every week. Not that we're doing the best right now but it's different lately.

 Jam: Both of us got consistent jobs and we moved into a place with Dotty. Massive improvement from a few years ago.

 Lex: Really though. Honestly it just... feels nice to like... I dunno. Can't really pin down the words like that.

 Jam: Give it a shot anyway, I wanna hear. 

 Lex: I guess it's just nice to feel like I'm going forward in life. Was hell lost before. 

 Jam: Lucky you got a navigator around, one who knows you better than anyone else.

 Lex: Can't argue with that, you're literally in my head. 

 Jam: Close as humanly possible, maybe a little more. Makes me feel special honestly. Anyway, the second reason for making something this fancy is 'cause I wanted to treat you and Dotty both to something nice tonight.

 Lex: You're not going to be the one out for dinner?

 Jam: I mean.. maybe a little but I wanna let you get a taste too you know? Get to see you smile.

 Lex: Gonna die when you say stuff like that...

 Jam: You absolutely will!

 Lex: Fucker.

 Jam: Love you too. 

 Lex: There you go again.... 

 Jam: It's what I do best.

 Lex: Maybe. 

 Jam: ...Was it too much that time? I can stop if it really bugs you.

 Lex: I mean... it always feels like too much I guess. You know exactly what I wanna hear and it always gets me but... I don't like being messed with like that. Don't want my feelings to get played with for a reaction.
 Jam: What makes you think I don't mean what I say?

 Lex: You kinda do it so casually. Do it with me, do it with Dotty, used to do it to a few friends sometimes just to see their faces. 

 Jam: Ah you remember that last one...

 Lex: Little bit. A lot of you being around is kinda lost memory-wise but... I remember enough chunks to know that happened. 

 Jam: Yeah, that was actually a big bad on my part...

 Lex: Think a couple of them asked us out actually... had crushes on them at the time so like... I dunno. 

 Lex: I guess really I just feel jealous sometimes you know? You got us a consistent job while I was gone, you always made friends easier, I.. I don’t even know for sure if that was me on the first date with Dotty in hindsight.

Jam: Pretty sure it was mostly you.

Lex: Mostly...?

Jam: To be honest, older memories are kinda blurred like that for me since we share them soo… can’t really give you a straight answer there.

Lex: Makes me feel worse honestly. People just seem to like you better at this point and I can’t really blame anyone for that.

Jam: Don’t think that’s true.

Lex: Everyone smiles so much more around you, even Dotty just-

Jam: I’m going to stop you there for a sec. Dotty fucking bawled when you were gone, she missed you so much that she sat down and told me she wanted to move somewhere else because this part of town reminded her too much of you and she had no idea if you were ever coming back.

Lex: ...She what?

Jam: It got that bad, it really did and honestly? I missed you that much too… maybe more if that’s even possible. Shouldn’t really say that but like…. Words feel dumb.

Lex: Keep going.

Jam: I guess it hurts that you always kind of shrugged me off as being goofy but I didn’t want to press further since maybe you just really weren’t into the idea but… I really want to be with you. Like… do you remember all the mystery love letters, the penpal with no address, the random gifts in your locker and all that?

Lex: ...Was that you?!

Jam: Yeah…

Lex: Oh my god…

Jam: At the time though we were pretty disconnected, hell I think you forgot about me… parents sure made a point of trying to gut me out of your thoughts with therapy. Worked pretty well too, scares the shit out of me to think how hard it cut me off.

Lex: Everytime I asked them about it, they said I was yelling about ghosts or something. Put me on some hard antipsychotics…

Jam: Oh, the cocktail? Yeah, I hated that too.

Lex: Didn’t realize I was on the wrong stuff until I got away and talked to a doctor without them over my shoulder…. I mean I’m still taking a lot but at least I got a combo that feels alright these days you know? Anyway, I guess that explains a ton, no idea how some rando could pick a school locker like that..

Jam: Yeah…  Always told myself I was doing it because I wanted you to never feel alone or unloved or whatever but.. Honestly I kinda just did it because I was gay? That was kinda the only way to do it, so…

Lex:  Honestly? If I knew and we weren’t well… whatever our deal is? I would’ve actually gone to prom…

Jam: You mean you would’ve told your mom and dad you’d go to prom and we’d hang out on the beach getting feelsy over weed and street tacos until midnight.

Lex: Yeah. I mean we could still do that.

Jam: Think your parents would be scared if you asked them about going to prom at this point.

Lex: You know what I mean. Honestly knowing everything though… I want this too. Wanted this for a while really but I also thought you wouldn’t go for it. Guess that really made the teasing hard for me too. Hot best friend asking you to spoon them everytime it rains but not knowing if they’re serious is some deep pain.

Jam: Now you’re messing with me.

Lex: Mean it.  Your style, the way you talk, your bastard grin with the little canines...

Jam: Have to gnaw so much to get that look down in person, your overbite grows back so fast…

Lex: It pays off you know?  I guess just… we should probably bring this up to Dotty at some point but like…

Jam: I means she knows I got feelings for you if you’re worried.

Lex: Wait… you told her without telling me?

Jam: Yeah? You told her too.

Lex: Yeah… god we’re stupid.

Jam: Two halves of an idiot…

Lex: Speaking of, uh… we should probably check on the paella.

Jam: Ah… yeah that uh… shoot okay.

Lex: Uncover the lid and....

Jam: Oh thank god, didn’t burn.

Lex: Well mostly… bottom is a little crispy but.

Jam: Eh, everyone burns the bottom layer of rice from time to time. We made plenty. You ready to start serving?

Lex: Yeah and uh… thanks for always being here for me you know? Can’t imagine not having you here with me.

Jam: Same. I don’t wanna stop talking about it since it’s still kind of a lot but..  Continue after dinner? Figure out some stuff, get Dotty’s input on this?

Lex: Sounds nice.

 

[SHIVERS]

Fishbowl - 2021
Shivers, Patchwork Kernel
CW: violence, unhealthy dynamics, surveillance mention
Pepper enlists Blink's expertise on something new.

---

---

---

Light sweeps across the dusty space, sliding across all the boxes of forgotten knick-knacks and old furniture as it fills the room.
The storage unit's metal shutter slides open fully, pushed up by a grey pockitt with tired eyes.

"So any piece of junk works?"
"Items that are more personal to the user have a better chance of working, but...
Technically, you can use almost anything as a base object.
I'd suggest the former, though.
For the record."
"Yeah yeah, got it."

Blink waits out by the entrance, checking their nails as Pepper steps inside.

The pockitt glances over all the piles of unused junk they'd left here,
the space immediately difficult to navigate thanks to the sheer volume of clutter amassed over the years.

As they squeeze through a gap between a ripped-up loveseat and a non-functional TV set, something catches their attention.

In a corner, well off to the side, a glass fishbowl sat atop a pile. 
It was filled with old toys and various odds and ends.

Pepper gets a long look at it before making their way over.
They hesitate.

the 'personal' thing is bullshit.
i dont need to dig through all that
blink said anything would work




but whats it hurt to look

After a few seconds of staring, the pockitt reaches in, sifting through everything buried inside.

Memories come flooding back . . .







































The little astronaut stood motionless in the middle of the room, surrounded by bean bags and a bunk bed that were unfathomably larger than they were.
A little alien stood in tandem next to them, as if in greeting, wearing the same kind of space suit.

A tiny pockitt was crouched in front of the spaceship playset, staring blankly at all the pieces.



The child's shadow shifts suddenly, pulling their eyes towards it.
A figure pulls itself up out of their shadow, erupting from the floor.
Black, white and pink, and covered in eye-like spots, the shadow looms beside the pockitt... 

"...hey, Mystery."
"Hi!"

...only to sit down next to them.



"The foster people seem really nice.
Just look at this roooom..." Mystery marches around the room with their hands behind their back, taking everything in.
"...maybe..."
"And this, too!" They peer through the spaceship window at Pepper.
"Lots of fun toys, looks like!"
"...it's all hand-me-downs from their real kids."
"Well... I still think it looks fun."

Mystery tilts their head, looking for any reaction from the pockitt.
When there was none, their ears drooped.

It didn't last, though, their ears popping back up as they got an idea.
They walk around the spaceship and flop behind it.

They reach an arm out, picking up the alien figure and proceeding to wiggle it as they spoke in its voice, its plastic feet making tiny tapping noises as it touched the floor from the motion.

"Cadet Pepper, it's time to launch!
You're the best pilot, we can't do this mission without you!"

The figure winces as they reach their other claw out, enough to barely reach the astronaut figure.
Gently, they slide it forward, closer to Pepper.


No reaction.

Mystery wilts.

They get up, walking over by Pepper before taking a seat beside them once more.

"Are you sad?"
"...yeah. 
I'm scared, too."
"Why're you scared?"
Pepper curls up.
"I don't like it here, I don't wanna be here.
I don't like them, either.
I miss dad, a-and..."
"I miss them, too.
...but you have me, it's okay!"

The pockitt sniffles, looking up at Mystery.
"But what if they come to get me?"
"Who?
...Dad?"
"No, the people who... had...
...who were with Bazil..."

Mystery frowns, watching the toy set as they think it over.





They look back at the little pockitt, sporting a smile now.
"...I'll protect you! 
I'll keep us safe."
"...really?"
"Uh-huh.
They can't get past me!
I've got eyes..." Mystery stands up and sticks their arms out. 
"...eeeeverywhere!" The many eye spots along their hide spin in a silly-looking manner.
Pepper can't help but giggle.

Mystery grins back.
"You wanna play now?"
"Mhm..." 
They pick up the little astronaut.
"Cadet Pepper ready for pilot duty!
Co-Pilot Mystery... 

...Are you ready?"

The shadow - thrilled - lifts up the little alien.

"Let's launch!"











 












































Click.



Click.



Click.


Pepper's finger presses the button on the side of the walkie talkie, over and over.

Rain pings off a sheet of metal propped between tree branches, the cacophony nearly overtaking the click of the walkie.

Their yellow hoodie - already soaked - drips on the exposed tree roots below.





They take a breath now, glancing past the tree to a neighborhood near the forest path.
They watch one particular window of a house there.



The light inside is on.







They switch on the walkie, taking a deep breath before clicking in the button.

"Kim?

I'm at the spot."









The radio is quiet.

"I was um... thinking we could go hang out?
It's raining, but... means it's extra scary to go exploring.

Got you an extra flashlight if you don't have yours."




They turn away from the window, leaning their back against the tree.

"...Hey, we could... go out past the ridge this time?
If you want to...
I know I was freaked out last time, but I'm good now.
I got this."





Their leg bounces.

"...I also got this new movie, for my birthday.

...I... guess you missed my party on Friday, but it, um...
It wasn't a big deal, you must've got busy. 
It's cool. Y'know, I get it."

They close their eyes and wince, popping the walkie talkie against their forehead.









"And about the thing that--
...that we, talked about.

...You're right.
It was dumb, and
I'm not gonna mess with that anymore.
Any of it.



...Okay?"










The pockitt looks back around to the window.


The light was off.

"...Kim...? "









They take a few steps back from the tree.

Their lip quivers.




Pepper turns away and starts hurrying down the forest path, picking a random direction.

A sniffle starts, one that gets worse the longer they walk.













Finally, they stop.

A whimper escapes their throat.




They turn, reeling back their arm before lobbing the walkie talkie at a tree as hard as they can.
Its case snaps off, and it tumbles down into a pile of dead leaves on the forest floor.

Their shoulders start to droop seconds later, as their anger cracks away.
Pepper presses their claws to their face, collapsing to the mud and leaves below as their chest heaves.



A familiar claw touches their shoulder, ever-so-gently.

Pepper falls still.

"...We should get back home, okay?
It's not really safe out here this late, and with all this rain you might catch a cold.
We'll get you cleaned up, and we can put on the heater so your room's nice and warm.
Sound good?"





"...go away."

"...what?"

Pepper springs up, their fur caked in mud, and slaps away Mystery's hand.
"I said go away!
This is YOUR fault!"

Mystery stumbles back in surprise.

"...my fault?"

Pepper wipes the mud and snot off their face, breath still shuddering.
"I told Kim about you, and all the other--
He... said that's s... stuff for 'little kids.' 
I got mad, and we had a fight, and now he doesn't wanna be friends anymore!"

Tears pour down again, Pepper wiping them away in frustration.

"Do you know h-how... hard it was to make any friends at another new school?!
I got one and you RUINED it!"
Mystery's eyes watered; both of them crying now.
"...but... we're... still friends.
...you still have me, at least."
"No! I don't!
Imaginary friends don't count."

It hurt.

"Pepper, please don't... say that to me.
That m-makes... me feel bad--"
"Even the new foster people don't like me cause of you!"

Concern flashes over the shadow's face.

"...but, we never talked when they were around.
We were careful--" "They had cameras everywhere, stupid!
The living room ones aren't just for show, and they have 'em in the bedroom, too!"

Mystery's eyes grow wide.

"...How much... did..."
"They've known since the first day we got there! They just waited til I turned twelve.
Said I'm too old for imaginary friends, and that it's not okay to talk to you."

"But I've... b-been around you, a lot... longer than they have.
We made it through everything. The two of us--"
"And look where you got me!"

Pepper pants in the rain, mud now caked into their fur as they shook from the cold.
"I'm just gonna be all alone, thanks to you!"

The pockitt wipes their face on their sleeve, walking away to retrieve the broken walkie.
Once they manage to dig it out, they toss it in their pocket and continue down the path, heading away from home.

"...where are you going?
Wait--" Mystery hurries to catch up, but Pepper turns to stop them.
"I'm going out past the ridge.
Kim might talk to me again if I do."
"It's way too dangerous, you--"
"And you're NOT gonna stop me again!"
"...but, Pepper..."

They reach out and shove Mystery over onto the muddy path.

"Don't follow me.
I don't wanna talk to you anymore."
They look up at Pepper, every ounce of betrayal showing on their face.
Pepper shies away as they notice, trying to hold back more tears.
"...D-Don't come back."

They keep walking.


"...Pepper!



...please...!"
It hurt too much to hear.
Guilt and anguish burned in the pit of their chest.

The pockitt began to run.

"...wait...!"

Mystery's voice faded with the rain.



















































A flash of light reflects in the broken window.



The motor spins the rollers, pushing out the fresh photo.

Pepper's feet creak along the busted-up floor as they snag the picture, beginning to shake it.
The bulky instant camera dangles around their neck.


The old bank building had sat abandoned for nearly twenty years.
Decay had long-since set in, overtaking the once carefully-maintained building and filling it with holes and perilous drops.


They look the developed photo over before pocketing it, glancing ahead.

The pockitt had managed to clamber up to the second floor by climbing atop furniture through a hole in the floor - the stairwell entirely impassable below - and now sets their sights on a few precarious boards laying between them and a clear path to the rest of the stairwell.

All the upper floors were within reach, full of who-knows-what, all they had to do was make it over this.



They approach the first board,
mentally preparing to cross.

"...don't."
The pockitt recognizes the voice behind them all too well, 
but they don't turn; they don't flinch.

"I... I know you don't want to listen to me,
but... that could kill you.
This isn't safe. 
...Please.

Don't--!
Pepper--"

Their feet were already on the board, balancing their way across it inch-by-inch.
Possibly out of spite, they were moving faster than they should've, not really bothering to be too careful.

Mystery has stopped talking by this point, 
too afraid to do anything other than watch in grim anticipation.



The boards creak ominously under them, each subsequent step seeming to lower their chances of making it across as the boards start bending.








They snap.



Pepper doesn't feel it, 

already on their way down.


A stray stanchion catches their leg,

flipping them onto their back 

just as they slam hard into the tile floor below, knocking the wind out of them.



Pepper coughs and wheezes, gripping their torso tight as they struggle to breathe properly.
They groan, climbing to their feet only to hunch over, 
stray tears falling down their face.

"Hang on!"
They hear Mystery drop down to the first floor, hurrying over as the pockitt begins to recover.
"Let's... get you out of he--"
Mystery reaches out a claw, 
only for Pepper to slap it away.

Their face was red, anger welling up through the tears.
"Can't you take a hint?!
Leave. Me. The hell. Alone!" Pepper screams.

Mystery froze stiff.



"...You aren't even real.
I don't need you hanging around anymore."
"...I am, real.
We've... I've been here, with you, since we were kids.
You can't act like that didn't happen, how would you explain all the--"
"Cause I got kidnapped by a fucking cult and I needed people there with me!
So I made you - ALL of you - without thinking about it, and you just stuck somehow.
That doesn't make any of it real."

"But... but I remember things from before then, too.
I remember dad... and I remember--" 
"Don't.
You don't get to talk about them like they were your family, too.
You keep them out of your mouth." Pepper snarls.

"Fine, yes, you were there before.
I was a stupid, lonely kid, even before all that, and I needed friends,
so I made you first.
And then all that happened and I needed you more.
Now I'm AWAY from all that, and I'm practically an adult already!
So why would I need you? "

"...I," They sputter. 
I help... keep..." 

Mystery swallows.

"...keep you safe.
You remember? 
Back wh--" "If I get hurt, I get hurt." Pepper interrupts.

"It doesn't matter, and even if it did, 
I do NOT need some kid's crayon drawing brought to life coming to my rescue, okay? 
I can just--" 
They sling their arm back and slam their fist into a nearby desk, busting it into pieces. 
"What're you gonna do? 
I-spy a cultist to death?"



Mystery struggles to find words.

"W... What...
...What if it's... like with Bazil and Chelsea, where--"
"Don't bring them into this.
It's not like it's contagious or something!
How the hell would I have the same thing?!" 
"I don't know, but... maybe it... 
I mean, that could... 
it's..."
A flash of light blinds Mystery, widening their numerous eyes.





"I'm sick of this."

They pull out the picture and shake it.

"I'm done with you, alright?
This stupid game we've been playing for years where even when I push you away,
or ignore you or- Anything."

"Pepper, wait--"

"You just keep right on trying to crawl your way into MY life again.
And again, and again, and again."

"It's- We can talk about--"

"Always making things worse.
Always making me feel like I'm losing my mind."

They glance at the photo.

"Because I am down here, screaming my lungs out at NOTHING!"
Pepper throws the picture at Mystery. 
The shadow struggles to catch it after it bounces off their chest.
"At fucking AIR!"








Mystery manages to steady the photo.



They bring it up to look at it in the light.











Nothing shows in the photograph.

Just the bank building wall.



They weren't there.








As Mystery stares at the photo, 
running their eyes over it again and again,
the photo slips through their fingers.

They grab for it, but their claws would no longer hold it.





"...I knew it.

See?












There's nobody here."












"...but..."

Mystery stood still, staring down at their hands.


The pockitt turns away, making their way towards the exit doors.












Pepper's hand was tugged back, the pockitt turning to see them standing with tears in their eyes.

It felt just as real as every other time.

"...please, 
don't leave me by myself anymore.

I... I know you don't believe that I'm here and I know you don't want to mess with any of it,
but I won't... bother you anymore or cause any problems, I promise!
I swear,"
They closed their eyes and shook their head. 
"I swear I won't be an issue, I just need to-
I haven't... talked, to you or anybody in so long...

...I won't bother you, we can just... talk. 
Sometimes.
About anything. 
And it... it'll be okay-

Please...

I don't wanna be alone.



I can't do it anymore..."









Pepper slowly pulls away.
Their paw phases straight through Mystery's, leaving them grasping at air.




The pockitt could hear Mystery behind them, choking back sobs.

They push through the exit doors.

"...I miss y--"

The doors shut behind them.



Pepper's chest burns as they struggle to catch their breath.

The guilt rises into their throat.

But they swallow it down.



Bury it.




























































" P    e    p    p  e  r . "





Someone nudges Pepper's shoulder, causing them to recoil.

Blink stood next to them, holding their arms up in an apologetic gesture.


"Pepper?"
"...Hey."


"...I asked you a question."
"Sorry, zoned out."
"I can see that, yes."
"What's up?"
"Is that what you're going with?"

Blink points.
Pepper looks down at their hands, realizing they were holding the instant-print camera.

"No...
No, I uh..."
They drop it back into the bowl.
Their eye scans over the objects inside once more.

A little astronaut figurine, 
a busted-up walkie talkie, 
and so many other countless knick-knacks.







Pepper picks up the entire fishbowl, 
and dumps all the objects out into a nearby box.

They hold the bowl up to Blink.

The snake raises an eyebrow. "A fishbowl?"
"Had a fish that died, and I was sad about it.
I used the bowl for a while afterwards to put old junk in.
That's personal enough, right?"
"I... suppose so?
We can certainly try it."
"There you go. Done. Let's go."

Pepper shooed Blink out the door.
"Fine, yes, there's no need to rush me."

Once they were clear, Pepper hops up and snags the handle of the metal shutter, 
using their weight to pull all the way shut in seconds.






"Now what's this spot you picked out?"

"Fairly remote little forest just outside the city.

Not too far from here, thankfully."

"We need to bus?

Or is it within walking . . ."


The camera once again sits in the dark of the storage unit, 
as Pepper and Blink's voices fade off into the distance.










 

---

Wind brushes gently across Pepper's fur on its way through the forest clearing.
It sifts the grass just as smoothly.
Pepper closes their eyes to feel it, relaxing just a little.

"I'll take a 'thank you' now for picking the Perfect spot for this. 
That just so happens to be less than a mile walk from your storage unit."
The kangaroo reluctantly opens their tired eyes.
"Yeaaah, yeah."

Blink removes their backpack and pulls a blanket out of it.
They unfold it and sit cross-legged at one end, gesturing for Pepper to do the same.

"What, like we're having a picnic?"
"You're more than welcome to stand for however long this takes, instead."
"...Alright then."
They sigh and take a seat.
"This is gonna destroy my knees, though."
"Well, the good news is,
you'd hardly be any shorter without them."
"Hey.
...Cheap shot."
"I kid, I kid."





The snake reaches back into their bag, this time retrieving what looked to be an air purifier.

"...A filter?"
"Shred collector."

Blink pops the top off, and a clear plastic jar emerges.
They pop it out, the bottle sealing itself in the process.



The corvice holds it up for Pepper to see.

Inside, plentiful particles of colorful, vibrant, glowing dust fill up the bottom half of the jar.
The pockitt leans in, genuinely intrigued.
"...Thought I couldn't see scraps..."
"Shreds. They're different.
Anyone can see them."

Blink unscrews the lid and puts their hand over the top.

A small amount of the glowing dust floats upward, 
all manner of colors gradually tinting into a deep maroon as the shreds reach Blink's claw.
They lift their hand up, idly rotating their fingers to float the particles around just above their palm.

"Shreds change color to suit the user currently handling them."



Pepper was entirely transfixed, much to Blink's amusement.
"So... I can do that, right?
It cool if I try?"

Pepper reaches forward before getting an answer, 
and Blink quickly seals the shreds back in the bottle.

"You're forgetting those hands of yours."
The kangaroo cocks their head to the side, their ears shifting over.
"Shreds are drawn to scraps.
Including the ones you buried in your hands."

"...Won't that mean this works better?
Like, it's easier to pull 'em if my hands do the work for me already?"



"No. 
The shreds will absorb into the scraps instead,
which..."

The snake idly looks upward as they think things over,
bobbing their head side-to-side for a moment.

"Technically, it's not typically dangerous to allow that to happen.
Scraps encounter shreds all the time. 
You can think of shreds as a natural energy source for them.

However, too much at once can have more... Explosive effects.
I don't think I have nearly enough collected here to cause that,
but I doubt you'd want to risk losing your hands, hm?"

The pockitt shrugs. 
"Eh, I guess."

"On top of that, 
it's counterintuitive to this process."





"Which iiis? "

"Putting it simply:
We'll be feeding shreds into that fishbowl of yours 
until something happens.

"...
...
...That's it?"

"Having a clear picture of what you want often helps, 
but otherwise, yes.
It's the safest and most effective method to spawn your own proxy."







"Though,
as far as your hands are concerned," The snake pops off the lid again.
"I think I may have a trick."
They point. "Set your bowl between the two of us."

Pepper puts the fishbowl down in the middle of the blanket.

"When I say so, 
you are going to gently - very gently - pull the shreds from my hand.
But you aren't going to pull them all the way to your hand.
Instead, just 'let go' of them when they're over the bowl,
and I'll provide a bit of a counter-pull to keep them from being yanked over too quickly.

Does all that make sense?"

Pepper's tired eyes were focused straight through Blink.
"...Sure, yep."
Blink rolls their eyes.
"Just be Careful, alright?
I am not going to haul you to a bus stop with stumps."
"You got it."
"Let's give it a try, then.
Ready?"
Pepper raises a paw.
"Hit me."



Blink pulls a scant amount of shreds up from the container,
tinting them the same deep shade of maroon in the process.

They swirl them slowly, keeping them a few inches above their hand.

"Gently, now..."



Pepper focuses, leaning in.











The shreds begin to move, starting to trail away from Blink towards Pepper.
The pockitt's bag-ridden eyes light up with wonder.
Blink can't help but grin.

"Your mouth is hanging open, you know."
"Shut up, this rules..."

The hybrid struggles to maintain their concentration.
Their flow is unsteady, the glowing dust looking like it could all teeter and fall at any moment.

But, they keep things just steady enough.


The shreds' hue shifts, 
mostly to an energetic yellow.
However, stray particles start to solidify into other colors:
Pink, orange, green, black; all sorts of tints springing up in scattered amounts.

Blink watches the shreds intently.

Pepper doesn't notice, far too focused.



As the shreds float over the bowl, Pepper stops the flow.
The glowing particles drop inside and seem to simply pop out of existence.



The kangaroo takes a breath.

"Well done!
I'm surprised, you're picking this up rather quickly."
"What can I say," Pepper shrugs. 
"I'm the best."
"...Sure you are."

The serpent leans in and squints, studying the shreds in the bowl.

"Though, the color is... odd."
"...Why?"
"There's more than one.
I haven't seen that before, though it might simply be a rare oddity.
Either way, I... assume it's nothing to worry about."
"Good, 'cause it looks cool."

"Now," 
Blink tightens their tie a little as they raise a single claw,
just as a professor might when lecturing a class.
"...since it may take Quite a long time,
let's go over some basics while we continue the process."
Pepper's posture slouches with renewed disinterest.
"Or we could just. 
You know.
Sit. 
And not talk."

The snake glares, straightening their back.
"Well, you want to be prepared with this, don't you?

Wouldn't you like to know how to work your proxy?

Think of all the potential you'd have with it..."



A sigh seeps its way out of Pepper.

"Okay but this IS gonna help me fight better, yeah?"
"Knowing you?
One-hundred percent."

"Fffffine, alright..."

They sit up.

"Let's do it,
I'm all ears."

The pockitt lifts their paw.

"Go."















 

---

Pepper gazes skyward, their eyelids beginning to droop.

The blanket is warm underneath their back as they lay, reclined, 
one paw still raised as they pull and drop shreds with monotonous rhythm.



Blink snaps a few times.
"Pepper-" "I was listening." 
They clear their throat.
"...Sorta." Blink pinches the bridge of their snout.
"You really could stand to take this a little more seriously.
This isn't--"

The fishbowl rattles.

Blink abruptly stops the flow of shreds.
Pepper's ears perk up.
 


The bowl floats off the blanket.

Blink and Pepper stand and back up.






Water fills up the fishbowl.

Blue gravels materializes at the bottom, along with a little plastic treasure chest.
A metallic-looking, hard plastic brace spawns just below the bowl,
looking not unlike those on the treasure chest.

From the brace erupts various lengths of soft plastic tubing, more metal braces, 
and more fish tanks in odd shapes.
A rough template of a body gradually takes shape,
all the pieces melding together into legs, arms, and a torso.

Three-fingered claws covered in golden-orange scales grow from the proxy's 'wrists',
while a similarly-scaly, two-finned tail flares out from behind, 
finishing the process.









The proxy stands tall before Pepper.

Its spindly limbs begin to stir as faint motion pops in gradually.



Fully-prepared for this outcome, Blink starts speaking.
"As of now, 
the only two functions you'll notice are that you should be able to see through its eyes,
and anything that happens to you gets mirrored onto it; including movements.
The sight especially may be... disorienting, to say the least." 

They watch Pepper expectantly.





Experimentally,
Pepper raises a hand.

The fishbowl-headed proxy raises the same fishy claw above its head.

Pepper grins a mile wide.

"...And the mirrored sight?"
"Yeah I'm getting a little bit of that?
It's all fuzzy, though."

The synced pair gives Blink a simultaneous thumbs up.

"But we're good."

"Hm.
Well... keep up the practice."
Blink puts a thoughtful claw to their chin.
"I suppose that particular aspect doesn't matter too much yet..."
The kangaroo was ignoring them, 
doing various poses just to make its proxy echo them.
"Uh-huh."



They strike a pose.
The proxy mimics it.

And another pose.
Mirrored with gusto.



"...must you Really?
Shouldn't we be... practicing with it?"
"Huh?" Pepper pretended not to hear.
"Sorry, busy right now.
hanging out with my best pal:
This weird fish thing."
The corvice rolls their eyes.



Pepper points at the proxy with both hands, giving it the finger-guns.
The proxy counter-fires much to Pepper's continued amusement.



The pockitt mimics a camera frame with their pointer fingers and thumbs, lining up the proxy inside.
The proxy freezes in place.

It roots to the spot.

All motion halts throughout its body,

as if frozen in time.





Pepper's smile fades.

"Uhhh...



...Broke it, or something?
Can't see anything at all from it anymore, either."
"That's..." Blink trails off, shaking their head in shared confusion.


The treasure chest inside the bowl opens on its own.


The proxy jitters suddenly, as if it had been electrocuted.
It begins to move again, 

though its doesn't follow Pepper in the slightest.

Simultaneously, Pepper shudders, looking almost sick.
Their paw goes to their temple.
"Is... is it supposed to give me a... bad headache...?"

"You... should Probably dismiss it now."
"...How the hell do I do that?" "I... told you, earlier--"
Pepper's knees shook.
"Feel like I might... pass out, or-- 
God-..." 

Pepper glances up to find the proxy standing just in front of them.

It towered over them.

They pull back their fist, readying just in case.

"Uhhhh-Blink...?"

"You need to--"
A bright white flash of light left Pepper blind.

Something slugs them in the stomach. 
They double over,
only to be caught by the shoulder.

Pepper coughs.

They look up.



The proxy's color scheme has now changed dramatically; 
pinks and shades of monochrome replacing everything.

An instant-print camera had now appeared in the fishbowl,
with a photograph currently releasing into the water.

One of the proxy's claws is holding a small crack at its torso.



A murky voice raises up from the being.

"...Mirrored?

Let's make this one count, then."

The fishbowl leans down into Pepper's face,
the camera lens studies them carefully.
"How about it, Pepper?"

"W... what--"

It reels back a fist and smashes dead center against Pepper's face,
leaving no time to react.

Glass splits noisily.

The grey pockitt is sent sprawling over into the dirt.

A large crack appears across the front of the bowl, obscuring part of the camera.


The fishbowl cocks its head over to the snake,
who had been approaching from the side.
A whirring sound springs forth as an eerie glow emits inside the bowl.
Blink takes a stance.
"Pepper, dismiss it NOW, you onl--"

A pink flash hits Blink.
Their eyes widen, unfocused.
Their muzzle opens, but doesn't move.
The corvice falls to their knees.

Over their head now floats a swirling pink eye.

"I'm sorry, are you part of this?"

Blink doesn't move.

"No?
Well, that's what I thought."



The proxy approaches Pepper,
who was still trying to get to their feet.
It snags their arm and hoists them up.
"Did that get your attention?

Only a few years too late, then!"



Pepper winds back a punch.

"I wouldn't."
The proxy simply drops Pepper.
The swing at thin air as they hit the ground.

That whirring sound returns.

Pepper shuts their eyes.

It doesn't seem to matter:


The pink flash of light penetrates straight through anyway.




Pepper's vision goes hazy.
Everything they could see is swallowed up by rippling black,
like smog rising up from a fresh fire.

Their legs grew heavy.

Their thoughts raced.
The headache made nothing easier.


dismiss it

dismiss it dismiss it
how do i do that

what did they tell me



i dont remember




In the billowing dark that surrounded them,
Pepper began seeing things.

Glimpses.

Of old memories.

Jumbled together.












sto p






All the memories yielded,
frames paused,
shimmering in static.










Instead,

the void fills up with eyes

every one of them trained on Pepper.





In the dark,
a pink and black figure walked towards them.

Each step left a ripple,
as if dark water had flooded the void.




Pepper couldn't move.

Mystery looked down at them.
All their eyes locked with Pepper's.


"...It isn't fun, is it?"
They effortlessly lifted Pepper off the ground by their arm.
"Not being the one in control."
"...wait--" "Being ignored.
Alone.
Buried." "Listen, listen we--"
"In your own head, no less!"

Their eyes bore down on Pepper like knives brushing skin.

"This is my head, too, after all.
I have no idea what else to do to prove it to you.
Hopefully you understand now.

But then, 
really, 
you always knew, 

didn't you?"

"I... I-I..."

"Don't bother.

I'm aware.

Denial just comes easier for you than anything else, right?

If you push your problems away,

run from them,

then you never have to bother with them!

Isn't that right?"



"I... didn't... mean to--"

"No.
None of that.
You know exactly what you did to me.
You just don't care.
I doubt you've cared about anyone else, at any point.
Especially everyone you share a body with.

...I bet you don't even know their names anymore."
"Mystery... Mystery we... we can just talk--"
"Talk?
Well, let's see, Pepper...
I think I've been asking to talk things out siiiince..."

The shadow pretends to count on their sharp claws.

"Twelve years or so?

Something like that.

I could be losing track, though!
Could have something to do with lacking consistent stimuli for years,
who can say!

It makes sense, though.
Buried things do tend to  rot,  don't they?


But really, who's keeping track, anyway?



Certainly Not You."

They lean their face in close.
"No more of that, though.


Oh, don't worry.
I'm not going to ignore you forever, Pepper.
I won't pretend like you don't exist.
What kind of monster would do something like that!"

Mystery pauses, letting that simmer.

"So, you're welcome to talk with me anytime."
They place a claw to their chest.
"...But you won't be calling the shots anymore.
Anyone but you."



dismiss it

Move

do ANYthing, body

come ON



"Just because you don't give a damn whether you live or die 
doesn't mean you get to drag the rest of us to an early grave alongside you."

As their position starts sinking in,
Pepper can't help seeing cage bars
in the periphery of their vision.







They panic.

DISMISS IT
DISMISS THE PROXY
STOP   STOP
blink get up please Please



"So, good news, then:
You just get to take it easy for a while.

Not that you deserve it.
Because you don't.

But
I won't do what you did.


No one deserves that."



Pepper closes their eyes.
it isnt real
its not here
im not here

"It may take me a little while to figure out how this proxy works.
But as soon as I do, you get to rest easy.
Sound good?
Good."



it isnt real

this isnt happening




bury it

A twinge shifts through the void, startling Mystery.





"...no."
They turn their attention back to Pepper.

"I am NOT spending another second stuck in that..."
Mystery winces, 
trees beginning to show through the dark.
"...thick SKULL ...of yours!"

The shadow grasps their head as their voice grows fainter.

"I won't let... 
you 

do this...




again"

Mystery shuts their eyes tight.
Pepper spots a tear.



"stop"

The shape of Mystery burns away
as the eyes over Blink and Pepper's heads fade into nothing.



The proxy lets go of Pepper as it collapses.

Every component of it disappears,
save for the photo from the fishbowl.



It drifts slightly in the wind,
landing nearby.







Finding themself on their back,
Pepper sits up.





Not far away, they find Blink, panting.





The snake peers over at Pepper,

half-concerned,
half-terrified.



Neither gets up.

Neither speaks.






Pepper spies the photo laying next to them.



They pick it up.














Nothing shows in the photograph.

Just the trees behind where they sat now.



They weren't there.

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

KING'S MULLIGAN ONE SHOT - THE APARTMENT
Feat: Gallows and Courier 
CW: None





 

You are the Courier of many names.

You rest on a bed in your newly set apartment, making yourself comfortable with the room around you.

For the past few months you’ve been dug up by and working with a rebel faction in a struggle with the local monarchy.

Also you’re a living sword. It’s been a bit of a complicated situation.

One of your closest friends is in the other room, examining the place with you.

Gallows: Hey!

You look over to see him popping his head through the doorway

Gallows: New bed alright?

Courier: Mm… lovely really. Surprised you managed to dig up anything this good…

Gallows: Had a bit of a lucky raid, you know how it is.

Courier: Course. Nice having a more long term dwelling honest… not that the safehouse beds were bad but-!

Gallows: I get it. You need your space you know?

Courier: Mm…

Gallows: Sorry it took a few months but well, we gotta make sure things are okay you know? Can’t give any new person who joins an apartment right off the bat even if we wanted to.

Courier: I understand, I do! It’s nice that it’s so close to you and Scab. Being in the same hallway makes me feel… safe you know?

Gallows: Bet you’d miss us…

Courier: Well… I mean yes but having folks in the same building is good too.

Gallows: Feel you.

Courier: Sometimes wonder how okay this all is though. Not much of a fighter myself and the whole reason I’m here at all is pure accident really.

Gallows: World’s funny like that. Sometimes you pick up a sword off the ground to fend for yourself and it turns out to be alive.

Courier: Jabbed me into some poor sap and now I’ve got a pair of arms and legs. Still not entirely used to that…

Gallows: It’s a pretty big change.

Courier: You’ve got no idea. Been nice though I have to admit even if I don’t feel I really deserve it… something about stealing a body like that seems nasty.

Gallows: You have some guilt over it?

Courier: A little…I mean I like my new life but.. You know. Even if they’re a soldier of the Crown it’s taking someone’s life.

Gallows: Way I see it, that body would’ve been killed outright if you weren’t here.

Courier: Guess so…

Gallows: If you feel bad though, we can look into something.

You ponder it for a moment.

Courier: Maybe… I’ve grown attached honestly…

Gallows: Can’t blame you, it’s adorable.

You can’t help but smile at the comment, Gallows gives you a grin back.

Gallows: Look at that. That face is good on you, want to see it more.

Courier: You don’t mean that…

Gallows: I do! It’s a sweet look.

Courier: You like seeing me smile?

Gallows: Just a little….

Courier: Can’t say I understand you…

Gallows: And what’s that mean?

Courier: Sometimes you’re shy, sometimes you’re the biggest flirt in the world..

Gallows: Can’t be helped really, I like getting to know folks.

Courier: In more than one way…

Gallows: Yes well…

Courier: There you go again! You’ve got this duality sometimes and I don’t know how…

Gallows: Bit of a rabbitism, you know what they say.

Courier: I really don’t.

Gallows: The one about rabbits and lions?

Courier shakes their head.

Gallows: I’ll have to explain that one.

Courier: I’m assuming the lion dies?

Gallows: That’s a good guess! But no.

Courier: Ah…

Gallows: Anyway I dunno. Worst case scenario I still wanna be friends with folks. I’m just… also willing to explore a bit more you know? I’m a bit of a cuddler.

Courier: I don’t mind that, honest. Could go for some later I think.

Gallows: I can make that happen with ease. Got privacy now.

Courier: Scab would get so pissed when we spooned on the rental beds…

Gallows: In my defense Scab and I have also done the same thing. Anyway….

Courier: Anyway….

Gallows: This place look all good?

Courier: Absolutely!  Can’t thank everyone enough for all you’ve done for me…

Gallows: Don’t thank everyone yet, people are going to be bouncing through the door for the next couple days to housewarm. Tons of gifts and nosiness.

Courier: Sounds fun honestly. You mind sticking with me today for that?

Gallows: My schedule’s clear, you need some help?

Courier: God, please. 

 

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

The Copper Rabbit - 2022
Como, Punch Clock Animal
CW: Discussion of Parental Trauma
Bucket meets up with a old friend.

---

---

 

 
You peek through the door, a brass rabbit sits in a room with a pile of books. It seems to be a three way split between horror novels, fishing journals, and  elaborate costuming.

It's as Ali said, your old weapon had become a rabbit. Doesn't seem to have fallen to far from the tree...

You knock on the wall, trying to grab their attention.

They turn toward you, ears perked up but face nonchalant.

Bucket: Are you up for a talk?

Sabbath: Guess so, mom said you were coming. She caught you up on everything?

Bucket: Mm, can’t say I anticipated this frankly…

Sabbath: Is what it is. So….

Bucket: So… you’ve been staying here for a bit?

Sabbath: Mm… She found me in the storage room and she had space.

Bucket: Makes sense… I’m surprised she kept you so long.

Sabbath: She got sentimental, everything you left behind’s put away somewhere but uh…

Sabbath: Get the sense you’ve outgrown a lot of it.

Bucket: Mm.. It’s appreciated regardless.

Sabbath: So weird…

Bucket: What is?

Sabbath: Been decades but you haven’t aged much. Except maybe your eyes.

Bucket: It’s how it goes…

Sabbath: Mm.. I mean I know how leaving with Ali went for you and all.

Bucket: Can’t say it was fun. Really wasn’t thinking straight at the time admittedly…

Sabbath: Don’t blame you, Mom was a mess. Tried to scare the idea of leaving out of our head so much that she made us want to just sprint into the woods.

Bucket: Really is what I did. In hindsight I understand why she discouraged pursuing the family business so much but..

Sabbath: She had no right, don’t apologize for her.

Bucket: No, she really didn’t. I know where she came from, but the way she approached everything was so… intense.

Sabbath: That’s a nice way to put it.

Bucket: I’m actually surprised you didn’t leave right away.

Sabbath: Thought about it. Got no plans to for now though.

Bucket: Really?

Sabbath: Mm.. Much as I still got the urge I just…

Sabbath: I just want to give her a chance, you know? When she first found me in the storage room immediately something was super off.

Sabbath: Used to be such a hard ass knight, could never turn that off.

Sabbath: Loved her to death but… ugh. You get what I mean.

Bucket: More than anyone else.

Sabbath: But now it’s just…. She seems more at peace. Maybe it’s having so many folks in her life again but…

Bucket: No, I see it too.

Sabbath: Our mom back then was a knight so afraid of being alone that she chased away everyone. She was just like Ali, she just didn’t want to admit it.

Sabbath: But now…

Bucket: Now she’s just tired.

Sabbath: Tired and praying for family every night before bed.

Bucket: An old woman trying to earn her place in heaven.

Sabbath:  Exactly.

Sabbath: We had a bunch of talks while her grandkids have been busy away. They’re pretty nice by the way, weird being the same age as them…

Bucket: I’d love to meet them properly one day but…

Sabbath: …But?

Bucket: I think I’ll build up to that.

Sabbath: I mean I know one of them is yours, that’s obvious.

Bucket: O-Oh?!

Sabbath: Loves dyeing his hair, sings like an angel.. Does a way better accent than you though.

Bucket: That’s rude…

Sabbath: I know everything about you. Every embarrassing secret.

Sabbath: I knew you when you were cringe.

Bucket: Do not use those words.

Sabbath: Heh…

Bucket: And what of you?

Sabbath: What about me?

Bucket: Your hair.

Sabbath: Yeah? I’m a natural blonde. You saw your old theater buddy dye her hair back then and wanted to so bad…

Bucket: All they had was black…

Sabbath: Ended up goth for a month.

Bucket: Mom hated.

Sabbath:  Seems like I got a bit of that wish fulfillment though, seems to be common like me. The whole sentient weapon spirit.

Bucket: I’m guessing that explains everything else as well?

Sabbath: I mean..

Sabbath: Used to hate being so tall back then. And you had a big crush on your best friend so…

Sabbath: Short rabbit. Not a fan of the first part myself, think I’d want to be taller personally.

Bucket: I appreciate it quite a bit more these days. Save me quite a bit of trouble.

Sabbath: No kidding, could probably break Ali in half.

Bucket: Mm.. I mean yes…

Bucket: On a side note, since you brought up the others who often stay here…

Bucket: Has he mentioned me at all?

Sabbath: Charon? Not at all but…. I think he’s got theories going.

Sabbath: Not that hard though, few options.

Bucket: There’s plenty of other dogs in the family…

Sabbath: None of them close enough to mom to give up a whole kid. Most of them don’t want anything to do with the knight business.

Sabbath: The rest are cats and rabbits. Don’t think he’s either of those.

Bucket: Mm…..

Sabbath: Mm?

Bucket: Just lost in thought now.

Sabbath: Everything okay?

Bucket: Will be one day.

Sabbath: Knight stuff?

Bucket: Knight stuff.

Sabbath: Gotcha.

Sabbath: How long are you staying for?

Bucket: Til midnight. That was the plan.

Sabbath: Ah…

Bucket: I can’t compromise this location but…

Bucket: We’ll see. It’s been long enough since I’ve been in town.

Sabbath: If you stick around I’ll give you a tour, plenty of new things in town.

Sabbath: Got an ice cream place, the Blanc family upgraded.

Bucket: I’ll consider. Have some business in a moment…

Sabbath: Gonna go talk to mom after this?

Bucket: Obviously, but if you’re willing…

Bucket: We can catch up further after.

Sabbath: Consider it done.

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

Rabbit's Memory - 2022
Como, Masa con Papas, King's Mulligan
CW: Hospitalization, Injury, Death
Perspective: Gallows
A unlucky Styx laments a job gone wrong.

You hear a storm outside your window. Singing from a familiar snake echos through the room. (Click for Audio)

It's... not the most amazing thing to wake up to but all things considered...

You're just glad you get to wake up at all.

You had a job guarding the boss's successor and needless to say it went to shit.

You feel your body completely bound and sore.

You absolutely were operated on to some degree because you can feel the pain meds keeping you from screaming.

Any attempt to move would probably be a bad idea.

Your proxy manifests near, functioning as your extra set of eyes.

You spot the ghostly bastard watching over you. But....

You find it hard to think like this..

Styx: Eddie? Is that you?

Ah....

Styx: Saw a ear twitch. First time I've gotten any sort of response.

Styx: They bandaged you quite a bit, understandable with what just went earlier today

Styx: I’d ask you to move for me but I think it’d only make things worse for you.

Styx: Recommend you take it easy for now, consider it a self-care day.

Styx: You had quite the close on, thank god for me being around.

Styx: As always, yours truly does his best to make good on his end of the deal.

Styx: But with that said, I’d rather not repeat that if we can help it…

Styx: If I’m quick enough, I can put you back together from quite a lot but..

Styx: What happened today is very much reaching my limits.

Styx: I had to improvise unfortunately, your fallen comrades were used for spare parts in the head of the moment.

Styx: Not that you were ever all that close I don’t think. Really difficult in this business.

There was a sigh.

Styx: Between my influence and the number of times you’ve had parts replaced, I can’t help but wonder how much of your original self is left…

Styx: Not a big issue though, you and the lot were brought in to play body double. Similar enough in build that you won’t notice too much I think. Unfortunately it seemed folks were quite out for blood this time….

You're lost on what to say yourself, between the painkillers and being held together with stitches and spit you couldn't respond if you wanted to..

Styx:... Are you there?

Styx: Please don’t ignore me….

Styx:  I can see your proxy right there, if you were truly unconscious it couldn’t be watching over us…

Styx: Ah… I see what you’re doing. Yes perhaps just… that’s good, a nod.

Styx: Right… in any case I’ll do what I can to patch you up over the night. You were able to keep your client safe..

Styx: I figured it would be a rough job but…

Styx: A-Ah! Your proxy is struggling to keep form, are you hurting?

Styx: Just hang in with me there….

Styx: Okay… deep breaths.

Styx: There we go…

Styx: Anyway, I don’t think anyone could have anticipated what went down. If I’m honest I…

Styx:  I think it's time to consider new options. This gig is far from worth the pay at this point.

Styx: Can’t bail just yet, but we should look into an escape plan.

Styx: You and the rest of your family really.

Styx: Personally I have a plan myself but um…. Hmm…

Styx: I do think as of now it’s best for you to take a break. Even though you’ll maintain full functionality, you’ll be hurting for a bit…

Styx: I’m relieving you of your body for a little while, at least until your symptoms are manageable.

Styx: You um… how do I put this?

Styx: Contract poisoning. The amount I’ve had to intervene directly is causing your body to mutate. Thankfully you seem to be lucky enough that it’s taking well. Hopefully no long term damage.

Styx: Admittedly I have my own selfish reasons for taking the wheel as well..

Styx: I’m somewhat attached to your world at this point.

Styx:  There’s.. but…. Hmm…

Styx: I… should be upfront.

Styx: But… I think I may wait until you and I can have a proper talk.

Styx: I’m sorry for fighting with you prior to the job as well. I’m…

Styx. It’s nothing…

Styx: Please rest well for now. Until our contract expires, I will keep you safe…

Styx: A-Ah! You’re fading again… In that case just…

Styx: I wish you could stay with me longer but I suppose it’s too early for this.

Styx: Ed? Still tired I see...

Styx: I’ll see you later then…. don't be gone too long.

You won't...

Styx: I really do have a lot more to say.

Soon enough...

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

Ferry's Pact- 2022

BaftComorant, Punch Clock Animal/Masa con Paps

CW: Mild Gender Dysphoric discussions

In a darker world, Charon and Opera make a deal to turn things around.





 

 

Charon: Are you still there?

???: More than I thought I was…

Charon: …Opera?

???: Used to be..

???: You’re Ferryman…?

Charon: I… don’t believe I am? Possible….

???: Mm, very Ferryman response.

???: I’m sorry, gone through this quite a bit. Not the first nor last to visit me like this.

???: I ‘m Opera.. Not yours though.

Opera: Claiming me host?

Charon: Mm…. possibly.

Opera: You… didn’t take the cult’s offer, did you?

Charon: No, the cult is long gone.

Charon: I’d actually like permission.

Charon: My physical form is long gone and I don’t want to intrude.

Opera: Couldn’t stop you but… hmm..

Opera: Been a long time since I’ve been able to talk to anyone like this…

Opera: Moment I do, the entity will start claiming the leader’s soul.

Opera: But… sense she’s long gone.

Charon: Mm, my group and I did her in over a decade ago…

Opera: Thank god.

Opera: I… hmm.

Opera: Is Paige okay?

Charon: Dormant but… still lingering with you. Poor thing’s been through a lot…

Opera: I know…

Opera: So um… Ferryman? Do you have a name?

Charon: You keep calling me that..

Opera: It’s a shorthand for all your stand-ins, otherworld equivalents. My first one was named Ferry so….

Opera: All the others are Ferrymen!

Charon: Interesting framing..

Charon: But you’re still Opera.

Opera: Guess so, term comes from my perspective so…

Charon: Mm…

Opera: Name though? I can’t remember much but… your face reminds me of him.

Opera: And… you did kill the entity if I didn’t forget…

Charon: Charon. Had another name but… it seems to be lost.

Opera: Ah….

Charon: Mm.

Opera: What happened?

Charon: Contract gone wrong of my own, ended up having to take the out of replacing my Entity.

Charon: It was exciting at first… defeating a cult, seeing and knowing many world’s worth of knowledge but…

Charon: One day I just vanished. Memories of my world scattered besides a few close faces.

Charon: I read that without a host, a entity fades and forgets.

Charon: I want to remember but… I couldn’t put another person through a contract.

Charon: I was surprised to find that there’s still any consciousness in here.

Opera: Mm…

Charon: I figured since you can no longer move, I could perhaps… as selfish as it sounds….

Opera: No, it’s okay!

Opera: You’re a friend in many lives and another me in just as many….

Opera: If I can help you, it’s all yours.

Charon: Mm…

Opera: Is that really what you want?

Charon: Mm, that and well…

Charon: I should be transparent but… it’s hard.

Opera: Oh?

Charon: I guess… being of fiendish nature, a shapeshifter who’s experienced many lives through magic and memories of others across time and space..

Charon: I somewhat..

Charon: Found myself in a personal pickle.

Opera: I’m a little lost but… you can keep going..

Charon: Knowing I can have so many potential types of bodies, knowing my existence as a fiend is a composite of all the souls… having those feelings rear up.

Charon: I… wanted to also try that.

Charon: I want to be everything but at the same time nothing? And by your nature, you certainly have that.

Opera: Mm, my composition is well.. A lot of fiendish transplants.

Charon: Right…

Charon: Being another world’s me also means it feels just more.. Correct?

Charon: In my head it seems ideal. Perhaps it is, could be the complete opposite but…

Opera: I mean, I feel the same way a lot you know.

Opera: Like…

Opera: When I met Ferry back then, kinda wondered a lot about me.

Opera: Being a guy? Being a completely different body type? Not even the same species…

Opera: Also wondered what it’d be like to just… be another me.

Charon: Mm..

Opera: I had a friend growing up who told me all about this sort of queer expression and like…

Opera: I dunno, wish I got the chance at that in life…

Charon: What do you mean?

Opera: My world’s not as nice about that sort of thing..

Opera: Made me happy though seeing like, another me who’s kind of a pretty dude.

Opera: But I also like being me.. But sometimes I don’t?

Charon: You don’t hate yourself-

Opera: Not at all!

Charon: But sometimes you just, wish yourself could be more.

Opera: I want to be everything and nothing at the same time!

Charon: Mm..

Opera: Honestly if that’s what you want…

Opera: It’s better than waiting for someone awful to dig me out of this hole so..

Opera: I’d be okay with it.

Charon: Really?

Opera: Mmhmm! But… Do wonder what’s going to happen to me…

Opera: What’s left isn’t enough to do much of anything anymore..

Opera: Entity stunted any chance for me to bounce back…

Charon: I mean….

Charon: We could merge. Split my consciousness into the two of us so we can both sustain.

Charon: I don’t know how you’d feel about it but…

Opera: Will Paige come back too?

Charon: Possibly. Can’t promise but there’s a chance.

Charon: Your proxy and your state of consciousness are deeply linked.

You offer her a hand. There’s a brief squeeze.

Charon: I think we both got stuck with rough endings but…

Charon: I want to change that for both of us.

Opera: Promise me you won’t let what happened back then repeat.

Opera: If you can do that much, I’m all yours.

Charon: I promise, and don’t say it like that.

Charon: We’ll both be working together from now on.

Charon: Comrades.

Opera:... Friends?

Charon: Friends…

 

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

Ferryman's Pact Pt.2 - 2022

BaftComorant, Punch Clock Animal/Masa con Papas

CW: None

 

 Opera: How’s it going?

Charon: Mm?

Opera: You’re trying stuff on?

Charon: Couldn’t go around in that gaudy new-age look the cult used to flaunt this body around in.

Opera: Not a fan… so what’s that?

Charon: I… may have gone shopping some. I want my first day to be something proper..

Opera: A lot of these are really cute…

Opera: Oh god, I don’t know if I’ve seen a Ferryman in anything but pants… I don’t think I’ve worn a lot of skirts either though…

Charon: Pants used to be pretty important. They were for protecting the prosthetics. The older style tech made them higher maintenance if not well covered.

Charon: Always a layer of long socks or leggings with big protective pants for outings where there’s a chance of rough and tumble.

Opera: That makes a lot of sense actually…

Charon: Body is long gone though so… trying new things…

You take a long look at one of your hands, processing being in a new form.

Opera: Everything okay?

Charon: Mm.. everything’s so pretty…

Opera: You already were before!

Charon: In a different way. Never realized you don’t have pads, unusual for a karacel…

Opera: Different world.

Charon: Suppose so…

Opera: What’s got you though?

Charon: It looks so… soft. But there’s claws that give your hands an edge to them.

Charon: You’re built differently from her…

Opera: From your Opera?

Charon: Mm..

Opera: Cult modding, and just growing up a bit different I guess.

Opera: I’m sorry…

Charon: I mean… I think I resonate with it.

Charon: I was a mash up of fiend and dog and nightmare mutations so…

Charon: Things feel right at home.

Opera: Really?

Charon: Mm. Is that okay or…

Opera: It’s fine! Just..

Opera: The way the cult left me felt so weird… like my body wasn’t mine anymore and..

Opera: I didn’t like that but…

Opera: I dunno. Fact that you still like it even then makes me happy…

Charon: Mm…

Charon: I’m taller now too…

Opera: By like, an inch? Two tops?

Charon: It counts…

Opera: You just want to be tall.

Charon: A little, nothing wrong with that.

Charon: Soon I want to find everyone but… do worry it’d be a big change.

Charon: Memories are coming back slowly now that I’m grounded again.

Opera: They’ll still care about you I think…

Charon: I hope I haven’t been gone long… do you remember anything?

Opera: Not a lot… didn’t have that many close people back home anyway. But…

Opera: If I do, lets both make sure to meet each other’s people. Introduce each other and all/

Charon: Mm… and if you don’t remember, I’m sure my family will take you in.

Opera: Think so?

Charon: Know so.

Charon: Now um…

Charon: How’s this?

Opera: THe sweater look is so cute… do it.

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

A Simpler Time - 2022
Comorant, Masa con Papas/Mulligan
CW: None
Styx's Original Client.

 Roundabout: Christ Styx, we’re gonna be runnin’ late after last night’s tangent.

Styx: I’m allowed to enjoy myself, part of our contract.

Roundabout: Yes? Have some standards about it, getting kissy with the inn staff is a bad omen.

Styx: Couldn’t be helped, I see someone giving looks and I have to wonder…

Styx: Didn’t go very far regardless.

Roundabout: Thank god, seemed like the clingy type. Know we can’t afford to stick around anywhere too long right now.

Styx: God’s orders, I understand.

Roundabout: Orders are an understatement, she’ll have my head on a pike if we blunder this.

Styx: You’re her favorite, she’d do no such thing.

Roundabout: She wouldn’t be happy regardless. Neither would I for that matter…

Styx: We weren’t going to get any work done last evening anyway, don’t see the deal.

Roundabout: He’s a decent man Styx, you don’t want to be breaking hearts left and right.

Styx: I can’t help it if I’m a tad flirtatious, I see a pretty face and I’m helpless.

Roundabout: You didn’t flirt with me. You calling me fuck ugly?

Styx: I certainly did and I never implied so.

Roundabout: Calling me a curiosity for 30 minutes doesn’t count.

Styx: I have my methods.

Roundabout: And you have better options than emotionally destroying strangers. Your taste is fine but… be thinking in long term.

Styx: Mm.. I do find myself growing genuinely attached to that other demon…

Roundabout: I’ve noticed. He’s been giving me eyes quite a bit…

Styx: You should talk to him, think you’d both get along.


Roundabout: I’m a professional, I rather not mess with co-workers…

Roundabout: He does seem nice however…

Styx: He’s wonderful..

Roundabout:... you haven’t told him your deal though, have you?

Roundabout: Seems dishonest.

Styx: I don’t want to out us so-

Roundabout: Mm..

Styx: Think he always had a crush on you though… admittedly he suspects something is off.

Roundabout: No shit, he knew me before you were in the picture. Probably thinks I’m living a double life.

Styx: You’re certainly keeping secrets.

Roundabout: Aye…

Styx: Even from your own god.

Roundabout: It’s for their benefit, I can’t keep up with the workload on my own..

Styx: And I can’t exist in this world without a host.

Roundabout: Best keep me safe then.

Styx: I do what I can.

Styx: My dear client.

Roundabout: Dear? Maybe. Certainly your best.

Styx: And my only.

Roundabout: Easy win for me then.

Styx: Mm..

Roundabout: You ready to get going?

Styx: I’d like to say my own goodbyes to him.

Roundabout: Styx…

Styx: It’s only appropriate. 5 minutes?

Roundabout: Be kind about it.

Styx: I promise.

 

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

Fielder's Pitch - 2022
Comorant, Mulligan
CW: Smoking
Gallows enters the mirror world.

 Fielder: Thought I smelt a smuggler around these parts.

Fielder: Rabbit without a halo.

You are Gallows, first time sneaking through the hidden route inside the mirror.

Not your first time messing with such magic, but the local systems of transport are still fairly fresh to you.

Needless to say, you’ve been caught.

You need to find out if now is the time to run or fight…..

Fielder: You’re certainly a long ways from home.

Gallows: Can’t be helped, wouldn’t be welcomed back with open arms.

Fielder: Mm…

Fielder: Somehow you’ve managed to smack down your mirror counterpart too, aye? Not that it’s a concern yet, he’ll recover.

Fielder: Hope you won’t be a problem around here.

Gallows: Me? I’m just here for the same reason most folks are.

Fielder: Avoid the crown?  Aye, can tell with ye.

Fielder: You’re the type they tend to make a display out of, no offense.

Gallows: Take pride in that I think. Don’t care for them much.

Fielder: Neither do I.

They pull out a smoke from their pocket and get to lighting.

Fielder: Want one?

Gallows: Nein, having a good enough day without so far.

Fielder: Suit yourself I suppose.

Fielder: So what’s the deal? Local rebel faction? New face to me.

Gallows: Depends who’s asking.

Fielder: I’m the watchman of this mirror route. Do my best to keep troublemakers from ruining this place for everyone.

Fielder: This is a free space with no kings. I plan to keep it that way.

Gallows: Ah. Then you’re correct, I’m a humble smuggler for a local resistance group.

Fielder: If I were to guess… Starman’s?

Gallows: Aye.

Fielder: I have no conflict with them, don’t make me change my mind.

Fielder: That is to say, be respectful of the other folks who need this space too.

Gallows: I can promise that for sure.

Fielder: Good.

Fielder: So rules say I gotta check that you know how to fend for yourself before letting you advance further…  a minute and a half in hell.

Fielder: But… don’t know how to go about the other person there.

Your ears stand up.

Fielder: Oh? You think I didn’t notice? The entity inside of you.

Gallows: None of your business, he’s my work partner.

Fielder: Then I’ll consider him your second in this.

Gallows: Do you have one in mind?

Fielder: Don’t need one really.

Gallow: Confident.

Fielder: I did the math, I can handle this I think.

They take a look at their watch.

Fielder: The entity in you, he’s pretty weak. Now you?

They tossed a pair of dice your way. With one quick motion, you’ve managed to deflect the attack into the ground with your sword.

Fielder:Not so bad. Good reaction speed. Missed though.

Gallows: It was a choice, not an error.

Fielder: Explain yourself.

Gallows: Don’t really want to mess up that face of yours, would be cruel.

Fielder: Aye?

Gallows: Think I’d prefer to get to know you.

Fielder: That’s what ye say now but…

Fielder: Have to confess it’s all just a guise.

Fielder: Think you’d reconsider if you knew what I really was.

Gallows: Who’s to say? Maybe I want the truth.

Fielder: What if it melts you? Would you still make the attempt?

Gallows: It wouldn’t be a bad way to go.

They look mildly flustered at that.

Fielder: That’s a new one for me…

Fielder: Don’t think it’ll get you far-

Gallow: I disagree.

Fielder: Oh?

Gallows: Check your watch again.

Fielder: Piss off.

They look over.

Fielder: 3…. 2…. 1….

Gallows: Couldn’t be helped.

Fielder: Really managed to stall the timer that way? Embarrassing…

Gallows: You had a few seconds left.

Fielder: Wouldn’t feel sporting to shoot you in that final moment frankly.

Fielder: …. I have to ponder though.

Gallows: If I meant what I said?

Gallows: Truth be told, we just met. But I wouldn’t be opposed to knowing you better.

Fielder: Maybe.

They reach toward you and slide a couple of smokes into your pocket.

Gallows: What’s this?

Fielder: A tool of negotiation, think you could find plenty of use for this yourself.

Fielder: I figure you’re busy if you’re with Starman so I don’t want to keep you long.

Gallows: Aye. Should be heading off soon. Perhaps we’ll meet again?

Fielder: We will. Stay safe rabbit. You and the other in there.

Gallow: You too, for the sake of everyone

Fielder: For the sake of everyone…

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

Soaked Rabbit:
Mulligan One-Shot
CW: None
Gallows and Courier Flirt for 10 minutes.

 

 

Gallows: Evening!

Courier: You made it back!

Gallows: Aye, wasn’t the easiest. Pouring out there, more than usual for these parts.

Gallows: Streets practically could sweep you into the ocean on a day like this.

Courier: That bad?

Gallows: Mm.

Courier: Should’ve stayed at the other safehouse, don’t want you getting hurt.

Gallows: Ah, but I promised some us time today, no?

Courier: Guess so.. Still.

Gallows: I wouldn’t have made the trip if I didn’t think I could.

Courier: You are quite the talented rabbit…

Courier: Just don’t hurt yourself out there, alright?

Gallows: I can do my best in that regard.

Gallows: So what did I miss?

Courier: Rot and Starman had a sparring contest in front of the whole crew. Scab had to step in before our leader hurt themselves in the process.

Courier: Guess it’s been an ongoing theme between them.

Gallows: And by what means did they spar exactly?

Courier: Wrestling.

Gallows: Really?

Courier: Aye, didn’t know Star had that in them to begin with.

Courier: Talks so much like a old man that I’d expect their spine to snap instantly.

Gallows: THey’re not much older than us to be fair..

Courier: I suppose, still.

Gallows: Doesn’t surprise me too much..

Gallows: How about yourself?

Courier: Me? I just spectated with the crew today.

Courier: Admittedly feel shy about interacting with most folks in the group still. Can’t help but feel like body snatching a crown soldier makes them worry I’ll turn.

Gallows: Anyone who knows you wouldn’t even think of it.

Courier: That’s the problem I think, getting them to know me.

Courier: I just… I dunno.

Gallows: Come here, help me warm up.

Courier: Course- Oh god you’re drenched.

Gallows: Aye…

Courier: I really hope you brought a change of clothes..

Gallows: I can borrow from our donation bin. Think I’ve earned as much lately.

Courier: You’ve been on a roll. Stealing an entire carrier’s load..

Gallows: Mm. That’s one where I’m not looking forward to the security increase.

Courier: We needed it…

Gallows: Gotta say, you’re still hugging me though.

Courier: Oh? No, I think I’ve been captured actually.

Courier: The charming rebel has me trapped in his arms..

Gallows: Oh?

Courier: Will his seductions cause me to defect?

Gallows: I think so. Do you disavow your loyalty to the king?

Courier: Does it come with the rabbit?

Gallows: It might.

Courier: A leap of faith worth taking then…

Gallows: Hehehe.. You’re quite silly.

Courier: So are you!

Courier: Styx has me caught up in these sort of theatrics…

Gallows: Of course he does. Can’t blame him though, there’s a fun to it.

Courier: You like?

Gallows: Maybe…

Courier: Only maybe?

Gallows: Need more time to find out I think.

Courier: You need more silliness?

Gallows: I’d love that.

Courier: You’re doing the ear thing…

Gallows: Which?

Courier: The little way you lift them.. So cute..

Gallows: Ah.. It’s a habit really.

Courier: A rabbit habit?

Gallows: No.

Gallows: Anyway..

Courier: Let’s get you into something dry, don’t want you getting sick.

Gallows: Aye. And maybe you can help me fight the cold a bit after.

Gallows: Could you help me with such a great task?

Courier: I’ll see what I can do, my brave rebel.

 

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

A Talk with a Husk - 2022
Comorant, Masa/Divine Timeline AU
CW: Implications of parental abuse
A Charon from another world embraces the Husk as a answer to his woes.

 

You find yourself restless at night, a hiss and crackle of a voice echos through your head.

You are Charon Judgment, successor to Rein…

And you are being questioned on your life choices ever since you’ve chosen to take that deal.

Your body is no longer your original, traded for one with the answer to your problems.

Power, immortality, and presence all in one.

You feel stronger than you ever have.

Your enemies have been fended off and are no longer an issue.

You really have no more need as of now to cling onto the husk that you’ve been granted.

And yet… you prefer it to your original flesh.

???: And why is that?

You’re startled by the voice, it only appears when you’re tired enough and everytime you dread its flurry of questions.

???: If you answered honestly, I wouldn’t be here.

???: You’re an invader in this body, one I can’t stand.

???: Your aura is familiar though, so I can’t do much to reject you.

Please don’t make me go through this right now…

???: I won’t stop until you’ve given me good answer. Your task is done and yet you still choose this body.

???: Are you scared? You’re a god, one who’s already near immortal.

It’s not that simple.

???: I know a coward when I see one.

It’s not like that.

???: Then why?

It’s… embarrassing.

???: I don’t believe in the word.

You mock me plenty, how can I believe you?

???: Because honesty doesn’t deserve ridicule. And I imagine yours will be ripe with vulnerabilities.

You’re.. Correct.

My old body was marked with memories I suppose.

Ones that remind me too much of past pains.

Everytime I saw my reflection I wanted to cry a little.

Because I see both of them. My parents… the one I loathed and the one I couldn’t save.

I don’t want those kind of attachments anymore. I wanted to start fresh.

???: I see.

???: Tell me something you like about this body specifically.

Like?

???: Anything. If you’re going to be a parody of my image, I rather see it done in affection.

I mean.. It’s beautiful really.

The way it just exudes confidence in full stride..

I want that.

I want to feel that.

And I want its femininity too…

???: Do you?

Rein was awful, it never approved of any sort of expression.

Stay chaste, restrict yourself, conform to what’s acceptable..

Maybe it’s me overcompensating but-

???: I don’t think it is, frankly.

???: You’ve been boxed in so hard, no wonder you want to fully embrace exploration.

???: Even if it means an entirely different form.

I wasn’t expecting you to be so supportive…

???: It was once my role in life.

What were you before?

Is this your body?

???: No… not originally.

???: I’m but a proxy, a very bad one admittedly.

???: One without the fire left to do anything at this point.

???: I am left here without the capacity to move. This body is a prison for me til the end of my days…

It doesn’t have to be…

I’ve never had a proxy before but…

???: You’ve mucked with soul transferring but never a proxy?

???: You’re a strange one…

???: I know…

???: I’ll consider the offer.

Can I get a name?

???: Rook

Huh.

???: Is that okay?

I like it.

???: And what do I call you?

Me? I’m just Judgment.

???: …. I see.

Something wrong?

???: No.

???: Just the feeling that… perhaps I’m home.

[skinstealer]

Woe's Wigglers- 2024
Jones Mortis, Krowling Mortis, Bugsy Mortis, Percy Mortis, Generalized Morbit
CW: mentions of bloodletting, mentions of animal death/abuse
Let's visit the animal shelter!

---

Allsweet adjusts the mic on her shirt, looking back at the camera guy with a skeptical expression. The animal shelter she'd arrived at seems nice enough, but this-

Not used to being solo on these...
...I'm sure it'll be fine.
It's just some pets. I'll be in and out. Quick feature.

The guy gives her a thumbs up, and gestures for her to start going.

She stands up straight, counting along as the camera guy starts counting down from three.


The camera rolls.


The building's exterior is simple, just the standard TCP-made brick you'd see around the streets of Haven- but it's covered in murals, of all kinds of insects and small mammals. It gives the shelter a warm, welcoming feeling, and all of the signs boasting local events help the vibe.

Text pops up highlighting the TCP on screen's name- Allsweet, a watermelon-colored philosophy type, sporting a semi-formal pantsuit and an attempt at a friendly expression in her eyespots.

ALLSWEET: I'm here at the very first pet shelter in Haven- formed a whole two decades ago, this facility is still the most popular place to get a new friend.
ALLSWEET: We've been given an exclusive new opportunity to visit and talk to the staff here at Woe's Wigglers as a part of our "Places to Go" series.
ALLSWEET: Let's go have a look, shall we?
 

She opens the door, stepping inside.



The shelter's main office is just as kitschy as the outside, with lots of themed decor and statues of the kind of things you'd find inside. A black and white florist type with a green and yellow swirled apron is waiting for her, its posture somewhat slouched- but managing a professional tone of voice when it speaks.

Its name pops up along with it talking- Chem.

CHEM: Welcome to Woe's Wigglers.
ALLSWEET: You're one of the managers here, right-
CHEM: Chem, yeah. I help run the greenhouse especially-
ALLSWEET: You have a greenhouse?
CHEM: Just a little one, yeah. It's out back.
CHEM: We can start there, if you're game.
ALLSWEET: That...sounds great.
ALLSWEET: Lead the way.

 

The greenhouse is definitely "a little one" by Haven's standards, with many of the TCPs there used to biodomes- but it's still big enough to feature a variety of plants, with some fruit trees in clear blossom and a worker or two tending to some vegetables and flowers.

ALLSWEET: It's so nice in here!
ALLSWEET: I had no idea there was a growing operation here.
CHEM: It's not like it's a secret or anything, but...
CHEM: We're no kill, which means a lot of the animals here need more food than we'd otherwise be dealing with.
CHEM: After a point, it became pretty much needed for us to start growing our own crop for the most commonly needed stuff.
CHEM: Got some deals with local nature types to give us some sprouts and saplings, and people like me got picked up to help out.
ALLSWEET: You mean, florist types?
CHEM: Anybody that'd give a boost in productivity and enthusiasm.
CHEM: Gardening's hard work on top of everything else.
CHEM: A lot of our workers are volunteers- myself included- so it helps to have some kinda morale boost, you get me?
ALLSWEET: Absolutely. I think we could all benefit from something like that in our workday!
ALLSWEET: Volunteers, though...that's a lot of work to take on for no pay.
 

The florist type shrugs.

CHEM: People here love the work.
CHEM: Somebody's gotta take care of these guys, I figure.
CHEM: We have a lot of people cycle out, dealing with work schedules, life events, the works.
CHEM: But at this point, this is my main gig.
CHEM: I help some other local places with gardening management and morale for my actual pay, but this is my priority.
 

Another shrug.

CHEM: S'honest work.
ALLSWEET: Incredible...I can feel how solid the work ethic is here!
ALLSWEET: I-

She's interrupted by a large earthworm-like creature passing by, waddling on what feels like a million little nub feet before burrowing deep into one of the flowerbeds.

ALLSWEET: .....
ALLSWEET: Was that-
CHEM: A tillman, yeah.
CHEM: We've got a bunch working here with us in the gardens.
CHEM: They're all up for adoption, but we figure they need the nutrients and enrichment anyway. Suckers love digging away and leaving premium fertilizer.
CHEM: They work with us until other places pick 'em up. Sometimes independent farmers, sometimes bigger biodome companies.
CHEM: There's enough of these guys found causing problems on the Haven outskirts that they get brought in to us- and you've got cases of a company going under and their whooooole tillman pack gets rehomed.
CHEM: They may go quick, but we've always got some of these guys.
ALLSWEET: Do they make good pets outside of farm work?
CHEM: Sure, so long as you got enough space for them to dig.
CHEM: If they get adopted out as more of a pet situation? Usually to somebody in the nature districts.
CHEM: Great dispositions, on tillmen.
ALLSWEET: I never would have known!
CHEM: You'll learn even more facts about that kinda stuff from Vollus.
CHEM: He runs outreach. Let me take you over there...




 

A fruit-eating bat type stands next to a long line of pet enclosures, some smaller cages and others bigger kennels. His fur is white and gray with pleasant, muted pink accents, and he wears a soft sundress with a bow pulling it back. His wings are tipped with little grippers- impossible to tell if they're modded on or an original part of his body.

His name pops up- Vollus.

VOLLUS: Hi!
VOLLUS: I'm guessing Chem sent you, right?
ALLSWEET: Mhm.
ALLSWEET: It said you're in charge of outreach-
VOLLUS: That I am.
VOLLUS: I love connecting with local businesses and makers in our area.
VOLLUS: Did it mention the biodomes-
ALLSWEET: It did!
VOLLUS: Awesome. Chem works primarily with those, but-
VOLLUS: There's a lot of food types in the area I link up with, as well as a solid amount of vets, animal wranglers, community event-runners, you name it.
VOLLUS: Our shelter, as you can imagine- we do a lot of rescues.
 

He taps the side of a large kennel featuring an insect similar to the tillman in its worm-like shape and intense amount of legs, but far larger and more stocky, with a singular claw on each of its nubby limbs, a circular mouth, and a few rows of frond-like antennae. Its hide is gray with yellow spots, and the colors seem to shift as Vollus catches its attention.

Allsweet does her best not to look nervous, failing somewhat.

ALLSWEET: I-
ALLSWEET: I wasn't aware that there'd be peripods here! Wow!
ALLSWEET: They are larger than you'd expect!
VOLLUS: You'd be able to ride it easy!
VOLLUS: You know what these do, right?
ALLSWEET: They're...hunting animals, if I remember correctly.
VOLLUS: Correct! People use them to gather meat and other hard to obtain resources on the outskirts of the city.
VOLLUS: They get a bad rep for being aggressive, but they're a really important part of getting resources for Haven.
VOLLUS: Treatments to make non-TCP food edible to us are getting better and better, and bug meat's on the rise.
VOLLUS: A lot of TCPs in more impoverished areas with less food types really benefit from that kind of trade.
VOLLUS: But...because they're hard to handle, we get rescues a lot.
VOLLUS: This guy here-
 

He taps the sign on the kennel, labeling the peripod as "Jumbles".

VOLLUS: -doesn't like strangers much, but does like treats and playing with chewy toys.
VOLLUS: For cases like him, we require people to come in and familiarize themselves with the animal before they commit.
VOLLUS: Works wonders!
ALLSWEET: That's incredible...
ALLSWEET: You really are committed to making sure people find a perfect match.
VOLLUS: We like to be sure of it!
VOLLUS: A lot of species we get here- the more desirable ones, like crackles and snugglers- they go fast!
VOLLUS: But ones like this, or creatures that have pre-existing conditions...they stay with us a while.
VOLLUS: And we want to make sure they won't just be returned back here or abandoned after a week, yknow?
ALLSWEET: Makes perfect sense...
 

Allsweet walks over to a smaller cage, peering in.

ALLSWEET: ...what are these?
VOLLUS: Oh, those?
 

He walks over, stepping on a stool and gesturing for the camera to come in closer. It follows, showing the inside of the kennel- two leechlike creatures with spindly legs, curled around each other.

VOLLUS: Those are sipsappers!
VOLLUS: We don't usually get a bonded pair like this, but they're really common pets for people with fluid conditions.
VOLLUS: Having too much fluid production can cause people a lot of pain, so these guys-
ALLSWEET: ...they sip it?
VOLLUS: They do!
VOLLUS: Bloodletting is scary for a lot of people, but they provide an invaluable service to those who need it.
VOLLUS: And you can teach them tricks!
ALLSWEET: You can?
VOLLUS: Absolutely. They can jump through little obstacle courses and everything.
ALLSWEET: Amazing...
 

The camera lingers on the little creatures sleeping in their cuddly heap.

 

Allsweet's in one of the playrooms now, sitting on a couch with a gray, plaid-marked heartache type. Her posture is gentle and welcoming, and when she speaks, it's with the cadence of someone who's been around for a long time.

Her name, displayed at the bottom of the video, says "Woe".

On Allsweet's lap is a sizable bug- a mothlike creature taking up her entire lap, its wings laid flat across its back. It's white and immensely fluffy, with its wings resembling thick, shaped, quilted blankets. On Woe's lap, a small, shrew-like creature curls up, hiding its little nose in its belly.

WOE: That snuggler treating you well?
ALLSWEET: M-mhm!
 

The philosophy type seems nervous, but the moth on her lap simply nuzzles her belly.

ALLSWEET: It's...very soft.
WOE: As you can expect with a name like that!
WOE: Snugglers are our best candidates for anxious TCPs.
WOE: It's taken to you well, too.
ALLSWEET: Heh...I'm glad!
WOE: Pet its back, if you like- the wings are safe too, but they're most padded along their backs. They love it.
 

Allsweet nods, her face lighting up at the soft touch.

ALLSWEET: Wow...
ALLSWEET: Your crackle seems peaceful enough to sleep, too.
WOE: I have a way with them, I suppose.
 

Woe reaches over with one of her large hands, the crackle's fur making its trademark sound as she pets it slowly.

WOE: I've got two at home, and I guess they can smell it on me.
WOE: I actually started this business with these.
ALLSWEET: Oh? I'm sure the viewers at home would love to know more.
WOE: Mmm...
WOE: I kept noticing crackles in the area- populations wandering in from the Bluster border, no doubt.
WOE: But...they kept getting injured.
WOE: I still don't know if it was just- Haven not being made for them, or someone attacking them...
WOE: But I saw that, and kept hearing people in my district talk about wanting support animals, like how complexes have patchimi.
WOE: Crackles are timid, and they can have a real attitude if you upset them...
WOE: But with the right touch and some training, they can be just as effective as snugglers.
WOE: I made this place as a way to give animals like that a second chance at finding homes.
WOE: After all, Haven was made to support TCPs. Why not support these friends as well?
ALLSWEET: That's lovely...
WOE: It's my life's dream.
 

There's quiet as the two of them spend time with their animals, the camera zooming in on the creatures intermittently.

WOE: ...thank you for coming to visit my little establishment.
ALLSWEET: It's no trouble, I'm so thrilled we get to highlight this space.
ALLSWEET: You've made a really magical place.
WOE: I hope your viewers think so as well...
WOE: And a reminder!

She points directly at the camera.

WOE: We have discounted adoption days on the weekends!
WOE: Local artisans also make complementary toy care packages if you come in on those days, so don't miss out!
ALLSWEET: That's a bargain I don't think anyone would want to skip out on.
WOE: Who knows...
 

Woe turns to poke Allsweet on the cheek.

WOE: Maybe even you can find someone!
ALLSWEET: Huh, maybe!
ALLSWEET: But for now....that's Woe's Wigglers, and this has been "Places to Go!"
 

The camera cuts.

[skinstealer]

Masks
Percy Mortis + Calvin Mortis, Post-Void Session
No CWs
Raffle funded by AceofNothing
Primus and Lover meet up.

---

Primus adjusts his bowtie, doing a little pose in the full-length mirror hung on his wall. Both the tie and the mirror were gifts from his loving parent, and while he debated whether he really needed the latter, just for checking himself over- it helped him feel a little more confident before stuff like this.

Before a date.

There's a knock at the door, a distinct wood thunking that the tent type TCP had come to recognize as his dear friend.

PRIMUS: Cmon in, I'm almost ready!
BRYCE: Alrighty...

 

The driftwood type steps inside, wearing his own bowtie-accentuated getup- and the carved prosthetic limb today, a sign that he wasn't planning on doing anything too intensive.

PRIMUS: Looking to show off a bit when you drive me over?
BRYCE: Please, I'm not jealous of them.
BRYCE: Let me adjust that tie...

 

Primus gets down on one knee, letting the more experienced TCP adjust his neckwear.

PRIMUS: You're so much better at that...
BRYCE: Not as easy when clothes don't just pop onto your body, right?
BRYCE: Still....

 

Bryce pulls back, looking him over. The orange TCP was clad in a white button-up with a brown vest on top, paired with deeper brown slacks. His trademark hiking boots stayed on his feet, one lingering trace of his outdoorsy attitude.


And then there was the bowtie, a blue that matched his zipper pull.

BRYCE: You look nice.
PRIMUS: Thanks...
PRIMUS: You don't think it's too much?
BRYCE: Not at all!
BRYCE: Lover's going to really appreciate the effort.
PRIMUS: I hope so...it's...been a while.
BRYCE: ...
BRYCE: You nervous?
PRIMUS: A little...
PRIMUS: It's not like our last meeting ended in a fight-
BRYCE: Maybe not a fight, but it was still tense for you.
BRYCE: It's okay if you need to duck out early, okay?
BRYCE: I'll just run some errands in the area.
BRYCE: If things go wrong, or get weird, text me a little emoji or something.
BRYCE: I'll come pick you up.
PRIMUS: ...what do I say, if it comes to that?
BRYCE: I'll say some duties came up when I come by, and we can check out the campsite nearby.
BRYCE: Not technically a lie.

 

Primus sighs, grateful. Lying isn't one of his strong suits, and Bryce knows that well.

PRIMUS: You've really got my back on this...

 

Bryce lets out a soft laugh.

BRYCE: After everything? Of course I do.
BRYCE: Remember that, okay?

 

There's a warm feeling in Primus' belly as he starts walking out with the other TCP, giving him a pleased pat on the head.

PRIMUS: How could I forget?

 

---

The ride over is straightforward enough, the two TCPs mainly talking over work and recent demon duties. The closest forest settlement they'd be working with had been struggling due to all the rain recently, and it occupied both of their minds enough to span the whole hour-long drive. Solitude wasn't exactly prepared for TCP-scale transit, and even Bryce's little SUV wasn't having a great time with the cobblestone roads. Still, Miller had been pushing for new lanes, highways, and overpasses to be put in, and with any luck...

PRIMUS: Oh, that's them-

 

Bryce slows down the car, coming to a stop in front of one of the local TCP cafes- Lover's favorite, when they came over to visit. The mask type TCP themself has adopted a casual pose while sipping a cup of coffee, legs crossed on a stack of booster cushions, and leaning onto the table.


...they are also wearing a fishnet top and glittery shorts, along with a new mask design- a shy, blushing face.

BRYCE: ...wow.
PRIMUS: They look so nice!
BRYCE: I can't disagree, but...
BRYCE: They should probably watch out. You know how people are about that kind of thing here...

 

Sure enough, when Primus looks at the other customers, he can see them squinting their eyespots in displeasure at the barely clad TCP.

PRIMUS: You'd think people wouldn't care...
BRYCE: That's Solitude for you.
BRYCE: I wouldn't pick anywhere else, but...you know.
PRIMUS: Yeah...

 

The tent type makes his way out of the car, giving himself a moment before turning to head off.

PRIMUS: I'll text you when I'm done.
BRYCE: You got it.
BRYCE: ...don't overdo it, okay?
PRIMUS: I won't!

 

He does his best to give a thumbs up before closing the door, letting his friend rumble away.

LOVER: Ohh, there he is!

 

Primus can't help but feel his chest tighten at the sound of their voice- partially in excitement, partially out of pure anxiety. Approaching the mask type only makes the feeling grow, and as he settles into his seat, he can't help but struggle for words.

LOVER: I was waiting for you!
PRIMUS: Yeah, had a bit of an issue getting up that big hill again...
PRIMUS: Th...thank you for waiting, though!

 

He puts his hands awkwardly in his lap, his posture completely straight.

PRIMUS: You look really nice...
PRIMUS: The mesh especially. I think it looks good on you...
LOVER: Thank you!
LOVER: I see you went with my favorite tie of yours...
LOVER: And everything else, so...crisp.

 

Primus blushes, rubbing the back of his head.

PRIMUS: I wanted to look nice, since it's been a while...
LOVER: Mmmhm!
LOVER: Too long, if you ask me.
LOVER: Phone calls aren't enough, I'm a much more tactile person...
LOVER: But!
LOVER: You have to tell me how work is going.
LOVER: Spill.
PRIMUS: W-well!
PRIMUS: It's been fine, been dealing with this whole flooding situation in the local woods-
PRIMUS: But it's been good. Miller treats me right.
LOVER: I don't know how you do it- staying under a god's thumb, even after everything.
PRIMUS: It's- it's not really under her thumb.
PRIMUS: She's like...we do check-ins and reports with her.
PRIMUS: And she lets us do our own thing!
PRIMUS: It's awesome! She really trusts us...
LOVER: I suppoooose that's good enough...
LOVER: Any deity drama, though?
PRIMUS: Ehhh...
PRIMUS: I'm left kinda out of the loop on that stuff.
PRIMUS: All I know is that Rein has been kinda agitated, and sometimes Miller gets the rough end of it.
PRIMUS: Just, yknow, an earful, but it isn't fun.
LOVER: Prick.
PRIMUS: ...yeah. Agreed.
LOVER: All I'm saying is, make sure you don't drink the punch.
PRIMUS: I'm all good on that front, I...stay away from it.
PRIMUS: Don't have much reason to interact with it, and I don't think it really cares for my job...
LOVER: Once again: huge prick.
 

A waiter interrupts them, Primus ordering a hot chocolate, and both ordering an ice cream cone to go with it.

As they wait for it to come by, the conversation shifts. It's a little more fluid now, the atmosphere easing up. Talking with Lover was always a bit of an event, but Primus did genuinely enjoy their company...it's part of what lead to this on and off arrangement to begin with.

PRIMUS: How's the art business been?
LOVER: Ughhh.

 

The mask type flops forward onto the table, nearly toppling the cusions underneath them.

LOVER: The work? Wonderful. Amazing. Wouldn't trade it for the world.
LOVER: The actual sales?
LOVER: Abysmal.
LOVER: Haven's a great place, don't get me wrong. I'm obsessed with the night scene there.
LOVER: But even with the huge artisan markets, people don't really pick up masks outside of events and Darkest Night.
LOVER: A lot of people seem to think the style is "old fashioned". Please.
LOVER: I'm on top of modern trends! Hell, I'm aiming to be a trendsetter!
LOVER: ...but I can't seem to make it stick.

 

They huff, Primus giving them a gentle shoulder pat. The mask type can't help but laugh, soft and appreciative.

 
LOVER: My offer's still open, yknow.
PRIMUS: Oh?
LOVER: Yknow!
LOVER: You modeling for me.
LOVER: I've got some animal styled ones that'd be good with your whole wilderness thing.
LOVER: I bet the locals would go crazy for it. It's like, tasteful.
PRIMUS: I dunno, I'm, like-
PRIMUS: I'm just kind of a guy, you know?
PRIMUS: I don't think I could pull it off.
LOVER: Please, you'd be my first choice.
PRIMUS: Hah...

 

He can tell he's blushing, his nerves plain on his face. Lover coughs, clearly just as awkward.

PRIMUS: S-sorry, just-
PRIMUS: I'm still never sure how to respond to stuff like that.
LOVER: Just...with your heart, you know?
LOVER: Doesn't have to be perfect.
PRIMUS: That's-
PRIMUS: That's the problem.
PRIMUS: I don't know what's, like- what's me. And my heart.
PRIMUS: And what's just...
PRIMUS: ....
PRIMUS: Before.

 

Lover sighs, looking down at their hand.

LOVER: ...yeah.
LOVER: I know the feeling.
 

It's quiet again, neither TCP sure what to say until the waiter swoops in to save the day- ice cream and cocoa in hand. Both of them thank their server profusely, snacking on the desserts to fill the conversational gap.


...they're really bothered by this.
I...
I could ask them to talk about it, but they hate going over stuff like that in public...
I could ask Bryce if they could stay over, give us some privacy to discuss stuff...
But that doesn't help the mood now! It might just make them feel weird...
I need...a way to take the edge off.

 

The idea hits him, the tent type letting out an "oh!" and startling his sort-of partner.

PRIMUS: I have something we could do after this!
LOVER: ...it's not just gonna be a cafe meetup?

 

They're already perking up, Primus praying this will work.

PRIMUS: Well...I figure we can stay out a bit.
PRIMUS: Solitude may not have a prominent night scene, but-
PRIMUS: There is an underground club that Bryce and I found.
LOVER: No way.
LOVER: In dinky old Solitude?
LOVER: An underground club?
LOVER: I thought you were still like, super good boy!
PRIMUS: I! I dabble!
PRIMUS: And...
 

He reaches for Lover's hand, the mask type taking it.

PRIMUS: I'm trying to follow my heart, remember?

 

Lover bursts out in a laugh, completely contrasting the shy look on their mask.

LOVER: How on earth could I say no to that?
LOVER: You better show me a good time tonight, because I know I'm going all out!

Maybe this won't be so bad...
...as long as they don't make me dance.

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

E7 S1: A Preview One Shot
B.Comorant
CW: A Character Experiences a Psychotic Episode
The Following One Shot is a prologue/preview to a upcoming mini-project tied to a certain Pelgro character.
A thief checks in on their witch friend on a rough mental health day.

 

 Savvy: Hey! Came back as quick as I could…

You gave your friend a good look over, they were bundled up with the TV running, some old show you’ve never seen playing on the refurbished screen.

Savvy: They only had half your monthly dose but I can pick up the rest. Should be enough to get you by til then..

You offer out the paper bag, giving its crumpled shape a little rattle.

They didn’t look comfortable so much as lost in trying to ground themselves.

You pat down on the couch’s arm rest.

Savvy: ‘Spina? You gonna be okay?

The sorceress snapped out of it this time, immediately ducking their head under their blanket.

Despina: I’ve misplaced my mask…

Savvy: Remember where you last had it?

Despina: Mind’s scattered if I’m honest with you, couldn’t for the life of me…

Despina: You have the meds?

Savvy: Yeah, I do. How long’s it been since last dose?

Despina: Two days ago I think, pretty sure..

Savvy: You say something the day of?

Despina: Assumed they’d be ready sooner so I just..

Savvy: You wanted to hold out..

Despina: Don’t like to pester anyone else but… I wouldn’t make it far today like this

Savvy: You can always ask..

Despina: You? No, you’ve already got plenty on your hands right now.

Savvy: I do a few jobs five days a week, not really that big a deal.

Despina: Anytime you go out right now’s a danger..

Savvy: Yeah well.. I’m built for it. May I?

You give the couch a little pat again.

Despina: Of course..

The poor witch pokes their head out just a nudge, talking seems to have done a ton for them.

Despina: You’ve slept over here before, suppose you’ve seen my face plenty.

Savvy:  Don’t know why you hide it… 

You offer Despina the pills.

They manage a tiny smile as they take them.

Despina: Thank you…

Savvy: Gonna sit here with you for a bit, not leaving until I know you’re good for that.

Despina: You really don’t have to-

Savvy: Do you want to be alone?

Despina: God no…

She started getting to work on taking meds.

You look over at the screen.

Two animated characters in an interrogation, a mouse and a snake who’s arms were bound by rope.

The Snake: I’m not up for wasting time, you gonna take me in for that bounty or what?

The Mouse: Right now I’ve got bigger fish to fry, you’re going to help me.

The Snake: Really gonna look the other way to do your job?

The Mouse: Got a hostage situation and not a lot of time to get it done.

The Snake cackles.

The Snake: Boy scout like you’s gotta do more than look the other way.

The Mouse: You’ll get your ship back. Can’t do more for you than that.

The Snake: All I need really. And I know you’re the type of trooper who makes good on that.

The Mouse: You would too.

The Snake: For you?  Maybe if I’m having a good day. Fill me in.

You look over as your friend downs the pills with a drink.

Savvy: You all good?

They respond with a finger, punctuating things until they can speak again.

Despina:  I’ll be fine.. Just waiting til it kicks in.

Savvy: How long’s that gonna take?

Despina: Still got some in my system, takes a bit to fully clear out so..

They do the math on the back of their hand.

Despina: Least 30 minutes to start, hour to stabilize if I remember correctly.

Savvy: That’s good..

Despina: Will you be fine with staying this long?

Savvy: We live on the same floor..

You give them a playful shrug.

Savvy: And you’ve kept the layout the same since I’ve moved out so.. Should know where everything is.

Despina: That’s fair..

You look back at the TV, the mouse and the snake parking up in a suburban home, the buildings looking futuristic in an angular and retro way.

The Mouse: We’re breaking in?
The Snake: Relax, it’s not a real home. Place is multipurpose. Usually though it’s a place of disposal.

The Mouse: You mean-

The Snake: Yeah. If they’ve had your guy this long they’re going to melt him. Probably already did.

The Mouse opens his mouth only to be stopped.

The Snake: Don’t make a ruckus, we’re gonna check the garage.

The two manage inside through the Snake’s lockpicking skills and concerning familiarity with the layout. The internal door to the garage giving the Mouse a trembling anxiety to what he might discover.

The Snake: Come on, don’t got all day.

He steels his nerves as the door opens, only to be met with… nothing.

The Mouse: It’s empty!

The Snake:... How long’s your guy been gone for?

The Mouse: Five days. Rumor is they’re prepping a ransom.

The Snake: That’s a few too late.

The Snake takes a closer look, a particular spot too clean for a room that’s otherwise gathered more than enough dust.

The Mouse: What’s wrong?

The Snake: You know those old style beam teleporters? Take you from ground to a aircraft quick

The Mouse: Right.. Work on a molecular level- oh god…

The Snake: Ripped apart atom by atom. Your guy’s about to be turned into a mold, reprogrammed to be replaced by a sleeper agent.

The Mouse: Is this a thing?

The Snake: Sure is kid. Your dad and I got a lot of horror stories about some of the tech the folks in office got cooking underneath your feet.


Savvy: What’s this all about?

Despina: I like to sample the weekly recommendations at the library… manage to gather a large haul of things to watch this month.

That’d do it. The online archives pages for this facility tend to regularly post blogs on the recommendations of the staff.

They can be hit and miss from experience, but you’ve always found something you liked whenever you take the leap.

And at the very least this one looks interesting enough to hold you for now.

Savvy: What’s this one called?

Despina: Sky Winger, this one was pitched to me as a classic in some circles.

Savvy: And these two are…?

Despina: “Snake Sullivan” and “Mouse Fincher”, bounty hunters and crackshot leaders of rival crews.

Savvy:.. That’s not really what they’re called right?

Despina: You’ll get used to it fast.

The Snake has finished their conversation with the bartender before returning.

The Mouse: So?

The Snake: We’re gonna have to bust in  the Wombat’s Nest. Owned by big shot with a bit of a cult following and an interest in collecting government contracts. Armed to the teeth, gonna have to be slippery.

The Mouse: You ever worked with them?

The Snake: Worked with everyone. Don’t know what’s got you so pressed.

The Mouse grabs the Snake by the Jacket.

The Snake: Back off buddy.

He presses a finger down on a patch on the Snake’s sleeve.

The Mouse: You’re still wearing the mark of my dad’s team, why?

The Snake: Cause truth be told? I never betrayed anyone. We did a lot of wrong back then. Your just dad managed to back out early enough to get a memorial. As for me? We’ll see how far I can fly.

The Mouse goes quiet at that.

The Snake: You gotta ask ol’ Brewster sometime. See if you’ll get this kind of honesty from your pal.

Despina leans a little on your shoulder.

You don’t mind much, feeling rather comfortable actually.

You try patting their shoulders a little.

Despina: Hmm? Did you need something?

Savvy: Just checking on you.

Despina: I’m doing fine right now. Head’s fuzzy but a lot calmer.

Savvy: Yeah?

Despina: Always is but.. Pills keep it manageable.

Savvy: You wanna talk about it?

Despina: In a bit..

On screen a dogfight happens as the pair try to bust into the ship. This seems to be where the majority of the budget went. Simple at times, maybe a little cheap when it cuts to cockpit, but the action makes your eyes twinkle a bit.

Savvy: Really do mean it that you should just.. Ask me more. You’re allowed to.

Despina: I should.

Savvy: So why not?

Despina: It’s a lot to process and… suppose you do deserve to know that when I feel like I can word it but..

The witch readjusts their positon a bit.

Despina: Days like these make me feel too broken for other people. Prefer not to be seen in that light while I’m in a place of responsibility.

Savvy: And you can ask for help more.

Despina: You’ll tell me if you can’t. 

Savvy: Course. And you got plenty of people who’d do it if I’m too busy-

Despina: Don’t think I can. You’re really the only one I feel comfortable with doing this for me. But.. I also don’t want you to break too…

Savvy: You’re not broken. Now me on the other hand well..

You take a good look at your left arm, the skin held together by glitchy fibers that were struggling to keep still.

Despina offers a hand.

You oblige and place yours in their palm.

Savvy: Wasn’t exactly built to last on my own..

Despina: We’ll try to get you stable. Every lab that manufacturer bodies like this has them for their older models.

Savvy: Can you undo it all though?

Despina:.. Probably not. That doesn’t make your life any less worth taking care of and enjoying.

Savvy: Same for you.

Despina opens their mouth for a moment only to pause on it.

Despina: You’re right.

Savvy: If you’re gonna be doing things for me, I’ll help you out too. Simple as that.

Despina nods.

Despina: Is it okay to call you a friend? Know that’s a rather straight way to put it.

Savvy: Course, as long as that’s mutual.

Despina: I can settle for that..

The credits roll to punctuate a final scene, the discovery that The Mouse’s own employer in this contract is a replacement in herself. The final frame before the text scrolls stopping on the two flying back to the planet to find out the truth for themselves.


Savvy: Oh! This one’s ongoing.

Despina: Mmhmm!

Savvy: How far are you in? Feel like I got a lot to fill in one…

Despina: This is the first two-parter I’ve seen like this but..

Despina: 7 episodes.

Savvy: All watched today or-

Despina: Over the week.

You sit quietly giving them a little look but unable to find a polite way to say things

Despina gives you a sigh and then a smile.

Despina: I left my mask in my office drawer while I was returning back to the apartment. Hopefully nobody saw me but-

Savvy: You want me to get it?

Despina: Do so, and we can start for the beginning. I’ll order us something while you go do that.

Savvy: Long as you don’t get that fruit pizza again.

Despina: There’s nothing wrong with pineapple. Wasn’t thinking of Pizza anyway…

Savvy: Then surprise me! Pick something fun.

You start toward the door, giving them a little wave.

Despina: Be quick, meds haven’t fully kicked in yet.

Savvy: Yeah, course. Call me if anything comes up, for real this time.

Savvy: I promise..

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

Divine Percussion
B.Comorant
Projects: Punch Clock Animal Divine AU
CW: Discussion of past traumas, Really weird confusing flirtation.
After rediscovering the long separated proxy, Charon takes the time to check in on Snare after she returns from a long distance job....

---

You haven't talked much to Snare ever since your Proxy came back from her most recent job.

Despite being away for so long, Snare immediately signed on to handle one of many of the efforts to crackdown on the remaining Spit cultists.

You're admittedly a little down about how little time there's been to spend time together...

It's dirty work too, the kind that has a tendency to take a toll on people really fast. Those you've trusted with these types of jobs tend to be offered a number of services to help cool down. It's the least you can do..

You can feel the residual stress of the proxy seeping through the back of your head,a check in is due while she's taking a break.

She's in her room, you can sense her...
 You knock on the door gently only to be cut off immediately.

Snare: You don’t have to do that.

Charon:...Did I do something wrong?

Snare: No just..

Snare: You know I’m in here, and I’ve got nothing to hide from you.

Snare: No point to that.

Charon: Just figured it’s good courtesy..

You step inside, Snare pacing around in the center of her bedroom, wearing the guise of a roughneck rather than defaulting to her usual proxy form.

Charon: Hey..

Snare: Did you need something?

Charon: Just wanted to check in on you…

Snare: Ah… so you noticed?

Charon: I mean.. Yeah. We’re linked by soul so..

Snare: I’m just.. agitated.

You offer our your arms to the proxy, her eyes widen at that before reluctantly declining.

Charon: Not good for it right now?

Snare: I just.. Feel like it’d make things worse I guess.

Charon: You can talk to me..

Snare: Should I?

Charon: I’m not going to force you but.. I’d like if you did.

The proxy takes a look at the bed for a moment to ponder.

Snare: I’d like to sit down for this, if that’s alright.
Charon: Of course!

Snare offers you her hand. You take it, being escorted  gently like the queen at a gala before she finally sits down.

She pats next to herself.

You oblige, scooting close.

Snare: You’re wearing that mask, were you planning to go out to handle some business?

Charon: Just came back from it.

Snare: Mm.. not that it’s anything new obviously. I’m just..

Snare: Curious about how you’re free and yet.. You still choose to wear those.

Snare: Though…

Snare: Suppose we’re both wearing them these days.

Charon: Guess so…

Charon: Back then I think Rein just.. Made me feel bad all the time, you know?

Charon: Never enough, couldn’t ever be. Made me hate a lot about myself really

Snare: I mean I was there..

Charon: Mm..

Snare: As much as I could be at the time…

Snare: I… I’m always caught between feelings thinking back then.

Charon: Oh?

Snare: I can’t blame you, but part of me’s still angry that you took this long to rescue me..

Charon: Had to wait til it was safe. Even when Rein was gone Spit was-

Snare: Spit was a problem I could’ve protected you from.

Snare: You could’ve called in me before you resorted to… whatever that form you slip into so much came into play.

Charon:.. You don’t like it?

Snare: I’m mad you picked her over me..

Charon: The husk isn’t.. That’s not me picking someone over you.

Snare: You did.. Even if you never meant to.

Snare: I was always the strength you needed and we had a plan, I could’ve kept you safe…

Snare: Bucket may have managed to get the jump on me but.. I’ve grown stronger since then..

Snare: And I know it’s not fair, I’m more than aware of your circumstances but-

Charon: I mean.. That’s how you feel, right?

Charon: And I want to make it up to you..

Snare: You’ve done enough.

Charon: Clearly that’s not true..

Snare: You have but…

Snare: That leads to the other conclusion…

Snare: Satisfaction’s not something I’m capable of.

Snare: Being alone in a dungeon so long changes a person.

Snare: Makes you thorned, bitter..

Snare: And despite all that.. Somehow I still want to live with you but..

Snare: It’s all so different, and you changed with it.

Snare: But yet.. There’s one familiar comfort.

She pointed to you.

Charon: Me?

Snare: That mask.

Charon: Mm..

Snare: Not the same one exactly, but one that came about around the time we were together.

Snare: That’s the face I feel close to..

Snare: The one I’m missing..

Charon: You want a mask…?

Snare: Assuming a lot there. Wouldn’t be much good for me, lack of head without a guise and all.

Charon: That why you’re wearing it right now?

Snare: Ironically, despite being a cultist’s form, it reduces a few urges.

Snare: But it also makes me jealous.

Charon: Really?

Snare: Maes, you two are close. I want some of that time as well.

Snare: And perhaps I want to get to know them too.

Snare: Residual feelings and happiness maybe but.. I’d like you to introduce me to them some time properly. An occasion, dinner, maybe a film afterwards.

Charon: That’s really fair. Maes is really important to me so..

Snare: So you’re going to set us up to have a proper talk, as of now it’s only been the occasional passing greeting.

Charon: I can set that up-

Snare: Other other thing? The other cat?

Charon: The Smiles?

Snare:... Are they a cat? Odd..

Charon: Don’t be rude..

Snare: Sorry, uncalled for. Not them. The other one.

Charon: Oh?

Snare pointed to you directly?

Charon:  Me?

Snare: The one hiding under that face.

Charon: I mean.. That’s not another person-

Snare: Not in the conventional sense but.,

Snare: She provides you with comfort, freedom, safety..

Snare: Stepping on toes a bit.

Snare: Clingy even.

Charon: I’m not sure what you mean-

Snare: Even then she speaks for you.

Snare: I’d like to give her a piece of my mind.

Charon:.. I don’t think I’m following.

She pressed her nose up to your mask’s muzzle.

Snare: I can feel aggressive urges from her too. You really trust her enough to keep her around so much..

Charon: I mean there’s impulses yeah..

Charon: Angry..

Snare: Same kind of anger as me.

Snare: And yet despite that, she’s so much softer..

Snare: I think it’s unfair.

Charon: You can be soft..

Snare: One day but.. Not now.

Snare: I want to spend the day with you.. And maybe understand what her problem is.

Snare: And I’d like to possibly spend some time out together if we can.

Charon: Is that why you’re in that form?

Snare: Mm..

Charon: Huh..

Snare: If it’s not ideal I understand-

Charon: Does it make you happy?

Snare:... Yes.

Snare: It looks how I feel. Cultist background but not recognizable…

Charon: Will you be safe…?

Snare: You’ll cover for me..

Snare: Tell them I’m atoning, providing aid…

Snare: Not really a lie.

Charon: Why would I need a cultist though?

Snare: You plan to clear bad actors from the lab.

Snare: Every soul I’ve taken gives me the knowledge to craft a history, one that’ll make me too useful an asset to kill.

Snare: As if they could to begin with…

Charon: Just be careful. I’ve got your back too…

Snare: Mm..

The proxy nuzzled up to you.

Snare: Back to business though…

Snare: What’s that cat’s name?

You manage to click it together.

Charon:... Roja.

Snare: So you do have a name for her then.

Snare: That her full name or-

Charon: Just Roja for now.

Snare: For now..

Snare: I want some time to know Roja. It’s clear she’s also fairly important too.

Snare leaned in.

Snare: Mind a formal greeting?

Charon: Through the mask? It’s a bit difficult-

Snare: I know you’ve done so with Maes, and I’m not too different in that regard so..

You can’t keep your cool at that, your tail swishing a little.

Charon:... Of course-

She goes right for an incredibly intensive kiss, hugging you with claws digging in.

You wonder what the Judgment house would have to say about this, the witches who’ve helped you, Maes..

It’s nicer than you feel comfortable admitting, tendrils slipping in through the ruffneck’s mouth into your own..

She seems to calm down a ton once it’s out of her system, pulling back and resting her head against your neck and shoulder.

Charon: Are you okay?

Snare: I was about to ask the same..

Snare: I know you said I could but..

Snare: Not something I feel I deserve much if at all.

You hold her close.

Charon: You do..

Charon: We both do…

Charon: And.. if you want right now we can start planning. There’s a spot in town we can pick up food from, see if Maes is up for a group dinner..

Snare: I would like that..

Snare: Is that really alright?

Snare: I know I’ve been.. All over the place-

Charon: You’re fine..

Charon: I’m just glad to have you back, you know?

Charon: And.. you get to be part of the life we’ve got now.

Charon: If you’re brave enough, I think Manzana talked about visiting soon. Get to know some family…

Snare: Are they nice? The Judgments?

Charon: Mmhmm!

Charon: They’re a bit familiar with the whole proxy thing. Not us specifically but you know, they’re around witches a lot. Zana’s one actually. Got a proxy herself? Platinum. She’d be good for you to meet.

Snare: …Would she be considered family too? What’s your situation?

Charon: Aunt? Grandma Erica insists on using cousins though.

Snare: Odd..

Snare: I’ll allow it then.

Snare:.. Would I be a cousin to them?

Charon: Hmm..

Charon: I’ll send a message? They can sort it out.

Charon: But.. I think so.

Snare: I can accept that then..

Charon: You can talk to me more, okay?

Charon: I’m really glad you’re back.. I missed you..

The proxy smiled in her own tired way.

Snare: I’m glad to be back.. 

[skinstealer]

Making Clownery a Comfort
Krowling Mortis + Benny Mortis, Post-Void Session
CW: Suggestive mentions
Raffle funded by AceofNothing
Numfi does an interview.
 

---

The talk show opens as it always does, zooming in over a live audience of TCPs until it reaches the stage, where Maurice Zap- everyone's favorite negativity type, a superstar to end all superstars- sits in an armchair with his hands in his lap, only shifting to wave at the crowd.

MAURICE: Welcome, welcome everyone!
MAURICE: What an awesome crowd today!
MAURICE: You know, we've got a special guest in store today.
MAURICE: I know there's been rumors going around for a while, and some of you may have figured it out in advance...
MAURICE: But we've got a survivor of the Spitkiller session here, on stage, for an exclusive interview!
 

The crowd goes absolutely ballistic- every TCP with connection to news, especially here in Taverne, was familiar with the session. While the name was a bit exaggerated- after all, Spit still lives and breathes-  it was the only time Spit had been damaged in person. Everyone knew the stories, though they were prone to urban legends and things going through the telephone gossip process...but it was a legendary event, and one that TCP culture embraced wholeheartedly. The actual session participants mostly kept their heads down, but...

MAURICE: She's an activist post-session, hard at work at making a real difference out there.
MAURICE: And what's crazy is- she's not even a TCP!
MAURICE: Introducing the advocate for the wizit species....Numfi, Mistress of the Twelve True Honks!

 

The crowd oohs in awe, Maurice letting them get it out of their system before a tall, TCP-scaled clown comes in from the back. Her robe nearly drags across the floor, but her tail wags as she walks over to the interviewee couch with a calm expression. She takes a moment to wave at the audience, people cheering.

Once they quiet down, she turns to face Maurice.

NUMFI: Such a nice crowd today!
MAURICE: Is it too much?
NUMFI: Not at all, I'm used to big groups.
NUMFI: Granted, not this big, but...
NUMFI: As we spread our influence, we're going to have to go to bigger gatherings.
MAURICE: Well, I'm just thrilled to give you that platform.
 

He turns to the camera, leaning back.

MAURICE: Now for our lovely audience- do you mind if I introduce you a bit more, or-
NUMFI: Be my guest.
MAURICE: Alrighty! So, Numfi here- she's part of a species called wizits.
MAURICE: It's rare for an actual sapient species to make their way out of a session.
MAURICE: But you- you chose to come out, right?
NUMFI: Mhm.
NUMFI: We were presented the option to go to Paradise or come to Morbit itself, and our population was pretty divided.
NUMFI: But the vast majority of wizits that were formally on the Void team, it just felt like the right option.
NUMFI: While our opinions vary heavily on Void themselves- it felt wrong to not be a part of the TCPs we worked with's lives.
MAURICE: And those opinions- I mean, surely it must be weird, especially from what I understand, you still live with Void?
NUMFI: It's a casual arrangement, but yes.
NUMFI: Void is a good god, I'd say- but they're still a god.
NUMFI: And there's just- there's that power dynamic.
MAURICE: Mhm, you can't get rid of that.
NUMFI: From what I understand, Morbitian TCPs have just as much varied opinions on Wax.
MAURICE: Oh, for sure. We all know how I feel about him!

 

The audience laughs, Numfi joining in.

NUMFI: I haven't had the opportunity to meet him personally, but...
MAURICE: Really? He was in your session!
NUMFI: Mhm, but he's busy. We actually do have a meeting planned soon to discuss citizenship with him...
MAURICE: Wow. That's incredible.
NUMFI: It's a big responsibility on my shoulders, talking to a high god.
NUMFI: But it's what needs to be done, and- can I be frank for a moment?
MAURICE: Please!
NUMFI: It's more...I see the session gods as people in power. Not...deities.
NUMFI: Visiting Wax for this is just as much an ordeal as going to file paperwork for housing.
MAURICE: Wow. It's like going to an office for you.
NUMFI: If you can believe it, yes.
NUMFI: It's just- they have power, but we've- we've been working for them, effectively, back in the session.
NUMFI: With Void, at least...they were respectful of our boundaries and our health, but unlike some of the TCPs- they weren't something holy to me.
NUMFI: And that's fine, you know? I don't mind either way.
MAURICE: That's incredible...
MAURICE: You're very generous to these gods!
NUMFI: It's a complicated thing!
NUMFI: But they have been kind to us, for the most part.
MAURICE: Mhmm, mhmmm...
MAURICE: Oh, and-
MAURICE: You're getting your magic type registered, right?
NUMFI: Oh, yes!
NUMFI: We're fairly certain that our magic system is teachable to non-wizits, so we want to get classes for that certified.
NUMFI: The few TCPs we've taught have been really successful. It's so rewarding...
MAURICE: Now, I don't know if it's safe, but...
 

He leans in, conspiratorially.

MAURICE: Can you show us a trick.

 

Numfi places her sleeved paw up to her chin, exaggerated in thinking it over as she goes "Hmmmm!". The audience can't help but giggle, and she waits for it to stop before nodding with a wide smile.

MAURICE: Alrighty, amazing! Let's see it!

 

The wizit closes her eyes, spreading her arms out-

-before making a rapid set of hand gestures, pressing her paws together for a moment. The audience is completely trained on her, Maurice's eyes widening....

She pulls her hands apart, and a little balloon dog pops into existence. Everyone gasps, and as she balances it on her hands and hands it to Maurice, their excitement turns to cheers when it moves, sniffing him.

MAURICE: Oh my god!
MAURICE: Is this- is it alive?
NUMFI: Sort of!
NUMFI: It's a magic trick that'll last for a few hours.
NUMFI: It's not- it's not really a construct, or sapient, I think the term is...
NUMFI: But it'll wander around as a toy.
MAURICE: That's incredible...I'm so sad that it'll fade eventually!
NUMFI: We've been practicing trying to make them last longer...but yes, wizit magic tends to be rather ephemeral.
NUMFI: It's a lot less "practical" than scrap magic in that sense.
NUMFI: Flashes of mirth and color, party tricks...
NUMFI: But there's value in that!
NUMFI: It's important for people to have a little fun, I think.
MAURICE: And- you used these tricks during the Spitkiller session, correct?
NUMFI: Oh, yes. Less of this one- though it did help Buddy cope with the post-surgery grief- and more of using popping balloons as a distraction tool.
NUMFI: If I do it right, they can be as loud as gunshots.
MAURICE: Wow. Now that's a party trick.
NUMFI: I wouldn't use that one now, I think...
NUMFI: Silently popping balloons are more my trade.
MAURICE: Much easier on the ears, I imagine...
MAURICE: And- is it true that every session wizit has their own powerset?
NUMFI: Mhm.
NUMFI: We're hoping to get those willing to volunteer their secrets to our magic schoolings.
NUMFI: Even with some opting out, it'll be a lot of stuff to work with.
MAURICE: Amazing. Just amazing.
MAURICE: And just- how many wizits are there?
MAURICE: I doubt people see them on the street often.
 

Numfi nods, thinking it over.

NUMFI: There were...a couple dozen in our session- about a hundred total, give or take.
NUMFI: People spread out a good bit, so, yes, you wouldn't be super likely to see them frequently.
NUMFI: But...we can reproduce. So in the next few years, I'd expect there to be a lot more around.
MAURICE: Wow. And it's magic?
NUMFI: Mhm.
MAURICE: And...

 

He leans in again.

MAURICE: You don't have to tell me this, but...
MAURICE: I've heard that TCP/wizit hybrids might be a thing down the line.
MAURICE: Is there any truth to this? The first TCP hybrids with another species?

 

Numfi gives the host a sly look as the crowd "oooh's" again.

NUMFI: Now that is a species secret.
NUMFI: Some things are meant just for us clowns!
NUMFI: We can have kids directly with another partner, yes...
NUMFI: But that's not the only way. And I can't tell you anything about it.
NUMFI: Sorry, Maurice!
MAURICE: It's fine, it's fine!
MAURICE: I'll just have to stay up at night wondering...such incredible stuff.
MAURICE: But, I do have to ask-
MAURICE: Would you ever date a complex?
 

Numfi laughs, rubbing her cheek.

NUMFI: I mean, maybe.
NUMFI: With our ability to size shift, it's very possible. More viable, you know?
NUMFI: But I feel like a TCP would get the session thing more.
NUMFI: It's like- it's like being a war veteran, in some senses.
MAURICE: I absolutely think it counts.
NUMFI: And- sessions are such a big part of TCP culture.
NUMFI: I feel like it's natural to want a relationship with someone who would get it better, even if they haven't been in a session themself.
MAURICE: I am right there with you. You need someone who gets it.
NUMFI: You do.
MAURICE: And...how's the relationship with the rest of the team?
NUMFI: Well, as you know- I'm currently staying with Void, as well as Buddy and Hark.
MAURICE: Wow...is living with Hark scary?
MAURICE: I mean, she was on the enemy team. It's already known that her and Buddy are, you know, a thing, but how do you feel about that?

 

The wizit shakes her head.

NUMFI: She doesn't scare me one bit- she's like family to me.
NUMFI: I hang out with her and Buddy all the time.
NUMFI: Every day, she's out there, being her best self- and I could never associate her with Spit after that.
NUMFI: It would be cruel!
MAURICE: So true...but I can't imagine it's easy.
NUMFI: You'd be surprised at how natural it feels.
NUMFI: With how she helped turn on Spit- it's like she's always meant to be on our side of things.
MAURICE: I see...that's incredible. Truly amazing.

 

They both pause to let the audience applaud, everyone completely engaged with the conversation. This kind of press hasn't been common for Spitkiller session survivors, aside from some of the TCPs going into similar activism...


Once everything calms down, Maurice makes a throat-clearing sound and continues.

MAURICE: Now, there's one more thing- possibly the biggest thing.
MAURICE: But for your activist movement- you're claiming to "make clownery a comfort", and really revise how people see the clown profession.
MAURICE: Especially here in Hoopla- that word's associated with gang violence!
MAURICE: But for you...
NUMFI: For us, Void instilled values based on the clowns from their world.
NUMFI: It's baked into us! Us wizits are hard wired to want to make people smile.
NUMFI: Our movement is to help spread those goals, and really show people the joy of making someone smile.
MAURICE: Wow...
NUMFI: It's really something special.
NUMFI: Like- it's about making people happy. Injecting joy into someone's life!
NUMFI: That's not to say physical comedy can't get slapstick-y.
NUMFI: Some wizits really prefer that sort of tangible humor over party tricks.
MAURICE: A pie to the face, I think I've heard?
NUMFI: Oh, yes. All about the pies.
NUMFI: But it's about that sense of consent. The feeling that everyone involved is happy.
NUMFI: We were...

 

She pauses, thinking over her words. Maurice lets her think it over, his attention rapt.

NUMFI: We were soldiers.
NUMFI: We were put into this situation- we were "born" into it.
NUMFI: We didn't have a choice, just like other session TCPs.
NUMFI: But we're here now, and we want to make a positive change.
NUMFI: Whether that's through making people feel a bit better about clowns, or teaching self defense through our techniques-
NUMFI: We really want to make the world a better place.
 

Maurice nods slowly, speaking almost as if he's choked up with tears.

MAURICE: You are a real hero, Numfi.
NUMFI: Oh, I don't need to be a hero...
NUMFI: I just want to be a clown.
 

The audience bursts into applause, Numfi giving them an appreciative smile.

MAURICE: Now- we're just about out of time.
MAURICE: But-
MAURICE: If everyone looks under their seats, you can find a free, complementary copy of Numfi's new book!
NUMFI: I hope you all like it- it's short, but I put all of my tips and tricks into it.
MAURICE: I'm sure they'll love it- and with any luck, it'll chart bestseller's in no time.
NUMFI: Now that would be a dream...
MAURICE: Well...
 

The negativity type reaches out his hand, and Numfi eagerly shakes it, nice and firm.

MAURICE: You have been an absolute treat, Numfi.
NUMFI: You too, Mr. Zap!
MAURICE: Please- call me Maurice.

 

He turns to the audience now, reclining in his chair and petting his little balloon dog.

MAURICE: With that, we'll go to commercials- and rememebr!
MAURICE: Always think of the positives!

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

Magic Bus
B.Comorant
Projects: N/A
CW: None
Perspective Character: Romero
A witch comes across a unusual stranger on the bus...

---

 ???: Hey! Mind if I sit with you?

Romero: Yeah, go ahead.

???: You sure, might get chatty.

Romero: Not gonna complain about that.

???: You sure?

Romero: I’m gonna be here awhile. Gotta head north today.

???: Same here.

Romeo: Then you’re all good.

Roost: Thank you.. Roost by the way.

Romero: Romero.

Roost: Both Rs!

Romero: Yeah? That’s true, yeah.

Roost: Must be a lucky day, right?

Romero: I mean it’s like..

Romero: there’s billions of people. You probably pass plenty more just walking through the streets.

Roost: I guess…

Roost: But Roost and Romero sound kinda nice next to each other.

Roost: You wouldn’t happen to be looking for a business partner, right?

Romero: Me? Nah not really. I’m kind of a freelancer.

Roost: I could say the same for myself too I suppose.. Man of many talents.

Romero: What do you lean into?

Roost: Bit of everything really, wherever things take me.

Roost: And you?

Romero: Same? Get a lot of work doing delivery jobs and the occasional bouncer gig.

Roost: You’re a bit pretty to be throwing hands.

Roost: Think you got more potential than that personally..

You feel a little flustered at that.

Romero: I mean…

Romero: I’ve considered uh.. Entertainment?

Roost: Yeah?

Romero: Something online. Just for fun but, maybe it’d be nice to make some money?

Roost: I’ve actually put a lot of time into that sort of thing. It’s been… interesting.

Romero: Really?

Roost: Good money, plenty of audience, tons of haters..

Romero: Haters? What’d you do?

Roost: Nothing really. Just comes with the territory.

Romero: With a face like that? You’re adorable.

Roost covers his mouth with his sleeve, trying to hide a reaction.

Romero: Seriously, dude. Is dude okay?

Roost: Mmhmm..

Romero: Like..

Roost: Like?

Romero: I dunno, I just can’t see it.

Romero: Especially those eyes. Little sparkle goes miles.

Roost: I’m pretty happy with those..

Roost: They’d look better on you though.

Romero: Yeah well…

He rests his head onto your shoulder.

Roost: Tired, you mind if I-

Romero: Go for it.

Roost: Let me know if it;s too much..

Romero: Yeah just..

There was a very subtle, passive nuzzle as he got adjusted.

A little smile across his face.

Cute…

Roost: Hmm…

Romero: What’s up?

Roost: I can smell someone on you…

Roost: Though they’re pretty hands off…

What did he mean?

Romero: Pardon?

Roost: No surprise really, can tell you’re someone special.

Roost: Shame..

Roost: I was wondering if you wanted to come over later after you’re done with your errands..

Romero: I-I mean why not?

He places a hand on your finger, the ring around it.

Roost: You’re already committed…

Oh god does he think you’re married?

Romero:  Oh that? No that’s not.. I’m not with anyone right now.

Romero: If you wanna go out maybe…

Roost: Not talking about that…

Roost: Although that’s a fun thought…. So I’ll say yes to that at least.

What does he mean?

Romero: What were you going to-

Roost: Shhhh.

Roost: Who’d you sign a pact with?

Roost: You got insurance? Dental?

Romero: Uh.. should I?

Roost: Terrible employers..

Roost: It’s worse than I thought.

Romero: I-Is it?!

Roost: A pretty face like yours needs to be on top of their oral care.

Romero: Pretty forward- Wait do you mean like.. Actual dentists?

Roost: Yes. What else could I have meant?

Romero: Uh..

Roost: I mean you’re pretty, don’t get me wrong but..

Roost: Dinner first.

Roost: Course I imagine that’s a little fast paced too…

Romero: You just want a pact, right? Like-

Roost: I did, but I kinda want to see where this goes too?

Roost: And you can opt out.

Roost: Businessman, like to keep things separate if I can..

Roost: So?

Romero: I mean…

Romero: Can I trust you?

Roost: As an entity? God no.

Roost: But don’t think of me as one right now.

Roost: That can be another time….

You ponder for a moment.

He’s on this bus with you, people are giving you both looks so it’s clear they see him.

Romero: Are you… really here?

Roost: Mmhmm!

Romero: Weird..

Romero: I thought most entities couldn’t wander outside their own realm like that?

Roost: There’s a number of ways around it. As you said, most.

Roost: Yours stuck in limbo?

Romero: N-No just..

Roost: Then I can be here too, and right now..

Roost: I like where I am.

He let out a yawn, visibly looking incredibly comfortable.

Romero: H-Hey! Don’t fall asleep on the bus!

Roost: You’ll wake me up before your stop, no?

Romero: I mean..

Roost: If I take a nap on you like this, I’m putting my trust in you. If it’s too much, or you don’t think you can trust me, tell me. I’ll leave you alone, promise.

Romero: I…

Think your next word wisely.

Romero: I just.. Maybe want to talk to you more. That cool?

Roost blushed again.

Roost: I really am tired but…

Roost: Three questions. Do that, and I’ll give you my number before we part. Sound good?

Romero: Sure uh..

Think things three.

Romero: What made you want to sit with me?

Roost: At first? Just saw a lot of untapped potential. Got an eye for talent, most entities do.

Roost: You know your arcana?

Romero: The World.

Roost: Mm! A natural one too. That’s quite special if you ask me.

Roost: And your category?

Romero: Uh…

Roost: Executioner. Never seen that combo on someone so…

Roost: What’s the word? Cute?

Roost: After though… you got me curious about you.

Roost: And maybe… I’ll finish that sentence if we meet again, how about that?

Romero: I mean I plan to..

Roost: Good.. two more.

Romero: What.. are you really?

Roost: An entity much like the one you’re signed to.

Roost: Stronger for sure.. Maybe not as dangerous from the smell on you…

Roost: One more…

Romero: Can I.. touch your ears?

He tilted his head toward you, you took a moment to play with one gently. He seemed quite satisfied with that.

Roost: No idea why you’d waste a question on that but… I’m not going to complain.

Romero: It’s not a waste if I get a smile out of you.

The entity’s eyes widened in embarrassment.

Roost:.. Yeah well-

Romero: Gotcha. Face tells me everything I need to know.

Roost: W-what did you do?

Romero: See the real you for a sec, enough to gauge thing.

You give him a playful pat on the head.

Romero: And.. think I’’m willing to give this a shot. For now you can sleep though, I’ll wake you up before I walk off.

Roost: You don’t even know if my stop is before yours.

Romero: It’s not, you’ve been hopping the bus all day.

Romero: And you’re gonna probably try to be at my stop when I’m done.

Romero: Now how your type operates too.

Roost opens his mouth for a moment to say something before quietly surrendering, getting comfortable enough to try and sleep again.

Roost: You good for tonight then?

Romero: Yeah.

Roost: I want you to walk me home after..

Romero: Any reason?

Roost: I am very short, I want someone strong to keep me safe on the way there. 

Roost: Bonus points if you carry me at some point.

Romero: And where we looking at?

Roost: Not sure… we’ll figure it out.

Roost: And don’t worry about covering for me, I want to treat you too.

Romero: For real?

Roost: I know you’re not swimming in cash. So…

Another big yawn. He closed his eyes.

Roost: I’ll give you time to think on that. Sound good?

Romero: R-right.

Roost: And uh… you can take a quick photo, I’d make a cute wallpaper for your phone..

Roost: You.. don’t have to. But I like the idea of being in your thoughts all day like that.

Roost: Anyway…

Roost: Don’t forget about me, I’ll remember.

He was quick to fall asleep, little snores being audible.

You may have taken at least one offer  that day…

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

Bus Stop
B.Comorant
Projects: N/A
CW: None
Perspective Character: Romero
A witch follows up on a promise with a eccentric entity.
 

---

You arrive at your usual bus stop after work.

Roost, the stranger you met just a few hours ago is sitting on the bench half tuckered out.
 Romero: Oh wow, you really did wait for me..

Roost: Mmhmm! Not for long but...

He avoided eyecontact, very obviously lying.

Romero: So uh.. We’re doing this then? Like.. a date?

Roost: It doesn’t need to be a date….

He’s playing games with you, you roll with the punches.

Romero: I kinda want it to be.

His eyes spark, he scoots in to hug you.

Roost: If you insist then.. You have any plans?

Romero: Uh… to be blunt I don’t got a lot of money so..

Romero: Thinking we could go get ice cream, figure it from there.

Roost: I told you I can cover you, know I’m getting paid more than you.

Romero: I mean it doesn’t feel fair to-

Roost: Shhhh. You’re allowed to be treated.

Roost: You know… I’m kinda surprised you did come back though. Figured you knew better.

Roost: But then… that says something, right?

Romero: Well..

Roost: You like a little risk.. Least that’s what I would say.

Roost: But… you’re too normal about this. You might be more of a danger to me..

He wraps his arms around one of yours.

Romero: I mean I don’t really want to hurt you…

Roost: You know I’m dangerous though.

Roost: And I think that makes you more appealing..

He pressed his face against your sleeve.

Romero: You okay?

Roost: Mm.. you’re scent’s just catnip to me right now. A mortal like you wouldn’t get it..

Romero: Go ahead.. Are all you guys like this?

Roost: Is yours not?

Romero: Well.. no? Weird but not like..

Roost: Like a completely different type of being?

Romero: Uh.. I guess that’s one way to put it yeah.

Roost: Most entities aren’t quite operating on the same type of logic people like yourself work on.

Roost: Even those who started mortal change overtime..

Roost: If it scares you, I can try to dial it back.

Romero: Nah. I kinda wanna know you, you know?

Romero: If I can’t do that now, gonna only make things harder later.

That seemed to genuinely make him happy, his ears perked up.

Roost: Wise words.. It’s true, I’d like that if I can.

Roost: I wouldn’t want to try this sort of thing with anyone if they weren’t aware of my nature.

Romero: Didn’t take long to spill the beans there though.

Romero: What’s the point of trying to blend in if you’re going to be that quick to talk?

Roost: Are you assuming this isn’t my true form?

Romero: No offense but…

Roost: None taken.

Romero: Just not… the energy I expected?

Roost: I see..

Roost: If this form isn’t your deal, I can find something else.

His eyes start shifting around toward passing people. His pupils tighten into slits.

Roost: Someone will make a deal, just let me know your type and I can work something else.

Oh god okay you need to stop this.

Romero: You.

Roost: Me?

Romero: You don’t gotta do that for me, just wanna know you..

You test things out by wrapping a single arm around him in a semi-hug.

Roost: A-Ah! Okay, interesting answer.

Roost: Well.. truth be told? I’m just bored most of the time.

Roost: Hands in plenty of pies but.. That’s not really living.

Roost: You don’t make friends out of customers.

Roost: And I don’t really have a true accomplice in all this either?

Roost: But you? Absolutely alluring aura… that beautiful destructive red…

Another little nuzzle.

Roost: What’s your knight category?

Romero: Me? Uh..

Romero: Don’t got one, guild collapsed.

Roost: You had one at some point though.

Romero: Blades..

Roost: Lovely..

Roost: You’re good with a knife then?

Romero: Yeah I guess…

Roost: Have to show me sometime. Maybe we’ll get in a little scuffle tonight, I’d love to be protected by someone like you…

Romero: Please don’t? Yeah?

He lets out a little snicker.

Roost: It’s not too early to back down.

Romero: You really wanna see if I do, huh?

Roost: I just like getting a reaction out of people.

Roost: I can back down, I’m happy with every little face you make though…

Roost: So… what’s your true form?

Romero: Uh… this?

Roost: Really?

Romero: Yeah..

Roost: Not a single mutation from your employment? Is it recent?

Romero: It’s been going for a few years..

Roost: Incredible..

Roost: But it does mean I can potentially mark you first…

Romero: Hey what do you mean by that-

He traces a finger to your neck.

Roost: Right here? Just one little marking..

Romero: O-Oh! I mean… you know what?

Romero: Bring it.

Roost: You don’t want to wait til later?

Romero: Life’s too short, go for it.

Roost’s eyes shift, the unnatural black glow filling them up.

Roost: Stay still, okay?

Romero: Yeah alri-

You feel him bite down with an intense enthusiasm.

It manages to get a happy little noise out of him.

There’s so many redflags but..

You pull him in for a full hug.

You can feel his heart racing, everything muscle a fluctuation of excitement and ease.

He finally releases you before returning to resting his cheek against you.

Romero: You okay?

Roost: Mmhmm.. You’re a bit of an oddball though.

Romero: Yeah?

Roost: Could’ve killed you about five times by now.

Romero: Did you?

Roost: Nope.

Romero: So what’s the problem?

He pauses for a moment to think..

Roost: If you’ve made it this far living like that, you must really be something special.

Romero: Nah, not really.

You end up letting out a bit of a tired yawn.

Roost:.. Are you sleepy so early?

Romero: Honestly.. Little bit. Just wrapped up with work, and uh..

Romero: Not gonna lie? Got a little bit rollercoastered just now..

Roost: A-Ah! Right. My kind are.. A bit volatile? Like..

Romero: I get it. You’re all good.

Roost: I’ll slow down-

Romero: I’m not going to ask you to stop being you.

Romero: But uh… maybe overextended myself a bit..

Roost: Sorry….

His ears flopped down in a slightly exaggerated fashion, trying to cover up a more earnest guilt.

Romero: Look like..

You might get in trouble for this.

Romero: I got something if you’re uh.. Okay with it?

Roost: Bring it.

Romero: Come back to my place for the night, we can do something kinda chill and low energy.

Romero: Get some nice breakfast together tomorrow.  Pancakes maybe?

Roost’s ears perked back up.

Roost: I can go for that. What do you want in return?

Romero: Me? Nothing really…

Roost: There’s always something.

Roost: If you could take something off of me-

Romero: Hat.

Roost: What.

Romero: I wanna try it on.

Roost: That’s… not what I meant.

Romero: Don’t care, hat.

Roost:.. I see.

Roost: You’re unusual.

Romero: Good way? 
 Roost: Very good way.

Roost: I want a real answer though when we get there.

Romero: I’m gonna make you wait *til* we’re there or we’re not getting anything done tonight.

Roost: Fair’s fair..

Roost: Carry me then.. You promised

Romero: Did I do that?

Roost: I don’t really remember for sure? But I want that so..

Romero: We gotta wait for the bus back first..

Roost: Right..

Roost: Carry me on the bus.

Romero: I… alright I guess.

Roost: And…

He stops, thinking things over for a moment.

Romero: What’s up?

Roost: I’m covering breakfast tomorrow if you’re letting me stay the night.

He offers you a hand.

Romero: This a pact?

Roost: Just.. a promise. We’ll get there one day though.

You cross pinkies with his, his eyes widening with surprise.

Romero: We’ll give this a real go. Good with that?

Roost:... Alright.

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

The Morning Roost
B.Comorant
Projects: N/A
CW: None
Perspective Character: Romero
Waking up after date night with a entity..

---

 You’ve been pretending to sleep for the past hour. You can’t manage to get much more rest in despite your best efforts.

The early sun cracking through your curtains doesn’t do much to encourage you.

You sit up, taking the time to shake the tired off your eyes and muscles.

A lot quiet, you look over and see Roost’s tiny smile, a sharp contrast from the smug grins of a conman you spent most of the night with.

Were you really doing this?

You gently move the hair out of his face, immediately getting a sneeze out of him.

Cute…

It didn’t last for long.

The entity seems to immediately hone in on you as soon as he’s awake, burying his face into the side of your chest.

Romero: H-hey! Morning.

Roost: Morning..

Roost: Seems you’re still here..

Romero: …This is my apartment?

Roost: What’s your point?

Romero: …alright. You sleep okay?

Roost: As much as I can. Bit of a night owl personally so…

Romero: Trouble sleeping?

Roost: People like me don’t need to..

Roost: And depending on how your contract works out, you won’t eventually.

Romero: Ah.. 

Is that a thing? You should ask about that..

Roost: Still, rest is rest… 

Roost: Breakfast?

Romero: Yeah! Said I would. What’s a place with good bang for our buck…

Roost: I told you I’d cover this time.

Romero: You really don’t gotta-

Roost: You’re broke, I can tell. And if you’re really worried about it on a business perspective…

Roost: Consider it my investment in you..

Romero: Weird way to put it..

You weirdly don’t really mind it though…

Roost: Isn’t that what any entity does when they find someone to make a long term agreement with?

Roost: What made you call in your guy in the first place?

Romero: Me? I was just a bit down on my luck, usual stuff.

Roost: It doesn’t seem like he does all that much..

Romero: Don’t need him to.

Roost: Did he hook you up with anything nice at least?

Romero: Uh…

Romero: Yeah just..

You reach into your pocket and pull out a tiny proxy.

Romero: This.

Roost: That’s.. Pathetic.

Romero: You don’t like it?

Roost: For you? No. Wasting your potential.

Roost: Has to be insanely stingy to give you something so small…

Romero: I mean it does the job-

Roost: Does it? I can smell his magic on you, it’s so… minimal.

Roost: Is he really that weak? Feels like he’s begging to get replaced. Perhaps…

Romero:  Nah.

Romero: Bit much for my brain to figure out, I’m good with what we’ve got.

Roost: Still.. Sooo…

He picks up the proxy by the wing, it dangling down stoically. It doesn’t seem to be bothered at all surprisingly.

Romero: Hey, be nice.

Roost: Just a weird mannequin bug creature..

Romero: Yeah well..

Roost: I can do one better.

Romero: Hey don’t pull anything funny-

He boops you right on the nose.

Roost: I can’t do much without asking.

Roost: So I’m gonna do you a favor and offer you a second gear.

Romero: A what?

Roost: A proxy made by dual contract can have a second form, one that flips around based on your affinity.

Roost: Promise you that you’ll like it..

Romero: Yeah I don’t know, sounds kinda asking for trouble?

Romero: One contract’s already kind of a hazard.

Roost: I can have it written as a disposable contract, something hassle free and you can break off without consequences.

Roost: At least consider a trial period…

He places the proxy back into your palm and gives it a little pat.

You tuck it away in your jacket’s pocket once more.

The fact that your proxy seems completely okay around him.

Romero: A week?

Roost: I can do that.

Roost holds out his pinky.

You reach your hand out part way.
Romero: Don’t you guys usually shake for these?

Roost: A pinky promise is sweet and juvenile, lower stakes when my magic operates more of a business sense.

Romero: I guess..

Roost: Not feeling it?

Romero: A way to think about it I guess.

Roost: Being dishonest when offered anything you could ask for, Typical for contractors like yourself-

Romero: Yeah, gonna stop you there a sec.

Roost: What?

Romero: You’re doing the thing.

Roost: What thing?

Romero: He uh… he had a word for it. Said it was like a dance?

Roost: What are you talking about?

Romero: “Are you really who you claim to be?””As much as you are-” it’s that thing. My guy said entities are pretty big into that sort.

Romero: Way to pry for information, gauge a situation without having to commit to a risk. Intimidate, see how easy you can press.

Romero: Play along, give them just a little shit cause it makes you “interesting”, and let them talk away a bit. Bam, negotiate a few extra terms cause you fluffed them up just right.

Roost’s ears flopped down, he made a sad little noise.

Romero:... You okay?

Roost: You for real right now?

Romero: Hey, I didn’t mean it like-

Roost: I’m not something out of one of your cheap bestiaries, you can’t solve me.

Romero: Wasn’t trying to like-

Romero: I’m sorry..

Roost: Are you?

Romero: Yeah, if you want me to back off-

Roost: Stop.

The entity smirked.

Roost: You lose.

Romero: …What?

Roost: The “dance” is something you can’t point out. If you don’t go with the flow you’re going to incur a worse wrath. And you cracked under the first fallback plan.

Romero:... So you’re not mad? I mean I’m glad but-

Roost: No, but this is a first for me..

Roost: You’re too nice for your own good, and you’re lucky I like that about you. I won’t do that again, for your sake.

There’s a slight shift in his voice, softer.

Roost: Though… maybe don’t do that too much yourself? Would hate for this to be a daily thing.

Romero: Yeah, yeah I can do that. Scared the shit out of my honest just uh…

A tiny smirk. His eye sparkles with anticipation. You try to play into the moment.

You snag his hand.

Roost: O-Oh?!

Romero: You still up to sign?

Roost: Yes!

He locks pinkies with yours, a flicker of warmth mutually sparking between the two of you.

He takes an opportunity to turn things into a hug, burying his muzzle into your jacket.
Romero: You really like doing that, yeah?

He makes a muffled excited murmur

Romero: Guess that’s a yes-

The proxy suddenly starts rustling, crawling out of your pocket and flopping onto the floor.

There’s a red fluid seeping from within the joints.

Romero: H-Hey, are you okay?!

Roost: It’ll be fine, it’s just.. Taking it in.

After a bit of wriggling around it seemed to mellow out, as if nothing ever happened.

There’s a residual sensation seeping from it, like laying down after a hot bath.

Roost: Hammerspace.. Your guy really did just give you the bare minimum.

Roost: Does that really count as a power? Every entity I’ve met can do that.. Either he’s secretly really weak or he’s really holding out.

Romero: If it works, it works.

You scoop up your proxy. Are you really being kept in the dark? It’s not like it’s ever not been enough though…

Roost: You know you can just like… poof your little guy away though.

Roost: You don’t have to keep it on you like that.

Romero: It likes it, gets to join in all day.

Roost: I guess..

Romero: Whatcha think by the way?.

Roost: Your entity? Hmm…

Roost: Latter.

Romero: The latter..