[TOY] Plaything

[skinstealer]

POLKA DOT: Yeah, it’s nice…
VINE: You don’t seem too confident on that.
POLKA DOT: I mean…
POLKA DOT: Is this just, it?
POLKA DOT: I just woke up on the fucking street and I don’t remember anything. I’m apparently an adult, and I feel it, but…aren’t I supposed to have a childhood? Like, that feels like something-
VINE: You did. Everyone has.
VINE: We’ll get to that, though. Keep going.
POLKA DOT: It’s just….if this place is somewhere that makes people happy, shouldn’t I stay and try to be happy here?
POLKA DOT: Part of me wants to forget about whatever the hell the Store is and what apparently happened to me there, and just lose myself in this place…
 

You tense up.

POLKA DOT: But I need to know what happened.
POLKA DOT: I need to know why I woke up so…angry.
VINE: Do you feel angry now?
 

Her tone is gentle.

POLKA DOT: Well…no.
POLKA DOT: I had an amazing shower, and just…water feels so, so great. 
POLKA DOT: It’s…freeing.
VINE: It’s like that for most water toys. There aren’t as many here as a settlement down south, on the coast…
VINE: They like the heat and the easy access to water. Entirely different culture there, and from what I hear, it’s easier on people than this city.
VINE: Hell of a trip though, and the trains broke down…you’d have to go by foot.
 

Katie sets down a mug of “water” for Vine, and she eagerly raises it to her face to take a drink. 

VINE: Not an easy journey for anyone.
POLKA DOT: I don’t know if I want to go that far just for a dip…
POLKA DOT: Who do I have to talk to to get into that pool?
VINE: Talk to Minnie, she’ll get you a ticket in exchange for money or work.
VINE: You’d have to select whether you want one of the play sessions or just when it’s being used as a lounge, but that’s your call- did you read the pamphlet?
POLKA DOT: Yeah, I did, almost all of it anyway…I have a lot of things to think about now.
VINE: Once you’ve read all of it, you should be able to have a talk with Laurie and get access to the playrooms and other services, if you want that kind of thing.
VINE: It’s not hard to pick up on, but it is a lot of information all at once.
VINE: And hey, if it’s not your thing…no shame in it.
POLKA DOT: I’m not sure yet, but there was some stuff I was curious about…
POLKA DOT: …is the show set for 10:30 something to do with that?
VINE: Yep, today’s a sort of fashion show. We have a deal with a local gear and kink wear shop to show off their products, in exchange for giving people here a look at stuff we bought for rental.
VINE: Some of the people who sign up to show off stuff are customers, even. It’s open to anyone who’s willing.
VINE: Pretty tame, you’d probably be fine for it if you get the basics.
 

It’s almost too good to be true after your discoveries about this stuff, you can’t believe your timing. 

POLKA DOT: So…we’ll get to see people dressing up?
VINE: Yeah, it’s one of the few things I’m completely comfortable watching myself.
VINE: People are respectful and don’t get touchy or catcall-y, just…appropriate clapping and cheering. 
VINE: I can’t really engage with stuff that goes any further than that, but I can appreciate good craft when I see it, even if it isn’t something I’m into at all. 
POLKA DOT: Makes sense…
VINE: Of course, if you’re not up for it, we can just walk around outside or something.
POLKA DOT: No!
POLKA DOT: I mean…it sounds cool.
POLKA DOT: I was just thinking that I wanted to pick up some new stuff myself…
POLKA DOT: I love the outfit Laurie gave me, but like. I want something for every day of the week, you know?
VINE: Gonna have to earn your keep for that, but I know some good thrift places to hit up.
VINE: I know some of the people who swing by here pretty often take people on group trips- easier to find the place when there’s more intent floating around for it.
POLKA DOT: I want to meet them…
VINE: You will. He’s a nice guy- wrote your pamphlet, even. 
POLKA DOT: Oh! Well…he did a good job.
 

Vine would have smiled if she had a mouth, taking another drink.

VINE: Guess it’s time to get to business, though…we want to squeeze at least some talk in before things get busy around here.
 

You glance over at the clock- it’s only 10:10, even though the two of you have been talking for what feels like has been a good while already.

VINE: Time passes weird in this world.
VINE: Like how your fob keeps track of time…things pass by faster and slower seemingly based on where you are, what’s happening, and the people you’re with.
VINE: Seems to flow the same for people in the same place, at least. So…this bar, probably flowing different than the kitchen, but everybody’s at the same “time”.
VINE: …you get used to it.
VINE: Point is, seems like it’s going slower and we’ve got time. 
VINE: Where should I start?