[TOY] Plaything

[skinstealer]

POLKA DOT: Changing form?
POLKA DOT: Whatcha mean by that?
VINE: Ahh, yeah…you probably don’t remember how that works.
VINE: So, the plastic body you saw was Willow’s “shell”- the character on the screen on her face is a more accurate depiction of her “soul”, or something.
VINE: She, like most other virtual pets, can make some kind of projection of her true form- usually more detailed than the character on screen, and more blatantly person-like.
VINE: She can walk around like that in her “true form” for a while, but it takes energy and she can only go so far away from her shell.
VINE: People usually use it when they want to experience their senses more directly, because they can’t actually eat or feel as much with the shell. You gotta press the buttons on them to interact with the soul.
POLKA DOT: Weird…but I think I get it.
POLKA DOT: She likes dressing up the shell, then?
VINE: Yeah, but she could just as easily dress up the true projection. 
VINE: Might not even need to own the actual clothes for it, so…
VINE: I dunno. Guess she just prefers being in her shell than outside of it.
VINE: …probably safer that way.
 

The two of you dwell on that for a moment, watching people start to clear out.

POLKA DOT: What about this Featherweight guy?
VINE: Fashion designer and one of our partner businesses. Specializes in kink fashion, but word has it that his crew does fabric repair on the side.
VINE: No licenses for it, so they can’t actually market it as doctor work…
VINE: But it’s helpful if you have a small cut or tear and need an easy stitch up. They’ll charge you enough for that that you’ll feel like you’d be better off selling the arm itself at that point.
POLKA DOT: Yeesh…
 

You can see someone handing out catalogs by the stage, but you don’t want to go over quite yet.

POLKA DOT: I might look into this modeling thing, but…
POLKA DOT: Would it be okay if I helped you in the kitchen again tomorrow?
POLKA DOT: I’m gonna need money, so…
POLKA DOT: And I liked it. I really did.
POLKA DOT: It was a bit stressful, but like…
POLKA DOT: I could help you with the sauces or something- it won’t stain me.
VINE: Hmm.
 

She thinks it over, gears turning in her head.

VINE: Yeah, sure.
VINE: I’ll let Laurie know you want another day with me, and if you can hack it doing some more intense work and like the place, we can see about getting you some part time hours.
VINE: I start in the afternoon, so you can go ahead and get more hours for your room from Minnie and have some time to yourself.
VINE: Sound good?
POLKA DOT: It sounds great!
POLKA DOT: I mean…thanks. I really appreciated.
 

She reaches over to pat you on the back, pointing at the toy on catalog duty.

VINE: Better go over and get yours before they’re all gone. 
POLKA DOT: Yeah…
 

You hop off your stool, Vine doing the same as she gathers up her bag and adjusts her sweater.

VINE: Had a good chat with you tonight, kid. Stay out of trouble.
POLKA DOT: No promises.
 

With one final appreciative look, you start heading over to the catalog giver. They’re a plastic giraffe toy with a really long neck, peering down at you with a smile.

????: Interested?
POLKA DOT: Yeah, one please-
 

There’s another soft voice behind you, startling you out of your skin.

???? (2): I’ll take one too, please. 
???? (2): My friend wants one…
 

You look over your shoulder and just about die inside when you see the purple shell and a pixel ghost hovering on a screen.

WILLOW: It couldn’t make it…but I know it wants something for our next play party.