[TOY] Plaything

[skinstealer]

It’s warm.

You love when your dreams grant you this- not any flashbacks or horrible omens, just…

The feeling of your best friend’s- no, girlfriend’s arms. It’s not unlike the dream you just had recently, but something about this one is even more tender. It’s not the feeling of plastic against you (as much as you do like that), but ectoplasm that radiates warmth, filling you with the sensation of being surrounded and held. Her whole torso is soft and inviting, the curve of her chest and belly cushioned enough for you to sink in, just a little.

You would never have expected to be so into a ghost, but here you are.  

You realize just how lucid the dream is when Cross speaks, it feeling just as real and cohesive as the waking world.

CROSSBONE: Hey…
 

Her voice comes off as a soft whisper, almost conspiratorial.

CROSSBONE: You awake?
POLKA DOT: Mmmhm.
CROSSBONE: I wanna ask you something.
POLKA DOT: Is it a good something.
CROSSBONE: It’s a weird something.
POLKA DOT: Well, go ahead. I can take it.
 

She smiles, planting a quick nuzzling kiss on the top your head.

CROSSBONE: If you could be a monster…
CROSSBONE: What would you be?
POLKA DOT: …hmmm.
CROSSBONE: Is it too weir-
POLKA DOT: No, no, just thinking.
 

A monster….
I don’t think I’d ever really want to be one like, for real.
But this is nice. This is just us…just pretend.
I bet I could be something fun, just for her…
…she’d probably want me to be something I like too, though. She’ll be able to tell if I’m just pandering…
What kind of monsters even are there? Uhhh…

CROSSBONE: …you’re taking this pretty seriously.
POLKA DOT: It’s a good question. I wanna give a good answer.
 

If Cross is some kind of ghost…werewolf…thing….
Maybe I could be a little bit more…natural?
Maybe not a fantastical monster, but more……….

POLKA DOT: I want to be-
 

Before the words can come out of your mouth, a puff of smoke blasts in your face and surrounds you- and when you open your eyes and finish coughing, you know that you are different.

CROSSBONE: ….
POLKA DOT: What? What is it?
CROSSBONE: Polka….
CROSSBONE: Are you a dinosaur?
 

You pat the top of your head, finding two horns and a large frill along the back of your head. Your back is also spiny now, all still soft molded rubber- and your tail is much longer, something you can tell Cross is staring at.

POLKA DOT: What! Dinosaurs are cool!
CROSSBONE: They’re…
CROSSBONE: PD, dinosaurs aren’t monsters.
POLKA DOT: Says who?
CROSSBONE: Says, like! Science or something!
POLKA DOT: I don’t know any science, so I’m immune to it.
 

That gets a huge laugh out of her, her shoulders shaking.

POLKA DOT: Plus, if you’re gonna be so….out there- and I mean that in a good way- I wanna be grounded. And cool.
POLKA DOT: And ferocious.
CROSSBONE: …triceratops are herbivorous, Polka.
CROSSBONE: They’re prey dinos!
POLKA DOT: What? No!
POLKA DOT: They’re totally huge and scary!
CROSSBONE: T-rexes eat them!
POLKA DOT: Maybe that’d be cool too!
 

The words escape before you can stop them, a ton of blush spreading across your face.

CROSSBONE: Hehehe, I see….
POLKA DOT: L-look…
CROSSBONE: You really are leaning into it…
CROSSBONE: Why don’t I give you a more special kiss, then?
 

Just like your last dream, she leans in…

And this time, you get to feel it.

 

---

 

A week passes, time flying by in the blink of an eye. You work and work and work, and eventually Cross makes plans for your party to do some weapons training- or at least, to start. Nerves set in the closer the day gets, but you manage to hold it together and keep going with work…

It’s absolutely torturous when so much pressure is on you to get this upcoming adventure right.  You know that Devo, Roulette and Tim are probably already there and training by now…but Cross will be waiting for you as soon as you’re done.

…not that that makes the wait any easier….

Only three more hours to go…

 

---

 

Devo approaches the training facility carefully- almost hesitant. His new leg braces helped make the walk over with Roulette easier, but there'd still be a lot more physical activity in his immediate future...

DEVO: ...how're you doing after the walk?
ROULETTE: Fine.
 

Roulette turns its head just enough to see Devo.

ROULETTE: ....Are the braces helping?
DEVO: Yeah, a lot...Willow did a good job.
 

He manages a soft look.

DEVO: It doesn't hurt yet, which is nice...this'll be the real test of how much I can take.
 

It's quiet.

ROULETTE: ...On a scale of one-to-ten, how embarrassed would you be if I offered to carry you piggyback style when you need it?
ROULETTE: I'm sure it might not be ideal, but if your legs end up hurting too much at any point, I'd rather that than you being in pain.
DEVO: I'd be more worried about your back than embarrassed...
ROULETTE: I'm rated for twice your weight.
 

Roulette speaks, deadpan. The flat tone belies that it'd make a joke at all.

DEVO: Are you sure.
DEVO: I know I'm understuffed, but these pellets can get pretty heavy...
ROULETTE: We could test it out now, if you'd like.
ROULETTE: I am sure Tim would get a kick out of seeing you being carried around.
DEVO: ...he probably would, honestly. I guess it wouldn't hurt to try...
ROULETTE:  . . .
ROUELTTE: I was half-joking about doing so now, but sure, we can test it out.

The robot crouches down in the hall.

ROULETTE: Transport Mode: Engaged.
ROULETTE: Assume steering position-
ROULETTE: Pilot: Devo.
 

Voice as flat as ever.

Devo can't help but burst out laughing as he clambers on.

DEVO: Ready to rock and roll.

 

The robot holds the bear's legs as it stands back up.
Its movements are slower than before, but it manages to keep a smooth gait as it walks down the hall.

ROULETTE: How is my driving?
ROULETTE: Is it satisfactory?
ROULETTE: Maybe I can get Laurie to employ me as your personal chauffer instead.
DEVO: ...if you could get paid for that, though...
ROULETTE: ...If it wouldn't draw so much attention, I would consider it.
 

The pair steps through the door of the training facility; Roulette making sure to crouch slightly so its passenger wouldn't bump his head.



It takes a cursory glance around.

ROULETTE: Tim may not be here yet.
ROULETTE: Or, he could be in the back.
ROULETTE: The others are coming later, correct?
DEVO: Yeah, I think Willow said something about waiting for Ribbon after work.
DEVO: Should be a couple hours...
ROULETTE: Well, are you ready to get started in the meantime?
ROULETTE: Or are you simply content to use me as an all-terrain vehicle for a while yet?
 

Its lens glances up at the bear.

DEVO: ...can I be honest for a sec?
DEVO: It's...kinda silly.
ROULETTE: Absolutely.
DEVO: After that whole, like...thing with me being shitty, back at the party...getting Polka to tell you about me going and all that...
DEVO: I really want to prove that I'm taking this seriously.
DEVO: I know we've talked about it a lot, but I think Tim's worried about me still, both emotionally and physically.
DEVO: I don't know if he really believes I'm cut out for this. I can't necessarily blame him, but...
DEVO: ...I want to like...not quite impress him, but make an impact.
DEVO: I don't know that I can do that as I am now, though.
ROULETTE: ...Well, I am happy to train you.
ROULETTE: Though, you may fare better with one of the trainers here.
ROULETTE: You can likely find one or two at the rest area, through there-
 

Roulette points at a nearby doorway, setting Devo down gently.

ROULETTE: You could train on your own with them until you believe you're ready to train with the rest of us.
ROULETTE: The others won't be here for a few hours, anyway, as you said.
 

He dismounts with a stretch, giving the robot a grateful look.

DEVO: Thanks...and yeah, that's...a good plan.
DEVO: You should probably go train with Tim when he gets here, but  I guess a trainer wouldn't judge, right?
DEVO: I mean...hopefully.
ROULETTE: ...If they do, you can let me know.
ROULETTE: Don't put up with it, if so.
ROULETTE: Either way, I'll be here if you need me.
DEVO: You're the best, Faysal...thank you.
 

He gives the bot a nod before heading into the rest area, giving a little wave.

DEVO: Say hi to Tim for me if you see him!
ROULETTE: It's no issue.
 

It waves back.

DEVO: ...We'll see if he's here or not.
 

The robot leans sideways, peeking through the doorway.
It watches Devo find one of the trainers, starting a conversation.

Alone in the room now, it briefly takes in the quiet before making its way through a nearby door, down a set of stairs.
The facility is quiet today, not seeing much foot traffic on the Sunday evening; a time Roulette had purposefully picked out for the group.

As such, the locker room it makes its way to sits mostly unoccupied. The only person inside being a familiar scottie dog...holding a plastic pistol in his lap, his paw still on the grip.

He's shaking.

Roulette steps near the doorway, about to enter,
then stops.

Seeing Timothy, it keeps itself still,
turning to slink away.





Only to spot his hands.




It steps into the doorway.

ROULETTE:  . . .
ROULETTE: Is everything alright?
TIMOTHY: H-huh?!
 

He jolts up, nearly dropping the gun.

TIMOTHY: I, uh- y-yeah!
TIMOTHY: I'm good, just...firing...arm's...tired.
TIMOTHY: Yeah.
ROULETTE: ...you don't look tired.
ROULETTE: You-
ROULETTE: ...I apologize.
ROULETTE: I know it's none of my business.
ROULETTE: I can leave you be.
TIMOTHY: No, uh-
TIMOTHY: I appreciate...you checking in.
TIMOTHY: Thank you.
 

He manages to smile with his eyes, but...

There's something not quite in it, his usual enthusiasm missing.

ROULETTE: ...do-
ROULETTE: -you need to talk...?
TIMOTHY: ...
 

He just looks back down at his lap, withdrawing a bit.

TIMOTHY: It's...
TIMOTHY: I...
TIMOTHY: I guess…

Roulette wordlessly takes a seat as far away from him as it can on the bench,
giving the dog room to breathe.

TIMOTHY: I've never...fired a gun before...
ROULETTE: ...Are you afraid of guns?
TIMOTHY: No, I- I thought it'd be, um...
TIMOTHY: It's...I thought it'd be easier than something close range.
TIMOTHY: But...that's the problem.
 

Roulette cocks its head, merely a centimeter or less.

ROULETTE: ...I am not sure I follow.
TIMOTHY: It's...I could just…shoot someone.
TIMOTHY: And kill them.
TIMOTHY: And that'd be it.
TIMOTHY: I know that we're going to be going against monsters we need to kill, but...
ROULETTE: ...You're afraid of... accidentally hurting people instead of monsters?
TIMOTHY: ...yeah.
TIMOTHY: If I miss...
ROULETTE: Well...that's why you practice.
ROULETTE: And- May I?
 

It reaches out towards the gun in his lap. He hesitates before holding it out.

Roulette very slowly takes the gun, and walks over to the range, facing towards a target in front of it.

ROULETTE: The thing about a firearm is that...
ROULETTE: There is a repetitive series of steps that you take, before every shot.
ROULETTE: That, if you take them, you can use it well…’safely.’
ROULETTE: Or as safe as a gun can be - they are made explicitly to be unsafe towards others, after all.
 

It focuses, demonstrating each action as it narrates its own movement.

ROULETTE: The first step is deciding that you have a will to fire.
ROULETTE: You run the process in your head.
ROULETTE: You make sure that there is something in front of you that you wish to do harm to.
ROULETTE: Then . . .
ROULETTE: You grip the pistol firmly, with both hands, or whatever your equivalent may be.
ROULETTE: You make sure you have it held carefully - that your grip is strong, without squeezing too hard.
ROULETTE: Enough to make sure, that under no circumstance, are you going to drop it,
except those entirely outside of your control.
ROULETTE: Then . . .
ROULETTE: With those two checks in place-
ROULETTE: -then and only then-
ROULETTE: -do you remove the safety.
ROULETTE: Then . . .
ROULETTE: You raise the pistol to eye level, whatever that may be for you-
ROULETTE: -and make sure you don't go on to the next step-
ROULETTE: -until it is fully raised up-
ROULETTE: -all the way to your eye-
ROULETTE: -where you line up the sights with each other-
ROULETTE: -then with your target.
ROULETTE: Then . . .
ROULETTE: With the target lined up-
ROULETTE: -then-
ROULETTE: -and only then-
ROULETTE: -when all checks are passed-
ROULETTE: -all possible reasonable precautions taken-
ROULETTE: -bearing in mind-
ROULETTE: -that any of them could change at any time-
ROULETTE: -so you have to make sure each is still there;
ROULETTE: that you have a solid grip,
ROULETTE: that it's up to eye level,
ROULETTE: that your target is lined up, et cetera,

ROULETTE: and most importantly-
ROULETTE: that you still have a will to fire . . .



ROULETTE: Then-
ROULETTE: -and absolutely only then-
ROULETTE: -do you fire.

 

The gun goes off,
the target pierced right through center mass.

Roulette lowers the gun.

ROULETTE: And then…
ROULETTE: The other, most important part about firing.
ROULETTE: When you are not ready to fire-
ROULETTE: -always make absolutely sure that the safety is on.
ROULETTE: In fact, it should most often occur to you to leave the safety on.
ROULETTE: That is, and always Should Be, a gun's default state.
ROULETTE: Better to not fire when you need to-
ROULETTE: -than to fire when you don't.
 

With the safety off,
Roulette very carefully hands it back to him handle-first,
the gun turned sideways,
making sure that the barrel is pointed towards the floor.

ROULETTE: And of course…
ROULETTE: …never point it at another person.
 

With that, Roulette sits back down.

ROULETTE: It may seem like a lot of steps-
ROULETTE: -but remember - as before - that it is always better to take too long to fire when you needed to…
ROULETTE: …than to fire when you should not have.
ROULETTE: At any rate…
ROULETTE: If you are worried about hurting someone-
ROULETTE: -practice those steps.
ROULETTE: Over and Over and Over.
ROULETTE: Not so that you gradually do them more quickly-
ROULETTE: -in fact, it's better you take it slow as best you can-
ROULETTE: -but instead so that they all always burn into your mind, whenever there is a firearm in your hands, or even nearby.
ROULETTE: If you do that-
ROULETTE: -there is an infinitesimally small chance of hurting another person.
ROULETTE: ...Monsters will be another story, though.
 

He takes the information in, nodding his head...and taking the gun back.

TIMOTHY: Thank you...I'll try to commit it to memory, as best as I can.
TIMOTHY: ...you know a lot about this sort of thing...where'd you pick that up?
 

Roulette is silent for a few moments.

ROULETTE: . . . I have held a firearm more than I prefer to admit.
ROULETTE: I hate them, even if they can be useful.
ROULETTE: ...They are always there more to hurt others than to help; that's why they were created-
ROULETTE: -and it's too easy to treat them like a...well, a toy.
ROULETTE: People can easily hurt or kill themselves, or others.
ROULETTE: Easily.
ROULETTE: It is far too easy.
ROULETTE: I don't think that sort of destructive power should be in something so simple, so small-
ROULETTE: -so easy to fumble, so easy to make a mistake-
ROULETTE: -and so... complicated, at the same time, knowing how everything works.

 

It moves its head to gesture towards his pistol.

ROULETTE: That is one of the most dangerous weapons you can have.
ROULETTE: Because it is small, cheap, and easy to acquire.
ROULETTE: …Personally, I prefer revolvers - less shots, slower to reload.
ROULETTE: Rifles are even ‘better’ in that regard.
ROULETTE: More powerful, sure- but Heavier, single-shot, and take a long time to fire between each shell.
ROULETTE: It makes sure you have to really commit to the act.
ROULETTE: Pistols…are just asking for trouble,
TIMOTHY: I'll admit...it was kind of an impulse buy.
TIMOTHY: ...probably for stupid reasons.
 

He looks back down at the ground, looking more than a little embarrassed.

TIMOTHY: It's not something I really researched, or put a lot of care into...but I'm trying to commit to it.
TIMOTHY: Too broke not to.
ROULETTE: ...It isn't too late to pawn it, and buy something else.
ROULETTE: Something safer.
ROULETTE: I can help a little, with the money, if that's what it takes.
ROULETTE: ...If you want something that's...well...about the 'safest' weapon you could own,
any sort of blunt weapon - or even better, a taser or other non-lethal defense weapon-
TIMOTHY: N-no...no blunt weapons. I...can't really go for something close range.
TIMOTHY: I just...
TIMOTHY: ....it's stupid.
ROULETTE: You can tell me.
TIMOTHY: I...I'm scared of getting too angry in a fight.
TIMOTHY: Too aggressive.
TIMOTHY: The longer it goes on, the more threatened I feel...
TIMOTHY: I'm scared of showing some kind of, awful, terrible, I don't even know, I'm just scared of it.
TIMOTHY: ...if...I can finish fights quickly…
ROULETTE: That is not a solution to your problem, Timothy.
ROULETTE: ...What happens when you try to fire and miss?
ROULETTE: Over and over?
ROULETTE: Or when you pump an entire clip into a monster-
ROULETTE: -and it keeps coming?
ROULETTE: The fight will still be drawn out.
ROULETTE: Only you will be holding the potential for instant death in your hands-
ROULETTE: -for yourself-
ROULETTE: -and anyone around you.
ROULETTE: A firearm of any kind is not going to help you there-
ROULETTE: -and if you have aggression issues during combat...it's the last thing you should be holding.
ROULETTE: ...not to mention-
ROULETTE: wanting a gun to make things...quick and easy, is-
ROULETTE: ...You should not use that.
ROULETTE: Not with that mentality.
ROULETTE: Ever.
 

He's silent at that, withdrawing his limbs a little bit more.

TIMOTHY: : ...I know. I know, it's stupid-
ROULETTE: ...I’ll go with you, anytime.
ROULETTE: Today, even.
ROULETTE: We can go to the pawn shop, sell the gun, and pick out something else for you.
ROULETTE: And I will practice it with you.
ROULETTE: We can work on the aggression - I am fairly durable.
ROULETTE: ...It is not just your safety at stake here.
ROULETTE: ...Devo will be with us.
ROULETTE: Polka Dot and her partner, too.
TIMOTHY: W-wait, you're-

His head jolts up, shaking his head.

TIMOTHY: I am not using you as a testing dummy!
TIMOTHY: I-I can agree to the pawn shop, but- don't agree to that!
ROULETTE: ...Tim, I was not offering to have you beat me senseless.
ROULETTE: I am saying that if you become aggressive during a sparring match, I can take it-
ROULETTE: -but it is not a behavior that I am going to encourage.
ROULETTE: That is not safe for any of us, either, potentially; although I do not want to assume exactly how this manifests.
ROULETTE: We can practice, with light sparring; with the foam weapons, if we have to.
ROULETTE: We can deliberately let the fight go on long, and...let that get drawn to the surface, if that happens-
ROULETTE: -and we can find ways to help you work on that.
ROULETTE: ...And Devo does not have to know.
ROULETTE: ...Because that is really what this is about, if I had to guess.
TIMOTHY: I...are you really sure?

He doesn't confirm or deny the Devo comment.

ROULETTE: Yes.
ROULETTE: I am deadly serious.

Roulette replies with absolutely zero change in tone, volume, or posture.

TIMOTHY: If...we do foam weapons, I...can probably be okay with that.
ROULETTE: Alright.
ROULETTE: ...Would you like to leave right now?
ROULETTE: ...I would personally prefer to deal with the gun, at least, as soon as possible.
TIMOTHY: ...yeah.
TIMOTHY: Let me just...

He fishes out his phone, quickly punching in something on the keyboard.

TIMOTHY: Texting Devo to let him know we're going out.
TIMOTHY: He'll be fine here on his own for a bit…

---

POLKA DOT: That's it, right?

You squint, pointing out the building with a goofy boxing glove painted onto the side.

CROSSBONE: Yep. The one and only.
POLKA DOT: Well...it looks, uh...big?
CROSSBONE: There's a lot of stuff in there!
CROSSBONE: They've got a little bit of everything.
POLKA DOT: Not a fan of the fact that this place needs something like that, but...
CROSSBONE: Better to have it than not, right?

There's a familiar voice that piques your attention before you can reply, coming from behind you.

TIMOTHY: Thanks again, Roulette...I think I made the right choice.
ROULETTE: Not an issue, I don't-

Tim and Roulette walk up next to the both of you, the robot's sentence cutting off in the process.

ROULETTE: ...Hello. Devo is already inside.
ROULETTE: We were just taking care of something.

It looks...awkward, as if it hadn't planned on speaking.

ROULETTE: ...Are you both ready for training? Any issues?