[TOY] Plaything

[skinstealer]

You start looking through, passing up slime after slime…and then you’re stuck between two options. 

A blue and white slime labeled “CLOUD + CLEAR”, topped with some glitter- it’d probably look really good swirled, and it’s simple enough that it wouldn’t be going to waste in a dumpling. 

And…a red and white slime with a similar texture, but labelled “GLOSSY + CLEAR” instead. This one has snowflake charms, and you figure you may as well go for festive again.

You bring the jars back one at a time, straining to carry them even with both arms. Vine watches with an approving nod.

VINE: Couldn’t pick just one?
POLKA DOT: Nope…
VINE: Just means we’ll have two specials with the same recipe, it’ll be efficient and give guests some variety. It’ll be good.
VINE: Cmon, I’ll get you set up.
 

She takes you over and starts walking you through the steps, rolling out the dough, getting just the right amount of slime, folding it all together…and when you finally get to try it after fumbling with the first two attempts, you’re delighted to find out that it’s good. The blue and white one tastes more sweet, and the red and white savory, with a bit of spice. Vine seems pretty impressed too, giving you a pat of reassurance.

VINE: You did that. You.
VINE: Take pride in it.
POLKA DOT: Thanks, Vine…
VINE: You really do like the creative stuff, don’t you?
POLKA DOT: I mean…I don’t draw, or anything like that-
VINE: Cooking’s creative too, so’s fashion.
VINE: You’re still an artist, even if you’re not picking up a pencil.
 

Something about that makes you feel a bit of pride, warm feelings welling up in your chest.

POLKA DOT: Yeah. Yeah, you’re right.
VINE: That’s the spirit.
VINE: Looks like people are starting to file in, let’s start taking orders and get those specials out.
POLKA DOT: You got it.
 

The lunch rush is way harder than you expected it to be, right from the getgo- there are a lot of people, toys of all shapes and sizes…and now that you’re actually here and taking time to get used to things, you’re noticing just how busy the kitchen is, and how crowded it gets. You can barely keep track of things, but you’re pushing out orders and making things happen, and it feels good.

 

You barely register it when Vine pokes you on the shoulder. 

VINE: Lull in the action and I’ve got someone who can sub in for you, let’s take a quick break. Ten minutes tops.
 

You only just now realize how tired you are.

POLKA DOT: Sounds good.
 

The back room has some other people in it today- a toy with a spirograph for a face, and an absolutely massive horse plush. The latter is talking loudly, but quiets when Vine enters the room.

???? (1): And I just can’t believe he’s pulling this shit-
???? (1): …Vine.
VINE: Cindi.
CINDI: There’s the new star of the kitchen, too.
CINDI: People keep saying the specials are great, you know.
CINDI: The red ones, though…had a few comments that they’re a bit too flavorful.
CINDI: You put charms in those?
POLKA DOT: …yeah, why?
CINDI: Save ‘em for sprinklings or as part of a sauce on top of something else.
CINDI: They get a bit overwhelming sometimes.
 

While you’re processing the critique, you notice that the spirograph isn’t saying anything, simply fidgeting in xer chair. 

[King-Clod]

"Oh sure, I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for the feedback"
This is our break, so lets see if we can take a seat. We've been standing for a while. Maybe next to the Spirograph?

[skinstealer]

POLKA DOT: Oh, thanks- I’ll keep that in mind.
 

You take a seat next to the spirograph, the toy making room for you as you do. Xe seems nervous, but you can’t tell if it’s something you’re actually doing. 

Vine follows suit, and there’s an awkward silence. The spirograph shuffles as xe turns to you, not sure where to cast xer gaze. 

????: So…are you…new?
CINDI: Yeah, nobody’s seen you around before, and you’ve got that fresh vibe.
VINE: Cmon, you don’t have to heckle her-
CINDI: We’re talking to the duck, Vine.
CINDI: If she's new, I wanna know what she knows.
CINDI: What she """saw""" out there or whatever.
????: ...you don't even believe those stories...
CINDI: Yeah, but it's funny hearing what weird shit people pop in with.
CINDI: What the narrative wants them to think.
CINDI: You gotta be curious too, right Beans?
BEANS: ...
CINDI: So? Spill.

[King-Clod]

While I'd really hate to make a bad first impression with some of our coworkers, that's...not gonna happen.

"I didn't really remember anything interesting when I spawned in, and I'm not much of a storyteller either way. I'd rather talk about something else. Like the local nightlife round town, and what have you. More typical small talk."

[sarcovyn]

nope! i don't owe you anything <3

[knux400]

"it's the darndest thing, actually, the last thing I remember, this big dumb horse was asking a bunch of questions about my personal life and just being a jerk in general."

[skinstealer]

Yeah, fuck this person in particular. You don’t necessarily want to make a bad impression with some of your coworkers, but…yeah, no.

POLKA DOT: Darnedest thing actually, the last thing I remember was this big, stupid horse asking a bunch of stupid personal questions.
 

The room is silent.

POLKA DOT: I don’t owe you shit.
 

The spirograph- Beans, you think xer name was- snickers just a little, stopping as soon as Cindi elbows xem. 

CINDI: Got a bit of a mouth on you, duck.
POLKA DOT: It’s Ribbon.
POLKA DOT: Not duck.
CINDI: Whatever, duck.
CINDI: You really ought to be more careful in your newbie days.
CINDI: I’m not gonna bite your head off, but there’s people who’d stab you for less.
CINDI: You don’t even look like you can fight yet.

[Ignispark]

...okay so this is probably a bad idea.

but you could absolutely ask this person how to fight.

[King-Clod]

don't start a fight in the break room don't start a fight in the break room don't start a fight in the break room
"I'll be sure to keep that in mind."
don't start a fight in the break room don't... ah fuck it
"Fighting doesn't change much between the Toy Store and here though, no? I figure I know enough, at least for now. Unless that's a challenge."

[Lilium Mortem]

you wanna go? then let's fucking go... outside, look I can be angry as shit and also pragmatic let's fight somewhere we won't make a mess.

[skinstealer]

POLKA DOT: You wanna go?
 

Vine gets up immediately and puts a paw on your shoulder, gripping it tight. 

VINE: No.
 

She turns to Cindi as well, her expression stern.

VINE: You should know better, too.
CINDI: Look, I’m just looking out for her.
POLKA DOT: …fighting doesn’t change much between here and the Toy Store, right?
POLKA DOT: You wanted to know, and all I’m gonna say is that I know plenty.
 

More than I want to know.

POLKA DOT: So I’ll be sure to keep it in mind.
CINDI: Pfft.
 

The horse looks away for a moment, only to tilt their gaze back down at you.

CINDI: We’ll see how that talk holds up outside, duck.
POLKA DOT: If you think I’m so weak, teach me then.
CINDI: …teach you?
 

They laugh at that, a big guffaw.

CINDI: Now THAT’S some nerve!
CINDI: Fine, duck. Fine.
CINDI: Meet me out back after your shift.
VINE: Cindi.
CINDI: She wants to learn. 
CINDI: And it’s a lesson she’s gotta pick up eventually.
VINE: …if you injure another coworker again, Laurie’s going to have your hide.
CINDI: Then this little squirt better prove she’s got it.
CINDI: Right, duck?

[King-Clod]

Can't back down. Can't show weakness. Not again.
"Right."

[Ignispark]

Of course! Bark without bite is meaningless, after all.

[Lilium Mortem]

Oh I've got something all right, pony.

Sidebar to vine: Look I get it stay out of trouble ectera ectera, but I can't just take this. I'm not looking to really hurt anyone, but god do I need this.

[knux400]

I feel like being overtly aggressive is slightly the wrong move here. We can defend ourselves without completely losing face.

*snap feathers* "You know it, pony boy."

[skinstealer]

POLKA DOT: Right.
POLKA DOT: I’ve got something all right- I’m not gonna back up bark with no bite.
CINDI: It’d be more of a squeak coming out of you, wouldn’t it?
CINDI: We’ll see how it goes. Just don’t complain if you end up sore, got it?
 

Vine continues to look severely uncomfortable with this, but sighs and grips your shoulder as you lean over.

POLKA DOT: Look…I get it.
POLKA DOT: Stay out of trouble, etcetera, but I can’t just take shit like this.
POLKA DOT: I’m not looking to hurt anybody, but…
POLKA DOT: Some part of me needs this.
 

That just makes her expression worsen, eyebrows crumpling into a worried look.

VINE: …be careful with what you “need” in this place, Ribbon.
VINE: I don’t want to lose any more apprentices.
 

You’re hit with a mix of pride in being called her apprentice and worry over the…”any more” part. 

VINE: I can’t stop you though…short of saying we need to get back to work.
VINE: Cmon. Enough chatter.
BEANS: You just got here-
VINE: Nope. We have work to do.
 

She starts heading back to the kitchen, and with a bit of hesitation, you get up to follow her.

CINDI: Don’t forget, duck! Out back after we close up!
 

You give a wave of your wing and leave the back room, going to wash up and join your boss. She looks troubled, but the two of you don’t say much aside from what’s necessary for work.

---

 
It goes well, with…your focus somehow increased after that altercation. Maybe you just want to show Cindi up, but you’re cranking out dumplings like nobody’s business, enough to get Vine looking a bit more relieved. 

VINE: Good work today, Ribbon.
VINE: …I’m guessing you’re headed out back now.
POLKA DOT: …Yep.
VINE: If…it gets bad…
VINE: Aim for a seam.
VINE: I’m not saying you should gut somebody, especially not a coworker, but…
VINE: Cindi’s more of a brute than I’d like to have in my kitchen.
VINE: But…someone’s gotta do heavy lifting, and they’ve also thrown out unruly guests for us without hesitation.
VINE: They’re a valued member of the team…
VINE: …but they’re on thin ice, and I can try to find a replacement. 
VINE: Don’t do anything drastic, please, I’m just telling you this weakpoint in the hopes that if it starts looking dangerous, you have a self defense tactic.
VINE: Don’t be hasty, and don’t go for it unless you absolutely have to.
VINE: Got it?
POLKA DOT: Got it.
POLKA DOT: …thanks, Vine.
 

She gives you a pat on the back, and you head outside.

---

The large plush is waiting for you, leaned against the alley wall. Properly standing up, you’re very, very aware of how tall they are- you come up to their neck, and their arms are long. 

CINDI: Thought you might skip out.
CINDI: First off. Rules.
CINDI: For lesson one, no weapons.
CINDI: We’re going hand to hand.
CINDI: I’m not gonna go all out, because I don’t want to lose my fucking job.
CINDI: But if you’re really looking to get trained, you’re gonna have to put up with some hits if you can’t dodge.
CINDI: Last chance to back out.

[Lilium Mortem]

Ok, bye... but seriously 'last chance to back out', how many people actualy take that chance? let's do this.

[knux400]

Do that sideways neck crack thing for bonus cool points. Then SQUARE UP

[King-Clod]

Do we remember anything about any sort of fighting stance to take? Or should we ask Cindy? I want to lean more into the "Show me how to do this" than "I'm gonna wreck you" since this is, after all, our first fight here. I don't want to talk big game if we don't remember how to fight.

[Ignispark]

Yep! Absolutely doing this. But uh, the 'this is a coworker + premise of learning' should definitely be the core. Best to tread carefully.

and also! take this as an experience to reflect. just because there's pre-existing talent doesn't mean this isn't a great chance to see what can be improved upon. al