[TOY] Plaything

[skinstealer]

POLKA DOT: You think so?
POLKA DOT: You can’t just say shit like that without telling me why, though.
WILLOW: O-oh?
POLKA DOT: Yeah, helps me keep it in mind.
POLKA DOT: Both to make me feel good, and to hold in my pocket for later.
POLKA DOT: I wanna know your weaknesses.

She wraps her ghostly hands around your newly-curved waist, hugging you from behind.

WILLOW: I like it when your legs get highlighted…
WILLOW: The black color against them is really, really nice.
WILLOW: Solid black in general works really well on you, considering how colorful and patterned you are…
WILLOW: It creates contrast. I love contrast.
WILLOW: The corset also highlights your shapes…
WILLOW: You having wider hips is even more noticeable now, and I like what it’s doing up top, too…
WILLOW: That, and just…you. The outfit works so well on you, but just, you in general…
WILLOW: I love it.

She nuzzles at your neck, skull smooth against your choker.

POLKA DOT: I mean, I can’t keep my eyes off you, either.
POLKA DOT: I swear, you could pull off anything…
WILLOW: Even as a spooky ghost?
POLKA DOT: Especially as a spooky ghost.
POLKA DOT: Look at you! You glow!
WILLOW: Hehehe….I guess I do.
POLKA DOT: It’s good stuff…and honestly, if you hadn’t just gone to all that effort to put this stuff on, I’d be taking it off and getting right to it.
WILLOW: You’re really that into this?
POLKA DOT: Hell yes. I’ve been into literally everything we’ve done since we walked through the door.
WILLOW: Then…hm.
WILLOW: We don’t need to take off our clothes to have fun.
POLKA DOT: What’d you recommend, then?
WILLOW: Cuddling up and feeling each other out would probably be a good start…
WILLOW: Hmm….let’s make a game of it, actually!
POLKA DOT: Oh? Like the three questions game?
WILLOW: Kind of, but a lot more hands on.
WILLOW: We’ll take turns feeling each other and see what places are the most sensitive.
WILLOW: …winner gets to try the vibrating wand on that spot.
POLKA DOT: What’s that do?
WILLOW: It sends a lot of sensation to the body, more than a person can all at once.
WILLOW: We’d start on low settings to start, because that thing…can get intense.
WILLOW: Sound fun?
POLKA DOT: Yeah, I’m down!
 

Willow walks you back to the bed, and you both flop onto it, rolling into the bowl-like shape of it.

WILLOW: I’ll let you start first.
WILLOW: Oh, but- feel free to drag it out and experiment.
WILLOW: The more buildup we have, the better it’ll be, right?

[King-Clod]

Maybe the emblem on her chest, the mist where her hands connect, and her neck? Kisses for the neck, especially.

[Pichi2214]

Boop/gently grab those horns/ears

maybe gently pet the top of her head, reaching through the flame hair if that isn't uncomfortable

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

Right where the neck connects to the chest and shift toward the indent between the neck and collarbone. Press down just a bit.

[skinstealer]

POLKA DOT: Hmm…
POLKA DOT: I gotta make this first turn count.
WILLOW: It’s not that serious!
POLKA DOT: I wanna make a good first impression!
POLKA DOT: So let’s see…

 

You reach up to rub one of her horns between your wing-fingers, immediately getting a shiver out of the ghost.

POLKA DOT: That good?
WILLOW: Mhm…
WILLOW: It’s so much more sensitive in this body…
WILLOW: I forget how touch starved I can get, admittedly.
 

You decide to try and sneak another little move in, dragging your hand away from her horn and towards the flame on her head. As soon as your hand passes through it- a warm sensation filling you as you do- Willow breaks into a fit of little giggles.

WILLOW: A-ah! Hey!
WILLOW: It’s ticklish!
POLKA DOT: Your hair is ticklish?
WILLOW: Yes! Yes, it is!
WILLOW: Also- cheating!
POLKA DOT: It’s still the same spot! Just! Head area!
POLKA DOT: Touching your head!
WILLOW: I guess!
 

You give her a little more tickling just to see her laugh and squirm, the flame dancing around your hand as you do. It’s adorable.

WILLOW: Okay, okay, my turn…
WILLOW: Hm.
 

She reaches out and rubs your bare shoulders and what’s exposed of your back, the warmth from her hands feeling like a nice massage…you can’t help but lean in closer as she does, getting a laugh out of her.

POLKA DOT: Ohhh…
POLKA DOT: That’s really nice…
WILLOW: I figure it’s a safe spot to try and start with…
WILLOW: There’s something nice about being dressed up and having the uncovered parts of yourself touched, isn’t there?
POLKA DOT: Absolutely…
POLKA DOT: It’s like…
POLKA DOT: It feels more sensitive there, even just to have someone looking at it.
WILLOW: It’s part of why I prefer semi-clothed to nudity, I think…
WILLOW: It changes your awareness. Suddenly, every touch on open skin feels more dramatic…
POLKA DOT: I think I can get into it, honestly.
WILLOW: Why don’t you take your turn to explore it a little?
 

Her words linger in her head as you pull away just enough to look her over, plotting your next move. She’s mostly covered up, aside from the little cutouts in her outfit…

…including one exposing the crossbone emblem on her chest.

POLKA DOT: Hey, Willow.
WILLOW: Hmm?
POLKA DOT: Is this part sensitive?
 

You press your hand against the emblem, your wing-hand covering it entirely. It immediately gets a noise of surprise out of her.

WILLOW: O-oh, do you like that?
POLKA DOT: Yeah, it’s cool!
POLKA DOT: Really goth…
WILLOW: I-I guess!
WILLOW: It’s a weird thing for me…
WILLOW: …most people are too spooked by it to touch it, though.
POLKA DOT: Not me.
 

You run your fingers up and down it, little sighs escaping your friend. It glows a bit brighter than any of the other parts of her, now that you’re looking closer at it…

 
POLKA DOT: It suits you…
 

With all the care you can muster, you lean in and give the very center of it a little kiss.

WILLOW: It’s…funny that you say that…
POLKA DOT: Oh?
WILLOW: It’s, well…
 

She looks embarrassed to say it.

WILLOW: My real name…
POLKA DOT: Wait, really? What is it?
WILLOW: Crossbone.
WILLOW: I still really like Willow as an alias, definitely would rather be used around Laurie’s…
WILLOW: But you can call me that if you want, when we’re alone.
POLKA DOT: I love it.
CROSSBONE: I’m glad…it doesn’t really come off as “pretty”, but I am kind of attached to it.
CROSSBONE: It’s silly, but having the alias makes me feel more confident. It’s a mask, just like me staying in my shell…
CROSSBONE: But right now, I want you to see me as I am.
CROSSBONE: …is that okay?
 

You nod, giving her the softest smile you can.

POLKA DOT: I wanna see every part of you, Cross.
CROSSBONE: Ohh, Cross, I like the sound of that…
CROSSBONE: That sounds pretty!
POLKA DOT: Of course it does, it’s you.
 

You lose track of time as you spend more of it kissing and petting at the emblem, using her name from time to time to reassure her as you tell her every nice thing that comes to mind.

She loves it, every second of it.

When it’s her turn, she moves to run her spectral hands along your pinched waist, starting at your bare chest and sliding down the curve, trailing along the hourglass figure. It makes you feel hot all over, just feeling that sensation through the fabric, just barely, tantalizingly, kept away from your skin.

CROSSBONE: Touching over clothes can be nice, too…
POLKA DOT: Yeah, I’m really into the feel of this…
POLKA DOT: It’s nice to have the uh, figure? Stuff highlighted too…
POLKA DOT: It’s like how it was looking in the mirror with you, having that focused on…but…softer. Warmer.
CROSSBONE: I’m glad..
 

She keeps it up for a while, each turn seeming to take longer and longer, both of you just…getting absorbed into everything.

When it’s your turn again, you go straight for a flurry of kisses to the neck- and this time, you get results. The noise Cross makes is hard to describe, but whatever it is, you love it.

POLKA DOT: You like that?
CROSSBONE: Y-yes…
CROSSBONE: It’s so cute and nice…
POLKA DOT: Heh…sounds like I’m getting close to winning, then.
CROSSBONE: I can still hold out…
CROSSBONE: probably
 

You’re determined to drive her over the edge, already planning ahead for your next turn, the killer move-

-when she goes for your legs, rubbing her hands up and down the stockings and making you have to cover your face to hide your blush.

CROSSBONE: Who’s winning now?
POLKA DOT: I…I’m good!
POLKA DOT: I can take it!
CROSSBONE: You’re shaking!
POLKA DOT: It’s just…the raw gay energy! Yeah!
POLKA DOT: It’s no big! I can keep going!
CROSSBONE: Mmmhmmm…
 

She feels up the upper part of your thighs where the stockings end, and you are going nuts over it, just completely crazy over how good it feels and how cute she is. The look in her eyes is like nothing you’ve ever seen before, half lidded and caught up in it all, just as much as you are…

You’re not sure how long it goes for before it’s your turn again, and you’re having a hard time getting your mind together. This is simultaneously better and more overwhelming than you expected- but not in a bad way, for the latter. You can get why people are so interested in this stuff, now…

When you finally manage to catch your breath, you go in for the kill.

You know her neck is sensitive. You know that your shoulders are sensitive- so it stands to reason that hers might be too. So, with that in mind…

She watches you carefully as you place your hands on her shoulders…and slowly massage your hands around her collar. To your delight, she seems to melt into your touch, shivering and mumbling for you to keep going.

CROSSBONE: That’s soooo nice…
CROSSBONE: I didn’t- I didn’t even know that was a spot for me…
POLKA DOT: I’ve got you…got you right where I want you.
 

She can’t help but lean on you when you do it, mirroring your own moves earlier…it’s enough to make your chest ache, seeing her so close to you.

But when it’s all said and done, even with her an absolute wreck…

She still has energy for one more turn.

Oh no.

CROSSBONE: I definitely won’t last another round, so…
CROSSBONE: It’s time to seal my victory.
POLKA DOT: …I bet I can take it.
CROSSBONE: Mmmm…
 

She reaches around your body, letting one of her hands float over behind you.

Ohhhh no.

CROSSBONE: This almost feels like cheating.
 

You can instantly tell when her hand is on your tail, warmth surrounding it as she cups it with care. That alone is enough to get an awful squeak out of you, but it just gets worse when she starts to fucking rub it.

POLKA DOT: T-that is cheating!
POLKA DOT: You already knew about that!
CROSSBONE: T-to be fair, this is indulgent for me too…
CROSSBONE: You have no idea how much it kills me for you to just, have something so cute out in the open all the time…
POLKA DOT: I’ll keep it out there, just for you-
 

Before you realize it through your haze, she’s moved in for a kiss- which you gladly accept. Time feels like it’s stretching again, and all you can think about is her, and this, and how for the first time in what feels like ages, you are safe.

 

When she pulls away, you feel like you must look like a total mess.

CROSSBONE: Do you remember what the prize for winning is?
POLKA DOT: …oh god.
CROSSBONE: You can back out if it’s too much!
CROSSBONE: We’ve already gone so far with things…
POLKA DOT: No. No, I want to feel it…
POLKA DOT: If it’s too much, I’ll say so.
POLKA DOT: Right now, I want to feel that so bad.
 

Cross nods, reluctantly pulling away to grab the wand. When she flicks the switch and it starts to vibrate, you can’t help but have your eyes widen- that’s going to make you feel good?

When she applies it to the underside of your tail, you just…

The feeling is indescribable, but it doesn’t take long.

You are a melted puddle in her hands, and she’s just as worked up as you are, just from this- you’re not even touching her aside from leaning onto her lap, but judging from the look in her eyes, she’s in just as much bliss.

When she turns the wand back off, you’re shaking.

POLKA DOT: W-wow.
POLKA DOT: I…I think need a minute.
CROSSBONE: M…me too.
 

She leans over to curl up around you, giving you a little kiss on the cheek. The bowl-shaped bed seems to surround the two of you, making a cozy cocoon to snuggle in.

CROSSBONE: Did you have fun?

[King-Clod]

oh for sure, though I'm sure that was obvious from how I just...melted in your arms. I couldn't have imagined how this would feel...

did you have fun?

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

Mmhmm, better than I could've imagined really. How're you holding up?

[skinstealer]

POLKA DOT: For sure…
POLKA DOT: It’s better than I could’ve imagined. Had no idea this stuff could be…well, like that.
CROSSBONE: It’s a bit of a surprise with your first time, yeah…
CROSSBONE: You looked like you were having a great time, though.
POLKA DOT: Yeah, I mean- I’m sure it was obvious, considering I kinda just melted all over the place.

 
She giggles at that, cupping your cheek with a hand. You nuzzle into it, enjoying that warm feeling seeping into you.

CROSSBONE: You sure did…
POLKA DOT: How are you holding up, though?
POLKA DOT: Did you have fun?
 

She nods, smiling with her eyes again.

CROSSBONE: I’m really glad I invited you over…
CROSSBONE: It’s…impulsive of me, considering we really haven’t known each other for that long- all of this.
CROSSBONE: Showing you my projection, my real name, doing sex stuff…
CROSSBONE: But…I don’t know, there’s some kind of connection here.
CROSSBONE: I legitimately felt, just…excited, and peaceful, and safe, and happy-
CROSSBONE: It feels like I finally met someone I can resonate with.
CROSSBONE: Someone who I can actually talk to about my interests and have it be more than just a career thing- not that I don’t like talking with the other models, it’s just…different.
CROSSBONE: It feels like you get it, even if a lot of this stuff is new to you too.
CROSSBONE: Like, we’re just…on the same page.
CROSSBONE: I needed that.
CROSSBONE: I think I have ever since I got here.
CROSSBONE: I don’t know why it took me a whole year to actually get to the point where I could approach someone about being friends out of nowhere, let alone express that I’m attracted to them, and go this far so suddenly…
CROSSBONE: But I’m glad I did.
CROSSBONE: I really, really like you, Ribbon.
CROSSBONE: It’s too early to say where things will go, I think, and I don’t want to put pressure on you in any direction, but…
CROSSBONE: I’m really glad we’re friends. And I’m really glad we can share this together.

[MarxzVulpez]

Oh yeah, you've shared your name with us, it's more than fair that we return the favor isn't it?

[King-Clod]

Should we share our name? How comfortable are we with that, right now? Sure, we're close to her and all, but... I can't shake the feeling that the minute that we open up that much, the moment we mention our old name, or the wind up toy we're at the edge of remembering, it's all gonna come up in the narrative. It's all gonna come to bring our one aspect of safety crashing down.

...Though I'm not sure if we can stop that either way.

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

If we don't return the favor, how can we expect to keep her trust? She deserves that much. Narrative or not, it's good to have friends.

[skinstealer]

Her words sink in, everything still swirling around your head…there’s so much to think about, but two things stand out to you in the moment.

One, is that she wants to be friends with you, something feeling so profound about that. It’s not the first time she’s said it, or the second, but right now, after you’ve shared such a tender moment together…after seeing you so vulnerable...

That feeling you got earlier, with that hug…it comes back in full force, and before you can stop yourself, you have Cross in another tight hug, the ghost returning it with plenty of enthusiasm.

POLKA DOT: I really want to share this with you, too…
POLKA DOT: I…for whatever reason, it feels like I need this.
POLKA DOT: I need time like this.
CROSSBONE: I’ll give you all the time you want!
CROSSBONE: Well, as much as I can give with work, anyway.
CROSSBONE: But…I want to feel safe with you, and help you feel safe with me.
 

The other thing on your mind comes up again- it’s…hard to make a call on, but…

What if you told Cross your name?

Like, your real name?

You mean, she told you hers. It’d be fair to return the favor- but…what if things go weird and bad? What if the narrative decides that that’s enough to make your past come back to haunt you?

What if talking about the past brings it all crashing down on top of you- and Cross as well?

You lean back and get one look at her gentle, serene face, and cave.

Fuck it.

I want her to trust me.

And…she’s my friend. I can allow this.

POLKA DOT: About that…
CROSSBONE: Oh?
CROSSBONE: Is everything okay?
POLKA DOT: Yeah! Yeah, everything’s good, just…
POLKA DOT: You trusted me enough to tell me your name, earlier.
POLKA DOT: I want to return the favor.
CROSSBONE: Oh!
 

Her eyes quite literally light up, glowing a bit brighter at that.

CROSSBONE: If you’re sure!
CROSSBONE: You’re not obligated to, it’s okay, just-
POLKA DOT: Shhh. It’s fine, Cross.
POLKA DOT: My name’s, uh…
POLKA DOT: Polka Dot.

It seems almost silly coming out of your mouth- why did you have to pick an alias that’s so much cooler?!

But…

She smiles with her eyes again as you say it, taking it in.

CROSSBONE: That’s…
CROSSBONE: So cute!
CROSSBONE: It works so well, especially with your spots…
CROSSBONE: Do you prefer Polka, or Dot?
CROSSBONE: Or, uh, PD?
POLKA DOT: Any of those work, I’m not picky.
CROSSBONE: Okay…Polka it is.
CROSSBONE: Just when we’re in private though, right?
POLKA DOT: Mhm…
CROSSBONE: Our little secrets, then.
CROSSBONE: I like it…
 

Cross rests her head on your shoulder, and you instinctively move your wing to pet the top of her head- enjoying the feeling of her flame-hair in your wingtips.

CROSSBONE: That’s nice, too…
POLKA DOT: You’re nice.
CROSSBONE: No, you!
POLKA DOT: No, I’m evil.
CROSSBONE: No, you’re not!
POLKA DOT: Watch, I’ll prove it.

You move in to rapidly nuzzle your beak against her neck, getting the giggle fit out of her you’ve come to love, even in such a short time.

CROSSBONE: Oh no, I’ve been captured by a diabolical duck!
POLKA DOT: And I’m not gonna let you go until I’ve gotten alllll the giggles out.
CROSSBONE: Noooo! I’ll never stop, though!
POLKA DOT: Mine forever, then!
 

You’re not sure when the nuzzling turns to kisses, and the kisses turn to holding each other so close, but it’s cozy, and you can’t get enough of it.

 

When everything settles into silence, though, your mind can’t help but wander.

CROSSBONE: …hey.
CROSSBONE: Everything okay?
POLKA DOT: Huh? Yeah, I’m fine.
CROSSBONE: You just…look like you have something on your mind.
CROSSBONE: You can talk to me.

[Zenthis]

'Yeah recently I've been thinking about a lot, like for example, if i was to get a wind up boat, right, and name it after you because i think naming boats after other people you like is customary, and something happens or it just gets old and the motor breaks, say, and i scrounge up enough to replace the motor, then that fine, right? That's still my boat. But what happens if like, the plastic siding breaks and I have to replace that, and then the little bit that makes a whistling sound breaks and so on and so forth until I have replaced every part of my boat. Is that still my boat, is that still the SS Crossbone? Also would I need to be a pirate to name a boat that or do you think it'd be fine?'

[Pichi2214]

you can trust her, I think
Maybe not necessarily go into too much detail, unless it feels right/safe to do so, but i think we should open up a bit more about the fact that the past is haunting us and some of the intrusive thoughts/memories we keep having/the narrative pushing us to confront shit we may not feel ready for

Also that you're happy to be close to her... her friend, it's really nice

[King-Clod]

I guess, I was just remembering... it's a lot! It's a lot, but uh...I think the last people who called me by my real name either ended up really really hurting me, or got hurt. I can't remember if they were hurt by me or someone else. And, y'know. I don't think you'll be like either of them. But my brain can't stop trying to fit this in a box, figure out if you'll hurt me or if something will hurt you because of me, I guess?

[knux400]

So... What's it like for you when you're inside the shell? Is there, like, a little room in there that you sit in or is it more like wearing a suit?

[MarxzVulpez]

...I had a dream about us, we were Super Hot pirates or adventurers or something (I took notes on the outfits, like I said Super Hot, we should try to find/do something with or like them some time if you're game for that), but in it you hugged me and
It felt great, almost as good as the real thing! But when I woke up afterwards there was a sense of sadness and hurt. I don't think it was related to you, I think it was related to what happened to me before Here, and it's been weighing on Me a bit.
But I do think tonight's given me some hope for moving forward, it was wonderful, and you're wonderful!

[skinstealer]

POLKA DOT: …I had a dream about us last night.
CROSSBONE: Oh?
CROSSBONE: …was I cute in the dream?
POLKA DOT: Oh, yeah, for real.
POLKA DOT: We were super hot pirates. Or something.
CROSSBONE: I’d make a terrible pirate!
CROSSBONE: …I mean, name would imply otherwise, but outside of this state, I can’t go anywhere near the water!
POLKA DOT: Yeah, you were kind of spooked about that in the dream too…
POLKA DOT: But you wanted to be there with me.
CROSSBONE: I mean…yeah, I guess that is true, I do want to figure out ways to be in the water with you…
POLKA DOT: Then maybe we can figure out how to be super sexy pirates someday. I took notes on the outfits and everything.
CROSSBONE: Handy!
CROSSBONE: Maybe we could make them sometime…
POLKA DOT: Yeah!
POLKA DOT: I’d be totally game for that.

 
She squeezes your hand, and you eagerly squeeze back. The look in her eyes encourages you to press on, strength building up in your chest.

POLKA DOT: In the dream….you gave me a big hug.
CROSSBONE: Aww!
CROSSBONE: That’s sweet…
POLKA DOT: You think so?
CROSSBONE: Mhm…it’s nice to know you think of me like that…
CROSSBONE: I think…it’d weird some people out when we had barely talked, but for me- I got some weird dreams too.
CROSSBONE: Keep going, though. I don’t want to derail.

 
You can’t deny that the feeling you get when Cross mentions having you in her dreams is a warm one.

POLKA DOT: We can talk about it after though, right?
CROSSBONE: Mhm.
POLKA DOT: Okay, good. So…
POLKA DOT: You hugged me.
POLKA DOT: It felt great, almost as good as the real deal-
CROSSBONE: And now you have that for comparison!
 

She gives you a big squeeze for emphasis, and predictably, you squeak. It gets both of you laughing again, and you’re somehow at ease even with the next part coming up.

POLKA DOT: Yeah, I do.
POLKA DOT: But…when I woke up, I felt this awful hurt.
POLKA DOT: It sounds stupid, but I was just…sad.
POLKA DOT: I tried journaling down my feelings, but it just fucked me up more at first. All I could think was that I wanted a hug, so fucking bad, and I kept going in circles.
POLKA DOT: Eventually it did start feeling better, once I focused on the nice parts of the dream and actually, yknow, took comfort in it.
POLKA DOT: And…now that I’m here, and actually doing stuff- not just with anyone but with you-
POLKA DOT: I know we just met. I know this is just…new, and the narrative is kind of fucking with me-
POLKA DOT: -but this feels right.
POLKA DOT: I feel actual hope.

 
Cross is quiet for a moment, and you start to feel nerves set in- did you fuck up? Did you say the wrong thing-

 

-the ghost pulls you in for another squeeze, and holds you there.

CROSSBONE: You can ask me for a hug any time.
CROSSBONE: After tonight, I know that I want to be here for you.
CROSSBONE: Sometimes, with the narrative, and the Store, and all of that stuff…
CROSSBONE: I know it can be a lot.
CROSSBONE: I said I had my own bad dreams, and I meant it. Being homeless for a while before coming here wasn’t kind to me, especially not during the winter…
CROSSBONE: And even if I ignore my own Store memories, I still get worked up over those days.
CROSSBONE: Life here is hard.
CROSSBONE: But…we have each other now.
CROSSBONE: I might not be able to help with everything, but I can at the very least give you a hug when you need it.
POLKA DOT: Thank you…
POLKA DOT: That…means more than you probably realize-
 

You can feel tears welling up, little pinpricks of paint at the corners of your eyes.

POLKA DOT: I just…this is a lot…
POLKA DOT: I think the last people who called me my real name either ended up hurting me, or they got hurt, or I don’t know-
POLKA DOT: What if I hurt them?
POLKA DOT: What if-
POLKA DOT: I don’t know.
POLKA DOT: I don’t think this is going to go like any of that, but my head keeps trying to put it in that box.
CROSSBONE: I’m not as delicate as you think, you know.
 

She smiles with her eyes again.

CROSSBONE: I’m able to stand up for myself. If you misstep, you’ll know.
CROSSBONE: And…if whoever hurt you in the past comes back…
CROSSBONE: I’ll show them the door.
CROSSBONE: Okay?
 

You can’t help but smile back, making a choked up squeak as she wipes your eyes.

CROSSBONE: Let’s just…take it one step at a time.
CROSSBONE: You and me.
POLKA DOT: You and me.
 

You curl into each others’ bodies again, occasionally giving each other kisses in the silence that follows.

POLKA DOT: …you said you’d talk about your own dreams too, after.
CROSSBONE: Mmm…what kind do you want to hear about?
POLKA DOT: Any of it, I guess.
CROSSBONE: Hm…I’ll go for bad dreams first. Good ones are a treat.
CROSSBONE: With my bad dreams…I get chased a lot.
CROSSBONE: Sometimes by toys, sometimes by monsters…
POLKA DOT: Monsters? Like the ones you mentioned earlier?
CROSSBONE: Mhm.
CROSSBONE: There’s creatures outside of settlements that hunt down passing toys…
CROSSBONE: They don’t look like toys at all themselves, just…strange.
CROSSBONE: I haven’t seen any up close, but I’ve heard stories, and I am interested in seeing one myself some day…
CROSSBONE: But some of the scarier tales people have told me stuck with me, and I dream about them sometimes.
CROSSBONE: I don’t know if such things existed back in the Store, but that’s where I usually get chased.
CROSSBONE: Endless aisles lined with empty bodies…
CROSSBONE: And none of them come to help.
POLKA DOT: That sounds awful…
CROSSBONE: Oh, it is.
CROSSBONE: But it’s scarier when it’s an actual person.
CROSSBONE: When I was homeless, I was attacked a few times…I eventually got my hands on my hatchet and was able to start fending people off, but electronic toys like myself are really wanted for parts.
CROSSBONE: Combine that with the fact that I showed up here during the winter, and the cold affects me a lot…
CROSSBONE: It was pretty bad, and I’ve had to get a few repairs to my shell since.
POLKA DOT: Wait, really?
POLKA DOT: Your shell looks brand new!
CROSSBONE: A lot of scratches got buffered out, new paint jobs…
CROSSBONE: Truth be told, I’ve had plenty of opportunity to ditch the whole skull thing on my shell, but it felt…important to keep.
CROSSBONE: The buttons were completely replaced, though.
CROSSBONE: Had one ripped out and couldn’t feed myself for days without having to actually reach inside to press the electronics…
 

She shudders.

CROSSBONE: That I dream about. Having to see and feel my own insides, even if only a little.
CROSSBONE: I never want to go through that again, but my dreams make me relive it every so often.
POLKA DOT: That sounds god awful…
CROSSBONE: It is, but…at least I know it’s over when I wake up.
CROSSBONE: I’m safe here at Laurie’s, at least relatively.
CROSSBONE: That’s what’s important.
 

You give her a reassuring nuzzle, which she readily returns.

POLKA DOT: And the good dreams?

Your grin spreads before you can help it.

POLKA DOT: You said you had some weird ones.
CROSSBONE: oh god
CROSSBONE: Well, okay, hmm….
CROSSBONE: Last night, you also showed up in my dream.
CROSSBONE: We were walking through some kind of forest together…
POLKA DOT: A forest?
CROSSBONE: Mhm, big trees and a mossy path. Not real moss mind you, but…springy rubbery stuff.
CROSSBONE: It was dark, and spooky, and you got scared, so I held your hand…
POLKA DOT: Wait, I got scared of the dark?
CROSSBONE: Only a little.
POLKA DOT: I can handle the dark!
CROSSBONE: But if you did, you wouldn’t have an excuse to hold my hand.
POLKA DOT: …good point.
POLKA DOT: What happened then?
CROSSBONE: Oh, just…some weird stuff.
CROSSBONE: …really weird stuff.
POLKA DOT: You can tell me.
CROSSBONE: …well….
CROSSBONE: I…
CROSSBONE: …turn into a monster.
POLKA DOT: …like the ones you’ve mentioned?
CROSSBONE: Sort of? Except I’m still, like, me.
CROSSBONE: But all of a sudden, I’m just…bigger and more powerful, and it feels good, especially because I’m able to protect you better…
CROSSBONE: and then i carry you and its really cute
CROSSBONE: Is that weird? Like, I have to be weird for liking that, right?

[Lilium Mortem]

No it's not at all weird! I think it'd be nice to be carried around. don't have to walk, I could take naps in your giant purse, sit on your shoulder... it sounds nice, to be a little little. I think that dream is adorable, you're adorable. do you get cool spikes or flame breath?

[sarcovyn]

you know what? i think i WOULD like to be carried around by a BIG HOT GIRL!