[TOY] Plaything

[Ignispark]

combat prep, sounds like a good idea and...

uhhhh idk what's good for parties?

[skinstealer]

[Silk Ribbon]: combat prep sounds like a good idea…
[Silk Ribbon]: idk tho, what’s good for parties?
[♥ Cross ♥]: i could give outfit advice, though i’m guessing you’ve got that handled…
[♥ Cross ♥]: oh!
[♥ Cross ♥]: with roulette and devo…be gentle, but realistic
[Silk Ribbon]: huh?
[♥ Cross ♥]: with the whole adventure pitch, i mean
[♥ Cross ♥]: let them know the real dangers here- i wouldn’t want anyone to come along if they’re underprepared
[♥ Cross ♥]: but…if you can, try to pitch it in a way that doesn’t make them want to run for the hills. not sure if that’s even possible, but…
[♥ Cross ♥]: we’re going to do everything we can to keep this from being a suicide mission, and i’ll gladly give up some of my pay, resources, anything in exchange for them tagging along
[♥ Cross ♥]: i don’t expect anyone to want to do this for free…
[♥ Cross ♥]: so! make sure to add that i’m willing to compensate, with anything they want. i could even get them in with a more ideal position with jobs here, considering i have a good reputation here and could vouch for people…
[♥ Cross ♥]: i dunno! do your best!
[Silk Ribbon]: i’ll definitely try…
[♥ Cross ♥]: you can do it!
 

Your phone buzzes in your hand, and you panic a little as you realize it’s your work alarm.

[Silk Ribbon]: shit okay i gotta get going
[♥ Cross ♥]: okay! be good!

You speedrun getting your outfit on, looking yourself over in the bathroom mirror before heading out.

POLKA DOT: Looking sharp.
 

Work awaits.

---

 

Vine’s really got you busting your ass today, putting you on noodle duty for what feels like the millionth time this month.

VINE: Sorry kid, you’re just the best pasta maker here, and people have been asking when your sauce is coming back.
VINE: …some people said it was too spicy last time, though.
 

She gestures to the familiar jars of slime, the pantry all for you.

VINE: Let’s make something new. Your choice.

[sarcovyn]

pizza


bagels

[knux400]

make plates of spaghetti except PRANK! each plate is made up of one single, continuous noodle that's really long but it's bundled up to look like it's a plateful

[Shifter55]

Red plum, roast bell pepper, and red onion sauce. Everything new is- wait, this is just neapolitan sauce!

[Ignispark]

peanut butter, mint, and chocolate. dessert pasta.

[skinstealer]

You consider your options. None of the slime stands out to you at first, and Vine can clearly tell you’re zoning the fuck out.

VINE: You okay there, Ribbon?
POLKA DOT: …pizza…bagels.
VINE: …huh?
POLKA DOT: I want to put pizza bagels on the pasta.
VINE: …try again. You might get rave reviews, but I’m not letting you get away with that.
POLKA DOT: Fine…
POLKA DOT: Maybe, uh…
 

Shit, all of your ideas are weird. This forest trip’s got your mind all scrambled.

You reach for some brown slime, one jar of dark, one of light.

POLKA DOT: Dessert pasta.
VINE: …go on.
POLKA DOT: Peanut butter. Chocolate.

Balancing the jars in one wing, you reach for a little container of green glitter.

POLKA DOT: Mint.
VINE: You want to put all of that on pasta.
POLKA DOT: …yes.
VINE: …how bad did Wanderer scare you yesterday?
 

Her voice has nothing but concern in it, and she slowly starts taking the jars away from you.

VINE: Your head’s not in it, kid…
VINE: Maybe today’s not the day to go all in on new things.
POLKA DOT: But I-
POLKA DOT: I want to!
VINE: I know, I know you do, but-
VINE: I can take one look at you and see that you’re all over the place.
 

The dismayed look on your face makes her sigh, and she slowly starts placing the jars back in your arms.

VINE: Fine…giving me the sad eyes is cheating…
VINE: But I’m advertising it under dessert. I’m not going to sell people this as an entree.
VINE: With any luck, the noodle dough will turn into something more like a pastry intent-wise by the time it’s out the door…
 

You brighten back up immediately, a grin crossing your face.

POLKA DOT: Thanks, Vine.
VINE: I mean…
VINE: It’ll help you feel a bit better to play around, right?
VINE: I know you like to experiment.
VINE: Just be careful not to go too hard.
POLKA DOT: You got it.
 

Your first attempts at the dessert pasta come out…well….

 

Not great. Vine makes a bit of a face at you when she tries them, her muzzle scrunching up.

VINE: Try again. Less mint.
VINE: And, uh, remember, pastry feelings. On the noodles.
VINE: Please.
 

It takes some concentration to actually get the noodles tasting like soft, flaky pastry- but you somehow manage it after what feels like ages.

VINE: …that actually works, yeah.
VINE: I wouldn’t call it pasta when you’ve got the pastry illusion going on for the dough, but it’ll work as a novelty gimmick.
POLKA DOT: You think so?
VINE: Yeah, I do. It’s good.
VINE: Shows that I should have more trust in you, Ribbon.
 

She smiles with her eyes, and you take that warm, proud feeling in.

VINE: You’ve definitely proved it.
 

Your shift passes without much fanfare, but getting into the rhythm of shaping dough into noodles and covering them with thin layers of slime helps you not think about what’s to come. You really have come into loving making food, and even with it being hard work, it’s something you look forward to every day.

When you tell Vine this on your break, she says a lot of toys in this city don’t have that kind of option, even if they should. That it’s one of the reasons why Laurie’s needs protecting, that this kind of space is a haven of sorts, at least for the people who need it.

The longer you stay here, the more you find yourself agreeing.

…you hope that this trip isn’t going to take too long.

---

You get off work at eight, right on time- but at this point, late for the party. Speeding back to your room, your nerves are starting to set in….you try to tell yourself you’ve got this, but god, it’s scary.

You whip open your slowly growing closet.

You don’t have a lot of options, here. You have:

-the casual outfit Laurie gave you, complete with skirt and lacy top- you’re wearing it now, actually, but it didn’t get dirty during your shift.
-your sleeping gown? It’s here, in any case.
-the sexy outfit you got for the party a month ago- too much, or just enough? Tim didn’t exactly specify a dress code.
-a simple dress Cross made for you- it’s black, has scalloped lace edges, and sports a little skull charm on the chest.

What do you wear?

[Lilium Mortem]

wear Cross's dress, soak in the gay moral support via osmosis. with your powers combined, you can do this!

[Ignispark]

the cross dress seems like a good pick. skulls are cool for parties

[skinstealer]

It’s a no brainer….you grab the dress cross made you, stripping down and getting yourself all gayed up.

POLKA DOT: The power of cute girls will get me through this…
 

Tim’s sent you the address on your phone, and as you hit the cold night air, you can’t help but feel a bit on edge. You haven’t been out this late by yourself since the night you got here, and even then, it wasn’t this dark. The streets are lit with buzzing plastic lampposts, but it still feels…oppressive.

You really wish you could be walking with someone right now.

Every step feels more nerve wracking, but soon enough, you start seeing landmarks- each one easing the tension. You’re still getting used to how travel works even a month later…but you have the party’s location locked down in your head, your mind latching onto it with a death grip.

You stop walking once you arrive at a house matching Tim’s description- a compact, modern dollhouse with white trim. It’s a lot brighter than the surrounding square buildings, but you figure that’s a blessing in your case- easier to find.

As you approach the front steps, you can hear music inside…another good sign.

You ring the doorbell with just a bit of hesitance, standing there and feeling more than a little awkward.

The toy that answers the door is green and blue, made of a matte vinyl and sporting brushable hair. You can’t exactly parse what kind of animal they are, but they have a warm smile and fluttering, painted on lashes.

????: Can I help you?
POLKA DOT: I’m, uh-
POLKA DOT: Here for the party?
 

You quickly bring up your text messages, double checking the details Tim sent.

POLKA DOT: Mi..asma’s party?
????: That’s me! Cmon in!
 

Miasma steps aside, their glittering outfit giving off all kinds of sparkles in the low, colored lighting. You cross the threshold and blink, taking it in- there are a lot of toys here, most of them dancing or talking.

MIASMA: Take a load off, make yourself at home-
MIASMA: Drinks and food are in the kitchen, but if you make a mess, clean it up!
POLKA DOT: Y-yeah. Got it.
 

You stumble around at first, getting your bearings… people bump into you easily, and you find yourself scooting off to the sidelines before too long.

You nearly jump out of your skin when a hand rests on your shoulder.

TIMOTHY: O-oop! Sorry!
 

You whip around, relieved that it’s someone familiar. Tim’s in there in his casual outfit, just a shirt and shorts, while Devo’s sporting a pair of gym shorts and a low hanging sweater.

POLKA DOT: F-fuck’s sake, Tim!
TIMOTHY: Sorry! Sorry, just-
TIMOTHY: We were wondering when you were going to show up….
DEVO: We’re, uh, glad you could make it.
 

The bear looks a little awkward, clearly not used to talking to you at all.

DEVO: …Yeah.

[Ignispark]

so how's stuff going so far?  is the party, partyriffic?

[King-Clod]

Would it be a bad idea to get a few drinks? Might help take the edge off for me, but I don't wanna get lost getting home. Not sure, uh, what else you do at events like these? Seems a bit more lowkey than the parties at Laurie's - almost afraid I overdressed, haha.

[skinstealer]

POLKA DOT: So…how’s stuff going so far?
POLKA DOT: Everything going, uh…party-riffic?
 

Devo can’t help but snort at your little goof, but he doesn’t seem meanspirited about it, at least.

DEVO: It’s okay…
DEVO: Roulette went off to go socialize, I think.
DEVO: …I don’t know where it went, but I don’t think it left.
DEVO: Tim and I have been hanging out and talking, there’s a good corner to sit in and chat.
TIMOTHY: We might dance a little, later! If you want to join us!
DEVO: …not too much, though. I want to make it home.
TIMOTHY: Hmm…maybe we could just jam out on a couch, then.
 

The bear smiles with his eyes at that, closing them and nodding.

DEVO: That sounds a lot more doable…less exciting, but more doable.
 

Remembering you’re there, Devo startles out of his thoughts.

DEVO: A-anyway, not much has happened yet.
TIMOTHY: You haven’t missed much, but that’s okay!
TIMOTHY: I’m just glad you’re here.
POLKA DOT: Glad to be here…
POLKA DOT: …
POLKA DOT: Would it be a bad idea to get a few drinks? Or something?
TIMOTHY: Oh, drinks? They’ve got some soda in the kitchen-
DEVO: I think she means alcohol.
TIMOTHY: Oh!
TIMOTHY: Uh, I’m not sure. I think it’s just soda cans for safety reasons.
DEVO: Laurie would probably pitch a fit if anyone spiked a drink…
POLKA DOT: Fair enough, just…
POLKA DOT: Wanna take the edge off.
TIMOTHY: Let’s try heading over to that corner I mentioned! Get you eased in…
 

Tim starts walking, leading both you and Devo into a room to the side, gesturing to some floor pillows. Everybody flops down and gets comfy, and you’re surprised at how nice it feels from the get go.

POLKA DOT: …these are pretty good pillows.
DEVO: Miasma has in’s with manufacturers from other settlements, is what I heard.
DEVO: Better quality stuff, better prices…but it has to be taken across the wilds.
DEVO: No idea what they actually do to get the funds for that, but it’s how Laurie helps supply his doctor partnerships.
DEVO: …I’ve looked into it a bit.
TIMOTHY: They seem like a cool person…kind of intimidating, but in a very…friendly way.
TIMOTHY: I saw them spend the first hour just walking around and checking on people…I guess that makes them a good host, at least…
 

There’s quiet as Tim trails off, awkwardness filling the air.

TIMOTHY: S-so!
TIMOTHY: You and Devo haven’t really met before, right?
DEVO: Nope…but I’m, uh, glad to.
DEVO: I want to get to know my boyfriend’s best friend, if possible.

[Lilium Mortem]

Oh Tim, Timothy, T-man. Best Friend? You honor me.

I'm just a goofy gay duck, not much to tell. Hobbies include sewing. That's it thats the one. I like reading, but that ain't a hobby, that's like saying you like tv.

I do pretty well as a chef, or cook, or whatever. Not sure I'd call it a hobby, work life balance and all that.

What do people tell people about themselves other than their job and hobbies?

[knux400]

"Oh, I'm just... Me, I guess. I haven't really been around long enough to get, like... much more than a few hobbies I like. I like sewing, I like swimming, I work as a chef at Laurie's... that's about it, really!"

[King-Clod]

Oh, he considers me his best friend? ...Real glad to hear it.

Has he told you anything embarrassing?

(A sly grin crosses her face.)

Ah gee, he probably has. I'm mortified. Did he tell you about the time I got caught naked in the pool?

Want raunchy or anything, just. You can't really swim with these sorta clothes on.

Uh but yeah, I like designing as hobby, when I can. And I like cooking when I can't. I like creating things - new designs, me recipes, taking what anyway exists and really making it my own. Makes me feel fulfilled and shit. How about you?

[skinstealer]

POLKA DOT: …Best friend?
 

You can’t help but grin, giving Tim a nudge with your elbow.

TIMOTHY: I mean, yeah!
TIMOTHY: I know you’ve always got my back…
POLKA DOT: ‘Course I do, but it’s still nice to hear it.
POLKA DOT: I guess, uh…
POLKA DOT: There’s not a whole lot to tell. I’m just me.
POLKA DOT: I work as a chef at Laurie’s, I like to sew and design clothes, uh…
POLKA DOT: Yeah.
POLKA DOT: What about you?
DEVO: Well…
DEVO: I don’t really know what to say about myself either.
DEVO: Kinda spent a lot of time wandering around, no real time for self exploration or anything like that…
DEVO: So I guess I spend most of my time reading about stuff when I’m not doing errands around Laurie’s.
DEVO: That, and watching movies…I’m…pretty boring.
TIMOTHY: That’s fun stuff, though!
DEVO: Yeah…someday I wonder if I could make my own stuff, but I’m not even sure what medium it’d be in, let alone what the focus would be.
DEVO: …Tim and I have discussed maybe trying out playroom demonstrations, though. That’s kind of creative, I think.
DEVO: Not sure if that’s weird to bring up, but full time errand work hasn’t been great for my health, and while it can be more intensive, I think doing occasional shows versus working every day might make it worth it…
DEVO: …can’t tell if that’s a good reason to do it, though.

[King-Clod]

Hey, whatever works for you. If you find you're uncomfortable with it after, you can always stop, right? Not like Laurie's forces you into a contract or anything.

...I could make you outfits. Raunchy ones. If you wanted them, for that.

[skinstealer]

POLKA DOT: Hey, whatever works, right?
POLKA DOT: Laurie’s not gonna force you into doing it if you ever wanted to stop.
DEVO: Yeah…that kind of security really helps me feel…okay about it.
DEVO: If it weren’t for all the rules this place has, and the fact that there’s, yknow, a proper blacklist…
DEVO: I wouldn’t even think of doing it.
 

Quiet seeps back in, and you think of something to say…

POLKA DOT: …yknow, I could probably make you outfits for that.
POLKA DOT: Like, for shows and stuff. If you wanted that.
DEVO: Huh, really? I mean…
DEVO: That’d be really great, honestly.
 

He raises a paw up to his shoulder, tapping a strap sticking out from under his sweater.

DEVO: I’ve been experimenting with, uh, bras. That hold everything inside in a certain way.
DEVO: Gives me more of a chest, yknow?
DEVO: If I could have more revealing outfits that actually incorporate that, it’d be awesome.
DEVO: All I have right now is the bodysuit I got for Tim and I’s party and a couple bras to switch out every so often, but everything else that I’ve seen with this kind of feature is way too expensive for me at the moment.
DEVO: …would be nice, to have some help with that.
POLKA DOT: Consider me your tailor, then.
POLKA DOT: I might have to look shit up on how to do it, but…
POLKA DOT: Yeah, I’m down for that.
 

Devo gives you a warm look, his enthusiasm at getting to potentially have that cutting through his overall tired vibes.

DEVO: Thanks in advance, then.
DEVO: We can meet up and talk stuff over some time…
DEVO: How can I repay the favor?

[Lilium Mortem]

oh nothing much, just come with me on a deadly mission to turn my friend who is a girl into a giant monster.

I mean I did want to ask you about that, but I don't want to play the trading favors game. I do nice things for my friends because I like doing nice things. they can do nice things for me too but I'm not gonna bother keeping score.(also if we were playing the favors game it'd be like trying to buy a solid gold toilet with a single penny.)