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seppawku · 09-13-2021, 08:11 AM

kinda want a food or herb name 2 match w/ mint.....

Lilium Mortem · 09-13-2021, 12:54 PM

Name the doll Sky, because you want to see the outside world too now. Also ask if you ever think they'll let you out. Offer a hug.

09-13-2021, 01:29 PM

Sea and sky seem to go together, and we're named See, so maybe we can name the plush Sky? And offer to show Monty our skill note, too, if they haven't learned first aid already.
(This is Clod, just on mobile rn and can't log in easily)

cosmo · 09-13-2021, 08:05 PM

sky is a good name, i like sky!

***skinstealer*** · 09-13-2021, 10:25 PM

SEE: I think that works, and...it’s giving me a lot to think about.
MONTY: Good things, I hope?
SEE: Yeah.

Both of you sit in silence for a few minutes as you mull things over. It’s comfortable, even with the big empty room and the giant pit in the center. After a bit of quiet, you can’t help but make your doll walk over and peek around Monty’s backpack, getting a shaky giggle from the larger TCP as you make it wave at them. Monty makes Mint wave back, and it doesn’t take much for the two of you to make the dolls wiggle around and play together. You don’t really know what you’re doing, but it’s...fun. It’s genuinely fun, and you think you get Monty’s deal now.

SEE: ...I think I have a name idea for mine.
MONTY: Oh?
SEE: How about Sky?
SEE: Sounds good with my name, and now I want to see the outside world too.
MONTY: I love that...it’s a perfect fit.
MONTY: Did you know that the sky can come in completely different colors based on where you are outside?
MONTY: Some places have blue skies, some have red, some have purple, some are dark all the time...
MONTY: ...sorry, getting on rambles again.
SEE: You don’t have to worry about that, okay?
SEE: And...I wanted to offer a hug, if that’s alri-

Monty nods before you can finish, and scoots their backpack to their feet to give you room. You clamber up into their lap, settling into a hug. Their body is cold and clammy even with a jumpsuit on, and shakes slightly...it’s frankly not the most pleasant feeling, but you can’t say you mind. They hold you carefully, and it’s hard to believe you were ever scared of them.

You shift into a comfortable position, and almost drop the skill note wadded up into your hand.

MONTY: What’s that?
SEE: Oh, uh- it’s one of those skill papers.
SEE: I brought it with me so that I could teach whoever’s out here it.
MONTY: Okay, yeah...I have a few of those on me as well.
MONTY: I can share if you want, they’re pretty basic though...I save the really valuable ones to me in my room, so that I know I’m giving them to people I can absolutely, one hundred percent trust.
MONTY: I’ve got combat basics, cooking, and repair skills, though.
SEE: You take ours too- it’s first aid.
MONTY: Thank you...I haven’t picked that up yet, I don’t think.

You cling on as they reach over to rifle through their bag, and papers are swapped and read.

You now know about COMBAT BASICS, COOKING, and REPAIR. Knowing about cooking in particular reveals some interesting details...you are made of chocolate, a food commonly seen as a snack or dessert. Huh. Kind of like ice cream. Not sure how to feel about that.

MONTY: ...thank you so much, See.
MONTY: I know we just met, but I really needed this…
MONTY: I have a friend I work with when we can meet up together, and he’s a great guy...but after a recent experience, I’ve been having a hard time opening up to him, even though we’ve known each other for a long time and none of it was his fault.
MONTY: I guess I just got it in my head that it’s dangerous to let people close…
MONTY: Having even a brief nice experience with someone new reminds me that it’s going to be okay…

They trail off, something clearly still bothering them.

MONTY: ...you’d probably like my friend. He’s a bit tougher around the edges than I am, but he appreciates things like food and toys too.
MONTY: But...I don’t know.

They pat your back carefully, their cold hand humongous yet gentle.

MONTY: Being around either of us...isn’t the safest move anymore, I don’t think.
MONTY: ...sorry.

The intercom comes to life, startling the hell out of both of you.

INTERCOM: Apologies for the delay, our attention was elsewhere.
INTERCOM: See, you have made an impression.
INTERCOM: Monroe, you have made an impression.
INTERCOM: You may both collect your rewards when you return to your respective rooms.

Two doors on opposite sides of the ring open up.

Monty is frozen stiff, and you swear you can feel their fear.

Lilium Mortem · 09-13-2021, 10:31 PM

what's wrong? do you want us to walk you to your room? maybe hang out bit longer?

cosmo · 09-13-2021, 11:23 PM

(09-13-2021, 10:31 PM)dediles Wrote: what's wrong? do you want us to walk you to your room? maybe hang out bit longer?

seconding this basically. maybe squeeze their hand reassuringly

Ignispark · 09-13-2021, 11:33 PM

agreeing with the above suggestions, seems like a good idea

09-13-2021, 11:37 PM

Hey, no need to worry. We can just sit here for a while. Can you tell me what type your friend is so I can tell them I know you if I meet them? (Clod on phone)

***skinstealer*** · 09-14-2021, 01:56 AM

SEE: ...What’s wrong?
MONTY: ...I mean, you heard it…
MONTY: I’m the person you’re looking out for-
SEE: You’ve been nothing but nice to me.
SEE: Whatever’s up with that, I don’t care. There’s gotta be more to it.
MONTY: There is, I just-
MONTY: I can’t talk about it.
MONTY: Not without risking a lot.
MONTY: ...and honestly, you’re better off pretending you don’t know me. That we never met.
MONTY: I don’t want you getting dragged into this too.

You aren’t really sure what to say to that. Monty’s your friend now, right? You...don’t want to forget about a friend.

But...right now their comfort is important. You’re here to help other people, after all.

You reach over and squeeze their hand, the larger TCP squeezing yours back.

SEE: No need to worry, okay?
SEE: Do you want to hang out for a bit longer?
MONTY: Just a bit…
MONTY: I should get back soon and try to meet up with my friend again, we had plans and were hoping to meet up this cycle.
MONTY: I guess it worked out in the end anyway, haha…
SEE: What type is your friend, anyway? At the very least, I can tell them that I know you, right?
MONTY: He’s a plastic type.
MONTY: We...make toys together, sometimes.
MONTY: Or we used to, before I started having issues. I’d like to get back to it with him once things have relaxed a bit…
MONTY: His name is Rudy, though.
MONTY: Oh, and...I should let you know my typing too, I guess…
MONTY: I’m an atychiphobia type.
SEE: ...a what?
MONTY: It’s...the fear of failure.
MONTY: I worry that it makes me worry too much, like my worries are a part of me, but I can’t help it-
SEE: Hey, it’s okay.
SEE: You’re okay. It’s all good.
MONTY: Okay…
SEE: I’m a molded chocolate type myself-

They brighten up immediately.

MONTY: Like the dessert?
SEE: Exactly.
MONTY: That’s wonderful...people love your typing so much in the outside world, chocolate is one of the world’s favorite foods.
MONTY: Though...mainly for eating...
MONTY: ...Don’t let people take advantage of that, okay?

King-Clod · 09-14-2021, 01:59 AM

I won't! Unless people need help, I guess. I'd like to be able to help wherever I can. It seems like that's in short supply in this place.

Lilium Mortem · 09-14-2021, 02:01 AM

Don't worry monty, we'll look out for ourselves. good luck. We won't forget about you though, you gave us the sky. whatever your issues are you're a good person and a good friend. I hope we can help the next time we meet up.

seppawku · 09-14-2021, 02:03 AM

thank u for the warning, monty..

AceOfNothing · 09-14-2021, 02:47 AM

Think Monty would be okay if we drew a little picture of sky and mint together in our journal?

***skinstealer*** · 09-14-2021, 10:39 PM

SEE: I won’t! I’ll look out for myself…
SEE: But if people need help, I want to pitch in wherever I can.
SEE: Seems like it’s kind of in short supply in this place.
MONTY: That’s for sure…
MONTY: It means a lot to know someone like you is working to help people in here.
SEE: I’ll look after myself, don’t worry.
SEE: And...good luck to you too.
SEE: I won’t forget about you- you gave me the sky.

They lower their head slightly, clearly touched by your words.

MONTY: Thank you…
SEE: Whatever your issues are, you’re a good person and a good friend.
SEE: I just hope I can help you out the next time we meet up.
MONTY: ...we’ll see. It’d be...nice, if things were smoothed over by then.
SEE: Oh, one last thing- would it be okay if I drew a little picture of Sky and Mint together in my journal?
MONTY: You’d do that? It really means that much to you?
SEE: Of course it does.
MONTY: I would love that...and provided we meet again, I hope I get the chance to see it.

They give you one last hug, and you hop off of their lap, carrying your new little friend with you.

They’re visibly reluctant as they get up to leave, hauling their backpack over their shoulder and giving you a sad wave.

MONTY: See you...stay safe.
SEE: You too.

You walk back to your room, feeling both heavier and lighter than when you left.

INTERCOM: Welcome back, See.
INTERCOM: Cycle reset.
INTERCOM: You have earned one reward. Please tell us what you would like, though it must be a physical object, or a skill note.
INTERCOM: We will try to meet your request as best as possible.
INTERCOM: You have one question remaining in this trial cycle.