[TOY] Plaything

[skinstealer]

POLKA DOT: Yeah, that…seems to be a theme with this place.
POLKA DOT: Seems like that Store place is just an awful time for everybody.
WILLOW: You know about the Store already?
POLKA DOT: Yeah, Vine talked to me about it…I guess I’m just.
POLKA DOT: I’m worried that the more I remember about it, the more I’m gonna regret.
POLKA DOT: Doesn’t seem like those memories stay buried long, though…
 

Willow nods, quiet as she listens to you talk.

WILLOW: For me, it was the same way…a lot of stuff early on, but then…it stopped coming to me.
WILLOW: Not for lack of stuff there, just…I guess once I got more used to it here, it wasn’t as needed for me to remember the old stuff…
WILLOW: Or something.
 

At the mention of her own past, she looks nervous, pulling her limbs in closer. 

POLKA DOT: H-hey, that’s alright…we don’t need to talk about this. Seriously.
WILLOW: It’s okay…I just…keep that stuff private.
WILLOW: It’s safer.
WILLOW: N-not that you’re dangerous, just-
POLKA DOT: I get it.
POLKA DOT: When I woke up, I was just…pissed. Raw ass rage.
POLKA DOT: I thought people were going to hurt me and the whole world was going to be cold and harsh, but this place-
WILLOW: Don’t let your guard down. 
 

Her voice comes out quick and almost cold, startling you.

WILLOW: Just…it is cold and harsh out there. At the very least in this city, this is pretty much the only place like this.
WILLOW: If you get hurt, injured, sick…
WILLOW: You’ll find out that this place can get pretty nasty.
WILLOW: And there are people out there who prey on newbies…we just had someone report a politician in power of all things for us to blacklist.
WILLOW: People higher up in ranks, in positions of power…they’re basically all corrupt.
WILLOW: Places like this are the only safeties…
 

She shakes her head.

WILLOW: I don’t mean to scare you, just…don’t go too soft. Please.
WILLOW: For your own safety…
 

She glances up at the clock, your gaze following.

Ten minutes have passed.

WILLOW: I’m on shift still, so…ten minutes was all I could spare. I’ll just take it out of my break.
WILLOW: You should get going.
 

You’re already clambering out, the character on Willow’s screen scooting to the side, almost like an averted gaze.

POLKA DOT: You okay?
WILLOW: Yeah, just…
WILLOW: I get kind of shy around full nudity, at this point.
WILLOW: It’s…a weird thing of mine, probably weird since I don’t usually wear shirts and everyone seems to think it’s normal…
POLKA DOT: Nah, it’s cool…lemme just…
 

She fully looks away as you towel off and get dressed, making sure to wipe up any tracks for good measure. 

POLKA DOT: There. All dressed up.
WILLOW: Nice…it’s a good look. I like the um, lace…
 

The virtual pet gets to her feet, starting to walk towards the door. You can feel your face heating up from her comment, a little bit of paint-like blush tinting your cheeks. Her character’s just about the same, face with those few extra pixels you’re coming to appreciate. 

POLKA DOT: Thanks..hoping to get more soon.
POLKA DOT: Oh, right- one last thing.
POLKA DOT: I know you can’t do water, or pools, or stuff like that, but…
POLKA DOT: What do you do for fun? Like, what makes you feel as chill as this did for me?
WILLOW: I like…
 

She thinks to herself, rocking back and forth on her heels like the night prior.

WILLOW: …I think I’ll keep it a secret. 
POLKA DOT: Huh?
WILLOW: I can’t tell you everything right away…we just met, and…
 

You swear that even with the low res screen, you can see her character get an almost out of character devious expression.

WILLOW: …I like playing a little hard to get.
 

You get chills, but this time, you’re pretty sure they’re good ones. Willow immediately looks embarrassed of her own comment, hustling to the door and attending to her laundry cart outside. 

WILLOW: Um…it was nice seeing you!
POLKA DOT: Y-yeah…you too.
WILLOW: I-if you come to one of the lounge parties, we can talk more or something! There’s one at the end of the week-
 

You just nod, still in a bit of a daze. 

WILLOW: Okay! I’ll s-see you!
 

And just like that, she’s gone, leaving you in the hallway.

POLKA DOT: …wow.
 

You have a bit over 3 hours to spare.