[TOY] Plaything

[skinstealer]

POLKA DOT: Yeah….I’m following.
POLKA DOT: This is some super heavy shit.
MARLOWE: That it is, but it’s important to know about before you end up getting into trouble you can’t get out of.
 

You let it all sink in, and then it hits you- you have no idea what would kill you specifically, though it feels like at this point, you should probably know by now.

POLKA DOT: I don’t…have anything internal to lose though, I think?
POLKA DOT: Can I still die?
MARLOWE: Yes, you can.
MARLOWE: While you don’t have anything to “bleed out”, you definitely can be scratched or punctured…
MARLOWE: It would still hurt, and enough damage could prove fatal if the narrative decided it’s your time.
POLKA DOT: Wait, so- the narrative decides?!
MARLOWE: Mm. It doesn’t seem to do so randomly, but some toys have lasted past when they’d seem to be killed-
MARLOWE: It’s all about what makes the story “better”, I suppose…
POLKA DOT: I keep hearing that…
POLKA DOT: Is there no way to fix shit here? Like…is the narrative gonna force things to be bad forever?
MARLOWE: I think there are ways…if it was a truly and completely evil force, this place wouldn’t be allowed to exist, don’t you think?
POLKA DOT: I guess…
MARLOWE: My best theory is that this city is supposed to be a sort of…dramatic, dystopic story.
MARLOWE: The inhabitants are a part of the melodrama and angst, but someday, someone may rise up against the tyrannical powers and triumph.
 

The bear shrugs.

MARLOWE: I suppose that’s kind of what we’re doing here. 
MARLOWE: It’s hard to say whether we’ll win out in the end, but we’ve lasted this long, and we’ve built a network of businesses and allies to support each other.
MARLOWE: I think there’s some hope in it. The situation we’ve been put in is objectively unfair, but…I don’t think we’re shit out of luck.
 

You go to ask another question, but your name gets called.

TIMOTHY: Order up for Silk Ribbon!
POLKA DOT: One sec…
 

You get up for a second, going to get your pancakes- they’re proper miniatures, the butter pat separate, even. 

TIMOTHY: Enjoy!
POLKA DOT: Thanks…I will.
 

You return back to the table, Marlowe keeping his gaze steady.

MARLOWE: Good pick, the flapjacks here are to die for.
POLKA DOT: They look it…
 

While it’s only the third thing you’ve eaten so far since showing up here, you’re pretty blown away by the first bite- they’re not super fancy thanks to your whole butter only deal, but they’re warm and fluffy. 

POLKA DOT: So…how unsafe is it on the streets? If I was to like, go alone.
MARLOWE: I wouldn’t recommend going alone if you can help it, but if you have some degree of weapon on you, you’re better off than if not. 
MARLOWE: Anything sharp or heavy will do as long as your intent is for it to work as a weapon…though you can get creative if you like.
MARLOWE: I personally carry a knife in my bag…nothing large, and it’s just plastic…but it cuts if you put enough intent behind it. It’s enough to ward off petty thieves.