03-05-2022, 02:04 AM
POLKA DOT: Right.
POLKA DOT: I’ve got something all right- I’m not gonna back up bark with no bite.
CINDI: It’d be more of a squeak coming out of you, wouldn’t it?
CINDI: We’ll see how it goes. Just don’t complain if you end up sore, got it?
POLKA DOT: Look…I get it.
POLKA DOT: Stay out of trouble, etcetera, but I can’t just take shit like this.
POLKA DOT: I’m not looking to hurt anybody, but…
POLKA DOT: Some part of me needs this.
VINE: …be careful with what you “need” in this place, Ribbon.
VINE: I don’t want to lose any more apprentices.
VINE: I can’t stop you though…short of saying we need to get back to work.
VINE: Cmon. Enough chatter.
BEANS: You just got here-
VINE: Nope. We have work to do.
CINDI: Don’t forget, duck! Out back after we close up!
It goes well, with…your focus somehow increased after that altercation. Maybe you just want to show Cindi up, but you’re cranking out dumplings like nobody’s business, enough to get Vine looking a bit more relieved.
VINE: Good work today, Ribbon.
VINE: …I’m guessing you’re headed out back now.
POLKA DOT: …Yep.
VINE: If…it gets bad…
VINE: Aim for a seam.
VINE: I’m not saying you should gut somebody, especially not a coworker, but…
VINE: Cindi’s more of a brute than I’d like to have in my kitchen.
VINE: But…someone’s gotta do heavy lifting, and they’ve also thrown out unruly guests for us without hesitation.
VINE: They’re a valued member of the team…
VINE: …but they’re on thin ice, and I can try to find a replacement.
VINE: Don’t do anything drastic, please, I’m just telling you this weakpoint in the hopes that if it starts looking dangerous, you have a self defense tactic.
VINE: Don’t be hasty, and don’t go for it unless you absolutely have to.
VINE: Got it?
POLKA DOT: Got it.
POLKA DOT: …thanks, Vine.
CINDI: Thought you might skip out.
CINDI: First off. Rules.
CINDI: For lesson one, no weapons.
CINDI: We’re going hand to hand.
CINDI: I’m not gonna go all out, because I don’t want to lose my fucking job.
CINDI: But if you’re really looking to get trained, you’re gonna have to put up with some hits if you can’t dodge.
CINDI: Last chance to back out.
POLKA DOT: I’ve got something all right- I’m not gonna back up bark with no bite.
CINDI: It’d be more of a squeak coming out of you, wouldn’t it?
CINDI: We’ll see how it goes. Just don’t complain if you end up sore, got it?
Vine continues to look severely uncomfortable with this, but sighs and grips your shoulder as you lean over.
POLKA DOT: Look…I get it.
POLKA DOT: Stay out of trouble, etcetera, but I can’t just take shit like this.
POLKA DOT: I’m not looking to hurt anybody, but…
POLKA DOT: Some part of me needs this.
That just makes her expression worsen, eyebrows crumpling into a worried look.
VINE: …be careful with what you “need” in this place, Ribbon.
VINE: I don’t want to lose any more apprentices.
You’re hit with a mix of pride in being called her apprentice and worry over the…”any more” part.
VINE: I can’t stop you though…short of saying we need to get back to work.
VINE: Cmon. Enough chatter.
BEANS: You just got here-
VINE: Nope. We have work to do.
She starts heading back to the kitchen, and with a bit of hesitation, you get up to follow her.
CINDI: Don’t forget, duck! Out back after we close up!
You give a wave of your wing and leave the back room, going to wash up and join your boss. She looks troubled, but the two of you don’t say much aside from what’s necessary for work.
It goes well, with…your focus somehow increased after that altercation. Maybe you just want to show Cindi up, but you’re cranking out dumplings like nobody’s business, enough to get Vine looking a bit more relieved.
VINE: Good work today, Ribbon.
VINE: …I’m guessing you’re headed out back now.
POLKA DOT: …Yep.
VINE: If…it gets bad…
VINE: Aim for a seam.
VINE: I’m not saying you should gut somebody, especially not a coworker, but…
VINE: Cindi’s more of a brute than I’d like to have in my kitchen.
VINE: But…someone’s gotta do heavy lifting, and they’ve also thrown out unruly guests for us without hesitation.
VINE: They’re a valued member of the team…
VINE: …but they’re on thin ice, and I can try to find a replacement.
VINE: Don’t do anything drastic, please, I’m just telling you this weakpoint in the hopes that if it starts looking dangerous, you have a self defense tactic.
VINE: Don’t be hasty, and don’t go for it unless you absolutely have to.
VINE: Got it?
POLKA DOT: Got it.
POLKA DOT: …thanks, Vine.
She gives you a pat on the back, and you head outside.
The large plush is waiting for you, leaned against the alley wall. Properly standing up, you’re very, very aware of how tall they are- you come up to their neck, and their arms are long.
The large plush is waiting for you, leaned against the alley wall. Properly standing up, you’re very, very aware of how tall they are- you come up to their neck, and their arms are long.
CINDI: Thought you might skip out.
CINDI: First off. Rules.
CINDI: For lesson one, no weapons.
CINDI: We’re going hand to hand.
CINDI: I’m not gonna go all out, because I don’t want to lose my fucking job.
CINDI: But if you’re really looking to get trained, you’re gonna have to put up with some hits if you can’t dodge.
CINDI: Last chance to back out.