[TOY] Plaything

[skinstealer]

POLKA DOT: I just…
POLKA DOT: Don’t like being forced into things before I’m ready.
TIMOTHY: I-
POLKA DOT: You weren’t forcing me! I just-
 

You gesture around to the hallway, and he nods. 

POLKA DOT: You feel me?
TIMOTHY: I think so, yeah…
POLKA DOT: I guess…
POLKA DOT: I feel like I haven’t had a crush go well in the past.
POLKA DOT: Something keeps nagging at me, this weird familiar feeling that I’ve been through these emotions before, but different…
POLKA DOT: But…I don’t think it ended well.
TIMOTHY: …Toy Store stuff?
  

You nod, and he goes quiet, leaving you room to continue.

 
POLKA DOT: But! I really like Willow!
POLKA DOT: We just met, but she’s nice, and really pretty, and I want to talk about fashion with her, and-
 

You start to get self conscious, but one look at Tim’s face reassures you that he’s listening. He nods for you to keep going.

POLKA DOT: After you left, we…
POLKA DOT: We had a talk about worries, and held hands-
 

Tim gasps, and you feel the blush come back to your face.

POLKA DOT: A-and, she was going to ask me something, but then her laundry went off and she left without explaining…
TIMOTHY: Do you have any idea what it was?
POLKA DOT: Not a clue.
POLKA DOT: I can’t help but wonder, though, and I’ve got all these complicated feelings.
POLKA DOT: More than anything, I just want to get to know her. Hang out. See what things are like.
POLKA DOT: …I hope she wants that too.
TIMOTHY: We’ll have to see, but…I’d say your chances are pretty good.
 

The two of you get quiet, continuing to walk in silence for a bit. 

TIMOTHY: …if it helps, the narrative’s been messing with me, too.
POLKA DOT: Huh?
TIMOTHY: I’ve only been here a week and it keeps putting me next to cute guys in leather, not to mention Devo passing by whenever I’m not braced for that or ready to approach…
TIMOTHY: I dunno…
TIMOTHY: It kind of feels like it’s playing wingman, sometimes.
TIMOTHY: Not always in the best ways, but…
TIMOTHY: Maybe our narratives right now are about finding ourselves, or something?
TIMOTHY: We’re new here, so to get our “stories started”, we have to build up some kind of foundation.
TIMOTHY: After all, we barely remember what happened to us before, and while bits and pieces are “interesting”, they can’t flesh out a whole story. 
TIMOTHY: More there to add intrigue, is my guess.
TIMOTHY: ….I’m rambling!
POLKA DOT: Nah man, you’re good.
POLKA DOT: Never really thought of that.
TIMOTHY: Well…maybe that’s part of why we’re ending up hanging out.
TIMOTHY: We’re both newbies, but we can get each other’s backs.
 

His tone is warm, hopeful.

TIMOTHY: That’s my guess, anyway!
 

After what seems like ages, you’ve reached the end of the hallway, now in the open bar area- Vine and a cluster of other toys waiting in a group. Marlowe appears to be at the front of it, doing a headcount. Your mentor picks you out and waves you over, the two of you hustling to meet her.

VINE: Just in time.
POLKA DOT: Glad for that, at least…
VINE: You look pretty worn out, everything alright?
VINE: …and what’s up with him?
 

She points to Tim, who has now shrunk behind you and is clearly trying to hide.

TIMOTHY: T-they’re here! On the trip!
 

You follow the way his paw is pointing and see Roulette and Devo at the back of the group, the bean bear talking to his robot companion with a comforting tone- but you can’t make out the words at all, in part due to the crowd and in part due to his hushed volume. Devo’s decked out in simple black casualwear, a choker, and glasses, and Roulette somehow still looks somewhat formal on its off day, wearing dress pants, a khaki jacket and a dress shirt.

VINE: Huh?
VINE: …that’s just Devo and Roulette.
VINE: You’re both acting weird. Please explain before we end up getting into trouble.