[TOY] Plaything

[skinstealer]

POLKA DOT: Sorry, the narrative is kind of a bastard and trapped us both in a hallway. Forced to discuss our feelings and everything.
VINE: Ah…
 

She gives a knowing nod.

VINE: I’ve been there, think we all have.
VINE: You get used to it eventually.
VINE: It all go okay?
POLKA DOT: Yeah, it’s…nothing to worry about.
POLKA DOT: Had a bad dream, nothing new there, and the narrative is, uh…
POLKA DOT: Probably shoving both me and Tim around our respective crushes.
VINE: Mmmm, got it.
VINE: The narrative does have a love for romance…from experience.
POLKA DOT: Wait, you have a-
 

Marlowe claps his hands together, his soft paws somehow managing to make a loud sound.

MARLOWE: Okay!
MARLOWE: Welcome to this month’s second official outing- I see some new faces in the crowd, so I’m going to come around and do a quick headcount and name check. 
MARLOWE: Please remember to stay with the group, we’ve had some safety concerns recently and while we’ve got some people here running security and everything should go fine, we need to stick together and cooperate.
 

You notice that Roulette seems to shrink down at the back of the crowd, Devo sticking close by. Tim looks equally nervous as Marlowe comes by for the head count and you give him a reassuring pat on the back.

POLKA DOT: No need to worry, man.
POLKA DOT: The narrative’s an aggressive wingman, but I’ve got your back.
POLKA DOT: You’re gonna be fine. 
TIMOTHY: If you say so…
 

Everyone files out the doors of Laurie’s after everyone's accounted for, and you’re nearly blinded by the sun- you realize it’s your first time seeing it, a cartoonish orange shape in the sky giving off an almost harsh light. Your irritation with it is quickly replaced with a sense of wonder as you see how the snow glitters, even the dirtier clumps by the road appearing to sparkle in it. Thankfully, your outfit seems to be keeping you warmer than just going around naked.

TIMOTHY: Really wish I had more than shorts…
VINE: We’ll get you some pants once we get to the thrift store. No one will mind if you wear them on the way back.
 

You notice Tim keep turning back to check on Devo, a smile crossing your face. It’s cute…wait, is that how you are around Willow? Oh, god.

The streets seem a bit more welcoming than they were when you first showed up, though there’s a bit of an edge creeping in as you notice a few toys around the edges of your group openly carrying weapons, mainly knives. 

POLKA DOT: Is that…necessary?
 

Vine keeps her voice very, very low, low enough that even Tim can’t hear.

VINE: We had some people added to the blacklist for sexual assault and harassment recently, powerful people. 
VINE: If you see the toys from Laurie’s on edge, that’s why.
VINE: I wouldn’t have recommended you go on this trip if it weren’t for the fact that I have faith in the group system, but…
VINE: Pissing off a major city politician is no joke.
VINE: Granted, he’ll only find out if he tries to get into Laurie’s, which probably won’t happen, but…
VINE: We’re kind of playing with fire here.