[TOY] Plaything

[skinstealer]

POLKA DOT: Where do I even start...
 

You glance back over your shoulder, Tim carrying Devo on his back at this point. The two of them look like they're having a good talk, but...

POLKA DOT: Maybe we should involve those two too.
POLKA DOT: They're part of the party after all...
CROSSBONE: Suppose so...
 

She leans back as well, gesturing for your two friends to come in closer.

Tim takes notice only after Devo starts pointing for him to look, the dog plush catching up with a bit of strain.

TIMOTHY: H-hey! What's up?
CROSSBONE: We're having a serious talk, apparently-
POLKA DOT: -about Roulette.
 

Devo doesn't look too thrilled about hearing it, but from the look on his face...

He knows it's important.

TIMOTHY: ...yeah.
TIMOTHY: That's...probably a good idea...
TIMOTHY: ...Devo, are you good for that?
 

The bear's quiet at first, his bead eyes screwing shut before sighing into Tim's shoulder.

DEVO: I kind of have to be, huh?
DEVO: It's in this mess because of me.
POLKA DOT: I wouldn't look at it like that, just...
 

He doesn't let you finish.

DEVO: I know-
DEVO: I know things look like they might be rough, but I believe in its abilities to get through this. I really do.
DEVO: We-
 

He looks hesitant to go on at first, but Tim gives him a light nudge.

TIMOTHY: Look, there's a big bench a block away.
TIMOTHY: We can all just...sit down for this, okay?
DEVO: ...can I still sit in your lap? Or your arms, or something?
DEVO: Sitting on a hard surface probably wouldn't do me much good right now...
TIMOTHY: Mhm!
DEVO: ...thanks.
 

You and Cross have no objections, the duration of walking the block feeling more and more tense as you get closer to the bench. It takes Cross brushing some snow off before all of you can sit, the four of you crammed in and looking extremely awkward.

CROSSBONE: ...what were you saying, Devo?
DEVO: ...I've known Roulette for a while now.
DEVO: It's a good person.
DEVO: I know that more than anything.
DEVO: We met in a really bad situation, but it being there, and being my friend-
DEVO: My...first friend after-
 

His voice catches.

 
DEVO: After Saddler...
DEVO: It got me through it. We got each other through it.
DEVO: I don't know where I'd be without its help.
 

You try to ignore the knot in your chest, remembering Roulette's words.

It...plans on leaving him after this....

DEVO: I...
DEVO: I know you have concerns, about it being on the party-
DEVO: And it's my fault for putting it into a situation it doesn't want to be in in the first place-
DEVO: But I know it's got this.
DEVO: I know it'll make it through. I know it'll help.
DEVO: And...maybe this'll be good for it, you know?
 

It kind of sounds like he's trying to reassure himself.

 
DEVO: It needs more friends, and-
DEVO: More good experiences.
DEVO: It doesn't really let itself have those much...
DEVO: ...I know it better than anyone else here. I can say that pretty certain.
DEVO: So I guess...if you want to ask anything...
DEVO: ...
DEVO: I'll say what I can.
DEVO: Anything-
DEVO: Anything to keep it alive.
 

The mood feels even more strained after that line drops, Cross's pixel character shifting nervously back and forth.

CROSSBONE: W-well-
CROSSBONE: It was Ribbon who was bringing it up, so-
CROSSBONE: What are, um-
CROSSBONE: Your thoughts, Ribbon?
 

Jeez, spotlight on me...

You tap your wingtips against your thigh.

POLKA DOT: I'm worried about a lotta stuff.
POLKA DOT: I want to make sure everybody's safe. Roulette itself included.
POLKA DOT: And, uh.
POLKA DOT: The whole...self sacrifice, thing-
POLKA DOT: Blaming itself for pretty much anything-
POLKA DOT: And then not wanting to get close to people even when they try to help-
POLKA DOT: Fuck, especially when they try-
POLKA DOT: I dunno. I'm worried.
POLKA DOT: And I don't want this to end in someone getting hurt or worse.
POLKA DOT: ...Ortho seemed pretty clear on who they thought would be in that position.
 

Devo seems to grow more and more tired with every point you bring up, but he doesn't protest.

DEVO: ...yeah.
DEVO: I...didn't like hearing that either.
DEVO: Roulette is....
DEVO: ...it's one of the strongest people I know.
DEVO: But that's. That's the problem.
DEVO: It shouldn't have to be. And it makes itself be.
DEVO: I get the feeling that sometimes, with me-
DEVO: It hides what it's feeling or going through, just so that I don't get stressed.
DEVO: And I think there's like.
DEVO: After hearing Ortho said that, I immediately thought-
DEVO: Oh, god. It's going to get injured out there and not tell anyone.
DEVO: Or it's going to rush into battle and do something unnecessary, because it wants to protect someone.
DEVO: ...probably me, at that rate.
DEVO: And I'm-
DEVO: I'm so selfish for making it come along, for all of that. Knowing that this is something that could happen.
DEVO: Just because I wanted it to go with me.
DEVO: ...
DEVO: But if I leave without it...
DEVO: It'd be alone.
DEVO: And I don't think it'd make the choice to change that.
DEVO: I pretty much shoved myself into its life in the first place, hah...
 

The tiniest bit of blue embroidery stitches itself by the corner of Devo's eye.

DEVO: I care about it, so, so much...
DEVO: But I know it doesn't feel the same way about itself.
DEVO: And I hope-
DEVO: I really hope I can help change that, someday.
DEVO: Or that it can help itself. Either or.
DEVO: ....
DEVO: I didn't use to have a lot of people to love.
DEVO: And when I did, they'd just- hurt me.
DEVO: Roulette's the first person to pick me up and tell me that I deserved help.
DEVO: I just wish I could do the same. That I could be the same.
DEVO: It means the world to me.
 

He takes a deep breath.

DEVO: I guess the question now is just...
DEVO: ...will you help me have its back?