[TOY] Plaything

[skinstealer]

POLKA DOT: ...are you trying to be ominous, or is this just.
POLKA DOT: A thing for you.
WANDERER: We all deal the best we can with the hand we are dealt.

 

You file in with the rest of your party, getting a good look at the room.

The first thing you notice is that the lights are pretty dim, or rather they were, as soon after you all enter you see Wanderer fiddle with a knob, and the entire room gets much brighter. The room is very neat, it lookes much the same as yours did when you first moved in, before you got a chance to really make it your own. The only thing you notice that's different from the plain default are the many flowers around the room, and the larger bed that Wanderer is currently sweeping petals off of... ah.

WANDERER: Forgive me for the state of my room. I assumed I was going to have guests tonight, but of a very... different nature.
 

Something that you are noticing now is that the only thing she has on is the scarf loosely draped around her wings. When you met her before you had been struck by just how many eyes she had stiched into her wings, all closed. Not that you are getting a more unobstructed view of her you notice one you had not seen before. A large glass eye, bigger than any you've seen on any toy, constantly looking around the room, barely settling on one thing before it turns it's attention elsewhere, takes up the lower third of her torso.

WANDERER: When I told you to assemble your friends to meet me here I was under the impression that you would meet me later that day, or perhaps the day after.
WANDERER: After three had passed it seemed likely to me that you were not coming, and so I began working.
POLKA DOT: N-no sweat.
POLKA DOT: Sorry, to, uh...interrupt.
 

You shuffle awkwardly, no one else really wanting to interject on the nature of Wanderer's business.

POLKA DOT: B-but, I did have, another question.
POLKA DOT: More towards everyone, though.
POLKA DOT: I've been having these weird dreams lately, and-
POLKA DOT: They've been right before. I'm wondering if they're still right now.
 

You spot Roulette's lens opening a little wider,
but it quickly returns to normal, the robot glancing a few degrees in the other direction.

Devo's the first to speak up.

DEVO: I-I mean.
DEVO: Everyone's got weird dreams, right?
DEVO: With, like...
DEVO: ...
 

Tim rests a hand on the bear's shoulder.

TIMOTHY: You can talk about i-
DEVO: I know.
DEVO: Just-
DEVO: I dunno, I can't imagine that like...
DEVO: D...doppelganger dreams, those aren't useful at all, right?
POLKA DOT: ...doppelgangers?
DEVO: Yknow, like in horror movies.
 

You've seen a couple with Cross, enough to get the gist, but...

POLKA DOT: So like, evil versions of yourself or something?
 

Devo nods, looking incredibly embarrassed.

DEVO: That kind of shit isn't real, though.
DEVO: It's my weird dream brain making shit up.
 

Roulette seems incredibly reluctant,
but speaks up regardless.

ROULETTE: ...I've had... possibly prophetic dreams, as well.
 

Leaving the floor open.

TIMOTHY: Anything, uh....
TIMOTHY: Worth mentioning?
TIMOTHY: Any dangers?
 

It keeps its lens focused on different people in the room, switching every once in a while;
as if unsure where to put its focus.

ROULETTE:  . . .
ROULETTE: ...I don't think any of it on my end warrants detail.
ROULETTE: It could very likely mean nothing.
 

You aren't sure who it's trying to convince.

TIMOTHY: Are you sure?
TIMOTHY: I've got some stuff too-
TIMOTHY: It could be really good to cross-reference here.
 

You can hear its fans whir a touch faster.

ROULETTE: ...It's all-
ROULETTE: When I attempt to describe what I've seen in my head, most of it is...flowery, poetic, possibly metaphorical.
ROULETTE: Likely vague enough that it could represent anything, which...again, is why I say it may not be worth bringing up.
ROULETTE: I am not sure what any of us have to gain from endless speculation.
ROULETTE: ...But. I can, if it might be helpful, somehow.
 

It gestures towards a nearby armchair, looking at Wanderer.

ROULETTE: Would it be alright if I sat down?
ROULETTE: My legs are tired from the walk over.
ROULETTE: ...Extra training, from yesterday.
 

Its legs seem mildly shaky, hardly noticeable at all until it pointed it out.

WANDERER: Ah, where are my manners. Yes, please, take a seat.
ROULETTE: Thank you.
 

The robot carefully sits.

ROULETTE: I do not remember everything, at present.
ROULETTE: I would have to think more, and even then, I may have simply forgotten many of the details.
ROULETTE: But as for notable things I do remember:

ROULETTE: Shadows were a particular theme. I saw many of those.
ROULETTE: A shape like a sunflower, as well.
ROULETTE: Large.
ROULETTE: Ominous. Somehow.
 

It shrugs with its shoulders, looking like it felt self-conscious admitting that.

ROULETTE: Something metal, that was heavy to carry.
ROULETTE: Could be a weapon, or a tool of some kind.
 

It focuses intently, peering away at nothing.

ROULETTE: ...oh.
ROULETTE: ...Something red, that smelled like rust.
ROULETTE: Everywhere.
 

The robot's cooling system runs another notch faster, more audible.

ROULETTE: It was somehow...deeply unsettling to look at, to feel-
ROULETTE: . . .
ROULETTE: Everything in the dream felt...muted, after I experienced it-
 

A quick shake of its head.

ROULETTE: I would rather not think about it.
ROULETTE: ...Then, a figure with a cane, or a stick, or scepter.
ROULETTE: Perhaps royalty? Unsure. ...Unlikely.
ROULETTE: The stick looked to have a notch or gnarl at the top, or maybe a spherical gemstone; something rounded, more or less.

It taps one of its claws to the top of its head, keeping it there as its lens closed.

ROULETTE: ...I know there was more, but that's everything I can remember as of yet.
ROULETTE: ...Apologies. Not particularly helpful.
ROULETTE: At any rate, not really worth discussing, I am sure.
 

Everyone takes this in, with you trying to wrack your mind over whether you've seen similar.

CROSSBONE: Something red and rusty...blood, maybe?
CROSSBONE: ...doesn't bode well, if that's the case.
DEVO: Blood's not real, though.
DEVO: At least, us toys don't have that.
POLKA DOT: ...what if there's stuff...other than toys, out there?
 

Tim peers over at you.

TIMOTHY: Like...monsters?
POLKA DOT: I dunno. Like.
POLKA DOT: In one of my dreams, I saw this...rabbit-y guy.
POLKA DOT: It didn't look right. Like I couldn't tell what materials it was made up of.
TIMOTHY: Oh! Oh!!!!
 

He points at you, half excited and half anxious.

TIMOTHY: I've seen that guy! A weird rabbit!
TIMOTHY: It seems so scary in my dreams!
TIMOTHY: Like-
TIMOTHY: Like it's up to something!
TIMOTHY: Sometimes I hear this horrible laugh with it too, one that makes me feel terrible.
ROULETTE: ...I think I remember a rabbit, too.
ROULETTE: It did not seem notable, with everything going on.
ROULETTE: ...I think it must have been a different rabbit from yours. ...If any of this means anything at all.
ROULETTE: Could be that rabbits came up in discussion for some of us at some point recently, and we'd forgotten about it.
POLKA DOT: ...mine was exercising.
ROULETTE:  . . .
ROULETTE: I don't think any of these are the same rabbit.
DEVO: Yeah, this...sounds too scattered.
DEVO: No rabbits here in my head.
CROSSBONE: None for me, either...
CROSSBONE: I mainly just dream of my transformation, honestly.
CROSSBONE: Sometimes it gets a bit scary, or painful...
CROSSBONE: But it's manageable, I think.
CROSSBONE: ...I really hope all of this other stuff isn't omens, though.
CROSSBONE: Wanderer, do you have any thoughts here?
 

You didn't notice until Willow brought your attention to her, but some time during you all talking about the rabbit, her wings seems to have started fluttering. She stands there, head cocked to the side as she watches you all, before nodding.

WANDERER: Hmm, yes.
WANDERER: You are certainly a very... interesting group.
POLKA DOT: What's that supposed to mean?
ROULETTE: ...Are these sorts of dreams common, in your experience?
 

Wanderer turns to face you with her usual, serene expression.

WANDERER: Asking me to explain a vague statement? Didn't you hear I'm trying to be ominous?
 

Before you have a chance to reply she turns to face Roulette.

WANDERER: They aren't... uncommon, but shared elements are... somewhat rare.
TIMOTHY: Then it's true?!
TIMOTHY: All of this stuff-
TIMOTHY: Or at least, most of it.
DEVO: No one else has dreamed of my doppelganger weirdos though, so...
DEVO: That's at least good.
DEVO: Right?
ROULETTE: Technically none of it could be real.
ROULETTE: We have some matching elements, but we have been in relatively close contact for a while now leading up to this.
ROULETTE: And many of us have history in some ways.
ROULETTE: It makes sense that we may be dreaming about some of the same things.
ROULETTE: To me, the incosistencies - such as with the rabbit - makes me think that there may be nothing to this.
ROULETTE: It would not hurt to be cautious about what we've seen, but I also do not want to be bogged down with excessive worry over dreams that could mean nothing.
ROULETTE: We will be dealing with enough difficulty as is.
 

Wanderer's wings begin shaking yet again, and this time you swear you can almost... hear something?

WANDERER: You are right to be afraid of what is in these dreams, but you are just as right to dismiss them.
WANDERER: Some elements are prophetic and some are nonsense.
WANDERER: It is not always possible to tell which is which until it has passed you by.
WANDERER: And worrying unduly helps nothing.
 

Roulette watches the stranger carefully.

ROULETTE: ...We do not have to discuss this further if it might be upsetting.
 

Wanderer shifts a little bit backwards and her wings stop moving, the faint sound your were hearing disappearing as well. You get the feeling she would have blinked then if she ever opened any eyes other than her lower one.

WANDERER: Upsetting?? Why the he-
 

She interrupts herself and lets out a small cough, before her face returns to her usual placid expression. Her tail, which you have only seen laying still, has begun flicking back and forth behind her.

WANDERER: Apologies. I... do not understand what you meant by that.
 

It sheepishly sinks into its seat.

ROULETTE: ...Oh.
ROULETTE: Your wings-
ROULETTE: Misinterpreted behavior. I apologize.
ROULETTE: We can continue.
WANDERER: Ah, I see. Do try to ignore them.

An eye on one of them flickers open and looks at you.

WANDERER: They have minds of their own, you see.
 

You do your best not to be unnerved.

POLKA DOT: I, uh-
POLKA DOT: H-hey, there, wing eye.
 

More eyes on both wings open and fix their gazes on you.

WANDERER: Don't- don't do that.
 

You freeze.

POLKA DOT: R-right.
POLKA DOT: H...how about thoooose items?
WANDERER: Yes, let me know what you have. Not all items make sense to have spares of.
POLKA DOT: I've got, uh....
POLKA DOT: Big winter coat, snow pants, a hat, boots, and a backpack.
POLKA DOT: Got some rope, a flashlight, a claw hammer, and a knife for cutting stuff.
POLKA DOT: Willow made sure we all got food, too.
CROSSBONE: Everyone should have enough food for a week and a half, and I've looked up stuff we can forage as well, just in case.
CROSSBONE: Some stuff is still around even in the winter...
 

She stops herself before she can gush.

CROSSBONE: I have a hatchet, and similar supplies to Polka.
CROSSBONE: A coat, a sweater, snow pants, boots, and mittens.
CROSSBONE: ...as well as some sturdy chains.
TIMOTHY: Chains?
TIMOTHY: What do you need those for?
CROSSBONE: I-I mean, in case-
CROSSBONE: In case my transformation does go bad-
CROSSBONE: I want people to be able to restrain me.
CROSSBONE: ...for safety's sake.
WANDERER: Chains are heavy, hard to carry long distance. Better to use a strong rope. What kind of food are you bringing?
CROSSBONE: Mainly packaged things that don't require a fridge.
CROSSBONE: Like...jerky, crackers, water bottles...
WANDERER: ...I'm giving you some hardtack. Just in case.
CROSSBONE: Hard...tack?
 

She makes a confused beep.

WANDERER: Best food for travelling. Or worst, depending on your definition.
CROSSBONE: Thank you, then.
CROSSBONE: We'll take it.
 

Tim raises his paw.

TIMOTHY: Should I go next?
CROSSBONE: Mhm!
TIMOTHY: I've got...a longsword, a big coat, snow pants, boots, and a knife.
TIMOTHY: I'm also the designated first aid guy, I carry stuff like bandages and sewing equipment.
DEVO: Braces, coat- with a hood- snow pants, boots, and a knife. For stabbing things.
DEVO: ...and...
 

His voice goes quiet.

DEVO: Extra pellets and stuffing.
DEVO: Not a lot. But enough just in case.
ROULETTE: I have a sickle.
ROULETTE: It's longer than you might expect, though. More like a scythe.
WANDERER: Who is going to take point on navigating?
CROSSBONE: I can take care of that.
CROSSBONE: I...have a good feeling about it.
WANDERER: Looks like I'm giving you everything so far.
WANDERER: To tell the truth, I was expecting you youngsters to be more underprepared than this.
WANDERER: You have good heads on your shoulders
CROSSBONE: W-well!
CROSSBONE: We...thought a lot about this.
CROSSBONE: ...I'm really grateful for everyone's commitment.
WANDERER: One moment.
 

Wanderer retrieves a large backpack from the closet and sets it on the bed, opening it.

WANDERER: Forgive me, but seeing how much you already have, I feel like I'm not putting enough into this wager.
WANDERER: So, in addition to the hardtack... theeeee rope and -ah, there it is- the map, I think I'll give you something extra helpful.
TIMOTHY: Wait, wager?
 

You kind of forgot about that part.

POLKA DOT: I, uh-
POLKA DOT: I mean, I had to trade something to get this stuff-
CROSSBONE: ....it wasn't too much, was it?
WANDERER: Favor for a favor, don't worry, it only applies to your friend Ribbon. None of the rest of you owe me anything.
WANDERER: Course, I certainly wouldn't turn it down if any of you also wanted to make a deal.
ROULETTE: What exactly are you offering for a deal?
WANDERER: What do you desire? I have many rare items, and keep many secrets. There are few places unknown to me.
WANDERER: As you know, I traffic in favors as well.
WANDERER: All of this I can make deals with.
ROULETTE: Only curious if you had anything specific in mind.
WANDERER: Afraid I dont know you well enough to know what to offer.
ROULETTE: Oh, that's fine, it's-
ROULETTE: Forget I said anything.
WANDERER: Understood. Though if you think of anything you want in particular, and this goes for all of you
WANDERER: My door is open to you.
WANDERER: And if you wish to make a deal without others around, that is doubly true.
 

No one speaks up, but a couple of your party members nod.

POLKA DOT: So, uh...
POLKA DOT: Our...wager.
POLKA DOT: What...did you want me to do, exactly?
WANDERER: I told you before, but if you need a reminder...
WANDERER: If you come back alive thanks in part to my help, I 'win' the wager and you owe me a favor.
WANDERER: If you die or none of the advice or gear I have given you has helped, you do not.
POLKA DOT: ...right.
POLKA DOT: Easy enough, I guess....
POLKA DOT: Oh! Fuck, right-
POLKA DOT: The, uh. The charm.
POLKA DOT: That still on the table?
 

Wanderer stops rummaging through the bag, withdrawing her hand.

WANDERER: Ah, yes. Now keep in mind that while the other items I give you now are gifts, this is simply a loan.
WANDERER: Anti-curse charms are rare, and I only one I can spare.
 

She crosses the room back to the closet and pulls a small, fragile looking, ceramic pot from the shelf, and places it gingerly on the bed next to the other items.

WANDERER: You may take this with you for now only if you follow my instructions.
WANDERER: On the journey, when the pot begins to rattle, open it.
WANDERER: Do not open it before then.
POLKA DOT: That's...easy enough, right?
POLKA DOT: Guess the question is who should carry it.
ROULETTE: Devo. Would you want it?
ROULETTE: Given the weapon you have, you would need to get closer to monsters than any of us.
DEVO: ...
 

He looks down at the ground, thinking it over.

DEVO: ...yeah.
DEVO: Probably the best option.
 

He doesn't seem as enthusiastic as he could be, but straightens up once he realizes his own tone.

DEVO: Thank you, Wanderer.
DEVO: I...get that it's a big deal, and I appreciate it.
DEVO: I'll take good care of it.
WANDERER: I would expect no less.
CROSSBONE: This...is a lot.
CROSSBONE: Does anyone have any other questions? Concerns?