[CRANKSHAFT RAFFLESIAN] Crankshaft Effect

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A Rancher's Memory: Prelude
CW: None
Perspective: Dotty Coil
Chapter 1

 

There’s a comfortable familiarity to the old burger shop. It’s a small little local joint within walking distance, making it more than an easy favorite after long days.

The two of you get your usual orders, the typical standard combo you see at any place like this for yourself, and your wonderful rabbit partner insisting on one of her many secret menu wonders that she swears on. You occasionally give things a try, despite your initial fears.

With that said, the mood isn’t entirely there today. She hasn’t said much since you got your food after all.

And what’s a meal between the two of you without a little bit of banter?

Dotty: You’ve been pretty quiet..

Lex: You’re pretty quiet too you know?

Dotty: Yeah, that’s true…

Dotty: Got a lot on my mind lately I guess, you?

Lex: Absolutely.

Dotty: Like…

Dotty: Do you or Jam wanna share first actually? They haven’t spoken to me at all today.

Lex: Jam’s fine, just tired from work. Take the stage.

Dotty: Right.

Dotty: Guess just thinking about how…

Dotty: I dunno, trying to be my own person more.

Lex: I mean you are?

Dotty: Like technically yeah but..

Dotty: Whole reason I’m here’s cause of a life I don’t remember.

Dotty: Lot of rancher units like me got scrapped after going dormant. We did our job and then slowly fizzled..

Dotty: Put a lot of work into waking up what’s left of us and…

Dotty: I got priority because in some other life I’m a hero? Doesn’t feel right I guess.

Dotty: And with the memories sorta coming back more and more, I can see her.

Dotty: I can see here clear as day but like…

Dotty: She’s not me. Not anymore.

Dotty: Even if everything came back, don’t think I could be.

Dotty: She wouldn’t want it anyway, don’t think.

Dotty: She would’ve liked what we have going on.. Being made to fight things people barely understand just…

Dotty: Dying for a future you were never going to see.

Dotty: And just… opportunities you’ll never get living as a weapon.

Dotty: I can feel that… feels like what I have right now’s not something I deserve sometimes.

Dotty: Any one of us could’ve been just as important.

Dotty: Am I overthinking that?

Lex: Don’t think so.

Dotty: Back then she had no idea if she was ever going to see the clear sky ever again… and now I guess just…

Dotty: Here we are, living the life someone never got.

Dotty: Someone who shared the same body.

Lex: You can back out of the program if you want, you know?

Lex: They said you can.

Lex: You don’t really belong to anyone anymore.

Dotty: I know but…

Dotty: I guess part of me hopes that by the end of this I’ll meet her in some way.

Dotty: Think that’s asking a lot?

Lex: Nah. If she shows her face we’ll make sure to give her the proper welcome. Like…

Lex: You never had a problem with me and Jam, right?

Dotty: I mean I got no idea if that’s how it’ll happen.

Lex: Still.

Dotty: Still..

Dotty: Right now the way she exists is more like a feeling. There’s something moving around inside.

Dotty: Seeing all sorts of people long gone, places she used to visit regularly, even just the evening sky… get a rumbling from all that.

Dotty: And I guess sometimes, even just looking at you…

Lex: Really?

Dotty: Yeah like…

Dotty: God this might make this all weird…

Lex: I mean I don’t mind.

Dotty: Guess just..

Dotty: I draw a lot of things I remember in those sketchbooks, you’ve seen them.

Lex: Yeah!

Dotty: And… there’s a rabbit who shows up a ton.

Lex: Yeah, I know the one you’re talking about.

Lex: Guess I’ve been wondering when we’re gonna get to that for awhile.

Dotty: …What do you mean?

Lex: Always seem sad when it comes up I guess so… I figured they had to be someone important.

Dotty: Mm..

Lex: You were close. Like really close.

Dotty: Yeah..

Dotty: Figured it’d be weird but-

Lex: Why? You’re allowed.

Lex: Like, I want to know everything about you.

Lex: And I hope that’s not asking a lot or anything, you don’t gotta but..

Lex: You can trust us, you know?

Dotty: Mm..

Lex: And whatever’ll help you, that’s what we’ll do.

Lex: So like..

Lex: I wouldn’t worry.

Dotty: Right…

Dotty: I guess you just remind that part of me a lot.

Dotty: And it makes me happy, you know?

Dotty: Both who I am now and who I used to be…

Dotty: It’s peace..

Dotty: I guess when I think about it..

Dotty: You really are my life these days, you know?

Lex: Same…

Lex: Wouldn’t want it any other way.

Lex:... Do you wanna go for a walk? Want some air to help me think. Got a lot to say but like..

Lex: I wanna get this right, you know?

Dotty: Yeah. I’m pretty much done. I’ll ask the register for a bag.