[TOY] Plaything

[skinstealer]

POLKA DOT: ...you doin okay, after all that?
 

Cross makes a beep of surprise, as if broken out of deep thought.

CROSSBONE: Huh?
POLKA DOT: Just making sure you're all good.
CROSSBONE: Oh, yeah...
 

She looks down at her hands, just enough to be noticeable.

CROSSBONE: ...it's...weird how easy it was.
CROSSBONE: I feel...okay?
CROSSBONE: But...it's so weird that it was over so quickly.
CROSSBONE: No one even got a scratch.
CROSSBONE: We didn't even train that long, but it was so-
POLKA DOT: Yeah. I get what you mean.
POLKA DOT: We handled...everything. Went without a hitch.
POLKA DOT: But what if it gets tougher, you know?

She nods, walking back over to the two of you's sleeping bag setup.

CROSSBONE: I think it will.
CROSSBONE: There's no way that it won't- everything we've been told cautions us that things are going to get harder.
POLKA DOT: Yeah...
CROSSBONE: I'd say that I hope it's worth it, but...
CROSSBONE: I know it will be.
 

I hope so too...

You sit down next to her after taking your pack off, giving her a quick head bump before leaning back.

CROSSBONE: ...weird to see Devo so...excited, though.
POLKA DOT: Guess he really likes monsters.
POLKA DOT: Like Roulette said, he's allowed to have interests.
CROSSBONE: Yeah. That's probably it...
CROSSBONE: Still, he could have told us!
CROSSBONE: Knowing this stuff in advance could be really useful...
CROSSBONE: I think I'll ask him about it in the morning.
POLKA DOT: Solid idea...
 

You reach around into your bag, pulling out some jerky and...the hardtack.

Both of you look at the solid hardtack miniatures- somehow, despite being made of the same plastic as everything else, it looks completely unappealing.

CROSSBONE: ...we should probably-
POLKA DOT: Yeah.
POLKA DOT: Wanderer was nice enough to hand these over, they must be useful-
 

Cross is already reaching for one, bonking it against her face and taking a bite.

The pixel character on her screen makes a face, wiggling from side to side with a displeased beep.

POLKA DOT: That bad, huh?
CROSSBONE: It's-
CROSSBONE: It's fine!
CROSSBONE: You...should try some.
CROSSBONE: Get some nutrients.
POLKA DOT: ...
 

You give the horrible little thing a wary look.

POLKA DOT: Can't I just stick to jerky?
CROSSBONE: We should probably save that where we can.
POLKA DOT: I guess.
 

You go to take a bite before you're jumpscared by a familiar yellow-tinted bear's face poking into your "room".

DEVO: Hello!
CROSSBONE: AA-
POLKA DOT: W-
POLKA DOT: Scared the shit out of me!
DEVO: Sorry, sorry!
DEVO: I overheard the two of you are trying the hardtack-
DEVO: Try soaking it in some water first.
DEVO: It won't help the taste, but it will help the texture.
POLKA DOT: ...you know this how?
DEVO: Reading!
CROSSBONE: Well...thank you, Devo.
DEVO: No problem!
DEVO: Enjoy your meal!
 

He ducks out as quickly as he came, leaving the two of you to figure this out.


....thankfully, with his advice, it's significantly easier to eat- Cross says so, anyway.

The two of you lay down in your sleeping bags, scooting them next to each other and looking into each other's eyes.

CROSSBONE: ...hey, Polka?
 

Her voice is soft, speaking at a volume just for you.

POLKA DOT: Yeah, Cross?
CROSSBONE: Thanks for coming with me...
CROSSBONE: ...
CROSSBONE: Are you scared, at all?
CROSSBONE: Of what's coming?
CROSSBONE: Of...
 

She trails off, looking away.

POLKA DOT: You can tell me.
CROSSBONE: ...of what I'm going to become, by the end of this.