[TOY] Plaything

[skinstealer]

As the creature rushes forward,
Roulette makes its way between you and the creature, attempting to intercept the charge.

You're already in the middle of grabbing the track, leaning over to grip the sides in your wings-

The bot glances back just in time to witness your plan in action, and hurriedly slides off the track.

With Roulette out of the way, you lift the track up-

-and slam it down, a ripple effect going down the track and launching the weasel car into the air with a terrified squeak.

The robot dives towards the creature and...



catches the car.

The weasel looks up at Roulette with wet eyes, belly up and wheels wiggling futile-ly around. It keeps making distressed squeaks, trying to wrench itself free out of its grip.

The bot snags the jerky,
then sets the creature down.

It pulls a jar of peanut butter and spins the lid open,
offering it up to the car.

ROULETTE: ...Here.
ROULETTE: Please take this instead.
 

Arm outstretched.

One claw is still holding the sickle tight, at the ready.
Just in case.

The beast looks between the sickle and the peanut butter, leaning forward to sniff at it. Looking at it up close, it appears to be covered in little scribbles- as if vandalized by something else.

With a quick motion, it lunges forward to shove its nose in the jar, hopping up and getting on a freshly-made track to zip away- the jar still stuck to it.

Seemingly content with the offering....the barrier fades, leaving the three of you in a mess of track.

POLKA DOT: ...fucking hell.
 

Roulette's systems whirr, winding down as it gradually lowers the sickle.

It walks back over to Devo, helping the bear out of the mess of track and handing over the jerky.

ROULETTE: ...I apologize.
 

Devo says nothing, giving it a glare as he snatches it back.

The bot flinches, looking away.

It's a few moments of awkward silence before he actually speaks.

DEVO: ...don't know why you wasted your own food on that thing.
ROULETTE: The creature was incredibly quick and had capabilities that weren't well understood.
ROULETTE: Giving up some food is a small price to pay to resolve the conflict quickly.
ROULETTE: That, and I didn't want to kill it if I didn't have to.

ROULETTE: ...Besides, it is entirely my fault that this happened; I fell asleep when I was supposed to be keeping watch.
ROULETTE: So, me taking a loss with my own supplies instead of yours is appropriate.
DEVO: ...hmph.
 

He starts walking away, going back up the hill towards the tent-

-and then past it.

POLKA DOT: Y-
POLKA DOT: Where are you going?!
DEVO: To get some goddamn space.
 

You can't help but flinch at his tone.

DEVO: I'm not leaving.
DEVO: Just.
DEVO: Leave me alone.
 

You're left in near-silence, only hearing the wind, and Roulette's fans spinning fast.

ROULETTE: ...Are you alright, Silk Ribbon?
ROULETTE: After the encounter with that creature, I mean.
 

It's quiet, not making eye contact with you.

POLKA DOT: I-
POLKA DOT: ...yeah.
POLKA DOT: Weird...little car guy.
ROULETTE: ...Yes.
ROULETTE: I will...keep watch again.
ROULETTE: There won't be issues this time.
 

It makes its way up to the hill, posting up just outside the tent.
Roulette gives a look in Devo's direction, but stays where it's at.

You head up the hill yourself, pausing a bit away from the tent.

Roulette's right there, and you can see Devo sulking in the snow a ways away.

Tim and Cross are inside, too.

The tension's killing you, and you should probably talk to someone about whatever the hell is happening.