[TOY] Plaything

[skinstealer]

POLKA DOT: ...hohkay.
POLKA DOT: We just...went through a lot.
FATALE: No shit.
POLKA DOT: We gotta, like- we gotta take inventory. Status check.
CROSSBONE: I'm right with you on that...I'm just glad we're all here, but...
CROSSBONE: I don't know if I could forgive myself if any of you bit the dust...
TIMOTHY: Well...I'm honestly okay, all things considered.
TIMOTHY: Sore? Yes. Very yes.
TIMOTHY: Getting blown away by the wind, was, uh- I wouldn't recommend it.
TIMOTHY: But...I was able to find shelter and stayed in there. I was safe.

 

He looks a bit...unsure of that.

TIMOTHY: No injuries aside from bruised pride and the biggest anxiety attack I've ever had.
TIMOTHY: ...which, I'll take that.
FATALE: ...I'm glad you're okay.

 

Fatale looks equally reserved about saying it, but her words come off startlingly genuine, considering her overall opinion on the dog. Tim's ears perk up, just as surprised as you.

FATALE: Don't let it go to your head.
FATALE: Our allyship is a work in progress.
FATALE: ...but I do want to try. So...
FATALE: Good job on not dying.
TIMOTHY: Thanks, Fatale...
 

He sounds immensely relieved.

TIMOTHY: I wanted to get back to y'all, no matter what.
TIMOTHY: All of you! We've got a mission and everything!
TIMOTHY: And...I wouldn't want to lose my friends.
CROSSBONE: I really, really appreciate that, Tim...
CROSSBONE: You all, are just...
CROSSBONE: I'm really glad we're a team.
CROSSBONE: I...didn't get injured either, I think.
POLKA DOT: ...you think?
CROSSBONE: Well, I mean-
CROSSBONE: The cold's not great for my circuits.
CROSSBONE: But we were able to get a fire going once we found shelter.
CROSSBONE: ...nothing I haven't dealt with before, anyhow...

 

Your chest hurts a bit at that...even with how close you'd grown to your girlfriend, she doesn't...talk about the homelessness thing much.

You both wish you knew more, and are too scared to ask.

POLKA DOT: I'm so, so glad you're okay...
CROSSBONE: Well!
CROSSBONE: I've come too far to die, I think...
CROSSBONE: I'm not even a monster yet.
CROSSBONE: And, like Tim...I wouldn't want to lose you all...
CROSSBONE: ...you're the first friend group I've ever had.
CROSSBONE: I appreciate that more than I can properly express...

 

Reaching over to give Cross a small back pat is enough to make her beep in appreciation, your chest feeling all warm and fuzzy even from the small gesture.

POLKA DOT: Got your back, okay?
CROSSBONE: I know.
CROSSBONE: ...more than anything, I know that you all do, after that.
FATALE: ...we'll try.
FATALE: I had...an EVENTFUL night, but we're no more fucked over than we usually are.
TIMOTHY: ...are you okay?
FATALE: ...eh.

 

She shrugs.

FATALE: Not great. Body hurts.
FATALE: But with the amount of walking and stress...it's expected.
FATALE: Nothing I can't tank...

 

Tim doesn't exactly look reassured by this, his expression wracked with worry.

FATALE: ...you don't need to look at me like that.
FATALE: When I say I'm fine, I mean it.
FATALE: I'll say when we need to rest.
CROSSBONE: ...is that sooner, rather than later?
CROSSBONE: G-genuine question.

 

Fatale nods.

FATALE: I've probably got another hour or two in me.
FATALE: Enough time to reach sunset.
POLKA DOT: Fuck, is it that late already?
FATALE: Narrative seems to want to give us the afternoon early, judging by the sun.
FATALE: ...as if it wasn't enough of a prick.
TIMOTHY: We did meet back up, though...
FATALE: I guess.
FATALE: You won't catch me giving it any credit.
POLKA DOT: ...pretty sure I'm totally uninjured, too.
POLKA DOT: It's...

 

You shake your head.

POLKA DOT: It's weird.
POLKA DOT: I can go into it more, I-
POLKA DOT: I have so many questions about what happened.
POLKA DOT: But we gotta-

 

Behind the four of you, Roulette trips, landing in the snow.
It does its best to hurriedly get back to its feet, but is clearly having trouble, its scythe not cutting it for leverage.
The car-weasel looks on with an inscrutable expression.

It dawns on you that you and the others had picked up the pace naturally as you got into the discussion.
The bot had likely fallen while struggling to keep up.

POLKA DOT: Oh, shit-!
POLKA DOT: Roulette, are you-

 

Fatale is already rushing past you, getting to its side.

FATALE: Let me help-
ROULETTE: I am, fine I-

 

It barely manages to lift itself up with its scythe.

ROULETTE: I only stumbled.
ROULETTE: No need to worry.
FATALE: But-
FATALE: That was not a stumble.
FATALE: You shouldn't downplay that!
ROULETTE: ...It isn't an issue.
ROULETTE: Apologies for the distraction. We can keep moving.
FATALE: I-

 

The bear huffs, rubbing her paw against her cheek.

FATALE: ...okay.
FATALE: But you need to tell us how you're holding up. We all already did it.
ROULETTE: I am fine.

 

The bot looks anything but fine.
It's hardly walking with its own strength, still using its scythe as a walking stick.
On closer inspection, there are clear signs of damage even on what little you can see of it - its 'face' has spots where the metal looks to have nearly warped, likely from extreme cold.
Its lens also seems like it's having some trouble moving.

ROULETTE: As I said, we can keep moving.

 

Fatale clearly isn't buying it- and no one else is, either.

The bear stays by its side, ready to support it if need be.

FATALE: ...yeah.
FATALE I need to slow down too, anyway.
FATALE: So I'll walk with you.
FATALE: And that's that.
ROULETTE: There's no need for-
ROULETTE: ...Cross looked me over before.
ROULETTE: There was some frost building up, it melted, I am fine.
ROULETTE: You do not need to worry.

 

Everyone looks at Cross, the vpet's pixel character starting to sweat.

CROSSBONE: I, uh-!
CROSSBONE: I mean!
CROSSBONE It was rough on both of us! But-
CROSSBONE: I did warm it up. And helped it get rest.
CROSSBONE: ...
CROSSBONE: Just...tell us if it gets bad again, okay?
FATALE: It's already-
CROSSBONE: Fatale-
CROSSBONE: I...I know. I get it.

 

Her voice goes quiet.

CROSSBONE: I'm worried too.
CROSSBONE: But...Roulette is tough.
CROSSBONE: It got through a lot last night. We both did.
CROSSBONE: We can get a little further and then camp, and we can all rest some more.
CROSSBONE: ...you included.

 

Fatale huffs.

FATALE: Fine.
FATALE: But I do need to walk slower.
FATALE: So you're stuck with me anyway.

 

Roulette keeps its head down towards the snow as the group resumes walking, now at a slower pace.

POLKA DOT: ...
POLKA DOT: We...should probably talk about what actually happened, last night.
POLKA DOT: We got injuries down, sure, but-
POLKA DOT: It was...
FATALE: Terrible.
FATALE: You don't have to beat around the bush.
POLKA DOT: ...yeah.
TIMOTHY: ...I could go first, then.
TIMOTHY: I...yeah.
TIMOTHY: I got blown away, and I couldn't find any of y'all.
TIMOTHY: I managed to find this- this burned down house.
TIMOTHY: Too beat up to shelter in at first, but I found the basement bulkhead.
TIMOTHY: Unlocked, thank god.
TIMOTHY: Shitty down there, but there was a mattress. Fucking, crossword puzzle.

 

Fatale snickers.

FATALE: You did a crossword?
FATALE: In the middle of this mess?
TIMOTHY: Yeah, well!
TIMOTHY: ...I didn't get to for long.

 

Fatale shuts up.

TIMOTHY: There were- these voices.

 

Your body goes cold.

TIMOTHY: Voices of- someone I used to know, I think.
TIMOTHY: Toy Store stuff.
TIMOTHY: It-
TIMOTHY: It was terrifying. And there was something p-pounding on the bulkhead doors.
TIMOTHY: Something wanted to get me.
TIMOTHY: ...and it knew the worst way to do it.

 

You do your best to pipe up, your squeaker feeling dry.

POLKA DOT: We...heard that too.

 

Tim whips his head around.

TIMOTHY: You what?
POLKA DOT: Yeah. The voice thing.
POLKA DOT: Me and Fatale found a cabin, and tucked in there- it actually wasn't too bad, at first...
POLKA DOT: But like you said- the voices.
POLKA DOT: We saw these...searchlights, outside.
POLKA DOT: Like they were looking for something.

 

You feel a little shaky, recounting it.

POLKA DOT: It didn't get close like yours did. W...whatever it was.
CROSSBONE: ...do you think it was a monster?
FATALE: Had to have been.
FATALE: ...I want to ask Scout, when I get a chance.
FATALE: Or...hopefully he'll come out himself, and you can tell him.
FATALE: If anyone knows, he will.
CROSSBONE: ....
CROSSBONE: Do you think it was the same monster?

 

No one speaks.

FATALE: ...we were pretty far apart, I think.
FATALE: It, took us a while to reconvene...
FATALE: ...if it was one thing...
FATALE: It'd. Have to have some way of getting around fast.
FATALE: Or-
FATALE: Some...sort of...narrative- time thing.

 

She looks like her head is going to fizzle out at the concept.

FATALE: ...whatever it was, it was awful.
FATALE: Drew out the shadowy guy, which-
FATALE: I am very glad he didn't do anything stupid.
FATALE: Stuff with Saddler pisses him off more than anything.
FATALE: ...not that I can blame him there- but he doesn't have to be so uncouth about it.
TIMOTHY: ...
TIMOTHY: ...you...heard Saddler?

 

Fatale looks away.

TIMOTHY: Fatale-
FATALE: It's fine.
FATALE: It's...fine.
FATALE: Nothing we haven't heard in nightmares.

 

Roulette glances up at Fatale.
It moves a little closer to her, though doesn't seem to know what to say.

Fatale allows it-

-even leaning on it slightly, just for a moment.

You almost miss it, but you just barely hear her whisper "thanks".

The bot nods in reply.

It's quiet again.

FATALE: ...well, don't let me kill the vibe.
FATALE: I'm sure Willow and Roulette have things to say too.
CROSSBONE: ...yeah.
 

She shuffles, rubbing her elbow.

CROSSBONE: We....I rescued Roulette.

 

She does not elaborate on how.

CROSSBONE: I managed to find this old, abandoned mansion. It had a fireplace, so we got setup there.
CROSSBONE: I helped tend to Roulette for a bit, and we both tried to sleep, only for something to show up.
CROSSBONE: I swear it- I swear it DID get in. And lurked in the darkness.
CROSSBONE: But even with the voices...
CROSSBONE: ...
CROSSBONE: It never approached.
CROSSBONE: We felt these horrible feelings, too.
CROSSBONE: But-
CROSSBONE: It never came at us. I don't know what to think.
 

Roulette doesn't speak.

It's Fatale's turn to give Roulette a concerned look.

ROULETTE: . . .
ROULETTE: ...I am sorry that I couldn't do more to help during that, Willow.
CROSSBONE: I-!
CROSSBONE: Roulette, we were in it together...
CROSSBONE: Please, please don't worry about that...

 

Her tone sounds...genuinely upset.

CROSSBONE: You're being so hard on yourself...
CROSSBONE: ...we all care about you, you know?
 

The bot seems genuinely taken aback at the response, its lens widening.
It avoids looking at her, shoulders scrunching inward.

ROULETTE: ...Ap... Apologies.
ROULETTE: I did not mean to upset you.
ROULETTE: I am sorry if I did not word that well, or if that was inappropriate to say.
ROULETTE: I appreciate that you care about me.
CROSSBONE: It's not- it's not inappropriate.
CROSSBONE: It's just...
CROSSBONE: I dunno.
CROSSBONE: You can lean on us a little bit, you know?
ROULETTE: You have all been through plenty, and you have plenty more to worry about.
ROULETTE: I want to carry my weight and contribute.
ROULETTE: I should be the last of our concerns.

 

Cross doesn't press the issue, giving a little sigh.

ROULETTE: ...Apologies.

 

No one speaks for a bit, the air incredibly awkward.

You clear your throat again.

POLKA DOT: ...did anyone lose anything? Like, any resources gone?
TIMOTHY: I ate some jerky.
FATALE: Some food here as well.
CROSSBONE: ...we forgot to eat.
CROSSBONE: Probably...going to do that as soon as we camp.
ROULETTE: ...We should be doing well on supplies, then.
TIMOTHY: Nothing got seriously lost...that's good.
TIMOTHY: Could have been a lot worse.
TIMOTHY: N! Not that it wasn't TERRIBLE-
TIMOTHY: ....sorry. I'm...bad at this.
POLKA DOT: ...we're alive.
POLKA DOT: We can work with alive.

 

Fatale nods, saying nothing more.

The car-weasel had apparently drifted away from the others at some point,
becoming noticed again upon its return.

As before, it sticks close to Roulette, although it keeps on the bot's other side so as to be as far away from Fatale as possible.

Fatale glances over, just subtly enough as to not startle it.

FATALE: ...is that thing going to follow you forever now?
ROULETTE: ...I do not want to antagonize it.
ROULETTE: I have not fed it and don't plan to, I have not even touched it save for...what I mentioned before.
ROULETTE: I have no idea why it's still here. I imagine it still wants food.
ROULETTE: Sooner or later, I am sure it will realize I do not plan to feed it, and-

 

It brushes against the bot's leg, looking between Fatale and Roulette.
Roulette does its absolute best not to look at it, its lens closing fully.

CROSSBONE: ...I think it likes you.
ROULETTE: . . .
ROULETTE: ...I am sure it wants food.
ROULETTE: That, or...it...might be a social animal that tends to live in a group with others of its kind.
ROULETTE: It's become separated, so it...is fixating on me as a replacement.
ROULETTE: In either case, it likely needs to be around its own kind.
FATALE: Another time where we could really use Scout...
FATALE: If we keep doing adventures, we're going to get him to keep a goddamn bestiary.
ROULETTE: Has he looked into monster research? I am sure there are books on the subject.
FATALE: Obsessed with it.
FATALE: I'm sure we have a ton back at the apartment- he always forgets to return them to the library, by the look of it.
FATALE: ...but that's completely unhelpful now, and I don't think he had the chance to pack any.
ROULETTE: That's alright.
ROULETTE: ...I am worried about this one following me and becoming displaced from its home.
ROULETTE:  . . .
ROULETTE: ...The last thing I want is for harm to come to it because it became attached to me.

 

It goes silent a few moments.

ROULETTE: ...Apologies.
ROULETTE: Scout's info would be useful if he were around, yes.
ROULETTE: Not a necessity.
ROULETTE: It will work out.

 

Roulette idly glances to the others as silence sinks in once more, hoping desperately that someone else has words to fill the dead air.

Cross takes the challenge, musing to herself in an attempt to raise the mood.

CROSSBONE: ...the trees are getting thicker, I think.
CROSSBONE: Which means we're probably getting closer!
CROSSBONE: Which begs the question...
CROSSBONE: What lays ahead in a spooky toy village?

 

She sounds...legitimately excited.

CROSSBONE: Curses aside!
CROSSBONE: Do you think people will be cool there?
CROSSBONE: Or like, will there be toys like me?
CROSSBONE: What kind of food do they eat, do you think...

 

The vpet looks expectantly at the rest of you, clearly wanting someone to theorize with her.

CROSSBONE: Or, yknow! Any topic is fine.