[TOY] Plaything

[skinstealer]

Tim weighs the scepter in his hands, having to tear his eyes away from its shimmering colors...

I gotta give this back...
...especially seeing how stern that toy was with the crowd. Something's up there, and I don't wanna be on their bad side...

He takes a moment to steel his nerves before slowly walking over, shimmying as inconspiciously as possible.

Once near the snake, he clears his throat.
They hold out their hand expectantly, and he passes it over immediately.

TIMOTHY: G-good job out there.

 

They take the scepter and set it down on the bar, tapping it to stop it from rolling.

????: You wantin' to sit? Talk?
TIMOTHY: I mean-
TIMOTHY: Y-yeah!
TIMOTHY: If that's alright.
TIMOTHY: ...wasn't expecting to see a new person here. Another one, I mean.
????: Wasn't either.
????: How many in your group?
TIMOTHY: Five. Yours?
????: Just me.

 

They hold up the staff.

????: And my backup.

 

Tim peers over at the staff, eyes widening.

TIMOTHY: Is that...?
TIMOTHY: I mean, I thought it felt weir- I mean, interesting!
TIMOTHY: It's pretty incredible looking.

 

The snake peers over at him for the first time, toy tongue flicking.

????: Is it what?
TIMOTHY: Oh, uh-
TIMOTHY: Like...a person, I guess-
TIMOTHY: Sorry, just- the way you said that.
????: Never heard someone call their weapon their backup before?
TIMOTHY: Haven't exactly met a lot of adventurers.

 

They snort.

????: That what you are?
TIMOTHY: Not yet, I don't think.
TIMOTHY: Just...
TIMOTHY: A guy trying to help a friend.
????: Must be somethin' reaaaal specific to come Here of all places.
????: You religious?
????: ...Don't look the type.
????: Must be...somethin' Else then.
TIMOTHY: ...

 

I should be careful...

TIMOTHY: Not...religious, no.
TIMOTHY: It's definitely different from what I'm used to.

 

They take a swig of their drink,
then cock their head to the side.

Just enough to see Tim.

????: ...That...individual, runnin' around. You know the one.
????: If you're doin' what I think you're doin'...
????: ...Could get more than ya bargained for.

 

Tim glances away instinctively, before forcing himself to make eye contact.

TIMOTHY: ...there's two "individuals", from what I've heard.
TIMOTHY: Both of which would be a handful.
TIMOTHY: Which do you think I'm looking for?
????: Well.

 

The snake looks forward, taking a drink.
They crack their neck and roll their shoulders.

????: Way I see it-
????: If you're tryin' to get help for a friend, doubt you'd come all this way for a hired hand.
????: F'you made it this far, you wouldn't need one.
????: So.
????: Who's that leave?

 

They look back over at Tim.

TIMOTHY: W-
TIMOTHY: Hired hand?
TIMOTHY: Do you mean the swordsman?
TIMOTHY: I mean, you're right, it's the other one, but-
????: Should be careful, then.
????: ...And don't tell anyone else here unless you trust 'em.

 

He pales.

TIMOTHY: ...yeah.
TIMOTHY: I get the feeling people, are, uh-
TIMOTHY: Weird about that.
TIMOTHY: ...among other things.

 

They raise their glass slightly in affirmation.

????: Weird about plenty here.
TIMOTHY: Feels like it isn't hard to be.
TIMOTHY: Like-
TIMOTHY: I mean, I've only been here for a few hours.
TIMOTHY: But the vibes are just...
TIMOTHY: ....
TIMOTHY: I'm really worried about how my partner's going to be treated.
????: Need backup?

 

!!!!!!!!!

TIMOTHY: Thought you were on your own adventure.

 

His keeps his tone even, trying not to sound accusatory- or too excited.

????: Never said I was an 'adventurer.'
????: And it's a simple question.
????: You need it, or not?
TIMOTHY: We're both strangers.
TIMOTHY: And...
TIMOTHY: ...I can't pay you, or anything.

 

But...

TIMOTHY: ...but we got wiped, coming in here.
TIMOTHY: If you really mean that-
????: Could tell.
????: Ragmirror, I heard?
????: Lucky to be breathin'.
TIMOTHY: Wait-

 

He leans in, lowering his voice.

TIMOTHY: how did you know that
????: You think people 'round here don't talk?
????: It's a small town.
????: Ya pick up on things.
????: Other people might pick up on it, too.
????: Could get unwanted attention.
TIMOTHY: shit-

 

Why- why didn't I think of that?
Of fucking course everyone knows, we've been out for god knows how long, and it was huge! Loud! Terrifying!

????: Settle.
TIMOTHY: R-right!

 

He shakes his head.

TIMOTHY: ...s...sorry. Getting a grip.
TIMOTHY: ....
TIMOTHY: ...I probably look like a wreck right now, huh?
TIMOTHY: Why do you wanna help somebody who can't even pass a social interaction?

 

The snake squints.

????: 'Pass?'
????: Kid, you're fine.
????: Didn't even hear what I'm offerin' yet, anyway.
????: Ya need backup? Or not?
TIMOTHY: ...I'd have to ask the others.
TIMOTHY: Like-
TIMOTHY: Yes. Yes we do.
TIMOTHY: Really do.
TIMOTHY: But I don't know your name yet, and you don't know mine.
TIMOTHY: Or...anything else. And I think I'd like to get more of that before I commit to anything...
TIMOTHY: ....
TIMOTHY: I'm Tim.

 

The snake's claw raises towards him from their poncho,
ready to shake.

He extends his own paw, trying to keep his grip steady as he takes their hand and shakes.

CORSAIR: Corsair.
CORSAIR: Just Cors works, too.
CORSAIR: Y'know, 'of course'. Just like that.
CORSAIR: She, for the record.
CORSAIR: And you use 'he', I'm guessin'? Just got a feelin'.
TIMOTHY: Y-yeah!

 

His eyes light right up, tail wagging.

TIMOTHY: I do! Yeah!
CORSAIR: Thought so.
CORSAIR: ...Any kinda backup ya want in particular?
CORSAIR: Seems like you got some idea I don't know about.
TIMOTHY: Well...
TIMOTHY: ...do you...are you good at ranged fighting?
CORSAIR: Any kind of fightin'.
CORSAIR: In case ya get into a scrape while in town.
CORSAIR: Or, if the locals get a little too...Local. With ya.
CORSAIR: Just holler. I'll find ya.
TIMOTHY: ...you can hear that far?

 

The snake smiles.

CORSAIR: Far enough.
TIMOTHY: Well...I'll take your word for it.
TIMOTHY: ...I do want to introduce you to my friends, though.
TIMOTHY: After I get to know you myself.
CORSAIR: After, huh?
CORSAIR: What happened to me talkin' to your friends First?
TIMOTHY: I!

 

He fumbles with his hands, trying to gesture what he means and failing.

TIMOTHY: I gotta-
TIMOTHY: I gotta make sure you're cool-
TIMOTHY: And THEN take you to my friends-
TIMOTHY: A-and THEN we can work together!
TIMOTHY: It! Is a whole process!
CORSAIR: Mhm.
CORSAIR: Your tail's waggin', by the way.
TIMOTHY: I-IT DOES THAT
CORSAIR: Not many butch cowboys around, I'm guessin'?
CORSAIR: Maybe your first time around a cowboy in general.
CORSAIR: ...Really think I'm 'cool'?

 

She smiles and laughs.

CORSAIR: Don't gotta answer that.

 

S-she said-!!!!!!!

His tail only wags harder, eyes bright and excited.

TIMOTHY: S-so!

 

Shit! Okay, right, remember where we are-

He drops his voice down to a quiet whisper, cupping his muzzle and leaning in.

TIMOTHY: The uh, the butch thing.
TIMOTHY: I've heard that a lot where I'm from- it's this whole place-
TIMOTHY: ...but...
TIMOTHY: That means you're in trouble too, here.
CORSAIR: Kid.

 

She turns fully towards Tim on the barstool.
The snake twirls her scepter in one claw before pointing to her chest with it.

CORSAIR: I'm trouble.
CORSAIR: F'you think anyone in this town's got a chance against me; think again.
CORSAIR: Any of 'em try to start anythin', it's over already.

 

She laughs.

CORSAIR: Somethin' like that.
CORSAIR: ...'Pologies, I get tipsy quicker than I realize.
CORSAIR: Kind of a lightweight.
CORSAIR: Our secret, yeah?

 

Tim nods, a bit too eagerly.

...she's so cool...

TIMOTHY: I'm...glad, at least.
CORSAIR: That I'm a lightweight?
TIMOTHY: NO THAT YOURE TROUBLE I MEAN THAT YOURE STRONG I-

 

The snake can't help but snicker, patting his shoulder.

CORSAIR: So.
CORSAIR: Still need me to meet your friends?
CORSAIR: Or somethin' else on your mind?









POLKA DOT: Uh...I mean-
POLKA DOT: I have no clue what you've got in that kitchen.
POLKA DOT: Something...simple, comfortable, uh-
POLKA DOT: Portable?
POLKA DOT: Everybody else is stuck in bed, so, yknow- to go would be good.
GUTSY: Hmm...sandwiches, maybe?
GUTSY: I could make a biiiiig stack-

 

You nod, unable to keep from smiling at its enthusiasm.

POLKA DOT: That'd be great.
GUTSY: You got it, then!
GUTSY: Vann, you wanna keep her company while I whip these up?
VANN: O-oh!
VANN: I mean, I-
VANN: I was wiping down tables-
COMMS: S'fine.
COMMS: You can take fifteen.

 

Vann gives the walkie talkie a quick, grateful bow before turning to you.

VANN: O-okay, well-

 

Comms starts walking out, the cat looking even more nervous.

VANN: Um.
VANN: ....
VANN: You're, um.
VANN: ....travelers?
VANN: Adventurers?
VANN: I was, um- I showed up here from the Store, so-
VANN: I haven't exactly been outside...