[TOY] Plaything

[knux400]

So... What other kinds of critters live around here? I mean, obviously we've met the ragmirror, but what about other, smaller, safer stuff?


...You ever see these, like, little weasel-y guys?

[skinstealer]

CROSSBONE: ...um
CROSSBONE: so
CROSSBONE: hm

 

Think, think-

CROSSBONE: You know this place, r-right?
CORSAIR: Yep.
CROSSBONE: Prrrretty well?
CROSSBONE: A-and it's-
CROSSBONE: It's woods.
CROSSBONE: Obviously we um
CROSSBONE: The ragmirror.
CROSSBONE: Handled that.
CORSAIR: More or less.
CORSAIR: ...You good?
CROSSBONE: Yeah, yeah!
CROSSBONE: Just-
CROSSBONE: N.
CROSSBONE: Words aren't-


 

You wring your hands.

CROSSBONE: ...sorry. I'm kind of a mess with-
CROSSBONE: With new people.
CROSSBONE: Small talk and all.
CROSSBONE: B-but you do know things, and that's- I want to learn.
CORSAIR: We don't gotta talk.
CORSAIR: ...But if you have questions. Up t'you I guess.


 

You take a moment before nodding.

CROSSBONE: R-right. To the point then.
CROSSBONE: We found this-
CROSSBONE: It looked like a little car, weasel, thing-

 

You open your hands about as large as you remember.

CROSSBONE: About...this big.
CROSSBONE: It doesn't seem to have followed us back, and I can't blame it after the fight...
CROSSBONE: ...but I don't know much about them.
CROSSBONE: And-
CROSSBONE: I hope it's okay.
CORSAIR: Hell wyrms.
CORSAIR: If you don't antagonize 'em, they're mostly harmless.
CORSAIR: Usually a bit bigger than that, at least. Sometimes much bigger.
CORSAIR: The biggest are... leaders, I guess you'd say. And the little ones stay with 'em. Makes a whole convoy of 'em together.
CORSAIR: ...Might not believe it given how they can be, but some of the smaller ones get kept as pets. Domesticated.
CORSAIR: May see a few of those in town, but they're not popular here.
CORSAIR: I've heard of some strays around nearby.
CORSAIR: Could've been part of a convoy and somethin' happened, or maybe they're domesticated wyrms that ended up as strays.
CORSAIR: That's probably what ya ran into.
CORSAIR: ...They steal from people travelin' sometimes. Probably thought ya had food.

 

Your pixel character can't help but make a nervous shimmy.

CROSSBONE: There were snacks involved.
CORSAIR: That'd do it.
CORSAIR: Probably just wanted food.
CROSSBONE: Oh...
CROSSBONE: Is it...hungry on its own, then?
CROSSBONE: Is it not eating well...?
CORSAIR: Could be. Couldn't tell ya.
CORSAIR: It's cold out. Food's scarce. And it was alone instead of havin' a convoy to provide for it.
CORSAIR: Might've been hungry, might've wanted the safety in numbers. That kinda thing.
CORSAIR: Who knows.



CROSSBONE: ....



CROSSBONE: ...............





CROSSBONE: You said they can be domesticated?
CORSAIR: Yep.
CROSSBONE: Eeeeasily?
CORSAIR: ...You got a plan in mind?
CROSSBONE: Just.
CROSSBONE: If it came back-
CROSSBONE: And it *needed* food-
CORSAIR: Depends on how tame it is, I'd say.
CORSAIR: You lookin' for a pet?
CROSSBONE: More of...
CROSSBONE: ....support animal.
CROSSBONE: B-but if that's silly-
CORSAIR: For you?
CROSSBONE: *no*, but-
CORSAIR: Roulette?
CROSSBONE: maybe
CORSAIR: ...Don't think it's a bad idea.
CORSAIR: But didn't it run off?
CROSSBONE: Yeah...
CROSSBONE: ...guess it's a pipedream.
CORSAIR: Never know.

 

She turns her head just enough to glance over at you, but makes no further comment.

CROSSBONE: ....
CROSSBONE: yeah
CROSSBONE: I'll...think about it.
CROSSBONE: ....


 

You glance around, letting out a soft beep as you notice rustling in one of the nearby trees- nothing large, but-

CROSSBONE: ...does this place have small...animals?
CORSAIR: Mhm.
CORSAIR: Got these plastic-lookin' spirals, gummy bugs, even some eyeballs that bounce around on their own.


 

The snake rubs her shoulder, looking somewhat nervous.

CORSAIR: ...Why you askin'?
CORSAIR: You scoutin' for Scout?
CROSSBONE: O-oh, just-



 

hope i didnt offend



You point at the trees, some rustling still going.

CORSAIR: ...Yep. That's animals.
CORSAIR: ...I'm not much of a tour guide, y'know.
CROSSBONE: R-RIGHT
CROSSBONE: sorry
CROSSBONE: ...
CORSAIR: Nothin' to apologize for.
CORSAIR: ...I'm not much for small talk, either.
CORSAIR: Nearly at the gate, anyway.


 

You snap your head to attention.

Sure enough, a massive wall of wooden stacking logs lays ahead, a structure in your direct path.

It looks...scratched up and stained, having clearly seen better days, but incredibly sturdy.

A metal gate- actual metal from the look of it, not plastic...and god, *old* too- is built into the frame, clearly custom fastened for a secure fit.





You can't help but feel somewhat awestruck by it. Actual metal architecture, such a rarity in the city-



Corsair lets you marvel at the metal, while she approaches the guard leaning by the gate.

CORSAIR: Mornin', Snicker.


 

The cowboy nods back in your direction.

CORSAIR: She's with me.


 

Snicker lets out a-

....mechanical *snore*, before snapping awake with an animatronic CHUNK.


Her eyes snap open, jaw gnashing a few times- you really, really do not like the look of those teeth, even if you desperately try to assure yourself she's just...getting her bearings.

Sure enough, her tone is cordial.

SNICKER: Kinda early, ain't it?
SNICKER: Y'all goin' for a stroll?
CORSAIR: Mhm. Out n' about.
CORSAIR: Don't worry, I can handle it.


 

She grins, hefting the scepter up onto her shoulder.

SNICKER: Of course, yeah.


 

You look over at Corsair, hoping your confusion is more discrete than it feels.

CORSAIR: ...You all ready, Cross?
CROSSBONE: Yes, yeah, y-
SNICKER: Now hold on...
SNICKER: Corsair.
SNICKER: Mange has got his eye on this one.
SNICKER: I'm on orders to watch her. Suspicious activity.


 

The cowboy steps to the side, blocking Snicker's view of you.

CORSAIR: Crossbone's fine.
CORSAIR: She's with me. Nothin' to worry ab-
CROSSBONE: I!
CROSSBONE: I mean you no trouble-!


 

You bow, hard enough to make your keychain tail rattle.

CROSSBONE: I'm aware I'm causing a lot of stress but I just want to get this done
SNICKER: uh
CROSSBONE: and get what i need and go home with my friends so i will try
SNICKER: Uh
CROSSBONE: to get out of your hair very very soon!


 

Snicker's scary mouth clamps shut, shocked.

CROSSBONE: A-and if there's anything I can get you while I'm out there I can do my best!


 

what the fuck why did i OFFER THAT

CORSAIR: . . .
CORSAIR: ...uh-huh.
CORSAIR: So there ya go.
SNICKER: I-
SNICKER: Hey, buddy, I'm-
SNICKER: cant tell whether to be flattered or if this is weird sheesh
SNICKER: I'm a hunter, okay?


 

She grabs you by a horn with her massive paw and yanks you upright, getting a surprised chirp.

The cowboy instantly pulls Snicker's hand off of you.

CORSAIR: Watch it.
CROSSBONE: nonono its ok


 

Snicker nearly shifts to the manic, teeth bared state-

Before slowly grinding her gears back down, pulling her hand out of Corsair's gently.

SNICKER: Not a lord or whatever the hell you seem to think I am.
SNICKER: And I don't need a new errand girl when I don't know what you can even do.
SNICKER: Last time I trusted a stranger with shit we needed done here, Mange tore me a new one.
CROSSBONE: oh
SNICKER: Oh for- Don't look so damn sad!
CROSSBONE: I just-
SNICKER: You want to help make this easier?
SNICKER: Sure. We can do that.
SNICKER: I have-


 

She slaps the gate wall.

SNICKER: SO MUCH stupid ass paperwork to deal with today.
SNICKER: And I do not need to be tailing a suicidal keychain pet-


 

The words sting.

SNICKER: -looking to become a monster.
SNICKER: You tell me what you're gonna do, and I'll tell you the fastest way I'd do it.


 

She glances over at Corsair.

SNICKER: And she'll be your chaperone.

 

Corsair's grip tightens around the scepter, her wooden claw nearly balling into a fist.
She's staring daggers, though Snicker doesn't seem to notice at all.
The snake says nothing, regardless.

You have the floor.

...and Snicker has the information.
Picking your words could get you some important clues.

[knux400]

Well. It seems like Snicker at least partially knows what's up already, so may as well be direct without offering too much extra information.

Just say you're going out for "the monster thing" (or something brief like that) and change the subject to getting it done as quickly and quietly as possible. Only give details if pressed.