[TOY] Plaything

[King-Clod]

We're not gonna breakdown here. We can't afford to. Not in front of other people. Set it back.
We'll...come back for it if we can't find anything better.
Let's try for something else. A hammer, maybe?

[Lilium Mortem]

Maybe put the weapon back before you dive into a bad memory? Still it should be something you should go after. Try to remember it later, write a note with the phone about how you're feeling if the battery has enough charge to turn on.

[skinstealer]

You can’t break down here.

You can’t afford to.

Not in front of other people.

Coward.

You shake off the voice in your head and set the bat down. Time to leave that buried, at least til you’re fucking out of here.

Roulette, likewise, puts down the wrench, giving you a final glance. Even from across the store, you can hear its internal fans whirring faster.

It quickly moves to another shelf, scanning through it and eventually selecting a rusted sickle; about as tall as the robot itself. The camouflage-painted bot snags a lightweight chef's knife on the way to the checkout counter, holding a few other miscellaneous items in its claws.

TIMOTHY: …you okay?
POLKA DOT: …yeah. I’m fine.
TIMOTHY: You sure?
POLKA DOT: We…can talk about it later.
TIMOTHY: Alright…we should probably go home after this, you look really freaked.
POLKA DOT: …yeah. Good idea.
 

You start skimming over the discount section, hand hovering over stuff…until you come across a claw hammer, somewhat dulled on the claw end but still…

Now this could work.

POLKA DOT: Think I’m getting this.
TIMOTHY: How much?
 

You check the price.

POLKA DOT: 7 bucks.
TIMOTHY: Nice!
POLKA DOT: Let’s find Vine and check out…
 

Thankfully, Roulette’s gone by the time you get downstairs, Vine waiting for you by the counter. 

VINE: …that a hammer?
POLKA DOT: Yep.
VINE: Nice. Practical, but still something you don’t want to mess with.
VINE: Claw end can be used as a seam ripper, too.
VINE: See you picked up a phone, too. I’ll have to give you my number.
VINE: We can set you up after we get back.
TIMOTHY: Speaking of…
TIMOTHY: We should probably head over to Laurie’s after this.
TIMOTHY: Ribbon’s having some issues…
VINE: What’s up?
 

Her expression is worried as she hands over the money, Tim chipping in with his twenty.

[King-Clod]

It's nothing to worry about, really. Weapons just brought up some memories was all. Memories I'd rather not talk about here.
...Sorry.

[knux400]

The narrative is giving me flashbacks in public, no big deal. Let's keep going, I'm sure it won't forcibly insert it into my path again later on.

[Lilium Mortem]

had a Mexican standoff with me, my trauma, and roulette. I feel like I could have dug into whatever memory was floating there, but traumatic memory re-living is bad in public, and even worse when you are holding, and surrounded by, weapons.

[skinstealer]

POLKA DOT: …narrative’s giving me flashbacks in public.
POLKA DOT: It’s not a big deal. Nothing to worry about.
POLKA DOT: Let’s keep-
VINE: No. We’re going back.
VINE: Don’t mess with the flashbacks, especially not this early.
VINE: If you’re having trouble, we’re going home.
 

You go to protest only for-

Home. It’s home now? I-

-your brain to start clouding up again.
POLKA DOT: …yeah. Let’s go back.
 

You put your stuff on the counter and pay for it, handing back what little extra there is to Vine. You feel…both successful at your purchases and defeated all at once, but you get the feeling there’s not much room to argue with Vine when she’s being firm like this. 

 
Vine goes over to Marlowe as your goods get bagged, and when she waves you over, some guy running with him has already come over to supervise. 
MARLOWE: Chip here will be leading the group home- there’s some other people coming with. 
MARLOWE: I hope you newbies had a nice time.
TIMOTHY: Yeah!
TIMOTHY: I’m looking forward to more.
MARLOWE: And what about you, Ribbon?

[Lilium Mortem]

It was nice, good to be out and about, even if ringed by armed guards. looking forward to more trips.

[King-Clod]

Yeah, I had a great time. I think I got some good stuff...and I definitely wouldn't be opposed to doing this again sometime. Hopefully after I get my first paycheck, though.

[skinstealer]

POLKA DOT: Yeah, had a great time being out and about. 
POLKA DOT: Got some good stuff, and I’m not opposed to doing this again sometime.
POLKA DOT: …After I get my first paycheck though.
 

Marlowe nods, giving you a friendly expression.

MARLOWE: Glad to hear it!
CHIP: Okay, let’s get going. Stay close.
 

Chip leads the three of you outside, a couple of toys waiting outside- oh, great.

Looks like Devo and Roulette are waiting to head out too.

Your group gets moving, Vine giving you and Tim space- but still staying close.

The bear is now holding the knife Roulette bought earlier, with the robot keeping the sickle along with a plastic bag in its other hand.

It doesn't seem to notice you as it sits up from a bench to leave, too focused on its conversation with Devo.

DEVO: So, what'd you pick up in there?
ROULETTE: Our weapons, various other things.
ROULETTE: ...Maybe a surprise for you.
DEVO: ...eh?
DEVO: Really?
 

The bear perks up, looking a lot more lively. 

DEVO: You know you don't have to get me anything.
ROULETTE: I am aware, yes.
ROULETTE: But I am still allowed to treat you to nice things.
ROULETTE: You cannot stop me.
 

By this point the two had already joined the group,
Roulette not seeming to realize that it was walking right next to you.

DEVO: Heh...guess I can't, but...
DEVO: Now I wish I had the stamina to go in and get you something too.
 

The robot's head rotates to the side as it speaks, idly surveying the city environment.

ROULETTE: There's no need for that. A gift is a gift.
ROULETTE: And, you deserve-
 

Roulette's turning head finally lands on you, its lens widening.

DEVO: ...everything okay?
 

It whips back around to the bear.

ROULETTE: Yes. Thinking. I apologize.
ROULETTE: You deserve it. That's all I was going to say.
DEVO: If you say so...
 

Devo's glance slides over to where Roulette's just was, but he settles on Tim instead. He drops his voice down to a whisper, but it's just loud enough for the robot to hear.

DEVO: Hey, the guy from earlier's here...
DEVO: ...do you think I should chance talking to him again?
ROULETTE: If you want to, absolutely.
DEVO: I'm pretty rusty, but...
DEVO: I dunno, first time a cute guy's actually shown interest in a way I like.
DEVO: You gonna be okay with being on your own for a little bit?
ROULETTE: Of course.
DEVO: Okay...I won't be too long. 
DEVO: Call me over if anything happens.
 

With that, Devo scoots over (extremely conspicuously) to Tim's side, the dog's face lighting up.

TIMOTHY: H-hey!
DEVO: Hey...looks like we're uh, both headed home?
TIMOTHY: Yeah!
TIMOTHY: We got tired, so...
DEVO: Yeah, us too.
 

You start to phase out their conversation as the fact that it's now you and Roulette walking together starts to take over any mental space you have. Roulette seems similarly distracted, and similarly unsure of anywhere else to go.

...this feels alarmingly familiar to the situation with Tim earlier, and you are not looking forward to a repeat.

[MarxzVulpez]

Ok, you might not want to address it, I might not want to address it, but I have an ever increasingly sinking feeling that the narrative is pulling some horseshit today with rough and difficult topics. So in the kindest and most patient way I can muster right now, What the Hell is going on?

[skinstealer]

You steel yourself for what could be a very bad idea.

POLKA DOT: …look.
ROULETTE: We don't have to-
POLKA DOT: I don’t want to address it either, but…
POLKA DOT: This happened to me earlier, too.
POLKA DOT: Not- the weird feeling but…
POLKA DOT: The fact that the narrative is fucking with me, especially around rough and difficult topics.
POLKA DOT: I don’t know what the hell is going on, but…
 

You give the robot a strained look.

POLKA DOT: I don’t think it’s going to let us go until we do.
 

The robot's shutter closes entirely, its fingers lifting up to its equivalent of a forehead.
Its internal fans are heating up again, spinning faster.

ROULETTE: I don't... know... any more than you do.
ROULETTE: When we saw each other, in the store, everything felt... hazy.
ROULETTE: I believe my mind was trying to remember something, if I had to guess.
ROULETTE: Which means it must be from the toy store.
ROULETTE: Which means we... must... have... known each other, or... seen each other, while there.
ROULETTE: Deeper than that, I don't believe we can know.
ROULETTE: And frankly, I hope we never do.
ROULETTE: Every memory I have ever recovered from there has been terrible.
ROULETTE: I do not see the point in trying to sort any of that out.
 

It gazes upward briefly, trying not to get lost in thought.

ROULETTE: If anything happened, we are... different people now. Surely.
ROULETTE: ...And I have enough issues, at the moment.
ROULETTE: I am sure you do as well.
 

The robot's middle rises and falls, like a breath.
A small amount of smoke leaks from an exhaust port somewhere near the bottom of its head as it exhales.

ROULETTE: There.
ROULETTE: Hopefully that should suffice.
ROULETTE: Unless you feel something is being left out.
ROULETTE: I assume you want to make sure this is handled and over with as much as I do.

[Lilium Mortem]

You're right, we're different people now. I'm not sure I could blame anyone for what they did in the toystore. But for me, I want to remember. even if it's bad, even if it's horrible and traumatizing, because those events made me who I am today just as much as what I've done since I got out. If you don't want to remember that's fine. I still do, if I learn anything about you would you like me to not mention it?

[King-Clod]

Yeah, that should be enough. I don't know if we left anything out, save for anything that'd be digging up the memories themselves. Which, I understand your desire to let lie. Sorry this keeps happening.

[knux400]

That... Feels like enough to me. Hopefully the narrative feels the same way.

[skinstealer]

POLKA DOT: That…yeah, that’ll be enough.
POLKA DOT: I don’t think I could blame anyone for what they did in the Toy Store.
POLKA DOT: I want to remember, because it feels like even if it’s bad, it still made me who I am today but…
POLKA DOT: I don’t know. I get your desire to let it lie.
POLKA DOT: If I do learn anything about you, do you want me to not mention it?
ROULETTE: ...I would've assumed you wouldn't want to speak with me again after this.
ROULETTE: If that's true, then you shouldn't feel obligated to do so, regardless of what you learn.
ROULETTE: ...If... that isn't the case-
 

The bot pauses, looking dead ahead as it considers its options.

ROULETTE: ...Then... it might be better for me to know.
ROULETTE: ...I will leave that up to you, though. 
ROULETTE: Being honest... there's no reason for you to get this involved.

[sarcovyn]

i mean, as long as you're hanging out with [gestures to the bear] him and i'm hanging out with [gestures to the dog] him, we're probably gonna be around each other a lot. to say i'm not gonna talk to you at all would be absurd. so, why not talk about it then?

[Pichi2214]

I don't see the harm in continuing to talk with you, the... narratives and memories may be fucking with us, but you've not really given me much reason to think you're bad company

I'll let you know if I figure anything out

[King-Clod]

You haven't...wronged me in any fashion, I'm not against talking to you. I just figured you seem uncomfortable around me, so I typically wouldn't without the narrative pulling strings.

[skinstealer]

POLKA DOT: You haven’t done shit to me, I’m not against talking to you.
POLKA DOT: You just…seem uncomfortable around me.
ROULETTE: It isn't-
 

It stops, having trouble getting its thoughts together.

ROULETTE: ...It's nothing against you specifically.
ROULETTE: I wish you hadn't reported what happened,
ROULETTE: I very much wish you hadn't.
ROULETTE: But it happened and it's done, and we've both made our positions clear on that.
ROULETTE: As far as seeming uncomfortable around you...
ROULETTE: ...I am... not really comfortable with... anyone... here, exactly.
ROULETTE: Not, because of any sort of... malice, or-
 

Roulette closes its eyes, fans working overtime, drawing the idle glance from one or two others in the group.
Noticing this, it seems to quickly reign it in, straightening its posture so as to look like everything was fine.

ROULETTE: ...It is... complicated.
ROULETTE: But nothing personal against you.
ROULETTE: At most... I do not like that you witnessed what happened.
ROULETTE: Which brings about feelings of... shame, I suppose.
ROULETTE: More than a little humiliating having someone see... something like that, happen.
ROULETTE: But nothing personal.
ROULETTE: Only...
ROULETTE: ...complicated.
ROULETTE: And the rest - of all of this - is not exactly worth getting into.
ROULETTE: As I said: There is no reason for you to get this involved.
POLKA DOT: I mean…
POLKA DOT: As long as you’re hanging out with him-
 

You gesture to Devo.

POLKA DOT: And I’m hanging out with him-
 

You gesture to Tim.

POLKA DOT: We’re probably gonna be around each other a bunch, provided things go well for them.
POLKA DOT: To say I’m not gonna get involved is kind of silly.
POLKA DOT: So…I’m cool with talking.
ROULETTE: Being in proximity does not mean we have to talk.
ROULETTE: And it definitely does not require you getting involved with me on a personal level.
ROULETTE: I tend not to involve myself with anyone here save for Devo, and only because we met prior to arriving.
ROULETTE: I do not think that's a good idea for... anyone, frankly.
ROULETTE: ...I am not exactly opposed to the former, though.
ROULETTE: I don't... suppose there's any harm with, chatting. On occasion.
ROULETTE: I will leave that up to you.