[TOY] Plaything

[skinstealer]

VINE: You…
 

Vine sighs, pressing a paw against her forehead.

VINE: Let me get this straight.
VINE: You went out, on your own.
VINE: After everyone telling you not to.
POLKA DOT: I handled it-
VINE: I know, and I’m glad you’re safe.
VINE: But for the love of- Saddler’s still out there!
VINE: Just because you’ve been here for over a week doesn’t make you invincible, Ribbon.
POLKA DOT: I…I had my weapon, and I’ve been practicing with Cindi…
VINE: A weapon isn’t going to be enough against someone like him, not from the stories I’ve heard.
VINE: Once the blacklist went up, we started hearing more and more.
VINE: I have half a mind to sit you down and start telling you some, to scare you enough to take this seriously…
VINE: But by the look on your face, you’ve learned your lesson.
VINE: Right?
 

You nod vigorously before looking down in shame- for some reason, this is…definitely reminding you of someone you used to know.

Sandy. It was always telling me to stop screwing around…

Your mentor just sighs again after seeing the look on your face, and gives you a pat on the back.

VINE: Look…
VINE: Was it worth it, at least?
 

You look up, pinpricks of tears in your eyes.

POLKA DOT: Huh?
VINE: What you went out for, what’d you get?
 

Her voice softens.

VINE: Had to be pretty cool, if you risked going out on your own.
 

Your face lights up as you pull out your shopping bag, letting her rifle through.

VINE: Huh…lots of fabric remnants. Good stuff, too.
VINE: Are you planning on making something?
POLKA DOT: Yeah!
POLKA DOT: Willow and I had some ideas to try out together…
VINE: Sit down and tell me about ‘em.
VINE: You two are sweet, I want to be caught up on what’s going on there…
 

She listens to every word.

 

---

CINDI: N…not bad, heh.
 

The horse plush is doubled over, using their long arms to support themself.

CINDI: Gut shot…nasty when paired with a hammer.
CINDI: If you were really aiming to kill, you could go for a seam rip with the claw end.
CINDI: …do that to me, and you’re totally fired, though.
CINDI: Laurie doesn’t hire murderers.
 

There’s a smile to her voice as she says it, and you can’t help but feel a distinct sense of pride.

CINDI: Didn’t get pissed, either.
CINDI: You’ve got focus. Good.
POLKA DOT: …it’s really that significant?
CINDI: For a week’s work? Yeah.
CINDI: You’ve got a long way to go, duck, but I’m seeing promise.
CINDI: You’re getting somewhere.
CINDI: …though I gotta wonder something.
 

You brace yourself as she stares you straight in the eye, almost as if she’s trying to puzzle you out.

CINDI: You really do seem like you’ve fought before.
CINDI: Maybe not with a hammer. Maybe not well.
CINDI: But you’ve done some damage.
CINDI: …I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t worrying.
POLKA DOT: Why’s that?
 

You can’t help but sound defensive when you say it, your skin prickling.

CINDI: Feels like I’m giving a loose cannon actual training.
CINDI: Loading up a weapon or something.
CINDI: You better not make me regret this, duck.
CINDI: Your anger’s getting better. Way better.
CINDI: But you better keep it that way, or I feel like we’re gonna see some guts splattered.
CINDI: Got that?
POLKA DOT: …got it.
 

---

CROSSBONE: Really? Just for me?
POLKA DOT: Well…it was the special today, so not just for you…
POLKA DOT: But this one’s got some extra flair.
POLKA DOT: That’s just for you.
 

She’s practically bouncing as you set the plate down in front of her, hopping up on the adjacent stool and swinging your legs. You can’t wait for her to try…

The dessert in question is a cupcake- you used a blank base miniature and carefully painted each one a chocolate brown, letting them “bake” to dry…the resulting flavor? Devil’s food cake.

CROSSBONE: Is that a little skull on top?
POLKA DOT: Mmmmhm.
POLKA DOT: They’re called Jolly Rogers.
CROSSBONE: No.
POLKA DOT: Yes!
CROSSBONE: You really love that pirate dream!
POLKA DOT: I mean, I had another one and everything. Maybe it’s a sign.
POLKA DOT: We still gotta make our costumes…
CROSSBONE: Hehehe…maybe we could debut them at a costume party.
POLKA DOT: They have those here?
CROSSBONE: On occasion.
CROSSBONE: Usually during the fall season, but…people here love getting dressed up.
CROSSBONE: I’ll keep an eye out for one…
POLKA DOT: Hopefully not too soon. We’ve got work to do.
CROSSBONE: I’ve got some sketches, actually.
CROSSBONE: We can go over them after this!
POLKA DOT: Sounds perfect.
 

You lean in to give her a little kiss on the screen, her internal character shimmying around, all embarrassed.

CROSSBONE: You’re so sweet…
POLKA DOT: Not as sweet as the Jolly Roger I made.
POLKA DOT: Go ahead, try it.
CROSSBONE: Here goes.
 

She raises it to her face and her pixel character takes a bite, a happy little sun icon popping up.

CROSSBONE: It’s perfect.
POLKA DOT: Yeah?
CROSSBONE: Super rich!
CROSSBONE: And the skull on top compliments it a lot…
 

You watch her eat until the cupcake disappears, and you can’t deny a little tingly feeling as you do. Eating sweets had become kind of a…thing for the both of you over the past week, and admittedly, you’d spent a few more evenings taking turns sharing food with each other. Even stuff like this, where it was a completely chill environment separate from that…it gave you a little thrill to see Cross eating your cooking.

CROSSBONE: Delicious.
CROSSBONE: You’re going to have to make me some of these in private…
 

The thought of it makes your head spin- looks like she had the same idea.

You’re going to have to memorize this recipe.

 

---

Another week passes.

You and Cross go on a date, outside of Laurie’s. You and Tim see something incredible. You and Beans get to know each other a little bit.

What happens with each?