[TOY] Plaything

[Ignispark]

there's no need to repay the favor.

on an unrelated note, are you a fan of cursed death woods?

[King-Clod]

You wouldn't owe me anything, don't worry. Save for maybe the cost for supplies if you wanted, but I've got a pretty good stock of fabric now.

[skinstealer]

POLKA DOT: Eh, you don’t owe me anything.
POLKA DOT: At most, I’d want to have the cost of supplies paid for, but I’ve got a good stock at this point…
DEVO: If you’re sure…
DEVO: It’s just, I know it’s a big deal.
DEVO: …thank you. Again.
POLKA DOT: …there was something I wanted to ask, though.
POLKA DOT: Unrelated to this, it’s not a favor so much as…I don’t know what to call it.
DEVO: Tim did mention you having something to talk with me about.
DEVO: …is everything okay?
POLKA DOT: Well…
POLKA DOT: I, uh…
 

Tim gives you an encouraging look, which somehow just makes this harder.

POLKA DOT: My friend, Willow-
DEVO: The virtual pet, right?
POLKA DOT: Yeah, her…
POLKA DOT: She keeps…having these weird dreams, of going out somewhere dangerous and having herself changed into a monster.
DEVO: …uh huh.
POLKA DOT: She…wants to go there in person.
POLKA DOT: But we can’t go without a full party of people.
DEVO: And you want me to come.
POLKA DOT: …yes. Yeah.
 

You go into the whole thing all over again, trying not to leave out any detail. The bean bear listens, not turning his gaze away from you for a second.

When you're done, Devo crosses his arms and closes his eyes, leaning against the wall.

TIMOTHY: You don’t have t-
DEVO: I’m thinking.
TIMOTHY: It’s-
DEVO: Tim, let me think.
 

The silence among your group just allows the rest of the party’s noise to edge in, somehow more ominous than comforting.

DEVO: …Tim’s going, isn’t he?
POLKA DOT: …yep.
DEVO: Hmmmgh…
DEVO: It’s a hard call.
DEVO: I want to support Tim here, and I love him a lot…
DEVO: But you taking me on this adventure, uh…
DEVO: It might be less of an advantage than you think.
DEVO: I’ve been practicing my knife skills, but my body is super weak.
DEVO: If you take me along, the journey’ll be a lot longer, because we’ll have to rest more.
DEVO: And there may be times where people need to bail my ass out.
DEVO: I got a cane recently for longer walks, but it’s not going to be enough to keep me up to speed with the average toy.
DEVO: I’m willing to do it, on two conditions.
DEVO: No, three.
DEVO: One: you’re willing to put up with me and my hell body without yelling or giving me shit over it.
DEVO: Two: you keep your promise on teaching Tim how to sew, and do it before we leave.
DEVO: And three…
DEVO: You somehow convince Roulette to come too.
DEVO: …I don’t want to leave it alone here.

[Ignispark]

Of course. All of that is completely reasonable.

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

If you're up for it, we'll make whatever accommodations. Just let us know.

[skinstealer]

POLKA DOT: All that sounds good to me, just, uh, let me know if you need anything.
DEVO: I’ll try not to be too much of a bothe-
TIMOTHY: …there’s a problem, though.
 

Both you and Devo turn to face Tim, whose brow is furrowed and scrunched.

TIMOTHY: I…have only really talked to Roulette once, and never one on one, but…
TIMOTHY: I don’t think it’s going to want to go, if that’s your take on it.
DEVO: …why not?
TIMOTHY: Well…think about it.
TIMOTHY: It looks out for you, and if we go by this, if it doesn’t go, you don’t go, and you stay safer.
DEVO: …I can take care of myself.
DEVO: I just don’t want it to-
 

He shakes his head and lets it hang, stopping himself from finishing that thought.

DEVO: I just don’t want to leave it by itself.
DEVO: We’ve been through a lot together.
DEVO: I…don’t want to throw that all away.
 

You’re not entirely sure what he means by that, but…

POLKA DOT: So…what do we do, then?
TIMOTHY: You could-
 

Devo looks back up at you with newfound conviction, the intensity in his eyes scaring you a little.

DEVO: Tell it that I’m going.
DEVO: I want to help Tim out, and…
DEVO: This could be good for Roulette, too.
DEVO: So, just tell it I’m going. It’ll come.
POLKA DOT: I-
TIMOTHY: Are you sure, Devo?
TIMOTHY: You don’t have to-
DEVO: Tim, all I’m doing here is running errands and reading horny books, and while I love Laurie’s, I want to try actually making something out of my life.
DEVO: …I don’t know what that something is, but the way I see it, maybe a journey to some sort of hell forest will help me out.
DEVO: At minimum, I’d be helping your friend Willow, and spending time with you.
 

He glances over to you.

DEVO: And if I’m lucky, I’ll come out of it with some new friends for both me and Roulette.
TIMOTHY: But-
DEVO: …besides, elections are coming up, and I’m sick of seeing campaign ads on TV.
DEVO: I don’t want to be around when that choice gets made, now that I have the option.
 

Tim immediately shuts up.

DEVO: …So, yeah, I’ll go.
DEVO: You got that?
POLKA DOT: …yep.
DEVO: Just make sure to tell Roulette.
 

Everything’s all awkward now, up until the point where Devo speaks again.

DEVO: But…now that we’re going on an incredibly dangerous adventure together…
DEVO: I guess if there’s anything you want to know about in advance, ask away.
DEVO: Soothe any worries you’ve got over taking me along, etc.

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

Plan your pitch to Roulette, you're going to need to prepare for a possible argument.

[skinstealer]

POLKA DOT: Well….I should probably plan my pitch to Roulette, right?
POLKA DOT: Like, what if there’s an argument?
DEVO: Eh…I don’t think there will be.
DEVO: I think it might be a bit spooked by the idea, but if it knows I’ve decided to go, I’m guessing it’ll be more inclined to go.
DEVO: Still…planning could be good.
POLKA DOT: Anything that’d be good for me to know, then?
POLKA DOT: I want this to go well, so…
DEVO: Roulette is…I think people think it’s grumpy, or something, but it’s really not that.
DEVO: I don’t really know how I’d describe it, but unless it outright tells you that it’s upset with you, try not to assume.
DEVO: …that said, it’s kind of bad at telling people when it needs something one way or the other, so…just…ask if you’re unsure, I guess?
DEVO: Uh…
DEVO: I don’t think it likes when things get too personal, but that could be just my experience.
DEVO: But…don’t treat it like a business meeting or anything, yknow?
DEVO: Just treat Roulette like a person.
POLKA DOT: So…be chill about it, ask questions if I can’t read what it’s thinking, don’t assume it’s mad at me?
DEVO: Yeah, that’s a start.
DEVO: Oh, uh…
DEVO: If it starts asking about my safety, tell it that Tim’s going to sew me up.
DEVO: …it’ll know what I mean.
DEVO: And! Possibly the most important thing, actually-
DEVO: You probably need to like. Initiate and drive the conversation.
DEVO: It’s been…reclusive, lately.

 

The bear sighs, his shoulders hanging.

DEVO: I don’t know why and it won’t tell me.
DEVO: Something like this adventure could be really good for it, but…
DEVO: It’s probably not going to small talk right now.
DEVO: Don’t talk over it or anything, but just know that it’s not all that chatty unless prompted.
POLKA DOT: I think I got that…
POLKA DOT: Anything else?
DEVO: Should be good, at least off the top of my head.
DEVO: …if it doesn’t want to go, even if you say I’m going, don’t press the issue. I’ll just back out of the trip.
DEVO: I just…don’t want it to be alone.
POLKA DOT: Well…hopefully it all works from here.
 

Tim makes a throat clearing sound, looking more than a little nervous.

TIMOTHY: Actually, uh…can I talk to you a bit, Devo?
TIMOTHY: Alone.
DEVO: Oh, uh, sure.
DEVO: You should go enjoy the party a bit, Ribbon.
DEVO: Plenty to do, right?
POLKA DOT: Yeah…
 

You get up slowly, stretching out.

TIMOTHY: I’ll text you when we’re all done, okay?
POLKA DOT: Works for me…
 

Well, you’ve got a whole party to look around now. There’s people talking, people dancing, people watching some kind of sports on the TV, people gathering in the kitchen…

What do you do?

[knux400]

If Roulette is as reclusive as Devo says, it probably won't be participating in any of the main festivities. Check the corners of rooms or other quiet places.

[skinstealer]

Well…if Roulette is as reclusive as Devo’s saying it is…

You should probably take a look around for some quiet places, little spots where there’s less action going on.

You start wandering around through the throngs of people, trying not to get your flippers stepped on as you do- there’s a lot going on.

The noise starts to pound in your head.

A back corner, behind the kitchen.
A...second living room. You think anyway. People are laughing and yelling.

You forget about Roulette.
You realize you’re looking forward to finding a quiet spot for your own sanity.

Outside in the backyard.
It's loud here, too; there's speakers here, synced up with the ones inside.
How is it so Loud out here, too?



There’s just…people.
Everywhere.
And the longer you’re aimlessly bumbling around, the less you believe that such a place could even exist.

You’re just about to give up hope until someone bumps into you, nudging you into something hard-

A banister, a staircase leading up to a second level.

...something’s…familiar.

You’ve been here before-
It feels like you must have, at least-

You take a step up, and then another.

As the music fades into a pulsing beat, it sinks in.

You remember the lights.
The noise.

You remember it was more bearable up above. ...You think.





There’s a door at the top of the stairs.

You raise your wing to turn the knob, but as you grip it between your pseudo-fingers, you hesitate.

Anything could be behind this door.

Playing into the hand you're dealt. Again.
What horror do you have to face now?
What's going to come crawling back into your head this time?
Was this all just a setup from the narrative to get you Here? Right Here?

And yet-

...You can't take the noise anymore.



You open it, slowly.

It's a bedroom.

A big bed.

There's something on the opposite side.
Junk, you think.
A heap of scraps someone had left-

It moves.



Barely.

 

The camera's aperture looks in your direction,
then resumes staring at the ceiling.
Its electronic voice rolls out; slower and quieter than usual.

ROULETTE: ...Did you need to use this room?
 

A pause.

ROULETTE: ...I can leave.

It doesn't move to get up, though.

[MarxzVulpez]

Hey Roulette! I could use this room yes, that party is

Fairly overwhelming to put it lightly, which uhhh we seem to be in agreement about. But you don't need to leave, I was actually looking for you. Both at the behest of Devo and myself: I had a question, and Devo wanted to pass along a message related to that question. (Explain Situation)

... We'd love to have you along Roulette. I don't know what your situation is, and you only have to tell me if you absolutely want to but
And this is 100% a hunch, but I wonder if Willow isn't going to be the only one who has something positive and life changing happen on this trip

[skinstealer]

POLKA DOT: Hey, uh-
POLKA DOT: I could use the room, the party is…overwhelming.
POLKA DOT: But I actually, uh…
POLKA DOT: I was looking for you. Yeah.
 

You can faintly tell that Roulette looks in your direction, difficult to discern in the dark room.

It says nothing for the moment, though.




You hear a click from the corner.

A quiet whirring noise.
You'd mistaken it for Roulette's internal fans, but, it's-
a standing fan in the corner, clicking as it switches direction.

You can only see it in pieces,
cut apart by the faint orange-yellow sifting through the blinds at the window.

ROULETTE: ...did something happen?
 

It finally responds.

POLKA DOT: Sort of? Not really? Uh...
POLKA DOT: I have a request, from, like, both me and Devo.
POLKA DOT: It's kind of complicated, though.
 

It leans its head back a little more, its movements sluggish.

ROULETTE: ...I can go back down to the party, if he's wanting that.
ROULETTE: I only needed some quiet, for a little while.
POLKA DOT: Nah, it wasn't that...
POLKA DOT: Just...
POLKA DOT: I'm going on an adventure soon. Like, out of the city.
POLKA DOT: It's for my friend, Willow...
POLKA DOT: And we need an adventuring party to like. Ensure safety.
POLKA DOT: Tim asked Devo to come along, and we thought we'd invite you as well.
POLKA DOT: I know we don't...know each other well, but I think you'd be good for it.
 

The robot glances over at you, the emotions of its expression impossible to discern.

ROULETTE: ...why...?
POLKA DOT: I mean, uh-
 

...you have no idea if you should mention the dream.

POLKA DOT: You seem like you'd be reliable in a fight-
POLKA DOT: And from what I can tell, Devo vouches for you pretty hard.
POLKA DOT: I don't know him well either, but I know Tim, and Tim trusts Devo, and Devo trusts you, so...
POLKA DOT: Logic, I guess?
ROULETTE: What...kind of fighting?
ROULETTE: Is it dangerous?
POLKA DOT: ...potentially very dangerous, yeah.
POLKA DOT: I can hold my own, but somebody who knows a lot about the world out there told us there's monsters on the way, ones based on fears and...
POLKA DOT: The destination itself isn't safe, either.
POLKA DOT: ...it's a lot to ask.
ROULETTE: And Devo's going?
ROULETTE: You're-
ROULETTE: ...you are absolutely positive that he's coming along?
POLKA DOT: ...yep.
 

Roulette puts one of its claws over its lens.

Its internal fans become audible, hardly, mixing with the white noise from the stand-up fan as it clicks again.

ROULETTE: If...he's adamant, then-
ROULETTE: ...
 

The robot goes dead silent.

Its cooling system whirrs louder.

ROULETTE: ...I can...go.
ROULETTE: ...but I don't believe this is a good idea.
 

You're quiet for a few moments, trying to think of what to say as you sit on the opposite edge of the bed.

POLKA DOT: I've...got my own doubts, honestly.
POLKA DOT: It sounds terrifying, and I'm scared I'm gonna eat shit somehow.
POLKA DOT: ...but this is something my part- friend really needs, I guess.
ROULETTE: This is not about me.
ROULETTE: ...I don't want Devo, or anyone else, getting hurt.
ROULETTE: ...And I owe you.
POLKA DOT: Hold up-
POLKA DOT: Owe me? For what?
 

A long pause.

ROULETTE: ...
ROULETTE: This past month...
 

It moves its claw, looking up at the ceiling.

ROULETTE: ...The narrative has thrust you into my life in...inconvenient and - I'm sure - uncomfortable ways.
ROULETTE: It wasn't your choice to get involved with me; it wasn't your fault that you witnessed what you did.
ROULETTE: ...I try to make as few waves as possible, for everyone else here.
ROULETTE: I do not want this to be a persistent pattern.
ROULETTE: Whether it's you, or anyone else: No one deserves to be caught up with-

ROULETTE: ...

ROULETTE: ...my presence in the lives of others should be a choice.
ROULETTE: Not one forced on anyone else, at any point.
ROULETTE: Whether through circumstance, or the narrative.

ROULETTE: ...For my involvement in that, especially for speaking with you directly-
ROULETTE: -I apologize.
ROULETTE: ...so, I owe you.
ROULETTE: I can go with you.

[Lilium Mortem]

That's bullshit. sorry, but what the fuck kinda mobius strip logic is that? the narritive will do what it wants, we also do what we want. sure the narrative puts us in a place, but as far as I know, it doesn't mind control us. I saw you getting harrassed. I had a choice, and it was a damn easy one. but I still had it and you, personally, have like, negative blame because you were being harassed!

And talking to me? jeez you are allowed to talk to your coworkers. you're allowed to talk to the friends of your friends, you're allowed to just. talk to people if they want to talk. I get wanting to keep your head down, you don't want to get hurt. But circumstance isn't something that's anyone's fault, except the nebulous entity that likes stories I guess. BUT absolutely not YOUR FAULT. You don't owe me a damn thing.

As much as I want this to work out, I want you to come because you have good reasons. not because you 'owe me'

and if you're really worried about having a choice in this, about your involvement with other people how about this? want to be friends? open offer no strings attached, no penalties for saying no.

[Ignispark]

It's greatly appreciated that you'll be along, as it improves everyone's safety but really.

No apologies are necessary. (If they are, then, you're owed one too.) It's not your choice either. Unless you're secretly the narrative or something.

[skinstealer]

Something about what Roulette says just…

Gets to you.

POLKA DOT: I mean, I appreciate you coming along- it’ll help everybody stay safe.
POLKA DOT: But…that whole “being forced to be around you” thing…
POLKA DOT: That’s bullshit.
 

The robot's camera swings over in your direction.

POLKA DOT: The narrative does what it wants! And we do what we wanna do.
POLKA DOT: It goes ahead and shoves us places, but last time I checked, it’s not, like…mind controlling me to be around you.
POLKA DOT: I saw you getting harassed, I made the call to report it.
POLKA DOT: Easy choice, too- but it wasn’t me being forced into it.
POLKA DOT: You have like, negative blame here.
ROULETTE: That isn't-
 

Its fans whir up, faster and faster.

ROULETTE: ...you're wrong.
POLKA DOT: ...wrong? How is saying you don't deserve to get creeped on wrong?
ROULETTE: It was Not-
 

Roulette's motors go into overdrive, fans becoming louder than you've ever heard them.

ROULETTE: I...am Sorry, but in no way do I have negative blame.
ROULETTE: It isn't only about the incident in the hallway, but I can start there as an example-
 

It sits up perfectly straight, staring straight at you.

ROULETTE: Back in the hallway:  You saw what I had on, correct?
ROULETTE: Wearing that was my choice.
ROULETTE: I happened to have the...moronic train of thought that a SUIT such as that would somehow prevent me from standing out.
ROULETTE: That I would only be thought of as an employee of some sort; only there to help, not 'available' for anything else in any sense.

ROULETTE: And that is exactly what happened:  Those three more than likely thought I was a Performer.
ROULETTE: That I was here for Them. To further entertain, or what-have-you.
ROULETTE: So, because of My choice, they got a little over-zealous.
ROULETTE: I am not going to defend what happened.
ROULETTE: It wasn't alright for them to do what they did. Not at all.
ROULETTE: But it was - in my mind - a minor offence; a mistake made - again - because of the outfit I Chose To Wear.

ROULETTE: Now the three of them are banned from Laurie's.

ROULETTE: I am not going to pretend that I know them.
ROULETTE: It's highly possible they would've been banned no matter what happened with me.
ROULETTE: But I can't Know that.

ROULETTE: All I know is that the three of them were kicked out because of me.
ROULETTE: Because I was there; because I made the decisions I made.

ROULETTE: So how exactly can I say there is No Blame where I'm concerned?


 

By this point, smoke is beginning to funnel from exhaust ports on the back of Roulette's head.

ROULETTE: And that is hardly the only issue!
ROULETTE: I haven't stopped screwing up since I arrived at Laurie's.
ROULETTE: I've caused issues for Vine, Laurie, and You; not to mention Devo.
ROULETTE: And I already had a track record of making trouble for others before I ever arrived here.
 

It shakes its head and lays back down on the bed, clutching its temple with a claw, resuming staring through the skylight.

ROULETTE: ...I cannot keep doing this to people.

[Ignispark]

um. i mean this in the best way possible? but i disagree with you. i highly doubt you have fault in that like. no matter what's someone is wearing you shouldnt be a jackass to them. while theres no, context for the other stuff. from what i can tell you've? done nothing objectionable or wrong. like. your existence, isnt something to apologize for????????

i dont really know what else to do than, offer condolences and doubt that it has done anything objectionable based on whats known so far.

[sarcovyn]

that's the standard you hold yourself to?? if you saw that happen to someone else, would you be blaming them for picking their outfit, or is that an arbitrary burden of responsibility you only place on yourself?

[skinstealer]

You press your wing-hands together, trying to figure out the best way to put this.

POLKA DOT: Well…I mean..
POLKA DOT: I mean this in the best way possible. Swear to god.
POLKA DOT: But I disagree with you pretty hard there.
 

Roulette is still rubbing its temple.

ROULETTE: ...I am...Sure that you do, and that's alright.
ROULETTE: But it does not change my feelings on this.
POLKA DOT: But...like...
POLKA DOT: No matter what somebody's wearing, that doesn't make it okay for somebody to be a jackass to them.
POLKA DOT: If you saw somebody else get harassed like that, in the same exact clothes, would you blame it on what they had on?
POLKA DOT: Or...
 

You hesitate, your voice going quiet.

POLKA DOT: Is it just...
POLKA DOT: Something you're holding against yourself.
ROULETTE: ...Of course I wouldn't judge anyone else for that.
ROULETTE: And it isn't...about an outfit, making-
ROULETTE: ...It
ROULETTE: was-
 

There's a slight grinding noise coming from the robot's head,
internal fans chugging as smoke puffs out in small bursts.

ROULETTE: ab-
ROULETTE: -out m-
ROULETTE: -
ROULETTE: -y actions, and mine alone.
ROULETTE: That's the Only Reason I can judge them.
ROULETTE: Because they were my actions.

ROULETTE: And these are...highly specific circumstances-
ROULETTE: The outfit in question - in my opinion - caused them to think I was a member of staff who had come for that sort of thing specifically.
ROULETTE: An entirely separate context from-


 

Its fans spin up too hot again, that same grinding noise repeating.

ROULETTE: it



ROULETTE: this
ROULETTE: doesn't-
ROULETTE: It's...fine.
POLKA DOT: ...I...still disagree, but...
POLKA DOT: ...
POLKA DOT: I don't know about the other stuff you're holding against yourself, either.
POLKA DOT: With Devo, Vine, anybody...
POLKA DOT: But...
POLKA DOT: From what I can tell? You haven't done anything wrong.
 

You take a deep breath.

POLKA DOT: Your existence isn't something to apologize for.
POLKA DOT: Not now, or ever.
POLKA DOT: ...that's how I see it right now, anyway.
ROULETTE: I



 

It takes some time to respond again at all,
the bot's head making all sorts of noises - at points looking like Roulette is entirely unresponsive.
You're not even particularly sure it heard what you said.

It comes to eventually, though, slowly but surely.

ROULETTE: apologize-
ROULETTE: -I...should, not have...brought this up.
ROULETTE: This is...not your problem.
ROULETTE: The kind words are appreciated.

ROULETTE: Even if I, still can't...say that I agree.
 

Its lens focuses over on you.
The aperture itself is lower than it usually tends to be, and somehow spread wider as well.
You pick up, for one of the first times, on the complex facial expression being conveyed:  Despondency, guilt, and a marked vulnerability.

Roulette's voice is faint,
and an unsteady wavering is only just noticeable, purely due to the stark contrast between its normal speech patterns.

ROULETTE: ...there are things, you do not know about me...
ROULETTE: ...I haven't...told Anyone...I can't.
ROULETTE: ...so you...cannot...assume the kind of person, that I am...
 

Its eye clamps shut. Roulette gently grips the bed and hangs it head in front of you.

ROULETTE: ...you don't-
ROULETTE: ...no one- no one here, really knows me...not even Devo.
 

You take it all in.

POLKA DOT: ...I...can kind of relate, there…
 

Roulette's claw returns to its forehead,
the bot not raising its head back up.

You're not sure it heard you.
...Or if it did, you're not sure it took you seriously.

You think about the Toy Store.
You relate to what it's saying more than you've let on.



...You could talk about it.

But you aren't sure you Should.
Or what exactly you would share if you did, and what you Wouldn't.

You could also sugarcoat it.
Or make something fake up instead, not get into it at all.

You wish it was easier, to know what to say.

[knux400]

It seems a bit overwhelmed right now, to say the least. I don't think pushing this topic any further would be worth the stress it would cause Roulette. I do think the way it's approaching this situation is less than healthy, but it's not worth getting it all riled up right now. We can wait for it to calm down and discuss it later.

It already agreed to go with us to the forest, so let's try and just... bring the topic down a couple notches.

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

Keep things simple and digestible for now, complicating matters will be tricky for the rest of the task ahead.