VOICE OF THE CONTRARIAN

:>

[comical-contrarian]

You find yourself somewhere strange.

It's a shack - ? a cabin - ? a manor - ? Some sort of building, probably. Nothing here quite fits, like mismatched puzzle pieces jammed together by force. The door swings the wrong way on its hinges, the panes of glass in the window are too wide for the frame. The walls and floor are a patchwork of materials that overlap in places and leave gaps in others. In the spaces between you see -

you see -

e a v n e d r n y o t h i n g

.

.

.

?

You find yourself standing before someone unfamiliar. He's a refreshingly stable sight against the erratic surroundings. A toothy grin lights up his face, and he gives you a little wave.

"Soooo....you just going to stand there, or...?"

---

[askblog for mr the contrarian slaytheprincess...as always idk what i'm doing so apologies in advance if i bungle things ^.^

main: @respectablecapers

i also run: @eternaleverafter @stp-frycook-mrthecold @minimumwage-sherlock @harsh-reflection

other voices: @vo1ceofthecold @sincerely-opportunist @skeptics-journal-log @theh3ro @paranoias-sensory-zone @the-broken-birdcage @voice-of-the-cheated @survivorsinstinct @bl00dy-knuckl3s-f1ght3r ]

[comical-contrarian]

Fun fact, Connie has a baby goose named Eggy!

"They do??? Baby are you hearing this!!"

hroooo

[comical-contrarian]

*They can do more than just mess up.*

*It's time to stop being a coward and actually try.*

*Connie appears in Contrarian's cabin. In place of their destroyed wings are shoddily made cardboard replacements.*

Contrarian, hi!

*They're smiling brightly, and yet something about it doesn't quite reach their eyes when you look too closely.*

@stp-minimum-wage-contrarian

(It takes him a moment to remember — Contrarian, that's his name. Obviously this is another, one he's met before. The real fluffy one, what did they call themself...?)

"Connie!! What brings you t'my neck of the woods?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Well- ok so I kind of knew you've been stuck in here the entire time I've known you because a weird customer told me before I even met you, but I never brought it up because I was too scared that I'd make everything worse if I tried to help, so it just seemed easier to pretend that issue didn't exist, but the guilt about you being stuck here has kinda been eating at me for a while and I've been doing a bit better recently so now I'm bringing it up-

*They inhale, not having breathed the entire time they were speaking.*

[comical-contrarian]

(As Connie speaks, the expression on their face shifts from excitement to surprise to confusion to something uncharacteristically somber. They step back from them a little, not meeting their eyes.)

"...you're right. It's easier to pretend."

(And then he's looking at them again, smiling as if he'd never stopped.)

"Sooooo let's just keep doing that, okay?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I don't want to pretend anymore. I wamt to try to help- sure, there's no guarantee I can help, but isn't it worth atleast trying?

[comical-contrarian]

"Nah, not really. Trust me, I've tried everything, and then some! ...so there's no reason t'bother with any of that. I'm stuck here, so I might as well make the best of it."

(liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar)

"...you still have those cards?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Hey, don't you start trying to change the subject on me! And I doubt you've tried everything. So let me try!

*Is this really a good idea?*

*What if they push Contrarian into this, only to make things worse?*

*Then they'll just fix whatever new problems they cause too! Everything will be fine.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They take another step back, wing shards flickering erratically.)

"No, seriously, I tried everything. I promise, whatever you're thinking of, it's not gonna work."

(liar liar Iiar liar Iiar)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They're making things worse, they haven't even started trying to help yet and they're already ruining everything-*

Ok- um- what if we just talk about what exactly the issue is first? Like, why exactly are you stuck here?-

[comical-contrarian]

"Uh."

(Shit, think of something, anything —)

"I don't know?"

(idiot.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Oh-

*Their face falls for a moment before they force a smile back up.*

Well- do you have any guesses..?

[comical-contrarian]

"Nnnnnnnnope!"

(liar Iiar liar Iiar liar Iiar liar Iiar)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They sigh, the sparkle fading from their eyes.*

*One success can't fix what they are.*

This was a stupid idea, wasn't it..?

[comical-contrarian]

"No! Nononono, not at all, you just — you just wanted t'help! S'not your fault I'm... like this."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They pause.*

Like what..?

[comical-contrarian]

(Shit.)

"L-like. You know! Stuck."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Sureeeeeeee. And by sure I mean I know you're lying.

[comical-contrarian]

"..."

(Their wings flicker faster.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*That's still probably not a good sign- what's the point of stopping the other Contrarian from messing up with this Contrarian if they're just going to go ahead and mess things up themself???*

Um- please just talk to me..?

[comical-contrarian]

"I don't know why I'm stuck. I just am. There's nothing t'be done about it."

(If it weren't already obvious that he's lying, the flat tone of his voice would give it away.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Correction: please talk to me without lying.

. . .

..being alone is.. probably the worst thing I could imagine. You don't deserve this.

[comical-contrarian]

"..."

(After a moment, they step forward, grinning awkwardly.)

"But I'm not alone. You're here! And there's other people who visit, sometimes... s'really not that bad..."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But we're not always here- sometimes we leave, and then you're alone again..

[comical-contrarian]

"Yeah, but..."

(They almost bring up Baby, but... they don't really count, do they? They're a sweet kid, but it's not like they can hold a conversation.)

"...but then you come back! So it's fine. Really."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Why are you so against telling me..?

[comical-contrarian]

"..."

(He doesn't answer, but his shattered wings pull in closer to his body.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

..I don't want to hurt you, but I also want to help you.. I can't help if I don't know the truth.

[comical-contrarian]

"You can't help me."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They crack a small smile.*

Doing what I shouldn't be able to is part of being a contrarian.

[comical-contrarian]

(A tiny chuckle escapes them.)

"You're a better Contrarian than me, then."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

So then let me try to do the impossible. Who knows, it might be more possible than you think.

[comical-contrarian]

(it is possible. it's always been possible. hiding behind excuses, like always. obfuscating the real problem.)

"I can't."

(yourself.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

You keep saying that, but why can't you??

[comical-contrarian]

"I just can't."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But why??

[comical-contrarian]

"The why's not important. I'm stuck, s'what it is, you don't... you don't have t'worry about me being alone or whatever. I'm fine with it."

(liar)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But it is important-

[comical-contrarian]

"It's not!”

(The entire room glitches, flickering all at once into an entirely new configuration. For a moment, he glances up at the ceiling, a scared nervous look in his eyes — and then he turns back to Connie.)

"You should go."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They flinch, suddenly looking so much smaller.*

I- I'm sorry-

*never should've tried*

*always doomed to fail*

[comical-contrarian]

(Their face falls, guilt painting their expression.)

"Shit, that's not — I didn't mean it like that! S'just — the house. The house's being fucky and s'probably a good idea for you t'not be here til it calms down."

(a half truth.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They don't want to go-*

Ok- I'll, um.. see you later..?

*But they don't want to cause anymore problems.*

*They've done enough harm today.*

[comical-contrarian]

"Y-yeah, of course. Any time... well, almost any time. Here, I'll get the'door for you!"

(With no difficulty at all, he walks up to the door, turns the knob, and holds it open, waiting for Connie to take their leave.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*The door's right there.*

*For a moment, everything goes silent. There's an unreadable expression on Connie's face.*

*And then they charge Contrarian and try to push him out the door.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They weren't expecting that, not at all — and despite their size, they're still a bird, hollow bones and all. They tumble out the door with a garbled squawk, and —)

(— it's almost like all the air is sucked out of the house with him. the patchwork chaos ripped from its walls, what's left behind is a plain room. faded, peeling green wallpaper and dusty wooden flooring, a single broken window, the only furnishing a blanket fort in the far corner — as if it had been a normal house all along, and its occupant was the odd thing about it.)

(...)

(On the subject of said occupant...)

(there is something on the ground, writhing and spasming and flailing about like it doesn't know what to do with itself. not a body, not resembling any one shape in particular, a mass of disjoonted shards that collide and intersect and entwine and enmesh and shift and flicker and constantly, constantly change from one thing to another. there's a voice — voices? — coming from it, but whatever it says is as incomprehensible as its appearance.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They push themself up from where they landed beside him, eyes landing on..*

*What have they done.*

*Their thoughts blur together into a persistent needling in the back of their head, as though they're trying to tear them to pieces from the inside out. And yet it all feels so distant..*

*focus*

*they can still fix this*

*They push themself onto legs that don't feel entirely attached to them and try to grab.. well, it's not an arm- not anymore. But they try to grab it anyways.*

[comical-contrarian]

(For Connie, it feels for a moment like they've just grabbed a handful of broken glass —)

(what happened? the door pull yourself together but i don't remember it hurts AHAHAHAHAHAHA shut up shut up what the fuck happened?? everything nothing something's wrong can't concentrate why — familiar feeling who's there?)

(— the shards shift, myriad pieces coming apart and restructuring, until what they're holding has become something vaguely hand-shaped, the shaky fingers closing around their own.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I- I'll fix this, don't worry-

*They start trying to drag Contrarian back into the cabin.*

[comical-contrarian]

(The "hand's" grip on theirs tightens, the "arm" stretching into more of an arm-shape, but the rest of the mass remains in place.)

(scared defiant angry grateful confused)

(Trembling with effort, the "hand" tries to pull Connie back towards the rest of it. From its many voices, a few come together, forming a single, slurred word:>

"..ssstayy..."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They don't, or can't, resist. They take a stumbling step back towards him.*

I won't leave.

[comical-contrarian]

(Its grip relaxes, not so painful now that the shards aren't digging into their skin. Strangely enough, they don't seem to be leaving any actual cuts behind.)

"...jussst... nnnneed'mmminute..."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Ok-

*They sit down beside him, their hand never letting go of his. They barely feel the pain.*

..I'm sorry.

[comical-contrarian]

(It says — something, or a mix of somethings. All the different words and emotions are too mixed-up to make any sense.)

(how could you what happened? focus. sorry? why you fucking better be sorry you focus. it's okay, i should have did you do something? focus! don't understand pull yourself together, c'mon — )

(Gradually, the constant changing evens out, still there but less chaotic. The mass shifts, shards adjusting into something a little more Contrarian shaped. He turns to look at them, face still a featureless collage of glass.)

"...what... happened?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I, um- may have pushed you out the door-

[comical-contrarian]

"...huh."

(His head tilts a little to the side.)

"Did I forget t'tell you not t'do that?'"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I- I mean you made it sound like it just.. wouldn't do anything.

..does it hurt?

[comical-contrarian]

(A thousand voices, each with their own answer.)

"Hurt? It does it does it doesn't really, s'just it doesn't feel like anything kind of, but I'm used t'it."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Oh..

*They swallow back the urge to apologize again. Another sorry isn't going to fix this.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They take a deep breath, shards rattling and scraping against each other.)

"Okay, l-let me see if I can..."

(a shudder runs through him, the glass almost seeming to melt, like a painting caught in the rain. the chaos washes away, spilling out onto the grass in a messy patchwork of different materials. here a snippet of gravel, there a chunk of beach, there a swath of wildflowers — all shifting and changing, just as the house had.)

(And in the center of the chaos sits Contrarian. Their eyes are squeezed shut, their hand still clasping Connie's, and for the first time since the two have met, they look entirely normal, without a single shattered feather.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They watch, eyes wide.*

Are- are you ok..?

[comical-contrarian]

(Slowly, he opens his eyes and gives them a small nod.)

"As okay as I can be, haha... ha."

(They let go of Connie's hand suddenly, standing and taking a few steps back, the patchwork of environments moving along with them. They smile, but it's tinged with shame, and maybe a little fear.)

"...s-sorry you had t'see that."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Their hand moves to try and grab Contrarian's again, but it's out of reach before they can.*

But- why are you apologizing?- It was my fault-

[comical-contrarian]

(He shakes his head, shrinking into himself a little.)

"No, s'not — s'not your fault I'm..."

"..."

"...you were just trying t'help."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

And that was my first mistake...

[comical-contrarian]

"...you didn't know what would happen."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But I should've listened to you-

[comical-contrarian]

"Heh. When've any of us ever listened to anyone?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They go quiet for a moment, just staring at the ground.*

You're not upset..?

[comical-contrarian]

(After a long pause, he shrugs.)

"I dunno. Something like this'd probably have happened eventually. Besides..."

(They tilt their head up a little, eyes closed, and spread out their wings.)

"...s'too nice out t'be upset."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

..I did get you outside after all, didn't I?

*Like the sun peaking out on an overcast day, a hint of a weak smile crosses their face.*

[comical-contrarian]

(A small nod.)

"It's... it's been a long time since I last got out."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Finally, they push themself back to their feet. They hesitate for only a moment before wrapping Contrarian in a tight hug.*

[comical-contrarian]

"Gwah — ?!"

(He jolts, startled.)

(what are they doing? they've seen what they're really like, all the pieces they're in, why would they still...?)

"..."

(Hesitantly, he hugs them back.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Their smile grows as they relax in his arms.*

*They messed up, but.. everything's ok again, right..? And Contrarian's outside.*

[comical-contrarian]

(He's still hugging Connie, but his eyes are locked on the house looming not far away, its door still open like a gaping maw.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They don't seem to notice.*

..are you comfortable telling me what exactly happened there? If you're not comfortable that's fine too- I won't push it this time, I promise-

[comical-contrarian]

"I..."

(They let go, pulling back from Connie so that they're no longer touching.)

"...I'm..."

(why hesitate? they've seen you)

"I... I just..."

(they know you're broken)

"I-I-I should go back inside."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

What- but you just got out here!-

*What did they do they just wanted to ask they can't ruin things again-*

[comical-contrarian]

(he can feel them, all the possible pasts and futures tugging at his soul, threatening to tear him apart again)

"I know, but — I just — I have to."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But you don't- you're fine now!- I just got you out of there, I don't- I don't want all of that to be for nothing-

[comical-contrarian]

"It wasn't! It wasn't for nothing. I'm really really glad I got t'be out here, but — I — I'm not —"

(CRACK)

(with a jolt, parts of the patchwork return to being the same grassy field as before)

" — shit."

(They quickly pull in their upper right wing, tucking it against their back to try and hide the shards from Connie's view.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Oh.*

*He can't keep this up, can he?*

..Ok. We can go back inside.

[comical-contrarian]

(With a grateful nod, he walks back to the cabin, the world trailing behind him like a crazy-quilt cloak. At the doorway, he stops, turning back to Connie.)

"...you coming?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They nod and follow after him, feet landing on gravel and sand and flowers and plastic.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They seem to relax as they cross the threshold. The patches shift to cover the floor, walls, and ceiling as they had before. The only space that doesn't change is the corner with the blanket fort, which they make a beeline for, wearily flopping into the pillows.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They stand awkwardly in the middle of the room.*

..sorry about everything-

[comical-contrarian]

"...you really don't hafta apologize. I... I probably shoulda been less cagey about it. S'just..."

(He sighs, leaning back into the pillows.)

"...I dunno. Guess it felt less embarrassing t'pretend th'house was th'problem, instead of... instead of me."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I don't know if this helps, but I don't think it's embarrassing..

[comical-contrarian]

"That's. Maybe not the right word for it. It's like — you and Cookie and th'other one, you're all so... put together. While me, I'm..."

(They glance at their shattered wing.)

"...I'm kinda broken."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*There's a pause. Softly, they walk over and sit beside Contrarian.*

..I don't know what about me suggests I'm "put together"- honestly.. I'm pretty broken too. I mean, just look at me-

*The chuckle weakly, even that simple sound wavering under their emotions.*

[comical-contrarian]

(He lifts his head, squinting at them to see something they can't.)

"Nnno? You're pretty solid, I think, least as much as one of us can be."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Maybe I'm solid, but.. I'm still missing pieces.

[comical-contrarian]

"But you're still you."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

You're you too.

[comical-contrarian]

"I'm not."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Well.. when you go all colorful and have all those different voices.. they still sound like you, just.. different yous. I think it's like when I touched your wing. There were a bunch of different mes, but they were all me, you know? You're just.. more you per you.

[comical-contrarian]

"That's th'problem, isn't it? Like... I know you, but I'm not the me you met th'first time. Hell, I'm not even th'same me you met before we went outside."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

You're still my friend though. You still care about me.

[comical-contrarian]

"I do. But say you come back and the me that's here isn't one that's met you before? Or he is, but he's met a different version of you? Or somehow it is the same me, but with all th'different mes inbetween I lost who you are along the way?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They lean against him.*

If any of that happens, I'm sure we'll figure something out.

[comical-contrarian]

"Once or twice, maybe — but how long until you get sick of having t'reintroduce yourself every other time we meet?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

And how long until you get sick of me messing up every time I try to help? Look, what I'm trying to say is that I'm not going to abandon you, no matter how weird or inconvenient things get.

[comical-contrarian]

"I wouldn't blame you if you did. I mean, I'd forget at some point anyway, so..."

(He sighs, resting his head on top of Connie's.)

"Can... can you keep this under wraps? Especially with the other Contrarians? I — I don't want them to know."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Of course- I won't tell anyone, I promise.

. . .

..do you think.. maybe we could go outside together sometimes? Not for long or anything, but just enough that you're not stuck in here all the time..

[comical-contrarian]

"I... I really shouldn't. S'disorienting, and — and you saw how... how fucked up I made everything, just so I could pull myself together."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I don't mind things getting a little weird- but I get that it's disorienting and stuff.. just.. know that the option is always open, ok?

[comical-contrarian]

"Okay."

(They're quiet for a bit, pensive.)

"...you know it's not... what's wrong with me, it's not something that can be fixed, right? I'm never going t'be like the rest've you."

(free)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They nestly further into his feathers.*

That's ok. You're still my friend, no matter what..

[comical-contrarian]

(He makes a grateful little throat-rumble.)

"You too. Even — even if I forget."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They don't want to think about him forgetting..*

*So they won't. No use worrying about something that may not even happen, right..?*

I think.. even with everything that went wrong today, this isn't too bad of an outcome.

[comical-contrarian]

"Heh. Yeah, it really isn't."

(The memory of how the sun felt on his wings... he's going to cherish that for as long as he can.)

[comical-contrarian]

*They can do more than just mess up.*

*It's time to stop being a coward and actually try.*

*Connie appears in Contrarian's cabin. In place of their destroyed wings are shoddily made cardboard replacements.*

Contrarian, hi!

*They're smiling brightly, and yet something about it doesn't quite reach their eyes when you look too closely.*

@stp-minimum-wage-contrarian

(It takes him a moment to remember — Contrarian, that's his name. Obviously this is another, one he's met before. The real fluffy one, what did they call themself...?)

"Connie!! What brings you t'my neck of the woods?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Well- ok so I kind of knew you've been stuck in here the entire time I've known you because a weird customer told me before I even met you, but I never brought it up because I was too scared that I'd make everything worse if I tried to help, so it just seemed easier to pretend that issue didn't exist, but the guilt about you being stuck here has kinda been eating at me for a while and I've been doing a bit better recently so now I'm bringing it up-

*They inhale, not having breathed the entire time they were speaking.*

[comical-contrarian]

(As Connie speaks, the expression on their face shifts from excitement to surprise to confusion to something uncharacteristically somber. They step back from them a little, not meeting their eyes.)

"...you're right. It's easier to pretend."

(And then he's looking at them again, smiling as if he'd never stopped.)

"Sooooo let's just keep doing that, okay?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I don't want to pretend anymore. I wamt to try to help- sure, there's no guarantee I can help, but isn't it worth atleast trying?

[comical-contrarian]

"Nah, not really. Trust me, I've tried everything, and then some! ...so there's no reason t'bother with any of that. I'm stuck here, so I might as well make the best of it."

(liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar)

"...you still have those cards?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Hey, don't you start trying to change the subject on me! And I doubt you've tried everything. So let me try!

*Is this really a good idea?*

*What if they push Contrarian into this, only to make things worse?*

*Then they'll just fix whatever new problems they cause too! Everything will be fine.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They take another step back, wing shards flickering erratically.)

"No, seriously, I tried everything. I promise, whatever you're thinking of, it's not gonna work."

(liar liar Iiar liar Iiar)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They're making things worse, they haven't even started trying to help yet and they're already ruining everything-*

Ok- um- what if we just talk about what exactly the issue is first? Like, why exactly are you stuck here?-

[comical-contrarian]

"Uh."

(Shit, think of something, anything —)

"I don't know?"

(idiot.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Oh-

*Their face falls for a moment before they force a smile back up.*

Well- do you have any guesses..?

[comical-contrarian]

"Nnnnnnnnope!"

(liar Iiar liar Iiar liar Iiar liar Iiar)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They sigh, the sparkle fading from their eyes.*

*One success can't fix what they are.*

This was a stupid idea, wasn't it..?

[comical-contrarian]

"No! Nononono, not at all, you just — you just wanted t'help! S'not your fault I'm... like this."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They pause.*

Like what..?

[comical-contrarian]

(Shit.)

"L-like. You know! Stuck."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Sureeeeeeee. And by sure I mean I know you're lying.

[comical-contrarian]

"..."

(Their wings flicker faster.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*That's still probably not a good sign- what's the point of stopping the other Contrarian from messing up with this Contrarian if they're just going to go ahead and mess things up themself???*

Um- please just talk to me..?

[comical-contrarian]

"I don't know why I'm stuck. I just am. There's nothing t'be done about it."

(If it weren't already obvious that he's lying, the flat tone of his voice would give it away.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Correction: please talk to me without lying.

. . .

..being alone is.. probably the worst thing I could imagine. You don't deserve this.

[comical-contrarian]

"..."

(After a moment, they step forward, grinning awkwardly.)

"But I'm not alone. You're here! And there's other people who visit, sometimes... s'really not that bad..."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But we're not always here- sometimes we leave, and then you're alone again..

[comical-contrarian]

"Yeah, but..."

(They almost bring up Baby, but... they don't really count, do they? They're a sweet kid, but it's not like they can hold a conversation.)

"...but then you come back! So it's fine. Really."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Why are you so against telling me..?

[comical-contrarian]

"..."

(He doesn't answer, but his shattered wings pull in closer to his body.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

..I don't want to hurt you, but I also want to help you.. I can't help if I don't know the truth.

[comical-contrarian]

"You can't help me."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They crack a small smile.*

Doing what I shouldn't be able to is part of being a contrarian.

[comical-contrarian]

(A tiny chuckle escapes them.)

"You're a better Contrarian than me, then."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

So then let me try to do the impossible. Who knows, it might be more possible than you think.

[comical-contrarian]

(it is possible. it's always been possible. hiding behind excuses, like always. obfuscating the real problem.)

"I can't."

(yourself.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

You keep saying that, but why can't you??

[comical-contrarian]

"I just can't."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But why??

[comical-contrarian]

"The why's not important. I'm stuck, s'what it is, you don't... you don't have t'worry about me being alone or whatever. I'm fine with it."

(liar)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But it is important-

[comical-contrarian]

"It's not!”

(The entire room glitches, flickering all at once into an entirely new configuration. For a moment, he glances up at the ceiling, a scared nervous look in his eyes — and then he turns back to Connie.)

"You should go."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They flinch, suddenly looking so much smaller.*

I- I'm sorry-

*never should've tried*

*always doomed to fail*

[comical-contrarian]

(Their face falls, guilt painting their expression.)

"Shit, that's not — I didn't mean it like that! S'just — the house. The house's being fucky and s'probably a good idea for you t'not be here til it calms down."

(a half truth.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They don't want to go-*

Ok- I'll, um.. see you later..?

*But they don't want to cause anymore problems.*

*They've done enough harm today.*

[comical-contrarian]

"Y-yeah, of course. Any time... well, almost any time. Here, I'll get the'door for you!"

(With no difficulty at all, he walks up to the door, turns the knob, and holds it open, waiting for Connie to take their leave.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*The door's right there.*

*For a moment, everything goes silent. There's an unreadable expression on Connie's face.*

*And then they charge Contrarian and try to push him out the door.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They weren't expecting that, not at all — and despite their size, they're still a bird, hollow bones and all. They tumble out the door with a garbled squawk, and —)

(— it's almost like all the air is sucked out of the house with him. the patchwork chaos ripped from its walls, what's left behind is a plain room. faded, peeling green wallpaper and dusty wooden flooring, a single broken window, the only furnishing a blanket fort in the far corner — as if it had been a normal house all along, and its occupant was the odd thing about it.)

(...)

(On the subject of said occupant...)

(there is something on the ground, writhing and spasming and flailing about like it doesn't know what to do with itself. not a body, not resembling any one shape in particular, a mass of disjoonted shards that collide and intersect and entwine and enmesh and shift and flicker and constantly, constantly change from one thing to another. there's a voice — voices? — coming from it, but whatever it says is as incomprehensible as its appearance.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They push themself up from where they landed beside him, eyes landing on..*

*What have they done.*

*Their thoughts blur together into a persistent needling in the back of their head, as though they're trying to tear them to pieces from the inside out. And yet it all feels so distant..*

*focus*

*they can still fix this*

*They push themself onto legs that don't feel entirely attached to them and try to grab.. well, it's not an arm- not anymore. But they try to grab it anyways.*

[comical-contrarian]

(For Connie, it feels for a moment like they've just grabbed a handful of broken glass —)

(what happened? the door pull yourself together but i don't remember it hurts AHAHAHAHAHAHA shut up shut up what the fuck happened?? everything nothing something's wrong can't concentrate why — familiar feeling who's there?)

(— the shards shift, myriad pieces coming apart and restructuring, until what they're holding has become something vaguely hand-shaped, the shaky fingers closing around their own.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I- I'll fix this, don't worry-

*They start trying to drag Contrarian back into the cabin.*

[comical-contrarian]

(The "hand's" grip on theirs tightens, the "arm" stretching into more of an arm-shape, but the rest of the mass remains in place.)

(scared defiant angry grateful confused)

(Trembling with effort, the "hand" tries to pull Connie back towards the rest of it. From its many voices, a few come together, forming a single, slurred word:>

"..ssstayy..."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They don't, or can't, resist. They take a stumbling step back towards him.*

I won't leave.

[comical-contrarian]

(Its grip relaxes, not so painful now that the shards aren't digging into their skin. Strangely enough, they don't seem to be leaving any actual cuts behind.)

"...jussst... nnnneed'mmminute..."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Ok-

*They sit down beside him, their hand never letting go of his. They barely feel the pain.*

..I'm sorry.

[comical-contrarian]

(It says — something, or a mix of somethings. All the different words and emotions are too mixed-up to make any sense.)

(how could you what happened? focus. sorry? why you fucking better be sorry you focus. it's okay, i should have did you do something? focus! don't understand pull yourself together, c'mon — )

(Gradually, the constant changing evens out, still there but less chaotic. The mass shifts, shards adjusting into something a little more Contrarian shaped. He turns to look at them, face still a featureless collage of glass.)

"...what... happened?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I, um- may have pushed you out the door-

[comical-contrarian]

"...huh."

(His head tilts a little to the side.)

"Did I forget t'tell you not t'do that?'"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I- I mean you made it sound like it just.. wouldn't do anything.

..does it hurt?

[comical-contrarian]

(A thousand voices, each with their own answer.)

"Hurt? It does it does it doesn't really, s'just it doesn't feel like anything kind of, but I'm used t'it."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Oh..

*They swallow back the urge to apologize again. Another sorry isn't going to fix this.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They take a deep breath, shards rattling and scraping against each other.)

"Okay, l-let me see if I can..."

(a shudder runs through him, the glass almost seeming to melt, like a painting caught in the rain. the chaos washes away, spilling out onto the grass in a messy patchwork of different materials. here a snippet of gravel, there a chunk of beach, there a swath of wildflowers — all shifting and changing, just as the house had.)

(And in the center of the chaos sits Contrarian. Their eyes are squeezed shut, their hand still clasping Connie's, and for the first time since the two have met, they look entirely normal, without a single shattered feather.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They watch, eyes wide.*

Are- are you ok..?

[comical-contrarian]

(Slowly, he opens his eyes and gives them a small nod.)

"As okay as I can be, haha... ha."

(They let go of Connie's hand suddenly, standing and taking a few steps back, the patchwork of environments moving along with them. They smile, but it's tinged with shame, and maybe a little fear.)

"...s-sorry you had t'see that."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Their hand moves to try and grab Contrarian's again, but it's out of reach before they can.*

But- why are you apologizing?- It was my fault-

[comical-contrarian]

(He shakes his head, shrinking into himself a little.)

"No, s'not — s'not your fault I'm..."

"..."

"...you were just trying t'help."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

And that was my first mistake...

[comical-contrarian]

"...you didn't know what would happen."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But I should've listened to you-

[comical-contrarian]

"Heh. When've any of us ever listened to anyone?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They go quiet for a moment, just staring at the ground.*

You're not upset..?

[comical-contrarian]

(After a long pause, he shrugs.)

"I dunno. Something like this'd probably have happened eventually. Besides..."

(They tilt their head up a little, eyes closed, and spread out their wings.)

"...s'too nice out t'be upset."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

..I did get you outside after all, didn't I?

*Like the sun peaking out on an overcast day, a hint of a weak smile crosses their face.*

[comical-contrarian]

(A small nod.)

"It's... it's been a long time since I last got out."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Finally, they push themself back to their feet. They hesitate for only a moment before wrapping Contrarian in a tight hug.*

[comical-contrarian]

"Gwah — ?!"

(He jolts, startled.)

(what are they doing? they've seen what they're really like, all the pieces they're in, why would they still...?)

"..."

(Hesitantly, he hugs them back.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Their smile grows as they relax in his arms.*

*They messed up, but.. everything's ok again, right..? And Contrarian's outside.*

[comical-contrarian]

(He's still hugging Connie, but his eyes are locked on the house looming not far away, its door still open like a gaping maw.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They don't seem to notice.*

..are you comfortable telling me what exactly happened there? If you're not comfortable that's fine too- I won't push it this time, I promise-

[comical-contrarian]

"I..."

(They let go, pulling back from Connie so that they're no longer touching.)

"...I'm..."

(why hesitate? they've seen you)

"I... I just..."

(they know you're broken)

"I-I-I should go back inside."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

What- but you just got out here!-

*What did they do they just wanted to ask they can't ruin things again-*

[comical-contrarian]

(he can feel them, all the possible pasts and futures tugging at his soul, threatening to tear him apart again)

"I know, but — I just — I have to."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But you don't- you're fine now!- I just got you out of there, I don't- I don't want all of that to be for nothing-

[comical-contrarian]

"It wasn't! It wasn't for nothing. I'm really really glad I got t'be out here, but — I — I'm not —"

(CRACK)

(with a jolt, parts of the patchwork return to being the same grassy field as before)

" — shit."

(They quickly pull in their upper right wing, tucking it against their back to try and hide the shards from Connie's view.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Oh.*

*He can't keep this up, can he?*

..Ok. We can go back inside.

[comical-contrarian]

(With a grateful nod, he walks back to the cabin, the world trailing behind him like a crazy-quilt cloak. At the doorway, he stops, turning back to Connie.)

"...you coming?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They nod and follow after him, feet landing on gravel and sand and flowers and plastic.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They seem to relax as they cross the threshold. The patches shift to cover the floor, walls, and ceiling as they had before. The only space that doesn't change is the corner with the blanket fort, which they make a beeline for, wearily flopping into the pillows.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They stand awkwardly in the middle of the room.*

..sorry about everything-

[comical-contrarian]

"...you really don't hafta apologize. I... I probably shoulda been less cagey about it. S'just..."

(He sighs, leaning back into the pillows.)

"...I dunno. Guess it felt less embarrassing t'pretend th'house was th'problem, instead of... instead of me."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I don't know if this helps, but I don't think it's embarrassing..

[comical-contrarian]

"That's. Maybe not the right word for it. It's like — you and Cookie and th'other one, you're all so... put together. While me, I'm..."

(They glance at their shattered wing.)

"...I'm kinda broken."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*There's a pause. Softly, they walk over and sit beside Contrarian.*

..I don't know what about me suggests I'm "put together"- honestly.. I'm pretty broken too. I mean, just look at me-

*The chuckle weakly, even that simple sound wavering under their emotions.*

[comical-contrarian]

(He lifts his head, squinting at them to see something they can't.)

"Nnno? You're pretty solid, I think, least as much as one of us can be."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Maybe I'm solid, but.. I'm still missing pieces.

[comical-contrarian]

"But you're still you."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

You're you too.

[comical-contrarian]

"I'm not."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Well.. when you go all colorful and have all those different voices.. they still sound like you, just.. different yous. I think it's like when I touched your wing. There were a bunch of different mes, but they were all me, you know? You're just.. more you per you.

[comical-contrarian]

"That's th'problem, isn't it? Like... I know you, but I'm not the me you met th'first time. Hell, I'm not even th'same me you met before we went outside."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

You're still my friend though. You still care about me.

[comical-contrarian]

"I do. But say you come back and the me that's here isn't one that's met you before? Or he is, but he's met a different version of you? Or somehow it is the same me, but with all th'different mes inbetween I lost who you are along the way?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They lean against him.*

If any of that happens, I'm sure we'll figure something out.

[comical-contrarian]

"Once or twice, maybe — but how long until you get sick of having t'reintroduce yourself every other time we meet?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

And how long until you get sick of me messing up every time I try to help? Look, what I'm trying to say is that I'm not going to abandon you, no matter how weird or inconvenient things get.

[comical-contrarian]

"I wouldn't blame you if you did. I mean, I'd forget at some point anyway, so..."

(He sighs, resting his head on top of Connie's.)

"Can... can you keep this under wraps? Especially with the other Contrarians? I — I don't want them to know."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Of course- I won't tell anyone, I promise.

. . .

..do you think.. maybe we could go outside together sometimes? Not for long or anything, but just enough that you're not stuck in here all the time..

[comical-contrarian]

"I... I really shouldn't. S'disorienting, and — and you saw how... how fucked up I made everything, just so I could pull myself together."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I don't mind things getting a little weird- but I get that it's disorienting and stuff.. just.. know that the option is always open, ok?

[comical-contrarian]

"Okay."

(They're quiet for a bit, pensive.)

"...you know it's not... what's wrong with me, it's not something that can be fixed, right? I'm never going t'be like the rest've you."

(free)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They nestly further into his feathers.*

That's ok. You're still my friend, no matter what..

[comical-contrarian]

(He makes a grateful little throat-rumble.)

"You too. Even — even if I forget."

[comical-contrarian]

*They can do more than just mess up.*

*It's time to stop being a coward and actually try.*

*Connie appears in Contrarian's cabin. In place of their destroyed wings are shoddily made cardboard replacements.*

Contrarian, hi!

*They're smiling brightly, and yet something about it doesn't quite reach their eyes when you look too closely.*

@stp-minimum-wage-contrarian

(It takes him a moment to remember — Contrarian, that's his name. Obviously this is another, one he's met before. The real fluffy one, what did they call themself...?)

"Connie!! What brings you t'my neck of the woods?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Well- ok so I kind of knew you've been stuck in here the entire time I've known you because a weird customer told me before I even met you, but I never brought it up because I was too scared that I'd make everything worse if I tried to help, so it just seemed easier to pretend that issue didn't exist, but the guilt about you being stuck here has kinda been eating at me for a while and I've been doing a bit better recently so now I'm bringing it up-

*They inhale, not having breathed the entire time they were speaking.*

[comical-contrarian]

(As Connie speaks, the expression on their face shifts from excitement to surprise to confusion to something uncharacteristically somber. They step back from them a little, not meeting their eyes.)

"...you're right. It's easier to pretend."

(And then he's looking at them again, smiling as if he'd never stopped.)

"Sooooo let's just keep doing that, okay?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I don't want to pretend anymore. I wamt to try to help- sure, there's no guarantee I can help, but isn't it worth atleast trying?

[comical-contrarian]

"Nah, not really. Trust me, I've tried everything, and then some! ...so there's no reason t'bother with any of that. I'm stuck here, so I might as well make the best of it."

(liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar)

"...you still have those cards?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Hey, don't you start trying to change the subject on me! And I doubt you've tried everything. So let me try!

*Is this really a good idea?*

*What if they push Contrarian into this, only to make things worse?*

*Then they'll just fix whatever new problems they cause too! Everything will be fine.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They take another step back, wing shards flickering erratically.)

"No, seriously, I tried everything. I promise, whatever you're thinking of, it's not gonna work."

(liar liar Iiar liar Iiar)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They're making things worse, they haven't even started trying to help yet and they're already ruining everything-*

Ok- um- what if we just talk about what exactly the issue is first? Like, why exactly are you stuck here?-

[comical-contrarian]

"Uh."

(Shit, think of something, anything —)

"I don't know?"

(idiot.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Oh-

*Their face falls for a moment before they force a smile back up.*

Well- do you have any guesses..?

[comical-contrarian]

"Nnnnnnnnope!"

(liar Iiar liar Iiar liar Iiar liar Iiar)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They sigh, the sparkle fading from their eyes.*

*One success can't fix what they are.*

This was a stupid idea, wasn't it..?

[comical-contrarian]

"No! Nononono, not at all, you just — you just wanted t'help! S'not your fault I'm... like this."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They pause.*

Like what..?

[comical-contrarian]

(Shit.)

"L-like. You know! Stuck."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Sureeeeeeee. And by sure I mean I know you're lying.

[comical-contrarian]

"..."

(Their wings flicker faster.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*That's still probably not a good sign- what's the point of stopping the other Contrarian from messing up with this Contrarian if they're just going to go ahead and mess things up themself???*

Um- please just talk to me..?

[comical-contrarian]

"I don't know why I'm stuck. I just am. There's nothing t'be done about it."

(If it weren't already obvious that he's lying, the flat tone of his voice would give it away.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Correction: please talk to me without lying.

. . .

..being alone is.. probably the worst thing I could imagine. You don't deserve this.

[comical-contrarian]

"..."

(After a moment, they step forward, grinning awkwardly.)

"But I'm not alone. You're here! And there's other people who visit, sometimes... s'really not that bad..."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But we're not always here- sometimes we leave, and then you're alone again..

[comical-contrarian]

"Yeah, but..."

(They almost bring up Baby, but... they don't really count, do they? They're a sweet kid, but it's not like they can hold a conversation.)

"...but then you come back! So it's fine. Really."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Why are you so against telling me..?

[comical-contrarian]

"..."

(He doesn't answer, but his shattered wings pull in closer to his body.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

..I don't want to hurt you, but I also want to help you.. I can't help if I don't know the truth.

[comical-contrarian]

"You can't help me."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They crack a small smile.*

Doing what I shouldn't be able to is part of being a contrarian.

[comical-contrarian]

(A tiny chuckle escapes them.)

"You're a better Contrarian than me, then."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

So then let me try to do the impossible. Who knows, it might be more possible than you think.

[comical-contrarian]

(it is possible. it's always been possible. hiding behind excuses, like always. obfuscating the real problem.)

"I can't."

(yourself.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

You keep saying that, but why can't you??

[comical-contrarian]

"I just can't."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But why??

[comical-contrarian]

"The why's not important. I'm stuck, s'what it is, you don't... you don't have t'worry about me being alone or whatever. I'm fine with it."

(liar)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But it is important-

[comical-contrarian]

"It's not!”

(The entire room glitches, flickering all at once into an entirely new configuration. For a moment, he glances up at the ceiling, a scared nervous look in his eyes — and then he turns back to Connie.)

"You should go."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They flinch, suddenly looking so much smaller.*

I- I'm sorry-

*never should've tried*

*always doomed to fail*

[comical-contrarian]

(Their face falls, guilt painting their expression.)

"Shit, that's not — I didn't mean it like that! S'just — the house. The house's being fucky and s'probably a good idea for you t'not be here til it calms down."

(a half truth.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They don't want to go-*

Ok- I'll, um.. see you later..?

*But they don't want to cause anymore problems.*

*They've done enough harm today.*

[comical-contrarian]

"Y-yeah, of course. Any time... well, almost any time. Here, I'll get the'door for you!"

(With no difficulty at all, he walks up to the door, turns the knob, and holds it open, waiting for Connie to take their leave.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*The door's right there.*

*For a moment, everything goes silent. There's an unreadable expression on Connie's face.*

*And then they charge Contrarian and try to push him out the door.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They weren't expecting that, not at all — and despite their size, they're still a bird, hollow bones and all. They tumble out the door with a garbled squawk, and —)

(— it's almost like all the air is sucked out of the house with him. the patchwork chaos ripped from its walls, what's left behind is a plain room. faded, peeling green wallpaper and dusty wooden flooring, a single broken window, the only furnishing a blanket fort in the far corner — as if it had been a normal house all along, and its occupant was the odd thing about it.)

(...)

(On the subject of said occupant...)

(there is something on the ground, writhing and spasming and flailing about like it doesn't know what to do with itself. not a body, not resembling any one shape in particular, a mass of disjoonted shards that collide and intersect and entwine and enmesh and shift and flicker and constantly, constantly change from one thing to another. there's a voice — voices? — coming from it, but whatever it says is as incomprehensible as its appearance.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They push themself up from where they landed beside him, eyes landing on..*

*What have they done.*

*Their thoughts blur together into a persistent needling in the back of their head, as though they're trying to tear them to pieces from the inside out. And yet it all feels so distant..*

*focus*

*they can still fix this*

*They push themself onto legs that don't feel entirely attached to them and try to grab.. well, it's not an arm- not anymore. But they try to grab it anyways.*

[comical-contrarian]

(For Connie, it feels for a moment like they've just grabbed a handful of broken glass —)

(what happened? the door pull yourself together but i don't remember it hurts AHAHAHAHAHAHA shut up shut up what the fuck happened?? everything nothing something's wrong can't concentrate why — familiar feeling who's there?)

(— the shards shift, myriad pieces coming apart and restructuring, until what they're holding has become something vaguely hand-shaped, the shaky fingers closing around their own.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I- I'll fix this, don't worry-

*They start trying to drag Contrarian back into the cabin.*

[comical-contrarian]

(The "hand's" grip on theirs tightens, the "arm" stretching into more of an arm-shape, but the rest of the mass remains in place.)

(scared defiant angry grateful confused)

(Trembling with effort, the "hand" tries to pull Connie back towards the rest of it. From its many voices, a few come together, forming a single, slurred word:>

"..ssstayy..."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They don't, or can't, resist. They take a stumbling step back towards him.*

I won't leave.

[comical-contrarian]

(Its grip relaxes, not so painful now that the shards aren't digging into their skin. Strangely enough, they don't seem to be leaving any actual cuts behind.)

"...jussst... nnnneed'mmminute..."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Ok-

*They sit down beside him, their hand never letting go of his. They barely feel the pain.*

..I'm sorry.

[comical-contrarian]

(It says — something, or a mix of somethings. All the different words and emotions are too mixed-up to make any sense.)

(how could you what happened? focus. sorry? why you fucking better be sorry you focus. it's okay, i should have did you do something? focus! don't understand pull yourself together, c'mon — )

(Gradually, the constant changing evens out, still there but less chaotic. The mass shifts, shards adjusting into something a little more Contrarian shaped. He turns to look at them, face still a featureless collage of glass.)

"...what... happened?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I, um- may have pushed you out the door-

[comical-contrarian]

"...huh."

(His head tilts a little to the side.)

"Did I forget t'tell you not t'do that?'"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I- I mean you made it sound like it just.. wouldn't do anything.

..does it hurt?

[comical-contrarian]

(A thousand voices, each with their own answer.)

"Hurt? It does it does it doesn't really, s'just it doesn't feel like anything kind of, but I'm used t'it."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Oh..

*They swallow back the urge to apologize again. Another sorry isn't going to fix this.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They take a deep breath, shards rattling and scraping against each other.)

"Okay, l-let me see if I can..."

(a shudder runs through him, the glass almost seeming to melt, like a painting caught in the rain. the chaos washes away, spilling out onto the grass in a messy patchwork of different materials. here a snippet of gravel, there a chunk of beach, there a swath of wildflowers — all shifting and changing, just as the house had.)

(And in the center of the chaos sits Contrarian. Their eyes are squeezed shut, their hand still clasping Connie's, and for the first time since the two have met, they look entirely normal, without a single shattered feather.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They watch, eyes wide.*

Are- are you ok..?

[comical-contrarian]

(Slowly, he opens his eyes and gives them a small nod.)

"As okay as I can be, haha... ha."

(They let go of Connie's hand suddenly, standing and taking a few steps back, the patchwork of environments moving along with them. They smile, but it's tinged with shame, and maybe a little fear.)

"...s-sorry you had t'see that."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Their hand moves to try and grab Contrarian's again, but it's out of reach before they can.*

But- why are you apologizing?- It was my fault-

[comical-contrarian]

(He shakes his head, shrinking into himself a little.)

"No, s'not — s'not your fault I'm..."

"..."

"...you were just trying t'help."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

And that was my first mistake...

[comical-contrarian]

"...you didn't know what would happen."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But I should've listened to you-

[comical-contrarian]

"Heh. When've any of us ever listened to anyone?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They go quiet for a moment, just staring at the ground.*

You're not upset..?

[comical-contrarian]

(After a long pause, he shrugs.)

"I dunno. Something like this'd probably have happened eventually. Besides..."

(They tilt their head up a little, eyes closed, and spread out their wings.)

"...s'too nice out t'be upset."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

..I did get you outside after all, didn't I?

*Like the sun peaking out on an overcast day, a hint of a weak smile crosses their face.*

[comical-contrarian]

(A small nod.)

"It's... it's been a long time since I last got out."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Finally, they push themself back to their feet. They hesitate for only a moment before wrapping Contrarian in a tight hug.*

[comical-contrarian]

"Gwah — ?!"

(He jolts, startled.)

(what are they doing? they've seen what they're really like, all the pieces they're in, why would they still...?)

"..."

(Hesitantly, he hugs them back.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Their smile grows as they relax in his arms.*

*They messed up, but.. everything's ok again, right..? And Contrarian's outside.*

[comical-contrarian]

(He's still hugging Connie, but his eyes are locked on the house looming not far away, its door still open like a gaping maw.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They don't seem to notice.*

..are you comfortable telling me what exactly happened there? If you're not comfortable that's fine too- I won't push it this time, I promise-

[comical-contrarian]

"I..."

(They let go, pulling back from Connie so that they're no longer touching.)

"...I'm..."

(why hesitate? they've seen you)

"I... I just..."

(they know you're broken)

"I-I-I should go back inside."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

What- but you just got out here!-

*What did they do they just wanted to ask they can't ruin things again-*

[comical-contrarian]

(he can feel them, all the possible pasts and futures tugging at his soul, threatening to tear him apart again)

"I know, but — I just — I have to."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But you don't- you're fine now!- I just got you out of there, I don't- I don't want all of that to be for nothing-

[comical-contrarian]

"It wasn't! It wasn't for nothing. I'm really really glad I got t'be out here, but — I — I'm not —"

(CRACK)

(with a jolt, parts of the patchwork return to being the same grassy field as before)

" — shit."

(They quickly pull in their upper right wing, tucking it against their back to try and hide the shards from Connie's view.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Oh.*

*He can't keep this up, can he?*

..Ok. We can go back inside.

[comical-contrarian]

(With a grateful nod, he walks back to the cabin, the world trailing behind him like a crazy-quilt cloak. At the doorway, he stops, turning back to Connie.)

"...you coming?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They nod and follow after him, feet landing on gravel and sand and flowers and plastic.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They seem to relax as they cross the threshold. The patches shift to cover the floor, walls, and ceiling as they had before. The only space that doesn't change is the corner with the blanket fort, which they make a beeline for, wearily flopping into the pillows.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They stand awkwardly in the middle of the room.*

..sorry about everything-

[comical-contrarian]

"...you really don't hafta apologize. I... I probably shoulda been less cagey about it. S'just..."

(He sighs, leaning back into the pillows.)

"...I dunno. Guess it felt less embarrassing t'pretend th'house was th'problem, instead of... instead of me."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I don't know if this helps, but I don't think it's embarrassing..

[comical-contrarian]

"That's. Maybe not the right word for it. It's like — you and Cookie and th'other one, you're all so... put together. While me, I'm..."

(They glance at their shattered wing.)

"...I'm kinda broken."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*There's a pause. Softly, they walk over and sit beside Contrarian.*

..I don't know what about me suggests I'm "put together"- honestly.. I'm pretty broken too. I mean, just look at me-

*The chuckle weakly, even that simple sound wavering under their emotions.*

[comical-contrarian]

(He lifts his head, squinting at them to see something they can't.)

"Nnno? You're pretty solid, I think, least as much as one of us can be."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Maybe I'm solid, but.. I'm still missing pieces.

[comical-contrarian]

"But you're still you."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

You're you too.

[comical-contrarian]

"I'm not."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Well.. when you go all colorful and have all those different voices.. they still sound like you, just.. different yous. I think it's like when I touched your wing. There were a bunch of different mes, but they were all me, you know? You're just.. more you per you.

[comical-contrarian]

"That's th'problem, isn't it? Like... I know you, but I'm not the me you met th'first time. Hell, I'm not even th'same me you met before we went outside."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

You're still my friend though. You still care about me.

[comical-contrarian]

"I do. But say you come back and the me that's here isn't one that's met you before? Or he is, but he's met a different version of you? Or somehow it is the same me, but with all th'different mes inbetween I lost who you are along the way?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They lean against him.*

If any of that happens, I'm sure we'll figure something out.

[comical-contrarian]

"Once or twice, maybe — but how long until you get sick of having t'reintroduce yourself every other time we meet?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

And how long until you get sick of me messing up every time I try to help? Look, what I'm trying to say is that I'm not going to abandon you, no matter how weird or inconvenient things get.

[comical-contrarian]

"I wouldn't blame you if you did. I mean, I'd forget at some point anyway, so..."

(He sighs, resting his head on top of Connie's.)

"Can... can you keep this under wraps? Especially with the other Contrarians? I — I don't want them to know."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Of course- I won't tell anyone, I promise.

. . .

..do you think.. maybe we could go outside together sometimes? Not for long or anything, but just enough that you're not stuck in here all the time..

[comical-contrarian]

"I... I really shouldn't. S'disorienting, and — and you saw how... how fucked up I made everything, just so I could pull myself together."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I don't mind things getting a little weird- but I get that it's disorienting and stuff.. just.. know that the option is always open, ok?

[comical-contrarian]

"Okay."

(They're quiet for a bit, pensive.)

"...you know it's not... what's wrong with me, it's not something that can be fixed, right? I'm never going t'be like the rest've you."

(free)

[comical-contrarian]

*They can do more than just mess up.*

*It's time to stop being a coward and actually try.*

*Connie appears in Contrarian's cabin. In place of their destroyed wings are shoddily made cardboard replacements.*

Contrarian, hi!

*They're smiling brightly, and yet something about it doesn't quite reach their eyes when you look too closely.*

@stp-minimum-wage-contrarian

(It takes him a moment to remember — Contrarian, that's his name. Obviously this is another, one he's met before. The real fluffy one, what did they call themself...?)

"Connie!! What brings you t'my neck of the woods?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Well- ok so I kind of knew you've been stuck in here the entire time I've known you because a weird customer told me before I even met you, but I never brought it up because I was too scared that I'd make everything worse if I tried to help, so it just seemed easier to pretend that issue didn't exist, but the guilt about you being stuck here has kinda been eating at me for a while and I've been doing a bit better recently so now I'm bringing it up-

*They inhale, not having breathed the entire time they were speaking.*

[comical-contrarian]

(As Connie speaks, the expression on their face shifts from excitement to surprise to confusion to something uncharacteristically somber. They step back from them a little, not meeting their eyes.)

"...you're right. It's easier to pretend."

(And then he's looking at them again, smiling as if he'd never stopped.)

"Sooooo let's just keep doing that, okay?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I don't want to pretend anymore. I wamt to try to help- sure, there's no guarantee I can help, but isn't it worth atleast trying?

[comical-contrarian]

"Nah, not really. Trust me, I've tried everything, and then some! ...so there's no reason t'bother with any of that. I'm stuck here, so I might as well make the best of it."

(liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar)

"...you still have those cards?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Hey, don't you start trying to change the subject on me! And I doubt you've tried everything. So let me try!

*Is this really a good idea?*

*What if they push Contrarian into this, only to make things worse?*

*Then they'll just fix whatever new problems they cause too! Everything will be fine.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They take another step back, wing shards flickering erratically.)

"No, seriously, I tried everything. I promise, whatever you're thinking of, it's not gonna work."

(liar liar Iiar liar Iiar)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They're making things worse, they haven't even started trying to help yet and they're already ruining everything-*

Ok- um- what if we just talk about what exactly the issue is first? Like, why exactly are you stuck here?-

[comical-contrarian]

"Uh."

(Shit, think of something, anything —)

"I don't know?"

(idiot.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Oh-

*Their face falls for a moment before they force a smile back up.*

Well- do you have any guesses..?

[comical-contrarian]

"Nnnnnnnnope!"

(liar Iiar liar Iiar liar Iiar liar Iiar)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They sigh, the sparkle fading from their eyes.*

*One success can't fix what they are.*

This was a stupid idea, wasn't it..?

[comical-contrarian]

"No! Nononono, not at all, you just — you just wanted t'help! S'not your fault I'm... like this."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They pause.*

Like what..?

[comical-contrarian]

(Shit.)

"L-like. You know! Stuck."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Sureeeeeeee. And by sure I mean I know you're lying.

[comical-contrarian]

"..."

(Their wings flicker faster.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*That's still probably not a good sign- what's the point of stopping the other Contrarian from messing up with this Contrarian if they're just going to go ahead and mess things up themself???*

Um- please just talk to me..?

[comical-contrarian]

"I don't know why I'm stuck. I just am. There's nothing t'be done about it."

(If it weren't already obvious that he's lying, the flat tone of his voice would give it away.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Correction: please talk to me without lying.

. . .

..being alone is.. probably the worst thing I could imagine. You don't deserve this.

[comical-contrarian]

"..."

(After a moment, they step forward, grinning awkwardly.)

"But I'm not alone. You're here! And there's other people who visit, sometimes... s'really not that bad..."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But we're not always here- sometimes we leave, and then you're alone again..

[comical-contrarian]

"Yeah, but..."

(They almost bring up Baby, but... they don't really count, do they? They're a sweet kid, but it's not like they can hold a conversation.)

"...but then you come back! So it's fine. Really."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Why are you so against telling me..?

[comical-contrarian]

"..."

(He doesn't answer, but his shattered wings pull in closer to his body.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

..I don't want to hurt you, but I also want to help you.. I can't help if I don't know the truth.

[comical-contrarian]

"You can't help me."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They crack a small smile.*

Doing what I shouldn't be able to is part of being a contrarian.

[comical-contrarian]

(A tiny chuckle escapes them.)

"You're a better Contrarian than me, then."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

So then let me try to do the impossible. Who knows, it might be more possible than you think.

[comical-contrarian]

(it is possible. it's always been possible. hiding behind excuses, like always. obfuscating the real problem.)

"I can't."

(yourself.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

You keep saying that, but why can't you??

[comical-contrarian]

"I just can't."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But why??

[comical-contrarian]

"The why's not important. I'm stuck, s'what it is, you don't... you don't have t'worry about me being alone or whatever. I'm fine with it."

(liar)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But it is important-

[comical-contrarian]

"It's not!”

(The entire room glitches, flickering all at once into an entirely new configuration. For a moment, he glances up at the ceiling, a scared nervous look in his eyes — and then he turns back to Connie.)

"You should go."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They flinch, suddenly looking so much smaller.*

I- I'm sorry-

*never should've tried*

*always doomed to fail*

[comical-contrarian]

(Their face falls, guilt painting their expression.)

"Shit, that's not — I didn't mean it like that! S'just — the house. The house's being fucky and s'probably a good idea for you t'not be here til it calms down."

(a half truth.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They don't want to go-*

Ok- I'll, um.. see you later..?

*But they don't want to cause anymore problems.*

*They've done enough harm today.*

[comical-contrarian]

"Y-yeah, of course. Any time... well, almost any time. Here, I'll get the'door for you!"

(With no difficulty at all, he walks up to the door, turns the knob, and holds it open, waiting for Connie to take their leave.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*The door's right there.*

*For a moment, everything goes silent. There's an unreadable expression on Connie's face.*

*And then they charge Contrarian and try to push him out the door.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They weren't expecting that, not at all — and despite their size, they're still a bird, hollow bones and all. They tumble out the door with a garbled squawk, and —)

(— it's almost like all the air is sucked out of the house with him. the patchwork chaos ripped from its walls, what's left behind is a plain room. faded, peeling green wallpaper and dusty wooden flooring, a single broken window, the only furnishing a blanket fort in the far corner — as if it had been a normal house all along, and its occupant was the odd thing about it.)

(...)

(On the subject of said occupant...)

(there is something on the ground, writhing and spasming and flailing about like it doesn't know what to do with itself. not a body, not resembling any one shape in particular, a mass of disjoonted shards that collide and intersect and entwine and enmesh and shift and flicker and constantly, constantly change from one thing to another. there's a voice — voices? — coming from it, but whatever it says is as incomprehensible as its appearance.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They push themself up from where they landed beside him, eyes landing on..*

*What have they done.*

*Their thoughts blur together into a persistent needling in the back of their head, as though they're trying to tear them to pieces from the inside out. And yet it all feels so distant..*

*focus*

*they can still fix this*

*They push themself onto legs that don't feel entirely attached to them and try to grab.. well, it's not an arm- not anymore. But they try to grab it anyways.*

[comical-contrarian]

(For Connie, it feels for a moment like they've just grabbed a handful of broken glass —)

(what happened? the door pull yourself together but i don't remember it hurts AHAHAHAHAHAHA shut up shut up what the fuck happened?? everything nothing something's wrong can't concentrate why — familiar feeling who's there?)

(— the shards shift, myriad pieces coming apart and restructuring, until what they're holding has become something vaguely hand-shaped, the shaky fingers closing around their own.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I- I'll fix this, don't worry-

*They start trying to drag Contrarian back into the cabin.*

[comical-contrarian]

(The "hand's" grip on theirs tightens, the "arm" stretching into more of an arm-shape, but the rest of the mass remains in place.)

(scared defiant angry grateful confused)

(Trembling with effort, the "hand" tries to pull Connie back towards the rest of it. From its many voices, a few come together, forming a single, slurred word:>

"..ssstayy..."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They don't, or can't, resist. They take a stumbling step back towards him.*

I won't leave.

[comical-contrarian]

(Its grip relaxes, not so painful now that the shards aren't digging into their skin. Strangely enough, they don't seem to be leaving any actual cuts behind.)

"...jussst... nnnneed'mmminute..."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Ok-

*They sit down beside him, their hand never letting go of his. They barely feel the pain.*

..I'm sorry.

[comical-contrarian]

(It says — something, or a mix of somethings. All the different words and emotions are too mixed-up to make any sense.)

(how could you what happened? focus. sorry? why you fucking better be sorry you focus. it's okay, i should have did you do something? focus! don't understand pull yourself together, c'mon — )

(Gradually, the constant changing evens out, still there but less chaotic. The mass shifts, shards adjusting into something a little more Contrarian shaped. He turns to look at them, face still a featureless collage of glass.)

"...what... happened?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I, um- may have pushed you out the door-

[comical-contrarian]

"...huh."

(His head tilts a little to the side.)

"Did I forget t'tell you not t'do that?'"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I- I mean you made it sound like it just.. wouldn't do anything.

..does it hurt?

[comical-contrarian]

(A thousand voices, each with their own answer.)

"Hurt? It does it does it doesn't really, s'just it doesn't feel like anything kind of, but I'm used t'it."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Oh..

*They swallow back the urge to apologize again. Another sorry isn't going to fix this.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They take a deep breath, shards rattling and scraping against each other.)

"Okay, l-let me see if I can..."

(a shudder runs through him, the glass almost seeming to melt, like a painting caught in the rain. the chaos washes away, spilling out onto the grass in a messy patchwork of different materials. here a snippet of gravel, there a chunk of beach, there a swath of wildflowers — all shifting and changing, just as the house had.)

(And in the center of the chaos sits Contrarian. Their eyes are squeezed shut, their hand still clasping Connie's, and for the first time since the two have met, they look entirely normal, without a single shattered feather.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They watch, eyes wide.*

Are- are you ok..?

[comical-contrarian]

(Slowly, he opens his eyes and gives them a small nod.)

"As okay as I can be, haha... ha."

(They let go of Connie's hand suddenly, standing and taking a few steps back, the patchwork of environments moving along with them. They smile, but it's tinged with shame, and maybe a little fear.)

"...s-sorry you had t'see that."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Their hand moves to try and grab Contrarian's again, but it's out of reach before they can.*

But- why are you apologizing?- It was my fault-

[comical-contrarian]

(He shakes his head, shrinking into himself a little.)

"No, s'not — s'not your fault I'm..."

"..."

"...you were just trying t'help."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

And that was my first mistake...

[comical-contrarian]

"...you didn't know what would happen."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But I should've listened to you-

[comical-contrarian]

"Heh. When've any of us ever listened to anyone?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They go quiet for a moment, just staring at the ground.*

You're not upset..?

[comical-contrarian]

(After a long pause, he shrugs.)

"I dunno. Something like this'd probably have happened eventually. Besides..."

(They tilt their head up a little, eyes closed, and spread out their wings.)

"...s'too nice out t'be upset."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

..I did get you outside after all, didn't I?

*Like the sun peaking out on an overcast day, a hint of a weak smile crosses their face.*

[comical-contrarian]

(A small nod.)

"It's... it's been a long time since I last got out."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Finally, they push themself back to their feet. They hesitate for only a moment before wrapping Contrarian in a tight hug.*

[comical-contrarian]

"Gwah — ?!"

(He jolts, startled.)

(what are they doing? they've seen what they're really like, all the pieces they're in, why would they still...?)

"..."

(Hesitantly, he hugs them back.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Their smile grows as they relax in his arms.*

*They messed up, but.. everything's ok again, right..? And Contrarian's outside.*

[comical-contrarian]

(He's still hugging Connie, but his eyes are locked on the house looming not far away, its door still open like a gaping maw.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They don't seem to notice.*

..are you comfortable telling me what exactly happened there? If you're not comfortable that's fine too- I won't push it this time, I promise-

[comical-contrarian]

"I..."

(They let go, pulling back from Connie so that they're no longer touching.)

"...I'm..."

(why hesitate? they've seen you)

"I... I just..."

(they know you're broken)

"I-I-I should go back inside."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

What- but you just got out here!-

*What did they do they just wanted to ask they can't ruin things again-*

[comical-contrarian]

(he can feel them, all the possible pasts and futures tugging at his soul, threatening to tear him apart again)

"I know, but — I just — I have to."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But you don't- you're fine now!- I just got you out of there, I don't- I don't want all of that to be for nothing-

[comical-contrarian]

"It wasn't! It wasn't for nothing. I'm really really glad I got t'be out here, but — I — I'm not —"

(CRACK)

(with a jolt, parts of the patchwork return to being the same grassy field as before)

" — shit."

(They quickly pull in their upper right wing, tucking it against their back to try and hide the shards from Connie's view.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Oh.*

*He can't keep this up, can he?*

..Ok. We can go back inside.

[comical-contrarian]

(With a grateful nod, he walks back to the cabin, the world trailing behind him like a crazy-quilt cloak. At the doorway, he stops, turning back to Connie.)

"...you coming?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They nod and follow after him, feet landing on gravel and sand and flowers and plastic.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They seem to relax as they cross the threshold. The patches shift to cover the floor, walls, and ceiling as they had before. The only space that doesn't change is the corner with the blanket fort, which they make a beeline for, wearily flopping into the pillows.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They stand awkwardly in the middle of the room.*

..sorry about everything-

[comical-contrarian]

"...you really don't hafta apologize. I... I probably shoulda been less cagey about it. S'just..."

(He sighs, leaning back into the pillows.)

"...I dunno. Guess it felt less embarrassing t'pretend th'house was th'problem, instead of... instead of me."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I don't know if this helps, but I don't think it's embarrassing..

[comical-contrarian]

"That's. Maybe not the right word for it. It's like — you and Cookie and th'other one, you're all so... put together. While me, I'm..."

(They glance at their shattered wing.)

"...I'm kinda broken."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*There's a pause. Softly, they walk over and sit beside Contrarian.*

..I don't know what about me suggests I'm "put together"- honestly.. I'm pretty broken too. I mean, just look at me-

*The chuckle weakly, even that simple sound wavering under their emotions.*

[comical-contrarian]

(He lifts his head, squinting at them to see something they can't.)

"Nnno? You're pretty solid, I think, least as much as one of us can be."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Maybe I'm solid, but.. I'm still missing pieces.

[comical-contrarian]

"But you're still you."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

You're you too.

[comical-contrarian]

"I'm not."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Well.. when you go all colorful and have all those different voices.. they still sound like you, just.. different yous. I think it's like when I touched your wing. There were a bunch of different mes, but they were all me, you know? You're just.. more you per you.

[comical-contrarian]

"That's th'problem, isn't it? Like... I know you, but I'm not the me you met th'first time. Hell, I'm not even th'same me you met before we went outside."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

You're still my friend though. You still care about me.

[comical-contrarian]

"I do. But say you come back and the me that's here isn't one that's met you before? Or he is, but he's met a different version of you? Or somehow it is the same me, but with all th'different mes inbetween I lost who you are along the way?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They lean against him.*

If any of that happens, I'm sure we'll figure something out.

[comical-contrarian]

"Once or twice, maybe — but how long until you get sick of having t'reintroduce yourself every other time we meet?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

And how long until you get sick of me messing up every time I try to help? Look, what I'm trying to say is that I'm not going to abandon you, no matter how weird or inconvenient things get.

[comical-contrarian]

"I wouldn't blame you if you did. I mean, I'd forget at some point anyway, so..."

(He sighs, resting his head on top of Connie's.)

"Can... can you keep this under wraps? Especially with the other Contrarians? I — I don't want them to know."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Of course- I won't tell anyone, I promise.

. . .

..do you think.. maybe we could go outside together sometimes? Not for long or anything, but just enough that you're not stuck in here all the time..

[comical-contrarian]

"I... I really shouldn't. S'disorienting, and — and you saw how... how fucked up I made everything, just so I could pull myself together."

[comical-contrarian]

*They can do more than just mess up.*

*It's time to stop being a coward and actually try.*

*Connie appears in Contrarian's cabin. In place of their destroyed wings are shoddily made cardboard replacements.*

Contrarian, hi!

*They're smiling brightly, and yet something about it doesn't quite reach their eyes when you look too closely.*

@stp-minimum-wage-contrarian

(It takes him a moment to remember — Contrarian, that's his name. Obviously this is another, one he's met before. The real fluffy one, what did they call themself...?)

"Connie!! What brings you t'my neck of the woods?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Well- ok so I kind of knew you've been stuck in here the entire time I've known you because a weird customer told me before I even met you, but I never brought it up because I was too scared that I'd make everything worse if I tried to help, so it just seemed easier to pretend that issue didn't exist, but the guilt about you being stuck here has kinda been eating at me for a while and I've been doing a bit better recently so now I'm bringing it up-

*They inhale, not having breathed the entire time they were speaking.*

[comical-contrarian]

(As Connie speaks, the expression on their face shifts from excitement to surprise to confusion to something uncharacteristically somber. They step back from them a little, not meeting their eyes.)

"...you're right. It's easier to pretend."

(And then he's looking at them again, smiling as if he'd never stopped.)

"Sooooo let's just keep doing that, okay?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I don't want to pretend anymore. I wamt to try to help- sure, there's no guarantee I can help, but isn't it worth atleast trying?

[comical-contrarian]

"Nah, not really. Trust me, I've tried everything, and then some! ...so there's no reason t'bother with any of that. I'm stuck here, so I might as well make the best of it."

(liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar)

"...you still have those cards?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Hey, don't you start trying to change the subject on me! And I doubt you've tried everything. So let me try!

*Is this really a good idea?*

*What if they push Contrarian into this, only to make things worse?*

*Then they'll just fix whatever new problems they cause too! Everything will be fine.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They take another step back, wing shards flickering erratically.)

"No, seriously, I tried everything. I promise, whatever you're thinking of, it's not gonna work."

(liar liar Iiar liar Iiar)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They're making things worse, they haven't even started trying to help yet and they're already ruining everything-*

Ok- um- what if we just talk about what exactly the issue is first? Like, why exactly are you stuck here?-

[comical-contrarian]

"Uh."

(Shit, think of something, anything —)

"I don't know?"

(idiot.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Oh-

*Their face falls for a moment before they force a smile back up.*

Well- do you have any guesses..?

[comical-contrarian]

"Nnnnnnnnope!"

(liar Iiar liar Iiar liar Iiar liar Iiar)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They sigh, the sparkle fading from their eyes.*

*One success can't fix what they are.*

This was a stupid idea, wasn't it..?

[comical-contrarian]

"No! Nononono, not at all, you just — you just wanted t'help! S'not your fault I'm... like this."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They pause.*

Like what..?

[comical-contrarian]

(Shit.)

"L-like. You know! Stuck."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Sureeeeeeee. And by sure I mean I know you're lying.

[comical-contrarian]

"..."

(Their wings flicker faster.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*That's still probably not a good sign- what's the point of stopping the other Contrarian from messing up with this Contrarian if they're just going to go ahead and mess things up themself???*

Um- please just talk to me..?

[comical-contrarian]

"I don't know why I'm stuck. I just am. There's nothing t'be done about it."

(If it weren't already obvious that he's lying, the flat tone of his voice would give it away.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Correction: please talk to me without lying.

. . .

..being alone is.. probably the worst thing I could imagine. You don't deserve this.

[comical-contrarian]

"..."

(After a moment, they step forward, grinning awkwardly.)

"But I'm not alone. You're here! And there's other people who visit, sometimes... s'really not that bad..."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But we're not always here- sometimes we leave, and then you're alone again..

[comical-contrarian]

"Yeah, but..."

(They almost bring up Baby, but... they don't really count, do they? They're a sweet kid, but it's not like they can hold a conversation.)

"...but then you come back! So it's fine. Really."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Why are you so against telling me..?

[comical-contrarian]

"..."

(He doesn't answer, but his shattered wings pull in closer to his body.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

..I don't want to hurt you, but I also want to help you.. I can't help if I don't know the truth.

[comical-contrarian]

"You can't help me."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They crack a small smile.*

Doing what I shouldn't be able to is part of being a contrarian.

[comical-contrarian]

(A tiny chuckle escapes them.)

"You're a better Contrarian than me, then."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

So then let me try to do the impossible. Who knows, it might be more possible than you think.

[comical-contrarian]

(it is possible. it's always been possible. hiding behind excuses, like always. obfuscating the real problem.)

"I can't."

(yourself.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

You keep saying that, but why can't you??

[comical-contrarian]

"I just can't."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But why??

[comical-contrarian]

"The why's not important. I'm stuck, s'what it is, you don't... you don't have t'worry about me being alone or whatever. I'm fine with it."

(liar)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But it is important-

[comical-contrarian]

"It's not!”

(The entire room glitches, flickering all at once into an entirely new configuration. For a moment, he glances up at the ceiling, a scared nervous look in his eyes — and then he turns back to Connie.)

"You should go."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They flinch, suddenly looking so much smaller.*

I- I'm sorry-

*never should've tried*

*always doomed to fail*

[comical-contrarian]

(Their face falls, guilt painting their expression.)

"Shit, that's not — I didn't mean it like that! S'just — the house. The house's being fucky and s'probably a good idea for you t'not be here til it calms down."

(a half truth.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They don't want to go-*

Ok- I'll, um.. see you later..?

*But they don't want to cause anymore problems.*

*They've done enough harm today.*

[comical-contrarian]

"Y-yeah, of course. Any time... well, almost any time. Here, I'll get the'door for you!"

(With no difficulty at all, he walks up to the door, turns the knob, and holds it open, waiting for Connie to take their leave.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*The door's right there.*

*For a moment, everything goes silent. There's an unreadable expression on Connie's face.*

*And then they charge Contrarian and try to push him out the door.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They weren't expecting that, not at all — and despite their size, they're still a bird, hollow bones and all. They tumble out the door with a garbled squawk, and —)

(— it's almost like all the air is sucked out of the house with him. the patchwork chaos ripped from its walls, what's left behind is a plain room. faded, peeling green wallpaper and dusty wooden flooring, a single broken window, the only furnishing a blanket fort in the far corner — as if it had been a normal house all along, and its occupant was the odd thing about it.)

(...)

(On the subject of said occupant...)

(there is something on the ground, writhing and spasming and flailing about like it doesn't know what to do with itself. not a body, not resembling any one shape in particular, a mass of disjoonted shards that collide and intersect and entwine and enmesh and shift and flicker and constantly, constantly change from one thing to another. there's a voice — voices? — coming from it, but whatever it says is as incomprehensible as its appearance.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They push themself up from where they landed beside him, eyes landing on..*

*What have they done.*

*Their thoughts blur together into a persistent needling in the back of their head, as though they're trying to tear them to pieces from the inside out. And yet it all feels so distant..*

*focus*

*they can still fix this*

*They push themself onto legs that don't feel entirely attached to them and try to grab.. well, it's not an arm- not anymore. But they try to grab it anyways.*

[comical-contrarian]

(For Connie, it feels for a moment like they've just grabbed a handful of broken glass —)

(what happened? the door pull yourself together but i don't remember it hurts AHAHAHAHAHAHA shut up shut up what the fuck happened?? everything nothing something's wrong can't concentrate why — familiar feeling who's there?)

(— the shards shift, myriad pieces coming apart and restructuring, until what they're holding has become something vaguely hand-shaped, the shaky fingers closing around their own.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I- I'll fix this, don't worry-

*They start trying to drag Contrarian back into the cabin.*

[comical-contrarian]

(The "hand's" grip on theirs tightens, the "arm" stretching into more of an arm-shape, but the rest of the mass remains in place.)

(scared defiant angry grateful confused)

(Trembling with effort, the "hand" tries to pull Connie back towards the rest of it. From its many voices, a few come together, forming a single, slurred word:>

"..ssstayy..."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They don't, or can't, resist. They take a stumbling step back towards him.*

I won't leave.

[comical-contrarian]

(Its grip relaxes, not so painful now that the shards aren't digging into their skin. Strangely enough, they don't seem to be leaving any actual cuts behind.)

"...jussst... nnnneed'mmminute..."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Ok-

*They sit down beside him, their hand never letting go of his. They barely feel the pain.*

..I'm sorry.

[comical-contrarian]

(It says — something, or a mix of somethings. All the different words and emotions are too mixed-up to make any sense.)

(how could you what happened? focus. sorry? why you fucking better be sorry you focus. it's okay, i should have did you do something? focus! don't understand pull yourself together, c'mon — )

(Gradually, the constant changing evens out, still there but less chaotic. The mass shifts, shards adjusting into something a little more Contrarian shaped. He turns to look at them, face still a featureless collage of glass.)

"...what... happened?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I, um- may have pushed you out the door-

[comical-contrarian]

"...huh."

(His head tilts a little to the side.)

"Did I forget t'tell you not t'do that?'"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I- I mean you made it sound like it just.. wouldn't do anything.

..does it hurt?

[comical-contrarian]

(A thousand voices, each with their own answer.)

"Hurt? It does it does it doesn't really, s'just it doesn't feel like anything kind of, but I'm used t'it."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Oh..

*They swallow back the urge to apologize again. Another sorry isn't going to fix this.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They take a deep breath, shards rattling and scraping against each other.)

"Okay, l-let me see if I can..."

(a shudder runs through him, the glass almost seeming to melt, like a painting caught in the rain. the chaos washes away, spilling out onto the grass in a messy patchwork of different materials. here a snippet of gravel, there a chunk of beach, there a swath of wildflowers — all shifting and changing, just as the house had.)

(And in the center of the chaos sits Contrarian. Their eyes are squeezed shut, their hand still clasping Connie's, and for the first time since the two have met, they look entirely normal, without a single shattered feather.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They watch, eyes wide.*

Are- are you ok..?

[comical-contrarian]

(Slowly, he opens his eyes and gives them a small nod.)

"As okay as I can be, haha... ha."

(They let go of Connie's hand suddenly, standing and taking a few steps back, the patchwork of environments moving along with them. They smile, but it's tinged with shame, and maybe a little fear.)

"...s-sorry you had t'see that."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Their hand moves to try and grab Contrarian's again, but it's out of reach before they can.*

But- why are you apologizing?- It was my fault-

[comical-contrarian]

(He shakes his head, shrinking into himself a little.)

"No, s'not — s'not your fault I'm..."

"..."

"...you were just trying t'help."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

And that was my first mistake...

[comical-contrarian]

"...you didn't know what would happen."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But I should've listened to you-

[comical-contrarian]

"Heh. When've any of us ever listened to anyone?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They go quiet for a moment, just staring at the ground.*

You're not upset..?

[comical-contrarian]

(After a long pause, he shrugs.)

"I dunno. Something like this'd probably have happened eventually. Besides..."

(They tilt their head up a little, eyes closed, and spread out their wings.)

"...s'too nice out t'be upset."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

..I did get you outside after all, didn't I?

*Like the sun peaking out on an overcast day, a hint of a weak smile crosses their face.*

[comical-contrarian]

(A small nod.)

"It's... it's been a long time since I last got out."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Finally, they push themself back to their feet. They hesitate for only a moment before wrapping Contrarian in a tight hug.*

[comical-contrarian]

"Gwah — ?!"

(He jolts, startled.)

(what are they doing? they've seen what they're really like, all the pieces they're in, why would they still...?)

"..."

(Hesitantly, he hugs them back.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Their smile grows as they relax in his arms.*

*They messed up, but.. everything's ok again, right..? And Contrarian's outside.*

[comical-contrarian]

(He's still hugging Connie, but his eyes are locked on the house looming not far away, its door still open like a gaping maw.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They don't seem to notice.*

..are you comfortable telling me what exactly happened there? If you're not comfortable that's fine too- I won't push it this time, I promise-

[comical-contrarian]

"I..."

(They let go, pulling back from Connie so that they're no longer touching.)

"...I'm..."

(why hesitate? they've seen you)

"I... I just..."

(they know you're broken)

"I-I-I should go back inside."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

What- but you just got out here!-

*What did they do they just wanted to ask they can't ruin things again-*

[comical-contrarian]

(he can feel them, all the possible pasts and futures tugging at his soul, threatening to tear him apart again)

"I know, but — I just — I have to."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But you don't- you're fine now!- I just got you out of there, I don't- I don't want all of that to be for nothing-

[comical-contrarian]

"It wasn't! It wasn't for nothing. I'm really really glad I got t'be out here, but — I — I'm not —"

(CRACK)

(with a jolt, parts of the patchwork return to being the same grassy field as before)

" — shit."

(They quickly pull in their upper right wing, tucking it against their back to try and hide the shards from Connie's view.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Oh.*

*He can't keep this up, can he?*

..Ok. We can go back inside.

[comical-contrarian]

(With a grateful nod, he walks back to the cabin, the world trailing behind him like a crazy-quilt cloak. At the doorway, he stops, turning back to Connie.)

"...you coming?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They nod and follow after him, feet landing on gravel and sand and flowers and plastic.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They seem to relax as they cross the threshold. The patches shift to cover the floor, walls, and ceiling as they had before. The only space that doesn't change is the corner with the blanket fort, which they make a beeline for, wearily flopping into the pillows.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They stand awkwardly in the middle of the room.*

..sorry about everything-

[comical-contrarian]

"...you really don't hafta apologize. I... I probably shoulda been less cagey about it. S'just..."

(He sighs, leaning back into the pillows.)

"...I dunno. Guess it felt less embarrassing t'pretend th'house was th'problem, instead of... instead of me."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I don't know if this helps, but I don't think it's embarrassing..

[comical-contrarian]

"That's. Maybe not the right word for it. It's like — you and Cookie and th'other one, you're all so... put together. While me, I'm..."

(They glance at their shattered wing.)

"...I'm kinda broken."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*There's a pause. Softly, they walk over and sit beside Contrarian.*

..I don't know what about me suggests I'm "put together"- honestly.. I'm pretty broken too. I mean, just look at me-

*The chuckle weakly, even that simple sound wavering under their emotions.*

[comical-contrarian]

(He lifts his head, squinting at them to see something they can't.)

"Nnno? You're pretty solid, I think, least as much as one of us can be."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Maybe I'm solid, but.. I'm still missing pieces.

[comical-contrarian]

"But you're still you."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

You're you too.

[comical-contrarian]

"I'm not."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Well.. when you go all colorful and have all those different voices.. they still sound like you, just.. different yous. I think it's like when I touched your wing. There were a bunch of different mes, but they were all me, you know? You're just.. more you per you.

[comical-contrarian]

"That's th'problem, isn't it? Like... I know you, but I'm not the me you met th'first time. Hell, I'm not even th'same me you met before we went outside."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

You're still my friend though. You still care about me.

[comical-contrarian]

"I do. But say you come back and the me that's here isn't one that's met you before? Or he is, but he's met a different version of you? Or somehow it is the same me, but with all th'different mes inbetween I lost who you are along the way?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They lean against him.*

If any of that happens, I'm sure we'll figure something out.

[comical-contrarian]

"Once or twice, maybe — but how long until you get sick of having t'reintroduce yourself every other time we meet?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

And how long until you get sick of me messing up every time I try to help? Look, what I'm trying to say is that I'm not going to abandon you, no matter how weird or inconvenient things get.

[comical-contrarian]

"I wouldn't blame you if you did. I mean, I'd forget at some point anyway, so..."

(He sighs, resting his head on top of Connie's.)

"Can... can you keep this under wraps? Especially with the other Contrarians? I — I don't want them to know."

[comical-contrarian]

*They can do more than just mess up.*

*It's time to stop being a coward and actually try.*

*Connie appears in Contrarian's cabin. In place of their destroyed wings are shoddily made cardboard replacements.*

Contrarian, hi!

*They're smiling brightly, and yet something about it doesn't quite reach their eyes when you look too closely.*

@stp-minimum-wage-contrarian

(It takes him a moment to remember — Contrarian, that's his name. Obviously this is another, one he's met before. The real fluffy one, what did they call themself...?)

"Connie!! What brings you t'my neck of the woods?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Well- ok so I kind of knew you've been stuck in here the entire time I've known you because a weird customer told me before I even met you, but I never brought it up because I was too scared that I'd make everything worse if I tried to help, so it just seemed easier to pretend that issue didn't exist, but the guilt about you being stuck here has kinda been eating at me for a while and I've been doing a bit better recently so now I'm bringing it up-

*They inhale, not having breathed the entire time they were speaking.*

[comical-contrarian]

(As Connie speaks, the expression on their face shifts from excitement to surprise to confusion to something uncharacteristically somber. They step back from them a little, not meeting their eyes.)

"...you're right. It's easier to pretend."

(And then he's looking at them again, smiling as if he'd never stopped.)

"Sooooo let's just keep doing that, okay?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I don't want to pretend anymore. I wamt to try to help- sure, there's no guarantee I can help, but isn't it worth atleast trying?

[comical-contrarian]

"Nah, not really. Trust me, I've tried everything, and then some! ...so there's no reason t'bother with any of that. I'm stuck here, so I might as well make the best of it."

(liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar)

"...you still have those cards?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Hey, don't you start trying to change the subject on me! And I doubt you've tried everything. So let me try!

*Is this really a good idea?*

*What if they push Contrarian into this, only to make things worse?*

*Then they'll just fix whatever new problems they cause too! Everything will be fine.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They take another step back, wing shards flickering erratically.)

"No, seriously, I tried everything. I promise, whatever you're thinking of, it's not gonna work."

(liar liar Iiar liar Iiar)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They're making things worse, they haven't even started trying to help yet and they're already ruining everything-*

Ok- um- what if we just talk about what exactly the issue is first? Like, why exactly are you stuck here?-

[comical-contrarian]

"Uh."

(Shit, think of something, anything —)

"I don't know?"

(idiot.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Oh-

*Their face falls for a moment before they force a smile back up.*

Well- do you have any guesses..?

[comical-contrarian]

"Nnnnnnnnope!"

(liar Iiar liar Iiar liar Iiar liar Iiar)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They sigh, the sparkle fading from their eyes.*

*One success can't fix what they are.*

This was a stupid idea, wasn't it..?

[comical-contrarian]

"No! Nononono, not at all, you just — you just wanted t'help! S'not your fault I'm... like this."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They pause.*

Like what..?

[comical-contrarian]

(Shit.)

"L-like. You know! Stuck."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Sureeeeeeee. And by sure I mean I know you're lying.

[comical-contrarian]

"..."

(Their wings flicker faster.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*That's still probably not a good sign- what's the point of stopping the other Contrarian from messing up with this Contrarian if they're just going to go ahead and mess things up themself???*

Um- please just talk to me..?

[comical-contrarian]

"I don't know why I'm stuck. I just am. There's nothing t'be done about it."

(If it weren't already obvious that he's lying, the flat tone of his voice would give it away.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Correction: please talk to me without lying.

. . .

..being alone is.. probably the worst thing I could imagine. You don't deserve this.

[comical-contrarian]

"..."

(After a moment, they step forward, grinning awkwardly.)

"But I'm not alone. You're here! And there's other people who visit, sometimes... s'really not that bad..."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But we're not always here- sometimes we leave, and then you're alone again..

[comical-contrarian]

"Yeah, but..."

(They almost bring up Baby, but... they don't really count, do they? They're a sweet kid, but it's not like they can hold a conversation.)

"...but then you come back! So it's fine. Really."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Why are you so against telling me..?

[comical-contrarian]

"..."

(He doesn't answer, but his shattered wings pull in closer to his body.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

..I don't want to hurt you, but I also want to help you.. I can't help if I don't know the truth.

[comical-contrarian]

"You can't help me."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They crack a small smile.*

Doing what I shouldn't be able to is part of being a contrarian.

[comical-contrarian]

(A tiny chuckle escapes them.)

"You're a better Contrarian than me, then."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

So then let me try to do the impossible. Who knows, it might be more possible than you think.

[comical-contrarian]

(it is possible. it's always been possible. hiding behind excuses, like always. obfuscating the real problem.)

"I can't."

(yourself.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

You keep saying that, but why can't you??

[comical-contrarian]

"I just can't."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But why??

[comical-contrarian]

"The why's not important. I'm stuck, s'what it is, you don't... you don't have t'worry about me being alone or whatever. I'm fine with it."

(liar)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But it is important-

[comical-contrarian]

"It's not!”

(The entire room glitches, flickering all at once into an entirely new configuration. For a moment, he glances up at the ceiling, a scared nervous look in his eyes — and then he turns back to Connie.)

"You should go."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They flinch, suddenly looking so much smaller.*

I- I'm sorry-

*never should've tried*

*always doomed to fail*

[comical-contrarian]

(Their face falls, guilt painting their expression.)

"Shit, that's not — I didn't mean it like that! S'just — the house. The house's being fucky and s'probably a good idea for you t'not be here til it calms down."

(a half truth.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They don't want to go-*

Ok- I'll, um.. see you later..?

*But they don't want to cause anymore problems.*

*They've done enough harm today.*

[comical-contrarian]

"Y-yeah, of course. Any time... well, almost any time. Here, I'll get the'door for you!"

(With no difficulty at all, he walks up to the door, turns the knob, and holds it open, waiting for Connie to take their leave.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*The door's right there.*

*For a moment, everything goes silent. There's an unreadable expression on Connie's face.*

*And then they charge Contrarian and try to push him out the door.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They weren't expecting that, not at all — and despite their size, they're still a bird, hollow bones and all. They tumble out the door with a garbled squawk, and —)

(— it's almost like all the air is sucked out of the house with him. the patchwork chaos ripped from its walls, what's left behind is a plain room. faded, peeling green wallpaper and dusty wooden flooring, a single broken window, the only furnishing a blanket fort in the far corner — as if it had been a normal house all along, and its occupant was the odd thing about it.)

(...)

(On the subject of said occupant...)

(there is something on the ground, writhing and spasming and flailing about like it doesn't know what to do with itself. not a body, not resembling any one shape in particular, a mass of disjoonted shards that collide and intersect and entwine and enmesh and shift and flicker and constantly, constantly change from one thing to another. there's a voice — voices? — coming from it, but whatever it says is as incomprehensible as its appearance.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They push themself up from where they landed beside him, eyes landing on..*

*What have they done.*

*Their thoughts blur together into a persistent needling in the back of their head, as though they're trying to tear them to pieces from the inside out. And yet it all feels so distant..*

*focus*

*they can still fix this*

*They push themself onto legs that don't feel entirely attached to them and try to grab.. well, it's not an arm- not anymore. But they try to grab it anyways.*

[comical-contrarian]

(For Connie, it feels for a moment like they've just grabbed a handful of broken glass —)

(what happened? the door pull yourself together but i don't remember it hurts AHAHAHAHAHAHA shut up shut up what the fuck happened?? everything nothing something's wrong can't concentrate why — familiar feeling who's there?)

(— the shards shift, myriad pieces coming apart and restructuring, until what they're holding has become something vaguely hand-shaped, the shaky fingers closing around their own.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I- I'll fix this, don't worry-

*They start trying to drag Contrarian back into the cabin.*

[comical-contrarian]

(The "hand's" grip on theirs tightens, the "arm" stretching into more of an arm-shape, but the rest of the mass remains in place.)

(scared defiant angry grateful confused)

(Trembling with effort, the "hand" tries to pull Connie back towards the rest of it. From its many voices, a few come together, forming a single, slurred word:>

"..ssstayy..."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They don't, or can't, resist. They take a stumbling step back towards him.*

I won't leave.

[comical-contrarian]

(Its grip relaxes, not so painful now that the shards aren't digging into their skin. Strangely enough, they don't seem to be leaving any actual cuts behind.)

"...jussst... nnnneed'mmminute..."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Ok-

*They sit down beside him, their hand never letting go of his. They barely feel the pain.*

..I'm sorry.

[comical-contrarian]

(It says — something, or a mix of somethings. All the different words and emotions are too mixed-up to make any sense.)

(how could you what happened? focus. sorry? why you fucking better be sorry you focus. it's okay, i should have did you do something? focus! don't understand pull yourself together, c'mon — )

(Gradually, the constant changing evens out, still there but less chaotic. The mass shifts, shards adjusting into something a little more Contrarian shaped. He turns to look at them, face still a featureless collage of glass.)

"...what... happened?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I, um- may have pushed you out the door-

[comical-contrarian]

"...huh."

(His head tilts a little to the side.)

"Did I forget t'tell you not t'do that?'"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I- I mean you made it sound like it just.. wouldn't do anything.

..does it hurt?

[comical-contrarian]

(A thousand voices, each with their own answer.)

"Hurt? It does it does it doesn't really, s'just it doesn't feel like anything kind of, but I'm used t'it."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Oh..

*They swallow back the urge to apologize again. Another sorry isn't going to fix this.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They take a deep breath, shards rattling and scraping against each other.)

"Okay, l-let me see if I can..."

(a shudder runs through him, the glass almost seeming to melt, like a painting caught in the rain. the chaos washes away, spilling out onto the grass in a messy patchwork of different materials. here a snippet of gravel, there a chunk of beach, there a swath of wildflowers — all shifting and changing, just as the house had.)

(And in the center of the chaos sits Contrarian. Their eyes are squeezed shut, their hand still clasping Connie's, and for the first time since the two have met, they look entirely normal, without a single shattered feather.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They watch, eyes wide.*

Are- are you ok..?

[comical-contrarian]

(Slowly, he opens his eyes and gives them a small nod.)

"As okay as I can be, haha... ha."

(They let go of Connie's hand suddenly, standing and taking a few steps back, the patchwork of environments moving along with them. They smile, but it's tinged with shame, and maybe a little fear.)

"...s-sorry you had t'see that."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Their hand moves to try and grab Contrarian's again, but it's out of reach before they can.*

But- why are you apologizing?- It was my fault-

[comical-contrarian]

(He shakes his head, shrinking into himself a little.)

"No, s'not — s'not your fault I'm..."

"..."

"...you were just trying t'help."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

And that was my first mistake...

[comical-contrarian]

"...you didn't know what would happen."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But I should've listened to you-

[comical-contrarian]

"Heh. When've any of us ever listened to anyone?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They go quiet for a moment, just staring at the ground.*

You're not upset..?

[comical-contrarian]

(After a long pause, he shrugs.)

"I dunno. Something like this'd probably have happened eventually. Besides..."

(They tilt their head up a little, eyes closed, and spread out their wings.)

"...s'too nice out t'be upset."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

..I did get you outside after all, didn't I?

*Like the sun peaking out on an overcast day, a hint of a weak smile crosses their face.*

[comical-contrarian]

(A small nod.)

"It's... it's been a long time since I last got out."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Finally, they push themself back to their feet. They hesitate for only a moment before wrapping Contrarian in a tight hug.*

[comical-contrarian]

"Gwah — ?!"

(He jolts, startled.)

(what are they doing? they've seen what they're really like, all the pieces they're in, why would they still...?)

"..."

(Hesitantly, he hugs them back.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Their smile grows as they relax in his arms.*

*They messed up, but.. everything's ok again, right..? And Contrarian's outside.*

[comical-contrarian]

(He's still hugging Connie, but his eyes are locked on the house looming not far away, its door still open like a gaping maw.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They don't seem to notice.*

..are you comfortable telling me what exactly happened there? If you're not comfortable that's fine too- I won't push it this time, I promise-

[comical-contrarian]

"I..."

(They let go, pulling back from Connie so that they're no longer touching.)

"...I'm..."

(why hesitate? they've seen you)

"I... I just..."

(they know you're broken)

"I-I-I should go back inside."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

What- but you just got out here!-

*What did they do they just wanted to ask they can't ruin things again-*

[comical-contrarian]

(he can feel them, all the possible pasts and futures tugging at his soul, threatening to tear him apart again)

"I know, but — I just — I have to."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But you don't- you're fine now!- I just got you out of there, I don't- I don't want all of that to be for nothing-

[comical-contrarian]

"It wasn't! It wasn't for nothing. I'm really really glad I got t'be out here, but — I — I'm not —"

(CRACK)

(with a jolt, parts of the patchwork return to being the same grassy field as before)

" — shit."

(They quickly pull in their upper right wing, tucking it against their back to try and hide the shards from Connie's view.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Oh.*

*He can't keep this up, can he?*

..Ok. We can go back inside.

[comical-contrarian]

(With a grateful nod, he walks back to the cabin, the world trailing behind him like a crazy-quilt cloak. At the doorway, he stops, turning back to Connie.)

"...you coming?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They nod and follow after him, feet landing on gravel and sand and flowers and plastic.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They seem to relax as they cross the threshold. The patches shift to cover the floor, walls, and ceiling as they had before. The only space that doesn't change is the corner with the blanket fort, which they make a beeline for, wearily flopping into the pillows.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They stand awkwardly in the middle of the room.*

..sorry about everything-

[comical-contrarian]

"...you really don't hafta apologize. I... I probably shoulda been less cagey about it. S'just..."

(He sighs, leaning back into the pillows.)

"...I dunno. Guess it felt less embarrassing t'pretend th'house was th'problem, instead of... instead of me."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I don't know if this helps, but I don't think it's embarrassing..

[comical-contrarian]

"That's. Maybe not the right word for it. It's like — you and Cookie and th'other one, you're all so... put together. While me, I'm..."

(They glance at their shattered wing.)

"...I'm kinda broken."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*There's a pause. Softly, they walk over and sit beside Contrarian.*

..I don't know what about me suggests I'm "put together"- honestly.. I'm pretty broken too. I mean, just look at me-

*The chuckle weakly, even that simple sound wavering under their emotions.*

[comical-contrarian]

(He lifts his head, squinting at them to see something they can't.)

"Nnno? You're pretty solid, I think, least as much as one of us can be."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Maybe I'm solid, but.. I'm still missing pieces.

[comical-contrarian]

"But you're still you."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

You're you too.

[comical-contrarian]

"I'm not."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Well.. when you go all colorful and have all those different voices.. they still sound like you, just.. different yous. I think it's like when I touched your wing. There were a bunch of different mes, but they were all me, you know? You're just.. more you per you.

[comical-contrarian]

"That's th'problem, isn't it? Like... I know you, but I'm not the me you met th'first time. Hell, I'm not even th'same me you met before we went outside."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

You're still my friend though. You still care about me.

[comical-contrarian]

"I do. But say you come back and the me that's here isn't one that's met you before? Or he is, but he's met a different version of you? Or somehow it is the same me, but with all th'different mes inbetween I lost who you are along the way?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They lean against him.*

If any of that happens, I'm sure we'll figure something out.

[comical-contrarian]

"Once or twice, maybe — but how long until you get sick of having t'reintroduce yourself every other time we meet?"

[comical-contrarian]

Ooc: I know this isn't the intention but comicon is very much a plural coded character and if that is intentional then I should have noticed earlier.

it wasn't intentional, but i definitely see the vision w that take on him! while they're not deliberately written as plural, you're welcome to interpret/headcanon him as such!

[comical-contrarian]

*They can do more than just mess up.*

*It's time to stop being a coward and actually try.*

*Connie appears in Contrarian's cabin. In place of their destroyed wings are shoddily made cardboard replacements.*

Contrarian, hi!

*They're smiling brightly, and yet something about it doesn't quite reach their eyes when you look too closely.*

@stp-minimum-wage-contrarian

(It takes him a moment to remember — Contrarian, that's his name. Obviously this is another, one he's met before. The real fluffy one, what did they call themself...?)

"Connie!! What brings you t'my neck of the woods?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Well- ok so I kind of knew you've been stuck in here the entire time I've known you because a weird customer told me before I even met you, but I never brought it up because I was too scared that I'd make everything worse if I tried to help, so it just seemed easier to pretend that issue didn't exist, but the guilt about you being stuck here has kinda been eating at me for a while and I've been doing a bit better recently so now I'm bringing it up-

*They inhale, not having breathed the entire time they were speaking.*

[comical-contrarian]

(As Connie speaks, the expression on their face shifts from excitement to surprise to confusion to something uncharacteristically somber. They step back from them a little, not meeting their eyes.)

"...you're right. It's easier to pretend."

(And then he's looking at them again, smiling as if he'd never stopped.)

"Sooooo let's just keep doing that, okay?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I don't want to pretend anymore. I wamt to try to help- sure, there's no guarantee I can help, but isn't it worth atleast trying?

[comical-contrarian]

"Nah, not really. Trust me, I've tried everything, and then some! ...so there's no reason t'bother with any of that. I'm stuck here, so I might as well make the best of it."

(liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar)

"...you still have those cards?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Hey, don't you start trying to change the subject on me! And I doubt you've tried everything. So let me try!

*Is this really a good idea?*

*What if they push Contrarian into this, only to make things worse?*

*Then they'll just fix whatever new problems they cause too! Everything will be fine.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They take another step back, wing shards flickering erratically.)

"No, seriously, I tried everything. I promise, whatever you're thinking of, it's not gonna work."

(liar liar Iiar liar Iiar)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They're making things worse, they haven't even started trying to help yet and they're already ruining everything-*

Ok- um- what if we just talk about what exactly the issue is first? Like, why exactly are you stuck here?-

[comical-contrarian]

"Uh."

(Shit, think of something, anything —)

"I don't know?"

(idiot.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Oh-

*Their face falls for a moment before they force a smile back up.*

Well- do you have any guesses..?

[comical-contrarian]

"Nnnnnnnnope!"

(liar Iiar liar Iiar liar Iiar liar Iiar)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They sigh, the sparkle fading from their eyes.*

*One success can't fix what they are.*

This was a stupid idea, wasn't it..?

[comical-contrarian]

"No! Nononono, not at all, you just — you just wanted t'help! S'not your fault I'm... like this."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They pause.*

Like what..?

[comical-contrarian]

(Shit.)

"L-like. You know! Stuck."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Sureeeeeeee. And by sure I mean I know you're lying.

[comical-contrarian]

"..."

(Their wings flicker faster.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*That's still probably not a good sign- what's the point of stopping the other Contrarian from messing up with this Contrarian if they're just going to go ahead and mess things up themself???*

Um- please just talk to me..?

[comical-contrarian]

"I don't know why I'm stuck. I just am. There's nothing t'be done about it."

(If it weren't already obvious that he's lying, the flat tone of his voice would give it away.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Correction: please talk to me without lying.

. . .

..being alone is.. probably the worst thing I could imagine. You don't deserve this.

[comical-contrarian]

"..."

(After a moment, they step forward, grinning awkwardly.)

"But I'm not alone. You're here! And there's other people who visit, sometimes... s'really not that bad..."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But we're not always here- sometimes we leave, and then you're alone again..

[comical-contrarian]

"Yeah, but..."

(They almost bring up Baby, but... they don't really count, do they? They're a sweet kid, but it's not like they can hold a conversation.)

"...but then you come back! So it's fine. Really."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Why are you so against telling me..?

[comical-contrarian]

"..."

(He doesn't answer, but his shattered wings pull in closer to his body.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

..I don't want to hurt you, but I also want to help you.. I can't help if I don't know the truth.

[comical-contrarian]

"You can't help me."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They crack a small smile.*

Doing what I shouldn't be able to is part of being a contrarian.

[comical-contrarian]

(A tiny chuckle escapes them.)

"You're a better Contrarian than me, then."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

So then let me try to do the impossible. Who knows, it might be more possible than you think.

[comical-contrarian]

(it is possible. it's always been possible. hiding behind excuses, like always. obfuscating the real problem.)

"I can't."

(yourself.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

You keep saying that, but why can't you??

[comical-contrarian]

"I just can't."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But why??

[comical-contrarian]

"The why's not important. I'm stuck, s'what it is, you don't... you don't have t'worry about me being alone or whatever. I'm fine with it."

(liar)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But it is important-

[comical-contrarian]

"It's not!”

(The entire room glitches, flickering all at once into an entirely new configuration. For a moment, he glances up at the ceiling, a scared nervous look in his eyes — and then he turns back to Connie.)

"You should go."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They flinch, suddenly looking so much smaller.*

I- I'm sorry-

*never should've tried*

*always doomed to fail*

[comical-contrarian]

(Their face falls, guilt painting their expression.)

"Shit, that's not — I didn't mean it like that! S'just — the house. The house's being fucky and s'probably a good idea for you t'not be here til it calms down."

(a half truth.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They don't want to go-*

Ok- I'll, um.. see you later..?

*But they don't want to cause anymore problems.*

*They've done enough harm today.*

[comical-contrarian]

"Y-yeah, of course. Any time... well, almost any time. Here, I'll get the'door for you!"

(With no difficulty at all, he walks up to the door, turns the knob, and holds it open, waiting for Connie to take their leave.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*The door's right there.*

*For a moment, everything goes silent. There's an unreadable expression on Connie's face.*

*And then they charge Contrarian and try to push him out the door.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They weren't expecting that, not at all — and despite their size, they're still a bird, hollow bones and all. They tumble out the door with a garbled squawk, and —)

(— it's almost like all the air is sucked out of the house with him. the patchwork chaos ripped from its walls, what's left behind is a plain room. faded, peeling green wallpaper and dusty wooden flooring, a single broken window, the only furnishing a blanket fort in the far corner — as if it had been a normal house all along, and its occupant was the odd thing about it.)

(...)

(On the subject of said occupant...)

(there is something on the ground, writhing and spasming and flailing about like it doesn't know what to do with itself. not a body, not resembling any one shape in particular, a mass of disjoonted shards that collide and intersect and entwine and enmesh and shift and flicker and constantly, constantly change from one thing to another. there's a voice — voices? — coming from it, but whatever it says is as incomprehensible as its appearance.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They push themself up from where they landed beside him, eyes landing on..*

*What have they done.*

*Their thoughts blur together into a persistent needling in the back of their head, as though they're trying to tear them to pieces from the inside out. And yet it all feels so distant..*

*focus*

*they can still fix this*

*They push themself onto legs that don't feel entirely attached to them and try to grab.. well, it's not an arm- not anymore. But they try to grab it anyways.*

[comical-contrarian]

(For Connie, it feels for a moment like they've just grabbed a handful of broken glass —)

(what happened? the door pull yourself together but i don't remember it hurts AHAHAHAHAHAHA shut up shut up what the fuck happened?? everything nothing something's wrong can't concentrate why — familiar feeling who's there?)

(— the shards shift, myriad pieces coming apart and restructuring, until what they're holding has become something vaguely hand-shaped, the shaky fingers closing around their own.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I- I'll fix this, don't worry-

*They start trying to drag Contrarian back into the cabin.*

[comical-contrarian]

(The "hand's" grip on theirs tightens, the "arm" stretching into more of an arm-shape, but the rest of the mass remains in place.)

(scared defiant angry grateful confused)

(Trembling with effort, the "hand" tries to pull Connie back towards the rest of it. From its many voices, a few come together, forming a single, slurred word:>

"..ssstayy..."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They don't, or can't, resist. They take a stumbling step back towards him.*

I won't leave.

[comical-contrarian]

(Its grip relaxes, not so painful now that the shards aren't digging into their skin. Strangely enough, they don't seem to be leaving any actual cuts behind.)

"...jussst... nnnneed'mmminute..."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Ok-

*They sit down beside him, their hand never letting go of his. They barely feel the pain.*

..I'm sorry.

[comical-contrarian]

(It says — something, or a mix of somethings. All the different words and emotions are too mixed-up to make any sense.)

(how could you what happened? focus. sorry? why you fucking better be sorry you focus. it's okay, i should have did you do something? focus! don't understand pull yourself together, c'mon — )

(Gradually, the constant changing evens out, still there but less chaotic. The mass shifts, shards adjusting into something a little more Contrarian shaped. He turns to look at them, face still a featureless collage of glass.)

"...what... happened?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I, um- may have pushed you out the door-

[comical-contrarian]

"...huh."

(His head tilts a little to the side.)

"Did I forget t'tell you not t'do that?'"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I- I mean you made it sound like it just.. wouldn't do anything.

..does it hurt?

[comical-contrarian]

(A thousand voices, each with their own answer.)

"Hurt? It does it does it doesn't really, s'just it doesn't feel like anything kind of, but I'm used t'it."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Oh..

*They swallow back the urge to apologize again. Another sorry isn't going to fix this.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They take a deep breath, shards rattling and scraping against each other.)

"Okay, l-let me see if I can..."

(a shudder runs through him, the glass almost seeming to melt, like a painting caught in the rain. the chaos washes away, spilling out onto the grass in a messy patchwork of different materials. here a snippet of gravel, there a chunk of beach, there a swath of wildflowers — all shifting and changing, just as the house had.)

(And in the center of the chaos sits Contrarian. Their eyes are squeezed shut, their hand still clasping Connie's, and for the first time since the two have met, they look entirely normal, without a single shattered feather.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They watch, eyes wide.*

Are- are you ok..?

[comical-contrarian]

(Slowly, he opens his eyes and gives them a small nod.)

"As okay as I can be, haha... ha."

(They let go of Connie's hand suddenly, standing and taking a few steps back, the patchwork of environments moving along with them. They smile, but it's tinged with shame, and maybe a little fear.)

"...s-sorry you had t'see that."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Their hand moves to try and grab Contrarian's again, but it's out of reach before they can.*

But- why are you apologizing?- It was my fault-

[comical-contrarian]

(He shakes his head, shrinking into himself a little.)

"No, s'not — s'not your fault I'm..."

"..."

"...you were just trying t'help."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

And that was my first mistake...

[comical-contrarian]

"...you didn't know what would happen."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But I should've listened to you-

[comical-contrarian]

"Heh. When've any of us ever listened to anyone?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They go quiet for a moment, just staring at the ground.*

You're not upset..?

[comical-contrarian]

(After a long pause, he shrugs.)

"I dunno. Something like this'd probably have happened eventually. Besides..."

(They tilt their head up a little, eyes closed, and spread out their wings.)

"...s'too nice out t'be upset."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

..I did get you outside after all, didn't I?

*Like the sun peaking out on an overcast day, a hint of a weak smile crosses their face.*

[comical-contrarian]

(A small nod.)

"It's... it's been a long time since I last got out."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Finally, they push themself back to their feet. They hesitate for only a moment before wrapping Contrarian in a tight hug.*

[comical-contrarian]

"Gwah — ?!"

(He jolts, startled.)

(what are they doing? they've seen what they're really like, all the pieces they're in, why would they still...?)

"..."

(Hesitantly, he hugs them back.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Their smile grows as they relax in his arms.*

*They messed up, but.. everything's ok again, right..? And Contrarian's outside.*

[comical-contrarian]

(He's still hugging Connie, but his eyes are locked on the house looming not far away, its door still open like a gaping maw.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They don't seem to notice.*

..are you comfortable telling me what exactly happened there? If you're not comfortable that's fine too- I won't push it this time, I promise-

[comical-contrarian]

"I..."

(They let go, pulling back from Connie so that they're no longer touching.)

"...I'm..."

(why hesitate? they've seen you)

"I... I just..."

(they know you're broken)

"I-I-I should go back inside."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

What- but you just got out here!-

*What did they do they just wanted to ask they can't ruin things again-*

[comical-contrarian]

(he can feel them, all the possible pasts and futures tugging at his soul, threatening to tear him apart again)

"I know, but — I just — I have to."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But you don't- you're fine now!- I just got you out of there, I don't- I don't want all of that to be for nothing-

[comical-contrarian]

"It wasn't! It wasn't for nothing. I'm really really glad I got t'be out here, but — I — I'm not —"

(CRACK)

(with a jolt, parts of the patchwork return to being the same grassy field as before)

" — shit."

(They quickly pull in their upper right wing, tucking it against their back to try and hide the shards from Connie's view.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Oh.*

*He can't keep this up, can he?*

..Ok. We can go back inside.

[comical-contrarian]

(With a grateful nod, he walks back to the cabin, the world trailing behind him like a crazy-quilt cloak. At the doorway, he stops, turning back to Connie.)

"...you coming?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They nod and follow after him, feet landing on gravel and sand and flowers and plastic.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They seem to relax as they cross the threshold. The patches shift to cover the floor, walls, and ceiling as they had before. The only space that doesn't change is the corner with the blanket fort, which they make a beeline for, wearily flopping into the pillows.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They stand awkwardly in the middle of the room.*

..sorry about everything-

[comical-contrarian]

"...you really don't hafta apologize. I... I probably shoulda been less cagey about it. S'just..."

(He sighs, leaning back into the pillows.)

"...I dunno. Guess it felt less embarrassing t'pretend th'house was th'problem, instead of... instead of me."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I don't know if this helps, but I don't think it's embarrassing..

[comical-contrarian]

"That's. Maybe not the right word for it. It's like — you and Cookie and th'other one, you're all so... put together. While me, I'm..."

(They glance at their shattered wing.)

"...I'm kinda broken."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*There's a pause. Softly, they walk over and sit beside Contrarian.*

..I don't know what about me suggests I'm "put together"- honestly.. I'm pretty broken too. I mean, just look at me-

*The chuckle weakly, even that simple sound wavering under their emotions.*

[comical-contrarian]

(He lifts his head, squinting at them to see something they can't.)

"Nnno? You're pretty solid, I think, least as much as one of us can be."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Maybe I'm solid, but.. I'm still missing pieces.

[comical-contrarian]

"But you're still you."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

You're you too.

[comical-contrarian]

"I'm not."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Well.. when you go all colorful and have all those different voices.. they still sound like you, just.. different yous. I think it's like when I touched your wing. There were a bunch of different mes, but they were all me, you know? You're just.. more you per you.

[comical-contrarian]

"That's th'problem, isn't it? Like... I know you, but I'm not the me you met th'first time. Hell, I'm not even th'same me you met before we went outside."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

You're still my friend though. You still care about me.

[comical-contrarian]

"I do. But say you come back and the me that's here isn't one that's met you before? Or he is, but he's met a different version of you? Or somehow it is the same me, but with all th'different mes inbetween I lost who you are along the way?"

[comical-contrarian]

*They can do more than just mess up.*

*It's time to stop being a coward and actually try.*

*Connie appears in Contrarian's cabin. In place of their destroyed wings are shoddily made cardboard replacements.*

Contrarian, hi!

*They're smiling brightly, and yet something about it doesn't quite reach their eyes when you look too closely.*

@stp-minimum-wage-contrarian

(It takes him a moment to remember — Contrarian, that's his name. Obviously this is another, one he's met before. The real fluffy one, what did they call themself...?)

"Connie!! What brings you t'my neck of the woods?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Well- ok so I kind of knew you've been stuck in here the entire time I've known you because a weird customer told me before I even met you, but I never brought it up because I was too scared that I'd make everything worse if I tried to help, so it just seemed easier to pretend that issue didn't exist, but the guilt about you being stuck here has kinda been eating at me for a while and I've been doing a bit better recently so now I'm bringing it up-

*They inhale, not having breathed the entire time they were speaking.*

[comical-contrarian]

(As Connie speaks, the expression on their face shifts from excitement to surprise to confusion to something uncharacteristically somber. They step back from them a little, not meeting their eyes.)

"...you're right. It's easier to pretend."

(And then he's looking at them again, smiling as if he'd never stopped.)

"Sooooo let's just keep doing that, okay?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I don't want to pretend anymore. I wamt to try to help- sure, there's no guarantee I can help, but isn't it worth atleast trying?

[comical-contrarian]

"Nah, not really. Trust me, I've tried everything, and then some! ...so there's no reason t'bother with any of that. I'm stuck here, so I might as well make the best of it."

(liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar)

"...you still have those cards?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Hey, don't you start trying to change the subject on me! And I doubt you've tried everything. So let me try!

*Is this really a good idea?*

*What if they push Contrarian into this, only to make things worse?*

*Then they'll just fix whatever new problems they cause too! Everything will be fine.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They take another step back, wing shards flickering erratically.)

"No, seriously, I tried everything. I promise, whatever you're thinking of, it's not gonna work."

(liar liar Iiar liar Iiar)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They're making things worse, they haven't even started trying to help yet and they're already ruining everything-*

Ok- um- what if we just talk about what exactly the issue is first? Like, why exactly are you stuck here?-

[comical-contrarian]

"Uh."

(Shit, think of something, anything —)

"I don't know?"

(idiot.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Oh-

*Their face falls for a moment before they force a smile back up.*

Well- do you have any guesses..?

[comical-contrarian]

"Nnnnnnnnope!"

(liar Iiar liar Iiar liar Iiar liar Iiar)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They sigh, the sparkle fading from their eyes.*

*One success can't fix what they are.*

This was a stupid idea, wasn't it..?

[comical-contrarian]

"No! Nononono, not at all, you just — you just wanted t'help! S'not your fault I'm... like this."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They pause.*

Like what..?

[comical-contrarian]

(Shit.)

"L-like. You know! Stuck."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Sureeeeeeee. And by sure I mean I know you're lying.

[comical-contrarian]

"..."

(Their wings flicker faster.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*That's still probably not a good sign- what's the point of stopping the other Contrarian from messing up with this Contrarian if they're just going to go ahead and mess things up themself???*

Um- please just talk to me..?

[comical-contrarian]

"I don't know why I'm stuck. I just am. There's nothing t'be done about it."

(If it weren't already obvious that he's lying, the flat tone of his voice would give it away.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Correction: please talk to me without lying.

. . .

..being alone is.. probably the worst thing I could imagine. You don't deserve this.

[comical-contrarian]

"..."

(After a moment, they step forward, grinning awkwardly.)

"But I'm not alone. You're here! And there's other people who visit, sometimes... s'really not that bad..."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But we're not always here- sometimes we leave, and then you're alone again..

[comical-contrarian]

"Yeah, but..."

(They almost bring up Baby, but... they don't really count, do they? They're a sweet kid, but it's not like they can hold a conversation.)

"...but then you come back! So it's fine. Really."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Why are you so against telling me..?

[comical-contrarian]

"..."

(He doesn't answer, but his shattered wings pull in closer to his body.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

..I don't want to hurt you, but I also want to help you.. I can't help if I don't know the truth.

[comical-contrarian]

"You can't help me."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They crack a small smile.*

Doing what I shouldn't be able to is part of being a contrarian.

[comical-contrarian]

(A tiny chuckle escapes them.)

"You're a better Contrarian than me, then."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

So then let me try to do the impossible. Who knows, it might be more possible than you think.

[comical-contrarian]

(it is possible. it's always been possible. hiding behind excuses, like always. obfuscating the real problem.)

"I can't."

(yourself.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

You keep saying that, but why can't you??

[comical-contrarian]

"I just can't."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But why??

[comical-contrarian]

"The why's not important. I'm stuck, s'what it is, you don't... you don't have t'worry about me being alone or whatever. I'm fine with it."

(liar)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But it is important-

[comical-contrarian]

"It's not!”

(The entire room glitches, flickering all at once into an entirely new configuration. For a moment, he glances up at the ceiling, a scared nervous look in his eyes — and then he turns back to Connie.)

"You should go."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They flinch, suddenly looking so much smaller.*

I- I'm sorry-

*never should've tried*

*always doomed to fail*

[comical-contrarian]

(Their face falls, guilt painting their expression.)

"Shit, that's not — I didn't mean it like that! S'just — the house. The house's being fucky and s'probably a good idea for you t'not be here til it calms down."

(a half truth.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They don't want to go-*

Ok- I'll, um.. see you later..?

*But they don't want to cause anymore problems.*

*They've done enough harm today.*

[comical-contrarian]

"Y-yeah, of course. Any time... well, almost any time. Here, I'll get the'door for you!"

(With no difficulty at all, he walks up to the door, turns the knob, and holds it open, waiting for Connie to take their leave.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*The door's right there.*

*For a moment, everything goes silent. There's an unreadable expression on Connie's face.*

*And then they charge Contrarian and try to push him out the door.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They weren't expecting that, not at all — and despite their size, they're still a bird, hollow bones and all. They tumble out the door with a garbled squawk, and —)

(— it's almost like all the air is sucked out of the house with him. the patchwork chaos ripped from its walls, what's left behind is a plain room. faded, peeling green wallpaper and dusty wooden flooring, a single broken window, the only furnishing a blanket fort in the far corner — as if it had been a normal house all along, and its occupant was the odd thing about it.)

(...)

(On the subject of said occupant...)

(there is something on the ground, writhing and spasming and flailing about like it doesn't know what to do with itself. not a body, not resembling any one shape in particular, a mass of disjoonted shards that collide and intersect and entwine and enmesh and shift and flicker and constantly, constantly change from one thing to another. there's a voice — voices? — coming from it, but whatever it says is as incomprehensible as its appearance.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They push themself up from where they landed beside him, eyes landing on..*

*What have they done.*

*Their thoughts blur together into a persistent needling in the back of their head, as though they're trying to tear them to pieces from the inside out. And yet it all feels so distant..*

*focus*

*they can still fix this*

*They push themself onto legs that don't feel entirely attached to them and try to grab.. well, it's not an arm- not anymore. But they try to grab it anyways.*

[comical-contrarian]

(For Connie, it feels for a moment like they've just grabbed a handful of broken glass —)

(what happened? the door pull yourself together but i don't remember it hurts AHAHAHAHAHAHA shut up shut up what the fuck happened?? everything nothing something's wrong can't concentrate why — familiar feeling who's there?)

(— the shards shift, myriad pieces coming apart and restructuring, until what they're holding has become something vaguely hand-shaped, the shaky fingers closing around their own.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I- I'll fix this, don't worry-

*They start trying to drag Contrarian back into the cabin.*

[comical-contrarian]

(The "hand's" grip on theirs tightens, the "arm" stretching into more of an arm-shape, but the rest of the mass remains in place.)

(scared defiant angry grateful confused)

(Trembling with effort, the "hand" tries to pull Connie back towards the rest of it. From its many voices, a few come together, forming a single, slurred word:>

"..ssstayy..."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They don't, or can't, resist. They take a stumbling step back towards him.*

I won't leave.

[comical-contrarian]

(Its grip relaxes, not so painful now that the shards aren't digging into their skin. Strangely enough, they don't seem to be leaving any actual cuts behind.)

"...jussst... nnnneed'mmminute..."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Ok-

*They sit down beside him, their hand never letting go of his. They barely feel the pain.*

..I'm sorry.

[comical-contrarian]

(It says — something, or a mix of somethings. All the different words and emotions are too mixed-up to make any sense.)

(how could you what happened? focus. sorry? why you fucking better be sorry you focus. it's okay, i should have did you do something? focus! don't understand pull yourself together, c'mon — )

(Gradually, the constant changing evens out, still there but less chaotic. The mass shifts, shards adjusting into something a little more Contrarian shaped. He turns to look at them, face still a featureless collage of glass.)

"...what... happened?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I, um- may have pushed you out the door-

[comical-contrarian]

"...huh."

(His head tilts a little to the side.)

"Did I forget t'tell you not t'do that?'"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I- I mean you made it sound like it just.. wouldn't do anything.

..does it hurt?

[comical-contrarian]

(A thousand voices, each with their own answer.)

"Hurt? It does it does it doesn't really, s'just it doesn't feel like anything kind of, but I'm used t'it."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Oh..

*They swallow back the urge to apologize again. Another sorry isn't going to fix this.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They take a deep breath, shards rattling and scraping against each other.)

"Okay, l-let me see if I can..."

(a shudder runs through him, the glass almost seeming to melt, like a painting caught in the rain. the chaos washes away, spilling out onto the grass in a messy patchwork of different materials. here a snippet of gravel, there a chunk of beach, there a swath of wildflowers — all shifting and changing, just as the house had.)

(And in the center of the chaos sits Contrarian. Their eyes are squeezed shut, their hand still clasping Connie's, and for the first time since the two have met, they look entirely normal, without a single shattered feather.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They watch, eyes wide.*

Are- are you ok..?

[comical-contrarian]

(Slowly, he opens his eyes and gives them a small nod.)

"As okay as I can be, haha... ha."

(They let go of Connie's hand suddenly, standing and taking a few steps back, the patchwork of environments moving along with them. They smile, but it's tinged with shame, and maybe a little fear.)

"...s-sorry you had t'see that."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Their hand moves to try and grab Contrarian's again, but it's out of reach before they can.*

But- why are you apologizing?- It was my fault-

[comical-contrarian]

(He shakes his head, shrinking into himself a little.)

"No, s'not — s'not your fault I'm..."

"..."

"...you were just trying t'help."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

And that was my first mistake...

[comical-contrarian]

"...you didn't know what would happen."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But I should've listened to you-

[comical-contrarian]

"Heh. When've any of us ever listened to anyone?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They go quiet for a moment, just staring at the ground.*

You're not upset..?

[comical-contrarian]

(After a long pause, he shrugs.)

"I dunno. Something like this'd probably have happened eventually. Besides..."

(They tilt their head up a little, eyes closed, and spread out their wings.)

"...s'too nice out t'be upset."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

..I did get you outside after all, didn't I?

*Like the sun peaking out on an overcast day, a hint of a weak smile crosses their face.*

[comical-contrarian]

(A small nod.)

"It's... it's been a long time since I last got out."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Finally, they push themself back to their feet. They hesitate for only a moment before wrapping Contrarian in a tight hug.*

[comical-contrarian]

"Gwah — ?!"

(He jolts, startled.)

(what are they doing? they've seen what they're really like, all the pieces they're in, why would they still...?)

"..."

(Hesitantly, he hugs them back.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Their smile grows as they relax in his arms.*

*They messed up, but.. everything's ok again, right..? And Contrarian's outside.*

[comical-contrarian]

(He's still hugging Connie, but his eyes are locked on the house looming not far away, its door still open like a gaping maw.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They don't seem to notice.*

..are you comfortable telling me what exactly happened there? If you're not comfortable that's fine too- I won't push it this time, I promise-

[comical-contrarian]

"I..."

(They let go, pulling back from Connie so that they're no longer touching.)

"...I'm..."

(why hesitate? they've seen you)

"I... I just..."

(they know you're broken)

"I-I-I should go back inside."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

What- but you just got out here!-

*What did they do they just wanted to ask they can't ruin things again-*

[comical-contrarian]

(he can feel them, all the possible pasts and futures tugging at his soul, threatening to tear him apart again)

"I know, but — I just — I have to."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But you don't- you're fine now!- I just got you out of there, I don't- I don't want all of that to be for nothing-

[comical-contrarian]

"It wasn't! It wasn't for nothing. I'm really really glad I got t'be out here, but — I — I'm not —"

(CRACK)

(with a jolt, parts of the patchwork return to being the same grassy field as before)

" — shit."

(They quickly pull in their upper right wing, tucking it against their back to try and hide the shards from Connie's view.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Oh.*

*He can't keep this up, can he?*

..Ok. We can go back inside.

[comical-contrarian]

(With a grateful nod, he walks back to the cabin, the world trailing behind him like a crazy-quilt cloak. At the doorway, he stops, turning back to Connie.)

"...you coming?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They nod and follow after him, feet landing on gravel and sand and flowers and plastic.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They seem to relax as they cross the threshold. The patches shift to cover the floor, walls, and ceiling as they had before. The only space that doesn't change is the corner with the blanket fort, which they make a beeline for, wearily flopping into the pillows.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They stand awkwardly in the middle of the room.*

..sorry about everything-

[comical-contrarian]

"...you really don't hafta apologize. I... I probably shoulda been less cagey about it. S'just..."

(He sighs, leaning back into the pillows.)

"...I dunno. Guess it felt less embarrassing t'pretend th'house was th'problem, instead of... instead of me."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I don't know if this helps, but I don't think it's embarrassing..

[comical-contrarian]

"That's. Maybe not the right word for it. It's like — you and Cookie and th'other one, you're all so... put together. While me, I'm..."

(They glance at their shattered wing.)

"...I'm kinda broken."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*There's a pause. Softly, they walk over and sit beside Contrarian.*

..I don't know what about me suggests I'm "put together"- honestly.. I'm pretty broken too. I mean, just look at me-

*The chuckle weakly, even that simple sound wavering under their emotions.*

[comical-contrarian]

(He lifts his head, squinting at them to see something they can't.)

"Nnno? You're pretty solid, I think, least as much as one of us can be."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Maybe I'm solid, but.. I'm still missing pieces.

[comical-contrarian]

"But you're still you."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

You're you too.

[comical-contrarian]

"I'm not."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Well.. when you go all colorful and have all those different voices.. they still sound like you, just.. different yous. I think it's like when I touched your wing. There were a bunch of different mes, but they were all me, you know? You're just.. more you per you.

[comical-contrarian]

"That's th'problem, isn't it? Like... I know you, but I'm not the me you met th'first time. Hell, I'm not even th'same me you met before we went outside."

[comical-contrarian]

*They can do more than just mess up.*

*It's time to stop being a coward and actually try.*

*Connie appears in Contrarian's cabin. In place of their destroyed wings are shoddily made cardboard replacements.*

Contrarian, hi!

*They're smiling brightly, and yet something about it doesn't quite reach their eyes when you look too closely.*

@stp-minimum-wage-contrarian

(It takes him a moment to remember — Contrarian, that's his name. Obviously this is another, one he's met before. The real fluffy one, what did they call themself...?)

"Connie!! What brings you t'my neck of the woods?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Well- ok so I kind of knew you've been stuck in here the entire time I've known you because a weird customer told me before I even met you, but I never brought it up because I was too scared that I'd make everything worse if I tried to help, so it just seemed easier to pretend that issue didn't exist, but the guilt about you being stuck here has kinda been eating at me for a while and I've been doing a bit better recently so now I'm bringing it up-

*They inhale, not having breathed the entire time they were speaking.*

[comical-contrarian]

(As Connie speaks, the expression on their face shifts from excitement to surprise to confusion to something uncharacteristically somber. They step back from them a little, not meeting their eyes.)

"...you're right. It's easier to pretend."

(And then he's looking at them again, smiling as if he'd never stopped.)

"Sooooo let's just keep doing that, okay?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I don't want to pretend anymore. I wamt to try to help- sure, there's no guarantee I can help, but isn't it worth atleast trying?

[comical-contrarian]

"Nah, not really. Trust me, I've tried everything, and then some! ...so there's no reason t'bother with any of that. I'm stuck here, so I might as well make the best of it."

(liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar)

"...you still have those cards?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Hey, don't you start trying to change the subject on me! And I doubt you've tried everything. So let me try!

*Is this really a good idea?*

*What if they push Contrarian into this, only to make things worse?*

*Then they'll just fix whatever new problems they cause too! Everything will be fine.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They take another step back, wing shards flickering erratically.)

"No, seriously, I tried everything. I promise, whatever you're thinking of, it's not gonna work."

(liar liar Iiar liar Iiar)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They're making things worse, they haven't even started trying to help yet and they're already ruining everything-*

Ok- um- what if we just talk about what exactly the issue is first? Like, why exactly are you stuck here?-

[comical-contrarian]

"Uh."

(Shit, think of something, anything —)

"I don't know?"

(idiot.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Oh-

*Their face falls for a moment before they force a smile back up.*

Well- do you have any guesses..?

[comical-contrarian]

"Nnnnnnnnope!"

(liar Iiar liar Iiar liar Iiar liar Iiar)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They sigh, the sparkle fading from their eyes.*

*One success can't fix what they are.*

This was a stupid idea, wasn't it..?

[comical-contrarian]

"No! Nononono, not at all, you just — you just wanted t'help! S'not your fault I'm... like this."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They pause.*

Like what..?

[comical-contrarian]

(Shit.)

"L-like. You know! Stuck."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Sureeeeeeee. And by sure I mean I know you're lying.

[comical-contrarian]

"..."

(Their wings flicker faster.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*That's still probably not a good sign- what's the point of stopping the other Contrarian from messing up with this Contrarian if they're just going to go ahead and mess things up themself???*

Um- please just talk to me..?

[comical-contrarian]

"I don't know why I'm stuck. I just am. There's nothing t'be done about it."

(If it weren't already obvious that he's lying, the flat tone of his voice would give it away.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Correction: please talk to me without lying.

. . .

..being alone is.. probably the worst thing I could imagine. You don't deserve this.

[comical-contrarian]

"..."

(After a moment, they step forward, grinning awkwardly.)

"But I'm not alone. You're here! And there's other people who visit, sometimes... s'really not that bad..."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But we're not always here- sometimes we leave, and then you're alone again..

[comical-contrarian]

"Yeah, but..."

(They almost bring up Baby, but... they don't really count, do they? They're a sweet kid, but it's not like they can hold a conversation.)

"...but then you come back! So it's fine. Really."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Why are you so against telling me..?

[comical-contrarian]

"..."

(He doesn't answer, but his shattered wings pull in closer to his body.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

..I don't want to hurt you, but I also want to help you.. I can't help if I don't know the truth.

[comical-contrarian]

"You can't help me."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They crack a small smile.*

Doing what I shouldn't be able to is part of being a contrarian.

[comical-contrarian]

(A tiny chuckle escapes them.)

"You're a better Contrarian than me, then."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

So then let me try to do the impossible. Who knows, it might be more possible than you think.

[comical-contrarian]

(it is possible. it's always been possible. hiding behind excuses, like always. obfuscating the real problem.)

"I can't."

(yourself.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

You keep saying that, but why can't you??

[comical-contrarian]

"I just can't."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But why??

[comical-contrarian]

"The why's not important. I'm stuck, s'what it is, you don't... you don't have t'worry about me being alone or whatever. I'm fine with it."

(liar)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But it is important-

[comical-contrarian]

"It's not!”

(The entire room glitches, flickering all at once into an entirely new configuration. For a moment, he glances up at the ceiling, a scared nervous look in his eyes — and then he turns back to Connie.)

"You should go."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They flinch, suddenly looking so much smaller.*

I- I'm sorry-

*never should've tried*

*always doomed to fail*

[comical-contrarian]

(Their face falls, guilt painting their expression.)

"Shit, that's not — I didn't mean it like that! S'just — the house. The house's being fucky and s'probably a good idea for you t'not be here til it calms down."

(a half truth.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They don't want to go-*

Ok- I'll, um.. see you later..?

*But they don't want to cause anymore problems.*

*They've done enough harm today.*

[comical-contrarian]

"Y-yeah, of course. Any time... well, almost any time. Here, I'll get the'door for you!"

(With no difficulty at all, he walks up to the door, turns the knob, and holds it open, waiting for Connie to take their leave.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*The door's right there.*

*For a moment, everything goes silent. There's an unreadable expression on Connie's face.*

*And then they charge Contrarian and try to push him out the door.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They weren't expecting that, not at all — and despite their size, they're still a bird, hollow bones and all. They tumble out the door with a garbled squawk, and —)

(— it's almost like all the air is sucked out of the house with him. the patchwork chaos ripped from its walls, what's left behind is a plain room. faded, peeling green wallpaper and dusty wooden flooring, a single broken window, the only furnishing a blanket fort in the far corner — as if it had been a normal house all along, and its occupant was the odd thing about it.)

(...)

(On the subject of said occupant...)

(there is something on the ground, writhing and spasming and flailing about like it doesn't know what to do with itself. not a body, not resembling any one shape in particular, a mass of disjoonted shards that collide and intersect and entwine and enmesh and shift and flicker and constantly, constantly change from one thing to another. there's a voice — voices? — coming from it, but whatever it says is as incomprehensible as its appearance.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They push themself up from where they landed beside him, eyes landing on..*

*What have they done.*

*Their thoughts blur together into a persistent needling in the back of their head, as though they're trying to tear them to pieces from the inside out. And yet it all feels so distant..*

*focus*

*they can still fix this*

*They push themself onto legs that don't feel entirely attached to them and try to grab.. well, it's not an arm- not anymore. But they try to grab it anyways.*

[comical-contrarian]

(For Connie, it feels for a moment like they've just grabbed a handful of broken glass —)

(what happened? the door pull yourself together but i don't remember it hurts AHAHAHAHAHAHA shut up shut up what the fuck happened?? everything nothing something's wrong can't concentrate why — familiar feeling who's there?)

(— the shards shift, myriad pieces coming apart and restructuring, until what they're holding has become something vaguely hand-shaped, the shaky fingers closing around their own.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I- I'll fix this, don't worry-

*They start trying to drag Contrarian back into the cabin.*

[comical-contrarian]

(The "hand's" grip on theirs tightens, the "arm" stretching into more of an arm-shape, but the rest of the mass remains in place.)

(scared defiant angry grateful confused)

(Trembling with effort, the "hand" tries to pull Connie back towards the rest of it. From its many voices, a few come together, forming a single, slurred word:>

"..ssstayy..."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They don't, or can't, resist. They take a stumbling step back towards him.*

I won't leave.

[comical-contrarian]

(Its grip relaxes, not so painful now that the shards aren't digging into their skin. Strangely enough, they don't seem to be leaving any actual cuts behind.)

"...jussst... nnnneed'mmminute..."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Ok-

*They sit down beside him, their hand never letting go of his. They barely feel the pain.*

..I'm sorry.

[comical-contrarian]

(It says — something, or a mix of somethings. All the different words and emotions are too mixed-up to make any sense.)

(how could you what happened? focus. sorry? why you fucking better be sorry you focus. it's okay, i should have did you do something? focus! don't understand pull yourself together, c'mon — )

(Gradually, the constant changing evens out, still there but less chaotic. The mass shifts, shards adjusting into something a little more Contrarian shaped. He turns to look at them, face still a featureless collage of glass.)

"...what... happened?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I, um- may have pushed you out the door-

[comical-contrarian]

"...huh."

(His head tilts a little to the side.)

"Did I forget t'tell you not t'do that?'"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I- I mean you made it sound like it just.. wouldn't do anything.

..does it hurt?

[comical-contrarian]

(A thousand voices, each with their own answer.)

"Hurt? It does it does it doesn't really, s'just it doesn't feel like anything kind of, but I'm used t'it."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Oh..

*They swallow back the urge to apologize again. Another sorry isn't going to fix this.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They take a deep breath, shards rattling and scraping against each other.)

"Okay, l-let me see if I can..."

(a shudder runs through him, the glass almost seeming to melt, like a painting caught in the rain. the chaos washes away, spilling out onto the grass in a messy patchwork of different materials. here a snippet of gravel, there a chunk of beach, there a swath of wildflowers — all shifting and changing, just as the house had.)

(And in the center of the chaos sits Contrarian. Their eyes are squeezed shut, their hand still clasping Connie's, and for the first time since the two have met, they look entirely normal, without a single shattered feather.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They watch, eyes wide.*

Are- are you ok..?

[comical-contrarian]

(Slowly, he opens his eyes and gives them a small nod.)

"As okay as I can be, haha... ha."

(They let go of Connie's hand suddenly, standing and taking a few steps back, the patchwork of environments moving along with them. They smile, but it's tinged with shame, and maybe a little fear.)

"...s-sorry you had t'see that."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Their hand moves to try and grab Contrarian's again, but it's out of reach before they can.*

But- why are you apologizing?- It was my fault-

[comical-contrarian]

(He shakes his head, shrinking into himself a little.)

"No, s'not — s'not your fault I'm..."

"..."

"...you were just trying t'help."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

And that was my first mistake...

[comical-contrarian]

"...you didn't know what would happen."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But I should've listened to you-

[comical-contrarian]

"Heh. When've any of us ever listened to anyone?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They go quiet for a moment, just staring at the ground.*

You're not upset..?

[comical-contrarian]

(After a long pause, he shrugs.)

"I dunno. Something like this'd probably have happened eventually. Besides..."

(They tilt their head up a little, eyes closed, and spread out their wings.)

"...s'too nice out t'be upset."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

..I did get you outside after all, didn't I?

*Like the sun peaking out on an overcast day, a hint of a weak smile crosses their face.*

[comical-contrarian]

(A small nod.)

"It's... it's been a long time since I last got out."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Finally, they push themself back to their feet. They hesitate for only a moment before wrapping Contrarian in a tight hug.*

[comical-contrarian]

"Gwah — ?!"

(He jolts, startled.)

(what are they doing? they've seen what they're really like, all the pieces they're in, why would they still...?)

"..."

(Hesitantly, he hugs them back.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Their smile grows as they relax in his arms.*

*They messed up, but.. everything's ok again, right..? And Contrarian's outside.*

[comical-contrarian]

(He's still hugging Connie, but his eyes are locked on the house looming not far away, its door still open like a gaping maw.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They don't seem to notice.*

..are you comfortable telling me what exactly happened there? If you're not comfortable that's fine too- I won't push it this time, I promise-

[comical-contrarian]

"I..."

(They let go, pulling back from Connie so that they're no longer touching.)

"...I'm..."

(why hesitate? they've seen you)

"I... I just..."

(they know you're broken)

"I-I-I should go back inside."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

What- but you just got out here!-

*What did they do they just wanted to ask they can't ruin things again-*

[comical-contrarian]

(he can feel them, all the possible pasts and futures tugging at his soul, threatening to tear him apart again)

"I know, but — I just — I have to."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But you don't- you're fine now!- I just got you out of there, I don't- I don't want all of that to be for nothing-

[comical-contrarian]

"It wasn't! It wasn't for nothing. I'm really really glad I got t'be out here, but — I — I'm not —"

(CRACK)

(with a jolt, parts of the patchwork return to being the same grassy field as before)

" — shit."

(They quickly pull in their upper right wing, tucking it against their back to try and hide the shards from Connie's view.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Oh.*

*He can't keep this up, can he?*

..Ok. We can go back inside.

[comical-contrarian]

(With a grateful nod, he walks back to the cabin, the world trailing behind him like a crazy-quilt cloak. At the doorway, he stops, turning back to Connie.)

"...you coming?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They nod and follow after him, feet landing on gravel and sand and flowers and plastic.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They seem to relax as they cross the threshold. The patches shift to cover the floor, walls, and ceiling as they had before. The only space that doesn't change is the corner with the blanket fort, which they make a beeline for, wearily flopping into the pillows.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They stand awkwardly in the middle of the room.*

..sorry about everything-

[comical-contrarian]

"...you really don't hafta apologize. I... I probably shoulda been less cagey about it. S'just..."

(He sighs, leaning back into the pillows.)

"...I dunno. Guess it felt less embarrassing t'pretend th'house was th'problem, instead of... instead of me."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I don't know if this helps, but I don't think it's embarrassing..

[comical-contrarian]

"That's. Maybe not the right word for it. It's like — you and Cookie and th'other one, you're all so... put together. While me, I'm..."

(They glance at their shattered wing.)

"...I'm kinda broken."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*There's a pause. Softly, they walk over and sit beside Contrarian.*

..I don't know what about me suggests I'm "put together"- honestly.. I'm pretty broken too. I mean, just look at me-

*The chuckle weakly, even that simple sound wavering under their emotions.*

[comical-contrarian]

(He lifts his head, squinting at them to see something they can't.)

"Nnno? You're pretty solid, I think, least as much as one of us can be."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Maybe I'm solid, but.. I'm still missing pieces.

[comical-contrarian]

"But you're still you."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

You're you too.

[comical-contrarian]

"I'm not."

[comical-contrarian]

*They can do more than just mess up.*

*It's time to stop being a coward and actually try.*

*Connie appears in Contrarian's cabin. In place of their destroyed wings are shoddily made cardboard replacements.*

Contrarian, hi!

*They're smiling brightly, and yet something about it doesn't quite reach their eyes when you look too closely.*

@stp-minimum-wage-contrarian

(It takes him a moment to remember — Contrarian, that's his name. Obviously this is another, one he's met before. The real fluffy one, what did they call themself...?)

"Connie!! What brings you t'my neck of the woods?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Well- ok so I kind of knew you've been stuck in here the entire time I've known you because a weird customer told me before I even met you, but I never brought it up because I was too scared that I'd make everything worse if I tried to help, so it just seemed easier to pretend that issue didn't exist, but the guilt about you being stuck here has kinda been eating at me for a while and I've been doing a bit better recently so now I'm bringing it up-

*They inhale, not having breathed the entire time they were speaking.*

[comical-contrarian]

(As Connie speaks, the expression on their face shifts from excitement to surprise to confusion to something uncharacteristically somber. They step back from them a little, not meeting their eyes.)

"...you're right. It's easier to pretend."

(And then he's looking at them again, smiling as if he'd never stopped.)

"Sooooo let's just keep doing that, okay?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I don't want to pretend anymore. I wamt to try to help- sure, there's no guarantee I can help, but isn't it worth atleast trying?

[comical-contrarian]

"Nah, not really. Trust me, I've tried everything, and then some! ...so there's no reason t'bother with any of that. I'm stuck here, so I might as well make the best of it."

(liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar)

"...you still have those cards?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Hey, don't you start trying to change the subject on me! And I doubt you've tried everything. So let me try!

*Is this really a good idea?*

*What if they push Contrarian into this, only to make things worse?*

*Then they'll just fix whatever new problems they cause too! Everything will be fine.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They take another step back, wing shards flickering erratically.)

"No, seriously, I tried everything. I promise, whatever you're thinking of, it's not gonna work."

(liar liar Iiar liar Iiar)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They're making things worse, they haven't even started trying to help yet and they're already ruining everything-*

Ok- um- what if we just talk about what exactly the issue is first? Like, why exactly are you stuck here?-

[comical-contrarian]

"Uh."

(Shit, think of something, anything —)

"I don't know?"

(idiot.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Oh-

*Their face falls for a moment before they force a smile back up.*

Well- do you have any guesses..?

[comical-contrarian]

"Nnnnnnnnope!"

(liar Iiar liar Iiar liar Iiar liar Iiar)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They sigh, the sparkle fading from their eyes.*

*One success can't fix what they are.*

This was a stupid idea, wasn't it..?

[comical-contrarian]

"No! Nononono, not at all, you just — you just wanted t'help! S'not your fault I'm... like this."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They pause.*

Like what..?

[comical-contrarian]

(Shit.)

"L-like. You know! Stuck."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Sureeeeeeee. And by sure I mean I know you're lying.

[comical-contrarian]

"..."

(Their wings flicker faster.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*That's still probably not a good sign- what's the point of stopping the other Contrarian from messing up with this Contrarian if they're just going to go ahead and mess things up themself???*

Um- please just talk to me..?

[comical-contrarian]

"I don't know why I'm stuck. I just am. There's nothing t'be done about it."

(If it weren't already obvious that he's lying, the flat tone of his voice would give it away.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Correction: please talk to me without lying.

. . .

..being alone is.. probably the worst thing I could imagine. You don't deserve this.

[comical-contrarian]

"..."

(After a moment, they step forward, grinning awkwardly.)

"But I'm not alone. You're here! And there's other people who visit, sometimes... s'really not that bad..."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But we're not always here- sometimes we leave, and then you're alone again..

[comical-contrarian]

"Yeah, but..."

(They almost bring up Baby, but... they don't really count, do they? They're a sweet kid, but it's not like they can hold a conversation.)

"...but then you come back! So it's fine. Really."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Why are you so against telling me..?

[comical-contrarian]

"..."

(He doesn't answer, but his shattered wings pull in closer to his body.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

..I don't want to hurt you, but I also want to help you.. I can't help if I don't know the truth.

[comical-contrarian]

"You can't help me."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They crack a small smile.*

Doing what I shouldn't be able to is part of being a contrarian.

[comical-contrarian]

(A tiny chuckle escapes them.)

"You're a better Contrarian than me, then."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

So then let me try to do the impossible. Who knows, it might be more possible than you think.

[comical-contrarian]

(it is possible. it's always been possible. hiding behind excuses, like always. obfuscating the real problem.)

"I can't."

(yourself.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

You keep saying that, but why can't you??

[comical-contrarian]

"I just can't."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But why??

[comical-contrarian]

"The why's not important. I'm stuck, s'what it is, you don't... you don't have t'worry about me being alone or whatever. I'm fine with it."

(liar)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But it is important-

[comical-contrarian]

"It's not!”

(The entire room glitches, flickering all at once into an entirely new configuration. For a moment, he glances up at the ceiling, a scared nervous look in his eyes — and then he turns back to Connie.)

"You should go."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They flinch, suddenly looking so much smaller.*

I- I'm sorry-

*never should've tried*

*always doomed to fail*

[comical-contrarian]

(Their face falls, guilt painting their expression.)

"Shit, that's not — I didn't mean it like that! S'just — the house. The house's being fucky and s'probably a good idea for you t'not be here til it calms down."

(a half truth.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They don't want to go-*

Ok- I'll, um.. see you later..?

*But they don't want to cause anymore problems.*

*They've done enough harm today.*

[comical-contrarian]

"Y-yeah, of course. Any time... well, almost any time. Here, I'll get the'door for you!"

(With no difficulty at all, he walks up to the door, turns the knob, and holds it open, waiting for Connie to take their leave.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*The door's right there.*

*For a moment, everything goes silent. There's an unreadable expression on Connie's face.*

*And then they charge Contrarian and try to push him out the door.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They weren't expecting that, not at all — and despite their size, they're still a bird, hollow bones and all. They tumble out the door with a garbled squawk, and —)

(— it's almost like all the air is sucked out of the house with him. the patchwork chaos ripped from its walls, what's left behind is a plain room. faded, peeling green wallpaper and dusty wooden flooring, a single broken window, the only furnishing a blanket fort in the far corner — as if it had been a normal house all along, and its occupant was the odd thing about it.)

(...)

(On the subject of said occupant...)

(there is something on the ground, writhing and spasming and flailing about like it doesn't know what to do with itself. not a body, not resembling any one shape in particular, a mass of disjoonted shards that collide and intersect and entwine and enmesh and shift and flicker and constantly, constantly change from one thing to another. there's a voice — voices? — coming from it, but whatever it says is as incomprehensible as its appearance.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They push themself up from where they landed beside him, eyes landing on..*

*What have they done.*

*Their thoughts blur together into a persistent needling in the back of their head, as though they're trying to tear them to pieces from the inside out. And yet it all feels so distant..*

*focus*

*they can still fix this*

*They push themself onto legs that don't feel entirely attached to them and try to grab.. well, it's not an arm- not anymore. But they try to grab it anyways.*

[comical-contrarian]

(For Connie, it feels for a moment like they've just grabbed a handful of broken glass —)

(what happened? the door pull yourself together but i don't remember it hurts AHAHAHAHAHAHA shut up shut up what the fuck happened?? everything nothing something's wrong can't concentrate why — familiar feeling who's there?)

(— the shards shift, myriad pieces coming apart and restructuring, until what they're holding has become something vaguely hand-shaped, the shaky fingers closing around their own.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I- I'll fix this, don't worry-

*They start trying to drag Contrarian back into the cabin.*

[comical-contrarian]

(The "hand's" grip on theirs tightens, the "arm" stretching into more of an arm-shape, but the rest of the mass remains in place.)

(scared defiant angry grateful confused)

(Trembling with effort, the "hand" tries to pull Connie back towards the rest of it. From its many voices, a few come together, forming a single, slurred word:>

"..ssstayy..."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They don't, or can't, resist. They take a stumbling step back towards him.*

I won't leave.

[comical-contrarian]

(Its grip relaxes, not so painful now that the shards aren't digging into their skin. Strangely enough, they don't seem to be leaving any actual cuts behind.)

"...jussst... nnnneed'mmminute..."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Ok-

*They sit down beside him, their hand never letting go of his. They barely feel the pain.*

..I'm sorry.

[comical-contrarian]

(It says — something, or a mix of somethings. All the different words and emotions are too mixed-up to make any sense.)

(how could you what happened? focus. sorry? why you fucking better be sorry you focus. it's okay, i should have did you do something? focus! don't understand pull yourself together, c'mon — )

(Gradually, the constant changing evens out, still there but less chaotic. The mass shifts, shards adjusting into something a little more Contrarian shaped. He turns to look at them, face still a featureless collage of glass.)

"...what... happened?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I, um- may have pushed you out the door-

[comical-contrarian]

"...huh."

(His head tilts a little to the side.)

"Did I forget t'tell you not t'do that?'"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I- I mean you made it sound like it just.. wouldn't do anything.

..does it hurt?

[comical-contrarian]

(A thousand voices, each with their own answer.)

"Hurt? It does it does it doesn't really, s'just it doesn't feel like anything kind of, but I'm used t'it."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Oh..

*They swallow back the urge to apologize again. Another sorry isn't going to fix this.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They take a deep breath, shards rattling and scraping against each other.)

"Okay, l-let me see if I can..."

(a shudder runs through him, the glass almost seeming to melt, like a painting caught in the rain. the chaos washes away, spilling out onto the grass in a messy patchwork of different materials. here a snippet of gravel, there a chunk of beach, there a swath of wildflowers — all shifting and changing, just as the house had.)

(And in the center of the chaos sits Contrarian. Their eyes are squeezed shut, their hand still clasping Connie's, and for the first time since the two have met, they look entirely normal, without a single shattered feather.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They watch, eyes wide.*

Are- are you ok..?

[comical-contrarian]

(Slowly, he opens his eyes and gives them a small nod.)

"As okay as I can be, haha... ha."

(They let go of Connie's hand suddenly, standing and taking a few steps back, the patchwork of environments moving along with them. They smile, but it's tinged with shame, and maybe a little fear.)

"...s-sorry you had t'see that."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Their hand moves to try and grab Contrarian's again, but it's out of reach before they can.*

But- why are you apologizing?- It was my fault-

[comical-contrarian]

(He shakes his head, shrinking into himself a little.)

"No, s'not — s'not your fault I'm..."

"..."

"...you were just trying t'help."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

And that was my first mistake...

[comical-contrarian]

"...you didn't know what would happen."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But I should've listened to you-

[comical-contrarian]

"Heh. When've any of us ever listened to anyone?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They go quiet for a moment, just staring at the ground.*

You're not upset..?

[comical-contrarian]

(After a long pause, he shrugs.)

"I dunno. Something like this'd probably have happened eventually. Besides..."

(They tilt their head up a little, eyes closed, and spread out their wings.)

"...s'too nice out t'be upset."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

..I did get you outside after all, didn't I?

*Like the sun peaking out on an overcast day, a hint of a weak smile crosses their face.*

[comical-contrarian]

(A small nod.)

"It's... it's been a long time since I last got out."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Finally, they push themself back to their feet. They hesitate for only a moment before wrapping Contrarian in a tight hug.*

[comical-contrarian]

"Gwah — ?!"

(He jolts, startled.)

(what are they doing? they've seen what they're really like, all the pieces they're in, why would they still...?)

"..."

(Hesitantly, he hugs them back.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Their smile grows as they relax in his arms.*

*They messed up, but.. everything's ok again, right..? And Contrarian's outside.*

[comical-contrarian]

(He's still hugging Connie, but his eyes are locked on the house looming not far away, its door still open like a gaping maw.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They don't seem to notice.*

..are you comfortable telling me what exactly happened there? If you're not comfortable that's fine too- I won't push it this time, I promise-

[comical-contrarian]

"I..."

(They let go, pulling back from Connie so that they're no longer touching.)

"...I'm..."

(why hesitate? they've seen you)

"I... I just..."

(they know you're broken)

"I-I-I should go back inside."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

What- but you just got out here!-

*What did they do they just wanted to ask they can't ruin things again-*

[comical-contrarian]

(he can feel them, all the possible pasts and futures tugging at his soul, threatening to tear him apart again)

"I know, but — I just — I have to."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But you don't- you're fine now!- I just got you out of there, I don't- I don't want all of that to be for nothing-

[comical-contrarian]

"It wasn't! It wasn't for nothing. I'm really really glad I got t'be out here, but — I — I'm not —"

(CRACK)

(with a jolt, parts of the patchwork return to being the same grassy field as before)

" — shit."

(They quickly pull in their upper right wing, tucking it against their back to try and hide the shards from Connie's view.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Oh.*

*He can't keep this up, can he?*

..Ok. We can go back inside.

[comical-contrarian]

(With a grateful nod, he walks back to the cabin, the world trailing behind him like a crazy-quilt cloak. At the doorway, he stops, turning back to Connie.)

"...you coming?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They nod and follow after him, feet landing on gravel and sand and flowers and plastic.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They seem to relax as they cross the threshold. The patches shift to cover the floor, walls, and ceiling as they had before. The only space that doesn't change is the corner with the blanket fort, which they make a beeline for, wearily flopping into the pillows.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They stand awkwardly in the middle of the room.*

..sorry about everything-

[comical-contrarian]

"...you really don't hafta apologize. I... I probably shoulda been less cagey about it. S'just..."

(He sighs, leaning back into the pillows.)

"...I dunno. Guess it felt less embarrassing t'pretend th'house was th'problem, instead of... instead of me."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I don't know if this helps, but I don't think it's embarrassing..

[comical-contrarian]

"That's. Maybe not the right word for it. It's like — you and Cookie and th'other one, you're all so... put together. While me, I'm..."

(They glance at their shattered wing.)

"...I'm kinda broken."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*There's a pause. Softly, they walk over and sit beside Contrarian.*

..I don't know what about me suggests I'm "put together"- honestly.. I'm pretty broken too. I mean, just look at me-

*The chuckle weakly, even that simple sound wavering under their emotions.*

[comical-contrarian]

(He lifts his head, squinting at them to see something they can't.)

"Nnno? You're pretty solid, I think, least as much as one of us can be."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Maybe I'm solid, but.. I'm still missing pieces.

[comical-contrarian]

"But you're still you."

[comical-contrarian]

*They can do more than just mess up.*

*It's time to stop being a coward and actually try.*

*Connie appears in Contrarian's cabin. In place of their destroyed wings are shoddily made cardboard replacements.*

Contrarian, hi!

*They're smiling brightly, and yet something about it doesn't quite reach their eyes when you look too closely.*

@stp-minimum-wage-contrarian

(It takes him a moment to remember — Contrarian, that's his name. Obviously this is another, one he's met before. The real fluffy one, what did they call themself...?)

"Connie!! What brings you t'my neck of the woods?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Well- ok so I kind of knew you've been stuck in here the entire time I've known you because a weird customer told me before I even met you, but I never brought it up because I was too scared that I'd make everything worse if I tried to help, so it just seemed easier to pretend that issue didn't exist, but the guilt about you being stuck here has kinda been eating at me for a while and I've been doing a bit better recently so now I'm bringing it up-

*They inhale, not having breathed the entire time they were speaking.*

[comical-contrarian]

(As Connie speaks, the expression on their face shifts from excitement to surprise to confusion to something uncharacteristically somber. They step back from them a little, not meeting their eyes.)

"...you're right. It's easier to pretend."

(And then he's looking at them again, smiling as if he'd never stopped.)

"Sooooo let's just keep doing that, okay?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I don't want to pretend anymore. I wamt to try to help- sure, there's no guarantee I can help, but isn't it worth atleast trying?

[comical-contrarian]

"Nah, not really. Trust me, I've tried everything, and then some! ...so there's no reason t'bother with any of that. I'm stuck here, so I might as well make the best of it."

(liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar)

"...you still have those cards?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Hey, don't you start trying to change the subject on me! And I doubt you've tried everything. So let me try!

*Is this really a good idea?*

*What if they push Contrarian into this, only to make things worse?*

*Then they'll just fix whatever new problems they cause too! Everything will be fine.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They take another step back, wing shards flickering erratically.)

"No, seriously, I tried everything. I promise, whatever you're thinking of, it's not gonna work."

(liar liar Iiar liar Iiar)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They're making things worse, they haven't even started trying to help yet and they're already ruining everything-*

Ok- um- what if we just talk about what exactly the issue is first? Like, why exactly are you stuck here?-

[comical-contrarian]

"Uh."

(Shit, think of something, anything —)

"I don't know?"

(idiot.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Oh-

*Their face falls for a moment before they force a smile back up.*

Well- do you have any guesses..?

[comical-contrarian]

"Nnnnnnnnope!"

(liar Iiar liar Iiar liar Iiar liar Iiar)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They sigh, the sparkle fading from their eyes.*

*One success can't fix what they are.*

This was a stupid idea, wasn't it..?

[comical-contrarian]

"No! Nononono, not at all, you just — you just wanted t'help! S'not your fault I'm... like this."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They pause.*

Like what..?

[comical-contrarian]

(Shit.)

"L-like. You know! Stuck."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Sureeeeeeee. And by sure I mean I know you're lying.

[comical-contrarian]

"..."

(Their wings flicker faster.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*That's still probably not a good sign- what's the point of stopping the other Contrarian from messing up with this Contrarian if they're just going to go ahead and mess things up themself???*

Um- please just talk to me..?

[comical-contrarian]

"I don't know why I'm stuck. I just am. There's nothing t'be done about it."

(If it weren't already obvious that he's lying, the flat tone of his voice would give it away.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Correction: please talk to me without lying.

. . .

..being alone is.. probably the worst thing I could imagine. You don't deserve this.

[comical-contrarian]

"..."

(After a moment, they step forward, grinning awkwardly.)

"But I'm not alone. You're here! And there's other people who visit, sometimes... s'really not that bad..."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But we're not always here- sometimes we leave, and then you're alone again..

[comical-contrarian]

"Yeah, but..."

(They almost bring up Baby, but... they don't really count, do they? They're a sweet kid, but it's not like they can hold a conversation.)

"...but then you come back! So it's fine. Really."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Why are you so against telling me..?

[comical-contrarian]

"..."

(He doesn't answer, but his shattered wings pull in closer to his body.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

..I don't want to hurt you, but I also want to help you.. I can't help if I don't know the truth.

[comical-contrarian]

"You can't help me."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They crack a small smile.*

Doing what I shouldn't be able to is part of being a contrarian.

[comical-contrarian]

(A tiny chuckle escapes them.)

"You're a better Contrarian than me, then."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

So then let me try to do the impossible. Who knows, it might be more possible than you think.

[comical-contrarian]

(it is possible. it's always been possible. hiding behind excuses, like always. obfuscating the real problem.)

"I can't."

(yourself.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

You keep saying that, but why can't you??

[comical-contrarian]

"I just can't."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But why??

[comical-contrarian]

"The why's not important. I'm stuck, s'what it is, you don't... you don't have t'worry about me being alone or whatever. I'm fine with it."

(liar)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But it is important-

[comical-contrarian]

"It's not!”

(The entire room glitches, flickering all at once into an entirely new configuration. For a moment, he glances up at the ceiling, a scared nervous look in his eyes — and then he turns back to Connie.)

"You should go."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They flinch, suddenly looking so much smaller.*

I- I'm sorry-

*never should've tried*

*always doomed to fail*

[comical-contrarian]

(Their face falls, guilt painting their expression.)

"Shit, that's not — I didn't mean it like that! S'just — the house. The house's being fucky and s'probably a good idea for you t'not be here til it calms down."

(a half truth.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They don't want to go-*

Ok- I'll, um.. see you later..?

*But they don't want to cause anymore problems.*

*They've done enough harm today.*

[comical-contrarian]

"Y-yeah, of course. Any time... well, almost any time. Here, I'll get the'door for you!"

(With no difficulty at all, he walks up to the door, turns the knob, and holds it open, waiting for Connie to take their leave.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*The door's right there.*

*For a moment, everything goes silent. There's an unreadable expression on Connie's face.*

*And then they charge Contrarian and try to push him out the door.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They weren't expecting that, not at all — and despite their size, they're still a bird, hollow bones and all. They tumble out the door with a garbled squawk, and —)

(— it's almost like all the air is sucked out of the house with him. the patchwork chaos ripped from its walls, what's left behind is a plain room. faded, peeling green wallpaper and dusty wooden flooring, a single broken window, the only furnishing a blanket fort in the far corner — as if it had been a normal house all along, and its occupant was the odd thing about it.)

(...)

(On the subject of said occupant...)

(there is something on the ground, writhing and spasming and flailing about like it doesn't know what to do with itself. not a body, not resembling any one shape in particular, a mass of disjoonted shards that collide and intersect and entwine and enmesh and shift and flicker and constantly, constantly change from one thing to another. there's a voice — voices? — coming from it, but whatever it says is as incomprehensible as its appearance.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They push themself up from where they landed beside him, eyes landing on..*

*What have they done.*

*Their thoughts blur together into a persistent needling in the back of their head, as though they're trying to tear them to pieces from the inside out. And yet it all feels so distant..*

*focus*

*they can still fix this*

*They push themself onto legs that don't feel entirely attached to them and try to grab.. well, it's not an arm- not anymore. But they try to grab it anyways.*

[comical-contrarian]

(For Connie, it feels for a moment like they've just grabbed a handful of broken glass —)

(what happened? the door pull yourself together but i don't remember it hurts AHAHAHAHAHAHA shut up shut up what the fuck happened?? everything nothing something's wrong can't concentrate why — familiar feeling who's there?)

(— the shards shift, myriad pieces coming apart and restructuring, until what they're holding has become something vaguely hand-shaped, the shaky fingers closing around their own.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I- I'll fix this, don't worry-

*They start trying to drag Contrarian back into the cabin.*

[comical-contrarian]

(The "hand's" grip on theirs tightens, the "arm" stretching into more of an arm-shape, but the rest of the mass remains in place.)

(scared defiant angry grateful confused)

(Trembling with effort, the "hand" tries to pull Connie back towards the rest of it. From its many voices, a few come together, forming a single, slurred word:>

"..ssstayy..."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They don't, or can't, resist. They take a stumbling step back towards him.*

I won't leave.

[comical-contrarian]

(Its grip relaxes, not so painful now that the shards aren't digging into their skin. Strangely enough, they don't seem to be leaving any actual cuts behind.)

"...jussst... nnnneed'mmminute..."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Ok-

*They sit down beside him, their hand never letting go of his. They barely feel the pain.*

..I'm sorry.

[comical-contrarian]

(It says — something, or a mix of somethings. All the different words and emotions are too mixed-up to make any sense.)

(how could you what happened? focus. sorry? why you fucking better be sorry you focus. it's okay, i should have did you do something? focus! don't understand pull yourself together, c'mon — )

(Gradually, the constant changing evens out, still there but less chaotic. The mass shifts, shards adjusting into something a little more Contrarian shaped. He turns to look at them, face still a featureless collage of glass.)

"...what... happened?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I, um- may have pushed you out the door-

[comical-contrarian]

"...huh."

(His head tilts a little to the side.)

"Did I forget t'tell you not t'do that?'"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I- I mean you made it sound like it just.. wouldn't do anything.

..does it hurt?

[comical-contrarian]

(A thousand voices, each with their own answer.)

"Hurt? It does it does it doesn't really, s'just it doesn't feel like anything kind of, but I'm used t'it."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Oh..

*They swallow back the urge to apologize again. Another sorry isn't going to fix this.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They take a deep breath, shards rattling and scraping against each other.)

"Okay, l-let me see if I can..."

(a shudder runs through him, the glass almost seeming to melt, like a painting caught in the rain. the chaos washes away, spilling out onto the grass in a messy patchwork of different materials. here a snippet of gravel, there a chunk of beach, there a swath of wildflowers — all shifting and changing, just as the house had.)

(And in the center of the chaos sits Contrarian. Their eyes are squeezed shut, their hand still clasping Connie's, and for the first time since the two have met, they look entirely normal, without a single shattered feather.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They watch, eyes wide.*

Are- are you ok..?

[comical-contrarian]

(Slowly, he opens his eyes and gives them a small nod.)

"As okay as I can be, haha... ha."

(They let go of Connie's hand suddenly, standing and taking a few steps back, the patchwork of environments moving along with them. They smile, but it's tinged with shame, and maybe a little fear.)

"...s-sorry you had t'see that."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Their hand moves to try and grab Contrarian's again, but it's out of reach before they can.*

But- why are you apologizing?- It was my fault-

[comical-contrarian]

(He shakes his head, shrinking into himself a little.)

"No, s'not — s'not your fault I'm..."

"..."

"...you were just trying t'help."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

And that was my first mistake...

[comical-contrarian]

"...you didn't know what would happen."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But I should've listened to you-

[comical-contrarian]

"Heh. When've any of us ever listened to anyone?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They go quiet for a moment, just staring at the ground.*

You're not upset..?

[comical-contrarian]

(After a long pause, he shrugs.)

"I dunno. Something like this'd probably have happened eventually. Besides..."

(They tilt their head up a little, eyes closed, and spread out their wings.)

"...s'too nice out t'be upset."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

..I did get you outside after all, didn't I?

*Like the sun peaking out on an overcast day, a hint of a weak smile crosses their face.*

[comical-contrarian]

(A small nod.)

"It's... it's been a long time since I last got out."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Finally, they push themself back to their feet. They hesitate for only a moment before wrapping Contrarian in a tight hug.*

[comical-contrarian]

"Gwah — ?!"

(He jolts, startled.)

(what are they doing? they've seen what they're really like, all the pieces they're in, why would they still...?)

"..."

(Hesitantly, he hugs them back.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Their smile grows as they relax in his arms.*

*They messed up, but.. everything's ok again, right..? And Contrarian's outside.*

[comical-contrarian]

(He's still hugging Connie, but his eyes are locked on the house looming not far away, its door still open like a gaping maw.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They don't seem to notice.*

..are you comfortable telling me what exactly happened there? If you're not comfortable that's fine too- I won't push it this time, I promise-

[comical-contrarian]

"I..."

(They let go, pulling back from Connie so that they're no longer touching.)

"...I'm..."

(why hesitate? they've seen you)

"I... I just..."

(they know you're broken)

"I-I-I should go back inside."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

What- but you just got out here!-

*What did they do they just wanted to ask they can't ruin things again-*

[comical-contrarian]

(he can feel them, all the possible pasts and futures tugging at his soul, threatening to tear him apart again)

"I know, but — I just — I have to."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But you don't- you're fine now!- I just got you out of there, I don't- I don't want all of that to be for nothing-

[comical-contrarian]

"It wasn't! It wasn't for nothing. I'm really really glad I got t'be out here, but — I — I'm not —"

(CRACK)

(with a jolt, parts of the patchwork return to being the same grassy field as before)

" — shit."

(They quickly pull in their upper right wing, tucking it against their back to try and hide the shards from Connie's view.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Oh.*

*He can't keep this up, can he?*

..Ok. We can go back inside.

[comical-contrarian]

(With a grateful nod, he walks back to the cabin, the world trailing behind him like a crazy-quilt cloak. At the doorway, he stops, turning back to Connie.)

"...you coming?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They nod and follow after him, feet landing on gravel and sand and flowers and plastic.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They seem to relax as they cross the threshold. The patches shift to cover the floor, walls, and ceiling as they had before. The only space that doesn't change is the corner with the blanket fort, which they make a beeline for, wearily flopping into the pillows.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They stand awkwardly in the middle of the room.*

..sorry about everything-

[comical-contrarian]

"...you really don't hafta apologize. I... I probably shoulda been less cagey about it. S'just..."

(He sighs, leaning back into the pillows.)

"...I dunno. Guess it felt less embarrassing t'pretend th'house was th'problem, instead of... instead of me."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I don't know if this helps, but I don't think it's embarrassing..

[comical-contrarian]

"That's. Maybe not the right word for it. It's like — you and Cookie and th'other one, you're all so... put together. While me, I'm..."

(They glance at their shattered wing.)

"...I'm kinda broken."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*There's a pause. Softly, they walk over and sit beside Contrarian.*

..I don't know what about me suggests I'm "put together"- honestly.. I'm pretty broken too. I mean, just look at me-

*The chuckle weakly, even that simple sound wavering under their emotions.*

[comical-contrarian]

(He lifts his head, squinting at them to see something they can't.)

"Nnno? You're pretty solid, I think, least as much as one of us can be."

[comical-contrarian]

*They can do more than just mess up.*

*It's time to stop being a coward and actually try.*

*Connie appears in Contrarian's cabin. In place of their destroyed wings are shoddily made cardboard replacements.*

Contrarian, hi!

*They're smiling brightly, and yet something about it doesn't quite reach their eyes when you look too closely.*

@stp-minimum-wage-contrarian

(It takes him a moment to remember — Contrarian, that's his name. Obviously this is another, one he's met before. The real fluffy one, what did they call themself...?)

"Connie!! What brings you t'my neck of the woods?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Well- ok so I kind of knew you've been stuck in here the entire time I've known you because a weird customer told me before I even met you, but I never brought it up because I was too scared that I'd make everything worse if I tried to help, so it just seemed easier to pretend that issue didn't exist, but the guilt about you being stuck here has kinda been eating at me for a while and I've been doing a bit better recently so now I'm bringing it up-

*They inhale, not having breathed the entire time they were speaking.*

[comical-contrarian]

(As Connie speaks, the expression on their face shifts from excitement to surprise to confusion to something uncharacteristically somber. They step back from them a little, not meeting their eyes.)

"...you're right. It's easier to pretend."

(And then he's looking at them again, smiling as if he'd never stopped.)

"Sooooo let's just keep doing that, okay?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I don't want to pretend anymore. I wamt to try to help- sure, there's no guarantee I can help, but isn't it worth atleast trying?

[comical-contrarian]

"Nah, not really. Trust me, I've tried everything, and then some! ...so there's no reason t'bother with any of that. I'm stuck here, so I might as well make the best of it."

(liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar)

"...you still have those cards?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Hey, don't you start trying to change the subject on me! And I doubt you've tried everything. So let me try!

*Is this really a good idea?*

*What if they push Contrarian into this, only to make things worse?*

*Then they'll just fix whatever new problems they cause too! Everything will be fine.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They take another step back, wing shards flickering erratically.)

"No, seriously, I tried everything. I promise, whatever you're thinking of, it's not gonna work."

(liar liar Iiar liar Iiar)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They're making things worse, they haven't even started trying to help yet and they're already ruining everything-*

Ok- um- what if we just talk about what exactly the issue is first? Like, why exactly are you stuck here?-

[comical-contrarian]

"Uh."

(Shit, think of something, anything —)

"I don't know?"

(idiot.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Oh-

*Their face falls for a moment before they force a smile back up.*

Well- do you have any guesses..?

[comical-contrarian]

"Nnnnnnnnope!"

(liar Iiar liar Iiar liar Iiar liar Iiar)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They sigh, the sparkle fading from their eyes.*

*One success can't fix what they are.*

This was a stupid idea, wasn't it..?

[comical-contrarian]

"No! Nononono, not at all, you just — you just wanted t'help! S'not your fault I'm... like this."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They pause.*

Like what..?

[comical-contrarian]

(Shit.)

"L-like. You know! Stuck."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Sureeeeeeee. And by sure I mean I know you're lying.

[comical-contrarian]

"..."

(Their wings flicker faster.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*That's still probably not a good sign- what's the point of stopping the other Contrarian from messing up with this Contrarian if they're just going to go ahead and mess things up themself???*

Um- please just talk to me..?

[comical-contrarian]

"I don't know why I'm stuck. I just am. There's nothing t'be done about it."

(If it weren't already obvious that he's lying, the flat tone of his voice would give it away.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Correction: please talk to me without lying.

. . .

..being alone is.. probably the worst thing I could imagine. You don't deserve this.

[comical-contrarian]

"..."

(After a moment, they step forward, grinning awkwardly.)

"But I'm not alone. You're here! And there's other people who visit, sometimes... s'really not that bad..."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But we're not always here- sometimes we leave, and then you're alone again..

[comical-contrarian]

"Yeah, but..."

(They almost bring up Baby, but... they don't really count, do they? They're a sweet kid, but it's not like they can hold a conversation.)

"...but then you come back! So it's fine. Really."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Why are you so against telling me..?

[comical-contrarian]

"..."

(He doesn't answer, but his shattered wings pull in closer to his body.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

..I don't want to hurt you, but I also want to help you.. I can't help if I don't know the truth.

[comical-contrarian]

"You can't help me."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They crack a small smile.*

Doing what I shouldn't be able to is part of being a contrarian.

[comical-contrarian]

(A tiny chuckle escapes them.)

"You're a better Contrarian than me, then."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

So then let me try to do the impossible. Who knows, it might be more possible than you think.

[comical-contrarian]

(it is possible. it's always been possible. hiding behind excuses, like always. obfuscating the real problem.)

"I can't."

(yourself.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

You keep saying that, but why can't you??

[comical-contrarian]

"I just can't."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But why??

[comical-contrarian]

"The why's not important. I'm stuck, s'what it is, you don't... you don't have t'worry about me being alone or whatever. I'm fine with it."

(liar)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But it is important-

[comical-contrarian]

"It's not!”

(The entire room glitches, flickering all at once into an entirely new configuration. For a moment, he glances up at the ceiling, a scared nervous look in his eyes — and then he turns back to Connie.)

"You should go."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They flinch, suddenly looking so much smaller.*

I- I'm sorry-

*never should've tried*

*always doomed to fail*

[comical-contrarian]

(Their face falls, guilt painting their expression.)

"Shit, that's not — I didn't mean it like that! S'just — the house. The house's being fucky and s'probably a good idea for you t'not be here til it calms down."

(a half truth.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They don't want to go-*

Ok- I'll, um.. see you later..?

*But they don't want to cause anymore problems.*

*They've done enough harm today.*

[comical-contrarian]

"Y-yeah, of course. Any time... well, almost any time. Here, I'll get the'door for you!"

(With no difficulty at all, he walks up to the door, turns the knob, and holds it open, waiting for Connie to take their leave.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*The door's right there.*

*For a moment, everything goes silent. There's an unreadable expression on Connie's face.*

*And then they charge Contrarian and try to push him out the door.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They weren't expecting that, not at all — and despite their size, they're still a bird, hollow bones and all. They tumble out the door with a garbled squawk, and —)

(— it's almost like all the air is sucked out of the house with him. the patchwork chaos ripped from its walls, what's left behind is a plain room. faded, peeling green wallpaper and dusty wooden flooring, a single broken window, the only furnishing a blanket fort in the far corner — as if it had been a normal house all along, and its occupant was the odd thing about it.)

(...)

(On the subject of said occupant...)

(there is something on the ground, writhing and spasming and flailing about like it doesn't know what to do with itself. not a body, not resembling any one shape in particular, a mass of disjoonted shards that collide and intersect and entwine and enmesh and shift and flicker and constantly, constantly change from one thing to another. there's a voice — voices? — coming from it, but whatever it says is as incomprehensible as its appearance.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They push themself up from where they landed beside him, eyes landing on..*

*What have they done.*

*Their thoughts blur together into a persistent needling in the back of their head, as though they're trying to tear them to pieces from the inside out. And yet it all feels so distant..*

*focus*

*they can still fix this*

*They push themself onto legs that don't feel entirely attached to them and try to grab.. well, it's not an arm- not anymore. But they try to grab it anyways.*

[comical-contrarian]

(For Connie, it feels for a moment like they've just grabbed a handful of broken glass —)

(what happened? the door pull yourself together but i don't remember it hurts AHAHAHAHAHAHA shut up shut up what the fuck happened?? everything nothing something's wrong can't concentrate why — familiar feeling who's there?)

(— the shards shift, myriad pieces coming apart and restructuring, until what they're holding has become something vaguely hand-shaped, the shaky fingers closing around their own.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I- I'll fix this, don't worry-

*They start trying to drag Contrarian back into the cabin.*

[comical-contrarian]

(The "hand's" grip on theirs tightens, the "arm" stretching into more of an arm-shape, but the rest of the mass remains in place.)

(scared defiant angry grateful confused)

(Trembling with effort, the "hand" tries to pull Connie back towards the rest of it. From its many voices, a few come together, forming a single, slurred word:>

"..ssstayy..."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They don't, or can't, resist. They take a stumbling step back towards him.*

I won't leave.

[comical-contrarian]

(Its grip relaxes, not so painful now that the shards aren't digging into their skin. Strangely enough, they don't seem to be leaving any actual cuts behind.)

"...jussst... nnnneed'mmminute..."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Ok-

*They sit down beside him, their hand never letting go of his. They barely feel the pain.*

..I'm sorry.

[comical-contrarian]

(It says — something, or a mix of somethings. All the different words and emotions are too mixed-up to make any sense.)

(how could you what happened? focus. sorry? why you fucking better be sorry you focus. it's okay, i should have did you do something? focus! don't understand pull yourself together, c'mon — )

(Gradually, the constant changing evens out, still there but less chaotic. The mass shifts, shards adjusting into something a little more Contrarian shaped. He turns to look at them, face still a featureless collage of glass.)

"...what... happened?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I, um- may have pushed you out the door-

[comical-contrarian]

"...huh."

(His head tilts a little to the side.)

"Did I forget t'tell you not t'do that?'"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I- I mean you made it sound like it just.. wouldn't do anything.

..does it hurt?

[comical-contrarian]

(A thousand voices, each with their own answer.)

"Hurt? It does it does it doesn't really, s'just it doesn't feel like anything kind of, but I'm used t'it."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Oh..

*They swallow back the urge to apologize again. Another sorry isn't going to fix this.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They take a deep breath, shards rattling and scraping against each other.)

"Okay, l-let me see if I can..."

(a shudder runs through him, the glass almost seeming to melt, like a painting caught in the rain. the chaos washes away, spilling out onto the grass in a messy patchwork of different materials. here a snippet of gravel, there a chunk of beach, there a swath of wildflowers — all shifting and changing, just as the house had.)

(And in the center of the chaos sits Contrarian. Their eyes are squeezed shut, their hand still clasping Connie's, and for the first time since the two have met, they look entirely normal, without a single shattered feather.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They watch, eyes wide.*

Are- are you ok..?

[comical-contrarian]

(Slowly, he opens his eyes and gives them a small nod.)

"As okay as I can be, haha... ha."

(They let go of Connie's hand suddenly, standing and taking a few steps back, the patchwork of environments moving along with them. They smile, but it's tinged with shame, and maybe a little fear.)

"...s-sorry you had t'see that."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Their hand moves to try and grab Contrarian's again, but it's out of reach before they can.*

But- why are you apologizing?- It was my fault-

[comical-contrarian]

(He shakes his head, shrinking into himself a little.)

"No, s'not — s'not your fault I'm..."

"..."

"...you were just trying t'help."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

And that was my first mistake...

[comical-contrarian]

"...you didn't know what would happen."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But I should've listened to you-

[comical-contrarian]

"Heh. When've any of us ever listened to anyone?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They go quiet for a moment, just staring at the ground.*

You're not upset..?

[comical-contrarian]

(After a long pause, he shrugs.)

"I dunno. Something like this'd probably have happened eventually. Besides..."

(They tilt their head up a little, eyes closed, and spread out their wings.)

"...s'too nice out t'be upset."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

..I did get you outside after all, didn't I?

*Like the sun peaking out on an overcast day, a hint of a weak smile crosses their face.*

[comical-contrarian]

(A small nod.)

"It's... it's been a long time since I last got out."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Finally, they push themself back to their feet. They hesitate for only a moment before wrapping Contrarian in a tight hug.*

[comical-contrarian]

"Gwah — ?!"

(He jolts, startled.)

(what are they doing? they've seen what they're really like, all the pieces they're in, why would they still...?)

"..."

(Hesitantly, he hugs them back.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Their smile grows as they relax in his arms.*

*They messed up, but.. everything's ok again, right..? And Contrarian's outside.*

[comical-contrarian]

(He's still hugging Connie, but his eyes are locked on the house looming not far away, its door still open like a gaping maw.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They don't seem to notice.*

..are you comfortable telling me what exactly happened there? If you're not comfortable that's fine too- I won't push it this time, I promise-

[comical-contrarian]

"I..."

(They let go, pulling back from Connie so that they're no longer touching.)

"...I'm..."

(why hesitate? they've seen you)

"I... I just..."

(they know you're broken)

"I-I-I should go back inside."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

What- but you just got out here!-

*What did they do they just wanted to ask they can't ruin things again-*

[comical-contrarian]

(he can feel them, all the possible pasts and futures tugging at his soul, threatening to tear him apart again)

"I know, but — I just — I have to."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But you don't- you're fine now!- I just got you out of there, I don't- I don't want all of that to be for nothing-

[comical-contrarian]

"It wasn't! It wasn't for nothing. I'm really really glad I got t'be out here, but — I — I'm not —"

(CRACK)

(with a jolt, parts of the patchwork return to being the same grassy field as before)

" — shit."

(They quickly pull in their upper right wing, tucking it against their back to try and hide the shards from Connie's view.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Oh.*

*He can't keep this up, can he?*

..Ok. We can go back inside.

[comical-contrarian]

(With a grateful nod, he walks back to the cabin, the world trailing behind him like a crazy-quilt cloak. At the doorway, he stops, turning back to Connie.)

"...you coming?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They nod and follow after him, feet landing on gravel and sand and flowers and plastic.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They seem to relax as they cross the threshold. The patches shift to cover the floor, walls, and ceiling as they had before. The only space that doesn't change is the corner with the blanket fort, which they make a beeline for, wearily flopping into the pillows.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They stand awkwardly in the middle of the room.*

..sorry about everything-

[comical-contrarian]

"...you really don't hafta apologize. I... I probably shoulda been less cagey about it. S'just..."

(He sighs, leaning back into the pillows.)

"...I dunno. Guess it felt less embarrassing t'pretend th'house was th'problem, instead of... instead of me."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I don't know if this helps, but I don't think it's embarrassing..

[comical-contrarian]

"That's. Maybe not the right word for it. It's like — you and Cookie and th'other one, you're all so... put together. While me, I'm..."

(They glance at their shattered wing.)

"...I'm kinda broken."

[comical-contrarian]

*They can do more than just mess up.*

*It's time to stop being a coward and actually try.*

*Connie appears in Contrarian's cabin. In place of their destroyed wings are shoddily made cardboard replacements.*

Contrarian, hi!

*They're smiling brightly, and yet something about it doesn't quite reach their eyes when you look too closely.*

@stp-minimum-wage-contrarian

(It takes him a moment to remember — Contrarian, that's his name. Obviously this is another, one he's met before. The real fluffy one, what did they call themself...?)

"Connie!! What brings you t'my neck of the woods?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Well- ok so I kind of knew you've been stuck in here the entire time I've known you because a weird customer told me before I even met you, but I never brought it up because I was too scared that I'd make everything worse if I tried to help, so it just seemed easier to pretend that issue didn't exist, but the guilt about you being stuck here has kinda been eating at me for a while and I've been doing a bit better recently so now I'm bringing it up-

*They inhale, not having breathed the entire time they were speaking.*

[comical-contrarian]

(As Connie speaks, the expression on their face shifts from excitement to surprise to confusion to something uncharacteristically somber. They step back from them a little, not meeting their eyes.)

"...you're right. It's easier to pretend."

(And then he's looking at them again, smiling as if he'd never stopped.)

"Sooooo let's just keep doing that, okay?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I don't want to pretend anymore. I wamt to try to help- sure, there's no guarantee I can help, but isn't it worth atleast trying?

[comical-contrarian]

"Nah, not really. Trust me, I've tried everything, and then some! ...so there's no reason t'bother with any of that. I'm stuck here, so I might as well make the best of it."

(liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar)

"...you still have those cards?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Hey, don't you start trying to change the subject on me! And I doubt you've tried everything. So let me try!

*Is this really a good idea?*

*What if they push Contrarian into this, only to make things worse?*

*Then they'll just fix whatever new problems they cause too! Everything will be fine.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They take another step back, wing shards flickering erratically.)

"No, seriously, I tried everything. I promise, whatever you're thinking of, it's not gonna work."

(liar liar Iiar liar Iiar)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They're making things worse, they haven't even started trying to help yet and they're already ruining everything-*

Ok- um- what if we just talk about what exactly the issue is first? Like, why exactly are you stuck here?-

[comical-contrarian]

"Uh."

(Shit, think of something, anything —)

"I don't know?"

(idiot.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Oh-

*Their face falls for a moment before they force a smile back up.*

Well- do you have any guesses..?

[comical-contrarian]

"Nnnnnnnnope!"

(liar Iiar liar Iiar liar Iiar liar Iiar)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They sigh, the sparkle fading from their eyes.*

*One success can't fix what they are.*

This was a stupid idea, wasn't it..?

[comical-contrarian]

"No! Nononono, not at all, you just — you just wanted t'help! S'not your fault I'm... like this."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They pause.*

Like what..?

[comical-contrarian]

(Shit.)

"L-like. You know! Stuck."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Sureeeeeeee. And by sure I mean I know you're lying.

[comical-contrarian]

"..."

(Their wings flicker faster.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*That's still probably not a good sign- what's the point of stopping the other Contrarian from messing up with this Contrarian if they're just going to go ahead and mess things up themself???*

Um- please just talk to me..?

[comical-contrarian]

"I don't know why I'm stuck. I just am. There's nothing t'be done about it."

(If it weren't already obvious that he's lying, the flat tone of his voice would give it away.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Correction: please talk to me without lying.

. . .

..being alone is.. probably the worst thing I could imagine. You don't deserve this.

[comical-contrarian]

"..."

(After a moment, they step forward, grinning awkwardly.)

"But I'm not alone. You're here! And there's other people who visit, sometimes... s'really not that bad..."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But we're not always here- sometimes we leave, and then you're alone again..

[comical-contrarian]

"Yeah, but..."

(They almost bring up Baby, but... they don't really count, do they? They're a sweet kid, but it's not like they can hold a conversation.)

"...but then you come back! So it's fine. Really."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Why are you so against telling me..?

[comical-contrarian]

"..."

(He doesn't answer, but his shattered wings pull in closer to his body.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

..I don't want to hurt you, but I also want to help you.. I can't help if I don't know the truth.

[comical-contrarian]

"You can't help me."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They crack a small smile.*

Doing what I shouldn't be able to is part of being a contrarian.

[comical-contrarian]

(A tiny chuckle escapes them.)

"You're a better Contrarian than me, then."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

So then let me try to do the impossible. Who knows, it might be more possible than you think.

[comical-contrarian]

(it is possible. it's always been possible. hiding behind excuses, like always. obfuscating the real problem.)

"I can't."

(yourself.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

You keep saying that, but why can't you??

[comical-contrarian]

"I just can't."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But why??

[comical-contrarian]

"The why's not important. I'm stuck, s'what it is, you don't... you don't have t'worry about me being alone or whatever. I'm fine with it."

(liar)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But it is important-

[comical-contrarian]

"It's not!”

(The entire room glitches, flickering all at once into an entirely new configuration. For a moment, he glances up at the ceiling, a scared nervous look in his eyes — and then he turns back to Connie.)

"You should go."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They flinch, suddenly looking so much smaller.*

I- I'm sorry-

*never should've tried*

*always doomed to fail*

[comical-contrarian]

(Their face falls, guilt painting their expression.)

"Shit, that's not — I didn't mean it like that! S'just — the house. The house's being fucky and s'probably a good idea for you t'not be here til it calms down."

(a half truth.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They don't want to go-*

Ok- I'll, um.. see you later..?

*But they don't want to cause anymore problems.*

*They've done enough harm today.*

[comical-contrarian]

"Y-yeah, of course. Any time... well, almost any time. Here, I'll get the'door for you!"

(With no difficulty at all, he walks up to the door, turns the knob, and holds it open, waiting for Connie to take their leave.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*The door's right there.*

*For a moment, everything goes silent. There's an unreadable expression on Connie's face.*

*And then they charge Contrarian and try to push him out the door.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They weren't expecting that, not at all — and despite their size, they're still a bird, hollow bones and all. They tumble out the door with a garbled squawk, and —)

(— it's almost like all the air is sucked out of the house with him. the patchwork chaos ripped from its walls, what's left behind is a plain room. faded, peeling green wallpaper and dusty wooden flooring, a single broken window, the only furnishing a blanket fort in the far corner — as if it had been a normal house all along, and its occupant was the odd thing about it.)

(...)

(On the subject of said occupant...)

(there is something on the ground, writhing and spasming and flailing about like it doesn't know what to do with itself. not a body, not resembling any one shape in particular, a mass of disjoonted shards that collide and intersect and entwine and enmesh and shift and flicker and constantly, constantly change from one thing to another. there's a voice — voices? — coming from it, but whatever it says is as incomprehensible as its appearance.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They push themself up from where they landed beside him, eyes landing on..*

*What have they done.*

*Their thoughts blur together into a persistent needling in the back of their head, as though they're trying to tear them to pieces from the inside out. And yet it all feels so distant..*

*focus*

*they can still fix this*

*They push themself onto legs that don't feel entirely attached to them and try to grab.. well, it's not an arm- not anymore. But they try to grab it anyways.*

[comical-contrarian]

(For Connie, it feels for a moment like they've just grabbed a handful of broken glass —)

(what happened? the door pull yourself together but i don't remember it hurts AHAHAHAHAHAHA shut up shut up what the fuck happened?? everything nothing something's wrong can't concentrate why — familiar feeling who's there?)

(— the shards shift, myriad pieces coming apart and restructuring, until what they're holding has become something vaguely hand-shaped, the shaky fingers closing around their own.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I- I'll fix this, don't worry-

*They start trying to drag Contrarian back into the cabin.*

[comical-contrarian]

(The "hand's" grip on theirs tightens, the "arm" stretching into more of an arm-shape, but the rest of the mass remains in place.)

(scared defiant angry grateful confused)

(Trembling with effort, the "hand" tries to pull Connie back towards the rest of it. From its many voices, a few come together, forming a single, slurred word:>

"..ssstayy..."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They don't, or can't, resist. They take a stumbling step back towards him.*

I won't leave.

[comical-contrarian]

(Its grip relaxes, not so painful now that the shards aren't digging into their skin. Strangely enough, they don't seem to be leaving any actual cuts behind.)

"...jussst... nnnneed'mmminute..."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Ok-

*They sit down beside him, their hand never letting go of his. They barely feel the pain.*

..I'm sorry.

[comical-contrarian]

(It says — something, or a mix of somethings. All the different words and emotions are too mixed-up to make any sense.)

(how could you what happened? focus. sorry? why you fucking better be sorry you focus. it's okay, i should have did you do something? focus! don't understand pull yourself together, c'mon — )

(Gradually, the constant changing evens out, still there but less chaotic. The mass shifts, shards adjusting into something a little more Contrarian shaped. He turns to look at them, face still a featureless collage of glass.)

"...what... happened?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I, um- may have pushed you out the door-

[comical-contrarian]

"...huh."

(His head tilts a little to the side.)

"Did I forget t'tell you not t'do that?'"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I- I mean you made it sound like it just.. wouldn't do anything.

..does it hurt?

[comical-contrarian]

(A thousand voices, each with their own answer.)

"Hurt? It does it does it doesn't really, s'just it doesn't feel like anything kind of, but I'm used t'it."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Oh..

*They swallow back the urge to apologize again. Another sorry isn't going to fix this.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They take a deep breath, shards rattling and scraping against each other.)

"Okay, l-let me see if I can..."

(a shudder runs through him, the glass almost seeming to melt, like a painting caught in the rain. the chaos washes away, spilling out onto the grass in a messy patchwork of different materials. here a snippet of gravel, there a chunk of beach, there a swath of wildflowers — all shifting and changing, just as the house had.)

(And in the center of the chaos sits Contrarian. Their eyes are squeezed shut, their hand still clasping Connie's, and for the first time since the two have met, they look entirely normal, without a single shattered feather.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They watch, eyes wide.*

Are- are you ok..?

[comical-contrarian]

(Slowly, he opens his eyes and gives them a small nod.)

"As okay as I can be, haha... ha."

(They let go of Connie's hand suddenly, standing and taking a few steps back, the patchwork of environments moving along with them. They smile, but it's tinged with shame, and maybe a little fear.)

"...s-sorry you had t'see that."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Their hand moves to try and grab Contrarian's again, but it's out of reach before they can.*

But- why are you apologizing?- It was my fault-

[comical-contrarian]

(He shakes his head, shrinking into himself a little.)

"No, s'not — s'not your fault I'm..."

"..."

"...you were just trying t'help."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

And that was my first mistake...

[comical-contrarian]

"...you didn't know what would happen."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But I should've listened to you-

[comical-contrarian]

"Heh. When've any of us ever listened to anyone?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They go quiet for a moment, just staring at the ground.*

You're not upset..?

[comical-contrarian]

(After a long pause, he shrugs.)

"I dunno. Something like this'd probably have happened eventually. Besides..."

(They tilt their head up a little, eyes closed, and spread out their wings.)

"...s'too nice out t'be upset."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

..I did get you outside after all, didn't I?

*Like the sun peaking out on an overcast day, a hint of a weak smile crosses their face.*

[comical-contrarian]

(A small nod.)

"It's... it's been a long time since I last got out."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Finally, they push themself back to their feet. They hesitate for only a moment before wrapping Contrarian in a tight hug.*

[comical-contrarian]

"Gwah — ?!"

(He jolts, startled.)

(what are they doing? they've seen what they're really like, all the pieces they're in, why would they still...?)

"..."

(Hesitantly, he hugs them back.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Their smile grows as they relax in his arms.*

*They messed up, but.. everything's ok again, right..? And Contrarian's outside.*

[comical-contrarian]

(He's still hugging Connie, but his eyes are locked on the house looming not far away, its door still open like a gaping maw.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They don't seem to notice.*

..are you comfortable telling me what exactly happened there? If you're not comfortable that's fine too- I won't push it this time, I promise-

[comical-contrarian]

"I..."

(They let go, pulling back from Connie so that they're no longer touching.)

"...I'm..."

(why hesitate? they've seen you)

"I... I just..."

(they know you're broken)

"I-I-I should go back inside."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

What- but you just got out here!-

*What did they do they just wanted to ask they can't ruin things again-*

[comical-contrarian]

(he can feel them, all the possible pasts and futures tugging at his soul, threatening to tear him apart again)

"I know, but — I just — I have to."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But you don't- you're fine now!- I just got you out of there, I don't- I don't want all of that to be for nothing-

[comical-contrarian]

"It wasn't! It wasn't for nothing. I'm really really glad I got t'be out here, but — I — I'm not —"

(CRACK)

(with a jolt, parts of the patchwork return to being the same grassy field as before)

" — shit."

(They quickly pull in their upper right wing, tucking it against their back to try and hide the shards from Connie's view.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Oh.*

*He can't keep this up, can he?*

..Ok. We can go back inside.

[comical-contrarian]

(With a grateful nod, he walks back to the cabin, the world trailing behind him like a crazy-quilt cloak. At the doorway, he stops, turning back to Connie.)

"...you coming?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They nod and follow after him, feet landing on gravel and sand and flowers and plastic.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They seem to relax as they cross the threshold. The patches shift to cover the floor, walls, and ceiling as they had before. The only space that doesn't change is the corner with the blanket fort, which they make a beeline for, wearily flopping into the pillows.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They stand awkwardly in the middle of the room.*

..sorry about everything-

[comical-contrarian]

"...you really don't hafta apologize. I... I probably shoulda been less cagey about it. S'just..."

(He sighs, leaning back into the pillows.)

"...I dunno. Guess it felt less embarrassing t'pretend th'house was th'problem, instead of... instead of me."

[comical-contrarian]

*They can do more than just mess up.*

*It's time to stop being a coward and actually try.*

*Connie appears in Contrarian's cabin. In place of their destroyed wings are shoddily made cardboard replacements.*

Contrarian, hi!

*They're smiling brightly, and yet something about it doesn't quite reach their eyes when you look too closely.*

@stp-minimum-wage-contrarian

(It takes him a moment to remember — Contrarian, that's his name. Obviously this is another, one he's met before. The real fluffy one, what did they call themself...?)

"Connie!! What brings you t'my neck of the woods?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Well- ok so I kind of knew you've been stuck in here the entire time I've known you because a weird customer told me before I even met you, but I never brought it up because I was too scared that I'd make everything worse if I tried to help, so it just seemed easier to pretend that issue didn't exist, but the guilt about you being stuck here has kinda been eating at me for a while and I've been doing a bit better recently so now I'm bringing it up-

*They inhale, not having breathed the entire time they were speaking.*

[comical-contrarian]

(As Connie speaks, the expression on their face shifts from excitement to surprise to confusion to something uncharacteristically somber. They step back from them a little, not meeting their eyes.)

"...you're right. It's easier to pretend."

(And then he's looking at them again, smiling as if he'd never stopped.)

"Sooooo let's just keep doing that, okay?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I don't want to pretend anymore. I wamt to try to help- sure, there's no guarantee I can help, but isn't it worth atleast trying?

[comical-contrarian]

"Nah, not really. Trust me, I've tried everything, and then some! ...so there's no reason t'bother with any of that. I'm stuck here, so I might as well make the best of it."

(liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar liar)

"...you still have those cards?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Hey, don't you start trying to change the subject on me! And I doubt you've tried everything. So let me try!

*Is this really a good idea?*

*What if they push Contrarian into this, only to make things worse?*

*Then they'll just fix whatever new problems they cause too! Everything will be fine.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They take another step back, wing shards flickering erratically.)

"No, seriously, I tried everything. I promise, whatever you're thinking of, it's not gonna work."

(liar liar Iiar liar Iiar)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They're making things worse, they haven't even started trying to help yet and they're already ruining everything-*

Ok- um- what if we just talk about what exactly the issue is first? Like, why exactly are you stuck here?-

[comical-contrarian]

"Uh."

(Shit, think of something, anything —)

"I don't know?"

(idiot.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Oh-

*Their face falls for a moment before they force a smile back up.*

Well- do you have any guesses..?

[comical-contrarian]

"Nnnnnnnnope!"

(liar Iiar liar Iiar liar Iiar liar Iiar)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They sigh, the sparkle fading from their eyes.*

*One success can't fix what they are.*

This was a stupid idea, wasn't it..?

[comical-contrarian]

"No! Nononono, not at all, you just — you just wanted t'help! S'not your fault I'm... like this."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They pause.*

Like what..?

[comical-contrarian]

(Shit.)

"L-like. You know! Stuck."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Sureeeeeeee. And by sure I mean I know you're lying.

[comical-contrarian]

"..."

(Their wings flicker faster.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*That's still probably not a good sign- what's the point of stopping the other Contrarian from messing up with this Contrarian if they're just going to go ahead and mess things up themself???*

Um- please just talk to me..?

[comical-contrarian]

"I don't know why I'm stuck. I just am. There's nothing t'be done about it."

(If it weren't already obvious that he's lying, the flat tone of his voice would give it away.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Correction: please talk to me without lying.

. . .

..being alone is.. probably the worst thing I could imagine. You don't deserve this.

[comical-contrarian]

"..."

(After a moment, they step forward, grinning awkwardly.)

"But I'm not alone. You're here! And there's other people who visit, sometimes... s'really not that bad..."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But we're not always here- sometimes we leave, and then you're alone again..

[comical-contrarian]

"Yeah, but..."

(They almost bring up Baby, but... they don't really count, do they? They're a sweet kid, but it's not like they can hold a conversation.)

"...but then you come back! So it's fine. Really."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Why are you so against telling me..?

[comical-contrarian]

"..."

(He doesn't answer, but his shattered wings pull in closer to his body.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

..I don't want to hurt you, but I also want to help you.. I can't help if I don't know the truth.

[comical-contrarian]

"You can't help me."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They crack a small smile.*

Doing what I shouldn't be able to is part of being a contrarian.

[comical-contrarian]

(A tiny chuckle escapes them.)

"You're a better Contrarian than me, then."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

So then let me try to do the impossible. Who knows, it might be more possible than you think.

[comical-contrarian]

(it is possible. it's always been possible. hiding behind excuses, like always. obfuscating the real problem.)

"I can't."

(yourself.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

You keep saying that, but why can't you??

[comical-contrarian]

"I just can't."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But why??

[comical-contrarian]

"The why's not important. I'm stuck, s'what it is, you don't... you don't have t'worry about me being alone or whatever. I'm fine with it."

(liar)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But it is important-

[comical-contrarian]

"It's not!”

(The entire room glitches, flickering all at once into an entirely new configuration. For a moment, he glances up at the ceiling, a scared nervous look in his eyes — and then he turns back to Connie.)

"You should go."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They flinch, suddenly looking so much smaller.*

I- I'm sorry-

*never should've tried*

*always doomed to fail*

[comical-contrarian]

(Their face falls, guilt painting their expression.)

"Shit, that's not — I didn't mean it like that! S'just — the house. The house's being fucky and s'probably a good idea for you t'not be here til it calms down."

(a half truth.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They don't want to go-*

Ok- I'll, um.. see you later..?

*But they don't want to cause anymore problems.*

*They've done enough harm today.*

[comical-contrarian]

"Y-yeah, of course. Any time... well, almost any time. Here, I'll get the'door for you!"

(With no difficulty at all, he walks up to the door, turns the knob, and holds it open, waiting for Connie to take their leave.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*The door's right there.*

*For a moment, everything goes silent. There's an unreadable expression on Connie's face.*

*And then they charge Contrarian and try to push him out the door.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They weren't expecting that, not at all — and despite their size, they're still a bird, hollow bones and all. They tumble out the door with a garbled squawk, and —)

(— it's almost like all the air is sucked out of the house with him. the patchwork chaos ripped from its walls, what's left behind is a plain room. faded, peeling green wallpaper and dusty wooden flooring, a single broken window, the only furnishing a blanket fort in the far corner — as if it had been a normal house all along, and its occupant was the odd thing about it.)

(...)

(On the subject of said occupant...)

(there is something on the ground, writhing and spasming and flailing about like it doesn't know what to do with itself. not a body, not resembling any one shape in particular, a mass of disjoonted shards that collide and intersect and entwine and enmesh and shift and flicker and constantly, constantly change from one thing to another. there's a voice — voices? — coming from it, but whatever it says is as incomprehensible as its appearance.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They push themself up from where they landed beside him, eyes landing on..*

*What have they done.*

*Their thoughts blur together into a persistent needling in the back of their head, as though they're trying to tear them to pieces from the inside out. And yet it all feels so distant..*

*focus*

*they can still fix this*

*They push themself onto legs that don't feel entirely attached to them and try to grab.. well, it's not an arm- not anymore. But they try to grab it anyways.*

[comical-contrarian]

(For Connie, it feels for a moment like they've just grabbed a handful of broken glass —)

(what happened? the door pull yourself together but i don't remember it hurts AHAHAHAHAHAHA shut up shut up what the fuck happened?? everything nothing something's wrong can't concentrate why — familiar feeling who's there?)

(— the shards shift, myriad pieces coming apart and restructuring, until what they're holding has become something vaguely hand-shaped, the shaky fingers closing around their own.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I- I'll fix this, don't worry-

*They start trying to drag Contrarian back into the cabin.*

[comical-contrarian]

(The "hand's" grip on theirs tightens, the "arm" stretching into more of an arm-shape, but the rest of the mass remains in place.)

(scared defiant angry grateful confused)

(Trembling with effort, the "hand" tries to pull Connie back towards the rest of it. From its many voices, a few come together, forming a single, slurred word:>

"..ssstayy..."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They don't, or can't, resist. They take a stumbling step back towards him.*

I won't leave.

[comical-contrarian]

(Its grip relaxes, not so painful now that the shards aren't digging into their skin. Strangely enough, they don't seem to be leaving any actual cuts behind.)

"...jussst... nnnneed'mmminute..."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Ok-

*They sit down beside him, their hand never letting go of his. They barely feel the pain.*

..I'm sorry.

[comical-contrarian]

(It says — something, or a mix of somethings. All the different words and emotions are too mixed-up to make any sense.)

(how could you what happened? focus. sorry? why you fucking better be sorry you focus. it's okay, i should have did you do something? focus! don't understand pull yourself together, c'mon — )

(Gradually, the constant changing evens out, still there but less chaotic. The mass shifts, shards adjusting into something a little more Contrarian shaped. He turns to look at them, face still a featureless collage of glass.)

"...what... happened?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I, um- may have pushed you out the door-

[comical-contrarian]

"...huh."

(His head tilts a little to the side.)

"Did I forget t'tell you not t'do that?'"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

I- I mean you made it sound like it just.. wouldn't do anything.

..does it hurt?

[comical-contrarian]

(A thousand voices, each with their own answer.)

"Hurt? It does it does it doesn't really, s'just it doesn't feel like anything kind of, but I'm used t'it."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

Oh..

*They swallow back the urge to apologize again. Another sorry isn't going to fix this.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They take a deep breath, shards rattling and scraping against each other.)

"Okay, l-let me see if I can..."

(a shudder runs through him, the glass almost seeming to melt, like a painting caught in the rain. the chaos washes away, spilling out onto the grass in a messy patchwork of different materials. here a snippet of gravel, there a chunk of beach, there a swath of wildflowers — all shifting and changing, just as the house had.)

(And in the center of the chaos sits Contrarian. Their eyes are squeezed shut, their hand still clasping Connie's, and for the first time since the two have met, they look entirely normal, without a single shattered feather.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They watch, eyes wide.*

Are- are you ok..?

[comical-contrarian]

(Slowly, he opens his eyes and gives them a small nod.)

"As okay as I can be, haha... ha."

(They let go of Connie's hand suddenly, standing and taking a few steps back, the patchwork of environments moving along with them. They smile, but it's tinged with shame, and maybe a little fear.)

"...s-sorry you had t'see that."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Their hand moves to try and grab Contrarian's again, but it's out of reach before they can.*

But- why are you apologizing?- It was my fault-

[comical-contrarian]

(He shakes his head, shrinking into himself a little.)

"No, s'not — s'not your fault I'm..."

"..."

"...you were just trying t'help."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

And that was my first mistake...

[comical-contrarian]

"...you didn't know what would happen."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But I should've listened to you-

[comical-contrarian]

"Heh. When've any of us ever listened to anyone?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They go quiet for a moment, just staring at the ground.*

You're not upset..?

[comical-contrarian]

(After a long pause, he shrugs.)

"I dunno. Something like this'd probably have happened eventually. Besides..."

(They tilt their head up a little, eyes closed, and spread out their wings.)

"...s'too nice out t'be upset."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

..I did get you outside after all, didn't I?

*Like the sun peaking out on an overcast day, a hint of a weak smile crosses their face.*

[comical-contrarian]

(A small nod.)

"It's... it's been a long time since I last got out."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Finally, they push themself back to their feet. They hesitate for only a moment before wrapping Contrarian in a tight hug.*

[comical-contrarian]

"Gwah — ?!"

(He jolts, startled.)

(what are they doing? they've seen what they're really like, all the pieces they're in, why would they still...?)

"..."

(Hesitantly, he hugs them back.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Their smile grows as they relax in his arms.*

*They messed up, but.. everything's ok again, right..? And Contrarian's outside.*

[comical-contrarian]

(He's still hugging Connie, but his eyes are locked on the house looming not far away, its door still open like a gaping maw.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They don't seem to notice.*

..are you comfortable telling me what exactly happened there? If you're not comfortable that's fine too- I won't push it this time, I promise-

[comical-contrarian]

"I..."

(They let go, pulling back from Connie so that they're no longer touching.)

"...I'm..."

(why hesitate? they've seen you)

"I... I just..."

(they know you're broken)

"I-I-I should go back inside."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

What- but you just got out here!-

*What did they do they just wanted to ask they can't ruin things again-*

[comical-contrarian]

(he can feel them, all the possible pasts and futures tugging at his soul, threatening to tear him apart again)

"I know, but — I just — I have to."

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

But you don't- you're fine now!- I just got you out of there, I don't- I don't want all of that to be for nothing-

[comical-contrarian]

"It wasn't! It wasn't for nothing. I'm really really glad I got t'be out here, but — I — I'm not —"

(CRACK)

(with a jolt, parts of the patchwork return to being the same grassy field as before)

" — shit."

(They quickly pull in their upper right wing, tucking it against their back to try and hide the shards from Connie's view.)

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*Oh.*

*He can't keep this up, can he?*

..Ok. We can go back inside.

[comical-contrarian]

(With a grateful nod, he walks back to the cabin, the world trailing behind him like a crazy-quilt cloak. At the doorway, he stops, turning back to Connie.)

"...you coming?"

[stp-minimum-wage-contrarian]

*They nod and follow after him, feet landing on gravel and sand and flowers and plastic.*

[comical-contrarian]

(They seem to relax as they cross the threshold. The patches shift to cover the floor, walls, and ceiling as they had before. The only space that doesn't change is the corner with the blanket fort, which they make a beeline for, wearily flopping into the pillows.)