The Rtumblr News Archive @perplexing-news - Tumblr Blog

#ease of access reblog #thanks again for letting me document your stuff :]

Visual guide to the characters of rtumblr

aamit

ame, 2 / Fallac Rip

ani and nini

bear

chris

copper, 2

cupcler

dynamite

hatcler

dweebo, mimic

fluffy

froge

jay(s)

kiesha

lucy

magical john : i- listen. you have to know who magical john is, right?

maya

morkify, 2

pleafy, full

possum

raer

adam, 2

styx

void

yang

1dk

asnakebastard

Little help, please?

#snek #incredible art! always lovely to see adam again.

[Still struggling with headache, it takes them a moment to react.]

Wha̵̡͓̳̭͆́-̴̢̻̬͙̙̻̇̓͊̀͋ͅ?̸͛͝ N-na̷̡̻̤̒h! Its- it's- it's̸̹͑ ̴̻̅f̷̭͑ǐ̸͕ne, really!- ù̷̢̱͇g̴̛̞̳h̴̨̛̯͔̻͕̠̀͛̇̋̽̓Ḧ̴̩̻̜̫̰͍́͂!̷̛̮̭̌̐!̸̝̙̹͍͋̈́̎̆̕͝

[They try to put on a reassuring smile, but, well, it's a bit hard to do, when you feel like your head is about to blow up.]

I-I can̵̪̞̘̜̻͑ ̶̰̫͖͎̫͑ḏ̸̡̞̄̃̈́̂̚ö̵͚͙̞̈́͐͗̏ ̶͎͍͎̄i̷̡͎͓̬̎͊̈́ț̷̄̑̿͝ ̶̡͙͈̟̭̐̌̇m̵̡̪̩̳͒̽̿yself̶̺̚ with̵̪̱̆̿͘͜-̵͓̬̇ ̶̔ͅwith no problem̶̼̖̫̃̇́ ̷̨̧̹̇á̴̙̹́͛-̴̨͑͗͛ą̶̮̪̔̈́̈n̶̨̢̛̛̼͔͔͎͙͐̒̉̂̌́d̵̝̫̟̲́̍͠͠ͅ ̵̯͈̋͗̈́̆͠ğ̷̮̮̘͓̑͜͠ḩ̸̢̡̨͇̤̳̍̉̒͝ḩ̷̢̥̯̝̳͊͊̽̓̈́h̵̛͓̞͎̣̹̖̫̑́̽̓̿̀͗̎͒͛̎̿̎-̴̧̢͇͙̜͕̯̩̭̙̹͑̐͂̈̒͊̏̓

[And that feeling doesn't appear to be about to stop.]

Ì̷̲̰̹̈́̒f̴̳̈́ I̵̦̐̃͝ ĥ̷̖͙a̴̖̙͕͛͋d̴͕̯͐̔ ḁ̷̈́́n̷͇̜̲͛̈̕y̴̛͚͚ b̸̘̠̿̄a̴͓̽n̶̯̻̋d̶̳̬͖̚ä̷̡̛̕g̸̱͔͠e̶̟͂̓s̵̔ l̵͎̥͔̐é̸̢̦͚̽̕f̴̧̪̜̄̍̽t̷̲̟̾!̴̺̋̿ I'm out of them, ǫ̷̃k̷̟̂ḁ̶͗ỹ̷̥?̷͍̂!̴̨͝ A-again..- ó̷̰h̶͎̍ ̵̼̒m̷͚̌ý̶̝ ̴̗̈́ǵ̸̤o̴̮̐d̶̞͑,̷̛̜ ̴̣̐I̸͇͊'̶̭̇m̷̟̃ ̷̩̚g̵̜̉o̵̬̾n̸͉̓ņ̸̌a̵͓͗ ̵̮̑ŕ̸͖i̵̢̓p̷̯̃ ̵̞̈m̸͖͂y̴̧̑ ̴̖̀h̷͍̃ę̴̇a̶͍̓d̴̪̈ ̷͔͒o̶̯̅f̷̣̅f̵̮͑,̵̣̊ ̶͚̄Ỉ̷ͅ ̸͖͊s̷̗̃ẉ̸̈́ë̷͔́ȃ̸̰r̷̹͑-̵̝̾

[Copper emptily looks at them.]

...You don't have to pretend to be well simply because you don't need any help.

I'm not̴.̷ pretending- ỏ̴̞̪̗̺̼̝͑̌͊̄͌ȗ̸͖͘c̷̬͕̦̟̯̦̅͋͂̋͝h̵̙̘͍̱̅- Okay, maybe a little-

I jus̴t̵.. don't like being worried about. ö̶̢͈͈̰̝̗̯̪̲́͂̆͒̀̈́͝u̸̡͔̞̤̾͑͋́̈́͂c̷̛͇̲̘͔̠͛͑̔̏́̏̏̊͘ĥ̶̩͙͖̘- That's all.

How do you expect me not to be worried about you?

Your bandages are completely soaked in blood, you have lost and miraculously regained consciousness only minutes ago, and something tells me that even now you're barely conscious.

I can't just leave you in such condition, as it is very likely it'll only worsen over time.

Well... Exactly? o̶̹̿̃ȕ̶͔̏c̷̮͂h̶̼́̐-

[They make some gestures and a string hand comes down to their left from the ceiling.]

I am the one who lost and regained consciousness and I am the one who has soaked in blood bandages. Meaning, it's my problems. Not anyone else's. So, I shall be the only one who's concerned about it on my opinion.

But.. if you want to keep me a company, I don't mind.

[They grab the string hand and with its help - and also with a lot of growls and grunts - slowly stand up from the floor. Still holding the hand as they stand.]

Right after I get some bandages. o̸̤͖̓̎ù̴͉ĉ̶̳h̷̫̠̏̈́-

That's-

[They hesitate, but continue after a short pause, with the same look of bewilderment on their face.]

That's not how it works...

[They watch as Fluffy wearily stands up.]

You are barely standing, can I at least... help you with getting the bandages?

Uh- It's not a very interesting process, really.

... As well as perhaps a liiitle bit illegal- And I would prefer to keep you out of.. this kind of trouble.

Then I could just buy you some bandages while you wait. Or I could bring some from home.

They should be relatively cheap, there's really no need to acquire them illegally.

Would rather not have someone spending their money on me- However..

[They sigh.]

Yeah, can't deny if you brought some from your home it would make things easier for me, but...

[They turn head away visibly hesitating to continue the sentence.]

But what?

... Okay, don't get me wrong, I am not saying I don't trust you, but what I am saying is that you learned a lot new information about me today. More than anyone did in ages, frankly.

And not all that information - well, to be real any of it - was very.. fun. And appealing. And well-known. And not disturbing even a little. And not blackmail material.

So, I think what I'm trying to say is..

.. How do I know you will come back?

I wouldn't have come back if I didn't want to before, and that hasn't changed. I visit you not out of any obligations or necessity, but because you're one of the people I care about.

While I will eventually have to take my leave, that doesn't mean I'm going to abandon you. Nor does it mean that I intend to never talk to you after this conversation ends again.

Words-words, sweet words... Life would be so easy if there was a guarantee they're always 100% true, wouldn't it?

[Still avoiding eye contact, they touch their neck thoughtfully.]

Perhaps we could find a compromise...

[They take the hand away from the neck and frown as they observe how much blood on it now.]

.. Perhaps we need to find a compromise, even-

What- What kind of compromise are you proposing?

Well..

Accounting my condition in which I won't be much useful in this place anyway,

I could come with you. I guess?

That does seem like the most reasonable option, yes.

[They stand up, glancing over Fluffy's bloodstained hand before looking Fluffy in the eyes.]

Sure, then. But are you sure you'll be alright until we get there?

[Noticing Copper's gaze they quickly hide their hand behind the back.]

Khm, since we go together, we could use my shortcuts. In this case, yes, I'll be okay. Hopefully.

.. Don't worry about it.

...Oh?

I thought it only worked with your Board. Or only allowed you to get there, to be exact.

Hah, what's the point of the door that opens only from one side?

I can go to any place I've been before from here. And, with help of someone else, even to the ones I've never been, but they did! As long as the place has a door, of course.

And that's how we gonna get to your house.

This plan has one, hopefully, minor problem, however...

[Copper awkwardly looks at Fluffy.]

It isn't anything serious, right?

.. Well, you see, the doors can only be created on the ground. And, apparently, a bunch of colorful magical strings does not classifies as a ground. Devastating, I know.

So in order to get to your place, we both shall go "downstairs". Bright, always-sunny downstairs.

And the thing is I'm not usually do that after, um.. Eyes Stuff happens- Like, I try to stay away from the light for somewhere around a week, because, y'know.. just in case.

So, answering your question...

[They shrugs.]

I'm not sure?

Oh, and speaking about stuff I am not sure about, haven't really thought about how I'm gonna get down from here as well. I mean, I a bit doubt my ability to hold a single string hand on the high speed in this state. But,

[They stomp their foot a few times, making a hole down to open in the middle of The Lair.]

I'm certain I will come up with something while you're coming down, so go on.. light enjoyers first, haha- o̶̹̿̃ȕ̶͔̏c̷̮͂h̶̼́̐-

Don't take it as me having doubt in your abilities, but are you absolutely sure neither of us will injure themselves by attempting to get down there?

[They stare into the hole in the floor.]

And if you can barely control one string hand, wouldn't slipping up even slightly lead to, well, either one of us dying? Is there no foolproof way to go about it?

If there's one thing I am absolutely sure of, it's that we will injure ourselves much more attempting to get down there without any strings whatsoever.

[Looking at the hole they make one more gesture creating a string hand above it.]

So, until one of us grows a pair of wings, that's our best option.

[They fold theirs arms leaning against the wall and look away for a moment.]

The only "foolproofing" I can offer you is to wrap a few strings around you and promise that, if something will go wrong, I'll use all my strength and energy to save it immediately.

... Sorry.

[Copper carefully takes the string hand.]

Hopefully it ends well for both of us. Though, I'm more concerned about your descent, since you wouldn't have any precautions whatsoever.

Let me know when you're ready.

I didn't say I won't take any precautions myself.

[They walk closer to the hole.]

I'll be fine...

[The string hand grabs Copper's hand in respond. After that, its "fingers" wraps around their arm a few times.]

And so will you.

Ready.

[They jump.]

[The string hand tightens almost immediately after the jump, starting to carefully lower Copper to the ground.]

[The decent had been going smooth.. first part of the way. Somewhere in the middle of it the speed of lowering became inconsistent, suddenly speeding up at one points and slowing down at others. The strings around Copper's arm wrapped harder.]

[It appears, the closer they were to the ground, the more troubling the way down was becoming: The speed changes became even more common and the string hand itself seems to started to gradually fall apart weakening its grip...]

[At the moment when Copper's feet finally touched the ground, it was nothing but a colorful mess in their hand loosely holding them in respond.]

[But despite all that, Copper was down there. Fine and unharmed.]

[Copper looks up, waiting for Fluffy to descend.]

Fluffy? You can come down now!

#fluffy #copper #rtumblr rp

[Meanwhile in The Lair...]

Phew!

[They sigh - mostly out of relief - rubbing their arm.]

They're fine... Khm, I mean, of course they are. Couldn't be otherwise. Obviously.

[Looking at the hole in the floor they frown.]

Now to the hard part...

First, some "anti-light" precautions.

[They pull the sleeves of their coat down over the hands. Then, they lift the hat from their head, quickly put on the hood and then place hat back on the top, adjusting it a bit to make sure it's secured.]

Welp. Better than nothing, I suppose. First step is done.

[They walk closer to the hole and look down.]

Step two...

[A few moments later.]

grumble grumble This is humiliating... grumble grumble

[The string let go of them a few inches above the ground and they drop on the floor with a characteristic sound near their friend.]

Step two.. is done.

[They mumbled lying face down on the tiled floor.]

new reference for ghosty

not ghost-y colours under cut

#anchor art #yes i gave him a suit jacket instead of the coat thing #wasn’t a fan of drawing it

[Still struggling with headache, it takes them a moment to react.]

[They try to put on a reassuring smile, but, well, it's a bit hard to do, when you feel like your head is about to blow up.]

[And that feeling doesn't appear to be about to stop.]

[Copper emptily looks at them.]

...You don't have to pretend to be well simply because you don't need any help.

I'm not̴.̷ pretending- ỏ̴̞̪̗̺̼̝͑̌͊̄͌ȗ̸͖͘c̷̬͕̦̟̯̦̅͋͂̋͝h̵̙̘͍̱̅- Okay, maybe a little-

I jus̴t̵.. don't like being worried about. ö̶̢͈͈̰̝̗̯̪̲́͂̆͒̀̈́͝u̸̡͔̞̤̾͑͋́̈́͂c̷̛͇̲̘͔̠͛͑̔̏́̏̏̊͘ĥ̶̩͙͖̘- That's all.

How do you expect me not to be worried about you?

Your bandages are completely soaked in blood, you have lost and miraculously regained consciousness only minutes ago, and something tells me that even now you're barely conscious.

I can't just leave you in such condition, as it is very likely it'll only worsen over time.

Well... Exactly? o̶̹̿̃ȕ̶͔̏c̷̮͂h̶̼́̐-

[They make some gestures and a string hand comes down to their left from the ceiling.]

But.. if you want to keep me a company, I don't mind.

[They grab the string hand and with its help - and also with a lot of growls and grunts - slowly stand up from the floor. Still holding the hand as they stand.]

Right after I get some bandages. o̸̤͖̓̎ù̴͉ĉ̶̳h̷̫̠̏̈́-

That's-

[They hesitate, but continue after a short pause, with the same look of bewilderment on their face.]

That's not how it works...

[They watch as Fluffy wearily stands up.]

You are barely standing, can I at least... help you with getting the bandages?

Uh- It's not a very interesting process, really.

... As well as perhaps a liiitle bit illegal- And I would prefer to keep you out of.. this kind of trouble.

Then I could just buy you some bandages while you wait. Or I could bring some from home.

They should be relatively cheap, there's really no need to acquire them illegally.

Would rather not have someone spending their money on me- However..

[They sigh.]

Yeah, can't deny if you brought some from your home it would make things easier for me, but...

[They turn head away visibly hesitating to continue the sentence.]

But what?

... Okay, don't get me wrong, I am not saying I don't trust you, but what I am saying is that you learned a lot new information about me today. More than anyone did in ages, frankly.

And not all that information - well, to be real any of it - was very.. fun. And appealing. And well-known. And not disturbing even a little. And not blackmail material.

So, I think what I'm trying to say is..

.. How do I know you will come back?

I wouldn't have come back if I didn't want to before, and that hasn't changed. I visit you not out of any obligations or necessity, but because you're one of the people I care about.

While I will eventually have to take my leave, that doesn't mean I'm going to abandon you. Nor does it mean that I intend to never talk to you after this conversation ends again.

Words-words, sweet words... Life would be so easy if there was a guarantee they're always 100% true, wouldn't it?

[Still avoiding eye contact, they touch their neck thoughtfully.]

Perhaps we could find a compromise...

[They take the hand away from the neck and frown as they observe how much blood on it now.]

.. Perhaps we need to find a compromise, even-

What- What kind of compromise are you proposing?

Well..

Accounting my condition in which I won't be much useful in this place anyway,

I could come with you. I guess?

That does seem like the most reasonable option, yes.

[They stand up, glancing over Fluffy's bloodstained hand before looking Fluffy in the eyes.]

Sure, then. But are you sure you'll be alright until we get there?

#fluffy #copper #rtumblr rp

[Noticing Copper's gaze they quickly hide their hand behind the back.]

Khm, since we go together, we could use my shortcuts. In this case, yes, I'll be okay. Hopefully.

.. Don't worry about it.

#fluffy #copper #oh good a new post at least it won’t take like 5 minutes to reblog now /lh /j

[Still struggling with headache, it takes them a moment to react.]

[They try to put on a reassuring smile, but, well, it's a bit hard to do, when you feel like your head is about to blow up.]

[And that feeling doesn't appear to be about to stop.]

[Copper emptily looks at them.]

...You don't have to pretend to be well simply because you don't need any help.

(Tumblr won't let me reblog the post, my sincerest apologies.)

I was the one who has said all of this. You have nothing to apologize for, I truly mean it.

I... I couldn't bear to see you like that again. Even if it meant hurting you in the process, and even if you ended up resenting me, it-

It felt like a small price to pay.

...Because then you would have no reason to risk your life again, not because of me or any nonsense I could've dragged you into.

(That's okay *patpat*)

... I- I mean, I can see the logic behind it...

It could've work, I guess, if.. if I was able to hate you.

Like, yes, your words did make me upset to the point I said a few awful things too - that I never meant! - but.. that's all.

You were on the brink of death, o-of course you'd be panicked! I- I'm just glad you made it out alive...

Well.. thanks to you.

*pets your head*

It's not so much ''made it out alive'' as ''was saved'', honestly. Like, all I did is chocking, you were the one cutting the stri-

[They suddenly stop.]

.. Hm. I just realized something.

What did you realize, exactly?

Um. One question...

What did you do with The Trust Knife after that?..

It's... Somewhere in my house. I had to put it away so I wouldn't have to see it again.

I'm sorry...

Oh.

I thought you threw it away or something...

You said it would be impolite not to accept it.

And throwing it away seemed just as rude.

Well yeah, but I wouldn't blame you for doing so after what happened...

However, it is quite sweet of you to not get rid of it.

...Thanks.

*mumbles* I probably should give something else as the gift of trust, though. Something that's not pointy... and with less bad memories attached to it-

It was the least I could do.

Okay-okay, give me a second, I got this, give me a second-

[They looking through their coat fussily.]

Would you like to have, umm- The Water Balloon of Trust?- no, that's silly- The Chocolate Bar of Trust?- uh, it's my dinner actually- The Personal Diary of Trust?- that's a bit too much, isn't it? uhhh--

...Fluffy, I don't need anything from you, really.

....... The Spoon of Trust maybe..?

Fluffy, I already have a gift from you, I think it'll suffice.

Besides, I remember you saying you didn't want to make presents anymore, at least for the time being.

...

........ *cautiously takes out a spoon out of coat-*

[Copper frowns in bewilderment and discomfort.]

...Why are you doing this?

... *cautiously puts spoon back in coat* Sorry-

*sigh*

Fine-fine, no more gifts of trust.

*pat pat*

I mean, I guess, you already know that I trust you, so it doesn't make sense anyway.

... You do know I trust you, right?..

Is... that what it was all about? I don't- I don't understand your recent obsession with trust.

.. My what?

It's all began because you thought I didn't trust you enough... hasn't it?

And now you're for some reason trying to prove that you trust me. Even if it's not at all needed.

*mumbles* *mumbles* *mumbles*

I'm not trying to prove, I'm just... checking.

Well, it does seems that you trust me quite a bit. You didn't have to offer me gifts to prove it.

I just feel kinda awkward, that "The Gift of Trust" turned out to be "The Object You Can't Even Look At".

Are you sure, that don't wanna, like... exchange it?

I would still associate the traded object with the knife, wouldn't I? There's little sense in exchanging it.

...It's fine, I promise. Please, don't worry too much about it.

...

*sigh*

*mumbles* As someone who trusts you, I have no choice but take your word on that, haven't I?

Fiiiine.

Means, more cool spoons for me then.

[The expression on their face is much more relieved than it was mere minutes ago, albeit still with a slight trace of concern.]

...Thank you.

So... that's pretty much all I planned to talk to you about.

If we account, you're still here and still wish to be my friend and not in tears - well, at least now - and not dead... I would say everything went perfectly.

*mumbles* Not absolutely perfectly, but.. *shrugs*

Except for, well... your soul now constantly being in danger.

*shrugs again*

That happens

But it still isn't fair at all.

Copper, please.

Do you... Do you still disagree with that, Fluffy?

... Ï̵̧̳̦̅̅-̵͓̹͓̟͇̞̾̏̇͋͛̓

Khm, I just feel like you treating me like I'm about to die very soon. Or already dead, even.

I mean, c'mon. Do I look like I'm in pai̶n from the endless suffering right now?

No, exactly! So can we, maybe.. not talk about me being tormented until the end of time, please?

...

[There's a long pause before Copper finally looks Fluffy in the eyes and speaks.]

...You do.

.̸̢̧̬̗̯͚̙̹̣̼̪̠̳̳͕͓̮̃̄͌̈́̆̊.̷̖͔̙̩̦͓͍̈̓̚̕͜͠.̷̻͗

I-

*turns away*

I need to go-

[Their expression doesn't change even slightly.]

If you wish to go, I won't stop you.

...However, I would like to take a look at something first, if you'll allow it.

*mumbles* T- Take a look..?

[They turn back the head. Their already tense expression now has note of confusion.]

Take a look at what?

Your neck. I... I recall you mentioning that you were in pain and then witnessing it myself.

...I have been thinking about it ever since.

W̴̧̢̢̫̲̠̬͈̮̮̩̬̘͉̪͎̐̅̓h̵̢̬͛̋̀̄̿͑̾͋̀ą̶̡̢͖̠̤̜̼̘̦̼͍̻̑͑̌̇͝ͅ-̸̜̘̫̘̳̾͜͜!̷͇̳̻̬̿̏̿͂͂͗͛́̀̋̊̿͐̕͘͘̚͝?̷̨͍̖̻͕̞̟̈́̃͂̂̀̄͒̈́̍̏͋͘͘͝͝ͅ

[They vigorously turn head away.]

Kh-khm, It's... It's fine, don't worry.

You.. *mumbles* you should not worry about that.

You almost lost consciousness the last time you weren't careful enough with the strings. Even after I tried to get rid of them, they appeared again. I find it suspect.

And I at least wish to know why it's happening to you.

If you didn't notice, the strings are all over me. Arms, legs, body in general.. Somewhere more, somewhere less.. So, there's nothing suspicious about some of them being on the neck too.

They always were like that, even before The Hat disappearing! Just.. the number of them was much smaller...

Everything. Is. F̶͒ine!

Nothing about this is fine! It's not them being all over your hands and neck that is suspicious, but them almost killing you!

[Their voice is fatigued and wavering, pleading almost, too weak and tired for them to be properly yelled.]

[They shrink into themselves, getting frustrated at the very sensation of their eyes welling up.]

S-so please... just let me me to help you for once.

*squeaks*

[They never will get over the fact human in front of them can raise their voice.]

You- I-

[They panically switching between looking above at The Lair and back at Copper. Fleeing seems like a good next move right now, but... Goddammit, why their friend have to start crying again?]

*sighs*

*looks down*

What.. makes you think that you can h-

[They stops for a moment.]

[They looks back at Copper. Too tired to make an annoyed face and voice to maybe scare them off this topic. Too tired to continue attempts of convincing them everything is okay.]

What makes you think that I want help?

[Too tired to lie.]

I... just hoped that- maybe, if you would at least momentarily take a break from the place you were refusing to leave...

I didn't- I didn't know it would...

[Copper begins uncontrollably sobbing again.]

[They're watching how tears begin dropping from Copper's eyes.]

[They want to pet their head, but that won't fix anything.]

[They want to hug them, but that won't fix anything.]

[They want to flee back in The Lair, but that won't fix anything.]

[Nothing they can do will fix anything. Every decision they can make seems like bad ones right now.]

...

*puts hand on layer of strings on the neck*

[So who cares what to choose?]

I mean, if you still want to see it...

*mumbles* Don't know why you might want that, though. Based on your reaction, you know exactly what it looks like, but...

Of course I don't- O-of course I wouldn't want to see it.

But I- I don't want you to have to look at it for the rest of your life, either...

Hm. Start crying because I didn't want to show it but refuse from that at the moment I agree? How fun̛ny͜ and ti͘r̶͜͞ing at the same time.

[Their hand is still on the neck.]

Not like I can see it. I mean, yes, strings do go easy on me once I'm in The Lair, but I cover it with bandages almost immediately.

[They run their fingers across layer of strings. Slowly. Trying not to push too hard on it.]

Layer of bandages under layer of strings... Sitting on your neck almost 95% of the time when you're active like some kind of turtleneck... It's hard to get use to the thing like this, y'know.

[They stop their fingers and stay silent like this for a moment.]

... And, frankly, I don't think I ever did.

[They look at Copper, taking hand away from neck but now pointing on it.]

Do you think I want this? That I walk around, choking, without knowing this is bad as well as without good reasons? Furthermore, do you really believe that I - person with collection of knives - unable to deal with it myself if I wanted that? A̴͙̅n̵̝̚d̵͔̿ t̴͖̄ḧ̴̰à̴̘t̶̬͐ ỳ̸̻õ̶͓u̶͓̕r̵̰̈́ ç̶̀r̷͈̆ÿ̶̥ì̷̼n̵͉͆g̸̗̿ ā̵̗b̸͖̑ö̶̼́u̶̗̚ẗ̵́ i̵̘͑t̸ m̸̤̄a̸͉͛ḱ̸̟ȩ̵̅s̵̲̕ t̶̠̅ĥ̷̳i̵̟̿s̴̆ s̵̬̈õ̶͔m̸͚͛e̶̢̋h̶̪̔ö̴̪́ẁ̵͉ e̸̟̕a̷̺͋s̸̭̏i̴̛̦e̸͕͐r̶̍ f̸̣͝ò̷̭r̶̻̄ m̷̙̊ḙ̶͒?̷̝̑

*sigh*

... Have you never did something not because you desired it but because of reasons?..

I didn't re- That's not-

[They are apprehensively trying to say something, anything that wouldn't deteriorate the conversation even further.]

[Only after Fluffy goes silent do they respond.]

...I-I have.

Then you must know, how much it suĉ̷̲̗̰̙̭̫̑k̶̮̻͔̻̟̖͝s̴̖̫̅̀͆͑̆.

Doing something just because you believe you shọ̷̒u̶̢̢̾l̶̥̓d... Just because you believe i̴̡͙̐ẗ̵͔̖'̷͓͋s̶̮̻̏ g̸̼̈ơ̵̩̦̒ṅ̴̻n̶̲̤̎͆ǎ̷̲̽ ḇ̶͑̀ẽ̵̙̠͌ ̷͍̝̓̓b̶̲̼͘ë̵̬́t̸̮͆̚t̶͎͛̈͜é̶̲͠r̶̟̽́ ̷͈͋̊ṫ̸͚̕h̵͇͚̓̅i̵͚̋̚s̴͖̪̍͋ ̴̹̹̚w̴͍͠a̶̫̜̔y̵̬̬͋...

And that not always your actions make sense for others, but you can't explain it to them, because it's.. ć̸̝̫͈̳̜̙̝̋̄͆̽̈̓ǒ̸̘͓̯̋͆̌̆̑̿m̷̛͉̞̤͇͍͓̞͒̑̅p̷̡̢͚̻̰̟̈́̀͜l̸̻̹̄̚i̷̧̺̟̗̬͇̟̒͗̈́̀͜͝c̶̛̫̟̱̍̅͌̈͊̑̒ͅa̷̧͕͉͍̯̣̩͎̩̒̓͒͑̄͝ṯ̴̡̣̲̤̠̣̰̈́ȩ̸̛̯̝̐̋d̶̨̞͖̝̣̹̥̊̎.

...

You don't want me to suffer, I get that.

Don't think I am not appreciate it, but

I̴̡̼̮̖̪̐̾̐ ̶̡̣̯͙̦̔h̷͚̾ȧ̶̡͚͎͓v̸͙̺̝́͊͐͜͝e̶͚͒͌̔̇͑ͅ ̷̺̿r̶̙̓̉̕ḙ̶͂a̶̛͎̖̍̚s̵͍̹͚̰̼̕ŏ̵̢͕̭͎n̸͙̞̲̟͌̀̄͘s̸̻̣̓̏̑̅͝ ̵̙̟͙̝́̐f̴̛̦̍̅͘ơ̷͍̺̺̂ṙ̷̢̬͈͍͚̽̚͘ ̷̱̪̌͝t̸̲̳͚͊͋̄͐̕͜h̶͝ͅa̵̞̟̲͆̐̋̌͝t̵̞̫̤͛̈́͠,̷̢̡̥͉̝̇̍͒̓ ̴̛̟̺̼̬͂̐ͅC̶̮͍̜̟̃ͅố̵̧͕͔̫̑͑̚p̵̫̭̓͑p̴̪̞̙͊͐͊́ȅ̸̢̳̗̚̚r̸̡̩̯̣̽̓̓̔͠ͅ.̸̮̦͖̯͍̑͂̓̓͑

There has to be a way where you don't have to suffer!

There... has to be a way to get rid of them. If the strings began to do this to you only after you got the duplicates, then... What if...

[Their eyes widen for a second, as if they've just come to a sudden realization.]

["I have a bad feeling about this." - Fluffy thinks, slowly tilting their head, as they wait for the end of the sentence.]

...It's nothing. My apologies for speculating out loud.

[Copper is avoiding eye contact, still seeming a little inattentive.]

[They frowns. It always suspicious, when someone give up on their sentence like that.]

[Should they be concerned?]

... Whatever.

["We're friends. If it was important, they'd tell it." - they think.]

Either way, no, I don't think there's any other way.

And that's f̷̡͔̯̘̳̉̐̀̓i̵̠̥͒̓̎͠n̶̺̻̖͈̮͗e̸͕̥̘͗. I don'ţ̷̧̖̤̈́ ̸̩̲̖̬̎͘n̷̝̉ḛ̷̈͑͋̕e̸̛̗̞͕͒͠d̷ i̶͍͓͋͛͘t. I'm not telling you this just to calm you down, for your information, I'm telling this cause that's what I'm truly b̵̫̃e̶̠͊l̷͚̅́i̴͚̍͐e̶̖̠̿̋v̵̠̉̕͜ȩ̸̍͝ in.

[Finally, Copper looks at Fluffy.]

...Can the original hat be destroyed?

... Wh-

I beg your pardon?

The copies were created using the original hat's power, correct? The strings, too, were in a way created by it, but now they seem much more harmful than they were before using the copies Hatcler had made.

If... if the source of both were to be destroyed completely, what would happen to the strings? To you?

I…

[They have a theory, but..]

I don't know?

And.. I would rather not know- W-why do you even ask that?! I-

I don't think I.. like where are you going with this, Copper-

[.. they suddenly don't feel comfortable enough to share it.]

Has Hatcler ever told you where they lost it?

[They don't seem to react to Fluffy's uneasiness in any way that could be visible.]

.. No.

[What with the sudden interest in my hat? This doesn't sound like their usual questions out of curiosity, d̴͢͟o͢ès͞n͢͏̶'͢t ͘i̢̢t?..]

[Wh͡a͡͏t̸́͜ ͠͞th̷͝ey̶ ̕͝ne͟͜ę̕d͏̶̕ ̸thi̶̡s͜͠ ͟i̕͝͏n̶̨f̡or̵m͞a̷̸̧t̴̵i̕on̷̡͏ f̵̀or̴̶͘?̴ ̨W̸͞͞ḩ͢a̴̛t͏'̨ş̷͢ ̴th̵̕͞ei͝r͏̛ ̧̕g͟óá̶̕l?͟ I̷͞s̀͘ it saf̨e͜҉̴ ̴̶t̴o ̢́t͏el̷l̶͟͞ ̶̛t͠h̕͢͡ém̶̵ ͡t̷̶͝h͏͡is̀?̷ ̛Ẁ͡͝h̴͜y̴̧̕ ͘͢th̢͡e͏̡́y ̢w͜a̡̢n͞͏t̀͢͞ ̵͝͡m͞͠e t̛o͡ t̛̕e̷ll̕͟͞ ̷t̷̨h̵͟e̵̴͞m ̕t̡͝h̢͡i͠s?̸̕ ͉̹̻͙̜͍̀́͝C͙̱̪̰͡͞a͚͉̻͔̭n̡̪̺̱͜ ̠̟̩͇̹͢t̠̗̖̣̹̪̯̮̳́͞h̵̳͖͚͕̝͙͜e̴̗̮͞͠y͚̞̭̪͖̘̪ ͉̩̹̙̯s̶̨̳͇͈̠̝̞͠t͙͇͚̬͓́o̡̠͕͙̬̺̘̱̺p̛̰̼̬͇̣͜?̶͇̥͙͘͝]

[Copper quietly sighs in defeat.]

...It really would've been easier if you'd used your opportunity to get the hat back.

But if the hat still can be retrieved, it has to be somewhere out there.

[They shake their head slightly.]

[N̷̜̿ö̴̖́t̶̩̕.. not agᔑ╎--]

Ē̴̹͇̩̱͠a̴̤̖͙̐̄̎͘s̸̮͊̇ï̸͈͕͔̍̽̈́͜e̵̫͉̾̚r̶̗͋̀͘̚ ̸̻͝f̶̭͇͌̑͊ǫ̸̳̃͜r̸̡̥͖͒̃̃́ ̴̣̟̤̌̈́̀w̷̘͈͘h̷̘̗̦͗̈́̕a̵̢͛̚͝ṫ̷̳̯̌.

Regardless of what happened to it afterwards, you would no longer have to use the fragmented ones. And if that didn't help, the theoretical catalyst would be in plain sight-

[They reach out to Fluffy and lightly touch their hand after noticing their head shake.]

A-are you feeling unwell?

ã̶-̷̗̎̌̔A̷̛͖͖̲͓̖̜͉͔̺͋̈͆͆̏́̒H̶̢̨̪͔̠̤͔͗̈́͒̑̈͝!̶̢͓̹̦̹͓͉̱͊̇̈́̍̚͝

[After feeling "something on their hand", they jump back immediately and, loosing the balance, fall on the floor. Bad thing to do when there are a bunch of strings with limited length on your neck.]

[Despite horrible cough that followed the fall, it seems to be the least of their concerns right now, as they sit on the ground rotating the hand Copper touched like they're expecting to see something on it.]

O̶̦͘f̸͕͇͝ ̸̦̯͗́c̵̲͙͊͝ȏ̸̞u̴͓̞̓͘r̵̨͓͂͌s̷̮͂è̸͉̊ ̸̖͊̍y̴͈̆͌ő̸̞̠̕u̷̢̹͆͝ ̵̝͊w̷̯̑̈́a̵̮̚n̵̼̽͑t̸̘̊ ̶̨̩͘s̴̠͉̐o̴͕̫̔m̴̟͗̇ë̵͉̙́t̴͕̒h̶͔̲̑i̵̗͋n̴̜͇̊̐g̸̖̑ ̷̟͐̃t̷̜͚͊͗ò̷̪̬ ̴͉͖̃d̴͇͆̽o̷̙̠̚ ̴̜̗̒͑w̷̦͔̍i̷̳̽t̵͓͆h̶̫́͛ ̷̲͐m̶̦̀ÿ̴̥̰́̕ ̴̜͉̈́h̶͖̎ą̶͉͑̋t̸͓̲̿͝.̶̱͛͛.̸̲̻̀̈.̵͖́́ ̸̝̌̄Ę̴̓͌͜v̴̂̌͜e̸͉͂̅ŕ̵̥̍ẙ̶̳̰o̵̲̯͑ṉ̶͐͗e̸̡̲͗̀ ̷̞͖͑̀w̴̡̤̔̎a̷̝̅̕n̶̡̄t̴̹̘̑̆s̵̖͛ ̸̥̭̓͒s̸̥̽̈́o̷̼̼̕m̵̡̬͊e̷͖͚͛̕t̶͍͋̽h̸̬͐̂i̷̥̽ñ̴͎͜ĝ̵̩ ̶̬͙̑̀t̵̬̑o̵̲̠̒̎ ̶̭̚d̴̖͚̍͑o̶̙̻̓͊ ̵̭̪͂w̴̗̑͋i̷̪̺͑ṫ̵̩̼̈h̸̖̋̃ ̵̧̎̈m̴̭͔̂ȳ̸̞̰̎ ̶̳̝́h̸̺̯̅̌a̶͓͌t̴͖̚.̸̧̤̌.̶̕ͅ.̴̠̻͒ ̵̶̜̙͖́̋̕w̷̨̎̚ï̶̬ť̷̜͓h̴̲̆͛ ̵̭̺͆m̶̦̼̾͑ȳ̷̼ ̵̡̐h̶̠͗̈ą̴̦̇̄t̶͒͜ ̶̢͋͆w̶̛͎̅ỉ̸̮̻̽t̶̮̔h̵̼͈̊̀ ̷̮̺̅m̴̰͠ý̴̼̥͊ ̷̨̞͝B̸͓͐̋ỏ̴͕a̷̻̔̈r̵̫̉̚d̴͉͚͆̏ ̴̮̕̕ẃ̵̫ï̶̜̙t̸̖͂h̵̙͐ ̶̭̃m̵̠̀ͅy̷͖̽̉ͅ ̷̪͉͘s̷̯̋t̴̺̄͊r̴̙̒͝i̶̦̯͐̕n̵͒̕ͅg̶̪͛͂s̷̹̔ ̷̚ͅw̶̯̘͛̆i̷̲̇̽ṭ̷̫̏͐h̴̩̹̚ ̷͎̂m̶̡͜͝y̶͎͈̾͂ ̷̰̑͗d̴͚̱̚a̵͙̒ḑ̴͊͂ ̶̖́w̷̼̓͘ȋ̶̤t̶͍͇̋h̷͈͗ ̸̧͒̒t̷̐̔ͅh̷͚̅̇i̴̺͑̈́s̴͚̺̾ ̷̧̟̈́̏p̴̬̑l̸̳͕̀̌a̶̢̫͒͑c̶̻̥̐ẽ̶̜̥̍ ̷̮̗̈́͐w̵̝̹̍̂i̴̛͔͍̒t̸̝̫̓̚h̸̻̭̊̕ ̷̻̉̾ṃ̸̅ÿ̶͇̠́ ̸̰͑b̸͕̓r̴͎͘ḁ̸͓̕ī̷̡̿n̶͚̙̂ ̶͇͑w̵͓̟͗̈́i̸͍͑͑t̷̻̣̔h̴̲̾̂ ̶̲̞̂m̶̦̞̀̍y̶͍̺͘ ̶̳̪̅͂s̷̭̤̽̾ŏ̶̩͎̒u̵̓̓͜l̴̗͒ ̶̙͇̒́w̵̧̌ͅi̸̗̪͑t̴̘̹̾h̸̙͋͘ ̶̛̹̈́m̴̟̻̈́y̷̻͐̔ ̷͇̑ę̴̄͜͝y̴͙̆͝e̶̥̒́ş̵̵̙̾̓̇.̵͇͈̿.̸͕̾̈́.̴̬̄́ ̶̣̠͗Á̸̝̘͋n̷̪̓d̸͕̔̈́ ̶̧̻̓̔n̵̹̖̿̕ẹ̶̜̓́v̵͈̀̔e̶͔̱̔̉ṟ̶̈́̽͜ ̴͈͈́w̷͍̏͘v̶̝͑̅i̶̛̺̙ṭ̵̯́h̶͇͎͒̏ ̴̤̒m̸̻̂͝ė̶͙̗͠.̴̘̩͊̂.̴̬̭͂̀.̸̝̠̊

[After quickly repeating the same process with the second hand, they begin to inspect their face with it as well.]

S̷̞͑ͅt̴͚̠̊e̵͖͌͂à̴̲͖̌l̶̮͓̒͌ ̵̟̳͊ì̷̟t̷̯̱͌ ̵̝̈̉b̶̨͋u̵̳͖̿y̷͋͜ ̸̠̟͒̚ị̴̹̂t̴̢͈̊̐ ̷̣̹̔͠ú̴̯͘s̸͖̠̈́̊ë̶̫́ ̷̙͑͠i̵̭̭̓͊t̴̩̭̄ ̵̯̇̇͜b̸̪͚̏̐u̷͉̓̓r̴̗̪̅̈n̵̙̉ ̷̦̾̓í̶̛̦͉t̵̹̳͆ ̸͓͖̾s̷̕͜ť̸̞̆a̷͕͆ḇ̶͒̈́ ̸̫̗̓͝i̴̳͐͝t̶̯̋ ̵̦̄̎k̴̖̯͒͗i̴͓͛l̵̟̺͐l̵̛͚͔̈ ̷̳͂͝ḯ̷̦͕̒t̶͔̯̉ ̴͈̻̕d̵͚͋̎ę̴̓̓s̶͉̻̐t̸̛̮͘r̷̯̚͠o̸̧͑͐y̴̛̮̑ ̵̪͙́i̴̧͎͑t̴̙̩̓.̵̢͛̇.̵͍̩̄.̵̠̾̇ ̵̗̉ ̷̪̻̾A̷̞̔̅͜n̵̬̂d̴̨͝ ̷͍̜̾ẗ̸̼̯ḣ̷͕͠a̷̜͎͋́ẗ̵̟̮́'̶̙̈́s̷͖̝͑̚ ̸͈̣̍̕w̴̫̠̾h̷͚͒y̸̢͂ ̷̫̃͝ͅȈ̸̬ ̸̙̻͊h̵̤͒ú̷̫̔ŗ̸̓̽t̴͕͕͐ ̶̖̤̌t̷̰͚͋h̵̡̀͠ę̷͈̃́m̷̡̘̓ ̸͎͖̃̾b̸̼͉̀e̸̙͕̾̋c̵̜͠ȁ̶͔͑ű̷̺͘s̷̹̈e̷̲͆ ̶̜̍͘t̴̹̬̋͝ḣ̵͚̿e̶͎̬̊y̶͇̺̎̊'̴̛͕̚r̵̛̫͝e̶̛͚ ̴̞̣̽̈́d̶̙̾à̴̳̞̕n̴̟̽̎g̸̥̣̋̍ẻ̸͖̲͊ṛ̷̢͂o̶̩̰͛u̴̳̿s̶̫̾.̷̪̻̾́.̶̗͒͌.̸͎̾͜ ̷͚̋͐A̷̫̅̒n̷͉̓d̵̢͝ ̴͎̋ͅt̵͉̍̽ĥ̴͚ä̵̲͖̇ẗ̶̥͠'̴̲̺͌s̷̫̹͐ ̷̱́͋w̵̡͓̄̂h̵͖̜͊y̵̗̋ ̸̮͍̇I̶͖̯͊̓ ̵̼̋h̶͉͆̊u̸͇͗r̵̩̅́ͅṫ̶̫̤ ̵̦͖̌́m̴̢̓ỳ̵͍̐͜s̵̤̳̉͝e̶̳̍l̶̠̫̂f̵̝͈̕͘ ̵͙͈̇ḃ̷̻͒e̴̻̓c̵̖̿ā̶̧̛u̸̝̎̏š̶̰͠ḛ̸̙̀ ̴̯̕I̸̾͜'̸̥͎̑͋m̵̞̪̾ ̷̩̳͐d̵̠̆̌a̴͓̕͝n̶̤̈́̍g̶̯̃͂è̵̤͌͜r̷̬̽̎o̶̗̠̊̚ṳ̶́ş̵̀ ̸̮͆̕a̷͓̻͛̒n̵̦̼̍ḋ̷̬ ̷̧̗̿I̴͎̎͠ ̴̞̖̐̌d̷̪̃ỏ̸̧̖̊n̷͓̼͆́'̴̲̋̉t̴̻͎́ ̴̺̿͌w̷̗̱̉a̴̟͒ͅn̸̲̖̈́͐t̵͍͕̏ ̷̮́t̴͚͎͑͠ó̷̢ ̴͔͙̃h̵͍͌ư̷͎̦r̷̝̫͘t̵̢̃ ̸͖̀͛t̷͖̃ḧ̴̼́e̶̢̻̾m̷͔̿ ̵͇̪͋̍a̸̢̘̚̕n̵͕̘̄d̴̞́̓.̷͎̂.̵̹̘͐.̷̬̗̒̇

[They grab their hat with both hands and pull it down harder.]

a̴̩̤̗̗͍̤̠̽̔̽̒͑̿͝-̸̩̠̳̈̄͋̊Ả̸̗̞̓̎̐͛̇͛Ṋ̴̓̒͑̈͆͒̈D̵̲̫̬̿̽̿̿̽̇̐͠ ̶̡̭̠̗͂̋͑̚Ḯ̸̲͇͋̄̂̈́͌̐͑'̵͈̯̭̦͇̋M̵̩̑͘͜ ̷̡̡̟̭̲̋͛̐́̿̎͒͜͝T̷̩͓͔̹̂̏͋̏̇̒̕͝Ï̶̲Ŕ̵̡̺̟̄̑͝Ë̵͖̩̟̝̫͈̫̇́̍̚D̶̡͇̞͇̆͒̈̎!̸̤̼̈͛͘̚ C̷̟̔a̴̰͌n̴̢̓'̶̣̊t̸̑͜ ̸̭͘t̴̬͛h̶͇̀ę̶̈́ý̷͇ ̵̺̈́j̷̦̒ŭ̸͎ș̴́t̵̞̚ ̶̭́s̵̳̏ẗ̸͓́ỏ̴͖p̵̓ͅ ̸̦͠b̵̨̕e̶͓̚i̵̬͌n̶̍͜g̷̨͗ ̵̛̲s̴͑͜e̷̛̯l̴̡̅f̴̥͗í̸̺s̷̗̃h̶̯̏ ̶͍̄ȧ̶̯n̵̢͛d̴̖̍ ̶̗̂ȉ̴̳g̸̣͗n̵̜̄ò̸̧r̶͈͝ă̷̟n̵͕͝t̶̬̑ ̵̩͆ă̴͚n̸̮͂d̶̰̍ ̸̫̃u̸͈͊ṉ̵̒ď̶̺ê̴̩ṟ̶͝s̵̢̽t̶̥̾ä̴̦n̷̼̐d̷͘͜ ̵̫͋t̶̜̽h̷̬͊e̵̱̚ ̶̼̏t̷͎̚h̴̘̃ȉ̵͙n̷̘͠g̸͇͗s̸̗̑ ̵̢͛I̷̜͝ ̶͜͝ḧ̴͚a̶͉̓ẗ̷̼́ě̸̱ ̶̭͒t̷̥̃h̶͍̏e̶̻̊m̶͙̔ ̸͉̂t̶̯͋o̸̜̿ ̷̺̋f̵̞̔i̷̅͜n̵̼̈d̵̯͠ ̶̤͘o̵͕͂ú̸̺t̴̘̀?̷̘̾ ̷̜͒O̸͇̔f̶͖̍ ̸̞̂ć̷͈o̶̤͆ų̵̀r̴̠̂s̶̞͛ê̴̡ ̵̣̔t̵̜̅h̷͓̊ḙ̸̛y̴̮̽ ̷̫̔c̷̠̿a̶̪̽n̵̞̉'̴̰͝t̴̫̏,̶̩̀ ̵̣̾ẃ̷̘h̴͙̀y̸͓͝ ̶̱̿w̴̢̿õ̵̬u̶̜͑ḻ̵͑d̸̬͂ ̶̢̈t̶̠̊h̶̼͑e̵̥̓y̴͕͐ ̶͇͘ȋ̴͈f̵̛̗ ̵̬̀ṱ̴͋h̴̯̃ê̴͚y̸͖̓ ̶̛͔d̴̟̽ǒ̵͕ ̶͖͘n̴̙͝ò̷̝t̶͚̍ ̸̒ͅč̵̲ạ̵͘r̷̜͂e̷̛͍ ̸̛̪a̵͕̚b̷͕̆ỏ̴̼u̴͓͊t̵͚̏ ̸̱̇m̸̢̆e̶̫͝!̵͉̓ ̷̡͂W̶͈͝h̶̙͑i̸̱̓c̵̦̄h̵̫͠ ̶͔̄i̵̞͝s̶̪̒ ̷̢͐w̸̭͌h̸̥͝å̸̯ṱ̷͌ ̴̻̊I̶̱̓ ̴̝̈w̶̙̋a̵͎͑ṅ̵͔t̵̳̐,̵̗͌ ̵̞͝b̸͓͠u̸̹͊t̴̻̊ ̵̨͒w̷̠̚h̸̟͝y̸̠͆ ̶̩̈a̷̱̾m̵̱̎ ̶͖̔I̶̝͠ ̵̙̾ş̷͆o̵̞͊ ̴̻͑m̴̘͆a̸̹͝d̷̹͗ ̸̱̈́ą̷͐b̵͕̽o̷̗̽ù̸̺ṯ̴̆ ̵̛͜t̴̙̋h̴͈̅ḯ̷̜s̶̨̕?̵̘̅!̶͙͗

[They continue mumbling gibberish as they cover the face.]

Fluffy, I...

[Copper takes a deep breath to get a hold of themselves.]

Again, I don't... I don't want anything from you. Nor do I want to have anything to do with it, never have.

[They stretch their hand out, still taken aback by Fluffy's reaction.]

But at the same time, I can't just sit and watch as it slowly ruins your life. And if helping you would also mean that you'll end up resenting me for it-

[They can't utter the remaining words without remorse and bitterness in their voice.]

...so be it.

Ų̴̧͉͕̼̬̼̞͚̿͒͌́̂̀͛͑̚͜͝G̶̨̟͙͉̘͎͒̀́̀̅͌̆͐̋̚̕̕͜ͅH̷͕̤̼͇͔̖̾̆̌́̈́͗̓̊̿̈́͂̿͌̀͋̚͝͝H̷̨̜̮̮̱̜̪̜̑̊̂̍̃̑̆͗̋̑̕͜͠͝!̶̡̨̡̡̦͔̠̭̼̙͖͖͓̤͚͇͙̭̞͆̈̈̈́̇̿̑͝͠!̵̞̿͋́̈́͗̕͘̚ Y̶̧̡̦͎̩͎̘̣͆͗͛̕͜͜O̷̫̭̭͇̜̜̫͉͕̩͕͙̤͒̀̈̌̋̕͜U̸̡̨͍̙͛̅̀̔̀͂͑͑͑̉̕͘͘'̸̧͔̐̒̐͠R̸̰̫̀̿̓͒̋͝͝E̷̦̙͍̅̊́̚ ̸̧̭̲̺̝̱͉̭͎̥͔̻͎̏̒̃̒͋̒̕͜͠J̷͚̳̠̼͚͎̮̹̭̓Ü̶͕͇̬͎͊̓̔̓̎̃͋̕͠͠͠S̷̢̨̡̙͇̮̱͉͚̪̞̟͙͓̻̀T̶͍̘̦͇̯̺͉͔̪̯̟̠̱̀̆́͜͠ ̸͈̳̯͍̫͎̗̫͍͐͑͋́̊͐̄̂̍̂̒͝͝Ļ̸̠̯̹̺̹̍̓͗͋̈́͆̊̏͋͝ͅḬ̷̛̛̭͙̌̽̂̀̓͒̈͗͌̚͠K̵̟̎̋̏̔͌͌̈́͘E̵͕͈̝͕̹̗̓̑͛̌̅̎͠ ̶͇̹͍̝͕̠̤̠̗̖͇̏̏̂̾́͑̎̃̓T̴̪͠H̴̢̘̗͓̙̠͖̖̃̈́͆̌͘͠͝Ȩ̴̞̺̭̲̮͕̮͔̩̲͈̐̇̇̇͊͋̑͝ ̸̧̙͍̈́́̂̓̑̆̓͋̅̃̕O̶̧͔̿̏̄̋͋͛̍͘̚͠͠͠Ţ̵̬̥͙̜̭̻̬͕̠̰̀͗̂́̊̾͐͑͂̑̒̐̎̕̚H̵̡̢̡͓̟̝̖͖͎̣͓̬͌͑̇͊͜͜E̷̲̍R̷̡̜̗̘̖̹͋͜ͅS̴̱̙̔͂̿́̚͠!̶̮̝̰͉̩̝̺̹̘͕̦̗͖̾̾̐́̽͋̀͐͛̈́͗̄͜ͅ!̶̈́͑̃̔͛̉͜

[They jump up from the floor.]

F̶̧̨̞̼̜̦̉̃̆͆͝͝ơ̵͇͕̠̦̎̍̋͑̈́̀̽͗͜ç̷̛̞̳̦̱̦̯̻̙̦̣̳̞͙͖̈́̽̈́̀̍̃u̷̹͍̘̳͋̒̃̓̚̕̚͝s̵̨̳̻̝̼͗̄̇̀͂̈́̍͜ĕ̴͕̫̌̂̒̊̑̈́ͅḍ̶̢̺̝̜̻͉̙͓͚̫̬̦̻̼̊̈́̐̔̾̈́̈́̅͌͌̕͝͝ ̶̡̳͇͔͓̺̤̤̝̘̣̙͇̈́̄́̔̽̈́̋͋̀̐̈͛́̕͝m̷̟̂̑͗̌̌͆̾̕͜ͅò̴̧̝͍̣̭̫̿̃̅͊͛͑͆͘̚r̵̨̤͇̪̰̪̱̠͔͙̥̠̻̭̔͜ȩ̵̮͓̳͔̱̞͙́͜ ̴͍̗̥͌̔̒̍̉͒͂̀̐̐̌̃͋̚ȯ̵̬͍̣͙͍͉͈̿̀͌͠n̵̢͍̗̭̞͇̲͉̅̈́̃͆̎̅̃͘ͅ ̵̥̮̗͕̙̣̻͇͈͛̄͜w̸̡̪̙̰̺̝͊̊͊̈́̆̅̏͋̋̔́̑̄̈́̔͜ͅh̷̢̡̖͇̬̪͙͇͇͇͚͔̭̾̽̂̒̋́̑̏͗̃̕͜͜͠͝á̵̠͔̯͖̳͙̠̀́̑ţ̵̧̹͙̤͔̤̤͇͉͙͙̬͉́̀̄̂̍̐͂̈́͌͑̆̉̂̈́͜ ̸̖̜̎͂́̆̎̀̓̽̾͑͗̀͐ý̶̻̜̟̦͚͔͎̜̾̿o̵̦̦̜̳̓̾̏̓ú̴͕̖̮̣̘̪͊͝ ̷̙͖͚͍͙̗̮̭̟̆̓̾͑̓̅t̵̝̉̂̓̈́̕ḩ̵̛̻̘̳̱͎͖̲̝̳͙̍̀́̆͒͛̔̾́̾͜͜ȋ̶̭̺͕̓̄͂̈̋̽n̴̤̲͇͕͉̞͉̹̰̫̪͎̙̰̦͒͂͛͋͌͌̋̍́̐́̕ķ̴̪̲̲̬̼͈̲̞̿͋͑͋͒̃̅̃̽̓̒̔̇ ̷̈͆͆̑̈́̍́̊̊̌͋̓̿͘ͅi̷̤̬̞̓́̎̌͂́̂̐̕̚͝s̶̡̨̟͖̱̼̮̙̺͉͚̬̮̿́̏̌͘͝ͅ ̶̜͎̠͉̀̀̾̾̑̑͐͝r̴̟̺̺̲͍̱̲̬̙̝̮̠̾̄̑͂͑̈́̌̆̔͋̈́̿͠i̶̡̼̼̺̟̫͋͌̓͐́̀̂̔̚̚͜ģ̸̧̠̟̳͈͈̤̀́͂̀̾̃h̸̢͓̮̘͔͔̦̣̪̠̆̔̈́̂̌̀t̶̨̨̜̻͍͚͙̤̯͖̤͔̤͇̍͌̃̌́̇̃̀͗͘̕͝ ̶̡̛͚̝̹͖̯̳͔͂̽̊̈͜͠ţ̵̞̳͔̤͚̦̝̀͊͗̓͆̉̓̈ͅẖ̶̢̢̗͕̪̖͎̳̑̋͂͑̈́̅̕ä̷̧̖̯͓͓͈̩̩͎͈͎͙͉̈́̽͊͒̀͋̏̏̇͘͜͝͠͝ͅń̴͔̙͎̦̜͙͕͍̑̍ ̶̧̫̣͓̳̫̗̪̲̝̆͌͐̑͛̓̔̎̅͆̎̏o̶̧̞̊͐́̐̈́̄̍̈̀̓̏̐n̵̦͈̱̙̱͚̘̈͗̚ͅ ̴̢̲̣͖̰͖̣̪̝͈͎͆͋ͅẅ̴̡̢̼̞̹͔̼̠̰́̈́͗̾̇́̀̆̍̔́͘͘͜͠h̷̢̛͕̪͔̘̦̒͋̃̄͋̒͛̂͐̚ą̷̧͔̻̱̝̝̣̰̬͙̫͒́̊̑̓͂̔̓͋͘͘̚͘̕͜ͅț̷̻̱͚̾̍̈́̀̽̽ ̵̛̠̲̣̗̮̮̣̟̠͍̙̓̔̆́̾͑̅̅͆͘͘I̷̡͇̝̥̤̒̈́̐͋͛͜͠ ̵̢̖̆̍̊͋̀̔̐̈͋͛̈́͑n̷̖̲̖̦͎̘̺̙̮̩̞͙͉̬̰̾͑̔̎̐́͛̑͆̅͒͋͝͝ê̷̡̼͙͍̙̤̠ě̶̖̮̼̥͐̀̋̑̒̄d̷̫͙̣͉̝̘̂̂̾̀͜͝-̴̧̛̤͎͒̌͐̎̉͂̾͐̎͜ ̴̡̳̲̩̬̱̫̣̫͇͆͑̊̓̀̐͘̚Ý̷̨̡̛͕̬͙̠̲͙̘͔̹͚́͝Ơ̸͔̞̇̑̊̃̈́̑͐͂̾̉̅̈͘̕U̴̧̗̬̰̣͍̩̙̮̣̰̳̒̊͜ ̵̻̝̣̞͛̆͆̒ͅD̸̤̲̯͖̯̊͐̅̈́͑͜͝Ǫ̷̪̻̲̘̞̰̻͖̫͆̍̾͂̌͂̇͌͒͠Ṉ̷̈́̀̉'̷̪̰̇͌̇̐̓̊̋̈͘T̸̨̢̨͓͕͓̫̻͠ ̶͔̹̰̘̖͇̟̘̜̀̔̒̏̏̄̈́͘̚͠ͅȨ̷̤̗̯͒̄͐̄͗̉̌̾̈̚͘͠V̴̨͚͖͔̲̳̄̍̽͋͝E̴͎̥̫̜̩̻͚͉͑͒̈́̽̃̾N̷̳̩̯̫̪̖̥̈͌̅̍͗̓̔̅̿͐͒̀̕̕͝ ̵̪͎̩̝̑U̸̧͛̽̓́̍̔̌̇͗́̃͗̂͠͠N̷̨̛͙̪͕̬̩̳̩̦̅̈́͂͛̓̕ͅͅD̶̡̧̛̳̗̼̩̺̥̺̲̰̬͌̎͗̓̅̀̽̾͘̚ͅͅE̶̊̑ͅR̵̳͍̮̪̖̳̯͖̈̚͠ͅS̸̝͉̼̜͈͚̓͌̈̀̑T̷̮̥̻̙́̐̅͐̿͐͂̉̾̔̔̽̓̚͠Ǻ̷̛̝̓͒́̐͂̓̌̇͋̊̕N̵̡̻̯͚̥̭̖͊̒̿͛̆̒͗̏D̸̨̦̮͇͈̤̰͙̭̯̤͂̂̿͘͜ ̴̡͈͕̱̠̦̯͔̟̖̥̺́̈́͒̅̍̋̚͜͝W̸̧̜̬̖̫͂̎̎͒͝H̴̛͍̒͊̈́̄̀̆̔͛͋͝͠A̷̢̛̖͚̬̞̾̑̌̿͑̚T̴̨̩̗̹̬͇͙̭̒̍͑̐̎͒́̾͘ͅ ̶͔̰̭̲̙̪̼̫̘̓̏͜Y̷̧͈̬̥̓Ǫ̵̹̫̖̩̮̼̘̊̑͐̅̚͘Ų̶͙͖̞̯̭͖̺̺̈̒̓̀̓̕ͅ ̶͎̪̠͇̑̓͊̀̒̌W̸̡̧͔̠͉̫̠̦̣̗̹̣̹̥͑̾̂̋̽̿̓̀̔̾̚͠Ǎ̷̫͕̘͔̩̬̰̭̋̂̔́̿͊N̶̻̥̳̰̼̪͙̝̳̦̼͖̯̙͑̌̇̊͊̎͗͊̀̐͆͜͝Ǹ̵͖̞̤͍̺̰̟͕̼͌͂͐͐͆̈́͆͐̔̄̋̔͠Ạ̴̛͒̀̔́͂́̀͒̉́́̎͘ ̶̪̹͑̓́͌̔͂̔͗̄̽"̵̨̥̝͕̈́͜F̴̧̼̦̱̻̲͚̙͔͚̎̓̂̊̃̈̂̕͜͜I̶̫͇͈̍̑̔̇̓ͅX̸̲̞͎̖̳̳̝̦̹͔͎̳͈̭́̇̔̀̇̒̈́̈́̎̍̓̉͑͘͝"̴̢̨̫͈̗͇̼̻̼̭̲̥͙͑̍̌̓ ̶̢̡̯̪͍̮͕͕̻̿̾̉͗͑̚͝A̴͉̟̲͖͓̺̻̥̩͗͛̓̇̂́̉͊̾́̍͛N̴̡͇͙͚̗̭̫̥̗̠̎͗̇͛͌̀̆̎D̶͕̬̜͇͉͙̦̻̘̫̬̲̄͛̌̋̄͜͠ ̴͙̩̭̱̠̓͌̅̀͌̒͑̕Š̶̛̜̰̳͙͔͓̄̊̃T̵͕̦̹̓͗̐̀̊̉̌̓͋̈́͊͋͝͝I̷̜̝̗͈̖͙͈̐͆͂͛͒́̌̃̆̊̔̚̚L̵̛͇̼̤͖͎̻̰͙̓̎͋̓̌ͅL̴̛̫̞̺̃̒̊̌̆̽͑̍̾̈̎͘ ̴̧̢͎̼̯̫̞͖̫̜̳̦̈́̿̾͗͝ͅḨ̷͙̈́̽Ẻ̵̲̱͑̽͒͑͐̑R̶̨̧̰̺͙̱͕͔̙̱͈̻͉͗͜͝E̷̢̡̢̪͓̩̠͈͆̉͋̾̚͘͜ ̷͕̻̣̬̣̩̮͓͕͉̼̋͛̈̂̽Ÿ̸̢̯̣͎̻̙͓͍̥͚̫̲̹͔́̽̀̍͐̏̓͛̏̿͘͝Ò̴̧͖̪͕͍̤̥͙̀͒̃̉̓̅̉̋̓̿̽̈́͝Ȗ̶͇̘͎̪̪͕̈́͌̓̓̌̎ͅ ̸̨͙̬͈͈͎̾̏͆̊̒Ȃ̴̞̭̦̤̠̬̲̹͘͜Ŗ̷̛̛̙͍̭̺̳̽͆̀̑̀̈́̊̾͘͝͝E̷͈̹̹͉͊̔̌̉̿̌̎̃͌̉͒̂͛͂͘ͅͅ!̴̢̫̺̰̋͂͜͝

[They grab their right arm with left hand.]

I̶̛̼̲͎͙͍̿̾̀̈́͗͝ͅ'̸̛͇̣̗͎̭͋̾̓̈l̵̖̰͒́̓̊l̴̢̯̘͕̀̈́ ̵̡̛̺̜̱̬̺̹m̶̢̹̠̓̀a̷̘̒́k̶̭̀̃͗̇͋́ḙ̴̩̑̏̈́̑͛̉͝ͅ ̸͖̲̒͠y̵̳̫̮̦͔͕͑ò̶̢̘͖̙͙̃̐̊̂̃̄u̶͍̳͈̝̓̀̈́́̕ ̸̯̤́ú̸͈̭̫͉̭̀͒͜n̵̨̰̯̥̤̙̱̓́̍̐͝͝ḓ̷͗͗͆͑ȅ̵̟̖̫̍͗̎͝r̵̰̤͚̮͇̓͆̅́͋̈́s̴͔̟̞͈̎͊̈͆͘t̷̺͎͂́̾a̴̛̠̗͙͋̓n̷̛̙͎̜̠̱̙̜̐̾̌̆͛͝d̸̙͕̪͚̦͑̆!̵̡̻̩̣̰̥̳̏̔́̉̇̈ ̸̢̰͔̰̜͚̩͂̉͆̊I̵̩̪͖̤͕͒̊̍̐̏͘ ̷̺̈̔̏̅̔̄͠m̷͚̹̰̫̤̌a̸͈͛̒k̵͓̂̃̆ẹ̵̢͇͛̐̆ ̸̘͔̣͚̦͛̒̏̽̕ͅÿ̴͔̟̬̀o̷̡̦͉̮̭̽͌̓͌́͘͝ǘ̸̡͕̥͌͗͝ ̵̰̭̝̪̱̑̒͜r̴̤̗̳̓̎̀̉ḝ̸͎͚̖̪͒̏̚͝͝͝ȁ̶̧͙̖͉̘̈̈̾̍͐̿l̸͓̣̠̯̩̘̦͋̆̀̈́͠i̷̢͋͋̽̏̉͝ź̴͉̍̂̃̒e̵̢̪̤͉̱̣͆̾̅͝͝ ̷̡̢̡̞̗̠͑̅̇͗w̶͇̬͌ḫ̸̞̹̜̽̒͊͌͝a̴͈͕̲͚͉͊̔̈̾͋ẗ̴̛͈̹̠̙̺́̆̈́̈́̒͝ ̷̫͇̰͖̩̩͆̍̎̇̔y̷͔̜͓̣̙͇͐̄̋̀ͅǒ̵̡̺̯̑̐̚͝ǔ̵̻̹̳͍̪̦̳̋̇̃'̸̙̻̬̻̩̮́̋̕̚͝l̸̨̦̩̮̰̾̈́̒̀͘͝l̷̢̤̪̹̰͛͋͑͗̔͝ ̷̠͔̦̣̣̯̰́͑̓͘a̴̲̙̻͗́̽̋͌̀̈́ć̶͕̮̳̍̏̔̕ṭ̷̨̛̰̭̭̙͊̎̇̋̚ṵ̷͕̜̰̖͉̃͆̑̚͘ã̷͓̗́͑̽̀͒͜l̵̢̛̰͍̳͚͕̠̆̾ļ̸͉̙̊y̴̪̜̯͊͜ ̸͎͚͙̘̠̃͐ȁ̴̟̬̤̼̪̪̪̎c̵͉͓̠̗͓͓̭̃̍h̸͍̩̩̖̆̕i̷̢̪͖͇̾̀́̉͠ͅę̵̛̜̼̯͙̭͆͌͊͊͜͝v̵̦̮͇̼̳̻̈̑̆́̔͋͘ě̴̬̥̮͈̌̅̓̓ͅ ̵̦̩̜̱͒͊b̷̨̜̗͓͙̗̃̏̊̀ỷ̴̧̢̛̟̞̆͑̒͂̚ ̵̳̼̤̿̑͘y̸̧̢͉̪̺̟̩͑̅̿̽o̸̧̭̓̋͂͐͋͗͠u̸̬͎͖̭̥̾̃͐̓̀́̒ŕ̴̨͍̣͉͉͎͚̒̇͐̈͋ ̵̼̻̱͐̓̔̐̀͝ả̴̢̞̹͖̺̑c̶̥̍͐͛̉͑͑t̶̳̪͔̺̣́̿i̴̜̺̘͑̽o̶̹̞̤͗͜n̸̡̹̝̺̻͒̉̓̄͒!̶͇̟͇̩͂̔ ̴̝́̽͒̃̌͝╎ꖎꖎ ᓭ⍑𝙹∴ ||𝙹⚍ ∴⍑ᔑℸ ╎ ᔑ--

[They were pulling the right sleeve when suddenly...]

ġ̵̡̡̨̮̳̞̯̞̮͉̜̜̖̮̽̆̐̇̔́͌̀̋̽̈́̀͘Ẇ̴̢̢̨̢͎̥̪̗̺̩͎̙̺̭̹̬̭̮̲͊͋̓̈̽̇̈̽͜Ą̴̧̲̝͎͔͇͙͖͔̼̄̑͂͆͛̕͘͠͝h̸̨̛̲̫͉̙͔̫̗̳̠̙̖̱̟̟̤́͊̀̽̎̈́̿̄̎̅̒̒̌́̌̕͜͜͝-̶̡̧̻̻̦̝̫̼̗̯̞̰̞̟͇̯̙̘͙̳͕̋̈́̀̈́̚̚͝

[A string rushes from The Lair and seizes the right arm above Fluffy's head!]

[...]

[Everything happened so fast that it's hard to process what even was that.]

[Fluffy stand still with their arm still hold by the string up in the air. Silent.]

[They head is down. The anger and despair on their face changed to sadness and... shame.]

... Hm.

So that what their deal is, huh.

I don't care what you think about me, I'm not letting my friend die!

[The tone isn't one an offended or angry person would have, rather, it's desperate.]

[They get startled by the green string wrapping itself around Fluffy's arm in mere seconds, instinctively taking a small step back, still looking at the arm held in mid-air.]

[They notice the blood staining their sleeve.]

Fluffy, your arm-!

[Copper then tries to pull the green string away from their arm, trying their best to prevent the string from tightening around it even further.]

[Fluffy watches how Copper tries to free their hand for a moment and makes a tired sigh.]

[They lift the head, facing the string and looking at it with their apathetic white voids.]

[After that, the string almost immediately unties the arm and goes back in The Lair.]

[They continue looking up even after the string is gone for a few second before lowering head back, facing Copper.]

You would be already dead if not it, y'know.

[They shove released hand in the pocket of their coat.]

[They inquiringly look back at Fluffy.]

Are you going to kill me now, then?

I never said that what I want to do it. In fact, I doubt I ever gonna have a desire to harm you, let alone kill.

[They lower their head again breaking "eye contact".]

.. And still I cannot promise your safety around me.

Not in the "being related to me in any degree is dangerous" way. It's true too, obviously, however nothing I wouldn't be able to protect you from.

What I meant is... I'm dangerous. I cannot protect you from myself, Copper.

... Not as long as I am around you.

I was well aware of any risks that would come with being acquainted with you even before applying for a job at your company.

And I did warn you once before that if some things I said to you made you behave irrationally, if I continued doing so, it would only cause more harm to you or myself. So why do you only acknowledge this now?

[They shake head.]

Different risks! How else the one can describe them?- Not Board-related ones.

If I had no hat, no strings and - fuck it - no knives to my name, you still would be in a constant danger as long as you're around me because of those risks! In fact, even in a biggest danger...

I am not tend to talk about this cause it's.. complicated, to say the damn least- And it never was even close to hurt you - well, until a minute ago - so I- I thought maybe I should not worry about it for once- But then there's your sudden urge to "help" and- Your intentions are good, I appreciate those intentions, I swear, but you don't understand how much doomed are you and, I guess, me will be if I- if you- a-and-

[They sigh giving up on the sentence.]

I'm... sorry.

... My behavior and words doesn't make much sense to you right now, doesn't they?

I... really don't understand you at all. I guess it comes with hardly knowing anything about the person one is talking to.

I wish you would just explain something that's bothering you properly for once. Or at least tell me what you want, or how you want to deal with this situation.

[Their eyes widen out of realization.]

[How do they want to deal with this situation?]

If... If I allow you to do anything with my strings and hat, the consequences might be crucial. *mumbles* And it would be a great luck if it'll turn out this way only for two of us and no one else...

If I choose to flee in The Lair and forever avoid you, i.e not allow you to be even near my hat... Well, we both will be mostly fine and safe, but... Guess, our friendship is over, then.

[They slowly raise their head looking at The Lair-]

UGH!

[-only to shut eyes and lower the head back the second after.]

The second one is clearly the best option!- Sure, not a perfect one for obvious reasons, but out of the given ones, honestly!

Why doesn't it feel like one? It's not like I want to choose the first option, God no, but why-

[Gesturing wildly, trying to understand their own mind, they didn't even notice how took their right hand out of the pocket.]

[But suddenly their gaze fell on it.]

[Looking at their own bloodied sleeve, they froze.]

...

... If I-

If I'll "tell you more about myself" - i.e will do something that I can't even remember the last time I did it, because it always made the situation even worse and.. because it rather hard to talk about the topic you don't know much yourself, - then...

[They look at Copper.]

.. t-then what?..

Then I would have all the time in the world to listen.

... And.. if you won't like what you'll learn..?

And then there would be little I could do about it. Besides flicking you on the forehead like you do, perhaps.

But again, you don't have to tell me anything if you do not wish to.

[They think for a moment.]

... I indeed do not wish to tell you some things.

The first reason for it: The unknown consequences that action might have are really bothering me, to say the least.

The second reason: I am not sure how to even talk about it. After all, I am a visual learner, the only proper way for me to deal with any information is through imagery.

[Turning away they snap their fingers making a string hand to go down from The Lair. They grab it with their own hand and turn head back to Copper.]

So I will show you some things instead.

Come.

[After that, they put their other hand on the brim of the hat and soar up to The Lair disappearing in the threads above.]

[In a few seconds after it, the string hand returns from The Lair. Now invitingly swinging side to side in front of Copper.]

[They take the hand after a couple of minutes of consideration.]

[It grabs Copper's hand back and flies up in the air.]

[In less than a moment, they already stand on the soft floor of The Lair.]

[It's, as usual, dark, lighted by only a few sunbeams falling through holes of "the roof". As well as by a pair of glowing eyes, currently walking back and forth with brooding expression.]

[This continues for some time until they finally stop, take a deep breath and acknowledge Copper's presents.]

.. What is the most important thing to you, Copper?

[It takes a few moments for their eyes to adjust to the dim lighting. When it happens, the first thing they notice is Fluffy's bruised and bandaged neck.]

[Copper couldn't help but shudder the very moment they glanced at it.]

...I'm- I don't think I have a definitive answer. But that is not why we're here, is it?

[They give Fluffy a concerned look.]

[They either chose to ignore Copper's concerns or simply didn't notice it.]

The information about me that you're about receive must never leave these walls.

However, I don't have any real way to ensure this, so..

..all I can do is ask you to swear on something that is dear to you to keep that information in secret.

[They're avoiding eye contact.]

L-like, you don't have to- I already went too far to refuse to give you answers even if you won't do it, but..

.. I would appreciate that.

Well then...

[They ponder for a moment, thinking of an appropriate response.]

...should this information ever be distributed by me to another person, you are free to take my life at any given point.

[They look at Fluffy again.]

Will this suffice?

.̴̦̹̔̈́̑͑.̷̪͈̫͂̉̂̓̽͘.̴̭̘́̎

[They frown silently.]

[Continuing to say nothing, they turn away and lift their head a bit looking at the upper part of The Lair.]

[They gesture with their hand making strings cover some gaps on "the roof" preventing light from getting in and plunging Lair into darkness.]

[They continue to do that until it's pitch black.]

... I don't need.. "permission" to take your life.

[The pair of glowing eyes walked closer to Copper.]

If that ever happen, I'll be left with no choice but to take your life. As well as the lives of those who heard what they shouldn't have heard.

[Sudden finger-snap can be heard, and the sunbeam falls right between Copper and Fluffy. Not big enough to light up the entire Lair, but to allow people near it to see each other.]

I needed- I wanted quite the opposite: the promise it will never come to that...

Khm.

But again, whateve̸r. You're right, this is not why we're here, after all.

I-I'm sorry.

[Copper looks down, a guilty look in their eyes.]

It was one of the only vital things that you could physically take away from me and the absence of which wouldn't harm anyone else.

It would also change my life drastically if it were to disappear and there wouldn't be a way for me to return it. I thought it would be the most suitable choice.

[They sigh.]

I said whatever, Copper. Honestly, should've expect this kind of answer from you at this point.

...But, just so you know,

One of the main reasons why I avoided telling anything about myself to you is because I don't want to lose you. So..

No, it would not be "the most suitable choice".

...What would you like me to swear on, then? The first thing that comes to mind whenever I think about something important are people that are dear to me, and I cannot let them get dragged into this under any circumstances. The rest would either have sentimental value or be intangible due to being conceptual.

So instead, I'd like to know what options I have.

Well, I did say "on something that is dear to you", it's only fair to choose the first thing that comes to mind whenever you think about it. On my opinion.

[They cross their arms.]

To be completely honest, I don't really understand what's the problem with that.

I mean, all you have to do is to keep a secret under one's hat, is it really that ha̷r̵̙̎d?..

[They squeeze their sleeve.]

I was doing this for my e̶̖̓n̶tirę̵̛ li̸fȅ̸ without swearing on anything, so it's clearly not̷̹̤̲̥̳͐̌̊̄.

I-

[They take a look at Fluffy.]

I swear on everyone and everything I hold dear and care about that this secret will not escape the walls of The Lair.

[As they say it, their voice gets unsteady.]

[They look.. impressed.]

.. Th-thanks...

I- I really thought you would prefer to refuse to do it , but, um.. Yeah. I appreciate this, thanks.

Khm.

So now we both can't turn back, haha? Uh-

Okay, closer to the subject..

It will... be a bit weird, I'm saying it right now,

but um- Yeah, anyway-

[They lift their right hand.]

The blood on this sleeve is not from the string, as you assumed earlier. It's from m..

my..

.. my eyes.

Your... eyes?

But-

[They look Fluffy in the eyes.]

But they seem completely unscathed...

Hmm, yeah feel like I started from the middle here-

Should've clarify first, my bad, uh..

[They point at their face.]

These two things are not my eyes, actually.

They're not eyes at all, to be more exact. "What are they then" you may ask? Voids. Two glowing voids. Maybe one just with two "exists", never was sure about this.

So yup, remember that one time when I said I am bad at close combat? It's technically because I'm completely blind!

[They wave in front the face as to demonstrate it.]

.. Physically, at least.

Then... how are you able to see anything?

That's where things gets a bit complicated...

I still have eyes, y'know. Just not on the same place where other people do. And.. not in the same amount as well.

My eyes are... well, everywhere, honestly.

Few outside The Lair underneath it, few above it, many next to The Board...

Obviously, some inside The Lair too. Like,

[They are starting to point at different directions.]

Some here, some there, some at your left, some at your right, some behind, some in front- I can do this all day, you get the point.

Uh-

The complicated part comes from the fact no one appears to be able to see them...

Not when they are.. "outside".

[They pause for a moment.]

Um.. Are you still with me? Should I slow down?..

.. You-

You believe me, r-righ̴̟̟̆͠t̵̹̥͒́?

[Copper steps back, slowly looking around The Lair, uncomfortable at the very thought of being watched by dozens of eyes that they cannot see.]

[They are visibly trembling.]

Copper...? A-are you alright?

Was it actually too much info? Too overwhelming? Would you like to take a sit? Side note, though: I don't have any chairs. But my floor is your floor, bud!

I-I don't feel safe here anymore...

[Their breathing gets a bit heavier, occasionally getting interrupted by their heart racing.]

W-why?-

Oh wait- Oh- Oh-- Is this because my eyes? It seems like it's because of my eyes, uh--

[They take a step closer to Copper bypassing the sunbeam.]

Okay, just calm down- Take a deep breath and just, uh, don't think about it-

Y-yeah! Just don't think about it too much, alright? They are technically not even in the same dimension as you, they can't hurt you!

Um-- Although I can- I can look away! I can lower their amount in The Lair if this will make you feel better! Can make it just two. Two eyes, average amount of eyes people have. Is this will be okay?

You will never know for sure if I did it and I will feel pretty confuse and unsafe due to not observing things as much as I usually do, but i-it's fine if it means you'll feel fine again-

D-don't-!

[They panickedly cut Fluffy off, but follow their advice shortly after, taking a deep breath.]

...Don't. I-I will be fine.

Please, continue.

You.. A-are you sure?

I must warn, it will only go down hill from here... And you do look like you feel quite, roughly speaking, uncomfortable already-

Some time to catch the breath, maybe? Meanwhile, perhaps, I could answer some questions, if you have any?..

I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to ask a question if I tried.

[They're lightly gripping their shoulder.]

Besides, I'm sure I could handle it however worse it gets. I appreciate your concern, but let's just get it over with.

.. I am quite surprised that you are, well, just believe me, not gonna lie.

Not trying to "cross-examine" me, not asking for proof, not wanting to dissect me and other stuff....

L-like, don't get me wrong! I am apologies for, uh, being distres̶s̴ing, it's just.. unusual, I suppose-

Khm, but yeah you're right- I should not go off-topic, sorry- Right, so-

[They cautiously bypassing the sunbeam again in order to return to where they were standing before.]

As I was saying, my eyes, seemingly, are invisible and intangible to other people when they are in their normal state, i.e outside of my body.

Which, yes, does imply they can be inside it as well. Under certain circumstances.

..Aaand this is where the demonstrative part of the explanation comes in...

[They lift their head, looking at source of the sunbeam like a prisoner on the gallows, only to quickly lower their gaze second after.]

D-dissect?! Is... Is that why you have refused to go to the hospital?

Have they-

[They stop mid-sentence, unwilling to continue the dreadful thought, and take a look at Fluffy.]

A-ah!- Well..

[They spread their hands and shrug.]

Science people, amirite? Haha-

[Their face quickly change back to more serious one. Looks like even they fail to see what's so funny in that...]

.. Khm, it happened long time ago. And, apparently, long enough for me to n̸͉̝̯̍̃̆o̴̭̓̀̾ț̵̥͂̓̌ ̵̙̩̔r̵͍͍͗e̵͓̭̩̕m̵̮͑͒e̵̹͉͝m̴̯̐b̸̰͑̽ę̶͓̹̄̉r̶̭͓̺̕͝ ̸̹͑m̷̨͔̭͌͆ù̸̼̤̀c̸̛̮͍̩͒̄h̶̢̹̅ ̸̦̟͑̿͘a̵̞̿̕b̸̢͇̯̐ö̴̳̺̺̌ŭ̴̹̪̪͌̊t̴̢̢̗͌ ̶̡̄ī̵̤͘t even.

All information that happened to stay in my brain since then is: a) I was pretty young and naive, and thought - or at least h̵o̷p̸e̵d̷ - that whatever happens to me can be cured; b) Whatever happened back then, I̴̪̾ ̶̝͂̇d̵̡̰͊̀ȏ̴̝̼̕ ̸̼̔͠n̴̺̚o̶̼̔t̵̰̃́ ̴̳̯̋w̶̦͙̿́î̵͖̯̑s̸̼͗͒h̶͈͍͘ ̴̡̃f̷̹́o̵͔̾͠r̴͍͌͘ ̸͔̫̀̿t̶͖̐̀h̷̨͇̋a̵̫̘̓t̸̝͓̃͗ ̷̤́͝t̵̨̐ȯ̴̖ ̷͕̗͂h̴̳̆͜a̵̹̒́p̷͇̞̌p̷͖̳͂ē̵̛̫ṅ̶͙͂ ̴͍̂ă̷̫̕g̸̢̋a̸̛̳̔i̶n.

Um, sorry, I am rambling- Short answer: Yes, that's why and... yes, they did.

We should.. probably, return to the topic now, shouldn't we?

R-right... Right. That is probably for the best.

[Their nails dig into the sleeve covering their other arm.]

...My apologies for bringing it up.

You're here to get your questions answered, so... That's fine.

But yes, um, "my eyes can be inside my body as well" and demonstration part, right-

I'm gonna be honest, this whole thing is kind of an enigma even for me, oddly enough.

Like, I don't know why it works the way it does? Or.. how exactly? Hell, I am not even sure at what point of my life it started happening- or, perhaps, at what point I discovered it, I dunno- But the thing I learned for sure is that the key element to getting eyes into my body is...

[They're dramatically pointed up, taking a brief second before elaborating.]

Sunlight.

Which.. is the reason why I don't like it that much. Frankly, not a fan of any kind of light in general, cause.. don't want to risk it...

[They're once again gaze upon the sunbeam and take a deep breath.]

.. Wearing the clothes that covers most of my skin for the same reason as well.

[Slowly, they rolled up the right sleeve of their coat.]

And when I uncover it near or under a powerful light resource...

[They shut their eyes - or whatever is on their face instead of them - and clench their right fist.]

There's a big chance of happening something like-

[They suddenly put their right hand out directly under the sunbeam.]

-thi̷s!

[...]

[It took them a moment to open back their eyes.]

[They looked at their right uncovered arm and saw, well, their limb under the sunlight.]

[But for some reason they look confused and surprised by this view.]

[Copper takes a glance at Fluffy's right arm.]

I'm sorry, but it-

It looks perfectly fine to me. Please, don't take it as me not trusting you, but I'm not entirely sure if I can...see them.

It's- N-no, it's not just you-

[They flip their hand still keeping it under the sun and looking directly at it.]

It is fine, but...

Um, l-let me try again!

[They move their hand out of the sunbeam and clear their throat.]

.. Blah-blah, and, when I uncover it near or under a powerful light resource, there's a big chance of happening something like-

[They suddenly put their right hand out directly under the sunbeam. Again.]

-this!

[...]

[Nothing happened.]

But that's- It should!-

O-okay, fuck it.

[Starting to get visibly more irritated, they step under the sunlight themself.]

Ă̴̻͉̘̹̥̲͋͗n̶̻̠͖̘̊̂͜d̵ there's a b̴i̵g̶ chance of happening something like-

[With that, they raised their right hand.]

-this.

[...]

[Nothing happened. Again.]

Ṳ̶͇͗G̷̻͌̚H̷̨͚͑̅̊!̴̢̫͈̱̞͉̳̃̚ B̸͈͒ͅǘ̵̺̯͍̓͘ț̵̳͌̅ͅ ̴͇͉̜͒̋̏ẘ̷̱̯̃h̷̳̉ẙ̷͎?̵͈̱́!̴̢̫͕̉

[Still standing under the light, they turns away from Copper, starting to flip their right hand back and forth and "examine" it with their second hand.]

This doesn't make any sense! I know that's how it works! I- I swear, it's real!

[Annoyed, they look up at the sunbeam.]

That's unfair! The only thing I learned - the only thing I thought I understood - about this! And now, from any moment of time, it decides to simply not work!? That's bu-!

[... Suddenly, they stop mid-sentence.]

[Still turned away with their head slightly raised up to the sun, they appears to... froze.]

[They cautiously tap Fluffy on the shoulder, feeling unnerved by the silence.]

Fluffy, is everything alright?

Stay̸̰͊ ʖa̴̻͌c̷̨͋k.

[Suddenly, before Copper could do anything else, strings appeared right in front of them, pushing them away and blocking the way to their friend.]

╎t's̷̝̳̐̾- I- I̶͎͊-

[They slowly turns their head toward Copper.]

ᓭo̵̹̪̻̪̖̔͆̽̀͛̈́ͅr̴̞̈̈͑͌̀̆̾͝ry-

Fluffy!

[Copper tries to get through the green strings blocking the way.]

Give me a moment, I'll-

[They continue to desperately try to push back the strings in panic.]

リơ̶̝̔, d̴̫͆͌̚o̵̲̅n̶͕͎̰̘̓'̵̧͈̹̦̐̓ť̶̗̞̦-!

G̷͓̭̈h̵̘͉̠̾̓̂̕À̸̟͎̥͚̯̫̑k̸̛͇̫͗̀̚ͅh̵̢̡͙̮̐͌̐͗̏̚-!!

[They didn't even have a chance to properly process what just happened, when the strings that grab their neck started going back into The Lair's wall on the high speed, dragging Fluffy with them.]

[In the darkness, quiet gasp can be heard, as their body hits the wall.]

[As sudden and silent as they came, all strings disappear in the depths of The Lair.]

[Falling from a height, Fluffy's body makes a dull thud as it lands on the soft floor.]

[... They're not movi̵̛̫̜̔n̷̠͊̈g̸.]

[They rush over to Fluffy, lightly shaking them upon kneeling down in hopes that Fluffy would get up.]

Fluffy-

Fluffy, please...

[But Fluffy doesn't move.]

I'm so sorry...I shouldn't have-

[As they continue to try and make Fluffy get up, more and more desperation can be heard in their voice as they suppress their tears.]

[All they can do is plead with Fluffy to even slightly move, proving that they're at the very least still alive.]

[But there was no respo̶̢͎̦͚͈̓̄̍̈͝ņ̷̞͍̱̀̈́̐̅̀̑̏̕-̷̨̲͙̣̃̒͜͝ ̷̡̬̖͕̰͇͓̺̘̬͐̆͊͊͊̇̃́̚̕

["... Pardon?"]

[".. There's no "more". I told them everything."]

[...]

["What did I forget?"]

[...]

["How can I remember..?"]

["How many of what?"]

["... Pretty sure there should be 30, but.. it has been a while since I recounted them-"]

["W-wha-?"]

[They leaped up from the floor with a strong breath only to cough and fall back immediately.]

[All their body feels horrible, but the strongest pain source appears to be the headache, judging by how they grumbling clutching their head.]

O-ouch...

[Copper helps Fluffy sit down, and then immediately hugs them as tightly as they can.]

[They don't seem to want to let go.]

[They squeak as Copper hugs them. Either out of surprised or because their body isn't currently in right conditions for hugs as tight as this one.]

[They don't try to push Copper away regardless.]

Oh- Oh!-

Christ, Copper, I am so sorry- I never wanted for you to witness something like that, I- I swear, I thought it will be fine and- Damn it, I should've stop as soon as I noticed that it's not- But then- A-and--

[They sigh. So many thoughts in their head, but exhaustion - physical and mental ones - starting to catch up with them.]

[They hug Copper back.]

[The hug gets a bit lighter as Fluffy hugs them.]

...Please never do this again.

I just- It was- When-

[They pause for a moment trying to collect their thoughts.]

[They take a deep breath.]

... I always thought that if all those things turned out to be temporary and not relevant anymore, I'll be relieved. But when nothing happened to my arm, I felt so.. terrified. Like something shattered inside me.

Then all terror grew into anger. The kind of anger the one can get after a cruel prank. With the joke, in this case, being that all my life appeared to be a lie.

[Their hug gets a bit tighter.]

It was between me and my mind, you shouldn't have been involved in that... I'm sorry.

Still-

You shouldn't have felt pressured to reveal any of this. Nor do I think I was meant to be part of something so personal in the first place.

[They let go of Fluffy completely.]

I suppose that explains why you insisted on me promising that this will never be revealed to anyone else.

[Several seconds pass without them saying a single word.]

...Are you feeling alright?

#copper #fluffy #rtumblr rp

[Their hug is getting lighter.]

There are some.. other reasons, actually-

[They would like to elaborate, but the end of explanation doesn't seems to be their friend's main concern right now...]

But, um, let's see...

[So they decide to focus on analyzing the state they're in instead.]

If we go from bad to the least bad:

The neck is - well, accounting I'm still breathing, - fine enough. Khm, bandages are completely soaked, though, I think-

The overall body.. kinda hurt, however! pretty sure no bones has been broken, probably just a few contusions, so that's nice.

And my headach-

[They stop abruptly for a moment. Remembering something.]

My.. my headache is.. almost gone, I believe, and-

[They can't stop thinking about it.]

.. A-apologies, I just- I saw some stuff when I was unconscious and it was weird, but also.. k-kind of familia- !!

[They gasp in realization. But suddenly, before they could say anything else, a groan came out of their mouth.]

A̴̯͂͂ù̴͙̀g̵̢̭͎̀̈́h̴̼̤̦͎̔͛̕͝!̴͈͠!̷̺͐

[Immediately, they grab their forehead with both hands, let go of their friend in the process, pulling away and slapping their back against the wall behind them.]

Ǫ̷̣̩̮̬̞̀̈̽͌͋͝ͅǘ̵̹̭͎̎̈̆͜g̵͇̘̝̞͌̄̽̌̃̑h̴̝̃̆͘h̷̨̩͗... S-scratch the part about the headache- Jesus Chrî̷͇̞̮̠̮͍̼̫̃̉̉͋̑̚̚s̸͈̝͇̓̎̓̔̓̅̈́̎t̸̢̜̰̙̫̊̌̾̍͑́̆̑ͅ.̴̩̻̲͙̗͖̍͋̊̄.̴̨͙̜̹͙́̏.̴͉̋

*a small plane flies over the circus, but something is not quite right. there's smoke coming out of it and it seems to be making a very quick descent. it keeps going lower and lower and lower until....

*CRASH!!!!!

*it crash lands somewhere nearby

Though he has seen the plane fly over head (even waving at it), Froge was busying himself with another attraction building, so he didn't notice the smoke until it hit the ground

"......... What was that???"

*from within the flaming debree, a goggled man comes out. he’s covered in ashes and is coughing violently. he turns to the wreck and mumbles

“...Stupid thing, i thought i tested you extensively, good for nothing piece of junk...”

Froge quickly hopped on his unicycle and made its way over to the smoldering wreck, and the ash covered man. “Hello? Are you alright sir, your pile of on-fire metal landed on the ground. I don’t know if you noticed that.”

“You’re not hurt are you? I’ve heard that fire can do some serious damage if you’re not careful!”

*ani jumps back with a screetch. seems like he wasn’t expecting someone to show up. he imediately recovers and puts on a confident act

“Oh hahah, hello, didn’t see ya there!”

*he waves his hand non challantly

“Bah, i apreciate the concern, but don’t worry, this ain’t my first rodeo. Or crash i guess. Just a few scratches, i’ll be fiiiiiiine”

“Whoops, sorry buddy!!! Didn’t mean to scare you, though you diiiiiid kind of scare me first, after you flew straight into the floor there. I don’t think you should fly, if yah keep crashing, unless you do it on purpose.”

“Glad you’re alright though!!!! We can still get you bandaged up though, come on! I’ll take you to the medical tent and we can introduce ourselves while I patch you up! How does that sound, my friend?”

Froge holds out the purple and white checkered sleeve for him to take. Its hard to tell if there’s a hand under all the poof and fabric so its difficult to figure out if it’s offering the clothing to hold onto or the supposed hand.

*he looks at the offered hand... sleeve? for a bit, hesitant. he does eventually shrug

“Bah, sure, why not? I’m not that hurt, but there’s nothing else i could do about that hunk of junk, no use staying here crying over it”

*he grabs the end of the sleeve awkwardly. if there was a hand to grab there, he missed it, but he sure as hell is commiting now, not acknowledging mistakes

“Wait, did you say tent? Ooooh, is that what they’re building here, i was wondering!”

Froge happily swung the hands of the two as they walked over to the medical tent. “Yup! I’m setting up a circus here! It was a lovely plot of empty land, so I kinda just took over and decided to set up base! I’ve got stands for games and foods set up, and a center where there’s gonna be the huge tent for performances!!”

“Of course it’s going slow cause I’m the only one here so far. Sooo there’s only so much I can do at once.”

Soon the two reached the medical tent and he sat the Goggled man on a soft patchwork stool, before taking out a cute lunchbox full of medical supplies.

“Please get comfortable while I help you out! In the meantime, why don’t you tell me about yourself!” Froge said, sitting on an smaller stool, and rolling up it’s sleeves, showing his normal arm, and of course The Stick TM.

“Woah you yourself’s working on all this on your own?? Impressive...!”

*he sits down, crossing one leg over the other and finally taking off the goggles. he smirks

“Name’s Ani, by the way. I work on hunks of junk like the one you... barely saw. They usually work better than this, something probably got stuck in the engine”

“Why thank you!!!! I like to think that I’m quite skilled in my craft! In fact, if you ever want, there are some stall I can set up after we help you out! My name is Froge the Clown, I’m so glad to meet you!”

“So you build things too? That’s very impressive! Even if something got stuck into the engine! I’m sure you’ll figure out how to fly one day!”

Froge smiled as he patched up any injuries it saw with cute bandages and some strange “salve” that seemed to work quicker than the normal stuff. It also seemed cutesy, and glittered a bit.

“Froge, huh? Nice to meet you too...”

*ani seems intrigued about the “salve” and captivated by the cute bandages, but he snaps his head up to look at froge as soon as he mentions the plane

“Wh- Hey, i know how to fly a plane!! Really well in fact!! It’s just. Engine problems. And a bird, yes!! A bird slapped right into my face!! Not my fault! Nuh uh!”

*he sounds embarassed

“Oops, hit a sore point”

“Well, I’m glad you’re alrighty!! I’m sure those goggles would do great to protect your vision! I’m sure your next air craft will be fantastic and maybe even a bird prevention shield! Or.... something.”

Froge pulled out a couple icepacks, a pink one and a blue one.

“Which one would you like? I think getting hit in the face with a bird at high speeds would cause some bruises, even if you had goggles on.”

“Bah, my planes are perfect, it’s just stupid unforeseen inconveniences...”

*ani looks away embarassingly. he’s clearly lying to make himself look better. he coughs and looks back at froge again, regaining composture

“Pink one. Pink’s the best color”

“Pink it is!!! And if it makes you feel better, I’ve had a couple of my projects collapse completely! It just means I get to enjoy building it again hehe!! Oh, and apply this wherever it’s sore! I’m sure you’ll heal up in no time at all! Then you can enjoy the carnival grounds!”

Froge kindly hangs over the light pink Ice pack, making sure it’s cold.

“Or, well, the ones that are available at least. I’m sure there are some prizes you can win.”

“Saaaay, what were you doing flying over head anyways? Were you testing your plane?”

“Mmmmmm ok that sounds fun, i’m up to look around the place”

*ani takes the packet and imediately puts it on his forehead. unclear if he was actually hurt there or if he’s just doing it for show

“I was testing out my plane, yes. Admitedly, i did fly overhead because i was curious to see what was happening here, but. Ya know”

*he gestures vaguely. you do know

“I hope we can find something you like! We have games, and snacks and even places where you can buy thing! If you can find some tokens around! I think the prizes are the cutest personally, but that could be because I acquired them myself!”

“Sorry it’s not much right now, its a big place this is. Makes me kinda wish I found somewhere smaller.... Anyways, you’re all fixed up now! You can walk right? You seemed to be able to walk here fine, but maybe you’re just good at walking while injured.”

Froge offered his hand as he stood up himself, shaking its other arm so the sleeve would roll down.

“I wasn’t really that injured to begin with, so i should be fiiiiiiiine”

*he nontheless takes froge’s sleeve to get up. he waves his other hand non challantly

“Also don’t apologize, i did show up very much uninvited heh. I will say though, i am feeling kinda hungry right now, i wanna visit the snacks first”

Froge let out a sigh of relief and smiled brightly

“Glad you’re not too disappointed! There’s all sorts of food stalls here, we got cotton candy, hamburgers, hot dogs, popcorn, ice cream, snow cones, funnel cake, french fries, nuggets, candy apples.”

“Nothing... Healthy though. Unless you count sugar coated fruits and fried meats healthy.” Froge shrugs and swings the connected hands

*he smirks

“Wouldn’t have it any other way! Such a big selection though hmmmmm...”

*he ponders his options for a bit

“I think i’ll go with. Uhm... Hot do- No wait, maybe hamburger. Oh but nuggets sound so good too....”

Froge giggles and covers his mouth with one hand “You can get multiple things silly!! For no charge at all, unless you want to of course hehehe!! You can get all of them if you want to, we have plenty!”

“They’re all fresh too! Made today in fact, even if they are made by an automated system, designed by youuuurs truly!!”

Froge leads Ani towards a huge food court, one that could possibly rival a food market, if it wasn’t so carnival themed.

*ani looks at the food court in awe

“Holy crap, this is just- You automated all of this? I am speechless!”

*he does look genuinely impressed

“Now i GOTTA see all my options up close, hold up”

*he runs up to the food stalls

“Wh- Wait up!!”

Froge ran after Ani, to keep up, occasionally waving to some bot, to which they waved back.

The Bots were quick with what they were making; the food looking very good, but also very unhealthy. The desserts covered in sprinkles and powdered sugar; the fried foods resulting in crunchy breadcrumbs with dips and topping in cute little containers of to the side.

Very delicious looking, but to add on, the portions were HUGE.

“Seeing anything you like, friend?”

"...Everything"

*he looks absolutely captivated by all the food. he can't help but drool at it a bit. though he looks considerably more torn than before

"...Augh i cannot eat all of this... Stupid weak stomach..."

Froge giggles a bit.

"Well, if you want you can take stuff home with you! We have a looot so it won't be missed if you want to take as much as you want for later. And if you can't finish anything, just throw it away! It'll get used in for compost or for energy. So no worries about wasting anything!"

"If you want a recommendation, I would get a meal like burgers or hotdogs or nuggets before heading to the desserts. Unless you wanna go backwards and start with desserts first."

*ani seems to be making a mental note with the whole 'taking food home' thing

"Hmmmmm... I'll follow your recomendation, i think i'll have..."

*he spends a solid few seconds just 'uuuuuh'ing at the options

"...Hamburger. Yeah, hamburger sounds good. Cheeseburger specifically if possible. No pickles or onions, however!"

"Ooooh!!! Good choice!!! And you can get anything on your burger here, don't worry about it hehehe!"

Froge took Ani's hand again and lead him over to a burger stall, where large patties were being grilled to a crispy perfection along with toasted buns.

"Cheese burger with no pickles or onions you said? Anything else like sauces? How many patties do you want?"

*ani allows froge to drag him along, now looking over at the patties being grilled. he looks positively famished and almost misses its question

"Mmm... Wuh? Oh yeah yeah, two patties, i also want some ketchup in it. Oh actually... can i add in bacon, tomato and lettuce as well? Ooooh maybe some garlic sauce..."

"You can add whatever you want!! I like to treat my guests well, so anything you desire, you can put on your burger! The possibilities are endless here!"

Froge wrote down the order before sliding it into the open hand of the cooking robot, who took the note and started to cook. For no other reason for fun, it was wearing a hairnet and apron

"You seem pretty hungry, did you not have breakfast? We can also get you a drink if you want! We'd have to go to a different stall though, don't want burger liquids in your drinks"

Froge giggled, rocking back and forth on his heels as he waited by Ani's side.

*something seemed to have clicked in ani's mind as he was observing the robots cook

"...Oh i did forget to have breakfast. No wonder i'm so hungry"

*he then turns to froge

"And yes, i'd like a drink. Do you perchance have bubble tea?"

"We have everything friend!!! It's a few stalls down, but we do have it! I'm very lucky there's recipes on the interwebs on how to make foods like this! It would've been veeerrry hard to figure it out by myself, when I can't do much in terms of taste, hehe!!"

"But you still shouldn't skip breakfast! It's the most important meal of the day you know! How can you experiment without injury, if you don't give yourself the energy? You know, I think i'll give you some left overs when you decide to go home, so you have something for breakfast!"

Froge took his hand and shook him hand in a sort of 'deal' like way, before taking out a map and looking for the bubble tea stall.

#ananini #froge #rtumblr rp

*ani did a lil victorious fist pump when he heard there was bubble tea, along with a quiet "yes!!". he then acts like that didn't happen and clears his throat

"Huh? Oh, don't worry about it, i had like. Two cookies. Before i went out. AND i carry my water bottle everywhere so"

*he sounds lke he's trying to prove a point but is instead making himself look more and more pathetic

kieshartzishere

[Scopophobia, Ommetaphobia and slight trypophobia warning | ft. @fluffydancer618]

𓁹 Rtumblr-Tober Day 1 : Fluffy 🎩

#kiesha #fluffy

*CRASH!!!!!

*it crash lands somewhere nearby

Though he has seen the plane fly over head (even waving at it), Froge was busying himself with another attraction building, so he didn't notice the smoke until it hit the ground

"......... What was that???"

*from within the flaming debree, a goggled man comes out. he’s covered in ashes and is coughing violently. he turns to the wreck and mumbles

“...Stupid thing, i thought i tested you extensively, good for nothing piece of junk...”

“You’re not hurt are you? I’ve heard that fire can do some serious damage if you’re not careful!”

*ani jumps back with a screetch. seems like he wasn’t expecting someone to show up. he imediately recovers and puts on a confident act

“Oh hahah, hello, didn’t see ya there!”

*he waves his hand non challantly

“Bah, i apreciate the concern, but don’t worry, this ain’t my first rodeo. Or crash i guess. Just a few scratches, i’ll be fiiiiiiine”

*he looks at the offered hand... sleeve? for a bit, hesitant. he does eventually shrug

“Bah, sure, why not? I’m not that hurt, but there’s nothing else i could do about that hunk of junk, no use staying here crying over it”

*he grabs the end of the sleeve awkwardly. if there was a hand to grab there, he missed it, but he sure as hell is commiting now, not acknowledging mistakes

“Wait, did you say tent? Ooooh, is that what they’re building here, i was wondering!”

“Of course it’s going slow cause I’m the only one here so far. Sooo there’s only so much I can do at once.”

Soon the two reached the medical tent and he sat the Goggled man on a soft patchwork stool, before taking out a cute lunchbox full of medical supplies.

“Woah you yourself’s working on all this on your own?? Impressive...!”

*he sits down, crossing one leg over the other and finally taking off the goggles. he smirks

“Name’s Ani, by the way. I work on hunks of junk like the one you... barely saw. They usually work better than this, something probably got stuck in the engine”

“So you build things too? That’s very impressive! Even if something got stuck into the engine! I’m sure you’ll figure out how to fly one day!”

Froge smiled as he patched up any injuries it saw with cute bandages and some strange “salve” that seemed to work quicker than the normal stuff. It also seemed cutesy, and glittered a bit.

“Froge, huh? Nice to meet you too...”

*ani seems intrigued about the “salve” and captivated by the cute bandages, but he snaps his head up to look at froge as soon as he mentions the plane

“Wh- Hey, i know how to fly a plane!! Really well in fact!! It’s just. Engine problems. And a bird, yes!! A bird slapped right into my face!! Not my fault! Nuh uh!”

*he sounds embarassed

“Oops, hit a sore point”

Froge pulled out a couple icepacks, a pink one and a blue one.

“Which one would you like? I think getting hit in the face with a bird at high speeds would cause some bruises, even if you had goggles on.”

“Bah, my planes are perfect, it’s just stupid unforeseen inconveniences...”

*ani looks away embarassingly. he’s clearly lying to make himself look better. he coughs and looks back at froge again, regaining composture

“Pink one. Pink’s the best color”

Froge kindly hangs over the light pink Ice pack, making sure it’s cold.

“Or, well, the ones that are available at least. I’m sure there are some prizes you can win.”

“Saaaay, what were you doing flying over head anyways? Were you testing your plane?”

“Mmmmmm ok that sounds fun, i’m up to look around the place”

*ani takes the packet and imediately puts it on his forehead. unclear if he was actually hurt there or if he’s just doing it for show

“I was testing out my plane, yes. Admitedly, i did fly overhead because i was curious to see what was happening here, but. Ya know”

*he gestures vaguely. you do know

Froge offered his hand as he stood up himself, shaking its other arm so the sleeve would roll down.

“I wasn’t really that injured to begin with, so i should be fiiiiiiiine”

*he nontheless takes froge’s sleeve to get up. he waves his other hand non challantly

“Also don’t apologize, i did show up very much uninvited heh. I will say though, i am feeling kinda hungry right now, i wanna visit the snacks first”

Froge let out a sigh of relief and smiled brightly

“Nothing... Healthy though. Unless you count sugar coated fruits and fried meats healthy.” Froge shrugs and swings the connected hands

*he smirks

“Wouldn’t have it any other way! Such a big selection though hmmmmm...”

*he ponders his options for a bit

“I think i’ll go with. Uhm... Hot do- No wait, maybe hamburger. Oh but nuggets sound so good too....”

“They’re all fresh too! Made today in fact, even if they are made by an automated system, designed by youuuurs truly!!”

Froge leads Ani towards a huge food court, one that could possibly rival a food market, if it wasn’t so carnival themed.

*ani looks at the food court in awe

“Holy crap, this is just- You automated all of this? I am speechless!”

*he does look genuinely impressed

“Now i GOTTA see all my options up close, hold up”

*he runs up to the food stalls

“Wh- Wait up!!”

Froge ran after Ani, to keep up, occasionally waving to some bot, to which they waved back.

Very delicious looking, but to add on, the portions were HUGE.

“Seeing anything you like, friend?”

#ananini #froge #rtumblr rp

"...Everything"

*he looks absolutely captivated by all the food. he can't help but drool at it a bit. though he looks considerably more torn than before

"...Augh i cannot eat all of this... Stupid weak stomach..."

"Hellooooooo?~ Are you Newscaster, the fellow ghoooooost?~"

The Newscaster was watering his plant when he heard them.

Ah? Yes I am the Newscaster, I- Oh! Hello

*the big ghost waves at him with a smile on their face

“Hellooooooooo!~ I have not met any ghosts like me befooooooooore!~ How are you, frieeeeeend?~”

He sets the watering can down, and gives a wave back.

I am quite alright, indeed. How about you?

Also yes, I have not seen many ghosts like us.. though, that is for the best, I should think.

“I’m good as weeeeeeeell!~ And now that you mention iiiiiiit...~ We exist in small quantities, huuuuuuh?~ That means we oughta stick together, riiiiiiight?~”

*they either don’t acknowledge or don’t understand the implications of what the newscaster said

Perhaps we should indeed.

He gives a small smile.

I’ve seen you’ve been introducing yourself to folks. Has the community been treating you well?

*they nod

“Yes, yeeeeeees!~ Everyone’s so nice around heeeeeeere!~”

Ah, I’m glad to hear that.

He circles around to behind his desk, still standing though.

So, anything I can help you with?

“Weeeeeell...~ I’m here because i wanna make new frieeeeeeends!~ Buuuuuut...~ Alsooooooo...~”

*their face falls slightly

“As a ghooooooost...~ I wanted to aaaaaaaask~ Do you have any memoriiiiies?...~ Of yoooooour...~ Befoooooore...?~”

*judging by how much their fidgeting, this seems to be a topic they don’t discuss often

He frowns a little at this, not out of frustration or anything, but sadness.

Ah, no, not really. There are… pieces. I can remember. And seeing certain things sometimes helps. But, not really, no.

His eyes hold something bittersweet in them. He tilts his head then, curious.

May I ask why you ask?

*they look slightly disapointed

“Ooooooooh...~ See, i don’t remember anythiiiiiiing...~ And i still forget things so easilyyyyyyyyy...~”

Ah, I’m sorry to hear that..

One of the things that I find helps me is keeping journals. Writing down what I did and all, that way if I do forget it’s still here. So, although I’m not sure how to get your previous memories back yet, that could save the ones starting from now? I think I’ll need to find a bigger pencil though..

*they light up at that

“Thaaaaaaat’s...~ A good ideaaaaaaa!~ But are there journals big enough for meeeeeeee?~”

Ray hums as he gathers some empty papers together.

I’m sure we could figure something out…

He lays the papers out, forming a very large page. You hear him say something quietly, sounding like a polite question, but you can’t quite catch the exact words.

The paper slowly morphs together into one large page, instead of multiple small pages acting as one. It’s big enough for Ananini to write on. Now the real question is where to get a pen or pencil big enough.

The Newscaster looks a little tired, but gives a small smile nonetheless.

How is that?

*they watch him do the thing in awe

“Whoaaaaaaa...~ It’s perfeeeeeeect!~ How did you do thaaaaaaat?~ That was so cooooooool!~”

*it looks star struck

…Some sort of magic. I can’t really say. It’s something else I have to study, unfortunately.

I can say I can’t make too many of these at a time though… that took more energy than I expected..

*they atempt to gently pat the newscaster on the head. and by gently, that means EXTREMELLY carefully, since they’re always afraid of accidently squashing someone due to their strength

“Please don’t tire yourself for meeeeeeee!...~ Rest for a little bit, frieeeeeend!...~”

It’s quite alright,

He brushes their worries aside.

It would take more than that for me to collapse. I do appreciate your concern, but I am happy to help wherever I can.

*they pout

“Silly frieeeeeeend!~ You shouldn’t be near the collapsing state to begin wiiiiiiith!~”

Ah, I suppose you have a good point there.

He gives a small, somewhat sheepish smile.

Not to worry though, I have not done anything near that matter for a very long time.

What I’m more worried about is finding something that you can use to write.

“If you say sooooooo...~ But after that, you are getting some reeeeeeest!~”

*they say this matter-of-factly

It’s… really alright. You don’t have to worry about me.

Absentmindedly, he adjusts his tie.

Anyhow… I’m not sure if i can make any of the things I have here bigger as I did the paper..

“That’s ooooooooook!~ I could find something else to write wiiiiiiiith!~”

*they think

“Maybe i’m remembering wrooooooong....~ But there exists pencils that are really big and funny, riiiiiiight?~”

I think so… along with the jokingly large erasers?

*it nods enthusiastically

“Yes yeeeeeeees!~ Exactly those ooooooooooones!~ Where can i find theeeeeeeem?~”

Um…. I’m not sure, honestly. I’ve only seen a few people with them, and that was a while ago. I could try and find where they are?

“If you could, friend, i’d be very thaaaaaaankful!~ But you already did so much for meeeeeeeeee...~”

I like to be helpful where I can.

He says this absentmindedly, going and grabbing a book off the shelf, flipping through it for what seems like only seconds.

Would you mind if I left for a moment? I would be right back.

“Oooooh!~ Not at all, go aheaaaaaaad!~ I’ll wait here, frieeeeeend!~”

Alright, I will be back soon, hopefully with a very large pencil.

With that, he vanishes, and Ani is left in a the room for a little.

“Ok frieeeeeend!~ See you soooooooon!~”

*after plex leaves, ani sits patiently for a very fleeting minute. doesn’t take them too long to get curious. they take out their big magnifying glass and start inspecting anything that sticks out within the office

Under the magnifying glass, you can see organized paper on the desk, along with a cup of tea, still warm, given the steam rising from it. Green glasses with hexagon shaped lenses are folded neatly on top of one of the stacks of paper.

On the bookshelf, there are various books, a healthy looking plant that is starting to develop flower buds, a neatly folded blue paper crane, and a picture with the top burnt off.

There are two comfortable looking arm chairs sat against the left side of the room, with a small square table between them. Unfortunately, they do not account for very large sized ghosts. A pity.

*ani gets curious about the bookshelf. they attempt to pick up the blue paper crane, as it’s fascinating them, but they cannot grasp it and ir falls on the ground. they attempt to pick it off the ground but are, once again, unable to. they give up on that and just inspect everything else on the bookshelf with their manifying glass

As Ani inspects the books, there are only a few that actually have titles on the spine, most old classic books like To Kill a Mocking Bird, The Alchemist, And Then There Were None, and most recently added, Dracula. The rest of the books on the shelves however, do not have a title on the spine, but roman numerals.

Upon further inspection of the plant, it seems it’s an Anemone flower, yet to bloom. The pot seems spacious enough for roots to continue to spread.

The front of the picture seems to have two people standing next to each other, but it’s basically impossible to tell anything else.

*the roman numeral books catch their atention. since they have no title. they attempt to pick one up, but just can’t seem to grasp it. in their subborn attempts, they accidently end up knocking that whole row of books onto the floor

“...Whoooooooopsss....~”

Oh my,

The Newscaster says, suddenly behind Ani, holding a comically large pencil. He hums. He seems surprised, rather than angry, so that’s something.

Curious?

“EEEEEP!!~”

*they turn around, bashful that they were caught red handed before they could put the books back in the shelf

“...I’m so sorry frieeeeeeeeend...~ I didn’t mean to make a meeeeeeess...~”

It’s no big deal.

The Newscaster waves off Ani’s apology, already setting down the comically large pencil and going over to pick up the books.

Oh, I found the pencil by the way. I hope it’s the right size. Were you curious about these books or something?

“Ooooooooh!!~ Weeeeeeell...~ They weren’t lableeeeeeeed....~”

*they rub the back of their head sheepishly

Ah, yes. That’s because those aren’t booms published by anyone. They contain events and help me sort the news for here. Though, some of that news isn’t very much… er, news.

Saying this, they open a book and flip through many pages at a speed akin to a magician shuffling cards. He stops on a page, and the entire thing is the bee movie script from The Board Post.

As you can see.

They do not look the most amused.

*they take out the magnifying glass once again and skim read through the passage. by their reaction, it doesn’t seem like they recognise what this is

“Oooooh is this some kind of storyyyyyyy?~ It’s funny lookiiiiiiiing!~”

It is indeed a story- well, a script to one. And it’s one that’s exceedingly annoying, seeing as it’s put absolutely everywhere, in places completely irrelevant.

He doesn’t seem the most upset, more tired than anything at least.

Anyways, if you ever need to know events this moment, those are the books for you. They are no where near organized though, so that’s why I’ll only recommend looking through them for very recent events.

“Oooooooh!~ I seeeeeee!~ Can i see another page frieeeeeeend?~”

*they would flip the book themselves but. their large hands would make that task a bit dificuly

Sure. In fact, I have a few moments ago, right in this office.

He flips to the most recent page, and it has up until The Newscaster created the large page.

*it tilts its head

“Woaaaaaaaah...~ Deja vuuuuuuuuu....~”

Indeed.

The Newscaster then shuts the book, putting it back on the bookshelf, as well as returning the paper crane to its place.

I take the information from these book and compile it into something a bit more… convenient to read.

“That’s really coooooooooooool!~ You must be super duper powerfuuuuuuuuuul!~

Ah, not really. I just have a lot of time on my hands and a willingness to put up with shenanigans.

The most power I have is not dying again, probably.

“But frieeeeeeeend~ Willpower is still poweeeeeeeer!~ I am impressed by your dedicatioooooooon!~”

Oh- well-

He absentmindedly adjusts his tie.

I do what I can. I’m happy to be of help.

*they give him a wide smile

"Come now, frieeeeeeeend!~ Give yourself some credit toooooo!~ I may not understand fully how it wooooooorks...~ But i can tell whatever you do is very coooooooool!~"

#ananini #anchor speaks #rtumblr rp

Yes, well. Thank you. And it was lovely to meet you, by the way.

"Hellooooooo?~ Are you Newscaster, the fellow ghoooooost?~"

The Newscaster was watering his plant when he heard them.

Ah? Yes I am the Newscaster, I- Oh! Hello

*the big ghost waves at him with a smile on their face

“Hellooooooooo!~ I have not met any ghosts like me befooooooooore!~ How are you, frieeeeeend?~”

He sets the watering can down, and gives a wave back.

I am quite alright, indeed. How about you?

Also yes, I have not seen many ghosts like us.. though, that is for the best, I should think.

“I’m good as weeeeeeeell!~ And now that you mention iiiiiiit...~ We exist in small quantities, huuuuuuh?~ That means we oughta stick together, riiiiiiight?~”

*they either don’t acknowledge or don’t understand the implications of what the newscaster said

Perhaps we should indeed.

He gives a small smile.

I’ve seen you’ve been introducing yourself to folks. Has the community been treating you well?

*they nod

“Yes, yeeeeeees!~ Everyone’s so nice around heeeeeeere!~”

Ah, I’m glad to hear that.

He circles around to behind his desk, still standing though.

So, anything I can help you with?

“Weeeeeell...~ I’m here because i wanna make new frieeeeeeends!~ Buuuuuut...~ Alsooooooo...~”

*their face falls slightly

“As a ghooooooost...~ I wanted to aaaaaaaask~ Do you have any memoriiiiies?...~ Of yoooooour...~ Befoooooore...?~”

*judging by how much their fidgeting, this seems to be a topic they don’t discuss often

He frowns a little at this, not out of frustration or anything, but sadness.

Ah, no, not really. There are… pieces. I can remember. And seeing certain things sometimes helps. But, not really, no.

His eyes hold something bittersweet in them. He tilts his head then, curious.

May I ask why you ask?

*they look slightly disapointed

“Ooooooooh...~ See, i don’t remember anythiiiiiiing...~ And i still forget things so easilyyyyyyyyy...~”

Ah, I’m sorry to hear that..

*they light up at that

“Thaaaaaaat’s...~ A good ideaaaaaaa!~ But are there journals big enough for meeeeeeee?~”

Ray hums as he gathers some empty papers together.

I’m sure we could figure something out…

He lays the papers out, forming a very large page. You hear him say something quietly, sounding like a polite question, but you can’t quite catch the exact words.

The Newscaster looks a little tired, but gives a small smile nonetheless.

How is that?

*they watch him do the thing in awe

“Whoaaaaaaa...~ It’s perfeeeeeeect!~ How did you do thaaaaaaat?~ That was so cooooooool!~”

*it looks star struck

…Some sort of magic. I can’t really say. It’s something else I have to study, unfortunately.

I can say I can’t make too many of these at a time though… that took more energy than I expected..

*they atempt to gently pat the newscaster on the head. and by gently, that means EXTREMELLY carefully, since they’re always afraid of accidently squashing someone due to their strength

“Please don’t tire yourself for meeeeeeee!...~ Rest for a little bit, frieeeeeend!...~”

It’s quite alright,

He brushes their worries aside.

It would take more than that for me to collapse. I do appreciate your concern, but I am happy to help wherever I can.

*they pout

“Silly frieeeeeeend!~ You shouldn’t be near the collapsing state to begin wiiiiiiith!~”

Ah, I suppose you have a good point there.

He gives a small, somewhat sheepish smile.

Not to worry though, I have not done anything near that matter for a very long time.

What I’m more worried about is finding something that you can use to write.

“If you say sooooooo...~ But after that, you are getting some reeeeeeest!~”

*they say this matter-of-factly

It’s… really alright. You don’t have to worry about me.

Absentmindedly, he adjusts his tie.

Anyhow… I’m not sure if i can make any of the things I have here bigger as I did the paper..

“That’s ooooooooook!~ I could find something else to write wiiiiiiiith!~”

*they think

“Maybe i’m remembering wrooooooong....~ But there exists pencils that are really big and funny, riiiiiiight?~”

I think so… along with the jokingly large erasers?

*it nods enthusiastically

“Yes yeeeeeeees!~ Exactly those ooooooooooones!~ Where can i find theeeeeeeem?~”

Um…. I’m not sure, honestly. I’ve only seen a few people with them, and that was a while ago. I could try and find where they are?

“If you could, friend, i’d be very thaaaaaaankful!~ But you already did so much for meeeeeeeeee...~”

I like to be helpful where I can.

He says this absentmindedly, going and grabbing a book off the shelf, flipping through it for what seems like only seconds.

Would you mind if I left for a moment? I would be right back.

“Oooooh!~ Not at all, go aheaaaaaaad!~ I’ll wait here, frieeeeeend!~”

Alright, I will be back soon, hopefully with a very large pencil.

With that, he vanishes, and Ani is left in a the room for a little.

“Ok frieeeeeend!~ See you soooooooon!~”

On the bookshelf, there are various books, a healthy looking plant that is starting to develop flower buds, a neatly folded blue paper crane, and a picture with the top burnt off.

There are two comfortable looking arm chairs sat against the left side of the room, with a small square table between them. Unfortunately, they do not account for very large sized ghosts. A pity.

Upon further inspection of the plant, it seems it’s an Anemone flower, yet to bloom. The pot seems spacious enough for roots to continue to spread.

The front of the picture seems to have two people standing next to each other, but it’s basically impossible to tell anything else.

“...Whoooooooopsss....~”

Oh my,

The Newscaster says, suddenly behind Ani, holding a comically large pencil. He hums. He seems surprised, rather than angry, so that’s something.

Curious?

“EEEEEP!!~”

*they turn around, bashful that they were caught red handed before they could put the books back in the shelf

“...I’m so sorry frieeeeeeeeend...~ I didn’t mean to make a meeeeeeess...~”

It’s no big deal.

The Newscaster waves off Ani’s apology, already setting down the comically large pencil and going over to pick up the books.

Oh, I found the pencil by the way. I hope it’s the right size. Were you curious about these books or something?

“Ooooooooh!!~ Weeeeeeell...~ They weren’t lableeeeeeeed....~”

*they rub the back of their head sheepishly

Ah, yes. That’s because those aren’t booms published by anyone. They contain events and help me sort the news for here. Though, some of that news isn’t very much… er, news.

Saying this, they open a book and flip through many pages at a speed akin to a magician shuffling cards. He stops on a page, and the entire thing is the bee movie script from The Board Post.

As you can see.

They do not look the most amused.

*they take out the magnifying glass once again and skim read through the passage. by their reaction, it doesn’t seem like they recognise what this is

“Oooooh is this some kind of storyyyyyyy?~ It’s funny lookiiiiiiiing!~”

It is indeed a story- well, a script to one. And it’s one that’s exceedingly annoying, seeing as it’s put absolutely everywhere, in places completely irrelevant.

He doesn’t seem the most upset, more tired than anything at least.

“Oooooooh!~ I seeeeeee!~ Can i see another page frieeeeeeend?~”

*they would flip the book themselves but. their large hands would make that task a bit dificuly

Sure. In fact, I have a few moments ago, right in this office.

He flips to the most recent page, and it has up until The Newscaster created the large page.

*it tilts its head

“Woaaaaaaaah...~ Deja vuuuuuuuuu....~”

Indeed.

The Newscaster then shuts the book, putting it back on the bookshelf, as well as returning the paper crane to its place.

I take the information from these book and compile it into something a bit more… convenient to read.

“That’s really coooooooooooool!~ You must be super duper powerfuuuuuuuuuul!~

Ah, not really. I just have a lot of time on my hands and a willingness to put up with shenanigans.

The most power I have is not dying again, probably.

“But frieeeeeeeend~ Willpower is still poweeeeeeeer!~ I am impressed by your dedicatioooooooon!~”

#ananini #anchor speaks #hehe his composure is slipping #rtumblr rp

Oh- well-

He absentmindedly adjusts his tie.

I do what I can. I’m happy to be of help.

"Hellooooooo?~ Are you Newscaster, the fellow ghoooooost?~"

The Newscaster was watering his plant when he heard them.

Ah? Yes I am the Newscaster, I- Oh! Hello

*the big ghost waves at him with a smile on their face

“Hellooooooooo!~ I have not met any ghosts like me befooooooooore!~ How are you, frieeeeeend?~”

He sets the watering can down, and gives a wave back.

I am quite alright, indeed. How about you?

Also yes, I have not seen many ghosts like us.. though, that is for the best, I should think.

“I’m good as weeeeeeeell!~ And now that you mention iiiiiiit...~ We exist in small quantities, huuuuuuh?~ That means we oughta stick together, riiiiiiight?~”

*they either don’t acknowledge or don’t understand the implications of what the newscaster said

Perhaps we should indeed.

He gives a small smile.

I’ve seen you’ve been introducing yourself to folks. Has the community been treating you well?

*they nod

“Yes, yeeeeeees!~ Everyone’s so nice around heeeeeeere!~”

Ah, I’m glad to hear that.

He circles around to behind his desk, still standing though.

So, anything I can help you with?

“Weeeeeell...~ I’m here because i wanna make new frieeeeeeends!~ Buuuuuut...~ Alsooooooo...~”

*their face falls slightly

“As a ghooooooost...~ I wanted to aaaaaaaask~ Do you have any memoriiiiies?...~ Of yoooooour...~ Befoooooore...?~”

*judging by how much their fidgeting, this seems to be a topic they don’t discuss often

He frowns a little at this, not out of frustration or anything, but sadness.

Ah, no, not really. There are… pieces. I can remember. And seeing certain things sometimes helps. But, not really, no.

His eyes hold something bittersweet in them. He tilts his head then, curious.

May I ask why you ask?

*they look slightly disapointed

“Ooooooooh...~ See, i don’t remember anythiiiiiiing...~ And i still forget things so easilyyyyyyyyy...~”

Ah, I’m sorry to hear that..

*they light up at that

“Thaaaaaaat’s...~ A good ideaaaaaaa!~ But are there journals big enough for meeeeeeee?~”

Ray hums as he gathers some empty papers together.

I’m sure we could figure something out…

He lays the papers out, forming a very large page. You hear him say something quietly, sounding like a polite question, but you can’t quite catch the exact words.

The Newscaster looks a little tired, but gives a small smile nonetheless.

How is that?

*they watch him do the thing in awe

“Whoaaaaaaa...~ It’s perfeeeeeeect!~ How did you do thaaaaaaat?~ That was so cooooooool!~”

*it looks star struck

…Some sort of magic. I can’t really say. It’s something else I have to study, unfortunately.

I can say I can’t make too many of these at a time though… that took more energy than I expected..

*they atempt to gently pat the newscaster on the head. and by gently, that means EXTREMELLY carefully, since they’re always afraid of accidently squashing someone due to their strength

“Please don’t tire yourself for meeeeeeee!...~ Rest for a little bit, frieeeeeend!...~”

It’s quite alright,

He brushes their worries aside.

It would take more than that for me to collapse. I do appreciate your concern, but I am happy to help wherever I can.

*they pout

“Silly frieeeeeeend!~ You shouldn’t be near the collapsing state to begin wiiiiiiith!~”

Ah, I suppose you have a good point there.

He gives a small, somewhat sheepish smile.

Not to worry though, I have not done anything near that matter for a very long time.

What I’m more worried about is finding something that you can use to write.

“If you say sooooooo...~ But after that, you are getting some reeeeeeest!~”

*they say this matter-of-factly

It’s… really alright. You don’t have to worry about me.

Absentmindedly, he adjusts his tie.

Anyhow… I’m not sure if i can make any of the things I have here bigger as I did the paper..

“That’s ooooooooook!~ I could find something else to write wiiiiiiiith!~”

*they think

“Maybe i’m remembering wrooooooong....~ But there exists pencils that are really big and funny, riiiiiiight?~”

I think so… along with the jokingly large erasers?

*it nods enthusiastically

“Yes yeeeeeeees!~ Exactly those ooooooooooones!~ Where can i find theeeeeeeem?~”

Um…. I’m not sure, honestly. I’ve only seen a few people with them, and that was a while ago. I could try and find where they are?

“If you could, friend, i’d be very thaaaaaaankful!~ But you already did so much for meeeeeeeeee...~”

I like to be helpful where I can.

He says this absentmindedly, going and grabbing a book off the shelf, flipping through it for what seems like only seconds.

Would you mind if I left for a moment? I would be right back.

“Oooooh!~ Not at all, go aheaaaaaaad!~ I’ll wait here, frieeeeeend!~”

Alright, I will be back soon, hopefully with a very large pencil.

With that, he vanishes, and Ani is left in a the room for a little.

“Ok frieeeeeend!~ See you soooooooon!~”

On the bookshelf, there are various books, a healthy looking plant that is starting to develop flower buds, a neatly folded blue paper crane, and a picture with the top burnt off.

There are two comfortable looking arm chairs sat against the left side of the room, with a small square table between them. Unfortunately, they do not account for very large sized ghosts. A pity.

Upon further inspection of the plant, it seems it’s an Anemone flower, yet to bloom. The pot seems spacious enough for roots to continue to spread.

The front of the picture seems to have two people standing next to each other, but it’s basically impossible to tell anything else.

“...Whoooooooopsss....~”

Oh my,

The Newscaster says, suddenly behind Ani, holding a comically large pencil. He hums. He seems surprised, rather than angry, so that’s something.

Curious?

“EEEEEP!!~”

*they turn around, bashful that they were caught red handed before they could put the books back in the shelf

“...I’m so sorry frieeeeeeeeend...~ I didn’t mean to make a meeeeeeess...~”

It’s no big deal.

The Newscaster waves off Ani’s apology, already setting down the comically large pencil and going over to pick up the books.

Oh, I found the pencil by the way. I hope it’s the right size. Were you curious about these books or something?

“Ooooooooh!!~ Weeeeeeell...~ They weren’t lableeeeeeeed....~”

*they rub the back of their head sheepishly

Ah, yes. That’s because those aren’t booms published by anyone. They contain events and help me sort the news for here. Though, some of that news isn’t very much… er, news.

Saying this, they open a book and flip through many pages at a speed akin to a magician shuffling cards. He stops on a page, and the entire thing is the bee movie script from The Board Post.

As you can see.

They do not look the most amused.

*they take out the magnifying glass once again and skim read through the passage. by their reaction, it doesn’t seem like they recognise what this is

“Oooooh is this some kind of storyyyyyyy?~ It’s funny lookiiiiiiiing!~”

It is indeed a story- well, a script to one. And it’s one that’s exceedingly annoying, seeing as it’s put absolutely everywhere, in places completely irrelevant.

He doesn’t seem the most upset, more tired than anything at least.

“Oooooooh!~ I seeeeeee!~ Can i see another page frieeeeeeend?~”

*they would flip the book themselves but. their large hands would make that task a bit dificuly

Sure. In fact, I have a few moments ago, right in this office.

He flips to the most recent page, and it has up until The Newscaster created the large page.

*it tilts its head

“Woaaaaaaaah...~ Deja vuuuuuuuuu....~”

Indeed.

The Newscaster then shuts the book, putting it back on the bookshelf, as well as returning the paper crane to its place.

I take the information from these book and compile it into something a bit more… convenient to read.

“That’s really coooooooooooool!~ You must be super duper powerfuuuuuuuuuul!~

#ananini #anchor speaks #rtumblr rp

Ah, not really. I just have a lot of time on my hands and a willingness to put up with shenanigans.

The most power I have is not dying again, probably.

*CRASH!!!!!

*it crash lands somewhere nearby

Though he has seen the plane fly over head (even waving at it), Froge was busying himself with another attraction building, so he didn't notice the smoke until it hit the ground

"......... What was that???"

*from within the flaming debree, a goggled man comes out. he’s covered in ashes and is coughing violently. he turns to the wreck and mumbles

“...Stupid thing, i thought i tested you extensively, good for nothing piece of junk...”

“You’re not hurt are you? I’ve heard that fire can do some serious damage if you’re not careful!”

*ani jumps back with a screetch. seems like he wasn’t expecting someone to show up. he imediately recovers and puts on a confident act

“Oh hahah, hello, didn’t see ya there!”

*he waves his hand non challantly

“Bah, i apreciate the concern, but don’t worry, this ain’t my first rodeo. Or crash i guess. Just a few scratches, i’ll be fiiiiiiine”

*he looks at the offered hand... sleeve? for a bit, hesitant. he does eventually shrug

“Bah, sure, why not? I’m not that hurt, but there’s nothing else i could do about that hunk of junk, no use staying here crying over it”

*he grabs the end of the sleeve awkwardly. if there was a hand to grab there, he missed it, but he sure as hell is commiting now, not acknowledging mistakes

“Wait, did you say tent? Ooooh, is that what they’re building here, i was wondering!”

“Of course it’s going slow cause I’m the only one here so far. Sooo there’s only so much I can do at once.”

Soon the two reached the medical tent and he sat the Goggled man on a soft patchwork stool, before taking out a cute lunchbox full of medical supplies.

“Woah you yourself’s working on all this on your own?? Impressive...!”

*he sits down, crossing one leg over the other and finally taking off the goggles. he smirks

“Name’s Ani, by the way. I work on hunks of junk like the one you... barely saw. They usually work better than this, something probably got stuck in the engine”

“So you build things too? That’s very impressive! Even if something got stuck into the engine! I’m sure you’ll figure out how to fly one day!”

Froge smiled as he patched up any injuries it saw with cute bandages and some strange “salve” that seemed to work quicker than the normal stuff. It also seemed cutesy, and glittered a bit.

“Froge, huh? Nice to meet you too...”

*ani seems intrigued about the “salve” and captivated by the cute bandages, but he snaps his head up to look at froge as soon as he mentions the plane

“Wh- Hey, i know how to fly a plane!! Really well in fact!! It’s just. Engine problems. And a bird, yes!! A bird slapped right into my face!! Not my fault! Nuh uh!”

*he sounds embarassed

“Oops, hit a sore point”

Froge pulled out a couple icepacks, a pink one and a blue one.

“Which one would you like? I think getting hit in the face with a bird at high speeds would cause some bruises, even if you had goggles on.”

“Bah, my planes are perfect, it’s just stupid unforeseen inconveniences...”

*ani looks away embarassingly. he’s clearly lying to make himself look better. he coughs and looks back at froge again, regaining composture

“Pink one. Pink’s the best color”

Froge kindly hangs over the light pink Ice pack, making sure it’s cold.

“Or, well, the ones that are available at least. I’m sure there are some prizes you can win.”

“Saaaay, what were you doing flying over head anyways? Were you testing your plane?”

#ananini #froge #rtumblr rp

“Mmmmmm ok that sounds fun, i’m up to look around the place”

*ani takes the packet and imediately puts it on his forehead. unclear if he was actually hurt there or if he’s just doing it for show

“I was testing out my plane, yes. Admitedly, i did fly overhead because i was curious to see what was happening here, but. Ya know”

*he gestures vaguely. you do know

"Hellooooooo?~ Are you Newscaster, the fellow ghoooooost?~"

The Newscaster was watering his plant when he heard them.

Ah? Yes I am the Newscaster, I- Oh! Hello

*the big ghost waves at him with a smile on their face

“Hellooooooooo!~ I have not met any ghosts like me befooooooooore!~ How are you, frieeeeeend?~”

He sets the watering can down, and gives a wave back.

I am quite alright, indeed. How about you?

Also yes, I have not seen many ghosts like us.. though, that is for the best, I should think.

“I’m good as weeeeeeeell!~ And now that you mention iiiiiiit...~ We exist in small quantities, huuuuuuh?~ That means we oughta stick together, riiiiiiight?~”

*they either don’t acknowledge or don’t understand the implications of what the newscaster said

Perhaps we should indeed.

He gives a small smile.

I’ve seen you’ve been introducing yourself to folks. Has the community been treating you well?

*they nod

“Yes, yeeeeeees!~ Everyone’s so nice around heeeeeeere!~”

Ah, I’m glad to hear that.

He circles around to behind his desk, still standing though.

So, anything I can help you with?

“Weeeeeell...~ I’m here because i wanna make new frieeeeeeends!~ Buuuuuut...~ Alsooooooo...~”

*their face falls slightly

“As a ghooooooost...~ I wanted to aaaaaaaask~ Do you have any memoriiiiies?...~ Of yoooooour...~ Befoooooore...?~”

*judging by how much their fidgeting, this seems to be a topic they don’t discuss often

He frowns a little at this, not out of frustration or anything, but sadness.

Ah, no, not really. There are… pieces. I can remember. And seeing certain things sometimes helps. But, not really, no.

His eyes hold something bittersweet in them. He tilts his head then, curious.

May I ask why you ask?

*they look slightly disapointed

“Ooooooooh...~ See, i don’t remember anythiiiiiiing...~ And i still forget things so easilyyyyyyyyy...~”

Ah, I’m sorry to hear that..

*they light up at that

“Thaaaaaaat’s...~ A good ideaaaaaaa!~ But are there journals big enough for meeeeeeee?~”

Ray hums as he gathers some empty papers together.

I’m sure we could figure something out…

He lays the papers out, forming a very large page. You hear him say something quietly, sounding like a polite question, but you can’t quite catch the exact words.

The Newscaster looks a little tired, but gives a small smile nonetheless.

How is that?

*they watch him do the thing in awe

“Whoaaaaaaa...~ It’s perfeeeeeeect!~ How did you do thaaaaaaat?~ That was so cooooooool!~”

*it looks star struck

…Some sort of magic. I can’t really say. It’s something else I have to study, unfortunately.

I can say I can’t make too many of these at a time though… that took more energy than I expected..

*they atempt to gently pat the newscaster on the head. and by gently, that means EXTREMELLY carefully, since they’re always afraid of accidently squashing someone due to their strength

“Please don’t tire yourself for meeeeeeee!...~ Rest for a little bit, frieeeeeend!...~”

It’s quite alright,

He brushes their worries aside.

It would take more than that for me to collapse. I do appreciate your concern, but I am happy to help wherever I can.

*they pout

“Silly frieeeeeeend!~ You shouldn’t be near the collapsing state to begin wiiiiiiith!~”

Ah, I suppose you have a good point there.

He gives a small, somewhat sheepish smile.

Not to worry though, I have not done anything near that matter for a very long time.

What I’m more worried about is finding something that you can use to write.

“If you say sooooooo...~ But after that, you are getting some reeeeeeest!~”

*they say this matter-of-factly

It’s… really alright. You don’t have to worry about me.

Absentmindedly, he adjusts his tie.

Anyhow… I’m not sure if i can make any of the things I have here bigger as I did the paper..

“That’s ooooooooook!~ I could find something else to write wiiiiiiiith!~”

*they think

“Maybe i’m remembering wrooooooong....~ But there exists pencils that are really big and funny, riiiiiiight?~”

I think so… along with the jokingly large erasers?

*it nods enthusiastically

“Yes yeeeeeeees!~ Exactly those ooooooooooones!~ Where can i find theeeeeeeem?~”

Um…. I’m not sure, honestly. I’ve only seen a few people with them, and that was a while ago. I could try and find where they are?

“If you could, friend, i’d be very thaaaaaaankful!~ But you already did so much for meeeeeeeeee...~”

I like to be helpful where I can.

He says this absentmindedly, going and grabbing a book off the shelf, flipping through it for what seems like only seconds.

Would you mind if I left for a moment? I would be right back.

“Oooooh!~ Not at all, go aheaaaaaaad!~ I’ll wait here, frieeeeeend!~”

Alright, I will be back soon, hopefully with a very large pencil.

With that, he vanishes, and Ani is left in a the room for a little.

“Ok frieeeeeend!~ See you soooooooon!~”

On the bookshelf, there are various books, a healthy looking plant that is starting to develop flower buds, a neatly folded blue paper crane, and a picture with the top burnt off.

There are two comfortable looking arm chairs sat against the left side of the room, with a small square table between them. Unfortunately, they do not account for very large sized ghosts. A pity.

Upon further inspection of the plant, it seems it’s an Anemone flower, yet to bloom. The pot seems spacious enough for roots to continue to spread.

The front of the picture seems to have two people standing next to each other, but it’s basically impossible to tell anything else.

“...Whoooooooopsss....~”

Oh my,

The Newscaster says, suddenly behind Ani, holding a comically large pencil. He hums. He seems surprised, rather than angry, so that’s something.

Curious?

“EEEEEP!!~”

*they turn around, bashful that they were caught red handed before they could put the books back in the shelf

“...I’m so sorry frieeeeeeeeend...~ I didn’t mean to make a meeeeeeess...~”

It’s no big deal.

The Newscaster waves off Ani’s apology, already setting down the comically large pencil and going over to pick up the books.

Oh, I found the pencil by the way. I hope it’s the right size. Were you curious about these books or something?

“Ooooooooh!!~ Weeeeeeell...~ They weren’t lableeeeeeeed....~”

*they rub the back of their head sheepishly

Ah, yes. That’s because those aren’t booms published by anyone. They contain events and help me sort the news for here. Though, some of that news isn’t very much… er, news.

Saying this, they open a book and flip through many pages at a speed akin to a magician shuffling cards. He stops on a page, and the entire thing is the bee movie script from The Board Post.

As you can see.

They do not look the most amused.

*they take out the magnifying glass once again and skim read through the passage. by their reaction, it doesn’t seem like they recognise what this is

“Oooooh is this some kind of storyyyyyyy?~ It’s funny lookiiiiiiiing!~”

It is indeed a story- well, a script to one. And it’s one that’s exceedingly annoying, seeing as it’s put absolutely everywhere, in places completely irrelevant.

He doesn’t seem the most upset, more tired than anything at least.

“Oooooooh!~ I seeeeeee!~ Can i see another page frieeeeeeend?~”

*they would flip the book themselves but. their large hands would make that task a bit dificuly

Sure. In fact, I have a few moments ago, right in this office.

He flips to the most recent page, and it has up until The Newscaster created the large page.

*it tilts its head

“Woaaaaaaaah...~ Deja vuuuuuuuuu....~”