Choco 🍫

"... Fiddleford?"

Choco hadn't seen Fiddleford in months. They had been... trying not to cause trouble. Honestly, they weren't doing so well, their brain fog almost...

They almost forgot Fidd's name.

Or did they? They hadn't spared their childhood hero a second thought for so long, even after that whole... situation. It seems like something they would have kept thinking about.

Either way, they found something of his at their house the other day. It reminded them? To come check on him...

"H...here..." They handed him a neatly folded jacket. "... sorry, knoe a' ain't supposed ta be here."

Who... who was... Oh! "Choco!" Yes, he remembered now, that sweet young man!

He quickly took the jacket, holding it close, "Oh, hogwash, I'm so glad to see you. H- how have you been?"

They took a moment to respond, but smiled. Pretend they were doing asl this whole time also I forgot to write that-

[ I'm... fine? ]

They seem rather hesitant. They got a headache when they looked at Fiddleford.

[ How have you been? Holding up well? ]

"I'm..." his hands trembled, ever so slightly. Usually, this would be acompanied by his sight getting lost, but uts focused, more than ever.

"I'm not sure. I think- I've been having some memory issues? But not like, not the forgettin' type"

[ What... other type is there? ]

They look concerned.

[ Are you alright?... ]

They knew Fiddleford had memory issues, but something here seemed different. His gaze was shaper.

"I- I don't know. I'm- there's this stuff. Jt feels like I'm rememberin'? But it makes no sense"

He unfolded the jacket. A sharp pain assaulted him, and he saw it—Stanley taking it from him, shouting about how Fiddleford shouldn't be going out anyways

Then he was back, "You've helped me before with ny mind, right? Please. Please help me again"

[ of course I'll help. ]

They agreed almost immediately, even if they themselves were a bit confused.

[ I... do you want to talk? ]

"I would. Actually the- the orchard! Wherver you took me when we met. I think..." he looked towards the the mannor, for a moment returning to his ever so meek self, "I think it'd be better over there"

They smiled, nodded, and gestured for Fiddleford to follow them.

They brought Fiddleford to the Orchard.

[ ... I must admit, I'm not quite sure how you know about this place, but I hope it helps. It's a wonderful place, always helps me calm down... peaceful. ]

Brief flashes of bringing Fiddleford here before. They must have.

He puts the jacket on on their way to the Orchard. He takes in a deep breath, basking in the smells, the gentle air around them....

"Huh? You took me here. When we first- no, after a few meetings. I remember now. Do you not remember?"

They avoid eye contact, but give Fidd a gentle smile.

[ What? Of course I remember! Sorry, got a bit confused. ]

Lies.

[ Whirlstorm in my head sometimes, you know? ]

Their signing was shaky, hesitant. They were never thst good at lying.

[ Anyway, what do you need to talk about? If anything, I'm a good listener! ]

"Choco. Look at me. I need ya to be honest with me, got it? I need ya to look at me"

He looks around, as if checking for any intruders, and statt signing

[I don't know what's going on. I feel like I'm going insane, except this is the most real anything has felt in years. There's these memories, they've been coming to me, but they don't match up. I remember you, and fights with Stan over stuff that didn't happen, and the kids lashing out. Does that make sense to you? Do you remember any of this?"

They looked at Fiddleford, recognition in their eyes was scarce.

The kids? What kids? They remembered fights... they remembered a general feeling of worry for Fiddleford, but everything was fuzzy.

[ ... I'm sorry, I must be having a bad day, sir. ]

They looked down.

[ I want to help, but I don't know if I can fill in your gaps. ]

Then they jolted. A sudden memory of a bright flash.

[ I... I'm sorry. ]

"Goddamn it! I know- you were the only one helping me! I know that! Useless farmboy-'

He stopped himself, then let out a tired sigh. "Sorry. Yer trying, I'm sure. Maybe... Maybe I am going insane. I don't wanna go back in there, Choco. I feel like... s- something will go wrong"

They stopped themselves from flinching back at the... yelling, and put their hands up placidly.

[ You're not insane, I promise. ]

Their hands started getting shaky as they continued to sign.

[ I'll do everything I can to help you- I'll remember, or try, I swear, I will. ]

They took a deep breath.

[ You can stay at my farm, no troubke at all, if you want. You don't have to go back there. ]

"R... really? You'd do that?"

He seems completely oblivious to the distress he has caused them

"Thank you, Choco. Thank you so much!"

They smiled and nodded. Sure, they were distressed, but they were more than glad to help their friend.

[ Anything you need to pick up from the manor? ]

“I’ve seen you around but I don’t believe we’ve properly met. Greetings, my name is rin gleeful”

She bows

@ask-rin-gleeful

They bow in turn. Rin? Isn't that... Stanley or Stanfords kid?

They hand a slip of paper to her, on it is a question:

Do you speak ASL?

She hands back the piece of paper

“Not much, I know a few basic signs like, stop, help, water, and some of the alphabet. I also know how to say fuck you and bitch.”

They elected to communicate thought writing in their notebook, then.

I'm Choco! Nice to meet you, Ms. Gleeful. May I ask what you're doing here? Your uncle isn't exactly my biggest fan.

She writes down

“Stanley? I see, and I don’t really care what he thinks. Nor do I care what any of my family thinks. I just saw you around and thought I’d say hello.”

Well, Hello! Would you like some chocolates?

“What type is it? I don’t like dark chocolate.”

I have a variety, if you'd like to tell me what you like?

“I’ve seen you around but I don’t believe we’ve properly met. Greetings, my name is rin gleeful”

She bows

@ask-rin-gleeful

They bow in turn. Rin? Isn't that... Stanley or Stanfords kid?

They hand a slip of paper to her, on it is a question:

Do you speak ASL?

She hands back the piece of paper

“Not much, I know a few basic signs like, stop, help, water, and some of the alphabet. I also know how to say fuck you and bitch.”

They elected to communicate thought writing in their notebook, then.

I'm Choco! Nice to meet you, Ms. Gleeful. May I ask what you're doing here? Your uncle isn't exactly my biggest fan.

She writes down

“Stanley? I see, and I don’t really care what he thinks. Nor do I care what any of my family thinks. I just saw you around and thought I’d say hello.”

Well, Hello! Would you like some chocolates?

“I’ve seen you around but I don’t believe we’ve properly met. Greetings, my name is rin gleeful”

She bows

@ask-rin-gleeful

They bow in turn. Rin? Isn't that... Stanley or Stanfords kid?

They hand a slip of paper to her, on it is a question:

Do you speak ASL?

She hands back the piece of paper

“Not much, I know a few basic signs like, stop, help, water, and some of the alphabet. I also know how to say fuck you and bitch.”

They elected to communicate thought writing in their notebook, then.

I'm Choco! Nice to meet you, Ms. Gleeful. May I ask what you're doing here? Your uncle isn't exactly my biggest fan.

“I’ve seen you around but I don’t believe we’ve properly met. Greetings, my name is rin gleeful”

She bows

@ask-rin-gleeful

They bow in turn. Rin? Isn't that... Stanley or Stanfords kid?

They hand a slip of paper to her, on it is a question:

Do you speak ASL?

They wandered into the mystery shack, looking a bit lost.

@quietchoco

"Choco, buddy! Havent seen ya in a while, how are ya?'

They nearly jump out of their skin.

[ Bud!- ]

They turn towards him, their gaze seems... dazed, but they smile nonetheless.

[ I've been... busy, I think. ]

Their shoulders shook in a silent, awkward laugh.

[ You. How are you?... ]

"Hm, looks like ya could take a break. Come in, come in, ya get the VIP treatment"

He looked for a chair for them to sit, "Eh, busy as well. Ya wouldn't believe the week I've been havin'"

They follow Bud inside.

[ ... yeah, I'm a bit tired. Would you like to talk about it? ]

"Ya wouldn't believe me. Beaides, its heavy stiff. I feel kinda bad always throwin' my shit at ya"

[ I'm always the one who asks! Believe me, it's no trouble. ]

They were signing kind of slow, but they were genuine.

[ You seem like you need a break, friend. ]

They wandered into the mystery shack, looking a bit lost.

@quietchoco

"Choco, buddy! Havent seen ya in a while, how are ya?'

They nearly jump out of their skin.

[ Bud!- ]

They turn towards him, their gaze seems... dazed, but they smile nonetheless.

[ I've been... busy, I think. ]

Their shoulders shook in a silent, awkward laugh.

[ You. How are you?... ]

"Hm, looks like ya could take a break. Come in, come in, ya get the VIP treatment"

He looked for a chair for them to sit, "Eh, busy as well. Ya wouldn't believe the week I've been havin'"

They follow Bud inside.

[ ... yeah, I'm a bit tired. Would you like to talk about it? ]

"... Fiddleford?"

Choco hadn't seen Fiddleford in months. They had been... trying not to cause trouble. Honestly, they weren't doing so well, their brain fog almost...

They almost forgot Fidd's name.

Or did they? They hadn't spared their childhood hero a second thought for so long, even after that whole... situation. It seems like something they would have kept thinking about.

Either way, they found something of his at their house the other day. It reminded them? To come check on him...

"H...here..." They handed him a neatly folded jacket. "... sorry, knoe a' ain't supposed ta be here."

Who... who was... Oh! "Choco!" Yes, he remembered now, that sweet young man!

He quickly took the jacket, holding it close, "Oh, hogwash, I'm so glad to see you. H- how have you been?"

They took a moment to respond, but smiled. Pretend they were doing asl this whole time also I forgot to write that-

[ I'm... fine? ]

They seem rather hesitant. They got a headache when they looked at Fiddleford.

[ How have you been? Holding up well? ]

"I'm..." his hands trembled, ever so slightly. Usually, this would be acompanied by his sight getting lost, but uts focused, more than ever.

"I'm not sure. I think- I've been having some memory issues? But not like, not the forgettin' type"

[ What... other type is there? ]

They look concerned.

[ Are you alright?... ]

They knew Fiddleford had memory issues, but something here seemed different. His gaze was shaper.

"I- I don't know. I'm- there's this stuff. Jt feels like I'm rememberin'? But it makes no sense"

He unfolded the jacket. A sharp pain assaulted him, and he saw it—Stanley taking it from him, shouting about how Fiddleford shouldn't be going out anyways

Then he was back, "You've helped me before with ny mind, right? Please. Please help me again"

[ of course I'll help. ]

They agreed almost immediately, even if they themselves were a bit confused.

[ I... do you want to talk? ]

They smiled, nodded, and gestured for Fiddleford to follow them.

They brought Fiddleford to the Orchard.

[ ... I must admit, I'm not quite sure how you know about this place, but I hope it helps. It's a wonderful place, always helps me calm down... peaceful. ]

Brief flashes of bringing Fiddleford here before. They must have.

He puts the jacket on on their way to the Orchard. He takes in a deep breath, basking in the smells, the gentle air around them....

"Huh? You took me here. When we first- no, after a few meetings. I remember now. Do you not remember?"

They avoid eye contact, but give Fidd a gentle smile.

[ What? Of course I remember! Sorry, got a bit confused. ]

Lies.

[ Whirlstorm in my head sometimes, you know? ]

Their signing was shaky, hesitant. They were never thst good at lying.

[ Anyway, what do you need to talk about? If anything, I'm a good listener! ]

"Choco. Look at me. I need ya to be honest with me, got it? I need ya to look at me"

He looks around, as if checking for any intruders, and statt signing

They looked at Fiddleford, recognition in their eyes was scarce.

The kids? What kids? They remembered fights... they remembered a general feeling of worry for Fiddleford, but everything was fuzzy.

[ ... I'm sorry, I must be having a bad day, sir. ]

They looked down.

[ I want to help, but I don't know if I can fill in your gaps. ]

Then they jolted. A sudden memory of a bright flash.

[ I... I'm sorry. ]

"Goddamn it! I know- you were the only one helping me! I know that! Useless farmboy-'

He stopped himself, then let out a tired sigh. "Sorry. Yer trying, I'm sure. Maybe... Maybe I am going insane. I don't wanna go back in there, Choco. I feel like... s- something will go wrong"

They stopped themselves from flinching back at the... yelling, and put their hands up placidly.

[ You're not insane, I promise. ]

Their hands started getting shaky as they continued to sign.

[ I'll do everything I can to help you- I'll remember, or try, I swear, I will. ]

They took a deep breath.

[ You can stay at my farm, no troubke at all, if you want. You don't have to go back there. ]

"... Fiddleford?"

Choco hadn't seen Fiddleford in months. They had been... trying not to cause trouble. Honestly, they weren't doing so well, their brain fog almost...

They almost forgot Fidd's name.

Or did they? They hadn't spared their childhood hero a second thought for so long, even after that whole... situation. It seems like something they would have kept thinking about.

Either way, they found something of his at their house the other day. It reminded them? To come check on him...

"H...here..." They handed him a neatly folded jacket. "... sorry, knoe a' ain't supposed ta be here."

Who... who was... Oh! "Choco!" Yes, he remembered now, that sweet young man!

He quickly took the jacket, holding it close, "Oh, hogwash, I'm so glad to see you. H- how have you been?"

They took a moment to respond, but smiled. Pretend they were doing asl this whole time also I forgot to write that-

[ I'm... fine? ]

They seem rather hesitant. They got a headache when they looked at Fiddleford.

[ How have you been? Holding up well? ]

"I'm..." his hands trembled, ever so slightly. Usually, this would be acompanied by his sight getting lost, but uts focused, more than ever.

"I'm not sure. I think- I've been having some memory issues? But not like, not the forgettin' type"

[ What... other type is there? ]

They look concerned.

[ Are you alright?... ]

They knew Fiddleford had memory issues, but something here seemed different. His gaze was shaper.

"I- I don't know. I'm- there's this stuff. Jt feels like I'm rememberin'? But it makes no sense"

He unfolded the jacket. A sharp pain assaulted him, and he saw it—Stanley taking it from him, shouting about how Fiddleford shouldn't be going out anyways

Then he was back, "You've helped me before with ny mind, right? Please. Please help me again"

[ of course I'll help. ]

They agreed almost immediately, even if they themselves were a bit confused.

[ I... do you want to talk? ]

They smiled, nodded, and gestured for Fiddleford to follow them.

They brought Fiddleford to the Orchard.

[ ... I must admit, I'm not quite sure how you know about this place, but I hope it helps. It's a wonderful place, always helps me calm down... peaceful. ]

Brief flashes of bringing Fiddleford here before. They must have.

He puts the jacket on on their way to the Orchard. He takes in a deep breath, basking in the smells, the gentle air around them....

"Huh? You took me here. When we first- no, after a few meetings. I remember now. Do you not remember?"

They avoid eye contact, but give Fidd a gentle smile.

[ What? Of course I remember! Sorry, got a bit confused. ]

Lies.

[ Whirlstorm in my head sometimes, you know? ]

Their signing was shaky, hesitant. They were never thst good at lying.

[ Anyway, what do you need to talk about? If anything, I'm a good listener! ]

"Choco. Look at me. I need ya to be honest with me, got it? I need ya to look at me"

He looks around, as if checking for any intruders, and statt signing

They looked at Fiddleford, recognition in their eyes was scarce.

The kids? What kids? They remembered fights... they remembered a general feeling of worry for Fiddleford, but everything was fuzzy.

[ ... I'm sorry, I must be having a bad day, sir. ]

They looked down.

[ I want to help, but I don't know if I can fill in your gaps. ]

Then they jolted. A sudden memory of a bright flash.

[ I... I'm sorry. ]

"... Fiddleford?"

Choco hadn't seen Fiddleford in months. They had been... trying not to cause trouble. Honestly, they weren't doing so well, their brain fog almost...

They almost forgot Fidd's name.

Or did they? They hadn't spared their childhood hero a second thought for so long, even after that whole... situation. It seems like something they would have kept thinking about.

Either way, they found something of his at their house the other day. It reminded them? To come check on him...

"H...here..." They handed him a neatly folded jacket. "... sorry, knoe a' ain't supposed ta be here."

Who... who was... Oh! "Choco!" Yes, he remembered now, that sweet young man!

He quickly took the jacket, holding it close, "Oh, hogwash, I'm so glad to see you. H- how have you been?"

They took a moment to respond, but smiled. Pretend they were doing asl this whole time also I forgot to write that-

[ I'm... fine? ]

They seem rather hesitant. They got a headache when they looked at Fiddleford.

[ How have you been? Holding up well? ]

"I'm..." his hands trembled, ever so slightly. Usually, this would be acompanied by his sight getting lost, but uts focused, more than ever.

"I'm not sure. I think- I've been having some memory issues? But not like, not the forgettin' type"

[ What... other type is there? ]

They look concerned.

[ Are you alright?... ]

They knew Fiddleford had memory issues, but something here seemed different. His gaze was shaper.

"I- I don't know. I'm- there's this stuff. Jt feels like I'm rememberin'? But it makes no sense"

He unfolded the jacket. A sharp pain assaulted him, and he saw it—Stanley taking it from him, shouting about how Fiddleford shouldn't be going out anyways

Then he was back, "You've helped me before with ny mind, right? Please. Please help me again"

[ of course I'll help. ]

They agreed almost immediately, even if they themselves were a bit confused.

[ I... do you want to talk? ]

They smiled, nodded, and gestured for Fiddleford to follow them.

They brought Fiddleford to the Orchard.

[ ... I must admit, I'm not quite sure how you know about this place, but I hope it helps. It's a wonderful place, always helps me calm down... peaceful. ]

Brief flashes of bringing Fiddleford here before. They must have.

He puts the jacket on on their way to the Orchard. He takes in a deep breath, basking in the smells, the gentle air around them....

"Huh? You took me here. When we first- no, after a few meetings. I remember now. Do you not remember?"

They avoid eye contact, but give Fidd a gentle smile.

[ What? Of course I remember! Sorry, got a bit confused. ]

Lies.

[ Whirlstorm in my head sometimes, you know? ]

Their signing was shaky, hesitant. They were never thst good at lying.

[ Anyway, what do you need to talk about? If anything, I'm a good listener! ]

"... Fiddleford?"

Choco hadn't seen Fiddleford in months. They had been... trying not to cause trouble. Honestly, they weren't doing so well, their brain fog almost...

They almost forgot Fidd's name.

Or did they? They hadn't spared their childhood hero a second thought for so long, even after that whole... situation. It seems like something they would have kept thinking about.

Either way, they found something of his at their house the other day. It reminded them? To come check on him...

"H...here..." They handed him a neatly folded jacket. "... sorry, knoe a' ain't supposed ta be here."

Who... who was... Oh! "Choco!" Yes, he remembered now, that sweet young man!

He quickly took the jacket, holding it close, "Oh, hogwash, I'm so glad to see you. H- how have you been?"

They took a moment to respond, but smiled. Pretend they were doing asl this whole time also I forgot to write that-

[ I'm... fine? ]

They seem rather hesitant. They got a headache when they looked at Fiddleford.

[ How have you been? Holding up well? ]

"I'm..." his hands trembled, ever so slightly. Usually, this would be acompanied by his sight getting lost, but uts focused, more than ever.

"I'm not sure. I think- I've been having some memory issues? But not like, not the forgettin' type"

[ What... other type is there? ]

They look concerned.

[ Are you alright?... ]

They knew Fiddleford had memory issues, but something here seemed different. His gaze was shaper.

"I- I don't know. I'm- there's this stuff. Jt feels like I'm rememberin'? But it makes no sense"

He unfolded the jacket. A sharp pain assaulted him, and he saw it—Stanley taking it from him, shouting about how Fiddleford shouldn't be going out anyways

Then he was back, "You've helped me before with ny mind, right? Please. Please help me again"

[ of course I'll help. ]

They agreed almost immediately, even if they themselves were a bit confused.

[ I... do you want to talk? ]

They smiled, nodded, and gestured for Fiddleford to follow them.

They brought Fiddleford to the Orchard.

[ ... I must admit, I'm not quite sure how you know about this place, but I hope it helps. It's a wonderful place, always helps me calm down... peaceful. ]

Brief flashes of bringing Fiddleford here before. They must have.

"... Fiddleford?"

Choco hadn't seen Fiddleford in months. They had been... trying not to cause trouble. Honestly, they weren't doing so well, their brain fog almost...

They almost forgot Fidd's name.

Or did they? They hadn't spared their childhood hero a second thought for so long, even after that whole... situation. It seems like something they would have kept thinking about.

Either way, they found something of his at their house the other day. It reminded them? To come check on him...

"H...here..." They handed him a neatly folded jacket. "... sorry, knoe a' ain't supposed ta be here."

Who... who was... Oh! "Choco!" Yes, he remembered now, that sweet young man!

He quickly took the jacket, holding it close, "Oh, hogwash, I'm so glad to see you. H- how have you been?"

They took a moment to respond, but smiled. Pretend they were doing asl this whole time also I forgot to write that-

[ I'm... fine? ]

They seem rather hesitant. They got a headache when they looked at Fiddleford.

[ How have you been? Holding up well? ]

"I'm..." his hands trembled, ever so slightly. Usually, this would be acompanied by his sight getting lost, but uts focused, more than ever.

"I'm not sure. I think- I've been having some memory issues? But not like, not the forgettin' type"

[ What... other type is there? ]

They look concerned.

[ Are you alright?... ]

They knew Fiddleford had memory issues, but something here seemed different. His gaze was shaper.

"I- I don't know. I'm- there's this stuff. Jt feels like I'm rememberin'? But it makes no sense"

He unfolded the jacket. A sharp pain assaulted him, and he saw it—Stanley taking it from him, shouting about how Fiddleford shouldn't be going out anyways

Then he was back, "You've helped me before with ny mind, right? Please. Please help me again"

[ of course I'll help. ]

They agreed almost immediately, even if they themselves were a bit confused.

[ I... do you want to talk? ]

They wandered into the mystery shack, looking a bit lost.

@quietchoco

"Choco, buddy! Havent seen ya in a while, how are ya?'

They nearly jump out of their skin.

[ Bud!- ]

They turn towards him, their gaze seems... dazed, but they smile nonetheless.

[ I've been... busy, I think. ]

Their shoulders shook in a silent, awkward laugh.

[ You. How are you?... ]

"... Fiddleford?"

Choco hadn't seen Fiddleford in months. They had been... trying not to cause trouble. Honestly, they weren't doing so well, their brain fog almost...

They almost forgot Fidd's name.

Or did they? They hadn't spared their childhood hero a second thought for so long, even after that whole... situation. It seems like something they would have kept thinking about.

Either way, they found something of his at their house the other day. It reminded them? To come check on him...

"H...here..." They handed him a neatly folded jacket. "... sorry, knoe a' ain't supposed ta be here."

Who... who was... Oh! "Choco!" Yes, he remembered now, that sweet young man!

He quickly took the jacket, holding it close, "Oh, hogwash, I'm so glad to see you. H- how have you been?"

They took a moment to respond, but smiled. Pretend they were doing asl this whole time also I forgot to write that-

[ I'm... fine? ]

They seem rather hesitant. They got a headache when they looked at Fiddleford.

[ How have you been? Holding up well? ]

"I'm..." his hands trembled, ever so slightly. Usually, this would be acompanied by his sight getting lost, but uts focused, more than ever.

"I'm not sure. I think- I've been having some memory issues? But not like, not the forgettin' type"

[ What... other type is there? ]

They look concerned.

[ Are you alright?... ]

They knew Fiddleford had memory issues, but something here seemed different. His gaze was shaper.

"... Fiddleford?"

Choco hadn't seen Fiddleford in months. They had been... trying not to cause trouble. Honestly, they weren't doing so well, their brain fog almost...

They almost forgot Fidd's name.

Or did they? They hadn't spared their childhood hero a second thought for so long, even after that whole... situation. It seems like something they would have kept thinking about.

Either way, they found something of his at their house the other day. It reminded them? To come check on him...

"H...here..." They handed him a neatly folded jacket. "... sorry, knoe a' ain't supposed ta be here."

Who... who was... Oh! "Choco!" Yes, he remembered now, that sweet young man!

He quickly took the jacket, holding it close, "Oh, hogwash, I'm so glad to see you. H- how have you been?"