*There is someone awfully familiar in the fry kitchen. Someone who is sitting on the floor and eating raw fries right out of their packaging.*
@stp-minwage-the-other-voices
...
*if this were not mctabby's, and mr the cold was not mr the cold, he might demand to know what this person is doing here, or perhaps forcibly remove them from the premises.*
*but this is mctabby's, and he is mr the cold, and so instead he simply takes a ladle of hot oil from the fryer and holds it over their head.*
*a single drop of hot oil falls from it.*
*The drop lands on him, and he looks up. For a moment, he doesn't speak, idly taking in the others appearance. The only hint at what might be going on in its mind is a slight head tilt.*
*Finally, he speaks.*
Cold: You're me.
Hm. Thought so.
*behind his wings, his head tilts to the same side as the other cold's.*
...
Why are you here?
*the ladle remains still, for now.*
I was bored. This place looked interesting.
*He eats another uncooked fry.*
Not particularly. But perhaps I'm simply used to it.
...
...
*the ladle shifts to the side slightly, but no more oil falls. not yet.*
Well? Do you find it interesting?
Hm. Somewhat. Meeting you is interesting. It's not everyday you meet another of yourself after all.
Hm. Perhaps not from your perspective.
*the ladle moves a little further away, a bit of oil splashing onto the floor.*
Do you meet other versions of yourself often?
I don't. But some of the others...
*the corner of his smile peeks out over his wings.*
...my Connie has nearly half a dozen counterparts, if I recall correctly.
Really?
*There's the smallest hint of a glimmer of interest in his eyes. Or maybe its just a trick of the light.*
My flock is still missing its Contrarian.
Oh?
...
*"When I first appeared out of the construct.. no one was there. I thought.. I thought they'd eventually find me, but they- they just never showed up-"*
...
Have you been searching very long?
Hero's been searching for everyone since the beginning. A few others help.
*"Chances are they're still looking for you."*
...
*he unceremoniously grabs cold, throwing him over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. a pause to stick the ladle back in the fryer, and then he's off to go find connie.*
*It's not hard to pick him up. He's surprisingly light despite his height.*
Oh. Ok.
*without a word, he leaves the fry kitchen and heads up front to the registers.*
Connie?
@stp-minimum-wage-contrarian
*Their face lights up the second they hear his voice, and they look over and see-*
Uh- what do you have there?
*he does not answer, plopping cold down on the ground in front of them.*
Tell them what you just told me.
*But instead it turns to look back at the other Cold.*
And why should I?
...
I just think you'll find their reaction interesting.
Hm..
*It turns back to look at Connie, eyes slowly trailing across their form.*
*They shrink under his gaze.*
Ok, seriously, what's going on-
I think you're our Contrarian.
What-
*Their brain stumbles over the information.*
You- wait, "our-" does that mean- do you know where the rest of the flock is?-
Of course I do.
*cold is just watching connie, grinning as wide as he can.*
*Their flock.*
*They're going home.*
*They're actually going home.*
*Their composure snaps in two, and they cling onto Cold- their flocks' Cold- and sob.*
Oh.
*He just stands awkwardly in the hug.*
*Their sobbing soon slows to a few hiccupped tears, and they reluctantly pull away.*
Sorry about that, I just- I can't believe- you actually found me-
Hm. I suppose I did.
*For a moment, he's silent. Then he turns and walks away as if he didn't just give Connie world shaking news.*
Wait where are you going-
Somewhere else.
*oh no you don't!*
*cold flaps his wings, kicking up gusts of air that send napkins and sandwich wrappers flying. and himself, of course, though he doesn't go very far. just enough to tackle the other cold and stop him from leaving.*
*He doesn't bother to resist getting tackled, simply letting himself crash into the floor.*
And what was that for?
Where is the rest of your flock?
Another town. It isn't far.
Take us there.
Do I have to? I just got here. Besides, I flew here, and that one-
*One of his headwings gestures at Connie while the other continues to keep the lower half of his face mostly hidden.*
Clearly can't fly.
Oh-
*They visibly wilt. Their wings- the ones remaining, that is- pull in closer to their body.*
*he hoists himself to his feet, keeping a firm grip on the other cold's arm.*
I'll carry them. We're going. Now.
*It looks at him, head tilting slightly once more.*
Why do you care so much?
...
*his silence speaks for itself.*
*Two can play at that game- he silently stares right back at him.*
Um- ok, so I should probably mention that I kinda figured out that the Opportunist who works here is also part of my flock- I should probablyyy go get him for this-
*a nod.*
Go ahead. We'll be here.
Thank you-
*They run off.*
Hopefully that one can actually fly.
...
*he says nothing, but his grip on his other self tightens.*
Come on come on come on!
*Connie's voice echoes down the hall. A second later, they appear, dragging Poppy behind them. The point at their own flock's Cold, their grin back in full force.*
Look, I told you, it's him! And he can take us to the rest of the flock!
*Her eyes fall on Cold.*
Oh- wow, you were actually telling the truth-
*Despite that, her smile still looks like cardboard, and her ears (which are still, unfortunately, cat ears) are pressed back against her head.*
*he gives opportunist a curt nod, then looks back down at the other cold.*
Let's go, then.
*he hefts cold over his shoulder once more and makes his way for the exit.*
Yeah, let's go!
*They follow him, continuing to pull her along.*
*once outside, he finally lets go of cold, immediately scooping connie up bridal-style.*
Lead the way.
*It lands on its feet and briefly shakes out its feathers.*
If you insist.
*With a woosh of his wings, he takes flight.*
*Connie immediately relaxes in Cold's arms, snuggling into his feathers. Where they are right now is more than they ever could've dreamed of- they're finally reuniting with their flock, and they have a wonderful partner to do it with-*
*A partner that never once seemed to question if they'd leave him as soon as they were reunited.*
. . .
*oh.*
*he gives connie a quick nuzzle as he spreads his wings. a glance over his shoulder at opportunist —*
Come on.
*— and he takes off, following close behind his counterpart.*
*For a second, she hesitates.*
Yes, of course- I'm right behind you!
*And then she's off, trailing slightly behind the others.*