Hey Mercy—- Saw you wanted some prompts, so, if you’re open to Stickmin OC/West of Loathing requests, maybe something with Ann McGee and Madeline Campbell…? Ann has some doubts on her ability as the Protagonist, Doc Alice reassures her, (Nurse Whiskey can’t fix this, man,) then she gets news Madeline has been captured by a gang out to spite her, and goes off to rescue her?? This makes Ann see she *can* be a pretty good hero. Idk, just an idea I’ve had for a while, if you wanna give it a shot :)
Thank’s so much for the prompt! I absolutely loved this one- despite me posting this at.... 2:09 AM. Sorry for any spelling mistakes or any errors in general- Also thank you to everyone in the discord for helping out ^^ EDIT: Now on AO3! “ … Ay, Doc… ? ‘s Nurse Whiskey still takin’ house calls, or what… ? “
Alice’s hand by her flask rose up, as if the heat from the broiling sun manifested into the metal. Now, that swig was much less tempting, and a sigh tumbled out instead. “ Kid, Nurse Whiskey ain’t the one that you should be calling for. What brought this up all of a sudden? “ It was looking to be another ride out in the West, rummaging around in old homes, beating up cows ( as strange as that was. Turns out the West has lots of them. All on fire. ) when Ann stopped at some old burned down house, waltzed right in, and sat themselves down at the table. Alice was just about to go over, ask why in the dickins they were sitting down at some ash covered table when the question arose.
She walked around to stare at Ann, setting her own hand down on the table. “ I know yah been mopey in the past couple o days, but Nurse Whisk ain’t fixin that. “ Alice took her hand off of the table, turning to walk over to one of the shelves, picking through the spoils, looking for something still intact. “ Just cause I use em lots, don’t mean you gotta start too. “
Ann dropped her head onto the table, letting out a groan. Alice only glanced over, staring for a few seconds, before turning back away, now to start looking through the bookshelves. All the books were burnt to ashes, so with a huff, they straightened up. “ Listen, kid. If yah think booze is gon fix things, it don’t. It don’t fix anythin. It does jack shit for everythin. Cept maybe dumpin it onto wounds. “
Ann raised her head, face slightly dirty from the soot stuck to the table, blinking at Alice. “ … so why you keep callin ‘er over? If they don’t help, can’t yah… lay them off? “
Alice kicked over a charred book, stepping back over to Ann, picking up the hat that fell off earlier, setting it on her head once more. “ It ain’t that easy kid. That’s why you ain’t gon see her. “ They turned around, now kicking over some back rectangle that resembled a rug. “ You be running about, protagonizin’ all round the West, you don’t need no drink holding you back from that. “ Kneeling down, they brushed away a new part of the floor, this time very suspiciously unburned from the rest of the home. The door rattled, a noise muffled by the door. “ I got stuck down that hole, and I’m still clamoring outta it. “ They pointed at Ann, sternly. “ You ain’t fallin down that pit. I ain’t lettin yah. “
A huff from Ann was all that came out before the smile returned as they rose back up from the table. “ Heh… thanks doc. I’ll keep that in mind. “ And as they brushed themselves off, the noises started to get louder. Ann smirked at that, and as Alice moved to stand behind them, a shot rang out from a twirled pistol, and as the lock was shot off, the door knocked open, and another demon cow burst from the floor. “ Alrighty, let’s get yah below the dirt again- “ Fists raised, the tune started up, and the battle began.
The ride back to Dirtwater wasn’t terribly long, the familiar bar and long line of shops greeting the pair as they trotted into town. Other’s also waved over the protagonist as they stop, and as the two finally came to a stop, Alice could barely get one leg off the spooky horse when Ann slipped off, and started their usual mad dash for the small book shop situated just before one of the other stalls. Alice shrugged, letting out a laugh. Always the same song and dance. And as always, poor Raisin was left to trot around. Least Alice knows how to loop the ropes round the post. But as they turned to follow Ann, a surprise awaited them. Ann was standing in front of the book shop, hands lingering to a piece of paper tapped up onto the door. As Alice started forward, Ann turned towards them, and stormed forward. Alice was just about to reach for her own gun, but Ann passed by them. The ropes were tossed back over, and the sand was kicked back up as Ann rode off, leaving Alice behind. The page was dropped as well, and Alice bent down to pick it up. It was a wanted poster of some gang… Tipsy Troop. And as Alice suddenly clicked the pieces together… hands reached for the flask once more. “ … they in for a trip, ain’t they? “
The inside of the dingy house wasn’t too grand, not at all. But apparently to the gang, anywhere with booze was grand enough for a dozen drinks, draining out the bar that was apparently stocked up. And as the trio was drinking onto the next week, Madeline was stuck in the one non-barstool chair, in the back of the room. The sudden bursting into her shop, not even letting her lock the doors up was quite rude, and the ropes keeping her stuck there was even ruder.
“ .... So when yah thinkin that…. *hic* protag showin up? “
“ Aint got no clue. Who knows, they may… ain’t comin at all! “
“ How does that work out…. “ The last one took another swig from their bottle. “ They follow every lead.. There’s loot. Least we got the little lady this time. “
“ Hey! I’m not a little lady! So if you would kindly not- “
“ Or whaaat? “ The first man got up, twirling a small circle in the air with his hand as they stumbled up. “ Ye can’t do a thing- So hush… “ A short wave to the others. “ I’m just gon walk outside- need a tik to- “
The sudden burst of the door getting kicked off its hinges might have stunned everyone in the room, cept for the guy who just stood up, who could only let out a stunned sputter of words before getting his lights knocked out, falling to the floor with a thud as a fist hit them solidly in the nose. One of the others yelled out “ WHISKEY! “ before the two others ran forward as well…. Right into Ann’s fists once again. Fury painted her face, but as the eyes lingered over to the back of the house...
“ Sugarcube! “
As if they were running over to greet them back in town, the steps ran across the floor, and two calloused hands cupped Madeline’s cheeks. “ Oh you’re alright, I’m glad… Did they hurt yah? “
“ No, don’t worry dear, I’m quite alright “
Ann was fiddling with the rope, quickly untying it, and helping Madeline up carefully, holding their hand. And as soon as they stepped up, two arms went to sweep up, and Madeline let out a short sputter. “ Wh- Ann, dear I can walk perfectly fine! “ Although she said that, the smile and light blush was evident.
“ Aw come on, least let me do this for yah, after all this. “
That earned a chuckle from Madeline, wrapping her arms around Ann. “ Oh, my lill hero, here to save the day once more. “
Ann paused at that, growing a bit pink, but eventually letting a warmer smile sprout up.
“ … yep. Your lill hero. “