Ralph and Cassie also having a bond is so bittersweet because like-
Ralph was a dad. He had a daughter; one that just happened to be around Cassie's age the last time he saw her, so he would no doubt see his own little girl within the child.
Cassie was a daughter. She had a dad; one that went missing, and given what happened between Ralph and his daughter, I have no doubt in mind that Cassie would compare the two constantly.
Their relationship is something so beautiful out of something so broken 💔
"Your dad called into work again?"
Ralph was one of the first replicants Cassie became familiar with, before everything went wrong. He had a tendency to check in when her dad was working, and she came along because he didn't want to just leave her home. He's always been very kind- and he does remind her a lot of her own dad. Just more outwardly expressive /silly
Here's a small bit of writing under the cut as well:
She glanced upwards at the voice, staring maybe a little too closely for a moment.
Her eyes immediately focused on the seams trailing from the corners of his mouth. Just like Mister Afton, who was always in the lobby or Rockstar Row. Another replicant, dad said that was what they were called anyways. She couldn't quite help the frown that the thought gave her. He'd been a little... cagey about them, told her to just mind herself when she was near any. Always a little bitter when the topic came up, though she didn't know why.
"Uhm."
She tapped the back of her console before forcing her eyes up to meet the lenses of his glasses, and the smile on his face looked a little nervous after the extended quiet.
"Yeah. He said it would just be a few minutes but it's... been an hour I think. He probably just got caught up again."
Cassie shrugs her shoulders, and turns to look back down at her game. The man beside her hums, and she thinks it almost sounds kind of disappointed. She bites the inside of her cheek. It was a tone she was getting uncomfortably familiar with when she talked to people about her dad, but she never really knew what to say about it. He stood there for a few moments longer before she could hear steps fading away. Guess he must have better things to do.
She turns her attention back on her game. Villager hunting, she really wanted a new wolf to put on her island but she kept getting frogs and lions. She would even take a bird at this point, but-
Something is set in front of her and she startles, glancing up to look at the can of Roxy Cola. Ralph, that's what the name tag said at least, pulled his hand away and smiled at her. He looked nervous again, something that became even more evident as he started picking at the bandages around his hands when he spoke.
"I remember hearing your dad talk about how it's your favorite. He talks about you a lot- uh, not that I try to... eavesdrop or anything. Y'know. Just try to keep up to date, heh. Sorry if it's a little weird, I don't... get out much here."
She blinks at him, before gently setting her Switch down on the table and reaching forward to grab the can. Still cold. He must have just gotten it from a vending machine- does he get to use them for free because he's an animatronic? Did he have to use money? She kind of wanted to ask now, but instead what comes out is-
"He does?"
Ralph nods his head.
"Yeah- uh. At least that I over hear, we don't... talk much one on one. But I get it. If I could I'd probably talk on endlessly about my daughter, but I can't."
His brows furrow, before he's shaking his head.
"Hope your dad comes soon. I know our employee areas are much less exciting."
Cassie sighs, glaring to her side at the gray walls only broken up by a giant mural of Helpy. She doesn't even get it. He's not even a physical mascot, but they had that thing everywhere.
"Yeah. You'd think they'd at least put up a few more posters."
Ralph laughs, and she can feel the corners of her lips twitch into a smile as she cracked open the can of cola.
