as promised here is the halloween line for the new toons! Gourdy will be excluded on account of him being a child, and while it may be a few days before the endings do come out- as i am waiting on the wiki to update- i am going to go ahead and get the opener out of the way! woo!
notes: gn toon reader, pre game, short and sweet opener to get things rolling, this time around there will be no voting- we are going in order of rarity, mostly for time reasons as the admin wishes to get these out before the event ends, potential ooc due to the freshness of the event and the wiki still updating- endings will start to properly roll out in a few days. im actually going to be pissed if an interaction reveals eclipse knows she can eat chocolate/lh
word count: 3.3k
cws: none
You don't know how they did it, but they managed to make the entire lobby smell strongly of hay and candy corn- a combination that you didn't mind at first, but grew tired of as the weeks leading up to Halloween dragged on. To make the air smell both dry and sugary sweet… it should have been considered a crime, made worse as the air inside the lobby grew drier as the world above became colder with the changing seasons; the breeze from the tunnel chilling everything it came into contact with. The heaters could only do so much, and sometimes (a lot of the time) the human staff were near authoritarian with how a toon dressed. Because how dare someone in a small body not built to radiate and maintain heat slip on a sweater- at least that was the current bitter thought that hung in your mind as you leaned against the railing of the elevator as it crawled back up to the accursed lobby.
A party to celebrate Halloween, mostly orchestrated by Dandy himself- but once the holiday's poster child caught wind of the news, he jumped right into setting decorations. As best as the small pumpkin could at least- Connie was kind enough to skip her typical lethargy to lend a hand where his fell short. Literally and metaphorically- the tree had never looked spookier as it was wrapped in fake spider web and draped with plastic skeletons… which were quickly removed due to how morbid the sight looked, strung up by their necks and all.
Alas that was where Connie's kindness for the day stopped- it wasn't unheard of for the ghost to snoop around and pop up into sight when it was least expected. But with spooky season creeping closer she had become… more persistent- at least that's what you thought, but to everyone else she was still at her normal frequency.
It seemed, for one reason or another the toon had made you her target. It got worse when her brother began to patrol the halls of Gardenview. But she was smart enough to vanish from sight before you could get Soulvester to reel his sister back in.
The entire thing was weird, and you felt totally justified in feeling on edge as you rode the elevator down while clutching a orange bat print plate absolutely filled to the brim with cookies that still radiated warmth and gently reeked of cinnamon and chocolate- butterscotch intertwining as a compliment to the richness of it. The only shame was that you had no pecans to add to the mix but hopefully, no one would mind.
If not, you weren't the only one who had baked something for the party- even if you were the last to arrive… you'd've felt awful for leaving the mess in the kitchen for Tisha to find and tidy.
Not to mention the quick run to your bedroom to slip on one of the few sweaters you actually had in your possession- Gardenview was closed and just about all of the human staff had already clocked out for the night. Though now that you thought about it, did you ever see any staff around once the place closed for the night?
…Weird.
Maybe the main's handler's were around, but even then you've never seen them after closing either.
…Really weird.
But whatever- you could dwell on it once you've balanced your plate of cookies over to the assorted snack table… a task that would prove harder than you once thought as you stepped into the lively and crowded lobby as just about nearly toon in the building- save for the other holiday toons of course- mingled with one another and drifted about doing their own thing.
Or running- a tiny toon nearly slammed into your calf the second you stepped out into the main area of the lobby, before they skidded to a halt. A second small pair of feet slowed to a stop right by you.
"-Sorry! M'sorry!" One of the voices- Gourdy- piped up as he dug his soft green foot into the floor below. No doubt embarrassed as his face tilted down away from you, Toodles squirming on the spot as Pebble- who was standing a few feet away- waited patiently for them to return to their game of chase. "I didn't see you there-" Gourdy added softly.
"I didn't see either-" Toodles piped up.
"You're both fine- just be more careful next time, okay?" The plate of cookies is shifted around in your hands, none had slipped off the plate thankfully. "I don't think I've ever seen everyone in the same place at once like this… definitely more than a little packed, and I'd hate for one of you to get stepped on-"
Alas your warnings seemed to fall on deaf ears as both of the children lock onto the plate of warm cookies in your possession.
They'd both be hopped out on sugar by the end of the night. That much was inevitable, and while Rodger was around to maintain Toodles, you… weren't sure who was going to ensure Gourdy got to bed at a reasonable time.
Regardless, you couldn't quite bring yourself to deny them. "Just one- at least until I can get this set down at the table," The second you lowered yourself for them they made a grab for the treats.
"I can take it to the table!" Gourdy offered as his clawed hand hooked around a soft cookie.
One. Two.
…A third cookie suddenly drifted into the air.
"…Connie." You mumbled softly- although you weren't expecting her to reveal herself.
She did, with a snicker.
"I'm just making sure things get to the table without any issue, can't a girl be helpful?"
Right. One cookie at a time.
It was the little things like that that got under your skin. You'd almost prefer for her to be outright malicious but Connie, at least with how she behaved around you, wasn't that kind of toon.
You actually half expected her to reach for another cookie to commit to the bit. Connie didn't, instead drifting over slowly to where her brother had sat himself stationed at the snack table- sword gripped in his hand in an almost protective stance. A knight has to have something to protect, you supposed.
Gourdy cleared his little throat, turning your attention back to his offer.
"It's fine- why don't you and Toodles go on and keep playing? I'm sure the both of you are dying to get back to your game… and it looked like Pebble is too," A sideways glance to the stone who was still wagging his rocky tail eagerly, poised up on the tips of his feet and ready to bolt at any sudden movement.
They didn't need to be told twice- running towards the dog, cookies still in hand, to resume their game. One could only hope the worst thing they'd experience tonight was dropping their cookies on the carpet and potentially staining it with the still gooey baking chips.
On your heel you spun back to the snack table- near the entrance of the lobby's hall; a sea of toons between your current location and your destination.
The journey only lasted for another minute or two before you're faced with another obstacle- another toon. Ribecca- not to make it sound like you disliked her. In fact you quite enjoyed her pointers in fashion on the rare chance you got to see her during the year.
It really was kind of messed up that the holiday toons became reclusive once their time was up… it made one start to wonder just how much free will everyone was given… but why think of that now when you're surrounded by friends who will be gone by the end of the season- before that, actually. You don't recall sitting next to Gourdy during Thanksgiving.
…Maybe that was for the best when there was pumpkin pie on the table.
You nearly offered her a cookie on the spot, it'd feel awkward if you walked by without doing so… until you remembered that she was just bones. Ribecca, to your knowledge, has never eaten anything and does not possess the ability to do so.
Instead your hand flicked up, halfway raised and stilled in the air in perhaps the most awkward gesture to ever be communicated in the history of anything ever. Even worse, your fingers were already preemptively curled to point to the cookies in your grasp.
"Ah- wait-" An awkward huffed laugh as you forced your hand to clumsily support the side of the platter once more. "I… might have forgotten for a second-"
Ribecca took it in stride, offering a faint shrug. "Don't worry about it, things happen," Her bones clicked gently into the air as she shifted her weight between her feet. "Honestly it's probably better this way, I've seen how messy those little chips can be."
She had a point.
Melted chocolate chips always seemed to have a knack for finding themselves smeared around just about anything they've been around- you swear there'd still be some smeared along your lips even after aggressively trying to scrub your lips clean.
Horrid little things. Yet they were delicious and a favorite, a simple burden.
"But your baking always smells so good- hate to have to pass it,"
"You've got a point though!" Your feet shimmied around on the carpet under them, tugging small bumped onto the material- you always hated when that happened. More awkward shifting. Even more to keep the cookies from slipping and sliding all over the place. "I mean, I really like this sweater but I'm pretty sure I'm going to find some butterscotch on it the moment I drop this off at the snack table-"
Connie had already left the space, leaving Soulvester alone to guard it.
"-you think I'm gonna have to sneak these past Soulvester? He looks… attentive…"
He stood as straight as a pin, sword clenched tightly in his gloved hands.
"He's mostly making sure Yatta doesn't destroy the entire thing before anyone else gets a chance to take anything. Heard she's already visited the table three times in the past ten minutes."
…She was exaggerating, right?
…She wasn't…
"Ah.."
"By the way," Ribecca turned her eyes back to you.
They looked nice. Her eye shadow was always perfect, and the dripping makeup always looked neat to you… but it felt… odd… seeing a skeleton with normal eyeballs- was that a rude thing to think? Definitely a rude thing to say.
"Is that a new sweater?" Her bony finger pointed to the front- and you move the cookies out of the way just enough to show her. A nod.
"Yeah!" All too excited, but- "Shelly actually made it, she figured it'd be nice to get into knitting alongside sewing- honestly? This might just be one of the coziest sweaters I've had in a long time!"
Not that you had many to begin with.
"I might just have to hunt her down and ask her if she's willing to throw something together with me… you look nice in that." Ribecca took a step back and got a good look at you. A really good look- you couldn't help but squirm under her stare as her lidded eyes (which were now just slightly squinted) raked across your entire figure.
Really the entire thing felt oddly intimate for just a moment of observation. Ribecca's jaw clicked against her skull, snapping you back to the moment.
"Well… If I find her first I'll let her know you want to see her," The plate of cookies is jostled lightly. "I'll keep you updated, but.."
Her eyes joined yours on the cookies.
"I won't keep you waiting-"
"I just don't want to get it all messy, you know,"
She knew. And she was kind enough to let you go without more attempts at conversation- one obstacle pushed through, only countless more to go.
The giggles of Gourdy and Toodles drifted through the spooky music that filled the lobby, only overshadowed by Pebble's eager bark snapping right through it with ease- like a hot knife through butter. For something so tiny, he sure knew how to make some noise and draw attention to himself.
Funnily enough another canine capable of drawing attention to herself… failed to make you aware of her presence as you nearly tripped on her tail- in an instant Eclipse snatched her tail up into the air, tucked carefully behind her back.
"I am so sorry- I didn't realize you were right behind me!" Her surprise nearly came out like a half-bark. Snout lightly creased as her paws flung to the outer edge of the platter to keep the entire thing from toppling out of your hands. She smelled vaguely of… pine. Pine and dirt. Like a dog- but not in the bad way. Eclipse smelled nice actually. At least you thinks that what a dog would smell like; the real ones, the ones with fur and stuff.
"No- no no it's fine, I should have been paying more attention… so many toons here.." You mumbled as the cookies slid and settled against one another. Crisis averted. "..Do you want one?"
Eclipse stared hard at the cookies for a moment, before her ear twitched. "It's got chocolate, I don't think I can have that-"
Right.
Wolf.
"Ah-" You suck the inside of your cheek- "I knew I should have made peanut butter cookies too- feels like every goodie nowadays has some chocolate in it,"
You were only partially joking- but now that you thought about it… how many times did you see chocolate left around from the visitors who apparently didn't know what a trash can was? Definitely a lot more often than the other candies in Gardenview. Granted the chocolate offered was far from the best… you swear it had a weird pukey aftertaste but no one seemed to believe you.
Eclipse perked up- "You'd do that?"
"I wouldn't mind, I mean… I've been trying to get more into baking, been practicing since last Christmas- actually…"
Didn't you bring cookies for the last party Dandy decided to host or were you misremembering? No, wait, it had to be you bringing down one of the batches Cosmo made- that had to be it? No wait-
"I'd love to be your taste tester then! Yatta was actually just telling me about your baking, she's got me all excited too," Eclipse grinned and bared her sharp teeth at you. Sharp and white and big and-
Why exactly did they think it was a good idea to give an over excitable wolf toon big teeth? Not that you found Eclipse herself intimidating… most of the time… but you never really took the time to notice how prominent her canines were.
"Maybe I can see if Dyle can get his hands on carob, I hear that's a good chocolate replacement for dogs," You purse your lips. "…though I'm not entirely sure if carob chips are a thing… guess we'll find out if I can get a minute with him!"
"Oh you're the best!" Eclipse's tail pulled itself away from the back of her leg, and wagged gently in the air. "I could lend a hand too! I've been wanting to get into baking too… but…" Her fingers ran through her fur. "I shed,"
Eclipse actually shed a lot.
You found a few stray blue hairs already clinging onto your knitted sweater by the time the scent of the still fresh treats at the snack table hit your nose. If anything it was a little impressive how the fluff seemed to get everywhere… and now sparing the cookies.
"Halt!"
Soulvester's helmet swiveled towards you- sharply and just as attentive as ever. He stood alone now with his sword still clutched in his gloved hands. Sure enough a dent had already been made in the collection of snacks on the table.
Noticeably, Soulvester relaxed when he realized it was just you- his heavy steps sounded firm against the floor as he stepped to the side to give you more than enough room for you to try to squeeze the cookie platter onto the table.
"I take it Yatta's already made a dent in your hoard?" You teased softly, giving him a lopsided smile… was that… the right term? Word? Hoard? Treasury? Bounty? No bounty definitely wasn't right-
Soulvester's visor fell with a sharp click half a second after you smiled at him.
"Did you just grease that up?"
Soulvester's hand tightened its grip on his sword. "As a knight I must maintain the state of my armor," For a suit of armor that was actually just a ghost puppeteering it- an entity notorious for not having muscle or bone- you could just about feel the tenseness in his jaw as he remained rooted firmly to the spot on the carpet.
…But he was a toon first and a ghost second- and a knight third. So actually-
He made zero move to lift his visor up, and while the temptation to reach forward and push it up was there… you kept your hands to yourself.
Again like habit, you nearly offered Soulvester a cookie- honestly even if the rejections were valid (not that you'd forcefully shove a baked good down someone's throat if they weren't) you had to admit, it stung a little.
You knew he could eat, but if he would was an entirely different question. At least you assumed he could eat, Connie could. You think.
…Now that you think about it, did you actually see Connie bite into the cookie she had taken?
"I will refuel myself once everyone has received their share,"
You didn't need to see his eyes to know he was looking at the cookies too- he had followed your gaze, helmet visibly tilted downwards to stare at your platter.
"It's just a party," You wanted to say, but you remained tight lipped as your hands find themselves at your sides.
His service was incredibly important to him, you knew that. You knew that well, actually. Really trying to convince him to back down and just let his guard down for tonight was going to be a losing battle, and as much as you enjoyed his company, you did want to make the most of tonight before the energy started to simmer back down.
So instead, you wave Soulvester goodbye and mumble a quiet praise for his hard work on protecting the goods for tonight as you made your way to the rapidly growing congregation around Dandy- who was holding a giant sack. Burlap and filled with God knows what, lumpy.
"About time you showed up Dewdrop!"
"What's going on?" You mumbled softly to the toon next to you- Vee.
"He wants us to play seven minutes in Heaven." She sounded totally and completely uninterested as she fiddled with the mic, fingers looped around the cord as she wiped away faint smudges on the handle.
"Of course you don't haaaaaaaave to play, but we all figured you should go first- since you were the last to show up tonight," He winked. "Last one there rules, sorry I don't make them up."
…Yes he did??
What choice did you have?
…Okay well you had the choice to back out and just sit out the game- a few of the other toons were already sitting around doing their own thing so at least you wouldn't be the only one not playing- but…
You chew the inside of your cheek.
You did say you wanted to have some fun tonight, didn't you?
Dandy present the opening of the sack to you- dark, you can't see anything inside… and slowly you reach your hand forward and a second later wrap your fingers around something, and pull out…
Realized i haven't done a bitch of catch up with the Halloween toons, unsure when the rest of the last group prompts will be done but I'm writing this one while waiting for my phone to charge so I can write larger stuff
Notes: gn toon reader, can be seen as pre or post closure, short and sweet, written on mobile, no gourdy
CWs: none
RIBECCA
Her? Pretty? She doesn't hate the term but it's not something she would aim for herself... she prefers things like... cool, haunting, maybe gorgeous if you're feeling real bold. Pretty almost sounded cutesy
...not that she's going to reject your words. Quite the contrary, she's going to bounce them around in her skull for a while even if she's not outwardly showing it. The most you'll get is a huffed laugh, "You don't look so bad yourself," if you're lucky
She doesn't tend to do compliments short and sweet like you just did, there's more thought. More picked apart. Not to mean you were shallow of course
SOULVESTER
Similar to his fellow holiday toon he might not instantly jump to describing himself as... pretty... tough and handsome and maybe even rugged if he's just finished a particularly rough quest- like carrying around some heavy baking equipment for Cosmo!
...but the visor says it all as it slams shut over his eyes a few seconds after his mind processes- for someone who insists his mind is as sharp as his sword, you've taken him off guard!
Also similarly to his fellow holiday toon, he's not going to give you a short and cute compliment back. No, he's far more intricate. He's almost dramatic and poetic, you might have to find a way to get him to hush
ECLIPSE
Her? Her?!? You think she's a pretty girl? Gosh... she doesn't know how to contain herself! Ohohoh what part do you think is pretty? Fur? Eyes? Markings? Everything?
It's not that she's vain, she's far from it actually- but it's just like calling man's best friend a good boy. Besides, who doesn't like being called pretty by someone who means a lot to them? So really, her excitement is justified- don't you think?
Though get ready for her to try to return the compliment... YOURE pretty too, you know!
Her tail is wagging SO fast too and she's going to be grinning the rest of the day!
Filler post to give you guys something to gnaw on between now and whenever I reopen requests-- still trying to like. Slow down and let myself learn to love taking them again, I think I burnt out BAD. Anyhoo depending on how well this goes maybe I'll make a version for Easter and christmas!!
Notes: gn toon reader, you're added to the Halloween cast! Nice!, platonic leaning but can be seen as romantic, gourdys part is STRICTLY platonic, pre game and post Connie leaving the group, written on mobile, readers theme isn't stated just that they're spooky
CWs: none
RIBECCA
She's still a little burnt from Connie leaving, and while you're not the ghosts replacement she's not ready to see a new face... even if she's already grown used to Eclipse being around
She's not cold or hostile but it does take her a while to seek you out for a chat. If you go to her the conversation is short and to the point- banter and bonding only coming weeks later. She knows you didn't do anything wrong but sometimes hurt can come out wrong
It's rocky at the start but once things are really set into motion she wouldn't mind sitting down with you to watch a movie or let you chatter on while she works on a new sewing project
SOULVESTER
Halt! Who goes there! ...oh, it's the new Halloween toon..! Please do excuse him, it's his job as a knight to be on guard and to ensure a new face isn't a threat. Once everything is cleared up he's seathing his sword. It's a little awkward the next few times you guys meet- he DID aim his sword at you- but he does make it clear that youre now his responsibility to protect
He doesn't strike me as the type to be shy, he's got nothing to be afraid of when it comes to you barring his original skeptism. He's going to be persistent and available. Need a hand? Want him to fetch you something? Whatever quest you have he'll make sure you're not disappointed
He won't instantly be buddy buddy with you but he doesn't hate you. Give him time and he'll never be far. It's like befriending a cat
ECLIPSE
Now THATS a toon who will make sure you feel welcome and wanted right off the bat! You might just have to throw a stick to get her attention off of you to make a break for it! Kidding... mostly...
She can be a bit much but she's just excited to see a new toon- a toon she's going to see year round at that! A new friend, buddy and pal! A new potential best friend! You wanna go run around? Go howl at the moon? You wanna watch her catch her tail? She SWEARS she'll get it this time!
Always a call away, and even then you don't even have to say anything. Odds are she's nearby and rushing over the second she sees that you need a hand... paw...
She remembers when she was new! It takes a while to adjust, and she's going to make sure you don't have to do it alone!
GOURDY
Just like eclipse, he wastes no time in trying to befriend you. There... aren't many people for a kid like him to talk to- bonus points if you're around his age! Either way he's going to buzz around you for the first few weeks. Never truly intrusive, still polite and out of the way but god he wants to ask you what your favorite tricks are
And if you love tricks too? It's gonna spark the occasional back and forth where small pranks and jokes take place. Never anything harsh or mean, merely aimed to lightly startle and confuse! But if you prefer treats he doesn't mind sharing his candy!
Sitting down with him at the table as he rattles on and on about his favorite things- his parents, the holiday, his best friend toodles and so on! You're a fresh set of ears so you're gonna hear all sorts of stories!!
Ball of Thread (Halloween ending 1) (Ribecca x Reader)
ending 1 of the mini halloween series! first of all i want to apologize for taking so long to get to these- i was waiting for the wiki update and while its not fully updated, i think i have enough to make an ending. hopefully nothing is too ooc, but of course you never know
notes: gn toon reader, pre cancellation, halloween time, no poll as im going by rarity, potentially shorter than other endings idk we will see, awkward crushing, ribecca does NOT like brusha (admins dislike for the brush is lowkey seeping through), cringe lovesick reader is BACK in town!!
word count: 2.3k
cws: none
And with everyone's eyes on you, your hand is pressed into the burlap sack-
The moment your fingers broke past the opening, all sorts of trinkets brushed against your knuckles. Hard beads of bracelets and… was that a brick. That was a brick that scraped against your finger… maybe it was a good thing you pushed your hand in slow, you weren't all that interested to nurse a potential blister in the making over the aftermath of the holidays. So instead you opted for something softer- and you found that. Soft to the touch and round.
Could you be blamed for looking right at Scraps as the ball of purple and green yarn was tugged out into the open?
"…That's not mine…" The crafted cat muttered as her tail swished around behind her- not angry, just confused as the paper that made her ears twitched. It didn't belong to her but it didn't at all stop the tracking of her eyes as you pulled the ball closer- it could be Shelly's, she had knitted the sweater that currently wrapped around your frame… but the colors didn't seem like hers, so…
"That'd be mine." Ribecca stepped forward casually, hands pushed into the pockets of her sweater. She looked completely unbothered as everyone's eyes briefly settled on her before darting between the both of you. It wasn't really until then that the stares really processed and as much as you tried to fight it, you still shrank into the wool collar of the sweater.
"I didn't know you knitted, Ribecca!" Dandy clapped his palms together, the grin stretched across his face too cheery as he stood by the both of you as the skeleton toon closed the distance… you weren't… actually sure what to do with the yarn, so to her hands it went as you awkwardly flashed her a lopsided grin. "I take it you made that sweater yourself?"
She nodded. "I did, actually it was one of my first projects,"
"Well its a good thing you only put the thread in… I saw you working on something earlier with that little needle of yours- wouldn't want anyone getting an ouchie so early on in the night," Dandy snickered.
"Wouldn't dream of it." Ribecca's bones creaked as she shifted her weight between her feet- in all honesty she looked… bored. Not wanting to be there- but of course… if she really didn't, her item wouldn't have been put into the sack. You told yourself that, but you knew- she probably didn't know the game was going to happen when Dandy had asked her to put something in the bag.
But she could have backed out at any moment.
And she didn't.
Your hands grabbed onto the bottom of your sweater, fingers rubbing against the loops and stitches as Dandy's smile stretched wider at the skeleton toon. "Well, I'm sure I don't need to break down the rules of the game-" His stare focused on your face. "Do I?"
He didn't.
With a nod the two of you were sent off to the gift shop room- to find the typically locked storage room's door wide open. A cold draft rolled across the floor and nipped at your ankles. If you tensed, then Ribecca shivered as she retracted into the sleeves of her sweater.
Unlike when the room was decorated for Easter and Christmas, there wasn't really anywhere to sit. No stools, no benches. Either the crates, and before you could think of some solution Ribecca was already propping herself up against the wall, shoulder pushing the door closed.
"I take it Dandy wants us to go in there… and I don't know about you, but I want to stay at least a little warm," Her tone was bored, even if the back of her… well you suppose she didn't have a throat, being bones and all- even if the trail of her voice quivered to fight back the shivering rattle of her frame. "Hope you don't mind,"
You join her by the wall, even through the wool a chill ran up your spine. You could only imagine what it was like for Ribecca. "Nah… this is fine anyway, I don't think I'm dressed for that kind of cold anyway… I kind of wish the game was in Dandy's shop honestly- what with the tunnel right there," You jerk your head to the vacant train tunnel. It was always a nightmare being around it during this time of year- there wasn't… really a way to block the draft from coming in, not without shutting down the tunnel and cutting off the flow of supplies. Dyle wouldn't allow it to happen either way. Not to think ill of him, but he didn't seem the type to stop his routine for anyone, especially if they were just a little cold-
"You said Shelly made you that sweater?"
You're pulled back to the moment, and nodded- sucking in the meat of your cheek. "She did- I think she consulted Brusha for opinions on.. what?"
Ribecca had scoffed.
"Nothing, it's just Brusha," The skeleton crossed her arms over her chest, foot resting against the the wall behind her. "She just gets on my nerves is all,"
It looked like she did more than just get on Ribecca's nerves judging by the grip on her sleeve. Your teeth roll against the inside of your cheek- sucking and pulling the flesh against the molars before releasing with a sort of squeak.
"I mean…" Okay so maybe the brush wasn't the kindest. "She's not the worst- she's not Shrimpo…"
"She thinks she's better than everyone else because she knows how to paint- newsflash, painting isn't that hard, I'm sure half the toons here in Gardenview can paint something decent if they just sit down." Her jaw rattled, teeth clicking against one another as the bones settled back into something halfway loosened. "…Sorry, you didn't sign up to hear me complain, she just…" A brief glare to the floor. "I wouldn't care if she only thought she was the best around, it's the fact she looks down on me- us, I hear the snide comments she makes."
You shifted against the wall, shoulder blades rolling against the cold surface.
"It's just the way she looks down her nose at the rest of us, you know? Gets under my skin, as much as I don't wanna admit it."
You didn't have the heart to tell her Brusha didn't have a nose. Or that Ribecca didn't have skin, either.
Actually… How did Ribecca's anatomy work exactly- she was all bone, as far as you knew… she had to have ichor somewhere, so-
"If it makes you feel any better I think you're a great artist- I don't really get Brusha's art… abstract isn't really my thing… but you-" Wool is bunched between your fingers once more. "I actually kind of really look up to you, like a lot- I think you're really cool,"
The glare that settled in Ribecca's eyes is doused in an instant. Her eyes were on you quicker than that.
"Yeah?"
"Yeah," Another roll of the wool. "I mean I don't know anything about clothing but I always love seeing you going around in new outfits- you always look so cool- I wouldn't mind having a sweater like yours actually… not that I don't like this one- I love it actually! Shelly did a great job-" Oh God stop talking please.
And once more, not to speak ill about a toon behind their back… Brusha often times left you feeling a little… unwell about yourself.
She didn't mean her comments like that, at least you liked to think she didn't.
Ribecca stared at you. For a long time. A really long time, just as she had when you were first arrived to the lobby not even half an hour ago now.
It wasn't intimate, and yet at the same time it was- you weren't sure how you were supposed to take it as her eyes raked you from head to toe. Intense and steady. Sharp but not judgemental like the stares Brusha would give you when you had the misfortune of being stuck in conversation with you.
"You know, if you want me to make you a sweater too I'm going to need your measurements," She pushed herself off of the wall and took a half step- then a full step around you, her eyes tracing the contours of your body. "I think I left my measuring tape back on the Halloween floor, we'd have to go down for it,"
And without a word her hand reached forward and settled on your shoulder, boney fingers sinking into soft yarn… and she pinched the stitch between her fingers- careful and mindful.
"I'm not much for knitting, sewing is mostly by thing-"
"I don't mind- I'd just be happy to spend the time with you actually- it feels like Halloween comes too fast… and not fast enough? I mean-" You suck the air in between your teeth and click your canines together. "It's kind of unfair that you- and the others too of course- are only around for about a month. I know… it can't be Halloween year round… but I miss you a lot.. and the others of course!"
Yeah that was a normal thing to say to someone you cared about a lot.
A really normal thing, actually.
"…Would it be weird to say I've thought about trying to break into the Halloween floors during the year to check in on you guys?"
Her fingers twitched against your shoulder. But they stayed.
And then she laughed- cut off and soft so long as you ignored the way the bones making her jaws clicked sharp against one another. You heard it too- the faint shake of her joints and the settling of her ribs as she composed herself into her usual casual demeanor- and for a moment you wanted nothing more than to burn those noises into your memory. For a toon solely comprised of bone she was so lively, even if her demeanor wasn't anywhere near as high energy as Gourdy's- or even Eclipse.
There was nothing more that you wanted than being able to keep her around year long, even if no matter how you worded those desires made you sound like some lovesick puppy waiting pitifully by the door- waiting.
"You're something else, you know that right?" Ribecca pat your shoulder before finally drawing her hand away and stuffing it away into her pocket- if you didn't know any better you'd have thought she pulled herself off of you a bit slow.
"I think I might have enough time to start putting something together before we gotta go for the year- it's not like we're instantly shipped away the moment it's November," Her hips shifted slightly- another creak of her bones.
You wondered, did they sound louder when she stretched? You knew your own joints popped when you were stuck in the same position for too long- you could sometimes feel the creak of your bones as you pushed them back into motion.
Maybe it was better for you to ask that another time, you'd already said more than your fair share of weirdness for the night- all in the span of seven minutes no less.
The seven minutes were up.
That much was clear when Dandy made his way into the room, he'd been there for a moment. The way his eyes burned into Ribecca's hand as she hid it away into her sweater. Hotter than anything you've ever seen- and for a moment, even if you thought it to be a little silly considering it was Dandy of all toons, he almost looked angry at the physical contact. The space where his nose would have been had be been human twitched for half a second before he cleared his throat.
"Not to disrupt you two love birds-"
Ribecca's bones rattled.
"-but time's up, and the people are getting antsy for their turn,"
Doubtful, it looked like just about everyone else looked indifferent about having to wait but you weren't about to call the flower out on it while the heat of his glare remained fresh in your mind.
"Come on, don't wanna keep them waiting," Ribecca jerked her head towards the door- and of course you followed close to her side while Dandy remained a pace behind the both of you- almost like a warden trailing behind their hold.
The walk wasn't quiet. About halfway down the hall Ribecca's sharp elbow nudged into your own. "I meant what I said about making you something. If I can't get it done before we're sent off to…" She paused. "retirement… I'll see if I can get it down to you by Christmas, might be able to catch Bobette on her way up to the lobby once it's her time,"
A nod from you. "Maybe I'll have her send something back to you,"
And she nodded back.
Another pause of silence.
"Do you… still want me to hunt down Shelly so you can ask her about the uh… knitting stuff?" You mumbled, once more your hands found themselves curled into the soft yarn of the sweater. Truly the fossil had outdone herself.
Ribecca's skull vibrated- actually vibrated- as she hummed. The sound rippling through the material… although now that you thought about it, it was probably very unlikely she was made out of bone matter. Hopefully. Maybe. Honestly you really didn't like thinking about toon anatomy- it was weird at best and made your head hurt at worst.
"Maybe we can rope her into joining us tomorrow if you don't mind a third wheel… for now I think I want to catch up with you." You nearly tripped over your own feet. "If you don't have anything planned for the night,"
"I don't mind- honestly I was already planning on lingering around the snack table before Yatta clears it."
"We can still linger,"
And you did, even if you had to stand on the opposite side of it as Soulvester to keep your conversation private from the knight as he returned to his post- noticeably without his sword this time. Weird, but neither of you made an effort to ask him about it as you chatted away as the game continued on.
