"Another First Meeting" (The Alan Association x The DJ Association)
Summary: Snow finally meets one of the DJ variants!
Tag/s: Hurt/Comfort
Snow: Creator Stickman Alan
Noogai: Artificial Intelligence Alan
Ascent: Ascension to Godhood Alan
DJ (No Nickname): Ascension to Godhood DJ
Somehow, today feels no different for Snow. None of the other Alans are in the house, which—yes—is completely normal. They all lead busy lives. Oji has his kids to take care of. Vee is buried under a mountain of schoolwork. Kit… well, he’s most likely bonding with his family too. As for Feather, Snow’s not entirely sure, and when it comes to Ascent, he’s never even met the guy.
Vee had mentioned once that Ascent tends to come by at night, so Snow isn’t exactly surprised that their paths haven’t crossed yet. From what he’s heard, Ascent isn’t the type to linger in the household anyway. And as of now, Snow has no business with him yet.
“Oh?” Snow mutters aloud, his attention snagged as he spots Noogai in the living room. The shorter hollowhead is carefully watering a sunflower sitting in a pot on the coffee table. Snow winces when his gaze shifts to the mess of books scattered nearby, an all-too-familiar mixture of his and Vee’s belongings.
Noogai glances over his shoulder at the intrusion. “Snow,” he greets with a nod, his tone as neutral as ever. Snow awkwardly waves a hand in return.
“Noogai, it’s been a while,” Snow says, rubbing the back of his neck as he steps closer.
Noogai finishes watering the sunflower and straightens up. “Indeed, it has. In fact,” he adds, gesturing at the drooping plant, “it seems I’m the only one who comes by here every few days to water the plants.”
Snow sighs, leaning over to inspect the sunflower. “I really should thank you for looking after the plants. I’ve put so many around the house, but you’re the one actually caring for them.” He frowns, scratching his head, and looks up at Noogai, who merely waves a hand dismissively.
“It’s quite alright,” Noogai replies, his tone calm. Snow bites the inside of his cheek, embarrassed by the admission.
“Thanks,” Snow says softly, forcing a shaky smile. He hopes it doesn’t come across as awkward, though it probably does. It’s been a while since he’s given anyone a genuine smile. Still, he really does appreciate the little things Noogai does for them, even if he rarely says it out loud.
“I’m not sure how I can pay you back,” Snow admits, leaning back with a faint frown. Noogai crosses his arms, giving him a look that could only be described as a mix of mild offense and parental disappointment.
“A-ah… sorry,” Snow stammers, shrinking under the silent scrutiny. Noogai tilts his head slightly, as if waiting for an explanation.
“I didn’t even say anything,” Noogai points out, his tone dry.
“Somehow I felt everything you wanted to say telepathically,” Snow mutters under his breath. He flashes another forced smile, but Noogai only stares—albeit intensely than usual, as if silently demanding he speak up louder.
Though, knowing Noogai, he probably did hear him.
“Is there… anything new here today?” Snow asks, desperate to change the subject as he looks around the room.
His gaze catches on a small pile of clutter near the side of the room. Then, something else draws his attention. A fireplace—small and unobtrusive—rests near the closet room. Snow blinks in surprise. “We have a fireplace now?” he asks, incredulous.
Noogai steps up beside him, following his gaze. “I believe it was Feathers who requested it,” he says, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
“But… the temperature here is already nice,” Snow points out, still baffled.
Noogai doesn’t respond right away, letting the silence hang. Snow takes the opportunity to glance around the living room again. He notices more subtle changes—small additions and adjustments that he hadn’t noticed before. Somehow, the room feels different, like it’s evolved without him realizing it.
For a moment, Snow feels out of place, almost like a stranger in what he thought was a familiar space. He’s sure he’s the one who comes here the most, but now he’s starting to wonder. When did everything change so quickly?
“Time works differently on each side of our universes,” Noogai responded, seeming to hear Snow’s unspoken question. His tone was calm but carried the weight of someone who had explained this too many times before.
“Still, it’s strange,” Snow said, frowning as he tried to piece it together. “Yesterday, I was here, but I didn’t see any of... this.” He gestured vaguely around them, his confusion evident.
Noogai simply shrugged, as if to dismiss the question entirely. It was the kind of shrug that said, Why bother asking? After all, this house was full of different versions of himself. Did logic really hold any weight here? Snow couldn’t help but feel a bit foolish for even trying to make sense of it.
“Right… okay,” Snow muttered awkwardly, his face flushing with embarrassment. “I’ll just go outside to water the flowers then.” He quickly turned on his heel and stepped out, hoping to mask his discomfort. Behind him, Noogai waved a hand wordlessly, already looking disinterested.
Outside, Snow took a deep breath, letting the crisp air cool his cheeks. The garden stretched before him, vibrant and serene. As he approached the flowerbeds, he noticed the soil was already damp, the leaves glistening with droplets of water. It was clear Noogai had tended to them already.
Snow crouched, brushing his fingers lightly over a flower’s petals. He often came here, but he rarely stopped to check on the plants. This place wasn’t about gardening or chores for him—it was an escape.
A refuge. Back in his own world, the loneliness could be suffocating, but here, surrounded by different versions of himself, it felt… easier. Less isolating. Knowing there were other “hims” out there gave him a strange sense of comfort.
With a soft sigh, Snow straightened up, stretching lazily. He glanced around, taking in the familiar scenery, when something unusual caught his eye. A house stood a few blocks away, nestled amidst the grass. There was a stone path leading up to it, lined with wildflowers swaying gently in the breeze.
“Eh?” Snow muttered, blinking in surprise.
He didn’t remember seeing this house before. Did someone request a new building? It wasn’t impossible. With a house like theirs—one that could shift and mold itself to their desires—extra space shouldn’t be necessary. Their current home was already vast, its rooms expanding or shrinking depending on their needs. Why would anyone need another house?
Curiosity tugged at him as he stepped onto the stone path. His shoes crunched softly against the gravel as he approached, his unease growing with each step. The house, though similar to theirs, had subtle differences in its design and color palette.
Snow couldn’t tell if this was the work of one of the others or perhaps their mysterious benefactor—the strange people Kit often mentioned. Snow still didn’t fully understand who Kit was referring to when he talked about the two people responsible for creating this “bubble” they called home.
As he rounded the side of the house, a familiar voice broke through his thoughts.
“Ah, damn…” someone muttered nearby. Snow froze, his gaze snapping to the source of the voice—a figure crouched near a broken pot, carefully trying to salvage a potted flower that had spilled onto the ground.
The person was unfamiliar. An orange stick figure with a white coat, his hair a mess of curls and his glasses slightly crooked as he worked. Snow hesitated, watching the stranger for a moment. Was this another new Alan he hadn’t met yet? Snow sighed inwardly. Would it kill Kit to announce these things beforehand? The constant surprises were starting to take a toll on his nerves.
The orange figure must have sensed he was being watched, as he glanced up suddenly, his eyes meeting Snow’s.
“A-Ah!” the stranger yelped, scrambling to his feet. Snow instinctively took a step back, unsure if this person was a threat. But as he studied him, something felt… different. This wasn’t another Alan. Snow had noticed a pattern by now—his alternate versions were always purple. The orange hue made it clear this guy wasn’t him.
“Y-You must be an Alan,” the stranger stammered, his voice tinged with nervousness. He avoided Snow’s gaze, fidgeting slightly. The awkward energy reminded Snow of himself, though he wasn’t sure why.
Snow tilted his head, still cautious. “Uh… yeah. You seem familiar, but I can’t quite place it,” he replied, rubbing the back of his neck.
To his surprise, the stranger mimicked the gesture, stopping mid-motion when they both realized they were doing the same thing. Awkwardly, they both dropped their arms at the same time.
“Actually, I’m DJ,” the stranger said, breaking the silence. “Or at least… one of the versions of yours. Though I’m not sure if I’ve met your DJ Welch yet.”
Snow’s eyes widened. “DJ?” he repeated, the name sinking in. So that meant… this guy was an alternate version of his best friend.
DJ adjusted his glasses nervously. “Are you okay… ehm… Alan? Or, uh… what should I call you?” He tilted his head, scratching at his curls and messing them further.
Snow blinked, snapping out of his reverie. “I’m Snow,” he said quickly. “And you? I’m guessing there are other DJs too, just like the Alans. You must have a nickname by now, right?”
DJ winces slightly at the mention, his expression shifting into something hesitant. “Yes, well… not yet. I haven’t decided on that. And yes, there are—uh,” he begins counting on his fingers, his tone uncertain. “Six DJs, including me. Your DJ must be one of those, I suppose,” he says, though his words trail off as Snow’s eye twitches in response.
“I don’t think so,” Snow replies slowly, his voice tinged with doubt. “There are seven of us… and only six of you.” He struggles to suppress the flicker of hope that maybe—just maybe—his DJ might be here after all. But hearing DJ’s count, the possibility seems slim. A large part of him knows his hope is misplaced. “That means there’s a good chance he’s not here.”
“Oh.” DJ’s demeanor shifts, and he looks visibly saddened by Snow’s words. “If you want, we can—uh, check,” he offers, his voice softening. “It’s better to talk inside, anyway. The sun is… very hot.” He glances up at the sky, narrowing his eyes at the blazing sun above them, which, for some strange reason, still looks like a cat.
Snow snorts at the absurdity of it, shaking his head lightly before nodding. “Let’s go.”
DJ leads the way to the house. Snow, half-prepared for a chaotic mess—perhaps even worse than the clutter he was used to—finds himself surprised. The interior is clean, almost eerily untouched, as though no one has truly lived here.
“They don’t visit much,” DJ sighs, crossing his arms over his chest. His tone carries a weight of resignation. Snow bites his lip, unsure how to respond. “I get it, though,” he continues. “I guess things are still pretty new. Unless…” He pauses, furrowing his brow. “Unless this house has been here all along, and I just didn’t notice.”
Snow considers his next words for a moment before responding. “ I mean, it’s normal for things to feel out of place at first. We were like this too, back then,” he says, offering a small, reassuring smile.
DJ glances at him, managing a weak, awkward smile of his own. But there’s something wrong—something off about the expression. It strikes a discordant note, and Snow can’t help but notice.
“Is something the matter?” he asks, tilting his head slightly.
DJ hesitates, letting out a shaky breath. “It’s just… I haven’t met any version of my Alan yet,” he admits, his voice tinged with unease. “Somehow, I expected things to go badly. But you’re… really nice,” DJ adds, wincing as though the admission itself is painful.
Snow’s mind begins working through the possibilities, piecing together the clues. He starts mentally cataloging each Alan he knows and their respective DJs.
Oji’s DJ is a farmer—clearly not this one.
Vee’s DJ is a teenager, and Vee himself is human—also not a match.
Kit never acknowledged having a DJ at all, denying it outright.
Feather’s DJ is human as well, and not a possibility here.
And then there’s Noogai. But Noogai’s relationship with his DJ is the complete opposite of strained. Snow wouldn’t be surprised if Noogai outright spoiled his DJ. That leaves only one possibility.
“Ascent?” Snow asks slowly, tilting his head as the pieces fall into place.
DJ looks at him, his expression shifting into something unreadable. “Is… that what he goes by now?” he asks, his voice hollow, tinged with something between amusement and bitterness. He lets out a dry, humorless snort. “So it’s him, then?” Snow presses, his voice quiet but firm.
DJ nods after a moment, his frown deepening as he rubs the back of his neck. “Judging by the name? Yeah. Even here, he’s still clinging to those personal ideals of his,” he mutters, the words dripping with frustration.
Snow watches him carefully, noting the tension in DJ’s posture.
Snow hesitated but wanted to press further. Before he could speak, DJ interrupted with a casual wave of his hand. “Enough about me. You can take a seat if you like. I can list the DJs I’m pretty sure will show up here.” DJ reached into his coat pocket, pulling out a folded piece of paper. He scanned it silently for a moment before motioning towards the couch.
Snow took the invitation, settling down on the couch as DJ continued to look over the list.
Before DJ could say anything, Snow raised a hand, cutting him off. “Actually… I feel like he’s not here.”
DJ blinked and tilted his head, clearly taken aback. “A-ah? Why do you say that? I haven’t even started reading the list yet,” he replied, sitting down beside Snow.
Snow frowned, his tone steady but firm. “Well, for starters… do you have a human DJ who isn’t a teenager?”
DJ froze at the question, his composure faltering. A bead of sweat formed on his forehead as he stammered, “Uhh… I-I suppose not.”
Snow let out a bitter smile. “Then I guess that’s my answer.”
DJ frowned, leaning back slightly. “But… it’s still possible he’s just running late.”
Snow crossed his arms and sighed. “I doubt it. It’s okay, though. I’ve learned not to hope too much. If you do, it’s bound to end in disappointment.” The bitterness in his voice was unmistakable, and though he hadn’t meant to sound so sharp, the words slipped out before he could stop them.
DJ snapped his mouth shut, unsure of what to say. The silence stretched for a moment.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” DJ finally said. “Is he…” He trailed off, as if hesitant to finish his thought.
“He’s not dead, if that’s what you’re asking,” Snow sighed, leaning back as he rubbed his cheek. “There are just… circumstances that keep us apart.”
DJ nodded slowly, his brow furrowed with sympathy. “I see… For what it’s worth, I think I understand how you feel. Me and my Alan…” He hesitated, his voice softening as he placed a hand over his chest. “We’re not exactly on the best of terms.”
Snow turned to him, startled by the sudden vulnerability. “You don’t have to tell me if it makes you uncomfortable,” Snow said quickly, his voice filled with concern. He was surprised DJ would open up so easily, especially when most versions of Alan were so guarded.
DJ shook his head with a small smile. “It’s fine. Me and my Alan might not be on good speaking terms, but I still trust him. That trust… it extends to all of his versions.”
Snow stared at him, caught off guard by the sincerity in DJ’s voice. “DJ—” he began, unsure if he should feel bad for him or admire the unwavering faith he seemed to have.
DJ gave a small chuckle, brushing off Snow’s hesitation. “Uhm… Anyway!” he said, clapping his hands as if to change the subject. “Would you like some cookies? I baked some earlier. They should be cool by now—I left them by the window in the kitchen.”
Snow blinked, the abrupt shift catching him off guard. After a moment, he nodded hesitantly. “Sure,” he said softly, his voice carrying a note of gratitude.