castaside | [Heart Game] From the ashes we can build

[Wait, why is my name being mentioned-]

[Oh]

[Pigeon Girl.]

[He's kind of standing over here awkwardly and then he]

[Comes over.]

[Will sit beside her. Reaching into his bag.]

[He pulls out the stress ball and he'll squeeze it again.]

The stress ball doesn't tick down any, this one's free.

The shadow rises up from the floor, taking the familiar shape of Macaque, with glowing purple eyes and smile. He wraps his arms around his kiddo and he feels solid and real, warm and safe.

[Oh nice. Always good to have more hugs on standby and hopefully this helps Pigeon Girl.]

[ She'd hesitated for a moment when Red Son sat down beside her, before leaning gently, tentatively, towards him.

But then he squeezes a stress ball and then there's Macaque, warm and real and hugging her and — and — oh, okay, okay, this is happening now, okay okay she's okay she's fine she's -

She's …

Choking back sobs, chirping over and over and over and over in every way she knows how: family

They came for her when she needed someone. When she needed help, desperately, and they didn't stop until they knew she'd be safe. Whatever happens from here on out ... they have her love and loyalty for life. They have everything and anything she has to give. ]

Macaque's shadow holds Choco, gently nuzzling at the top of her head. And then he reaches over and snags Red by the arm and pulls him over to hug her too. No polite distance here. They've been through to much for that nonsense.

What lays ahead is unknown, probably ugly. Here and now, they need something soft and beautiful.

[OH WELL]

[Okay, he will join the hug. Wrapping an arm around Choco's shoulders and let her cry and get these hugs.]

S-S-Sorry, I -

[ hiccups ]

[ BURROW INTENSIFIES ... ]

[ but. after a minute, she's able to wiggle her way into joining the hug properly instead of simply hiding herself away in it. deep breaths. deep breaths. ]

I-I really ... I r-really want t-to see you guys ... happy, a-and safe. W-Whatever it takes. I know I'm, I'm not exactly - I'm just me, but -

Macaque's shadow holds them both, huffing what was probably intended to be a few words. Speaking here gets complicated...

The monkeys from the trees chirp: affectionate scolding. Abundance. Contentment. You're enough for him as you are, silly girl, and you make him happy.

We chose to help you for a reason, Pigeon Girl.

Let it out until you can get together again.

[PAT PAT on her back.]

[ sniffles ]

[ ... nods ]

[ with a little squeaky cheep at the backpat, her wings trying to fluff up despite herself ]

[ just. another minute. another minute or two for her to pull herself back together again, steadying her breathing, drying her tears ]

... T-Thank you.

Shadow-Macaque gives them both one last squeeze and one last chirp of promise and sinks back down to a 2D shadow on the floor. He can't hold that for long.

[You did your best, Monkey Dad.]

You ready to keep going, Pigeon Girl?

[ His time and effort is more than appreciated. W E H. ]

[ Korone pulls her glasses off to wipe her eyes properly, scrubbing them with her sleeve. ]

Mmhm ... think so. [ She manages a smile. ] One more item, then I've gotta check the drawer. And ... decide which memory ...

Insert Shadow Waiting Patiently visuals here!

[ Okay. Okay.

OKAY. She is a cool, calm, and collected pigeon and she is finally gonna touch this cupcake. ]

You are Macaque and you are being quite willingly charmed.

You've just been by Donnie's place to drop off computer parts. That was supposed to be all it was. You drop the things off, get set up for some scans, be on your way. But you made him lie to his datemate and she seems so sweet and genuine... and you couldn't bear to leave it that way.

And you see how traumatized they both are, how in need of help and guidance. You're probably the worst person to give that, right? But you can't just turn your back--

Something just clicks, in the kitchen with the two of them. Korone shares about her magic and Donnie takes off his battleshell and you're agreeing to make them shadow blankets, give them a piece of your magic, the most personal thing you have to give. And it just feels right.

You only hope they don't regret this.

[ Her soft laugh is just a touch watery. ]

It meant so much to me, you know? When you realised I was hurt and decided you couldn't let it stand ...

From the trees, the monkeys chirp: casual initiation. Somehow it even sounds sarcastic. That day was the three of them being dumped into the deep end and deciding to cling to each other rather than climb out.

If I had my chicken hat with me, I'd take it off to you, my friends. [ as it is, she simply nods firmly.

... and while she much less firmly waffles over her decisions, it's finally! time! to check out the desk drawer! ... and take a big sip of that hot cocoa first. ]

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