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

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. ]

[ It's fine the chicken hat will be a +5 item somewhere in here, it is known ]

The cocoa is the same really good stuff that Choco had in her heart, at the perfect temperature for drinking. It somehow tastes like Macaque's comfort and protection and promises that cannot be broken.

[ oh dear good fucking LORD she needed this ]

[ TAKES A LONG, LONG, LONG

LONG

LONG

LONG DRINK ]

[ And then she examines the pillow keychain. ]

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