Cherry

[…]

[It really sounds like climbing.]

[He tenses at the sound, a shiver running down his spine.

There's no way he was hearing that right, the sound of rustling just barely within earshot, as if a creature had taken an interest in the nearby area. He'd never heard a creature get this close to the base before, it couldn't be...

Then he heard scraping, much too close for comfort, as if a beast were trying to scale the walls.

Laddy backs away from the source of the sound, head whipping around to see if the others had noticed. Nothing, not a glance in his direction. It must just be in his head, a result of his paranoia filling in blanks in the ambience, like seeing monsters in the shadows.]

[The figure cups its hands to its mouth and calls down,]

Laddy?? Is that you??

Assured that this wasn't some monster coming to maul him, his stance softened a little. Maybe a castaway found their way to the base? He saw pink, maybe it was-

Then he heard her voice.]

Cher-ry?

[His own voice cracked as he called back to her. At least the others were far enough away to not notice.]

Right, ha, yeah um… ssorry. About that. Umm. Is- is Jess around?… If they are I. Um. I need to talk to them. So… if they’re here I’m gonna come in.

Uh, yeah. Jess is around. They've been worried sick about you! You didn't even- what was so important out there that you couldn't tell us before leaving? You coulda... huh?

[Only then did he notice what was so wrong with what he was seeing. It wasn't just a trick of the light this time.]

I. Y- um.

…

Uhhhhh.

,,, yyess…?

Ugh you idiot why didn’t you try to get some kind of helmet first you moron stars damn it now you have to EXPLAIN this and-

I- wh- Scream??? Why would I- if you got mauled out there because you left on your own I swear-

[As Laddy watches her turn and start climbing down… he uh, very quickly realizes a few things in succession.]

[For one, she’s… entirely pink. And a little goopy?? Her dress is made of flowers that also seem to be part of her????]

[Secondly, and this one is only really noticed when she reaches ground level; it was not perspective. She is noticeably taller.]

[Thirdly, SHE HAS BIG SHARP CLAWS FOR HANDS.]

Laddy thought the odd proportions were due to his own poor eyesight, but no. Not at all.

Pink. Tall. Sharp.

These rapid fire realisations left him too startled to move, frozen with a wide-eyed look on his face like he'd seen a ghost. He might have screamed, if not for the fear of being quickly and harshly silenced by those BIG FUCKING CLAWS.

He barely registered the meek greeting, silently shaking his head and leaning away from her the slightest bit.]

Um. ,,,,,, So, I’m, … I’m a wraith. If. That wasn’t… um, clear. Thank you for… not running away screaming at least,,?

Kinda… half expected you to…

His brow furrows as he stares up at her eyes.]

Y- you. you're, um...

[He clears his throat.]

,,, yeah. Since um… landing, on the planet. Actually. It’s- it’s a long story.

[If his own helmet weren't in the way he'd be pinching the bridge of his nose hard enough to bruise. Instead, his fists are tightly clenched at his sides.]

You're not. You wouldn't hurt me. That's right, isn't it? That's why you came back?

I am. surprised. by all this. Scared. But, fuck, everything on this damn planet is scary.

It's not a betrayal, it's just. God. What is happening?

I- yes, of course I wouldn’t. I don’t… I don’t wanna hurt anyone, actually. Never. It’s- it’s why I joined the Rescue Corps to begin with. I’m still- … I’m still… sorry. Um… if- you need to sit down you um, you should. You look a little, um… pale.

[Despite the risk he was opening himself up to, he caved and crumpled to the floor before the borderline hyperventilation he was experiencing forced him down first.

He looked about as far from fine as possible. Pathetic, really.]

Just need a second, you came out of nowhere and-

[His brain caught up to him then that, well, he wasn't the first person Cherry was intending to meet. Through the subtle flair of indignation, he asked: ]

They… [A small shudder.] … no. They don’t. I-… nobody does. I’d… ha, hoped to keep it that way. But, um. I ended up tripping and breaking my helmet, and… didn’t, immediately get oxygen poisoning so. I kiinda,,, maybe panicked and ran away like a scared animal?-

[Without shifting out of a crouch, but while avoiding eye contact during that last sentence, she taps her fingers together awkwardly.]

,,, but, um. I’m. … I’m glad I got to, um… talk to you first. You’re my friend too, and, you did help me… get a better grip on myself, so. Thanks, Laddy.

So I. I really am the first to. huh.

[Wait, "friend"?

He really shouldn't have been so surprised to hear that, but considering the events leading up to this, he isn't really all there.]

Uh- yeah, um. Anytime.?

[He gestures vaguely over his shoulder, training his gaze on a particularly interesting blade of grass.]

Alright. You can do this, Cherry. Just… just go. It didn’t turn out too bad here, right? You can manage it one more time at least.

[…]

[It really sounds like climbing.]

[He tenses at the sound, a shiver running down his spine.

There's no way he was hearing that right, the sound of rustling just barely within earshot, as if a creature had taken an interest in the nearby area. He'd never heard a creature get this close to the base before, it couldn't be...

Then he heard scraping, much too close for comfort, as if a beast were trying to scale the walls.

Laddy backs away from the source of the sound, head whipping around to see if the others had noticed. Nothing, not a glance in his direction. It must just be in his head, a result of his paranoia filling in blanks in the ambience, like seeing monsters in the shadows.]

[The figure cups its hands to its mouth and calls down,]

Laddy?? Is that you??

Assured that this wasn't some monster coming to maul him, his stance softened a little. Maybe a castaway found their way to the base? He saw pink, maybe it was-

Then he heard her voice.]

Cher-ry?

[His own voice cracked as he called back to her. At least the others were far enough away to not notice.]

Right, ha, yeah um… ssorry. About that. Umm. Is- is Jess around?… If they are I. Um. I need to talk to them. So… if they’re here I’m gonna come in.

Uh, yeah. Jess is around. They've been worried sick about you! You didn't even- what was so important out there that you couldn't tell us before leaving? You coulda... huh?

[Only then did he notice what was so wrong with what he was seeing. It wasn't just a trick of the light this time.]

I. Y- um.

…

Uhhhhh.

,,, yyess…?

Ugh you idiot why didn’t you try to get some kind of helmet first you moron stars damn it now you have to EXPLAIN this and-

I- wh- Scream??? Why would I- if you got mauled out there because you left on your own I swear-

[As Laddy watches her turn and start climbing down… he uh, very quickly realizes a few things in succession.]

[For one, she’s… entirely pink. And a little goopy?? Her dress is made of flowers that also seem to be part of her????]

[Secondly, and this one is only really noticed when she reaches ground level; it was not perspective. She is noticeably taller.]

[Thirdly, SHE HAS BIG SHARP CLAWS FOR HANDS.]

Laddy thought the odd proportions were due to his own poor eyesight, but no. Not at all.

Pink. Tall. Sharp.

These rapid fire realisations left him too startled to move, frozen with a wide-eyed look on his face like he'd seen a ghost. He might have screamed, if not for the fear of being quickly and harshly silenced by those BIG FUCKING CLAWS.

He barely registered the meek greeting, silently shaking his head and leaning away from her the slightest bit.]

Um. ,,,,,, So, I’m, … I’m a wraith. If. That wasn’t… um, clear. Thank you for… not running away screaming at least,,?

Kinda… half expected you to…

His brow furrows as he stares up at her eyes.]

Y- you. you're, um...

[He clears his throat.]

,,, yeah. Since um… landing, on the planet. Actually. It’s- it’s a long story.

[If his own helmet weren't in the way he'd be pinching the bridge of his nose hard enough to bruise. Instead, his fists are tightly clenched at his sides.]

You're not. You wouldn't hurt me. That's right, isn't it? That's why you came back?

I am. surprised. by all this. Scared. But, fuck, everything on this damn planet is scary.

It's not a betrayal, it's just. God. What is happening?

I- yes, of course I wouldn’t. I don’t… I don’t wanna hurt anyone, actually. Never. It’s- it’s why I joined the Rescue Corps to begin with. I’m still- … I’m still… sorry. Um… if- you need to sit down you um, you should. You look a little, um… pale.

[Despite the risk he was opening himself up to, he caved and crumpled to the floor before the borderline hyperventilation he was experiencing forced him down first.

He looked about as far from fine as possible. Pathetic, really.]

Just need a second, you came out of nowhere and-

[His brain caught up to him then that, well, he wasn't the first person Cherry was intending to meet. Through the subtle flair of indignation, he asked: ]

They… [A small shudder.] … no. They don’t. I-… nobody does. I’d… ha, hoped to keep it that way. But, um. I ended up tripping and breaking my helmet, and… didn’t, immediately get oxygen poisoning so. I kiinda,,, maybe panicked and ran away like a scared animal?-

[Without shifting out of a crouch, but while avoiding eye contact during that last sentence, she taps her fingers together awkwardly.]

,,, but, um. I’m. … I’m glad I got to, um… talk to you first. You’re my friend too, and, you did help me… get a better grip on myself, so. Thanks, Laddy.

[…]

[It really sounds like climbing.]

[He tenses at the sound, a shiver running down his spine.

There's no way he was hearing that right, the sound of rustling just barely within earshot, as if a creature had taken an interest in the nearby area. He'd never heard a creature get this close to the base before, it couldn't be...

Then he heard scraping, much too close for comfort, as if a beast were trying to scale the walls.

Laddy backs away from the source of the sound, head whipping around to see if the others had noticed. Nothing, not a glance in his direction. It must just be in his head, a result of his paranoia filling in blanks in the ambience, like seeing monsters in the shadows.]

[The figure cups its hands to its mouth and calls down,]

Laddy?? Is that you??

Assured that this wasn't some monster coming to maul him, his stance softened a little. Maybe a castaway found their way to the base? He saw pink, maybe it was-

Then he heard her voice.]

Cher-ry?

[His own voice cracked as he called back to her. At least the others were far enough away to not notice.]

Right, ha, yeah um… ssorry. About that. Umm. Is- is Jess around?… If they are I. Um. I need to talk to them. So… if they’re here I’m gonna come in.

Uh, yeah. Jess is around. They've been worried sick about you! You didn't even- what was so important out there that you couldn't tell us before leaving? You coulda... huh?

[Only then did he notice what was so wrong with what he was seeing. It wasn't just a trick of the light this time.]

I. Y- um.

…

Uhhhhh.

,,, yyess…?

Ugh you idiot why didn’t you try to get some kind of helmet first you moron stars damn it now you have to EXPLAIN this and-

I- wh- Scream??? Why would I- if you got mauled out there because you left on your own I swear-

[As Laddy watches her turn and start climbing down… he uh, very quickly realizes a few things in succession.]

[For one, she’s… entirely pink. And a little goopy?? Her dress is made of flowers that also seem to be part of her????]

[Secondly, and this one is only really noticed when she reaches ground level; it was not perspective. She is noticeably taller.]

[Thirdly, SHE HAS BIG SHARP CLAWS FOR HANDS.]

Laddy thought the odd proportions were due to his own poor eyesight, but no. Not at all.

Pink. Tall. Sharp.

These rapid fire realisations left him too startled to move, frozen with a wide-eyed look on his face like he'd seen a ghost. He might have screamed, if not for the fear of being quickly and harshly silenced by those BIG FUCKING CLAWS.

He barely registered the meek greeting, silently shaking his head and leaning away from her the slightest bit.]

Um. ,,,,,, So, I’m, … I’m a wraith. If. That wasn’t… um, clear. Thank you for… not running away screaming at least,,?

Kinda… half expected you to…

His brow furrows as he stares up at her eyes.]

Y- you. you're, um...

[He clears his throat.]

,,, yeah. Since um… landing, on the planet. Actually. It’s- it’s a long story.

[If his own helmet weren't in the way he'd be pinching the bridge of his nose hard enough to bruise. Instead, his fists are tightly clenched at his sides.]

You're not. You wouldn't hurt me. That's right, isn't it? That's why you came back?

I am. surprised. by all this. Scared. But, fuck, everything on this damn planet is scary.

It's not a betrayal, it's just. God. What is happening?

I- yes, of course I wouldn’t. I don’t… I don’t wanna hurt anyone, actually. Never. It’s- it’s why I joined the Rescue Corps to begin with. I’m still- … I’m still… sorry. Um… if- you need to sit down you um, you should. You look a little, um… pale.

[…]

[It really sounds like climbing.]

[He tenses at the sound, a shiver running down his spine.

There's no way he was hearing that right, the sound of rustling just barely within earshot, as if a creature had taken an interest in the nearby area. He'd never heard a creature get this close to the base before, it couldn't be...

Then he heard scraping, much too close for comfort, as if a beast were trying to scale the walls.

Laddy backs away from the source of the sound, head whipping around to see if the others had noticed. Nothing, not a glance in his direction. It must just be in his head, a result of his paranoia filling in blanks in the ambience, like seeing monsters in the shadows.]

[The figure cups its hands to its mouth and calls down,]

Laddy?? Is that you??

Assured that this wasn't some monster coming to maul him, his stance softened a little. Maybe a castaway found their way to the base? He saw pink, maybe it was-

Then he heard her voice.]

Cher-ry?

[His own voice cracked as he called back to her. At least the others were far enough away to not notice.]

Right, ha, yeah um… ssorry. About that. Umm. Is- is Jess around?… If they are I. Um. I need to talk to them. So… if they’re here I’m gonna come in.

Uh, yeah. Jess is around. They've been worried sick about you! You didn't even- what was so important out there that you couldn't tell us before leaving? You coulda... huh?

[Only then did he notice what was so wrong with what he was seeing. It wasn't just a trick of the light this time.]

I. Y- um.

…

Uhhhhh.

,,, yyess…?

Ugh you idiot why didn’t you try to get some kind of helmet first you moron stars damn it now you have to EXPLAIN this and-

I- wh- Scream??? Why would I- if you got mauled out there because you left on your own I swear-

[As Laddy watches her turn and start climbing down… he uh, very quickly realizes a few things in succession.]

[For one, she’s… entirely pink. And a little goopy?? Her dress is made of flowers that also seem to be part of her????]

[Secondly, and this one is only really noticed when she reaches ground level; it was not perspective. She is noticeably taller.]

[Thirdly, SHE HAS BIG SHARP CLAWS FOR HANDS.]

Laddy thought the odd proportions were due to his own poor eyesight, but no. Not at all.

Pink. Tall. Sharp.

These rapid fire realisations left him too startled to move, frozen with a wide-eyed look on his face like he'd seen a ghost. He might have screamed, if not for the fear of being quickly and harshly silenced by those BIG FUCKING CLAWS.

He barely registered the meek greeting, silently shaking his head and leaning away from her the slightest bit.]

Um. ,,,,,, So, I’m, … I’m a wraith. If. That wasn’t… um, clear. Thank you for… not running away screaming at least,,?

Kinda… half expected you to…

His brow furrows as he stares up at her eyes.]

Y- you. you're, um...

[He clears his throat.]

,,, yeah. Since um… landing, on the planet. Actually. It’s- it’s a long story.

[…]

[It really sounds like climbing.]

[He tenses at the sound, a shiver running down his spine.

There's no way he was hearing that right, the sound of rustling just barely within earshot, as if a creature had taken an interest in the nearby area. He'd never heard a creature get this close to the base before, it couldn't be...

Then he heard scraping, much too close for comfort, as if a beast were trying to scale the walls.

Laddy backs away from the source of the sound, head whipping around to see if the others had noticed. Nothing, not a glance in his direction. It must just be in his head, a result of his paranoia filling in blanks in the ambience, like seeing monsters in the shadows.]

[The figure cups its hands to its mouth and calls down,]

Laddy?? Is that you??

Assured that this wasn't some monster coming to maul him, his stance softened a little. Maybe a castaway found their way to the base? He saw pink, maybe it was-

Then he heard her voice.]

Cher-ry?

[His own voice cracked as he called back to her. At least the others were far enough away to not notice.]

Right, ha, yeah um… ssorry. About that. Umm. Is- is Jess around?… If they are I. Um. I need to talk to them. So… if they’re here I’m gonna come in.

Uh, yeah. Jess is around. They've been worried sick about you! You didn't even- what was so important out there that you couldn't tell us before leaving? You coulda... huh?

[Only then did he notice what was so wrong with what he was seeing. It wasn't just a trick of the light this time.]

I. Y- um.

…

Uhhhhh.

,,, yyess…?

Ugh you idiot why didn’t you try to get some kind of helmet first you moron stars damn it now you have to EXPLAIN this and-

I- wh- Scream??? Why would I- if you got mauled out there because you left on your own I swear-

[As Laddy watches her turn and start climbing down… he uh, very quickly realizes a few things in succession.]

[For one, she’s… entirely pink. And a little goopy?? Her dress is made of flowers that also seem to be part of her????]

[Secondly, and this one is only really noticed when she reaches ground level; it was not perspective. She is noticeably taller.]

[Thirdly, SHE HAS BIG SHARP CLAWS FOR HANDS.]

Laddy thought the odd proportions were due to his own poor eyesight, but no. Not at all.

Pink. Tall. Sharp.

These rapid fire realisations left him too startled to move, frozen with a wide-eyed look on his face like he'd seen a ghost. He might have screamed, if not for the fear of being quickly and harshly silenced by those BIG FUCKING CLAWS.

He barely registered the meek greeting, silently shaking his head and leaning away from her the slightest bit.]

Um. ,,,,,, So, I’m, … I’m a wraith. If. That wasn’t… um, clear. Thank you for… not running away screaming at least,,?

Kinda… half expected you to…

His brow furrows as he stares up at her eyes.]

Y- you. you're, um...

[He clears his throat.]

,,, yeah. Since um… landing, on the planet. Actually. It’s- it’s a long story.

[…]

[It really sounds like climbing.]

[He tenses at the sound, a shiver running down his spine.

There's no way he was hearing that right, the sound of rustling just barely within earshot, as if a creature had taken an interest in the nearby area. He'd never heard a creature get this close to the base before, it couldn't be...

Then he heard scraping, much too close for comfort, as if a beast were trying to scale the walls.

Laddy backs away from the source of the sound, head whipping around to see if the others had noticed. Nothing, not a glance in his direction. It must just be in his head, a result of his paranoia filling in blanks in the ambience, like seeing monsters in the shadows.]

[The figure cups its hands to its mouth and calls down,]

Laddy?? Is that you??

Assured that this wasn't some monster coming to maul him, his stance softened a little. Maybe a castaway found their way to the base? He saw pink, maybe it was-

Then he heard her voice.]

Cher-ry?

[His own voice cracked as he called back to her. At least the others were far enough away to not notice.]

Right, ha, yeah um… ssorry. About that. Umm. Is- is Jess around?… If they are I. Um. I need to talk to them. So… if they’re here I’m gonna come in.

Uh, yeah. Jess is around. They've been worried sick about you! You didn't even- what was so important out there that you couldn't tell us before leaving? You coulda... huh?

[Only then did he notice what was so wrong with what he was seeing. It wasn't just a trick of the light this time.]

I. Y- um.

…

Uhhhhh.

,,, yyess…?

Ugh you idiot why didn’t you try to get some kind of helmet first you moron stars damn it now you have to EXPLAIN this and-

I- wh- Scream??? Why would I- if you got mauled out there because you left on your own I swear-

[As Laddy watches her turn and start climbing down… he uh, very quickly realizes a few things in succession.]

[For one, she’s… entirely pink. And a little goopy?? Her dress is made of flowers that also seem to be part of her????]

[Secondly, and this one is only really noticed when she reaches ground level; it was not perspective. She is noticeably taller.]

[Thirdly, SHE HAS BIG SHARP CLAWS FOR HANDS.]

Laddy thought the odd proportions were due to his own poor eyesight, but no. Not at all.

Pink. Tall. Sharp.

These rapid fire realisations left him too startled to move, frozen with a wide-eyed look on his face like he'd seen a ghost. He might have screamed, if not for the fear of being quickly and harshly silenced by those BIG FUCKING CLAWS.

He barely registered the meek greeting, silently shaking his head and leaning away from her the slightest bit.]

Um. ,,,,,, So, I’m, … I’m a wraith. If. That wasn’t… um, clear. Thank you for… not running away screaming at least,,?

Kinda… half expected you to…

[…]

[It really sounds like climbing.]

[He tenses at the sound, a shiver running down his spine.

There's no way he was hearing that right, the sound of rustling just barely within earshot, as if a creature had taken an interest in the nearby area. He'd never heard a creature get this close to the base before, it couldn't be...

Then he heard scraping, much too close for comfort, as if a beast were trying to scale the walls.

Laddy backs away from the source of the sound, head whipping around to see if the others had noticed. Nothing, not a glance in his direction. It must just be in his head, a result of his paranoia filling in blanks in the ambience, like seeing monsters in the shadows.]

[The figure cups its hands to its mouth and calls down,]

Laddy?? Is that you??

Assured that this wasn't some monster coming to maul him, his stance softened a little. Maybe a castaway found their way to the base? He saw pink, maybe it was-

Then he heard her voice.]

Cher-ry?

[His own voice cracked as he called back to her. At least the others were far enough away to not notice.]

Right, ha, yeah um… ssorry. About that. Umm. Is- is Jess around?… If they are I. Um. I need to talk to them. So… if they’re here I’m gonna come in.

Uh, yeah. Jess is around. They've been worried sick about you! You didn't even- what was so important out there that you couldn't tell us before leaving? You coulda... huh?

[Only then did he notice what was so wrong with what he was seeing. It wasn't just a trick of the light this time.]

I. Y- um.

…

Uhhhhh.

,,, yyess…?

Ugh you idiot why didn’t you try to get some kind of helmet first you moron stars damn it now you have to EXPLAIN this and-

I- wh- Scream??? Why would I- if you got mauled out there because you left on your own I swear-

[As Laddy watches her turn and start climbing down… he uh, very quickly realizes a few things in succession.]

[For one, she’s… entirely pink. And a little goopy?? Her dress is made of flowers that also seem to be part of her????]

[Secondly, and this one is only really noticed when she reaches ground level; it was not perspective. She is noticeably taller.]

[Thirdly, SHE HAS BIG SHARP CLAWS FOR HANDS.]

[…]

[It really sounds like climbing.]

[He tenses at the sound, a shiver running down his spine.

There's no way he was hearing that right, the sound of rustling just barely within earshot, as if a creature had taken an interest in the nearby area. He'd never heard a creature get this close to the base before, it couldn't be...

Then he heard scraping, much too close for comfort, as if a beast were trying to scale the walls.

Laddy backs away from the source of the sound, head whipping around to see if the others had noticed. Nothing, not a glance in his direction. It must just be in his head, a result of his paranoia filling in blanks in the ambience, like seeing monsters in the shadows.]

[The figure cups its hands to its mouth and calls down,]

Laddy?? Is that you??

Assured that this wasn't some monster coming to maul him, his stance softened a little. Maybe a castaway found their way to the base? He saw pink, maybe it was-

Then he heard her voice.]

Cher-ry?

[His own voice cracked as he called back to her. At least the others were far enough away to not notice.]

Right, ha, yeah um… ssorry. About that. Umm. Is- is Jess around?… If they are I. Um. I need to talk to them. So… if they’re here I’m gonna come in.

Uh, yeah. Jess is around. They've been worried sick about you! You didn't even- what was so important out there that you couldn't tell us before leaving? You coulda... huh?

[Only then did he notice what was so wrong with what he was seeing. It wasn't just a trick of the light this time.]

I. Y- um.

…

Uhhhhh.

,,, yyess…?

Ugh you idiot why didn’t you try to get some kind of helmet first you moron stars damn it now you have to EXPLAIN this and-

“I still think about you

Wonder if you finally quit,

Do you still speak to your mom?

I remember when you went to Japan

How you swore you'd never forgive him.

I can't remember to take my meds but

I remember you wanted to live on a houseboat.

It's a strange intimacy,

all of us unspooling across decades of internet space

Like balls of yarn

leaving a trail behind us of everywhere

and everyone we've ever been

I hope you got your houseboat.

I hope you got everything.”

[…]

[It really sounds like climbing.]

[He tenses at the sound, a shiver running down his spine.

There's no way he was hearing that right, the sound of rustling just barely within earshot, as if a creature had taken an interest in the nearby area. He'd never heard a creature get this close to the base before, it couldn't be...

Then he heard scraping, much too close for comfort, as if a beast were trying to scale the walls.

Laddy backs away from the source of the sound, head whipping around to see if the others had noticed. Nothing, not a glance in his direction. It must just be in his head, a result of his paranoia filling in blanks in the ambience, like seeing monsters in the shadows.]

[The figure cups its hands to its mouth and calls down,]

Laddy?? Is that you??

Assured that this wasn't some monster coming to maul him, his stance softened a little. Maybe a castaway found their way to the base? He saw pink, maybe it was-

Then he heard her voice.]

Cher-ry?

[His own voice cracked as he called back to her. At least the others were far enough away to not notice.]

Right, ha, yeah um… ssorry. About that. Umm. Is- is Jess around?… If they are I. Um. I need to talk to them. So… if they’re here I’m gonna come in.

[…]

[It really sounds like climbing.]

[He tenses at the sound, a shiver running down his spine.

There's no way he was hearing that right, the sound of rustling just barely within earshot, as if a creature had taken an interest in the nearby area. He'd never heard a creature get this close to the base before, it couldn't be...

Then he heard scraping, much too close for comfort, as if a beast were trying to scale the walls.

Laddy backs away from the source of the sound, head whipping around to see if the others had noticed. Nothing, not a glance in his direction. It must just be in his head, a result of his paranoia filling in blanks in the ambience, like seeing monsters in the shadows.]

[The figure cups its hands to its mouth and calls down,]

Laddy?? Is that you??

… wh… what? Is that a rescue pup?…

…

I should have brought Buddy with me…

(Oatchi excitedly barks and runs up to Cherry, Pikpik carrot in mouth. He slows down as he gets closer, dropping the carrot. He gives her a good, long sniff..)

sniffsniffsni ffsniffsniff

(..before BITING HER on the hand! Ouch!)

[After a few moments of panting, catching her breath and looking at her hand, she just… morphs it back into place, wincing. She looks even more down, now…]

… expected that.

Benefits of this, I guess, haha… healing factor…

uuoughh... .. ... whyye is aiimning soo hauurd..........

[the pikmin were too tired, it seems. amalgam groaned and pulled herself up, shuffling over and peeking to the source of the sound.]

[The shape of it is vaguely familiar, and it has an empty Rescue Corps suit next to it, with a shattered helmet.]

uuhmme ,,,,, helloe ?.. ?? hie ?

Oh… snff, hi, Malg… I. … I fucked everything up…

[Its tears are, somehow, petals, fluttering to the ground and melting into nothing.]

um ..,

aaahm.. .

howwe do yuu knouwe mye nayme ?..? hauve we mett befouur ?

[her leaf tilts to the side, and she scratched her head while avoiding eye contact. did she say the right thing? was this pink creature gonna get mad? what did she fuck up anyway?]

[the voice was too familiar to ignore. she pulled down on her stem as she thought, trying to remember anything about who that voice belonged to.]

… it’s… it’s Cherry, ‘Malg… I’m. I’m glad you’re okay… after so long…

CHERREY?!?!! HWAT !!WHYE AR YOU PINKE ??? AURE YUO OKAIYE!???

[she concernedly paced around her friend, occasionally stopping to look elsewhere at whatever could have caused this. then, she settled down next to cherry again.]

… I’m… well, ha, a wraith. I-I always was. I… woke up, I guess?, a day or two ago, down in a cave, and… and Jess rescued me. We got out, got back to camp. I still can’t find my ship. Um. At the camp, this…

[She takes a deep breath, and launches into the explanation proper. About the drone, the way she just knew it was scanning her, the way she panicked, broke her helmet open, the way Jess looked at her with confusion, concern, and what Cherry thought was dawning realization.]

ummms ....maybuee you can seundd them an explaunstioune ?? so they knouw its you ??

iiiie dount know why yuou say yourre a bad peurson . thaut is sillye .justte beeinge a whrauith doeesnent make yoou bad !! youur actionnse maukeyou bad . and youuurur actieons hauve beene tha beust ,mostte heulpful ,,, EVAr !!!

… I killed two people in my first few years of awareness.

I don’t. I. … I… appreciate, the… the kind words. But. I-I practically infiltrated the Rescue Corps, I’ve, honestly kind of sucked shit at my job?, most of the others don’t seem to like me, ALL the Rescue Pups are suspicious of me if not, like, outright violent, and I just-

…

[she took a while to think about it. one of her best friends, killed two people. well.]

th.... .. thautt . was inn the passte . i meene suure , it hauppenned . youu cante chaunge that .but ..

youure diffeurente naow .yuou canntr let yuour past deciude the direuctione yyuou alwayse go .

besiuudse . youuve heulpde me ,auund probley soume ofheuur peouple too . iits alwauys betterr thaun notthinge ,i .. guesse .

… thank you, Malg. I-… I think I needed to hear that.

glaade i couulde heulp !!.! i houupe theyyre kinde to yuyou .

[For an hour. Then two. Then four, and only after seven entire hours… does she stand up and brush herself off. Looking down at Amalgam with a small smile.]

I, um… just… thanks. [A small smile.] I think I’m gonna … try to make my way back, now.

I’ll… I’ll come visit after. All of this, uh, settles…

uuoughh... .. ... whyye is aiimning soo hauurd..........

[the pikmin were too tired, it seems. amalgam groaned and pulled herself up, shuffling over and peeking to the source of the sound.]

[The shape of it is vaguely familiar, and it has an empty Rescue Corps suit next to it, with a shattered helmet.]

uuhmme ,,,,, helloe ?.. ?? hie ?

Oh… snff, hi, Malg… I. … I fucked everything up…

[Its tears are, somehow, petals, fluttering to the ground and melting into nothing.]

um ..,

aaahm.. .

howwe do yuu knouwe mye nayme ?..? hauve we mett befouur ?

[her leaf tilts to the side, and she scratched her head while avoiding eye contact. did she say the right thing? was this pink creature gonna get mad? what did she fuck up anyway?]

[the voice was too familiar to ignore. she pulled down on her stem as she thought, trying to remember anything about who that voice belonged to.]

… it’s… it’s Cherry, ‘Malg… I’m. I’m glad you’re okay… after so long…

CHERREY?!?!! HWAT !!WHYE AR YOU PINKE ??? AURE YUO OKAIYE!???

[she concernedly paced around her friend, occasionally stopping to look elsewhere at whatever could have caused this. then, she settled down next to cherry again.]

… I’m… well, ha, a wraith. I-I always was. I… woke up, I guess?, a day or two ago, down in a cave, and… and Jess rescued me. We got out, got back to camp. I still can’t find my ship. Um. At the camp, this…

[She takes a deep breath, and launches into the explanation proper. About the drone, the way she just knew it was scanning her, the way she panicked, broke her helmet open, the way Jess looked at her with confusion, concern, and what Cherry thought was dawning realization.]

ummms ....maybuee you can seundd them an explaunstioune ?? so they knouw its you ??

iiiie dount know why yuou say yourre a bad peurson . thaut is sillye .justte beeinge a whrauith doeesnent make yoou bad !! youur actionnse maukeyou bad . and youuurur actieons hauve beene tha beust ,mostte heulpful ,,, EVAr !!!

… I killed two people in my first few years of awareness.

I don’t. I. … I… appreciate, the… the kind words. But. I-I practically infiltrated the Rescue Corps, I’ve, honestly kind of sucked shit at my job?, most of the others don’t seem to like me, ALL the Rescue Pups are suspicious of me if not, like, outright violent, and I just-

…

[she took a while to think about it. one of her best friends, killed two people. well.]

th.... .. thautt . was inn the passte . i meene suure , it hauppenned . youu cante chaunge that .but ..

youure diffeurente naow .yuou canntr let yuour past deciude the direuctione yyuou alwayse go .

besiuudse . youuve heulpde me ,auund probley soume ofheuur peouple too . iits alwauys betterr thaun notthinge ,i .. guesse .

… thank you, Malg. I-… I think I needed to hear that.