#decisions arc

"H-hello...?" [Babi's voice shakes violently. When the creature starts stalking forwards they turn around and bolt down the nearest fork in the tunnels.]

[Furious howls follow them. They pass tunnel after tunnel with the thing closing in behind. Babi starts crying, calling for Deet to help.]

[Light trickles in from a branch off and Babi scrambles around the turn.]

[Just as they nearly pass through the opening they let out a shriek. Babi struggles as sharp claws latch to their bag and start pulling them back towards the creature.]

"HELP!!"

(Deet wakes in [4] asks)

"I got snacks and juice!"

[They step up to the threshold again, take in a deep breath, and hop onto the back porch. The yard is big and has a few rather small trees in it as well as a rickety fence that would be easy to sneak through. Babi starts walking towards the farthest corner.]

"I'm gonna see frogs and fireflies and all kind of animals! Maybe I can pet a bunny!" [They happily ramble on about their plans. At the fence they find a big hole and squirm their way through before looking around. It's a forest in front of them. There's a well worn path, a long sidewalk along the houses going either way, and a little tunnel just big enough for them underneath a tree.]

"Which way should I go?"

[Babi is available for asks]

"I wish Deet would let me out...being in here forever feels like my old friends..."

"They wouldn't let me go anywhere either. No one let's me see anything because it's too dangerous or they dont want me getting lost but I want to see outside for real..."

"Computer open the back door!"

[A click can be heard as it swings open just enough to let a small animal through. Babi slides down a table leg and runs up to it, pausing as their feet hit the threshold. They look up at the ceiling. Deet is still in a shutdown just above the kitchen.]

"...It...it won't be bad if...if I come back soon...right?" [They seem to be asking your opinion] "He...he wont know..."

[Babi is available for asks] (WHOOP this is where I become a Victorian begger; spare some asks for a poor blog runner? Spare asks to help shape the way the story goes?)

[Deet tilts his head in confusion.]

"No? I've n-never felt th-that kind of squintz before, if you m-mean in a...h-how do humans say it?...R-romantic? Th-thats the w-word. I don't f-feel ro-romantic attraction. Toofa was just m-my best f-friend. That's wh-why I care."

[He rubs at his eyes to try and stop the tears. It doesn't work.]

"You don't h-have to squintz someone f-for th-their loss to h-hurt you th-this much..."

[Shutdown in 12 earth minutes (three asks)]

[Deet is quiet for a long time. He seems to be thinking hard about something. Then he let's out a shuddery breath. Babi wiggles over so they can gently pet his good antenna, noticing him being upset.]

"I...I don't know...I th-think I might be b-but I might not h-have a reason to be..."

"Why are you mad?"

"...because he w-wanted me t-to do something tha-that...makes me h-hurt...but he didn't know i-it hurts. I don't th-think he w-wanted to upset me."

[Babi pauses. They look closely at Deet before frowning and going back to petting the antenna.]

"Too many emotions, you're having another shutdown..."

[Deet guiltily avoids looking at them. He let's out a tired sigh.]

[Shutdown in 17 earth minutes (four asks)]