#ft bobbug

"What the fuck..."

That was not something Hiyett expected to see projected down the entire side of a building. He usually sees ads and the occasional OBEY message but that was.... that was something, yeah. That was a lot. Fuck.

"Snrk-"

N is practically obligated to watch every emergency alert that pops up so that they can remain in the loop. In this instance, they do not regret it at all. They can feel the howls of laughter and confused questions coming from their headmates. Additionally, they understand this is going to mean a massive uptick in workload.

Ah, their head is starting to hurt, but they remain amused.

Bobbug is laughing. A hissing, chattery noise that wouldn't sound amused if not for the visual association with their smile. They love the Teevee, it shows so many interesting and funny things.

They started off a bit concerned. Hiding from one government was difficult enough but now there was another important pink one on the planet. However, most of that concern was blown away by the absolute silliness that followed.

. . .

. . .

. . .

The message is seen and passed along. It is whispered, flown, carried, dragged, and finally deposited somewhere far away and deep down.

Your name is Kattan and you're on bug sitting duty. Navy has taken a break after meeting a rather important deadline at work and the other two are off galavanting in a corner where you can't see them. So that leaves you to attend to the whims of your newest long term guest. One of the four, at least.

Bobbug, as they decided to call themself, looks at you expectantly. They hardly ever blink and that does disturb you to a degree. Other than that, they are no more intimidating than a spoiled grub. It appears they have the mentality of one too. Unaware of most things and amazed by others. No respect for personal space or property.

However, they are smarter than they seem. Or more observant at least. It took only a few meetings for them to be able to recognize you upon switching, despite your and Navy's plentiful similarities. Additionally, they deduced that you are the one that authorizes most purchases of those in the hive.

Which is why they come to you now with the request of attaining a mobile communication device. Now, that's a fair request. In fact, upon them first interjecting themself into your lives, you insisted on them at least acquiring a flip phone so that they could call your host if they got lost or in trouble. At the time they showed no interest.

To their minor credit they have yet to get lost and have avoided any significant amount of trouble. All they've managed to do since roaming freely is bring back three fuzzy creatures equally as lazy and entitled as they are. At least the meow beasts have the decency to be cute and keep to themselves.

However, Bobbug is much too close to you right now. It does not exactly put you in a giving or reasonable state of mind. You shift further away on the multiperson seating device. They follow after you. You move again and hold up a hand to stop their crawling before it even starts.

"You can meet people by going outside. You never had a problem with that before." You point out to them, concealing your agitation.

"I've done that. It was hard and nothing happened." They tell you, "People said apps were easier. I asked where to get them and they said I needed a phone. So will you get me a phone?"

You sigh, rubbing the bridge of your nose.

"Bobbug who are you trying to meet?"

They don't respond at first. Just blink once at you. You swear their eyes squish inward like an amphibious hop beast.

"Bobbug."

"Just good people." They offer, lamely.

"That is a half truth at best."

"Good healthy people. Who-won't-ask-so-many-questions." They click at you. Your conscious mind feels slighted at the not so subtle dig at you. Your subconscious mind feels like a fool for even considering denying them what they want.

"I'm not going to get you an expensive device just so you can download a bunch of frivolous apps with only a vague goal in mind." You say, and watch as their mouth opens in offense, or shock, hard to tell when their eyes just stay wide and dark.

"If you want one," you add, "get a job and buy it yourself. I will happily assist you in finding both a place to work and an affordable option once you have the funds."

They stare at you for some time after that. You like to think they are considering your offer and coming up with something to counter it but you don't think they are on that level yet.

"Happily?" They ask you.

"That was more so a turn of phrase." You say, with more hesitation than you mean. "I'll do it. Happily or not. That is a full truth."

They smile at you, chittering slightly and invading your space to do their awful and un-trollish version of a thank you. Their face rubs against your shoulder, thin delicate horns threatening to slice your face.

"You're welcome. You can stop doing that now." You say, leaning far enough away that you almost become horizontal. For a second you think they are going to be characteristically annoying and follow after you. You can imagine them fully climbing onto you and just laying there like the useless, squishy creature that they are. They would insist that it's bonding and that skin to skin contact is good for the two of you.

They do not do that though. They let you lean away and sit back on their side of the multiperson seating device, retrieving a ball of yarn they abandoned and starting some new type of craft. Their grotesque eyes are now fixated on the colorful string and their own fingers.