#theme prompt

You can use this as a character question, a chance to ramble, or a writing prompt. Just have fun!

Ghosts take many forms; it’s whether or not you allow them to haunt you that’s relevant.

I am starting off behind (aka finishing this at 5 am on the 3rd) because this is finals week and it’s a bit crazy right now, but such is life.

Having a nightmare

"Ugh. I think I'm going to be sick." The plastic statuette shifted away from the water bottle, attempting to look as affronted as a plastic mini cruise ship on a stand could look. "As long as it's not on me!" the plastic statuette exclaimed, shimmying farther away without much success. The shelf they were on together was already not very large and the statuette was already at the corner. "Deep breaths, bottle," urged the pocket watch from a shelf below. "And, really, if you're going to be sick, do it on the carpet, not on the shelf." "Easy for you to say," the water bottle wheezed. "It's alright!" the pamphlet called from the table beneath the shelves. "He can lose his contents on me. I'll just absorb them!" "That's very sweet of you," the towel folded into a monkey spoke, "but my brethren beside you would be a better choice for that." The multicolored towel ruffled itself, glaring in a sorts at its white, oddly folded counterpart. "Excuse me!" they exclaimed. "I will have you know I am of high quality and am not made for cleaning up messes, unlike you." There was a collective noise of shock and disbelief from the other objects in the room. "Towel!" the backpack on the couch shouted. "Apologize, right now." The colorful towel did its best impression of a sneer. "I don't see why I have to." "Because you don't know your fate, Fresh One," came a thick, heavy voice from beneath the bed. All objects focused their attention on the duffle bag suitcase that slowly withdrew itself from the confines of the bed skirt. Nestled inside its open belly were several grocery bags, one of which shifted open as the clothing within freed themselves to look about. The other clothing in the bag shifted about, making room. "All end up either within myself or the backpack to return home." The colorful towel deflated slightly. "This is not home?" There was a spattering of giggles and laughter. Even the suitcase gave a deep chuckle. "No, Fresh One, this is not home. Home is much more than this single room." The colorful towel looked about, not understanding. The backpack spoke up, though the words were softly guarded. "Do you know what an airplane is?" The colorful towel nodded, puffing itself up again. "Of course! How do you think I got here?" The backpack didn't engage in the bate but the suitcase took over. "It is alright, Fresh One. There are a many Fresh Ones that do not know what it is. Backpack is one of those." The colorful towel looked to the backpack, surprise written in how the towel held itself. "Honestly?" The backpack, for a lack of a better name for the action, nodded. "I knew what a car was. I was a school backpack for the longest time. I carried books, notebooks, and all sorts of trinkets and gadgets. I didn't know what an airplane even was till I was taken through a location I had never been. Let me tell you, being sent through the scanner for the first time without knowing what it was is the scariest thing ever. I was lucky that Suitcase was with me." "I was made for travel," the suitcase spoke, "and that particular trip had only been another trip with our human." The colorful towel seemed to frown. "Human?" "The strange creature that pulled you out of your wrapper," the pocket watch chimed in. "They are quite kind, if not a bit rough at times." "Not their fault," the suitcase assured the colorful towel when it was clear the words had disturbed it. "The human and every other of its kind are clumsy creatures and they are not always the most careful when dealing with us. We will break and tear from wear and use. You may get put away for months before you are used, if not years. I only come out when the human is traveling far from home for a large amount of time." The backpack nodded, adding, "I am pulled out more frequently and left within easy access of our human. I am lucky to be able to watch their day to day life from where I'm stored." The colorful towel looked around. "So where are we if not home?" the towel asked in a small voice. "On what the human calls vacation," the backpack offered. The suitcase agreed, adding, "Specifically, a cruise ship. A massive vessel that traverses water."