(The anon immediately puts both her hands behind her back. She continues smiling at Flaps, hoping to show him she means no harm and to calm the butterflies in her stomach.) It’s alright! I don’t want to take your toy away. I won’t touch it if you don’t want me to. (The anon takes a few steps back and sits down, hoping to further prove her peaceful nature. To see if she can coax Flaps to her, she places a large bowl of water in front of her. He must be awfully thirsty!)

📝 [He lets out a quiet rumble, settling again once you sit… He squints a bit at that water, though. He Is pretty thirsty…… He’s been fed and all down here pretty steadily, but.]

📝 [He tucks the toy away in his wing and ambles on over, snuffing at the water – and at you – warily.]

Uh, hello there! Who are you? Have we ever seen you around before, or are you someone new? Why is now the time to show up?

📝 i’ve been here before! just not with this same kind of denotation. 😛

* ( you might be a little more familiar with this. )

📝 i was around a bit on the old blog, but if you’ve forgotten – call me script. c:

📝 as for why – well, runi’s asleep. someone’s gotta keep things rolling here, right?

(*Seeing Flaps satisfied by the snack, the anon grows bolder. Against her better judgment, she inches slightly closer to Flaps. She tentatively holds her arm out, and gestures at Flaps to come to her.) After a nice meal, wouldn’t you like to be pet? I won’t hurt you, I promise!

📝 [Oh! Bad move, anon. He growls, pulling his toy closer to him protectively. He must think that outstretched hand is going for it.]

📝 [Maybe try a different approach.]

(*The anon that offered a game of fetch stops moving, staring right back at Flaps. A warm smile brightens her face. Reaching into her pocket, she pulls out a steak and throws it over to Flaps.) There you go! That should be more filling than eating others would be!

* [He WAS starting to squint, but…. That steak gets his attention quick! He stretches his neck to snap it right up, barely taking a few seconds to swallow it. Not… wholly satisfying, but he seems a lot more at ease having been fed.]

∯

* { … i wish people loved me as much as they love him. }

* { but i can’t force that. }

∯

* { i guess it’s kinda telling that i’m only able to talk about myself with these, huh. i don’t talk to anyone else much. and even then the only reason i’m answering these is because flaps is out of commission. }

∯

* { i want to stop being so…. reclusive. but i don’t know how. i keep trying, and i end up feeling like a nuisance, and then i’m gone again. }

Runiel, no. We’re not afraid of you, and we wouldn’t be better off without you. Flaps wouldn’t either. You’ve done so much for everyone, you deserve a break. Even though you’ve been given terrible knowledge and responsibilities no one should have, you haven’t gone mad with anger or power. You’re far better than the so-called “gods” of the void. Even heroes need a rest sometimes. We’re glad to know you, we like caring for you. Stop worrying about everyone else, focus on you and Flaps!

* { it’s just been hard. }

* { we’ve been trying – we really have. but. things keep coming up, people go at us for not doing enough. it just doesn’t end. ever. }

* { and if they arent coming to us for help, they’re scared. they don’t want anything to do with us. and i don’t know what’s worse at this point. }

* { but… i appreciate the sentiment. }

∯

* { i don’t think i’ll ever understand what you see in me. you adopted me so quickly, but…. i. don’t really think i’m worth the effort. }

∯

* { you put your lot in with him. i’m starting to think we should just get rid of that addition. }

* { you’re almost as unwelcome here as he is. }