(The beginning of the story was like my attempt to 'set the mood' in a way, the more we get in further the more action happens but yeah :] ) Ch.1 - Assumable Safety (Somewhat) I want to face plant into a pillow. Not uncommon, but today I genuinely don't know if I can keep standing much longer. Either way, I await Alan's response. [well?] [...] [its ok] No, it's absolutely horrible. I know he's trying his best to sound encouraging, but the act is unconvincing nonetheless. [just a few things to be worked on.] [like?] [the art is a bit messy. the colours dont match what the commissioner sent, and the animation needs to be a little more fluid. but thats all, nothing much besides those minor details] 'Minor details' meaning the whole thing. I let out a sigh. I'm normally better at this when it comes to animation - normally I'm the one that Alan asks for feedback or suggestions. But this whole week I haven't been able to really get into a flow zone and it's starting to really get on my nerves. [Orange?] I look up. [How about you take a break?] [but it's due this night.] the words leave me feeling even more guilty over the poor quality of what I've managed to produce. [I'm busy but it's fine, I'll do it later. it'll probs only take an hour or so.] An hour or so when he's supposed to be sleeping? Yeah, right. I watch idly as Alan does some quick touch-ups of his own, like he's trying to visualise what to salvage - if any of it is worth saving. It's so damn annoying that I haven't contributed anything useful this past week. I've spent this whole week either sleeping or working with Alan on his projects, but nothing I've contributed are of the quality I'm so accustomed to producing. "Orange?" I spin on my heels, immediately straightening at the sound of his voice. My hands fall slack to my sides, "Oh, hello, The Chosen One!" "Greetings, Orange," he nods curtly towards me, his eyes flickering to the pencil in my hands. He's silent for a moment, like considering what he should say, "You've been spending... a lot of time in this application. Mind telling me what exactly you are achieving?" "Oh, I've just been helping Alan out with his work," I smile. When he waits for me to elaborate, I do, "He has this job, but he also does commissions as a side hustle! I was just helping him make his upcoming animation for a commissioner." Or attempting, at least. He rolls his neck to the side, catching a slight glance of the running animation behind me and the cursor working away, "...you mean Noogai?" "What?" I blink. He gestures over to something behind me, though all I see when I turn is Alan. Alan? Noogai. ...interesting? "Oh, we call him Alan," I shrug. He nods slightly, and I focus on the sensation of the pencil in my palms as I fight the urge to ask him the origin of the name Noogai. (continue in N & C)
The Chosen One. What a grand title, and what a fitting person for it. He defeated the red guy at the Showdown site and managed to bring us all back alive. How he did it? I still ponder. What I do know is that he's both smart as he is powerful. ...and that's literally it. I don't know anything else about the stick standing in front of me. Where he was from, why he saved us - twice! - his connections with both red guy and Alan, how he has powers, literally nothing. But we owe him our lives times two, which was why when I realised that he might've not had a place to stay, I offered he stay with us at the PC. He was somewhat hesitant at first, but ultimately accepted it. He's fit in a bit. Mingled a little bit with the others. The time he isn't spending alone, he mostly spends with Yellow - against his will? Maybe. It's always Yellow's offer and he never really declines. I'm just glad that Yellow is also attempting to help him fit in. I'm trying my best to learn about him in any way that I can. "Hi, Noogai." I blink, seeing The Chosen One wave his hand towards the cursor, almost shyly. Alan's lack of a reaction makes me chuckle, seeing he was fixated on the animation. He's too used to us stick figures that we aren't much of a fascination anymore. "He can't hear you," I say, "Here, let me." [Alan!] Alan's cursor halts. [Yeah, what's up?] [The Chosen One says hi!] The Chosen One recreated his small little wave, and Alan shook his cursor in response. [Hello, Chosen One] After a moment, he carries on. I don't quite understand the confused look on The Chosen One's face until he speaks, "How did you do that?" "Do what-" right. I never quite told him I could speak... text. Really, I never actually told the others either. There was one time when I tried singing, but I'm certain they've probably already forgotten the incident with the many ones that followed. I clear my throat, "Oh, it's an ability I've had since I was created... that's all, The Chosen One." If he was unsatisfied with the answer, he made no attempt to show or convey it. Instead, he simply nodded. I shifted under his scrutinising look, averting my gaze to the pencil in my hands. I want to be come good friends with him, I really do, even if he's... intimidating. "Chosen." I flinch slightly, having zoned out for a second, "S-sorry?" "Chosen," he repeated, "Don't have to call me by my full title. It's weird. Chosen is okay, or any other nickname you so happen to adapt. "Aight, The Chosen One," It slips out of my mouth before his words actually register. He gives me a look, about to speak when- "THE CHOSEN ONE!!!" Yellow's sudden scream has my hands flying to either clasp my ears or fix into a fighting stance, but I quickly cancel the action either way. Why does he have to be so damn loud? I can't say I'm not used to it. "THE CHOSEN ONE!! I'VE MADE A NEW INVENTION, IF YOU WISH TO SEE IT THAT IS!!" I look over at The Chosen One. He isn't laughing, but he appears borderline amused, relieving me of my worries that he's growing sick of Yellow's antics. I sigh, "You should probably check that out." "Yeah," he nods, "I should." He spins on his heels, about to jump off the platform, before giving me one last glance, "We'll speak later, yes?" I nod. With that, he soars off, fire spewing from his hands. Alan's cursor isn't moving when I check, nor is he in his seat. Must've gone off somewhere. ~~~ END OF CHAPTER 1 ~~~ this small note I've been trying to write keeps getting moderated for some reason and it's really frustrating me so just let me know if you like it and if I should post the next chapter heh TSG out!
