23:50 | 18 Online Users
Login
Station
Login
Catalogue
Story Bestiary All Pets Database Colors Rules Cosmosdex

STORY

STORY

Home > Expos > Event 7 > Page 24
ART PLANS▼
ART PLANS

Scab has returned to the strange machine, scratching along his jaw bone as he tries to gather his thoughts, stepping around the back of the machine to speak to Bones.

Scab
"Hey."
Bones
The anomaly shifts along the back panel of the machine in an effort to find a comfortable position. On spotting Scab, they wave him over.

"Heyo, you're back. What's going on?"
Scab
"I'm kinda throwing myself hard into this capsule thing, it's making for a pleasant distraction from... Everything."
Scab
"So, I've done a little research, and I think I've got a plan to get you your capsule from that robot guy."
Bones
"It's kind of fun, right? Used to use 'em in a similar way, 'cept I was on the other end of them."
Bones
"I sometimes get that they're frustrating, but the same people airing their woes tend to be the ones working hardest on cracking some of these puzzles."
Bones
"Whatcha got in mind, greenman?"
Scab
"Feeling the latter party, to be honest. Going back home after an already long day and watching old Zookeeper commercials instead of sleeping was not how I'd expected to be spending my evenings but, here I am."
Scab
"Okay, so... We both want a capsule, right? You want the one that Zookeeper's got, I want the one you've got. We're both wanting here."
Bones
"Wouldn't wish those tacky old things on most. But yeah. If I had something better to offer, I would. Drawing's kind of all I have going for me right now."
Scab
"That's exactly what I want."
Scab
Scab holds out a piece of hard paper, hovering it close by the machine. "I need your art."
Scab
"Don't think it has to be anything too special, so long as it's authentic Bones artwork. Something a real appreciator would be able to spot."
Bones
Bones glances down at the paper, cracking a smile. "Feel like now's a good time to mentions that my commissions are open."
Bones
"...I'm just yankin' your leg. Hey, hold the paper up against the machine here. Can't interact with what I can't touch."
Scab
He smirks a little, more so at the relief of not having to pay than at Bones' joke, but he could appreciate the jest. He holds the paper flat against the machine so that Bones can easily move across it.

Glossy paint coats the back of the paper as Bones envelops the surface. Scab recognizes a conscious effort to not to get his fur dirty, but he feels the paper cool under his hand as it is painted.

Bones
"Cool. Let's see, I'm sure I've still got this..."
Bones
"...Y'know, it's... not like he doesn't know I'm still around. That dude's bad news, not too hard to put together what he's capable of when motivated."
Scab
"Are you avoiding him?"

Scab holds the paper as lightly as he can. Paint undoubtedly marks his green fur, but only at the tips of his fingers.
Bones
"Yeah. It's hard to, though."
Bones
"...And even harder when I'm joyriding on his equipment, heh. But he's kind of harmless on his own, so don't panic if he tries to back you into a corner, alright? Just refuse what he's offering, otherwise he's putting his rep on the line."
Bones
"I know some people aren't in a place where they can say no. It's what makes him dangerous.... But the worst you can do is give him what he wants."
Bones
"Which is why I'm alright with sharing this. Can't exploit my work more than it already has. Plus... he knows how to find me, if he really wants to." Bones pulls away from the paper.
2025-01-27 11:37:27
Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2025-03-06 20:48:30

You've obtained a Bones original.

Scab
Scab pulls the paper away, staring at the work Bones had done. Without looking up at them he asks, "Why do you think he hasn't then?"
Bones
"He doesn't need to. He already has my art."
Bones
"He's got employees trained on design documents made from dissecting my art for years. He's put more thought into this shit than I have."
Scab
"Do you think he's happy with that? Imitations, instead of the original?"
Bones
"He can't feel happy. Only success, or failure."
Bones
"And people are still buying, aren't they?" Bones shrugs.
Scab
He slips the artwork into his inventory, cocking his head to scratch behind one of his ears.

"Only success or failure, huh. Feels like a lot of questions, so you let me know if you're getting tired Splats, but..."
Scab
"Why do you think people are still buying? Is it because the product is Zookeeper, or because the art is "Bones"?"

He signs air quotes when he uses Bones' name, in lieu of the imitations.
Bones
"It's no sweat. I like the company, and this isn't something I get to talk about a lot with others, but I feel comfortable doin' so after so much time spent living it. A welcome change of pace, y'know?"
Scab
He shrugs.
Bones
"It's hard to say, though. Because... I'm the brand, even if I'm not there anymore. People don't think about "me" or "them" when buying art, they're just thinking about the art."
Bones
"I don't hold it against anybody, though. You buy your eggs on discount because you need other groceries, not because they treat the hens any better."

Bones crosses their arms, thinking for a moment.

"Art's kind of different, I guess. On a technical level, you don't need it to live, sure."
Bones
"I wouldn't feel comfortable experiencing life through my lens alone. A bit of fiction is healthy, give yourself the little frivolous things if it makes you happy to have them."
Bones
"...Think the question got away from me, 'pologies. I think people want to feel good."
Scab
As he listens to Bones wind on he reaches for a cigarette, lighting up. Even with Bones being a stretch of graffiti on a clunky machine, he still makes an effort to blow his smoke away from them.

"Feeling good's really all that matters in the end. It's just a case of how hard are you willing to work to find your 'good'."
Scab
"Have you found yours?"
Bones
Bones grins at the sentiment. They nod. "I'm still working on it. But I'm almost there."
Scab
He nods. "Uh, good. That's good."
Bones
"My old capsule isn't necessary to this. But it makes me happy to have."
Bones
"Hope the drawing serves you well. Don't get heckled too bad."
Scab
"Oh, right!"

Scab produces the original piece Bones had just finished, holding it back up to the machine.
Scab
"Sign it. It's yours, not an imitation."
Bones
"Oh, shit, right. Almost forgot."
2025-01-27 13:21:16
Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2025-03-06 20:48:53

Bones scribbles down a signature.

Bones
"He'll recognize it either way. But do what you want with it."
Scab
He looks at the signature, one of his ears flicking a little at the sight.
Scab
"I'll do my best is what I'll do. Thanks for the help."
Bones
"You're good company, hope we can chat again. See you around."

The anomaly "leans" back up against one of the borders of its machine surface, waving Scab off as they leave.
Scab
He takes pause at Bones' comment, staring at them with an almost quizzical look. He goes to speak, but settles for a quiet nod, pocketing the artwork as he leaves.
No one is typing.
Back
Next