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Home > Expos > Event 7 > Page 46
NATURE OF ART▼
NATURE OF ART
[Katana Zero - Panoramic Feelings (Rooftop) Extended]
Scab
Scab steps into the alley, rolling a cigarette back and forth between his fingers. He's a little confused as to why he came back here, but he's here all the same, approaching the machine once again.
"Hey, you there?"
Bones
As Scab approaches the machine, he notices Bones push themselves from "leaning" on the side of the machine, and sliding to the front. They were less outwardly hesitant to hide behind the machine, greeting him with a welcome smile.
"Hey, it's you again!"
Bones
"You know me, I don't go anywhere. What's goin' on?"
Scab
He lets the words roll out with some hesitation,
"I think I got a job at ZooCorp."
Bones
"Oh shit, what? ...Huh." Bones pauses, before chuckling with some uncertainty. "...On purpose?"
Bones
"I mean, heh, like... you didn't really strike me as the artsy type."
Scab
"On purpose, yeah."
He scratches the fur along his jaw, looking away from the machine (and Bones) for a moment.
Scab
"I think it'll be some kind of paper pushing job. Madam really didn't say what it was I'd be doing but, I doubt she'd throw me into the art department without a portfolio of some kind."
Scab
"I'm really not sure why I wanted to tell you this, it just kinda felt like I had to."
Bones
"I mean... yeah, man! Like, congrats on the job. They've got some kind of a pull over there, plus, it's a decent living. Take it from me."
Bones
Bones pauses for a moment.
"...You... know your limits. Uh, don't... let them push you to do things you're not comfortable with."
Bones
"It's... difficult. Sorry. You gotta do what's best for you, I get it. Make that living wage, man."
Bones
"Just make sure you're doing it on your own terms."
Scab
"I am."
Scab
2024-12-26 09:37:54
Scab Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-07-29 07:21:25
"This seems like the best move for me, really. My 'fiancée' works there, the pay is good."
Scab
"No more shit getting thrown at me or smashed bottles coming my way over picking up after slackers."
Scab
"I want to join the winning side. Chordata Inc. looks like a joke next to ZooCorp."
Scab
"It just makes sense."
Bones
"Can't deny it. ZooCorp's massive, they're not gonna get any smaller any time soon."
Bones
"Heh!... Didn't think you'd hit it off so fast, though. You spend the interview over wine, or something? Thought they did those all online nowadays."
Scab
2024-12-26 09:39:28
Scab Profile
Posted by ID #53
Last edit: 2024-12-26 09:54:21
"I might've asked the receptionist out on a date, and she just kind of invited me along after."
Scab
"Still can't believe that worked out. At all."
Bones
"Haha! Dude, what?" Bones... finally relaxes, slouching against the machine as they cross their arms. "I mean... like, if somebody promised to cover dinner and offer me a paycheck, I see why it'd be hard to say no."
Bones
2024-12-26 09:41:14
Bones Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-07-29 07:22:37
They gesture, "If it works, it works."
Bones
"Moving kinda fast though." Bones smiles. "Hope your fiancée's found what she's looking for."
Scab
He chuckles a little, looking down at the cigarette.
"We're not actually engaged."
Scab
"At least I hope not. Might need to ask her."
Scab
"That's not why I'm here anyways."
Bones
"Nah, figured not. Just ribbing you."
Bones
"...Yeah. Uh, hey, Scab."
Bones
"I appreciate you telling me."
Scab
"Really? Why?"
Bones
"It's hard to pretend I'm not hesitant. I'm also not gonna try n' sugarcoat it. But, like... you know what's best for you. I wouldn't want you to have anything less than that."
Bones
Bones shrugs, "I also just like being able to talk to people. Metaparxi. Common ground's hard to find after however many... decades, I've been managing like this."
Bones
"It sounds selfish to say I 'sacrificed' that much for my life now. If it's resonated even a little, you probably still understand it better than most."
Bones
Bones sighs, lacing their fingers together and adjusting how they're leaning onto the machine.
"...So thanks, for talking to me. Good news or bad."
Bones
"What'dya think you'll do next? Orientation at Zcorp? Catch a ship that still flies in this weather?"
Scab
He looks back over his shoulder, taking a couple steps back towards the opposite wall to lean against it, pushing the back of his head against the brickwork.
"I don't really know."
Scab
"I think I just wanted to thank you too...?"
Scab
"Speaking to you, solving your puzzle - if you could call it that - actually winning something. It got me thinking."
Scab
"At first I didn't really know what to think of you. So friendly, and pleasing, and compromising. I couldn't tell if you were being sincere at all, or just fake like every other metaparxi."
Scab
"When you handed me that painting I thought, 'Man, this guy is a pushover. They're just working for free so that I can win something.'"
Scab
"But, I think maybe it isn't like that."
Scab
"You're just doing what you want to, right?"
Bones
"I do things for my own sake now. I've learned my lesson."
Bones
"Maybe sometimes, that involves spending a night awake on something I don't need to draw, and have a shitty time doing it. Maybe I kinda like it when people tell me my art looks cool. Or sells well."
Bones
2024-12-26 09:46:15
Bones Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-07-29 07:24:31
"At the end of the day, I still love what I do. If other people end up happy in the process, that's all I can ask for."
Bones
"Maybe selfish? I guess. Can't change the kind of person I am." Bones looks down at their spraypaint body, slowly shifting as it conforms to the surface of the machine, managing a smile. "...Clearly, I can try."
Scab
"Selfish is good, I think. Which is why I'm thanking you."
Scab
2024-12-26 09:46:47
Scab Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-07-29 07:25:28
"These past few weeks I was supposed to be doing something else. Looking for someone, asking around in one of the shadiest corners of the universe."
Scab
"As a metaparxi. You can see how insane that is."
Scab
"But instead I've just..."
He shrugs his shoulders, taking in a long breath.
Scab
"I've done what I wanted to do, for the most part. I worked my ass off for a prize, went on a date, and found a new job to replace the misery I was in before."
Scab
"It feels good being selfish, and doing what you want to."
Scab
"Hopefully I get an office or a cubicle, so I've got somewhere to stick that painting you gave me."
Bones
"Spoken like a true entrepreneur. I see why the Z's scouted you."
Scab
"It's in my genes, right next to the tiger stripes."
Bones
"Just keep doing what you've been doing, Scab. You're alright." They barely hide a sheepish smile, "...And uh, you don't have to frame that. It's, like, just a doodle... I scribbled it out in 40 seconds."
Bones
"I'd put it in a safe if you're dealing with Zookeeper, if anything. Surprised you, uh... still have it. Didn't he want it?"
Scab
"He did, but he wanted your capsule more."
Scab
He reaches into his jacket, pulling the painting from his inventory, still in the frame he'd bought to try and make it more appealing to Zookeeper.
"So, I'm keeping it. For me."
Bones
"Heh! Aw, man..." Bones rubs the back of their neck. "Well, guess the glass'll keep Zookeeper from drooling on it."
Bones
"I hope your job works out well, Scab. Go make that bank, or whatever you're after there."
Bones
"...And if you see me creeping around on any other company property, promise you won't tattle. Or, like, just tattle anonymously. Can't hold it against you if you do."
Scab
"Okay, you really need to stick up for yourself a little more. I don't wanna hear 'Oh it's okay if you tattle on me.'"
Scab
"Is all that meta really still in there, after all that?"
Bones
Bones clicks their tongue. "You know, I kinda of hope so, man. I like to think there's still somethin' familiar left in here after what's happened."
Bones
Bones sighs, stuffing their hands in their pocket. A small pause.
"...I know there's, like, ways to undo this. I don't really know how. Kinda why I keep stalking the corp."
Bones
2024-12-26 09:49:35
Bones Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-07-29 07:27:28
"Not that I've been necessarily pushing for a solution, so don't worry, I'm not fishing for any suggestions."
Bones
2024-12-26 09:49:44
Bones Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-07-29 07:27:50
"Life isn't any less enjoyable. Think I'm just in the same boat as you. Hard to know what the next step is..."
Scab
"Ain't it lonely? Being, y'know..."
He lets a hand holding onto the painting fall down by his side while he waggles the cigarette at Bones' current mode of existence.
Scab
"What do you even feel when you're like that? Is there even anything?"
Bones
"I can, like, definitely feel well enough. Felt it when people set their horses on the machine and flipped me upside-down. I see and hear fine, too."
Bones
2024-12-26 09:50:35
Bones Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-07-29 07:28:30
"It's..." Bones gestures. "It's swimmy. I feel like I'm flying. If a surface is flat enough, I can slide on n' off as much as I want, any sort of material as long as it's not going to hurt me. I'm just... stuck."
Bones
2024-12-26 09:50:40
Bones Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-07-29 07:29:07
"Won't, uh, keep you here talking about this weird... personal stuff. I think I'm still a metaparxi, 'least I'm shaped like one. Just a little flatter."
Scab
"Yeah, I should probably get going soon. Not sure if I should be hanging around the offices or not."
Scab
He pushes off of the wall with his tail hand, taking a few hesitant steps away before stopping again, and turning back to the machine.
Scab
"Have you never tried moving over someone?"
Bones
Bones cocks their head. "Over- oh? Oh!"
Bones
"I've... been told it's kind of cold. And wet."
Bones
2024-12-26 09:51:45
Bones Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-07-29 07:29:33
"Heh, in the rare moments I've convinced people to lemme hitch a ride..."
Scab
"Eugh..."
He visibly jitters at the thought.
Scab
2024-12-26 09:55:16
Scab Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-07-29 07:30:29
But still he stands there, cocking his head in turn.
"Do you... Think you'd want to go for a walk? It's gotta get boring hanging around here all the time."
Bones
"A walk?... Wait, like."
Bones
Bones hesitates to reply, at one moment, opening to speak, but failing to find the words. They respond, without confidence.
"You, uh. Y'sure? You're ok with it?"
Scab
"Not really?"
Scab
"I just think I'd go crazy being stuck on the backside of a fancy vending machine for days on end."
Scab
His tail hand plants itself uncertainly upon a part of the machine Bones does not occupy.
"Look, it's your choice. Sounds like it'll feel gross but it'll only be like, ten minutes. Half an hour, tops."
Bones
2024-12-26 09:56:16
Bones Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-07-29 07:31:15
"I mean, I'll take you up on it." Slowly, the paint from the machine slides off onto Scab , crawling up to 'piggyback' across their clothes. The paint is... wet, but moves without staining the fabric.
"Maybe you're the one bein' too self-sacrificing, huh? Can't say I didn't warn you."
Scab
Again he shivers, his tail hand almost prying itself away from the machine of its own free will if not for fear of hurting the other metaparxi. Once Bones is fully aboard he takes a moment to look down at his clothes with all of the bright neon paint stretching across them. He speaks with some discomfort, but for the most part, amusement.
"This- This is not an every day thing. This is a very special case here."
Scab
"Ready to go?"
Bones
2024-12-26 09:56:54
Bones Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-07-29 07:31:49
"Yeah, I'm good. Comfy." Bones laughs, peeking around Scab's shoulder.
Bones
2024-12-26 09:57:01
Bones Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-07-29 07:32:08
"Just pretend I'm not even here." Their form wraps around the green metaparxi, secure. "And, uh...Thank you, for this, Scab. Really. Thank you."
Scab
"I'm not gonna ignore you the whole time, that'd be stupid."
Scab
"But, uh, you're welcome. Let's go find a park or something, somewhere a little less dingy."
Bones
"You lead the way, man. You're the one who works here."
2024-12-26 09:57:43
Profile
Posted by ID #53
Last edit: 2024-12-26 09:57:50

As they leave the alley, Bones recoils slightly at the sensation of the rain falling on Scab's jacket. The wind was cold, abrasive, the storm whipped up between the citadel's skyscrapers. There was plenty of space to hide from it, sure, but Bones welcomed the feelings as they walked together. They'd take the whole half hour to do so.


Tibia
It was cold, and wet. The sound of rain overwhelming everything. Tibia had been searching, scavenging for whispers of "Bones", their apparent counterpart. They all lead them here, a decrepit alleyway with that disgusting machine that started all of this. Their fur stuck to them, suit soaked in this never ending storm.
"…Hello?"
Bones
The clouds have made it hard to discern morning from evening. Bones had spent some time away from the machine, only recently returning to the safety of the dry alleyway, and the surface of their Machine.
Bones had no reason to hide at the moment, but still feel a reflexive hesitancy when called for by name. They peek around the corner, to the voice calling.
Bones
"Oh, hey." Bones... cocks their head, managing a curious smile. Another metaparxi. "Green man's handling the guessing today, if you wanted to try for a capsule."
Tibia
"I don't care for… those."
Tibia
"Are you… Bones?"
Bones
"...In the flesh. Er... uh. You get I mean, heh!" Bones... scrutinizes the metaparxi before them, occasionally eyeing the suit, but clearly staring at their "skull".
Bones
2024-12-26 09:59:37
Bones Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-07-29 07:33:29
"...Have we met? Feel like I'm running into a lot of old work buddies, lately."
Tibia
Tibia stays silent, in shock of what's in front of them. Is this… their fate?
Despite themself, they ask… "What happened?"
Bones
"!!..."
Bones
"............"
Bones opens their mouth to speak, but is taken aback by the question. Instead of offense, their tone just seems... exhausted.
Bones
"Right to it, huh?... Er..."
Bones
2024-12-26 10:00:34
Bones Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-07-29 07:34:02
"Alright, what what do I usually, uh... I, resigned! I did so willingly. My body and I are both still in-tact, but separated. I am not a Zookeeper product, or dangerous, I'm just..."
Bones
They trail off, rubbing the back of their neck "Uh. Look, if you're from the ZooCorp or know me, you can let me know. It's fine if you are."
Tibia
Tibia's finger tips graze the paint of Bones, backing off at the last second. "I suppose you could say I'm from Zoocorp. Not by choice."
Bones
2024-12-26 10:01:15
Bones Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-07-29 07:34:43
Bones recoils with a quiet "Dude..." but doesn't interrupt their guest.
Tibia
"I… You… We're the same." They turn their head sideways, the part of their face with no tattoos showing.
Bones
"That's... huh. Another one. Alright." Bones sighs, brow furrowed.
Bones
"So that's, uh. That's... my pelt, you're wearing?" The anomaly gestures at Tibia.
Tibia
"What? What pelt-?! This is- me! You? Us?"
Bones
"Oh. Ohh. Wait, no you've gotta be from that- uh-" Bones snaps their finger, looking for the word. "That game show, right?"
Bones
"Hard to keep up with it besides rumors. I didn't... even know it's real until recently, frankly."
Bones
2024-12-26 10:02:20
Bones Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-07-29 07:35:25
"Which is. Good, I guess. After that Barley guy, I was wondering how long Zookeeper secretly had my other half on ice, or something..." Bones pauses, taking a beat.
Bones
"So you're not screwing around, huh? You're, like, actually me? Wishbone 'n all?"
Tibia
"I haven't been called that in… a long, long while."
Tibia
Tibia does a little twirl, showing off their wholeness and. Wishbone-ness or something.

Tibia
"But wait- other half? Zookeeper?"
Tibia
"Did he cut you in half???"
Bones
"Huh. Heh! Well, uh, you seem like you're doing good for yourself. I like the suit, you look good all dressed up. Professional."
Bones
"Erk- no! No no, uh. Don't worry, what you see here was done on my own volition. Unfortunately."
Bones
Bones shrugs. "Might not believe me, but it kind of... felt like the best option for me, at the time."
Bones
"The Zookeeper was fine to me. He was, great, even. It took me a long time to realize that working for him was just... hurting me, regardless. So I bounced."
Bones
"You got a Zook where you come from, I presume?"
Tibia
"Working for him was… hurting you?"
Tibia
"Where I'm from… I'm The Zookeeper."
Bones
"Oh. Oh."
Bones
"...Whoof, man. Haha, that's, a pretty big bombshell. Like, run-the-company Zookeeper?" Bones manages a hesitant smile "What a promotion, huh?"
Bones
"Uh... wow! I mean, I feel like I should be congratulating you. I guess, something worked out in the end, if that sort of job ended up gelling with you."
Bones
There's a pause, "...Are you, like, happy? That feels like a weird question, sorry."
Tibia
"Of course! I was- I was on top of the world!"
Tibia
"Zion was the artist, and I was the face of the brand. Everything was great."
Tibia
"But… But then, Zion started asking about art- "What does it mean?" and…"
Tibia
Tibia freezes, remembering their manners a moment too late. "I… apologize."
Tibia
"Very unprofessional!"
Bones
"Zion, huh? Heh! Yeah, sounds like something a lead artist would ask after a few shifts..."
Bones
"You're good though. You're not here to, like, sell me anything. Don't have to keep up your brand off-the-clock."
Bones
2024-12-26 10:07:31
Bones Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-07-29 07:36:54
"I mean, I assume you're not here to sell me anything. I hope? I guess if you're the Zookeeper..." Bones pauses. "No offense, I mean."
Tibia
Tibia gives a small chuckle, "I'm not here to sell anything. Just to ask some questions, I suppose."
Bones
"I mean, you're me, man, but ask away."
Bones
2024-12-26 10:07:57
Bones Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-07-29 07:37:17
"Kind of want to ask you something, too, but like... you dragged yourself all the way out here in the rain, I'll at least hear you out."
Tibia
They give a small nod, nerves crawling up their spine.
Tibia
"So… What happened between you and The Zookeeper?"
Bones
Bones slouches against the machine, arms crossed.
"...Seeing as you're kinda both me and the zookeeper, I guess I owe it to you."
Bones
"I didn't know who I was when The Zookeeper picked me up. He gave me everything I needed, and I provided him enough art to build a business on. It was like clockwork. Things were, like... fine."
Bones
"When I first figured that I was being taken advantage of, I didn't actually say anything. How could I? I recognize that what I was doing was work, and I was being paid for my time. I had a name, I felt important. He put me on TV and gave me a house." Bones gestures, "But something was, like, missing. It's hard to describe."
Bones
"I'll be the first to admit, maybe my first 'resignation' attempt wasn't the most graceful. Heh... And that was just my first half..."
Bones
"I uh, didn't stick around after that. At that point, nobody else would try to hire me, and my name was so tied to Zookeeper's... So I freelanced off the brand's back. I needed an income way more than I needed to prove a point."
Bones
"It was fulfilling. But it was taking. When Zookeeper showed up to drag me back, I was too exhausted to do anything but relent."
Bones
"Because he was, like... kind of right. I needed a job."
Bones
2024-12-26 10:09:42
Bones Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-07-29 07:38:35
"I 'unno if I finally grew a spine, or what, but... I realized that there was nothing there for me. It wasn't him, not entirely. But I'd never be happy living as a walking commercial. Even if I had to give up my comforts to be here, even if I had to feed the machine to do it, I'm here."
Bones
2024-12-26 10:09:53
Bones Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-07-29 07:38:59
"He already has what he needs, enough of my art to train a new set of designers. I won't say I don't miss it sometimes, but I don't regret what I did. I get to work on my own terms, and it feels good. That's what mattered to me most."
Bones
2024-12-26 10:10:21
Bones Profile
Posted by ID #53
Last edit: 2024-12-26 10:10:32
...Is this what they had been doing to Zion…?...
Were they taking advantage of him…? Of his art, of his friendship… Ignoring their questions to further himself…?
Bones
"I uh, hope that's what you wanted to hear. Kinda heavy, but it never really got easier to explain, despite however many years..."
Bones
2024-12-26 10:10:51
Bones Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-07-29 07:39:34
"I'd say I hope you understand where I'm coming from, but... I know you do. You're me, I guess. Second most restless metaparxi this universe, heh." They offer Tibia a tired smile.
Tibia
Tibia gives a small smile back, trying to push back against the regret and guilt of everything.
Tibia
"I do. I do get it."
Bones
"Heh, makes sense you would."
Bones
2024-12-26 10:11:24
Bones Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-07-29 07:40:02
"Everybody's always like, 'Oh man, if I were the boss around here, I'd fix everything!' I know I was no stranger to these thoughts."
Bones
"So, like... I 'unno. Hope that being the zookeeper's not too much on your shoulders. Just, like, treat your employees well or something, alright?"
Tibia
"You don't feel strange, talking to the you that caused the same suffering you have faced?"
Bones
"Oh, it's strange as hell, dude."
Bones
2024-12-26 10:12:15
Bones Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-07-29 07:40:21
"But like, I 'unno. Figured you're not here to hurt or hire me or anything. Guess I'm curious what it's like on the other side, too."
Tibia
"You remind me a lot of who I once was. Before becoming Zookeeper."
Tibia
"Ah, what was your question from before?"
Bones
"Oh, oh! Yeah. No pressure, but like..."
Bones
"I'm curious. Why'd you become the Zookeeper? Or I guess, how?"
Tibia
Tibia taps their chin, thinking. "It's been so long, I can't quite remember. I suppose I was tired of… Something. All I remember is there being a vacancy, and having to fight to fill the spot."
Bones
"Heh, I get it! Like... you gotta do what you gotta do."
Bones
2024-12-26 10:13:21
Bones Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-07-29 07:40:48
"It's... the reason I'm in the spot I'm in, after all. Guess it's in your nature."
Bones
"I mean, our nature."
Tibia
Tibia tilts their head with a smile, "Yeah. Our nature."
Tibia
"Could I ask you another thing?"
Bones
"I'm not goin' anywhere, sure."
Tibia
Tibia takes a second to think of how to word this. "Do you think… Zookeepers and Bones, could ever coexist?"
Bones
"Heh! That's pretty existential, man... like, across universes?"
Bones
"I've only really got experience with my own universe. But, like... I 'unno. You seem like a cool guy. At the risk of sounding like a narcissist, haha."
Bones
"Don't know how much longer you're going to be around, but I think you're a fine Zookeeper, Bones. At least, I hope you are. You'd probably know best if you were or weren't."
Bones
"I'm sure there's a universe out there where we're frolicking and having awesome picnics, unbothered by income. Or maybe we both just work a normal opening cashier shift together. Something easy like that."
Tibia
"That… that'd be nice."
Tibia
Their eyebrows knit together, a sigh leaving them. "Do you think… there are universes where we never meet?"
Bones
"I think there's universes for everything, man. Probably."
Bones
Bones laughs. "Hope they're doing okay. Hope they're all having fun making art. Or some alternate-universe hobby, like hydroponics, or something."
Tibia
"Mm… Yeah."
Bones
"I uh, hope that meeting me wasn't, like, too disappointing. I know this looks scary n' all..." Bones glances down at their body
Bones
2024-12-26 10:16:35
Bones Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-07-29 07:41:53
"But like I said, I'm good. It was on my terms. Maybe in another universe, I'd do something different, maybe a lil' less extreme... but I don't think I regret it."
Bones
"I'm sure you've got work to do, though, 'boss'. Don't let me keep you, but like... don't be a stranger, alright?"
Tibia
"It wasn't disappointing. If anything, reassuring."
Tibia
"And how could I be a stranger to myself?"
Bones
"Least I can do. Hey, if you ever need somewhere safe from the storm, feel free to come back and chat. With uh, me. You? Ourselves?
Tibia
Tibia nods, and gives a small wiggle of their fingers as a goodbye. "Toodaloo~"
Bones
"Yeah, see you 'round, man."
Bones
Bones slides back to their side of the machine, waving their guest off. They click their tongue, finally allowing their forced smile to drop.
("Hm. A Zookeeper, huh...")
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