STORY

STORY

THE ZOOKEEPER
[Writhing Sneezes - Spooky's Jump Scare Mansion]
2024-10-18 11:08:36
Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2024-10-18 11:09:36

Yu tried to relax after the recent events. Eating through a recently delivered meal they tried to avoid recalling all of their errors, and especially on thinking about what Cargo said before leaving the chat.

When a ping came from their computer, they were sure it was Cowboy requesting them to rejoin. Abandoning their meal half eaten they rushed over, only to see a username they've never seen before. They checked quickly to see if it was someone in the current party, maybe Cowboy's side account, but it wasn't.

It was an account that never took Yu off their friendlist.

KEEPINGYOUALIVE
2024-10-18 11:11:01
KEEPINGYOUALIVE Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2024-10-18 11:11:38
"ACTIVE AGAIN? That's nice.... Thought you DIED, PAL."
What shall you say?
Chosen Action
"Uh, hey, who are you? It seems you've changed your username since we last spoke."
"Uh, hey, who are you? It seems you've changed your username since we last spoke."
"Your friend, pal. That's all that matters. You could use a few more. You wouldn't toss me AWAY now would you? Especially because I have SOMETHING TO DELIVER to you."
"I see you're playing Cosmicrew. PRETTY CHILDISH. Don't you want a REAL PET?"
Do you want a REAL pet?
Chosen Action
"My last pet ran away. Animals don't like me."
"My last pet ran away. Animals don't like me."
"That was a NICE BIRD I gave you. Real nice quality. Too bad you WASTED IT. Maybe it was too WILD. Not TAME enough. I got another BIRD for you if you'd like, friend. Real tame one this time. But I got OTHER pets too. Help you out with your REHABILITATION. CUTE ONES. RARE ONES. I'm done with all of them. Got what I NEEDED out of them. They're getting old now. So now it's either you, or CULLING for these guys."
Yu has to say....
Chosen Action
"Can I take all of them?"
"Can I have all of them?"
"I'm a ZOOKEEPER. A REHABILITATOR. A CONSERVATIONIST. Animal abuse is outside of my traits, friend. You can't take care of this many animals in that dinky dirty apartment of yours. CLEAN UP YOUR ACT, clean up your DAMN HOUSE, and take care of ONE pet, and maybe we'll talk about allowing you a second. Got it? Video games won't FIX YOU. Having to LOVE someone other than yourself MIGHT."
Do you take a pet?
Chosen Action
"I'm just scared I'll kill it."
"I'm just scared I'll kill it."
"I GOT MY EYES ON YOU. If you start FUCKING UP I'll take it back. I won't let you kill via mistreatment. I'm A ZOOKEEPER, it's what I do. But, listen to me, don't you do what you did last time. Let your pet out all free like. You did that with THE LAST ONE, and you know what that thing is doing now?"
"Mated pair, with one of my rarest animals! Good COLORS on this one, and now it's with your DINKY PET BIRD. If they ever HATCH anything do you know the HYBRIDS I'm going to get from this?"
"Hm....might actually look good....temperament would be better."
"Still the RELEASING of animals NOT meant for the WILD is not ALLOWED. Return them to ME if you hate them, or you get SCARED."
Do you want a pet?
Chosen Action
"I'll take a pet. Sure."
"I think I can try my best! I'll take a pet, sure!"
"GOOD. Take a gander at my FIVE OPTIONS. You'll find something you like in NO TIME. Some pets are harder to take care of compared to others but maybe you NEED THE STRUGGLE."
DOG
Subspecies: Multi Tool Guard Dog
Temperament: Timid but easily warms up to new people.
Genetic Future: Male. Infertile. No Future.
Past History: Returned to me after sale. Owner was "bored" of it.

Notes:

  • Sweet little eyes. Doesn't see enemies. Terrible for guard duty.

  • Can open any object. Doors. Windows. Jars. Cans.

  • Loves learning new interests.

  • Scared of other dogs.

  • Can entertain itself for days if given toys.


SPIDER
Subspecies: Wild but with pleasant coloration
Temperament: Skittish. Often hides under objects. Needs love.
Genetic Future: Male. Had 10 children. Outlook is bright for genetic future.
Past History: Injured wild animal. Had some pity on it. Can't keep it forever though.

Notes:

  • Remember that time I sent you those spiders?

  • I know it was a surprise.

  • But those were good fucking spiders.

  • You need spiders in your house.

  • But what happened to them was terrible.

  • This time, learn to accept and love spiders.

  • I recommend this animal.


2024-10-18 12:16:48
Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2024-10-18 12:17:38
BIRD
Subspecies: Seagull
Temperament: Extremely friendly
Genetic Future: Female. Fertility timing is over. 2 Children, 1 dead. Outlook is terrible.
Past History: Used to help the rehabilitation process for another person. That person has graduated.

Notes:

  • Her smile is very sweet. Very warm. She often laughs at nothing.

  • Used to be in school.

  • Might remind you of your old bird, for good or bad.

  • Will always fly back to you if you walk with her outside. She's scared of being too far from her owner.

  • Hates messes. Can become loud about this.

  • Solves puzzle cubes in her spare time.

  • Eats right out of your hand.

LAMPPOST
Subspecies: Wild
Temperament: ????
Genetic Future: Unknown
Past History: I saw it outside. I just had to have it. Just had to observe it. Can you believe it? Evolution created this all by herself. Sadly I can't return it to the wild anymore. It's too friendly towards people like you and me now. Doesn't know we're a danger to it.

Notes:

  • You've seen them out there in the wild.

  • How did evolution make this?

  • We can make charts, set up the most optimal breeding pairs, and yet evolution will still manage to surprise us all by herself.

  • And all we can do is gaze in amazement.

  • This is why we have to protect the wild world, pal.

  • So evolution can keep making these.

  • ..................

  • Lampposts have an EXTREME calming effect on people like us.

  • They cause us to enter a stupor like state.

  • Some sort of defense they evolved.

  • I don't actually recommend this animal unless you've finally given up on learning to be a better person.

CENTIPEDE
Subspecies: House
Temperament: Intelligent and combative
Genetic Future: Male. Fertile. Refuses to breed. Genetic Dead end.
Past History: Was wild at one point, but a thirst for knowledge lead it down this path. I cannot tell you if it regrets it or not.

Notes:

  • The term intelligent is in comparison to it and other animals. Compared to you and me it is still near mindless.

  • Can inform you of facts you've never considered knowing about. How quirky.

  • Lovely bored expression.

  • Maybe if you stare at it enough, you can see its genetic history reflected on people you know.

  • Was in a school once.

  • Will not allow you to pet it. It is a pet you look at and listen to.

  • Sheet music given to it will be sung back.

  • Warning: Windows must be locked. Will consider escape.

"These aren't the best animals I have but they're the ones I need to GET RID OF."
"Whichever ones you don't pick will be CULLED, so don't expect to see them again."
Which pet do you want?
Chosen Action
Pleasently colored wild spider
"I'll take the spider!"
KEEPINGYOUALIVE
2024-10-18 12:55:41
KEEPINGYOUALIVE Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2024-10-18 12:56:04
"You're not going to get rid of it this time, right?"
"I'm sure I won't. I mean. I'm kind of scared of spiders so I don't even think I'll touch it....Cowboy had to get rid of those "Surprise spiders" you sent last time. All their arms kind of gross me out...."
"But maybe I just need something a little more scary to help me out!"
Yu
2024-10-18 12:58:38
Yu Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2024-10-18 13:00:55
"Plus, I don't think a spider will have a problem with all the hiding spots there are in this place."
"You'll still need to CLEAN the place up sooner or LATER. I wouldn't want your spider to get LOST in there. I'm sending the spider to you now. It should be there within the HOUR."
"Woah, that soon? I was thinking like, maybe tomorrow!"
"The MAIL is ALWAYS delivered on TIME when I order it to be."
"Enjoy your SPIDER. His name is HOURGLASS because he can TELL THE TIME, but you can change his name when he arrives."
KEEPINGYOUALIVE has left the chat.
The spider is coming.....
Chosen Action
Try to clean up a bit. You don't want your spider to judge you too harshly. (Can...spiders judge?)
2024-10-18 13:26:27
Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2024-10-18 16:53:20

Yu ignores their Fortuna game for now. Cowboy has it handled. As Yu beings to crack open their front door and shove trash out, a singular crow watches them. Time to time it picks up a piece of trash and flies off with it, dumping it in an unknown location and doing it all over again. It seems rather unsettled by Yu's sudden activity.

2024-10-18 13:31:11
Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2024-10-18 16:55:46

Yu wastes no time opening the package once the spider arrives. A vivid blue spider races out, before perching on one of the many piles of junk that Yu has yet to clear out. The spider paces on the pile, which Yu does not approach, still frightful of the creature that is only 1/5th of their size. They know that due to fear, they would prefer to leave him to his own devices, but they kind of feel like they should do something first.....

What should Yu tell the spider?
Chosen Action
Ask the spider if there's anything you need to know about it.
"Hey, is there anything I need to know about you? I mean, you're kind of my new pet now so it'd be nice to know more about you." Yu offers the spider.
Hourglass
2024-10-18 13:50:53
Hourglass Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2024-10-18 16:54:49
Hourglass stares at Yu. Maybe he doesn't understand Yu (he is a spider after all) or maybe he's shy (he is a spider after all). He sinks into the trash, picking out loose strings from ancient delivery boxes. He stops to stare at Yu time to time, as if scared Yu might try to attack him during his looting of string.
Yu
2024-10-18 13:53:58
Yu Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2024-10-18 13:54:34
Yu suddenly feels silly. They don't even think spiders can talk. They have no information or knowledge on spiders. So much for being more intelligent than an animal. They try to get in touch with KEEPINGYOUALIVE but they get no response. When Yu looks back, the spider has disappeared and they do not know where it went. They try to not freak out. It's one spider. If he was hostile, he would have attacked by now.
Yu might as well name it....
Chosen Action
Keep it named Hourglass.
Yu decides to keep it named Hourglass. That's what he knows. "Hourglass!" Yu calls to the pile.
Hourglass
2024-10-18 14:09:06
Hourglass Profile
Posted by ID #2
Last edit: 2024-10-18 16:57:38
The trash shifts for a few moments, before Hourglass pokes two hands out, using his fingers to manipulate the string they have into seemingly random angles before retreating back down. Yu isn't sure what it means, but it sure was cool that he knows his name! Yu returns to their computer, wondering what their friends have been up to, and excited to tell them all about their new pet. KEEPINGYOUALIVE was right, the rustling in the background really livens up the place.

.....Yu just hopes Hourglass doesn't sneak up on them. They'd hate to accidentally step on him in fear.
END OF REALITY
SETTINGS
X
You skip part setting has been swapped.