Simon Smoke
"There's an Angel in Playtime! A person!"
Wake up.
Wash the critters with lavender soap.
Eat.
Go visit safe haven if Hoppy isn't there.
Talk with Doey.
Eat.
Sleep.
Sometimes see Catnap if the Prototype let's him sleep for a goddamn minut—
"Bobby?"
"Huh?" I asked, flinching in surprise at Doeys hand on my shoulder.
He gave me a concerned look before gesturing to the cracked dish in my hand.
"Ah shoot! My bad.. sorry." I apologized, carefully setting the white glass plate aside.
It was getting stuffy in that little bunker. Sure it was comforting seeing my friends breathing and taking care of them, but it got lonely. I got lucky with the day I woke up. It just happened to be on the rare day the Prototype gave Catnap a break.
He's given a day every two weeks, "That's horrible.. no wonder you look like shit."
"ThanksBobby.."
I felt warmer at the memory but quickly shook it off. It's only been a week and I can feel myself becoming less and less angry with him. I'm not sure why, he's hardly here, and when he is it's only for a moment to check up on me before he has to quickly leave and do whatever that thing ordered him to do.
"I'msorry, forbetrayingyou."
I froze at the memory. He apologized properly a couple days after I woke up, and I.. didn't accept it. All he did was smile and said he understood. His smile seemed so sad, yet so genuine, and it honestly made me feel guilty. It's been a week since and we haven't had an actual conversation. I thought he was avoiding me but it seems the Prototype likes to keep him busy.
"He doesn't come here as often as he'd like. With Hoppy and the fact the mini critters sometimes follow him around without his knowledge, he doesn't want to lead them to us."
Doey has been honest and detailed with the information he's given me. It sounds like Catnap. I'd known him for eight years before the Hour of Joy. We all did.
I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck, "Is everything alright, Bobby?" Doey asked, his eyes filled with the same amount of concern they had every day.
I nodded, a small smile stretched on my face.
"Yeah I'm fine just.." I paused, now that I think about it, I've never asked how him and Catnap teamed up.
I turned to the Doughman, nerves prickling the back of my throat, causing me to not fully get it out, "Uh— how did.. You know, you and Catnap..?"
I felt my face burn as he stared at me confused before his eyes widened with realization.
"Oh! I figured there had to be some things he didn't explain." He chuckled, gently moving me to the side and completely taking over my job.
I felt a bit embarrassed that he had to take over, but it's probably for the best, I'm in my head too much right now.
"Me and Catnap were enemies for awhile, especially after.. DogDay." He started, the mere mention of the sunny critter seemed to damper Doeys spirits.
"I think it was around the fourth year mark did we join forces." He said, handing me a wet plate with a smile.
I smiled back, listening intently at his words as I took it.
"I didn't trust him at all. The alliance only started because I was desperate. He has food, water, and control over the mini critters, what was I meant to do, you know?" He explained, handing me a new plate to dry.
I nodded, focusing on drying the plate right, and not cracking it like the other.
"It seemed like a disadvantage on his end. We couldn't offer much other than information, but I didn't really focus on that. I just wanted us to have protection and resources to survive." He finished washing and handed me the last plate.
I took it eagerly, feeling like I was of some use, "Did you ever ask where he was getting all these resources? If this place has been abandoned for ten years then how—" I paused, noticing the expression on his face.
I stared at him awkwardly for moment before poking him, placing the plate faced down to air dry the rest.
"Doey?"
He sighed, rubbing his eyes before turning to me.
"The Nightmare Critters." He said flatly.
It took me a second to let the information sink in before I frowned, "They're alive?"
"They were like Catnap, loyal to the Prototype, did his dirty work, and helped him in exchange for their lives." He mumbled, his body language let me know he didn't want to talk about them, but I pressed further.
"Uh huh, so are they still loyal..?"
"No. After he 'killed' you all their trust wavered. They were scared of how easily the Prototype lied to his most obedient servant, and didn't trust him after that." He dried his hands with the towel I used to dry the plates, his eyebrows furrowed, his annoyance gradually growing.
I hesitated, should I push more? He's obviously annoyed, but the fact the Nightmare Critters are helping Doey—who they didn't get along with even before the Hour of Joy—could be a sign they've changed..? I just need to know. I know too little about this situation that it makes me feel uncomfortable.
"So.. Why are they—"
"They are soinfuriating!" He suddenly shouted, interrupting me and startling the smaller critters nearby.
I jumped in surprise, hearing the skittering of the small critters retreat to their tents.
"They're rude, mischievous, and never listen!" He ranted, going on and on how they're a pain in the ass and don't ever get the hint.
I stood there shocked. I've never seen Doey mad. Yeah he's had his moments—especially when the kids would bite—but he's never shouted in rage before. He's always been calm, happy, under control.
"The only person they listen to is—"
"Where's Theo?"
I froze. Doey quickly went silent and turned around, his face scrunched into a frown.
"He's not here, and we agreed neither would you." Doey spat, pointing at the person behind me that sounded all to familiar.
I shuddered before slowly turning my head to be met with a red and white scaly chest. Damn it. I looked up, and was met with the most egotistical, arrogant, and prideful son of bitch standing no more than a foot behind me. His golden horns, two piercings and money sign necklace that was once notorious around Playcare.
Simon Smoke.
I expected his usual nauseating scent of wood smoke, but could only smell lavender instead. I backed up, noticing the disapproving look on his face he always had.
Out of all people.
Simon was easily one of the worst out of the Nightmare Critters. His cocky, demeaning attitude could piss anyone off. Hell, he would manage to get under DogDays skin—who is very forgiving and an angel compared to him— and would always have something to say. We aren't the cartoons. Yet those idiots liked messing with us just as their cartoon versions did. Although, there was something new I noticed on that said dragon, he had a prothetic hand. It was perfect for him, same size, same claws, but it was a dark grey and didn't match his colors at all.
I was about to ask about it before he rolled his eyes and turned his attention back to Doey.
"Look I don't wanna be here either, but we haven't seen Theo for over a week, not even at night. Where is he?" He demanded, walking toward the Doughman and shoulder checking me on the way. I looked around safe haven, completely forgetting about the poor little kids. They peeked out of their tents, and around corners, either in fear or shock. I'll have to comfort them after this.
I blinked in surprise. He still has that tone that makes me want to punch him, but who's Theo? Doey glanced at me and looked frustrated as he looked back at the dragon.
"Catnap is busy. We haven't seen him in awhile either, he told me the Prototypes been.. nervous since Angel came here and defeated Huggy." He explained, avoiding my hard stare and instead focused on Simon.
Simon huffed, smoke escaping through his closed teeth before looking back at me.
"I'm assuming the Critters didn't know his actual name?" He smirked, condescension dripping from his words.
Doey glared at him before Simon let out a laugh I did not miss. I'm not stupid. I realize now that 'Theo' is Catnaps real name, and Doey along with the Nightmare Critters knew before we did.
'Atleast now I know why Doey sounded so awkward when saying 'Catnap'.' I thought.
"Leave Simon. He's not here so—"
Doey was interrupted by a loud Thump behind us all. I didn't look right away, but Simons face perked up.
"Simon?"
That staticky, deep voice brought me back to reality.
"Sup man! You made Rabbie worry," He exclaimed, gingerly walking over to Catnaps confused frown, "You know how she is." He shrugged, petting Catnap on the head so casually.
I looked up and noticed a small scratch on the metal ledge near the roof. Probably where Catnap jumped from..
I looked towards Doey for an explanation, but he only sighed and stared daggers at the dragons head, who payed him no mind. Instead, Simon was happily filling Catnap in on irrelevant things like what Rabbie Baby made for dinner, or how Touille tried to climb a pole and fell on his ass.
This.. felt so odd.
Catnap seemed content, sitting in front of him, purring lightly once Simon scratched him behind his right ear, and he had his tail firmly wrapped around the dragons leg.
"Theo." Doey called, dropping the 'Catnap' now that the cats out of the bag.. literally.
Catnaps ear perked up and faced Doey. Doey pointed at Simon—who was scowling at the Doughman for whatever reason— and pointed his thumb in the direction of the exit with a look of disgust on his face.
Catnap looked a little panicked while Simon let out a devilish laugh, "And here I thought we had an agreement."
"That agreement included only tolerating you for no more than five minutes." Doey shot back, his red teeth slowly growing.
Simon raised his hands up dramatically and made a show of leaving. Not before giving Catnap a quick hug and telling him to visit to calm Rabbie Baby down. He left as quickly as he came, the heavy metal doors closing with a loud boom. Leaving Doey pissed, me confused, and Catnap unusually quiet.
I whipped my head to Catnap, my eyes squinted and judging as he didn't meet my eyes, "Simon? Seriously? If you were going to get with someone else you could have—"
"Excuseme?" He shivered, looking at me with a disturbed expression.
I stared at him, while he stared back, the same expression on his face that let me know it was indeed, not like that..
He sighed, "We'reclose, yes, buttostartoff,he'sdatingRabbiesono, wearen'tathing." He explained, glaring at me for even suggesting he'd replace DogDay most likely.
If there's anything I noticed on my own about Catnap, is that he's incredibly biased. An example would be if we were playing UNO. He'd purposely avoid making DogDay draw any cards, but would place a draw four three times in a row to Kickin.
I nodded, honestly I wasn't surprised about Rabbie Baby and Simon Smoke. They always.. had a vibe that something was going on.
"Uh huh," I paused, waiting for him to continue, but as usual he didn't, "You wanna explain to me how this happened?"
"Notreally.." He admitted, carefully trodding towards me before sitting next to me and wrapping his tail around my leg.
He looked over at Safe Haven and noticed the smaller critters slowly coming out. He looked up at me for answers, "Doey got mad over the mention of your friends and ranted for a bit." I explained, noticing the bitter tone on the word friends in my own voice.
Catnap looked over at Doey with a raised eyebrow.
"Uh— Doey?" Catnap called.
"I hate him with a passion.."
Catnap chuckled, his paw covering his mouth for a short time before standing back on four legs and going over to reassure the children. I watched him stop at every tent one by one, making sure he was far enough so he wouldn't hear before asking my questions.
"So, Catnaps real name is Theo?" I asked, the solemn tone that left my mouth wasn't that surprising.
Doey flinched and looked away. I couldn't tell if he felt guilty or like he wronged me somehow for knowing his real name before any of us critters did.
I admit it, I'm upset. Hell, jealous even. We've known him longer, we knew him for eight years and didn't learn a lick of his past from him. Yet he told Doey after knowing him for six? Maybe even shorter than that since this would mark their friendship of six years. And the Nightmares? What's that about? How could he trust them with something so private more than he trusted us?
I frowned, unintentionally staring daggers at the feline in question as Doey acted like I didn't even ask that question.
Catnap stopped dead in his tracks before turning to me awkwardly, "..Did I do something..?"
"No." I lied, ignoring his pathetic expression as I quietly started stacking the plates.
I glanced at Doey who wouldn't meet my eyes, and instead was keeping himself occupied with another task.
I watched Catnap from a distance, noticing how comfortable the other children were with him. Some had stayed in their tents while most clung to him with tears in their eyes over their fear of seeing the 'big mean dragon'. They obviously don't seem very fond of Simon.
"There, there.." He soothed, patting the back of a small Hoppy who was crying in his chest.
How ironic..
"Don't.. take it personal." Doey said suddenly, holding out a box with small racks in it.
I let out a bitter laugh, "Hard to do so when the whole topic is personal." I said, carefully placing the plates in one by one to prevent cracks.
He gave me a sympathetic laugh, "I know, but in his defense.. I found out by accident, and it just stuck. The Nightmare Critters I'm not too sure about."
I raised an eyebrow at him.
"I found out through the tapes around Playcare, there was one with Leith Pierre talking to him, and he said his name." He explained, closing the crate after I placed the last plate inside.
I nodded, Leith kept tapes of the toys he viewed to be.. unstable. The ones who weren't as cooperative in order to keep track of their behaviors and come up with theories to fix them.
"His real name is Theodore, but we call him Theo." He said finally, giving me a sincere smile.
I didn't respond and just smiled back.