Sweet Decor

I feel sick.

My hands are covered, cracks are forming- This wasn't supposed to happen.

Floor 20, Blackout. The floor where Bobette was apparently located, the floor where Dandy said that she was guaranteed to be there.

She is here... But along with Pebbles.

He didn't say anything... He didn't- I thought it was...

There Ginger was sat in the corner next to Toodles' body, cradling the poor girl's shattered head in her lap as she laid on one heart.

Ginger couldn't even heal her as her ability was practically useless when she was on one heart too. All she could do was whisper sweet nothings and try her best to comfort her while she waited for at least Brightney, Vee, or at least Gigi to finish up the last few machines.

CRUNCH.

... Well, it's up to Vee and Brightney now.

Everyone else, Goob, Scraps, and Finn were already... Gone. All of their bodies scattered around, Goob having both of his arms torn out and Finn having his legs snapped in half and Ginger could only hide.

Scraps was a mess too but what could you expect from paper combined with Ichor... (She was ripped and torn beyond belief.)

I'm useless- I'm so... So useless- I promised to help as best as I could... after all Bobette is my best friend...

Best friend..?

Before she could rethink the word, Twisted Pebbles' footsteps caught her off guard, causing her to quickly eat a speed candy and rush off to another corner with Toodles in her arms.

Bandage- I need to find a bandage... Well, a medkit actually...

Quickly finding a 'safe' corner between two bookshelves and a completed machine, she gently laid Toodles against the machine, hoping the warmth would maybe soothe her.

"... Toodles? Toodles please... Open your eyes..." Ginger begged softly, hoping her running didn't cause the girl's health to worsen. Thankfully, Toodles opened her eyes by just a small smidge and Ginger let out the loudest sigh of relief.

"I want you to stay here okay? Don't move... I'll... I-I'll get a lamp so you can see... I'll find you a medkit and we can get out of here- safe and sound." She gave the little girl the smallest smile and Toodles returned it, still having a toothy grin despite their predicament.

"Be a good girl and don't make a sound okay..? If something passes by... Hold your breath and count to 10- J-Just like when you're playing hide and seek..!"

Ginger soon got up and grabbed the nearest light source which were christmas lights and wrapped it around Toodles' hand. "I'll be right back okay..?"

I know Dandy needs to Toons to help but a child..? Even if he may be 'good' his morals are still off.

Then, she walked out of the hiding space and into the cold, cold dark of The Workshop.

I'll find a medkit... Surely Dandy would have at least put one in this floor...

Hours have gone by already.

Vee and Brightney are gone, Toodles is still somehow alive stuck in that corner.

Ginger- Ginger...

Ginger didn't know what to do.

No medkit, no bandages, even the soft hum of the music wasn't even soothing her anymore.

She was useless with machines, every time she tried to get that stupid wheel to turn, she'd turn it a bit too loud and cause Twisted Pebbles to come running with Bobette.

Slumping down against the bookshelf with Toodles beside her... All she could do was hope and wait for some form of backup, surely Dandy would notice that they were taking an awful long time to come back.

"... Toodles... I think we have to give up..." Her voice was only a soft mumble as the cream of her hair was already melting, spoiling in real time as her emotions soured. "Toodles... Toodles you're gonna be a good girl right? You're gonna take Pebbles chomp like a champ and come back just fine... And even prettier than before."

Ginger never was good with kids but she learned a lot from Cosmo. Thankfully, Toodles did laugh softly but it was hoarse.

Deciding to give up and let a new batch try to get Bobette back to normal, she picked Toodles up and began carrying her back out to the Christmas tree at the center, lowering her head so she wouldn't see the Ichor everywhere.

She waited for Twisted Pebbles to spot them and as if right on cue-

BARK BARK!

Ginger froze.

Yes, Dandy could just revive her and Toodles but... She could still feel the pain, the suffering she'd have to go through to get revived.

Just let this end already...

The stomping grew closer as it came close and before she could react, Twisted Pebbles was right in front of her, eyes locked onto Toodles first as it quickly opened its jaws and-

CRRUUUNCCH.

... Only the body remained.

As Twisted Pebbles lavished in the taste, Ginger could only wait for her turn... Convinced that this would be the end as he turned his attention to her and-

...

CRRRK.

Soft...?

Ginger lifted her head slowly, finding Twisted Bobette grappling Twisted Pebble's snout like a vice and throwing the poor thing right across the floor, causing a sickeningly loud splat followed with the noise of rocks cracking.

Twisted Bobette; meanwhile, had Ginger in her arms, her clawed digits grasping at her fragile almost crumbling body. It looked painful but Ginger was... Oddly comforted.

Looking up, she made eye contact with Twisted Bobette...

She had an innocent smile as she stared back down at Ginger in her hand, holding her like a precious doll.

Ginger couldn't believe it- I mean... A Twisted not attacking a Toon immediately? This... This never happened before and yet there she was, safe and sound.

"... Bobette...?" At those words, the ornament chimed softly as Twisted Bobette turned her attention back to Ginger, tilting her head in an animalistic way almost.

"Bobette... Bobette..." Ginger's words soon turned into choked sobs as her hands desperately clawed at Twisted Bobette's sweater, trying to hold her closer even if it was impossible. "Bobette... You're still there... Still- still..."

Twisted Bobette was making her way to the abandoned elevator nearby, crouching down against the wall as she held Ginger close, letting her sob and sob till her voice ran dry.

No Twisted Pebbles, and no other toons.

Just them both.

Well... Ginger was done crying her eyes out but Twisted Bobette still had her in her hand, as if inspecting her closely.

"Bobette... Could you put me down now...?" Her voice reluctant, afraid that she might make her angry but surprisingly, she was gently placed back down on the ground.

Ginger's feet wobbled as she struggled to balance herself but she soon managed to stand normally as she looked back up at Twisted Bobette.

Her innocent smile was uncanny against her monstrous Ichor-covered body but... It was almost like she was still... There somehow.

"... Do you recognize me...? Even if you're a Twisted and all..." Ginger offered up her hand and Twisted Bobette surprisingly took it into hers, rubbing the clawed thumb over the fragile girl's palm, careful not to cause a single crack.

If Twisted Bobette was being this... Normal... Then maybe she has a chance to get out of here and get Bobette the help she needs.

"... Okay, Bobette listen to me- I want you to take me to every machine and help me complete it okay...? So I can get out of here and get you the help you deserve..." She gave her a soft smile but Twisted Bobette seemed to grimace at the mention of leaving, her sharp teeth coming out as she bared her teeth.

Ginger instantly stumbled back, afraid that she might have upset Twisted Bobette but as fast as she bared her teeth, she quickly went back to smiling and tugged Ginger back.

"... D-... Do you want me to stay...?" And Twisted Bobette immediately nodded.

"... Okay, I'll stay..." Even if she did miss Gardenview already, she was still somehow comforted by being around her best friend, even if she may be a Twisted.

Taking a few cautious steps closer, she curled up against Twisted Bobette's leg and was immediately greeted with the larger Twisted also curling up like a cat against her, pressing the toon against her stomach and using her legs to keep her still.

The position looked more like a dragon guarding it's prized treasure but there's no way Bobette would even consider Ginger as her treasure- they are the bestest of friends but there's no way...

Ginger let out a contented sigh as she used Twisted Bobette's sweater to cover herself up from the cold of The Workshop, burying her face into it despite her cream staining the lime green.

This is relatively... Unconventional- but Dandy should send some toons back down to help soon...

With that 'comforting' thought and the actual comfort of being held close by her best friend, she closed her eyes and soon fell asleep with Twisted Bobette's claws caressing and smudging the makeup on her face.

Ginger woke up to the most annoying yet familiar sound of Rudie's bells, letting out an uncomfortable groan as she felt around.

This wasn't Twisted Bobette's sweater but it was Gardenview's clinic bed...

Jolting awake at the realization, she quickly snapped her eyes open and looked around.

Everyone was... Fine.

Goob and Scraps were sharing a bed with Scraps taking up half of the blanket with Goob having to use his fluff to warm up.

Vee and Brightney were arguing about Vee being a dumbass and suddenly rebooting in the middle of getting chased by Pebbles, Vee was obviously embarrassed and begged Brightney not to tell Shelly.

Finn was snoring in the bed next to her, both of his legs in a cast since he still needed some time to heal.

Ginger panicked for a few moments as she realized Toodles was nowhere to be seen, "Toodles...?! Where-" before she could continue her sentence, Rudie quickly shushed her and pointed down where Toodles was laying right next to her, hugging her tightly.

"She was the first one to wake up and immediately asked to lay down with you!" Rudie nudged her as he laughed softly, his nose blinking a bright blue. "I mean golly! What could miss hero Ginger could have done down there to make Toodles into her fan?" He teased as Ginger could only roll her eyes as she gently pat Toodles' head.

"Oh shush... Where's Dandy by the way...?" To that, Rudie pointed over to the front of the medical where Bobette was arguing with Dandy while Dandy was trying to bandage her up with the medkit.

Rudie whistled at Dandy, catching his and Bobette's attention as Bobette quickly turned flustered at the sight of Ginger and shoved her face into the pillow.

Dandy let out a sigh as he noticed Ginger's accusing gaze. "Look, look... The last batch had Pebbles in it and by seeing Bobette tackle Rodger he let his instincts get the best of him and try to take her down himself..." Then he pointed over to the separate corner of the clinic.

Pebbles was in a bed absolutely dogpiled on by blankets, looking like he was dry heaving as Shelly was beside him petting him nervously.

Meanwhile, Rodger was still asleep with Glisten laying his head down at his lap, seemingly having been there for quite a while now judging by how his mascara was smudged due to his tears.

"I really, sincerely apologize but..." Dandy then raised his eyebrow as he placed a hand on Ginger's shoulder. "Tell me, how did you even manage to sleep so close to a Twisted like that and not let it attack you?! For as long as these Twisted breaches have been happening, no one has ever managed to be safe from a Twisted! Let alone anything similar!"

Ginger blushed at the thought of her and Bobette being the first two...

Is our friendship that strong or something..?

"No- no... Actually I just... Remember Pebbles trying to attack me then Bobette saved me and... comforted me...? I don't know how to explain it..." With a sigh she laid back down on her bed.

"Well, we checked Bobette for any anomalies and she was fully consumed by the Ichor... Maybe it's related to your bond..." Then Dandy went back to his ramblings as he made his way to his office. "Just heal up, okay? Don't move too much, you might snap your arm off."

Ginger let out a soft chuckle at Rudie making the 'cuckoo' gesture at Dandy. "Oh stop it, you know he's desperate to know everything..."

She let her gaze go back to Bobette, wondering just how the hell she managed to survive... Fair and square.

Is there something she isn't telling me about...?