Overdue Check-Up (Poppy Playtime)

(Chapter 2) Part 4: Reminiscing

Children cheers over the speakers, Nearic had just finished his first attempt at Musical Memory... but he's absolutely exhausted, he gave it his all in that game.

"Alright Nearic, you did well at your first go at this game, and we're all pretty impressed, you may head back up into the Game Station and wait for your friends to try it out themselves, okay?" a man said with pride from the observation room above.

A young Nearic looks up at them as he smiles, "Okay! Bye bye!" he calls out as he waves at them and walks out of the room.

He was short for a 6 year old young boy, he wore a simple grey shirt, black pants, and blue shoes, his hair was much lighter, seeming like a dirty blonde.

Walking out of the room, he was met by a line up of several other kids around his age, a year or two older or younger, as well as a young woman in a yellow long sleeved shirt, pants, and shoes, she had brown hair, blue eyes, and brown skin.

Said women wore a smile as she opens her arms out to the sides, inviting a hug as she says, "Well done kiddo, I hear you did so well! What score did you get?"

Nearic smiles meekly as he says a little shyly, "A f-five..."

She smiled wider, hugging the boy tightly, "A high score, oh you are so amazing Nearic, you must tell Mommy you're score, she'll be so proud of you!"

The young boy hides his face in her neck as he mutters, "Th-thanks... Ms. Greyber."

Her smile widens as she puts him down, "Well, I guess I should let you go, head on upstairs and wait for the others, okay?"

Nearic nods and runs off upstairs, upon doing so, he was met by seeing several other kids playing around the game station, laughing, giggling, chasing, and other active activities. Some were using the playground, some were using the paths as a play area, some were with Mommy Long Legs, someone who he was still unsure about, mainly because she was big and loud, also seeming a little overprotective, but he'll get used to it, it's his first time here after all.

Nearic walks over to a bench and sits down, shoulders raised, head down, and fiddling with his fingers nervously. He didn't like being with other kids, he found them too loud, he also didn't know how to make friends, everyone always avoided him back at the orphanage, then a group of people came by and said they'd foster him at their place... their place being a large factory building.

Suddenly, he heard Mommy's voice as she said, "Hello, you're one of the new children here, correct?"

Nearic jumps and whips his head to the right, seeing said large toy in front of him, her smile wide, soft, and caring. Swallowing his nerves and taking a breath, he nods in affirmation, which makes the sentient spider toy smile with glee.

"Wonderful, I think you'll love this place as much as the other children do, just as long as you give it a chance deary." She says, looking around the station with a warm smile.

Remembering something, Mommy looked back at the young boy as she asks, "I'm sorry, it seems I may have forgotten your name, mind telling me?"

Swallowing his nerves down again, he mumbles, "N-Nearic... Bear-Bearal..."

She tilts her head to the side as she replies, "Well, it's so nice to meet you Nearic Bearal!" She blinks as she looks off to the distance, "Oh right!" she looks back down to him, "You took part in Musical Memory, didn't you? How did it go?"

Shying away a little at her higher volume, he replies, "A f-five..."

Her smile and eyes widen exponentially as she practically traps him in a tight hug, "A five!? Oh my goodness, Mommy is so proud of you, no one has ever gotten such a high score, you're remarkable!"