Overdue Check-Up (Poppy Playtime)

(Chapter 4) Part 18: Reminiscing

Nearic smiles as he slowly and quietly stalks the showers, "Now, if I were a toy in the showers, where would I hide?" he asks humouredly.

He hears muffled giggles to his right, so he turns to the left, "Maybe the stalls?" he walks over, only to stop and shake his head, "No, that would be too easy," he mutters, rubbing his chin in 'thought'.

He looks up, "The ceiling?" above them was just wooden planks and a concrete slab, "Nope, not there."

He continues walking around, "Where, oh where would she be?" he asks, knowing exactly where she is.

He glances at a locker, only for a yellow hand to slip out of view. He hums as he continues walking, acting oblivious, getting closer to the toy as he moves to the exit. He intentionally turns his back to the toy as he continues his facade.

A second later, the hinge on the locker squeaks, making him turn around in 'surprise' as the Mini Kissy plush jumps out, "Rah!" she roars.

Nearic pretends to be startled with a yelp before releasing a breath and bending over, "OH, you scared me," he lied.

She giggles, "I got you!"

He laughs softly, "Yes, you did. Nice job!" he gives her a thumbs up, making the toy smile even wider.

Before either could say another word, Bobby walks in, "Hey cub, can we talk?" she asks, thumb-pointing behind her towards the main hub.

He could see the slight waver in her smile, so it wasn't a good talk, "Yeah, sure thing!" he turns back to the toy, "You're an awesome hider! When we get out, you'll be an expert."

She pumps a fist before he starts walking away with one of his aunts, "Bye Survivor!"

He waves back with a smile, "Bye kiddo!" before turning back around.

The two walk into the main hub, Bobby with her permanent smile, and Nearic with a soft concerned uptick of his lips, "What's wrong, what do you need?"

Bobby sighs, "When you were all handing out food, your brother, Dan, was able to coax one of the toys out of their hiding spot in the theater room, but she hasn't come out since then. I thought she would come out eventually with all the talk of you being here, but no luck."

Nearic frowns in concern, "That's not healthy, at all."

She nods, "We know, which is why I've come to you. I have a feeling you may be able to get her out of hiding, and possibly interact with the others again," she crouches onto all fours when entering the medical wing, "I just want her to be social again before we finally leave this place. Which, if what you and Dan have been saying is true-"

"It is."

"Then she needs to get moving again, before she finally enjoys the real skies," Bobby finishes, stopping in front of the theater room.

Nearic looked inside and saw a bunch of kids sitting in front of a T.V, watching some show, while others chatted with each other, and another group was playing a board game. The teen glanced around, looking for this hiding toy, and eventually did. There, hiding behind a stack of chairs, was a small Dogday plush crouched down, facing the wall and ignoring everyone.

"What happened?" the boy asked softly.

Bobby sighed and looked away, "She was a bit of a troublemaker, and very close with Kickin. So, after he..." she trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.

He sighed and shook his head, "Damn," he said, his voice shaky with emotion, "No wonder she's like this," he adds, looking back at his aunt.

Bobby nods, "Hm," she looks back at her nephew, "It's why I came to you, I have a hunch you may be able to get her out of her shell again."