Unreal Reality! (Object OCs!)

Episode 22: Somewhere Only We Know.

Nest stepped through the portal. Before her stood the Hotel. It was pouring down rain. Yet she couldn't bring herself to move. Even if the autumn air mixed with the rain made it feel as though every droplet was pure ice. She never thought she'd care if she lost... Than why did she feel this way? It felt like a sense of homesickness. Even if she never felt it when she first left home. She let out a sigh. It felt like a black hole where her heart used to be. Yet she pushed onwards. Walking into the Hotel. The night from the lobby was almost blinding. She immediately felt something cloth wrap around her "Nest!" She looked up and saw cookie putting a blanket around her "Are you okay? It's freezing!" "Oh I'm fine dear. It's nothing I haven't handled before. Also if I may ask where's Bucket? I'd like to see him again." "I... Don't know. He went out a while ago. Said he was going for a walk." Nest looked out the window "...How long ago...?" "Few hours." Nest looked at Cookie. "A few hours!? I... I should look for him." Cookie grabbed Nests arm "Woah! It's storming! Plus it's cold as all hell! You can't go out there!" "Well I can't just let him stay out there!" Cookie paused for a minute. "I-I'll go with you. Let me grab my jacket-" "Cookie, hun. You'll become soggy! You can't be in the rain." Cookie looked worried. They didn't want her to get hurt "I'll be fine! I've had to fight experiments gone wrong! I can handle a little rain!" Nest sighed "Alright... Fine..."

Cookie and Nest walked through the woods. "If he's anywhere he might be by the cliffside. It's really relaxing. Especially in the rain!" "I hope so..." Cookie noticed Nest seemed worried. "Hey, we'll fine him." Nest smiled.  Cookies tone was comforting a- Nest tripped over a rock. Cookie stopped and helped her up "You okay?" "Yeah... Wait." She saw something. Something brown and squiggly. She picked it up "It's one of buckets worms! He was here!" Cookie smiled "Told ya! Come.on! We should hurry before the storm gets worse!"

Bucket kicked his feet back and fourth off the edge. It was cold. But he couldn't bring himself. To move back to the hotel and go to bed. Even if it was 9pm. When the sound of a teing snapping in the woods beside the cliff made him flinch. But he couldn't move. He was frozen terrified. When he heard a familiar voice "Bucket!" ...Cookie? He turned around and saw Cookie and... Nest. Emerging from the greens. Nest smiled "Bucket! There you are!" Bucket didn't move. Even when nest ran over and hugged him. She pulled away. "Are you okay...?" "I um... Don't know... Sorry..." Cookie sat down on the other side of Bucket "You don't have to apologize for not knowing how your feeling. Emotion's are complicated." "I guess..." "Oh! We found something if yours!" Nest perked up. Remembering the worm and handed it to him. "Cocoa!" "Yeah. He must've fallen out." The rain suddenly picked up. Bucket crossed his arms and flinched at the sudden cold. Cookie took their jacket off and put it around him "Come on. It's freezing and you aren't even wearing a jacket!" "Cookie! You'll get soggy!" "I'll be fine! We need to focus on getting you guys home."

As soon as they got home Cookie collapsed on the couch. Slightly soggy. Chip just tossed a blanket over him while Nest found her room. Of course she was paired up with Bucket. She walked in and sat on her bed. That gaping feeling in her heart was still there. She didn't know why she felt this way. Maybe so many changes in such a short amount of time was scary. Maybe it was some lingering guilt... Bucket walked in and laid down on his bed after cleaning up. Nest looked over at him. Maybe laying with him would make her feel better "Hey Bucket? You wanna come lay down with me?" "O-Oh... I-I'm good... Sorry... Night." "Alright. Goodnight love."

Nest sneaked away from the village and over towards the beach. She never understood why she wasn't allowed to be near the beach. It looked so fun! But she stopped at the line where the beach and forest separated to see Bucket. She would occasionally see him glancing at her or fidgeting randomly. But she never paid him much mind. Everyone at the village said he was just weird. So he tried to pay no attention to him. She saw he had a cardboard box. They'd occasionally wash up on shore. But the children weren't allowed to open them. But here he was. Opening it. Nest wanted to see what would happen. But she was a little scared. What if it was an explosive! But before she could do anything he opened it and gasped. But he didn't look scared... He took handfuls of... Some rainbow things and stuffed them in his head till it was full. He took one out and smiled. It was a fluffy brown... Thing. With googly eyes. "I'mma name you... Cocoa!" The pure joy on his face from just a random string of fabric... Was... Almost cute. She walked over to him "Um... Hi!" He flinched and turned around. The 2 stared at each other "U-Uhm... Hi... You won't... Tell the adults right...?" Nest chuckled "Nah. They'd probably just blame me too. But, why did you open it even when we're not supposed to?" "W-Well I've done it a few times and every time it's been something fun! And these are the coolest yet!" Nest looked at them. They looked like tiny worms with strings at the ends. "Nest! Where are you!?" Nest flinched at her mother's voice "I gotta go! I'll see you at the playground tomorrow!" "O-Okay! Bye!"