Noob/Guest

Cosmo

As I entered the bright living room with Star, I saw a man with an eyepatch and dark hair sitting on the couch, his legs resting on top of the coffee table. He had his arm over his eyes; he seemed to be resting–I felt unsafe, though, so I shifted behind Star, just to make sure. She glanced at me, noticing the slight fear in my eyes, and smiled warmly as she patted my head reassuringly. Then she cleared her throat, and began to speak.

"Cosmo." Her voice was loud and clear, which made Cosmo flinch as he removed his arm and sat up. "What do you want now?" he grumbled, frowning and rubbing his eyes. Star glared at him.

"Forgot about the guy you captured then, hm?" she said irritably, pointing at me. 

"Oh, right,"

Cosmo got up from the couch and approached me; I backed away, as I felt uncomfortable being around him. I felt like his gaze could kill me right away.

"And what is their name?" Cosmo said, more to Star than me.

"Noobguest," Star replied back, as Cosmo observed me. 

"They seem rather... clueless."

Star turned to me, and seeming to have noticed that I was uncomfortable, she quickly spoke up.

"You're making them upset. Let me take them out for some time outside, get them some fresh air. Then we can interrogate them later."

The word 'interrogate' sounded weird to me. 

Cosmo stayed silent for what seemed like forever, thinking it over in his head, before sighing. "Alright. Don't take too long, though."

Star nodded at him, beaming, then turned away. I stared at her for a little until she began scrunching up her face–it scared me; it looked as though she was in extreme pain, until suddenly her hair turned longer and blonde. I saw her eye color had changed to dark blue as well. Even the bandage that covered her eye was gone. The girl, who was supposedly Star, smiled wider.

"I'll be off to change my clothes, I look weird," she says, looking at the two of us, then headed to a room door that was on the opposite side of the wall of my room. But before she entered, she looked at Cosmo one more time.

"And don't stress them out."

With those words, she disappeared into the room, leaving me and Cosmo alone together. An awkward silence hung between us, so I used that opportunity to check out my surroundings.

I was in a small, dimly lit room with light yellow walls with a kitchen connected. We were on the left side of the room, sitting on a green sofa with two, yellow medium-sized pillows lying upon it, and in front of us a small, white table was also placed. There was an odd, black, rectangular shaped... thing resting on it. I could see my reflection on it, like that mirror. I wasn't too sure of what it was, but it looked pretty old. I thought I should ask Cosmo about it, but decided not to—he looked tired, and I didn't want to annoy him, so I went back to observing the room.

Frames hung on the wall and I saw a group of people in the beach—is that what you call it? A sandy area with a deep, scary ocean. They looked as though they were having the time of their lives, smiling and grinning in front of the clear, blue sky. I didn't know who they were, but I only recognized two; Star and Cosmo. Star wasn't wearing anything that would suggest she's at the beach, but more as though she was going for a picnic. A pink shirt that had flower patterns and a plaid, blue skirt. She was clutching her baby blue cardigan tightly, her other hand waving at the camera. Star looked very happy, and so did Cosmo, with that shirt with the same pattern as her shirt, and blue shorts. He didn't have any eyepatch in that—in fact, nothing in the picture looked as though they were... like this or whatever. Despite Star's warmness, I felt like I'm going to be in danger. 

I looked at Star and Cosmo in the framed picture again. It's as though they were matching outfits.

I wonder how it feels to mess around with friends like that.

There was a narrow but short hallway connected to the living room as well, with doors on each side. I came from the right side of the wall, and Star went into the left. I couldn't see properly where the hallway lead to, but it looked like a balcony door.

The place was very small, and others wouldn't think much of if, but I found it nice. It was a much better place than where I lived... nevermind, I don't remember where I was before.

I turned to Cosmo, who was back on the couch, resting. I looked back at the strange rectangular object on the table, and though it probably was none of my business, I couldn't help my curiosity—I was in a strange place, and maybe I could use it as a chance to help me connect to the outside world. The world I never got to see properly.

I turned back to Cosmo, and cautiously tapped on his shoulder. I was surprised at how quickly he responded, seeing how it was just a light touch. 

"What?" he replied, his voice low. I flinched at his voice at first, but calmed down quickly, as I pointed at the rectangular object. I couldn't speak now, but he understood me.

"Oh, that? That's a television, we just call it a TV, though." Cosmo said in response, though upon seeing the confused look on my face, he picked up a remote that was lying next to him. 

"Well, it basically shows stuff through a screen. Let me show you," and with that, he pressed a red button on the remote. There was a sudden outburst of colorful motions and cheery music, as different, drawn animals moved around the 'screen'. The suddenness of all this made me jump, but I liked what I was seeing.

"My apologies, this is the children shows' channel," Cosmo continued, switching between different 'channels', as different sceneries flashed one by one, showcasing at first what seems like a news channel, then an argument between a couple with strange but intense music, and so on. He seemed amused by my reaction. "Only Star watches them, really, says it helps her catch up with her missed childhood. I think you'd like them, too."

I smiled at him, as I continued to watch the television.

I felt a little comfortable with Cosmo now. Maybe I shouldn't judge others by their appearances, I thought.

But I still felt off about this entire thing.

Just then, Star came out of the room, wearing casual clothes. She had wore a purple sweater with a white skirt, and some black shoes with white socks, clutching a small, pink purse. I thought she looked pretty, and so did Cosmo.

"Lookin' good."

"Shut up, Cosmo. I'm aware." Star snapped. Leaving Cosmo with an offended look on his face, she turned to me, her personality suddenly turning sweet. "Let's go now!" 

She held her hand out, and this time, I didn't hesitate taking it.