Alternate Battle for Dream Island

ABFDI 22b: Don't Poke Your Nose

Rocky was just standing on his own, minding his own business, as he was wont to do.

Hiding behind an inconspicuous piece of outdoor furniture, just barely poking their heads out, Barf Bag, Pen, and Teardrop were carefully and cautiously observing the living stone, presuming that the worst could happen at any moment.

The bag wasn't quite filled in on the whole situation, though. "So, uh, what're we doing again?" She'd ask. "Why are we just staring at that rock all day?" "It isn't just *some* rock. Clearly." Pen remarked; Teardrop also did a series of ambiguous gestures while keeping her eyes fixed on the gray one. "Ever since the *very* start, Rocky's always been a bit... off." The capped one continued. "Even before the whole competition, even before things got serious, he's just been... I dunno." The writing utensil shrugged. "Uh... Off in *what* way?" Barfy asked. "Don't think TD caught me up on that one yet." "Well... just look at him." Pen explained. "He's just sitting there. That's all he ever does. Sometimes he vomits, sometimes he walks around. But *never* does he do anything that we usually do. There's absolutely no redeeming features for this guy, nothing to justify his continued presence in the show." He'd take a deep breath, trying to keep his anger bottled. "And yet he's been eliminated, *twice*, and got brought back both times! Maybe the first time was just because they wanted someone harmless to bring back, someone that's a total pushover and can easily be disposed of again, but after what we've seen of him during that? It's just..." He'd grumble. "There's something *wrong* with Rocky. I can just feel it. *We* can feel it."

Barf Bag scoffed. "Strange." She'd remark. "That kinda sounds a lot like you, doesn't it?" Pen was taken by surprise. "Wha- huh?" She'd look at her. "Similar *how*?" "I mean..." She'd glance at Rocky for a moment after being directed to by Teardrop. "Someone that's known for nothing much, somebody that's unassuming, really only known for one thing, and doesn't have much of a reason to be here." She'd start. "And yet they continue to stick around, through some miracle, by changing themselves completely. Not too much, but definitely *enough* to make themselves look out of place." She'd pause for a second. "Takes one to know one, I suppose." "I, uh..." The writing utensil was flabbergasted. "You too? Seriously? You weren't even there for any of... that! Who told you?" The bag looked at Teardrop again, now angrily making a series of other hand gestures, but she wouldn't be so interested. "Well, not exactly *told*, per se." She'd chuckle.

"This is just ridiculous." Pen remarked. "What, I just can't change? I'm forever known as that guy that helps Blocky with his pranks? I don't even like the guy anymore! After all that's happened, he's been nothing but a pain!" He'd groan. "I just finally developed a conscience! Did that thing GB keeps angrily rambling about! What's so wrong with that?" He'd pause for a second. "Well, maybe *you* can tell what's wrong given that it's GB talking, but-" "Nothing's wrong with change?" Barf Bag interrupted. "Then what's wrong with Rocky, huh? You're sounding awfully hypocritical." "I..." Pen sighed. "It's *different* with him, alright? With me, I'm just... becoming a better person. With *him*, all of a sudden he's winning contests left and right! He just won the previous one by *flying*! You ever seen a rock fly? *Not* by someone throwing it at them?" He'd sigh. "Why are you suddenly acting so aggressive?" "Maybe because I don't have *any* clue about *anything*." Barfy replied. "I enjoy your company, and all that, but everything remains so fuzzy to me. I don't know what happened for a good chunk of the competition, I don't know who most of the contestants are, and I don't know why any of this is happening." She'd sigh. "...I don't know why that speaker box is hosting *another*-"

Teardrop suddenly tapped them both on shoulder, telling them to once again point their eyes towards Rocky; doing exactly that, they'd see the living rock suddenly start moving, swiveling himself left and right to scan his surroundings, then promptly returning to his usual blank stare. They continued looking for a little bit longer, wanting to make sure they got *absolutely* everything. "Everyone got that, right?" Pen asked; Teardrop nodded. "Yeah." Barf Bag answered. "We all have eyes." "Just making sure." The one with the cap sighed. "He's looking around. Looking for *what*?" "Uh... maybe for something, *anything* to do?" The bag answered. "I mean, seriously, what do you guys even do for fun? Besides the obvious. Feels like you guys do nothing but worry about something or other every day." "That's not true!" The writing utensil scoffed. "There's also a bowling alley around here; we play that sometimes." "Who's we, exactly?" The vomit bag's question would go unanswered.