Needle and Fries were just... Existing. I guess.
What else were they supposed to do, really? They and the other contestants were in the middle of a Battle for Dream Island (Again), so the answer seems logical: just get ready for that. Train. Exercise. Sharpen your senses and skills. This was something that they've been battling for for *years* now, and so it only feels natural.
And yet.
Try as they might to hide or deny, it all really doesn't make a difference in the end. Actual capabilities and talent may subtly tip the scales in the moment, but the real make-or-break in this competition, as demonstrated time and time again by years of competing, was pure random chance. Fate. The roll of the dice.
Nobody can tell what the next challenge is gonna be, let alone if it's gonna be even *remotely* possible. Nobody can tell you who you're gonna team with, whether or not they'll be a useful ally or a weight you'll have to drag along. Nobody can tell you if it'll be smooth sailing, or if it'll be a miserable downward spiral from start to finish. Nobody can tell you if you'll find victory to be *just* within your grasp, only to have it robbed at the last possible moment. And *absolutely* nobody can tell what the faceless, soulless viewers will think of you, whether or not they'll decide to keep you around or kill you off.
Needle was especially aware of her predicament, just how fickle everything can be. She knew of how all of this was a flimsy house of cards, built on a foundation of shifting sands. Throughout the Battle for Dream Island, for *years* now, she has worked tirelessly to make something of herself, to prove to the world that she wasn't just some sewing utensil with a *funny* nickname. She wanted to feel like she belonged for once, surrounded by people that actually enjoyed her presence, that valued her just as much as they did themselves. She wanted to do all that she could to leave a positive impact on the world, to leave it a better place than when she found it.
And what did she have to show for it?
One moment she was at the top of the world, then the very next she was fighting for her life to stay in the game. She was given everything she could've ever possibly wanted, then it was taken away from her just as quickly. People finally came to their senses, understanding her and her plight, then immediately turned around and started insulting her behind her back. Every waking moment was a nightmare for her and her weary soul, unable to maintain composure as she doesn't know what'll happen next, if she'll suddenly be stabbed in the back or thrown into yet another emotional maelstrom.
Fries, on the other hand, was twiddling his thumbs and messing around with his phone. It was guaranteed that he was going to be just fine, that he was going to evade elimination for at least *another* episode, and so he wasn't in a rush to do anything. He could just sit on a rock all day, counting the seconds tick by as the world kept on going around him. Sometimes he'd nibble on a potato product or two, wondering how his latest... *change* has affected the subtle flavors.
He looked at his contacts list, his eyes in pure disbelief after seeing his most recent call. Well, attempt to call. For years now, the mysterious and enigmatic Evil Leafy has plagued and terrified the contestants of the Battle for Dream Island, with her appearance almost universally considered a sign of imminent doom. But as mentioned before, anything can change at the drop of a hat; *somehow*, he was able to stand his ground, and even ended up... *befriending* the creature. In a sense, anyway. She still wouldn't say anything to him, nor would she return his calls, but...
This vexed him.
"Yo, Needo." He'd glance at the sewing utensil in question. "Gonna go check on EL, see why she won't talk to me. Wanna come?" There'd be no response; she'd continue staring out into nowhere, barely moving. Fries sighed. "Whatever." With that, he'd get up and walk away.
