3/3 RibbonCharm 2020/01/22(Wed)19:48 No. 954153 ID: 013c2c
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She walks over to you slowly, testing her hooves on the cold stone floor, likely getting a feel for it. Finally, she reaches you, taking a seat on the table so you can begin checking her.

You go through all the usual stuff. Shining a little light in her eyes, checking her pulse, but she's quiet throughout the process, shifting uncomfortably on the table. Maybe you should have put down a sheet before having her sit there?

The silence is awkward, so you try to talk to her to fill the air.

YOU: "Is there anything you want to do after this?"

ROSEFLUFF: "I'm not sure, what's there to do here?"

YOU: "...Not much, honestly. I guess I could show you around the place once we finish up here."

You wonder if Rosefluff would like video games, or reading. You still have to test if she can read at all…

You test her reflexes with one of those little hammers, and you remember the other question you wanted to ask as you avoid getting a hoof to the face.

YOU: "Hey, Rosefluff, what do you think of yourself?"

She's quiet for a moment. That can't be good.

ROSEFLUFF: "I don't know… I know I just started, well, existing, but I can't help but feel...wrong I guess?"

Uh oh.

You risk a peek at her through your bangs. She's biting down on her lower lip again, clearly anxious. It's a sharp contrast compared to her cheery demeanor just a second ago, and your heart sinks as you realize she probably inherited that from you. You bite your lip too when you're getting pretty anxious.

ROSEFLUFF: "I-I can't even fly, what's the point of having wings if I can't even lift myself a few inches off the ground? What if there's other parts of me that just don't work right?"

Her tone is slightly choked up, and she's fumbling with her words a bit. Damn it, you need to think of something encouraging to say, something to help her get back on track...

Hey now, just because your wings can't make you fly doesn't mean they're broken. They're beautiful, that is more than enough purpose for them. As for the rest of you, that's what we're figuring out. Remember: just because it doesn't do what you think it should, doesn't mean you're broken.

>>954153
Hmm, well, tell her that as she is now, she should be able to glide instead of fly, so her wings aren't useless. Perhaps someday she can use magic or magic items (assuming either of those things exist) to make herself lighter and achieve true flight. Also they look pretty!

Why did you make her anyway?

Nobody really cares if their toenails are working properly. They stub their toes with or without, and it hurts with or without, and they just keep on going with or without. And butts! They developed to aid balance? Or posture? Or something? They never bother checking if their butt is making them lean at an angle or anything. Nobody knows what most of their body does, or if it is working properly, or even if it has a "properly" in which to work. Either we find a use for something, or we don't, or it even makes things difficult and we blame it for far more than it is due. Moths can fly, it was possible you could too, or maybe you still can and there is something we can learn or make to do it, but it was worth checking, we did check, and we didn't lose anything. What we learned is that you can make an impressive flow of air and probably shift your balance some, which is genuinely useful, and much more than my own wings can do! Just keep learning what you can do, and I am sure you will make all manner of great discoveries.

OH SHIT, DAMAGE CONTROL NOW

APPLY HUGS IMMEDIATELY

Tell her it's alright, everything is all right. From what you're seeing she seems to be perfectly healthy and nothing is wrong with her. Also don't worry about not being able to fly right now. She was basically just born a moment ago so perhaps she just needs to learn how to fly. I mean birds can't fly right after they're born after all, they need to learn. Even if she can't fly it doesn't matter. She's healthy, is perfect fine as she is, and she can always count on you if she has any problems. I mean the two of you are in this together now right?

"I didn't pick the catalysts that make up your person for utility; I picked them because they seemed nice. I think everything about you is pretty pleasant so far, from your appearance to your personality to your potential to interact with people - a skill I lack - so... mission accomplished?"

If that doesn't convince her...

"Look, it's agreed that homunculi alchemy will always be more of an art than a science. Most non-homunculi creatures aren't 'perfect' to begin with, either. If you can achieve 'good,' however, then I'd say you're already doing just as good as the rest of us. Come to think of it... If you have a lot of insight into the field, maybe you can help me make the next one? The more, the merrier, after all."

1/8 RibbonCharm 2020/01/31(Fri)20:51 No. 955170 ID: 013c2c
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Okay, okay. Obviously this wasn't gonna be a perfect first shot. Honestly, it's still going pretty okay, despite Rosefluff inheriting your anxiety. That's a risk that comes with combining different parts, no matter how similar to or different from each other. She isn't a moth, nor a unicorn, nor a flower, but rather somewhere in between. Discomfort and dysphoria is to be expected, but handling it is another story.

YOU: "Hey...don't beat yourself up about it, alright? They're just wings, and I think there's still potential to them, just maybe not in the way you think."

No response.

YOU: "Uh, hell, humans have a lot of stuff on hs that don't really serve a purpose either, like…butts? I guess we developed them for posture or something, but they don't do much for-"

Nope. Still not working. That doesn't even get a smile out of her. God, you're so bad at this. So, reassurance and humor aren't working, maybe…

You sigh, then continue.

YOU: "Look, I didn't choose your parts for utility, I'm not that kind of homunculus creator. I chose your parts to make something pretty, and that's what you are. Like, I can hardly even look at you, that's how well you came out."

ROSEFLUFF: "Why am I here then, what's my purpose?"

Oh, you didn't think you'd get this question this early. It's one you've prepared for, at least. You didn't want to answer it the wrong way and scare your potential companion off.

2/8 RibbonCharm 2020/01/31(Fri)20:53 No. 955171 ID: 013c2c
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YOU: "Rosefluff…"

You can't tell her the whole truth, not yet. But you can tell her some of it.

You gently put your hand over hers, noticing that what you thought was skin at first is very soft, like the fur of a shorthaired dog.

YOU: "This world is full of ugly things. You'll find that out when we get a chance to go into town. I didn't make you as a tool or anything like that, but rather...as a friend."

ROSEFLUFF: "Why are we here then, if it's an ugly place? Couldn't you go somewhere pretty then?"

MELODIE: "This was my only option."

You say that a lot more bluntly than you mean to, and something flashes in Rosefluff's eyes. You want to apologize, in case that came out the wrong way, but you see her crack the tiniest hint of a smile.

ROSEFLUFF: "Go on."

MELODIE: "So, uh, I'm not exactly...fit to work. I get some money every month, but barely just enough. In addition to having a friend I need...someone to help me out, if you catch my drift."

You didn't want to admit it right away, but since you're trying to be honest with her you can't stop yourself. The words are practically pouring out yet you just can't stop-

MELODIE: "There's plenty of work in Dewhurst, so I figured we'd find something for you to do there. Something you like, of course. You don't have to give everything you earn to me either, you can save it up for anything you want, maybe something to help you fly if that's really what you want. There's tools to fix that, or I can find a friend capable of making your wings work, but it'll be expensive. I'm sorry they don't work too. Making homunculi is...more of an art. Not a science. I may have made you, but I still need to 'figure you out-'"

Stop, Melodie.

"-I know it's selfish of me to ask this of you, especially since you're still practically a newborn. I hoped I could ease you into this but, oh Amalnah I'm rambling, I'm so sorry-"

Stop, she's heard enough. This won't make her feel any better about you.

"-A-After a while you don't even have to stay here, if you want. B-But I'm not saying you can be easily repla-"

ROSEFLUFF: "Hey."

3/8 RibbonCharm 2020/01/31(Fri)20:55 No. 955172 ID: 013c2c
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You feel something. It starts on the hand that's on top of Rosefluff's and slowly makes its way through your veins, but it's not unpleasant. It's...warm, gentle even, like someone just put a ton of chamomile tea into your bloodstream. Instantly, you feel your heart slow down, and your breath evens out almost immediately. You feel...at peace. Everything is fine, Rosefluff isn't upset.

Everything is fine.

ROSEFLUFF: "Hey, you're okay. I didn't understand all of that, but I think I got the gist of it. You needed help, right? And you're afraid of asking for it?"

MELODIE: "Uh...yeah."

Damn, she seems to already have you all figured out. It's impressive. And a little scary.

ROSEFLUFF: "I get it now. Kind of. You chose my parts, but since the 'art,' as you call it, is unpredictable, you didn't get to choose how I came out. But there's a way to fix it, right?"

MELODIE: "...Yeah, I can show you later, if you want. There's extensions we can get to have them support your weight, or spells to make you lighter."

ROSEFLUFF: "So everything's fine then, right?"

She's right. Everything else checks out, she's perfectly healthy, the wings seem to be the only anomaly.

MELODIE: "...Right. Everything else is fine, you came out perfect."

ROSEFLUFF: "Then the only issue there is can easily be fixed. I don't know much about making things like me, but, I think you did pretty good."

Rosefluff seems to be fine. She's smiling warmly at you, putting her other hand over yours as she gently pats it. She could've been mad, or at least disappointed, but she's back to her usually sunny self, and did...whatever she just did...to help you calm down.

She's right, you did do good with this one. She's already very mature, something you lack.

You feel like everything is going to be just fine.

4/8 RibbonCharm 2020/01/31(Fri)20:56 No. 955173 ID: 013c2c
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>Apply hugs

You stand up and wrap your arms loosely around her, and she returns the favor.

YOU: "Thanks, Rosefluff."

ROSEFLUFF: "You're welcome, um…I don't think I ever got your name."

YOU: "Oh, guess I forgot. I'm Melodie. Just Melodie, no need to use any titles."

ROSEFLUFF: "Okay-"

She giggles a bit.

ROSEFLUFF: "Just Melodie."

5/8 RibbonCharm 2020/01/31(Fri)20:58 No. 955175 ID: 013c2c
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>Ask Rosefluff if she's hungry

YOU: "Alright, I'm done with your checkup for now. Do you want something to eat?"

ROSEFLUFF: "Sure, what do you have?"

You help her off the table and lead her upstairs, talking to her the whole time.

YOU: "All I really have left is ice cream and ramen, but I think that'll be fine until tomorrow. You can have whichever one you want. I think my familiar is still awake, so we might have to share with him if he wants a late dinner…"

6/8 RibbonCharm 2020/01/31(Fri)20:59 No. 955176 ID: 013c2c
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YOU: "But normally he's good about-"

7/8 RibbonCharm 2020/01/31(Fri)21:00 No. 955177 ID: 013c2c
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...

...Oh no.

8/8 RibbonCharm 2020/01/31(Fri)21:01 No. 955178 ID: 013c2c
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NOOOOOOOOO!!!

HE'S DONE IT AGAIN. YOUR GREEDY FAMILIAR ATE EVERYTHING YOU HAVE LEFT. THIS IS A TRAVESTY.

well shit, any pizza joints still open this late? Failing their's got to be some kind of 24/7 gas station or something open where you can at least grab a burrito.

>>955178
PUNISHMENT

Eat familiar.

Time to stick him in the time-out sack until he learns his lesson! But you might have to go into town now...

>>955178
Again?! It sounds like you should've known better than to leave him alone with the food by now!

Well, now what? Do you want to eat the familiar? Or do you want to go into town and hope you can find someplace that's open for you to buy food at?

Hm. No money, I assume? Scrounge then, see what you have to work with

1/6 RibbonCharm 2020/02/14(Fri)12:31 No. 956275 ID: 013c2c
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>Eat the familiar

As much as you'd love to, you can't. This is your second one so you pretty much HAVE to keep him.

>It sounds like you should know better by now!

Well, you thought you could trust him this time! He said he'd wait for you to come back upstairs but, ugh, you guess this is what you get for having a mouse as a familiar.

>Put him in the time-out sack
>PUNISHMENT

Oh, gladly.

ROSEFLUFF: "Uh...Melodie? What is that?"

YOU: "My familiar, Crocus, and an awful little glutton. Excuse me for a moment, please."

You march over to the counter your familiar dozes on, chewing on your bottom lip to stop yourself from yelling.

You can't eat him, but you can certainly humiliate him instead.

2/6 RibbonCharm 2020/02/14(Fri)12:34 No. 956276 ID: 013c2c
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You loom ominously over him, clearing your throat to get his attention. Slowly, he stirs, opening one eye to look at you.

YOU: "...Crocus, what did you do?"

CROCUS: "Uh, I ate, obviously?,

YOU: "You were supposed to wait for me to come back with the homunculus."

CROCUS: "Well, you took too long! And you know I have a big appetite!"

YOU: "I know! Which is why we need to keep having this conversation!"

3/6 RibbonCharm 2020/02/14(Fri)12:36 No. 956277 ID: 013c2c
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YOU: "You know, I ALMOST regret what I'll have to do to you…"

Your familiar finally realizes you aren't playing around as you reach for him, scrambling to his feet right as your hand closes around him.

CROCUS: "Wait, Melodie! Stop-"

4/6 RibbonCharm 2020/02/14(Fri)12:37 No. 956279 ID: 013c2c
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YOU: "I'd say I'm sorry, but I'm really not. You were basically asking for this."

5/6 RibbonCharm 2020/02/14(Fri)12:38 No. 956280 ID: 013c2c
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After a minute of wrestling with Crocus, you stuff him into the hamster ball. You may not have a time-out sack, but a time-out ball is just as effective.

CROCUS: "You can't do this to me! This is familiar cruelty!"

YOU: "Pipe down, would you? If that was true we would've been separated a looooong time ago. This is just to make sure you don't cause any trouble for an hour or so."

You've got Crocus under control, but now what?

>No money?

No, you still have some. You were going to have to go shopping tomorrow anyways, but all the grocery stores open at this hour are probably getting ready to close up.

>Find somewhere that's open?

Yeah, that shouldn't be too hard. You'll just need to get Rosefluff looking decent before you two leave.

YOU: "Welp, I guess we're going out to eat tonight. Let me see if I have any clothes that will fit you."

ROSEFLUFF: "Okay, but, umm…"

She's looking at Crocus with concern.

ROSEFLUFF: "Are you sure it's okay to leave him like that?"

YOU: "Oh, yeah, we've done this before. Don't worry, I'll put him somewhere soft, if that's what you're worried about."

You leave Crocus' punishment ball on the couch, much to his dismay, and head upstairs to your bedroom, searching for any clothes you have that'll fit your homunculus. She's about a head taller than you, but about the same weight, so that shouldn't be too hard…

6/6 RibbonCharm 2020/02/14(Fri)12:39 No. 956281 ID: 013c2c
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Choose a top, bottom, and accessory for Rosefluff! (she doesn't need shoes, she has hooves) Whichever articles get the most votes is what Rosefluff will wear in the next update.

She seems like a conservative lady who wouldn't want to invite accostment. I choose 1A or C, then 2C. However, while it is cute, wearing an eyepatch when one doesn't need it makes one look like a tool. 3A.

1B
2A
3A

I'll go with 1A, 2B, and 3B

1B, 2C, 3A.

>>956281
1A , 2B , 3A

1c2c3c

1b, 2a, and 3a

1/3 RibbonCharm 2020/02/22(Sat)16:21 No. 957070 ID: 013c2c
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>1A
>2C
>3A

After thinking about it, you come back downstairs with the three items and hand them to Rosefluff, giving her a moment of privacy so she can change. Once she's done, she looks over herself, looking noticeably...unsatisfied.

YOU: "Something wrong?"

ROSEFLUFF: "No, no, it's fine. These are pretty and all, but…"

YOU: "Alright, what if I let you pick what you want to wear tomorrow then?"

That gets her to brighten up instantly, her earrings making small clacking sounds as her ears twitch.

ROSEFLUFF: "Sure, I'd like that. Can I keep the earrings though?"

YOU: "Absolutely, let's get going then."

2/3 RibbonCharm 2020/02/22(Sat)16:23 No. 957071 ID: 013c2c
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You lead Rosefluff outside, using a ball of light to illuminate the way as you start down the path.

It's about 8:45 now. You think you have time to stop at one place before you retire for the night.

3/3 RibbonCharm 2020/02/22(Sat)16:27 No. 957072 ID: 013c2c
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The two of you travel in silence, Rosefluff's hooves making soft clunking sounds against the stones, while the gentle green light in your hand illuminates the way. The only sounds around you are the rustling of leaves, tousled by a gentle breeze, and the various hoots and chitters of wildlife in the distance. It's an almost lonely atmosphere, further hammering in your isolation in your own little corner of Dewhurst, but you take comfort in it. It means no one will usually come out to bother you.

The two of you come across a fork in the road, with a sign pointing in two directions. To the left, there's an arrow pointing to a place called "Church of Amalnah," and to the right there's an arrow pointing to "West Dewhurst."

You know who leads the church here. You haven't met the man yourself, but his name is Father Henry Murphy. He used to have some badass past fighting monsters, but he's such a grumpy recluse (even moreso than you) that you would've never guessed it. On one hand, you don't know if he's awake at this hour, nor if he'll even accept visitors. But, he IS supposed to be pretty hospitable when asked to…

Or, you can just go straight to town. There's more options there, and it'll give you a chance to look around without worrying about the usual daytime crowds.

>>957072
I feel like town is a better place to buy food.

>>957072
>to the right there's an arrow pointing to "West Dewhurst."
Don’t you mean East Dewhurst?

>Where to?
Let’s go to town.

>>957076

Whoops, good eye! Just pretend Melodie got them mixed up.

Town it up

let's head to town.

Dew the dewherst

1/3 RibbonCharm 2020/02/29(Sat)21:21 No. 957661 ID: 013c2c
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>Head to Dewhurst

Yeah, you should just head straight to town. Bothering a creepy priest at this hour sounds like a good way to get yourself killed. If you really feel the need to go there, you'll do it during the day, when there's witnesses.

2/3 RibbonCharm 2020/02/29(Sat)21:23 No. 957662 ID: 013c2c
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>Don't you mean East Dewhurst?

Yes, you absolutely meant that. One hundred percent. You definitely meant to say East instead of West.

Goddammit, you need some sleep.

3/3 RibbonCharm 2020/02/29(Sat)21:24 No. 957663 ID: 013c2c
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You start walking, but you realize quickly that Rosefluff isn't following you. You stop to turn to her, noticing her rigid posture as she glances around her surroundings with a worried look on her face.

YOU: "Something wrong?"

ROSEFLUFF: "Kind of. I just can't shake the feeling that...we might be watched. It feels like there's something just, out there. You know what I mean?"

You can see where she's coming from. The two of you are walking through a dark forest at night, with no one else around. You quickly got used to it, but the atmosphere can be unsettling to others. It's probably just her anxiety, especially since this is her first outing.

But then again, the wind has stopped, and you can no longer hear the sounds of the nighttime wildlife. It's so sudden that it's enough to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, even though it could very well just be nothing.

Do you turn around to check for yourself, or just reassure her and move on?

"It's a public forest. If you're watched, shake what I gave ya!"

>>957663
Yeah you should probably look around a bit.
Can you defend yourself if something shows up?

We are always watching. You'll get used to it.

give her a hug to comfort her, reassure her that everything is fine as you've walked this path plenty of times and nothing bad has ever happened to you, and go out to check just to help calm her nerves. ask god what you did to anger him when something jumps out at you and proves you wrong

>>957663
Go hold Rosefluff‘s hand. That might help calm her down a little.

Then carefully look around for anything that might be dangerous.