December 8, 2022

Ari is vibing... taking a casual walk through the city. Something moves ahead on a path. Ari narrows his eyes before moving ahead, trying to follow whatever was moving. It looks like only a black shape but is moving at a normal walking speed. Ari speeds up slowly to try and tap the shape on the shoulder. Ari can make out what it is now. Looks like Dren is waddling along the sidewalk! She glances over at Ari with a derp smile, "Oh hello!"

Ari blinks twice, "Uhhhhh... hello. Whoooo are you...?"

"Hello, I am Dren. Are you my friend?"

Ari takes a slightly defensive stance with the offputting design of the cat, "Uhhh... Would being your friend be good..?"

She nods with a silly smile, "Would be very good."

"Uh... then... yes, I am your friend..??" Ari is bamboozled.

"YIPPEE!!!" Dren cheers as a marching band strolls out from around the corner with streamers, conffetti, and loud celebratory music. Ari fucking. Stares.

“Uhhhhhh…. Okkaaay? Did you do that?”

"This is the yippyyappiest day of my life!" Dren jumps in joy and freeze frames while in the air.

Ari cringes a bit from the wording, “You're uh… quite the silly goofy arent you?”

Dren unfreezes and is breathing heavily, "My oh my, did that tucker me out!" The marching band marches away out of sight.

“So that takes a lot of you then..??” Ari's brain is operating on 5 fps.

"Sure does, So what do you do in your free time bestie?"

Ari blinks, “I uhh… spend time with… friends!”

"So you will spend time with lil ol me???"

Ari nods, pausing before responding, “Yyyyeah! Sure.” Dren smiles more and stares at Ari Ari finds himself staring back, taking it almost as a challenge. Dren smiles, blinking, though one eye is delayed. Ari continues staring, seemingly zoning out as his eyes begin to flicker. Dren still smiles. Aris eyes are now solid spirals as they zone… Dren stares a bit before looking away and waddling along the sidewalk again.

"Lets get some gusher snacks!" Dren says.

Ari snaps back to attention and seems extremely confused before following. “Uh…. Thats never… happened- also sure..??”

Dren pauses, "Never been offered gushers?"

“Uhhh well no, but. I was talking about my eyes, they werent hypnotizing at all??”

"What is hypnotizing?"

“Uhhhh using magical means to compel someone to do something or act a certain way. Eye contact is what makes mine work..”

"Oh silly, my eyes are up here!" Dren's face peels open as a second set of jaws emerge and her head cracks upside down, There's a pair of ghostly white eyes on the gums.

Ari jumps back in surprise, “Oh holyy shit thats some high level body horror- I understand- then..” The jaws close and Dren's face snaps back into place. Her fake eyes roll out from the back of her head and back into view. She smiles.

"They don't like it when I do that at the local fish restaurant. Start screaming demon and running!"

“Well, its quite alarming to see if I have to admit it… How about thise gushers?”

"Yes gushers I find in the big free bins," Dren waddles into the alley and towards the dumpsters.

Ari follows, very hesitantly, “And what do these gushers look like?”

"Fuzzy and squeaky with long tails"

“S…squirrels??”

"Rats!"

“I see, i could go for a rat not gonna lie.”

Dren pounces as one tries to run. She holds it by the tail towards Ari. Ari takes it and drops it into her mouth, swallowing it whole.

"So what is friend like?" Dren asks.

“Me? Im pretty laid back, havent been doing many interesting things lately honestly.”

"Why are you green?"

“Well, a lot of snakes are green, I would say.”

"If I put you in a deep freezer would you die?"

“Never tried it, why?”

"Would you get slow?"

“Probably, that sounds about right. Im no scientist."

"I'm one! We can learn!" Dren crawls into the dumpster.

Ari looks down into the dumpster, “Sure, if it starts hurting though, youll stop it? Friends dont let other friends hurt, yeah?”

Dren climbs back out and is wearing a nurse outfit and red lipstick on her ear. Shes holding an ice cube in one hand and holds it out to Ari, "Here!"

Ari hesitates, “If it starts hurting we stop, right?”

"Take ice cube friend," Dren smiles.

Ari doesnt. “Answer the question, friend.”

"Take the cube friend!"

Ari moves a bit back, “What reason do I have to take it.”

"See what cold do"

“Im cool with not finding out if you dont pull me out as soon as it starts hurting.” Dren holds it closer to Ari. Ari backs up more, “Friends wouldnt hurt each other.” Dren smiles as the ice cube is melting. Ari sighs, "Prolly wont die from it at least." Ari touches the ice cube.

It's just a normal ice cube.

"FOOL. I OWN YOUR SOUL NOW!"

Ari blinks, "Prove it... I've done soul bullshit before."

Dren points at the puddle left.

“I dont follow.”

Dren faceplants the puddle.

“You… good?”

Dren begins slurping.

“Is it. Good?”

The slurping continues.

“Am I… good to leave?”

Loud slurping.

Ari slowly backs away...

Distant slurping.......

Ari leaves.