What's this???

[burlapbibliothecary]

The sky was brighter than 3 had ever seen. It was likely dumb luck that they hadn't been stepped on as they just stood staring up dumbfounded, given the little doll-creature stood maybe six inches at best. It was so blue! They had seen paintings that showed the color but there was something different in the color of fading, weather-cracked paints and the real thing. They likely would have stood there all day, lens-like eyes flickering as they cataloged the sky, the clouds that drifted across, the birds, the change of color as day shifted to evening, then to night-

But the little doll was distracted by someone walking a bit too close for comfort, sending them scurrying for the cover offered by a nearby bench, nonexistent heart in their throat as they stopped to watch with no small amount of amazement as people were passing through the plaza.

They should be cautious. They should avoid people they should find somewhere safe to hide. That would be the thing 1 would want them to do, the thing that he claimed was the smart thing to do.

They were very bad at doing what 1 said though.

They spent the next hour or so just skittering along paths and around corners, staying close to walls and fences to help keep out from underfoot as they just watched the people and animals that moved through this strange new place. Another half an hour spent following the progress of a ladybug through a bush.

It took some time to get up the courage to actually approach anyone, but curiosity over something near them that was just out of the little stitchpunk's field of vision encouraged them to creep close enough to reach out, and whoever they'd happened to come across would feel a light tug against their pant leg. If they happened to look they'd see the little doll creature offering a uncertain little grin and wave by way of greeting, before their gaze skipped towards the object of their curiosity, a little hop and point that they hoped got their point across following.

They want to see! Help them up?

Did they know what they were trying to get a better look at? Nope! Hope it's not someone's lunch, because this was one little stitchpunk who did't ascribe to the wisdom of 'look don't touch.'

Comments

[burlapbibliothecary]

Oh Yip-Yips. You know the way to 3's heart is absolutely through sharing your book. They were already nodding in agreement at the idea of being friends- they knew what that was! Friends were good! But the offer of the book just had the little stitchpunk literally dancing in delighted excitement, metal fingers reaching to gently touch the cover, eyes already click-clicking away as they pulled the book open, eager to see just what it was about.

And really that it was about seemingly everything? Well clearly these Yip-Yips were 3's sort of people. Aliens? Whatever, they were friends and they were nice and shared books so they were good in 3's mind.

[yipyipmartians]

"Nexus book! Astaroth gave it to us!" Blue explains the book some to 3. "It has all the animals in the Nexus in it. All the people, too!" The book's been one of the most valuable things they have here. By magic, a page mentioning 3, with a picture of them, appeared on one of the pages in the book. The Martians are impressed by how quickly Astaroth's magic worked. Clearly the angel's power is very strong. They're glad he's their friend!

The Martians allow 3 to handle the book. He's a friend, and friends share things with each other. So they're happy to allow the nice little doll to poke around it. There's a lot to learn. They'll probably be busy for a while.

[burlapbibliothecary]

The book had definitely been bigger when it was handed over, but now it was small enough for 3 to handle, which just had the stitchpunk looking absolutely delighted. Books back home were huge, and while they loved them it could be a trial to page through them, especially the more fragile ones.

This Nexus place was amazing. And so was Astaroth, whoever that was.

It was a fascinating book, and the doll was excited to look through it, starting when they noticed the page appearing about them, eyes flickering in excitement as they took it in. This was amazing! How did it work? Was it magic? It must be!

[yipyipmartians]

It is magic - the Martians figured that much out. They don't know much about the angels, but know they're very strong and know a lot. All that information was stored in Astaroth's special Nexus book that he gave to the Martians.

The Martians love watching the book's magic work, too. They hadn't known it could change size! That's amazing!

"Like book?" Pink asks, a little curiously. They guess they do, given how engaged 3 is in it. The little creature's very endearing, and the Martians enjoy helping someone like them learn. "Good?"

[burlapbibliothecary]

3 likes this magic. They know that there was some manner of magic in how they were made, but that magic was also a little scary. This though seemed less so.

They beamed up at Pink's question, one hand holding the book while the other came up to give a thumbs up because yes, this was good!

And well, Blue had gotten a hug, time for Pink to get one too!

[yipyipmartians]

The Martians' experience with the Nexus has been good so far. They know there are some things that are scary, which is why they don't really go out of the town or into the darker areas. But everyone so far has been nice.

Pink tries to give a thumbs-up in return, which is difficult when all you have to sign with is a tentacle. But they hope the message got across.

They accept the hug, warmly stroking 3 with a tentacle. 3 is a very good friend, and Pink and Blue love making friends.

[burlapbibliothecary]

3 knew a lot of scary things. Had seen a lot of them. But they were happy with what they'd seen in the Nexus so far, and were quite delighted with their new friends.

Especially as they were friends that liked hugs!

[yipyipmartians]

There aren't many scary things on Sesame Street, and people have a way of looking out for each other. Being accepting. The Martians use their experiences there to guide them here.

And one of those lessons is that everyone could be friends, if they wanted to be. Pink gently hugs 3, and Blue comes over to join in.

[burlapbibliothecary]

So many hugs! If Sesame Street had more fluffy people that liked hugs as much as Blue and Pink, 3 would love it. They tucked the book under one arm for the moment, and while they were smaller than their new friends they were going to do their level best to hug them both at the same time!

[yipyipmartians]

The Martians happily accept the hugs, trembling as 3 embraces them. They love 3! And they love hugs! They aren't used to being the bigger ones, since the yip-yips are smaller than most of their Nexus friends.

[burlapbibliothecary]

3 is very used to being the tiny one- even among the others they and their twin were rather diminutive. This just meant that the Martian's hugs were super effective!

[yipyipmartians]

The Martians love giving hugs! Their tentacles are soft and plush, not wet like most tentacles are. So their hugs are nice and confortable.

"Aww!" says Blue. "Thank you Three!"

[burlapbibliothecary]

3 very much likes hugging the Martians- they're so very soft and cuddly! They beam up at Blue when he thanks them, giving the tentacles they were hugging tight a friendly sort of pat in return of the sentiment with a beaming sort of smile.

[yipyipmartians]

The Martians smile, a soft, toothless grin. They like this little creature, and even enjoy the flashing little eyes. It's a little like a flashing camera, the way they turn on and glow.

[burlapbibliothecary]

Please excuse 3- they have decided they need to be up higher for more hugs, so will be tucking the book into the back thumb of their garden glove outfit before going to scale one of those tentacles.

[yipyipmartians]

Blue looks very happy to have someone climbing on their tentacle. They're smiling, raising the tentacle so 3 can go over to climb on Pink if they would like. They like how adventurous 3 has been so far.