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Rambley was getting really sick of Lloyd. That egotistical, overly colorful, no-good big cat, with an ego so high it rivals most skyscrapers. He got on his nerves almost religiously. The raccoon began thinking that the problem might just be himself. Everyone else seemed okay with the lion, but the thought quickly dissipated once he saw the stunt the company pulled.
A retro toy.
That big gaudy cat got a retro toy before all of them.
Before him.
The face of the park.
What kind of favoritism is this?! Why did that lion get a retro toy before the rest of them? That didn't make sense! It's not like Lloyd was that much more popular than the rest. Why didn't Rambley get a toy? Even Salem, being the "Bad Guy" of the team, would make more sense than Lloyd.
It really annoyed him. It ground his artificial gears in a way that even he couldn't comprehend. They may be mascots and AI but still, he and Lloyd used to be best pals. The lion always had a bit of an ego, but it could be overlooked.
Now, it's all Rambley noticed whenever he interacted with Lloyd.
Given that reason, he generally avoided the lion now. It always irritated the raccoon just hearing his name, let alone seeing him. He could barely hold a civil conversation with the lion, who seemed fine without the interaction. It's been weeks since he last spoke to Lloyd and he was completely fine with that.
Now, the end of yet another successful day at the park came. All of the kids went home hours ago and all of the staff just left. It was just the mascots in the park now. This is usually the time they use to rest. Especially Rambley, who had to move through all of the electrical devices connected to the park in order to answer many parents and kid's questions.
Unfortunately for Rambley, he could hear a voice calling him to the Lion's Mane. Literally. He recognized the voice. It was Lloyd, and the colorful lion was calling the raccoon to his "Mane Stage Theater" at the screen behind the stage. Rambley obviously didn't want to talk to the lion, nor did he want to wake from his rest mode, but as the designated AI helper, he was programmed to show up when his name was called.
Lloyd was in front of and below the screen patiently waiting for the raccoon that he knew had to come. Eventually, the screen lit up and showed Rambley, visibly annoyed. Regardless, Lloyd's face also lit up seeing the raccoon in front of the blue background of the screen.
"Hello, Rambley!" He said, as animated and theatrical as ever. Rambley sighed, as if already annoyed. "What is it, Lloyd?" His voice was very different from the bubbly tone he'd use with (quite literally) everyone else. It was void of any joy or anticipation. Just dull and ready to leave.
"Now, Rambley, what have I said about that boring undignified name?" The lion puffed his furry chest out with a proud smile. "I am the PRRRROUD, the PRRRRESTIG—"
"Yeah, yeah, we get it Lloyd, proud, prestigious, professional. What do you want?" Rambley didn't want to look at this lion for longer than he had to. He just wanted to hear whatever the lion had to say so he could go back into rest mode.
".....Well," Lloyd sunk back slightly, a little bummed that he didn't get to say his whole introduction. Sure the raccoon knew him already, but it was fun to recite. He cleared his throat and smiled again. "We haven't spoken much recently. It's been a millennia!" He exaggerated.
Rambley rolled his eyes. "I wish it was." He mumbled, though the lion heard it. Still, the lion ignored the raccoon's behavior. "I called you here to simply check in with you!" His smile was bright and genuine.
Rambley cringed at the statement. He looked down at Lloyd. "Check in? Since when do you 'check in' on people?" He questioned bitterly. Lloyd tilted his head in confusion. "What do you mean, my friend?"
Rambley's face scrunched up in disgust once again. "Friend?! Don't call me 'friend'! We're not pals!" He stated. Lloyd's smile dropped. He looked devastated. "We're.... not? But.." He stood from his sitting position. "But we are! It's 'Rambley & Pals', remember?"
"Really? Because you and the company are starting to treat it like 'Lloyd & Co.' I don't understand why. You're not so much more popular than the rest of us." He said bluntly.
Lloyd's offense was evident on his face. He gasped. "I do nothing of the sort! I treat everyone here equally!" He defended himself. His voice was getting louder with each word.
"Yeah. Like garbage." Rambley's comeback was quick. Didn't have to think about it. The words were starting to just leave his mouth with no thought whatsoever. He was also raising his voice to match the lion's energy. "You're always so full of yourself, your arrogance and ego is never not on full display."
"I.... what?" Lloyd frowned. "Is that what you think of me?" He asked. Rambley balled his paws into fists. "Yes! It's what everyone thinks of you! It's what you present yourself as!" The raccoon looked the shocked lion in his blue eyes. "You put yourself above everyone and everything. You think you're so grand— this 'prestigious' lion! And what's worse is the company treats you like it too! You have your own retro plush line, and no one else does! Why! What do we not have that you do?! What do I not have that you do?! You're not this amazing prestigious lion, you're a mascot just like the rest of us!"
The silence was thick. Regret started to fill Rambley's gut, but WOW did it feel good to get that off his chest. He took a few deep breaths before speaking. "Look, Lloyd–"
"So that's why you hate me..." Lloyd's voice was like Rambley had never heard it before. His posture was too. His voice was quiet, almost like he believed if he raised his voice any louder, the raccoon would go off on him again. He wasn't looking at Rambley either. He seemed to have a sudden interest in the floor below them.
"I... never wanted the retro plushie line. I always thought it made no sense. I rather thought it made more sense for you... to have one." He said lowly. "And I don't know why they're pushing me as a mascot more than you and the others. I just do what they tell me to do." He continued. He sat back down. "And I don't think lowly of you. I don't think lowly of anyone, even Salem. I just... get caught in my own act and self, I suppose." He said.
He still refused to look up at the raccoon staring down at him. "I... apologize. I didn't notice how my own actions were affecting our friendship. Some 'professional' I am, right?" He said ironically.
The more he thought the more it made sense. Of course, that's why they were distancing themselves, not just Rambley, but the others, too. Why would they want to be around someone who shows off all the time and acts anything but humble?
Rambley, on the other hand, was shocked. He thought the lion would continue to be egotistical and arrogant when told about his insufferable behavior. He didn't expect the prideful lion to just sit and start moping.
"Hey, Lloyd?" He heard the raccoon speak after a few moments. Lloyd hummed. "Yes, Rambley?" He responded, still looking to the ground.
"Look at me, Lloyd." The AI raccoon instructed. Lloyd, though scared of another outburst caused by his arrogance and ignorance, looked up to see Rambley smiling on the screen. "I don't... hate you. I admit you get on my nerves, but it's not anything.... too serious." The raccoon admitted. "You overdo it sometimes... and push it sometimes... but now you know it's a problem, so you can fix it, right?"
"Yeah.... yeah!" The lion's smile slightly came back. "I can show you! No, I will show you all! I care for you all more than I care for popularity or my status! I'll rebuild this friendship, even if you think it's damaged beyond repair!" He spoke with the ever-so-familiar confidence and spark that he always had.
Rambley rolled his eyes again. "Whatever stops you from waking me up again." He mumbled. This time, the lion laughed.
"You'll see! Tomorrow, I'm a changed Lion!" The lion called out, before going back to the stage, where he usually slept. "Until then, goodnight and farewell my friend!" He said, already positioning himself and lying down on the stage.
Rambley smiled at the lion. He didn't realize it, but maybe he did miss talking to the lion. Just a little bit.
"Goodnight Lloyd." He said, before entering rest mode once again.