Chapter Text
Chance stared at himself through the mirror, spitting out the toothpaste in his mouth—he groaned, putting back his toothbrush.
Wiping his mouth with a towel, they proceeded down the hallway to his bedroom.
The ripped cream color wallpaper made it look like an animal attack, or just lack of care. Maybe both.
Various photographs hung on the wall as he looked at either side while walking, some frames had just himself, others had a group of people, just fewer.
never was a people person, huh?
One stood out, unfortunately enough. It had himself and another figure, one with a crown and close to an identical suit to Chance's stood side by side with each other, but the face of the other was vigorously scribbled out.
There was a text above the two that said ‘friends forever!’ However, it was hardly readable due to the words being scratched off, but with enough effort you could read it fine.
As Chance got himself ready for the night: fiddling with objects such as starting his alarm for tomorrow and then climbing into bed and turning off his lamp.
They laid in it, closing his eyes. Chance sighed shakily; he opened his eyes again, staring at the wall.
He tossed to the side, looking at their bedside, the sleeping pills in specific. Some knocked over and empty, some still full.
he closed their eyes again.
fuck.. what is this, hangover? They thought to themselves, rubbing his forehead as he muttered something incomprehensible.
obviously not. something much, much deeper.
i should just get rid of the damned photograph.
He looked over at his window, the closed curtain. The dim lighting of the moon curling around it.
Chance reached to the table, taking hold of the bottle of pills, dumping a small pile into his hand and swallowing it. He drank water to make the pill go down faster.
whats the worst that can happen?
He closed his eyes again. Despite already taking and swallowing the sleeping pills, nervousness started to creep through him.
--- WINDY ISLAND ---
Chance woke up in a small bedroom, looking around the interior before getting up from the bed. It was like he woke from hibernation, stretching a bit.
this is… new.
He looked around inside of the bedroom. There wasnt much, but in a way it was...roomy. Friendly.
at least its not abandoned. He thought.
“What if it is?”
They pondered aloud, following along with his initial thought. Chance shrugged, not finding much freight in it. What could happen even something were to happen to him?
Looking outside of the bedroom, they noticed the opened door. It caught his eye; They looked outside of the cabin, surprised at the sight before him.
snow.
Chance walked outside of the cabin, the familiar crunch of snow beneath his boots making him cringe a bit, sighing.
“Too loud.”
He muttered, looking around the new place and its surroundings.
The first thing he noticed were flowers around the yard, perfectly in bloom. Like time had stopped it from wilting. Chance wasn't entirely surprised at the sight. This was a dream after all, was it not?
A snowman and a scarecrow together. Nothing out of the ordinary.
Looking further out, he realized just how empty the whole world was. They sighed a little.
about to turn back, he stopped.
At least, until he saw something, or maybe it was just his imagination. Regardless, he turned back and walked left of the cabin, cautious.
portals?
He looked around, noticing a grave. They paused for a moment, taking notice of the flowers around. Believing someone was here, watching over him. He was tense as he looked back at the portals, this time with more caution.
They were obviously confused as he looked at the three, all with different signs and numeral minerals next to it. next to the portals.
a sulphur, dice, and eye.
Chance looked at the signs as if they were artifacts, before shrugging and walking toward them.
After a long moment of thought, he reached down and began to play each of the signs. A simple touch changed the mineral. They paused; Chance didn’t have an exact goal in mind as he messed with the signs. hell, i dont even know if this is a good or bad thing. He cursed to himself.
After touching the final sign a seventh time, a sound occurred.
a train.
Chance flinched, raising his head. His tail stood out, fur sticking out in all ends as it laid alert and unmoving. They started to relax only after he realized it was just his imagination.
at least, they thought so.
am i supposed to go back now? is it safe?
He started to ponder, thoughts flooding his mind with endless questions. Ultimately, he shook their head. He shuddered at their unawareness of the new world.
Walking back into the cabin, he felt an urge to look around inside of it now, but he shrugged, resisting his thoughts.
maybe ill get a chance later. They chuckled.
With a shake of his head they got into the bed...
cardboard.
The bed was uncomfortable. He shifted a bit as if he could get any comfort from doing so. (they couldnt)
Chance stiffened at the roughness of the bed, eventually sighing in defeat.
why do i care?
They scoffed, shutting their eyes.
--- THE PINK SWAMP ---
A dream with lush bushes and trees—a lake you could easily walk through was at its center; it was simple enough. Well, other than the fact that there were numerous doors surrounding him, making it somewhat difficult to navigate.
Traversing through the lake, Chance looked up and noticed the towering mountain. He looked down at his suit and dusted himself off as if to ready himself for a big race. Despite him knowing he’d still dust himself off of debris even after the climb, he sighed.
He turned toward the small cabin from which he had woken up from. feels like home. He thought to himself; He turned back to the mountain and started their ascent.
With a little struggle due to his suit, he made it to the top. They dusted themselves off again, flicking his tail; they glanced at the various doors around the mountain. He tilted his head, curious.
Chance looked around, considering the various options, then decided to walk through the largest cave first. He stopped after the first few steps, squinting as if looking at an unearthly sight.
Before him was an arcade machine, a couch, and something else he couldn’t identify. Whatever it was, it seemed unusual. Despite it, he decided none of it was of interest to him, walking back out with a frustrated huff.
They looked up, noting the hut above more scaling mountains. At first glance, it looked impossible to ascend. But, being arrogant as usual, he decided:
“More climbing,”
he muttered aloud to himself, but shook their head.
maybe later.
He pondered as he looked around again; his gaze settled on the waterfall across from the cave. They walked toward it through the lake.
They kept his tail above water, scoffing as he splotched through the water. It was a struggle, considering his suit.
it's not like it would matter or not my clothing would get muddied.
i’ll wake up, and it’ll be like none of this even happened.
He thought, a small grin on his face now as an unruly thought came to his head.
They were hesitant as he stopped in front of the waterfall, looking around as if someone was watching, feeling unease creep over him.
no.
He knew someone was nearby, he could sense the individual. He rolled his eyes. fool. He almost laughed.
yet he continued to play coy instead.
Eventually, he walked through the waterfall, his fedora keeping the majority of his hair dry; on the other hand, some of it still took a sacrifice.
this place was so damn confusing.
He frowned at the near-empty sight when he stepped inside, clearly not finding themselves getting wet worth it.
As he turned to walk back out of the waterfall, they paused. He looked down and noticed at a potted plant. He crouched down at it, looking at it at a closer glance.
Despite the lack of sunlight and direct water, it seemed to thrive. Chance grew jealous. But, he also reminded himself that none of this was real, the plant likely being fake.
but damn it all for looking real.
Walking out of the waterfall, grumbling at his fedora now soaked, he took it off to spare his hair, ears raising and alert. He looked to his left.
He didn't know why, but the plant ahead intrigued him. It was on the same side as the door he was looking at now.
They could just be going crazy at this point. Regardless, he shrugged.
hell, what's the worst that could happen?
Walking forward to said door, he noticed another potted plant, a similar one from before. A small smile tugged his lips. He opened the door and walked in.
He was entranced, a forest before him.
Bridges that separated in all directions with a large lake underneath. Looking around, he noticed the wide range of trees and lily pads, all shades of pink alike.
The lily pads were big enough to step on.
He thought.
but, not worth the risk.
He quickly told himself.
what if i drown? what happens then?
He shivered at the new thought he gave himself.
new dream, new risk.
He smiled as he looked at the forest. its nice. He thought to himself. The gentle hum and croaking frogs pleased his ears they twitched. This was far different from what he was used to, which was full of bright flashing colors and loud cheers that flooded his own casino. This was a change he could get used to.
As Chance went further and further through the swamp, they stopped; in front of him was a cabin, at least what looked like one. With curiosity getting the best of them, he walked forward.
He walked inside, and it seemed to be an infirmary station. He tilted his head in curiosity, but not at the medical equipment, but rather at a rabbit before him.
It wasn’t just one, but rather ten, maybe more. He wondered why they were here, or even how they got here. Why? questions raced in his head, hardly even noticing that he was now walking toward the fluffle. reaching a hand out.
he stopped again.
It wasn't for any reason from before, hell, not even a feeling he felt once.
An overwhelming sense of dread washed through him–now alert of a well known presence behind him.
damn, arent i carefree? i didnt even bother fully acknowledging it at first.
Neither he nor the new presence said anything or even moved, but were well aware of each other’s existence. Eventually, Chance cocked his head, turning to look up at the new figure, pausing.
The figure had a face masked by a fedora, but the frown said everything, and that it wasn't happy with him being here.
Chance backed up, alarmed. But they stumbled back, nearly falling over one of the rabbits. The fluffle scattered with a few yelping from fear.
The figure growled as they watched the sight, stepping closer to chance. He quivered, his tail wrapped around his own leg as if to comfort himself.
he spoke, a blurb.
“I don't know what I did wrong!” he exclaimed. “I wasn’t harming them-” Chance quickly motioned to the fleeing rabbits. “-just wanting to pet them! or- or something!”
He stopped suddenly as the figure kneeled down to chance. He basically stopped shaking right at that moment.
He went still; he knew the figure was inspecting him, trying to sense signs of hostility regardless of his claims. It stood up after a moment with a huff. The figure thumped its foot like one would a rabbit.
well, the newcomer certainly looked like one at least.
Chance was curious despite the fact he was about to be killed then and there. But, that also left him to wonder:
why was i spared?
Chance didn’t hear the other speak, but watched his mouth move. He realized he was zoning out. He shook his head, looking up at the other.
“Sorry?” Chance replied, barely a whisper. out of everything. damn, how bad did i just embarrass myself? do they even speak english?-
“It's cold.” They said, interrupting Chance from his thoughts. There was irritation peaking at having to repeat himself.
Chance watched the other shove off his coat and throw it to them.
They swallowed his next words and caught the coat, slipping it over his shoulders.
“Thank you...” He paused, looking up at the man as he silently asked for a name.
But the other didn't respond, didn't give a name, not even another word. He walked away after. But as Chance watched him leave, something sparked in him. He stared, then hissed as he called out.
“Kill me.”
The figure stopped, turning back to Chance.
He had that same frown on his face, but it seemed almost lighter, hysteric.
“I’m sorry, wolf?” He asked, surprise in his tone. Chance grinned.
my, have the tables turned.
Chance bristled at the comment, but didn't say anything about it. They repeated, “Kill me.. I’m not saying this again.”
The figure took a step closer, laughing.
The next sentences were just gibberish to Chance, speaking what came to his mind.
i just want out. is that too much to ask?
“Try me.”
The figure scowled, snapping Chance from his thoughts; He took another step.
Chance noticed a woman behind the man that spectated the two seemed panicked now, yet made no move to stop him.
The figure was beside him, toe to toe. He rose his sword. Chance caught the hesitation from the other, as if the other was waiting for him to say he regretted his words and wanted to speak up again.
he almost teased him about it. it was cute.
But upon hearing nothing from Chance, the man struck.
The last thing Chance heard was a scream, one from a woman. Despite that, he wasn’t able to hear her exact words.
Yet the last thing he felt was relief, not pain, not fear.