Chapter Text
You carefully walked along the sidewalk of a bustling street in Robloxia, trying to blend in as best as you could. Tugging your beanie over your head, you aimed to hide your distinctive bacon hair, knowing full well that it could make you stand out too much. Hands tucked deep into your jacket pockets, you moved hurriedly, no way were you going to risk being stopped or judged just because of how you look. Ugh... You look like a crook.
Your destination was simple: the pharmacy just a few blocks away. You needed to grab some essentials, nothing more. As you approached a crosswalk, you paused, glancing left and right to make sure no cars were barreling your way. Satisfied, you jogged across the street and reached the other side without being hit.
Walking past the busy shops and signs, your eyes caught a large advertisement TV mounted on a building. The screen flickered with rolling updates, something about changes rolling out to users worldwide. You couldn't hear the details from where you stood, but the vague message was enough to make your stomach tighten.
Roblox and Roblox HQ has really gone downhill ever since Builderman and the original Admins disappeared. Things haven't been the same.
Plus, It's already been hard enough for you and your mom to get by and you doubt the new CEO is doing anything to help people like you.
Finally arriving at the pharmacy. The double doors slid apart smoothly, revealing the familiar scent of antiseptic that immediately transported you back to your many visits here. The sterile smell was comforting in a way.
You stepped inside and scanned the quiet interior. Fewer Robloxians were shopping this time which was a relief. After about five minutes of standing in line, quietly tapping your shoes against the tiled floor, it was finally your turn. The Robloxian behind the counter looked up with a friendly smile. "And how can I help you today?"
You've seen her a few times before, during your frequent visits but she was usually in the back. "I came here a month ago," you replied, pulling a medication bottle out of your shoulder strap bag and placing it on the counter. "I need a refill."
She picked up the bottle, examining the label carefully before glancing back at you. "And who is this medication for?" Your stomach tightened. Did she think you were a script addict or something? You hesitated for a moment, then answered. "Cynthia Monet."
She nodded, then asked, "And that makes you?" A bitter grimace crossed your face. You hated your name, everyone always teased you about it. "Y/N Monet. I'm adopted." She didn't say anything further, only turning to her computer and clicking away for a few minutes.
After a few moments of waiting, the pharmacy clerk looked back at you with a calm but professional expression. "Alright. A refill on this medication type will be 243 Robuxs." Her words hit you like a punch to the stomach. Your eyes widened in shock, and you half-yelled, "What?!", unable to believe the outrageous price. The sound drew some glances from the people in the back, and your cheeks burned with embarrassment.
Realizing your outburst, you quickly forced yourself to calm down and took a deep breath. You reached into your jacket and pulled out all the Robux you'd managed to earn last week. Counting the pile of currency in your hand, you placed it on the counter. "I've got... 48 bux," you said. "How much can I get for that?"
She looked at your money for a few seconds, her eyes flicking between the small pile of Robux and your face. Without a word she grabbed the currency, and turned away, heading into the back room presumably to retrieve the medication.
As you waited, the quiet hum of the pharmacy was interrupted by low gossip from the Robloxians standing behind you. Their murmurs about your appearance drifted over, making you shift uncomfortably. You pulled your hood up further shadowing your features.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity the clerk reappeared, carrying a small, barely filled bottle of medicine. She placed it in a paper bag and set that on the counter and you hurriedly reached out to grab it.
"Th-that's it?" you stammered grabbing the bag.
"Next," she said flatly, completely brushing you off and indicating that your turn was over.
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You carefully made your way back to your apartment, choosing a dim, narrow alley to avoid any potential trouble on the bustling street. That trip was all the money you'd managed to scrape together in the last three weeks, your entire savings, gone into that tiny bottle of medicine that's now in your bag.
A heavy sigh escaped your lips. How are you going to pay rent by the end of the month? Or feed yourself and your sick mom? The thought gnawed at you, like a relentless beast. Everything is falling apart, the world outside, your life, your hopes. It all feels like it's going to shit.
"Well, well, well," a male voice drawled from behind you, sharp and mocking. You whipped around quickly. Standing there was a Robloxian of color, holding a gleaming lead pipe in his hands, the metal catching the dim alley light. His expression was twisted into a sly grin and his eyes glinting with mischief and menace. "Look what we got here, Cassidy, a Bacon," he said brandishing the pipe and looking behind you.
Your eyes darted to the side and behind you, and there, emerging from the shadows, was a female Robloxian with bright yellow fur, her features resembling that of a dog, ears perked up, snout slightly elongated and a tail, yet standing upright on her legs. Her teeth were bared in a sharp, unsettling smile, eyes narrowing as she looked you over. "Fresh meat more like it, Turner," she said, voice dripping with disdain, her tone cold and predatory.
You stiffened, your stomach twisting with dread as you pulled your bag closer. Mugging was the last thing you needed today.
Turner sneered, his grip tightening on the lead pipe as he stepped closer. Cassidy's sharp eyes flicked between you and her partner.
"I don't want any trouble," you started but Turner cut you off sharply, flipping the pipe in his hand with a flick.
"Shut it, Bacon," he spat, eyes narrowing. "Drop everything on the ground or we'll bash your face in."
Cassidy moved in on your other side, both of them closing in like predators.
"Does it look like I got anything on me?" you responded, trying to sound confident.
Turner put on a faux thinking face, his lips curling into a mock serious expression as he tapped his chin with a gloved hand. "Maybe you don't," he said slowly, a sly smirk spreading across his face. "Maybe you do. Either way, I get to blow off some steam." Without warning, he took that final step forward, muscles tensing as he raised the gleaming lead pipe high above his head.
In a flash, he swung the pipe downward with brute force. You reacted instinctively, jumping back just in time to avoid the blow. The pipe sliced through the air where your head had been a moment ago, feeling the rush of wind and the faint metallic scent of the metal as it narrowly missed you.
Cassidy cheered from the sidelines, the furry Robloxians encouraging. "Yeah, fuck him up, Turner!" she yelled as you dodged another swing from Turner.
Turner swung the pipe again but this time you reacted quickly. You reached out and grabbed the gleaming metal, wincing as the rough surface scraped against your palms. The force of the swing jarred your arms, but you held on tight. With a sudden surge of strength, you yanked the pipe out of Turner's grasp, causing him to stumble forward.
Without hesitation, you delivered a kick to his chest, sending him crashing onto the cracked pavement with a thud. Turner grunted in pain, but before you could capitalize further, a pair of hands grabbed your arms from behind. Cassidy's grip was tight, her claws digging into your skin, forcing you to release your hold on the pipe. It clattered to the ground as you struggled against her hold, trying to break free.
Turner recovered quickly. He seized the opportunity and struck you in the face with a swift, hard punch, making stars burst behind your eyes. The blow to your gut followed immediately after, knocking the wind out of you. You doubled over, clutching your stomach as pain shot through your torso. You collapsed onto the cold alley floor, gasping for air.
Turner picked up the pipe off the ground and began walking to your downed self. "Oh I'm gonna enjoy thi-"
Turner's eyes widened in surprise as the spray paint can suddenly struck him squarely on the head with a loud "Bonk!" The impact made him stagger back, clutching his forehead as he rubbed the spot, grimacing in annoyance. His grip on the pipe loosened again, and he let it fall to the ground with a clatter.
From the exit of the alley, a female Robloxian appeared, her presence commanding and a bit unsettling. Her skin was a vibrant, hot pink, and her head was a television screen colored pink, with static lines. The screen displayed a simple kaomoji face: #◣ _ ◢, which seemed to be an angry expression. She wore a classic red Roblox cap fitted snugly on her head, with holes cut out for her TV antennas to poke through.
Her outfit appeared casual yet sporty, a red hoodie with the hood down, black sports pants that hugged her legs, black sneakers and elbow guards to protect her, well elbows. Black fingerless gloves covered her hands, emphasizing her edgy style. Extending from her back was a cable that resembled a tail, slowly flicking side to side.
Under her arm, she carried a skateboard, the deck showing signs of frequent use, suggesting she's probably a skater who.
"01! Any0n3 t3ach y0u that bully1ng 0th3rs 1s wack?" She said, her voice sounding a bit, bit crushed.
"Stay out of this clanker! Or we'll fuck you up just like this Bacon." Cassidy said pointing to you.
The robot took a confident step forward. "1'll giv3 y0u 0n3 last chance. Scram 0r I'll make y0u scram." The cable tail flicked impatiently behind her, a clear sign she wasn't backing down.
Turner sneered, cracking his 'knuckles'—(though do Robloxians even have Knuckle??) "You don't scare me!" he spat, charging straight toward her with his fist ready to strike.
The robot easily sidestepped his attack and with a swift motion, swung her skateboard like a bat, delivering a sharp whack to the back of Turner's head. The force sent him stumbling forward, crashing down onto the pavement with a thud.
Cassidy immediately rushed to his side, helping the dazed Robloxian to his feet. Her eyes flashed with anger as she glared at the robot. "Stupid bitch! We'll get you for this!" she yelled. Without waiting, Cassidy grabbed Turner by the arm and pulled him out of the alley, disappearing around the corner.
The robot let out a faint, electronic phew and then approached you. She extended a hand towards you. "Y0u alr1ght?" she asked face a •ᴗ•
You blinked, staring at her outstretched hand, unsure if you should trust it. After a moment of hesitation, you reached out and took it. Her hand was cold, exactly what you'd expect from holding a robot's hand, feeling like firm, icy metal. Despite the chill, she grasped your hand with surprising strength, pulling you up with a force that made you stumble slightly forward.
"Cu0ldn't just stand by and watch th0s3 scrubs m3ss with y0u like that." she said with a smile as she let your hand go, your hand hovered for a few seconds before you put it down.
You take a moment to really look at her, noting that she's exactly half a stud taller than you. You tend to overthink and obsess about the tiniest details.
"I'm Veeronica, but my h0m3sl1c3s call me Vee, which y0u can t00." As she speaks, she places her skateboard on her back, and it magnetically clicks into place.
You stay silent for a beat, caught up in your own overthinking. A flicker of confusion crossed her digital face. "Ar3 y0u mut3 f3lla?" she asks, tilting her head slightly.
The question pulls you out of your thoughts. You snap your eyes away from the ground and meet her gaze, feeling a twinge of embarrassment. "Sorry, not used to others talking to me with such... niceness. Or being saved," you admit softly. It's strange, she's talking to you like you're a person, not just a Bacon. That feels weird, but also kind of nice.
You swallow hard before adding, "I'm Y/N, by the way."
"R4d nam3," she says. That simple compliment makes your chest tighten with a strange, pleasant warmth.
You suddenly remembered your mom. "Oh fuck! I'm sorry, I can't stay, gotta do something." Your legs moved instinctively as you sprinted past Veeronica.
Veeronica watched you go, her digital face flickering with confusion. She tilted her head slightly. "Huh, they're acting rather dippy." ・・? she muttered.
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You turned the key in the lock of your apartment door and pushed it open, slipping inside. The place was small and cluttered, a makeshift home that combined a modest kitchen with a cramped living area. The walls were scuffed, and the furniture showed signs of wear, but it was yours. Thank Builderman that at least you can live here... for now.
The TV was flickering softly. You must have accidentally left it on. The news anchor's voice droned on: "And in a shocking turn of events, the new CEO has once again put massive tariffs on Bloxytoria. This has once again impacted the overall inflation situation that has been plaguing Roblox for two straight years now. I'm Dana Terrance, and that was your daily news-"
You reached out and pressed the power button, turning off the television with a click. A wave of frustration washed over you. "Fucking bullshit..." you muttered under your breath running your hand through your hair.
You set your key and the bag with the medicine down on the rickety table, threw off your beanie and shrugged off your jacket, hanging it carelessly against a battered chair.
You stepped quietly into the bedroom, the soft glow of the dim light casting gentle shadows across the space. Cynthia was sleeping peacefully on the bed, her face a little clearer than yesterday, there was a faint glow of color returning to her cheeks, not by much, but enough to give you a glimmer of hope.
You knelt down gently, reaching out to softly brush a strand of hair from her forehead. "Maman, I'm home," you said softly. Her eyes slowly focused on you, and a weak, tender smile spread across her face as she looked at you.
She began to do sign language, her hands moving carefully despite her weakness. Ever since she fell ill, her voice had become barely audible. Luckily, she's French, so she had to pick up sign language a while back to talk to English-speaking Robloxians, and you, of course.
"Y/N, welcome home. How was the trip?" she signed slowly.
You responded in kind, signing back with a gentle smile. "It went fine, Cynthia. I got the medicine. It's... not much, but we can make it work. You'll get better, Maman."
She then noticed the bruise around your eye. "Y/N? Did someone hurt you?! Are you ok?" she signed urgently, her eyes filled with concern. You quickly tried to cover it, instinctively turning your face away. "It's not serious, just some creeps got the jump on me, I'm fine, seriously." you signed back, trying to reassure her. She didn’t look completely convinced but at least she accepted your words, nodding slowly.
You let out a sigh. "I'll make dinner, and tomorrow morning I'll help you take the medicine." you signed. She nodded in response.
Her hand reached out and gently rested on yours. You hesitated for a moment, then clasped her hand in yours, holding it firmly before carefully, slowly, letting it go. With that, you rose to your feet and quietly left the room.