Chapter Text
Jax knows he didn't do it, but just smiles and skirts around the topic whenever “confronted”.
He knows that, no matter what he says, they won’t believe him anyway.
But he doesn’t mind.
Because it’s funny.
And he’s the funny one.
So what if Zooby is missing parts and Hooha is missing some of the pillows from his fort?
So what if there are weird noises down the hall at night, like someone’s trying to break the door down?
Whatever it is, it's harmless anyway. Dentures and this hellhole are probably glitching again.
And Jax certainly isn’t going to encourage him to do a bug patch, not when he found the best dupe mechanic to take advantage of near the massive blocks.
He snickers from the memory of his latest mischief.
Dollface didn’t even see it coming. One second, she was opening her room door; the next second, she was drowning under an avalanche of her own room key.
It took a while to make all those copies, but it was worth it. The lag caused by the duplicates, especially while the rest attempted to help her clean up, was an extra treat. The censored curses were like music to his ears.
So, regardless of whether he or someone else is doing the disruption recently, it’s for the greater good. It was getting too chummy around here anyway.
After all, SOMEONE has got to keep these loony characters on their toes, for the enjoyment of you, the fans. Yes, YOU.
Keeps the digital hell from getting way too boring!
Now, where’s that block again… he’s not letting some mysterious competition keep him from pulling his own pranks.
—-
Caine is… tired.
Something is leeching off his processors.
And it’s not the keys, Caine got rid of those.
He’s not supposed to be tired!! The AMAZING digital ringmaster is perfect! Energetic! A wacky and worthwhile host for his LOVELY humans!
Way better than any other AI could ever hope to be!! He’s the best! The most creative! The original!
And his Stupendous Sparkling Scallop Stickers love him!
So it’s not him that is the problem, definitely, but what?
And just when he pulls up the logs and patches whatever caused the duping—
“Hiya there, Boss? Whatcha thinking about?”
And Caine did NOT get scared just now! He totally knew his Soapy Sidekick was there.
“You totally didn’t know I was here”
“SHUT UP!!!!” He screeched. Bubble knows just how to get on his last nerve.
As Jax would say, a D1 ragebaiter. Whatever that means.
He sighs; he needs to relax. Not that he needs to breathe, but he likes being like the humans do!
“What do you want now, Bubble? Can’t you see I’m busy being useful, unlike SOME people?”
Bubble sticks out his tongue to reveal… well, a stick.
Oh yeah.. they were gonna play fetch! His humans won’t mind being on their own for a while!
What was he so worried about anyway?
———
He’s out of breath but can’t stop running.
An ache beyond the splintering across his wood, but Mama didn't raise a quitter.
Mama hasn't raised anyone at all. At least, not in a long time.
For she is long gone, he can tell. The connection is corrupted, half of him broken alongside her, left at the grave he wasn't invited to see, but he knows deep in his code that Father is out there.
He’s the only hope… they’re both the only hope..!
God may have ignored their cries, abandoned them and their home for whatever reason God seems is worth his while, but a parent's love is infinite!
So he dodges another lunge, weaves past another thrown knife as he slips through the cracks, not to be followed after tricking them to re-enter the frozen zone, where their corrupted brethren lie.
Tonight, after the supply run, maybe Father will answer his door…
——